Weekly
News & Updates
Wednesday,
February 23rd, 2022
The Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce is Working For You & Your Business!
Chamber News and Updates
THIS WEEK'S POLL QUESTION
How Are You Currently Attempting To Save Water?
Reducing Irrigation
Shorter Showers
Not Washing Car
Limiting Laundry
Other
Last Week's Poll Results: "Are You Now Conserving Water With The Recent Drought News?"
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YES = 63%
NO = 37%
Noted author and columnist for the Wall Street Journal Peggy Noonan penned something I'd like to share with you today. Please take a moment to read through and if compelled let me know what you think.

-JR
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Amjad Masad came to America in January 2012. He was from Amman, Jordan, and 24. He came because his father, a Palestinian immigrant to Jordan and a government worker, bought him a computer when he was six. Amjad fell in love and discovered his true language. He studied the history of the computer and became enamored of the U.S. and Silicon Valley. He imagined the latter as a futuristic place with flying cars and floating buildings. He saw the 1999 movie “Pirates of Silicon Valley,” about Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, and decided America was the place he must be.

His memory of arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport is a jumble, but what he saw from the bridge going into Manhattan was unforgettable—the New York skyline gleaming in the distance. It was like a spiritual experience. He was here.

He settled in New York, worked at a startup, then moved west—he needed to be in Silicon Valley. Five years ago, he became co-founder and CEO of Replit, a company that offers tools to learn programming. It employs 40 people full-time and 10 contractors.

On Tuesday afternoon Mr. Masad, who became a citizen in 2019, thought about the 10th anniversary of his arrival. He was so grateful for three things: a company, a family, a house. He and his wife and business partner, Haya Odeh, also from Jordan, started talking about America. At 3:56 p.m. ET, he posted a Twitter thread.
 
“I landed in the United States 10 years ago with nothing but credit card debt. After one startup exit, one big tech job, and one unicorn, I genuinely believe that it wouldn’t have been possible anywhere else in the world. Here are 10 things that I love about this country:

“1. Work Ethic. First thing I noticed was that everyone regardless of occupation took pride in doing a bang-up job, even when no one looked. I asked people: ‘why do you pour everything into a job even when it is seemingly thankless?’ And it was like asking fish ‘what is water?’

“2. Lack of corruption. In the 10 years in the US, I’ve never been asked for a bribe, and that’s surprising. When you know that you predictably get to keep a sizeable portion of the value you create and that no one will arbitrarily stop you, it makes it easier to be ambitious.

“3. Win-win mindset. People don’t try to screw you on deals, they play the long game, and align incentives in such a way that everyone wins. This is especially apparent in Silicon Valley where you can’t underestimate anyone because one day you might be working for them.
Chamber Events & Programs
Ribbon Cutting @ Insights
Media Solutions
Thursday, March 10th
10:00am - 11:00am
Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce Open House
Thursday, March 10th
5:00pm - 7:00pm

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Chamber, and find out how your business will benefit from membership. Meet our Board of Directors, Ambassadors and Staff, and find new ways to market your business and to participate in Chamber networking opportunities!
Get Ready for The Inaugural Escondido Transportation Exposition...aka The Green Transpo Expo!

Saturday, April 23rd
10:00am - 4:00pm
@
Westfield North County
Do you know what a "Caniac" is? How about what is the Mayor's favorite sandwich? Or what led to the creation of The Super Dentists brand?

You can learn the answers to those questions, and SO much more about the business & community leaders of North County...but you gotta listen to find out!
Member News & More
Banner Bank Launches HELOC Program - Tackle Your To-Do's in '22

With a Home Equity Line of Credit, you use the equity in your home to finance a variety of home improvement projects or even pay off bills. For a limited time, Banner Bank is offering a special HELOC rate.

Their HELOC special makes now the perfect time to get started. To learn more, contact Roxanne Rostamian at the Escondido Branch at 760-520-0400 or visit bannerbank.com.
Taking Pride In Escondido
by Kay Bates
As a minority business owner in the quaint city of Escondido, I take great pride in everything our community has to offer. Escondido is home to a variety of small businesses and the business owners reflect the diversity of its constituents. There are many minority-owned businesses whose owners come from all walks of life, and this is something the community takes great pride in. We are determined to make Escondido home for all ethnic groups.

I get excited about......
Escondido News & Happenings
City News & Updates
There is always something happening in Escondido! Learn more about the current status of projects and events happening around Escondido by going to the City's website or Facebook page.
Business Resources
Scene In Escondido: Chamber of Commerce Giving Out 30,000 FREE KN95 Masks!