Testimonials

A year ago I was about to join the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce and I stumbled on The Queens Chamber instead. I contacted their office and a wonderful lady named Marva Kalish told me about the services the Chamber offered, and suggested that I make an appointment to meet with her. As a publisher author, producer of The Excalibur Reading Program for children and young adults, and 'Writers' Coach' I wanted to find a great venue to bring my published books and services to the public knowledge. As I entered the Commerce office in Astoria I was welcomed by the Chambers' staff and of course Marva. What a gift this place became for my up and coming company Angelica Harris inc. Marva began to invite me to some of the Breakfast Before Business presentations and events outside the Chamber's office. This is a networking machine, and I have made the most wonderful contacts here in the Chamber, other businesses that can offer me assistance, as well as what I can offer to them.

Comfort and Home is what the Queens Chamber is all about. They make all of us small business owners feel at home, and comfortable, to bring any issue of business up and meet the needs of their esteemed clientele.

Angelica Harris
Author
President Angelica Harris Inc.
Executive Producer; Excalibur Reading Program
Published Works: The Quest for Excalibur, Excalibur and the Holy Grail, Excalibur Reclaims Her King

Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak before the Chamber members and guests last Friday on marketing and public relations for the small business. I have given several presentations to various business groups over the last few months, but none of them compared to the enthusiasm, energy and participation of your members.

It’s rare that a business organization offers its members a venue to give an educational presentation that also allows for great networking. As a new member, I applaud the Chamber for doing that.

I plan to write a press release on the presentation and send to some local media with a photo.

Marla Seiden
President
Seiden Communications Inc.

Adam Kahn
Financial Services Representative
North Coast Financial Group

The Queens Chamber of Commerce continues to be an excellent resource for me as a Job Developer. The Chamber’s online business directory is extensive. In addition, Ms. Marva Kalish is always available to provide assistance.

Jonathan Daniels
Job Developer
Fortune Society

Hello Marva,

Just a quick note to thank you for the tireless work you put into the Queens chamber and as a result, the networking opportunities that benefit Hofstra University. I received a call from Gary regarding his son's interest in obtaining his CPA. We spoke at length and will be bringing his son on campus for a classroom visit. Thanks for pointing him in our direction!!

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Kevin B. Taylor
Executive Director of Graduate Business Programs
Frank G. Zarb School of Business - Hofstra University

Hi, Marva

I like your meticulous way in handle all these functions and the opportunities of being informed with all functions organized by our Chamber. Actually, you would be my highway information center in the future.

Thanks once again for your hard work and keep up with your beautiful job. Regards.

K.Y. Chow
Grand Meridian Printing, Inc.

Jack, Sophia, and everyone who coordinated the Business Expo. It was a great venue with wonderful food and entertainment. I wish to thank the business men and women of Queens who either participated or attended. It was fun as much as it was professional and a great way to showcase the Queens business community. I look forward to more events of this kind and an incresing turnout.

Suzanne Vilchez

Hello Marva,

GREAT event yesterday; we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and made some very good contacts. The reaction to our being there was great. While many of those that stopped by were looking to do business with Hofstra, i.e.Pest control, Electricians and Health companies looking to get contacts with us, others did have an interest in taking classes or at least getting more information. We would definitely participate again as the exposure for us was great. People still have this mental block that Hofstra is SO FAR away from the Queens area that they would not think of coming to school out here. I am sure over time we can change that perception. Talk to you soon.

Kevin B. Taylor
Executive Director of Graduate Business Programs
Frank G. Zarb School of Business
Hofstra University
www.hofstra.edu

Hi Marva

I had a great time last night at the Foundry. It is such a great space, really interesting and inviting. Loved the roof top, and the sound of the 59th Street Bridge wasn’t distracting at all.
I wanted to speak with you at the end, but had to sneak off to my 8:30 Pilate’s class.
Have a great evening!
Speak Soon

Elizabeth Chominski
Business Accounts Manager
East River Development Alliance
www.erdalliance.org

Hello Jack and Marva,

I want to thank you both for being so supportive of Borough President Marshall’s Immigrant Heritage Week event, which is taking place tomorrow (Thursday) at 5:30 PM at the Queens Museum of Art!

Thanks to you, we have Chef Randall Benjamin serving two of his fusion dishes, Jamie Johnson coming with her chef from Clearview Park Golf Course, and loads of give-aways from area businesses in our gift bags. (Our dear friend Tariq Hamid will also be providing South Asian cuisine.)

You are both acknowledged in the printed program, and when the event is over, I will send you copies.

Of course it would be great to see and greet you both tomorrow, but I believe you said that you have other engagements.

I’m so grateful and very glad that we have established this partnership! (Incidentally, Marva, my colleague Cathy Moore, who heads up the BP’s Domestic Violence Task Force and runs an annual conference every October that draws upwards of 350 service providers, would love to meet you & talk about additional potential collaborations!)

Best regards,

Susie Tanenbaum
Community & Cultural Coordinator for the Queens Borough President

Marva:

This past Friday was an awesome presentation. I was glad to be there. Anne and I are planning to be in attendance this week.

Thanks,

Jeffrey Middleman
Weichert F H Realty

Dear Al,

On behalf of all of here at Sovereign Bank, I want to thank you and the senior staff of the Chamber for partnering with us again this year to produce an outstanding Economic Outlook program for your members and the Queens business community. We had a great keynoter and thanks to you we also had a terrific panel discussion. We even made the Daily News and Crain's, plus some weekly coverage which should follow this week. I think the program was among the most lively in our 13-event 2009 Sovereign series. In spite of the gloomy and problematic outlook on local and city level, you sure extracted informative responses from the panel members. I think everyone left the breakfast with a better understanding of the business climate and how they might be able to address its impact on their business in the months ahead. Thank you for your role, and thank you to Jack and Sophia for working so well with us and so effectively to produce an event we can all be very proud of. Onward to next year!!!

All the best,

Michael A. Armstrong
Public Relations - Metro NY-NY Division
Sovereign Bank

Dear Marva,

I am sending you this little note to say ‘thank you’, for my new office help started with us on Monday, 11/03/08.  Your assistancq and resources appreciated for it allowed me to focus on the other side of my business.

I was overwhelmed with the responses via email, telephone and fax.  However, I am confident with the knowledge that as a business owner, I do have a reliable source at the Queens Chamber.

Regards,

Bernadette S. Jeronimo
President and CEO
JCF ELECTRIC, INC.

Hi Marva and Jackie!!
 
Thanks a lot for the success of the  MWBE Certification Workshop yesterday. Without your organization’s support, we wouldn’t have been able to gather that much of a crowd and have a cozy room for the event.

Muchas gracias!!!

Josefina Nidea
Business and Certification Specialist
New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce

Dear Sophia:
 
I had to take this time to write to you as I commend the many fine efforts the Queens Chamber of Commerce makes to improve the potential for business success, even during recessionary times. The positive networking environment that yo foster does indeed affect residents from all income levels as proven by the number of public assistance recipients we have helped gain employment with companies who support and are members of the Chamber of Commerce. May the level of energy and integrity of the managers and staff serving the Chamber never cease.

Thank you.

Teddy, Theodore R. White
NYC Human Resources Administration
FIA Employment Services