Thank you for following along with our monthly Chamber Camaraderie series, which highlights outstanding and hardworking team members from Chambers of Commerce throughout Massachusetts.
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Introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do at your Chamber of Commerce?
My name is Lara Zelman, and I’m the owner of Lara Zelman Marketing. I work with small business owners, food entrepreneurs, and non-profits to grow their brands and connect meaningfully with their audiences. I focus on creating customized marketing and communications strategies that drive measurable results.
I’m a member of the Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of MetroWest and serve on the chamber’s Programs Committee and Ambassadors Committee. Our Programs Committee plans and organizes monthly educational webinars for our membership on topics such as sales, digital marketing, networking, mental health in the workplace, company culture, AI, and more. We tap into the expertise of our membership to present these monthly webinars. There is always something new to learn. As a Chamber Ambassador, I am part of a team of members who act as the volunteer hospitality committee of the Chamber. We welcome new members, volunteer at Chamber events, and help with member retention by engaging Chamber members with the benefits of their membership. It’s a meaningful way to build relationships with new members. I especially enjoy learning about their goals in joining the chamber and helping them to connect with the resources to make them achievable.
What made you want to work for the Chamber of Commerce?
When I started my business in 2021, I was looking to build my network. I attended a few of the chamber’s Business Forward Female (BFF) lunch events and found a welcoming, supportive, and engaging group of professionals. Over the past four years I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to build relationships with fellow chamber members across diverse industries.
People are more likely to do business with people they like and trust, and being able to cultivate meaningful relationships through the chamber has helped me not only grow my business but also support other chamber members’ businesses. One of my favorite aspects of the Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of MetroWest is the diversity of events they host throughout the year. Some of the highlights for me are the BFF women’s luncheons and golf outing, community service projects, educational workshops, and even bowling!
What do you love the most about the area where you live in Massachusetts?
The MetroWest region has so many great advantages. The chamber is based in Westborough and draws many members from over 65 surrounding communities, including where I live in Framingham. I love having easy access to a wide variety of shops, restaurants, historical and cultural attractions, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. One of my favorite things to do is to visit all of the different farmers markets in the area – year round!
Why do you think it’s important for everyone to be a member of a Chamber of Commerce?
Joining a Chamber of Commerce is an invaluable opportunity to build meaningful relationships and grow your network. A chamber serves as a hub for support, collaboration, promotion, and community engagement. I think it should be a part of your marketing strategy! It gives you the opportunity to build your personal brand along with generating awareness for your business. I’ll also say that we have a lot of fun and good food at the Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of MetroWest!
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?
You can’t do it all alone! Whether it was working in an organization or now in my own business, it’s been essential to have a trusted network to call on for brainstorming, resources, support, and camaraderie.
If you weren’t in your current position, what would your next dream job be?
Founding my own marketing business is my dream! I love both marketing and food, so if I dreamed up the next chapter it would involve food business, marketing, culture, history, and tourism.
When you’re not working, what activities do you enjoy?
When I’m not working, you’ll find me at the hockey rink coaching my kids’ teams, volunteering making meals for food insecure families, exploring the many farmers markets and local businesses, or cooking up a new recipe in my kitchen. I’m also involved on the board of the Layla Lynn Bober Memorial Foundation, which supports youth organizations in Framingham in memory of Layla (find them on Instagram @laylalynnbober).
Thank you for sharing more about yourself! Tell us how we can get in touch with your Chamber of Commerce or find it online.
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