More Than Networking: How Échale Became a Room Full of Purpose, Business, and Community
- Voz L. Sanchez
- Aug 1
- 4 min read
Written by Voz Luis Sanchez, EVHCC Ambassador
Some events are just networking events.
People walk in, shake hands, exchange business cards, have a few conversations, and go home.
But every once in a while, the room feels different.
This past Échale Networking Event at Los Dos Molinos in Mesa was one of those rooms.
It was not just about meeting people. It was about connection, information, business growth, community service, and real purpose coming together in one place.
A Room Full of Real Businesses and Real Stories
Échale brought together business owners, professionals, community leaders, members, and guests from different industries, each with something valuable to share.
We were joined by professionals and businesses including Bradley Bettencourt of Bettencourt Investments, LLC, Frank Beltran of Azbiz, Jesús Vargas of Quanticus, Maria Estrada of Impact Health Sharing, Jessica Ortiz, Ariana Arroyo of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, The Ariana Arroyo Team, Frances Vierkoetter of Clean Scene AZ, Jon Jamieson of Listo Legal, Delia Aguirre of Aguirre Insurance Agency, and Cecy Gonzalez of Vida Wellness Group.
That variety is what makes a chamber powerful.
Real estate. Legal services. Insurance. Health and wellness. Technology consulting. International trade. Specialized services. Entrepreneurship. Leadership. Community care.
That is not just a guest list.
That is a business ecosystem.
When Businesses Get the Opportunity to Be Seen
One of the most powerful parts of the evening was hearing from guest businesses presenting the work they are doing in the community.
Sawasn from Autism Care Therapy shared the importance of supporting families, children, and individuals who need specialized care, understanding, and resources. Her work is a reminder that some businesses do more than offer a service. They support families through deeply personal journeys.
Frances Vierkoetter from Clean Scene AZ also brought a very important conversation into the room. Her business provides specialized biohazard, trauma, and remediation services. It is the kind of service many people do not think about until they truly need it, which is exactly why education, visibility, and relationships matter so much.
The reaction in the room said everything.
People were listening.
People were asking questions.
People were connecting the dots.
That is what happens when a business is not just introduced by name, but given the chance to explain why its work matters.
Technology With a Purpose: Supporting Blind and Low-Vision Veterans
The evening also included a very meaningful part of EVHCC’s community impact work.
Through a generous donation from Meta, the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was able to support qualifying blind and low-vision U.S. veterans with free Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses.
This program is about more than technology.
For the right person, these glasses can become a tool for greater accessibility, independence, confidence, communication, and daily support.
To see business, innovation, and service come together for veterans was powerful. It reminded everyone in the room that a chamber can do more than host events. A chamber can help move resources into the hands of people who can truly benefit from them.
And this is only the beginning.
EVHCC is currently working on helping distribute several more pairs of Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses throughout the next month, with more details coming soon.
Helping Businesses Ask the Right Marketing Questions
We also had the opportunity to provide a short business education segment through Plexus Group Services focused on one very important question:
How are you really doing in your marketing?
Not just posting.
Not just showing up online.
Not just hoping people remember your business.
Real marketing means understanding your message, audience, content, follow-up, advertising, conversion process, and the systems that turn attention into actual opportunities.
Many business owners are working hard, but they are still missing leads, missing follow-ups, missing clarity, or missing the right strategy to turn visibility into growth.
That conversation matters because businesses do not grow only because people know they exist.
Businesses grow when people understand their value, trust their message, and know what step to take next.
This Is What Échale Is Becoming
Échale is becoming more than a networking event.
It is becoming a space where businesses are introduced, ideas are shared, members are promoted, and community partnerships are created.
It is a place where entrepreneurs, professionals, nonprofits, and business owners can walk into the room and leave with something valuable.
A contact.
An idea.
A resource.
A collaboration.
A new perspective.
A next step.
That is the real power of bringing people together with intention.
What’s Coming Next With EVHCC
The momentum continues, and the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has several important events and projects coming up.
WIN Women’s Networking Event
Held every third Thursday of the month at 5:30 PM. The August venue will be announced soon.
Échale Networking Event
Open to everyone and held the last Tuesday of every month.
Website and Member Directory Project
EVHCC is updating its website and member directory to create stronger visibility for members and make it easier for the public to discover chamber businesses and organizations.
El Grito 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Dr. A.J. Chandler Park in Downtown Chandler
This major cultural celebration is expected to bring more than 9,000 people in collaboration with the City of Chandler.
EVHCC Gala
October 2026
Date to be announced.
Día de los Muertos Festival
November 1, 2026
Arizona Center, Día Downtown Phoenix
Latin Swing Golf Event
Friday, November 20, 2026
East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Posada
First Friday of December
Date to be announced.
More Than a Room. A Movement.
If you were at Los Dos Molinos, you felt it.
This chamber is not just talking about community.
We are building it.
One event at a time.
One business at a time.
One conversation at a time.
One opportunity at a time.
Échale reminded us that when the right people show up with the right intention, something powerful happens.
Business becomes personal.
Community becomes stronger.
Opportunity becomes real.
The East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is proud to continue creating spaces where businesses can grow, leaders can connect, and community impact can happen in real time. And we are just getting started.
Comments