March 31, 2025 • 21 mins
At the heart of this conversation is the strategic merger between the Perimeter Chamber and Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber, a decade-long vision finally realized in January 2025. This unification eliminated counterproductive competition and created a stronger, more cohesive business community that transcends artificial municipal boundaries.
Whether you're a longtime business owner or just starting out, this episode showcases how the Greater Perimeter Chamber creates pathways to success through collaboration rather than competition. Ready to experience the power of business unity? Visit greaterperimeterchamber.com and discover how joining this vibrant organization can elevate your business while strengthening North Atlanta's economic landscape.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
North Atlanta, where local businesses and neighbors
come together.
Here's your host, Stacey Risley.
Hello friends and neighbors,Welcome to North Atlanta's Good
Neighbor Podcast.
Today we are here with my newfriend, Paula Shiver.
She is the Executive VicePresident for the Greater
Perimeter Chamber of Commerce.
(00:22):
Welcome, Paula, so happy tohave you on.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Thank you, Stacey.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Well, paula and I have gotten to know each other
pretty well the last few weeksand I am so excited to have her
on to share some info about theGreater Perimeter Chamber of
Commerce.
Tell us about the chamber,paula.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Sure.
So the Greater PerimeterChamber focuses on a regional
approach to support businessespredominantly in the perimeter
area.
We are mainly focused onDunwoody and Sandy Springs, but
we support all businesses andare happy to have engagement
from anybody that sort ofidentifies or wants to do
business in the perimeter area.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
It's a wonderful organization and I used to be a
member of the perimeter chamberwhen it used to be just the
perimeter chamber and there wasthe Sandy Springs chamber very,
very close by, and I love thefact that we've recently gone
through a merger to merge thetwo.
And so, paula, if you don'tmind, will you tell us a little
(01:26):
bit about the merger of the twochambers and how merging them is
beneficial for businesses andfor the chamber?
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Sure, so I'll take you back a little bit to my
background.
I started with the DunwoodyChamber of Commerce about a
little over 10 years ago andthat chamber was a municipally
focused chamber focused onsupporting Dunwoody, and we went
through some variations ofrebranding.
(01:54):
We became the Dunwoody ChamberDunwoody Perimeter Chamber and
then we focused more on just theperimeter area and dropped the
Dunwoody from our name, but wewere predominantly focused on
the Dunwoody area On the SandySprings side in Fulton County.
Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamberwas kind of going through a
transition similar to ours.
(02:16):
We were two municipalities thatsort of stood up their own
cities and everybody who wasinvolved in that process wanted
there to be a chamber to supportthe businesses.
Since 2008, 2007, we have sortof been competing, if you will,
in this region for engagement,people to come to our events,
(02:38):
people to join our chamber and,you know, really competing for
people's focus.
And so about 10 years ago theconversation started about the
idea of merging and we wouldcome back to the table about
every three or four years and wejust never could get it across
the finish line.
And in 2024, the timing wasjust right.
(02:59):
We had the right people inplace, we had the right
leadership in place and ourboard decided that it was the
right time to bring us togetherand focus on the region and stop
trying to compete in themarketplace.
So the board approved themerger in June and it was a
pretty fast runway to January1st 2025, when we were official.
(03:21):
So the Perimeter Chamber andSandy Springs Perimeter Chamber
unified to form the GreaterPerimeter Chamber and I couldn't
be more excited.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
I am really excited about it as well.
I was a member of the PerimeterChamber and then I let my
membership lapse at the end oflast year kind of when all of
the merger was taking place orwhen it was really about to take
place, since it took place inJanuary.
But you mentioned somethingabout the leadership was right
(03:52):
and I love that.
Some of the leadership has comefrom the perimeter chamber and
some of it from Sandy Springs.
Adam Farrand is the presidentand CEO, you are the executive
vice president.
Adam was from Sandy Springs, youwere from the perimeter chamber
and it does just mesh reallywell together.
(04:12):
And I agree completely, youknow, when you said that for
lack of a better word,competition for each other.
You know, and there's no needfor that at all when all of
North Atlanta, especially aroundthe perimeter area, sandy
Springs and Dunwoody both fitinto that category and I think
(04:33):
it's just better serves everyone.
