Through her active membership with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Tameka Rushing, owner of Glass Half Full Solutions, connected with a community that gave her a place to belong and serve others.
Rushing initially joined the Chamber to find resources as a new business owner, but her membership brought her so much more.
“It ended up being so much more because life is about relationships,” she said. “The Chamber is a community and a place to land. For me, being a Chamber Member gives me a sense of community and relationship-building that I need as a business owner and as a person.”
At her first Business Over Breakfast, she sat at a table with fellow veterans. Immediately, they invited her to a Veterans Business Council (VBC) event. The VBC, one of the five Member Groups, hosts monthly networking events for veterans and allies.
As a veteran, Rushing was used to living near a military base and wanted that community.
“After the military, the VBC was the first organization where I found a place to belong,” she said.
Rushing built deeper relationships with members who understood her experience as a veteran and gained mentors in the VBC. She now serves as the Professional Development Chair and helps coordinate the group’s professional development events, a task she finds fulfilling. She said it can be hard for veteran business owners to find the resources available to them, and the VBC helps connect them.
“Member Groups are critical to being a member, in my opinion,” Rushing said. “Everyone should commit to attending Member Group events because it helps you feed those relationships and understand other people’s perspectives.”
While Rushing is mainly involved with the VBC and the Women’s Alliance, she believes it’s important for members to attend Member Group events to connect with other members and build deeper relationships. Each Member Group hosts their own networking and professional development events throughout the month.
“Together, We Succeed is not just a tagline with this Chamber,” she said. “We really are doing this together.”
Rushing said the Chamber has a very supportive atmosphere where every member truly cares about each other’s successes. While members support each other’s businesses, they also help provide vital tips and tools to small business owners.
“This Chamber not only has programs and events they host every month; they give businesses the opportunity to showcase their expertise and their knowledge by doing a Coaching Hour or Business Resource Session,” Rushing said.
Monthly Business Resource Events, including Business Resource Sessions, Arlington Insights and Coaching Hours, give members professional and personal skills, exclusive insights and the tools they need to grow their business. Each event is led by a Chamber Member who is an expert in their field.
Rushing said these resources are vital for business owners who may not get them anywhere else.
Committed to a life of service, Rushing wanted to continue giving back to the community. Through Chamber connections, she started volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Hagar’s Heart, alongside volunteering with the VBC and Women’s Alliance.
“That fills my cup, and I love that the Chamber helped me make those connections,” she said.
Rushing’s biggest advice to new members is to be brave and take the first step.
“Get out of your comfort zone and attend one event,” she said. “Walk around; talk to people. It’s going to be scary, but the Chamber is so welcoming and supportive. Show up and everybody will take care of you.”
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 Glass Half Full Solutions can help you develop your leadership skills and unite your employees here.