SPEAKER_00 0:00

People are gonna um refer who they like and they're gonna do business with who they like. And you can't do that without making a connection, a sincere intentional connection.

SPEAKER_01 0:15

What's up everybody? Welcome to another episode of Connections That Matter, where we have conversations with Northern Colorado's best networkers, and I have an absolute gem. We have Norma Perez from the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce. Norma, welcome. Thank you. Norma, you have been creating quite the buzz. Uh so uh lots of new initiative, lots of energy that's coming in. But if somebody hasn't met you yet, let's share a little bit about you and what you do.

SPEAKER_00 0:43

All right. Well, um, my name's Norma Perez, and I am a native of Colorado, northern Colorado, born and raised. Um I have a background in social work as well as victims advocacy, um, parent educating, um, and I have a passion for advocacy.

SPEAKER_01 0:59

And uh you how did you get the the role as the executive director of the Windsor area chamber?

SPEAKER_00 1:06

Okay. I'm like, oh my gosh, let me think here. Um well my previous job I was involved with about 11 different chambers up and down the I-25 corridor um and different associations, and I someone put a little bug in my ear that this position might become available and um encouraged me to apply. So I did, and after two or three interviews and um gosh, with the board of directors, I got selected.

SPEAKER_01 1:36

And it's been pretty recent, right? So when was the when did you first take over for them?

SPEAKER_00 1:40

I took over in September, September 21st or 22nd. They had been without a um executive director since April.

SPEAKER_01 1:48

Wow. Yeah. And so what is that first month where you're picking up the pieces, you're you're getting you're seeing all behind the scenes stuff, uh what was that like?

SPEAKER_00 1:58

Like a deer in headlights. Let me tell you.

SPEAKER_01 2:00

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 2:01

Yeah, it was um it was it was like drinking out of the fire hose. It still feels like that. I will be I will be extremely grateful when I'm able to be proactive instead of reactive. Just a lot of cleanup.

SPEAKER_01 2:15

Sure.

SPEAKER_00 2:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:16

Well, uh, as somebody who's a very experienced networker and a bare experience about being in the chamber as a member, now being on the other side of it, running a chamber, being on the executive director, um has your appreciation for an executive director role increased?

SPEAKER_00 2:33

So much. So, so much. Um what I love the most is being able to provide value for our members, different initiatives, continuing to do what I love the most, which is um connectability. I don't like the word networking.

SPEAKER_01 2:47

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 2:47

So um a new word is connectability for me.

SPEAKER_01 2:50

And uh unpack that a little bit. What do you feel connectability means?

SPEAKER_00 2:54

Connectability to me means that um building relationships. People are gonna um refer who they like and they're gonna do business with who they like. And you can't do that without making a connection, a sincere intentional connection. Networking is one thing, um, but I think building a connection is something entirely different. Transactional versus relational.

SPEAKER_01 3:15

Well, and people join the chamber for a lot of different reasons, but uh connections to resources, connections to other members, connections to the town. Um what what a lot what it tells unpack the menu of like the things that the chamber offers.

SPEAKER_00 3:30

Oh my goodness. Okay. Well, first and foremost, um we are we are an extension of your a person's marketing department. Brand visibility, that's essential. Um, professional development, community resources, community involvement, community, community engagement, opportunities to make intentional connections. Um, I think that's sincerely important for any business.

SPEAKER_01 3:52

One thing I love about watching what you're doing is you give people a home to where they are. Like you started a men's group, you got this uh amazing the young professionals group um that you've got going on there too. Uh and from everything that I'm seeing on social media, things are selling out, they they're hard to get tickets, um, but you're really providing that sense of belonging for different demographics. Um so how did you was that was that idea in you when you got the job?

SPEAKER_00 4:20

Or yeah, I kind of presented a five-year plan.

SPEAKER_01 4:24

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 4:24

I came prepared. And um I wanted the chamber to look like any business structure, right? If you look at a business, you have demographics of all kinds across the board. You have male, female, older, younger. And I wanted to make sure we had opportunities for every demographic. Um whether you're a male, we have Strength of Windsor now. We are a youth, we have our YPN, um, wise, Windsor Inspiring, Successful, and Engaged Professionals. Um, we have Women of Windsor, we have Business After Hours for our night owls, and we have Wake Up Windsor for our early birds. Then we have our general um leading edge leads group as well.

SPEAKER_01 5:06

How do you keep up with it all?

SPEAKER_00 5:09

Good question. I'll get back to you on that.