A larger chamber, largermembership, you can have more
events and I'm so happy that allof this has come together like
it has.
And as far as the membershipsor the members who join, how
does having a larger chamber,group and membership base and
(04:55):
all of that, how does that helpthe people who join the chamber.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Well, when we kind of erased the municipal lines
around what our service areaswere, we just became more fluid
in terms of you know, when youthink about doing business, you
don't say, well, I'm only goingto grocery shop in my city.
You know, if you're runningerrands in Sandy Springs or
you're in Brookhaven or whatever, you are just using the
(05:22):
resources that are in thosecities and business doesn't stop
at the county line or itdoesn't stop at the zip code
line.
So for our members and forthose who engage with the
chamber, we just offer a muchmore diverse landscape of
members, businesses, regions,cities, just in terms of
(05:43):
connectability.
That is just a really big partof what chambers do is connect
people.
So it's just opened up a muchbroader opportunity base.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah Well, and that was a large portion of why I
re-upped my membership.
I was really excited,especially with the Good
Neighbor podcast, north Atlanta.
You know I'm the publisher ofDunwoody Neighbors and North
Buckhead Neighbors magazines,but the podcast services all of
North Atlanta, and so I wasreally excited and felt like it
(06:15):
was a really good fit for thepodcast as well.
So I'm super excited and youwere right when you said that
about you know business doesn'tstop at the county line or the
city line or the you know zipcodes.
That's just not how it works.
You know, we really aredefinitely still one community
(06:36):
and I think that that,especially as business owners
you know the community ofbusiness owners we need to work
together and help lift eachother up and help support each
other however we can.
And so that kind of leads intowhy I've gotten to know Paula so
well in the last couple ofweeks and we have just really
(06:58):
see a great potential forcollaboration with the podcast,
offering interviews for all ofthe members of the chamber and
huge shout out to the chamber.
You know, if you're not amember of the chamber you should
be.
Even just the networking eventsand the fellowship amongst
other like minded, you knowbusiness owners that are, you
(07:20):
know, going through the sametroubles or successes.
And for that support and that'sthe whole purpose of the
Chamber of Commerce, of anyChamber of Commerce, especially
North Atlanta being able to beserviced, I'm excited about the
collaboration I love what yousaid there, stacey.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
The partnership between the Greater Perimeter
Chamber and the Good NeighborPodcast is just a really great
example of the collaborationthat we try to bring to the
region, and forgive me if I'mspeaking for you, but I think,
because you recognized theunification and the power of
that, it caught your attentionand you rejoined the chamber,
(08:02):
which is fantastic, and here youare bringing another
opportunity to our members wherethey can be interviewed on your
podcast and showcase theirbusiness.
The chamber really likes tooperate as a marketing arm for
our members.
We have lots of different waysto amplify the work that you're
(08:25):
doing and the stories thatyou're telling, and this is just
one extra little thing that wecan layer into that, which is
really a beautiful thing.
It is an exclamation point onthe whole reason why we wanted
to bring these two chamberstogether.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Well, I love that.
That is a huge reason why Ire-upped my membership.
I saw so much potential forcollaboration, not just with the
chamber but with other businessowners throughout the North
Atlantic community and thegreater perimeter area, so I'm
thrilled with the merger and allkinds of fun stuff.
I will I just want to and wecan't talk about this too long
(09:05):
but we had the ribbon cuttinglast Wednesday or last Thursday.
That was so much fun and it'sit's really neat to see the
chamber and the you know, thecity officials and people come
out to to recognize these newbusinesses that are coming in.
So I love the support that theycan get from from the chamber
(09:27):
and and not just the chamber,but the members, the other
members of the chamber.
We are all here workingtogether.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
so the ribbon cuttings are one of my favorite
parts of the job.
It is, um, it's so excitingit's, you know, it's like these
folks who it's kind of like, umexciting it's, you know, it's
like these folks who it's kindof like like bringing a child
into this world.
