The Catalyst by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce

Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Catalyst is a high-energy podcast for business owners and operators ready to scale influence, sharpen execution, and stay ahead in a noisy market. Build smart. Move fast. Get the edge that lasts. Hosted By Stuart Takehara, VP Membership with the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. More info about Stuart can be found at StuartTakehara.com

  1. Aug 3

    Investing in Long Beach's Next Generation with Heaven's Angels Academy

    Finding quality child care isn't always easy. In fact, Long Beach is considered a child care desert, meaning there simply aren't enough licensed child care providers to meet the needs of local families. In this episode of The Catalyst, Stuart sits down with Crystal Stringer, founder and owner of Heaven's Angels Academy, to discuss her journey from operating a successful family child care program in Carson to opening a brand-new early learning center in Long Beach. Crystal shares the challenges of opening a licensed child care facility, why she chose the Wrigley neighborhood, how the pandemic changed child care, and why creating a welcoming environment for children is about much more than colorful walls and toys. If you're a parent, entrepreneur, or simply interested in how businesses grow while serving their communities, this conversation offers an inside look at what it takes to build something that truly makes a difference. In This Episode00:00 Welcome to The Catalyst 00:44 What is Heaven's Angels Academy? 01:33 From an in-home daycare in Carson to a second location in Long Beach 02:00 Why Crystal chose Long Beach and what it means to be a "child care desert" 02:52 Why the Wrigley neighborhood became the perfect location 03:57 The reality of opening a child care center: permits, licensing, and a three-and-a-half-year journey 06:15 How COVID permanently changed child care and today's flexible scheduling needs 08:22 Supporting parents with non-traditional work schedules 09:28 The inspiration behind designing a warm, welcoming learning environment 11:57 Why early childhood education is about much more than babysitting 14:32 Outdoor learning, movement, and helping children develop through play 16:00 Building community while investing in Long Beach's future 17:33 What families can expect from Heaven's Angels Academy 18:35 Final thoughts and how to schedule a tour Key TakeawaysLong Beach has a significant shortage of licensed child care providers.Opening a child care center requires years of planning, permitting, licensing, and construction.Child care has evolved to meet today's flexible and hybrid work schedules.A thoughtfully designed learning environment can shape how children learn, explore, and grow.Play-based learning builds social, emotional, and academic skills long before kindergarten.Community partnerships are essential when launching a new business. Learn MoreTo learn more about Heaven's Angels Academy, schedule a tour, or explore enrollment opportunities, visit their website or contact the academy directly. https://www.heavensangelsacademy.com/ The Catalyst is produced by the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the businesses, leaders, and organizations making a difference throughout the Long Beach community Mentioned in this episode: Heavens Angels Academy Open House https://heavensangelsacademy.com/ Back to School Open House Saturday August 8 | 10am-2pm

  2. Jul 13

    You Joined the Chamber… Now What?

    Joining the Chamber is the easy part. Getting involved is what turns your membership into something valuable. In this solo episode of The Catalyst, Stuart Takehara, Vice President of Membership at the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, talks about how members can get more from their Chamber membership by being intentional about why they joined, building the right relationships, and becoming strategically involved in the business community. Stuart shares practical advice for approaching Chamber events, including why collecting business cards is not the goal, why you should focus on having conversations worth continuing, and why trying to sell your product the first time you meet someone is usually the wrong approach. The episode also explores the Chamber’s business councils and how members can use smaller groups to build stronger connections, get involved in conversations that matter to them, and become known within the Long Beach business community. Most importantly, Stuart explains why simply joining the Chamber does not create value. Members have to show up, build relationships, follow up, and stay involved. In this episode: • Why joining the Chamber is just the beginning • How to decide where to spend your time and get involved • Why meeting the right people matters more than meeting everyone • How being useful helps you become known, liked, and trusted • Why you should build relationships before you need them • How the Chamber’s business councils can help you find the right rooms and conversations • Why showing up consistently matters • The importance of following up after events The key takeaway: Joining the Chamber gives you access. Getting involved turns that access into value. That value is built through connection, community, and conversation. Learn more about the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, explore upcoming events, and discover opportunities to get involved through the Chamber’s website. TimeStamp 00:07 Welcome and Introduction to Chamber Membership 02:39 Understanding the Value of Membership 05:13 Building Meaningful Relationships 08:01 Engaging with Business Councils 10:53 Strategic Involvement vs. Busywork 13:42 The Importance of Follow-Up Mentioned in this episode: Heavens Angels Academy Open House https://heavensangelsacademy.com/ Back to School Open House Saturday August 8 | 10am-2pm

