Hamilton County Business Magazine Dec2014/Jan2015

Focus:

BANKING & FINANCE

Hamilton County Home Show Jan. 17 & 18 2015 See page 35

DECEMBER • JANUARY 2015

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December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

3

December / January 2015

www.hamiltoncountybusiness.com Published six times per year by the Hamilton County Media Group PO Box 502, Noblesville, IN 46061 317-774-7747 Editor/Publisher

Mike Corbett

mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com Creative Director

Melanie Malone

imartist58@yahoo.com Correspondents Christine Bavender crbavender@gmail.com

Monica Peck and Courtney Cole dressed up as the Spooky Sisters at the Children’s Museum Haunted House in October

Deb Buehler deb@thesweetestwords.com Stephanie Carlson Curtis steph@stephcurtis.com Jeff Curts jcurts@att.net Rosalyn Demaree ros_demaree@hotmail.com

Features

14

Community Bank

18

Quality Sharpening

22

Book Mark: Thoughts on Building Strong Towns

24 26

Patricia Griffin Mangan manganpatricia69@gmail.com

Sisters of Savings

16

23

Karen Kennedy Karen@karenkennedywriter.com

The Pitch-In

Shari Held sharih@comcast.net Samantha Hyde samantharhyde@gmail.com

Columns 8 10

ManagementDr. Charles Waldo Personal DevelopmentCindy Allen-Stuckey

Retail Roundabout

12

Dining OutThe Blue Danube

ManagementJulie Bingham

34

History-David Heighway

CoNTRIBUTORs

Jeff Bell jeffbellmd@comcast.net Charles Giesting cjgiesting@gmail.com David Heighway heighwayd@earthlink.net Patricia Pickett pat@pickettandassociates.com Robby Slaughter rslaughter@accelawork.com Dr. Charles Waldo cnwaldo@comcast.net

Please send news items and photos to news@hamiltoncountybusiness.com Submission does not guarantee publication

Subscription $20/year To subscribe or advertise, contact Mike Corbett at

mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com Copyright 2015 Hamilton County Media Group.

All rights reserved.

Cover photo by Dario Impini provided by Hare Chevrolet

4

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Your Local Community Bank Whether you’re starting a new business or growing an existing business, our experienced business lenders are here to help businesses of all sizes.

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Letter from the Editor December • January 2015

I clicked on a Facebook post the other day. It was promoting the fight against prostate cancer and I’m at the age when you start paying attention to those kinds of things. It soon became clear, however, that it wasn’t about prostate cancer after all, it was an ad for a razor that used the prostate cancer ruse to get me to click. The pitch was that the razor was cheaper than regular retail razors and a portion of their proceeds benefit prostate cancer research.

Mike Corbett Editor and Publisher

Among marketing types that may seem like a brilliant strategy. After all, I now am aware of a razor that I likely wouldn’t be aware of had they not used that tactic. However, awareness is one thing, and willingness to buy is another. I felt like I was misled, and I’m now unlikely to purchase that razor no matter how much it saves me against the major brand.

I confess I was a little sensitive to the topic anyway as I had the occasion to walk away from two promising ad campaigns recently because I wasn’t willing to serve up our editorial pages for advertising. From time to time, a potential advertiser requests a story in addition to their proposed ad campaign. My answer is always the same: we make editorial decisions separate from advertising decisions. Editorial decisions are based on the topic’s value as a story: a unique hook, interesting characters, a compelling storyline. It has to be a good story, something that will draw readers’ attention and hold it for a few pages.

Good visuals help too. Those aren’t always an advertiser’s priorities.

But, even more important, having a reader guess whether a story has been bought or not violates an unspoken rule between you, the reader, and me, the editor. That rule says I won’t fool you into thinking you’re reading something you’re not. Our stories are judged on their merits as stories and are not for sale. Our advertising is for sale, and my goal is to make sure you know what you are reading at all times: ads or stories. Both are compelling, both are worth reading, but they’re different and you shouldn’t have to wonder which is which.

That isn’t to say that advertising can’t sometimes read like editorial. Some advertisers do have good stories to tell, and we are happy to offer our space to tell them, in an “advertorial” format. But if they want to tell the story their way, with their words and their visuals, we only ask that they pay for the privilege, and that their words be labelled as advertising, because that’s what it is. You will occasionally find advertorial in this magazine. We are happy to run it for our advertisers and it will be clearly labelled as advertising.

In the end it’s just about being honest with each other. Both advertising and editorial have their places. Both are legitimate communication and we could not exist without both of them. We choose to keep them separate so you always know what you’re reading.

See you around the county,

Editor and Publisher mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com 317-774-7747 6

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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Management

Dr. Charles Waldo, Ph.D.

Is your Workplace Problem-free?

Your employees can help convert problems into profits front-line problems. Before beginning an assignment, I would have a meeting of the top management group, then the middle managers, then the first-line supervisors. While we didn’t have time in the initial meeting to dig into the details of the problems, much less their The truth is some “problems” are good to have – A new product is selling so fast solutions, it was plainly evident there were plenty of problems that, if solved you can’t keep it in stock. How do you or reduced, would bring such desirable build inventory fast enough to not lose outcomes as better product and sersales? Or your engineers have come up with the design for a new product which vice quality, better quality of work life, increased morale, higher output, and so looks terrific on the drawing board. But on. In every case, reducing or eliminathow do you get it built? Problems can ing the problem would also directly or spell “opportunities” and opportunities indirectly increase the company’s botcan spell profits. tom line.

But the kinds of problems I am talkThen I asked the front-liners why these ing about are the kind that “creep up problems which they could so readily on you” and collectively can sap your identify had not been solved or elimiworkforce’s energy, reduce efficiencies, nated already. The usual answers were: increase absenteeism and sick pay, 1) “never really seriously thought about decrease customer service levels, raise them before”; 2) “That’s just the way error rates, and so on. things are around here”; 3) “The supervisors and engineers are supposed The problem free workplace might to solve problems, not me”; 4) “Even if look like this: -Failure free -AcciI had a suggestion for improvement, it dent free -Scrap free -Defect free -Doesn’t make sense free -Monotony would be almost impossible to get my or boring free -Bending and stooping supervisor to listen to it much less try it.”; and 5) “That ain’t my job, man.” free -Waiting time free -Danger free

-Paperwork free -Lifting free When I showed the results of a frontline employees survey to the various This list is far from inclusive but you levels of management, most, especially get the point. As you think about these the top group, were usually surprised problems and your workplace, are any of them good to have? Do you think your and somewhat embarrassed. Top managers were astounded that employees organization and employees’ lives are had identified so many problems and enhanced by danger? By more paperwere teed off that they felt so diswork? More bending, lifting, and stackincentivized to try to solve them. The ing? More time wasted waiting? executives smelled enhanced profits if they could mine the minds and hearts of Kaizen Culture their employees.