When you open a business, youknow all of the trials and
tribulations and the labor andall of that stuff and then you
(09:55):
are celebrated by city leaders,the chamber, the other business
leaders coming out to reallyraise a glass and cut a ribbon
and celebrate with you, and itis by far one of my favorite
parts of this job.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Yeah, and at that one we were cutting a rug too there
might have been some very uhUIPs.
That was a ribbon cuttingunlike any others, and those of
you who are listening who haveno idea what we're talking about
we had some members from theAtlanta rap scene, some really
(10:32):
cool celebrities, localcelebrities here.
It was just fun.
That was a very fun, fun ribboncutting ceremony.
And the chamber events are funas well.
Tell us about you, told us alittle bit about so and the
chamber events are fun as well.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Tell us about.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
You.
Told us a little bit about yourjourney with the chamber.
You know how you started withthe perimeter chamber, but tell
us about your journey intoworking for the chamber at all.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Sure.
So you know, in my career Istarted out very early in
college working for REI and Iworked with them all over the
nation.
I was in the outdoor industryfor 18 years with REI in
Patagonia, particularly with REI.
(11:16):
I was asked to serve on a boardof the Chamber of Commerce and
I have no idea what Chambers didand I didn't, you know.
I said yes and learned the hardway.
I learned on the job but it wasvery rewarding.
I was managing my store for REIand then helping support other
businesses and I just it reallyhelped me connect to the
(11:40):
community.
I was living in Nashville atthe time.
I was new to the area.
Connect to the community.
I was living in Nashville atthe time, I was new to the area
and it really it kind of broughtthis community sense to what I
was doing and helped me connecton so many different levels to
other businesses in theNashville area and it was so
rewarding.
So when I moved back to GeorgiaI happened to see a posting for
(12:05):
the just an administratorposition at the chamber.
I was this time I was a mom andI needed a part time job and it
was just trying to do somethingthat was flexible.
And 10 years later, here I amand I've loved every minute of
it.
I've worn every single hat youcan wear in the chamber.
I've worn every single hat youcan wear in the chamber, and my
(12:25):
favorite part about the job isthat it is there's no day off.
You know there's no duplicateday.
Every day is different andthere's such a gamut of
different kinds of roles thatyou can play and I just you know
I love it every minute.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
I love that you are here.
I think you are a huge asset toall of us.
So well, tell us about anymyths or misconceptions that
people might have about you know, becoming a chamber member or
the chamber in general.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
You know, when I think about this question, the
thing that comes to mind ispeople who say I don't have time
to do that.
And I guess my answer to thatis we produce almost 80 events a
year.
If you throw in ribbon cuttings, it's closer to about 120.
(13:19):
But you know, we are there foryou in the morning, we're there
for you in the afternoon, we doafter hours.
So we provide so muchflexibility and opportunity and
our programs are very high valueand opportunity and our
programs are very high value.
So we really like to createopportunities where you could
(13:40):
come in and just make reallyvaluable connections, meaningful
connections, and go back andimplement those into your
business.
But it isn't all about thenetworking or the events.
One of the biggest things thatis a misconception is we are a
nonprofit.
We are funded mainly bymembership dues, but we act as
(14:00):
an advocate for your business.
So whether you engage with usor not, just joining the chain
means that you are supportingthe advocacy work that you do.
I'm sorry that we do.
For example, if a signordinance gets put in place that
is going to impact yourbusiness, you as a business
owner can call, but if you'vegot the weight of the chamber
(14:20):
behind you.
The impact is going to be somuch better.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Oh, that's a really good example.
That's an excellent example ofhow just you know, even if you
don't have time, you know evenif the mornings and the evenings
don't work, or you know allbecause you really do have such
a variety of times, of events,of different types and different
types of events.
But that is an excellentexample, one that I hadn't even
(14:46):
thought of.
You know having the weight ofthe chamber behind you should
you need it.
You know that's a that's apowerful statement, should you
need it.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
You know that's a that's a powerful statement.
Yes, we, we are in thenonprofit world of 501 C6, which
means that we, we actually canadvocate.
I mean, that is, that is theplatform by which we advocate.
And so you know, you could joina business associations, but
chances are they're not a 501c6and you're not going to be able
(15:16):
to advocate for your business.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
So yeah, as a chamber member, I'm thrilled to hear
that.
