As I recently renewed my Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce annual membership, below is an assessment of what I have gained from the Chamber over the past year. In sum, I have found GGCC membership to be of great benefit in supporting my new solopreneur web design business, dcwebrevolution, for the following reasons:
Business Referrals: as I continue to grow and define my web design business, Chamber members have been helpful in passing on client referrals, some resulting in new business with area entrepreneurs, and others in contributing to my market awareness and possible partnerships. As referrals are a two-way street, I have also passed on legal and accounting referrals of Chamber members to my own business and personal contacts. Frequent GGCC networking or ribbon cutting events are an important means of making or receiving referrals – see a calendar of upcoming GGCC events.
Business Credibility: my sense is that Chamber membership is a valuable geographic identifier of your small business. I tout GGCC affiliation on my business card, dcwebrevolution website, and outside networking.
Local Awareness: in my prior careers as an IT contractor with the State Department and Project Manager with USAID in downtown DC, I tended to overlook resources and connections where I lived in suburban MD. Involvement in Chamber activities and events is a continual refresher on both business and non-profit organizations in Upper Montgomery County.
My other key benefits follow:
Peer Engagement: the Chamber also hosts a variety of “Direct Connect” subgroups in various business sectors and non-profit areas. As a member of one of these groups, its meetings offer biweekly opportunities to get to know other colleagues and obtain personal feedback and support.
Some other GGCC activities include:
Governance & Advocacy: various Chamber committees help promote small business issues and interests before local government. Members can also become active in Chamber governance through economic development, events, membership, young entrepreneur and other committees.
Complementary Networks: GGCC is also a connector to other regional business and non-profit networks such as the Hispanic Chamber, the Frederick Chamber, and a variety of local public service and charitable organizations.
Consider GGCC Chamber membership, and check out more info about the Chamber, the current membership directory (with search filters by category), and the specific cost and benefits of membership.
New Solopreneur Transition 