Volume 10 | Tuesday, October 20, 2020 |
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What will the post-pandemic world look like in 2021 and how can we adapt to this new reality of change? What strategies should we be focused on to help us prepare? One thing is for sure change is in the air and we all know it. We can feel it. It's a change of season, a change of government, a change on how we do business and perhaps a change in how we now view the world. We need to prepare and start implementing new ways to endure this change and not only to survive but thrive. The good news is we have several SBDC webinars that can help us navigate through this change and give us the tools to reposition us for success in 2021 and beyond!
These difficult times are also giving us the opportunity to look inward, to pause and reflect on what genuinely matters and to connect with ourselves and our loved ones. A new day is fast approaching and the holidays are a wonderful reminder of what's truly important.
To quote one of my favorite poet's, Maya Angelou - "We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives."
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Stay safe and be well,
Katie Dunn
Sonora Chamber President
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Thank You to Our Gold Sponsors |
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Innovation & Business Assistance
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Cole Przybyla
Director
Innovation & Business Assistance
Tuolumne County
Tel 209.533.6598
Cel 209.288.4030
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The $2000 PPE Grant from the
County of Tuolumne has changed.
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The highlights:
- Businesses and Private Non-Profits can apply
- Grant amount is up to $10,000
- County of Tuolumne and City businesses/Non-Profits with less than 100 employees qualify
- Broaden scope of allowable expenses for reimbursement
- The process for application is now digital
For More information and a PDF sheet on all the details, click HERE
To find the survey to apply, click HERE
As a final note, a business will be able to apply for the expanded grant even if they have already received business reimbursement.
An example, if you were approved for $2,000 under the previous PPE grant, but have more expenses needing reimbursement, your business now has an additional $8,000 available for COVID related expenses.
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5:00 PM Room opens. Meeting starts at 5:30!
Meeting ID: 811 0280 7968
Passcode: 658514
Agenda
5:00 p.m.
Zoom Room opens
5:30 p.m.
Meeting Open
Welcome from Board President Katie Dunn
Introductions & Thank Yous
Hawks & Associates CPAs, Inc. Virtual Tour
Chamber News
New Member Introductions
Member and Community Announcements
Prize for Best Costume!
Raffle - All attendees get one FREE Chance to Win*
*Must be present on Zoom to win
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To donate a raffle item, drop it off weekdays between
located at 39 N Washington St, Sonora, CA 95370.
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Hawks & Associates CPAs provides every client with professional service and personal attention. This accounting firm is focused on income tax and financial reporting, and are dedicated to providing superior professional services.
- Individual and business tax services
- Estate, Trust, and Entity tax services
- Accounting services
- Payroll services
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California fires continue to be the most-deadliest and destructive in recent history. As weather heats up across California and increases wildfire risk, our state is bracing for a long, hot summer thanks to the record drought. Stay prepared and ready to evacuate in event of a wildfire or other disasters such as floods, and earthquakes.
- Evacuate early when fire or disaster is present
- Discuss with family on where to meet if cannot return home
- Prepare an emergency supply kit with essentials
- Familiarize yourself with Red Flag Warning and how to get weather reports.
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Update from
Visit Tuolumne County
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I am happy to report that we’ve been very busy at Visit Tuolumne County!
We are in the middle of three days of photo shoots around the County with local photographer Jennifer Rapoza. The Sonora shoot included downtown and Indigeny. The last week of October we welcome back the Brand USA crew for a video shoot that will be shown around the world, positioning Tuolumne County as a top of mind destination for when international travel resumes. That same week we immerse our Augustine Agency team into Tuolumne County for three days. They have a rigorous schedule throughout the County. VTC Brand Ambassador and social media influencer, Chelsea Pearl, also returns to Tuolumne County this month to participate in photo shoots and marketing recovery efforts.
Yes, we’re busy and it feels great! Be sure to check out our Wander Wednesday series for a deep dive into local businesses and new offerings around Tuolumne County. The most recent article is on Sonora’s Independent Wine Co.: https://www.visittuolumne.com/articles/wander-wednesdays.
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Thank you,
Lisa Mayo
President & CEO
Visit Tuolumne County
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Sonora Fire Department:
OTS Grant for Extrication Equipment
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Thank You to Our Bronze Sponsors |
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We continue to promote the Tuolumne County Healthy Pledge so locals feel safe in supporting local business. If your business hasn’t yet taken the pledge, you can do it now, here. Local business is more important than ever, and we want to do all we can to ensure the sustainability of the many businesses in our County that have been continuously challenged by 2020. We would love to hear any of your ideas for local promotions.
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Latest info from Valley Sierra SBDC
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Howard White
Valley Sierra SBDC
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The Valley Sierra Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides 100% Free and 100% Confidential business consulting to small businesses in Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Stanislaus counties. This last week we offered a 3-part series of webinars assisting businesses with being successful within the COVID-19 Pandemic, and preparing for the 2020 Holiday season and preparing for 2021. The Free series was recorded into a 3-part “On-Demand” webinar for you to view when it's most convenient for you.
