When I met with Tonia Poole and Krista Hershberger, the new Director and Assistant Director of the Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce, they were only three days into their new positions. But they were excited and ready for the opportunities ahead of them.

Both Poole, who helps run Stitch and Sew with her family, and Hershberger, who is involved in Kalona Chocolates with her family, have thought about the Chamber for a long time, but this year the timing finally seemed right to step into a new role within the organization.

“Through Stitch and Sew, I’ve been aware of the fluidity that the Chamber’s had the past couple of years and it’s kind of been on the back burner whether or not I’d be interested in this position, but it never seemed like the right time,” Poole said.

“This time when it came up, initially I kind of dismissed it but then I stopped to process. With life’s changes in this past year, I realized that this really could be a very good fit. I’ve got good experience and I’ve been encouraged before to consider the position. This time, I thought about the timing as well. I have the ability in my schedule to give it the time it deserves.”

Welcoming and helpful: that’s what Poole and Hershberger want the Chamber to become, a place where business owners are comfortable looking for resources and support.

“[We’re focusing on] making this a more user-friendly place for the community, where they see it as a place they can come and get the resources they need,” Hershberger said. “They can participate in what’s happening and the flow of people coming into Kalona, get a feel on who’s coming in, what they’re wanting, things like that. We want to make this a place where business owners can come and have a nice time while also getting the resources that they need.”

Poole said she is excited to work with the business community in Kalona because of the town’s “unique flavor”. 

“It’s historical but it’s continuing to move forward. It’s not simply stuck in the past; it embraces the past but still welcomes new businesses like the Kalona Brewing Company and The Shop,” Poole said. “The businesses here in town have their own flavor. We have wonderful retailers, but we also have impeccable service businesses. And then there’s another flavor when you get out into the country where you’ve got those rural businesses. Sometimes it’s easy to be out of sight, out of mind, but they’re very influential and important parts of our community as well. One of my goals is to help bridge that gap and embrace the full flavor of that community.”

In her first three days at the Chamber, Poole said she enjoyed sending out packages of brochures and speaking on the phone to people interested in Kalona and people wanting to learn more about the town. Poole said these interactions have affirmed for her that Kalona has a special community that draws people in.

Overall, though, Poole and Hershberger are more excited to form meaningful relationships with the business owners in Kalona.

“If you’re a business owner and you have questions about the Chamber and what we’re doing in the future, be forward in asking, ‘What are the benefits?’ and in sharing what you’d like to see out of the Chamber,” Poole said. “We’re here for [the businesses]. They have a voice, and we would love to hear it. We know we can’t meet everyone’s request by any means, but we want to hear the heart of the businesses and know how we can support them. Each business has its own mission and way of doing things, but we’re in it together that we can move forward to support the businesses individually and as a whole.”