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Ribbon Cutting for F45 Training
July 14 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting for Southern Flow Yoga (Postponed)
July 15 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting for Heights IronWorks
July 20 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Members Helping Members!
Has looking over the SBA loan options, the CARES Act, and the constant barrage of information about COVID-19 left you overwhelmed or frustrated? Here at the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, we can help! Check out our Membership Directory to find the business professional that best fits your needs!
Welcome to the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce (GHACC) is a member-focused organization through which members can effectively develop their business and themselves. Since its founding in 1988, the hallmark of the Chamber has, and continues to be: “People do business with people they know, like, and trust.” Relationships developed in the Chamber become part of one’s business infrastructure. New friends can be found in the Chamber and some of those friendships will last a lifetime. Members can learn how to grow their markets, supply their business, mentor associates or even find a special mentor. GHACC works diligently to provide benefit to all members, be they new, or long-term.
This growing Chamber provides a forum into which its members’ businesses can fit together in an atmosphere of mutual benefit. Active participation provides multiple benefits including access to the entrepreneurs and management of business and organizations with differing viewpoints and methods that work. An abundance of activities provide networking occasions to create new business opportunities, obtain business referrals, join committees, have fun and enjoy a camaraderie unique to Heights Chamber members.
Just as the “Heights” is known for its uniqueness and historical Houston significance, the GHACC blends businesses, promotes “Buy Local First,” and has often been described as a “not so well kept secret for successfully serving its members.”
Chamber News
Long-term Chamber Member Antonio “Tony” Vega Passed Away
Antonio Vega, known to a multitude of Chamber members as “Tony,” and the owner and founder of Tony’s Mexican Restaurant, passed away in early July. His “Heights-Institution” restaurant opened in 1992 and became a valuable Chamber member in 2000. His restaurant is family owned and operated, and he will be sorely missed in the Heights community. As a popular dining destination, Tony never lost his appreciation and the support of his friends, employees and customers. Countless numbers of Heights residents will always remember the many joyous celebrations that took place at his 2222 Ella Boulevard restaurant. Welcoming customers with a ready smile, he had high standards for quality, generosity, and was a Christian man. Known for [...]
A Message from the Chamber Chairperson
A Message from the Chamber Chairperson Dear Members: I am posting this letter to bring you up-to-date on the activities and actions your Chamber has taken as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Obviously, the Chamber has been compelled, just as you have been compelled, to change and alter anticipated personal, as well as business plans and actions. This has likely been most noticeable in the unfortunate cancellation of our meetings, ribbon cutting celebrations and other special events. These measures were taken not only as a result of governmental decisions, but also as a concern for the safety and well-being of our members and their loved ones. Please rest assured that the guiding principles of [...]
Board Nominations
Chamber Seeks Nominations for Board of Directors The GHACC is now accepting applications and nominations for its Board of Directors. If you are interested, or know of someone who would be a good Board Member, please submit your resume to President@heightschamber.org A standard Director’s term is 3 years, although occasionally there is an introductory 1 year term. All applicants must be members in good standing. The deadline for applications is July 17th. Thank you, Your Chamber Staff
Athletic Water Bottle Marketing Opportunities
As our area student athletes begin to participate in summer and fall sports programs, the Covid-19 virus has created changes in procedures and needs – mainly in water bottles. Athletes can no longer share water bottles so there is an acute need for each participant to have their own hydration bottles. The need is for student athletes at area middle and high schools, and the Chamber is requesting your assistance. If you currently use water bottles in your marketing programs, would you be willing to donate a quantity to the schools in need? Your logo on the bottle can provide valuable exposure for your business. Our schools are limited from a resource standpoint, so this represents [...]
Membership
Member Benefits
Why join the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce? If you own a business or are involved in the Houston Heights, being a member of the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce brings you numerous benefits. Invest in your organization’s future and join the over 500 members that already are reaping the benefits. To begin learning about membership benefits, attend a monthly Member Orientation Luncheon and begin to realize them immediately.
Chamber Connections
Here is an unusual new business contact made at a recent ribbon cutting. Ambassador Jordan Bailey of Sabo Tax & Accounting Services was speaking with Danielle Stewart of Historic Heights Living magazine. Jordan was holding the new member plaque for Daniel Wood Floors, which he was going to present later. Danielle saw the name on the plaque, wrote it down and said that she was looking for a flooring company. Truly a networking contact success and the Chamber at work.
Always good to hear from Jack Van Pelt, our resident jeweler. Jack proudly reports that Byron Rusk and the staff at Master Car Care have always helped him with his car repairs. In return, Byron has made purchases at JVP Jewelry.
Jan Stephenson of Jan M. Stephenson Designs has designed business cards for Jack Van Pelt as well as being a customer of his.
