The Grapevine Chamber of Commerce Supports a Thousand Local Businesses

The City of Grapevine, Texas, is thriving because of its small business community. Nationwide, 45.9% of Americans are employed by small businesses, while 82% of small businesses are run by solopreneurs. Grapevine’s small businesses create jobs while also contributing to the amenities and community development of the region.

“Small businesses give back to their customers and neighborhoods,” says RaDonna Hessel, CEO at the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce. “When you look at which companies are donating to booster clubs or sponsoring local baseball teams, it’s the small businesses.”

Fortunately, Grapevine small businesses have a strong support system ready to help them grow. Learn more about the Chamber of Commerce and how it provides the right resources and events for companies across the community.  

The Chamber Continuously Works to Find the Right Resources

The Grapevine Chamber of Commerce has nearly 1,000 members, ranging from the third-busiest airport in the world to mom-and-pop shops on Main Street and self-employed business owners working from home offices. Its primary goal is to identify tools, resources, and opportunities to support all its members in achieving their operational goals.

“We constantly look for what our businesses need and how we can better meet those needs,” says Hessel. “Some businesses need us to cheer them on and use our platform as a marketing tool, while others want to learn how to grow their companies and overcome challenges related to hiring or permitting.”

Hessel uses the example of Grapevine partnering with SCORE to bring resources to local businesses. This way, business owners don’t have to travel to Fort Worth to meet with consultants. 

The Chamber is Transitioning to Offer Small Group Support

One challenge of supporting hundreds of businesses is that each industry and company size has its own pain points and goals. It becomes impossible to provide assistance to every company if you are painting with a broad brush. This is why the Chamber is evolving to better meet its members' needs through small-group support.

For example, there are resource groups in Grapevine specifically for companies that work with senior citizens, including gyms that offer Silver Sneaker classes, home care providers, and physical therapists. Another group is designed specifically for businesses related to housing, including builders, renovators, and real estate agents.

The Grapevine Chamber also invests in different demographics, allowing business owners and leaders to find a sense of community. The Grapevine Young Professionals chapter has nearly 100 participants and raised $21,200 for four local non-profits during a single event last year.

While there are benefits to large networking opportunities and events with the full Chamber, smaller groups allow entrepreneurs and professionals to receive relevant advice and assistance to grow in Grapevine.

“What the Chamber has accomplished is truly impressive,” says Steven Jones, Senior Business Engagement Manager with Grapevine Economic Development. “Not only does it have a seemingly endless list of tools, resources, and partners, but it also helps business owners find their community and local support system.” 

New Events Reflect the Needs of the Business Community

Along with developing industry and demographic-specific groups that offer better resources to businesses, the Chamber also listens to members when they share ideas and suggestions for improvement. Hessel says that members had been asking for a business expo for a few years before the Chamber had the time and resources to organize one. In its first year, the event sold out, with 65 companies setting up booths to reach new customers and find business partners.

“It was a really upbeat and positive event,” says Hessel. “Many business owners felt like they got a lot of new leads and made sales while they were there.”

Major events like these get local businesses in front of hundreds of potential customers, while allowing owners to have personal conversations throughout the day. These discussions are often more valuable in converting leads into buyers than other digital or analog marketing tactics.

Get Involved With the Chamber This Spring

There’s never a bad time to get involved with the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce, but Spring is a good time to start fresh and attend a few events to learn how this organization operates.

The Chamber has four membership tiers, with the smallest starting at $345 per year for companies with fewer than 10 employees. The Chamber never charges members to attend events like mixers, committee meetings, or networking over coffee.

“Our events are intentionally diverse,” says Hessel. “We have meetups for early risers and events for people in the evenings. We invite people to find events that work for them and come out to find their community.”

The Grapevine Chamber of Commerce works closely with the economic development team to bring new opportunities to the region. Follow both the Chamber and the economic development department online for updates, opportunities, and resources.