Ep. 23 - Beyond A Name Tag: How Chamber Culture Builds Your Business, Connections and Community with Jennifer Marquart

What if I told you 85% of your success comes from soft skills—not your resume. Here’s how to master connection, confidence, and courage to build a business that actually thrives.

In this episode of 'Beyond the Quo,' host Stacey Luces sits down with Jennifer Marquart, a key figure at the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. Together, they delve into the importance of community engagement, networking, and fostering leadership within small business communities. 
Jennifer shares her insights on the transformative impact of local Chambers of Commerce, providing statistics and examples that illustrate their power in driving business success. Through personal anecdotes and professional advice, Stacey and Jennifer discuss the nuances of networking, the significance of structure, and the essence of maintaining a growth mindset. 

They also explore the value of personal and professional balance, including having mentors who challenge you and the importance of living with authenticity and courage. Join the conversation for a deep dive into redefining success, building genuine connections, and leading with purpose.

🎧 In this episode:
•        02:00 The Impact of Chamber Membership
•        05:07 Personal Stories and Networking Insights
•        09:40 The Power of Connections and Referrals
•        25:36 Courageous Leadership and Personal Growth
•        29:09 The Importance of Challenging Your Status Quo
•        31:35 Core Values in Business Ecosystems
•        37:53 Parenting Teenagers and Quality Time
•        49:17 Networking and the Value of Community

💡 Key Takeaways:
•        Connection is Currency: Being visible in your community is not optional—especially if you're a small business owner. Whether it’s coffee chats, leads groups, or ribbon cuttings, the Chamber gives you access to meaningful relationships that fuel your growth.
•        Structure Fuels Freedom: "It’s called netWORKing for a reason.” You can’t scale without discipline. The Chamber provides built-in structure that busy professionals need—containers, consistency, and community.
•        Growth Requires Discomfort: True development means stepping into rooms where you feel small at first. Like Stacey said: “Sometimes you feel small, but the Chamber has seen it all—and helps you grow faster, with GPS instead of wandering in the dark.”
•        Reputation Is Your Brand: “You are the face of your business.” Every interaction becomes your brand story. Kindness, reliability, and presence go further than logos and websites. Relationships convert—brands don’t.
•        Lead Yourself First: Courageous leadership isn’t just about managing a team. It starts at home, in your habits, and how you show up in your own life. From solo Zumba sessions to Kansas basketball road trips—leading yourself builds your leadership legacy.
You’ve already done the quo—now it’s time to go beyond.

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•        Subscribe, share and follow Beyond the Quo and I’d deeply appreciate your five-star rating so more people can listen and learn!
✨ Connect with Stacey Luces:
•        Free Global Community - Rising Beyond Power Collective: https://www.skool.com/risingbeyondglobalcommunity/about

📩 Connect with Jenifer:
•        LinkedIn: @boca_chamber @jenifermarquart
•        Website: https://www.bocaratonchamber.com/