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SafeCleanRide LLC (SCR) and Certified Safe Drivers (CSD) form Strategic Alliance in the name of Safety

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SafeCleanRide LLC (SCR), a third-party certifier of sanitization standards for ground transportation, and Certified Safe Driver, Inc. (CSD), a driver safety training provider, announced a strategic alliance on February 10 to combine best practices and standards for ground transportation and fleet transportation sectors. 

The complementary expertise and vetted certifications of SCR and CSD will create a comprehensive training and testing program for all types of vehicle drivers, ranging from long-haul-truckers to pizza delivery couriers. 

“Certified Safe Driver was formed by experts in ground logistics to provide required state and federal certifications for professional drivers. Safe*Clean*Ride is the only transportation contagion and hygiene safety training/certification that exists- so adding it to the scope of services at CSD was a natural fit,” said Sara Eastwood-Richardson, co-founder and media, and marketing manager for Safe*Clean*Ride. “While CSD products and services ensure drivers are compliant with all state and federal laws, SCR ensures drivers are fully trained in CDC, OSHA, and EPA cleaning protocols. Our overarching goal is one — to mitigate risks associated with transportation so that drivers and the public are safer.”  

“SCR and CSD are two businesses that desire the same outcome when it comes to safety. The pandemic has added more to the definition of health and safety,” said Andrew C. Ray, vice president and CFO of Certified Safe Driver. “Health is not now just proper diet, hydration, hygiene, exercise, and rest. It now brings the definition of hygiene to another level. Everything we come in contact with needs to be clean/sanitized. CSD is a hands-on company with defensive driving training for the transportation sector and independent contractors. Now with the training session comes with following the CDC guidelines on cleaning the surfaces we are about to touch.” 

SCR’s protocols were created and tested by transportation and technology veterans, under the watchful guidance of a panel of medical experts to ensure it is scientifically sound and in full alignment with CDC guidelines. Created with all of the CDC’s educational and health goals in mind, SCR has been fully reviewed and endorsed by an esteemed panel of experts in virology, chemistry, cleaning protocols, and transportation. 

The executive team with Certified Safe Driver brings combined decades of driving safety and logistics experience at United Parcel Service. Since its founding in 2016, CSD has worked with such major companies and agencies as Coca-Cola, Caterpillar, Nestle, Alto Systems, Los Angeles County of Public Works, SoCal Gas, and independent contractors for Amazon and Fed Ex. 

Among the clients who could most benefit from the CSD-SCR alliance are the full range of ground transportation operations, from last-mile delivery and logistics services to heavy-duty truck hauling, down to local pizza delivery drivers. In particular, last-mile delivery presents a growing market for coordinated driving and health safety training. 

“Our mutual best practices can help transportation operations promote safety and wellness to reduce at-risk behaviors while reducing the exposure to the liability of a crash, injury, or illness,” said Michael Perez, founder, and CEO of CSD. “These measures instill safe habitual behaviors.” 

“Anyone who drives a vehicle for business or service needs this training,” Perez added. “Wouldn’t you want to know the driver coming to your house not only follows safe ways to drive but keeps a clean vehicle that carries your ordered products or food?” 

Perez emphasizes a keyword that applies to the CSD-SCR offerings: Exposure. “If you don’t do these things, you are exposed to liability. The more you do, the less liability. You want to have enough measures and practices in place, never to be said you were negligent in your processes. As an organization, you are reducing your exposure by putting a safety process in place that includes foods, health, and hygiene.” 

Adds Beatrice Solis, CSD’s senior VP of corporate development, “I would feel more comfortable to know I’m getting food delivered from a company that is sanitizing and has requirements for a clean vehicle.” 

Beyond the Pandemic 

The value of the alliance between CSD-SCR will endure long after the COVID-19 virus spikes and infections have subsided. “It is a huge unknown, even with herd immunity, that this virus and any mutations are just going to disappear,” Ray said. “Business will have to adopt both ends of what SCR and CSD offer moving into the future.” 

Like wearing seatbelts, the combination of CSD defensive driving and SCR sanitary travel practices can reduce the costs of illnesses, accidents, and related liabilities, allowing transportation services and businesses to reallocate money and invest it in other parts of operations. 

“We should be learning a valuable lesson from COVID,” Perez said. “We have seen fewer people hospitalized and dying from the regular flu. We have also started developing some good habits that keep us from getting the colds we always get. Moving forward, it should be that way. There will be new versions of this virus, and there will be other viruses. We need to increase the odds of not catching whatever comes next.” 

More than 20 million commercial drivers interface with millions of people in a day and are in constant motion, underscoring the wide potential for safer practices. 

