Chair Message

When my brother, Beau, and I opened Homescapes Carmel in 1999, one of the first things we did after getting our business license was to join the Carmel Chamber of Commerce (then the Carmel Business Association). We've always felt that there's great value in being part of a business community that works together towards common goals. Economic vitality doesn't seem very attainable when businesses are standing alone trying to tough it out on their own. At least in my opinion.

The importance of this was brought home to me this month while on a business trip to England. At our State of the Chamber breakfast in January at the Carmel Mission Inn I met Julie Perigo, Director and Chairperson of The Henley Partnership in Henley-On-Thames, a beautiful tourist destination outside London. She asked if we could establish an email connection for some questions she had about the inner-workings of the Carmel Chamber. I told her I would love to do one better...visit Henley-On-Thames and talk about it with her in person after I finished at the Birmingham Gift Fair.

I met with Julie and members of The Henley Partnership for breakfast one morning and we had a lively conversation about the similar challenges we face doing business in famous, beautiful (and expensive) towns. While they have a number of different business associations working on how to grow business, what they didn't appear to have (and what The Henley Partnership would like to be) is something as effective as our Chamber of Commerce...a place where a large pool of local businesses in all categories can work together to present one voice to city officials and residents.

Communication and cooperation. A worthwhile goal no matter the town. I'm glad we're already there with the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Thompson Lange is the co-owner of Homescapes Carmel.