NOVEMBER 2021 INSIDE THIS ISSUE New members/Leadership Mainland ���������������������������������������3 Business of the month �������������4 Greece trip �����������������������������������5 Bayou Fest photos ���������������������6 Bayou Fest Cook-off Winners 8 Ribbon cutting ���������������������������9 Membership renewals �����������10 Board of Directors �������������������11 The official publication of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce Celebrating small business season T he chamber is gearing up for another holi- day season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, virus numbers are down and people are venturing out more. Now is the time to embrace the importance of shop- ping local or shopping “small.” In the past, the cham- ber celebrated Small Business Saturday on the day after Black Friday. But now, we know that as people are shopping online all year long, most major holiday buying decisions will be made already by Black Friday. Therefore, we need more than one day to celebrate local small businesses, don’t we? We need at least a season to celebrate the unique products and services that small businesses of- fer and consume them. Small business owners and managers — here are some ideas you can use for outreach to local consumers during small business season. Tell your story Make sure the world knows how you got started and what inspires you. Talk about your challenges as well as your successes. Show- case what you love. This will help customers get to know you and relate to you, and then think of you the next time they need what you sell. Tell their story Has your business helped someone in the area? Maybe you spon- sored a school activity or helped a customer do something amazing. Shine a spotlight on the great things that others are doing in your com- munity. Ask those whom you’ve helped to give you a shout-out on social media. Customers value those who help them attain their goals. People want to do business with people they like. Know that the rising tide lifts all boats Work with other small businesses to support each other in your mar- keting efforts. Tag one another on social media. Review each other on important websites/apps. Hold a special late-night shopping event and advertise together. Join in spreading the word about how important it CONTINUED » PAGE 32 | Chamber Express | November 2021 “Meet our Remodeling Technicians!” 409-945-6920 When you’re buying or selling real estate, whether it be residential or commercial, experience matters and you certainly want experienced professionals on your side when you head to the closing table. South Land Title Company has been serving Texas City-La Marque for over 25 years. We are here to assist lenders, realtors, builders, investors and residents with every type of Real Estate transaction. When you close on your next property, go with the experts at South Land Title Company. Protecting the property rights of Texas City-La Marque! Experience Matters! www.SouthLandTitle.net 409.986.5801 - 10806 32nd Ave N, Texas City, TX 77591November 2021 | Chamber Express | 3 A Helping Hand Home Care Service 600 Gulf Fwy., Ste. 109 Texas City, TX 77591 281-827-2675 Representative: Javier Olmos www.ahelpinghandhcs.com ahhhcs@ ahelpinghandhcs.com Home Health Services Bay Area Houston Transportation P.O. Box 57942 Webster, TX 77598 832-771-0773 Representative: Amy Skicki www.baytran.org director@baytran.org Non-Profit Organization Greer Realtor 409-256-0526 Representative: Shanisha Greer www.shanisha.com greerrealtor@gmail.com Real Estate Haak Vineyards and Winery 6310 Avenue T Santa Fe, TX 77510 409-925-1401 Representative: Briana Broderick www.haakwine.com gladys@haakwine.com Winery Kelly L Baughman LLC 2951 Marina Bay Dr. Ste. 130-602 League City, TX 77573 713-444-6159 Representative: Kelly Baughman www.kellybaughman.com kelly@kellybaughman.com Educational Programs and Consultation Lago Mar Lagoon 12930 Crystal View Blvd. Texas City, 77568 866-524-6662 Representative: Steven Schwartz www.lagomarintexascity.com Info@lagomarlagoon.com Real Estate Living Magazine Bay Area/Friendswood by Gloria Greene 2925 Gulf Fwy. S., Ste. B310 League City, TX 77573 409-316-4961 Representative: Gloria Greene www.livingmagazine.net ggreene@livingmagazine.net Publishing Roy’s Car Salon 3102 First Avenue S. Texas City, TX 77590 409-945-3657 Representative: Katina James www.royscarsalon.com katinaamey@gmail.com Car Wash and Lube Center Vettrus Supply 10000 E.F. Lowry Expy., Ste. 19 Texas City, TX 77591 713-791-3710 Representative: Barbara Vasquez www.vettrussupply.com