March 25, 2025 • 45 mins
In this inspiring episode of The Voices of Business, host Joshua Maddux sits down with Di Thompson—Chair of the Board for the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, and Realtor with Equity Union. Di shares her journey from commercial real estate to community leadership, her deep connection to Santa Clarita, and how giving back has fueled her purpose and success. With co-host Corey Nathan out on an adventure, Joshua leads this vibrant conversation on civic engagement, real estate, and the unique charm of SCV.
What You Will Learn:
- How Di transitioned from commercial to residential real estate and found her purpose
- The role community involvement plays in personal and professional fulfillment
- Insights into Santa Clarita’s urban development and revitalization
- The Chamber’s diverse councils and how they elevate local business voices
- Why being involved in your community might be your biggest business advantage
Episode Highlights:
- [00:02:00] Di's first impression of Valencia—and the art festival that stole her heart
- [00:06:00] Her career pivot from commercial leasing to becoming a stay-at-home mom and later a residential real estate expert
- [00:10:20] Why helping families find homes brings Di deep fulfillment
- [00:14:00] The vision for Santa Clarita’s parks, including a new roller rink and a potential surf park
- [00:22:29] Di’s preview of 2025 for the SCV Chamber—including the expanded Business Expo and council growth
- [00:30:57] How community service grew into a passion, with Di now serving on several boards
- [00:33:18] The value of being visible and involved in community organizations
- [00:37:39] Real estate lessons: dealing with emotional transactions and learning from setbacks
Featured Quotes:
“I never planned on being this active in the community, but I absolutely love it.” – Di Thompson
“Success, to me, is being self-actualized—it’s what feeds my soul, not just my bank account.” – Di Thompson
“Your vibe attracts your tribe. I work with clients who align with what I’m about.” – Di Thompson
“The Chamber was the springboard for everything. It helped me feel connected and gave me the confidence to explore other opportunities.” – Di Thompson
Resources Mentioned:
- Thompson Realty Advisors: https://www.thompsonrealtyadvisors.com/
- Thompson Realty Advisors on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thompson_realtyadvisors/
- Di Thompson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diiehma/
- Di Thompson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-thompson-a47046328/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Joshua Maddux (00:08):
Welcome back to another episode of the Voices of
Business, a Santa Clarita ValleyChamber of Commerce podcast.
It's good to be with you.
I'm your host, Joshua Maddux.
My co-host Cory.
Nathan is off on some other adventure.
I don't know.
Um, it's really good to be back.
Uh, this week we've got anotherawesome episode as normal.
(00:28):
Uh, if you've been listening before.
Make sure to go ahead and leave a review,like, and rate really helps with the,
uh, algorithm and getting the word out.
Share it with a friend ortag us in it when you repost.
That really helps and, uh, we're excited.
So, uh, this week we have anawesome guest, uh, dye Thompson,
(00:49):
who is the chair of the.
Uh, of the board for the SantaClarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Uh, she's also a realtor with Equity Unionand also serves as the vice chair for the
Santa Clarita Valley Parks and Recreation.
Um, it's good to have you on.
Di Thompson (01:06):
Thank you.
Thank you for having me.
It's good to be here.
Joshua Maddux (01:10):
uh, definitely have a few different things
you're doing, keeping busy.
Di Thompson (01:16):
Yes.
Very busy.
Well, that's what you have todo when you're an empty nester.
Joshua Maddux (01:22):
oh, there you go.
So, so obviously, obviously Santa Claritais a, is a small part of your life, um,
you know, being on the, the chair ofthe board of the chamber and part of the
city, and then also a real estate agent.
What, what brought you to Santa Clarita?
Di Thompson (01:42):
Oh my goodness.
Well, um, about a hundredyears ago I moved here.
Joshua Maddux (01:49):
I saw something that it was only 24.
Di Thompson (01:51):
Yes, I'm just kidding.
Um, so yes, I have been here.
Let's see what brought us here.
So my husband and I moved herewhen, uh, our daughter was, uh,
about a little over a year old.
Uh, we were looking for, wewere looking to buy a house.
Honestly, and be somewhatcloser to, uh, to work for us.
(02:16):
He worked, uh, for the Walt DisneyCompany in Burbank at the time, and
I was, um, working for a commercialreal estate brokerage firm.
Um.
So Santa Clarita was very convenient.
I, um, remember seeing billboardswhen I worked in the marina, um,
from, it must have been Newhall landand farming company that advertised
(02:38):
Valencia as the place to be.
And it just looked so fun and friendlyand welcoming and I kept seeing it
every time I was driving to work.
'cause I worked in Marina Delrey.
Um.
And I told him, I said, let'sgo look at that Valencia.
And as soon as we, um, the very firsttime we came out here, you know, the mall
was beautiful and, um, it was just so.
(03:02):
Nice and new and clean, and it still is.
Um, it, it very much reminded me ofwhere I grew up in Northern California.
I'm from the East Bay, from a very smalltown and it, it has so many similarities
to Danville and, uh, so that's kind of.
What sealed the deal for me.
Also, they had this really cool streetpainting festival that was going on
(03:25):
one weekend when we were house huntingand it was so vibrant and exciting.
It was like a chalk street painting.
I've been Really?
Joshua Maddux (03:33):
Art Festival.
Di Thompson (03:34):
Yeah.
I've been after the Arts Commissionpeople to like, Hey, what
can we do to bring that back?
So
Joshua Maddux (03:41):
Yeah, I remember that.
They used to do it.
I think it was at the mall.
Di Thompson (03:47):
it was right there on the mall on.
Center Drive and it was theItalian Bellavia, Italian
street painting festival.
And, um, I, if, if that comesback, please give me the credit
because I've been like in so manypeople's ears like, remember that?
That was so exciting.
That was so wonderful.
You know, don't, I think thatwould just be incredible to
(04:07):
bring that back to the community.
So.
Joshua Maddux (04:11):
Well, yeah, I, I forgot about that.
And I know, I think theymoved it at one point.
I, I recall it was in downtown Newhall.
Di Thompson (04:19):
Yes, I think we did it, um, maybe one or two years
in New Hall and other cities are,you know, still kind of do it.
It's, I, I, I know it'snot, um, an easy thing to.
Produce and put together and manage.
But, um, if Ventura can do it, if Pasadenacan do it, we certainly can do it and
(04:40):
need something like that to support thearts and, you know, brings in an a lot
of people to support the local smallbusinesses, um, and large businesses.
So I think it would be an excellentopportunity that we should take advantage.
Joshua Maddux (04:54):
Well, I think especially, I think especially looking at like downtown
New Hall and the, the, the what, Tuesdaynight since on Maine, um, type event.
Thursdays.
It's Thursdays.
Okay.
I knew it was, I knew it was one of those,um, yeah, so like with those events like.
They've got such a good communityvibe down there and there's some
(05:15):
other different, um, it's, it's such awalkable element between the farmer's
market and the coffee shops and therestaurants and like so much of that
now that it has that, like I look at thedowntown Newhall area now of like, what.
Old town, downtown Pasadena is, um, yougo park at the parking structure, walk in
(05:37):
for dinner, like there's a lot of that.
There's shops, there's all of that.
And so, yeah, I feel like it's such aperfect spot for a little art festival or
the Chalk festival or some of that type of
Di Thompson (05:46):
Yeah, so those things are probably gonna be on the
radar, um, as the area continuesto undergo its revitalization.
Um, and that would, that's gonna beamazing for everybody in our community.
Joshua Maddux (06:00):
Yeah.
So you moved to Santa Clarita.
Um, love the community.
Love the love the environment,love the, you know, the,
the sort of town as a whole.
Um, you guys decided to move here.
What, it sounds like there was a careertradition, uh, transition here for you.
Um, were you a real estate agentbefore you moved to Santa Clarita?
Di Thompson (06:22):
I was working for, um, a commercial, uh, real estate brokerage
firm when I first got my license.
And so that was kind of myentry into the industry.
Um, working for a shoppingcenter, leasing management.
Uh, and development focusing on retail andrestaurants and again, shopping centers.
(06:46):
So that I was with a boutiquebrokerage firm, um, in Marina
del Rey, and then I left andtransitioned, um, to a larger, uh.
National firm, uh, GR and Ellis atthe time, and, you know, then they
have merged in with other companies.
Um, I think today they're Richard Ellis.
(07:07):
And so yes, when we moved to, uh,Santa Clarita, we moved to Valencia.
Um, I was still able to do that for.
A while.
Um, but, you know, I found being ayoung mom and having to commute pretty
much all over Southern Californiafrom, you know, one day I would be in
(07:27):
the valley where I had a few, um, uh,shopping centers that I managed and, and
did leasing on to, I could be in, um.
Agora Corona, thousand Oaks.
Um, I, you know, overby the Beverly Center.
It was just a little for me,too much, uh, to be away from
my kid, you know, that far.
(07:49):
And so, um.
I ended up scaling back a littlebit and, and not, not just
scaling back, but just pivoting.
And I ended up doing, um, goinginto property management, which
I could do that a little bit morelocally and did that for a few years.
And then, um, actually once my seconddaughter was born, I stayed home for
(08:10):
a number of years and so I, you know,did the stay at home mom thing, um.
And fully supported my kids,which I am so happy I was able
to do and had that opportunity.
'cause I think, um, that's priceless.
And like my grandmother always said,you can always go back to work, you
know, but your kids will, will only beyoung for a, a short amount of time.
(08:32):
Um, and so after that, I went backinto the real estate realm and ended
up working for a national home builder.
Um, syntax homes.
And so I was in their land developmentarea for the, um, LA North division,
which was right on turn and, um,helped with some of our communities
(08:52):
that we see out here today.
