Through his active membership with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Corey Callaway, owner of Callaway Financial Services, found a supportive family and informative opportunities to stay in the loop on Arlington news.

“The Chamber is one big family,” Callaway said. “Anytime I need something, I know somebody I can call.”

After working for his father’s financial company, Callaway started Callaway Financial Services to help others manage their money and formulate successful retirement plans. As a new business owner, he wanted to get involved in the community and meet new people, so he joined the Chamber. 

“I was intent on having fun with what I was doing, and joining the Chamber gave me that,” Callaway said. “Yes, I came to the events to grow my business, but I mostly came to see my friends.”

In his nearly 15 years of membership, Callaway witnessed firsthand how Chamber Members encompass the mission, Together, We Succeed, in both business and life.

When he needed a new website and a social media expert, Callaway called  Advent Trinity Marketing Agency. Anytime he has a new idea, he knows he can bounce it off Dick Gann with The Gann Group. 

Joining one of the Chamber’s Networking Groups is a great way to build relationships with other Members and actively support each other’s business, he said. Networking Groups are weekly meetings structured to maximize networking opportunities by having one industry represented per group. The goal is to give attendees a team of people advocating for their business through referrals while also providing a space for community. Through these groups and other Chamber events, Callaway gained a couple thousand contacts over the years, saying the membership “definitely pays for itself.” 

Doing business with each other is not the only way members support each other, Callaway said. Just like a family, members provide a shoulder to lean on in difficult times. 

“I like to say that we’re the biggest small town,” Callaway said. “We check in on each other; people feel supported in every situation.”

Chamber Members welcome everybody, he explained. When new people arrive at events like Business Over Breakfast and Chamber After Hours, there’s always a flurry of activity full of hellos and welcomes. 

As a Corporate Leadership Council (CLC) member, Callaway also attended Major Investor Events, including Morning with the Mayor and Connecting with the Commissioner. Without an Arlington newspaper, these quarterly events allowed Callaway to hear updates on the City and County directly from elected officials.

“To me, Morning with the Mayor is one of the biggest benefits of Chamber membership at the investor level,” Callaway said. “I’m getting first-hand knowledge about everything going on in Arlington.”

Callaway’s biggest advice to new members is to be an active participant.

“Come to the events, and come often,” he said. “Take time to get to know us by being there. You’re not going to see the benefits of the Chamber if you’re sitting in your office not participating.”

The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce is the catalyst for growing our members’ business, fostering economic prosperity, amplifying the voice of business and developing our community’s future. Through year-round events, members build lasting relationships and learn crucial strategies to grow their business. Interested in becoming a member? Contact Bryan Weatherford, Director of Member Recruitment.

Learn more about how Callaway Financial Services can help you craft your financial future here.