In another chapter of my life I was in management consulting. One service Here are a few, key requirements to was helping companies build a “kaizen make a Kaizen type suggestion system culture” -- to dramatically increase the thrive: number and quality of solutions for I can imagine your reaction to the title of this article – “What kind of a dumb question is that? I work with people.

People equal problems. Sounds like typical professor talk.”

8

• A “voluntary captain” at mid-management or higher who is enthusiastic about releasing the creative powers of front-liners and will guide the effort.

• A belief by managers at all levels that properly trained front-liners usually know the ins and outs of their jobs better than supervisors, and certainly better than mid or upper level managers.

• A belief that front-liners’ analytical and creative capacities are relatively untapped and under utilized.

• A change of first line supervisors’ responsibilities to develop and bring out the best in their teams’ mental and creative capacities. To find ways to say “yes” rather than “no” to improvement suggestions. To be coaches and not direct problem solvers.

• Recognition that when the front-liners’ WIIFM (What Is In It For Me?) is properly addressed, it’s almost always good for the company, too.

• An appreciation for the value of “solution compounding” – the impact of MANY small improvements, one improvement leading to another….and another….and another.

Problems can spell “opportunities” and opportunities can spell profits.

What Happened?

Here is just one example of how Kaizen caught on. One client made electrical systems for Toyota and Honda cars and used lots of very high speed circuit board stuffing machines. Robots. Thousands of tiny components were “glued” to large spools of tape that were fed to the robots and then placed on the circuit boards. Dozens of these robots gobbled up many thousands of tiny components

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

each day. A new employee, still on probation, noticed something that “didn’t make sense.” At the end of each spool three or four parts wouldn’t feed into the robot. Their cost was “mere” pennies each so hundreds of spools each day got thrown away with a few perfectly good parts still glued to the tape. He asked other operators why. “That’s just the way the system works” was their answer.

The new operator multiplied the average number of spools used each day by the cost of the number of components left on each spool by the number of work days per year. The result was astounding – many thousands of dollars were being thrown away “just because.”

He devised a simple way to use up every component and was a hero and kaizen role model. This happened repeatedly with my best client getting an average of twelve implemented suggestions per year from each of its 300 employees after a couple of years. Toyota, one of its main customers, sent in some of their Kaizen trainers to learn how this supplier was doing things.

Next Steps If you would like to learn more about developing your own Kaizen suggestion system, start by devouring a 2012 book, Gemba Kaizen: A Commonsense Approach to a Continuous Improvement Strategy by Masaaki Imai, who many (including me) consider to be the “Dean of Kaizen.” I cut my “Kaizen teeth” on his first book, Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s Competitive Success (1986). Follow his wisdom, altering for your particular circumstances. Another good book by American practitioners is Health Care Kaizen (Graban & Swartz, 2012). Don’t let the title put you off. It is loaded with good examples easily adapted to other types of organizations and industries.

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Personal Development

Cindy Allen-Stuckey

A Team of Mentors A Personal Advisory Board can help you navigate life and work We all need sounding boards--no matter what our age--to test our ideas and plans, to push us into uncomfortable situations, and to provide us with feedback. This is how successful people become more successful in many areas of their life.

Instead of having an information group with whom you brainstorm, imagine having your own Personal Advisory Board you can go to for advice and feedback.

Of course, a Personal Advisory Board does more than help you be a better person. This group can help you start or grow a business, change careers, or move up within your company.

Think of your board as a team of mentors, carefully chosen, who can provide you with mentoring and feedback across a wide variety of your professional concerns. Each advisor should be selected to fulfill specific goals in your professional (and possibly personal) life.

honest feedback isn’t always something you want to hear.

To get you started thinking about your Personal Advisory Board, here are six roles that I recommend for your board:

relationships among people who might not otherwise have met. They are infectious and inspire others to be more like them.

• The Sage is a person of profound wisdom in many areas. Everyone needs a sage--someone who they admire, has done it all, made the mistakes, learned from them, and then triumphed. This is one of the most trusted positions on the board.

• The Questioner is imperative for your board. It pays to surround yourself with people who will question your motives, decisions, and intentions. It’s amazing how the question “why are you doing this” will make you stop and think.

• The Risk Taker is an inspiration to you. These people have made mistakes and wrong decisions, but they have learned from them and will encourage you to do the same.

Their mantra is “you won’t know unless you try”.

• The Maven is an expert in a particular field--yours. They are often ahead of the curve with their thoughts and ideas. These are the folks who help you make informed decisions.

Honest Feedback It’s essential for you to be proactive and build your Personal Advisory • The Supporter is a master listener Board BEFORE you think you need and knows much about you as a person. He is always there to lend an it. Take the time to build these relationships so that there is mutual encouraging ear, a hug, or a kick in trust and respect between you the bottom. and your board members. This is important because you want your • The Bridge is otherwise known Advisory Board to give you honest as the connector. This is the feedback. If it’s truly honest feedback, matchmaker for your career.

Connectors love to engender 10

it isn’t always positive and isn’t always something you want to hear. That’s why the relationship is so important.

Consider leaning on your Board when a conflict arises with a coworker at your office. You might tempted to lash out, but The Questioner will help you see a new perspective. Or, consider a long dry spell in your business.

You may need the strength of The Supporter to carry you through.

Your Board isn’t just helpful in difficult times. They can be a valuable resource when life is looking up. The Maven can help you decide between many promising opportunities. And The Bridge can get you to the right person to be a partner, employee, or vendor.

For those times between the good and the bad where the path is unclear, you have The Sage and The Risk Taker.

The former will help you to see what options may exist and what pitfalls are down the road. And the latter will encourage you to take the plunge when you’re considering hiding on the shore, where it’s safe.

A Personal Advisory Board can be a valuable tool to help you grow and be successful professionally. Taking the time upfront to identify the roles needed and to choose the members wisely will pay off in the long run as you encounter challenges in your career. HCBM Cindy Allen-Stuckey, CEO and founder of Making Performance Matter, collaborates with organizations to convert strategy into action. She is also a speaker with AccelaWork, at www.accelawork.com.

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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Management

Julie Bingham

What is Your Employment Story?

When hiring, it’s not always all about the paycheck Which is better? Making your employees the highest-paid in your market, or paying them less and showering them with benefits, amenities and meaningful work?

Many years ago, I got a close view of this question in practice. I discovered that there is no right answer … because it’s the wrong question.

The better question is, “What is your employment proposition, and how do your compensation programs reflect and support it?”

I got my front-row seat on this realworld case study while working in Portland, Ore., not far from the campuses of Nike and Intel. Both are big economic drivers in that area, and both are considered community anchors. Otherwise, they’re very different companies.

