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James Smith, Executive Director Graduation season has a way of making one question louder than all the others: What’s next? For high school seniors, it may be college, trade school, the military, a job, or still trying to figure it out. For college graduates, it may be a career, more education, a move, a relationship, or the sudden realization that life no longer comes with a syllabus. But that question — What’s next? — is not just for graduates. We ask it after a job change.

Why small businesses cannot afford to be known for negativity Every small business owner knows customers have choices. They can shop online. They can drive to the next town. They can visit a competitor. They can stay home. And in a small community, where the customer pool is not unlimited, every relationship matters. That is why attitude is not a small thing. It is not just a personality trait. Your attitude becomes part of your business atmosphere. It shapes how customers fe

James Smith, Executive Director Bold or Bad? How to Know the Difference Some decisions feel exciting in the moment. They feel bold. Adventurous. Like the kind of move a leader is supposed to make. But not every bold idea is a good one. And I learned that the hard way. Several years ago, I was on a canoe trip in the Big South Fork with my nephew. We came up on Angel Falls—a stretch of water that demands respect. The plan was clear: get out, portage around it, and keep moving.

James Smith, Executive Director My 20's were very transformative years. College, military, marriage, children, finding my footing with my faith, first few jobs. I went to a lot of trainings, read a lot of books, and had a lot of mentors! Everything was new so I wanted it all!!! One time I was struggling...big time! And the struggle was over time. And one of my mentors told me something that stopped me in my tracks: You have the same 168 hours each week as Leonardo da Vinci. T

James Smith, Executive Director Simple Actions You Can Take This Week to Build Momentum You don’t need a full business overhaul to see results. Sometimes, the right small action—done today—creates immediate momentum. HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE ✔ Pick 3–5 actions to complete this week ✔ Don’t overthink—these are meant to be fast ✔ Check them off as you go ✔ Repeat weekly for consistent growth HOME-BASED & SOLO ENTREPRENEURS ☐ 1. Share Your “Why I Started” Story What to Do: Post a

James Smith, Executive Director I ate at a restaurant out of town recently. The food wasn’t bad. The service wasn’t terrible. Nothing went wrong. And that was the problem. It was… mediocre . The kind of meal you finish and immediately start forgetting. The kind where, if someone asked, “How was it?” you’d shrug and say, “It was fine.” But let me ask you this: Will I tell my friends about it? Will I make a special trip back? Will I even remember the name a month from now? Not

James Smith, Executive Director When you hear the word “breakout,” what comes to mind? Maybe it’s a prisoner escaping from a jail cell—finally breaking free from the walls that have held them back. Maybe it’s a runner in a race who suddenly surges ahead of the pack, leaving the crowd behind as they chase the finish line. In music, a breakout artist is the one who suddenly rises above the noise and captures everyone’s attention. In business, a breakout company is the one th

James Smith, Executive Director I confess: I’ve never been much of a small-talk guy. It's one of my biggest weaknesses. By nature, I tend to be task-focused. When I walk into a room, my mind usually goes straight to the agenda, the goal, or the problem we’re trying to solve. I can also be a little inward-focused—thinking through ideas, plans, and possibilities. Over the years, I’ve learned that this can send a signal I never intended. More than once someone has later told me

James Smith, Executive Director “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”— Zig Ziglar That quote has shaped me for years. In fact, from the moment I heard it, it became sort of a personal mission statement for me. It sounds simple. Almost too simple. But it’s one of the most powerful leadership principles I’ve ever embraced. I’ve tried to live it as a business owner, as a community leader, and now as Chamber Director. A

I’m a Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach… and I still struggle with this. So what I'm about to say is absolutely true...for me and almost everyone else I meet. John Maxwell teaches what he calls The Law of Intentionality : growth doesn’t just happen. You don’t improve by accident. You don’t wake up one day wiser, stronger, or more capable simply because time has passed. And yet, if I’m honest, I can waste an evening scrolling Facebook. I can sit down to “just watch one show”