SPEAKER_01 5:12

You look at your calendar like, oh my, there's something between that and the uh ribbon cuttings, but almost every day, right? Yeah, pretty much. Um well, one thing that I see how you do it all is you have some great leaders, people who are on these steering committees or people who are helping you with the initiatives. Um how do you plant the seed in them to make sure that they're taking action to help fulfill your vision?

SPEAKER_00 5:35

Oh, that's a great question. You know, one of the very first things I did was revamp my ambassadors program. My ambassadors, they're our frontline, they're cheerleaders, they're our promoters, they are everything to us. And if they're not happy or if they feel like they're not being seen, then I mean it ends there. So I revamped it. I I love the American Legion. My husband himself is an Air Force vet. Um, but the very first uh ambassadors' meeting was I was told, get a couple little Caesar pizzas, go to the American Legion, and there's your meeting. And I was like, wow, that's not very hype, you know. So I changed it. Um we have it at the main event now. Um I've given them ownership, I've given them training, I've got them some name tags as well. They didn't know what to do as ambassadors. No one ever gave them any structure, any ownership, any accountability. And that's the first thing I did. And so I think believing in them, showing them how to believe in themselves, and most importantly, how important and vital they are to our chamber. And that goes with um any of our leaders and our women's at Windsor, our strength of Windsor. Um I hand pick our founding members for our strength of Windsor, our YPN. Um, I see people who get things done, and um I'm attracted to that. So I ask them for a favor and I'm blessed. They agreed.

SPEAKER_01 6:57

Well, you seem like a master at delegation, uh, but implementation to where things are actually getting deployed. Um thing you said, I want to give people an opportunity to be seen. Um and as an ambassador, it sounds like a you know, more prestigious role within the chamber. Yeah. What what do you see as the main opportunities for the ambassador role?

SPEAKER_00 7:20

Well, you know, the ambassador role, the main opportunities for them is um they have more opportunities to be seen. And what I mean by that is at every ribbon cutting, every event that we do, whether it's the strength of Windsor, Women of Windsor, Leeds Group, ribbon cutting, I give them an opportunity to introduce themselves to a brand new market, a brand new crowd, right? Um, who they are and who they're with and what they do at every single event.

SPEAKER_01 7:44

So, what advice would you give to somebody just started my business? Uh, first thing I'm doing is I'm joining the chamber, working with you, maybe I'm planning my ribbon cutting. But how do I how do I get the most accelerated results or get plugged in the fastest?

SPEAKER_00 7:59

Oh, I love that. I just sent an email off this morning before I came here um with a brand new member, um, Cartel Golf. There you go. Um and in the email I just told him you're gonna get out of it what you put into it, right? And I gave him a whole list of um groups that I think he'd be great for. Um we also have a new member mixer that happens once a month. And that's a great opportunity to meet other individuals who have joined it in the same month as you, as well as get um get some education for our membership portal. That was another thing that was missing. We had so many people who had no idea how to use a portal. So yeah, get plugged in, come to the new membership mixer, um, and just get involved and ask how you can get involved. Come to the ribbon cuttings, support other people, because I guarantee you they'll support you too.

SPEAKER_01 8:48

Well, uh how how much involvement is the the right size uh uh what I'm really hearing from you is like hey, actually don't just sign up, but get plugged in, like actually participate. Um is it one or two different groups? Is it kind of as your business allows?

SPEAKER_00 9:05

You know, I always tell people it is as your business allows. I mean, let's be fair, you have to run a business as well. But sometimes individuals are so caught up with their product or their service that they're extending through their business that they don't know, for example, tax seasons do, they have no idea. Marketing, they have no idea. Um so I just tell them, you know, hey, if you see something that interests you, such as business development, sign up for it. Men of Windsor, sign up for it. If you're not really an early riser, come to our ribbon cuttings, come to our business after hours. If you're the exact opposite, then do that in the morning. So I do that intentional, right? Intentional connectability is really important.

SPEAKER_01 9:43

Then how about the businesses that they're not new? They're they've been around Windsor for a long time, but maybe they are reviewing how the last year went and they're like, you know what, I really need to get more involved in my community. And they're wanting to re-plug in uh or were to take it to the next level. What advice would you give to uh uh businesses that has been around for a while but want to crank it up?

SPEAKER_00 10:05

Yeah, they want to just um um re-energize it, I guess. You know, I tell people this is a great opportunity, especially our lar our larger corporations. Let me humanize your business. You know, a lot of times businesses use um, and it's not their fault, it's their marketing um misaligned marketing is what I call it. And a lot of times they miss their spot, you know. Unfortunately, it's no fault of their own, of course. Um, but let us humanize you. Don't use AI-generated individuals um and place them walking downtown Windsor. Locals are gonna know, you know. So for those people who want to get re-engaged, those companies, I always tell them, you know, um, let us humanize you. Let us humanize your brand, your product. So yeah.

