Member News

Think your business is secure?  Think again. 

Cybersecurity threats are evolving — and Southern California enterprise businesses are not immune. The 2025 Comcast Business Cybersecurity Threat Report analyzes over 34.6 billion cybersecurity events, uncovering how attackers are getting smarter, stealthier, and more disruptive.

Join Comcast Business for an exclusive webinar designed for business leaders and IT security professionals. Comcast Business will break down the report’s key findings and share actionable insights to help protect your organization in today’s threat landscape.

What You’ll Learn:

• The most common attack tactics and where businesses are most vulnerable
• How AI is reshaping cybersecurity — for both attackers and defenders
• The stealth techniques threat actors use to avoid detection
• Why human behavior continues to be a major security challenge
• How a multi-layered defense strategy can help San Diego businesses stay resilient

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and strengthen your cybersecurity posture.

Register now to reserve your spot:  https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/15679/651431

Comcast Business now powers businesses in Southern California with a suite of solutions including connectivity, networking, cybersecurity, and unified communications. Comcast Business’ stance as a part of Comcast – a Fortune 50 leading media, technology, and entertainment company – enables a unique set of capabilities and a broad perspective to customers.

Learn how enterprise managed services from Comcast Business can help you create better customer experiences.  Contact your local Comcast Business Account Executive Alex Alvarez today - Alex_Alvarez2@comcast.com  +1 (661) 648-6653

Do you want to challenge yourself in fitness? We are excited to announce our grand opening on October 18, 2025!

Join us for a high-intensity and low-impact 45-minute workout in a luxurious boutique, led by our certified Lagree instructors.

For additional information, please visit our website at [www.powerlabstudio.com](https://www.powerlabstudio.com).

Non-compete agreements have long been controversial in California—and now, they’ve reached a new level of legal risk.

Recent legislation has made it a direct violation of California labor law for employers to impose non-compete agreements on employees. That’s not just about being unenforceable — now, having non-compete language in your contracts could actively expose your business to legal consequences.

In this article, Koegle Law Group explains what these legal changes mean for your business—and how to stay protected without relying on outdated contract language.

Key Takeaways:

• Why including non-compete clauses—even if unused—can now lead to liability

• Legal strategies you can use to protect your trade secrets

• How to ensure your documentation complies with California’s strict labor code

• How Koegle Law Group helps businesses audit and update their agreements

Non-competes are out. Smart compliance is in.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

One vague text message. One forgotten complaint. That’s all it takes to sink your defense.

When an employee raises a concern—whether it’s in a text, in passing, or via Slack—it’s not just an HR issue. It’s a legal risk. And if your business doesn’t respond the right way, that risk can escalate into a lawsuit where your internal missteps are on full display.

In this article, Koegle Law Group Associate Ransom D. Boynton lays out how smart employers turn complaints into opportunities for clarity, compliance, and protection. Because in court, silence and delay speak volumes.

Key Takeaways:

• Why even informal complaints can trigger serious legal obligations

• How to document employee concerns like your case depends on it—because it might

• Common pitfalls when HR and management aren't aligned

• How Koegle Law Group helps employers stay prepared, not just reactive

A single complaint shouldn't derail your business—if you're ready for it.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

We’ve worked with a lot of CEOs, leaders, and business owners, and no matter what industry or niche someone is in, they tend to have the same few questions. That means you probably have a few of these questions on your mind right now, too!

At Elevate, we provide operations support and services, but we also believe in educating our clients and helping you expand your own skills and knowledge. 

This post is packed with our professional tips and insights, as well as some powerful perspective shifts that will change the questions you ask and dramatically improve the way you feel about your success! 

Do I need a bookkeeper? And other questions we’re answering

This post shares answers to these questions:

• Why is my inbox a mess even though I have help?
  We’ll dig into the one thing you’re missing that keeps your inbox organized and manageable for good. 

• How do I stay focused without becoming a bottleneck?
  Get clear on how you can delegate more effectively and efficiently to keep things moving without having to be constantly active in every project. 

• Do I really need a bookkeeper? Can’t I just give everything to my CPA at tax time?
  Let’s get serious about what not having accurate books is costing you. Spoiler alert: it’s more than what it costs to outsource your bookkeeping!

• Are we focused on the right things or just doing a lot of things?
  Learn our favorite way to set clear, actionable goals and measure your progress so you can clearly see your success and progress.

• Why does everyone on my team do things differently?
  Turn what feels like a failure into a positive way to improve your systems and SOPs! 

What makes a good business leader?

This isn’t one of our top 5 questions, but it is something that’s worth getting clear on before we get to our Q&A. 

Sometimes leaders are afraid to ask questions because they fear it makes them look weak or incompetent. That couldn’t be more wrong. 