Total Rewards From my perspective, one of the greatest examples of their differences was in employee compensation practices.

The perspective in the employment market was that Intel pays at the top of the market for compensation, believing this level allows it to hire and retain the best and brightest people to support its focus on innovation.

Nike often pays less than the market average, but backs up that lower level of pay with benefits and amenities that its people value more than cash – things such as global employment opportunities, generous vacation leave, paid sabbaticals, discounts on Nike products, access to fitness facilities with features like a climbing wall and 11-lane swimming pool, and more.

The result? Both companies attract and retain the right kind of people.

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Why? Because each has its own employment story.

This case study often comes to my mind as I watch area employers wrestling with compensation plans. What I see is that a lot of employers take a far-too-narrow view of compensation, looking only at the number on the pay stub and not embracing a total rewards perspective.

It’s easy to fall into this trap, especially in a competitive market for talent.

As you sit down with prospective employees, you know that one of the most prominent questions on their minds is, “What will this job pay?” As a result, you might be tempted to ask, “What will it take?” That’s a dangerous question. Compensation is one of a business’ biggest fixed expenses, and a lot of other operating costs tie directly to pay. As a result, recklessly throwing money at compensation is, well, reckless.

… recklessly throwing money at compensation is, well, reckless.

One tool employers have at their disposal in these discussions is market survey data. That information allows you to know how your pay compares to other similarly sized organizations in your industry, geography and market. The problem is, some employers let data alone drive their compensation decisions, rigidly pegging pay levels to certain market percentiles.

“We want to pay at or above the 75th percentile,” they might say. Or, “We can’t afford to go above the 50th per-

centile.” By letting one factor dictate their decisions, these employers miss out on opportunities to have a broader discussion about the overall value and opportunity of working for them.

The Employment Proposition So, what else should go into the discussion? Certainly, benefits play a role, as do workplace amenities and perks.

Your organization’s mission plays a role, too: Many employees work for a non-profit or charitable organization, for example, in exchange for more competitive compensation at for-profit companies—this feeds their soul. To inform your discussions, get feedback from current employees about what they value about working for you. But, again, benefits, amenities, and surveys are only tools, and they can be applied poorly if they aren’t backed by a strategy that reflects a broader employment proposition.

Instead of starting compensation discussions with pay and benefits, a smart employer starts by establishing a clear rewards philosophy and focusing on the full employment proposition. What attitudes and culture should be defined by the employment proposition? What employee experience does the firm want to offer, and how does its compensation philosophy support that experience? The answers to these kinds of questions will create your own unique employment story.

With this story in hand, an employer will be able to look more purposefully at data from internal and external studies, and use that data to develop appropriate compensation practices.

Then the employer can communicate and apply its practices in the context of its corporate culture. This will demonstrate to employees that leadership is

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

being thoughtful about how it defines and invests in the total employment experience.

Through this process, an employer can see that it doesn’t need to boast about its high pay, or try to hide a lowerpercentile salary structure behind flashy perks. Instead, the employer can speak unapologetically about why people value being a part of its team and what they get from the overall employment experience.

Learn to communicate those points clearly and the people you hire will put much less emphasis on market percentiles and comparable benefits and a much greater emphasis where it should be: on what it really means to work for your firm. HCBM

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December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

13

Cover Story

The

Sisters of Savings

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, their ads are hard to avoid

By Karen Kennedy

“We believe in the rule of thirds.

A third of the people love us, a third of the people hate us and a third of the people don’t care. ” – The Sisters of Savings.

M

ention the “Sisters of Savings” to just about anyone in the greater Indianapolis area, and the response may be positive or negative, but there’s no chance it will be ambivalent. Folks either think the ubiquitous Hare Chevrolet radio commercials are clever and funny or so annoying that they rush to change the station as soon as they hear, “I’m Monica Peck and I’m Courtney Cole; the Sisters of Savings.” That introduction is invariably followed by a series of corny

puns related to a specific theme, such as an upcoming holiday. Those commercials have elicited such vitriolic responses on social media that the sisters actually created a video in which they read the “mean tweets” for the entertainment of all.

Such as: “Every time I hear the Sisters of Savings, I just want to shove a rusty, dull butter knife through my ears. #shutupsisters.”

Do those comments hurt their feelings?

If they do, the Sisters of Savings are crying all the way to the bank, because the third of the people who love them have pushed the annual sales at Hare Chevrolet to the point that they are on track to exceed $150 million in annual revenues.

They have grown what was the first transportation company in America, a carriage and wagon business founded in 1847, into a diversified, dynamic operation with nearly 200 full-time employees.

They are the

One of Hare’s early buggies hangs in the showroom above the latest Chevrolet models.

sixth generation of the Hare family to helm the business. Yes, they really are sisters, and yes, they really do work there.

High Profile Cole and Peck bought the business from their father in 2008. As they searched for ways to market them-

They are the sixth generation, they really are sisters, and they really do work there… selves, they asked Facebook fans to help them come up with a tagline, and the “Sisters of Savings” stuck. As they began the marketing campaign, they saw an immediate spike in their market share and they knew they were on to something.

Recording a radio commercial

14

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

after-school activities and chauffeur service. So despite the fact that they could drive any car on the lot, utility is the key factor; Peck drives a Tahoe and Cole drives a Traverse. And when asked if they foresee any of their own children becoming the seventh generation to run the business, they both laugh.

Some of Hare Chevrolet’s 200 employees sport CourtneyStrong shirts in support of Cole, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year

if you spent as much money on advertising we do!’”

In the 1880’s W. Hare & Son was in the carriage business in downtown Noblesville

“We are always looking for new and unique ways of doing things,” said Cole. “People don’t pay attention to the people sitting on the bench.”

Those unique ways of doing things include: sending a box of homemade gooey butter cookies from the marvelous Rosie’s Place bakery to every person who buys a car from them (450 folks per month on average,) hiring millennials whose sole job is to sit in newly purchased cars with customers and explain all the bells, whistles and technology, having a full-time social media person who makes constant status updates and coordinates events and contests such as a free convertible to drive for the weekend, and what Cole calls “relentless follow-up” with new and prospective customers.

The high advertising profile they maintain has made them local celebrities. Peck says she has even been recognized over the phone. “People say, ‘Oh, you’re famous!’ And I laugh and say, ‘You could be famous too

To the general public it might seem that the sisters take a very lighthearted approach to their business, but that is certainly not the case.

While they admit to a certain amount of sibling rivalry in their youth, they are now a solid leadership team; Cole oversees sales while Peck runs the service division. And they are wholeheartedly committed to their staff, which results in low turn-over (one salesman has worked for the company for 43 years) and exceptional customer service.

“Our team is awesome,” said Peck.

“There is definitely a passion about service. Without service, product doesn’t mean anything.”