SPEAKER_01 10:50

And uh I th one thing that I believe in uh networking or connecting is people want to be part of something that has a vision and a mission that's going somewhere, something that's has some momentum to it. Um and I've seen as you are creating all this momentum, you're bringing people that are Windsor area, not just Windsor proper, um, and becoming one of the real focus chambers in northern Colorado in a couple of months, which is which is inspiring. So I that's one thing that I see is like some people think of like, hey, to create all this energy, it's gotta happen over the course of five years, but you've been able to pull it off quickly, and your momentum is seeming to lead to bigger wins for you. Like you're stacking these these wins and opportunities. Um but can that keep going?

SPEAKER_00 11:40

You know, I think so. And the reason why I say I think so is because I'm giving I'm giving them a voice, but that's after I listen to their needs. So I think I need to, as a chamber, all chambers, we need to listen to our membership. What are what do they need? Uh and pro provide that value through what they're needing, right? And I think as long as we continue to do that, the engagement's gonna be there. The energy is gonna be shifted. You you feel the electricity when you come to one of our events.

SPEAKER_01 12:09

What do people say they need? And then from your third party perspective, what do people actually need?

SPEAKER_00 12:14

Okay. Um they need business. They need business, they need they need to close deals, they need um to be seen and found. That's another thing they're having difficulty with. And from my perspective, they're not wrong. Um, but I think it has to be intentional. It really does. A person can keep spinning their wheels, think they're going somewhere, and they're not. So what I mean by intentional, I'll give you an example. Our leads group, um, the very first leads group that we had this year, I was very intentional with the way I placed the the tables to the registration to assigning tables. Um, and I did that because I want to do, I want to make sure that everybody who comes out to our leads group has an opportunity to meet a variety of different people every single time. So yeah, it's about um making sure they're connected.

SPEAKER_01 13:03

And Norma, you are a leader of leaders, right? You're leading entrepreneurs, people who are um the boss in their own in their own rights. Um what challenges or opportunities does that provide when you're leading people who are used to being in charge?

SPEAKER_00 13:18

Wow. It's it is difficult, that's for sure. Um the challenges are, you know, they're they're used to doing things, not being um advised. Yeah, I should say. Yeah. Um but a lot of times they too, they delegate. So I am weedy with a lot of the leaders of companies, and I'm grateful for that, and I'm learning so much from them. Um But my the most challenging thing is letting them know, you know what, just try it this way. Your way has not been working for however long, right? And I'm not saying I know the answers, because I I certainly do not. Um, but give it a try. I tell people, come give us a test try. Check it out for yourself. And if it works, fabulous. They'll sign you up. If it doesn't, then you know what? You haven't lost out on anything.

SPEAKER_01 14:02

And there's different levels to join the chamber. Um what opportunities does that provide, and how do you know which is the right level to get plugged in with?

SPEAKER_00 14:11

Okay. Well, you know, it just depends. We have different levels for nonprofits, for home-based businesses, for um just associates wanting to, you know, advance themselves. Maybe not they don't they're not with the company currently. Um, but it also depends on headcount of employees um and how many employees they have, how many locations they have. So there's a variety of different um tiers that we have, and under those tiers, there's different benefits that come with it.

SPEAKER_01 14:35

Well, I know a lot of people get really excited about the ribbon cuttings. Uh uh and some people put a lot of effort and energy into them, and others are like, you know, hoping the chamber does a lot of the heavy lifting. So give me some uh top tips to make sure the ribbon cuttings are top-notch.

SPEAKER_00 14:52

Well, you know, we have a checklist, you know, and I have an amazing assistant, and honestly, she does most of it. Um but you know, we we generate excitement because we do create an event on LinkedIn and on um Facebook. And we ask our ambassadors, you know what, invite your network. Each of us have our own network, and the more people that we invite, the bigger the turnout.

SPEAKER_01 15:14

When you brought up LinkedIn, you you were doing some awesome things on LinkedIn, and um I don't think people are utilizing LinkedIn the quite the way that you do. So share uh with the audience what what is your approach and how has it led to some of your success?

SPEAKER_00 15:29

Well, you know, that and you're you're absolutely right. Thank you for bringing that up. I appreciate it. Um my approach is every single business card that I've ever received, I make a connection on LinkedIn. All of them.