It just gives me one moreexclamation mark of why being a
member is such an importantthing.
So I'd love that and I amexcited about the things to come
.
I love how you said that wework together and you really
support the businesses.
(15:39):
I mean, as soon as I re-uppedmy membership, you know you were
in touch with me and wanting toknow how you could help, and
they have a chamber one-on-onecourse, and then Paula offered
to have a one-on-one with me.
Well, they've just been superaccommodating and I've already,
in just a few weeks, gotten somuch out of this membership.
(16:03):
So huge supporter, I'll be abig voice of advocacy for you
too.
So what about let's shift gearsjust a little bit and, if you
will, paula, let's let ourlisteners get to know you a
little bit more and tell us whatyou do for fun when you're not
(16:24):
working were in college workingfor REI and have just tried to
incorporate the outdoors intoour lifestyle.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
You know all throughout our marriage,
throughout, you know, raisingour daughter, and when we
couldn't take our daughterbackpacking anymore, we put her
in a raft and started whitewaterrafting and that sort of turned
into bigger excursions and sowe paddle spring through, fall
and just anytime I'm on a river.
(16:58):
River is when I'm the happiest,but we do.
We do pretty big trips out West.
Last summer we paddled 17 daysthrough the Grand Canyon on the
Colorado River.
We covered 270 miles and thissummer we're gearing up for the
main salmon in Idaho.
And anytime I can just get on ariver and unplug and get back
(17:20):
to nature, it just makes mehappy and it fuels my tank to
come back and do the work that Ilove.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
And they can't see me right now, but the audience.
I am grinning ear to earbecause everything Paula says
there resonates with me so welland that's one of the reasons we
connected so well getting backto nature and being able to kind
of recharge and unplug from thecity.
When you work in the city andlive in the city and spend most
(17:49):
of your time here, I hear youloud and clear how much that
does recharge you and refuelsyou to get back to doing what
you do for all of us so well.
Is there anything else that youwould like listeners to know
about the Chamber of Commercebefore we wrap up?
Speaker 1 (18:09):
I highly encourage people to check us out An open
invitation.
If you reach out to me, peopleto check us out An open
invitation, if you reach out tome, I would love to have you
come to an event as our guestand just kind of feel the power
of what's happening, as we arecollective.
When you invest in the chamber,you invest in a more stronger,
connected region, and I guessI'll just leave with that open
(18:33):
invitation.
We are inclusive and we'd loveto have you give us a chance.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
And I second all of that.
Well, there are more greatthings to come with the
collaboration between the GoodNeighbor podcast and the Greater
Perimeter Chamber.
Especially for those who aresponsors of one of the magazines
Dunwoody Neighbors, northBuckhead Neighbors and you're a
chamber member, you're going tohave some special perks.
(19:00):
Super exciting partnership hereat the Good Neighbor podcast.
On behalf of our team, you knowto yours I already thank you
for all you've done for usalready and I'm really looking
forward to continuing thiscollaboration effort and this
partnership.
If listeners want to learn moreand I highly encourage you if
(19:21):
you're listening and you're abusiness owner in the greater
perimeter area, that you reallyreach out take Paula up on that
offer of the free invitation.
Come as their guest to check itout, see what it's like, see
what the fellowship is likebetween business owners and and
the chamber.
Having been a member of one ofthe smaller chambers and now
(19:43):
being a new member of the mergedchamber, it's, it really is.
The reach is just that much,that much greater.
So those of you who, if youwere like me, let your
membership lapse, just kind ofunsure about how, what the
merger would bring, rest assured, it is all good things.
So if listeners want to learnmore, back to that again.
(20:03):
If they want to learn more,what's the best way, paula, for
them to reach out?
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Well, we have an amazing new website
greaterperimeterchambercom.
That is the easiest way to getconnected.
We are on any social mediaplatform that's out there,
except for TikTok, so you canfind us on whatever your
favorite social platform is.
Greater Perimeter Chamber.
We look forward to engaging.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Well, it has been an absolute pleasure having you on
Paula.
I look forward to what all isto come.
Thank you, stacey.
Well, that's all for today'sepisode, atlanta.
