We were lucky to catch up with Joanne Davis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Joanne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Over the course of your career, have you seen or experienced your industry completely flip-flop or change course on something?
This example relates to the impact COVID had on small and minority businesses. COVID was a complete game-changer. It changed the way we all operated individually and collectively. Personal contact was deadly which left many small businesses with out business. Shifting the methodology was the only way to survive. Left without customers and staff took its toll immediately. Using technology to sustain the business cost was an option. Where was the money to move from face to face to ordering on-line? Where was the training to use the technology? Would customers respond? Would employees come back? Were there other alternatives? These questions were just the tip of the iceberg, faced by many small and minority businesses. Many did not survive. But, for those that did, it was grit and adaptability and the choice to take the risk. What is also amazing is that many other small and minority businesses were created because of and while we were in one of the worst health crisis in history.
While the OKCBCC struggled also. We became the conduit of information. We recognized that our membership and our community of business owners were so busy trying to survive, that they were unaware of the of dollars available to access to help them with the cost of changing their methodologies like technology, like outside eating areas, retaining employees, etc. Sometimes that meant masking up and going door to door. It meant working side by side with entities to help them fill out applications for funds or expert assistance. It meant giving out hand sanitizer, gloves and masks donated by our corporate sponsors. Our mission these last two years has been helping small and minority businesses not only survive, but thrive even in the midst of storms. We hoped we have succeeded.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
By trade, I am a certified professional contracts manager. For thirty-five years, I worked in contracting at Tinker AFB. However, for almost 10 years of my time was as the Director of Small Business for the Air Force Sustainment Center. Simply put, this position’s focus was on ensuring small businesses received a portion of government contracts. It was during this time my passion for small and minority businesses was cultivated. Part of my role with OKCBCC does involve counseling. It involves sharing resources to help them sustain themselves. It is what I commonly refer to as connecting the dots. We have connected them with lawyers, with accountants, with commercial realtors. We have reviewed leases, helped small businesses read and write contracts, discussed insurance coverage and helped them understand lending processes among financial institutions. Our chamber’s value is in connecting businesses with trusted professionals whose objective is the same…keeping them in business for years to come.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing membership is to simply to be of value to our members and our community. Showing our worth and being an advocate in spaces and places small and minority businesses do not have to time to access.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Connecting with like organizations. Being a collaborator is the best way to get new members.
Image Credits
Last Photo….Stephen and Staci All Things Creative