News

The EAOC members were treated to an especially SPOOKY Halloween presentation this week on this fun annual holiday, by none other than our resident History Professor, Patrick Cecil!  And what fun it was!  Confetti Events donated their time and energy to turning the Green Parrot into a spooktacular feast for the eyes, and Diana Diaz provided flowers and arrangements to complement the fabulous decor.

Members learned all about the history of Halloween, and its evolution over time to what it is today for both trick-or-treaters, AND the candy industry.

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Switching merchant processing companies can be tedious and stressful, and during these times nobody wants to do this unless they have to.  OR, if they will be saving a SIGNIFICANT amount of money like they can with Lisa McCune of Affinity24

During this week’s morning meeting, Lisa gave us the  lowdown on how she has spent more than 40 years in the business earning the nickname “The Secret Weapon” with her clients and associates.  Lisa has the ability to see through the shine and glitz, and reveals where the hidden fees are tucked away.  She can navigate removing them completely from the equation, and can save her clients SERIOUS money, every single month. 

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EAOC members were excited to hear from their trusted Mortgage Lender, Susan Klaren, during this week's morning meeting!  

Susan emphasized that lending has the power to change lives, and the trajectory of a family.  Good lenders are teachers, translators, puzzle solvers, and lifetime learners.  She's a lender who cares, so she knows that behind every file filled with debt-to-income ratios, is a family with DREAMS.

Susan is with CMG Financial, a private Nationwide Lender licensed in all 50 states.  Of those, Susan is personally licensed in 7 states:  Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Texas and Oregon.  In other words, Susan is not just limited to helping people in California, but can help many people living out-of-state, too!

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One of the many perks of membership in EAOC is the diverse expertise that each member brings to the table, which as we saw in this week’s meeting, they are happy to share with the group.

Anyone who knows Gizi Clemmer of First Team Real Estate knows that she is warm, friendly, and hands-down the TOP choice for anyone who wants guidance during the home buying or selling process.            

Fortunately for us, she’s also happy to lend her expertise to the group and educate the team on what to look for when searching for a REALTOR.

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EAOC members were treated this week to a special presentation by their power partner, Carlos Camacho Gil!  Carlos is EAOC’s trusted Commercial Insurance member, and after this week's presentation, proved what an asset he is to the group.

As a representative of Federated Insurance, Carlos currently services the Anaheim, Fullerton, Placentia, and parts of Orange.  Not only do they specialize in niche industries, but they also help protect your business and family’s future through their life insurance policies.  Federated Mutual Insurance Company (“Federated”) is a direct writer of property and casualty insurance products headquartered in Owatonna, Minnesota, servicing 49 states and rated by AMBest A+ Superior.

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Several EAOC members have already worked with Ron Dymek, of Dymek’s Freedom Plumbing, by adding tankless water heaters and water conditioners to their homes.  So, in this week’s morning meeting, we were excited to hear what all the buzz has been about with heat pump water heaters, and to get first-hand homeowner reviews of these systems, including learning all about the current incentives and rebates being offered.

Water heaters are the second highest source of energy usage in the home, contributing to as much as 30% of a household’s energy cost.  On average, water heaters use more energy than a refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer combined.  Switching to a high efficiency heat pump versus a standard gas or electric water heater means significantly lower energy bills, fewer carbon emissions, upfront and long-term savings, and plenty of hot water. 

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At this week’s morning meeting, members were treated to a beautiful presentation by Diana Diaz of Deelux Florista & Events.  We only wish we could have smelled the arrangements from her photos—they were stunning!  

Several members have already ordered flowers through Diana, and their experiences have all been 5-star.  Not only are the arrangements incredibly fresh and thoughtful for the occasion, but the sender receives a photo of the delivered masterpiece, which is something that which is something that large corporations don’t usually provide.  Diana also takes same-day orders, which is also something that can only be found in a smaller boutique business, with an owner who cares about the product.

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Leonardo Da Vinci said it best: “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”  That’s the feeling the group got during Ruben Mota’s presentation this week, where we could clearly see he has a passion for perfection.  With seamless, meticulous results, professionalism, and always fair prices, Ruben has impressed EAOC members and their referrals again and again on a variety of projects.  Several members gave raving testimonials during his presentation, and the phrase we kept hearing was, "I have more projects that I'd like you to come back and do." 

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In this week’s morning meeting, we had the pleasure of hearing the ins and outs of event planning from Manny Gonzalez of Confetti Events and Catering, on location from his warehouse!

Imagine that you have just agreed to host an event for 100 people;  the very first call that you make should be to Manny and his team.  With one phone call, every single aspect of the event would be handled by one company, aside from cake and flowers (which Confetti has tried and true referrals for).  Congratulations, event planning just became SIMPLE!

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There’s nothing like having an expert in interior design at your fingertips, like we do with EAOC member Karyn Hadley of Rite-Loom and TS Home Design Center!  This week’s morning meeting was a feast for the eyes, as members were invited to browse Karyn's portfolio of everybody's favorite, before and after photos!

So many of us are revamping our spaces, but don’t have time to educate ourselves on what the newest trends are, how to get the most out of our budgets, and which brands have the best quality.

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This week’s morning meeting was as educational as it was beautiful! 

ATOMY’s Yon Himelman, our trusted beauty and wellness products expert, treated us to a workshop on her top and most sought-after products.  Supplements and skincare led the pack, which was no surprise!  

ATOMY is an award-winning company that originated in South Korea, and is becoming famous worldwide for their affordable QUALITY products.  Currently, ATOMY products are available in 21 countries, and they are not stopping there.

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Longtime EAOC member and trusted banker Donny Delfin has been in the industry for over 20 years!  Time and time again, he has seen firsthand the advantages his clients enjoy by having a strong relationship with the relationship manager at their bank, which is him. 

From efficiently structuring accounts to avoid extra fees, to expedited processing, to catching fraudulent phishing phone calls and potential security breaches—simply because Donny knows his customers well enough to know their voices on the phone—banking with someone they know has proven to be the ONLY choice for Donny’s customers, and explains why he boasts a cult-like following of referral after referral.     

