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work, so it is exponential.

“We have four different membership levels,” says Mollahan, of Tigard’s costs. “It is a tiered system based on benefits and services you want. It starts at $249 a year with a onetime application fee of $35. The other three membership levels are $499, $749 and $999.

“People like doing business with people they know and trust,” Mollahan adds. “They get numerous virtual opportunities for visibility and networking. They get access to discounts, refer-rals, education and an opportunity to participate in and give back to their community. They get to leverage their voice.

“When you think about it as a marketing investment,” she concludes, “where else can you get that much opportunity, visibility and exposure for under $300 in a year?”

But there’s more to consider, adds Mollahan. “The Tigard Chamber recognizes that cash flow is an issue for many new businesses, so we offer a three-month payment plan for membership with a credit card, so that breaks down to $95 a month for three months. Additionally, new mem-bers receive a new member start up kit which includes over $700 in real value from other cham-ber members. Things like free business coaching, free legal work, temp services, office furniture discounts, etc.”

The other chambers are just as willing to work with potential members.

“We base dues on what you want from the chamber with our service levels,” explains Clarno of Beaverton’s approach. “The immediate return on membership is over $500 and you can join for as little as $275, which is 75 cents a day.” “Joining the chamber is both cost-effective and a great investment for small businesses,” says Sherwood’s Bruton, explaining that membership in her chamber ranges from $149 to $500 a year, with a $25 activation fee. “With inclusion in the Business and Community Directory distributed to more than 11,000 community residents and busi-nesses, the cost of your membership is covered in the cost of this advertising alone. That means your web profile on the chamber web page that improves your SEOs, the personal referrals, the member-to-member discounts, the networking opportunities, government advocacy, etc., are added value.”

Maybe it isn’t an exercise in craziness to go into business for yourself — especially if you seek the kind of help your local chamber of com-merce has to offer.

“Our chamber is a collaborative, interconnect-ed set of business owners, managers and leaders,” says Mollahan, of the Tigard Chamber. “Someone has probably already been where you are, or dealt with an issue that you are currently facing. Our membership leverages the collective experiences of the membership to benefit all members, so

epler’s Upholstery and Custom Furniture, Main Street Stamp and Stationery and Vanek’s Beaverton Shoe Repair all have something in common. Each has been in business for more than 40 years. The local Kepler and Vanek family businesses are born from European trade guilds. The fine upholstery and shoe crafter’s skills have been passed down from family elders. The craftman’s small neighborhood shops have been a training ground where parents passed down exceptional skills and superior crafts-manship.

Two sons now work in the shops that generations of customers have come to trust. It’s a family’s way of life.

For 44 years Deborah Montoya has made her career at Main Street Stamp. Today she operates the small business with her staff and fellow art enthusiasts Anne Bradway, Julie Piesker and Sue Guthrie. Customers have come to rely on the Tigard business for their art, office and home supplies.

She started working for David and Mary Savory when the business was a print shop. Helping with inventory as a teen, she counted stationery, rubber stamps and typewriter ribbon. But the quick print shop of yesteryear is gone now. In its place are rows of scrapbooking supplies, gift items, specialty writing instruments, office furniture, custom sta-tionery and folders, business necessities. There’s lots of space to sprawl out and work on a project. “Diversification is the key to our longevity,” says 53-year-old Montoya, a Lake Grove resident with three grown children. “At one time we were a full-scale Hallmark dealer —. in the early ’70s.” The typewriter ribbons have been replaced with high-end office furniture, computer ink cartridges and everyday office mate-rials. “We carry many of the office supplies you won’t find in the big box stores, as well as all the basics. We can order from 30,000 items and have them here overnight.” Some of Montoya’s

unusual supplies include individually sold legal forms, coin collection books and calligraphy goods.

Montoya’s three brothers own the Main Street Stamp business as well as Portland’s Southwest Office Supply &

Interiors. The office products company has been doing business since 1967 and is a member of an association that gives them collective buying power. Montoya can pass that savings on to her own cus-tomers.

If I have to buy these items, they’re going to be fun,” Montoya smiles. “Colorful, high-quality and fun is what makes this business.”

Montoya loves her job. Most days of the week she enters the doors of Main Street Stamp and marvels at its contents. “It’s what I do every day,” she says straightening up some pens. “The clien-tele are so nice. Some have been coming in for such a long time. It’s mostly the customers I enjoy.”

From easy print jobs like business cards to elaborate custom-made greet-ing cards, Main Street can help with all types of projects and paper-craft artwork.

Hundreds of stamp styles include seasonal, office, ele-gant and traditional. The stamps can be utilized in custom-made stationery and cards.

Main Street Stamp offers numerous classes in its upstairs classroom. Learn how to create invitations, greet-ing cards and special seasonal crafts during the ongoing workshops. (Go to mainstreetstamp.com/classes for a schedule.)

With today’s focus on buying from the small, local merchants Montoya reminds shoppers that she is a locally owned business.

Down the road, poised in the heart of downtown Tigard, is Kepler’s Upholstery and Custom Furniture. Stop owner

Marvin Ankele would agree with Montoya that meeting customer demand is essential to sustaining success. “Keeping up with the trends means offering the customer the best service possible and a quality product,” he says. “We’ve been on Main Street 48 years, and it’s due to our reputation.” Ankele keeps a very clean shop. The welcoming area is staged with a pair of big overstuffed chairs covered in new upholstery. Trim work sets off the ele-gant wine-colored fabric. The chair’s wooden feet are polished and ready to go home. The shop walls are lined with dozens of sample fabric collections. Cushion examples frame the retail area. In the back workshop drapes of rich rust suede yardage and carnelian red fabric for ribbing are ready to cut and size. A custom-made chair will soon be upholstered.

Ankele says with a big smile, “Our