Community Spotlight · Chandler Chamber of Commerce
Helping the Helpers: Kayla Goodson and the Chandler Chamber
Kayla Goodson would rather point you to her neighbors than talk about herself, so this story is about the people who quietly give, serve and show up, and the community spirit she hopes to keep alive.
CHANDLER — Do you remember the early days of the Pow Wow on Main and 315 in the 1990s, when the roads were shut down and the whole community stopped to meet, gather and play games together? Highway 315 was closed, and the festivities ran from the elementary school to the intersection of Main and 315. For Kayla Goodson, the memory is about the people, the community coming together more than anything else.
Born and raised in Chandler, Goodson grew up attending Martin Springs Baptist Church, where she came to faith. Her family’s roots in town go back three to four generations. She cherishes those memories and strives to help future generations build them in this community.
Goodson is Assistant Executive Director of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and owner of 4Grace Solutions, which helps small businesses with bookkeeping, QuickBooks support and other financial needs. A fellow Chamber member saw her tenacity and passion for small businesses in the community and invited her to join. She describes her role simply: she helps small businesses and the community connect and network. She promotes local businesses, loves to see them succeed, and is excited about the potential and opportunities a local newspaper brings to this community.
Chandler, she says, is full of good people with good ethics who care about this town, and many of them are extremely generous. Many are also too humble to share their good work, and she hopes to be a voice for them.
Kayla is also quick to mention the amazing work of Rick Ford and his invaluable mentorship to her. Rick is the executive director of the Chandler Area EDC. Look for more from Rick in an upcoming Kickapoo Kolache story.
Here I Am
Kayla is quick to say it comes down to effort. “I strongly believe you get out of something what you put into it,” she says. She hopes to leave something behind for the next generation. “I want to leave a legacy for kids to see how to build community.”
Her faith is at the center of it. “My faith leads me to know that we are here to serve others first.” One line of Scripture sums that up for her:
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)
She is quick to thank Ron Ivey, pastor of The Carpenter’s Cross Baptist Church in Flint, who was her youth pastor at Martin Springs Baptist Church. His positive influence on her life and her faith, she says, has meant a great deal.
Just Some of What the Chamber Does
A Good Day on the Links
The Chamber held its annual golf tournament Monday, Sept. 28, at The Cascades in Tyler, and it was another successful year. The tournament raised more than $10,000, and proceeds from it and the Chamber’s other events will benefit scholarships and the Chamber’s new business grants. Any student in the Brownsboro ISD, whether homeschool, private or public, is eligible for a scholarship. The first- and second-place winners won $1,000 and $500.
Holly Jolly Christmas Returns
Holly Jolly Christmas: A Community Celebration is back this year. Hosted by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, it will be held on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m. Thanks go to title sponsor VeraBank. This year’s theme is Christmas Carols, and the top three places will win prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250.
The date falls on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The flyer’s invitation says it best: come make memories and celebrate the magic of Christmas. Support local. Shop local. Cherish community.
The location and parade route are to be announced, with details coming soon.
A fun fact: the very first Holly Jolly was planned at Honeycomb Bakery, owned by Tonya Kauffman, about three months before the event. The idea was simple: bring some joy to the community. It started in 2023, and this year is its fourth.
A group of local businesses met weekly to put the event together: BraveHawk Sports, Honeycomb Bakery, Chandler Country Store and 4Grace Solutions. The inspiration for the event came from Brian Justice at BraveHawk Sports.
The Holly Jolly Hustle 5K is a separate event this year, run by the Rotary Club to benefit Meals on Wheels. It will be held the following Saturday, Dec. 5. Details to come.
Serving others is what Kayla loves about Chandler. “That’s what I love about this community – so many people serving others – and I want others to be aware of it.”
Kayla would prefer to recognize the people in this community who make commitments and show generosity. I would be remiss, though, not to mention the love she has for this community. In just a short sit-down, it is evident that she has great passion and enthusiasm for all things Chandler and the citizens that call this town home; which she would attribute to her love of Christ and her desire to serve others. — James Burgess, Editor
To reach the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, email chandlertxchamber@gmail.com or visit chandlertxchamber.org. To reach 4Grace Solutions, email 4gracesolutions@gmail.com.