(Audubon) Mercedes Johnston’s goal as Audubon’s Chamber of Commerce Director is to bring businesses together where everyone supports each other. The Colorado native began duties in Audubon on March 20th.
Johnston brings nearly 20 years of business administration experience to the position. “It’s the type of work that I really pride myself on. Not to brag, but I’m good at being an admin and having interactions with, in the past clients and in this case businesses. With all of the experiences that I have from past employments I felt like the Chamber was something that would be able to benefit from my knowledge and my skill set to take the Chamber in the direction they were wanting to go.”
She comes from a big city background, but has really enjoyed the small town feel of Audubon. “Everybody is very close knit. It’s an amazing community. Everybody knows everybody so it’s a nice familiar feeling. Especially myself, even as me, not just as Chamber Director, going out to these businesses and them recognizing me as a regular customer is a good feeling. When you’re in the city you don’t get that. I could go to the same Starbucks five times in one week and they still would have no idea that I was there the day before.”
Johnston shares her vision for Audubon and the Chamber. “My main goal is to bring the businesses together as one entity where we all support each other by lifting each other up. To help bring in steady customers for all lines of businesses by reaching not just in our community, but beyond our community.”
She intends to have regular meetings with business leaders. “Just to know what their needs are that the Chamber can meet. Our first and foremost idea of the Chamber is making sure what the members need, they are getting from the Chamber. Having more of a presence in the community and working to bring all the businesses together as one entity.”
Johnston says businesses are always evolving and it’s important for the Chamber to evolve along with them.
