Linda Smith, executive director of the Solvang Chamber, told the fairly large contingent of business owners that she reached out to around 140 local establishments, but thinks there may still be more. She hopes to find and reach out to them as well.
“Santa Ynez is going to see some exciting things very soon,” she said, noting that there are a lot of new businesses about to open – some of which will be re-opening under new management. She was not shy about the fact that Solvang wants to be a part of that.
“Business helps business,” Smith said. She encouraged those present to form the habit of referring customers to other local businesses claiming that if they all doubled their referrals, they can help one another double their business as well. “I’m very excited about the potential,” she said, and did not deny the hidden agenda to get Santa Ynez establishments to join the already established Solvang Chamber. “But the main thing I want to achieve is to introduce you to each other.”
Going around the room, with wine provided by Imagine Winery, they did just that. Included in the group were both familiar faces and some new business owners. To encourage them to join the Solvang Chamber, Smith touted the many upcoming events, including a business-expo, a design fair and a health fair, while explaining membership in the Chamber means free participation in the events.
“I cannot tell you how excited I am. This is a really great opportunity,” Smith said, explaining how membership in the Chamber works and how she believes the Solvang venture can help Santa Ynez businesses.
Not all local owners were on board with that idea. Many expressed the opinion that Santa Ynez is unique, and that their interests are not necessarily aligned with Solvang’s. “The consensus seems to be that we should have our own. I think that, too,” said Marc Owens.
Smith stuck to her theme of working together. One way in which business owners can help each other is to develop a sort of reverse 9-1-1, she said, so that they can quickly notify each other of any possible dangers or unwanted customers. Smith related a recent incident with counterfeit $100 bills.
When asked why not help Santa Ynez form its own Chamber, Smith did not discount that as a bad idea, rather noted the excessive amount of work that doing so entails. She pointed out that Solvang’s is already established and it would be difficult for anyone to both create a business organization while also trying to run a business.
When someone suggested that the Solvang Chamber might want to change its name to be more inclusive of other Valley townships, Smith said that would have to be a board decision, but her tone and quick change of topic made it sound to many present that a name change is unlikely.
“My hope is that one way or another, we will get connected to one another,” said Smith, keeping her 15-minute plug within the promised timeline.
As she released the floor to those present to take the discussion where they would, there was quick agreement that commerce in Santa Ynez needs to find a way to work together, both in promoting each other and in coming up with signature events that will draw people to the town.
“It’s such a wonderful thing to have a community pull together for an event,” said Marlene MacBeth. “We need an organization to focus all the energy and encourage regular participation.”
“I was really happy to see so many people interested in working together,” said Owens. “It was great to see so many people in the room.” He indicated that he would be on board to help start a Santa Ynez-based organization – one that would serve the particular needs of this town.
The first step down that path is to begin the discussion, most in attendance agreed. Several smaller groups report they have met independently since Smith’s meeting. When a date and place for a follow-up meeting are determined, they will let the community know.