The following helpful article was submitted by Jeff Zaret, owner and operator of PayProTec West Coast. PayProTec West Coast is also a Silver Tier Chamber Member.

Many business owners assume that if they have an e-commerce site, they must use either PayPal or Stripe to process their credit card payments. After all, that seems to be what everyone else does. So these two options must be the only viable choices, right? Wrong!
In fact, when you compare what you get with PayPal or Stripe to what PayProTec West Coast offers, it’s clear that PayPal and Stripe are not the best choices at all.

Here are four reasons why:
 
1. PayPal and Stripe are more expensive. Both of these companies advertise really low credit card processing rates, without mentioning that their rates for “card not present” transactions can be much higher. Of course, all transactions run through an e-commerce site are “card not present” transactions, since your customers are not physically inserting their credit cards into a card reader at your facility. Which means that those low advertised rates will never apply.

In contrast, PayProTec West Coast offers lower rates altogether…and the same low flat rate whether someone is keying in their credit card information or physically inserting their card into your card reader.

2. PayPal and Stripe offer one-size-fits-all solutions. With PayPal and Stripe you are just a commodity. They certainly are not customizing anything for you!

The problem with one-size-fits-all, though, is that different businesses have different needs. A sandwich shop, for example, has different credit card processing needs than a company that sells high-end home theater equipment online. PayProTec West Coast can customize your service and rate structure to fit your business. The other guys expect you to go to their website, enter your information and say “yes” to whatever service they offer.

3. PayPal and Stripe are not known for their excellent customer service. The thing about accepting credit card payments is that sometimes there is an issue with a transaction. When this happens with PayPal or Stripe, good luck getting ahold of someone who can get the issue resolved! 

When you work with PayProTec West Coast you have someone you can call 24/7 to get issues addressed, usually within minutes. In fact, if a problem arises during normal business hours, I’ll usually handle it for you myself.

The bottom line is, if you want to accept credit card payments through your e-commerce site, you’ve got choices. You can go with PayPal or Stripe. Or you can save money, get a customized solution and enjoy amazing customer service by choosing PayProTec West Coast instead. 
 
To learn more, simply give us a call at 949-427-5108 or visit our website at https://payprotecwestcoast.com. We’re here for you!

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!

Please join the Mission Viejo Chamber, AAUW Mission Viejo, and The City of Mission Viejo for this very special community awareness event held on October 30th, 2021, at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, starting 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Please see the attached flyer for more details regarding the keynote speakers, how to become a sponsor, or volunteer for this event. We look forward to seeing you on October 30th!
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.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.

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

On Tuesday evening, November 19th, eleven (11) attendees were present as Chamber member Kurt Varricchio, Attorney at Law, provided helpful legal education on the topic: "Business Law Basics - Developing a Winning Game Plan".

Various areas of business law were covered with attendee participation. Many questions were asked of Kurt and he answered them using his many years of legal experience. 

We thank our food sponsor, Antonucci's, for providing delicious pizza and salad for all the attendees!

​Stay tuned for more educational classes after the first of the year.

Last month, the Chamber launched it’s first educational class on behalf of the general membership. It was entitled: “The Secrets to Business Networking Success”. This “networking 101” class was truly welcomed and enjoyed by all attendees.
 
We are pleased to announce that plans are currently underway to present an “advanced networking” class after the start of the New Year. 
 
Additionally, there will be other classes added as follows: 
 
1) Sales Training: 3-part symposium on “Overcoming Objections”, “Closing Techniques”, and “Listening Skills”. 

2) Digital Marketing & Social Media Training: learn more effective ways to employ “digital tools” in your marketing and how to use social media to enhance your business presence. 

​As you can see, the Board of Directors and many other volunteers, are eagerly seeking more avenues to add greater value to our memberships, such as by offering helpful educational classes. 
 
If you have an interesting and helpful subject matter that you would like to present or have presented, please contact John Rodriguez at jrod@ifminc.com.
 
Stay tuned for more educational classes to be announced and when registration will open!

On Saturday, October 19, 2019, The City of Mission Viejo and Orange County Sheriff's Department will be hosting our 31st Annual Walk Against Drugs and Community Fair. In conjunction with this event, the City will be hosting the 12th Annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo.
 
8 am / Rally at Mission Viejo High School (25025 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo)
9 am / Community Fair & South County Disaster Preparedness Expo at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center (24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo)

Kick off the event by attending the rally at M.V.H.S. Stadium. Walk down La Paz Road through the Oso Creek Trail to the Community Fair and Disaster Preparedness Expo. Enjoy interactive community booths, resources, educational displays, food for purchase, entertainment and games for all ages! Admission is free of charge.

For more information, please call 949-470-8433 or email to crimeprevention@cityofmissionviejo.org. 

Last evening, 11 Chamber attendees, along with 3 Presenters, 2 Directors, and 2 Communications Committee members, were on hand for our first networking 101 class: "The Secrets to Business Networking Success".

This class was specifically designed to help the attendees improve their 30-second commercials, confidently and enthusiastically attend mixers and events (and work the room properly), and employ other practical tips to enhance their networking skills.

We thank David Benson, Adrien Kalfus-Diaz, and Linda Coss for their excellent efforts and expertise as they presented this helpful information. We thank Diana Moreno and Elizabeth Elsanadi for helping us with the videotaping and social media. Also, we acknowledge CEO Doug Zielasko and Directors, John Salamy and John Rodriguez, for their support of this value-added program for our members.

Lastly, we want to wholeheartedly thank our dinner sponsor, Chamber member, Flippin Pizza (Danny and Kelly you are awesome!), for providing the pizzas, salad, and delicious cookies! 

Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks about new educational programs that will be presented for the benefit of our members.