Latest / PITSTOP With The Diers Ford/Lincoln Auto Amigos / Pitstop Episode 8: Connecting Our Community with Brenda Wilberding
Transcript
- Diers: Welcome to Stop, the Deersford Lincoln Auto Amigos and special guest from the Chamber of Commerce here in Fremont. Brenda Wilberding, who is the president, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. Yeah, thanks for having me. Glad you're here. Yeah. We never see you. Not ever. No. You guys are never at chamber events. I never see you driving around. You know, I always know where you're at. I can find you. And the truck is very visible. Aren't you surprised I don't just show up wherever you are and say hi? Maybe I'll start doing that. It it happens. We should start a spotting thing where like when you see your truck, you take a picture of it and you say where you saw them at. Yeah. See? You know, if you guys ever see the truck, just take a picture and just tag us in the picture. Yeah. That'd be fine. Me goes on the go. ⁓ we see them. Yeah. Man. We were all over the place. We're always going through different streets in Fremont. It's only says that there there is not a street in Fremont that we have not been through. I love that. I think that I've still missed some and I've been here my whole life. So maybe I need to make I know where it's to go. Just keep driving. ⁓ So we toured North End. Yeah, because we were gonna go pick up some vehicles down to ⁓ North Bend and ⁓ when we got there we just started going through little streets down there. Did you stop at the golf course? ⁓ we we get some flack when we do that. Yeah, they're like, ⁓ you guys are always out there. So let's talk about the Chamber of Commerce. Yeah. ⁓ And the CEO of the chamber, what does that all entail? it's a lot of just making sure that things can go smoothly. We have six hundred and thirty five members of the chamber and so ⁓ team of four of us to to make all the things happen. So it's lot of just organizational ⁓ and do a lot of event planning, but ⁓ the of it comes down to listening to our members and figuring out what do you need? Where are their gaps? How can we fill them? How can we make you be successful? How I mean, obviously they're gonna be successful on their own, but with With the chamber, we can help elevate that with their marketing, making connections. And I think that's probably my favorite part of the job is just being a connector. You know, we have a lot of people that call us and they're like, Hey, who do I call for a broken pipe? Right? Or, hey, I just started a business in Fremont. Who are all the contacts that I need in order to get my space up and renovated? And so we fill a lot of those gaps. And if we don't have the answer at the chamber, we know somebody that does. So I think the relationship building that we do is probably key to the success of our chamber and and being able to help people and elevate them. Yeah. ⁓ I think that the other day Allie Green was on her podcast. Yeah and she gave you a shout out because she was like Brenda Wolverine is just the best connector. She just knows everybody. So, ⁓ how long have you been? At the chamber and doing this. And how did you get there? Yeah, absolutely. Well, number one, Allie also deserves a shout out because she's amazing and she has just done amazing things since she's come to Fremont. I mean, she came in and I tell people she didn't know many people. And she is just a mover and a shaker and she gets things done in Fremont too. So shout out to you, Allie, because you're amazing. You do all the good things. so for me, I've been at the chamber now as president CEO for just about three years. ⁓ prior to actually coming on board as the president CEO, I I served on the board for about six years. And then prior to that, I was at Midland University and I did their ⁓ yeah, shout out, right? ⁓ Did business development for them for gosh, probably about six years and then ran their career studio helping students find internships and jobs and all of that. And we stepped back a little further than that. I was at Hive. So I feel like I started my connection building at Hive, but ⁓ when Tara, my predecessor, left the chamber, ⁓ she called me and she's Hey, I you need to you need to apply for this job. And I'm like, Wow, I love what I'm doing. I don't know. And she's like, You will love doing this. I love the networking aspect. I love just helping people. I remember being younger and I always thought about helping careers and I was like, Well, how can I help people? I definitely can't be a nurse because blood and needles, that's not gonna happen for me. And it was kind of funny because I was like, ⁓ I'm gonna go into journalism. I wanna be behind the stage. I wanna be, you know, writing the things. And and then this, you know, I started networking and I didn't realize how much networking can help people. ⁓ so it's been really cool for me. ⁓ that's been my passion. Help people feel like the belong ⁓ been always a ⁓ something that's important to me. I feel like I was I I just told the tribune this. I was like, I'm kind of like a self proclaimed, I was a weirdo growing up and that's fine. ⁓ really fit in a certain space or anything. And so now for me, you know, it's it's really cool because I felt like I belonged when I joined the chamber, even though I'm from Fremont, been here my entire life. ⁓ when I feel it when I really started to feel like I fit in is when I joined the chamber and started networking with people that had the same mindset as me. And so