Why Your Business Feels Invisible (And How to Fix It) | Ep 13 | Colleen Simmons

You cannot just open your doors and expect people to walk in. You have to learn the habits of your community and build real relationships. That is where most small businesses quietly struggle, and it is exactly what today's guest mastered. In this episode of the BuildYorOwn Podcast, Tricia Merveille sits down with Colleen Simmons, Executive Director of the Downtown Taunton Foundation and the Taunton Business Improvement District. Colleen has led these organizations for 13 years, but her story did not start there. After 20 years in supermarket management, she was laid off in her early 30s with three young children and no finished college degree. She rebuilt her life through her community, starting with the PTA and her children's school, and turned that network into a career and a calling. This is a conversation about community capital: the trust, relationships, and reputation that decide whether opportunity finds you or passes you by. If you have ever felt invisible in your own community despite your talent, this episode is for you. What you will learn: How Colleen rebuilt her career from a layoff with no degree, using community connection The difference between networking and genuinely building relationships Why making people feel seen prevents bad reviews and builds loyalty How to work with your city government to get things done for your business Practical first steps for new business owners: neighboring businesses, ribbon cuttings, local festivals, and community pages Why local politics affects your small business more than federal politics How to walk into any room like you belong there Memorable moments: The Maya Angelou principle Colleen lives by: people forget what you said, but never how you made them feel How she saved Rob Roy Academy's downtown location after a major water main break, using her network Acting as an ombudsman who hand-holds new business owners through the permitting maze Why Taunton is the "Christmas City" and what that teaches about knowing your community Chapters: 00:00 You cannot just open your doors 01:00 For anyone who feels invisible in their community 03:00 Colleen's background: 20 years in management 05:00 Laid off at 30 with three kids and no degree 08:00 How the PTA led to her career 11:00 The work of revitalizing downtown 14:00 Carrying the burden of no college degree 17:00 Networking versus building real relationships 20:00 The water main break rescue and the ombudsman role 23:00 Her real process: kindness and listening 27:00 First steps for new business owners 31:00 Free advertising, ribbon cuttings, and local politics 35:00 Staying visible after opening day 39:00 Being visible when you are shy or anxious 43:00 Walk into every room like you belong 48:00 Learn the habits and history of your community 52:00 Closing: research, resources, get involved Connect with Colleen Simmons: Downtown Taunton Foundation and Taunton Business Improvement District https://downtowntaunton.org Connect with BuildYorOwn: Website: https://www.buildyorown.com Instagram: @buildyorownpodcast Email: [email protected] New episodes of the BuildYorOwn Podcast release regularly. Subscribe so you never miss the structure beneath the businesses that last. #BuildYorOwn #Communitycapital #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #businessrelationships #networking #businesspodcast #womeninbusiness #Taunton #smallbusinesstips