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!

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 Monthly Member Spotlight for Silver Chamber member, Moulton Niguel Water District: 
 
Name:  Medha Patel - Communications Coordinator
 
Business Name:  Moulton Niguel Water District
 
Brief description of business:  Moulton Niguel Water District is a public agency that delivers high-quality drinking water, recycled water and wastewater services to customers in Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Dana Point, and San Juan Capistrano. A leader in conservation and environmental protection, Moulton Niguel maintains the lowest average water bill in South Orange County.
 
Doing business in Mission Viejo since: 1960
 
Chamber Member since: October 2016
 
Favorite Chamber Member benefit: Moulton Niguel Water District appreciates the opportunity to meet with and network with various Chamber members while developing lasting relationships.  
 
Favorite Chamber event and why: They’re all great! Each event offers a unique opportunity to meet with local businesses and civic leaders, and they serve as a great way to develop new relationships and expand on existing ones.  
 
We joined the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce because: Community outreach and engagement is a key foundation of the District’s commitment to public service. Being a Chamber member allows us to further our abilities to develop partnerships with our customers, businesses and community leaders.
 
The Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce has helped me and my business by: Allowing a public forum to discuss key initiatives from Moulton Niguel, and being able to cultivate a collaborative relationship with our customers and community.

Moulton Niguel Water District delivers high-quality drinking water, recycled water and wastewater services to customers in Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Dana Point, and San Juan Capistrano. A leader in conservation and environmental protection, Moulton Niguel maintains the lowest average water bill in South Orange County.

It's with great excitement that we proudly announce our Chamber "Ambassador of the Quarter", Joan Bornstein (Joan Bornstein Real Estate Services).

Joan has been with the Chamber since March 2017 and brings with her a wealth of real estate and life experience. She genuinely cares for her clients and knows the business community like the back of her hand.

Joan joined the Ambassador Committee back in the Spring of 2019. Since then, she has both diligently and willingly given of her time each month to help her assigned members to realize the greatest value for their membership, better use the website marketing tools available to them, and faithfully provides timely reminders for upcoming events and networking opportunities. 

While it's true that we have an awesome group of Chamber Ambassadors who are giving of themselves daily on behalf of their assigned members, we will proudly offer the "Ambassador of the Quarter" to Joan Bornstein!

If you would like to contact Joan for any real estate questions, please call 949-742-1978 or via email at info@joanbornstein.com.

We take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate Chamber member Diana Moreno (Web Design Pilot) for all of her amazing efforts as the "Volunteer of the Quarter"! 

Here are some of the highlights of Diana's "volunteer spirit" and extra efforts over the past few months:

She serves on the Ambassador Committee

• Provides a warm welcome to her assigned members
• Produces brief video interviews to help her members gain more exposure
• Supports all Committee meetings

 
She serves as the Assistant to the Communications Committee

• Spent countless hours to create helpful video tutorials for the membership
  • i.e. Request name badge, ribbon cutting, use of calendar, business directory
• Took the lead in the website restructuring and modification efforts
• Created Facebook “Members Only” group
• Has been instrumental in providing digital marketing support for Chamber
• Manages our social media LinkedIn account; creates valuable posts

 
A Few Additional Volunteer Facts: 

• Spent over 30 hours in various meetings in support of the Board and Committees
• Dedicated  over 75 hours to various assigned tasks
• Has acted on nearly 280 emails from the Communications Committee Chair alone!

 
It’s clear, this member is more than deserving of the “Volunteer of the Quarter”!
 
Congratulations again to DIANA MORENO – of Web Design Pilot!!

We are pleased to highlight Mickey Gubman (owner of Gubman Coaching and a Certified Business Coach) for our Monthly Chamber Spotlight. Mickey is one of the best in the 'business' - "he doesn't run your business, he helps you run it better"!

Name:  Mickey Gubman.
 
Business Name:  Gubman Coaching.
 
Brief description of business:  Business and Executive Coaching – specializing in strategy and goal development, behavioral assessments and interpersonal communication. 
 
Doing business in Mission Viejo since:  2013.
 
Chamber Member since: 2/2014.
 
Favorite Chamber Member benefit: Meeting the wide variety of businesses and service providers that may help my clients.
 
Favorite Chamber event and why: Daybreakers, because of the learning and networking all in one.
 
I joined the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce because: A no-brainer – Connections, business growth, civic involvement and learning. 
 
The Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce has helped me and my business by: Providing a place to learn and grow. Also, allowing me to help others through my teachings, coaching and counsel.

Thank you, Mickey. So glad to have you as a valued member of our Chamber!

To learn more about Gubman Coaching, please call 949-394-6394.

Please enjoy this new monthly feature - MEMBER SPOTLIGHT. We are pleased to draw your attention to 21-13 Impact Graphics - Jan Miller.

Brief description of business: A one stop shop for your branding and marketing needs. Helping our clients with Graphic Design, Printing, Web Design and Development and Promotional Material. 

Doing business in Mission Viejo since: 2014

Chamber Member since: 2018

Favorite Chamber Member benefit: Networking with Daybreakers Breakfast Group

Favorite Chamber event and why: The Annual Chamber Breakfast – Was amazing turnout and good to see members of the community honored.

I joined the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce because: I wanted to help small and med size businesses become successful by helping them Visually communicate their message to their clients. And help out my community where it’s needed.
 
The Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce has helped me and my business by: I have been very successful thanks to the MV Chamber. I have help many Chamber members by rebranding their companies and they have helped me fill in gaps of my business where I needed professionals.
​
We thank you Jan for all the outstanding services you provide the Chamber and it's members! To learn more about Jan's services, please call 855-438-2113.

Chamber member Moulton Niguel Water District has been awarded a $1.5 million federal grant for its advanced meter infrastructure program. Projected to save 500 million gallons of water every year once complete, the program enables all 170,000 District customers to have access to real-time water usage. To date, Moulton Niguel has received $2.1 million in grants for the smart meter program.

Moulton Niguel Water District is getting a boost in its effort to conserve more than 500 million gallons of water every year.
 
Last month, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation awarded Moulton Niguel $1.5 million in federal grants for its advanced meter infrastructure program. The automated smart meters will help the District detect water leaks, improve operations, and allow customers to monitor their water usage in real-time. Once completed, the project is expected to conserve 500 million gallons of water every year.
 
“We’re proud to bring federal funds to invest in our local water infrastructure,” said Moulton Niguel President Brian Probolsky. “Smart meters help our agency detect leaks at the earliest possible moment – saving our customers water and money.”
 
Moulton Niguel was one of just 45 projects in the entire country to receive funding from the federal government’s WaterSMART Program to help communities conserve water. The federal grant will fund the final phase of the District’s smart meter project, which will include the installation of state-of-the-art technology and automated meters at nearly 45,000 residential, commercial, and fire protection sites in the District’s service area.
 
“These water and energy efficiency grants help increase hydropower production and contribute to water supply reliability in the western United States,” Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman said in a press release announcing the $29.1 million in WaterSMART grants. 
 
In addition to conserving water, automatic meters will help reduce the need of in-person meter reading. In total, Moulton Niguel has been awarded $2.1 million in grants for the smart meter project.
 
“Federal grants stretch our ratepayers’ dollars even further,” said Moulton Niguel Vice President Duane Cave. “We will continue to proactively pursue state and federal grant opportunities to upgrade and maintain our infrastructure.”
 
Moulton Niguel Water District delivers high-quality drinking water, recycled water and wastewater services to customers in Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Dana Point, and San Juan Capistrano. A leader in conservation and environmental protection, Moulton Niguel maintains the lowest average water bill in South Orange County.