I want the same thing for those people that are coming into Fremont, you know, whether it is a business or an individual to be able to say, hey Let's plug you in somewhere. Let's make sure that your sense of belonging is here in Fremont because when you think about quality of life, that's one of the most important things in a community is feeling like you have a space to belong. Right. And you know what? Not taking a shot to any of the chamber of commerce out there. But guys should take some tips from Brenda and the Chamber of Commerce from Fremont because it is the most welcoming chamber I've ever been to. ⁓ thanks. And ⁓ they will always make you feel like you're you're at home. Thank you. Thank you. that's our goal. We want to make sure that people feel welcome. You know, it is terrifying walking into a room of people you don't know. It doesn't matter how long you've been in, you know, the networking area. It doesn't matter. I if you walk into a room and you know nobody, it's intimidating. And so to we we try to, you know, really take those people and say, Who do you want to meet today? Let us connect you with them. Or if they're new, you know, who are the people that regularly come to our you guys, of course. I think I've I've Definitely hunted you guys down a few times at coffees and said, I want to introduce a new person in this room to you because I know that you'll be inviting and welcoming to them. So we try, we try really hard to make sure that people feel like when they walk in, that's a space they belong in. So since you started as the CEO, what has been the most surprising thing to you? don't know. You know what? I I think that when I started, it was that not as many people utilize their benefits as they could have. all of our members get b a benefit package and not everybody was taking advantage of them. ⁓ I've been there and and through Christine Torres, Christine Gill now, working with her, been really intentional about going out and having those conversations with people and saying, Hey, let's utilize your benefits, people start to use and they realize how great they are, and then they keep coming back. And so it's just surprising to me the pe the amount of people that maybe didn't use their benefits in the past or Maybe they don't come out to coffees or ribbon cuttings or after hours and and utilize that networking. But ⁓ I think the people that take advantage of that and understand it, they do really, really well. so I it was just surprising to me. That's probably the biggest surprise. You know, and I think that also comes with, you know, you guys support the local businesses so much. I mean, that's your job as a chamber. Yeah. ⁓ but I think you guys do a fantastic job at it and teaching them all the benefits that come with being part of the chamber. It's it's amazing. I mean, people really love to grow here in Fremont. Yeah. And we're very proud of being able to do that. I think the other thing though is that's nice is that if we don't offer one of those benefits, if we don't offer something that they're looking for, we know somebody in Fremont that's doing that. You know, so we'll refer them out. Maybe it's Main Street of Fremont or it's the Greater Fremont Development Council that can help them a little bit more than we can. We'll make those connections because we want to make sure that that they're getting what they need out of the chamber too and and just out of the community in general. I I talk a lot about the Fremont Area Young Professionals group. It's not a chamber group by any means. ⁓ but I feel like it's so good for people of that ⁓ age group ⁓ to able to connect with one another and have another person that's maybe in the same stage of life as they are ⁓ so they have somebody here that they can work with and and have somebody to lean on. I just went to one of those meetings last month and it was fantastic. It was really fun. Hopefully it was well attended. ⁓ Yes, were some people in there. Good. I love that. That's awesome. So how do you feel like the networking and connections really benefit people and businesses? Yeah. I mean, we all need things, right? We're all looking for what's the best way to do a certain thing. I think the networking number one, if you are a new business or you're new, maybe it's maybe you're a new insurance person, right? And you haven't made the connections in the community yet and you're able to, you know, come to one of these networking events, you're gonna meet so many different people and their needs might be something that you can fill. And so I feel like that's important. But again, that sense of belonging, just having a space that you feel like you can come to, you can be with like minded individuals. I think that's huge. And typically, I mean, I feel like people walk away from a networking event with at least one new person that they can contact or at least one person that ⁓ fill a gap ⁓ in what their needs are. You know, we so many times we meet people at the chamber events. Yeah. It's seems like it's always somebody new. Yeah. ⁓ I know, you know, one thing that really helps is When somebody's looking for service for a vehicle, a windshield, and they go, Hey, I know Tony and Fernando out there. Yeah. You know, why don't you give those guys a call and they can help you, you know, find who you need to find. And so that's very beneficial for any business, you know, when so and so just comes to your mind because I know them. Uh-huh. And then I think that makes people more