The 2023 Fremont Chamber Annual Holiday Mixer was held on Wednesday, December 13 and capped off a busy year for the Chamber. Guests had delicious food from Chamber member Tyger's Puerto Rican Catering, and drinks from Fremont Street Eats, including a special drink: Jingle Juice. During the Fremont Street Eats season, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce sells alcohol and water to Street Eats attendees at the Fremont Chamber canopy. We accept tips through our tip jar as well as through our square payment system. The tips we collect go to a local non-profit that we selected. For 2023, we chose the Fremont Chamber of Commerce’s Dollars for Scholars program. Barbara Jenkins from the Dollars for Scholars program was on hand to accept our donation of $4,139. We also had our elected officials at the mixer: Alameda County Supervisor (District 1) David Haubert, State Assemblymember Alex Lee (District 24), and Fremont Mayor Lily Mei. Thanks to our guests, we were able to collect 7 bins worth of toys for the League of Volunteers Toy Drive.
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On Friday, December 1, 2023, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce co-hosted a small business workshop with State Senator Aisha Wahab. Several California state agencies were on hand to give small businesses support and guidance. On hand for the discussion were representatives from the California Office of Small Business Advocate, State of California GoGreen Financing, Office of Small Business and DVBE Services Procurement Division, East Bay Small Business Development Center, and the Cyber Security Infrastructure Agency. We had a great turnout and it was a wonderful opportunity for business owners to learn insights and understand resources available by the state to grow their businesses.           Leadership Fremont 2023 has partnered with Abode Services to raise funds to revitalize multiple sections of Sunrise Village Emergency Shelter — a Tri-City-area facility that provides temporary housing, services, and meals to dozens of individuals and families. The partnership aims to renovate and upgrade an outdoor playground area and indoor family room at the shelter. The Leadership Fremont class selected Abode Services and its shelter as its project recipient after interviewing local nonprofit groups. Abode Services is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness in the Bay Area. The Fremont Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fremont program gathers a diverse cross-section of local leaders to volunteer their talents and help meet community needs. The yearly program focuses on building personal leadership skills while increasing understanding about complex local issues and how to effect change and drive solutions for the region. This year’s Leadership Fremont class will work with Abode Services to raise funds, as well as purchase and install items for the shelter spaces. Program leaders expect to complete the project by the end of June 2023. Items to be purchased for the playground space will include a new outdoor playhouse, picnic tables with umbrellas for adults and children, hanging planter boxes, and a storage shed with outdoor toys. Meanwhile, the indoor playroom will include new low-maintenance furniture, sturdy coffee tables, rugs, and a gaming system for indoor exercise and play. Kayla Gupta, a Leadership Fremont 2023 member and community outreach manager for Washington Hospital Healthcare System, said this year’s Leadership Fremont class partnered with Abode Services to make a positive impact in our community. “Our Leadership Fremont Class fully believes in the important services that Abode offers to our community,” Gupta said. “Through our partnership to revitalize the outdoor play area and indoor family room of the Sunrise Village shelter, we will create a welcoming environment where children and families can thrive. We believe that by working together, we can create positive change and make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.” Donations to this project can be made online at abodeservices.org/donate, and donors are asked to write “Leadership Fremont” in the Comment section of the online form. “We deeply appreciate this year’s Leadership Fremont class for selecting us as part of their fundraising work,” said Abode Services CEO Louis Chicoine. “Their generous efforts reveal the program’s longtime commitment to the region, as this project will improve the lives of many people in need and strengthen the surrounding community.” About Abode Services Abode Services' mission is to end homelessness by assisting low-income, un-housed people, including those with special needs, to secure stable, supportive housing; and to be advocates for the removal of the causes of homelessness. We develop and implement innovative programs to end homelessness. Our agency is built on the principles of Housing First, a proven approach that has demonstrated results far superior to past approaches to homelessness. Established in 1989, Abode has provided homes to more than 7,580 adults and children since 2020. Last year, Abode assisted 14,383 people and ensured that on any given night 6,748 people slept in a home rather than on the street. For more information, visit abodeservices.org.  Is your organization looking for opportunities to share your business acumen with current and potential clients, want to get the word out about important news in your industry, and want to be seen as a business leader that is committed to sharing your wealth of knowledge? Or maybe you have business news you want to share, such as a new product or service you offer, a new owner/manager you want to introduce to the community, or the expansion of your business to a new location.
