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SPOTLIGHT ON EAOC’S TRUSTED PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS EXPERT: CARLOS SALAZAR

The EAOC Weekly

February 19, 2025 

 

UPCOMING SPEAKER SCHEDULE:

February 26, 2025:   Patrick Cecil with Merrill Lynch presents: Retirement Accounts and Company Retirement Plans

March 5, 2025:   Danny Baker with PAV-KOTE

 

 

SPOTLIGHT ON EAOC'S TRUSTED PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS EXPERT: CARLOS SALAZAR

In this week's morning meeting, longtime member and former Past President Carlos Salazar of Salazar Associates (also known as PromotownUSA) shared his inspiring personal journey and professional success. Carlos, who migrated to the United States in 1967, spoke about how his father had been working in the country for 10 years before Carlos was able to obtain his green card and immigrant status.

Facing the challenge of not knowing how to read or write English, Carlos taught himself starting in the sixth grade, refusing to be discouraged by others' teasing about his language barriers. His perseverance and determination paid off, and in 1996, he discovered his passion for promotional advertising. In 1997, he founded Salazar Associates, which now boasts an impressive inventory of over 600,000 items, many of which he personally uses and recommends.

During his presentation, we learned more about Carlos’ business and about how he personally tests products from the inventory of 600,000 to be able to give his recommendation.  Whether it's t-shirts, mugs, hats, or other items often given away at sporting events, Carlos’ business provides an extensive range of options for businesses to promote their brand.

Polo shirts and apparel, being highly visible, are particularly effective promotional products. These items not only keep your logo in front of customers but also offer quality and style that clients will appreciate and use every day. Salazar Associates provides promotional products that help boost brand visibility, increase client loyalty, and foster employee unity. With something to fit every budget and taste, all graphics are designed in-house, ensuring a high level of quality since 1997.

Carlos’ journey is a testament to resilience, and his business success highlights the power of determination and passion for helping others promote their brands.

To learn more about getting your logo onto high-quality promotional products that your clients will love, please visit www.PromotownUSA.com.

 

 

 

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Hello and Happy Friday, EAOC! 

Thank you, Sammy, for another wonderful breakfast.

Our presenter was longtime member and former Past President Carlos Salazar, of Salazar Associates (a.k.a. PromotownUSA). 

Carlos shared his story about migrating to the United States in 1967, and how his father had been working here for 10 years prior, before he could get immigrant status with his green card.

Carlos took on the challenge of not understanding reading or writing English, and self taught himself starting in the sixth grade in public school. Not to be disappointed or discouraged when others would make fun of his immigration status and that he didn’t understand the language, he persevered and pushed through.

Carlos found his love for Promotional Advertising starting in 1996, and then started his business in 1997 with an inventory of over 600,000 items I have personally purchased and use on a regular basis. He offers a huge variety of quality items for promotion.

Carlos brought and gave away some very nice button down Polo shirts, including a new style, and one from Tommy Bahama. They are all high quality and sell for a very reasonable price. 

Please remember to turn in your anonymous total business volume cards to Katie, so she can update our weekly meeting announcements and the newsletter. 

Also, please arrive at 6:45 next week to allow enough time to fill your coffee cups and your breakfast plates, and do some pre-meeting networking.  As you all know, “when they're just waking up, we’re already doing business!”

Have a great weekend!

- Ron

 

Ron Dymek

DYMEK’S FREEDOM PLUMBING

EAOC 2022-2025 President

 

 

 

IEA INSIDE STORY

The International Executives Association wants to know what’s happening amongst its chapters! Do you have news that you would like to share with EAOC’s parent Association? Have you won an award or written a book? Do you have a big event coming up? Simply email the details to Executive Director Lisa Jordan at director@ieaweb.com, and she’ll share with all IEA chapters!

