Hi Everyone -
If you haven't seen Los Gatos Magazine this month, below is a letter from the Chamber Executive Director:
To the Los Gatos Business Community and Our Residents
Has it really been three-and-a-half months since we heard the words “shelter-in-place”? It seems like years ago, and at the same time, only yesterday. This phrase has quickly grown from the unfamiliar to the new normal.
Just days before the order went into effect, a friend gave me this advice: “In these coming weeks, stay flexible and focus on those things you can control.” For the first few days, I reflected on these words, and thought I should just put my head under the pillow and wait it out. But as the initial fear eased, I realized I wanted to be an “essential” worker. I promised myself to do my very best to help ease the burden this pandemic was going to have on the Town of Los Gatos. Fortunately, my staff was willing and ready to take on that challenge.
With that, we opened the Chamber’s doors. We welcomed your questions, your ideas, your tears, your frustration, and all of the other emotions that came flooding our way. Our website and social media accounts became information hubs and primary resources for all.
Alex Hult, owner of Flights Restaurant, graciously handed over his Feed the Need Bay Area program—an initiative that donated 100 percent of proceeds back into our restaurant community. Through Feed the Need, we were able to raise $150,000 and donate more than 11,000 meals to seniors in our community, families who had lost jobs, and hospital workers working on the front lines.
Another major effort was our feel-good, camaraderie-focused campaign, “We Got This LG!” To build out this campaign, I had the pleasure of working closely with Niki James, the founder of local marketing agency Vagabond Marketing. Niki was already the new voice behind the Experience Los Gatos Instagram and Facebook platforms, and had a gut feeling that the town was going to need a rally cry. Her intention was to keep the mood light. Hence, “We Got This LG!” was born and the town was painted in a recognizable yet calming green. We had no idea how much of an impact this campaign would have on our community and it has been so beautiful to see our people come together in such an organic and loving way. I believe this slogan has energized the town and will not only carry us through these challenging times, but will serve as a message of hope and inspiration as we continue to build innovative new ways to help our small businesses recover.
My wish for you Los Gatos, is that we meet this road to recovery with our eyes wide open, with some trepidation, a mask (of course), and a new appreciation for each other and our planet. I hope we continue down this road and learn to become better, more compassionate human beings with perhaps more grace than we had before, and with the grit and determination to shine again.
We must extend our most heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped the Chamber and the town at large and are incredibly grateful to the heroes who serve on the front lines.
We love Los Gatos and we got this!
CATHERINE SOMERS
Executive Director
Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce
|
|
Redesign, Reconnect, Recover
Small Business Bootcamp Series
Wednesday, July 9 at 10am
|
|
|
You will receive a reminder and a zoom link at least a week prior to the event.
|
|
PRESENTED BY:
- SILICON VALLEY SBDC
- HISPANIC CHAMBER SV
- COMERICA BANK (COMERICA BUSINESS $ENSE PROGRAM)
Strategies & Resources for Small Business During & After COVID-19 Pandemic: An overview includes:
- Equity vs. Debt Financing
- uses of financing
- types of loans
- loan program
- what do bankers look at in qualifying you for a loan
- presenting your request for financing
- Current Federal, State and local funding options, PPP Forgiveness
Guest speakers: Comerica Bank Representatives, Working Solutions; other speakers may be added
|
|
|
Thank you to a few of our Community Impact Partners - Lester Square and Campo di Bocce
Their support of the Chamber allows us to continue our mission of being a
Catalyst
for business growth, a
Convener
of leaders and influencers and a
Champion
for a thriving community
|
|
|
|
Meet me on The Square!
Visit
Lester Square
on the corner of Blossom Hill and Los Gatos Boulevard for great pizza at Firenza Pizza, super burgers at
Super Duper Burgers
and specialty coffee at Philz. Other services include Adobe Animal Hospital, Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty, BZB Family Law and Drs. Nguyen & Gonsier.
|
|
|
Campo di Bocce - Luigi's Ristorante
|
Did you know that Campo di Bocce has a full-service restaurant?