The Chamber’s Fremont Business Now newsletter provides important business information for our City’s business community and enjoys a monthly estimated readership of a few thousand East Bay residents and business owners and managers. Fremont Business Now offers three unique ways for chamber members to share their expertise and promote their business. There is no cost to utilize these opportunities. #1 Member News – Members may submit a 100 word or less news brief about recent business accomplishments or business enhancements. Members may submit articles about a new employee, a new service, or winning an industry award. #2 Business Article – Members are invited to submit an article that demonstrates their business acumen. Submission should be approximately 500 words in length and adhere to the Editorial Guidelines. #3 Guest Editor – Members are encouraged to volunteer to act as Guest Editor for an issue. The Guest Editor is responsible for contacting members to write and submit articles for the issue, in addition to writing a Guest Editor message. Interested in sharing your expertise or business announcements with your fellow Chamber members or other community and business leaders? Begin today by contacting us at [email protected].  January will be here before you know it, do you have your 2023 Marketing Plan in place?
By Jennifer Clark Director of Creative Content A New Year can mean a lot of different things to your customers; it could be a time to turn over a new leaf, an opportunity to explore a new interest, the inspiration someone needs to take that leap and invest in themself, their family or their future. What does the New Year mean to you and your company? And what are you doing to share your goals with your customers and capitalize on the spirit of the season? Here are a few marketing strategies you could get lined up to ring in the New Year… End of Year Recaps - Proud of what you accomplished in 2022? Don’t keep all your hard work secret, share your accomplishments with your community and encourage them to share their success as well. Doing this will help strengthen the bond between you and your clients. New Year’s Day is a Holiday - Don’t forget the first holiday of 2023 is January 1st. That means it deserves its own sales, promos, and social media campaigns just like Christmas and the other winter holidays. If you don’t have anything lined up already, consider surprising your customers by extending your current sales into the new year. New Product Launches - Have you been working on a new product line? Now’s the time to launch! Don’t have anything new to reveal at the beginning of the year, not to worry, consider creating a new product bundle or restructuring an offering so it feels fresh to your customers. New Connections - Put yourself, your company and/or your product out there in a new way this year. Hop on a social platform you haven’t explored yet, join an in-person or online business group that holds similar values, give tv or radio ads a shot. Whatever it is that you’ve been hemming and hawing about, now’s the time to make that move and widen your outreach to make new connections. New Loyalty Programs - Keep your customers coming back; start up a system that rewards loyal patrons. If you’re already leveraging a loyalty program, consider giving it a face lift or incorporating a referral benefit to give it a fresh feel. Happy customers attract more customers. Don’t overthink it, “New” is the key word with the New Year holiday. Everyone gets excited for a fresh start at the beginning of the year, so let your company, product or service be the inspiration they’ve been looking for to achieve their goals in 2023. The following organizations have provided some additional information about their non-profit and a wish list of items they are hoping folks like yourself can donate. Additionally, they are having a Giving Tuesday and/or year-end fundraising appeal and the link to donate is provided. 4Cs of Alameda County - website | phone | email
Wish list items: Unopened boxes or sleeves of diapers, gently used baby and toddler clothes and supplies (no cribs or car seats, please), and warm coats. Giving Tuesday Link Abode Services - website | phone | email Wish list items: Baby wipes & diapers, sleeping bags, tarps, or camping equipment, household items, and Gift Cards to stores like Safeway, Target, or Walmart. Donate online Fremont Parents Nursery School - website | phone | email Wish list items: funds for a new building (estimated cost $200,000-$400,00), cash or gift card donations for classroom supplies, parent education, staff development, maintenance and storage options, towels and sheets Giving Tuesday Link Hively - website | phone | email Wish list items: Diapers (newborn to size 6), food gift cards (for purchase of groceries), children's winter clothing, infant and young children's sizes preferred, (jackets, hats, closed-toe shoes). Giving Tuesday Link LIFE ElderCare - website | phone | email Wish list items: blankets, warm sweaters, gripper socks, handmade cards, and special treats (chocolates, etc.) are always appreciated by our senior clients around the holidays. Holiday Fundraising Link Music for Minors II - website | phone | email Wish list item: Video camera for training new volunteers Donate online My Good Brain - website | phone | email Wish list items: Art materials (watercolor paint sets, crayons, colored pencils, markers), origami paper, Colorful tissue packing paper Giving Tuesday Link New Haven Schools Foundation - website | phone | email Giving Tuesday Link Privilege Nonprofit - website | phone | email Wish list items: Clear organizing containers, socks, blankets, body soap, plain white T-shirts Giving Tuesday Link Room Redux-Bay Area - website | phone | email Wish list items: Storage Space to house donated furniture, Children’s Books, Gift Cards for Lowes, Home Depot, Dale Hardware, IKEA, Amazon and Target Giving Tuesday Link StarStruck Theatre - website | phone | email Wish list items: truck, weekly cleaning service, vacuum cleaner, Sennheiser microphones Donate Online Tri-City Band Corps - website | phone | email Amazon wish list: music stands, chairs, identification wristbands, first aid kit, etc. Donate Online workABLE Career Trends - website | phone | email Wish list items: digital devices (tablets, laptops, computers) clients can use to apply for jobs, Amazon gift cards to purchase office equipment and supplies. Donate Online This list appeared in the November 2022 Fremont Business Now. To read the full newsletter, click here.  A business marketplace booth is a member benefit
July, 2022 - The Fremont Chamber of Commerce invites you to participate in our premiere summer event, the Fremont Festival of the Arts. The Fremont Festival of the Arts will be held on Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This event features hundreds of top quality arts & crafts booths, artisanal prepackaged foods in the Gourmet Marketplace; food booths benefiting non-profit organizations; gourmet food trucks offering a variety of delicious street eats also benefiting non-profits; beer, wine, margaritas sold alongside keepsake glasses; continuous music featured on two stages; street performers, including face painters, henna tattoos, balloon artists, and more; Kid City filled with rides, games, and live performances just for the youngsters. We also feature Fremont Chamber members in the Business Marketplace section of the Fremont Festival of the Arts. Having a booth is a prime tool for promoting your business. Here are some reasons to have a booth at the Fremont Festival of the Arts:
To apply for this event, please complete the application and return it to the Fremont Chamber of Commerce no later than 12:00 PM on July 25, 2022. Each applicant must fill out the General Info page, the Payment page, sign the Rules and Regulations, provide Resale License information, submit a Certificate of Insurance (and if applicable submit proof of their Health Permit application) before they can be accepted into the event. Don’t miss this great opportunity to participate in one of the Bay Area’s most popular events. Space is limited and sold on a first come, first served basis. Apply TODAY! 2022 Business Marketplace Applications can be found on the Fremont Festival website: fremontfestival.net UPDATE: the next Fremont Festival is August 5 & 6, 2023. Applications will drop early 2023   BY MATT SENEKEREMIAN
DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS The Coronavirus Pandemic has impacted the way we have lived. Businesses of all sizes were impacted and needed to change their way of operating. We started hearing about businesses downsizing or closing altogether. As businesses started to reopen, we continuously heard about labor shortages and “The Great Resignation.” While those stories represent the realities business owners, another story has also developed in response to the pandemic. Americans are pursuing entrepreneurship. According to the US Census Bureau’s Business Formation Statistics, nearly 5.4 million new business applications were submitted nationwide from January through December of 2021. To put that in perspective, in 2019, 3.5 million business applications were submitted. In 2020, 4.3 million business applications were submitted. This positive trend is not going unnoticed. In a recent NBC News story about this business trend, a new business owner shared the following realization “You realize you’re working overtime every week. If you’re doing it, you may as well be doing it to make your own company.” In this same NBC News story, Frank LaMonaca, a certified instructor for SCORE, said the pandemic opened an unexpected “window of opportunity” for people hungry to go into business for themselves. “What it did give them was the time to reassess the future of work in their life.” SCORE is a program that offers executive mentoring for entrepreneurs. Vox published a report stating “While business applications have increased in almost every industry since the start of the pandemic, the highest jumps were in retail, especially for stores that only sell things online.” The information from the Census shows increases in new businesses in the transportation and warehousing sectors, as well as new professional services businesses including accounting, graphic design, as well as construction. That same positive trend is seen in California. According to a CalMatters story from February of 2021, 442,324 business applications were filed in California in 2020, a 21.7% increase from 2019. At the Fremont Chamber, we work tirelessly to support the entrepreneurs and business owners with their dreams. Through our various programs, we provide the tools to establish and grow their businesses. Whether it be advocacy, networking, or business fundamentals, the Fremont Chamber is here to help you take charge of your business.  BY JENNIFER BONIOR