comfortable if you know somebody in a business and and then you trust them and you have a a partnership with them. very beneficial for us. Yeah. As well as a l a lot of other people in those same situations, I know. Absolutely. And if you just walk into one of those events and you've met somebody new and you're like, ⁓ my gosh, I need that to happen. And now I know somebody, I've met them, or you come a few times and you start to build a relationship with that person and you feel like exactly you can trust them. for us it's it's nice when people come to events and maybe we we don't know what's going on and they're organization at that time and we get a a feel of, hey, what's happening within your organization? And then we have people come up and they look they say, Hey, I need this. Well, we just talked to somebody and that's something they're offering. And so it's it's just nice to make those relationships happen. I know Fernando and we just had two interns, Tyson and Nick. And yeah. We hired Nick. But ⁓ very first day, I believe, they were with us. We went to a chamber event. Yeah. And I said Do not stand here by us and just visit with us. I want you to walk around, introduce yourself, and that's how you're gonna get to know people. ⁓ and they did. Did it and that was so hard because there were so many people there that that event That was Bob Betts and Bob Betts, yeah. Yeah. That was a full event. Yeah, that was fantastic. We actually made our way on the outside because there were so many people in that space. It was getting warm. It was getting warm. But that's great. We love it. We love that many people. Yeah. Every month. Yeah, we try to limit it to two a week. Sometimes that just doesn't happen. ⁓ we think about tomorrow we actually have two events tomorrow. so ⁓ gets kind of crazy. but we love we love the fact that people want to use their benefits, but we try to spread them out, you know, do a Tuesday and a Friday or a Tuesday and then a Thursday after hours simply because we want people to not burn out on it. We want them to come have something to look forward to. ⁓ But we ⁓ we worried about having two a week and now we've been doing it for about two years. And we our attendance is just so good. But that's not because of us. It's because our chamber members get it. They understand the benefit of coming to the events. And so it's it's just amazing to watch all the people that filter in and start having the conversations and it just they make it look so easy from the outside. But there's a lot. And then on top of that, we we do other, you know, non dues revenue events. We have our chip in for the chamber golf tournament, which sold out in a week. ⁓ So exciting. ⁓ it's a really fun event. Must be no fun. I know, right? Nobody wants to go to it. I've got a wait list of like 10 teams right now. I always feel bad not being able to get people in. We do Beer Fest. That's a nice fun community event. Again, no fun. Right. No fun whatsoever. We had 500 people there last year. So that was awesome. It's a good time. It is. And then we do our Hispanic business banquet, which happens in November. it's actually rolling into December this year. This year's December. It's December, yep. So we do Spanish Networking Group once a month. we do our annual banquet. We had a women's summit this year. That was were trying to just figure out, you know, what are we lacking in Fremont? ⁓ What don't need to drive out of town for? ⁓ And I put out there on my personal Facebook page, and I've got a lot of chamber members that are my friends on Facebook. And I was like, Hey, if we brought this to Fremont, would anybody want to join? And I had like, gosh, over 20, maybe 30 people that responded and said, I'll help you. if you bring this to Fremont. And so, you know, we're we're always looking at like how can we fill those gaps? How how can we bring something here that's beneficial to not only our businesses and organizations, but the individuals that work there. And I heard it was a really great event. It was good. It was two hundred people and it was a long day, but lots of learning and I feel like everybody walked away with something that day. You know, and obviously we're kidding about these not being fun. They're so much fun. Yes, please go. Go. Yeah. You're yeah, you don't have no fun. Yeah, right. tell us how all these things help promote economic growth in Fremont. Yeah, I think just the ⁓ to learn about the organizations. When we have our coffees, people to the businesses, right? Or they they come to a location. ⁓ Everybody an opportunity to talk and say, Hey, this is what we do. Like, ⁓ we have an insurance one, they'll say these are the the services that we offer. ⁓ so they're able to promote their business, right? And you have people in that space. And and then if you've been in a space once, you feel more comfortable coming back. And so that's really, really great. But it's also driving we like our ribbon cuttings, we broadcast them on our Facebook. We do a Facebook Live. So people that are in the community that maybe don't come to all of the events, they're finding out about that and that's driving business to those organizations. So it it helps a lot to have them. It helps a lot to have those events and To be able to recognize the individuals in the community that are doing amazing work and definitely like lift them up, especially if people don't know they're here. You know, my wife and I we had a Saturday where I said, Hey, let's let's go to Fremont and