Chamber Happenings
One Easy Revenue Stream Most Small Businesses Don’t Know About
This article explains how small businesses can create simple digital products—like checklists, templates, or mini-guides—to generate passive income using AI. Instead of building full courses, business owners are encouraged to package solutions they already provide regularly, use AI to speed up creation, polish the content with their own expertise, and sell it through platforms where they already have an audience. The goal is to turn existing knowledge into affordable, practical products that save customers time and create revenue even when the business is closed.
Instagram Quietly Changed Stories. Here’s Why It Matters
Instagram is expanding the power of Stories and Reels for businesses. Public Stories can now be reshared by anyone—even without being tagged—turning Stories into a built-in word-of-mouth tool that boosts reach and visibility. Instagram is also testing Early Access Reels, giving followers exclusive first access while encouraging new users to follow to unlock content.
With improved editing tools and more control over what users see in their feeds, consistency and share-worthy content matter more than ever. The big takeaway: Instagram is rewarding useful, engaging content that audiences want to share—making community and loyalty key drivers of growth.
6 Ways Your Chamber Can Help You Win in 2026
As businesses look ahead to 2026, this article highlights how Chamber membership can be a powerful—yet often underused—tool for sustainable growth. Rather than focusing on transactional networking, it outlines six strategic ways Chambers help businesses win: building credibility through trusted visibility, offering relevant local education, making intentional connections, advocating for business interests, fostering a supportive peer community, and encouraging long-term engagement. The message is clear: success in the new year doesn’t require doing more—it requires using existing Chamber resources more intentionally and strategically to grow without burnout.
The Most Overlooked Growth Practice for Business Owners Isn’t What You Think. And It’s Free.
Running a business means constantly planning ahead — but one of the most overlooked (and free) growth practices is pausing to reflect. This piece encourages business owners to write a letter to their future self: recognizing progress, acknowledging challenges, and setting a compassionate vision for the year ahead. It’s a simple exercise that helps refocus your “why,” build resilience, and lead with clarity.
How to Create Community at Your Business
A business can turn repeat customers into a true community by shifting from transactions to relationships. Learning customers’ names and stories, creating simple rituals or clubs, and treating regulars like insiders helps people feel connected and valued. Designing a space where customers can interact, sharing their stories in marketing, and building light systems to remember details all strengthen this sense of belonging. When customers feel like “this is my place,” they return more often, recommend the business to others, and stay loyal—even when competitors offer alternatives.
Keeping Up With Tech
Keeping up with technology can feel overwhelming, but you don’t need to master every new tool — just the ones that help your business grow, save time, or reduce risk. Set a simple weekly “tech check-in,” follow a few trusted experts, and use AI or your network to help filter what truly matters. Start small, test one tool at a time, and keep a “Not Now” list for future ideas. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s becoming tech-literate enough to make smart, confident decisions for your business.
How Small Businesses Can Win Big on Black Friday
Black Friday doesn’t have to be a competition with big-box stores. Small businesses can win by creating a calm, welcoming, and memorable shopping experience. Ideas include quiet-hour shopping, VIP appointments, curated gift bundles, gratitude walls, sensory elements like music and seasonal scents, and partnerships with nearby businesses to create unique experiences. Focus less on discounts and more on how customers feel when they walk through your door—because that’s what keeps them coming back.
A Small Business Survival Guide for the Holidays
Small businesses can reduce holiday stress and boost end-of-year success by focusing on small daily improvements, organizing their environment, building simple routines, and relying on systems rather than willpower. By making good habits easy, staying anchored in their identity, and prioritizing rest, they can navigate the busy season with clarity and momentum.
Win at First Impressions
First impressions shape how customers feel about your business before you ever speak to them. From curb appeal to your website, greeting, and overall atmosphere, every detail sends a message. Clean, clear, and welcoming environments—both physical and digital—build trust, reduce confusion, and increase the likelihood that customers will return. Small, intentional improvements can make a big difference in customer loyalty and overall success.
Igniting the Shop Local Movement: Every Purchase Has a Purpose
This holiday season, every purchase has power. When we shop local, more of our dollars stay right here in Yuma County—supporting local jobs, fueling community growth, and strengthening the businesses that make our region thrive. Let’s all do our part to uplift local this Small Business Season.