Like I know I was a part of the milestone.
Development off of Golden Valleyand Robert Sealey Parkway.
Um, my little claim to fame was Igot to name the streets, so anytime,
Joshua Maddux (09:07):
Oh,
Di Thompson (09:07):
anytime I drive through there, I'm like, oh, I remember,
you know, submitting these tothe city and that kind of thing.
It was, it was reallya cool job, so, yeah.
Joshua Maddux (09:18):
Yeah, there's, there's definitely some neighborhoods in
Santa Clarita that I will say, like Idrive through and I'm like, who named
the streets in this little, like,there's some, there's some definite
like, I wouldn't say inside jokes,but like there's some of this like
suburbs in our community that I'mlike, somebody had some fun here.
Di Thompson (09:34):
Oh yeah, it was really interesting and I had
no experience doing that.
And someone's just said, okay, um,here's the map, name the streets.
Like I get to do that.
Yes.
And it needs to be done today.
Joshua Maddux (09:47):
Oh
Di Thompson (09:48):
Yeah.
Joshua Maddux (09:48):
Yeah.
Submitted yesterday.
Um, those are constructiontimelines for you.
Yeah.
So it sounds like, you know, obviouslythere was a little bit of shift and
change in your career path, but you know.
For the most part around either somesort of real estate or commercial
(10:13):
management or, um, residentialmanagement or something in that space,
um, you know, for the most part.
What, uh, for you, what is it that,like that career trajectory real
estate that sort of gets you up inthe morning that you just enjoy?
Di Thompson (10:32):
Yeah, it, I get this question a lot because it's not
common for someone to go from.
Residential.
It's usually residential agentstrying so hard to get into, break
into commercial 'cause it's not easy.
Um, for me it, I, I just kind of stumbledupon it and, um, and I was there for
(10:54):
a long time and I really did enjoy it.
But once I got to work.
Work with actual real people andnot just businesses and entities.
I, there was a lot that resonated with me.
Um, I think because maybe because I'm a,a woman, I am a natural nurturer, um, I.
(11:16):
It really spoke to me to be able to help,um, guide first time buyers and help, um,
people transitioning from, you know, ordownsizing from larger homes, um, later
in life to, you know, or not downsizing,but simplifying is what I like to say,
like to call it, um, and just kind of.
(11:39):
Being alongside them as they make the,like that biggest decision of their lives.
Um, it, it felt different and a littlebit more, um, I don't know, just, it,
it, I felt more purpose-filled thandealing with the nine to five entities.
It was different, you know, 'causeyou, you're, you don't have to work
weekends as much, um, in commercialand it's definitely not as emotional.
(12:04):
Um, which.
You know, a lot of people would, wouldprefer, but it, you know, it can be very,
very rewarding in a different way, so,
Joshua Maddux (12:14):
Yeah, and there's, I, I can see the pros and cons in both sides of it.
Like obviously, you know, we boughta home here in Santa Clarita in
2021, which I'll tell you is theweirdest time to buy a home, like.
Walking through a house with bootiesand gloves and a mask on and being
like, you can't open cabinetson the house, you're gonna buy.
(12:36):
Um, it was weird.
Um,
Di Thompson (12:40):
That time I.
Joshua Maddux (12:41):
but
yeah, there was definitely some thingsthat were nice, like the fact that
the industry as a whole, like, likeeverything was DocuSign except our final.
Like actually having to have the notarypaperwork, um, which was great because
I could just do it all for my phone.
(13:01):
Um, you didn't have to doanything in person necessarily.
Uh, so, you know, therewere some benefits.
Um, so obviously, uh, as a reallisted estate agent sitting on,
sitting as the chair of the SantaClarita, uh, chamber, and then also,
you know, with the city, you know,with the parks and rec stuff like.
(13:22):
A lot of that re revolves around, youknow, obviously real estate and parks
and rec like go hand in hand there.
And then real estate as a businessowner with the chamber, like those
two go hand in hand for sure as well.
What.
Elements do you see both from acareer perspective, but also like
as an economic element and, andsort of city parks trajectory?
(13:46):
What developments do you see in SantaCre over the next like five years
that you're like, these are thingsthat I think are gonna be like, in
your opinion, super awesome, or,you know, what does that look like?
Di Thompson (13:58):
Yeah, I think that, I mean, I can't speak to everything,
um, of course, that I am privy to.
Um, but I know that there are somereally exciting things that are going to
be in the works and almost everything.
Um.
Continues to elevate the city ofSanta Clarita and will keep us in
(14:20):
the forefront of, um, you know, we'rethe third largest city in LA County.
Um, despite us feeling very much andacting sometimes like a very much a small
town, which a lot of us, of course, mostpeople love that about this community
and that's what draws so many people in.
But one of the other bigthings that we have, um.
(14:42):
At, you know, kind of in our toolkitof advantages is the fact that we
pride ourselves on having all of thisamazing open space and give families
and, and people the opportunityhere to explore and play and, um.
Have that sense of community.
(15:02):
You know, you don't really see that ina lot of cities in Southern California.
Um, I'm from the Bay Area, um, you know,as I, as I mentioned, and from a very
small town that had the same kind of feel.
In fact, our, our city logo.
From where I'm from is an oak tree,just like the city of Santa Clarita.
So we had a lot of open spaceparks, um, trails hiking.
(15:27):
We were at the base of MountDiablo, so there's a lot of, you
know, commonalities with that here.
Um.
You have that you, our TAtagline is live, work, and play.
So, um, some of the projects, youknow, we have the roller rink opening
and that gained a lot of popularityand got a lot of traction from, uh, a
(15:49):
group that, that kind of found formedduring COVID of the Skate Mamas, right?
As CV skate moms, I dunnoif you're aware of that.
And so they were verymuch, um, uh, you know.
Uh, a, an organized group thatwas very proactive in approaching
the city and in asking for, canyou create something for us?
(16:11):
Because right now we're using thesetennis courts, but I think as soon as
Covid was done, they kind of had to, youknow, get the boot and or figure it out.
Um, and then we had our,you know, big regional, um.
Rollerskating rink closed and becomea homeless shelter in, in Northridge.
So a lot of, so we had a needdevelop and uh, the city found a,
(16:34):
a way they found a path to fulfillthis request from the community.
So it was very organic, but it showsyou that the city does listen and
that people do have a voice here.
And it's very, very.
Collaborative, which, youknow, I absolutely love.
And of course being a realtor, um, Ilove, you know, being able to be on the
(16:57):
forefront of what, what's coming new.
Being able to have input and sharethat with my clients and saying,
Hey, you know, we've got a rollerskating rink, we have a new park with.
Possibly a, a surf park coming soon.
Um, which is very exciting if youhave kids or if you like those
types of recreational opportunities.
(17:19):
We're refurbishing almost every, um,park that is in need of it that's dated.
So the city is constantly likereinvesting, um, into upgrading
and making sure that we are, westay as pristine as we were when.
You know, they createdthis master plan community.
Joshua Maddux (17:38):
I think it's funny, you, you're talking about all the different
parks that we have in, in town, andI think it's really funny when I see
on Facebook, like they're like, oh,they're putting in this new store, like.
Canyon country, we'reputting in a sprouts.
, and there's people that are like, oh, theyshould have used that property for a park.
I'm like, okay.
So there's Canyon Country Park,there's Begonia Lane Park.
(17:59):
There's like, there's literally,there's Vista Canyon Park.
I'm like, there's like four parks withina two minute drive of that property.
Di Thompson (18:07):
Yeah, like where have,
Joshua Maddux (18:09):
there's a few other ones.
exactly.
Where have you been?
Di Thompson (18:14):
um, we are going to be.
Completely doing like an overhaul,refurbishing that park and making it,
I mean, almost basically brand new,new playground, um, shade structure,
inclusive play equipment for kids thatmay have learning, you know, physical
disabilities and that kind of thing.
(18:34):
Um, so it's really exciting tobe able to be a part of that.
I really, really love beingon the Parks Commission.
Joshua Maddux (18:41):
Yeah, I'll say the, we have two little ones
and the Canyon Country Park.
Um.
That thing's just amazing with some of thedifferent equipment and some of the stuff
that they've done and watching some ofthe projects that the city's working on.
Like, um, the one in, in NewHall on Lions, um, I'm blanking
(19:03):
on that park name at the moment.
Um,
Di Thompson (19:06):
Wait a minute.
Heart Park.
Joshua Maddux (19:08):
heart Park?
No, not Hart Park.
It's uh, the one that'slike under construction.
They're like redoing all the play stuff.
It's um.
Yeah.
Di Thompson (19:17):
I should know.
Joshua Maddux (19:18):
Hall Lyons area.
Yeah.
I forget what the name is.
Anyway, um, it is really cool to see a lotof, you know, some of those improvement.
Old Orchard, old
Di Thompson (19:29):
Oh yes.
Old Orchard Park.
Yes.
It's gonna be fabulous.
Yeah.
Joshua Maddux (19:33):
Um, yeah.
So it's really cool to see some of that.
I know.
Uh.
One of the things that our city is missingon the park side is, uh, splash pads.
The only splash pad that they quasihave is at the sports complex.
And that's it.
Um, which is the need.
But I also understand it fromthe maintenance side 'cause
Di Thompson (19:52):
Yeah,
Joshua Maddux (19:53):
you actively have.
Di Thompson (19:54):
there, there's, it's, they're maintenance heavy.
But I do believe that there may besome, I mean, I don't wanna, I don't
wanna speak out of turn, but, um, I.That could be something that could,
will be coming in a to a future park.
Let's
Joshua Maddux (20:09):
Well, I, yeah, I mean, it's one of those things where I, as
a parent with, you know, two littleones, I've seen a handful of people
in Facebook groups and it, it, it'sbeen brought up multiple times.