Smart, capable leaders ask questions all the time. 

Is there a better way to do this?

How are the talents on my team being applied to specific roles and responsibilities?

What am I not seeing here?

Asking questions and being reflective in general is one of the best ways to build a successful team and organization. When you openly ask questions and invite feedback, you teach your team to do the same. And that leads to fewer mistakes, more collaboration, and better results! 

At Elevate, we are constantly reflecting on our work and asking questions. We schedule regular check-ins with our clients and our internal team to encourage clear communication. And we’re never afraid to examine a process, system, or belief to see if there are ways to improve it or do it differently. 

As you read through the questions we’re answering below, invite yourself to be reflective. Know that it’s not only okay to have these questions, it makes you a better leader to ask them. 

The top 5 questions business owners and CEOs are asking

Asking the right questions leads to better results. At Elevate, we love helping our clients streamline their operations to improve every area of their business.

The answers to these popular questions will help you identify areas of growth for your own organization. You may also be inspired to do things differently or try a new system! 

Let’s get into these popular business questions. 

Why is my inbox a mess even though I have help?

So many of our clients come to us frustrated by what feels like the impossible task of keeping their inbox organized for more than a few weeks. 

A messy inbox makes everything feel more overwhelming. And it can lead to missed information and deadlines!

Having someone help with your inbox management is excellent. 

But no matter who is in charge of it… what really matters is your system. 

And if you're continually having inbox issues, that's a clear sign that you either don't have a system in place, OR the system you're using just isn't working. 

Without a clear, customized system, it doesn't matter how much help you have… your inbox is always going to default to clutter.  

You need a simple, consistent, repeatable system to manage your inbox!

And here's the best news: Inbox Zero does not have to be the goal! We want inbox clarity. 

Inbox clarity means whoever manages your inbox:

• Knows exactly where each email goes and what to do with it as soon as it comes in

• Can keep your inbox organized with only a few minutes each day

• Can prioritize urgent communication and make it easy to see what needs to be done, in what order, when you scan your inbox

• Does things the same way, every time 

When you give up chasing Inbox Zero (it's unattainable at the beginning for most people!) and embrace Inbox Clarity––things will improve in a hurry.

Need help managing your inbox?
We offer an Inbox Cleanup Get It Done project that will whip your inbox into shape, no matter how cluttered it is. We’ll also lay out a detailed system you and your team can follow to keep things nice and organized for years to come. 

If you’re looking for an effective DIY option, we highly recommend completing our 2025 Organize Emails Challenge! 

How do I stay focused without becoming a bottleneck?

As the leader, business owner, or CEO, you want to stay focused on your role and responsibilities. But every time you try to stay in your lane and zone of genius… You end up creating a bottleneck that slows everyone down and puts projects behind schedule.

This is something a lot of CEOs deal with, so we can promise you’re not alone. The answer to this question is: delegation. This is one of those easier said than done suggestions, so let's break it down.

Leave room for errors when you’re delegating. 

You'll make errors in delegating at first, and the person you're delegating to will make their own mistakes. These are a learning opportunity! Whenever mistakes happen, it's the perfect time to ask questions, get clarity, and refine the process or system. 

Embrace the teachable moments. Offer praise for what was done well and share tips or advice on ways to improve or make things easier. 

Give ownership to whoever is doing the project. 

Set milestones for check-ins so you get the info you need without having to approve each step and be actively involved. When you set milestones at the beginning, you can avoid being constantly involved in the process you're trying to hand off. 

Get everything out of your head.

In the beginning, delegating is going to take a toll on your energy and time. When there are processes or systems that only live in your head or don't exist at all, it will take time to create them, document them, and teach your team or contractor how to complete them. That's okay! It's just part of the process.

Need help with delegating? 

Sign up for one of our monthly Mastering Delegation Workshops or book a 1:1 call to create a customized delegating plan with Ashley, our founder and DOO. 

Do I really need a bookkeeper? Can’t I just give everything to my CPA at tax time?

Technically? Yes. You can hand over everything you have to your CPA at tax time.

But what are you sending your CPA? Is any of it accurate?

If you don't have a bookkeeper managing your business's finances on a daily basis, you are missing out on:

• Accurate forecasting for the next season or quarter

• Understanding your profit

• Using your financial data to make informed decisions

• Knowing where your money is going 

• Planning for client gifts, team bonuses, and holiday gifts 

• Valuable write-offs 

Collecting receipts is not the same as bookkeeping. If you’re simply collecting paper and digital receipts, how do you know what you're missing? 

Not having accurate, updated, organized books is costing you in every area of your business.

At a minimum, you need a bookkeeping software and system you can follow in-house to keep track of your expenses. 

A better option is to outsource your bookkeeping to a professional. This gives you real-time financial data to inform your business decisions and ensures you always know your profit margins, expenses, and other key info. 

