Chambers of Commerce and BBB?

[Lyle McCartee]

Greetings Colleagues,

This is a question for all of you seasoned investors that have created your businesses from the ground up. I'm "in the works" of creating mine.

I was wondering if any of you have become members of your respective Chambers of Commerce or local Better Business Bureau agencies. If you have, what are the benefits? What are the risks?  Is this a good idea or not? Why? Why not? (Not looking for a 'War & Peace' answer.)

I ask this because often friends and other businesses (that don't understand how our industry operates), look at this profession as a "vulturistic" endeavor. Or at least when I try to explain to them, what I'm doing. They may see us as people that prey on vulnerable victims of poor decision-making or badly thought out management of their personal affairs. I'm a capitalist just like most in this field, but I also believe that by providing a way for people to save their credit (and dignity) before they go off the cliff, is also a noble trait to possess.

I'd love to hear your thoughts from all sides of the fence.

Cheers,
Lyle