So it's one of those thingswhere, just like the roller
rink situation, if there's.
Di Thompson (20:29):
enough people.
Joshua Maddux (20:30):
in it.
Yeah.
Um, I know what the new park thatthey're doing off via Princessa,
uh, by the train station.
Um, there's some other like moreinteractive play and some stuff that
I had seen at least a initial concept,stuff that was proposed, you know, a
year or two ago, whatever that was.
Um, but, you know, yeah.
Di Thompson (20:53):
Yeah.
Well usually when they, when we aredoing some type of refurbishment of a,
of a park site, um, they will definitelybe seeking community input and they're
getting very tech savvy with doing thatwith QR codes and things like that.
So.
Um, you know, be sure to constantlybe checking the city's website for
(21:13):
updates and, you know, put yourselfon the mailing list so you can have an
opportunity to have your voice heard.
But it is definitely hot enough.
So I, I'm a proponent for, uh,for having a splash pad whenever,
where, wherever it makes sense.
Joshua Maddux (21:31):
Yeah.
I always, I remember growing up the,the fountain out front of the mall.
I can't tell you how many times inthe summer you just walk up to the
front of the mall and there's likefive kids just laying in that thing.
Di Thompson (21:41):
Yeah.
So, so.
Joshua Maddux (21:43):
It's just constant.
So.
It, looking at the chamber stuff, um,you know, chair of the Santa Clarita
Chamber, when we kicked off, uh, theVoices of Business, um, we had Ivan
and, uh, Becky, um, who was the.
(22:04):
Chair of, of the board at the time.
Um, they, they were episode one and sowe talked about a little bit about the
trajectory of the chamber for the year.
Um, and so what, what is 2025look like for the Chamber?
I know the business expois, is coming this year.
I know there's a ton of socials and, uh,networking events, but what, what are
(22:28):
other elements that we're looking at?
Di Thompson (22:30):
Well, um, let's see.
Yes, we touched on, you touched onthe business expo, which is keeps
getting bigger and better every year.
Um, and we definitely anticipateeven more people than last year.
And it wa it was pretty big.
Um, we, you know, one of the things that.
Definitely makes the Chamber uniqueis the fact that we have all of
(22:51):
these, um, councils kind of under theumbrella of the Chamber of Commerce.
So I was, uh, the inaugural chair ofthe Black Business Council, and, uh, we
have, you know, I have now been replacedso I can step into my role as chair.
And the new, uh, chair of theBlack Business Council is a
woman, um, named Tamara Pickering,who owns a business out here.
(23:15):
Um, so.
You know, we definitely wanna continueto develop those smaller councils,
um, to give people just kind of a,a, a more focused, safe space to be
able to interact on maybe a deeperlevel than just a networking mixture.
Um, and provide, uh, opportunitiesto, you know, kind of.
(23:38):
Again, collaborate, provide educationin some cases with workshops and um,
panels and different things like that.
So, you know, the smallbusiness council, um.
Is very, very active and theyhave a very robust, um, schedule,
schedule of programming.
(23:58):
They've, I know already have,I wanna say they've had three
events already this year.
Um, uh, our nonprofit councilis getting very, very active.
There's so many nonprofits in SantaClarita, so, you know, it's a wonderful
place to be to kind of match up with, um.
(24:19):
Other partnering organizations, uh,to find places where they can kind of
fill voids for each other, you know,and find out like, what do you need
Child and Family Center, or what doyou need Boys and Girls Club, and
how do we kind of fill in those gaps?
Right?
And, um, for people even lookingto volunteer in some cases it's
(24:39):
a, it's a great way to kind oflike a one stop shop, right?
Um, then we've got our API counts.
Soul, which is our uh uh,Asian Pacific Islander.
Group, but just because they,they might be geared towards
maybe certain affinity groups.
Every single person who's a member ofthe chamber, um, even non-members are
(25:01):
welcome to attend all of those events.
So I myself attend, uh, the, attendthe events, uh, hosted by the.
Uh, LBA La Latino Business Alliance.
Um, I think pretty much we keptthat name because they had that
name from when they were the LatinoChamber of Commerce, and so Pats.
Joshua Maddux (25:22):
Yeah, I was gonna say, didn't they?
They sort of merged
Di Thompson (25:25):
They kind of folded up under the chamber.
Um, so, uh, I think Bill Mirandawas, who kind of founded that.
And then Patsy Ayala has been our chairof that group for the last couple of
years and she's still chairing it eventhough she is on city council now.
Um, and they just do awonderful job of bringing so
many different people together.
(25:46):
Um.
And just addressing the needs andunique needs in many cases, and
sometimes pain points, uh, that arefaced by those different communities.
I.
So we definitely wanna and expansion ofthat and, um, just continue to, um, be the
forefront for, uh, advocacy and a voicefor, for businesses in our community, for
(26:11):
our business community, small, medium,large, home-based businesses, direct
marketing, whatever you have, uh, you,we want to get the message out that, um.
Any business, any professional,non-business owner, um, but you're just
looking to network and grow your network.
You should be a member of theChamber first and foremost.
Joshua Maddux (26:34):
I know I've joked a few times.
That was my, uh, 20, what, 2021 goal wasjoin the chamber and go to events and
then, you know, March hit, um, and wewent remote and didn't really do any.
Yeah.
Um, so yeah, no, I will say I, youknow, uh, I think it was two years ago,
(26:56):
we were at, my company was at the, thebusiness expo I attended last year.
Um, I will.
Um, in talks with the Chamber rightnow on, uh, what this year looks
like for us for a booth and such.
Um, but yeah, the expo is a, a great,the expo is definitely a great way
to see the size of the chamber.
' cause I will, I will say like there aresome times you go to a ribbon cutting
(27:18):
ceremony and it's a Wednesday at 10:00 AM.
And 98% of the Chambermembers are working.
Uh, and so there's like, youknow, a dozen people and you're
like, oh, this is the chamber.
No, that's, that's a fractionof a percentage of the chamber.
Like you go to the business expo, andeven the business expo, like I feel
(27:42):
like is, you know, 20% of what theChamber actually is like, just because.
I know Ivan said last year thatthey sold out and they were like
trying to, you know, where elsecan we put people type scenario.
Um,
Di Thompson (27:59):
list of people wanting to, to get into the expo.
Yeah.
So those ribbon cuttings,honestly, that's like.
Not even that is definitely notrepresentative of the membership.
Um, you have to kind of go to some ofthe, our bigger events like, um, either
awards and installation, um, or, uh,we have upcoming next week our after
(28:23):
hours evening mixer at Mercedes-Benz.
That is, is one of the, Icall it one of our creme de la
creme type events because you.
Would not believe how many people show up.
And the networking is so great.
The food is great, so many awesome people.
It's just a great vibe anda great event, great time.
(28:45):
And you'll meet so many amazingpeople that you know you have
the opportunity to connect with.
Joshua Maddux (28:50):
Yeah, and the after, the after hours events are really solid.
I, I will say one of the.
Small challenges with those isthere's a lot of people in the room.
Um, I know I've been to some ofthem before and it's like, okay, do
you wanna finish this conversation?
Like, let's go step outsideso we can actually talk.
Um, which is just the nature of someof the businesses that are hosting it.
(29:10):
Um, but I will say on the flip side, likesome of the, um, ribbon cutting ceremonies
are also really good elements to networkwith a smaller group, um, as well.
So they're all, all
Di Thompson (29:22):
Well, like last night, we had influenced her, so I don't know
how familiar you are with that group,but it's basically like kind of the,
the networking group for the, forwomen in the Chamber and all of our
events are always sold out, um, and.
We always have a phenomenal,you know, panel of speakers.
Usually they're panel based.
(29:43):
Sometimes we have a couple oftimes a year we do one that's like
a speed networking format, likespeed dating and it's a lot of fun.
But the women love it.
And I think if we had it every week,they'd come, it's like a happy hour.
There's food.
There's drinks, and they stillget home in time to, you know.
Do the second shift of the day forthem, be it putting dinner on the table
(30:06):
or taking their kids to, um, soccerpractice or whatever they've got going on.
Joshua Maddux (30:11):
Yeah, I know.
Um, I'm in another networkinggroup as well, and, uh.
Pam Vern's in and she was talkingabout, um, some of what that event
was gonna look like and, and stufffor people who wanted to attend.
Uh, she was talking about it last,about a week or so ago, and she
was like, I think it's either soldout or very close to sold out.
Di Thompson (30:31):
it was, it was close to sold out and even on a rainy day and, and she
was on our panel on soft power yesterday.
She did a phenomenal job.
Joshua Maddux (30:39):
both of your roles with, you know, the chamber and with the city,
like was community service sort of alwayson your radar, or was this something
that you hit a point in your careerthat, you know, you said the community's
given me so much I want to give back.
What did, what did that look like?
Di Thompson (30:57):
That's kind of exactly how it went for me.
Um, it, I never really planned on beingthis active in the community or I. Being
this involved with community service, I'vealways, you know, just again, with raising
my kids, I always found myself involvedin some way, a little bit more than just.
(31:22):
Picking up and dropping off.
I was always like the room mom oron PTA or you know, site council or
something like that for the school team.
Mom.
My, my girls played competitivevolleyball and, uh, did all kinds of,
you know, sports, but mainly that.
Um, and so.
I've always found myselfinvolved in that way.
(31:43):
And so yeah, it was justkind of a natural transition.
Um, once I started the business and then,or went out on my own, so to speak, and
then, uh, joined the chamber, I startedgetting more in, interested in, um.
Active in other community organizations.
