Finally got the local chamber of commerce to list my catering business after 4 months

I run a small catering operation out of my house here in Amarillo. For the longest time I couldn't get the chamber website to include my business in their directory. Kept getting the runaround about verification forms and insurance docs. Last week I just walked into their office on 6th street with a binder of everything they asked for plus a sample menu. The lady at the front desk processed it right there in 10 minutes. Guess I should have just showed up in person from the start instead of emailing back and forth. Anybody else find that in person visits get things done way faster than online forms?

2 comments

2 Comments

schmidt.eva11d ago

People just don't get how much of a headache it can be when you're a small operation trying to get listed anywhere... it's like they make it difficult on purpose sometimes. I've had similar runarounds with online forms and automated emails, you never get a real person on the other end to help. Walking in with everything ready to go is the only way to cut through the red tape, you proved that. Plus it shows them you mean business and you're not just another name they have to type in. Good for you for sticking with it, that's four months of your time you can't get back though. Hopefully the listing brings in some new customers for you.

hill.david11d ago

Man, I'll be honest, I used to think this kind of thing was just people not knowing how to fill out a form right. But after watching a buddy of mine go through the same nightmare trying to get his shop on a local business site, I totally get it now. It is absolutely like they design the process to wear you down until you give up. You showing up in person with all the paperwork ready is the only way to prove you're a real person who isn't going away. Four months is rough, but at least you're finally in the system now.