Based on the writing seen on the internet and in printed brochures, many people are confused about the use of single vs. double quotation marks. It’s actually quite simple. Double quotation marks are the standard form used for almost all occasions. Single quotations marks are generally only used to enclose a quotation within a quotation.
 

• “We had nearly reached the summit,” Kevin explained, “when Christopher screamed ‘watch out for the tarantula!’”

Contributed by Linda Coss, owner of Plumtree Marketing, Inc. To learn more about her services, please visit www.PlumtreeMarketingInc.com

.A big part of branding is recognition. All your marketing materials – printed pieces, websites, newsletters, blogs, etc. – should have a consistent and easily recognizable look. Key elements of your brand’s visual image include your logo, color scheme, fonts, layouts and other stylistic elements. Remember, if your marketing materials are a mismatched hodge-podge of colors, designs and messages, it will be very difficult for you to build a recognizable presence in the marketplace.
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Contributed by Linda Coss, owner of Plumtree Marketing, Inc. To learn more about her services, please visit www.PlumtreeMarketingInc.com.

Despite the inclement weather, on December 6th, Chamber members, City, State, and Federal governmental offices, along with staff, family and guests, gathered at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for StretchLab.

Please enjoy these fun photos taken by Ildiko of Takata Photo & Design.

On December 5th, Chamber members, City, State, and Federal governmental offices, along with family and guests, gathered at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for the Coder School.

Please enjoy these fun photos taken by Ildiko of Takata Photo & Design.

Each Tuesday, starting at 7:30 am, an average of nearly sixty (60) Chamber business owners and guests gather at the High Park Tap House for business networking and delicious hot food (Daybreakers Networking Breakfast). Once checked-in at registration, attendees are free to mix n' mingle and get to know their fellow Chamber members and visitors on a more personal basis.

Starting at 8:00 am sharp, the president (currently Jan Miller, owner of 21-13 Impact Graphics) calls the meeting to order with the "pledge of allegiance" and then introduces the leadership group. This leadership group is responsible for registration check-in, greeting new guests, scheduling of presenters, keeping the meeting on-time, and providing regular updates on closed business and the number of 1-to-1 appointments that take place.

After the leadership group is announced, then our guests are introduced, with second-time visitors given one minute to introduce themselves. Next, the winner of the previous week's "best commercial" will enjoy one minute to talk about their business. Then the "winner" now has the esteemed privileged to judge this week's "best commercial" and award the trophy. Now begins the really fun part!

In systematic order, each attendee now has the opportunity to introduce themselves, their business, and what type of referrals they are seeking - all within 30-seconds! (if you hear the "bell", you know your 30-seconds is up and it's time to pass the microphone). After the "commercials" are completed and the winner is awarded, then two presenters will take turns speaking for 10-minutes. This is an opportunity to get an in-depth look at our speakers and their businesses. 

To conclude our networking breakfast, we share brief, positive expressions of closed-business and 1-to-1 visits with our fellow Chamber members. Then various Directors and the CEO will share pertinent information regarding the committees they represent and how this will impact the membership in a positive way. We also celebrate and give recognition to our many volunteers who work so hard on behalf of their fellow members.

In view of the foregoing, it's clear to see that the Mission Viejo Chamber is alive and active and provides their members and guests a weekly forum to gather and cultivate deeper business relationships, leading to referrals and closed business. 

Please enjoy some photos of our "Daybreakers" breakfast below. Also, here are a few quotes from some of our members and visitors who attend:

"I love the energy and enthusiasm in the room! These people really work hard to refer business to each other".

"Every week I meet new business owners in addition to the long-time members. This is a great opportunity to learn more about their company and how I can refer them business".

"You'll be hard-pressed to find another networking group in South County that meets weekly, a group of dedicated men and women in business who truly care about you"!

"I appreciate the tireless volunteer efforts of the Daybreakers Leadership Team, our Ambassadors, and our Directors. Kudos to them for all they do on our behalf".

"I never knew just how many marketing and networking opportunities the Chamber offers to help grow my business. Now it's on me to take advantage of them - and attending the weekly Daybreakers Networking Breakfast is one of the best ways I can do this".

For individuals that have never been associated with a Chamber of Commerce or might have questions regarding the benefits of becoming an active member - the weekly Daybreakers Networking Breakfast is the perfect opportunity to observe first-hand  how we make business happen in our community, yes it's the "front door to the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce"!

To learn more about how to join the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce, please click here. You may also speak with any of our Chamber Ambassadors (identified by their name badges) at "Daybreakers" or other events.

Please enjoy this brief Chamber Member Monthly Spotlight with Amanda Armstrong of Top Hat Balloon Werks​. 

Name: Amanda Armstrong, CBA
 
Business Name:   Top Hat Balloon Werks, LLC

Brief description of business: Top Hat Balloon Werks is your event décor specialist.  We offer customized event décor and deliveries for all special events and occasions.  

Doing business in Mission Viejo since:  1998

Chamber Member since:  2016

Favorite Chamber Member benefit: Daybreakers Networking Breakfast meetings

Favorite Chamber event and why: "Daybreakers" meetings, because they allow us to get to know our fellow chamber members better.  It’s fast-paced and they keep on schedule, (which is great since we all need to get back to work) 😉, but there’s always time to network before and afterwards and get to know other Chamber members on a more personal level.  Great place to see and be seen!  

I joined the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce because: I joined the Chamber because I wanted to expand my business referal network.  That way I can be more of a value to my business, my City and my customers.
 
The Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce has helped me and my business by: The Chamber has allowed me to expand my business network and has offered me the opportunity to show my fellow members what my business is all about and how I can help them with their event needs.   

Please enjoy this brief video taken by Mission Viejo Chamber Director, Ambassador and Communications Committee Chair, John Rodriguez (iFinance Mortgage).

We wholeheartedly THANK all of our Chamber volunteers who donated many hours of their time serving as Directors, Committee members, CEO and Executive Assistant and working on special projects in 2019!

There is still much more positive work to be accomplished and we are very excited that "The Volunteer Spirit is Alive (and at an all-time high) Moving into 2020"!

Can you believe there are only 14 days left before our 2019 Chamber Holiday Party? The Chamber is happy to host this special year-end event on Monday, December 16th, as we gather at the Union Market at Kaleidoscope, starting at 5:30 pm. 

The food and beverages will be served by Chamber member, Sol Agave. The festivities will also include a variety of games, opportunity drawings, sponsor gifts, live entertainment and much more. All Chamber and non-Chamber members (and their families) welcome!

Please see the flyer below for more information (and sponsorship opportunities) or click here for more information. DON'T MISS IT!

When you stop to think about what it is that you’re really selling, you realize that you’re selling solutions to the problems, needs or desires that your ideal clients have. Plus, you’re probably selling different things to different audiences. For example, a restaurant might sell “convenience” to one target audience, a “fun evening out” to another group of people and a “way to connect with family and friends” to others. Whether you’re writing marketing materials or making sales calls, always determine what solution you're offering to the particular group you’re targeting, and then focus your message on this.
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Contributed by Linda Coss, owner of Plumtree Marketing, Inc. To learn more about her services, please visit www.PlumtreeMarketingInc.com