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Buenos Dias from Sammy Montoya at La Chiquita!  We had a delicious breakfast at this week’s morning meeting, and enjoyed the gorgeous ambiance of the Green Parrot Villa.

Sammy told us his history of coming to the United States in 1982, going to high school in Laguna Beach, and working at the White House as a dish washer.  After 15 years, he was managing the place. In 1994 a customer at the White House approached Sammy to help keep La Chiquita open. Twelve patrons helped Sammy buy the restaurant. He paid half of them off in five years and the second half in ten years.

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During this week's morning meeting, members were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at a Santa Monica VIP driveway makeover project currently in progress with PAV-KOTE.  Several landscaping obstacles led to a fresh approach to a traditional driveway, by pouring a custom-tinted coating over asphalt to minimize future tree root damage.  The custom color matching was remarkable, and the results are looking stunning!  

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SANTA, ANA, CA, July 17, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Executives' Association of Orange County celebrates Sammy Montoya of La Chiquita Restaurant, for receiving the Difference Makers award, an outstanding achievement award by the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce.

The Executives' Association of Orange County is proud to share that their longtime member, Sammy Montoya of La Chiquita Restaurant, is being recognized as the recipient of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce's Difference Makers award. This event aims to spotlight extraordinary business leaders who have made significant contributions to the economic development and overall well-being of the community.

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In this week’s morning meeting, our EAOC members learned about tax credits, rebates, and incentives available to them through the businesses of the their fellow members.  This meeting allows plenty of time to take advantage of some of the wonderful incentives out there, while also enjoying incredible products and services to make life easier.

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Staying on top of new legislation couldn’t be easier for EAOC members, since we have Labor Attorney Jonathan Judge in our roster!

Jonathan Judge, Partner with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, advises employers in various labor and employment law matters, including drug testing, mass layoffs (WARN), disparate impact analysis, immigration compliance, trade secrets, privacy, technology in the workplace, piece rate compensation, municipal and state sick leave, local, state and federal minimum wage law, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

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In this week’s morning meeting, our EAOC members were treated to one of the many benefits of membership:  a legal update that is helpful for everyone! 

Longtime EAOC member and Estate Planning Attorney Tracy Roberts explained exactly what estate planning is generally meant to achieve, which is to keep loved ones out of probate court if the unthinkable happens.  Estate planning also identifies goals for who will take your assets after your death, and creates a set of documents meant to carry out those objectives, which can make things tremendously easier for loved ones.

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In this week’s morning meeting, EAOC members were excited to hear the ins and outs of the extermination industry from our trusted expert, Tyler Douthit of Divert Pest Control!

Tyler and his guest speaker, Rich Garcia of Veseris, educated the group on the new anti-mosquito product, In2Care.  This revolutionary product changes the way we fight off pesky mosquitoes, and has been ordered in the thousands by our local world-famous theme parks. 

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One of the many perks of membership in EAOC is the diverse expertise that each member brings to the table, which as we saw in this week’s meeting, they are happy to share with the group.

Anyone who knows Gizi Clemmer of FirstTeam Real Estate knows that she is warm, friendly, and hands-down the TOP choice for anyone who wants guidance during the home buying or selling process.            

Fortunately for us, she’s also happy to lend her expertise to the group and educate the team on what to look for when searching for a REALTOR.

Read more

It all began in the 1980s with an ambition to become a dentist in America. Through hard work, resilience, and a partnership with an aspiring chemical engineer, the journey started to come to life. 

In the 1990s, Dr. Robert Y. Go and Estela L. Go immigrated to California and made a home in Orange County.  After decades of experience in dentistry, accounting, and operational excellence, the duo founded Go Family Dental in Anaheim, home of Disneyland, in 2007. From its first day, Go Family Dental was about quality, care, and connection. It's not just about teeth—it's about people.

Go Family Dental offers a variety of dental services to meet their clients’ needs:

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Did you know that The Executives Association of Orange County is part of the 40-chapter International Executives Association, spanning from Hawaii to Great Britain?  At this week’s meeting, EAOC members were treated to an impressive presentation by IEA Managing Director Lisa Jordan, discussing the exciting benefits that members get to enjoy by being a part of such a HUGE network! 

Members are automatically enrolled as IEA members upon joining EAOC, adding their business information to the widely-viewed, 3,000-member IEA online international directory!  Members also gain access to the IEA newsletters, including FREE webinar announcements, networking opportunities, marketing advice, and an invitation to the members-only annual IEA conference, happening in exciting Las Vegas, Nevada in 2024!

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EAOC members were treated this week to a special presentation by their power partner, Carlos Camacho Gil!  Carlos is EAOC’s trusted Commercial Insurance member, and after today’s presentation, proved what an asset he is to the group.

As a representative of Federated Insurance, Carlos currently services the Anaheim, Fullerton, Placentia, and parts of Orange.  Not only do they specialize in niche industries, but they also help protect your business and family’s future through their life insurance policies.  Federated Mutual Insurance Company (“Federated”) is a direct writer of property and casualty insurance products headquartered in Owatonna, Minnesota, servicing 49 states and rated by AMBest A+ Superior.

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This week’s featured member is Patrick Cecil, of Merrill Lynch.  Patrick is a Financial Advisor and CFP certificant in the Irvine,  California office.  

He joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2016 after coming from Academia, where he was a History professor following the completion of his Ph.D. at The University of Albama. 

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At this week’s morning meeting, members were treated to a beautiful presentation by Diana Diaz of Deelux Florista & Events.  We only wish we could have smelled the arrangements from her photos—they were stunning!  

Several members have already ordered flowers through Diana, and their experiences have all been 5-star.  Not only are the arrangements incredibly fresh and thoughtful for the occasion, but the sender receives a photo of the delivered masterpiece, which is something that which is something that large corporations don’t usually provide.  Diana also takes same-day orders, which is also something that can only be found in a smaller boutique business, with an owner who cares about the product.