They are also passionate about giving back to the community.

“Our parents instilled a sense of service in us,” said Cole. “And while we can’t say yes to everyone who asks, we give well into the six-figures every year.”

Many Businesses Cole and Peck also walk the tightrope of busy executives trying to balance their time between work and family. They each have two pre-teen children, and run the usual gamut of

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

“It’s too early to tell,” said Peck. “What I know for sure right now is that my daughter is very embarrassed by the radio commercials.”

And what many people don’t know is that despite the ongoing, lighthearted radio presence she maintains, Cole is has been battling lung cancer and has just finished radiation treatments. She has only recently been able to return to a full work schedule and is regaining her strength.

They also have their eyes on the future.

“Our organization is really many businesses in one,” said Peck. “We have a rental division with a fleet of ninety cars. We have a commercial leasing division. We have a strong ‘buy here-pay here’ program for folks with credit challenges and a huge selection of certified pre-owned vehicles. And when the right opportunities for expansion present themselves, we will say yes.”

In fact, they just said “yes” to a big opportunity. They have recently been awarded an Isuzu franchise, becoming only the third in central Indiana.

The sisters are currently in the process of securing a location for their new Isuzu showroom. They already service these commercial mediumduty trucks, but will now be able to sell them as well.

In the meantime, love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Sisters of Savings will undoubtedly be coming soon to a radio station near you.

Stay tuned. HCBM

15

Focus: Banking & Finance

Community Bank Takes Its Final Bow HC’s last locally owned bank acquired by First Merchants Bank

By Shari Held

T

he 1980s was an era of great change: The Cold War wound down, the Internet was winding up, MTV launched and PacMan and Super Mario Bros. made their debuts. But many in Hamilton County will remember the 1980s as the time when the Ohio banks came courting.

Prior to 1985, six locally owned financial institutions existed in Hamilton County—American National Bank, Wainwright Bank and Hamilton Federal Savings & Loan in Noblesville, Union State Bank in Carmel, Hamilton County Bank in Cicero and American State Bank in Sheridan.

Then legislation was passed that allowed banks to cross county lines and later go anywhere in the state.

More significantly, it allowed Indiana banks to be acquired by out-of-state banks. That’s when the Ohio banks and other banks state-wide came courting, and Hamilton County lost all six locally owned financial institutions.

Keeping it local “Nobody likes change, whether good or bad,” says Charles Crow, CEO of Community Bank. “There was a lot of grumbling in the community when the Ohio banks bought the two Noblesville banks. “But that’s what gave me the chance to start Community Bank.”

Crow, who had worked in the banking industry in Hamilton County for 21 years at the time, approached 15

community members who were dissatisfied with the changes. It was an easy sell. Eleven agreed to become initial investors, raising $1.5 million.

In April, 1991, they purchased a bank in Summitville for $1 million.

“The first day…the phone never rang at all.

We were thinking, oh my God, what did we do?”

- Charles Crow, Community Bank CEO “We saw it as an opportunity to buy it, move the charter to Noblesville, and then, we’re back in business as a locally owned bank,” Crow says. Aptly, the name was Community Bank.

Crow and Jim McKinnon, a local banker who had lost his position at American National Bank, were the bank’s only two employees when it opened on the north side of the square in Noblesville.

“I had a card table, a card table chair and a telephone,” Crow says. “The first day Jim and I were there, the phone never rang at all. We were thinking, oh my God, what did we do?”

Community Bank grand opening April 17, 1991 at 830 Logan St. in Noblesville. (left to right) James McKinnon , EVP; Mary Sue Rowland, 1991 Noblesville Mayor; Charles Crow, President & CEO; Warner Morgan, former owner of Summitville Bank & Trust Co.; Tom Ryan, Noblesville businessman.

16

But that soon changed. A month later, they purchased a savings and loan branch in Lapel, enabling them to start business with three branches.

After two years Community Bank was growing so rapidly they got approval to issue $3.5 million in bank stock.

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

in local organizations, with the bank picking up the tab for dues and expenses and supporting employee-chosen organizations.

840 Logan St. 2014

Over the years the bank has supported hundreds of Hamilton County organizations including numerous little league teams, the Boys and Girls Club, Riverview Health Foundation, Prevail, Noblesville Preservation Alliance, even the Fourth of July parade.

“If it’s a worthwhile community project, we’re going to get behind it and support it, not just in Noblesville, but in Cicero, Fishers, Westfield, Lapel, Summitville and Alexandria,” Crow says.

First Merchants Bank, headquartered in Muncie, acquired Community Bank in November. That move made some people wonder if the community bank has gone the way of the dinosaurs.

840 Logan St. 1991

1993 to 2002 were the bank’s growth years. During that time, it opened four offices in Noblesville and one each in Cicero, Westfield, Alexandria and Fishers.

“For five or six years we were by far the fastest growing bank in Indiana,” Crow says.

Community Bank continued to grow, reaching close to $280 million in assets, up until the 2008 recession began.

Putting community at the forefront From its inception Community Bank was all about “community”. Employees were encouraged to participate

“I don’t think so,” says Mike Rechin, president & CEO of First Merchants Corp. “There’s between 6,500 and 7,000 banks in the country, and 5,000 of them are $1 billion or less in assets. But it will be more difficult, certainly.”

Community Bank was sold for a number of reasons. Competition is stiff and compliance with regulatory demands is costly and complex. More importantly, the original investors on the board were nearing or into their retirement years.

“It was important for us to figure out what would happen with our board,” Crow says. “We decided it might be time to pass the baton.”

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Moving forward First Merchants, the second largest bank in the state and the largest serving central Indiana, is taking great care to ensure changes will be as transparent to customers as possible, and that the spirit of the community bank remains intact.

The actual integration, including signage and identity, won’t take place until late April, 2015, and customers will still see familiar faces behind the counters and in leadership positions. Crow will remain until he retires at the end of 2015 and Larry Riggs, president of Community Bank, will continue to run the Noblesville market.

First Merchants’ philosophy on community involvement and commitment mirrors that of Community Bank—financial contributions follow employees’ interests and involvement. Rechin, who lives in Carmel and is active in the community—including serving on the board of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce—is a great example of that.

First Merchants already had five offices in Hamilton County—two in Carmel, and one each in Noblesville, Westfield and Fishers—before acquiring Community Bank. It has roughly $5.9 billion in assets and $375 million in deposits, putting it in fourth place— behind JP Morgan Chase, PNC and Fifth Third—in Hamilton County market share (as measured by deposits).

“None of those companies are committed to this state,” Rechin says.

“None of them have to do well here in order for their company to be successful. It was different for Community Bank and it’s different for First Merchants. Hamilton County is such a big part of our company already.