  3. Jul 6

    The State of Small Business in Long Beach: Lessons from Our Small Business Resiliency Series

    For the past several weeks, we’ve sat down with restaurant owners, retailers, fitness entrepreneurs, service providers, and business leaders from across Long Beach as part of our Small Business Resiliency Series. Although every business has a different story, one thing became clear. Many are facing the same challenges and discovering many of the same solutions. In this special recap episode, Stuart Takahara shares the biggest themes that emerged from the series, along with powerful soundbites from local business owners themselves. In this episode you’ll hear: • Why consumers are still spending, but spending differently • Why customer frequency has become more important than average ticket size • How successful businesses are creating reasons for customers to come back • Why community has become a competitive advantage • The importance of adapting instead of standing still • The challenges businesses continue to face with staffing • How AI and technology are changing the way small businesses operate • Why visibility and marketing matter now more than ever • Why entrepreneurs continue to invest in Long Beach despite economic uncertainty • The message of optimism every business owner needs to hear Featured guests include: • Robb Smith, Alley Cat Deliveries • Jax Diener, Watch Me Sports Bar • Caprice Kindgren, Urbane Cafe • Joseph Michael Gray, HOTWORX Long Beach • BC Hoffman, BC’s ICY’S • Thea, Wicked Wolf • Leonard Chan, Midnight Oil • Dave Garden, Kiwi This episode is more than a recap. It’s a snapshot of where small business stands today and where it’s headed tomorrow. Support local. Support small business. Because behind every storefront is someone working hard to build something that matters. Mentioned in this episode: Heavens Angels Academy Open House https://heavensangelsacademy.com/ Back to School Open House Saturday August 8 | 10am-2pm

  4. Jun 30

    How Do You Launch a Business in a Competitive Market?

    How do you know if your business is truly the right fit for a community? In this final episode of the Small Business Resiliency Series, Stuart Takehara talks with Joseph Michael Gray from HOTWORX Long Beach about what it takes to open a new fitness studio in a competitive market. Joseph shares how the HOTWORX team evaluated Long Beach as a location, what factors mattered most in choosing the Spring Street and Los Coyotes area, and why community fit, visibility, demographics, and accessibility all played a role in the decision. The conversation also explores the real challenges of buildouts, brand awareness, pre-opening marketing, pricing, customer objections, and how businesses can show value when consumers are paying closer attention to every dollar. For small business owners, this episode is a reminder that success is not just about having a good product. It is about doing your homework, knowing your customer, choosing the right market, and making sure the value is clear. In This Episode:• What HOTWORX is and how the concept works • Why Long Beach was chosen for the next studio location • How demographics, density, rent, and community fit shape site selection • The importance of accessibility and neighborhood reach • Lessons from the buildout process • How to build awareness before opening • Using grassroots marketing and community partnerships • Marketing to college students the right way • Handling price sensitivity in today’s economy • How to make the value of your product clear • Advice for entrepreneurs choosing a business location Episode Timeline00:23 Introduction to the final episode of the Small Business Resiliency Series 00:53 Meet Joseph Michael Gray from HOTWORX 01:04 What HOTWORX is and how infrared fitness works 01:43 Stuart’s experience trying HOTWORX workouts 03:07 Opening San Pedro and preparing for Long Beach 03:23 Why HOTWORX chose Long Beach 03:41 Evaluating demographics, density, rent, and community fit 05:19 Building brand awareness in a new market 06:08 Choosing the Spring Street and Los Coyotes location 07:55 Why access and community reach mattered 08:36 The Long Beach buildout process 10:20 Operating a 24-hour fitness studio in Long Beach 11:28 Building the first 300 members 12:00 Grassroots marketing and open houses 13:45 Reaching the college student market 16:18 Why business owners need to put in the marketing work 16:47 Comparing the San Pedro and Long Beach markets 17:38 Price sensitivity and membership objections 19:41 The challenge of fixed pricing in different markets 21:45 Helping customers understand value 24:36 Advice for future business owners 25:41 Selling through connection, not pressure 26:13 How to connect with HOTWORX Long Beach 27:03 Final thoughts and closing Key TakeawayBefore opening a business, do your homework. The right location is not just about traffic or rent. It is about whether the product, price, customer base, and community all fit together. Mentioned in this episode: Heavens Angels Academy Open House https://heavensangelsacademy.com/ Back to School Open House Saturday August 8 | 10am-2pm

