Top 10 ways the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SHCC) can strengthen your
business:
1. NETWORKING
Take part in themed mixers, form relationships with other business professionals in the County and
increase your circle of influence in various industries. Mixers are a great way to promote your
business, generate leads, nourish relationships and gain visibility in the community. Mixers are
typically held once a month. The Chamber also hosts industry-based round table discussions on a regular
basis.
2. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Partner with local organizations and SHCC partners for educational presentations, attend no-cost
business consulting and receive informational resources pertinent to your industry. Learn about
necessary certifications for businesses or receive help understanding governmental contracts. Other
professional development opportunities include English language skills resources, public
speaking-building skills, business training for veterans and streamlined pathways for scholarships.
3. MARKETING
Aside from its monthly mixers, the Chamber provides opportunities for its members to increase their
online presence with social media marketing assistance including crafted social media posts, featured
spots on Chamber email blasts and newsletters, job postings on the Chamber website and online directory
listings.
4. CREDIBILITY
Your credibility as a business increases the second you join the SHCC. Local business leaders and
community members recognize the SHCC as a credible source for referrals. Businesses may add further
credibility by advertising themselves as Chamber members on their storefronts or websites.
5. DISCOUNTS
Chamber members receive exclusive discounts and the opportunity to negotiate services with other
members. Members can also post their discounts to the Chamber’s website, increasing their
visibility and traffic.
6. ADVOCACY
The SHCC can advocate for you and your business on a county-wide level, assisting with business
licensing questions and concerns as well as on a state and federal level by staying aware of upcoming
legislation that will affect your business. The Chamber sits down with elected officials to ensure your
voice is being heard on a local, state and federal level.
7. INCREASED VISIBILITY
As you become more involved within the Chamber, attending mixers and round-table discussions, your
visibility will increase. You will become the point of contact for many in the community regarding your
industry. You may even choose to become more involved by joining a committee or the board of
directors.
8. COMMUNITY
The SHCC offers plenty of opportunities to develop lasting partnerships and friendships within the
organization by getting involved on committees, assisting with fundraising and scholarship events, and
even creating your own committee to fill a need.
9. REFERRALS
The Chamber receives thousands of contacts per year asking where they should go for products and
services. Being a Chamber member allows the Chamber to promote your business and increase its customer
base. Business referrals given to walk-in, phone, website or email requests are exclusive to Chamber
members.
10. RESOURCES
Aside from educational and informational resources, the Chamber works with partner organizations
including the Solano Economic Development Corporation, the Solano Employment Connection, the Solano-Napa
SBDC and Solano Community College to provide assistance and timely help for a variety of needs.
The Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SHCC) was founded in 1989 by a group of Hispanic business
leaders in Solano County, California.
Originally given the title Mexican Chamber of Commerce, the organization changed its name to the Solano
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a result of a need to reflect the diversity of Hispanic and Latino
cultures within the founding group.
The four founders were Manuel Cosme, Carlos Gutierrez, Maria Guzman Kennedy and Carlos Treviño. After
the name change, more founders joined SHCC: Susy Sturgeon, Carlos Solorzano, Coco Corona and W.T.
Jeanpierre.
The chamber’s mission is to strengthen Solano County’s Hispanic businesses by advocating
for opportunities that support their economic growth and by providing resources, training and tools,
which advance development, prosperity and success in Solano County.
The SHCC is a nonprofit organization that is governed by a board of directors. The chamber offers a
variety of programs and services to its members, including networking events, business training and
marketing assistance. The SHCC also advocates on behalf of Hispanic businesses in the county, working to
ensure that they have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. The SHCC has grown
significantly since its founding. Today, the chamber has over 100 members and is one of the leading
Hispanic chambers of commerce in California. The SHCC is committed to helping Hispanic businesses in
Solano County grow and prosper, and it plays an important role in the economic development of the
county.
If you are a Hispanic business owner in Solano County, you are encouraged to join the SHCC and
take advantage of the resources they have to offer. Contact SHCC directly at www.solanohcc.com.
JOIN US IN CULTIVATING AND CELEBRATING SUCCESS
Interested in supporting the success of hispanic owned b businesses in the community while also
promoting your own business?
Become a sponsor or partner of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SHCC)!
By becoming a sponsor or partner, you will actively contribute to and support the chamber’s
mission of strengthening Hispanic businesses in Solano County.
Benefits of sponsorship include opportunities to do the following:
• Gain access to numerous networking events. Sponsors have many opportunities to
connect with fellow business professionals and establish valuable relationships. This networking aspect
provides opportunities for collaboration, partnerships and growth within a supportive community.
Moreover, the chamber’s advocacy efforts ensure that the voice of small businesses, minority and
Hispanic-owned businesses, are heard, opening doors to new opportunities and creating a favorable
business environment. Promote the chamber’s initiatives along with your credibility and expertise
to a larger network throughout the state of California.
• The SHCC is a part of the Northern Region of the California Hispanic Chambers of
Commerce (CAHCC), which represents the interests of over 800,000 Hispanic business owners in California.
This affiliation expands the reach and impact of the chamber’s initiatives, while also providing
additional resources, marketing opportunities, credibility, discounts, professional development programs
and referrals to benefit sponsors and partners.
• Advocate on issues that support Hispanic-owned businesses. Advocacy is a crucial
aspect of the chamber’s work. The SHCC actively represents the interests of Hispanic-owned
businesses, ensuring their needs are addressed and advocating for policies that support their economic
growth and stability. This advocacy helps create a favorable business environment and provides
opportunities for businesses to thrive.
It is clear: Sponsors and partners are making a difference in the Hispanic business community.
“During the pandemic, the SHCC collaborated with local organizations to provide crucial resources
to businesses in need due to closures or reduced operations,” says SHCC executive director Leo
Callejas. “This support helped mitigate the challenges faced by businesses and provided them with
the assistance required to navigate through difficult times.”
Callejas adds that in collaboration with Sutter, the SHCC is developing a series of workshops in
Spanish and resource fairs to support Hispanic businesses in Solano County. “These initiatives
provide valuable knowledge, networking and resources to entrepreneurs, helping them enhance their
business strategies and grow sustainably,” he says. Finally, Callejas shares sponsors and members
are also being featured within the Solano Hispanic Chamber Guide and Directory to further promote their
businesses.
“This partnership helps businesses gain viability, build credibility and expand their customer
base,” he says.
BECOME A SPONSOR
To become a sponsor, individuals or businesses should express their interest to Lisa Castillo,
president of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Lisa will provide the necessary
information and guide interested parties through the sponsorship process, explaining the available
sponsorship levels and associated benefits.
BECOME A PARTNER
For potential partners, the chamber encourages them to provide a clear proposal outlining how their
solutions or services can contribute to the advancement of the Hispanic business community in Solano
County. They can also reach out to Lisa to initiate discussions and explore collaboration
opportunities.
“The importance of the Hispanic business community is growth and success cannot be
underestimated,” says Callejas. “Latinos contribute approximately $500 billion in annual
sales to the economy, showcasing their significant economic impact.”
As the Latino population continues to grow, their contributions to the economy are projected to
increase. By supporting the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, sponsors and partners play a vital role
in fostering this growth and economic prosperity. As trusted collaborators, the chamber welcomes them to
join forces in empowering Hispanic-owned businesses and strengthening the entire community.
