I think we have the best Chamber of Commerce around, and I'm not just saying that because we won "Emerging Business of the Year" this past Tuesday.
My family lives in South Florida, and my mom has been on one of their Chambers' Board of Directors for years now, representing her city's police department. (Wish TPD would do the same!) When I tell her about how our local Chamber supports Tallahassee businesses, she's floored. (And admittedly, kidnaps some ideas and brings them to her Chamber!)
I called her today to talk about
all the press that's been buzzing about us this week, and how many phone calls and E-mails I've tried to keep up with, despite all phone and Internet lines being down for 48 hours due to our torrential rain. When I was able to access our E-mail again, there was a congratulatory message from Allie at the Chamber, outlining
even more perks of winning the award: free access for a year to their evening networking events, an enhanced listing on the Chamber website, and even a special new nametag! (Ooh!)
I feel like I've been getting the royal treatment this week - from the Chamber, the families we serve, and even my Sitters. The spotlight is wonderful, but I can't help feel like it's misdirected, and I'm taking the credit that my Sitters deserve.
I don't say that to be humble or sweet - I really mean it. They're on the "front lines," ensuring that parents are happy, and kids have clean noses and tushies. They put up with my stressed-out days, enough to still love me on my "let's go out and eat together" days. They don't hold it against me when I have to make scheduling choices that they wouldn't have chosen for themselves. And I've yet to see any of them get "comfortable" in their jobs, and sit back - they push themselves to learn more about child development, take the extra step to build a personal relationship with moms and dads, and really make the time they spend with kids important. They recognize the importance of their service - and I want them to be recognized, too.
I'm the one that sits at a laptop, writes blogs and E-mails, and signs checks. They're truly amazing, and the only hand I've had in it was recognizing in each of them that I just HAD to have them on staff.
I'm surrounded by amazing people:
- those at the Chamber who place opportunities closer to each local business's reach,
- those who have supported me (Stephanie at Mama & Baby LOVE and those at Onyx Group)
- those who make it happen (the Sitters - always the Sitters)
"I work with wonderful people who support me. And, my beliefs are that the business needs to serve the family rather than the family serve the business."
- Kathy Ireland
Tallahassee, thank you for letting us serve your families. You've made it possible for each of the Sitters to have schedules flexible enough to finish school, and to devote time to their own children and grandchildren! We're so honored!