we'll just spend a day downtown Fremont. Love. You know, and honestly, we went there because I'd been to all these things downtown and I'm thinking, I didn't realize there's all this stuff down here. And so we came in, we had coffee. We walked around to the boutiques and different shops. Yeah, which some were more fun for me than than others. That happens. Yeah. our interests are different. And had lunch downtown, but we spent a whole day down there and we had a great time. You know, and some of ⁓ the shops we just went in and visited because it was fun to look. wow. It's just fun to go in and look at ⁓ and I'm thinking Fremont's downtown has really taken off. It's awesome. It really is. And we you know, we've heard from a few additional businesses that are looking to grow in Fremont and bring their business downtown. And I have one gal and super excit I can't probably share yet 'cause she's still working on some funding and stuff for it. but she came into my office the other day and she's like, I want to be downtown. I'm trying to find the right building that will fit for me. ⁓ now she's looking at something on twenty third, which is also fantastic and it'll be a good location for her. But our downtown is just hopping. I mean It really is. And all of Fremont really is. It's just growing and we have so many amazing I think I learn about a new business in Fremont every single day. And I always feel like I should probably know all of these. I I try. I try my hardest. You know, if they don't come out of the woodwork and let me know if they're here, then sometimes I don't. But ⁓ it's just it's just there's so many little gems in Fremont. So it's fun. But yeah, my husband and I, Brian, we do all of our date nights in Fremont for the most part. I mean, our Friday nights we'll go downtown. Spend some time down there, have supper, have a couple drinks and hang out. So it's it's a great space. And you know, I know I talked to ⁓ Semo, they said like about seventy percent, maybe higher than that, of their clientele come from out of town. they've just discovered how awesome our our main street of Fremont is and so that's awesome. That's so cool, you know, and ⁓ we gotta promote the chamber, of course. ⁓ thank you. So how much does it ⁓ help a small business To join and go to all these events. I mean, I think it's a ton when you think about getting your name out there and understanding, you know, how to market yourself. You know, a lot of these businesses do a really good job of that, but they might be a one or two person team. ⁓ so marketing might be back of their mind because they are working on all the other things that owning a business and running a business have. we're there to help market it, right? We're there to help and then we're there to Spread the word for them. So if they're coming to the events, a lot of the times our small businesses, they can't. They can't come to the events. They're the only ones in the business. And so if we can do the job of promoting them and talking about what they're doing and getting to know them, we try to do that the best that we can. so the more often that we connect with them, the better we understand what their offerings are and the better that we can start to get the word out about them. I I think about like Benth Bentley is an apothecary. I think you guys came to that one today, didn't you? She has some just amazing things. I've been down there several times for lotions and for room sprays and they had a lot of cool little things, you know, and the drinks were great. They were really good, right? Yeah. So they have some amazing products. ⁓ but not everybody will stop right over the viaduct, right? And so we we try to do our best to promote what they're doing down there. And a apothecary in Fremont is awesome. And I think when people hear about it, they're like, ⁓ my gosh, I didn't even know it. And so we try to really get that word out there and and push folks to come and shop local and Understand they don't have to leave here to to have some great opportunities to to shop and to enjoy our our community. And honestly, I didn't I didn't know it was there. I know, right? I didn't even know how to say it. ⁓ I had to ask Fernando. He always pronounces things for me. Good job, Fernando. ⁓ and I know Terry, you know, they yeah. They lived in North Bend. Yeah. And her husband Tony was a great name. Yeah. So do you think the the chamber effects jobs the local economy. How do you think we have an effect on that at the chamber? I hope that what we're doing helps people grow, right? And as your business grows, you're hiring more people. And as looking for employees, we have a job board at the chamber. so we try to matchmake, we try to help people understand what job openings there are, but we we hope that what we're doing and and the influence that we have is helping these businesses be so successful that they're hiring more people, right? And getting more jobs. We also work hand in hand quite often with Greater Fremont Development Council. And as they they really work on some of those, they have a German company coming into Fremont. We help kind of support them. They're really good about bringing the larger businesses into Fremont. we want to do is retain them here, make sure their employees are happy, make sure that we're helping them grow, offer leadership programs so they can continue to develop their employees. And of course that's a great perk of being at a ⁓ a job ⁓ are there ways for me to continue to grow