013: Building Community, Not Just Companies: Leadership, Connection & Purpose with David Vander Bloomen

Beyond Business hosts Maddie and Hannah interview David Vander Bloomen of the De Pere Chamber about his career pivots from music education to TV photojournalism, marketing, promotional products, law enforcement, and ultimately chamber leadership after injury, burnout, and stress-related health scares. David emphasizes a servant mindset, faith, and clarity of purpose as anchors through change, encouraging people not to settle and to remember their “why.” He discusses contentment, slowing down, and learning to say no, plus leadership lessons from hardship that help him support chamber members. David shares coaching youth baseball to build character, critiques current youth sports culture, and explains community-based chamber initiatives that connect residents and businesses through experiences. He advises new business owners to build a personal board of advisors and grow sustainably.00:00 Beyond Business Intro00:39 Meet David 01:38 From Music to Media02:27 Marketing and Recession Pivot03:08 Calling to Law Enforcement04:04 Injury and Burnout Wakeup05:01 Finding Home at Chamber05:57 Mindset Through Curveballs09:05 Purpose Over Money10:07 Slowing Down for Joy12:10 Leadership Lessons and Coaching16:04 Building Center Valley Baseball16:59 Parents and Youth Sports Pressure19:26 Winning the Game of Life20:25 Advice for Small Businesses22:06 Community and Business Ecosystem23:04 Reinventing Chamber Events25:32 Serving Through Faith28:47 Pursuit Adventure Group Mission31:05 Time Management and Saying No34:53 Key Takeaways Recap38:01 Where to Find DavidDe Pere Chamber: https://deperechamber.org/Connect with David: www.davidvanderbloomen.comnine2ohmarketing.comcentralvirginiamarketing.com