Ambassador Spotlight: Mari Brooks

 

Mari Brooks

Marketing & Events Coordinator

 

For this Ambassador Spotlight, we speak with Mari Brooks, who has served as a Chamber Ambassador for over five years. Let’s learn a little bit about Mari.

 

What made you want to be an Ambassador?

I was actually approached by another ambassador. I had recently become the marketing and event coordinator at the Humane Society. I've worked here for 15 years, but I've kind of switched job titles, and I thought it would be a great way to build relationships not only with business owners but also with other people in our business community. It's actually helped a tremendous amount with my ability to talk in front of people, too. When I was younger, I hated talking in front of people, and now I'm totally fine with it. Now, I don't even bat an eye if I have to talk in front of a hundred people.

 

What do you like most about being an Ambassador?

I like being able to build those relationships and refer people to others I've met in the Chamber. And it helps if somebody needs someone who can, say, do power washing. Oh, I know who I can refer them to. I like that. And it's also helped me to get the word out about the Humane Society and what we do.

 

Can you tell us about your business/the work you do?

I'm the marketing and event coordinator, and volunteer coordinator at the Humane Society. So, we have a couple of really big events every year that we need sponsors for, and being a part of the Chamber and an ambassador has helped me with that, too, being able to build those relationships to get those sponsorships. I've had a couple of people say, "Hey, my work wants to come in and volunteer. How do we do that?” So, I'm able to set that up, too.

 

Why do you think being a member of the Chamber is so important for a business?

The networking is huge. You meet people not just from Flint but from all over Genesee County, and you're able to build relationships with them. It's a great way to meet people. Get yourself out there. There are not just the lunches we have, but also the After Hours Wine Downs and the coffees. Those are some of my favorite things we do because you're able to talk with people more and network.

 

Can you tell us about winning Ambassador of the Year?

I have been nominated for the last couple of years, and I always joke with one of the other ambassadors that I feel like I'm the Susan Lucci of Ambassador of the Year because I've been nominated so many times, and then I finally won it this year. It's fun because it shows me that I'm actually doing something good, and people see it and appreciate it.