in my position? So We hope that that's what we're able to do there, not only, you know, helping them create new jobs, but also helping them keep their really great employees by offering opportunities to grow. And as far as you've seen, is one thing that people almost all the time get wrong about the chamber? they think that we're part of the city of Fremont. So they understand it. And that's okay. You know, we all have similar logos because when they did the logo redesign, you know, what was that like eight years ago? all have similar logos, and so I totally understand. But we get a lot of phone calls at the chamber ⁓ people asking us, like, when is this road going to be fixed? Or how do I pull a special designated liquor license? Or why you do something about my sidewalk? And we're like, Well, ⁓ I'm get you the right contact. But a lot of people think we're a part of the city, actually, my family. I think until like a year ago all still thought that what I do is part of the city, which is fine. They don't you know, they didn't know for sure. ⁓ but we're a non profit. we're standalone and our our sole purpose is to help ⁓ members ⁓ the individuals working at those organizations to to grow and be successful. So, that's what we that's what we try to do. But yeah, we're not we're not part of the city. We love the city. You just learned something new. I we a lot of that. We get a lot of that and that's okay. ⁓ we're but But it's it's good for people to know. But also if if they're calling us and they have something they need to get through to the city for, our city's amazing. We have a really good relationship with them. We'll send them the right direction. Do you think you have a lot of people that think networking is just snacks and events? ⁓ yeah, for sure. I think until they get there and understand the purpose. But I also think the individual that comes to the events has to understand what they're doing, right? Like, what do I I I always tell people I'm like, come with a goal of meeting at least one new person and be Be purposeful, have that purpose in mind of why am I doing here? And then after you make that connection, go have some fun and just chat with people, right? Get to know them a little bit. But I think that it's good when you understand the purpose of the networking events ⁓ and and why you're coming. But networking is much more than just having snacks and coffee and standing in a room and finding the people that you already know. It's a great opportunity to go out there and get to know new people that maybe you wouldn't have an opportunity or or a way that you would have ever connected with them otherwise, right? You know, so many times we go to things there'll be somebody there that I didn't know they had a shop here. Yeah. And what's really fun is when some of them are I my former students. ⁓ that's awesome. You know, Forever Floral downtown. And we went and did a post with Krista. And which is really for me, you know, and be to be able to do that and help them out. ⁓ But you know, so times I've told people, I said, get to the chamber events. This is how you grow your business. You get to know these people, you know, because a lot of these other business, you know, when they have special days, they may be looking for flowers. Yeah. And they're gonna remember you. They're gonna know you. And so it's so important to get in there and connect with people. and I really believe that it's gonna benefit your business if you do that. ⁓ it's amazing how many people are at the events. I mean, it it it ⁓ well of what you guys are doing in a city of Fremont. Yeah. ⁓ it speaks well about our members too. Like I said, they show up, which is I think the best part about it. They get it and it works here. And so we're proud of our members because, you know, we're not dragging them out to come to these things. Like they want to be there and they understand how important it is if, you know, if you're gonna have a after hours or a coffee or something like that, and you're somebody that shows up to everybody else's events, guess what? They're gonna come to yours and they're gonna support you as well. And so I think that everybody understands that and they understand it, you know, it's gonna be fun and I think I get a lot of my questions answered during them too. I'm like, ⁓ I gotta contact this person and this person. ⁓ good. We're all in the same room. I'm gonna I'm gonna hit them up while we're all here too, which is kind of nice. So yeah, I agree. It's good. It's it's good. No, I have to tell you, because my wife will say, Somebody'll have a wedding or something, and I I'm not I don't like going to those. And my wife will go, If we don't go to those, they won't come to ours. When our daughter's gonna be, That's great. Then it costs me less money. she's right. Yeah. ⁓ But Brenda's a good name too, right? Yeah. Yeah. Smart people. Yeah. Yeah. So we go. Yeah. I I don't much of a choice really. No, you know. But support others, they're gonna support you back and I think that's a good way to look at it. And I have a great time once I get there. You're right. Just the idea of dressing up and ⁓ know, how long some can be. But it's great. I love going to your kids' weddings, so I'm not saying that. ⁓ No, it's a it's a good time. I get it though. Yeah, and and she's right though. Yeah, you support them, they're gonna support you. I think that's a good thing. Well, I'm just more of a ride around on the ranger in a sleeveless shirt, gym shorts, some