We feel it’s going to be a good cultural fit for what we already do.” HCBM

17

Talk About Your Cutting Edge Business

Quality Sharpening Service

By Rosalyn Demaree Photos by Mark Lee

B

ill Bales is one sharp man.

About 7 a.m., he heads to Quality Sharpening Service, the gritty work shop behind his neat Cape Cod at 1365 S. 10th Street in Noblesville, where he turns dull blades into razor-sharp edges.

“When I give you a pair of scissors back, I want them to work as good or better than new,” said Bales, who isn’t exaggerating when he says better than new. People bring him never-used lawn mower blades to get a more even edge than factories often produce.

The art of sharpening, he believes, is patience and good handeye coordination. The reward is being able to do something most people cannot.

Scissors and mower blades are among about 40 things that Bales, who’ll be 83 in December, sharpens. Top-ofthe-line hair shears are one of the few things he won’t sharpen because he doesn’t feel he can do a highquality job on them.

He gets many hedge trimmers and sharpens them all – but they’re far from his favorite jobs. He politely describes taking apart old trimmers as “the nearest thing to a hemorrhoid you can have.”

Chefs trust him with their treasured knives; his wife’s knives are sharpened “when she reminds me,” Married for 65 years, Bill and Louise − “the bookkeeper and boss,” he calls her – are business partners, too. They pick up and deliver items to eight stores that send customers’ tools and equipment to Bales.

A personable professional Mike Kinnaman, owner of Mike’s Lawn and Maintenance Service in Noblesville, can sharpen his mower and trimmer blades, chainsaw chains and other tools but he relies on Bales.

Mary Larson

18

“He’s a professional,” said Kinnaman, a Bales customer for most of the 16 years he’s done landscaping. “He sharpens and balances mower blades. It’s peace of mind for me.

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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“Bill’s right up my alley,” Kinnaman added. “He’s down-to-earth and makes it comfortable to go in and talk to him.”

In a disposable society, Bales often surprises people when they learn something can be sharpened.

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They might be more surprised to learn how much equipment and time it takes to get the perfect edge.

Bales has 32 grinders and belt sanders.

The smallest are two scissors grinders which are approximately the size of meat grinders; one has more than a dozen wheels to give him the best abrasive for each pair of scissors.

The largest grinder is the size of a kitchen table and has a blower reaching to the

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Priced to please “Affordable” could be another word in Bill Bales’ business name. His price list ranges from $1.60 for a household knife to $40 for a carbide core drill, used to slice through concrete. Most prices are less than $10, and many are less than $5.

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“Had I known how much I had to learn when I got into it, I probably wouldn’t have started,” said Bales, who made automotive parts and welded before becoming a sharpener in 1990. “I’m sure glad I did. I really enjoy it.” ceiling. It’s used for woodworking tools and chop blades – chunky, wicked-looking blades that are about 7 inches long and used to cut picture frames. The grinder cost $6,000 when Bales bought it, and by its looks, that was many years ago.

A hand saw can take a half-hour to sharpen; scissors and chef knives, 1015 minutes. To test if a kitchen knife is sharp, he strokes the blade from his thumbnail bed to tip. “If it doesn’t catch, it isn’t sharp.”

More than sharpening It’s fairly easy to find someone to sharpen mower blades, but there are few sharpeners with Bales’ wide-ranging repertoire. It’s even harder to find people to work on the equipment he uses.

“If I didn’t know how to repair it. I’d have to quit. There’s nobody I know of that will work on the grinders.” When a gear or bushing goes bad on some belt sanders, he must make a new part.

20

He learned basic sharpening skills as a kid on his parents’ Carmel farm. Before opening Quality Sharpening, Bales took two weeks of classes in Missouri and continues to learn.

“About the time you think you know it all is the time you find out you don’t know anything,” he said.

Bales has a cutting wit but he’s mum as he sharpens, focusing solely on the job.

An occasional slip does bring out the Band-Aids. “When I first started, it’s a wonder I didn’t bleed to death.”

His most obvious injury appears to have been to his left thumb, which is little more than a stub. That, though, was unrelated to sharpening.

Nothing seems to injure his spirit or his passion. “I have a lot of long-time customers. I didn’t make everybody mad when I started,” he jokes. “Most of them, I’ve outlived.” HCBM

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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21

Book Mark Rethinking Suburban Development

Thoughts on Building

Strong Towns

Book by Charles Marohn, Jr.

Book Review by Mike Corbett I first noticed something was wrong with America’s downtowns when I was in college. I like riding around cities on my bike to get a feel for the local landscape. Like so many other cities at the time, Champaign, Illinois had tried to compete with a shopping mall by closing streets and turning their downtown into an outdoor mall. So I found myself on my bike in downtown Champaign. It was depressing. Almost all the local stores were gone.

Buildings were vacant, people were scarce.

The pattern repeated itself in other Midwestern communities where I found myself on my bike downtown: Rockford, Illinois; Waterloo, Iowa; Rock Island, Illinois; St. Cloud, Minnesota. The depressing reality was the same all over: the cities’ major retail environment was no longer downtown, leaving abandoned buildings, empty streets and a decaying infrastructure.

Many cities have taken steps to revive their downtowns and are enjoying varying levels of success. Many downtown “malls” have been opened to traffic again. I chalked up the decline to natural causes: capital seeking new business models and cheaper land on the outskirts. But Charles Marohn, Jr., in this book, says cities and towns were actually complicit in their downtowns’ demise.

In fact, in Chapter 1, he calls the movement to big box stores on the outskirts of town a “Ponzi scheme” perpetrated by the towns themselves with help from their state and federal governments.

The Rise of the Stroad Post-war development, says Marohn, has been driven by the idea that current infrastructure spending can be financed with future growth (a classic Ponzi scheme). Additionally, state and federal governments subsidize building the infrastructure but leave the maintenance responsibilities to local government. That works for awhile, he says, but after a few generations, maintenance becomes a huge burden and “American cities do not have even a fraction of the money necessary to maintain our basic infrastructure systems.” Marohn argues many cities are now at that point.

The answer, he says, is to take a cue from our ancestors, who built cities on a different model for thousands of years. That is, the traditional concept of density, small parcels close together in a walkable environment. Sound familiar? Carmel could be the poster child for this book, as it embraces many of Marohn’s concepts, although he might balk at the massive infrastructure investment currently underway in Carmel. He favors using the infrastructure in place, and improving it, as opposed to building 22

new. Still, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard often makes the argument that building and maintaining new roads in greenfields is way more expensive than renovating existing roads and sewers in a dense building environment. Marohn would agree.

Marohn is a civil engineer and he tackles transportation policy head on. He claims government road building subsidies have skewed our concept of streets and roads and laments the rise of the “stroad,” a thoroughfare that isn’t really a road and isn’t really a street but a “hybrid” of the two that doesn’t serve either purpose well. US31 in Kokomo (before the new bypass, which bypasses the old bypass) comes immediately to mind.

