This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Maplewood Resident and Business Owner Named New Chamber President

Mary Kausch calls herself a LocaVore for Maplewood—she lives, works and plays in this town. And she wants other businesses to join her.

Mary Kausch loves Maplewood. She lives here, she opened her business, HR Etc! here, and now she’s happy to become the president of the Maplewood Chamber of Commerce.

Kausch’s business experience as a human resources and team building consultant helps her work with other businesses in the chamber. Her clients often hire her to provide leadership coaching, a skill she applies to the Maplewood Chamber.

“I’m looking to nurture healthy, long lasting, economic partnerships,” she said. “I’m giving my professional advice to businesses in the chamber.”

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Her main focus is getting members more active in the chapter. She said business owners can’t expect to really benefit from the chamber by just mailing in their dues.

“Everyone talks about networking,” she said. The Maplewood Chamber takes networking to the next level by making it fun. “We net-walk, we net-ride, we net-lunch. We do a lot of things to get people involved.”

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

The programs she is referencing are the chamber's fun events, where they blend networking with walks around the neighborhood, bike rides and lunches in the community. The events are casual, but still allow Maplewood business owners time to share ideas while building friendships in the community.

Kausch said the chamber also works closely with city officials to build the business community. “The City of Maplewood partners with the Chamber of Commerce – this is a team effort. We cannot succeed without each other.”

Mayor James White presented Kausch with a key to the city, which she said was a highlight of her life. She said he called her a “cornerstone” of the community, a message she’s taken to heart.

“I feel a huge sense of responsibility—this business community has placed its faith in me to continue being a community cornerstone. For that, I am truly honored! And I am excited to continue creating, joining and celebrating the qualities that give this community strength and pride.”

Kausch is also fond of calling herself a Maplewood “locavore.”

“I love this community. We are all locavores, consuming the food, entertainment, retail wares, business services, products and expertise of our community. Our community thrives when we are all actively involved.”

For more business news on Maplewood-Brentwood Patch, please see the following articles:

  • Deer Creek Stores Are in Build-out Phase (Photos)
  • NY Post: Schlafly's Offers 'Huge Variety'
  • Now Open: Brentwood Spine Clinic
  • Maven Owner Profiled in St. Louis Magazine
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Maplewood-Brentwood