Um, I'm a member of zanta andI'm also, uh, part of the sous
(32:07):
of Greater Santa Clarita Valley.
And then after that came, you know,requests for me to, uh, invitations
to join a couple of different boards.
So I'm the board of, uh,child and Family Center.
Um, and I'm on the board of WeWill Collaborative, which is, uh.
Another exciting groupwhere we just celebrated our
(32:29):
International Women's Day event.
We had our third annual, andagain, about 120 we oversold.
Um, and it was just, it's just a fantasticfeeling to know that yeah, you are giving
back and you're making an an impact.
I really never expected.
Myself to get as involved as I have.
But, um, I love it.
(32:51):
Otherwise, I wouldn't be doingit if I weren't having fun.
I, I certainly wouldn't be doing it.
Joshua Maddux (32:55):
I think that transitions a little bit into like sort of the secret
to success element of the business side.
Like, um, it sounds to me at leastlike you are fairly well connected.
With people in Santa Clarita and there'sa lot of people who know who you are
and you go to a lot of events and you'rein a lot of rooms, um, with, you know,
(33:16):
different networking opportunities.
Um, would you say that thatis definitely something that's
contributed to sort of the success?
Um, on the business side,
Di Thompson (33:25):
I, I would, I would say my, um.
Willingness to, to jump in and,and kind of, uh, I guess roll up
my sleeves and, and engage andbe a part of so many different
organizations starting with the Chamber.
Honestly, I think, um, if it weren'tfor the Chamber, my Chamber of
(33:48):
Commerce involvement, it kind ofwas a springboard for me getting
involved in and feeling like.
Now I know people, um, you know, maybeI will kind of go to this event or
go to this organization's meeting andsee what it's all about, um, and put
myself out there a little bit more.
(34:08):
Um, and then I think just, it kind ofhad a domino effect and one thing led to
another, or snowball effect, if you will.
And, um, that's, andthis is where I am now.
It was, it was not very strategic at all.
It was not planned.
It just happened organically.
(34:29):
Um, but I have to say it hasbeen extremely fulfilling.
So success wise, um.
I could probably be more successfulfinancially if I was doing less
in terms of community involvement.
But the success that I, I, I feelpersonally and, um, what feeds my, my
(34:54):
soul and my spirit and, um, gives methat sense of being self-actualized.
To me, that is success.
Um, what I did not want was once my kids.
Went off to college andgraduated, and my youngest is
graduating from college in May.
Um, I didn't wanna feel that sense oflike, you can es especially, you know,
(35:18):
a lot of moms, um, I maybe dad's alittle bit, but probably not as much.
You can have this sense of lossand what, what's next for me?
What's what now?
And I honestly that.
Was never a thing for me becauseI've just got, you know, had the
(35:39):
business and then the chamber, andthen one thing Le leads to another.
Now I'm in this organization and that,and my kids are like, where are you?
You're never home.
You and dad are always gone.
So, um, you know, but we enjoy it.
We enjoy giving back and we enjoybeing a part of the community.
You know, it's, it's been fun.
Yeah.
Joshua Maddux (36:00):
Well, and I think, I think that's where I look at the success element
from exactly what you're talking about.
It's what feeds you.
It, it's, you know.
You get home after a day and you'relike, I, I feel like it was a good day.
Not, you know, yes, we could all doless community driven, you know, do
more financially driven, but thenagain, like at the end of the day,
(36:22):
you're just, eh, like, it's, it,it, doesn't it move you forward?
Um, yeah.
Di Thompson (36:28):
I'm right where I'm supposed to be.
The, the, the clients that I, that I gain.
I, it's almost like your, yourvibe attracts your tribe and
it is really, really true.
Um, yes, marketing also helps and,and to have, you know, a great
brokerage, like the one I'm withwith Equity Union behind me is, um.
(36:50):
Also contributes greatly to mysuccess as a, as an agent, as a
realtor, uh, as an expert in thiscommunity, um, in, in that space.
But it, it marries very well with thefact that I am so involved and engaged
and, um, and it, the fact that I love it.
Joshua Maddux (37:13):
So as we wrap up, um, some of the lessons we learned
in business really hit hard.
Um, and some of those arereally like, you know, the.
The losses that we sometimes take,is there a time in business that
you had a loss or a lesson and andwhat did that sort of teach you?
Di Thompson (37:40):
Oh, well, I feel like you can get them all the time in, in real estate,
especially residential real estate.
I. Again, these are a lot of timesfor many people, emotionally based,
um, decisions, uh, especially whenyou're dealing with, you know, certain
(38:02):
not segments of the population,but people who are maybe first time
buyers, they're listening to theirfamilies advice, and everybody's got
a dad or an uncle or a grandfatherwho says, this is not the right time.
You know, they, they wantyou to listen to them.
Based your moves based on theirpast experiences, which, you know,
(38:24):
have
Joshua Maddux (38:25):
When they bought their home in 1985.
Di Thompson (38:27):
it makes, it doesn't make as much sense, but because people have that
emotional string that I can't cut, youknow, so I'm not gonna necessarily try
to dissuade you from listening to yourdad, but I, my job is to, you know, say.
I'm a partner with you.
This is not about me andme telling you what to do.
(38:50):
This is about me.
Guiding you and, and trying tocollaborate with you as much as
I can to help you, help us arriveat the best decision for you.
So that's, that's how Ilike to approach that.
Um, you know, there's alwaysthose times where you kind of kick
yourself and you learn from it.
(39:11):
Um, you know, yes.
I've had people who I trusted that.
I was their, their person and they,you know, and I allowed myself to get
into a situation where I'm showingthem 15, 20 houses and then, oh,
you know what I forgot my cousin is,is, you know, just got his license.
(39:34):
I'm gonna go let him represent me.
So, yeah, I, I learnedpretty quickly, you know, to.
Not allow that to happen, or, you know,write certain things into the contract
that, Hey, if this doesn't work out,I'm getting reimbursed for X, Y, and
Z. You know, not for everything, butyou know, when it, when it makes sense.
(39:57):
Yeah.
Joshua Maddux (39:58):
Yep.
Geez.
Yeah, I, and I feel like that, youknow, we all have those types of clients
Di Thompson (40:05):
Here and there.
Joshua Maddux (40:07):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I, we, I own a marketing agency herelocally, and we had, uh, someone
who approached us for a while andlike every 90 days they'd be like,
well, we really wanna get started.
Like, okay, can yousend over this and that?
Like, oh, we really wanna getstarted, but can you, and I was like,
three years in, I was like, okay,
Di Thompson (40:27):
Yeah.
Joshua Maddux (40:28):
you're never getting
Di Thompson (40:29):
Never getting started.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So we, we, we learn quickly, althoughwe want to, you know, try to be as
accessible as we can for everyone.
Sometimes you realize I'm notmeant for everyone and that's okay.
And I don't have to be everybody's agent.
I wanna work with who really,who I wanna work with.
Joshua Maddux (40:51):
Yeah.
Yeah.
A hundred percent.
Yeah.
That definitely agree.
Awesome.
Well, do you have any questions for me?
Um, before we close out?
Di Thompson (41:00):
yeah, where else can, uh, I, I find, you know, all of your goods
and services and what, you know, howare you collaborating with, um, other
businesses in, within the chamber?
Joshua Maddux (41:15):
Yeah.
So, um, I've.
I've taken a slight leave of goingto evening events, uh, having,
uh, two little ones at the moment.
So I'm hoping to start that back up here.
Um, should be at the, uh, event coming up.
Um, but yeah, um, obviously, youknow, connecting with a lot of
(41:36):
members here, uh, on the podcast.
Um, but then in regards, yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, it's been good.
Enjoy it.
Um, I've spoken before at, you know, youwere talking about the business councils.
There's the small business councilthat, uh, Lindsay Schick, uh, chairs.
I've spoken at that before.
(41:58):
Um, and then, you know,I've, um, I'm around,
Di Thompson (42:05):
Good.
Good.
Well hopefully doing things likethat continues to put, keep your
face out and name out there.
Um, which is one of the reasons whywe love, love to partner with our.
You know, chamber members as our speakers.
So that's another great reason for me toalways encourage people join the Chamber,
(42:26):
because it's not just about going to amixer and, and showing up in that way.
You never know when you will be calledupon or when, you know, we might
approach you and say, Hey, you are asubject matter expert in X, Y, Z. We
could use your voice on, would youmind, you know, speaking on this panel.
(42:47):
Um, and then next thing you know,that person gets new business just
from, you know, appearing and,and being a speaker on that panel.
So yeah, it's a win-win.
Joshua Maddux (43:00):
Yeah.
Networking.
Networking is always a, a great option.
So as we wrap up, where, wherecan people find you online?
Um, we'll have your website, uh, inthe show notes, um, for people to find.
But is that the best spot?
Di Thompson (43:14):
Uh, yeah, that's the best spot.
Also, you can find me throughthe, the Chamber of Commerce,
through the chamber directory.
Um, I'm, I'm big on Instagram, uh,Thompson Real, Thompson Realty Advisors.
So I'll send you my, um, Instagramprofile, Facebook, LinkedIn.
Um, I'm sure I'm on XI guess I don't,I'm not really on that and I'm, I.
(43:38):
Don't be mad.
I'm just new to LinkedIn, but I'mgetting a lot of requests now,
so I've just been like in otherplaces, you know, so, but I'm here.
Joshua Maddux (43:50):
that's, it's, yeah, I, it's funny 'cause I'll tell business
owners, they're like, oh yeah, we, we,we wanna start a social media campaign
and like we're going, we're gonna goout to every platform that's available.
And I'm like, do you realize howmany platforms you're talking
about and how many platformsyou're gonna have to maintain?
Like, no, no, no.
