The Chamber Is Here For You by Jordyn Naugle

Published in the August 17-23, 2017 edition of the Capital-Democrat

I hope everyone is having a great week so far! Many of our schools have started and town is bustling again with college students. I mentioned in my newsletter this week that the Murray State College Aggie Dining Hall is open to the public for meals – Melissa Barton does a wonderful job with the menu and the food is delicious! Try it out!

Letha Clark, Tishomingo historian and 2016 Citizen of the Year, came by for a visit. She said, “Go to the businesses personally and find out what they need and then do it.” Do it, she says. I thought, oh dear, how can I possibly go to every Chamber member in the county and beyond, find out what each needs, and then do every one of those things? I found that maybe it wouldn’t really be that difficult…

Lisa Rose of Spa 211, Pam Walker of Eagle Realty and Kathy Hogue of Déjà Vu all had similar answers to the question that they weren’t expecting to hear – “Promote us.” Whether that be through social media, the Chamber website or by hold-in-your-hand, old-fashioned paper brochures, they need customers to know where they are and what they do. I can tell you that right now, the more tangible of the three is in the works. However, Chamber member websites are linked to the Chamber webpage, and our social media pages are getting more and more visitors every week. Our newsletter went out to 222 subscribed readers on Monday and the Capital-Democrat reaches thousands of people every week. While I make my way around to each of the businesses, be thinking of what you really need from this Chamber, and if you can’t contain your excitement, email me! Call, text, write, or better yet, come by! I think if visibility is what you’re looking for, we are off to a great start.

I visited with Derek Collins of Collins Chiropractic, who has been very involved with the community over the years. He has served on the Chamber Board of Directors, with TREES, and the Industrial Authority, to name a few. He has so many great ideas – ways to recognize people and businesses, on relocation information for inquiring newcomers, for business ideas in the area (we need a 24-hour restaurant, people!) and for solving problems that our county has. I really appreciated that visit.

Now, I would like to recognize our new and renewed Chamber members from the last few weeks; Delores Muse, Simple Simon’s, HWY 22 RV Park, Letha Clark, Déjà Vu, United Church of Tishomingo, Hunter Heat & Air, Novice Boyd, Rex & Rita Lokey, Kedford Kids, TJ Construction, and Urgent Care Family Care Network. Our membership is sure growing!

Don’t forget, Kedford Kids is currently in the top 5 for Children’s Boutique of the Year for Oklahoma, so please go and vote at www.theboutiqueawards.com/ok! You can vote daily through August 21st, let’s see them make it to number one!
Here for you, Jordyn

“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!” – Friday Night Lights, TV Series