Behind the Scenes..

Have you ever been in the room at the right time? —— Last night was one of those nights.

NETWORKING…

Each year, our Kalona Area Chamber gives one heck of a hoo-ray to all of our businesses that support the community. This party has all the fixins’…. quite literally. This year was catered by Hearth N’ Home, which is Henry and Ila Miller of Kalona. Their homecooked roast beef and mashed potatoes hit the spot right down to the very last calorie. Since this party, is that of being a member with us here at the Chamber, I felt like it was time to dive in to tell you all about why you should choose to come next year.
Here is the boring bit: The Kalona Area Chamber is a membership based organization that believes that healthy businesses create a healthy community. It is physical building as well! Down in Kalona on B ave to be exact. We support community tourism with our Byways Tours in the countryside of Iowa, exploring the history and modern day shops like Amish Golden Delight Bakery, and Amish Buggy Shop all the way to a Mennonite Crafter and Woodworker. With our Chamber memberships you are required to provide membership dues, but your commitment to community events is only if you desire. We love to directly support our businesses, so if you have an idea, or want to take part in some of our events through either the Iowa State Fair, Christmas in Kalona, GoodGuys Car show or even have a spot in the Kalona Farmer’s market, we encourage you to get involved!

Now the fun part:

Let’s chat about how businesses can support other businesses. Honestly, it is as easy as asking a question. Last night at our Annual Party I decided to mix things up a bit and sit groups together that normally wouldn’t have sat together. It is funny how with one simple question, you get to know someone just a little bit better. One of the best lessons I learned early in my teaching, and in my photography business was — to ask better questions.

Got an idea?

What is stopping you from making it work? What is the thrilling part you are attracted to in your idea? What would need to happen in order to say, “Yes, Let’s”.

I gain such a knowledge seeing my husband and his extroverted side mingle in our social gatherings. He is the harmonizer— he can LITERALLY get along with anybody, and I am over in the corner smiling and nodding, over analyzing someone’s responses. When I turn my mindset over, and say to myself, what if I had both brains…. harmony and analysis…. I begin to have conversations that answer my questions in the first place.

Perhaps this Blog needs to be called… How to Analyze without Analyzing.

Either way let me give you a small map on how I drive in my networking events… First of which is- STOP asking dead-end questions. A dead-end questions leaves both you, and the person you are brainstorming with with a feeling of dread, or feeling victimized, or even resentment. For example, “Everyone and their sister are thinking they are a photographer. There is no where I fit into the market.” Instead- put that brain in overdrive and say something like, “ I see you are wood-worker with crafts, how did you pull your niche into the eyes of your customers! I love the unique way your store crafts so creatively.” —— YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE? Make it less about you, ask a question to a market that might seem over saturated. Boom. You get all your answers and then you start a relationship in the process.