I'm Stacey Risley with the GoodNeighbor podcast.
Thanks for listening andsupporting the local businesses
and nonprofits of our greatcommunity.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Thanks for listening to the Good Neighbor podcast
North Atlanta.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses, visit
GNPNorthAtlantacom.
That's gnpnorthatlantacom.
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
North Atlanta, where local businesses and neighbors
come together.
Here's your host, Stacey Risley.
Hello friends and neighbors,Welcome to North Atlanta's Good
Neighbor Podcast.
Today we are here with my newfriend, Paula Shiver.
She is the Executive VicePresident for the Greater
Perimeter Chamber of Commerce.
(00:22):
Welcome, Paula, so happy tohave you on.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Thank you, Stacey.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Well, paula and I have gotten to know each other
pretty well the last few weeksand I am so excited to have her
on to share some info about theGreater Perimeter Chamber of
Commerce.
Tell us about the chamber,paula.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Sure.
So the Greater PerimeterChamber focuses on a regional
approach to support businessespredominantly in the perimeter
area.
We are mainly focused onDunwoody and Sandy Springs, but
we support all businesses andare happy to have engagement
from anybody that sort ofidentifies or wants to do
business in the perimeter area.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
It's a wonderful organization and I used to be a
member of the perimeter chamberwhen it used to be just the
perimeter chamber and there wasthe Sandy Springs chamber very,
very close by, and I love thefact that we've recently gone
through a merger to merge thetwo.
And so, paula, if you don'tmind, will you tell us a little
(01:26):
bit about the merger of the twochambers and how merging them is
beneficial for businesses andfor the chamber?
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Sure, so I'll take you back a little bit to my
background.
I started with the DunwoodyChamber of Commerce about a
little over 10 years ago andthat chamber was a municipally
focused chamber focused onsupporting Dunwoody, and we went
through some variations ofrebranding.
(01:54):
We became the Dunwoody ChamberDunwoody Perimeter Chamber and
then we focused more on just theperimeter area and dropped the
Dunwoody from our name, but wewere predominantly focused on
the Dunwoody area On the SandySprings side in Fulton County.
Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamberwas kind of going through a
transition similar to ours.
(02:16):
We were two municipalities thatsort of stood up their own
cities and everybody who wasinvolved in that process wanted
there to be a chamber to supportthe businesses.
Since 2008, 2007, we have sortof been competing, if you will,
in this region for engagement,people to come to our events,
(02:38):
people to join our chamber and,you know, really competing for
people's focus.
And so about 10 years ago theconversation started about the
idea of merging and we wouldcome back to the table about
every three or four years and wejust never could get it across
the finish line.
And in 2024, the timing wasjust right.
(02:59):
We had the right people inplace, we had the right
leadership in place and ourboard decided that it was the
right time to bring us togetherand focus on the region and stop
trying to compete in themarketplace.
So the board approved themerger in June and it was a
pretty fast runway to January1st 2025, when we were official.
(03:21):
So the Perimeter Chamber andSandy Springs Perimeter Chamber
unified to form the GreaterPerimeter Chamber and I couldn't
be more excited.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
I am really excited about it as well.
I was a member of the PerimeterChamber and then I let my
membership lapse at the end oflast year kind of when all of
the merger was taking place orwhen it was really about to take
place, since it took place inJanuary.
But you mentioned somethingabout the leadership was right
(03:52):
and I love that.
Some of the leadership has comefrom the perimeter chamber and
some of it from Sandy Springs.
Adam Farrand is the presidentand CEO, you are the executive
vice president.
Adam was from Sandy Springs, youwere from the perimeter chamber
and it does just mesh reallywell together.
(04:12):
And I agree completely, youknow, when you said that for
lack of a better word,competition for each other.
You know, and there's no needfor that at all when all of
North Atlanta, especially aroundthe perimeter area, sandy
Springs and Dunwoody both fitinto that category and I think
(04:33):
it's just better serves everyone.
A larger chamber, largermembership, you can have more
events and I'm so happy that allof this has come together like
it has.
