Santa Barbara’s Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce highlights accomplishments during Fiesta

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Santa Barbara's Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will be in a prominent place during Old Spanish Days.

The organization will highlight its accomplishments during the 2024 Fiesta and has a special gathering Tuesday evening in the parking lot of American Riviera Bank on upper State Street. Members and their guests will enjoy music and food and continue to create strong community business ties.

The chamber has been assisting businesses of all levels with many operating components, especially after the Covid crisis. That includes financial assistance and support for small start ups.

Co-President Miguel Avila says he has gone with business owners to make sure their forms are complete and that they know of special programs to help them. That includes SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. It helps small businesses plan, launch, manage and grow as a component of the Small Business Administration.

There's also collaboration with groups such as Women's Economic Ventures to help with all of the elements of a business plan through on going classes.

The chamber has been working with local politicians to make sure business documents and permits come with bilingual assistance.

Avila said, "they need to be legit,  have their city business license whether they are operating in Goleta operating in Carpinteria or the City of Santa Barbara.  They need to be legit.  I take that as a personal issue to guide them."

The Sazon Latino restaurant on San Andres Street had many seats for lunch and take out orders coming in on line. Owner Omar Mosquedo said the chamber has helped businesses get to know each other and share some steps towards success. "It's really good when you collaborate with different businesses because  when they have something special they invite everybody so you can meet with different businesses,  you can meet with different minds and see how they work on business. This is really good"

La Taqueria Unico on upper State Street has combined the in person, on line and food delivery trio to keep the grills busy even when the line may not seem long at the counter. It has a strong word of mouth following and several customers at lunch were very familiar with some of their favorite items on the menu. The restaurant also has an adequate number of parking spaces making it convenient to either dine in or grab an go.

The Greater Hispanic Chamber says it is working with many members on similar assistance and marketing from Old Town Goleta to Carpinteria. It is also expanding county wide where business owners have expressed a need beyond the associations they may be a part of.

For more information go to: Great Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce