Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce - Chamber Blog

CEO Doug Zielasko Shares Why Join Your Local Chamber

jrod@ifminc.com (John Rodriguez) — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 01:38:30 GMT

Why should you join your local chamber of commerce? Please see this podcast featuring chamber CEO, Doug Zielasko, as he relates the many benefits of doing so.

IMPACT OC; Athletes with Development Disabilities Thrive

dtkatzman@ft.newyorklife.com (Daniel Katzman) — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 17:35:40 GMT

IMPACT OC; Athletes with Development Disabilities Thrive

Click the link below to watch a phenominal interview of our very own Melanie Smith, Spirit League's Executive Director.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx4fB_0VpQ0

OC Talk Radio, Show Impact OC, interview of Gloves For Grief Co-Founder Terra Picket

dtkatzman@ft.newyorklife.com (Daniel Katzman) — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 17:40:01 GMT

Member Dawn Kamber interviews Mission Viejo Chamber Women in Business Resilience Award winner Gloves For Grief Co-Founder Terra Picket.

Dawn Kamber interviews new member Terra Picket about her life and business Gloves for Grief.

https://www.youtube.com/live/xuly_mm0sSQ?si=ULu0KfHhEtcFsOKN

MV Chamber Bronze Member Spotlight: Smart Cups

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 03:55:00 GMT

We continue to celebrate and showcase our Bronze level members. Please enjoy this brief video from Smart Cups, Chris Kanik, Founder and CEO.Smart Cups is a sustainability-driven technology company with a mission to provide a mindful path forward for the beverage industry and beyond. Having created the world’s first printed beverage, an energy drink, Smart Cups eliminates the need to bottle and ship liquids, which, in turn, significantly reduces our carbon footprint.For more inf [...]

MV Chamber Bronze Member Spotlight: iFinance Mortgage

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 18:23:00 GMT

Over the next few months, we will be celebrating and showcasing our Bronze level members. Please enjoy this brief video from iFinance Mortgage, John Rodriguez, Sr. Loan Specialist.For all your real estate and mortgage related questions, please contact John Rodriguez at 949-456-7056. #wsite-video-container-293278264813061462{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/115365123-933555701595516099/mv_chamber_bronze_member_spotlight_john_rod [...]

Meet New Member: Arpad Petrass - OC Real Estate Visuals

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:35:00 GMT

Arpad Petrass is the owner of OC Real Estate Visuals. He specializes in real estate photography and was selected as the #1 real estate photographer in Orange County by Peer Space. We are happy to welcome Arpad to the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and please enjoy this brief intro business video.Please enjoy Arpad's brief video below and subscribe to the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce YouTube channel for more member videos. [...]

MV Chamber 1-2-1 w/New Member: John Young, Cyber Def

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 16:03:00 GMT

Hackers are out of control, and we're all paying the price. Cyber Def's mission is to educate the general public how to keep their children, families, and businesses safe against the onslaught of internet predators, scammers, identity thieves, and hackers.Please join us in welcoming new Chamber member, John Young, Founder of Cyber Def and enjoy this brief intro video submitted by Chamber ambassador, Peter Frankudakis, founder of Easy Fleet GPS. #wsite-v [...]

Special New Member Welcome - The Braille Institute

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 23:30:00 GMT

The Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce extends a special welcome to new member The Braille Institute. The Braille Institute provides free services to low-and-no-vision individuals.Please enjoy this brief video featuring Lauren Becker, Regional Director of The Braille Institute, submitted by Chamber Ambassador, Melanie Smith (Spirit League).For more information, please visit https://brailleinstitute.org/lagunahills. #wsite-video-container-6443487632211407 [...]