And as far as the membershipsor the members who join, how
does having a larger chamber,group and membership base and
(04:55):
all of that, how does that helpthe people who join the chamber.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Well, when we kind of erased the municipal lines
around what our service areaswere, we just became more fluid
in terms of you know, when youthink about doing business, you
don't say, well, I'm only goingto grocery shop in my city.
You know, if you're runningerrands in Sandy Springs or
you're in Brookhaven or whatever, you are just using the
(05:22):
resources that are in thosecities and business doesn't stop
at the county line or itdoesn't stop at the zip code
line.
So for our members and forthose who engage with the
chamber, we just offer a muchmore diverse landscape of
members, businesses, regions,cities, just in terms of
(05:43):
connectability.
That is just a really big partof what chambers do is connect
people.
So it's just opened up a muchbroader opportunity base.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah Well, and that was a large portion of why I
re-upped my membership.
I was really excited,especially with the Good
Neighbor podcast, north Atlanta.
You know I'm the publisher ofDunwoody Neighbors and North
Buckhead Neighbors magazines,but the podcast services all of
North Atlanta, and so I wasreally excited and felt like it
(06:15):
was a really good fit for thepodcast as well.
So I'm super excited and youwere right when you said that
about you know business doesn'tstop at the county line or the
city line or the you know zipcodes.
That's just not how it works.
You know, we really aredefinitely still one community
(06:36):
and I think that that,especially as business owners
you know the community ofbusiness owners we need to work
together and help lift eachother up and help support each
other however we can.
And so that kind of leads intowhy I've gotten to know Paula so
well in the last couple ofweeks and we have just really
(06:58):
see a great potential forcollaboration with the podcast,
offering interviews for all ofthe members of the chamber and
huge shout out to the chamber.
You know, if you're not amember of the chamber you should
be.
Even just the networking eventsand the fellowship amongst
other like minded, you knowbusiness owners that are, you
(07:20):
know, going through the sametroubles or successes.
And for that support and that'sthe whole purpose of the
Chamber of Commerce, of anyChamber of Commerce, especially
North Atlanta being able to beserviced, I'm excited about the
collaboration I love what yousaid there, stacey.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
The partnership between the Greater Perimeter
Chamber and the Good NeighborPodcast is just a really great
example of the collaborationthat we try to bring to the
region, and forgive me if I'mspeaking for you, but I think,
because you recognized theunification and the power of
that, it caught your attentionand you rejoined the chamber,
(08:02):
which is fantastic, and here youare bringing another
opportunity to our members wherethey can be interviewed on your
podcast and showcase theirbusiness.
The chamber really likes tooperate as a marketing arm for
our members.
We have lots of different waysto amplify the work that you're
(08:25):
doing and the stories thatyou're telling, and this is just
one extra little thing that wecan layer into that, which is
really a beautiful thing.
It is an exclamation point onthe whole reason why we wanted
to bring these two chamberstogether.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Well, I love that.
That is a huge reason why Ire-upped my membership.
I saw so much potential forcollaboration, not just with the
chamber but with other businessowners throughout the North
Atlantic community and thegreater perimeter area, so I'm
thrilled with the merger and allkinds of fun stuff.
I will I just want to and wecan't talk about this too long
(09:05):
but we had the ribbon cuttinglast Wednesday or last Thursday.
That was so much fun and it'sit's really neat to see the
chamber and the you know, thecity officials and people come
out to to recognize these newbusinesses that are coming in.
So I love the support that theycan get from from the chamber
(09:27):
and and not just the chamber,but the members, the other
members of the chamber.
We are all here workingtogether.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
so the ribbon cuttings are one of my favorite
parts of the job.
It is, um, it's so excitingit's, you know, it's like these
folks who it's kind of like, umexciting it's, you know, it's
like these folks who it's kindof like like bringing a child
into this world.
When you open a business, youknow all of the trials and
tribulations and the labor andall of that stuff and then you
(09:55):
are celebrated by city leaders,the chamber, the other business
leaders coming out to reallyraise a glass and cut a ribbon
and celebrate with you, and itis by far one of my favorite
parts of this job.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Yeah, and at that one we were cutting a rug too there
might have been some very uhUIPs.
