By: Jonisha Miller
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for an exciting Small Business Week Kickoff Celebration on November 20th. This exclusive event is a heartfelt thank you to business owners who actively participate in “Torrance Small Business Week” by offering discounts for their businesses during the week of Saturday, November 30th to Saturday, December 7th.
Starting at 8:30 am, the event will kick off with a warm welcome from our co- chairs, Ryan Halvorsen, Claudine Garcia, and Sanjay Murty, who will introduce the Torrance Small Business Week Kickoff Celebration.
Attendees will have the opportunity to benefit from speakers and tabletop displays featuring the Employment Development Department (EDD), Small Business Administration (SBA), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB). Get ready to gain practical advice from these programs as they share opportunities and strategies for Success.
Meet the Co-Chairs:
Ryan Halvorsen is the Chief Operating Officer at Redondo Van & Storage, a local moving and storage company serving the South Bay and the greater Los Angeles communities for over 100 years. They offer relocation services for residential, commercial, office, and medical spaces; local and long-distance moving services; packing and boxing services; and short- and long-term storage solutions.
“I am grateful to serve as a Small Business Week co-chair. Through this role, I can generate more awareness around the importance of using local companies and supporting fellow community members. Most importantly, I get to speak about the benefits of using a local company as well as aim the spotlight on our incredible moving team that continues to put the customer experience front and center” states Halvorsen.
Next is Claudine Garcia, Sales and Business Development Specialist at The Promotions Dept., a women-owned, small business in the City of Torrance that specializes in branded merchandise and apparel.
When asked how the community can help and benefit by shopping locally, Garcia stated “Choosing to buy goods and/or services from small businesses within our community, rather than large chain stores, helps to keep money circulating within the local economy. It is a way to directly contribute to the well-being of our neighborhood by supporting the people who live and work here.”
Lastly, Sanjay Murty is the Chief Operating Officer of Aura Seating, a designer and manufacturer of office seating, hospitality seating, and aircraft interior products. Aura Seating works with architects and designers to create sustainable and ergonomic furniture used in homes, restaurants, cafes, offices, and commercial spaces.
Sanjay states “The small businesses who live and work in our community benefit from patronage and allow small businesses to enhance the community through diversity. There are so many products and services that only local businesses can provide. These essential businesses improve our sense of community and build a village around our families. I look forward to promoting the unique and wonderful businesses in Torrance who call it home and serve the great people of Torrance.”