  5. Jun 29

    How Do You Adapt When Consumer Habits Permanently Change?

    Customer behavior has changed, and restaurants that want to survive need to change with it. In this episode of the Small Business Resiliency Series, Stuart Takehara talks with Caprice Kindgren, Director of Marketing for Urbane Cafe, about how the fast casual brand grew from one location in Ventura to 44 locations across California and Las Vegas, including two in Long Beach. Caprice shares how Urbane Cafe adapted during COVID, why online ordering permanently changed the restaurant business, and how the company uses loyalty programs, community partnerships, catering, customer data, and AI to keep growing in a tough economy. This conversation is packed with practical lessons for restaurant owners, marketers, and small business leaders who are trying to bring customers back, increase repeat visits, and stay relevant as spending habits change. In This Episode:• How Urbane Cafe grew from one location to 44 • Why COVID permanently changed restaurant customer behavior • How online ordering reshaped store design and operations • Why loyalty programs matter more than ever • How to turn first-time customers into repeat customers • Why community partnerships drive local growth • How catering can become a major growth opportunity • How AI can help small teams work smarter • Why employee development improves retention • Advice for entrepreneurs and marketers Episode Timeline00:23 Introduction to the Small Business Resiliency Series 00:44 Meet Caprice Kindgren from Urbane Cafe 00:55 Opening Urbane Cafe’s 44th location and second Long Beach location 01:20 The origin story of Urbane Cafe 02:56 Urbane Cafe’s two Long Beach locations 03:58 How COVID changed the restaurant business 05:56 The shift from in-store dining to online ordering 06:41 How loyalty programs help drive repeat visits 07:12 Why newer restaurant footprints are smaller 07:48 Will dining habits ever go back? 09:00 The challenge of opening restaurants today 09:33 Why catering is a major growth opportunity 10:45 Advice for aspiring restaurant entrepreneurs 11:20 Why community relationships matter 13:18 Current economic challenges in 2026 14:30 How price sensitivity is changing customer behavior 15:36 Using loyalty programs to increase customer frequency 16:12 Turning first-time guests into repeat customers 17:00 How Urbane Cafe uses community givebacks to build trial 18:04 The power of cookies and first impressions 19:06 What makes Urbane Cafe unique 19:48 Career and marketing advice 20:56 How AI is changing marketing and operations 23:02 Employee retention and developing people 23:51 How to find Urbane Cafe Key TakeawayCustomers may be spending less often, but they still reward businesses that deliver value, convenience, consistency, and community connection. For small businesses, the lesson is clear: get people to try you, capture the relationship, give them a reason to return, and keep adapting as customer habits change. Mentioned in this episode: Heavens Angels Academy Open House https://heavensangelsacademy.com/ Back to School Open House Saturday August 8 | 10am-2pm

  6. Jun 24

    How Do You Build a Business When You Have No Experience?

