One of the first things I did getting started with the studio was join my Chamber of Commerce. I also began attending local marketing, networking, and other community events. Furthermore, I began helping out by volunteering my time to Iron Horse Bicycle Training and other events or organizations where I found myself useful. These are things I did not have the time or energy for with previous employers; in my line of work - one is busy and the work comes first. I even had one boss say that doing these things was a waste of time because they did not make money. What I find important, however, is that joining local clubs, volunteering, and other forms of participation are critical in being a part of the community. I live in Durango, Colorado. Many of us who live in Durango choose Durango because we want to be here. And, for me, one of the attractive components of Durango is the type of community it contains. I can live in any geographical location in the world, make money, and pass complete strangers as I go about my day to day activites. Durango has more to offer that that; in my day-to-day activites, I get to see people that I know or am acquainted with. It's refreshing. It feels healty. It feels human.
So I choose to give back to my community and participate in it.
Even more, I do not agree with those who claim that it I find it difficult to hold with those who say that it is a waste of time because these things don't make money. Where I live, just about all business is referred by word-of-mouth. Don't get me wrong, rightly placed marketing dollars are dollars well spent. But people here often call the companies that other people tell them to call or are owned by someone they know and trust. As a new business owner, what better way to give people the opportunity to get to know me that by doing things with them.
