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While networking often gets a reputation for feeling transactional, Nunley believes the Chamber Coffee offers something more meaningful if attendees are willing to lean in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s up to each person to be intentional,\u201d she explained. \u201cBy asking thoughtful questions and going beyond exchanging business cards, people can turn casual encounters into genuine, lasting relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The setting itself plays a subtle but powerful role in that process. Larger venues encourage movement and quick introductions, while smaller spaces invite people to settle in and engage in longer conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery space has its own strengths,\u201d Nunley said. \u201cSome conversations are broad and dynamic, others are focused and in-depth, but all of them matter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n From her vantage point, one of the most rewarding parts of hosting the Chamber Coffee is watching relationships develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll often see those initial introductions turn into interactions on social media, and by the next event, those same people might greet each other with a hug,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to watch these relationships develop and see strangers become collaborators.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong hosts help set that tone, and Ascend Federal Credit Union has done just that year after year. Nunley pointed to the December Coffee at Lakewood Golf & Country Club as a favorite, complete with a brunch bar, recognition of the Christmas parade winner, and festive attire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along with conversation, the Chamber Coffee also creates space to pause and celebrate progress. Recognizing community wins builds engagement and reminds attendees that others see and value their efforts, an essential ingredient in a thriving business community<\/p>\n\n\n\n For first-time attendees, it doesn\u2019t take long to feel at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s an easy way to meet people and feel part of the community,\u201d Nunley said, adding that door prizes and shared meals don\u2019t hurt either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From month to month, these small gatherings tell a big story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe regular turnout and engagement show that people are not only invested in the success of their own businesses, but are also genuinely supportive of their friends and neighbors,\u201d Nunley reflected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And in Tullahoma, that momentum keeps the coffee hot and the connections warm. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ON THE morning of Dec. 16, 2025, in Tullahoma, chamber members trickled in with coffee cups in hand, greeting friends and introducing themselves to faces they hadn\u2019t yet met. Some conversations were brief, others stretched across the room, but all of them shared the same friendly vibe that has come to characterize the Tullahoma Area […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":24820,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/tullahoma\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/Submitted-5-1024x683.jpg\")
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