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This week, EAOC members were excited to hear from their own trusted longtime Auto Sales expert, Mike Hughes of Simpson Chevrolet.  Mike has been an active part of the EAOC team since 1994.

Simpson Chevrolet takes great pride in being family owned and operated since 1951. Three generations of Simpsons have paved the way to become the #1 GM Dealer in Orange County. Many of their employees have been with the dealership for almost 40 years, and their loyal customers date back to when the doors first opened.

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Payroll and HR Services Simplified, with Asure's Quinton Fasola

EAOC had the pleasure of learning from Quinton Fasola this week, EAOC’s trust payroll expert from Asure Software.

The group learned that business owners need to build great teams (aka Human Capital) to get to the next level but they must also allocate financial capital in areas that drive growth, not a bloated back-office that sucks cash from sales, marketing, product development, and customer service.

That’s where Asure comes in.

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Heat Pump Water Heaters Simplified, with Ron Dymek of Dymek’s Freedom Plumbing

Several EAOC members have already worked with Ron Dymek, of Dymek’s Freedom Plumbing, by adding tankless water heaters and water conditioners to their homes.  So, in this week’s morning meeting, we were excited to hear what all the buzz has been about with heat pump water heaters, and to get first-hand homeowner reviews of these systems, including learning all about the current incentives and rebates being offered.

Water heaters are the second highest source of energy usage in the home, contributing to as much as 30% of a household’s energy cost.  On average, water heaters use more energy than a refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer combined.  Switching to a high efficiency heat pump versus a standard gas or electric water heater means significantly lower energy bills, fewer carbon emissions, upfront and long-term savings, and plenty of hot water. 

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MEMBERSHIP NEWS:

The following firms have been proposed for membership in EAOC:

 

FIRST PRINTING

Kristen Maahs-Kolberg

Alzheimer’s Orange County

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This week’s morning meeting was as educational as it was beautiful! 

ATOMY’s Yon Himelman, our trusted beauty and wellness products expert, treated us to a workshop on her top and most sought-after products.  Supplements and skincare led the pack, which was no surprise!  

Read more

Travel is most likely on ALL of our minds lately, as we dream about far away places and more carefree days.  In this week’s morning meeting, we heard from Janine Joseph of Kahala      Travel, where traveling and far away places aren’t just dreams—she’s built a business around them!

Janine is from our IEA sister chapter, The Executives’ Association of San Diego, and joined us virtually to share insight into the wonderful world of great escapes.

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Jeff Rogers is an accomplished Executive Business Coach, Entrepreneur and Professional Trainer that builds & empowers successful and emerging business leaders. He holds his certification by the Professional Business Coaching Alliance. Rogers focuses on providing custom coaching for entrepreneurs, business leaders, C-suite executives, and management teams. Together, Jeff and his clients develop clarity of purpose to maximize results using proven strategies to enhance business structures and personal accountability.

Jeff’s extensive leadership experiences provide clients with a warm, trusting, and safe environment to become laser-focused on optimal results. His system is designed to develop and strengthen core leadership competencies in  areas such as; Sales & Sales Training Program Management, Executive Branding, Marketing & Advertising, Leadership Team Development, Systems & Procedural Manuals, Business Finance Management, HR & Staff Development, and Customer Service.

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At this week’s morning meeting, Holly Frost with loanDepot gave us an in-depth look into the top 5 reasons to refinance your home, and as soon as possible!

Holly is a Loan Consultant who has been able to create loan solutions for specific mortgage needs. She works with a team of underwriters and processors to assist in funding each loan on-time, every time at loanDepot. Holly's success is due to her unparalleled level of service at creating unique loan solutions.

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One unexpected perk to meeting virtually is the ease of hosting guests from other IEA chapters, opening our morning meetings up to a variety of interesting topics.  Borders have been erased, and our reach has been extended to San Fernando Valley, and beyond!  In this week’s morning meeting, we enjoyed a fascinating presentation from Bill Kahn, of Law Offices of William J. Kahn.

Personal Injury Attorneys help people injured as a result of the negligence of others, and Bill has over 30 years of experience in premises liability accidents, animal negligence (such as dog bites or contact injuries), as well as motor vehicle accidents of all scales.

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Of the countless benefits of membership in EAOC, social media coverage is one perk that truly saves its members money!

For businesses, social media is no longer optional, particularly if they market to the general public.  If a company isn’t active on social media, its message will be lost. Followers are more likely to see posts and updates from companies who are more active on the site.  Dormant pages will likely go unnoticed, but are at least SEARCHABLE, or appear in search results. 

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Have you ever wondered who’s behind the tens of thousands of promotional products seen given away at sporting events or trade shows, like t-shirts, mugs and hats? 

In this week’s morning meeting, we learned how longtime member Carlos Salazar got his start in the United States, opened his promotional products company, Salazar Associates, and how his business has not only responded to COVID-19, but has seen some of its largest orders ever processed in the form of masks and PPE equipment.       

Salazar Associates has creative ways to get company logos on protective equipment (PPE) products and hand sanitizing products (still sold out at many major retailers), and stands by its belief that useful and high-quality products are the very best choice in promotional products.   

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Several EAOC members have already worked with Ron Dymek, of Dymek’s Freedom Plumbing, adding tankless water heaters to their homes.

So, in this week’s morning meeting, we were excited to hear from Ron, and to get first-hand photos and video of the fascinating development, trenchless technology, using a 100-foot pipe! Ron specializes in tankless water heaters, too. The number one perk with tankless water heaters is lowering the cost of utility bills.

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This week’s morning meeting was all about pests, both at home AND at the workplace!   With the summer weather heating up, bugs and pests are nagging all of us, and we got a first-hand take on how to keep everything under control with Tyler Douthit of Divert Pest Control.

Tyler brings more than 10 years of direct experience in residential pest control.  His team uses the latest advancements in the industry to safely eliminate any possible pest hazards.

Homeowners and business owners find that Divert Pest Control’s Integrated Pest Management approach both thorough and trouble-free.  They first inspect the problem, then determine any existing environmental concerns. 

