Out & About with Donna
Rossberg Legacy
The Chamber has welcomed a new Chairman of the Board, a man who needs no introduction. This man has been a pillar in the South Bay community in the past, exuding positive and strategic leadership. Yet as the years continue, this individual continues to give value and give back to the local business community in new and fresh ways.

We welcome Kirk Rossberg, Owner, Torrance Bakery, to the role of Chairman, with a strong conviction that his incredible ‘resume’ will carry into the leadership of the Chamber - and thus, the entire Torrance area community. 

Rossberg has been active in the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce from the beginning of his membership. He was asked to be on the Board of Directors six years ago. Since then, he has worked alongside the Chamber to make the best decisions possible for its members. Read More.

News
Torrance Chamber Requests Newsom to Suspend Increase in Minimum Wage
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to Governor Newsom requesting the suspension
in the increase in minimum wage. The coronavirus continues to harm businesses throughout California,
hitting small employers the hardest. As the cycle of shutting down and reopening businesses continues,
the costs to operate increase with no consistent income to offset those expenses.

Governor Newsom has the authority to alleviate some of those costs on small businesses by suspending
the scheduled increase in minimum wage for 2021 by August 1 st of this year. When the minimum wage
law was passed, it included the opportunity for the Governor to suspend the minimum wage when there
was an economic crisis.
Torrance Chamber to Meet with Assembly Member Muratsuchi to Voice Opposition to SB1383
The Torrance Chamber and representatives from the California Chamber coalition will meet with Assembly member Al Muratsuchi on Thursday to voice their opposition to SB1383, labeled a job killer by the California Chamber.

This bill, if passed, would make it an unlawful employment practice for any employer to refuse to grant a request by an employee to take up to 12 workweeks of unpaid protected leave during any 12-month period to bond with a new child of the employee or to care for themselves or a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner, as specified. The bill would require an employer who employees’ both parents of a child to grant leave to each employee. Read More.
US Census: Torrance's Numbers & Job Offerings
There are still jobs available through the Census Bureau. To apply, Click Here. Not looking for a job, but looking to make sure you were counted? Visit Here. To see where Torrance is at currently in regards to response rates, Click Here. Shape your future by getting involved with the US Census.
More Time to Apply for Paycheck Protection Program Loans
Legislation signed by the President last weekend extends the deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to August 8, 2020. An estimated $130 billion in funding remains for the program, which offers loans to help small businesses with fewer than 500 employees stay in business and keep workers employed. Read More.
Karen Pryor, Pryority Lending Group, Inc.
Marifrances Trivelli, Los Angeles Maritime Museum
Chamber's New Ambassador Program Co-Chairs
Karen Pryor, Pryority Lending Group, Inc., and Marifrances Trivelli, Los Angeles Maritime Museum have been selected as co-chairs of the 2020 - 2021 Ambassador program. “Karen and Marifrances have each displayed tremendous leadership in the many chamber activities they have been involved in. Their combined skills and vision will be key to a successful program this year,” stated Donna Duperron, President and CEO.

Ambassadors actively promote membership in the Chamber, facilitate networking among members, and encourage meaningful participation and involvement in Chamber programs in order to enhance the membership benefits received by each member. Read More.
Rossberg Engages with Dr. Anthony Fauci
The Torrance Chamber recently participated in a live webinar hosted by the U.S. Chamber Foundation. Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases was the speaker. The webinar was hosted by President Suzanne Clark. Please skip to 9:53 to see Rossberg's question.
Virtual Town Halls - Connect With Your Leaders
  • Congressman Ted W. Lieu (CA-33) is holding a Small Business Town Hall at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, July 21st. To learn more about this virtual event, please Click Here.

  • Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is hosting a California Legislative Black Caucus for a Tele-Town Hall on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. To learn more about this virtual event, please Click Here.
Chamber Members Involved: Supporting Gov.'s Initiative 'Shop Small Shop Local'
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is calling on all Californians to support Small Businesses now - especially as businesses invest in implementing industry guidance and digital strategies to meet everyone's needs and keep people safe and healthy.

Together with Governor Newsom’s Taskforce on Business and Jobs Recovery, the Torrance Chamber has joined the regional #ShopSafeShopLocal program which is a call to action to all Californians to spend locally, while amplifying resources to support small businesses and help all of our diverse neighborhoods thrive. To learn more, please Visit Here.

The Chamber thanks these local Chamber member businesses for participating in supporting this initiative over social media: Sofia Bella Bridal, Andes Florist, Sockprints, Paul's Photo, Macys Del Amo, The Depot, Breakwater International California, South Bay Hearing & Balance Center, Fastest Labs of Torrance, and Torrance Bakery.
Beware of New Unemployment Insurance Scams
As the nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, including an 11.1%  unemployment rate in June , a new threat has emerged — unemployment insurance scams.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is warning people of a  phishing scam  in which the email may appear to be from a state workforce agency, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported that  criminals are filing claims for benefits  using names and personal information of people who haven’t actually lost their jobs. Read More.
Have you found any 'best practices' in this ever-changing landscape? What about tips or experiences you wish to share? Or even things to avoid doing?

We want to give Chamber member businesses the opportunity to voice their stories to the Torrance area business community. If you have any tried-and-true knowledge of the topics below, let us know!
  • Training new employees
  • Fostering customer loyalty
  • Business assisting other businesses
  • Transparency to clients
  • Setting reasonable expectations
  • Getting old customers to return
  • Adaptability as a business owner
  • Customer’s current needs
  • Managing your cash flow
  • Diversifying your staff
  • Continuing to invest in your business
  • Enforcing rules while retaining customers
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Office Depot Rewards Program
As a member of Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, you are entitled to savings at Office Depot store. Discounts vary on items and services, but they do add up and you can save a significant amount annually on 175 most frequently needed items. Just another benefit of the membership! To enjoy this, Contact Us Here.
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