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While it’s true that being a small business owner is difficult enough without having to worry about attending business association meetings and events, it is also true that associations provide a great opportunity for business owners to network, attract more business, and even influence public policy decisions—all things that can positively affect a business’ bottom line. For those reasons, business owners who aren’t members of associations may want to take another look.

“Business associations basically provide an opportunity for people with common interests to gather together to achieve their mutually desired outcomes,” says Rob Ikard, who recently ended a four-year stint as director of the Tennessee chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), the state’s largest small business association.

professional advocacy group that lobbies on behalf of its members, is different from a trade association in that instead of focusing on public policy issues that only affect a specific industry, such as restaurants or oil marketers, it takes a more holistic approach by helping with issues that affect all small businesses, be they grocery stores or contractors.

“The concept of joining together to affect public policy with a large number of people is much more effective than attempting to do it on an individual basis,” Ikard says. “Often, small business owners are so busy running their businesses that they don’t have much time to concentrate on other things, like the legislative process. We make it easier for them to participate.”

As with most associations, every member’s vote counts when NFIB decides which issues to pursue on Capitol Hill. An association’s job is to inform its members as to what the issues are and ask them what they think the association’s position should be. “We take their answers, and in turn present that information to policy makers,” Ikard says.

Even business associations that do not have the means to employ lobbyists on a daily basis can still be beneficial to small businesses. Professional associations provide a channel for the exchange of new ideas, as well as a social outlet for like-minded entrepreneurs. Similarly, organizations like the National Association of Women Business Owners, which has chapters throughout the state, and Memphis’ Black Business Association cater to a specific sector of business owners that are often underrepresented in the business climate.

Juan Felf, owner of Memphis-based Felf Tucker Architects, says that joining the Black Business Association has made a big difference in his business. “The Association has provided a framework for networking and disseminating information regarding training opportunities and advocacy,” he says. Felf adds that the best part of membership has been the contacts he’s made. “Ultimately, people do business with people they know and trust.”

Memphis Black Business Association President and CEO Roby Williams says he gets calls every day from people wanting to work with black businesses. “Not only do we offer referrals to our members, but we connect businesses with each other so that they can learn from one another,” he says. “Each month, we hold membership meetings where professionals share information and insight on common business issues, such as customer service or financing.”

Despite their collective testimony, Felf, Ikard and Williams all agree that many people still don’t see the value of being involved in a business association. It could stem from past experience as a member of an association that didn’t provide the advantages Felf and the others outline. As leaders of their respective associations, both Ikard and Williams admit the main struggle their associations currently face is trying to maintain membership against a growing trend of businesspeople deciding not to join organizations. Ikard offers some cautionary advice to small business owners in particular. “Many business owners are not aware of the value inherent in joining together to protect their interests,” Ikard says. “But in today’s business climate, where small businesses are the driving force of the economy, the laws that were adopted years ago to benefit huge corporations just won’t do anymore. And it’s the business associations that are empowering small businesses to take a stand.” Whether it’s participating in a chili cook-off sponsored by the Homebuilders Association or discussing pressing policy issues transpiring under the watchful eye of NFIB, the bottom line is that small business owners who are members of business associations are better positioned to take a more proactive role in deciding their fate than those who are not. feedback: byrd@businesstn.com

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