Where is your audience?
Di Thompson (44:10):
Right,
Joshua Maddux (44:11):
And set up that platform, like if it's one or two, like start there.
Get consistent.
Di Thompson (44:17):
yeah.
My audience is pretty much Facebook,Instagram, and, and I, I wanna say
LinkedIn is starting to to be an audienceas well, so I'm happy about that.
And maybe even a grocery storeor two, you'll never know.
You might see me in a basket.
Joshua Maddux (44:33):
Well, it's been a great conversation for those listening.
As always, please follow, rate andreview us wherever you get your podcast.
You can find us at the voicesof Business on social media.
I am Joshua Maddux, and youcan find me on LinkedIn.
Uh, Corey, my co-hostwho's not here today.
Is Corey s Nathan, and you can findhim on Instagram and, uh, LinkedIn
(44:56):
and all the other spots as well.
We'd love to have you, uh, asa guest on an upcoming episode.
If you're a Chamber member, pleasereach that, reach out either to
the Chamber or messaging us throughone of our social media channels.
And until next time, you've beenlistening to the Voices of Business.
Welcome back to another episode of the Voices of
Business, a Santa Clarita ValleyChamber of Commerce podcast.
It's good to be with you.
I'm your host, Joshua Maddux.
My co-host Cory.
Nathan is off on some other adventure.
I don't know.
Um, it's really good to be back.
Uh, this week we've got anotherawesome episode as normal.
(00:28):
Uh, if you've been listening before.
Make sure to go ahead and leave a review,like, and rate really helps with the,
uh, algorithm and getting the word out.
Share it with a friend ortag us in it when you repost.
That really helps and, uh, we're excited.
So, uh, this week we have anawesome guest, uh, dye Thompson,
(00:49):
who is the chair of the.
Uh, of the board for the SantaClarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Uh, she's also a realtor with Equity Unionand also serves as the vice chair for the
Santa Clarita Valley Parks and Recreation.
Um, it's good to have you on.
Di Thompson (01:06):
Thank you.
Thank you for having me.
It's good to be here.
Joshua Maddux (01:10):
uh, definitely have a few different things
you're doing, keeping busy.
Di Thompson (01:16):
Yes.
Very busy.
Well, that's what you have todo when you're an empty nester.
Joshua Maddux (01:22):
oh, there you go.
So, so obviously, obviously Santa Claritais a, is a small part of your life, um,
you know, being on the, the chair ofthe board of the chamber and part of the
city, and then also a real estate agent.
What, what brought you to Santa Clarita?
Di Thompson (01:42):
Oh my goodness.
Well, um, about a hundredyears ago I moved here.
Joshua Maddux (01:49):
I saw something that it was only 24.
Di Thompson (01:51):
Yes, I'm just kidding.
Um, so yes, I have been here.
Let's see what brought us here.
So my husband and I moved herewhen, uh, our daughter was, uh,
about a little over a year old.
Uh, we were looking for, wewere looking to buy a house.
Honestly, and be somewhatcloser to, uh, to work for us.
(02:16):
He worked, uh, for the Walt DisneyCompany in Burbank at the time, and
I was, um, working for a commercialreal estate brokerage firm.
Um.
So Santa Clarita was very convenient.
I, um, remember seeing billboardswhen I worked in the marina, um,
from, it must have been Newhall landand farming company that advertised
(02:38):
Valencia as the place to be.
And it just looked so fun and friendlyand welcoming and I kept seeing it
every time I was driving to work.
'cause I worked in Marina Delrey.
Um.
And I told him, I said, let'sgo look at that Valencia.
And as soon as we, um, the very firsttime we came out here, you know, the mall
was beautiful and, um, it was just so.
(03:02):
Nice and new and clean, and it still is.
Um, it, it very much reminded me ofwhere I grew up in Northern California.
I'm from the East Bay, from a very smalltown and it, it has so many similarities
to Danville and, uh, so that's kind of.
What sealed the deal for me.
Also, they had this really cool streetpainting festival that was going on
(03:25):
one weekend when we were house huntingand it was so vibrant and exciting.
It was like a chalk street painting.
I've been Really?
Joshua Maddux (03:33):
Art Festival.
Di Thompson (03:34):
Yeah.
I've been after the Arts Commissionpeople to like, Hey, what
can we do to bring that back?
So
Joshua Maddux (03:41):
Yeah, I remember that.
They used to do it.
I think it was at the mall.
Di Thompson (03:47):
it was right there on the mall on.
Center Drive and it was theItalian Bellavia, Italian
street painting festival.
And, um, I, if, if that comesback, please give me the credit
because I've been like in so manypeople's ears like, remember that?
That was so exciting.
That was so wonderful.
You know, don't, I think thatwould just be incredible to
(04:07):
bring that back to the community.
So.
Joshua Maddux (04:11):
Well, yeah, I, I forgot about that.
And I know, I think theymoved it at one point.
I, I recall it was in downtown Newhall.
Di Thompson (04:19):
Yes, I think we did it, um, maybe one or two years
in New Hall and other cities are,you know, still kind of do it.
It's, I, I, I know it'snot, um, an easy thing to.
Produce and put together and manage.
But, um, if Ventura can do it, if Pasadenacan do it, we certainly can do it and
(04:40):
need something like that to support thearts and, you know, brings in an a lot
of people to support the local smallbusinesses, um, and large businesses.
So I think it would be an excellentopportunity that we should take advantage.
Joshua Maddux (04:54):
Well, I think especially, I think especially looking at like downtown
New Hall and the, the, the what, Tuesdaynight since on Maine, um, type event.
Thursdays.
It's Thursdays.
Okay.
I knew it was, I knew it was one of those,um, yeah, so like with those events like.
They've got such a good communityvibe down there and there's some
(05:15):
other different, um, it's, it's such awalkable element between the farmer's
market and the coffee shops and therestaurants and like so much of that
now that it has that, like I look at thedowntown Newhall area now of like, what.
Old town, downtown Pasadena is, um, yougo park at the parking structure, walk in
(05:37):
for dinner, like there's a lot of that.
There's shops, there's all of that.
And so, yeah, I feel like it's such aperfect spot for a little art festival or
the Chalk festival or some of that type of
Di Thompson (05:46):
Yeah, so those things are probably gonna be on the
radar, um, as the area continuesto undergo its revitalization.
Um, and that would, that's gonna beamazing for everybody in our community.
Joshua Maddux (06:00):
Yeah.
So you moved to Santa Clarita.
Um, love the community.
Love the love the environment,love the, you know, the,
the sort of town as a whole.
Um, you guys decided to move here.
What, it sounds like there was a careertradition, uh, transition here for you.
Um, were you a real estate agentbefore you moved to Santa Clarita?
Di Thompson (06:22):
I was working for, um, a commercial, uh, real estate brokerage
firm when I first got my license.
And so that was kind of myentry into the industry.
Um, working for a shoppingcenter, leasing management.
Uh, and development focusing on retail andrestaurants and again, shopping centers.
(06:46):
So that I was with a boutiquebrokerage firm, um, in Marina
del Rey, and then I left andtransitioned, um, to a larger, uh.
National firm, uh, GR and Ellis atthe time, and, you know, then they
have merged in with other companies.
Um, I think today they're Richard Ellis.
(07:07):
And so yes, when we moved to, uh,Santa Clarita, we moved to Valencia.
Um, I was still able to do that for.
A while.
Um, but, you know, I found being ayoung mom and having to commute pretty
much all over Southern Californiafrom, you know, one day I would be in
(07:27):
the valley where I had a few, um, uh,shopping centers that I managed and, and
did leasing on to, I could be in, um.
Agora Corona, thousand Oaks.
Um, I, you know, overby the Beverly Center.
It was just a little for me,too much, uh, to be away from
my kid, you know, that far.
(07:49):
And so, um.
I ended up scaling back a littlebit and, and not, not just
scaling back, but just pivoting.
And I ended up doing, um, goinginto property management, which
I could do that a little bit morelocally and did that for a few years.
And then, um, actually once my seconddaughter was born, I stayed home for
(08:10):
a number of years and so I, you know,did the stay at home mom thing, um.
And fully supported my kids,which I am so happy I was able
to do and had that opportunity.
'cause I think, um, that's priceless.
And like my grandmother always said,you can always go back to work, you
know, but your kids will, will only beyoung for a, a short amount of time.
(08:32):
Um, and so after that, I went backinto the real estate realm and ended
up working for a national home builder.
Um, syntax homes.
And so I was in their land developmentarea for the, um, LA North division,
which was right on turn and, um,helped with some of our communities
(08:52):
that we see out here today.
Like I know I was a part of the milestone.
Development off of Golden Valleyand Robert Sealey Parkway.
Um, my little claim to fame was Igot to name the streets, so anytime,
Joshua Maddux (09:07):
Oh,
Di Thompson (09:07):
anytime I drive through there, I'm like, oh, I remember,
you know, submitting these tothe city and that kind of thing.
It was, it was reallya cool job, so, yeah.
Joshua Maddux (09:18):
Yeah, there's, there's definitely some neighborhoods in
Santa Clarita that I will say, like Idrive through and I'm like, who named
the streets in this little, like,there's some, there's some definite
like, I wouldn't say inside jokes,but like there's some of this like
suburbs in our community that I'mlike, somebody had some fun here.
Di Thompson (09:34):
Oh yeah, it was really interesting and I had
no experience doing that.
And someone's just said, okay, um,here's the map, name the streets.
Like I get to do that.
Yes.
And it needs to be done today.
Joshua Maddux (09:47):
Oh
Di Thompson (09:48):
Yeah.
Joshua Maddux (09:48):
Yeah.
Submitted yesterday.
