From Our President
It’s truly hard to believe that I have been at the chamber ten years his month. When I first walked through the doors, there was the kindest woman that I had the pleasure of working with named Karen. Karen Hitchcock was so instrumental in helping me understand Loveland. She introduced me to so many people. At the time her job was to answer phone and perform other administrative tasks. So, when the chamber grew and started to do training, events and more events…it was more than what she wanted. We miss you Karen! There were a few interim people that I worked with, but Meredith, our now Vice President of Operations, has been with the chamber for over 7 years now.
Meredith made me realize (and allowed me to let go) that I didn’t need to be good at everything. That was a big issue with me. I felt that I needed to perfect and to do it all! She came in and enhanced many events and helped create many more. During that time, I realized, she’s much better at organizing this stuff than I am! She’s much better creating the marketing than I am! This is great! She also taught me boundaries that I truly needed. Along with the perfection thing, I wanted to say YES to everyone’s ideas. Now I say, “please don’t bring a new idea unless you plan to help with said idea.” Ha, ha!
One of the reasons I truly love this work is the people. My favorite type of meeting is a one-on-one coffee with someone that is starting up their business. It’s so inspiring and exciting to hear how they worked their way to the point of opening their own business. I’m often more excited than they are and can almost always see a way the chamber can help.
Last I wanted to certainly say THANK YOU to the many board members who led me along the way. When they are first considering a board position, I ask them to take their own business hat off and put on a chamber hat. What I mean is, when you sit on the board, your work is to consider ALL the businesses we serve. When making decisions, what is best for all the businesses not just a specific sector. We have been blessed with so many incredible board members. They have guided me and our staff with the utmost integrity and always with the businesses in the forefront of all decision making! This certainly speaks to who the Loveland area and the chamber are.
When reflecting on the start, 10 years ago. I was very excited to begin the chamber work, but I quickly realized that the chamber needed to be turned around, as we were praying to make payroll each month. I was walking with my husband and said, “whew, this chamber has been through a lot. I hope I can do this. I think I can, but I’m very nervous.” So, I am grateful for my husband and family’s support. They have watched the entire ten years, heard about the entire the good and bad, comforted me many times, offered resources, volunteered, and connected me when needed. They are the best!
I continue to have fun and it’s been an honor to watch the area and chamber grow. We offer so many valuable resources and our mission is our focus! Thank you all for allowing me to serve for ten years. I’m still having fun!
Cheers!
CeeCee
With that said, I’m starting to embrace working more from home, on the go and traveling (I seriously could not embrace this at first and was completely freaked out). Here is an article on a few strategies to help you work remotely. I hope it allows some of you to get out of the office and enjoy some time! (article by Mamta Sharma).
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