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This week’s morning meeting had the most interesting presentation by EAOC’s commercial roofing member Greg Peterson! 

Looking around the Zoom room, members were absolutely GLUED to their screens as we got the behind-the scenes views (and stories!) of one of the most complicated scaffolding setups we’ve ever seen.  The stories included trapdoors, towers, and of course—HEIGHTS!

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Anyone who knows Gizi Clemmer of Corcoran Global Living knows that she is warm, friendly, and hands-down the TOP choice for anyone who wants guidance during the home-buying or selling process.

There are approximately 184 steps in a basic real estate transaction, of which many things can go wrong. Hiring a REALTOR, like Gizi, is the best way to protect yourself during a transaction. Gizi is a highly organized and very communicative REALTOR that will always be acting as your fiduciary, protecting you and your assets.

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Switching merchant processing companies can be tedious and  stressful, and during these times nobody wants to do this unless they have to.  OR, if they will be saving a SIGNIFICANT amount of money like they can with Lisa McCune of Affinity24

During this week’s morning meeting, Lisa gave us the lowdown on how she has spent 30 years in the business earning the nickname “The Secret Weapon” with her clients and associates.  Lisa has the ability to see through the shine and glitz, and reveals where the hidden fees are tucked away.  She can navigate removing them completely from the equation, and can save her clients SERIOUS money, every single month. 

Read more

Donny has been with Pacific Western Bank since before it was Pacific Western Bank, nearly 15 years ago!  Time and time again, he has seen firsthand the advantages his customers enjoy by having a strong relationship with the relationship manager at their bank, which is him. 

From efficiently structuring accounts to avoid extra fees, to expedited processing, to catching fraudulent phishing phone calls and potential security breaches—simply because Donny knows his customers well enough to know their voices on the phone—banking with someone they know has proven to be the ONLY choice for Donny’s customers, and explains why he boasts a cult-like following of referral after referral.

Read more

This week’s morning meeting had the most interesting presentation by EAOC’s commercial roofing member Greg Peterson

Looking around the Zoom room, members were absolutely GLUED to their screens as we got the behind-the scenes views (and stories!) of one of the most complicated scaffolding setups we’ve ever seen.  The stories included trapdoors, towers, and of course—HEIGHTS!

Read more

This week’s morning meeting had the most interesting presentation by EAOC member Randy Smith! 

Randy’s commercial general construction and project  management firm, RC Smith Design Build, follows an important statement:  “Trust is one of the things we build well.”

Everyone at EAOC knows that this motto is undeniable!  Having been in the construction business for over 40 years, RC Smith Design Build strives to work closely with their clients to accomplish the highest quality workmanship.

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One unexpected perk to meeting virtually is the ease of hosting guests from other IEA chapters, opening our morning meetings up to a variety of interesting topics.  Borders have been erased, and our reach has been extended to San Fernando Valley, and beyond!  In this week’s morning meeting, we enjoyed a fascinating presentation from Bill Kahn, of Law Offices of William J. Kahn.

Personal Injury Attorneys help people injured as a result of the negligence of others, and Bill has over 30 years of experience in premises liability accidents, animal negligence (such as dog bites or contact injuries), as well as motor vehicle accidents of all scales.

Read more

One unexpected perk to meeting virtually is the ease of hosting guests from other IEA chapters, opening our morning meetings up to a variety of interesting topics.  Borders have been erased, and our reach has been extended to San  Fernando Valley, and beyond!  In this week’s morning meeting, we enjoyed a fascinating presentation from Hunaid Baliwala of Woodland Warner Flowers.

The floristry business hasn’t skipped a beat this past year, and Hunaid has been grateful to remain busy filling orders and taking advantage of social media exposure. 

Read more

Staying on top of new legislation couldn’t be easier for EAOC members, since we have Labor Attorney Jonathan Judge in our roster!

Jonathan Judge advises employers in various labor and employment law matters, including drug testing, mass layoffs (WARN), disparate impact analysis, immigration compliance, trade secrets, privacy, technology in the workplace, piece rate compensation, municipal and state sick leave, local, state and federal minimum wage law, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Read more

Several EAOC members have already worked with Ron Dymek, of Dymek’s Freedom Plumbing, on adding tankless water heaters to their homes.  So, in this week’s morning meeting, we were excited to hear what all the buzz has been about, and to get first-hand homeowner reviews of these systems, including learning all about the perks of installing a tankless water heater in lieu of a traditional water heater.

Read more

Remember attending sporting events with huge crowds of people?  We miss those, too.  Have you ever wondered who’s behind the tens of thousands of promotional products, like the t-shirts, mugs and hats seen given away at sporting events? 

In this week’s morning meeting, we learned how former EAOC President Carlos Salazar got his start in the United States, started his promotional products company, Salazar Associates, and how he’s responding to COVID-19 by offering personal protective equipment (PPE) products and hand sanitizing products (still sold out at major retailers), with or without your business logo. 

Read more

We all know businesses that are making big changes to their locations since COVID began.  While some businesses are busier than ever, and are finding the need to EXPAND, others have adopted a hybrid work schedule, and are dividing their time between working in-person, and working remotely from home.  This new hybrid setup allows for a smaller office space, encouraging many businesses to “right-size” their location, as Randy Wind of The Wind Group has named it.

With over 33 years of experience as a licensed commercial realtor, and over 40 years of experience in property investments, Randy has solidified his place as EAOC’s commercial real estate EXPERT. 

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The unprecedented amount of people working remotely has created its own hurdles in the tech world, including an increase in cyber attacks, hacking, and phishing. Leslie McCarthy of NFP Property & Casualty Insurance Services, Inc., caught us up to speed in our morning meeting this week, helping us understand some of the needs that are becoming prevalent as more and more time is spent working remotely.

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There’s nothing like taking a tour of EAOC member Karyn Hadley’s GORGEOUS showroom and warehouse! And, during our current climate, it was a treat to be able to make this happen virtually, during our morning meeting!