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS Creating content can be a full time job and since you already have a job, it’s important to have a few tricks up your sleeve for how to bust out a post when you’re in a pinch. Next time you find the creative juices coming to a halt, give one of these a shot. Share Your Knowledge - Don’t forget you are an expert in your field and are a valuable resource to your clients. Share a “little known fact” or a “common misconception” about your profession. Or when in doubt, reach out to your audience and ask them what they’d like to know! The questions you get in response could create a series of “Q&A” posts for you and your business. Interviews Are Always In - Maybe you’re still growing in your field and wouldn’t consider yourself an “expert” yet. No need to worry because you can still leverage the knowledge of the experts that you do know. Set up an interview with a trusted mentor and get to asking those valuable questions! You’ll not only learn a little during the interview but you’ll hopefully also create a great content resource as a result. Recap / Review - Next time a major industry event occurs, consider doing a recap for your audience; what were the big takeaways? Or when a new product launches, do a review of how it’s performing; it is really worth all the hype? Odds are you’re already doing the research to you stay up-to-date on what’s happening in your industry, so why not use that knowledge to engage with your customers? Lists, Lists, Lists - Everyone loves a list; especially a checklist! People love to have things given to them in a concise and digestible manner, and what better way to do that than a list? Whether it be a “step-by-step” style list or a “don’t forget _____” kind of list, try to boil your next idea down to a series of key bullet points before you hit post. Survey Says - Creating a survey can not only help you get valuable information from your customers, but it’s also a fun way to engage with them. So next time you’re feeling the writer’s block coming on, try turning the tables and put the spotlight on your followers. Share Your Resources - Everyone has their go-to resources, whether it be a comprehensive set of books, a dependable website, an informed local organization, etc. Knowing what resources are and aren’t reliable is important and worth sharing with your customers! Top 5, Top 10, Top 100 - Sometimes it’s ok to play favorites! Share your top picks for the things you trust the most and as a result help your audience make better choices. Plus, odds are they’ll remember who they got the great advice from and you’ll establish a little brand loyalty.  BY NAPOLEON BATALAO
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS The Fremont Chamber of Commerce and East Bay SCORE have restarted in-person small business counseling at the Fremont chamber. For the last 2 years, the Fremont Chamber and East Bay SCORE's in-person SCORE counseling was canceled due to the pandemic. We are happy to announce that face to face small business counseling is once again happening at the Chamber. WHAT IS SCORE? SCORE volunteers provide free mentoring to small business entrepreneurs on a wide range of business topics—everything from how to write a business plan, how to arrange funding and manage cash flow, to how to develop effective marketing and Web-based retailing. East Bay SCORE’s experienced business mentors provide general business advice on every aspect of business planning, start-up, management and growth. All SCORE mentors honor the client’s right to proprietary and confidential information. All discussions and documents remain confidential. The key qualification SCORE mentors bring is realworld business experience. They are working and retired business owners, executives and managers who have been through the same challenges and decisions that many entrepreneurs are facing today. In addition, SCORE business mentors offer valuable expertise in specific industries. All SCORE volunteers receive specialized training offered by the association. HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT? Book online by visiting our Booking Page: tinyurl.com/fmtcc-book 1. Select a Service: Choose SCORE small business counseling session 2. Select Staff: Fremont Chamber of Commerce 3. Choose Date: Fridays 4. Time: 10 am or 11 am 5. Add your details 6. BOOK! NOTE: You will receive the address upon booking. We do not accept walk-ins at this time! |
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39488 Stevenson Place, Suite 100, Fremont, California 94539
Phone: 510/795.2244 | Fax: 510/795.2240 | [email protected]
39488 Stevenson Place, Suite 100, Fremont, California 94539
Phone: 510/795.2244 | Fax: 510/795.2240 | [email protected]