SPEAKER_01 15:40

And so you meet somebody, then you go to LinkedIn and send a connection request.

SPEAKER_00 15:44

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 15:44

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 15:45

And I do it almost instantly or within that week, right? Um people need to understand that nothing is ever forever. So you're also building your book of business on LinkedIn. That's essential. That's important. Um, but in addition to that, you know, everyone loves to see themselves in different other people's posts. They get, you know, charged up. And so that's important. So when you're on LinkedIn, if you're on an at an event, um try to be mindful of the pictures that you take and who you're with, and then tag them. That's gonna go far and they're gonna remember you.

SPEAKER_01 16:17

And especially with someone in your position, it really honors them. Um they want to be seen with uh people and leaders, other connectors. Um awesome, awesome. What other what other hidden tips do you see is people who are winning right now? It's 2026, uh, people who are having success. Um what what are they doing that maybe others aren't?

SPEAKER_00 16:38

You know, I've said this word a couple times, a few times already. I think they're being very intentional. And that is important. Be intentional on the events that you select. Um, it's not enough to say, oh my gosh, I see Norma everywhere. No, that's not enough. And when I was hearing that a few years ago, I'm like, no, I I gotta shift gears here. You gotta really be intentional about the events that you're going to, um, about the people you're wanting to meet, you're needing to meet, and then be intentional with your follow-through as well.

SPEAKER_01 17:07

Well, if somebody is like watching this episode, maybe they got maybe they just walked into an event they didn't know it was a Windsor chamber, but how do they get plugged in? What are some of the first steps to get plugged in to see what uh events they could attend?

SPEAKER_00 17:19

You know, I would honestly ask them to check us out, and that's what I tell everybody. I love my sister chambers. I think our chambers have been siloed way too long in northern Colorado, and I just adore them. And I will say that go check them out. Check them all out, right? And I think you're gonna see that the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce, we have the most organic posts out there, as well as the reels. Um, and we provide a lot of brand visibility for a lot of our businesses. And I would tell them, go check it out, come to an event, go to our events page, go to our website, go to our digital marketing, social media, um, sign up for our newsletter, and you're able to see for yourself why there's so much excitement around the Windsor area chamber right now.

SPEAKER_01 18:03

And Norma, I I don't want to step over, you got this awesome hat, the red bright red jacket, too. But uh, when you walk into a room, you get seen, you get noticed. Some people get super nervous. They're they're like, it's there's like anxiety when they're going, there's a big crowd, and they know they need to get in front of other people, but it's just not a natural thing for them. Yeah. So how would you, what tips would you for an unnatural uh person who's uh attending events, what would you say for them?

SPEAKER_00 18:32

I tell everybody, stay curious. Ask. Don't focus so much on the room and who's there, how many people are there. Um your boss forced you to be there. You know, don't focus on that. Focus on being curious. Hey, who are you with? What do you do? What do you like most about your job? You know, focus on that, and you're gonna see that the more curious you stay, the more people are gonna gravitate towards you.

SPEAKER_01 18:57

Oh, I love that. Get curious. Yeah, and it feels I mean, you just ask questions about them, it takes the pressure off of you. That's so good. Absolutely. Well, Norma, uh, really appreciate this episode. Love what you're what you're doing. Um I we recently joined the Windsor Chamber, so we're excited about that as well. But um if somebody wants to come to an event, wants to get plugged in, um, wants to meet you, what's the best way to uh uh get connected?

SPEAKER_00 19:22

Um reach out to us. Check out our Windsor website, um WindsorChamber.net, and um or call us. Check us out any any way you can on social media, on our website, reach out to me on LinkedIn. Um I'm always accessible and available to individual for individuals.

SPEAKER_01 19:39

Right always. Well, Norma, uh wishing you all the continued success and continued momentum. I think it's absolutely incredible what you're doing for Northern Colorado business owners and uh look forward to seeing not only the Windsor Area Chamber to Grow, but the business environment in Windsor to be able to grow and expand.

SPEAKER_00 19:56

Well, thank you for having me. I really appreciate it. I feel so honored to be here with you. Right. I really do. Thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 20:01

Hey all, thanks for watching. I love networking and building relationships with other Northern Colorado business leaders. So if you want to come meet some of these podcast guests, meet me, or meet some other amazing entrepreneurs in Northern Colorado, I would love to have you attend one of our next events. Uh go in the podcast description. There's a way so you can see our upcoming schedule. And maybe you could be a future podcast guest as well. Thanks.