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Introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do at your Chamber of Commerce?

Hi! I’m Sheila Beach, the Executive Director of the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce.

What made you want to work for the Chamber of Commerce?

My journey with the Chamber actually started a few years back as the Community Events Coordinator, and it was a bit serendipitous. I walked into the Chamber office, initially just trying to sell wreaths to support a middle school fundraising campaign, and I left with a friend and soon-to-be new career. The opportunity to plan fun community events and support our incredible small business community as the Community Events Coordinator was just too good to pass up, it truly felt like a dream come true to find a job where I could blend my love for community with helping our local businesses thrive. Now 4 years later as the Executive Director I realize incredible connections like these happen all the time through our organization.

What do you love the most about the area where you live in Massachusetts?

Amesbury is truly special. What I love most is the incredible sense of community here. It’s a place where you genuinely feel connected, whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just moved here. There’s a real pride in our town that’s reflected in the passion of our business owners and residents.

Why do you think it’s important for everyone to be a member of a Chamber of Commerce?

Being part of the Chamber is about more than just business; it’s about being an active participant in the fabric of your community. For businesses and organizations, it offers invaluable opportunities for networking, collaboration, and growth. But beyond that, it’s about having a collective voice, advocating for the needs of our local economy, and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. It’s about building those essential relationships and contributing to something larger than ourselves. The Chamber provides a vital space for people to truly connect, to understand each other’s passions and challenges, and to build a network of support. It’s about being surrounded by like-minded individuals who are not only successful but deeply committed to our community. When you’re a part of the Chamber, you’re not just growing your business; you’re investing in a web of connections that strengthens our entire town. It’s about collaboration over competition, and seeing firsthand how building those authentic bonds can lead to incredible opportunities for everyone.

What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the profound power of genuine connection. It’s not just about transactions or business deals; it’s about truly getting to know people. When you approach every interaction with a desire to build a meaningful relationship, incredible things happen, not just for business, but for personal growth and community development.

If you weren’t in your current position, what would your next dream job be?

There’s a couple of dream job scenarios that are reoccurring for me, both have to do with properties that were for sale in our community and the daydreams that were created when thinking about what could be done with those properties. One was a marina that had a space for a little cafe that I pictured running with my mom while my husband and sons ran the marina side. The other was a Christmas tree farm. I think the biggest thing about both of these dream jobs is that they would be a family business. I love the idea of creating a space with my family where the community can come together while also building a legacy for our future generations.

When you’re not working, what activities do you enjoy?

I love spending time with my husband, our 3 sons and dog Hinckley. In the warmer weather we’re often on our boat or at the beach. In the winter we spend a lot of time snowmobiling and skiing, full disclosure I don’t ski but I’m pretty good at apres ski. I also really love to cook and read and spend a good amount of my weekends at home making meals for my family or with my nose in a book.

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