We are excited to introduce our newest member of the LAX Coastal Chamber staff, Tacha Vilson. An entrepreneur herself, Tacha will be an incredible asset to the Chamber community, as our Director of Programs and Events.
Long before joining the Chamber staff, at just ten years old, Tacha Vilson pitched her first culinary business concept to Advent Product Development, “La Pomme Amour”, a specialty apple dessert. However, she was too young to fully develop the concept. By age 13, Tacha knew she wanted to be a CEO and applied to Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers in New York City. Despite receiving a rejection letter, Tacha was still determined to pursue her dreams. She called and set up an interview with the Assistant Principal and was accepted on the spot. It was from that moment, Tacha began her career in Marketing.
Tacha Vilson has worked at some of the world’s leading advertising agencies and companies from Omnicom Media Group to Horizon Media, where she experienced firsthand the inner workings and customer-facing needs of television, network radio and digital marketing as well as corporate event management. Though she’s enjoyed an amazingly successful career, something was amiss. Her soul yearned for more purpose and creativity.
She followed her intuition and utilized her professional experiences, to take the entrepreneurial creative leap and started La Petite Taste. Tacha not only managed the marketing, events and production; she was also very hands-on with the development of the gluten-free recipes. Over the course of five years, Tacha has successfully created and executed several creative campaigns for La Petite Taste.
Tacha is now looking forward to working with our community and getting to know all of you. “As an entrepreneur with corporate experience, I am excited to be a part of the LAX coastal team to work with businesses both big and small.”
Her first day was Monday, April 4, 2022.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Tacha joining our team as our next Director of Programs and Events at our LAX Coastal Chamber!” said LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, Chad Maender. “Tacha is a dynamic leader that is going to bring a new perspective to our organization. She is a true champion of small business and has an amazing entrepreneurial spirit. I feel her ideas will continue to help LAX Coastal be innovative and meet the everchanging business needs in our community.”
Los Angeles, CA – After 17 years at the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO Christina Davis has announced that she has accepted the position of Executive Director of The Gateway Los Angeles Property Business Improvement District (PBID). The BID oversees 40 properties adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport where property owners tax themselves to make their community cleaner, safer and more vibrant for visitors, employees and businesses. The Chamber Executive Committee is excited to announce that Chad Maender, Vice President of Membership, has been promoted to the role of President/CEO.
“The LAX Coastal Chamber and the communities we serve hold such a special place in my heart. The Chamber has made great strides during my time here, and it has truly become a force in supporting business and community in our area and beyond,” said Davis. “I am incredibly pleased with the work we have accomplished, but what I am most proud of is our financial stability, Leadership Academy program, and the formation of the LAX Coastal Education Foundation. I feel truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to lead the Chamber and work with some wonderful local business leaders.”
Christina started her career with the Chamber in December 2004 and was promoted to the role of President/CEO in April 2006. During her time at the Chamber, she has grown the organization’s budget, membership numbers and prestige, earning the LAX Coastal Chamber one of the L.A. Business Journal’s top 15 spots for Largest L.A. County Chambers and countless accolades, including AMCS’ Community Builder Award. Always working to promote members and the vitality of local business, she is responsible for launching a multitude of programs to support small and large businesses including LAX Coworking, State of LAX, Power Hour, Protectors’ Appreciation Week, City of Angels Awards Gala, DEI initiatives, Binge Live!, the LAX Coastal Magazine, increasing Corporate memberships and more.
She also continued to grow the chamber’s community initiatives including the beloved LAX Coastal Fourth of July Parade and the Teacher Eddy Awards. During the pandemic when many chambers suffered, Christina led her team through navigating the quick move to virtual programming, creating a robust offering of ways businesses could connect, network and find support, while keeping the membership and budget stable. Most recently, Christina and incoming Board Chair, Joe Coleman have overseen the organization’s first comprehensive strategic plan, ensuring the organization continues to thrive, remain relevant, and most importantly, serve its 500+ membership.
“Of course, none of our accomplishments could have happened without our amazing team, members and partners,” said Davis. “I could not be more pleased to have Chad step in as the President/CEO. He understands the issues of our businesses and the communities we serve. We have been working side by side since he joined this team and I know the transition will be seamless and the organization will prosper under his leadership.”
Over the last 17 years, Christina says the relationships that have been formed at the Chamber are what she values most.
“I always say our Chamber is about building relationships with people,” said Davis. “I have been honored to serve in this role and be able to connect so many wonderful people and businesses together to create a stronger community. In my new role at Gateway, I will continue to be an advocate and fierce supporter of the Chamber and its programs, including Leadership Academy.”