Luigi's Ristorante
at Campo di Bocce of Los Gatos
serves casual Italian meals for lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy an amazing dining experience on the award-winning enclosed dining patio. Large groups welcome (when allowed), private parking lot. The dining menu includes a wonderful array of appetizers and salads, as well as traditional delights like chicken piccata, seafood cioppino, house made lasagna and an amazing selection of handmade pizzas. Mangia!
|
|
|
|
|
Sofya Elperin-Smirvov does all our Digital Media Workshops! She is an expert in small business marketing, offering digital marketing training, consulting and full marketing management.
|
|
|
With your support we will be able to keep our doors open and continue to advocate for our businesses and Los Gatos community.
|
|
With every donation of $50 or more, you will receive a Friends of the Chamber decal, pictured above. Cats come in orange, blue or green.
|
|
The Chamber of Commerce, just like every business, is experiencing financial impacts due to COVID-19. Our ability to generate revenue has been greatly diminished due to the protocols necessary to control this pandemic. Despite all of these challenges, we have made our resources, webinars, and public policy advocacy available to the general public during this challenging time.
If you are interested in supporting our efforts to be a catalyst, convener and a champion for a stronger community, we would be grateful for your financial contribution of any size. We look forward to continuing to serve you all.
|
|
Discovery Shop - American Cancer Society
YOUR LOCAL AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOP NEEDS VOLUNTEERS.
Volunteers are the heart of the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, a unique retail environment. Volunteers are always needed for a variety of meaningful opportunities, including merchandising, inventory, sales and customer service. Your efforts can help save lives. Call us today: 408 354 5917 or contact us on FB @discoveryshoplosgatos . Let’s get together!
|
|
Discovery Shop
American Cancer Society
|
|
NUMU New Museum Los Gatos
Residents Visit the Museum for FREE!
|
|
|
- Wednesday, June 24 - Svetlana
Concerts Live Streamed from the from 6:00- 7:00 PM every Wednesday throughout the summer.
June schedule brought to you by:
El Camino Health, Lexus of Stevens Creek, John & Timi Sobrato Charitable Fund
Live Stream links:
|
|
|
Digital Marketing Workshops
|
While you are sheltering in place, now is a great time to learn about digital marketing. Sofya Elperin-Smirvov is an expert in small business marketing. Sofya offers digital marketing training, consulting and full marketing management. She is an expert in paid search ads, email marketing, social media, content creation, website optimization and all digital and traditional marketing channels.
Event is free, but we invite you to make a donation upon registration. Your contribution will help us continue to provide these resources to you and your business.
- Examine a website and fundamental elements of good design and optimization.
- The workshop will be using the Squarespace Website Builder, and showcasing the features available to you on Squarespace. Most website builders (WIX, GoDaddy) have similar features.
This webinar is great if:
- You don't have a website.
- You have a website but feel it needs improvement.
- You have a website and use Squarespace.
- You just created a website with Squarespace but need additional guidance on the platform.
- Do you want to be found on Google Search? Google Search Ads is part of SEM = Search Engine Marketing, where you pay for keywords in order to be found in a Google Search Query. You will learn to set up a Google Ads account and do a basic overview of creating a campaign and ads, keyword strategy and phrase type. This is a beginner level webinar.
- Do you think you should start a YouTube Channel? Do you already have one and trying to figure out how you can use it to promote your business? Would you like to learn how to create Paid Video Ads? All this and more in this beginner-level overview of the YouTube platform and Google Video Ads.
- Learn from start to finish how to set up email marketing. Even if you have never sent an email for your business, this is a great starting point.The demonstration will be done using MailChimp email marketing.
Registration required for all webinars
|
|
2020 Census
Shape Your Future
Be counted!
Make sure Santa Clara County and California receives our fair share of federal funds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Town of Los Gatos website
|
The Town of Los Gatos has compiled a very comprehensive page of Covid-19 messages and resources. It outlines how all the Town departments are functioning throughout this crisis. In addition, it has resources for businesses and individuals, as well as ways you can volunteer.
|
|
|
|
|
For the latest updates, please visit Santa Clara County Public Health.
|
|
|
Resources For Individuals
|
|
|
|
COMMUNITY IMPACT PARTNERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
