Batavia Chamber Member Insider - Meet Jamie Saam

Welcome to this week's Member Insider! We are excited for you to learn more about your fellow Batavia Chamber members. We are beginning the series with our hard-working Board of Directors. To gain insight into our esteemed members, we are asking them to answer a total of 20 questions.
 
This week, we’ll learn a bit more about Jamie Saam. For those who know Jamie, you realize she is an amazing person and is definitely a "doer." She even answered more than the requisite 20 questions! Jamie is an owner at two Batavia businesses: Bulldog Plumbing, Inc., with her husband Doug; and LocalConnect LLC. At Bulldog Plumbing, established in 2011 – and a BCoC member for 10 years, she manages the office and fulfills all marketing functions. LocalConnect was founded – and joined BCOC - in 2018. In this role, she offers social media marketing assistance and other consulting to small businesses. Jamie just completed her first year as a BCoC board member. She is also on the Ambassador committee. To read the entire post - and trust us - you want to get all the inside information, head over to our blog:
 


First up, Jamie shares her thoughts about the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. Here are some of her responses:
 
Q: What makes our organization’s mission powerful for you?
A: Helping local business succeed is my passion. Local businesses are owned, operated, and employ our neighbors, they are the heartbeat of our communities and the Chamber keeps that heart pumping.
 
Q: What interests you most about the Batavia Chamber?
A: I love that we have started the scholarship program for BHS students. I also love that they are focused on entrepreneurship and the way the students interact with local businesses. And I especially love the one that encourages girls to head in a path of business!
 
Q: What skills, connections, resources, and expertise do you offer and use on the behalf of the organization?
A: Relationships that I have, experience as a small business owner, nonprofit community organization ED experience, as well as past aldermanic experience. Also, my social media knowledge helps a bit, too!
 
Q: If you had unlimited resources, what is the one thing you as a board member would like to do for our business community?
A: More employee recruitment, maybe more connectivity with the Middle, High School and local colleges.
 
Q: What does the Batavia Chamber do better than anyone else?
A:  Welcome people warmly (better than any other Chamber).
 
Q: How do you think that the Batavia Chamber impacts the community?
A: During COVID-19 the Chamber has impacted the business community and the greater community by providing resources for all, being a voice and advocate for our businesses, and working harder than ever to help members and nonmembers.
 
The next topic that we explored with Jamie was her work life; here are some insights:
 
Q: What motivates you to work hard?
A: Seeing others around me experiencing success from my hard work, as well as others around me helping to make things happen.
 
Q: What is your favorite thing about your career?
A: With Bulldog Plumbing, I love that we help make people’s homes and businesses safe. And with LocalConnect, it is helping connect people’s businesses to the community.
 
Q: What was your first job?
A: Babysitter. First paycheck job- Starbucks in downtown Geneva.
 
Q: Do you prefer closed-door offices or open-concept layouts? Why?
A: I think you need both. All offices should have a space to meet privately, but for my own desk, I like to be near other people for brainstorming and rambling opportunities. (I need to have other people around to spout off ideas.)
 
Q: What job would you be terrible at?
A: I really don’t think I could be an elementary teacher.
 
Q: What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?
A:  What you provide is valuable. Do not devalue it. If your skill is valuable, the right customer will pay for it.
 
Q: What career advice would you give to your younger self?
A: Don’t wear all of the hats. Hire the pros.
 
Q: What is your superpower?
A: I have 25 hours in every day - realistic optimism!
 
Of course, in any interview, you want to get some “dirt” on their personal life! In her own words, here’s some dirt (a.k.a. answers to our questions) on Jamie:
 
Q: If money were no object, how would you spend the rest of your life?
A. I’d buy and rehab a bunch of buildings in downtown Batavia and fill them with amazing businesses…who don’t need to pay rent cause money ain’t no thang. Editor’s note – love this thought!
 
Q: What actor would you like to do a movie about you?
A: Drew Barrymore or Jennifer Lawrence
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
A: My strong faithful family
 
Q: What makes you laugh the most?
A: My boys
 
Q: If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
A: I’d love to be the host of the Ellen Show and give so many gifts to random people and make them all cry happy tears.
 
Q: What would you sing at Karaoke night?
A: Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing)
 
Q: Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not?
A: Yes, well good surprises. Because the unexpected is fun…again as long as it’s good. I love spontaneous joy.
 
Q: Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job? And why?
A: Perfect job. It lasts a lot longer than my lottery winnings and would surround me with great people.
 
Q: What are two of your pet peeves?
A: Excuses to not try your best and negative thinking

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: Opening one more business, I think. This time a brick and mortar.
 
Q: What's your favorite fast-food chain?
Chick-fil-A
 
Q: What animal do you think most closely matches your personality?
A: Well Max (my 10-year-old) said a dog - because I’m very trustworthy and learn very easily. I’ll go with his answer.
 
Q: What’s your favorite podcast?
A: That Sounds Fun with Annie F Downs
 
Q: What’s your favorite quote from a TV show/movie/book?
A: “Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot” - Holly Golightly
 
Q: Are you related, or distantly related, to anyone famous?
A: My great…great uncle (great grandma’s brother), Carl Hambach, was the last "Untouchable" prohibition agent to retire. He was a 38-year veteran who gained the nickname "Mr. Alcohol Tax” and was the agent who put Capone onboard the train to Alcatraz.
 
Q: Is there any product that you couldn't live without?
A: I need a calendar. On my phone, on my computer and on paper.