Um, those are constructiontimelines for you.
Yeah.
So it sounds like, you know, obviouslythere was a little bit of shift and
change in your career path, but you know.
For the most part around either somesort of real estate or commercial
(10:13):
management or, um, residentialmanagement or something in that space,
um, you know, for the most part.
What, uh, for you, what is it that,like that career trajectory real
estate that sort of gets you up inthe morning that you just enjoy?
Di Thompson (10:32):
Yeah, it, I get this question a lot because it's not
common for someone to go from.
Residential.
It's usually residential agentstrying so hard to get into, break
into commercial 'cause it's not easy.
Um, for me it, I, I just kind of stumbledupon it and, um, and I was there for
(10:54):
a long time and I really did enjoy it.
But once I got to work.
Work with actual real people andnot just businesses and entities.
I, there was a lot that resonated with me.
Um, I think because maybe because I'm a,a woman, I am a natural nurturer, um, I.
(11:16):
It really spoke to me to be able to help,um, guide first time buyers and help, um,
people transitioning from, you know, ordownsizing from larger homes, um, later
in life to, you know, or not downsizing,but simplifying is what I like to say,
like to call it, um, and just kind of.
(11:39):
Being alongside them as they make the,like that biggest decision of their lives.
Um, it, it felt different and a littlebit more, um, I don't know, just, it,
it, I felt more purpose-filled thandealing with the nine to five entities.
It was different, you know, 'causeyou, you're, you don't have to work
weekends as much, um, in commercialand it's definitely not as emotional.
(12:04):
Um, which.
You know, a lot of people would, wouldprefer, but it, you know, it can be very,
very rewarding in a different way, so,
Joshua Maddux (12:14):
Yeah, and there's, I, I can see the pros and cons in both sides of it.
Like obviously, you know, we boughta home here in Santa Clarita in
2021, which I'll tell you is theweirdest time to buy a home, like.
Walking through a house with bootiesand gloves and a mask on and being
like, you can't open cabinetson the house, you're gonna buy.
(12:36):
Um, it was weird.
Um,
Di Thompson (12:40):
That time I.
Joshua Maddux (12:41):
but
yeah, there was definitely some thingsthat were nice, like the fact that
the industry as a whole, like, likeeverything was DocuSign except our final.
Like actually having to have the notarypaperwork, um, which was great because
I could just do it all for my phone.
(13:01):
Um, you didn't have to doanything in person necessarily.
Uh, so, you know, therewere some benefits.
Um, so obviously, uh, as a reallisted estate agent sitting on,
sitting as the chair of the SantaClarita, uh, chamber, and then also,
you know, with the city, you know,with the parks and rec stuff like.
(13:22):
A lot of that re revolves around, youknow, obviously real estate and parks
and rec like go hand in hand there.
And then real estate as a businessowner with the chamber, like those
two go hand in hand for sure as well.
What.
Elements do you see both from acareer perspective, but also like
as an economic element and, andsort of city parks trajectory?
(13:46):
What developments do you see in SantaCre over the next like five years
that you're like, these are thingsthat I think are gonna be like, in
your opinion, super awesome, or,you know, what does that look like?
Di Thompson (13:58):
Yeah, I think that, I mean, I can't speak to everything,
um, of course, that I am privy to.
Um, but I know that there are somereally exciting things that are going to
be in the works and almost everything.
Um.
Continues to elevate the city ofSanta Clarita and will keep us in
(14:20):
the forefront of, um, you know, we'rethe third largest city in LA County.
Um, despite us feeling very much andacting sometimes like a very much a small
town, which a lot of us, of course, mostpeople love that about this community
and that's what draws so many people in.
But one of the other bigthings that we have, um.
(14:42):
At, you know, kind of in our toolkitof advantages is the fact that we
pride ourselves on having all of thisamazing open space and give families
and, and people the opportunityhere to explore and play and, um.
Have that sense of community.
(15:02):
You know, you don't really see that ina lot of cities in Southern California.
Um, I'm from the Bay Area, um, you know,as I, as I mentioned, and from a very
small town that had the same kind of feel.
In fact, our, our city logo.
From where I'm from is an oak tree,just like the city of Santa Clarita.
So we had a lot of open spaceparks, um, trails hiking.
(15:27):
We were at the base of MountDiablo, so there's a lot of, you
know, commonalities with that here.
Um.
You have that you, our TAtagline is live, work, and play.
So, um, some of the projects, youknow, we have the roller rink opening
and that gained a lot of popularityand got a lot of traction from, uh, a
(15:49):
group that, that kind of found formedduring COVID of the Skate Mamas, right?
As CV skate moms, I dunnoif you're aware of that.
And so they were verymuch, um, uh, you know.
Uh, a, an organized group thatwas very proactive in approaching
the city and in asking for, canyou create something for us?
(16:11):
Because right now we're using thesetennis courts, but I think as soon as
Covid was done, they kind of had to, youknow, get the boot and or figure it out.
Um, and then we had our,you know, big regional, um.
Rollerskating rink closed and becomea homeless shelter in, in Northridge.
So a lot of, so we had a needdevelop and uh, the city found a,
(16:34):
a way they found a path to fulfillthis request from the community.
So it was very organic, but it showsyou that the city does listen and
that people do have a voice here.
And it's very, very.
Collaborative, which, youknow, I absolutely love.
And of course being a realtor, um, Ilove, you know, being able to be on the
(16:57):
forefront of what, what's coming new.
Being able to have input and sharethat with my clients and saying,
Hey, you know, we've got a rollerskating rink, we have a new park with.
Possibly a, a surf park coming soon.
Um, which is very exciting if youhave kids or if you like those
types of recreational opportunities.
(17:19):
We're refurbishing almost every, um,park that is in need of it that's dated.
So the city is constantly likereinvesting, um, into upgrading
and making sure that we are, westay as pristine as we were when.
You know, they createdthis master plan community.
Joshua Maddux (17:38):
I think it's funny, you, you're talking about all the different
parks that we have in, in town, andI think it's really funny when I see
on Facebook, like they're like, oh,they're putting in this new store, like.
Canyon country, we'reputting in a sprouts.
, and there's people that are like, oh, theyshould have used that property for a park.
I'm like, okay.
So there's Canyon Country Park,there's Begonia Lane Park.
(17:59):
There's like, there's literally,there's Vista Canyon Park.
I'm like, there's like four parks withina two minute drive of that property.
Di Thompson (18:07):
Yeah, like where have,
Joshua Maddux (18:09):
there's a few other ones.
exactly.
Where have you been?
Di Thompson (18:14):
um, we are going to be.
Completely doing like an overhaul,refurbishing that park and making it,
I mean, almost basically brand new,new playground, um, shade structure,
inclusive play equipment for kids thatmay have learning, you know, physical
disabilities and that kind of thing.
(18:34):
Um, so it's really exciting tobe able to be a part of that.
I really, really love beingon the Parks Commission.
Joshua Maddux (18:41):
Yeah, I'll say the, we have two little ones
and the Canyon Country Park.
Um.
That thing's just amazing with some of thedifferent equipment and some of the stuff
that they've done and watching some ofthe projects that the city's working on.
Like, um, the one in, in NewHall on Lions, um, I'm blanking
(19:03):
on that park name at the moment.
Um,
Di Thompson (19:06):
Wait a minute.
Heart Park.
Joshua Maddux (19:08):
heart Park?
No, not Hart Park.
It's uh, the one that'slike under construction.
They're like redoing all the play stuff.
It's um.
Yeah.
Di Thompson (19:17):
I should know.
Joshua Maddux (19:18):
Hall Lyons area.
Yeah.
I forget what the name is.
Anyway, um, it is really cool to see a lotof, you know, some of those improvement.
Old Orchard, old
Di Thompson (19:29):
Oh yes.
Old Orchard Park.
Yes.
It's gonna be fabulous.
Yeah.
Joshua Maddux (19:33):
Um, yeah.
So it's really cool to see some of that.
I know.
Uh.
One of the things that our city is missingon the park side is, uh, splash pads.
The only splash pad that they quasihave is at the sports complex.
And that's it.
Um, which is the need.
But I also understand it fromthe maintenance side 'cause
Di Thompson (19:52):
Yeah,
Joshua Maddux (19:53):
you actively have.
Di Thompson (19:54):
there, there's, it's, they're maintenance heavy.
But I do believe that there may besome, I mean, I don't wanna, I don't
wanna speak out of turn, but, um, I.That could be something that could,
will be coming in a to a future park.
Let's
Joshua Maddux (20:09):
Well, I, yeah, I mean, it's one of those things where I, as
a parent with, you know, two littleones, I've seen a handful of people
in Facebook groups and it, it, it'sbeen brought up multiple times.
So it's one of those thingswhere, just like the roller
rink situation, if there's.
Di Thompson (20:29):
enough people.
Joshua Maddux (20:30):
in it.
Yeah.
Um, I know what the new park thatthey're doing off via Princessa,
uh, by the train station.
Um, there's some other like moreinteractive play and some stuff that
I had seen at least a initial concept,stuff that was proposed, you know, a
year or two ago, whatever that was.
Um, but, you know, yeah.
Di Thompson (20:53):
Yeah.
Well usually when they, when we aredoing some type of refurbishment of a,
of a park site, um, they will definitelybe seeking community input and they're
getting very tech savvy with doing thatwith QR codes and things like that.
So.
Um, you know, be sure to constantlybe checking the city's website for
(21:13):
updates and, you know, put yourselfon the mailing list so you can have an
opportunity to have your voice heard.
But it is definitely hot enough.
So I, I'm a proponent for, uh,for having a splash pad whenever,
where, wherever it makes sense.
