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Ribbon Cutting for Calypso Concierge (Postponed)
August 10 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting for Chickn Cone (Postponed)
August 11 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting for Vida Family Medicine (Postponed)
August 18 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Members Helping Members!
Has looking over the SBA loan options, the CARES Act, and the constant barrage of information about COVID-19 left you overwhelmed or frustrated? Here at the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, we can help! Check out our Membership Directory to find the business professional that best fits your needs!
Welcome to the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce (GHACC) is a member-focused organization through which members can effectively develop their business and themselves. Since its founding in 1988, the hallmark of the Chamber has, and continues to be: “People do business with people they know, like, and trust.” Relationships developed in the Chamber become part of one’s business infrastructure. New friends can be found in the Chamber and some of those friendships will last a lifetime. Members can learn how to grow their markets, supply their business, mentor associates or even find a special mentor. GHACC works diligently to provide benefit to all members, be they new, or long-term.
This growing Chamber provides a forum into which its members’ businesses can fit together in an atmosphere of mutual benefit. Active participation provides multiple benefits including access to the entrepreneurs and management of business and organizations with differing viewpoints and methods that work. An abundance of activities provide networking occasions to create new business opportunities, obtain business referrals, join committees, have fun and enjoy a camaraderie unique to Heights Chamber members.
Just as the “Heights” is known for its uniqueness and historical Houston significance, the GHACC blends businesses, promotes “Buy Local First,” and has often been described as a “not so well kept secret for successfully serving its members.”
Chamber News
Information Regarding School Re-openings
The advent of Covid-19 has clouded plans and operations for the 2020-2021 school year and with the beginning of school re-openings now scheduled, many questions have arisen. Governing the state’s educational system is the Texas Education Agency (TEA). On July 17, TEA released public health planning guidelines for the 2020-2021 year in order to prepare students, teachers and staff to safely return to school campuses for daily, in-person instruction. HISD, the local independent school system, which serves more than 200,000 students has formulated and announced its plans and policies. The HISD Communicable Disease Plan Task Force, a group of key employees, educators, parents, community members and health care officials were charged with reviewing safety guidance from [...]
A Message from the Chamber Chairperson
A Message from the Chamber Chairperson Dear Members: I am posting this letter to bring you up-to-date on the activities and actions your Chamber has taken as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Obviously, the Chamber has been compelled, just as you have been compelled, to change and alter anticipated personal, as well as business plans and actions. This has likely been most noticeable in the unfortunate cancellation of our meetings, ribbon cutting celebrations and other special events. These measures were taken not only as a result of governmental decisions, but also as a concern for the safety and well-being of our members and their loved ones. Please rest assured that the guiding principles of [...]
Athletic Water Bottle Marketing Opportunities
As our area student athletes begin to participate in summer and fall sports programs, the Covid-19 virus has created changes in procedures and needs – mainly in water bottles. Athletes can no longer share water bottles so there is an acute need for each participant to have their own hydration bottles. The need is for student athletes at area middle and high schools, and the Chamber is requesting your assistance. If you currently use water bottles in your marketing programs, would you be willing to donate a quantity to the schools in need? Your logo on the bottle can provide valuable exposure for your business. Our schools are limited from a resource standpoint, so this represents [...]
Heights Chamber Recognizes Outstanding Educators
This year the educational system was rocked a significant curve and our area schools met the challenge. Teacher of the Year (TOY) at each campus led the way as their peers voted them in. Helms Elementary Teacher of the Year was Tamara Williams and Beginning or Rookie Teacher of the Year was Gabriela Garrido with Maria Hernandez being the Bilingual Teacher of the Year. Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet The Elementary TOY was Ms. McCord and Middle School TOY was Ms. Ortiz with Ms. Saenz the Beginning TOY and Ms. Macias ESL and Ms. Dore, Bilingual TOY. Kathryn Smith Elementary Tiffany Bennett was TOY and Evelyn Andrews was ESL TOY and Yolanda Guzman was Science TOY and [...]
Membership
Member Benefits
Why join the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce? If you own a business or are involved in the Houston Heights, being a member of the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce brings you numerous benefits. Invest in your organization’s future and join the over 500 members that already are reaping the benefits. To begin learning about membership benefits, attend a monthly Member Orientation Luncheon and begin to realize them immediately.
Chamber Connections
Here is an unusual new business contact made at a recent ribbon cutting. Ambassador Jordan Bailey of Sabo Tax & Accounting Services was speaking with Danielle Stewart of Historic Heights Living magazine. Jordan was holding the new member plaque for Daniel Wood Floors, which he was going to present later. Danielle saw the name on the plaque, wrote it down and said that she was looking for a flooring company. Truly a networking contact success and the Chamber at work.