That was a ribbon cuttingunlike any others, and those of
you who are listening who haveno idea what we're talking about
we had some members from theAtlanta rap scene, some really
(10:32):
cool celebrities, localcelebrities here.
It was just fun.
That was a very fun, fun ribboncutting ceremony.
And the chamber events are funas well.
Tell us about you, told us alittle bit about so and the
chamber events are fun as well.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Tell us about.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
You.
Told us a little bit about yourjourney with the chamber.
You know how you started withthe perimeter chamber, but tell
us about your journey intoworking for the chamber at all.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Sure.
So you know, in my career Istarted out very early in
college working for REI and Iworked with them all over the
nation.
I was in the outdoor industryfor 18 years with REI in
Patagonia, particularly with REI.
(11:16):
I was asked to serve on a boardof the Chamber of Commerce and
I have no idea what Chambers didand I didn't, you know.
I said yes and learned the hardway.
I learned on the job but it wasvery rewarding.
I was managing my store for REIand then helping support other
businesses and I just it reallyhelped me connect to the
(11:40):
community.
I was living in Nashville atthe time.
I was new to the area.
Connect to the community.
I was living in Nashville atthe time, I was new to the area
and it really it kind of broughtthis community sense to what I
was doing and helped me connecton so many different levels to
other businesses in theNashville area and it was so
rewarding.
So when I moved back to GeorgiaI happened to see a posting for
(12:05):
the just an administratorposition at the chamber.
I was this time I was a mom andI needed a part time job and it
was just trying to do somethingthat was flexible.
And 10 years later, here I amand I've loved every minute of
it.
I've worn every single hat youcan wear in the chamber.
I've worn every single hat youcan wear in the chamber, and my
(12:25):
favorite part about the job isthat it is there's no day off.
You know there's no duplicateday.
Every day is different andthere's such a gamut of
different kinds of roles thatyou can play and I just you know
I love it every minute.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
I love that you are here.
I think you are a huge asset toall of us.
So well, tell us about anymyths or misconceptions that
people might have about you know, becoming a chamber member or
the chamber in general.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
You know, when I think about this question, the
thing that comes to mind ispeople who say I don't have time
to do that.
And I guess my answer to thatis we produce almost 80 events a
year.
If you throw in ribbon cuttings, it's closer to about 120.
(13:19):
But you know, we are there foryou in the morning, we're there
for you in the afternoon, we doafter hours.
So we provide so muchflexibility and opportunity and
our programs are very high valueand opportunity and our
programs are very high value.
So we really like to createopportunities where you could
(13:40):
come in and just make reallyvaluable connections, meaningful
connections, and go back andimplement those into your
business.
But it isn't all about thenetworking or the events.
One of the biggest things thatis a misconception is we are a
nonprofit.
We are funded mainly bymembership dues, but we act as
(14:00):
an advocate for your business.
So whether you engage with usor not, just joining the chain
means that you are supportingthe advocacy work that you do.
I'm sorry that we do.
For example, if a signordinance gets put in place that
is going to impact yourbusiness, you as a business
owner can call, but if you'vegot the weight of the chamber
(14:20):
behind you.
The impact is going to be somuch better.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Oh, that's a really good example.
That's an excellent example ofhow just you know, even if you
don't have time, you know evenif the mornings and the evenings
don't work, or you know allbecause you really do have such
a variety of times, of events,of different types and different
types of events.
But that is an excellentexample, one that I hadn't even
(14:46):
thought of.
You know having the weight ofthe chamber behind you should
you need it.
You know that's a that's apowerful statement, should you
need it.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
You know that's a that's a powerful statement.
Yes, we, we are in thenonprofit world of 501 C6, which
means that we, we actually canadvocate.
I mean, that is, that is theplatform by which we advocate.
And so you know, you could joina business associations, but
chances are they're not a 501c6and you're not going to be able
(15:16):
to advocate for your business.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
So yeah, as a chamber member, I'm thrilled to hear
that.
It just gives me one moreexclamation mark of why being a
member is such an importantthing.
So I'd love that and I amexcited about the things to come
.
I love how you said that wework together and you really
support the businesses.
(15:39):
I mean, as soon as I re-uppedmy membership, you know you were
in touch with me and wanting toknow how you could help, and
they have a chamber one-on-onecourse, and then Paula offered
to have a one-on-one with me.
