Chamber Weekly | News & Events

July 18, 2024

Out and About

Sonya Gallardo, owner, Highlow Gift Shop

Donna visits Highlow Gift Shop

Sonya Gallardo, owner, provided me with a warm welcome as I arrived at Highlow Gift Shop, an artful and design-conscious shop that shares a thoughtful curation of goods for all occasions. Walking throughout the shop, my eyes wandered to so many different types of items, seeing many for the first time. With 20 years of retail and small business experience, Gallardo opened Highlow over two years ago. “During the pandemic, I wrote a business plan for the shop and things began to happen,” she said. Read More...

News

California Needs a Million EV Charging Stations — But That’s ‘Unlikely’ and ‘Unrealistic’

California will have to build public charging stations at an unprecedented — and some experts say unrealistic — pace to meet the needs of the 7 million electric cars expected on its roads in less than seven years.

The sheer scale of the buildout has alarmed many experts and lawmakers, who fear that the state won’t be prepared as Californians purchase more electric cars. Read More...

California Paid Family Leave Grants Up to $2K Available to Eligible Businesses

Small businesses in California that have at least one employee utilizing Paid Family Leave (PFL) on or after June 1, 2024 may be eligible to apply for state grants up to $2,000 per employee. Read More...

Grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for Torrance Bakery in 1984.

Torrance Bakery's 40th Anniversary Ribbon-Cutting Kicks Off "7 Days of Giving" for Local Charities and Foundations

Torrance Bakery is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting event on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 11:00 AM. This milestone marks the beginning of their "7 Days of Giving" campaign, which will support various charitable organizations, including the Torrance Chamber Foundation. Read More...

RSVP Here!

Women in Business Event: "Whatever She's Having"

Join us on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, for the upcoming Women in Business event titled "Whatever She's Having." This engaging session will focus on being authentic in friendships, learning to take time for yourself, and how to excel as a leader. The event will take place from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce office. This event is free for Chamber members, making it a fantastic opportunity for networking and professional growth.

The featured speakers for this event are Casey Coleman Schwartz and Kit Wertz, owners of Flower Duet, along with Jann Middo and Hayley Mullin, co-founders of Sockprints. These accomplished women will share their insights and experiences, providing valuable perspectives on leadership and personal development. Read More...

An Evening of Networking at Monkish Brewing Co. with Young Professionals Group (YPG)

Attention all young professionals! The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to invite you to an exclusive evening of dynamic networking with the Young Professionals Group (YPG) on Thursday, August 15th at 5:00 PM. Join us at Monkish Brewing Co., located at 20311 S Western Ave, for an unforgettable experience designed specifically for professionals aged 21-45. This event focuses on expanding your network and fostering professional development in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

This is your chance to meet like-minded peers, share ideas, and make new business contacts in a vibrant setting. The cost to attend is just $5, making it an affordable way to invest in your professional future. This event is exclusively for Chamber members, so don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enhance your career and make lasting connections.

Thank you to P.F. Chang's for hosting yesterday's Business at Noon. Special thanks to Ian Johnson, Top Tyr Training for helping to facilitate the program and to the spotlight speaker, Brian Hasson from the American Diabetes Association. Appreciation is extended to all the Chamber members who attended.

Discover the Benefits of Membership at Chamber 101

The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting "Chamber 101," an essential event for potential and new members to gain an inside view of the Chamber. Scheduled for Wednesday, August 14th at 8:30 AM, the event will take place at the Chamber's office.

Attendees will learn how to navigate membership resources, optimize their knowledge of the Chamber's work, and discover various networking opportunities. This session is tailored for those looking to make the most of their Chamber involvement and build valuable connections within the community.

RSVP Here!

Chamber to Host Coffee & Commerce Event

The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting an exclusive Coffee & Commerce Speed Networking event on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the Chamber office. This dynamic event offers members the chance to connect and exchange business cards, with each interaction lasting just 15 seconds before moving to the next person. Enjoy coffee and breakfast treats as you make rapid-fire connections. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m., and the event runs from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., the cost is $5.00 per person. Attendees are encouraged to bring forty business cards and feel free to bring a business gift for a door prize drawing. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to expand your network and grow your business in a fast-paced, structured format.

Expand Your Network at Business at Noon

Mark your calendar for Business at Noon on August 1st, from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM at Mezontle Grill. This monthly gathering is a prime opportunity to connect with other business leaders in the Torrance Area and extend your professional reach. Don't forget to bring your business cards and feel free to raffle an item to promote your business. Enjoy a delicious meal while engaging in meaningful conversations that can help grow your business and expand your network.

RSVP is required, and please note that this event is for members only with no same-day reservations. The cost to attend is $28. To reserve your spot, click the link below. Don't miss out on this fantastic chance to connect with local business leaders and take advantage of this dynamic networking opportunity!

Are You a Top 100 Small Business?

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to inform you of a new opportunity to apply to be one of the 100 small businesses selected for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO—100:America’s Top 100 Small Businesses. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CO—, the Chamber’s award-winning digital platform for small businesses, are looking for America’s top digital innovators, customer champions, growth accelerators, disruptors, and global stars. Small business owners can apply now through July 8 for a chance to be recognized on this elite list.

The small businesses that make the CO—100 list will gain national brand visibility, unmatched access to top experts and thought leaders, exclusive VIP perks and benefits, networking opportunities, and a chance to be awarded $25,000 for being named America’s Top Small Business of the Year. The CO—100 will be invited to Washington, D.C. for a premier event on October 8 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's historic headquarters.

For more information and FAQs, visit www.co100.com. There is a $99 fee for each entry.