My daughter Haelee and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Telia Virgin on May 20, 2023. Telia embodies the spirit of service and leadership as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and the Immediate Past President of the Johnston County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She introduced us to the Clayton Chamber of Commerce (CCoC) and outlined the myriad benefits of membership such as ambassador mentor pairings, committee involvement, access to networking events, and several other advantages that would aid in expanding our brand and connections. While this sounded amazing, we held back in joining because we understood our need for increased strategic planning regarding our customer base and future direction.
Fast forward to April 6, 2024 and we took the leap in joining the CCoC, marking the beginning of a new chapter. Our first event was Good Morning Clayton on May 3, 2024. Good Morning Clayton, is a forum where business owners share business pitches with the group while enjoying breakfast and forging new relationships. The connections that we made with other attendees were invaluable some of who include the following
Tiffany Matier: Owner, Craze Tea and Wellness
Bernard Barden: Corporate Relations Manager, Sully's Golf and Gather
Akpene Torku: Owner, Ezer Unfolding
Terri Richards: Owner, Adaptive Resiliency LLC
Valerie Mullins: Investor Relations and Business Development Specialist, CCoC
Anthony Mitchell: Marketing Communications Specialist, CCOC in addition to Owner, Merged Visions Media
But it wasn't just about exchanging business cards; it was about cultivating genuine, organic relationships at a granular level. We didn't just network with one another, we built community. To those of you that are reading this, we urge you to consider joining your Chamber of Commerce and discovering what value it can bring to your business. If you're in the RDU area, we invite you to of course join CCoC. Reflecting back on our experience, I regret that we didn't join sooner.
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