Joshua Maddux (21:31):
Yeah.
I always, I remember growing up the,the fountain out front of the mall.
I can't tell you how many times inthe summer you just walk up to the
front of the mall and there's likefive kids just laying in that thing.
Di Thompson (21:41):
Yeah.
So, so.
Joshua Maddux (21:43):
It's just constant.
So.
It, looking at the chamber stuff, um,you know, chair of the Santa Clarita
Chamber, when we kicked off, uh, theVoices of Business, um, we had Ivan
and, uh, Becky, um, who was the.
(22:04):
Chair of, of the board at the time.
Um, they, they were episode one and sowe talked about a little bit about the
trajectory of the chamber for the year.
Um, and so what, what is 2025look like for the Chamber?
I know the business expois, is coming this year.
I know there's a ton of socials and, uh,networking events, but what, what are
(22:28):
other elements that we're looking at?
Di Thompson (22:30):
Well, um, let's see.
Yes, we touched on, you touched onthe business expo, which is keeps
getting bigger and better every year.
Um, and we definitely anticipateeven more people than last year.
And it wa it was pretty big.
Um, we, you know, one of the things that.
Definitely makes the Chamber uniqueis the fact that we have all of
(22:51):
these, um, councils kind of under theumbrella of the Chamber of Commerce.
So I was, uh, the inaugural chair ofthe Black Business Council, and, uh, we
have, you know, I have now been replacedso I can step into my role as chair.
And the new, uh, chair of theBlack Business Council is a
woman, um, named Tamara Pickering,who owns a business out here.
(23:15):
Um, so.
You know, we definitely wanna continueto develop those smaller councils,
um, to give people just kind of a,a, a more focused, safe space to be
able to interact on maybe a deeperlevel than just a networking mixture.
Um, and provide, uh, opportunitiesto, you know, kind of.
(23:38):
Again, collaborate, provide educationin some cases with workshops and um,
panels and different things like that.
So, you know, the smallbusiness council, um.
Is very, very active and theyhave a very robust, um, schedule,
schedule of programming.
(23:58):
They've, I know already have,I wanna say they've had three
events already this year.
Um, uh, our nonprofit councilis getting very, very active.
There's so many nonprofits in SantaClarita, so, you know, it's a wonderful
place to be to kind of match up with, um.
(24:19):
Other partnering organizations, uh,to find places where they can kind of
fill voids for each other, you know,and find out like, what do you need
Child and Family Center, or what doyou need Boys and Girls Club, and
how do we kind of fill in those gaps?
Right?
And, um, for people even lookingto volunteer in some cases it's
(24:39):
a, it's a great way to kind oflike a one stop shop, right?
Um, then we've got our API counts.
Soul, which is our uh uh,Asian Pacific Islander.
Group, but just because they,they might be geared towards
maybe certain affinity groups.
Every single person who's a member ofthe chamber, um, even non-members are
(25:01):
welcome to attend all of those events.
So I myself attend, uh, the, attendthe events, uh, hosted by the.
Uh, LBA La Latino Business Alliance.
Um, I think pretty much we keptthat name because they had that
name from when they were the LatinoChamber of Commerce, and so Pats.
Joshua Maddux (25:22):
Yeah, I was gonna say, didn't they?
They sort of merged
Di Thompson (25:25):
They kind of folded up under the chamber.
Um, so, uh, I think Bill Mirandawas, who kind of founded that.
And then Patsy Ayala has been our chairof that group for the last couple of
years and she's still chairing it eventhough she is on city council now.
Um, and they just do awonderful job of bringing so
many different people together.
(25:46):
Um.
And just addressing the needs andunique needs in many cases, and
sometimes pain points, uh, that arefaced by those different communities.
I.
So we definitely wanna and expansion ofthat and, um, just continue to, um, be the
forefront for, uh, advocacy and a voicefor, for businesses in our community, for
(26:11):
our business community, small, medium,large, home-based businesses, direct
marketing, whatever you have, uh, you,we want to get the message out that, um.
Any business, any professional,non-business owner, um, but you're just
looking to network and grow your network.
You should be a member of theChamber first and foremost.
Joshua Maddux (26:34):
I know I've joked a few times.
That was my, uh, 20, what, 2021 goal wasjoin the chamber and go to events and
then, you know, March hit, um, and wewent remote and didn't really do any.
Yeah.
Um, so yeah, no, I will say I, youknow, uh, I think it was two years ago,
(26:56):
we were at, my company was at the, thebusiness expo I attended last year.
Um, I will.
Um, in talks with the Chamber rightnow on, uh, what this year looks
like for us for a booth and such.
Um, but yeah, the expo is a, a great,the expo is definitely a great way
to see the size of the chamber.
' cause I will, I will say like there aresome times you go to a ribbon cutting
(27:18):
ceremony and it's a Wednesday at 10:00 AM.
And 98% of the Chambermembers are working.
Uh, and so there's like, youknow, a dozen people and you're
like, oh, this is the chamber.
No, that's, that's a fractionof a percentage of the chamber.
Like you go to the business expo, andeven the business expo, like I feel
(27:42):
like is, you know, 20% of what theChamber actually is like, just because.
I know Ivan said last year thatthey sold out and they were like
trying to, you know, where elsecan we put people type scenario.
Um,
Di Thompson (27:59):
list of people wanting to, to get into the expo.
Yeah.
So those ribbon cuttings,honestly, that's like.
Not even that is definitely notrepresentative of the membership.
Um, you have to kind of go to some ofthe, our bigger events like, um, either
awards and installation, um, or, uh,we have upcoming next week our after
(28:23):
hours evening mixer at Mercedes-Benz.
That is, is one of the, Icall it one of our creme de la
creme type events because you.
Would not believe how many people show up.
And the networking is so great.
The food is great, so many awesome people.
It's just a great vibe anda great event, great time.
(28:45):
And you'll meet so many amazingpeople that you know you have
the opportunity to connect with.
Joshua Maddux (28:50):
Yeah, and the after, the after hours events are really solid.
I, I will say one of the.
Small challenges with those isthere's a lot of people in the room.
Um, I know I've been to some ofthem before and it's like, okay, do
you wanna finish this conversation?
Like, let's go step outsideso we can actually talk.
Um, which is just the nature of someof the businesses that are hosting it.
(29:10):
Um, but I will say on the flip side, likesome of the, um, ribbon cutting ceremonies
are also really good elements to networkwith a smaller group, um, as well.
So they're all, all
Di Thompson (29:22):
Well, like last night, we had influenced her, so I don't know
how familiar you are with that group,but it's basically like kind of the,
the networking group for the, forwomen in the Chamber and all of our
events are always sold out, um, and.
We always have a phenomenal,you know, panel of speakers.
Usually they're panel based.
(29:43):
Sometimes we have a couple oftimes a year we do one that's like
a speed networking format, likespeed dating and it's a lot of fun.
But the women love it.
And I think if we had it every week,they'd come, it's like a happy hour.
There's food.
There's drinks, and they stillget home in time to, you know.
Do the second shift of the day forthem, be it putting dinner on the table
(30:06):
or taking their kids to, um, soccerpractice or whatever they've got going on.
Joshua Maddux (30:11):
Yeah, I know.
Um, I'm in another networkinggroup as well, and, uh.
Pam Vern's in and she was talkingabout, um, some of what that event
was gonna look like and, and stufffor people who wanted to attend.
Uh, she was talking about it last,about a week or so ago, and she
was like, I think it's either soldout or very close to sold out.
Di Thompson (30:31):
it was, it was close to sold out and even on a rainy day and, and she
was on our panel on soft power yesterday.
She did a phenomenal job.
Joshua Maddux (30:39):
both of your roles with, you know, the chamber and with the city,
like was community service sort of alwayson your radar, or was this something
that you hit a point in your careerthat, you know, you said the community's
given me so much I want to give back.
What did, what did that look like?
Di Thompson (30:57):
That's kind of exactly how it went for me.
Um, it, I never really planned on beingthis active in the community or I. Being
this involved with community service, I'vealways, you know, just again, with raising
my kids, I always found myself involvedin some way, a little bit more than just.
(31:22):
Picking up and dropping off.
I was always like the room mom oron PTA or you know, site council or
something like that for the school team.
Mom.
My, my girls played competitivevolleyball and, uh, did all kinds of,
you know, sports, but mainly that.
Um, and so.
I've always found myselfinvolved in that way.
(31:43):
And so yeah, it was justkind of a natural transition.
Um, once I started the business and then,or went out on my own, so to speak, and
then, uh, joined the chamber, I startedgetting more in, interested in, um.
Active in other community organizations.
Um, I'm a member of zanta andI'm also, uh, part of the sous
(32:07):
of Greater Santa Clarita Valley.
And then after that came, you know,requests for me to, uh, invitations
to join a couple of different boards.
So I'm the board of, uh,child and Family Center.
Um, and I'm on the board of WeWill Collaborative, which is, uh.
Another exciting groupwhere we just celebrated our
(32:29):
International Women's Day event.
We had our third annual, andagain, about 120 we oversold.
Um, and it was just, it's just a fantasticfeeling to know that yeah, you are giving
back and you're making an an impact.
I really never expected.
Myself to get as involved as I have.
But, um, I love it.
(32:51):
Otherwise, I wouldn't be doingit if I weren't having fun.
I, I certainly wouldn't be doing it.
Joshua Maddux (32:55):
I think that transitions a little bit into like sort of the secret
to success element of the business side.
Like, um, it sounds to me at leastlike you are fairly well connected.
With people in Santa Clarita and there'sa lot of people who know who you are
and you go to a lot of events and you'rein a lot of rooms, um, with, you know,
(33:16):
different networking opportunities.