Well, they've just been superaccommodating and I've already,
in just a few weeks, gotten somuch out of this membership.
(16:03):
So huge supporter, I'll be abig voice of advocacy for you
too.
So what about let's shift gearsjust a little bit and, if you
will, paula, let's let ourlisteners get to know you a
little bit more and tell us whatyou do for fun when you're not
(16:24):
working were in college workingfor REI and have just tried to
incorporate the outdoors intoour lifestyle.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
You know all throughout our marriage,
throughout, you know, raisingour daughter, and when we
couldn't take our daughterbackpacking anymore, we put her
in a raft and started whitewaterrafting and that sort of turned
into bigger excursions and sowe paddle spring through, fall
and just anytime I'm on a river.
(16:58):
River is when I'm the happiest,but we do.
We do pretty big trips out West.
Last summer we paddled 17 daysthrough the Grand Canyon on the
Colorado River.
We covered 270 miles and thissummer we're gearing up for the
main salmon in Idaho.
And anytime I can just get on ariver and unplug and get back
(17:20):
to nature, it just makes mehappy and it fuels my tank to
come back and do the work that Ilove.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
And they can't see me right now, but the audience.
I am grinning ear to earbecause everything Paula says
there resonates with me so welland that's one of the reasons we
connected so well getting backto nature and being able to kind
of recharge and unplug from thecity.
When you work in the city andlive in the city and spend most
(17:49):
of your time here, I hear youloud and clear how much that
does recharge you and refuelsyou to get back to doing what
you do for all of us so well.
Is there anything else that youwould like listeners to know
about the Chamber of Commercebefore we wrap up?
Speaker 1 (18:09):
I highly encourage people to check us out An open
invitation.
If you reach out to me, peopleto check us out An open
invitation, if you reach out tome, I would love to have you
come to an event as our guestand just kind of feel the power
of what's happening, as we arecollective.
When you invest in the chamber,you invest in a more stronger,
connected region, and I guessI'll just leave with that open
(18:33):
invitation.
We are inclusive and we'd loveto have you give us a chance.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
And I second all of that.
Well, there are more greatthings to come with the
collaboration between the GoodNeighbor podcast and the Greater
Perimeter Chamber.
Especially for those who aresponsors of one of the magazines
Dunwoody Neighbors, northBuckhead Neighbors and you're a
chamber member, you're going tohave some special perks.
(19:00):
Super exciting partnership hereat the Good Neighbor podcast.
On behalf of our team, you knowto yours I already thank you
for all you've done for usalready and I'm really looking
forward to continuing thiscollaboration effort and this
partnership.
If listeners want to learn moreand I highly encourage you if
(19:21):
you're listening and you're abusiness owner in the greater
perimeter area, that you reallyreach out take Paula up on that
offer of the free invitation.
Come as their guest to check itout, see what it's like, see
what the fellowship is likebetween business owners and and
the chamber.
Having been a member of one ofthe smaller chambers and now
(19:43):
being a new member of the mergedchamber, it's, it really is.
The reach is just that much,that much greater.
So those of you who, if youwere like me, let your
membership lapse, just kind ofunsure about how, what the
merger would bring, rest assured, it is all good things.
So if listeners want to learnmore, back to that again.
(20:03):
If they want to learn more,what's the best way, paula, for
them to reach out?
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Well, we have an amazing new website
greaterperimeterchambercom.
That is the easiest way to getconnected.
We are on any social mediaplatform that's out there,
except for TikTok, so you canfind us on whatever your
favorite social platform is.
Greater Perimeter Chamber.
We look forward to engaging.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Well, it has been an absolute pleasure having you on
Paula.
I look forward to what all isto come.
Thank you, stacey.
Well, that's all for today'sepisode, atlanta.
I'm Stacey Risley with the GoodNeighbor podcast.
Thanks for listening andsupporting the local businesses
and nonprofits of our greatcommunity.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Thanks for listening to the Good Neighbor podcast
North Atlanta.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses, visit
GNPNorthAtlantacom.
That's gnpnorthatlantacom.
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