Kristin Torrice is the General Manager of Carmel Plaza, and she’s been actively leading it for the past five years. She oversees everything, including tenant relationships, day-to-day operations, marketing, and the overall customer experience of those who visit the Plaza.

What drew her to the Plaza was the chance to be part of something that’s both a gathering place for locals and a destination for visitors from around the world. Carmel Plaza has been known as the heart of downtown shopping and dining for a long time now, and Kristin was excited to help shape its next chapter while honoring its history.

No two days look the same for Kristin, and that’s what she loves most about the job. She's motivated by building relationships with her tenants, supporting local businesses, and finding new ways to keep the Plaza thriving. She says being part of a community where people really care about one another makes her work especially meaningful.

While most people may think of Carmel Plaza as simply just a little shopping center, tourists wander through looking for a bite to eat or a jacket to buy, Kristin thinks of it as a community hub. It’s home to a very unique mix of locally owned businesses like Alvarado Street Brewery and Dutch Door Donuts, alongside big-name brands like Bottega Veneta and Tiffany & Co.

Kristin, among many others, loves the sense of community when it comes to doing business in Carmel. Everyone supports one another, and there’s a shared commitment to preserving the charm and character that makes our little town so special. This leads to Kristin’s most valuable benefit she’s gotten out of her Chamber membership, the relationships. The Chamber has given her so many meaningful opportunities to connect with so many other strong business leaders, as well as keeping her informed of local issues. She views the Chamber as a trusted resource for introductions that have helped her create invaluable connections that likely wouldn’t have happened otherwise. She’d recommend a Chamber membership without hesitation, to businesses of every size. Anyone who wants to build relationships and stay engaged in the community will benefit from getting involved.

Her advice to a new business owner: get involved with your community from day one. Build those key relationships, support your fellow businesses as you never know what you may need down the road, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable by seeking advice from others. What happens within your business is only half of what success really is. The other half is becoming a meaningful part of the community around you.