Chamber of Commerce strives to be ‘positive voice’ for Madison, CEO says

By Scott Turner

Madison Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Michelle Epling. Nov. 27, 2023.Madison Chamber of Commerce

Madison Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michelle Epling calls herself “a jack of all trades and a master of a few.”

That’s because of all of the roles she has played, which she feels help her in the position she’s held for more than two years.

“All of the different industries I’ve worked in, from being at the corporate level to working with the front-line staff, to starting my own business, still helping manage a family business, to me, has really helped me in this role at the chamber because I understand the business owner,” Epling said.

The mother of twin girls spent 13 years as a corporate sales trainer in the insurance industry working with financial institutions across the Southeast for two different companies. She also started a clothing business with her mother.

“I learned how to build a business from the ground up from creating the logo to building the website, to investing your own money and buying the clothes.” Epling said. “We did trunk shows out of her house.”