Joe Jenkins
Co-Founder & Board Chair
Quo Vadimus?
I don’t speak Latin. Not even close, but I heard this Latin phrase years ago and it stuck with me. Quo Vadimus?
The reason that it stuck with me is because of what it translates to, “Where are we going?” The truth is as business owners, organization members, as citizens of a community, and just as people, I think “Where are we going?” is about as important a question as we can ask ourselves. The key is asking ourselves the question.
Where are we going?
Is this a year of growth? Is this a year we are going to hire that new salesperson?Is this a year we invest in new technology? Is this a year we reinvest in customer service? Is this a year we are going to slow down and take our bearings? Is this a year to restructure? Is this a year we stay the course?Is this a year that we step back and let others take the reins? Is this the year we decide to hang it up and enjoy the time we have left with the things and the people that matter the most? All of these are valid answers to the question. There is no right or wrong answer to the question, the key is asking the question.
I’ll be the first to admit there are times when my answer has been “I don’t know.” Those are the times that have been the scariest. For some of us it is important to have a precise drawn out plan for moving forward. For others of us it's more of a rough sketch. Then there are others that the answer is simply just “forward.” There are few of us that haven’t experienced all three, sometimes in the same year. The key is asking the question.
Where are we going?
If you ask the question enough it can become all consuming. It’s impossible not to answer the question. We might not have every point clearly defined. Odds are if we put those points down in stone that is when the tablet breaks. Life tends to throw us curveballs so we have to adapt. We have to be able to step back and ask, “Where are we going?” Remember, the important thing to do is ask the question.
Where are we going?
At the Mansfield Business Alliance, we are asking ourselves this question, “Where are we going?” In the past 24 months we have grown faster than we ever thought imaginable. We have hosted close to 100 ribbon cuttings in that time. We have had numerous successful events, some of them drawing crowds close to 10,000 people. We have connected with businesses, new and established, in Mansfield and the surrounding area.We have strengthened our partnerships with The City of Mansfield, Mansfield ISD; organizations such as the Arlington/Mansfield YMCA, The Mansfield Mission Center, Mansfield Education Foundation; grown our relationships with business large and small including Methodist Mansfield Hospital, REV Entertainment, Texas Health Mansfield, and North Texas Soccer Club.We have named Mansfield’s first class of 40 Under 40.
That’s where we’ve been, but the question now is, “Where are we going?”
This is the question the Mansfield Business Alliance will be asking ourselves in 2026. We’re not stepping away from the programs and efforts that have made us a strong and successful Chamber of Commerce, in fact, we’re doubling down on them. But we’re also ready to do more.
2026 will mark the launch of new initiatives designed to help our members grow, connect, and thrive. We’ve asked ourselves the question, and we’re ready to share our answer. Now, we want to hear yours: Where are you going? And more importantly, how can we help you get there?