sandals and a cooler on the with Coca-Cola's in it. Yeah. Uh-huh. Yep, that sounds right. Good old Coca-Cola. know, Primo has A lot of wonderful businesses and they're they're all amazing. But as Fremont is growing, what are some businesses that you know that Fremont needs more of? you know, I don't know if there's a specific industry. Retail, of course, is one that we get asked for a lot. The the interesting thing is I think that a lot of people don't understand how how businesses come to communities and how they select communities. ⁓ I know I see on the issues discussion page a lot, I see, why can't Fremont Build a long John Silvers and I'm like, well, you need somebody to franchise it and you need somebody to run it. And but if you're interested, like do it. That sounds great. We'd like to Yeah. Yeah. If anybody wants to do it, like do it. And there's people that can support you here. It's really crazy. We have like the best entrepreneurial support system in Fremont. so that's somebody that we can get people connected with too. So I you know, we don't do a lot of the work here with with those startups and understand the financials, but we work with like the Greater Fremont Development Council, the Fremont Creative Collective, and they are a really great support system for those who are starting their businesses and trying to figure it out. And then they have the pitch it event every year. So if there's a new business and just really great opportunities and really good support around entrepreneurs here in Fremont. we try to do our part of that, but if we don't have all the answers, we have the connections for it. Where do you see Fremont headed in the By the tenure ⁓ I see continued growth. Absolutely. Especially after we s continue to work with the housing and our infrastructure. ⁓ energy obviously is is big everywhere, is a big need for everybody. And as we continue to explore options with growing our infrastructure, I I think that we'll continue to grow grow. They already are focusing on our housing and our housing shortage and affordable housing. And, ⁓ know, as soon as those things pick up, there's definitely opportunities. But people are looking at Fremont. You know, Les Schwab is is coming to Fremont. I don't know if that's one I should drop on here. You can cut that one out. Don't know who they are. Okay, good. All right. I mean we've we've got these businesses and they're seeing Fremont. They're they're seeing what we're doing here and they're interested. I've talked to probably four different entrepreneurs ⁓ the last week and a half that have said, I want to come to Fremont. I see what you're doing. I see the support that people have. I want to be here. So continued growth is gonna happen. That's awesome. You know, I gotta ask you this because I think you're you're the best person to ask this question to. But what makes the city of Fremont a great city? I think just how well everybody supports one another. I don't know that you see this in a big community. You kind of get lost in the sauce, right? Yeah. And here in Fremont, people know who you are. They wanna support you. They wanna help you out and and keep your businesses and organizations go. They wanna make sure that you belong. I I think about our nonprofit system here in Fremont. I don't know if there's any community that has a nonprofit system. That organizes and and operates the ways that ours do. They get together if they don't have the resources, they know where to send another person. It's not like they're constantly competing with one another. They're definitely working together. And I don't know another community that is really like ours. Ours Fremont's a model for that. And I think Fremont's a model for a lot of what happens that's good and what you should be doing. You know, we have space for everybody to win. We have space for everybody to win. I see you guys, you do the same thing, you know. If you if you don't have something, you're gonna send somebody to to who can help them. And I think Fremont's really good at that. They're not just gonna say, ⁓ we can't help you. I don't know who can help you. I'm not gonna send you somewhere else. So I think that's we've we've gone out and we have, done ads and done videos for any other business and it's just to promote them because we think they're great and we just wanna have more people go to that business. Absolutely. And I think we really believe if other businesses in town are successful, then we will be too. One hundred percent. And and so we try and support them and we're a big believer in in buy local, stay local. ⁓ you know, and that's a lot of our Christmas promotion when we can buy a certified vehicle or a new car and you get a pick of ten out of Charlie's trunk and it can be two hundred and fifty, five hundred, seven fifty or a thousand to another business. You can't use it at Deers. Yeah. And so we try and give back, hoping others get back to us. You know, and and so I think Fremont's great about that. The one thing you brought up that I think is amazing, and I saw on a discussion page last week somebody was having trouble with some bills. number of people who said contact this group, contact this group, they can help you. Yeah. ⁓ and really, you know, when we started doing the auto amigos, you know, we did some work with nonprofits ⁓ we really got to know a lot more of them. And there is such a support system in Fremont for folks. And you know, as a community member, I'm I'm proud of that. You know that that we