Need help with your bookkeeping? 

Choose from our one-time Bookkeeping Clean Up or Bookkeeping Set Up Get It Done projects or invest in a bookkeeping retainer service with our team of pros! 

Are we focused on the right things or just doing a lot of things?

You're probably asking this question if you:

• Regularly work overtime or on the weekends 

• Feel a high level of stress at all times

• Are always working on something, but rarely seeing results 

• Feel burned out, overwhelmed, or just over it all

Too many CEOs and leaders don't feel like they're making any progress because they don't know where they started or where they need to go. 

Constantly working without clearly defined goals will drive you to exhaustion in a hurry. So how do you know if you're focusing on the right things?

It all starts with where you want to go and what you want to achieve. Defining clear, specific goals is the first step in knowing what you're achieving.

After you have your goals, you need KPIs (key performance indicators) to help you see how you're making progress.

And around here, we're big on celebrating progress over perfection or completion! Even if you don't reach every goal, there are wins, lessons, and value to celebrate along the way. 

Setting specific goals, sharing them with your team, and tracking your progress on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis will help you know you're doing the right things and feel more accomplished as you do them!

Need help with setting clear goals and accomplishing more?

Schedule a Strategic Mapping session! You’ll work 1:1 with our founder and DOO, Ashley, to create a goal-oriented Action Plan for the next four quarters. Having defined, specific goals is the best way to feel more in control and successful! 

Why does everyone on my team do things differently?

Raise your hand if your team:

• Saves things in different places

• Shares updates across different types of communication

• Titles documents differently 

• Communicates their progress in different ways

• Completes projects on different timelines

• Feels like a jumbled mess of everyone just doing their own thing

We see your raised hand and maybe even a hint of embarrassment. We get it. It feels like a good leader should know how to keep their team in line and all on the same page. 

But here's the paradigm flip I want to offer you today:

 Instead of a failure of leadership, it's a positive that everyone does things differently. 

You're not a bad leader. You just don't have processes and systems documented and shared with your team.

But right now, while everyone is doing their own thing, it is actually the perfect time to dig in and create some SOPs (standard operating procedures).

Everyone has different brains, priorities, and perspectives. And by letting your team do things their own way, you are able to see better ways of doing things than you would have come up with on your own! 

Now you just need to take stock of what's working and where things need to improve so you can create a library of SOPs everyone can follow.

Need help creating SOPs for your team?

Our operations experts love creating custom, streamlined systems. Book an SOP Library Get It Done project and we’ll deliver your defined, documented, and dependable SOPs in just a few weeks! 

Am I failing at business?

This is the final question we want to address because so many talented, successful leaders and business owners are constantly struggling with this one. 

No, you are not failing. 

You're probably just not looking at everything you have accomplished! It's so easy to get caught in the vicious cycle of setting big goals, showing up and doing the work, achieving the goal… and then just moving on to what's next. 

Can we invite you to try something different?

If you feel like you're failing (or not living up to your own high expectations), take 5 minutes right now and celebrate the wins – big or little – you've had recently.  

And moving forward, make celebrating progress a non-negotiable.  

You can do anything, but not everything. (That's where we come in!)

SCV Water is initiating an update to its Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), a foundational planning document that guides long-term water supply reliability, conservation strategies, and climate resilience for our region. The Agency will be reviewing the 2020 UWMP and considering changes and amendments as applicable.

This update is more than a regulatory requirement—it is a strategic opportunity to shape the future of water in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water is committed to a transparent, inclusive, and community-informed process, and invites members of the public to participate in a series of workshops. The first, “UWMP Overview and Network Kickoff,” will be held online via Zoom on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Registration information is available at yourSCVWater.com/UWMP.

The UWMP helps SCV Water:

• Plan for future water needs in the face of growth and climate change.
• Align with statewide goals like “Making Conservation a California Way of Life.”
• Ensure equitable access to water resources.
• Support infrastructure investments and emergency preparedness.

Through a series of workshops leading up to a public hearing in April 2026, SCV Water customers can join with other residents, businesses, public agencies, environmental groups, and community organizations to provide feedback that will guide the UWMP’s priorities, solutions, and implementation strategies.

Whether you are a resident, business owner, community advocate or simply interested in the future of water in the Santa Clarita Valley, your input matters. To learn more about the public workshops and the Urban Water Management Plan update process, and to access draft documents and provide written comments when applicable, please visit yourSCVWater.com/UWMP. Customers may also email the UWMP project team at uwmp@scvwa.org with any questions.

###

About SCV Water:
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to approximately 75,000 business and residential customers. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. More information can be found at yourSCVwater.com.

Compliance isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about protecting your business and your people.

