Summer 2012 - Camarillo Chamber of Commerce

The Journal Summer 201230Business AdvocacyQ: Tell us a little your business.A: My husband, Michael and Ibought a business in 2002 from a friendwho sold and serviced primarily printersand fax machines and remanufacturedtoner cartridges (Speedy Office Systems).We changed the name to CentralCoast Imaging Solutions, tweaked ourbusiness profile, brought in the Canonline of office equipment and eventuallyexpanded from Santa Barbara County toVentura County. In 2008 we downsizedour staff because of the economy andlegislation; the remaining employees,including ourselves, expanded upontheir expertise to fill in the gaps.Q: How did you get started withyour political advocacy efforts?A: In 2006, when Workman’sCompensation rates were dangerouslyhigh; I had the opportunity to attendThe CalChamber Summit in Sacramento,along with the Regional LegislativeAlliance (now the Chambers ofCommerce Alliance) consortium to talkwith legislatures about business issues.I went along for the ride with no expectations.Q: What is the driving force behindyour high level of involvement?A: During the trip in 2006, wemet with legislatures about business issues,particularly Workman’s Compensationrates. They appeared sincerelyCalChamber Recognizes Oxnardarea Small Business AdvocateThe California Chamber of Commerce recently named Chamber memberSuzanne Scar, owner, Central Coast Imaging Solutions, in Oxnard as one ofonly two recipients of the 2012 Small Business Advocate of the Year Award,recognizing her for outstanding advocacy efforts on behalf of small businesses.Scar’s advocacy on behalf of small businesses in 2011included opposingincreases in minimum wage, paid sick days and paid bereavement leave. She also was involved inthe redistricting of Ventura County’s supervisorial seats and relayed the opposition local farmers hadagainst card check legislation.Honorees are nominated by local chamber of commerce executives. The criteria used in the selectionprocess include taking leadership roles in or working on federal, state or local ballot measures, testifyingbefore the state Legislature and representing a local chamber of commerce before local government.We recently sat down with Scar and found out what motivates her in her advocacy efforts.interested and listened to over 50 businessadvocates and owners talk aboutthe negative impact that the high ratesWorkman’s Compensation had on theirbusiness. I can remember Kathy Leahy,CEO of Goodwill Industries, givethe exact fiscal impact and how it wouldaffect her non-profit company that providedhundreds of jobs in our community.In 2007 a reform was made toWorkman’s Compensation rates whichwere a major relief for businesses inCalifornia. I believe our advocacy effortsmade a difference.Q: Do you have any kind ofbackground in politics?A: My grandfather was theJudge of Athens County, Ohio and mymother was active on many politicalcampaigns…. both served many years.Although I’ve heard many great storiesfrom them, I had not been personally involvedwith politics until 2006.Q: What would you say is themost rewarding part of your advocacyefforts?A: The story above was the mostsignificant. During that trip, I met severalamazing people that helped educateand guide me (and others) through thelegislative process. Ernie Villegas andAssemblyman Keith Richman were twopeople that influenced me the most. Becauseof them and the 2006 trip to Sacramento,I have stayed involved withpolitics on a consistent basis though thelocal Chambers and the Chambers ofCommerce Alliance. In 2011, as Chairmanof the CCA, I went to Sacramento7 times on behalf of Ventura and SantaBarbara County businesses and attendedmany meetings and conference callsregarding business advocacy issues locallyand nationally.Q: Are you ever intimidated bythe people you come in contact withwhile advocating?A: Absolutely in the beginning;but most politicians are very friendlyand appreciate a different perspectivefrom their constituents. Often, they willeven provide you with honest insight onhow to resolve or help with an issue.Q: What advice would you havefor other business persons who wouldlike to be involved with advocacy efforts?A: Get involved with yourChamber of Commerce through theirBusiness Advocacy Committee. TheCamarillo Chamber of Commerce hasone of the best business advocacy committeeswith representatives from governmentavailable to talk about whatis happening locally, statewide and nationally.Even if you know absolutelynothing about politics today, this is agreat venue to participate in and findout what is occurring…. and what youcan do to influence what you care about.