Seeing everything that Karyn’s company, Rite-loom, has to offer is like stepping into a homeowner’s dream come true. Every kind of flooring imaginable, window treatments, countertops, tile, carpeting, fabrics, and so much more!

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EAOC’s Residential Electrical genius, Kevin Bastianelli, began his career as a journeyman in machine repair and machine maintenance, while working hands-on at Mascotech, Inc. 

During his seven years at Masotech, he became proficient in fabrication, machinery setups- CNC lathe, CNC mills, CNC presses, pneumatic systems, hydraulic repair and set-up and industrial electrical wiring and troubleshooting.

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Anyone who knows Gizi Clemmer of First Team Christie’s International Real Estate knows that she is warm, friendly, and hands-down the TOP choice for anyone who needs gentle guidance during the home-buying or selling process.

The current interest rates have more people than ever looking to purchase a new home, and more people than ever are finding ways to actually land the home of their dreams—all without actually having to see anyone face-to-face. 

Read more

Switching merchant processing companies can be tedious and stressful, and during these times nobody wants to do this unless they have to.  OR, if they will be saving a SIGNIFICANT amount of money.

During this week’s morning meeting, Lisa McCune of Affinity24 gave us the lowdown on how she has spent 30 years in the business earning the nickname “The Secret Weapon” with her clients and associates.  Lisa has the ability to see through the shine and glitz, and reveals where the hidden fees are tucked away.  She can navigate removing them completely from the equation, and can save her clients SERIOUS money, every single month.

Read more

It was a privilege to peek into the philosophies and techniques and methods used over at Michael Gordon’s Sandler Training this week!  Michael led a fascinating workshop on building and sustaining relationships, qualifying opportunities, and CLOSING sales.

All part of a bigger picture called the Sandler Selling System, the techniques Michael introduced us to help for a gentler, less aggressive approach to sales that has been proven, time and time again, to produce RESULTS.

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At this week’s morning meeting, Ron Dymek of Dymek’s Freedom Plumbing educated the group on the do’s and don’ts of preventing water damage in the home, AND in the workplace!

Every day, non-storm related water causes thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to homes and businesses all over Orange County.  And, a large portion of these floods are PREVENTABLE!

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Staying on top of new legislation couldn’t be easier for EAOC members, since we have Labor Attorney Jonathan Judge in our roster!

Jonathan Judge advises employers in various labor and employment law matters, including drug testing, mass layoffs (WARN), disparate impact analysis, immigration compliance, trade secrets, privacy, technology in the workplace, piece rate compensation, municipal and state sick leave, local, state and federal minimum wage law, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

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When a business owner has over 40 years of experience in his industry, working with some of the most coveted clients in the world, he has more than solidified his position at the top of our expertise shortlist!

At this week’s morning meeting, we were treated to a lovely presentation by the renowned Gary Gregg of Creating with Glass!  Gary’s creations are nothing short of STUNNING, each being completely custom, turning even the most complicated of assignments into flawless masterpieces. 

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It came to no surprise in our morning meeting that Confetti Events’ top rental is currently OUTDOOR CANOPIES!

In addition to outdoor dining, open air salons, and church gatherings, outdoor classrooms at local school districts have Confetti’s Manny and Javier Gonzalez stocking up to meet demand!      Manny mentioned he has one school district alone with a jaw-dropping 40 canopies on a long-term rental.

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The EAOC members were thrilled to attend the presentation, Re-Occupancy Checklist for a Safe and Healthy Workplace, at this week’s morning meeting!  This informative and educational webinar was presented by Caroline Shelly, Principal of HF Planners, and a member of our IEA sister chapter, the Executives Association of New Jersey.

HF Planners has created a prototype floorplan, and in this webinar Caroline walked us through the various areas of our business, and how to protect/change them to be prepared to going back to work in the Covid-19 world.

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Several EAOC members have already worked with Ron Dymek, of Dymek’s Freedom Plumbing, on adding tankless water heaters to their homes.  So, in this week’s morning meeting, we were excited to hear what all the buzz has been about, and to get first-hand homeowner reviews of these systems, including learning all about the perks of installing a tankless water heater in lieu of a traditional water heater.

Read more

In this week’s morning meeting, our EAOC members were on the edge of their seats as Schaef Air’s David Schaefer introduced the world’s FIRST self-cleaning, no maintenance, needlepoint bi-polar ionization generator designed SPECIFICALLY for treating air in residential duct A/C systems: the iWave-R.

As air flows past the iWave-R, positive and negative ions actively purify the supply air, killing mold, bacteria AND viruses in the coil and living space.  The ionization process also reduces allergens, smoke any harmful byproducts.

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Just when we thought COVID-19 turned our annual holiday card photos into a hopeless pipedream, Teresa Taylor of T. Taylor Photography proves us all wrong!

Taking the photos from 6-10 feet away?  No problem.  But getting a group shot with subjects keeping 6-10 feet away?  It IS possible!  And, it looks completely natural, too.

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The more we can get from a contactless sign or graphic these days, THE BETTER.  That’s why vehicle wraps and outdoor display signs are everything right now, and are filling up the schedule of Lorna Scherff of SpeedPro North OC.

Vehicle wraps in particular, where the vehicle brings the signage to the customer, mean more than ever while so many are working from home.  Home improvements, and the vehicles that go with the vendors hired to do them, are parked in every neighborhood for hours or days at a time.  That’s quite a bit of exposure that could have gone unnoticed should the vehicle wrap be sub par, or worse—non-existent. 

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This week we heard from EAOC’s Residential Real Estate member Gizi Clemmer, professional REALTOR with First Team Real Estate!

Gizi is also a Senior Real Estate Specialist, working with investors on physically and emotionally distressed properties, and assists clients in buying and selling residential real estate throughout California. 

Gizi does a lot of networking both in California and out of California. She has proven to be a great referral source to experienced Realtors operating under the same principles as Gizi. Moving out of state? Check with her for a referral to a reputable professional Realtor.  

