Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to another episode of financial Snickens. I'm your host, Alisa McCabe. And today we're going to talk about how to increase your network and your net worth with the Chamber of Commerce. When I first started my business over 10 years ago, I was absolutely fumbling around trying to figure out so many things, where to get clients, how to get clients, what to do with clients once you have them, and how to price my product.
And so on. There were so many things I didn't know. And then I realized that the best way to learn something is to find a community that is already on that path, but they're just ahead of you. So I found this community when I joined my local Chamber of Commerce. It's the Princeton Mercer Chamber of Commerce.
And the first meeting I went to was so intimidating. I... Was in a room full of all [00:01:00] these people. And I really wasn't sure how to talk to somebody about my business. So I was very lucky, um, that I met somebody who was a facilitator, but the people who ran the chamber were amazing because they came to me and helped me talk to other people.
They took me around the room. They introduced me to people and. It was on me to figure out how to talk about my company, but one thing that I learned that first night that has stuck with me throughout my career and my business has been that you are not there at these events to talk about your business.
You're actually there to talk about how you can help others. And when you offer to help without asking anything in return, that's when you make really strong relationships and become part of the community. And I have had the support [00:02:00] of so many people from the chamber of commerce over the past 10 years.
And through those relationships and mentorships that I've had, I've created a successful business and. As an added benefit, I've become a better me, and that's a kind of a cool thing to do. And the more I got involved with the Chamber of Commerce, I served on the membership committee. I gave webinars. I helped provide guidance to young female entrepreneurs.
Um, our chamber puts on a New Jersey business women's networking conference. And it's an all day event. And they asked me to sit with this young group of, uh, women, high school students that were interested in entrepreneurship and had been comped tickets to this event to be there all day. And I have to tell you, sitting with them and listening to them and their ideas inspired me to do more for my own company and to make sure I was helping [00:03:00] women.
Be empowered. And because I had that experience, it's allowed me to create this incredible company. My business exploded from being part of the chamber and being active in it. And it wasn't because I was the smartest or best accountant there, but it was because when people met me, they saw somebody who serves others.
And that is truly one of the most important things you can do for your company is to. Have them see you as a giver. So joining the Chamber of Commerce was one of the best decisions I made. Um, but there's other benefits too, like they have networking opportunities. They often provide a platform for business owners to connect with other business owners, potential clients, and industry professionals.
And the networking leads to collaborations, partnerships, and referrals. And they also also have Events such as trade shows and expos and business fairs [00:04:00] and participating in these can help showcase your services to a larger audience and help you to gain the trust and possibly new customers.
Possibly gain the trust of new customers and colleagues. You also get some visibility and exposure when you become a chamber member, they often have. Opportunities to showcase your business at events, um, either on the chamber's website through sponsorship or any kind of promotional activities. They have this increased visibility that can help you be seen as an expert in your industry.
And it also allows you to be able to be in their publications in any newsletters, and you can be on their social media platform, especially if you go to the events. They definitely take pictures there because they want to promote their organization. And if you are there helping [00:05:00] them, they're going to promote you too.
It also another asset to, uh, belonging to the chamber of commerce is you have access to resources and education. Often the chamber provides workshops, seminars, and training sessions. Like I mentioned before about the, um, New Jersey women's conference that my chamber puts on. And it's incredible. They have workshops, they have phenomenal speakers there.
So it's a way to improve your skills and stay updated on industry trends. And you're there with other people who are in the same boat as you. They want to learn and they want to get better at what they're doing. Another And a great point for the Chamber of Commerce is they have a lot of community involvement, so they contribute to the betterment of the local community, and they provide anyone who belongs to the chamber, the opportunity to [00:06:00] volunteer and be a part of that.
And it allows your business to be seen in that light, so it can improve your business's image, and it also helps you get a sense of purpose. There's nothing like giving back to your community. The last thing, and certainly not the least, things that the Chamber can do for you is business development and growth.
Fellow Chamber members are more likely to refer your business to their own clients and customers. Especially once you develop these meaningful relationships with other members. Through workshops and networking opportunities, you can learn. From successful business leaders and gain insight and apply those strategies and help contribute to your business growth.
Remember that the business can. Let's start again.
Remember that the benefits can vary depending on the specific chamber and its [00:07:00] offerings. It's important to assess the opportunities and resources provided by your local chamber to determine if a joint if joining aligns with your businesses goals and needs.
