Ep 346. Why Every Local Business Owner Should Join Their Chamber of Commerce

Summary

Side Hustle Squad Podcast – Episode 346

“Why Every Local Business Owner Should Join Their Chamber of Commerce”

Host: Mike Garvey
Release Date: June 25, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Mike Garvey shares his first-hand experience attending a local Chamber of Commerce networking event after being a member for years but never participating. Mike breaks down the tangible benefits for business owners—especially those in the lawn care industry—of joining and engaging with their local chamber. He highlights how face-to-face relationship building can lead to valuable connections, customer retention, and even unexpected business opportunities. Throughout the episode, Mike combines storytelling with actionable advice for entrepreneurs at all stages.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mike’s Chamber of Commerce Experience & Motivation

• Background:

  • Mike confesses he’s been a paying Chamber member for five years but never attended an event, until receiving a recent invite.
  • Quote (01:53):

    “I have never been to a single event for the Chamber of Commerce ever in five years and shame on me...I want to share my experience on why I think we should be looking at Chamber of Commerce networking events and you should be considering getting into your local chamber.” – Mike Garvey

• Event Details:

  • Attended a 5:30-7:00pm happy hour event at Toms River Brewing.
  • About 50 local business owners attended, representing a mix of industries (contractors, roofers, insurance agents, realtors, financial professionals, nonprofits, and restaurant owners).

2. The Power of In-Person Community Networking

• Key Takeaway:

  • Stepping away from behind-the-scenes marketing efforts to meet people face-to-face creates opportunities that digital strategies can’t.
  • Quote (02:41):

    “Some of the most powerful marketing tools are the ones that are just by showing up and building relationships inside the community.” — Mike Garvey

• Networking Dynamics:

  • Conversations were focused on building trust and telling personal business stories—not just handing out business cards.
  • Example: Spoke with a woman who started a bookkeeping firm during COVID and grew to 15 employees in six years—illustrates how business growth stories and strategies are shared and applied across industries.

3. Real and Immediate Business Outcomes

• Unexpected Moments:

  • As a new attendee, Mike was introduced and given a chance to “do his spiel” about his lawn care business, Coastal Fertilization.
  • In-the-moment Testimonial:

    “[A guy] stood up and he’s like, ‘hey, I think you’re the guy that does my—the weeds in my rocks—blah blah blah. You do a great job.’ And it like, shouted out a testimonial right then and there.” (06:10)

• Current and Potential Customers:

  • Discovered some customers were already in the room—strengthening those relationships proved as valuable as seeking new business.
  • Quote (06:54):

    “You might have customers that you already have and you’re just strengthening the relationships...More introductions, more partnerships, more business opportunities.” — Mike Garvey

4. The Value of Chamber Membership

• Credibility and Visibility:

  • Membership signals you are licensed, insured, and invested in the community.
  • Opportunities extend beyond networking: educational events, leadership opportunities, sponsorships.

• Return on Investment (ROI):

  • Face-to-face conversations can convert to new customers, partnerships, or referrals far quicker and more authentically than some paid ads.
  • Quote (09:20):

    “I swear, like a five-minute conversation can turn into a new customer, a partnership, an opportunity—any of the above things that I just stated.” — Mike Garvey

• Unexpected Networking Venues:

  • Mike recounts selling products (robotic mowers) to acquaintances at non-business gatherings (e.g., backyard barbecues and even his doctor’s office).

5. Practical Networking Advice

• For First-Time Attendees:
  • Just show up; don’t overthink, and avoid the “hard sell.”
  • Participate in small table roundtable sessions to ask questions and grow curiosity.
  • Follow up via LinkedIn or email, and bring business cards for easy connections.
  • Being a recurring attendee boosts recognition and rapport over time.

6. Reflections and Community Focus

• Relationship-Building Wins:
  • The episode ends with Mike’s strong endorsement to take part in local business communities through chambers, sharing his own shift in mindset.
  • Quote (11:24):

    “I’ve been a member for five years. I’ve never gone to anything ... I’m glad I sent my check in. I’m glad they sent a little thank you note ... and then invited me to this event.” — Mike Garvey

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Stepping Out:

  “It’s valuable to get out from behind the computer, leave the office, get out of your truck, get out of the field, and actually connect ...” — Mike Garvey (02:08)

• On Customer Retention:

  “Customer retention is even more profitable ... than just looking for new customers.” — Mike Garvey (07:07)

• On Personal and Professional Growth:

  “It gave me the opportunity to talk about Coastal Fertilization and Roped and where we’re seeing the trends in the industry ... It was a straight-up marketing opportunity.” — Mike Garvey (07:45)

• On Overcoming Hesitation:

  “If you’re on the fence ever about doing that, at least give it a shot, because it could be your next customer. Someone who really changes the trajectory of your business just by meeting ... face to face.” — Mike Garvey (12:21)

---

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [01:19] – Mike’s candid admission of not attending Chamber events and setting up the episode’s theme
• [04:36] – Recounting the event format, participants, and networking approach
• [06:10] – On-the-spot customer testimonial and the impact of relationship building
• [09:20] – Mike’s perspective on ROI from networking vs. digital marketing
• [11:24] – Reflecting on the decision to remain a Chamber member and next steps
• [12:21] – Final encouragement to listeners: “Just give it a shot.”