When an employee requests a disability accommodation, employers are legally required to respond appropriately under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But the law isn’t always straightforward—and missteps can lead to costly consequences.

This article from Koegle Law Group breaks down the legal and practical essentials every employer should know. From decoding the interactive process to identifying executive pain points, we help businesses stay compliant, confident, and prepared.

Key Takeaways:

• A clear explanation of the ADA-required “interactive process”

• The most common employer missteps—and how to avoid them

• Pain points executives face when navigating accommodation requests

• Why relying solely on “at-will” status can backfire legally

• How Koegle Law Group supports employers with proactive, compliant strategies

Smart policies aren’t just good HR—they’re good business.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

Tickets on Sale Now

This year’s State of the City event will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., at the Canyon Country Community Center. This year’s theme is Celebrating Hart Park: History in Every Frame. Join the Santa Clarita City Council as they highlight all the incredible accomplishments from the last year, what projects are on the horizon while also paying tribute to the City’s 40^th Park.

A cherished landmark in the heart of our City, Hart Park is a place where history, tradition and natural beauty come together. Just like the silent films that made William S. Hart a legend, every frame of this event is filled with meaning—from updates on public safety and homelessness to the unveiling of exciting new projects like the River of Lights and Pioneer Oil Refinery Park.

State of the City will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m., in the Grand Room, for presentations and videos from the City Council. Following the program, guests are invited to gather on the picturesque Terrace for music, appetizers and happy hour.

Tickets are $45 per person and $450 per table of 10. The ticket price includes appetizers, drinks and a commemorative gift. For more information, please call the City of Santa Clarita at (661) 255-4939 or visit SantaClarita.gov.

SCV Water is taking another big step toward ensuring safe, clean drinking water for the community. At its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the Agency’s Board of Directors approved a construction contract for the new S Wells PFAS Treatment and Disinfection Facility, which will remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water produced by three local wells.

The facility will be built on a small parcel of land near Bridgeport Lane and designed with landscaping and features to blend with the surrounding neighborhood. In addition to the treatment plant, the project will include new pipelines and upgrades at the S6, S7, and S8 Wells to improve water delivery and reliability.

PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that can be found in the environment and drinking water. This project is part of SCV Water’s ongoing commitment to address PFAS in our local water supplies and meet all state and federal health standards.

“This project allows us to bring important local wells back online that have been out of service due to PFAS contamination,” said Principal Engineer Orlando Moreno “By restoring these wells, we’re increasing our local water supply and reducing our reliance on imported water — both of which are critical for reliability, especially during drought periods.”

Construction is expected to begin in October 2025 and will take approximately 18 months to complete.

The $23.9 million project is funded in part by more than $11 million in state and federal grants, including support from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the State Water Resources Control Board.

To learn more about PFAS and SCV Water’s efforts to remove them, visit yourscvwater.com/pfas.

###

About SCV Water:
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to approximately 75,000 business and residential customers. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. More information can be found at yourSCVwater.com.

Greater Los Angeles businesses are navigating rapid digital transformation across industries – from healthcare systems expanding to telehealth to real estate firms adopting smart building tech. Comcast Business is helping local companies stay ahead with advanced technology solutions, helping businesses adapt, evolve, and thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape. Across industries and around the globe, Comcast Business designs and delivers reliable, flexible, and scalable solutions that help empower business growth.

With a suite of solutions including connectivity, networking, cybersecurity, and unified communications and a range of service models, Comcast Business can meet the needs of any size business at scale. Comcast Business’ stance as a part of Comcast – a Fortune 50 leading media, technology, and entertainment company – enables a unique set of capabilities and a broad perspective to customers.

Recognized by leading analyst firms for growth, innovation and leadership, Comcast Business continues to evolve its approach with a focus on serving its Orange County customers striving to provide the very best, today and tomorrow.  Learn how enterprise managed services from Comcast Business can help you create better customer experiences. Contact your local Comcast Business Executive Account Executive Alex Alvarez today - alex_alvarez2@comcast.com (661) 648-6853

Handshake deals don’t hold up in court. Clear expectations do.

When something goes wrong in business, the first thing courts look for is a written agreement. Without one, disputes can quickly turn into a he said, she said scenario—with your reputation, finances, and operations on the line.

Written contracts aren’t just legal formalities—they’re strategic tools that help business owners reduce risk, define responsibilities, and protect long-term success. At Koegle Law Group, we work with business leaders to identify gaps in existing agreements and create strong documentation that stands up under pressure.

Key Takeaways:

• Why handshake deals create legal exposure

• How written agreements protect long-term business growth

• The essential elements every contract should include

• Five steps to audit your current agreements

If your agreements aren’t in writing—or haven’t been reviewed in a while—it’s time to take a closer look.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.