Do you Chamber? Maui Chamber of Commerce? I Do.

This is a story about networking or word of mouth marketing without even knowing you are doing it. It is also a story about how to help your business grow by joining the a Chamber of Commerce near you.

No matter what community you live in, as a business you will want to become part of a larger business community and a Chamber of Commerce in your area is a perfect place to start. But start what? Making business contacts, making friends, finding new customers, attending valuable luncheons with key civic presenting a talk or attend a breakfast to learn a leadership skill. Where ever you start, when you join the chamber, you might find that you started way beforehand.

Here is my story about how I chamber (or business network). All though I did not know it at the time, the connections noted below turned out to be members of the Maui Chamber of Commerce. When I joined the chamber I thought I would be starting from scratch in meeting members of the business community but instead I discovered I was already part of the group and proud to be part of the chamber too.

In 2005, I quit my job on Maui, Hawaii to start my own marketing consulting business. My first instinct was to panic. Instead I met Susan Kim of Susan Kim Coaching. Susan helped me gain the courage to do so. But just as a back-up, I contacted local employment agencies, Aloha International Employment and EASI Staffing Solutionsto see if there were any marketing jobs available. After filling my corporation papers, I contracted with Majestic Insurance to take care of my business insurance needs and HMSA to become my companies health care provider. Then I joined the Maui Chamber of Commerce. At the new member meeting I remember meeting  Perk Aloha Coffee, Island Sign (who has now done my signage), and Ohana Steel Buildings. When in Kahului, I enjoy MauiCoffeeRoasters award winning Kona Coffee and sandwiches. On the way upcountry, I stopped at Serpico's in Pukalani for lunch. I saw the Maui Chamber sign in their window and now I am a regular customer (I like the food.)

OK, back to more 'Do I Chamber' business. Now, with my business logistics in place, I needed customers. I started to advertise in the Maui Weekly, the Maui Bulletin and Lahaina News and of course the Maui Chamber of Commerce Connections and Online Business Directory. And customers came. Teri Pintacura of BeCratev Ceramics and Hawaiian Herbal Blessings (NoniHawaii.com). When I taught a class at the MCBRC on "How to Get Seen on the Web", I met more chamber members: Kamaole Nalu Oceanfront Resort, SkyShades Hawaii and the Maui Ocean Center.

Time flys and a year had gone by since starting Haiku Web Services, Inc., now I needed help and staff. I returned to EASI Staffing Solutions. They found me a part time web designer and coincidentally needed help with their website as well as: KilaKila, Workforce Assurance and Majestic Insurance. In working with them, I reconnected with their consultant, Jennifer Salisbury of Platinum Business Development and she referred me to Ohana Steel Buildingsand the Maui Contractors Association.

So you can see that when I say 'Do You Chamber?' you can see I had the chance to interact with over 25 great companies without even attending a meeting or event.

In attending meetings all of a sudden, I did not feel alone. I remember feeling honored that I could have lunch with State Senator Roz Baker, meet Lynn Araki-Regan of Calendar Maui, Keith Regan of Credit Associates of Maui and Ed Zwick, Esq. At a holiday party, I sat with Vincent Mozina, the owner of Bugman (whose company that had fumigated our home). Another time I sat with Teryl of Maui Visitor and Convention Bureau. And more, and more and more. This year I volunteered to join the education committee. There I met George Cabanting, of OxfordMaui.com, and we have formed a strategic company relationship together.

Now when I think of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, I realize I am not only part of a business community but rather a larger community of clients, colleagues and friends.

Next time, you are looking for a product, service, for those of you in Maui County, if you can, please use the online Maui Chamber Directory to find the resource you need. (Soon the new print directory will be published and be sure to keep handy on your desk.) If you are a visitor coming to Maui, here is a good place to start to find your accommodations, your services and if you are moving to Maui, well, you might find a real estate agent to help you with a new home or business location.

However, more than likely, you search the Yellow Pages to find a new vendor for a product or service. Here is what I recommend. If the company seems like a good fit, when you ask for references (as your should), also ask if they are members of their Chamber AND, if they answer yes, ask what % of their clients come from the chamber. It is possible that they do not know - until, like me they do the "Do You Chamber?"exercise. So you might ask them for a few client names and you might find that in-fact they are chamber members.

Remember, the start of this article I say this is about networking and word of mouth marketing and this is where I make my point. If members of the your local Chamber of Commerce are a trusted source to you, than going to a vendor that is frequented by other chamber members is a good thing. Your companies reputation is in good hands and someone that knows you, might know someone else and they know someone, and without even knowing it, your business can grow.

Do You Chamber? Find out. It is a good point of conversation with a new prospect for your business. If you are not a member, after doing this 'talk story' exercise, I encourage you to join - to meet people you already know, renew friendships, learn new business techniques and relax with colleagues over a lunch or after hours event.

Do you Chamber? I Do.

by Lia Kay Barrad
President, Haiku Web Services, Inc.
(Copyright 2008, all rights reserved)