It's Been a Pleasure

My year as the Chair of the Chamber Board is winding down, and I commonly get asked, "Shawn, did you enjoy your year as Chair?"

Earlier in the year my response would have been, "Wow, this is a bigger time commitment than I anticipated!"

In fact, when I was asked what I do for a living, my response was, "Well, my day job is Chair of the Pleasanton Chamber, but I also have a side job as a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley." 

However, as I now reflect on this past year serving as the Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, I realize it has been one of the best and most rewarding experiences of my professional career. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the many people who helped me tremendously during my time as Chair:

Chamber Staff -- it all starts with our hard-working crew and the tremendous support I received from our CEO James Cooper, Yianna Theodorou, Kate D'Or, and Jeanette Schaub. Thank you all!

Board of Directors-- I want to express my sincere gratitude for the dedication and countless hours that the Chamber Board put in this past year:  

Read the article here.

We are the community that helps businesses

start, grow, and thrive.

The following articles have been contributed by members of the Pleasanton Chamber as part of our mission to foster a thriving business community by supporting business at every stage - start, grow, and thrive. Members are invited to share their expertise through articles designed to help fellow members achieve success in their businesses. To learn how to submit an article, contact Kate D'Or, Events and Communications Coordinator.

How Fast-Growing Companies Stay Strong and Thrive

By ZenBusiness

Running a small business often brings a mix of excitement and challenges, especially during periods of rapid growth. This growth reflects your efforts and market alignment, but it introduces new hurdles that must be managed carefully. Balancing expansion with maintaining quality and core values is crucial. Implementing effective strategies can help stabilize growth and strengthen your business for the long term. This approach ensures you continue to thrive while navigating the complexities of scaling.

Read entire article here

Success Starts at Home With These Business Strategies

By Adobe

Imagine a life where your commute is just steps away, your work attire is completely up to you, and you can balance professional goals with personal fulfillment. This is the reality for those who start a home-based business, enjoying the flexibility and savings that come with it. Moving away from the traditional office setup offers freedom and new opportunities. In this article, we'll explore the many different benefits of running a business from home and share tips for success.

Read entire article here

Elevating Brands with Powerful Digital Marketing Assets

By Adobe

In the fast-paced environment of digital marketing, brands that excel are those that effectively manage and align their digital assets with their core messaging. When visuals, logos, and other content elements are strategically organized, they reinforce the brand's identity and communicate with clarity. Such streamlined asset management amplifies the brand's voice, transforming scattered materials into a cohesive digital presence. This practice not only safeguards the brand but also strengthens its position amid online competition. Through organized, intentional management, brands can achieve a seamless and impactful digital experience without breaking the bank.

Read entire article here

FinCEN'S BOI Filing Deadline is 1/1/2025. File Now to Avoid Fines!

By ZenBusiness

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires businesses to report Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) to Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to enhance financial transparency and combat financial crimes.

Read entire article here

The Essentials of SEO for Business Owners

Marketing D-Koded Video

By Daniel Kodam & Jackie Strack

On this episode of Marketing D-Koded, Jackie and Daniel tackle what every business needs to know about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Daniel begins by addressing the confusion surrounding what SEO truly entails and emphasizes that many business owners and marketing directors often misunderstand it. He explains that SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is critical for getting a business higher up in Google search results, particularly in competitive industries. Throughout the episode, they discuss key factors influencing SEO, including content quality, directory listings, website speed, and backlinks.

Read entire article and view podcast here

Omar Nawaz, founder of ilimcraft, LLC

Omar is a visionary growth leader with a remarkable track record of scaling businesses 10x, from startups to Fortune 500 companies. His expertise in strategy and building high-performing teams has twice driven businesses from inception to $100+ million in revenue.

Contact Omar

Pans on Fire: Pleasanton's One-Stop Kitchen Shop and Culinary Hub

Pans on Fire is a vibrant kitchen store in Pleasanton offering a wide range of products, including cookware, bakeware, knives, small appliances, and more. Owned by Bruce and Laura Schoenweiler since 2021, Pans on Fire stands out as the only local shop providing cooking and baking classes: They offer public classes, private events for celebrations and team building, and birthday parties.  

The couple brings a robust background in food-related family business, and 20+ years of corporate expertise, all while nurturing their passion for cooking and baking. Their motto, “Making memories one dish at a time”, reflects their belief in the joy of shared culinary experiences and connecting the community through food and cooking.

Pans on Fire focuses on selling products that have been tested, offering honest recommendations, fostering connections with customers, creating lasting memories for all. The key brands they offer are Hestan, Heritage Steel, OXO, Dreamfarm, Cuisinart, Breville, Teakhaus, Zyliss, Wilton, Fat Dadio’s, Green Pan, Zwilling, Miyabi, Emile Henry, Brod & Taylor, JosephJoseph, and many others.

With plans to celebrate 19 years of operation in 2025, the store continues to be a focal point for community engagement and culinary education. Visit us at 3059 Hopyard Road, Suites J & K or PansOnFire.com

All Natural Stone - October Mixer Host

The Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce is grateful to Dominick Piegaro of All Natural Stone for hosting a great mixer for us and the Dublin Chamber in October.

Attendees delighted in the stunning and spacious All Natural Stone showroom while savoring delicious food and an elegant selection of desserts. Guests also enjoyed a mobile bar offering coffee, tea, and handcrafted signature cocktails.

We also heard from Kim Curtis of Goodness Village as their non-profit partner at the mixer.

Visit their showroom at 6591 Sierra Lane in Dublin or online at allnaturalstone.com.

Marriott Pleasanton - November Tradeshow Mixer Host

The Pleasanton Chamber extends its gratitude to Marriott Pleasanton for hosting our Fall Tradeshow Mixer in November. A special thanks to Renald Mesina, Ree-anne Castro, and the entire Marriott Pleasanton team for their exceptional attention to detail, ensuring a flawless event.

The Fall Tradeshow welcomed 236 registered attendees and showcased 36 vendors. Click the link below for the full list of vendors.

Support Local Non-Profits This Holiday Season

As we prepare for the winter holidays, this time of year offers a perfect opportunity to give back and support the many non-profits that make a difference in our community. With rising housing costs and thousands of low-income residents facing challenges, donations and volunteers are needed more than ever. If you're unsure where to contribute or volunteer, consider the list of our non-profit members below.

For more information, click on the organization's link below or visit our directory www.pleasanton.org, and select "Non-Profits."

From all of us at the Chamber, we wish you Season’s Greetings!

Explore the Pleasanton Holiday Gift Guide for Seasonal Deals and Unique Gift Ideas!

Browse special offers, festive promotions, and creative gift suggestions from local Pleasanton businesses and organizations.

View the digital guide by clicking the button on the right, or pick up a printed copy at the following City buildings and the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce - while supplies last!

City Hall: 123 Main Street

Firehouse Arts Center: 4444 Railroad Avenue

Permit Center: 200 Old Bernal Avenue

Pleasanton Senior Center: 5353 Sunol Blvd.

Public Works: 3333 Busch Road

2024/2025 Pleasanton Business and Community Guide

The Business and Community Guide showcases the key features and amenities that make Pleasanton a desirable place in which to live, work, stay, and play. It provides a directory of Chamber member businesses and organizations, organized by category and alphabetically, along with contact details for essential local agencies like the City of Pleasanton and the police department.

We encourage you to use this guide as you traverse the community and enjoy its many wonderful qualities.

You can access the guide in two ways: 1. Visit the Chamber office to pick up a printed copy, or 2. View it online on the Chamber’s website. Be sure to bookmark it for quick and easy access!