---

Takeaways for Listeners

• Attending local chamber events is an untapped opportunity for many small business owners.
• Face-to-face networking builds not just new sales prospects, but solidifies existing client relationships and real trust in the community.
• Don’t let fear or hesitation hold you back; showing up is half the battle, and valuable exposure often comes unexpectedly.
• Take the first step: sign up, engage authentically, follow up, and commit to consistency for the best results.

---

Episode Mood/Tone: Relatable, motivational, and honest—rooted in Mike’s real-life experiences and practical wisdom for entrepreneurs.

---

Ideal for:
Any business owner—especially those growing a lawn care side hustle—looking for ways to build local credibility, develop professional relationships, and explore inexpensive, effective marketing channels.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

Want to see every new mower, skid, steer and chainsaw on the market? You could drive around to all the dealers or spend four incredible days at Equip Exposition in Louisville this October. That's where all the dealers are in one place. 30 bucks if you register early equipexposition.com

[Mike Garvey]

register [e-mail] or use the link in the podcast description. Save 50% off your registration when you apply the code Side Hustle at Checkout

[Podcast Announcer]

Are you ready to kick back and get inspired? Grab your figure favorite drink, pop the top and join the Side Hustle Squad with Mike Garvey. This podcast is the perfect resource for anyone who's already started their side Hustle or is just considering taking the lead. With in depth interviews featuring guests from the green industry and beyond, you'll gain valuable insights and learn what it takes to succeed in running a business while juggling a full time career. From personal stories to practical tips, the Side Hustle Squad podcast has everything you need to turn your passion into a thr hiving business. Now here's your side Hustle Squad host, Mike Garvey.

[Mike Garvey]

Hey, what's going on guys? It's your host Mike Garvey with the side Hustle Squad podcast coming at you from the Branded Bull Studio here. On a Thursday, I'm headed out to Richmond, Virginia for the Profit Accelerator Live taught by and hosted by Naylor Taliafera, the lawn care rookie. And teaching at it will be John Pajak, Budgets break evens, bottom lines and Eric Triplett who my my partner in Pod House and we're going to be heading out there. Can't wait to get around the guys, get our heads together on some some ideas and how I can push the ball down the field on on roped on coastal on coastal of North Jersey and you know can't wait to get to around this small group. So on Tuesday night I got an email from my Chamber of Commerce. Now I've been in the Chamber of commerce for about five years. They I pay an annual due. It's like 300 bucks or 350 for the year and you get the newsletter you get put in the directory. So it's the Toms River. I'm in Toms River, New Jersey. It's the greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce. I have never been to a single event for the Chamber of Commerce ever in five years and shame on me because I want to share my experience on why I think we should be looking at Chamber of Commerce networking events and you should be considering Getting into your local chamber of commerce, and I tell you because it's valuable to get out from behind the computer, leave the office, get out of your truck, get out of the field, and actually connect with people face to face. There was roughly 50 people there at this. It was like a happy hour, 5, 30 to 7 networking event at the Times River Brewing Brewery. And so I went there and it reminded me of how valuable it is to get out and network and talk to people and. And you're always, we're so focused on, you know, how we're reaching customers. Sometimes it's like right in front of your face. And again, we spend so much time just focusing on marketing, SEO, social media, Google, direct mail, paid advertising. And those do matter, and they matter a lot. But I think we just forget that some of the most powerful marketing tools are the ones that are just by showing up and building relationships inside the community. So I want to talk about my experience, what I learned, why I think you should consider joining your county chamber or your town chamber or kind of seeing what's. What's involved. Let's hear from the show sponsors before we dive in, and we'll come right back. Hey, guys.

[Adam Fullerton]

Adam Fullerton here with Branded Bull. As a proud sponsor of the side Hustle Squad podcast, we're all about helping lawn care and landscaping businesses make their mark and stand out from their competition. Visit [e-mail] to learn more about our professional branding website and graphic design services and how we can help your business look awesome and grow.

[Mike Garvey]

