Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce

Parking Lot Party 2024 was huge hit and such a fun way to bring the business community together! The hosts of this month’s Business After Hours knocked it of the park with the food, games and fun! Thank you Flow Family Chiropractic, Sweet Treats Candies & Sweets and The Hair Loft Salon + Extension Bar for hosting the business community and creating such an incredible event. Why do we love Business After Hours events….they provide the perfect relaxed vibe to connect, share, and learn from fellow entrepreneurs & business professionals. And you never know who you’ll meet—a future collaborator, a mentor, or even your next client! So whether you’re looking to expand your network, grow your business with fresh ideas, boost your brand's visibility, or get more involved in the community? Reach out! Let us know you're interested in getting yourself or your business involved, and we'll help you get started.

Are you passionate about supporting small businesses and building connections? The Heart of the Valley Chamber is looking for a dynamic, outgoing individual to join our team as the Director of Events & Business Engagement! If you love meeting new people, thrive in networking environments, and have a creative, sales-driven mindset, this is the perfect role for you. You'll be at the forefront of our mission to make the Heart of the Valley a great place for business by engaging with current and new members, planning exciting events, and driving economic growth in our community. Ready to be a part of something great? Apply now and help us connect people and promote business! https://lnkd.in/gJfX798T

Build a personal brand that truly stands out! Join us on Sept. 24 for a workshop on personal branding, led by Chris Burns with Hustle Leadership Network. Chris will guide you through the essential steps to define and enhance your personal brand. Whether you’re a rising star, seasoned pro, or just starting your journey, you’ll walk away with a toolkit of strategies to boost your online presence, showcase your unique style, and make a memorable impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your personal growth and career success! Register Now - https://lnkd.in/gYdpufd8

Thank you, Blake O., Owner of Focus Systems, for sharing your expertise on all things small business IT with our HYPE – Young Entrepreneurs Group! Blake shared a plethora of information about the challenges small businesses are facing in relation to IT and how to overcome these challenges, defenses against cybersecurity attacks and how to implement them, and tips on how to keep your business data secure and backed up! If you’re an entrepreneur under 40, we invite you to join our Young Entrepreneurs group called HYPE! This group connects you to other local entrepreneurs who are making their way in the trenches just like you. You will join like-minded business owners, exchange ideas, share advice at monthly problem-solving meetings and have access to resources, expert speakers, workshops, community involvement and more! Interested? Send us a message for more info! 

We are thrilled to announce that the The Bank of Kaukauna is the Presenting Sponsor for our 35th Annual Chamber Golf Outing at Royal St. Patrick’s on August 28th! This incredible event will bring together over 200 business professionals for a day filled with networking, camaraderie, and fun on the links. We couldn’t be more excited to have the Bank of Kaukauna as the event's presenting sponsor. A huge thank you to the Bank of Kaukauna for their continued support and all they do to champion small businesses in our community. Their commitment helps us create opportunities for growth and connection, making our community stronger. We can't wait to see all of our members in a few short weeks on the course!

Leadership Academy kickoff yesterday was incredible! The group dove right into Servant Leadership under the guidance of coach and mentor, Patrick Van Abel! Pat introduced the group to the essential skills and behaviors that foster meaningful connections and cultivate cohesive teams and each participant received a copy of The Servant which will help guide upcoming sessions. Next month, we will explore the role confidence plays in leadership with a session on Authenic Confidence with Coach Mark P. Duerwaechter. The Leadership Academy will meet monthly over the next 9 months and we are looking forward to an incredible leadership journey!

Happy Birthday to Julie Van Vonderen, who serves as the President of our Board of Directors at the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce and is the Director of HR Consulting at McClone Insurance. Julie's unwavering support for our mission—to be a connector, advocate, and community champion for small businesses—has been instrumental in our success. Her leadership and encouragement have empowered our team to connect members, build business partnerships, and serve as the biggest cheerleader for our local business community. Julie, we’re grateful for your constant support and the positive impact you have on our team and community. Wishing you a fantastic birthday and a week of celebration 🎉🥳

Exciting News 🎉 $2,000 Small Business Grants! The Heart of the Valley Chamber is partnering with TDS Telecommunications LLC and Hinnendael, Greene & Associates to offer two $2,000 small business awards this Fall! The Small Business - Dream Big Awards are a $2,000 cash award that will give a small business a financial boost & support entrepreneurism in the Heart of the Valley! The Fall award cycle is open to female owned small businesses and will be presented at our Women You Should Know event on Oct. 22nd. The award will support a small business owner with funding to invest in: • New products or additional inventory • Necessary equipment or office supplies • New marketing strategies or services • Leadership or skill specific training • Technology needs, remodel, etc. Applicants must be HOTV Chamber members and can apply online through September 15th. To apply and view the award criteria visit https://lnkd.in/gXfgJxkQ

Skate City was an awesome host of this month’s Business Card Exchange event! Thank you to owner, Troy Thiel, for welcoming a full house over 70 incredible business professionals!! If you haven’t attended one these events yet, they are all about building relationships, making connections, and unleashing the magic of collaboration! You're not just exchanging business cards; you're sparking ideas, sharing insights, and maybe even finding your next business partner or mentor! So join us next month at on September 12 from 9-10am Kaukauna Library for the next Business Card Exchange event!

Hey Young Entrepreneurs! If you’re an entrepreneur under 40, we invite you to join our Young Entrepreneurs group called HYPE! HYPE connects you to other local entrepreneurs who are making their way in the trenches just like you! You will join like-minded business owners, exchange ideas, share advice at monthly problem-solving meetings and have access to resources, expert speakers, workshops, community involvement and more! The group meets the second Wednesday of every month from 8:30-9:30 am and is designed for both seasoned and new entrepreneurs. Interested? Send us a message for more info or fill out the group interest form ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dUwDr-fv