My Involvement with the Tompkins Chamber of Commerce

Being part of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce has been one of the most meaningful ways I’ve stayed plugged into the local business community since moving to Ithaca.

My wife and I moved to Ithaca in 2022 and I quickly attended one of their Business After Hours. I did this because I've never been in a community before and I wanted felt like it was something missing from my life. The Chamber has introduced me to a community where real relationships are built, ideas get exchanged, and collaboration actually turns into action which has been a very rewarding experience.

As a content creator, musician, and small business owner, I live in the space between storytelling and entrepreneurship. The Chamber has been a powerful bridge between those two worlds helping me support local businesses while also connecting people who might not have crossed paths otherwise.

Today, I’m proud to serve on the Tompkins Chamber Board of Directors in a Small Business seat, representing the perspective of independent operators, creatives, and entrepreneurs who are building things from the ground up here in the Finger Lakes.

That role lets me advocate for:

Locally owned businesses

People in towns all around the county

Creative entrepreneurs

Startups and small teams

To me, the Chamber isn’t just about networking it’s about helping people find each other and build something better together.

Events I Regularly Participate In

Small Business Roundtables

These roundtables go deeper. They’re where small business owners can talk honestly about what’s working, what’s challenging, and where they want to go next.

I attend these regularly because they align perfectly with how I operate. Sharing ideas, learning from others, and helping solve problems together. Whether someone is running a coffee shop, a marketing firm, or a growing startup, these conversations make all of us better.

Community Conversations

This has been one of the most interesting regularly occurring event for me to attend. Community Conversations takes place once a month in a different town or area of the Tompkins County.

At these events, residents and business owners share issues they see in their neighborhood so we can work towards solving problems and barriers to success or easier living.

Ribbon Cuttings

I love celebrating new businesses opening or an organization unveiling a new part of their operations. Ribbon cuttings are always fun events because the community shows up to support the past, present and future of our neighborhood. 

Business After Hours Networking

These monthly gatherings are one of my favorite parts of Chamber life. They bring together business owners, nonprofits, creatives, and community leaders in a relaxed, social setting that makes real conversations happen.

In November 2024, I had the honor of co-hosting Business After Hours with Crossroads Bar & Grill, turning one of Lansing’s great local spots into a hub for connection, conversation, and new partnerships for the evening.

It’s exactly the kind of event I love being part of, local businesses supporting each other, in real time, face-to-face.

Why It Matters to Me

I believe my job, whether I’m making videos, playing music, or helping brands tell their stories, is to connect people.

The Tompkins Chamber of Commerce gives me one of the best platforms to do that.

It keeps me rooted in the Ithaca and Finger Lakes business community. It lets me support the people who keep this region vibrant. And it allows me to help turn introductions into opportunities.

That’s what community looks like to me.