    Can you successfully open a business in an industry you’ve never worked in? Jax Diener did exactly that. With no hospitality experience, no restaurant background, and plenty of people telling her it was a bad idea, Jax launched Watch Me Sports Bar, California’s first women’s sports bar. Two years later, the business continues to grow, evolve, and adapt in one of the most challenging economic environments for small businesses. In this episode of the Small Business Resiliency Series, Jax shares the realities of opening a business from scratch, the challenges of building a customer base, the importance of constant innovation, and why believing in yourself may be the most important business skill of all. From project management and event planning to staffing challenges, unexpected repairs, and creating a space where everyone feels welcome, this conversation is packed with lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners alike. In This Episode:• Opening a business without industry experience • How Watch Me Sports Bar became California’s first women’s sports bar • Building a brand around community and inclusion • Why entrepreneurs must constantly adapt and evolve • Creating events that drive customer engagement • Staffing challenges in hospitality • Managing unexpected expenses and operational issues • The importance of believing in yourself • Advice for entrepreneurs considering taking the leap Episode Timeline00:23 Introduction to the Small Business Resiliency Series 01:19 What makes Watch Me Sports Bar unique 02:02 Opening California’s first women’s sports bar 02:36 The roller coaster of the first two years 03:52 Building a business with no hospitality experience 05:34 Becoming an event planner to drive business 07:50 Creating community through sports 09:03 Staffing challenges and leadership lessons 10:31 Adjusting operating hours and adapting to demand 12:14 Building a niche brand while staying inclusive 13:18 The reality behind entrepreneurial success 14:19 Unexpected expenses and operational challenges 16:05 Choosing the Long Beach Marketplace location 17:25 The journey from idea to opening day 20:58 Opening in a post-pandemic environment 22:03 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 23:39 How to connect with Watch Me Sports Bar Key TakeawayYou don’t need to know exactly how you’re going to get there. You need to believe strongly enough in the destination that you’re willing to figure it out along the way. Mentioned in this episode: Heavens Angels Academy Open House https://heavensangelsacademy.com/ Back to School Open House Saturday August 8 | 10am-2pm

  7. Jun 22

    How Can Small Businesses Compete by Being More Personal?

    What happens when a delivery business becomes more than a delivery business? In this episode of the Small Business Resiliency Series, Stuart Takehara sits down with Robb Smith, founder of Alley Cat Deliveries, a Long Beach-based personal errand, delivery, shuttle, and logistics service built around one simple idea: people over profit. Robb shares how Alley Cat started on a bike after a major life change, grew during the COVID era, and became a trusted local resource for everything from airport rides and business logistics to emergency community support. He also talks openly about the rising cost of fuel, slower consumer spending, the challenge of competing with major delivery apps, and why local businesses need local customers now more than ever. This conversation is a powerful reminder that small businesses are not just storefronts or services. They are neighbors, helpers, connectors, and sometimes the people who show up when nobody else can. In This Episode:• How Alley Cat Deliveries started and grew over seven years • Why Robb built the business around personal service • The real impact of gas prices and rising costs • Why big delivery apps hurt local businesses • How small businesses can pivot when sales slow down • Why “support local” has to mean more than just a slogan • How Alley Cat helped during regional wildfire relief efforts • Advice for entrepreneurs who are scared to start • Why people over profit can still build a strong business Episode Timeline00:23 Welcome to the Small Business Resiliency Series 01:08 What Alley Cat Deliveries does 01:30 The unusual requests Robb gets from customers 02:42 How Alley Cat started seven years ago 03:24 Surviving COVID and entering a new economic challenge 03:53 The impact of fuel prices on a delivery business 05:03 Why customers are spending less right now 05:30 The problem with big delivery apps 06:30 Why local dollars need to stay local 07:00 How Alley Cat supports restaurants and small businesses 08:11 How rising costs are affecting small businesses 08:52 Pivoting away from food delivery 09:46 Knowing your worth as a service business 11:02 What keeps Robb up at night 12:19 What small businesses can do to stay relevant 13:12 Why Long Beach needs more people supporting local businesses 14:51 Why some businesses catch fire while others struggle 15:51 Robb’s “people over profit” philosophy 16:42 How Alley Cat helped during the wildfire relief efforts 20:14 The community response at Expo Arts Center 21:18 Advice for new and struggling business owners 22:35 Why supporting small businesses helps everyone win 23:08 How to contact Alley Cat Deliveries Key TakeawaySmall businesses survive when the community chooses them. Robb’s story shows that resilience is not just about working harder. It is about adapting, serving people well, building trust, and creating a business people believe in enough to recommend. Mentioned in this episode: Heavens Angels Academy Open House https://heavensangelsacademy.com/ Back to School Open House Saturday August 8 | 10am-2pm