 

INTERNATIONAL MEMBER PROFILES

Is your International Executives’ Association member profile accurate? Every EAOC member is featured on the IEA website’s 3000+ member directory, which makes it easy to find somebody if you have a vacation home, are traveling and need a recommendation, or know friends and family who live out of town. Please sign in and update your member profile as soon as possible. Contact Katie for any assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW MEMBER RECRUITMENT BONUS

Reminder: EAOC proudly encourages its members in expanding and empowering their fellow prestigious Orange County execs! More quality members means more quality referrals. An EAOC sponsor receives a $150 bonus for recruiting a new EAOC team member, after three months of successful membership. Please contact Katie for more information!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Target Classification of the Month: Landscape / Hardscape Installation

Calling all Landscape / Hardscape Installation experts! EAOC members are actively seeking a qualified, trusted, tried and true Landscape / Hardscape Installation expert to fill our Target Classification of the Month. Please consider your entire network, and invite your favorite Landscaper to breakfast next week! Email Katie to get them on our guest list. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUSTED EAOC MEMBERS

 

ADVERTISING SPECIALTY:

Carlos Salazar

Salazar Associates

714-990-9214    

carlos@promotownusa.com

 

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING:

David Schaefer

Schaef Air Inc.

909-944-5111                       

schaefair@gmail.com

 

ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT:

Katie Quinn

Quinn Association Management

949-525-8412

kquinn@quinnassociations.com

 

ATTORNEY/ESTATE PLANNING:

Tracy J. Roberts

Law Office of Tracy J. Roberts

562-340-6277                                               

tracy.roberts@tjr-law.com

 

ATTORNEY/EMPLOYMENT LAW:

Jonathan Judge

Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

562-653-3200                       

jjudge@aalrr.com

 

AUTO/TRUCKS/DOMESTIC/COMMERCIAL:                      

Mike Hughes

Simpson Chevrolet

714-534-2700             

mhughes@simpsongm.com

 

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR:                      

Dan Tatum

Eberhardt’s Tire & Automotive

714-871-9810
eberhardtstire@gmail.com


BANK:                         

Donny Delfin

Banc of California

714-450-4683

ddelfin@pacwest.com

 

CHIROPRACTOR:                         

Dr. Lauren Artaserse, DC

Dr. Luke Krebs, DC

One Spine Chiropractic & Sports Rehab

657-626-2528

Lauren.DC@onespinechiro.com

 

DENTIST

Dr. Robert Go · Go Family Dental

714-638-0018                                        

gofamilydental@yahoo.com

 

EMERITUS MEMBER:                                                           

Pete Sloan ∙ 714-633-3906

posloan@yahoo.com

 

EMERITUS MEMBER:                                                           

Andy Ross ∙ 714-749-7677

adross1942@gmail.com

 

EMERITUS MEMBER:                                                           

Gayle Stewart ∙ 714-342-5848

gstewart@gsecorp.org

 

EMERITUS MEMBER:                                                           

Hal Grimshaw, CPA ∙ 949-302-8791

hdgrimshaw@gmail.com

 

EMERITUS MEMBER:

Mel Smith · 714-496-2709

melsmith3205@yahoo.com

 

FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS PLANNING:                             

Patrick Cecil

Merrill Lynch

949-859-2958

Patrick.cecil@ml.com

 

FLOORING/HARD GOODS/INTERIOR DESIGN:

Karyn Hadley

Riteloom

714-764-1122

karyn@riteloom.com

 

FLORIST:

Diana Diaz

Deelux Florista & Events

949-491-5660

deeluxflorista@gmail.com

 

GLASS/STAINED & BEVELED:

Gary Gregg

Creating with Glass

714-970-9359

geggregg@sbcglobal.net

 

HANDYMAN:

Ruben Mota

Mota Handyman Services

714-785-5576

motaruben76@gmail.com

 

INSURANCE / COMMERCIAL

Carlos Camacho Gil

Federated Insurance

562-447-3972

cacamachogil@fedins.com

 

MERCHANT SERVICES:

Lisa McCune

Affinity24

844-724-2444

lisa@affinity24.com

 

MORTGAGE BANKER:                                                     

Susan Klaren

CMG Financial

714-264-0876

klarenteam@gmail.com

 

PARTY RENTALS & CATERING:

Manny Gonzalez

Confetti Events & Catering

714-542-7775                                  

Confettievents@att.net

 

PAVING-ASPHALT:                                                                     

Danny Baker

PAV-KOTE, Inc.

714-871-4905

danny@pavkote.com

 

PEST CONTROL:                                                                  

Tyler Douthit

Divert Pest Control

714-299-9118

tyler@divertpest.com

 

PLUMBING/SEWAGE SANITATION

CONTRACTOR:          

Ronald J. Dymek

Dymek’s Freedom Plumbing, Inc.

