Has anyone here joined their area Chamber of Commerce??

[Happy Chef]

Do you feel its helped your business?

[ChefLisa]

No, but I am looking forward to the feedback you receive!

[DebbieJ]

I did, and it was not worth it. There were networking meetings that happened over lunch or right at the end of the workday and I was never able to attend them due to being a SAHM. Because of that, I was not visible in the Chamber and no other Chamber members really sought me out for my services. I would send my email newsletters to the Chamber office and asked that they be passed on to the membership, but that only happened once or twice.

I only became a member because you basically had to be to be an exhibitor at their annual vendor fair. And not a whole lot came of that either....a few shows but I never earned back my investment.

[legacypc46]

I recently relocated and decided to join my local chamber to help build business. It wasn't cheap ($220), but I feel it's a good investment. Being a chamber member allows me to meet potential clients I wouldn't otherwise.

Since joining a month ago, I've scheduled two solid cooking shows...which more than pays for my membership. (And one of these women is considering changing her show to her own PC kick-off.) Both of these women were fellow vendors at a Chamber-sponsored event featuring local restaurant foods.

I think the major benefit of membership comes from participating in chamber events and being 'visible.' At the Feb mixer I ran into my realtor and mentioned :blushing: to her that PC products make great client gifts. I met with her one-on-one last Friday and she really likes the idea. Based on her recommendation, I have a presentation scheduled with that office on Thursday. I firmly believe being a Chamber member enhanced my credibility with the firm's partners.

I'm also a member of the chamber's education committe. I want them to know I'm not 'just in it for me.' (I've felt stalked by other DS reps and don't want someone to think of me that way.:eek:) Having been in chambers previously (in an earlier career), I know how valuable it is to my reputation to be seen as more than 'just a person seeking business.'

Lastly, as a member, your awareness of potential opportunities increases. I've signed up to attend an all day women's symposium for female business owners. It costs ($120), but it's a tax write-off, includes great seminar topics I'm interested in anyway, and will give me the opportunity to meet and network with over 1200 other professional business women. (You can bet I'll have something unobtrusive with me that says "hey, this is a PC business women." ;))

So, I think the membership is worth it depending on what you can put into it timewise.

[DebbieJ]

Kris, I'm glad the Chamber is working for you. You have more time during the day than I do since I am at home with my son, have preschool drop off and pick up, and other activities, so it wasn't a good fit for me at this point in my life. You truly do get out of it what you put into it. I should also mention that the Chamber in my town was very poorly run and had a lot of negative people in leadership. In fact, the Executive Director was fired during the time I was a member. So.....who knows what might have happened if I stayed in it and was able to get more involved.

I'm so glad you are finding your group helpful. Congrats on getting out there and booking shows and finding even more recruits. AWESOME!!!!

[legacypc46]

Thanks Deb. It's just DH and me....and we are at the happy stage of life between full-time careers and full-time retirement. It makes it easier for me to build my business around my interests.

In fact, the Executive Director was fired during the time I was a member. So.....who knows what might have happened if I stayed in it and was able to get more involved.

Something tells me that under different circumstances, you would have become their new Executive Director!!!!!!!!!!!

[legacypc46]

I think the major benefit of membership comes from participating in chamber events and being 'visible.' At the Feb mixer I ran into my realtor and mentioned :blushing: to her that PC products make great client gifts. I met with her one-on-one last Friday and she really likes the idea. Based on her recommendation, I have a presentation scheduled with that office on Thursday. I firmly believe being a Chamber member enhanced my credibility with the firm's partners.

Just sharing an update in case it helps anyone else (or in case there are helpful hints out there). This morning was the realty office's meeting.

I dressed 'corporate' and brought a bunch of mini-muffins (box mix) and the cappucinno mousse trifle. I set up a mini display ahead of time that showed the type of gift options available (a grilling gift basket, a bamboo gift set, a mise en place collection, outdoor concert gift set, gift certificates, etc).

I then gave a quick 10 minute pitch including an overview of the company, why PC gifts for closings are a good option to consider, and the service I'd provide. I also highlighted the RUFTH trivet as a great gift to give when someone lists their home. (Got lots of nods on that one.)

I also commented that I was approaching some of our downtown establishments to include "welcome coupons." I already had committments from my favorite coffee house and bar (hey, it's smoke-free). Imagine my surprise when they immediately started giving me the phone numbers of some other restaurant owners they work with and suggested I call them for inclusion as well. (!)

Tomorrow I'll send the agents an updated flyer with gift ideas and pricing (will share here and on CS as well). Their response came across favorable...and I think some of them spotted items they want for themselves.:) Time will tell. My business goal is to be established among local realtors as a good client gift resource by the end of June. So, maybe yes, maybe no.

[ChefLisa]

Just sharing an update in case it helps anyone else (or in case there are helpful hints out there). This morning was the realty office's meeting.

I dressed 'corporate' and brought a bunch of mini-muffins (box mix) and the cappucinno mousse trifle. I set up a mini display ahead of time that showed the type of gift options available (a grilling gift basket, a bamboo gift set, a mise en place collection, outdoor concert gift set, gift certificates, etc).

I then gave a quick 10 minute pitch including an overview of the company, why PC gifts for closings are a good option to consider, and the service I'd provide. I also highlighted the RUFTH trivet as a great gift to give when someone lists their home. (Got lots of nods on that one.)

I also commented that I was approaching some of our downtown establishments to include "welcome coupons." I already had committments from my favorite coffee house and bar (hey, it's smoke-free). Imagine my surprise when they immediately started giving me the phone numbers of some other restaurant owners they work with and suggested I call them for inclusion as well. (!)

Tomorrow I'll send the agents an updated flyer with gift ideas and pricing (will share here and on CS as well). Their response came across favorable...and I think some of them spotted items they want for themselves.:) Time will tell. My business goal is to be established among local realtors as a good client gift resource by the end of June. So, maybe yes, maybe no.

Sounds like some huge potential. Good luck with it and thank you for sharing the idea!