You may think that your local Chamber of Commerce is just for bigger or more established businesses, OR that the rates to join are far too high to ever be a reasonable option for your start-up or small home-based business. BUT, even if you can’t afford to join the Chamber of Commerce as a full-fledged member, it can still be a great resource for your home business.
Your Chamber of Commerce likely has a website where you can access information about events, projects, and all sorts of member businesses and individuals. This can help you narrow your search for mentors or suppliers. My local chamber puts together a directory every year which a person can get at the local office and it is extremely handy. It lists all the members by type of business and alphabetically–so, instead of going through the yellow pages in the phone book, I have access to very specific information about various businesses. The majority of member businesses in my mid-size town are actually businesses which less than 10 employees. These makes the Chamber here really a gathering of small and local business owners and that can be a networking boon for the home-based business entrepreneur.
You may be able to attend some networking meetings, workshops and other Chamber of Commerce events as a guest of someone else or talk to the membership person about doing some investigating prior to making a decision about joining. This way, you can get a taste and take advantage of some of the programs and projects, without becoming a member. Additionally, your chamber office may have a business resource library, information on local businesses and attractions and be up-to-date on the business climate in your town, region and state.
The Chamber can also be a good resource if you are looking for information about zoning, licensing and other legal issues that may affect your business. Even if they can’t help you, they should be able to direct you to a mentor or similar business that may be able to provide you with the information you are searching for.
So, even if you think that the Chamber of Commerce is way out of your league, it can be a real asset to your business to check out the programs, projects, workshops and events (not to mention the materials and directories) your local Chamber of Commerce has to offer.
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