Her last day with the Chamber will be January 14, 2022.
“Christina has been a dynamic CEO and I know that our membership will miss her leadership in the organization,” said Board Chair, Rae Lamothe. “Under her leadership, the Chamber has flourished and become a vital organization for local businesses to join. Her leadership will be missed, but we know she will continue to contribute to the Chamber in new ways.”
Chad steps into the position with a wealth of experience as the Chamber’s current Vice President of Membership. He previously served as Executive Director of the Mid-Valley YMCA running an operating budget of over $3 million annually.
“We are excited to welcome Chad as the new Chamber’s President/CEO. We are confident in his ability to lead our Chamber. His focus over the past years has been to help businesses find their footprint in the community while growing the Chamber’s dynamic membership,” said Coleman. “Chad has accomplished this by creating value through innovative and relevant programs such as the Chamber’s Development, Design, and Construction Group and the Small Business Enterprise Program.”
“Shifting into the CEO role, I plan to build on the incredible foundation that Christina has built during her tenure,” said Maender. “Christina has left a profound impact on the many businesses and organizations across our community and has built this Chamber from the ground up. All of the great qualities of our organization came from the culture she created. It’s an exciting time in Los Angeles and in particular the LAX Coastal community as we are set to be the ‘front door’ to the world for the next 7 plus years. We will be maximizing our resources to be a relevant and strategic partner so that all of our businesses can thrive and benefit.”
The LAX Coastal will roll out its strategic plan in the first quarter of 2022. The LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce has been serving the community since 1953 and currently serves over 550 members.
With uncertainty in the air and updates on the COVID-19 situation coming daily, it is important that our community stays well informed and connected. We encourage you to get the most local, accurate/fact-based information regarding Coronavirus. See the long list below for information divided into general information and updates, resources for business, and online resources that can be used to not skip a beat in business while most people are working remotely across the country. This page is being updated daily, if you have a valuable resource that you do not see on here, please share it in the comments.
Those not eligible for the grants include any state- or local-government-owned entities or owners who own more than 20 restaurants. However, most franchise operators will be eligible.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will administer and disperse the RRF grants, but the program does not yet have a launch date.
See attachment from National Restaurant Association.
Restaurant owners need to prepare right away to apply.
All restaurant owners that want to apply for RRF grants should immediately register with the government using the System of Award Management (SAM).
To become active on the SAM system, you need to follow these steps:
Sign up for a DUNS number (this typically takes 1-2 days to process)
Using your login.gov, DUNS number, and standard business info such as your Tax ID Number, register with SAM (it can take up to 2 weeks to get the SAM number)
Secondly, you should work with an accountant to prepare relevant paperwork that clearly shows your gross revenue loss in 2020 as compared to 2019.
Round 4 (nonprofit cultural institutions only): Tuesday, March 16th through Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021. Eligible applicants: Only nonprofit cultural institutions with any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria. Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000
Details: Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1 and 2; grants will only be available to nonprofits that did not receive funding in Rounds 1, 2 or 3; grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019
Round 5: Thursday, March 25th through Wednesday, March 31st Eligible applicants: current waitlisted small businesses and nonprofits not selected in Rounds 1, 2, or 3 and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria. Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000
Details: Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, & 3 do not need to reapply as they will be automatically moved into Round 5. New applicants will need to apply on this website.
Round 6: Date to be announced soon Eligible applicants: current waitlisted small businesses and/or nonprofits not selected in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria. Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000
Details: Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, 3 & 5 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 6. New applicants will need to apply.
Donate to a Relief Fund– Link to support unsheltered residents and low income individuals (source: United Way Greater Los Angeles)
Everyone please stay safe, and make sure you are taking all proper precautions to social distance yourself while still supporting local business. Now is a great opportunity for our community to unite and work together towards a common goal.
Upskill for the Job You Have and the Career You Want…
As a Chamber, we know we have an important role to play in the recovery of our local economy. While we continue to work on supporting business-friendly legislation and funding programs to help get organizations back on track, we are also eager to offer support to job seekers by providing training and meaningful contacts in the community.
The Power Professionals program was formed to support individuals who have been taken out of the workforce due to furloughs and lay-offs by providing training, workshops, networking opportunities, resource boards, and more. With the support of LINXS and the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, we are excited to launch our spring programming. Beginning on Wednesday, April 7, we will host the first of six sessions of our Power Professionals program presented by Leaderverse. The first informational session discusses the topic of Building Your Individual Brand! Even if you don’t own a business, you still own a brand – the brand called YOU! This session will help you discover who you are as a person and what you want your brand to represent. We will discuss personal branding, and the tools of dissemination, including LinkedIn, Facebook, as well as your resume. This workshop will give you the confidence of a consistent message across all platforms, whether you are moving up, over, or onto something new.