have these organizations and the people running them are amazing. ⁓ they are. Yeah, I think you have to be to be in that position. They like the biggest hearts ever. Absolutely. And that that that heart for service. And yeah, no, you're right. Absolutely. There's I mean, if you're if you're in need of something in Fremont, I mean, there are resources out there for you. ⁓ absolutely. Yeah. And it's super important. We got some fun things for you. All right, let's do this. Okay. Coffee meetings or lunch meeting. Ooh, do I get a pick lunch? If I get pick lunch, let's do lunch. Let's do a lunch meeting. I probably get more accomplished at a coffee meeting because I'm not sitting there eating, but depending, deciding what I'm gonna get from the menu. But ⁓ I love love a lunch meeting. I thought you'd say both. I mean I like them both. Absolutely. ⁓ depends on the day. I'm hungry right now. I know if you guys can. hear this. My stomach's like rumbling. How about a coffee meeting and then a lunch meeting? I would take both. Absolutely. Let's do this. Now is it a working meeting? Are we getting something accomplished? ⁓ absolutely. Well then I'm good. Yeah. Let's do both. We only do working meetings. Working meeting's the best. Much during a lunch meeting. It's harder. I know. It's harder, but you know, we can still get it done, I'm sure. there's food. Right. So ⁓ early morning events ⁓ after hour events? Mm. I'm not a morning person. However, that nine o'clock time frame is perfect for me, so I prefer a morning event. Really? I would've never thought that you were a morning person. I am not a morning person. Really? I don't see you so, you know, joyful in the morning every every coffee event. It just takes me a f like an hour to like really get there. But yeah. So you gotta wake up really early for you too. I wake up at like seven fifteen to work at eight. See, I really thought it'd say after hour events. I like the after hour events too. I like them both, but ⁓ I I don't know. I feel like I've got more energy at the beginning of the day and I get to the end of the and I'm like, whoof. know, but then there's a beer. So Coca-Cola. A Coca-Cola you mean. Yeah. Yeah, I said Coca-Cola. Yeah. Just one. Ribbon or a big annual event? ⁓ that's so I it's really hard. I love them both. I love a ribbon cutting. 'Cause celebrating a new business in town is just so much fun and but I don't know that I can pick. I our big events, our annual events are a blast too, and it's a lot of work. It's a lot of work to But is there stressful for you guys? You know, I think I'm past the stressful part of it. I think I'm just to the point of okay, let's just just do it. Let's just let's just go. Let's get it done. It's just a lot of planning. So You know, it's kinda like you know, when I was the athletic director at North Bend, ⁓ you have a tournament, you have district track. it's it like your big events. Yeah. It's a lot of work and then once you have it, it's great. Because all the people that are there and it's it it you know, it just goes well because you have great workers and yeah. And so they are fun. It's just not fun up to that ⁓ point. ⁓ it's lot of work leading up to it, worth it one hundred percent. They're great events. The ribbon cuttings, I like I said though, like I just it's so fun to sell up peop people that are that are opening new things and learning about what they're doing or They're adding on to their space or they've got new owners and so they're really excited to get involved in the chamber. And so this is their way to like kind of enter into that space. So yeah, I mean, I don't know. I I don't think there could be a bad event that we have. It's all all our good things. ⁓ they're all great. You know, the Jeff Peterson, ⁓ chief ⁓ city council. Yes. His opening remarks, you know, if if you're a owner opening a business and you have your ribbon cutting. I think Jeff does a great job of making you feel welcome in Fremont. Absolutely. And Lonnie Dooley. great guy. Yes, I love Lonnie. From Gene Steffi's. Yeah. We're friends. See, yeah. ⁓ And ⁓ what I was telling Fernando when I first met Lonnie, you know, Lonnie Dooley, I thought he had four legs, but he only had two. Actually really good. It's good. See, that's what I'm saying though. You guys are like, I'm good, you know, we're doing good things over here. We're do they're doing good things over there. Just 'cause you're in a competing business doesn't mean that you can't get along. We look at ⁓ as friends. Absolutely. They're good people. We're in the same community. I think we gotta support each other. ⁓ here in the community supports each other, then who's gonna support Yeah, exactly. but on speaking about that, you know, if Businesses are on the fence about joining the chamber. What would you want to tell them? I tell them come check us out. You know, we would not be opposed to somebody coming and checking out a ribbon cutting or or a coffee or just understanding, you know, what goes into this? What does this look like? It really is a community. I mean, the chamber has a their own community that gets together and it's very welcoming. I would tell people, come and check it out, understand what it looks like. Let us walk you through a benefits package. We don't we we want members that want to utilize their benefits. We want people that want to come in and and they want us to help them and they want us to help them grow and the understanding you know, we're not going to oversell you on a on a membership