bvasquez@vettrussupply.com Distributors, Supplies, Tools, Repair WELCOME NEW MEMBERSJOIN LEADERSHIP MAINLAND is to shop small, even if you never mention your business specifically. Share pics of how far you’ve come. Everyone loves an underdog story; one where the hero strug- gles against all odds to eventually win. Tell yours in pictures. This will help you build a base of “fans” who will support you year-round. Be the expert. Post tips and especial- ly videos with advice to others. People can find almost anything online from services to direc- tions, but a small busi- ness “expert” helps you find both and inspires consumer confidence. For instance, if someone wants to start a new collection or hobby, they will go to a small business expert for help getting started. It’s hard to get that assistance online. And we know sometimes they come for the free advice and still buy online, but that is the challenge for all businesses. Play this “expert” advantage up to your audience. Let them know how much you can help and how much you love it. Does this list of things you could be doing to market yourself seem overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be. The chamber can be your first stop in spreading the word about your expertise, product offer- ings and promotions. Call or email the chamber any time, and the staff will get your information promoted on several channels/out- lets right away. Chamber staff are in your corner and can help guide and direct your marketing plans during Small Business Season and beyond. SMALL BUSINESS Continued » Page 1 T he Texas City-La Marque Cham- ber’s Leadership Mainland pro- gram will be accepting applica- tions for the 2022 class in December. The mission of Leadership Mainland is to develop, energize and engage the leadership potential of men and wom- en in the mainland communities. Over the course of a year, members of Leadership Mainland participate in day-long sessions once a month that focus on a variety of topics such as government, health care, education, economic development, petrochemical industry, social services and more. VIP tours are given by local gov- ernment and business leaders, and team-building activities bond class members together. The program runs from January through December. Each year’s class is composed of about 20 people and is led by former graduates of Leadership Mainland. Applications are submitted and upon enrollment, a $950 enrollment fee enti- tles participants to local and out-of-town transportation, meals, lodging for two overnight trips and graduation plaque. For more information on Leadership Mainland, contact Page Michel at 409-935-1408 or president@ tclmchamber.com. 4 | Chamber Express | November 2021 BUSINESS OF THE MONTH | TEXAS FIRST BANK Texas First Bank, 407 Oak St., has been open since Dec. 13, 1999. It is a community bank dedicated to “Helping Texans Build Texas.” “Our customers make us who we are, and we are committed to helping them succeed and to build up our local communities,” the company said. “Stop by so that we can show how great our service is.” Texas First Bank 407 S. Oak Street La Marque, TX 77568 409-938-0200 www.texasfirstbank.comNovember 2021 | Chamber Express | 5 E xplore an extraordinary collection of archae- ological sites, stunning mountain scenery and charming villages. Learn about Greek history and traditions. Enjoy Greek food, wine, beaches and markets. This nine-day trip is available only from the Texas City-La Marque Chamber. Receive a $100 discount by signing up before the deadline. Send an email to travel@TCLMchamber.com to re- ceive full details directly to your inbox. TRAVEL TO GREECE WITH THE CHAMBER Nov. 4-12, 20226 | Chamber Express | November 2021 Mainland 409-935-2496 Metro 281-337-5634 Island 409-765-5883 SERVICING YOU IS A PLEASURE 409-948-4589 My clients say I am their “Favorite Realtor”. Over forty-three (43) years servicing Galveston County Wanda Ables Realtor ® /Broker Associate wmables@aol.com 822 6th Street North Texas City, TX 77590 409-771-4775 Cell 409-948-4589 Direct 409-948-2321 Fax Bayou Fest Bayou Fest was held Oct. 16 at Highland Bayou Park in La Marque. Locals enjoyed fam- ily-friendly activities, including cook-offs, food vendors, craft vendors, live music, a children’s fishing tournament and games and crafts for the kids. November 2021 | Chamber Express | 78 | Chamber Express | November 2021 BAYOU FEST | BARBECUE COOK-OFF WINNERSRIBBON CUTTING | ASPEN DENTAL Aspen Dental 2020 Gulf Fwy. Texas City, TX 77591 409-316-6018 Aspendental.com November 2021 | Chamber Express | 9Next >