*This training session is brought to you in partnership with the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce by Leaderverse, a collaboration between Midian, LLC and Woodhill Solutions.*
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce is saddened by the number of Chamber businesses that have had to let go of staff and downsize their operations in order to survive. We pride ourselves in being a pillar in the community and a resource for businesses. We know we have a role to pay in the recovery of our economy and are eager to offer support to jobseekers, many of whom have become our friends and meaningful contacts in the community.
On November 1, the Chamber launched Power Professionals. This program was formed to support people who have been taken out of the workforce due to furloughs and lay-offs and will be a resource for individuals looking for employment. By providing training, workshops, networking opportunities, resource boards, and more, the LAX Coastal Chamber will work to help connect job seekers with training that include topics like, “Redefining your brand,” “Your 30-second pitch,” “How to use LinkedIn as a job searching tool,” and “What is your dream job?” As part of this program, we will be creating a Job Board that will allow Chamber members to post jobs and jobseekers to search for available career opportunities (both the government and private sector) in and around the LAX Coastal area and the Resource Board will include information on building your resume, starting a business or learning a new trade.
The Chamber is a place where businesses go to connect and collaborate. We are looking beyond our businesses to support individuals seeking employment to help strengthen their circles of influence and polish their networking skills. For a small month to month fee of $25, individuals will have access to the benefits of the Chamber and the resources of Power Professional.
For more information, contact LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, Business Relations Manager, Kelli Trombley at kelli@laxcoastal.com
For the past three months, many business have been closed because of the Safer at Home order. As we are now entering summer, we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Restaurants are slowly beginning to open back up for people to dine-in, retail stores are bringing shoppers through their doors, and beaches, parks and other amenities are welcoming visitors.
The LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce wants to help our members open back up! Take a look at all the great specials going on this weekend.
Restaurants
Benny’s Tacos– 10% off if you show them the ad in our newsletters
Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant– 20% off check if you mention “land of the free.” The first 100 guests to dine with that password will also get a free gelato or spumoni.
Tony P’s– Earn Double Dockside Reward Points During Breakfast and free dessert (Little Something) to first 100 guests with a copy of the Home Town News.
The Warehouse– 4th of July Weekend Specials Friday – Sunday! BBQ Baby back pork ribs with baked beans and garlic mashed potatoes for $26 and King Crab legs with garlic mashed potatoes for $60.
The BAMit App– No transaction fees in the month of July 2020 if you sign up your business on the BAMit app. Offer valid from 6/29/20- 7/31/20.
The Closer’s Group– Allan Colman, Managing Partner of the Closers Group is offering a series of “hints” on Youtube to accelerate new business. Here’s the first one.
Ferrufino Interiors– 10% discount off all orders with Ferrufino Interiors (Month of July)
10% discount off all orders with Budget Blinds (Month of July)
Stay Frosty Media– 10% off the price of 1 video for chamber members for the month of July
Sports and Training
Euro Soccer USA– Mention the LAX Coastal Chamber and receive a free soccer ball or jersey and one extra item!
With Mothers’s Day coming up on Sunday, May 10, we have a special opportunity to thank the wonderful mothers in our lives and support our local business community. Here at the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, we are arranging a list of businesses in our membership you can support on this year’s Mother’s Day. See below for great offers in our area:
Restaurants
Benny’s Tacos- 10% Off if you mention the LAX Coastal Chamber.
Rise and Shine Catering- Individually boxed food catering.
The LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce has been following the issue regarding COVID-19 very closely. Out of an abundance of caution, based on recommendations received from the Governor’s Office, LA County Board of Supervisors, and LA City leadership we are suspending all in-person events, meetings and programs effective immediately through May 15, 2020.
Recommendations from experts and authorities are asking that large gatherings be suspended for the next few weeks to provide a gap that could help curtail the expansion of the virus. We will follow this recommendation and will postpone all special events and move our small events, such as our committees and networking gatherings, to online programming when possible.
We appreciate your patience and support during this time. The health of our community is our paramount concern, and the Chamber will continue to be proactive in this current climate of uncertainty.