“Creating a safe and clean environment in the workplace benefits companies that stay compliant to the standard mandated by OSHA,” Solis said. “Our alliance will give awareness that you can’t have either without enforcing them both to keep your workforce safe and healthy.” 

The industries served by CSD and SCR are amongst the highest risk for the transportation of any kind and the easiest to potentially spread any health risk to our general public overall, Solis added. “Although we may reach herd immunity, does not mean there will not be a different type of health threat. These policies should become a lifestyle not just for work but in one’s personal life.” 

The Inland Empire Business Journal (IEBJ) is the official business news publication of Southern California’s Inland Empire region - covering San Bernardino & Riverside Counties.

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Unisource Solutions Grows Its Inland Empire Presence with the Addition of TOTALPLAN Business Interiors

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Southern California’s leading workplace design and furnishings resource deepens its regional presence by uniting with a 57-year Inland Empire institution. 

Unisource Solutions, California’s Haworth Best in Class dealership and a comprehensive  workplace design resource, has announced the acquisition of TOTALPLAN a fixture of the  Inland Empire business community since 1969. The strategic partnership brings together  two organizations with a combined heritage of more than 80 years of expertise, unifying  their complementary strengths to better serve businesses, architects, and interior  designers across the Inland Empire. 

Founded in 1987, Unisource Solutions has built its reputation as far more than a furniture  dealer. The company operates as a full-service design resource — offering space planning, workplace strategy and analytics, installation services, project management, and custom furnishings through its in-house brand, Platform by Unisource Solutions. With access to more than 300 manufacturers, Unisource serves clients across corporate, healthcare, higher education, and financial sectors. 

TOTALPLAN has spent more than five decades cultivating trusted relationships with  businesses of all sizes throughout the Inland. Under the leadership of owner Denny  Fosdick, TOTALPLAN earned a reputation for quality service, community investment, and a deep understanding of the regional market. 

“For over 57 years, TOTALPLAN has been dedicated to providing exceptional workspace solutions throughout the Inland Empire and beyond. Now, we’re excited to join forces with Unisource Solutions. This partnership brings together our deep community roots with Unisource’s extensive resources and capabilities. I’m proud to pass the torch to a fellow Inland Empire resident who understands this community and will carry on the legacy we’ve built here.”  —Denny Fosdick, Owner, TOTALPLAN Business Interiors 

Jamal Nasserdeen, President of Unisource Solutions, who grew up in the Inland Empire,  expressed the personal significance of the acquisition and its implications for Unisource’s  long-term growth strategy in the region. 

“Growing up and living in the Inland Empire, it’s a true honor to build on the tremendous 57-year legacy that Denny and his team have established. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our growth journey, significantly expanding our capabilities throughout the region and strengthening our position as Southern California’s premier workplace solutions provider. It’s a privilege to bring TOTALPLAN into the Unisource Solutions family.”  — Jamal Nasserdeen, President, Unisource Solutions 

The partnership also carries the endorsement of Haworth, the globally recognized  furniture manufacturer for which Unisource holds its Best-in-Class dealer designation.  Tom Peyton, Haworth’s Regional Vice President for the West Region, noted that the  partnership reinforces the strength of Unisource’s regional coverage and honors the  trusted relationships TOTALPLAN has spent decades building. 

The combined organization now brings a unified offering across workplace design, multi brand furniture sourcing, custom fabrication through Platform by Unisource Solutions,  and comprehensive facilities services including delivery, installation, reconfiguration, and relocation support. Clients across architecture, interior design, and corporate facilities teams will benefit from a single, deeply resourced partner capable of supporting  projects from initial concept through move-in. 

For businesses in the Inland Empire seeking to transform their workspaces, the new  partnership signals expanded local access to a nationally capable team, one that is deeply  invested in the communities it serves. 

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Ontario Set to Open Newest Play Street Museum Location

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A children’s museum and indoor play area that lets imaginations wander open soon to local community 

Play Street Museum, an interactive children’s museum and indoor play area purposefully designed to encourage a young child’s sense of independence, exploration, and creativity, will be opening its newest franchise location in the coming weeks in Ontario, California. Locally owned by Teresa and Sergio Carreras, the coming location marks a key milestone in an expanding franchise program, with its first location in California. 

“We’re thrilled to bring the newest Play Street Museum to Ontario for our local community to enjoy,” shared Teresa and Sergio Carreras. “After visiting Play Street Museum with our grandchildren, we knew we had to bring a location to California, and we’re excited to share it with the community and hope it serves Inland Empire families in big ways.” 

“We’re proud empty nesters and even prouder grandparents of five wonderful grandchildren. Becoming grandparents has been one of the greatest joys of our lives. This season of life has given us the opportunity to slow down and truly savor the wonder of childhood again,” continued Carreras. “We look forward to welcoming local families, schools, and community groups to experience everything the new Play Street Museum has to offer.” 