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Executive Director Katie Quinn shared the many ways that EAOC’s social media and online presence benefits its members, by sheer numbers alone. 

With an available audience of BILLIONS on EAOC’s social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn), EAOC finetunes its reach and helps users find its posts by utilizing hashtags, account tags, location tags, and user interaction to get its content discovered by potential leads outside of its network.

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One thing we’ve greatly missed about in-person meetings is the business that gets done during breaktime! The new Zoom Breakout Rooms feature that we tested at this week’s morning meeting fills that void virtually, and groups members into random 3-person sessions for more personal, direct conversations. The membership voted, and we will be incorporating our new ‘breaktimes” into all meetings going forward. Prepare yourselves to catch up with each other’s businesses even easier, and know EXACTLY how to support each other, each and every week!  

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EAOC’s Residential Electrician, Kevin Bastianelli, began his career as a journeyman in machine repair and machine maintenance, while working hands-on at Mascotech, Inc. 

During his seven years at Masotech, he became proficient in fabrication, machinery setups- CNC lathe, CNC mills, CNC presses, pneumatic systems, hydraulic repair and set-up and industrial electrical wiring and troubleshooting. 

In 2006, Kevin accepted a position as an electrician working for West Coast Power & Lighting in Huntington Beach.  In just four years,  Kevin was the company’s foreman. 

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Home offices are all anyone’s talking about as we all scramble to make the new norm of workspaces functional AND beautiful. 

Pinterest boards are being dominated by bright and minimalist office spaces, and they all have one thing in common:  looking organized and DECLUTTERED. 

Enter Phil Kintz of Kintz Cabinets, EAOC’s own woodworking expert with 35 years of experience designing gorgeous, custom, high-quality built-ins to declutter and simplify your life.

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Remember attending sporting events with huge crowds of people?  We miss those, too.  Have you ever wondered who’s behind the tens of thousands of promotional products, like the t-shirts, mugs and hats seen given away at sporting events? 

In this week’s morning meeting, we learned how EAOC President Carlos Salazar started his promotional products company, Salazar Associates, and how he’s responding to COVID-19 by offering personal protective equipment (PPE) products and hand sanitizing products (still sold out at major retailers), with or without your business logo. 

Since hand sanitizers are still a hot commodity, this is one item that customers and clients would most DEFINITELY keep readily available, every day!  Which means, your logo would be seen several times a day, while also providing your customers and clients a lasting protection against bacteria.

Salazar Associates offers a wide variety of promotional products to help promote your company and services, increase client loyalty, and promote employee unity.  Their online catalog has over 600,000 promotional items waiting for your logo, with something to fit every budget and taste.  All graphics are done in-house, and have been since 1997. 

To learn more about providing clients and customers a lasting protection against bacteria, or to get your logo onto high-quality promotional products, please visit www.PromotownUSA.com.

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In this week’s EAOC meeting, multiple award-winning author and national speaker Stacey Brown Randall Zoomed in, all the way from South Carolina! Stacey showed us the powerful formula to creating long-term business referrals, something that will sustain and even GROW a business during times of uncertainty.

One thing many of us don’t put enough value into is taking care of our referral sources, or those who send us new clients. Since so many of us are finding ourselves with a little extra time these days, the timing has never been better to sit down and identify one’s OWN referral sources. This is the first step in solidifying a continuous, long-term referral stream.

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In this week’s EAOC meeting, we were inspired and motivated by hearing Greg Parker’s story, from the HazMat company HCI Environmental

After seeing competitors advertising decontamination and cleanup efforts wearing Personal Protective Equipment INCORRECTLY, Greg decided to change his company’s focus from providing HazMat cleanup to providing decontamination services, and completely FLIP his company’s marketing efforts to target businesses affected by confirmed or even SUSPECTED cases of COVID-19. 

In turn, he expanded his demographic by seeking out companies for decontamination services that he would NEVER have contacted in the past, for his usual HazMat cleanup projects.  

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In this week’s EAOC meeting, we learned all about the new developments in the world of merchant processing! Lisa McCune shared details on Clover, a new system that allows CONTACT-LESS transactions—something that ALL of our customers are looking for right now.

With contact-less payments, customers can simply hold their credit or debit cards up to the card reader to pay, or even use smart phone wallets like Apple Pay. There is absolutely no reason to touch any processing equipment anymore, which leaves EVERYONE feeling more comfortable in today’s climate. In fact, Lisa shared that since the onset of COVID-19, contact-less payments now make up a staggering 51% of all transactions!

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This week’s morning meeting had the most interesting presentation by EAOC member Randy Smith! Randy is currently working on a 14-story building, including tasks the require him to brave being on the rooftop!

Randy’s commercial general construction and project management firm, RC Smith Design Build, follows an important statement: “Trust is one of the things we build well.”

Everyone at EAOC knows that this motto is undeniable! Having been in the construction business for over 40 years, RC Smith Design Build strives to work closely with their clients to accomplish the highest quality workmanship.

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Contributed by EAOC Member Randy Wind

I have had a number of inquiries on Small Businesses, Mortgage Relief, Leases, Rental Relief, and surviving our current economic situation.


We are in a Health and Business Climate we have never seen before and the headlines are full of businesses closed temporarily, and possibly permanently… all while being told to stay home, maintain social distancing, and only “Essential” Businesses being authorized to operate.

The US Government, and primarily the US Department of Treasury has put together a widely touted Program to help small Businesses.

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EAOC’s Labor Law Attorney member, Jonathan Judge, shared his firm’s webinar links that have shown to be extremely helpful during these times.  We are grateful to Jonathan and Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo for putting together these excellent resources!

Tax Credits Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act:  https://www.aalrr.com/newsroom-alerts-3663.

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What a wonderful presentation this week by the super-talented Erik Reyna of E.R. Painting Services!  We knew he was great at what he does, but we didn’t realize what an ARTIST he is, doing so much more than painting cars in his auto body shop.

