This morning’s Chamber meeting left me feeling inspired, uplifted, and re-energized — a perfect reminder of why being part of this community matters. Groups like the Chamber and Mountain Women in Business have given me space to connect, collaborate, and grow — both my business and my roots here in Conifer.
When I first joined the Conifer Area Chamber of Commerce, I thought it would be about networking — shaking hands, exchanging cards, maybe meeting a few people who might need photos someday.
Turns out, it’s been so much more. It’s coffee chats that spark unexpected collaborations. It’s cheering on other small business owners like we’re all part of the same team. It’s knowing that when I walk into a room, there’s a community there that’s ready to show up for each other.
The truth is, my “office” is often the kitchen table, with my kids racing through the background while I answer emails or edit photos (See Exhibit A above). Running a home-based business while homeschooling means my work life and my home life are beautifully, and sometimes chaotically, tangled together. That’s why being part of the Chamber, along with incredible networks like Mountain Women in Business, means so much. They've given me space to connect face-to-face, collaborate, and feel part of something bigger than my own four walls.
In April, I was deeply honored to receive the Chamber’s Home-Based Business Award. Not because of the recognition itself, but because it reminded me that the relationships we build here matter. That when you plant yourself in a community, people notice — not just what you do, but how you show up.
For me, the Chamber has been a space where I can be myself, share my heart for storytelling through photography, and build trust in a way that feels real and lasting. Yes, it’s helped my business grow, but even more than that, it’s grown my roots, right here in Conifer — and I'm all in.
Here’s to digging in deeper: in business, in friendship, and in the community we get to call home.
Banner, L & R Photos by Sarah Virginia Co.