Tommie Vaughn Ford, long term member of the Chamber has provided Jack Van Pelt with so much automotive buying and vehicle servicing benefits he can’t even remember them all.
If you have a good example of members doing business with each other and would like to see it on the Chamber website, just email a short note with the details to communications@heightschamber.org.
Welcome New Members!
Chick’n Cone
Cruises by Toni
Florida Career College
Globe Life
Grafton Funding
Heritage Chase Corley
Houston Contemporary Dance Company
Houston Squeegue Pro
Institute of Contemporary Dance
Ipadel
Oak Fitness
Oaks Point Pediatric Dentistry
Post Oak Title
Pure Barre Heights
Revive Rx Pharmacy
Sears
Selective Search
Smith Insurance and Financial Services
Terry Bryant
The Greenhouse Day Spa
The Whimsy Artisan Boutique
Vanguard Spine and Support
Vey’s Painting and Refinishing
Vida Family Medicine
Ward Creative Communications
Testimonials
“Being a member of the Chamber has been so helpful to me in getting to know member’s businesses and services for both professional and personal needs. The opportunity to learn and build relationships with fellow members is so valuable. I’ve used many Chamber member’s services and many have secured mine as well. One I would like to recognize is the Hampton Inn and Suites on I-10. We reserved a block of rooms for our family and friends coming in from out of town for my daughter’s wedding. Thanks to fellow member Paige Cassel, they were so organized and on top of the reservations and welcoming. In fact, when the guests arrived, they received a welcome gift. Hampton Inn & Suites provided excellent service, and everyone was very happy with their stay there.”
Here’s why being on a Chamber Committee expands my business connections.
“Joining other Chamber members on a committee establishes recognition of me for my business and service capabilities. With an opportunity to provide new ideas or input in the planning and staging of Chamber events, I have the occasion to meet and interact with fellow members in different fields. Working together provides an arena for me to expand my skills in areas where I may not have been involved before. Equally important is learning how vital collaboration can be to my future success. The Chamber offers a variety of committees, so there are many looking to grow and add new talent.”
Here’s why I put Noontime Networking on my Calendar Every Time.
“I know the Chamber monthly Breakfast Connection is a good networking opportunity but, as a working mom, early mornings can be hectic for me. The bi-monthly Noontime Networking sessions fit my schedule perfectly. I can have lunch, learn about a member’s business, and effectively network all in the course of time I would normally spend just going to lunch. Thanks to the Chamber for serving my needs.”
Member Spotlight
Kelly Simon
Corpus Christi, Texas was the starting point for this month’s member spotlight, Kelly Simon. Although born there, she grew up in Spring, Texas and began her academic studies at Klein High School. It’s hard to believe that Kelly did not really know what she wanted to do when she grew up, but boy-o-boy did she ultimately make up for it!
The work ethic grabbed Kelly early when in high school she worked at Leaps and Bounds, now a part of Discovery Zone, where she hosted kid’s birthday parties, did work in the kitchen and arcade, and this led to her becoming a shift manager. Humm, a management position! Maybe this propelled her to set out on earning a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Stephen F. Austin University and the University of Houston Downtown.
Armed with her degree, Kelly embarked on a diversity of jobs that saw her being a Front/End manager at Kroger, a high school color guard teacher for Klein High School, a bookkeeper for a MUD district and even an office manager for an oil and gas company. Finding little satisfaction in any of these, she said: “None of the jobs lasted very long and I always went back to bartending in between.” This offered some potential, however, as she eventually owned with friends, R Bar that is also a member of the Chamber.
Down deep, she had a desire to enter the real estate industry and wishes you would have done that sooner. Today she is a Broker/Owner/Realtor at Kelly Simon Properties. Kelly became a member of the Chamber in 2017 because as she commented: “I was looking for ways to network and be more involved in my Heights community.”
She speaks in glowing terms of her corporate and personal support for local non-profits and charities. Kelly works with Love and Rescue to raise money for their adoptable dogs, Make-A-Wish to grant wishes for kids, with the Houston Area Parkinson Society, and annually hosts a holiday drive for Toys for Tots and the Houston Food Bank.
The Simon family includes her husband, Matthew Simon, a theology teacher at St. Thomas High School who has been there for 19 years. In addition, the rescued poodle mix Bentley rounds out the household. Assuming that this “dynamo” has any spare time, she prefers to spend it hanging with the family in New Braunfels at the Guadalupe River. Always up for new challenges, she takes delight in working crossword puzzles. The Chamber is proud to spotlight Kelly Simon and recognize a consummate professional, immersed in her craft and at the same time sharing her time, energy and resources for the common good. Congratulations, Kelly, we applaud you for your success and for being a valued member of the Chamber.