Based in Santa Ana, and family-owned and operated since 2009, Erik and his crew can paint just about anything!  From the obvious auto projects and restorations, to store fronts, to medical equipment and even guitars—nothing is treated as less than a work of art, and the stellar 5-star reviews you’ll find on Yelp are thorough testaments to that.

As if the reviews and photos aren’t enough, E.R. Painting Services boasts a jaw-dropping 10-minute response time on Yelp, providing estimates FAST.  Plus, customers get free towing to the body shop, so they don’t have to worry about putting themselves at risk driving their car in after an accident.

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At this week’s morning meeting, we were treated to the most beautiful presentation by the incredibly talented Teresa Taylor!  Teresa is a professional photographer and long-time EAOC member, and has a sharp eye for finding the beauty in everyday settings.

Whether it be for parties, golf tournaments, weddings, milestone celebrations, or for business promotion and corporate photos, Teresa has YEARS of experience, and can work with just about any scenario presented to her.  In other words, her clients can relax and enjoy their event, and trust that Teresa has everything under control.  This includes equipment malfunctions, venue and location issues, crowd management, and anything else that can go wrong, possibly compromising an ENTIRE event.  This is one of the largest perks that you get with a PROFESSIONAL photographer—the experience and ability to handle the potential disasters BEHIND THE SCENES, without affecting the mood of the event.

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Kevin Bastianelli of KB Works has a goal, and it’s to make our houses smarter!  He educated the group this week on how we can do this, and the most exciting part is that it’s incredibly AFFORDABLE! 

Using Lutron Electronics products, making our houses smarter just got easier, and WITHOUT having to rewire, patch, drywall and paint!  Kevin explained the ins and outs of smart shades and smart lighting, and just how simple it can be to get your lighting dialed in on your smart phone, or even to relocate light switches using just 10-year batteries and adhesive.

Gone are the days of reaching around awkward walls to find a poorly-located light switch, or even entering a dark house after being gone all day.  It’s now possible to turn on a pre-chosen series of lights when you pull into your garage, using just a garage door opener! 

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A huge thanks to Leslie McCarthy of NFP Property & Casualty Insurance for her enlightening (and somewhat terrifying) presentation on Cyber coverage this week!

If NFP seems like a household name, that’s because they have been around for DECADES.  NFP started on the East Coast, working primarily with baseball and football players, and branched out from there.

Leslie likes to think of insurance as OPPORTUNITY for business owners, instead of being punitive, since it truly does give you the freedom to take risks.  In fact, insurance should be seen as a risk transfer vehicle, that allows you to drive a car or employ a person without having to absorb huge damages and losses.

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In this week’s morning meeting, we had the pleasure of sharing our podium with International Keynote Speaker Erik Swanson, of Habitude Warrior!

Erik boasts a lengthy 21 years’ worth of speaking and coaching appearances, most impressively being invited to speak at the Business and Entrepreneurial school of Harvard University, as well as joining the Ted Talk Family with his latest Tedx speech, “A Dose of Awesome.”

In fact, Erik speaks to over a million people every year, and it’s easy to see why—we left feeling motivated and totally equipped for efficient goal-setting and time management in 2020.

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This week, banker-turned-broker Wesley Oliver shared his excitement over the perks of being a broker!

The biggest advantage Wesley now boasts is being able to SAVE his clients MONEY, by no longer being restricted to offering loan rates from just ONE bank.  He can now pull from his database of rates to find the perfect fit for just about any loan scenario.

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This week, our own resident web guru Lydia Pooler of Jub Jub Interactive delivered a complete breakdown of Jub Jub’s online capabilities! 

Most of us already knew that one of the most effective (and necessary) tools available for small AND large businesses today is a great website.  

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Thank you to our resident Barista members Erika and Jessica Tobias of The Perfect Kup, and to Pastry Chef Cindy Tobias of The Pacific Patisserie for treating us to one delicious morning meeting LIVE interview! Jessica’s coffee creations can be found at special events, corporate parties, breakrooms, and Etsy!

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Manny Gonzalez of Confetti Rentals and Catering (family owned business for twenty five years) gave the Classification presentation this week. We saw beautiful pictures of all that they can provide for weddings, tea parties, baby showers, birthday parties, theme parties, graduations, Christmas parties, and corporate events.

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Kenneth King of Jub Jub Interactive gave the Classification Presentation this week. Kenneth explained what it takes to build a website: discover, design, develop, deploy and cultivate. He discussed content is key to building a website. They meet with a client to discover what the client wants and needs, and discuss what the potential user is going to see. Almost all websites today are designed to be mobile friendly. Kenneth used an example of a website they are developing currently.

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Phil Kintz of Kintz Cabinets gave the classification presentation this week. He has been married to Theresa for thirty five years. They have four children and seven grandchildren. He was born in Chicago and came to California in 1973. Phil has been self- employed since 1987. Phil takes pride in building something better with attention to detail, starting with the correct selection of materials and controlling every phase of the process from sales, design, construction and installation.

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Wesley Oliver of Axia Home Loans presented the Classification talk this week. Axia is one of the top 100 mortgage companies in the nation. Wesley explained that he is always available by phone, email or text. The market is volatile because of the political situation, however the rates are still extremely low.

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Jonathan Judge, new partner of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya & Romo brought one of his partners, Michael Rubino to give us an ADA presentation. George W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disability Act in 1990. It had good intentions but has turned into a litigation industry mostly for unethical attorneys and people. There have been more than 20,000 ADA lawsuits filed in the United States since 2011 and about half of all lawsuits mentioned are filed in California. California’s accessibility standards are more demanding than the federal rules and all ADA laws provide that owners and leases are liable equally.

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Buenos Dias from Sammy Montoya at La Chiquita. We had a delicious breakfast including tamales (Chicken, Beef or Pork available for the holidays). Sammy told us his history of coming to the United States in 1982 going to high school in Laguna Beach and starting to work at the White House as a dish washer. After fifteen years he was managing the place. In 1994 a customer at the White House approached Sammy to help keep La Chiquita open. Twelve patrons helped Sammy buy the restaurant. He paid half of them off in five years and the second half in ten years. The restaurant was started in 1950 and is the oldest authentic Mexican restaurant in Orange County. 

