At Forward Janesville, we often hear members talk about the connections, opportunities and sense of community they gain through their involvement. Recently, Lisa Hurda, Founder of Paddle Up Solutions and one of our longtime Forward Janesville volunteer Ambassadors, shared her own perspective in a blog post titled "More Than Just a Sticker: Why Paddle Up Solutions Joined Forward Janesville."

Her reflections resonated with us because they capture something we believe is at the heart of chamber membership: It's not about putting a decal on your door or adding another logo to your website. It's about building relationships, investing in your community and becoming part of something larger than your individual business.

Editor's Note: The inspiration for this article comes from a recent blog written by Lisa Hurda, Founder of Paddle Up Solutions. We appreciated her perspective on chamber membership and are grateful for the opportunity to share and build upon some of the themes from her original post.

More Than a Membership

In her blog, Lisa describes how joining Forward Janesville wasn't simply a business decision—it was an opportunity to connect with other professionals who care about the future of the Janesville area.

Many business owners know that running a company can feel isolating at times. Networking events, educational programs, volunteer opportunities and community initiatives create spaces where meaningful relationships can develop. Those relationships often lead to new ideas, partnerships, referrals and friendships that extend far beyond a business transaction.

Lisa's experience reflects what many of our members discover: the greatest value often comes from the people you meet and the conversations you have along the way.

I didn't just want to be a business owner in Janesville with Paddle Up Solutions; I wanted to be part of the movement that keeps Janesville moving forward. 

Investing in a Stronger Community

Another theme that stood out in Lisa's article was the idea that chamber membership is an investment — not just in a business, but in the broader community.

Forward Janesville's mission extends beyond networking. Our work supports economic development, workforce initiatives, leadership development, advocacy efforts, and programs that help strengthen the region for businesses and residents alike.

When members choose to become involved, they're helping support that work while also contributing their own talents, perspectives and leadership to the community.

Engagement Makes the Difference

One of the most important observations in Lisa's blog is that membership delivers the most value when members actively engage.

Whether that means attending a Business After Five, participating in a committee, supporting community initiatives, joining a leadership program or simply introducing themselves to someone new at an event, engagement creates opportunities.

We often tell prospective members that membership is not something you buy and forget about. The more involved you become, the more opportunities you create for yourself, your business and your community.

Lisa's story is a great example of that philosophy in action.

A Member Perspective Worth Sharing

We are grateful to Lisa Hurda and Paddle Up Solutions for sharing their experience and allowing us to highlight their perspective.

Every member's journey is unique, but the themes Lisa discusses—connection, community involvement, professional growth and investing in the future of Janesville—are ones that resonate throughout our organization.

If you would like to read Lisa's full story, we encourage you to visit the original article, "More Than Just a Sticker: Why Paddle Up Solutions Joined Forward Janesville," on the Paddle Up Solutions blog.

Thank you to Lisa and Paddle Up Solutions for being active members of the Forward Janesville community and for sharing a thoughtful reminder of why engagement matters. If you're looking for a unique and fun way to grow your business and bring your team together, reach out to Lisa and learn more about the ways she combines the growing sport of pickleball with team-building, professional connection, and driving corporate culture.