Um, would you say that thatis definitely something that's
contributed to sort of the success?
Um, on the business side,
Di Thompson (33:25):
I, I would, I would say my, um.
Willingness to, to jump in and,and kind of, uh, I guess roll up
my sleeves and, and engage andbe a part of so many different
organizations starting with the Chamber.
Honestly, I think, um, if it weren'tfor the Chamber, my Chamber of
(33:48):
Commerce involvement, it kind ofwas a springboard for me getting
involved in and feeling like.
Now I know people, um, you know, maybeI will kind of go to this event or
go to this organization's meeting andsee what it's all about, um, and put
myself out there a little bit more.
(34:08):
Um, and then I think just, it kind ofhad a domino effect and one thing led to
another, or snowball effect, if you will.
And, um, that's, andthis is where I am now.
It was, it was not very strategic at all.
It was not planned.
It just happened organically.
(34:29):
Um, but I have to say it hasbeen extremely fulfilling.
So success wise, um.
I could probably be more successfulfinancially if I was doing less
in terms of community involvement.
But the success that I, I, I feelpersonally and, um, what feeds my, my
(34:54):
soul and my spirit and, um, gives methat sense of being self-actualized.
To me, that is success.
Um, what I did not want was once my kids.
Went off to college andgraduated, and my youngest is
graduating from college in May.
Um, I didn't wanna feel that sense oflike, you can es especially, you know,
(35:18):
a lot of moms, um, I maybe dad's alittle bit, but probably not as much.
You can have this sense of lossand what, what's next for me?
What's what now?
And I honestly that.
Was never a thing for me becauseI've just got, you know, had the
(35:39):
business and then the chamber, andthen one thing Le leads to another.
Now I'm in this organization and that,and my kids are like, where are you?
You're never home.
You and dad are always gone.
So, um, you know, but we enjoy it.
We enjoy giving back and we enjoybeing a part of the community.
You know, it's, it's been fun.
Yeah.
Joshua Maddux (36:00):
Well, and I think, I think that's where I look at the success element
from exactly what you're talking about.
It's what feeds you.
It, it's, you know.
You get home after a day and you'relike, I, I feel like it was a good day.
Not, you know, yes, we could all doless community driven, you know, do
more financially driven, but thenagain, like at the end of the day,
(36:22):
you're just, eh, like, it's, it,it, doesn't it move you forward?
Um, yeah.
Di Thompson (36:28):
I'm right where I'm supposed to be.
The, the, the clients that I, that I gain.
I, it's almost like your, yourvibe attracts your tribe and
it is really, really true.
Um, yes, marketing also helps and,and to have, you know, a great
brokerage, like the one I'm withwith Equity Union behind me is, um.
(36:50):
Also contributes greatly to mysuccess as a, as an agent, as a
realtor, uh, as an expert in thiscommunity, um, in, in that space.
But it, it marries very well with thefact that I am so involved and engaged
and, um, and it, the fact that I love it.
Joshua Maddux (37:13):
So as we wrap up, um, some of the lessons we learned
in business really hit hard.
Um, and some of those arereally like, you know, the.
The losses that we sometimes take,is there a time in business that
you had a loss or a lesson and andwhat did that sort of teach you?
Di Thompson (37:40):
Oh, well, I feel like you can get them all the time in, in real estate,
especially residential real estate.
I. Again, these are a lot of timesfor many people, emotionally based,
um, decisions, uh, especially whenyou're dealing with, you know, certain
(38:02):
not segments of the population,but people who are maybe first time
buyers, they're listening to theirfamilies advice, and everybody's got
a dad or an uncle or a grandfatherwho says, this is not the right time.
You know, they, they wantyou to listen to them.
Based your moves based on theirpast experiences, which, you know,
(38:24):
have
Joshua Maddux (38:25):
When they bought their home in 1985.
Di Thompson (38:27):
it makes, it doesn't make as much sense, but because people have that
emotional string that I can't cut, youknow, so I'm not gonna necessarily try
to dissuade you from listening to yourdad, but I, my job is to, you know, say.
I'm a partner with you.
This is not about me andme telling you what to do.
(38:50):
This is about me.
Guiding you and, and trying tocollaborate with you as much as
I can to help you, help us arriveat the best decision for you.
So that's, that's how Ilike to approach that.
Um, you know, there's alwaysthose times where you kind of kick
yourself and you learn from it.
(39:11):
Um, you know, yes.
I've had people who I trusted that.
I was their, their person and they,you know, and I allowed myself to get
into a situation where I'm showingthem 15, 20 houses and then, oh,
you know what I forgot my cousin is,is, you know, just got his license.
(39:34):
I'm gonna go let him represent me.
So, yeah, I, I learnedpretty quickly, you know, to.
Not allow that to happen, or, you know,write certain things into the contract
that, Hey, if this doesn't work out,I'm getting reimbursed for X, Y, and
Z. You know, not for everything, butyou know, when it, when it makes sense.
(39:57):
Yeah.
Joshua Maddux (39:58):
Yep.
Geez.
Yeah, I, and I feel like that, youknow, we all have those types of clients
Di Thompson (40:05):
Here and there.
Joshua Maddux (40:07):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I, we, I own a marketing agency herelocally, and we had, uh, someone
who approached us for a while andlike every 90 days they'd be like,
well, we really wanna get started.
Like, okay, can yousend over this and that?
Like, oh, we really wanna getstarted, but can you, and I was like,
three years in, I was like, okay,
Di Thompson (40:27):
Yeah.
Joshua Maddux (40:28):
you're never getting
Di Thompson (40:29):
Never getting started.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So we, we, we learn quickly, althoughwe want to, you know, try to be as
accessible as we can for everyone.
Sometimes you realize I'm notmeant for everyone and that's okay.
And I don't have to be everybody's agent.
I wanna work with who really,who I wanna work with.
Joshua Maddux (40:51):
Yeah.
Yeah.
A hundred percent.
Yeah.
That definitely agree.
Awesome.
Well, do you have any questions for me?
Um, before we close out?
Di Thompson (41:00):
yeah, where else can, uh, I, I find, you know, all of your goods
and services and what, you know, howare you collaborating with, um, other
businesses in, within the chamber?
Joshua Maddux (41:15):
Yeah.
So, um, I've.
I've taken a slight leave of goingto evening events, uh, having,
uh, two little ones at the moment.
So I'm hoping to start that back up here.
Um, should be at the, uh, event coming up.
Um, but yeah, um, obviously, youknow, connecting with a lot of
(41:36):
members here, uh, on the podcast.
Um, but then in regards, yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, it's been good.
Enjoy it.
Um, I've spoken before at, you know, youwere talking about the business councils.
There's the small business councilthat, uh, Lindsay Schick, uh, chairs.
I've spoken at that before.
(41:58):
Um, and then, you know,I've, um, I'm around,
Di Thompson (42:05):
Good.
Good.
Well hopefully doing things likethat continues to put, keep your
face out and name out there.
Um, which is one of the reasons whywe love, love to partner with our.
You know, chamber members as our speakers.
So that's another great reason for me toalways encourage people join the Chamber,
(42:26):
because it's not just about going to amixer and, and showing up in that way.
You never know when you will be calledupon or when, you know, we might
approach you and say, Hey, you are asubject matter expert in X, Y, Z. We
could use your voice on, would youmind, you know, speaking on this panel.
(42:47):
Um, and then next thing you know,that person gets new business just
from, you know, appearing and,and being a speaker on that panel.
So yeah, it's a win-win.
Joshua Maddux (43:00):
Yeah.
Networking.
Networking is always a, a great option.
So as we wrap up, where, wherecan people find you online?
Um, we'll have your website, uh, inthe show notes, um, for people to find.
But is that the best spot?
Di Thompson (43:14):
Uh, yeah, that's the best spot.
Also, you can find me throughthe, the Chamber of Commerce,
through the chamber directory.
Um, I'm, I'm big on Instagram, uh,Thompson Real, Thompson Realty Advisors.
So I'll send you my, um, Instagramprofile, Facebook, LinkedIn.
Um, I'm sure I'm on XI guess I don't,I'm not really on that and I'm, I.
(43:38):
Don't be mad.
I'm just new to LinkedIn, but I'mgetting a lot of requests now,
so I've just been like in otherplaces, you know, so, but I'm here.
Joshua Maddux (43:50):
that's, it's, yeah, I, it's funny 'cause I'll tell business
owners, they're like, oh yeah, we, we,we wanna start a social media campaign
and like we're going, we're gonna goout to every platform that's available.
And I'm like, do you realize howmany platforms you're talking
about and how many platformsyou're gonna have to maintain?
Like, no, no, no.
Where is your audience?
Di Thompson (44:10):
Right,
Joshua Maddux (44:11):
And set up that platform, like if it's one or two, like start there.
Get consistent.
Di Thompson (44:17):
yeah.
My audience is pretty much Facebook,Instagram, and, and I, I wanna say
LinkedIn is starting to to be an audienceas well, so I'm happy about that.
And maybe even a grocery storeor two, you'll never know.
You might see me in a basket.
Joshua Maddux (44:33):
Well, it's been a great conversation for those listening.
As always, please follow, rate andreview us wherever you get your podcast.
You can find us at the voicesof Business on social media.
I am Joshua Maddux, and youcan find me on LinkedIn.
Uh, Corey, my co-hostwho's not here today.
Is Corey s Nathan, and you can findhim on Instagram and, uh, LinkedIn
(44:56):
and all the other spots as well.
We'd love to have you, uh, asa guest on an upcoming episode.
If you're a Chamber member, pleasereach that, reach out either to
the Chamber or messaging us throughone of our social media channels.
And until next time, you've beenlistening to the Voices of Business.
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