package. We want to make sure that we're finding the right thing for you ⁓ works best for your business, that works best for you as an individual. ⁓ I mean, ⁓ us have a conversation with you and and dig in and find out, you know, what what are your needs and how can we best meet them? And if we can't meet them, who can we connect you with that can meet them? So where can people go to learn more about the Fremont Chamber of Commerce? They can go to Fremontne.org or they can follow us on Facebook because we have a lot of posts on there. So if you want to see what the events look like, there's always fun pictures on there of of the ribbon cuttings. The we actually if you want to see a ribbon cutting, we typically have a Facebook live on there. So if you wanna check that out, you can. The coffees, we do the same thing. The after hours events, we do the same thing. If you want to check out our nondues revenue events, that's like our our Bolapalooza, our golf outing, if you want to see what those look like, you can check that all out on Facebook too. But connect with us there. ⁓ and and reach out if you have questions. Like we'd love to help you. That's that's one of our favorite things in the entire world is when a member comes to us and they're like, I need help doing this, and we're like, We got you. You know, I always like to go back to you guys' post after an event because I'm always looking for my picture. ⁓ But you guys do such a great job at that out there about how the event went and the pictures, all the videos. You guys do an amazing job at that. So if you guys want to go check out all the events, go to ⁓ the chambers Facebook page. Yes. Or even Christine always is always putting out videos about new businesses or the businesses that are are part of the chamber. She's doing great at doing all those videos as well. Absolutely. She I think she went to seven businesses last week in one day. Checked them out. I used to do it. Yep. All the time. Yeah, I You know, all those the businesses and videos and little clips. It's great. Yeah. And Brooke's always putting out all the photos and stuff on our Facebook page and and working with ⁓ Will ⁓ Frampton with McLeod Media on, you know, live streaming things with LinkedIn and Kaylin is over there running our leadership programs. And so I've got like the best team ever. And so we're lucky. Team of four, we're small but mighty. I would say You guys are fantastic at what you do. And if you have not checked out the Fremont Chamber, you need to do so. And it's really a great organization who really does a great job for Fremont. One last thing that I'm gonna throw out because I know it was huge. Sure. I know weren't you involved with a grant that Fremont got for the downtown You know, I wasn't involved with it. That was all Angie Olson at the city. However K E T V called me and they needed somebody to go on air, so And so they picked you. And let you know, like I mean it's incredible for Fremont though. Yeah, true. It was that's my face just happened to be the face that day. But Angie sent me all my talking points and everything. ⁓ but it was it's really cool what we've got going for Fremont and those federal funds are out there for communities. Nebraska for a long time just didn't take advantage of them. And so I'm I'm really proud that that Fremont's getting the recognition and getting the funding that we really deserve here. ⁓ John C. Fremont Park is gonna be amazing. ⁓ my gosh, doesn't it look cool? ⁓ yeah. And I can't wait till I get a sing in that amphitheater. Yeah. Fernando wants to be in the front row 'cause he's a big fan of Do you planned your song, your opening song? I I might just take requests. okay. From the two people that might show up. Okay. I'll be there. Well, you're be one of those two people. I was gonna say out loud what I was gonna request, but I better not. we want to thank Brenda and Wilbur for being with us today. ⁓ and I this and I absolutely mean it. They're fantastic at what they do. Check them out, especially if you're a business here in Fremont. Get on and check out what they'll do for you because it's really going to help you grow. And if you see the chamber and the members at these things, you're going to understand why. And so we appreciate your time. Thank you. Yeah. And Fernando, if you guys thanks for showing up. Yeah. Well, thank you. For inviting me. If you guys haven't been able to go to any of the events, make sure you look in their website. They have all the events there. Please just go to one of your in the fence of joining the chamber or not. They are fantastic people, they do amazing events. Thank you. We've always loved to see you new people at the events, so please go check ⁓ out. ⁓ ⁓ you guys want to see any other businesses as ⁓ as the events. Check out our Facebook page. We always have posts about different businesses in town, different businesses in the community, not just Freeman, but the surrounding areas and all the events that Brenda puts together, we're more than likely there. So we'll always put ⁓ pictures of those events too. So check us out. ⁓ follow our TikTok, follow our Facebook page, YouTube, Instagram, everything. We're everywhere. And check out the podcast. Don't forget, always turn on that notification ⁓ bell. That way anytime we post something new, you guys are notified right away. And we're always giving cash away. So make sure you check that out. Hey. It stop with the auto amigos. Thanks for joining us. you next time. Take care.