“Americans do not understand the difference between a street and a road,” he insists. Roads are meant to provide quick travel between places while streets are meant to “support land use patterns that provide a financial return.” That is, streets are a place for businesses to thrive and add to the tax base. To the extent we try to mix the two, we end up with inefficient roads and unproductive shopping places. Anytime you are traveling at 45 miles per hour and trying to make green lights, you are likely on a stroad. He has special antipathy for the “diverging diamond” interchanges currently gaining popularity among traffic engineers.

A Grand Experiment Considering the financial pressures on Indiana’s cities and towns in this era of tax caps, Marohn’s concepts deserve some attention here in Hamilton County. This is not a “feel good” nostalgic plea for a return to yesteryear, but an engineer’s hard-nosed analysis of the current situation (including graphs, figures and illustrations) and a credible argument that it’s not sustainable. Furthermore, he offers a couple of concrete ideas for a way forward.

Current development patterns, Marohn says, are a relatively recent phenomenon, are still “experiments,” and need to be evaluated on their merits. He finds them lacking, and if you value a strong downtown business district, you will find his ideas thought provoking and inspiring.

Mike Corbett edits this magazine

Have you read a good business book lately?

Share your thoughts on it with others.

Send your book review to news@hamiltoncountybusiness.com and we may run it in a future edition.

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Notes from all over the county Diane Syrcle is The Center for the Performing Arts new Vice President of Development.

Attorney Ben Hobbs joined Church Church Hittle & Antrim’s (CCHA) Tipton office.

Attorney Peter L. Goerges joined CCHA in the firm’s school and education law practice.

Tom Pietrzak joined Farmers Bank in Fishers as a Small Business Banker/ Market Manager.

John S. Pistole, Director of the Transportation Security Administration and Anderson University graduate, will become the university’s fifth president next year, replacing James L. Edwards, who is retiring.

The Reynolds Family, owner of Reynolds Farm Equipment, received the Legacy Fund Living Legacy Award for their philanthropic contributions to Fishers and Hamilton County.

Aspire Indiana presented its annual Aspiring Person Award to Toby Stark, Executive Director for Chaucie’s Place.

Richard Soleimani was named Banking Center Manager for Ameriana Bank in West Carmel and John Parden in Fishers.

Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development (HAND) was awarded a $350,000 Community Development Block Grant to help seniors and low-income homeowners in Sheridan, Cicero, Arcadia and Atlanta.

family HAMILTON COUNTY

The Pitch-In Harry Huston joined Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling of North Indianapolis in sales and marketing. Sara Reed was named marketing coordinator.

Casandra Nelson joined Campbell Kyle as associate attorney.

Daryl Eckstein, PA-C, a board-certified Physician Assistant, and Jamie Miller, B.S.(R), RVT, a registered vascular technologist joined Indiana Vein Specialists.

First Farmers Financial Corporation, holding company of First Farmers Bank & Trust, plans to acquire three community banks in Illinois: Community Bank, Hoopeston; United Community Bank, Oakwood; and First National Bank of Chrisman.

James P. Alender, joined Salin Bank as Chief Operating Officer

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December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

23

Retail Roundabout

A Summary of Recent Retail Activity

By Samantha Hyde

Northern Hamilton County Beck’s Hybrids has begun Phase 1 of its expansion of its campus on 276th Street in Atlanta with the construction of a new 31,000 SF bio-technology building.

Carmel

Parkwood Crossing Business Park at 96th Street and Spring Mill Road is the new home of Lafayette-based tech security firm Emerging Threats Pro. Kingdom Hall College Park Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses plans to build a new place of worship at 10439 Commerce Drive.

The Bridges development at 116th and Illinois streets has added tutoring services provider Mathnasium to its list of tenants.

Browning Investments is constructing two new buildings for the Meridian and Main development at 1438 and 1420 W. Main Street.

The Olivia on Main, an apartment project planned on five acres at Old Meridian and Main streets, will feature 204 luxury apartments and ground floor retail space.

is open on Main St. just west of Range Line and Inspire Studio Gallery opened one block west of there.

Podiatry Associates of Indiana has moved into the Old Meridian Professional Center at 1185 W. Carmel Drive. Fully Armored Family Health and Fitness is now open at 755 W. Carmel Drive. The Kroger at 1217 Range Line Road has plans for a 13,600 SF addition on the north side of the building along Executive Drive.

Believe Midwifery Services opened this fall at 1117 S. Range Line Road. Home décor shop Rusted Window moved from that location to 99 E. Carmel Drive in October.

Fuzion Analytics has new corporate headquarters at 550 Congressional Boulevard.

Lenny’s Sub Shop at 820 E. 116th Street closed in September.

Kearns Chiropractic at 2776 E. 146th Street has changed its name to Pure Family Chiropractic. Aspire Indiana has plans to open an outpatient clinic at Chaucie’s Place at 106th Street & Gray Road. Penske Honda on East 96th Street is undergoing a remodel and expansion.

Collision Cure, a chain of auto repair shops based in Anderson, opened its sixth location on Allisonville Road.

In September, Fishers Imports held its grand opening at 9550 E. 126th b Street. American Mattress is opening in Fishers Marketplace.

A new salon, Beauty Bar at Geist, has opened at 11691 Fall Creek Road. Athletico Physical Therapy has opened its fourth Indiana location at 11780 Olio Road.

Doctors Direct is welcoming patients at its new location in the Bonn Building at the Saxony development on East 131st Street. St. Vincent Sports Performance opened a new office at St. Vincent Fishers Hospital at I-69’s Exit 210.

Noblesville

Fishers All Prudential Indiana Realty locations, including those in Fishers, Carmel and Noblesville, have become Berkshire Hathaway Indiana Realty. Carmel favorite Bub’s Burger’s and Ice Cream is opening a new location at the underconstruction Nickel Plate District with plans to open mid-2015.

Tina’s Traditional Old English Kitchen opened in September at 30 N. Range Line Rd. Upcycling Design has moved into the former Bella Chic location at 254 1st Avenue SW. Stationary shop Jilly Jack Designs held its grand opening in September at a neighboring suite in the same retail building. Peace Water Winery

Heady Hollow Brewing Company has plans to open up shop at 11069 Allisonville Road in early 2015. Dolce Daycare and Preschool continues to grow and is now serving children at 7255 E. 116th Street.

Mobile Veterinary Care opened the Herrmann Veterinary Clinic at 2512 Cicero Road in September. Hamilton Professional Counseling has moved to a larger office at 970 Logan Street, just a block from its previous location.