Always good to hear from Jack Van Pelt, our resident jeweler. Jack proudly reports that Byron Rusk and the staff at Master Car Care have always helped him with his car repairs. In return, Byron has made purchases at JVP Jewelry.
Jan Stephenson of Jan M. Stephenson Designs has designed business cards for Jack Van Pelt as well as being a customer of his.
Tommie Vaughn Ford, long term member of the Chamber has provided Jack Van Pelt with so much automotive buying and vehicle servicing benefits he can’t even remember them all.
If you have a good example of members doing business with each other and would like to see it on the Chamber website, just email a short note with the details to communications@heightschamber.org.
Welcome New Members!
Chick’n Cone
Cruises by Toni
Florida Career College
Globe Life
Grafton Funding
Heritage Chase Corley
Houston Contemporary Dance Company
Houston Squeegue Pro
Institute of Contemporary Dance
Ipadel
Oak Fitness
Oaks Point Pediatric Dentistry
Post Oak Title
Pure Barre Heights
Revive Rx Pharmacy
Sears
Selective Search
Smith Insurance and Financial Services
Terry Bryant
The Greenhouse Day Spa
The Whimsy Artisan Boutique
Vanguard Spine and Support
Vey’s Painting and Refinishing
Vida Family Medicine
Ward Creative Communications
Testimonials
“Being a member of the Chamber has been so helpful to me in getting to know member’s businesses and services for both professional and personal needs. The opportunity to learn and build relationships with fellow members is so valuable. I’ve used many Chamber member’s services and many have secured mine as well. One I would like to recognize is the Hampton Inn and Suites on I-10. We reserved a block of rooms for our family and friends coming in from out of town for my daughter’s wedding. Thanks to fellow member Paige Cassel, they were so organized and on top of the reservations and welcoming. In fact, when the guests arrived, they received a welcome gift. Hampton Inn & Suites provided excellent service, and everyone was very happy with their stay there.”
Here’s why being on a Chamber Committee expands my business connections.
“Joining other Chamber members on a committee establishes recognition of me for my business and service capabilities. With an opportunity to provide new ideas or input in the planning and staging of Chamber events, I have the occasion to meet and interact with fellow members in different fields. Working together provides an arena for me to expand my skills in areas where I may not have been involved before. Equally important is learning how vital collaboration can be to my future success. The Chamber offers a variety of committees, so there are many looking to grow and add new talent.”
Here’s why I put Noontime Networking on my Calendar Every Time.
“I know the Chamber monthly Breakfast Connection is a good networking opportunity but, as a working mom, early mornings can be hectic for me. The bi-monthly Noontime Networking sessions fit my schedule perfectly. I can have lunch, learn about a member’s business, and effectively network all in the course of time I would normally spend just going to lunch. Thanks to the Chamber for serving my needs.”
Member Spotlight
Byron Rusk
This month we profile a man who is only one of two individuals in the entire state of Texas to have been named as an “Accredited Master Automotive Manager” by the national Automotive Management Institute. Give up? It is Byron Rusk, owner of Master Car Care & Collison and RMS Automotive. We might add, a very worthy recipient. Most members are familiar with the auto repair building located for many years at the corner of West 23rd and Yale Street.
But, let’s return to Byron’s past. He grew up in Houston (yes almost a native Houstonian), missed it by his first year when his family relocated from San Antonio. He attended Lanier Middle School and studied business at the University of Houston. Obviously he studied it perfectly, and his education served him well throughout his automotive business career.
It wasn’t the automotive business initially because he was a Burger King manager and the owner of Rusk Moving & Storage. We would be remiss, if we overlooked his very first job. Well, to put it in total perspective, he manicured lawns with a lawnmower; which was in keeping with his early ambition – “making money.” So, hard work was instilled in him at an early age.
Byron joined the Chamber in 2009 and has been a supporting and participating member ever since. He joined the organization he says, “For networking opportunities and for expanding his horizons.” He expands his horizons even further with his love for reading the Bible and biographies. From an enjoyment standpoint, he is an accomplished cook and BBQ smoker.
The Rusk family includes his wife, Ginger (the Queen), two sons, Harrison & Ford, (both of whom are active in his businesses), 2 grandchildren (Alexis and Sheldon), 1 Goddaughter (Teal), 1 great grandchild (Lilliana) and three dogs, Bentley, Droopy and Lucy.
Loyal members like Byron Rusk enable the Chamber to stay “tuned up” in delivering beneficial services to its membership. Thank you, Byron, and continued best wishes to you, your business and your impressive family as we all navigate through difficult times.