Greater Good

New Chamber President Advocates for Arden-Arcade

By Cathryn Rakich
February 2019

Austin Schlocker is all about communication, which a good thing for someone with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies.

“I think communication is the root of business—it’s the root of everything,” says the president of the Greater Arden Chamber of Commerce. Without communication, “you can’t build a relationship, you can’t do anything.”

At 28 years old, Schlocker has the communication skills, energy and drive to lead an organization that is just getting started.

“We’re in our infancy,” Schlocker says of GACOC, which is approximately 2 years old with more than 100 business and community-partner members. “Our first year was getting going. The second year was about growth.

“This year we are going to focus on branding and marketing. My vision is to create a better website and update our social media,” which includes Facebook and Instagram. “We are going to drive a younger feel.” Vice President Danielle Gourley will lead the marketing efforts and “will be a great asset for that,” adds Schlocker.

That “younger feel” is what Schlocker believes some chambers are missing. “You cannot compete in a digital world with non-digital tactics. I don’t care what your message is or what generation you are from. There is idealism and there is reality. If you want to work toward your ideals, you still have to deal with reality.”

Schlocker, a Carmichael native, began a career in finance in 2015 after graduating from Sacramento State and is now with MassMutual financial group, based in Roseville. However, the Arden-Arcade resident maintains a personal office at Watt Avenue and Butano Drive, “in the heart of Arden-Arcade,” he notes.

The multi-story building features a modern co-working space, which he refers to as a “mini Google campus,” with individual offices, an open area for socializing and a small café.

“I want to have chamber events here this year,” Schlocker says. “I want to use the chamber as a vehicle to promote positive workspaces like this and other developments in Arden-Arcade. Within that, you can create a support system, create a network—a good place for the chamber to hold activities, a good place for business owners to come.

“Let’s build. Drive around the area and look at all these places where we could build. That doesn’t necessarily mean taking out fields and putting in buildings. Let’s redevelop what we have. Drive up the value of the area.”Schlocker also sees Arden-Arcade as an alternative to the parking-challenged, high-rent Downtown area. “I know people in Downtown who would rather drive out of Downtown. And who’s closest? Arden-Arcade. Just jump on 50, get off on Watt and they’re here. Or come down J street. Done. Everything is a win.”

Schlocker would like to see a development such as Carmichael’s Milagro Centre created in Arden-Arcade. “I love the concept. We need the right investors. We need the right property owners. The chamber would absolutely advocate for buildings like that. And go the extra mile to get them done.”

In addition to special events, GACOC holds two meetups each month: a Power Breakfast, often with a guest speaker; and a networking mixer generally at a chamber member’s location. The chamber also participates in ribbon-cutting ceremonies, “but we don’t charge for them,” Schlocker notes. “It’s not what we want to do. We don’t want to tax our members to do things. It’s not just about the money—it’s about respect of the relationship.”

Best of Arden awards are presented each year to recognize an outstanding business, nonprofit and employee. GACOC also presents Responsible Alcohol Merchant Awards in partnership with the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Arden-Arcade. “This is the organization that leads local high school students to survey and award merchants for practicing in safe alcohol sales,” Schlocker explains. The chamber’s philanthropy efforts have included support for the Sacramento Children’s Home and Black Child Legacy Campaign.

“What really speaks to me is our will to connect business with the community, and to stand up and protect and advocate for Arden-Arcade,” Schlocker says. “We work toward the ideal that we are more than just a place for business owners to meet, and exchange referrals and slap each other on the back.

“This chamber was founded by people who genuinely wanted to see a difference in Arden-Arcade and want to do it through business owners.”

The Greater Arden Chamber of Commerce is at 1860 Howe Ave. near Alta Arden. For more information, visit greaterarden.com.

Cathryn Rakich can be reached at crakich@surewest.net.