Hey, what's going on, guys? With Jobber, you can easily manage jobs, track your team, get paid faster, all from one simple app. Join thousands of satisfied lawn care professionals who trust Jobber to keep their business growing strong. Visit the link in the bio today and start your free trial. And we're back. So the other day, I attended the chamber of commerce networking event, and there was like 50 people there. And it was everything. Some contractors, roofers, insurance agents, realtors, financial people, nonprofit restaurant owners. But all in all, it was real businesses. And it was just a diverse group, really, of people that had one thing in common and that was kind of they care about the local community and they care about growing their business. And I didn't go there at all expecting anything immediate. I didn't even know what to expect. I just knew it was a little happy hour thing. And I was there really to build some relationships, have some conversation. And it's not just walking around handing out business cards from one person to the next. It's really about Building trust, building, telling your story. And they can many people. I was talking with a woman who has a bookkeeping firm and an accounting firm that she started on the side during COVID and ended up leaving her job and have now has like 15 full time employees in six years. It's wild. And all this stuff can apply their strategies, their business sense, can apply to our business and you can learn something right then and there. But I was surprised. And what, what, what surprised me too is that they put me on the spot to I was a new member. Hey, we want to introduce Mike from Coast Fertilization. Mic, take it away. Boom. Okay. So I went through the spiel, did everything that I normally do and it was cool because a guy stood up and he's like, hey, I think you're the guy that does my. The weeds and my rocks and blah blah, blah. And he's like, you do a great job. And it like shouted out like a testimonial right then and there. And some of these people I already do business with because they reach out to me through the directory and again, and when you're thinking about network, you think about new customers. New customers, new customers. But you're also putting. You might have customers that you already have and you're just strengthening the relationships with the current customers are, I think, equally as important because when someone already knows you, likes you, trusts you, that relationship can lead to more referrals and it refreshes their mind to say, oh, let me meet you, let me introduce you to so and so. Oh my God, I needed this or that. And it's more introductions, more partnerships, more business opportunities. So it really reminded me that customer retention is even more profitable. More profitable, I should say, of than just looking for new customers. So again, I talked about the opportunity to speak. It was, it was cool because they let everyone have a chance to introduce themselves. So I got to stand up, work on my public speaking, which I love to do, which I used to hate to do and now somehow I love to do it and I like crafting it as I get to do it more and more. And it gave me the opportunity to talk about coastal fertilization and roped and where we're seeing the trends in the industry. So I mean it was local business professionals that really got to hear exactly what I'm doing. And it was a straight up marketing opportunity. And it got people to put a face to the business, hear my story and understand really what we can do and how we can help their business. And I think chambers matter. There are the credibility that comes with a chamber of commerce. It is, you know, you're sending a message that you're in, you are invested in the community. You are licensed and you know, you're licensed, insured. You're not a fly by night operation. You're here, you're supporting local businesses and contributing to economic growth of small businesses in your community. And I don't know if every town has one in the United States or there's a county chamber in some of the less populated areas, but look into it and you know, they hold like networking events, education, different community events, leadership, sponsorship. You can really, you can really, you know, ex get around like all these different events that are exposed that you normally wouldn't see. So I think there is a return on investment in building relationships and just like there's ROI on, on Google and direct mail and all and Facebook and all that. But I swear like a five minute conversation can turn into a new customer, a partnership, an opportunity, any of the above things that I just stated. And you never know where these conversations are going to lead. I'm selling robots, robotic mowers to people that I go to, that I never met before, that I go to parties with or meet at a backyard barbecue. I was talking to my, I had my annual checkup which remember everyone should be doing that if you haven't already this year and just get your blood tested and et cetera and EKG and stuff like that. Going off on a little tangent but got me thinking about that. Get that stuff done. You never know what's going on anyway. But I got talking to my doctor about it and he's interested and wants me to put one on because he wants like the ha to see the robot and have a nice fresh cut long. You never know what these conversations are leading to. So some advice I would think for if it's your first time going, really just go sign up and then start going. Don't overthink it, don't sell it, you know, ask questions. We had this thing, it was like a two round roundtable thing where we talk with. It's kind of like speed dating really like oh so and like you would kind of go around like talk about with different people and really just ask questions, be curious, then follow up, connect with these people on LinkedIn, send their email, bring business cards, schedule you know, some meetings with some people because one event will lead to another event and then people keep, you know, recognizing you and, and they recognize you from the other thing and opportunities really, really come. So really what stuck back stuck with me, I should say about the event is that getting face to face with other business people, it's, it's very cool. Relationships really win. So I'm gonna continue. I'll keep talking about these, this stuff that we get to do and get to, you know, see, but I just want to throw that out there. I've been a member for five years. I've never gone to anything I've even thought about. I'm not gonna do it this year. I even waited this year. Well, I'm glad, I'm glad I sent my check in. I'm glad they sent a little thank you note supporting the chamber and all that and then invited me to his event. So we're going to keep it up, continuing getting face to face with people. So I think if you're on the fence ever about doing that, at least give it a shot because it could be your next customer. Someone who really changes the trajectory of your business just by meeting somebody face to face. So we'll bring the show on the road to Richmond. I'm going to do a bunch of podcasts out there. Can't wait to get some great content out to you. Starting next week, we're going to fire it right up. We'll be out there with the boys and can't wait to bring you some really good ideas back, some content and, and some interviews. So we'll leave it at that. Have a great weekend everybody and we'll catch you on the next one.

[Podcast Announcer]

Thanks for tuning in to the side Hustle Squ podcast with Mike Garvey. We hope you enjoyed this episode and gained valuable insights to help you succeed in your side Hustle journey. Connect with Mike using the links in the podcast description. If you love the show, please leave us a well worded five star review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback and support help us grow and continue to provide you with the best content. And don't forget to follow the show to be notified when the next edition of the side Hustle Squad podcast is available. We have many exciting guests and topics lined up so you won't want to miss a single episode. Thanks again for listening and we'll catch you next time on the side Hustle Squad podcast.