714-632-8989                                    

info@freedomplumbing.com

 

REAL ESTATE/RESIDENTIAL:                

Gizi Clemmer, REALTOR, SRES

First Team Real Estate

562-688-8275                                     

GiziClemmer@gmail.com

 

RESTAURANT-MEXICAN:                                           

Sammy Montoya

Green Parrot Villa

La Chiquita Restaurant

714-543-8787                                      

lachiquitarest@yahoo.com

 

ROOFING/COMMERCIAL:             

Greg Peterson

Sadler Roofing, Inc.

949-675-5095 

greg@sadlerroofing.com

 

WEBSITE DESIGN:                                          

Lydia Pooler

Kenneth King

Jub Jub Interactive

714-586-8500

lydia@jubjub.com

kenneth@jubjub.com

 

WEBSITE HOSTING:                                                  

Lee Pooler

Jub Jub Interactive

714-586-8500

lee@jubjub.com

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What People are Saying

In 2008, a former member gave a lead of a local private school. After my initial visit, they signed on as a client and ordered small orders regularly, every year. As they grew, so did their order size. And although the member has not been a member for several years, this client has accounted for a total revenue of $60,000 at very nice profit margins. We have built a very good relationship with the school, and expect they will continue to order much in the years to come.  An example of how EAOC keeps on working...The Lead that KEEPS ON GIVING!

Carlos Salazar, Salazar Associates

We receive thousands of dollars of business each year directly from our members, but more importantly, through our member's referrals. 

Also, we have saved a significant amount of money on services and products our members offer. I am using or have used our CC merchant, our promotional member, our commercial insurance broker, our handyman, our Labor Law Attorney, our pest control company, our Fleet Vehicle dealer, our event center and restaurant member, our florist, our HVAC contractor, our Paving Contractor, our Glass and Shower Door member, our realtor, and have referred them to our friends and customers. 

Ron Dymek, Dymek’s Freedom Plumbing

When I was invited to be a part of the EAOC, I had no idea that a “by invitation only” networking group existed. Well, we’ve been around since the early 70’s. And, what a great group of business associates we have. 

Not only are these members excellent business owners that I can refer my clients to, they are an invaluable source of knowledge for me and my clients. 

Often, merely providing information is just what was needed. These professionals are like my business partners, they are champions of my business as well as their own. 

Joining this group of dedicated business professionals has been the key to my success and I’m happy to be a part of this fantastic group. 

Gizi Clemmer, FirstTeam Real Estate

I joined EAOC because of a friend.  In my first year I have gained over 10k in continual annual business.

Quinton Fasola, ASURE Software

In the past 42 years I have received many good leads that have become good clients.  Many of them are still clients of the firm I am with today (This represented 50% of the clients that I merged into the new firm).  I have used many past and current members for a reliable source of good and reputable suppliers for both business and personal needs, including several members that helped me make profitable investments over the years.

Hal Grimshaw, Belden Hiramoto Liu & Co., LLP

I joined EAOC because Phil Kintz asked me. At the time the cost and early meeting time was a concern. The first six months of membership I received an extra $6000 in volume.

Gary Gregg, Creating With Glass

I have been a member for many years in several different classifications. EAOC has always provided me with a steady flow of leads. However the biggest benefit I’ve received has been “outside” of the core purpose of leads. A past member John Valentine, mentioned to me that he had heard about some industrial land for sale in Costa Mesa. I ended up buying it, building a warehouse and running my business at the time (South Coast Stationers) there for about thirty years. It was an excellent investment.

Pete Sloan,

A lead from Past member Bob Hardman eight years ago resulted in $15,000 of business. A lead from Mel Smith eight years ago resulted in $25,000 of business. Benefits of membership include direct business from other members resulting in $10,000 in business and direct business with other members that resulted in excellent service and financial savings.

Carlos Salazar, Salazar Associates

I have built my entire business on leads from the EAOC. I started my association management firm in 1981 with one client EAOC. In the last thirty four years the business has grown to fourteen associations. We employ eleven full time and one part time employee. I can trace ten of my long term clients to referrals from EAOC that brings in over $500,000 annually. The network of present and passed members has had a tremendous impact on my life.

Gayle Stewart, Gayle Stewart Enterprises

EAOC has been a reliable source of steady business for me for about thirty years. Thank You EAOC!

Pete Sloan

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