At the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, our mission has always been to strengthen our business environment and enable our Members to prosper. Through the years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside business professionals and C-suite decision makers – and their word reminds us of why the work we do matters.

On this Testimonial Tuesday, we share a collection of testimonials from our Members highlighting how, from first introductions to long-term success, the Chamber empowers professionals to build meaningful relationships that fuel opportunity and prosperity.

When I moved to Hernando County in 2011, I didn’t know anyone. I hadn’t had any interaction with chambers of commerce in Minneapolis but being new to the area I saw an opportunity to network with local businesses within the community. My first interaction with the Chamber was going to a Young Professionals social and, at that time, the YP was just that - a happy hour social of young professionals. It was wonderful to meet others within the community around my age who were established in business. I needed more contacts if I were to succeed in a new arena, so I immersed myself in everything the Chamber had to offer. I became a Co-Chair of the Young Professionals; I served as a Chamber Diplomat; I attended every ribbon cutting, mixer, social, monthly breakfast, and networking function on the calendar; and I also became a committee member for the Chamber Golf Classic. I embraced volunteerism with my fellow Young Professionals and assisted in creating a wildly successful event in Hop-N-Glow with my now great friends. I owe much of the success of my business to the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce for the connections, referral partnerships, and opportunities it has provided to me. I suggest anyone new to the area, new in your field, or new in business to take advantage of the same opportunities I did to grow and expand your businesses, networking spheres, social circles, and form lasting friendships.
    -Phil Undestad, Killingsworth Agency, Inc

The Chamber isn't just a breakfast or just a meeting … it's something that changes your life, it helps you grow personally and professionally. There are so many people in the Chamber that have helped me grow and helped me become who I am now. I hope that I've had the opportunity to do that to somebody.
    -James Morris, CEMEX

I love being a Member of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce! I love learning more about what our amazing county has to offer, and also meeting so many wonderful people! Everyone is friendly and willing to support each other. If you want to make great professional connections, I highly recommend joining!
    -Sarah Scinta, Senior Sales Director, Mary Kay Cosmetics

I joined the Chamber in 2003 and I've been part of the Chamber ever since. I was totally blown away as a newcomer to Hernando County to have other businesses in the county come and want to welcome me in. I mean this group of businesses really wanted to help other businesses succeed! I watched their reactions not just to me but the other new members that were a part of it. From the start it was a different chamber than I had ever been a part of.
    -John Mitten, Chick-fil-A of Hernando County

Joining the Chamber is the best thing you could do and it's so much easier to do business with people you know and to refer Business services and to help each other grow. Sense of community of belonging being bigger than yourself that's cool I don't care what else that is just a neat part of the Chamber.
     - Marilyn Pearson-Adams, Century 21 Alliance Realty

Anybody that's in business or starting a business absolutely should join the chamber there's just tremendous amount of opportunity if you get involved and utilize the tools and the things that they offer they're going to find all kinds of resources and help them find customers and improve their business and improve their products.
     - Bob Eaton, Probuit U.S., Inc.

As a lawyer working with individuals starting a business, I typically refer them to the chamber because it's the best way for them to connect with our business community and to establish relationships that can help them develop their business, I believe that our participation in the chamber has contributed to the success of the firm and the length of time that it has been able to be in business.
    - Jennifer Rey, The Hogan Law Firm, LLC

I own a new nonprofit, Autism Everywhere, and joining your organization is an incredible asset. I thank all of you at the Chamber for your hard work and running such an amazing organization. I am so excited to be a part of it to attend future events!
    - Melissa Arceneaux, Autism Everywhere