This Webinar looks into the Future of Retail and Helps Prepare Small Business Owners for What their Business will Look Like in a Post-Pandemic World
This Webinar Discusses what Businesses should Expect in Quarter 4 of 2020 and includes an Effective Marketing and Promotional Roadmap for How to Stay Nimble, Flexible and Focused in 2021!
This webinar will discuss how seasonal businesses can start to pivot their operational model, share ideas for continuing to reach out to their seasonal visitors and build loyalty, and begin implementing new ways to reposition themselves for the both the short and long term.
You will need to sign up for the on-demand trainings by clicking on the green “sign up” button for each link, but there is no cost or commitment to work with the SBDC when viewing these webinars.
However, if you are located in Stanislaus or Tuolumne County and would like to sign up for one-on-one confidential business consulting at no cost, you can do so visiting us at www.ValleySierraSBDC.com and click the red “Get Started” button on the top right of the screen. Please don’t forget to bookmark our page and visit our calendar for upcoming webinars and events!
If you are located outside of Stanislaus or Tuolumne Counties go to www.AmericasSBDC.org to find your local center.
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Little Roots is more than a retail store. It is a harbor for the community of Sonora. True healing and happiness come not from buying things, but from nourishing imagination; from gathering together somewhere warm, and safe.
Little Roots strives to carry as many local, lovingly hand-made items as possible, followed by consciously sourced, eco-friendly toys and games.
Each month, Little Roots offers two $50 little roots gift cards to our community. If you know of someone in need, please submit their name at the link below! Submissions are chosen on the 30th of each month.
Little Roots Toys • 106 S. Washington St • 209.454.0106 • LittleRoots.toys
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New Downtown
Business Spotlight
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Sporting goods shop selling Guns, Ammo and hunting apparel for Men and Women featuring the brands of Browning, Winchester and Remington.
Look for their Grand Opening very soon!
63 S Washington St
209 694-7051
Tuesday - Saturday 9am -6pm
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“There are 1.3 billion Messenger users and it is estimated that the Facebook property will reach 2.4 billion users by the end of 2021. That’s no surprise after Mark Zuckerberg announced “the future is private” in last year’s Facebook F8 Summit. Well guess what? We are already seeing some of the changes and updates Zuckerberg alluded to last year.
Many of you may have noticed that Facebook Messenger has a new look with an updated logo that incorporates the gradient look that Instagram’s logo contains. That’s only the start. The parent company is also rolling out fun new features in both Messenger and Instagram Direct such as selfie stickers, vanish mode, Watch Together, personalized chat colors, custom emoji reactions and much more. In addition, we can expect to see increased integration and interoperability between the two apps now. “Simply put, a Facebook Messenger user will soon be able to chat with someone on Instagram without needing to download the Instagram app, and vice versa.” (Social Media Today)
Why is this important as a business owner? More and more people are using Facebook messenger and Instagram Direct to communicate with their friends, family and favorite businesses. Here are a few ways to make sure your business accounts are set up properly for private messaging with customers.
- Download the “Facebook Business Suite” app (formerly called the Pages App). This app was also rebranded in recent weeks and allows you to reply to comments and private messages on both your business Facebook page and Instagram account- without having to switch between the two apps. You can also set the app up to notify you when a customer privately messages your page so you can get back to them in a timely manner.
- Set up your automated responses. This can be done on desktop only. You can add an instant reply, frequently asked questions, responses to job applications, recommendations and more.
- Check your accounts daily. 83% of people expect companies to respond to a social media question or complaint within a day. Nearly half of people expect a response within an hour. But 45% of brands took more than five days to respond to messages through their Facebook Pages! (Hootsuite). Don’t miss out on a potential customer or client by not responding!
Remember, timeliness and response rate does count on Facebook and the faster you respond, the higher your page is ranked on suggestions. Think of this as another form of customer service and be there for your customers when they have questions or concerns. Those little efforts WILL pay off!”
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For more updates and social media
marketing tips, be sure to follow me on
Facebook or Instagram: @getsocialwithtiffany.
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Starting Nov. 1, the park will drop requiring day-use visitors to make reservations to drive into the park. That system kept the number of visitors to no more than 50% of normal to encourage social distancing.
But every fall, the number of visitors to thYosemite National Park drops off, so the reservation system is no longer needed, said Jamie Richards, a Yosemite spokeswoman. "Based on the recommendation of our local and federal public health officials, conditions have improved so we are able to maintain safe conditions while removing the day use reservation system,” Richards said.
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Thank You to Our Community Sponsors |
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P.O. Box 3084
Sonora, CA 95370
209-694-4008
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