Investing in the Community Pays Well

“I respect generosity in people, and I respect it in companies too, I don’t look at it as philanthropy; I see it as an investment in the community.” Paul Newman

There are so many people in this community that continually make an investment into it. There are many people that continually give. There are many people that give without asking anything in return. There are many people that give quietly, without a single bit of fanfare or thought of getting anything in return. We truly have some unsung heroes in the Crescenta Valley. Take the installation of our new officers and directors was last week.

We brought on board five new people onto our incredible board of 21 individuals that come out month after month to our events and meetings. These individuals volunteer their time, money, resources and great ideas that together make a strong voice echoing into our Crescenta Valley. If you see any of these outstanding individuals around town, please thank them for their volunteer service to the Crescenta Valley: Bruce Bartels, Craig Fisher, Doug Dall, Dr. Cynthia Livingston, Holly Heurkins, Howard Hakes, Ken Biermann, Leonard Ghazarian, Leslie Lesh, Liza Morelli, Marvin Lee, Michael Riley, Mike Padula, Neil Ryan, Rachel Seward, Rev. Paige Eaves, Richard Liss, Robin Goldsworthy, Shannon Pondella, Steve Pierce, Warren Boehm, Jean Maluccio, Eleanor Wacker, Lissa Mooney, Aram Ordubegian and Todd Thornbury.

Another way you can pay them back is to do business with them.  One of our board members, Mike Riley, owns Riley & Associates Advertising and I did a little Q & A to find out more about how he can help you.

How long have you owned Riley & Associates Advertising? After years of working for a variety of agencies and companies and developing my skills and knowledge, I decided to go for it – to start my own company. I established Riley & Associates Advertising in January of 1997, 15 years ago, and have never looked back.

One of the most important things I did was to join the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce. Client contacts gained through chamber membership have been invaluable to me.

What are you known for or what is your specialty? Because of my extensive background in the printing and design business, I am able to accommodate almost any design or production job from the simplest business cards to mass-market direct mail campaigns. I specialize in graphic design, copywriting, photography and printing for all my clients’ projects.

What do you like most about what you do? I really enjoy working with people, especially small business owners and entrepreneurs trying to get started. I also enjoy helping our community through organizations like the chamber of commerce. Designing promotion and advertising pieces is a satisfying outlet that allows me to solve problems and turn chaos into order.

What continues to set you apart from your competition? I suppose it is mostly on-the-job experience. Valuable years of experience that allows me to deliver my clients product on time and at a very reasonable cost.

What is your biggest challenge? Staying abreast of the rapidly changing technology in the graphic arts and printing industries. It seems like every six months a new operating system or design application is upgraded. It’s never ending.

What has been something rewarding that has happened to you as a business owner or your most favorite client/job/event? Providing solutions to my client’s problems and just helping people to do a better job in their business is what I find rewarding, satisfying and enjoyable. If my clients are not successful then neither will I be. It’s a symbiotic relationship – we both need one another.

You can reach Mike at (818) 521-6406. He comes to you and gives free estimates (along with going above and beyond for the community).

And don’t forget to please drop off your e-waste, glass, aluminum, plastic, bundled cardboard & paper, electronics, clothing and shoes at the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, Jan. 21 for our free e-recycle event.

Important dates: Jan. 21 – Free e-waste recycling event; Feb. 8 – Business mixer at Leon Bakery & Café. Please contact our office for more details on any event. How to reach us: (818) 248-4957/ crescentachamber@aol.com / www.LaCrescenta.org / 3131 Foothill Blvd., Ste. D.

  julia rabago