A new, much larger Boys & Girls Club has been proposed for the site of the former Conner Elementary School at the corner of Conner and 17th streets. A new resale shop benefiting the Humane Society for Hamilton County, dubbed Tattle Tails, has opened at 2350 E. Conner Street in the former Honda motorcycle dealership location.

Plans are in motion for the construction of Millstone at Noblesville, a 124-unit apart-

24

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Tattle Tails, Noblesville

ment complex on North Pointe Boulevard north of 146th Street and just east of SR37. All Garden Ridge stores, including the location at 301 Noble Creek Drive in Noblesville, have changed their names to At Home. Hamilton Life Center has moved to 2350 Conner Street and has officially changed its name to Freedom Church.

H2H Salon joined other retailers at Hamilton Town Center in September. A new Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites is under development across the street from Hamilton Town Center on Tegler Drive.

Westfield Thieneman Construction, Inc. has plans to construct new headquarters at 17219 Foundation Parkway in Custom Commerce Park. A 150-room Cambria Suites hotel is planned for 186th Street across from the Grand Park Sports Campus. Plans are also underway to construct a 56,000 SF indoor basketball and volleyball facility dubbed Grand Park Fieldhouse in the sports park.

Pebbles to Pearls, Westfield

Retail shop Pebbles to Pearls opened in early October at 108 E. Main Street. Positively Canine is now open at 3276 E. SR 32 and offering pet grooming, training and a retail shop. Grocery chain Fresh Thyme continues to expand its central Indiana presence with plans to build another store on the northeast corner of 146th Street and Carey Road. CarDon & Associates broke ground in September for Copper Trace, a new senior living community being built at 1250 W. 146th Street. HCBM

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December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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25

Dining Out

The Flavors of Eastern Europe Blue Danube European Deli

By Chris Bavender, Photos by Mark Lee Mariana Raibulet and Tatiana Anguelova met at school 15 years ago. Not as starry eyed teens but as immigrants to the United States attending class at North Central High School to learn English.

Mariana Raibulet (left) and Tatiana Anguelova

Raibulet, 45, from Romania, and Anguelova, 47, from Bulgaria, became fast friends.

About 10 years ago, they started debating the idea of opening a deli. But life was busy and the timing didn’t seem right.

to make cake and work with our hands so we decided to start the business.”

That idea – and a year of planning – came to fruition in mid-September when the Blue Danube European Deli opened in Fishers. The duo – both of whom live in Brownsburg – decided to locate in the Hamilton County city because they felt it had a unique blend of residents who would appreciate what the deli had to offer.

The name was easy to come up with the friends said.

Anguelova said. “We also make cannoli, baklava, tiramisu, gelato, etc.”

“The Danube is one of the big rivers in Europe and finishes in Bulgaria and Romania where we are from,” Anguelova said. “And then blue because we like that color and we both have blue eyes.”

Customer response has been good.

“People seem to like it – they are coming back and seem happy with the store and like the idea to build their own sandwich,” Anguelova said. “They think it very nice and clean and organized and they like it. We have a Facebook page and we have very nice comments on our page.”

The color scheme of the 1,200 square feet Blue Danube Deli reflects the name choice.

The walls feature two shades of blue, the décor is reflective of the foods the store carries “We had children in school and really had to – all kitchen and cook related. think about it,” Anguelova said.

The one thing you won’t find here – tables.

The Blue Danube Deli is strictly a “to go” But they kept revisiting the idea. Trips to restaurant. You can order at the counter or Chicago to buy Bulgarian cheese or Romanian salami – the closest city carrying those phone ahead. What you will find – a Buildfamiliar items – helped cement the decision Your-Own-Sandwich station. Sandwiches are $6.99 per pound, with the typical sandwich to go into business. running customers $3 to $4, Raibulet said.

“We wanted to bring that stuff here – some“The station has fresh baked breads every thing different than what people can get at Marsh or Kroger,” Raibulet said. “Things like day that we do here in the store. And we Bulgarian cheese, olives, bread, salami and a cut cheese and meat every today and there is fresh lettuce and tomatoes so people can lot of sweet stuff.” build their own” Raibulet said. “We also have meat and cheese and other deli stuff people A deli seemed like the ideal solution. can pick up to take home as well as grocery items like pasta, sauces, dressings, soups, Build Your Own Sandwich coffee, chocolate, and wine – we have a small “I used to be an elementary school teacher collection from all over Europe. We plan to in Bulgaria – but when I came here I didn’t expand that and carry some beers as well.” know any English so I wanted to do stuff with my hands,” Anguelova said. “I can make cake so I worked for Marsh – everyone knew Forget the Sweets me as the lady with the accent. We both like “We have some very nice cakes – a variety of European cakes - very light and very good,” 26

For now Raibulet and Anguelova are the only employees. But they can always count on extra help on the weekends from their husbands.

“We both are happily married for 26 years and our husbands are very very supportive,” Anguelova said. “They have both helped us to build our place and they come in on Saturday to work with us and help with technology and we are very happy to get both our husbands support all the time.”

And although the Blue Danube European Deli has only been open a few short months, neither doubts the decision.

“It’s all been worth it,” Raibulet said. “So far we are doing okay and hopefully it will continue that way.” HCBM

Blue Danube European Deli 11850 Allisonville Rd., Fishers, 317.288.0688

HOURS

Mon – Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday - 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday - Closed

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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Business News December 2014 & January 2015 Events

New Members

December 2014 December 10: Images of Excellence Awards Luncheon | Ritz Charles | 12 to 1:30 p.m.

December 11: Arrows YP After Hours Network | The Warehouse | 5 to 7 p.m.

December 12: Legislative Breakfast | The Mansion at Oak Hill | 7:30 to 9 a.m.

January 2015 January 14: January Luncheon | tba | 12 to 1:30 p.m.

January 22: Taste of the Chamber Business Expo | Ritz Charles | 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Reservations are required for all events. Register online or call 317.846.1049.

Information subject to change. Visit carmelchamber.com for details.

Ribbon Cuttings Miracle Sushi | 12505 Old Meridian St.

A Cut Above Catering | 12955 Old Meridian St.

Zounds Hearing | 9873 N. Michigan Rd.

Senior1Care | 598 W. Carmel Dr.

ArchonSafe Backflow Testing Software Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre Park Lane Apartments Sperry Van Ness/Martin Commercial Group

The Beauty Lounge Chocolate for the Spirit A Cut Above Catering Donahoe Irvin PC Executive Title & Escrow F.C. Tucker Company - Ron Stevens Franklin Covey Co. Good Day Carmel Inkpubs Jon E. Gee’s Music Room Media Factory Pearson Ford Pediatric Neurobehavioral Group Ruoff Home Mortgage Tina’s Traditional Old English Kitchen USHEALTH Group Interested in becoming a member?

Visit carmelchamber.com or call 846.1049.