MVCC Supports "Symphony in the Cities Mission Viejo"

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:17:00 GMT

It was the perfect way to end a lazy summer day on August 13th. Pack a picnic, grab a lawn chair or blanket and gather the family for an evening of free music and outdoor summer fun! Enjoy a potpourri of popular classics, pop tunes and a sing-along of patriotic favorites. And kids have the chance to learn how to conduct with Maestro St.Clair and later help lead the orchestra during the concert.This performance was supported in large part by the City of Mission Viejo. The MV Chamber of Commerce a [...]

3 Good Reasons Not to Use PayPal or Stripe for Your E-Commerce Site

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 19:37:00 GMT

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 [...]

Exciting Announcement: New MVCC Young Professionals Committee

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:58:00 GMT

The Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce is excited to inform you of a new initiative to help attract more young professionals from our community to join us as we grow our businesses and enjoy networking together.To coordinate this new initiative, the Board of Directors has approved the formation of the Young Professionals Committee (YPC). The YPC will be committed to promoting the success and competence of young professionals through education and connection. The YPC will consist of no less [...]

The 50 Safest Cities to Raise a Family in 2022

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 19:22:00 GMT

Some of the most noteworthy takeaways about Mission Viejo pulled from this year's report:Mission Viejo has improved by 8 rankings since the last time we released this report. In 2020, it ranked #15.Its violent crime rate (0.75 per 1,000 people) was the tenth lowest among all cities we analyzed this year.Mission Viejo ranks as the Safest City to Raise a Family in California in 2022. The only other CA city that made the national Top 10 list this year was San Ramon at #10. You can find more stats a [...]

10 TIPS TO SAVE ON ENERGY COSTS AT YOUR BUSINESS

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 15:22:02 GMT

Did you know that by implementing a few tips your business can save on its energy use and costs? From regulating your building’s temperature to cleaning air filters regularly, there are smart ways to lower your energy bills. Here are ten tips that can help reduce your costs without having to sacrifice the comfort of your staff or customers:

Lower the temperature. Your business can keep comfortable without cranking up the heat. Adjust your thermostat by a few degrees to help reduce your energy bill. Don’t completely turn off your heat overnight though – you’ll use more energy to heat up the building again in the morning.
One of the easiest ways to save money is by controlling your thermostat. Smart thermostats can be adjusted remotely to run energy-efficient schedules. If you join SDG&E’s Smart Thermostat program, you’ll receive $50 per registered thermostat with a max of four thermostats for business and two for your home. Get details on sdge.com/MyBusiness .
Did you know ceiling fans help in the colder months too? Change the rotation of your fan blades to clockwise, which will pull warm air down and spread it throughout the room.
Open blinds and sunshades to allow sunlight to heat up the room, especially on south- or west-facing windows. Natural light can warm the space and reduce the need for lighting. When you need to turn on lights, save energy by using energy-efficient LED bulbs.
In work areas that get little use, like storage and conference rooms, install sensors so lights will automatically go off when employees are working elsewhere.
Make sure cold air isn’t drifting into your building by checking weather stripping on your doors and caulking on your windows and other areas that outside air can seep inside. This is especially important in older buildings. You can also put clear, inexpensive plastic sheeting on your windows to add more insulation and reduce cold drafts.
Get a tune-up on your heater to ensure your system is operating efficiently. New, clean air filters can improve airflow and heating.
Make sure your heating air intake and outlet grilles are not blocked by furniture or other bulky items. Obstructed grilles put more of a burden on the system’s fans to move heated air through an office. Also, check your ductwork for air leaks or any damage to insulation.
Check your HVAC filters monthly and clean or replace when dirty. Keeping your HVAC system properly maintained can help save on heating costs.
Check if a door provides good insulation by placing your hand against it from the inside. If it feels cooler than the inside walls, it might be time to install a door that's better insulated.

Visit sdge.com/MyBusiness for more helpful energy-saving tips.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NO-COST TRAINING FROM ENERGY EXPERTS

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 22:00:00 GMT

Learn new skills at your own pace. Did you know that SDG&E provides webinars for business owners and trade professionals, and most are at no cost? You or your employees can learn about the latest in green building practices, technology and energy-saving solutions from industry experts. Some of March’s topics include:Energy audit skills: tools, data collection techniques and calculationsHVAC: cooling tower efficiencyFull scale induction for commercial kitchens: cooktops an [...]

