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HYP Committee Meeting
November 18 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting for Skoah
November 19 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm -
Education Committee Meeting
November 20 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
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
Holiday Shopping Reminder
Yes, we know the turkey is not on the table yet, but many individuals are already turning their thoughts to gift buying. So, in the spirit of helping, we ask that you keep the local merchants in mind when shopping for products or services. The Chamber’s “Buy Local First” initiative promotes businesses many of whom are owned by Chamber members and others who live in our community. These merchants are more interested in the community and often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling. Personal service and taking time to get to know customers is a hallmark of local businesses. Your patronage for area merchants helps in maintaining the uniqueness of [...]
Chamber Proudly Recognizes November Anniversaries
Anniversaries are very special and the Chamber takes pride in recognizing an important date for our members. Whether it is your first or twenty-fifth, it signifies members that consistently value the benefits of being in a progressive organization. Your Chamber provides opportunity. The opportunity to build recognition among a network of fellow businesses that can use your services or products. In addition, your fellow members provide referrals to your business. Our appreciation goes to these members celebrating anniversaries: 30 Years Circle Saw Builders Supply, Inc. 17 Years Alpha Electric Co. Opera In The Heights 10 Years Prosperity Bank 8 Years BNI Heights of Professionalism Culturally Creative Travel 6 Years Salon in the Heights The Duplifund Group [...]
Chamber Seeks Donations for Houston Area Schools
For students to succeed in life, basics must be met and our area schools have identified a serious need for food and household items. Many of the area HISD schools are classified as Title 1. This means that the students come from low-income family at poverty levels. A school with a Title 1 designation requires that 35 percent of students residing within the school’s boundaries qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. Many of our Chamber area schools have 100 percent of students meeting these criteria. The need is urgent and we must be persistent to help give these students a foundation for success! The Chamber is beginning a food and supply drive to help [...]
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
Megan F. Salch of Tell Your Tale Marketing met team members of HITS Theatre at a ribbon cutting two years ago. Fast forward, Tell Your Tale Marketing designed the new mobile-friendly website for HITS at https://hitstheatre.org/ and provides ongoing maintenance. HITS Theatre is an educational organization, offering classes in singing, dancing and acting for children in kindergarten through high school.
When some friends asked Megan where to meet for dinner and drinks, Megan said, “Let’s head to Harold’s on 19th Street. Alli Jarrett, owner of Harold’s in the Heights is great.” Alli graciously welcomed the group and kindly spent time guiding the friends on the menu.
In fact, Tell Your Tale Marketing even hired our lead web designer Israel based on the solid recommendation of (retired) Chamber member Wayne Sandlin of Photography by Design.
Candice Rodriguez of Natural Care Cleaning Service and Natural Care Pest Control signed up for Send out Cards with Willie Diefenbach Jones about 2 months ago and has LOVED it! I am able to quickly send my client’s personal touches from my cell phone. I am also able to send clients and people I meet special treats. It’s made a huge different in my business and I am so glad we joined!
Welcome New Members!
ADT Security
Branches Parent Resources
Club Pilates
First United Bank Mortgage Group
HG Home Inspections
H & R Block
Hotworx
Houston Parks Board
Houston Party Services
Lincoln Heights Apartments
Loft18
McClenny Moseley & Associates
Mutiny Wine Room
Premier Remodeling
ProvisHR
Primp and Blow
Preslee’s
Sapphire Smiles
Studewood Cantine
Tachara TX
The Wealth
Tikila’s
Texas Park Board
The Kindle School in the Heights
Trailer King Builders
Transwestern
24 Hour Fitness
Wowmoms World Houston
Testimonials
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.”
Here’s why I Sponsor a Chamber Event!
“One of the benefits of being a part of the Heights Chamber is the opportunity to promote and highlight my business in a cost-effective way to fellow members. I have found that sponsoring an event brings with it an additional emphasis on my business and recognition of me and my services. I know that members do business with fellow members and getting them to know me and my capabilities better, leads to future business and referrals.”
Member Spotlight
Willie Diefenbach-Jones
This month’s spotlighted member Willie Diefenbach-Jones grew up with humble beginnings living in the countryside near Kankakee, Illinois. It would not be erroneous to say that Willie was a farm girl comfortable among her family that was raising cattle, hogs, chickens, corn and soybeans. School days were local before she journeyed to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois where she earned a B.S. in Accounting.
Well many of us have ambitious plans for the future, but Willie’s was a little different. She says “My original goal was to be the first female president of the United States.” Jokingly, later she rationalizes that original goal with “Whatever was I thinking?” To this day she carries that same enjoyment of life philosophy and willingness to help.
So, this farm girl came to the big city, Houston, in 1985. Entering a different phase of her life, Willie gained valuable business experience by working for Cigna HealthCare, United Health and US Oncology where she ran large departments in process improvement, claims and quality. Now a veteran of over 5 years as a Chamber member, Willie stated that she “Always wanted to be a part of the Chamber to be able to give back to the community, meet new people and help businesses to grow.” This was an attainable goal because she is quite an important part of the Chamber who serves as co- chair of the Ambassador and Education Committees.
Presently Willie is a Business Owner of SendOutCards which is a relationship marketing program and strategy. Her personality and expertise help clients achieve meaningful results by treating customers as important and being appreciated. Important because she knows that appreciation is the key to loyal customers and referrals. The Chamber appreciates Willie as well, and it was interesting to learn that she plays the piano, reads, sings and loves to try out new restaurants. She is active in organizations beyond the Chamber and the family includes her son, Austin and 2 big rescue dogs. Oatmeal is a golden retriever mix and Chase is a black lab/greyhound mix.
Always with a welcome smile, look up and meet Willie at Chamber events which she regularly attends. Thank you, Willie, for all you do on behalf of our Chamber, even if it is hard for this editor to continually spell your last name correctly!.
