Robinson and Stith Insurance
Joe Brown & The Band
Blue Arbor
Robinson and Stith Insurance
The Right Connection at the Right Time for Business Growth
Business Challenge
Jim Robinson, of Robinson and Stith Insurance, had a goal that was not simply to “get leads”,
but to build genuine relationships with local business owners in a way that created trust before
any sales conversation ever happened. As an insurance professional, he knew people often view
insurance as something they have to pay for rather than something that can protect the future
of their business, so he wanted opportunities to meet people face to face, shake hands, be seen
as a helpful local resource, and create contacts he could follow up with when the need was right.
Membership Solution
Jim saw that a Chamber membership was a clear solution because he knew it would help him to
meet people, build trust, and create business opportunities without coming across as pushy or
overly sales driven. The Chamber gave him that setting by putting him in front of local business
owners and opening the door to conversations that could grow into real relationships.
Membership Outcome
Jim described a very specific business result that came directly from Chamber participation. He
notes one of the first commercial accounts he wrote after returning to New Bern came from
attending a Chamber ribbon cutting for Lynaire Kennels. Because he met the owners there, he
was able to review and write their insurance coverage. That single Chamber event led to a new
client relationship and a commercial account he believed he would not have won otherwise.
The result became even more meaningful later. Jim explained that after a devastating fire, the
improved coverage his firm had put in place helped keep that business from going under. He
said that if he had not gone to that Chamber event, there was a strong chance they would not
have written the account, and the client could have been out of business after the loss. For Jim,
the Chamber did more than help him gain a client. It led to a connection that allowed his firm to
protect a local business when it mattered most, which he said means everything to him
personally and professionally.
Joe Brown & The Band
How the Chamber Helped Create New Business and Valuable Community Exposure
Business Challenge
Joe Brown of Joe Brown & The Band wanted to grow his business and reach the next level of
visibility and opportunity. Since his business is unique in the market, he was looking for a way to
build stronger relationships, increase recognition, and connect with established business owners
who could help him move beyond where he was at the time.
Membership Solution
For Joe, becoming a Chamber member was a clear solution because he could increase visibility
and reach a higher level of opportunity through stronger relationships in the business
community. His Membership gave him exactly that, by helping people get to know his name. It
also connected him with Chamber leaders who became trusted, accessible sources of practical
guidance, which made the membership more than networking alone.
Membership Outcome
For Joe, the Chamber produced a direct financial result. He said his membership "put money in
my pocket" just as he was questioning whether renewing was worth it. That booking gave him
paid work, confirmed that the Chamber was willing to support his business, and gave him
meaningful exposure in front of people he may not have reached through regular networking
events alone. He also said he received referrals through Chamber connections, which gave him
additional opportunities to improve the band’s visibility and business.
Joe also described an ongoing benefit that went beyond bookings. He said the relationships he
built with Chamber leadership, especially Kevin, Teresa, and Susan, became some of the most
meaningful business relationships he had made. He explained that he could go to them for
practical guidance, direction, and tangible help, which gave him access to support he could use
to move forward. He also said the Chamber helped increase familiarity with his name and brand
in the local business community, which matters for all businesses built on recognition, trust, and
personal reputation.
Blue Arbor
Stronger Community Ties That Led to More Engagement,
Local Connections, and New Business Opportunities
Business Challenge
John Ipock of Blue Arbor wanted to become more active in the business community. He knew
this was a good way for both himself and the company to build local ties, make valuable
connections, and create opportunities to meet people they would not have met otherwise.
Membership Solution
For John, a Chamber membership was a clear solution because of the many opportunities the
Chamber provides to meet people and build lasting relationships. It also gave Blue Arbor added
visibility through Chamber engagement with their social media content, job listings, and online
posts, which John said led to direct bumps in analytics and stronger campaign performance.
Membership Outcome
Along with building stronger ties in the community, Blue Arbor has generated sustainable
business from those connections. John explained that the company gained business from
contacts made through Chamber meetings and events, and that they met people in the local
business community they would not have met without the Chamber. He also said those
connections led to additional opportunities through referrals, including being connected to people
who later introduced him to BNI, which helped the business further.
He also described measurable marketing results from the Chamber’s support online. John said
the Chamber shared and interacted with Blue Arbor’s social media content, job listings, and
postings, and that the company saw direct bumps in analytics each time that happened. That
means the Chamber did not just create networking opportunities in person, it also helped
expand Blue Arbor’s digital visibility and engagement. For John, the result was a mix of
community connection, business generation, and stronger online traction.
Take the Next Step:
Grow Your Business Through Stronger Relationships
To learn more about how a chamber membership can help you grow your business, speak to our Membership Director. Call Now: 252-637-3111