Hattie DeWalt ran down to City Limits Cafe one morning because it was Coffee with a Cop day. She loves the Bellevue police officers… they're entrenched in the community the same way she is. Later that week, she learned the guy who owns City Limits had been invited to speak at Harpeth Valley Elementary School about his journey as an immigrant. He was honored to do it.
That's Bellevue, she thought, and that's exactly why she loves her job as executive director of the Bellevue-Harpeth Chamber of Commerce.
"I've had more fun doing this job than anything in my entire life," she says.
DeWalt spent most of her life at a Fortune 500 company, then transferred to Nashville in 1990. She walked into the building with zero staff and zero furniture, but she soon fell in love with Bellevue and insisted on staying.
"I was that entrenched with Bellevue from the start," she says.
When the executive director resigned unexpectedly, DeWalt said she'd fill in, and she remains at the helm today.
What Does the Chamber Do?
Bellevue is a small business community. The town, as we know, isn’t filled with corporate headquarters or major manufacturing. The tallest building is probably the Fairfield Inn. And as a result, most businesses are locally owned small businesses that rely on lifting each other up to succeed.
Her focus when she started was growing the chamber and getting businesses engaged. This year, she's moved toward collaboration—creating networking environments, brand enhancement strategy, and keeping pace with members' business plans.
"We provide a forum where people can come together, exchange ideas, exchange contact info, share resources," DeWalt says.
And while there are many members that contribute to the chamber’s success, there are a plethora of leading ladies that keep the ship not only afloat but sailing down the metaphorical river.
The Leading Ladies
The chamber not only has a female president, but also women throughout the board who have demonstrated leadership skills and willingness to step up when needed. A committee needs volunteers? A board needs a leader? They step up.
“I don’t know that the chamber is attracting them, but rather creating an environment where they can flourish,” DeWalt says. She thinks it's like being drawn to light. People who are committed are drawn to other people who are committed, and the chamber is the fortunate recipient of that passion in Bellevue.
"If the chamber is perceived as just a board or organization, that's a misnomer," DeWalt says. She refers to members as constituents. "We have to listen to what they need to know and want. We try to stay current and relevant on their behalf."
The chamber also hosts Women of the Vue, a quarterly gathering focused on the business environment.
"These ladies do it like no other," DeWalt says. "If I have a wine tasting in a dinner setting, it’s constant conversation—there's never a lull.”
They're connecting with each other in ways that go beyond networking. If someone needs a videographer or drone operator, they'll get a response immediately. A reciprocity program has developed organically.
"I want to give them resources, push their brand out into the community," DeWalt says. Speaking of, the chamber's marketing director, Miranda Telford, handles the weekly newsletter and socials.
The Bellevue Culture
When DeWalt had over 400 people relying on her corporate office, she told them all the time that if you live here, you owe something to the community.
"I don't have to tell people in the chamber that; they know that," she says. "You'll see the same people volunteering, engaging. It's one of the reasons I love Bellevue."
She hopes this story shines a light on who really needs to be recognized: every person who came to Women of the Vue, every woman who volunteered to clean up the side of the road, every woman who helped with the Christmas parade, which was started by four women. And, of course, the many men who also show up in droves to support Bellevue’s business community.
"Bellevue is blessed with women who are willing to step up and carry the load," DeWalt says.
What's Coming Next
The chamber hosts a number of annual events. Up next is the 47th annual Bellevue Community Picnic on May 16, there’s the Glow on the Green night golf tournament on October 6, and plenty more throughout the year like breakfasts with speakers, Women of the Vue gatherings, ribbon cuttings, and that Coffee with a Cop.
Special thanks to Another Broken Egg Cafe in One Bellevue Place for hosting the Women of The Vue photoshoot.
"We provide a forum where people can come together, exchange ideas, exchange contact info, share resources."