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Sarah Thomas’s Five Tips To Grow
Your Community Organization
1
Join the local chamber
of commerce and
participate in events.
If you want to gain
something from that
chamber membership
that you paid good
money for, it is
imperative that you
attend the events,
even if it’s just one
or two a month.
2
For event sponsorships,
target people you have
an existing relationship
with and also reach
out to new businesses
.
Sponsoring an event
like a happy hour or
volunteer excursion
is a great way for new
businesses to let people
know about them.
3
Think demographics
when planning events.
Given the age of my
young professionals
group, happy hours
are typically appealing
so we tend to focus on
places that serve food
and alcohol. I ask young
professional members
for recommendations
and then select some
establishments that
I’ve personally been
to. I also look for new
businesses that are
opening and looking to
spread the word.
4
Use social media and
word of mouth.
Our
membership base is
growing organically from
other members telling
people they know and
sharing our Facebook
page. The Chamber is
also referring people
to our group as there
are a lot of younger
professionals joining
the Chamber and
looking for younger
networking groups.
5
Be yourself.
I believe
one reason I’m finding
success is because I
really am passionate
about our mission—I
really want to help
the underprivileged
citizens in Irving and I
want my fellow young
professionals by my
side. My goal is to build
relationships and if I
happen to pick up new
business, great!
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NOVEMBER 2016
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93
CONNECT
I’ve become, even though I was
quite stubborn in my teenage
years! They both taught me that
nothing comes for free and you
have to work hard to get what
and where you want in life. Both
of my parents worked so hard
during their careers to give me
the best life I could possibly
have, and because of them I push
myself every day. I want them
to be proud of the person I’ve
become. I want to say thank you
for everything they’ve given me
over the last 30-plus years.
What do you enjoy
most about yourwork?
Every day is something
different. In my position I have
the ability to work with so many
different people from any one
of our 600 sales reps to any one
of our clients. I attend a lot of
trade shows and conferences,
telling people from all over the
country who we are and why
we are a great partner for all of
their printing and promotional
product needs. A big part of my
message is around ecommerce
and how a customized platform
can help make the purchasing
process easier while controlling
the client’s brand.
What was your first
job, and what lessons
did you learn?
My first job was babysitting
and housesitting—I was about
10 years old when neighbors
started asking me to watch their
house while they were away, to
water their plants, feed their pets,
etc. While these jobs were small
they taught me responsibility
at a young age. I saw how hard
work could pay off (some of
my neighbors’ gardens were
extensive and the pets were
demanding) and I began using
a bank account regularly to save
money for things I wanted.
What motivates
you in business?
Being the best that I can be
is what motivates me every
day. As a promotional products
professional, I’m not going to
save lives or shape the minds
of the youth but there are
other ways that I can make a
difference. If I can help a small
business stretch that marketing
dollar or a company save money
on their purchases so that
they can reinvest that money
into their company and their
employees, then I’ve succeeded
at my job.
What advice would
you give to an
industry newcomer?
I tell everyone new to this
industry that customer service
is king. There are so many of
us who work in this industry
and how you communicate
with your clients will absolutely
differentiate you in the long
run. Pricing and quality
certainly are important
but if you have the lowest
price around and lack
customer service then
you run the risk of a
competitor stepping
in front of you. I also
believe it’s extremely
important to stay on top
of education.
Thomas shows off the
promotional giveaway at a
recent happy hour benefitting
Irving Cares, a local nonprofit.
Julie Richie is associate
editor for PPB.