April 24, 2025 – Despite serving hundreds of clients, the Clovis Chamber of Commerce prioritizes connection and collaboration with its supporting small businesses.
This was evident at their monthly Lunch Connect, an event that establishes a community among their members, particularly those that have local restaurants.
On Wednesday, April 23, the chamber hosted another Lunch Connect with a recent add-on to their list of members, Gulab Indian Bistro, a snazzy and chic Indian restaurant that rests within a block of businesses between Herndon and Fowler.
Welcoming members of all kinds, from Caglia Environmental to local government offices, the restaurant enjoyed a buffet lunch of delicious Indian cuisine.
From the outside, the restaurant’s sophisticated style uniquely set it apart from the surrounding businesses. From the inside, visitors found their surroundings transformed into an elegant, dimly lit haven.
Dozens of wine bottles adorned an adjacent wall to the door, offering a curated selection of varieties for those with a taste for the finer things in life.
During the hour, members streamed into the restaurant, feeling right at home with the vibrant atmosphere and the friendliness of the restaurant workers.
Many members were already familiar with the restaurant’s lavish environment and delectable food from a recent celebration of Gulab joining the Chamber.
Once workers announced the food was ready to eat, members were eager to get in line and pile the food onto their plates.
The delicious aroma of simmering dishes filled the air, a comforting and exotic blend that spoke of culinary artistry.
But even better than the food itself was the sense of community between the members as they interacted together. Local business employees handed around plates and utensils to others in the line, symbolizing the warmness between the members.
After attendees had begun eating, Clovis Chamber Director of Membership Services Trisha Madrigal invited the members to stand up, introduce themselves, and share any information about their businesses that would be helpful to others.
Natalie Baudonnet from the Marjaree-Mason Center eagerly shared that the center was hiring for several positions, while other members, like a representative from Home Instead, shared about an upcoming fundraiser in support of Alzheimer’s awareness and research.
“It’s just really to get the community to see some of our members’ businesses,” Madrigal shared. “They get to stand up, they get to introduce themselves, talk, but it’s mainly just another type of networking event to get to know each other.”
Though this monthly gathering is commonplace for members of the chamber, it signifies the importance of community within the Clovis Chamber of Commerce.
This strong sense of connection not only strengthens local businesses and encourages their involvement with the Chamber but also provides an outlet for sharing opportunities and needs within the community to foster mutual support.
Nobody knows this better than Ramz Uppal, a Financial Professional with the insurance company New York Life. He shared that while he’s a member of several Chambers of Commerce in the area, he wants to add Clovis to that list because of the strong connections their members have with one another.
Uppal stated, “I’ve been hearing that the Clovis Chamber is very active, I wanted to see for myself.”
Being a part of several other Chambers of Commerce in the area, he has found that Clovis is the most active of them all.
“They are doing networking events and you do get exposure,” Uppal stated. “And the interface is really easy and keeps you updated, you can subscribe to the newsletter or email.”
Those newsletters notify members of upcoming events and other happenings within the Chamber. One of these events is the Clovis Leadership Summit, which Madrigal shared that she’s very excited about, happening in June.
The event is sure to impress with a lineup of award-winning speakers and great lessons for those looking to improve their leadership skills.
Interested parties can register with the Clovis Chamber at https://clovischamber.com/events/2025-clovis-leadership-summit/. Members and those who register before May 1 can enjoy a discounted price on their ticket for the event and a special VIP Meet & Greet Luncheon.