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Rick Baker of PAV-KOTE

Rick Baker of PAV-KOTE gave the classification presentation this week. Rick was born in Missouri. He moved to California in 1984. He and his lovely wife Cherry, have three children. He started Pav- Kote in 1994.

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Doug Whitney of A.D. Ross & Associates gave the Classification talk this week. Doug is a Senior Financial Representative who has been in the business since 1984. Doug has broker agreements with 60 insurance firms and selling agreements with 200 more companies. 

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Wesley Oliver, the manager of the new Axia Home Loan branch in Orange, gave the Classification presentation this week. Wesley explained he made the change to Axia because of the culture of the company. They ask “What’s next? What’s missing?” They are not satisfied with status quo.

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Gary Gregg of Creating With Glass gave the classification talk this week. After serving in the military he worked for his brother- in-law at a fixture manufacture firm dealing with architects and designers creating custom fixtures. Gary’s wife Carol is very talented in cutting glass so they started a side business in the early 80s. Gary and Carol went into fulltime business and have never advertised. They receive all their orders from referrals. Gary studied art and design so he does the sales, custom design and installation. 

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Jonathan Judge of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo gave an update in the upcoming minimum wage and minimum salary increases. The following is excerpts from AALFF Alert: Senate Bill 3 raises California’s minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by 2022. Employers with 25 or fewer employees will receive a one-year delay on each of the increases. 

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  • When there’s a backlog on your voice mail, write out the messages and delete them immediately. You won’t have to scroll through old messages the next time you check them.
  • To avoid “phone tag”, set appointments when you leave a voice mail. Leave a time when you can be reached, or when you’ll try again.
  • To grab the attention of someone who doesn’t return calls, reference and email message.
  • To speed up a phone call, say, “I know you’re busy, but I have a quick question.” It’s a polite way of saying, “I’m busy.”
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A Good Leader

One crucial test of a good leader is what happens when he’s not around. When you’re away, do people carry on as usually or does everything grind to a halt? If things do slow down, it could mean you’ve let your people become too dependent on you.

Some people in supervisory positions are the world’s greatest as long as they are there to supervise their people. But let them leave their desk for a day or so and the place seems to come apart at the seams. Disputes flare up, decisions aren’t made, people slow down and start putting things off.

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You Should Schedule a Classification Presentation Today! A morning talk is an opportunity to educate your executive sales force. When did you give your last talk? Tell Gayle you want to have a sales meeting with the members.

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Happy Valentine’s Day

Think EAOC Members as your dependable source of supply for Valentine Gifts 

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What People are Saying

In 2008, a former member gave a lead of a local private school. After my initial visit, they signed on as a client and ordered small orders regularly, every year. As they grew, so did their order size. And although the member has not been a member for several years, this client has accounted for a total revenue of $60,000 at very nice profit margins. We have built a very good relationship with the school, and expect they will continue to order much in the years to come.  An example of how EAOC keeps on working...The Lead that KEEPS ON GIVING!

Carlos Salazar, Salazar Associates

We receive thousands of dollars of business each year directly from our members, but more importantly, through our member's referrals. 

Also, we have saved a significant amount of money on services and products our members offer. I am using or have used our CC merchant, our promotional member, our commercial insurance broker, our handyman, our Labor Law Attorney, our pest control company, our Fleet Vehicle dealer, our event center and restaurant member, our florist, our HVAC contractor, our Paving Contractor, our Glass and Shower Door member, our realtor, and have referred them to our friends and customers. 

Ron Dymek, Dymek’s Freedom Plumbing

When I was invited to be a part of the EAOC, I had no idea that a “by invitation only” networking group existed. Well, we’ve been around since the early 70’s. And, what a great group of business associates we have. 

Not only are these members excellent business owners that I can refer my clients to, they are an invaluable source of knowledge for me and my clients. 

Often, merely providing information is just what was needed. These professionals are like my business partners, they are champions of my business as well as their own. 

Joining this group of dedicated business professionals has been the key to my success and I’m happy to be a part of this fantastic group. 

Gizi Clemmer, FirstTeam Real Estate

I joined EAOC because of a friend.  In my first year I have gained over 10k in continual annual business.

Quinton Fasola, ASURE Software

In the past 42 years I have received many good leads that have become good clients.  Many of them are still clients of the firm I am with today (This represented 50% of the clients that I merged into the new firm).  I have used many past and current members for a reliable source of good and reputable suppliers for both business and personal needs, including several members that helped me make profitable investments over the years.

Hal Grimshaw, Belden Hiramoto Liu & Co., LLP

I joined EAOC because Phil Kintz asked me. At the time the cost and early meeting time was a concern. The first six months of membership I received an extra $6000 in volume.

Gary Gregg, Creating With Glass

I have been a member for many years in several different classifications. EAOC has always provided me with a steady flow of leads. However the biggest benefit I’ve received has been “outside” of the core purpose of leads. A past member John Valentine, mentioned to me that he had heard about some industrial land for sale in Costa Mesa. I ended up buying it, building a warehouse and running my business at the time (South Coast Stationers) there for about thirty years. It was an excellent investment.

Pete Sloan,

A lead from Past member Bob Hardman eight years ago resulted in $15,000 of business. A lead from Mel Smith eight years ago resulted in $25,000 of business. Benefits of membership include direct business from other members resulting in $10,000 in business and direct business with other members that resulted in excellent service and financial savings.

Carlos Salazar, Salazar Associates

I have built my entire business on leads from the EAOC. I started my association management firm in 1981 with one client EAOC. In the last thirty four years the business has grown to fourteen associations. We employ eleven full time and one part time employee. I can trace ten of my long term clients to referrals from EAOC that brings in over $500,000 annually. The network of present and passed members has had a tremendous impact on my life.

Gayle Stewart, Gayle Stewart Enterprises

EAOC has been a reliable source of steady business for me for about thirty years. Thank You EAOC!

Pete Sloan

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