We have been the voice of business in this community since 1953 and we will not waiver from that commitment. We must all rally together to get through this time, and the Chamber will continue to be here for our members and the community. While this is impacting all of our businesses, we want to you to remember that, when you can, please support our local business community – even if it’s liking their post on social media, giving them a positive review, using online delivery services – every little bit we do to support each other will go a long way.
Lastly, we encourage you to get the most local, accurate/fact-based information regarding Coronavirus. For the most up to date information from the City and official public health agencies on COVID-19, visit https://corona-virus.la. Other sources for accurate and up-to-date information, include www.cdc.gov and publichealth.lacounty.gov.
Angelenos are also encouraged to sign up for Notify LA to receive the latest emergency alerts from the City of Los Angeles.
Every year the LAX Coastal Chamber plans an event to celebrate the men and women who protect our community day after day. While we have traditionally done a lunch event at a hotel inviting 50 local protectors, this year we thought we would try something new to make an even greater impact.
We are excited to announce the launch of
Protectors Appreciation Week (PAW) celebrating LAPD Pacific Area, Marina del Rey
Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, LA County Lifeguards, US
Coastguard, County and City LAFD and LAWA Police Detail. This celebration will
allow us to honor our local protectors at their stations—enabling us to reach more
officers and not disrupt day-to-day operations. We’re looking forward to showing
our appreciation by serving meals, offering treats, raffling prizes, giving thank
you cards and more.
This week-long celebration would not
be possible without the support of our members! Please join us in celebrating those
that keep our business and residential communities safe by committing to one of
the following sponsorships:
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
– $2,500 Platinum Sponsor – Headline recognition at all PAW events at stations, logo on banners/poster/flyers in community, title recognition in all press releases, selection of 2 station events
– $1,000 Gold Sponsor – recognition PAW events at stations, logo on banners/poster/flyers in community, recognition in all press releases, selection of 1 station event
– $500 Silver Sponsor – Logo on posters/flyers in community, recognition in all press releases
Additionally, we will be recruiting volunteers from our local community to help
ensure this program is a success. If your company would like to volunteer to
assist us with this project or donate a raffle prize for the Protectors, please
let us know. We can be reached at 310.645.5151 or at
christina@laxcoastal.com.
The annual LAX Coastal Magazine & Business Guide is not only a great chance to advertise your business, it is also an opportunity to tell your story. Each year we highlight one business for all of the industries we represent (for FREE!). We share their stories of triumph, innovation, and philanthropy, allowing our readers to get to know the people behind the business, the same way we do as LAX Coastal Chamber staff.
Do you have an amazing story to tell? Are you challenging the status quo? Are you bringing a fresh take to an old issue? If so, we want to hear about it! As an LAX Coastal Chamber member, you are encouraged to submit your story for a chance to be highlighted in the 2020 issue of the LAX Coastal Magazine. We pride ourselves on publishing our magazine as an informative, meaningful, and heartfelt resource, but we need your stories to make that happen. From stories of overcoming adversity, embracing diversity, uplifting the community, and more, we want them all; so please, share your story with the LAX Coastal community today.
You are what makes us strong, so isn’t it time that you had your moment in the spotlight?
*Do you send out a periodic newsletter? Please make sure that I’m on the list! Just add julian@laxcoastal.com
2020 LAX Coastal Magazine Spotlight Contest
Submission Guidelines
Submit your story in 200 words or less
Include high-resolution imagery to complement your story
Pg. 75 of the 2019 LAX Coastal Magazine & Business Guide
With aging comes the natural diminishing of our body’s production hormones; specifically estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. As a result, certain symptoms such as hot flashes, forgetfulness, anxiety, sleep disruption, low libido, moodiness, weight gain and difficulty maintaining muscle tone are common. Before these symptoms become intolerable, it’s possible to restore your body back to its beautiful balance.
Maintaining balance is the goal of any hormone replacement therapy. Your choices include using naturally plant-derived compounded bio-identical hormones or manufactured synthetic hormones.
Bio-Identical hormones are plant-derived hormones, prepared from precursors found in wild yam or soybean. They are compounded by specially trained pharmacists in a sterile environment to be identical to the hormones produced by the human body. Therefore, the body reads them as familiar and they are readily received.
Synthetic hormones are artificial and not found in nature. They are chemically altered substances that are not identical in structure or activity to natural human hormones. Because these hormones are altered, there are many undesired (and often dangerous side effects) associated with them.
For those looking to explore these options, Dr. Gail N. Jackson has a passion for ensuring excellent care for all women and offers services such as bio-identical hormone treatments, gynecology and the lady lyft.