Teresa and Sergio Carreras believe children learn best when they’re having fun and can touch, build, pretend, and explore. Every exhibit at Play Street Museum Ontario is designed to spark curiosity, creativity and confidence. Whether children are running a pretend grocery store, experimenting with simple science, creating art, or climbing into imaginative worlds, children are learning skills that will stay with them for a lifetime. “This space is not just for kids. It’s for grandparents who cherish story time in a cozy corner. For parents who light up watching their child try something new. For caregivers who treasure the laughter and togetherness of play,” shared Carreras. 

Play Street Museum offers an expansive, rotating curriculum at each location specifically designed for children under nine years of age. Everyday and every week is different at Play Street Museum, providing motivation and justification 

for a scheduled time in families’ busy calendars. Play Street Museum Ontario also offers one-of-a-kind birthday parties, complete with comprehensive themes and options for parents from “Do-It-Yourself” to “Sit Back & Relax”, in addition to special events and activities during evenings and weekends. 

In Scientific American’s article, “The Need for Pretend Play in Child Development”, Yale professor Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman summarized the last 75 years of research by declaring imaginative play as a “vital component to the normal development of a child.” By narrowing the focus of Play Street Museum and its indoor play areas to the interests and imaginations of children eight and under, young explorers discover educational exhibits and activities in a world specifically crafted just for them. The deliberate and manageable scale enables children to self-navigate throughout the children’s museum and indoor play area to engage deeply in activities about which they are most interested and passionate. This freedom reinforces independence in the child and also has the benefit of creating a more relaxed and accommodating museum experience for the caregiver. 

“Play Street Museum is thrilled to welcome and open the Ontario location soon with our incredible partners, Teresa and Sergio Carreras. As parents and grandparents, they understand the powerful impact of play and intentionally sought to bring its benefits to this part of the Ontario area. They’ve taken their passion for children, education, and play and applied it to building a dynamic, local business that will support the health and well-being of their own community,” commented Play Street Museum Founder and CEO, Courtney Muccio

Located at 910 North Haven Avenue, Suite 150, the new Ontario location makes the extensive, and well researched benefits of play easily accessible to the local community. The museum’s team of highly knowledgeable associates can provide guidance on additional opportunities to expand the play and learning, either on site or at home, from corresponding activity kits, to pottery, to slime kits, to sensory kits. Customers can also book their play time in advance in addition to schedule birthday parties or private events. 

Families and customers can visit 

https://www.ontario.playstreetmuseum.com/ to book playtime, birthday parties, field trips, and to check out special events. 

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Sweet Success: The Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce Teams with The Freaky Cookie to Elevate Local WBENC-Certified Business

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How The Freaky Cookie Grew with Chamber Support: A WBENC Success Story in the Inland Empire

At the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce (IERCC), we pride ourselves on championing business growth and recognizing the powerful stories of our members. One standout example is Sheila Cavalier, founder of The Freaky Cookie—a fun and rebellious cookie catering company she launched in 2018 alongside her son, Marcus.

What began as a direct-to-consumer venture has grown into a business-to-business powerhouse, fueled by innovation, strategy, and strong community ties. The Freaky Cookie specializes in custom-labeled, individually wrapped cookies for corporate gifts, bulk orders, and special events. Their nostalgic family recipe, dating back over 90 years, delivers both flavor and flair. As Cavalier puts it, “There’s never not a need for a large amount of cookies.”

Recognizing a unique market opportunity during the pandemic, Sheila pivoted the business model to focus on custom-branded cookies—meeting the surge in demand for individually packaged baked goods that also serve as creative marketing tools. “Corporations were tired of traditional marketing,” she recalls. “Our custom-labeled cookies became a fun, fresh alternative.”

In 2022, Sheila connected with IERCC President Edward Ornelas Jr. during the Multi-Chamber Mixer at Ontario International Airport. That meeting led to The Freaky Cookie joining IERCC, which soon opened doors to strategic partnerships and increased visibility. Through the chamber’s vast network and advocacy, Sheila has built relationships with organizations such as Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, Top Golf, and Southwest Airlines, which featured The Freaky Cookie in their 50th Anniversary celebration at ONT.

“The IERCC has been a warm and welcoming space,” Cavalier said. “Having the chamber validate our business really means something. It’s helped us get our foot in the door with so many great companies.”

The impact has been tangible. With increased revenue and expanded operations, The Freaky Cookie is no longer just a clever name—it’s a growing force in regional commerce. As Sheila puts it, her goal now is simple but powerful: “Deliver smiles.”

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