Through her active membership with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Tamarah Schirm, owner of Big Time Selfies, grew her business tremendously by utilizing the doors the Chamber opened for her.

“If I hadn’t joined the Chamber, I don’t know where my business would be right now,” Schirm said. “The Chamber opened doors for me and helped me grow my business into something larger than I ever thought it would be.”

When Schirm joined the Chamber, her photo booth business was only a couple years old. Right off the bat, the Chamber hired her as the photo booth for their first annual Arlington Small Business Resource Expo, one of the Chamber’s Major Events.

While attendees stood in line to take their photo, Schirm networked, asking questions about their business and connection to Arlington.

“I didn’t build my connections in the traditional sense,” she said. “Often, I’m working the events, so I’m networking while at the photobooth.”

Schirm described her Chamber connections as a spider web. Connecting with the CVB at the Expo led her to running a photo booth for the CVB’s Texas Rangers Opening Day event. From that event, she gained countless opportunities.

“It all started at the Chamber,” she said. “I don’t think I would’ve gotten these opportunities without the Chamber.”

Schirm works with dozens of Arlington companies now including UTA, Chick-fil-A North Collins St., Texas Trust Credit Union and so many more. She also travels to major events in the surrounding area, something she says she never thought would happen.

When Schirm started Big Time Selfies, she wanted an activity to devote her energy now that she was an empty nester. A longtime community member through Arlington ISD, Schirm loves that the Chamber not only helped skyrocket her business but allows her to stay involved in the city she loves.

“We all want to see Arlington prosper. We’re all invested,” she said. “The Chamber gives you a network of people who have those same values and interests in the city.”

The collaborative nature of the Chamber doesn’t stop at the members. Schirm explained how Chamber staff become a member’s biggest supporter, quickly making connections for them.

Schirm’s biggest advice to new members is to interact with other members at events.

“Talk to other attendees and take time to hear their story,” she said. “As a community, we all bring something different to the table, and you won’t know until you listen to others.”

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 Big Time Selfies can provide a photo booth for your next event here.