Through her active membership with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Esther Scott, owner of Positive Actions International, found strength in a connected business community.

She joined the Chamber shortly after starting her own business in 2020. The Chamber’s tagline Together, We Succeed is what drew her in.

“This idea that everyone has to work together is so powerful,” Scott said. “You cannot be your own doctor. You cannot do your own surgery. You have to have others around you.”

From the moment she joined, Scott said the supportive atmosphere was apparent. 

“I felt like part of the family,” she said. “Arlington has found a way to make it both personal and business because they actually care.”

Being a Chamber Member immediately gives businesses credibility with people in the community, she explained. As she started her business, she saw success more quickly than if she was on her own.

“The Chamber provides a visibility that would have taken years to build,” Scott said. “It has allowed me to move a little faster because I’m connecting with other businesses at every Business Over Breakfast and Chamber After Hours.”

Both Chamber-wide monthly events, Business Over Breakfast is a fast-paced networking event where each Chamber Member shares a 30-second pitch and connects with 125+ attendees. Chamber After Hours is a casual happy-hour-style networking event where members connect with 90+ attendees over drinks and light bites at rotating Chamber-Member venues.

It’s at these events where Scott discovered that many Chamber Members are connectors, quickly making introductions to those who can help her business.

“They open the door, and now you are one step closer to accomplishing your goals,” Scott said.

Scott said she loves how the Chamber provides opportunities in different areas for members to get involved and build connections. An active participant in Member Groups, Scott attends Women’s Alliance events and recently chaired the Latino Business Alliance (LBA).

The LBA is a great resource for Latino businesses to build community with one another, and for other businesses to better understand the Hispanic communities around them, Scott said.

“The Latino Business Alliance is a bridge that connects the Latino businesses into the larger business community that makes Arlington thrive,” she said. “Trust and loyalty is so important to our culture, and the Chamber provides a space for it to grow.”

Scott’s biggest advice to new members is to simply participate.

“Participate,” she said. “Don’t just let your membership sit there. Engage. Go to the Business Over Breakfast or Chamber After Hours. Build connections.”

The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce is the catalyst for growing our members’ businesses, 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 Positive Actions International can help you discover your goals and take steps to reach them here.