MV Chamber Bronze Member Spotlight: Smart Cups

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 15:19:06 GMT

We continue to celebrate and showcase our Bronze level members. Please enjoy this brief video from Smart Cups, Chris Kanik, Founder and CEO.

Smart Cups is a sustainability-driven technology company with a mission to provide a mindful path forward for the beverage industry and beyond. Having created the world’s first printed beverage, an energy drink, Smart Cups eliminates the need to bottle and ship liquids, which, in turn, significantly reduces our carbon footprint.

For more information, visit www.smartcups.com.

Saddleback Urgent Care Spotlight

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 15:34:48 GMT

Please enjoy this brief video featuring Mission Viejo Chamber member Courtney Howe, Community Relations Specialist at Saddleback Urgent Care (Vituity). She discusses the type of services provided by Saddleback Urgent Care to keep your staff and family members healthy!

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4MyzzcPHRs

To learn more about Saddleback Urgent Care Vituity and the services they provide please visit www.vituity.com/locations/saddleback-family-and-urgent-care-mission-viejo/ .

A special thank you to Mission Viejo Chamber Ambassador, Heba El Sabban of OneWest Bank for coordinating this video spotlight!

Modern Woodmen Member Spotlight!

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 15:24:00 GMT

Please enjoy this brief video featuring Mission Viejo Chamber member Elizabeth Beltran from Modern Woodmen. She discusses the type of financial services provided by Modern Woodmen!

Video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/h2Ebd0wgFgU

To learn more about Modern Woodmen and Elizabeth Beltran please visit https://reps.modernwoodmen.org/ebeltran/ .

Energy-saving tips for small businesses

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 15:36:10 GMT

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 .

MV Chamber Holiday Party feat. Councilman Greg Raths

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 15:40:26 GMT

The City of Mission Viejo and it's Council are always huge supporters of Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce events. Representing the City, Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Bucknum and Councilman Greg Raths were in attendance at the Annual Holiday Party. Please enjoy this video featuring Councilman Raths and MV Chamber member, Saeedah Rad.

MV Chamber 1-2-1 Video Interview Feat. Hardy Party Rentals

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 15:38:42 GMT

MV Chamber member, John Rodriguez (iFinance Mortgage) briefly video interviewed fellow member Bruce Hardy (Hardy Party Rentals). Watch the video to learn more about Bruce's business and how to support him.

MV Chamber 1-2-1 Video Interview feat. The OC Local

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 15:37:14 GMT

MV Chamber ambassador, John Rodriguez (iFinance Mortgage) briefly video interviewed fellow member Tricia Yee (The OC Local). Watch the video to learn more about Tricia's business and how to support her.

2021 MVCC Annual Holiday Party

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 15:41:29 GMT

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!

Smart Cups: How the company behind 'the world's first printed beverage' aims to help the environment

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 15:42:40 GMT

Exciting to see MVCC member, Smart Cups, featured on ABC7 Eyewitness News. Smart Cups, a technology company and new-age drink manufacturer, has a plan to disrupt the future of beverage manufacturing and delivery. "Smart Cups eliminates the need to transport liquid," said the company's founder and CEO, Chris Kanik.

Click here to watch the ABC7 News feature video. Go Smart Cups!

CHAMBER MOB AT ZIGGY'S COFFEE - NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 15:46:11 GMT

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!

STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING EVENT - A BIG SUCCESS!

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 15:44:39 GMT

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!

"CHAMBER MOB" - NEW MEMBER ZIGGI'S COFFEE - OCTOBER 11th

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 15:49:10 GMT

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!

RIBBON CUTTING - PROJECT EYECARE OPTOMETRY - OCTOBER 15th

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 15:47:43 GMT

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.