James Smith, Executive Director Let me start with my personal experience with the chamber...long before I was sitting in this seat as director. When my partners and I opened the Rohs Opera House 20 years ago, we didn’t have a marketing machine. We didn’t have deep pockets. We didn’t have a massive audience. What we had was a vision… and relationships. Our Chamber membership was one of the smartest early decisions we made. Not because it instantly filled seats. Not because it

“Change is like a locomotive steaming down the tracks; you’re either going to get on and ride or be run over by it.” I first heard that quote in my 20s in a seminar I was attending. Back then it sounded like a warning. Now it sounds like a description of everyday life. The train is moving faster than ever—technology, customer expectations, workplace culture, marketing channels, costs, competition, the whole landscape. And here’s the kicker: we don’t get a vote on whether chan

James Smith, Executive Director We talk a lot about vision, even putting a lot of effort into crafting vision "statements" or vision boards. But sometimes the hardest part of leadership isn’t having a vision - it’s trusting yourself enough to follow it when the safer, easier option is sitting right in front of you—money on the table, pressure in the room, and quick relief within reach. I read a story this week about Sylvester Stallone and it got me thinking about how much I

by James Smith, Executive Director There are moments when a single sentence cuts through the noise and forces you to stop. I remember hearing this one clearly: “There are only two things you get from the past: pleasant memories and lessons learned.” Nothing else. That quote came to mind again recently after two separate conversations I had with young professionals in their 30s. Both were carrying heavy regret about decisions they made in their 20s—career choices, relationship

by James Smith, Executive Director Last year, I shared a concept that many of you tried—and a few fully embraced. This year, I want to come back to it from a different angle, because I’ve now seen something important: When this habit is used consistently, it works. Every time. (On business or personal goals.) In fact, by using this practice, I didn’t just hit my main goal last year—I shattered it . And I’ve done the same in every year I’ve committed to this rule. It’s simple.

Why the most important leadership work starts with you James Smith, Executive Director By now, we’re far enough into January for a familiar moment to arrive. In fact, today is known as National Quitters Day —the point in the year when most New Year’s resolutions have already been abandoned. Gym attendance drops. Planners start gathering dust. Big intentions quietly shrink back into old habits. That’s not meant to discourage you. It’s meant to reveal something important. Most

The Small Decisions That Shape a Big Year by James Smith, Executive Director Let me ask you something as we head into a new year. What’s one meaningful contribution you’ve made to your life recently? Something that made your family stronger, your business better, your customers happier, or your own mindset healthier? Now a second question—one that matters even more: What are you currently doing—on purpose—to create a result that will make a real difference in 2026? Because he

by James Smith, Executive Director The goal that defines your year—and demands your best Every year, I ask people to set goals. (Only 3% of Americans have written goals so if you write down something you're in the top 3%!) Every year, most people do the same thing: Nothing A few reasonable goals A handful of safe improvements Some things they’re “pretty sure” they can accomplish There’s nothing wrong with that… but it’s also not what changes a year. In my Jumpstart 2026 yea

James Smith, Executive Director Jumpstart Your Growth, Your Business, and Your Impact in the New Year As we step toward 2026, it’s tempting to think big — but the best goals aren’t always the loudest, flashiest, or most overwhelming. They’re the ones that give you clarity, strengthen your relationships, help you focus on what truly matters, and move your life and work forward with purpose. Here are 26 goals — grouped into the GRIP framework (Goals, Relationships, Importance,

James Smith, Executive Director Preparing Your Mind and Your Mission for 2026 As we approach the end of 2025 and get ready for a brand-new year, there’s one leadership habit that matters more than most people realize — reflection . Not resolutions. Not goal-setting. Not ambitious plans. Just honest, intentional reflection. Great leaders don’t rush into a new year without first looking back. Reflection clears the fog, sharpens our thinking, and helps us avoid repeating the mis