According to the EPA's ENERGY STAR® program, U.S. small businesses together spend a whopping $60 billion on energy each year. A survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) found that energy costs are a top three business expense for more than one-third of the nation's small businesses.  
 
But small businesses also have significant energy savings potential. Depending on the building and business type, small businesses can reduce their energy without sacrificing service or comfort. Here are some ideas: 

• Conduct an energy audit. SDG&E’s Business Energy Solutions program provides an on-site no-cost energy audit. Learn more at sdge.com/BES.  
• Get employees invested. Saving energy is a team sport, not the sole responsibility of the business owner. Encourage staff to share innovative ideas on how to cut down energy costs – creating an energy efficient work culture. 
• Plant trees. Plant shady trees outside of your business to keep your building cool and help clean the air. Depending on your location, vegetation can help weather the summer heat and chilly winter winds. 
• Plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking. It's important to locate any leaks in your business to prevent costly heating and cooling loss. You can easily plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking to efficiently manage your ventilation. 
• Install occupancy sensors. Install dimmers and occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn off lighting. It's important to ensure that the sensors are properly installed. Even good equipment can be installed incorrectly, like being installed in an obstructed location (e.g., behind a coat rack, door, bookcase or other furniture).  
• Turn off unused equipment. Office computer monitors are an easy way to save on your business's energy bill as they use a lot of energy. Ensure that monitors are set on automatic sleep mode during non-working hours or are manually turned off when not in use. Screen savers do not reduce energy use by monitors.  
• Reduce paper usage. Paper and printing can be costly for your business. Print only when necessary and double-sided when you do. This will reduce paper waste and help cut the energy required to run your printer, which reduces your energy costs and may extend the life of your printer.  
• Install hand dryers. Use hand dryers instead of paper towels. As paper towel dispensers need to be refilled, they are a constant, recurring cost and more expensive than automatic hand dryers in the long run. It’s also less mess and reduces waste. 
• Insulate your water heater. If your business's water heater is older than seven years, be sure to wrap it in insulation to retain water heat.
• Examine your energy use online. You can track and monitor your business’s energy usage by signing up for My Account at sdge.com/MyAccount.

What an exciting time had by all as MVCC members, their families, and the community gathered for the Annual Holiday Party on December 8th! Please enjoy the video produced by Jennifer @valcmakeup capturing the highlights of the event!

We have so many amazing events coming up next year, including our inaugural Car Show and Women in Business Awards Luncheon/Fashion Show.  All of our events provide excellent networking opportunities!

If you are a business owner or represent a local business, NOW is the time to join the MVCC as we are ready to sail into 2022 with a positive attitude, readiness to grow our businesses and desire to promote one another.  Click here to join us. Let's go!

On Saturday, October 30th, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley hosted a very sobering and timely event for the community with over 70 in attendance, including City of Mission Viejo Mayor, Trish Kelley and 14 members of the Mission Viejo Chamber. "Stop Human Trafficking through Education and ACTION" was the topic and the AAUW was deeply appreciative of the support and publicity provided for this special event.

Chamber member Moustafa El-Shaabini of Paradise Photography receives credit for the pictures. The event evaluations were positive, and 94% of the responders felt they gained new information at the event.

​We are excited for next year's event!

What started as a small coffee shop on the corner of Main Street in downtown Longmont, Colorado in 2004, has since grown to multiple drive-thru and coffeehouse locations across the U.S - including beautiful Mission Viejo! From the beginning, Ziggi's Coffee mission has always been simple: To serve a convenient and superior cup of coffee with service customers can rely on. 

On Monday, October 11th, several members from the MV Chamber, including Directors and the Daybreakers Networking Group Leadership Team, "mobbed" Ziggy's Coffee and loved the delicious coffee and food. Chamber Mobs afford a great opportunity to meet and network with fellow business owners and the community.

Now it's your turn, let's support our local businesses, large and small, as we strive to continue "making business happen" in the great city of Mission Viejo!

One amazing benefit for new members is to host a Ribbon Cutting. These events draw many Chamber members, community business owners and friends, and our City, County, State, and Federal governmental officials. In addition to showcasing one's business, there are networking opportunities galore!

Please join us in celebrating the Ribbon Cutting hosted by Project Eyecare Optometry on October 15th, starting at 4 pm. Please see the attached flyer for more details.

Note: If your business would like to host a Ribbon Cutting, please click here to review the guidelines and qualifications.

One of the best ways to support our fellow Chamber members is to drive business directly to them. "Chamber Mobs" are designed to do just that. We literally "mob" or plan an all-out Chamber visit, to specific businesses to purchase their goods.

Please join us as we "mob" one of our new members, Ziggi's Coffee, on October 11th. Please see the attached flyer for directions and other helpful information. See everyone there!