The Chamber Blog

How Small Businesses Can Win Big on Black Friday

You already know this but you will never out-doorbuster the big box stores. You are not supposed to. Your power is not in pallets of TVs sold near cost to get people in the door. It is in how people feel when they walk through your door. If you lean into experience, Black Friday can shift from “we cannot compete” to “we own this lane.

Rhonda Zunker

Igniting the Shop Local Movement: Every Purchase Has a Purpose

Rhonda Zunker

Getting Your Business Holiday Ready in 5 Simple Steps

Rhonda Zunker

Your Community Is Your Best Marketing Tool

Maybe you can’t afford a celebrity endorsement like Taylor Swift, but there are still plenty of lucrative opportunities to do something on a local scale. Influence marketing is changing. While businesses once chased celebrity endorsements and mega-influencers with millions of followers, smart companies are discovering that their most powerful brand ambassadors might already be customers or people sitting in the next booth at the local coffee shop.

Christina Metcalf

Talking Websites: A Game-Changer for Small Business

If you’ve ever parented a teenager, you know talking back is not to be celebrated. But when it comes to your business website, talking back is the next big trend. Most websites feel like digital brochures. You scroll, you click, you squint at tiny menus—and if you can’t find what you’re looking for in 20 seconds, you’re gone. On to the next one. But what if you landed on a website that immediately addresses your needs:

Christina Metcalf

5 Simple Numbers Every Small Business Should Track

If the thought of “tracking KPIs” makes your eyes glaze over, you’re not alone. For many small business owners, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) sound like something reserved for corporations with big budgets, bigger teams, and even bigger Excel spreadsheets. Who wants the hassle? If you’re like most businesses that are just beginning their financial tracking and analysis you’re concentrating on two things—what did I make and how much did I spend? That’s a great start but it’s a lot more nuanced than

Christina Metcalf

How to Create a Disaster Recovery Plan for Your Small Business by Allie Johnson

Any small business can get turned upside down by an unexpected event whether it’s from a wildfire or a hurricane. But having a disaster plan in place can help get you back in business quickly. In fact, lack of planning contributes to a surprising statistic: as many as 25% of small businesses never reopen following a major disaster, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This means that getting up and running again quickly is crucial for business survival. Are you Prepared???

Rhonda Zunker

Small Business Spotlight for July 2025 Balloon Man

Vivian Garcia

Helping Customers Move Past “Let Me Think About It”

Has this happened to you? Whether online or in-person, there’s a customer who lingers, hesitates. They’re eyeing your item or menu. They’re asking questions about it. You think they’re going to buy and then they walk away or abandon their online cart without making a decision. They don’t say no, they just don’t say yes. When you see someone who’s interested, but then walks away, it’s likely not your product or service that’s the problem. It’s the fear of a better option.

Christina Metcalf i

7 Creative Summer and Back-To-School Marketing Ideas

As summer hits its peak (yeah, it’s hard to believe) and the back-to-school buzz begins, this is the perfect time to refresh your marketing. It’s also a great time to connect with your customers in meaningful, fun, and creative ways. And you don’t have to be a retail shop to “sell summer” or “back-to-school.” No matter what your industry, aligning your brand with what your customers are already thinking about can drive real results.

Christina Metcalf