  8. Jun 17

    How Can Small Businesses Grow Through Collaboration?

    What do you do when life forces you to hit pause? After emergency heart surgery left him unable to work, travel, or continue his fast-paced hospitality career, BC Hoffman found himself searching for a creative outlet. What started as homemade Italian ice made from fruit growing in his backyard eventually became BC’s ICs, one of Long Beach’s newest artisan food brands. In this episode of the Small Business Resiliency Series, BC shares how a major health challenge became the catalyst for a new business, the role community support played in his success, and why collaboration between small businesses can be one of the most powerful growth strategies available. BC also discusses the realities of scaling a startup, navigating permits and regulations, managing self-doubt, and taking the leap from employee to entrepreneur. Whether you’re running a business, thinking about starting one, or facing a major life transition, this conversation offers practical lessons on resilience, persistence, and believing in your ideas. In This Episode:• Turning a personal setback into a business opportunity • Overcoming imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur • How Long Beach’s small business community helped BC’s ICs grow • The challenges of scaling from hobby to business • Navigating permits, regulations, and startup logistics • Why collaboration beats competition • Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to take the leap Episode Timeline00:00 Welcome to the Small Business Resiliency Series 01:17 BC’s journey from chef and bartender to entrepreneur 02:00 Emergency heart surgery changes everything 03:15 Rediscovering Italian ice and finding a creative outlet 05:36 When a hobby starts becoming a real business 07:00 From backyard batches to commercial production 08:00 The first pop-up events and selling out 10:00 How Long Beach Creamery helped accelerate growth 12:00 Small businesses helping small businesses 13:00 Why collaboration beats competition 15:00 Building stronger communities through local business 16:53 Challenges of launching a startup in today’s economy 18:00 Permits, regulations, and navigating bureaucracy 20:00 Scaling from passion project to full-time business 21:30 Finding mentors and learning from other entrepreneurs 23:00 Rising costs and pricing an artisan product 24:49 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 26:00 Why fear shouldn’t stop you from starting 27:45 Where to find BC’s ICs 28:52 Growing the team and hiring help 29:57 The Shark Tank question 30:18 Final thoughts and closing Key Takeaway“The fear of jumping is nothing compared to the regret of never jumping at all.” BC’s story is a reminder that resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges. It’s about finding opportunity on the other side of them. Mentioned in this episode: Heavens Angels Academy Open House https://heavensangelsacademy.com/ Back to School Open House Saturday August 8 | 10am-2pm

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About

The Catalyst is a high-energy podcast for business owners and operators ready to scale influence, sharpen execution, and stay ahead in a noisy market. Build smart. Move fast. Get the edge that lasts. Hosted By Stuart Takehara, VP Membership with the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. More info about Stuart can be found at StuartTakehara.com

Information

  • Creator
    Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce