The Chamber Weekly Blog
What the Latest Retail Outlook Means for Your Business
Consumers are still spending—but they’re shopping more carefully, prioritizing value, convenience, and personalized experiences. For retailers, especially local businesses, adapting to these changing expectations is key to staying competitive. From smarter technology and stronger customer connections to managing inflation and operating costs, this retail outlook highlights the biggest trends shaping buying decisions—and the opportunities businesses can act on now to prepare for 2027 and beyond.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
5 Networking Mistakes You Don't Even Realize You're Making
Networking isn't about collecting business cards—it's about building genuine relationships. Discover five common networking mistakes that may be costing you referrals, partnerships, and new customers, plus simple strategies to make every chamber event more meaningful and productive.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Business Lessons from The Odyssey: Navigating Detours, Distractions, and the Occasional Cyclops
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has introduced millions to one of history’s greatest adventure stories—but its lessons extend far beyond the big screen. From staying focused on your destination to avoiding distractions, leading by example, and relying on the right people, Odysseus’s epic journey offers timeless wisdom for business owners navigating today’s challenges. Read on to discover how this ancient tale can help you steer your business through uncertain waters.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
The Missing Piece in Your Business Story
Instead of asking only why your business exists, ask a more revealing question: How did you end up here? Your origin story often uncovers the beliefs, values, and experiences that shape how you serve customers today. Discover how understanding your beginning can strengthen your brand, sharpen your marketing, and create an About page that truly sets you apart.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Being Findable Online Just Changed a Little. Here's Your Checklist.
As AI increasingly shapes what people see in search results, getting found online means more than ranking on Google. Discover five practical ways to make your business easier for both customers and AI to find—from improving your website and keeping your business information consistent to showcasing your expertise and keeping content fresh.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Are You Still Doing These 5 Tasks Yourself?
Stop Doing Busywork: 5 Tasks You Can Hand Off This Week Many business owners spend their days keeping things running instead of moving their business forward. The good news? You don’t need to hire a full-time employee to reclaim your time. With AI, automation tools, and affordable support options, many repetitive tasks can be handled faster and more efficiently. Discover five everyday tasks you can stop doing yourself—from writing routine emails to managing schedules and organizing files—so you can focus
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Your Best Customers Probably Don’t Know Everything You Offer
Do your customers really know everything your business offers? Probably not. Even loyal customers can miss products, services, and solutions that could benefit them. Discover simple, effective ways to keep your offerings top of mind, strengthen customer relationships, and uncover new sales opportunities—without spending more on advertising.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Your Business Has Changed. Has Your Insurance?
When you first opened your business, you probably checked a long list of boxes. Business license? Done. Website? Yep. Insurance? Handled. But here’s the thing about your businesses—you’re probably not the same business today as you were when you opened. Not if you’re successful. You’ve had to change, keep up with demand, even possibly pivot. Maybe you added services, hired people, bought equipment, or moved locations. Perhaps you branched out to selling online or hosting events. If you now use
Christina Metcalf
How to Harness the Power of Your Reviews to Increase Sales
A good review is a sales team member you didn’t have to train, pay, or gently remind to update the CRM. It’s also the most brilliant marketer you have. Hopefully you’re already collecting positive reviews. But it’s likely you read them, feel good for 12 seconds, and then they sit quietly on Google, Facebook, Yelp, or LinkedIn, where they only do half the work they could be doing for you. That’s a missed opportunity. When someone says something specific and positive about your business, they’re giving you
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Need Money for Your Small Business?
Here’s What You Need to Know About SBA’s Patriot Pitch Competition The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched the Patriot Pitch Competition as part of its Freedom 250 initiative. It offers a $1 million cash prize pool for innovative small businesses that have used qualifying SBA capital products (such as 7(a), 504, or SBIC financing). Key Details: Deadline: June 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET Businesses must be at least 3 years old, generate $100K+ in annual revenue, be 100% U.S.-owned, and
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
