Why Join the GGBA? by Olga García
CG Moving Company has been a member of the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA) since 2013. We fully support our clients, friends, and relatives who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. By joining the GGBA, we found a group of other business owners who support each other. We found several business mentors and advocates for minority-owned businesses. We have also found many of our vendors through the GGBA, and we always make sure to use companies that are members. CG Moving Company hires and buys from women, minority, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses.The GGBA is unlike any other chamber of commerce that we have been a part of. This year, under the leadership of Gina Grahame, we have industry-focused mixers. As business owners, we all have busy schedules and this allows us to determine if a mixer focuses on an industry we serve.When I meet other business owners, business representatives, and nonprofit representatives and connect with them, we may not be a good fit for their needs, but there may be other ways in which we can complement each other. I always make sure to promote and support other business owners.The GGBA has been a source of business development for both our company and our personal careers by connecting us to resources. We found out about a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification through the GGBA. This allowed us to apply and receive a contract for moving services with Super Bowl 50 when it was hosted in the San Francisco Bay Area!We were also connected to Google’s and the Tuck School of Business’ (Dartmouth) Digital Excellence Program through an event that GGBA recommended to us. Our digital presence and awareness improved tremendously after our learning experiences there.The GGBA has a culture of inclusiveness and openness. As an immigrant woman, I personally feel in a safe place with other minorities at the GGBA. I have found strength in supporting this community.Olga Garcia is the Customer Service Manager at CG Moving Company https://www.cgmovingcompany.com/