Thursday, January 22, 2015 Ritz Charles | 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Images of Excellence Awards

Legislative Breakfast Series

Wednesday, December 10 Ritz Charles | 12 to 1:30 p.m.

November - April Mansion at Oak Hill | 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Awards presented for Business of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Look - New Construction, Look - Renovation, Green, Most Valuable Volunteer and Lifetime Achievement.

Discuss issues that impact business with our legislators.

December 12 January 9, 2015 February 13, 2015 March 13, 2015 April 10, 2015

Register online or call 317.846.1049.

Reservation deadline - December 10

Connect your business with businesses and consumers that need your services and products at our largest business event of the year.

134 exhibitors  850 attendees unlimited networking  all industries Exhibitor Registration - sign up now!

Space is limited. Chamber members and non-members are invited to participate.

Details at carmelchamber.com

carmelchamber.com  317.846.1049  21 S. Range Line Rd., #300A  Carmel, IN 46032 28

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

UPCOMING EVENTS

RIBBON CUTTINGS

DECEMBER

JANUARY

The Mansion at Oak Hill 5801 E. 116th Street Carmel, IN 46032 $15 Members, $20 Guests

The Mansion at Oak Hill 5801 E. 116th Street Carmel, IN 46032 $15 Members, $20 Guests

12th - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Legislative Breakfast

17th - Wednesday 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Navigating the Chamber Fishers Chamber Offices Informational session for New members and current or New contacts (no fee: please RSVP)

17th - Wednesday 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m Monthly Luncheon City of Fishers Elected Officials FORUM Conference Center 11313 USA Parkway $20 Members, $25 Guests Reservations Required

9th – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Legislative Breakfast

21st - Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Monthly Luncheon Pillar Awards “Celebrating Business Excellence” FORUM Conference Center 11313 USA Parkway $20 Members, $25 Guests Reservations required

28th – Wednesday 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Business After Hours

Financial Enhancement Group, LLC

9757 Westpoint Drive, Suite 400 Indianapolis, Indiana 46256

Infinity Chiropractic LLC 8974 E. 96th Street Fishers, IN 46037

Citizens State Bank 10735 Sky Prairie Street Fishers, IN 46038

Anytime Fitness

14300 Mundy Dr., Suite 1200 Noblesville, IN 46060

The National Bank of Indianapolis 11701 Olio Road Fishers, IN 46037 No fee

17th - Wednesday 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Business After Hours

Zaxby’s

13460 Bent Grass Lane Fishers, IN 46038

EF Marburger Fine Flooring 9999 Allisonville Road Fishers, IN 46038 No fee

Master Yoo’s World Class Tae Kwon Do 11760 Olio Road, suite 400 Fishers, IN 46037

FRESH FACES Athletico Physical Therapy Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern Baymont Inn and Suites Body One Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation Bubba’s 33 College Planning Solutions Culver’s of Fishers Fairway Independent Mortage Corp Indiana Business Solutions

The Gutter Shutter Co. Moore Restoration My Net Wire Nickel Plate Bar & Grill Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Stanley Security Solutions Stony Creek at Legends Sun King Brewing Company Tucanos Brazilian Grill Tyler Wealth Management

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern

City Barbeque

13204 Market Square Dr Fishers, IN 46038

9637 Ambleside Drive Fishers, IN 46038

Northridge - Gracious Retirement Living

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp

14532 Allisonville Road Fishers, IN 46038

10194 Crosspoint Blvd Indianapolis, IN 46256

29

www.hamiltonnorthchamber.comOCTOB

HAMILTON NORTH

Hamilton North Chamber 70 N. Byron St. Cicero, IN 46034 317-984-4079

Upcoming Events & HAPPENINGS Hamilton Heights High School Dedicates Renovated Media Center to Anthony Cook Pictured: Jarrod Mason, HHHS Principal; Bill Cook, Arcadia Town Council Pres. and Tony’s father; Lori Hippensteel, HHHS Media Center; Peggy Jackson, Associate Superintendent; Kathy Cook, Tony’s wife; Tony Cook, Gwen Hunter and Laura Reuter, HHSC School Board Members.

Chamber sponsored Cicero Community Blood Drive

UPCOMING EVENTS DECEMBER 2014

Tuesday, December 2 11:30 am HNCC Holiday Celebration with Indiana Academy Gracenotes Bell Choir Red Bridge Park Community Building Friday, December 12 7:30 am Legislative Breakfast Legislative Preview with Kevin Brinegar The Mansion at Oak Hill

Amanda Sylvester, Specialty Tax Services, David Hildebrand, Cicero Chief of Police and JD Milbank, Cicero Insurance Agency donating blood

September CHAMBER Luncheon Hamilton Heights High School hosted our September luncheon in the recently renovated Media Center

JANUARY 2015

Tuesday, January 3 11:30 am HNCC Luncheon Red Bridge Park Friday, January 9 7:30 am Legislative Breakfast The Mansion at Oak Hill

Trick or Treat with the Chamber

HHHS Principal Jarrod Mason shared how technology is being used in the high school to enhance learning

Hamilton North Public Library (below) and Edward Jones/Corey Sylvester (above) were just two of the businesses that participated in the annual Business Showcase.

HHHS Senior Kennedy Weber gave examples of how I-pads are helping students learn and interact in ways not possible before

OCTOber CHAMBER Luncheon Susan Peterson, Purdue Extension Service explains the services of the Hamilton County Purdue Extension Service

NEW MEMBERS Hamilton County Chiropractic Dr. Abraham Beaber

30

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Upcoming Events & HAPPENINGS HOLIDAY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

Purgatory Golf Club, 12160 E. 216th St., Noblesville, IN $18 Members/$20 Non-Members REMINDER: The Chamber will be collecting new, unwrapped toys at this annual luncheon to benefit the Noblesville Fire Department’s annual holiday toy drive. Please bring a toy to benefit a needy child in the Noblesville community this holiday season.

12th – Friday– 7:30 am to 9:00 am

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

Legislative update from Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar The Mansion at Oak Hill, 5801 E. 116th St., Carmel, IN $15 Members/$20 Non-Members Legislative Breakfast Series Sponsor:

JANUARY 2015

9th – Friday– 7:30 am to 9:00 am

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

The Mansion at Oak Hill, 5801 E. 116th St., Carmel, IN

$15 Members/$20 Non-Members

21st – Wednesday – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

JANUARY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON -STATE OF THE COUNTY

The Mansion at Oak Hill, 5801 E. 116th St., Carmel, IN 29th – Thursday – 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

HIPE (formerly YPG) NONPROFIT EXPO

Riverview Health, 395 Westfield Road, Noblesville, IN (in the Krieg DeVault Room)

Coming Soon!

TECH TUESDAY

working smarter...providing technology solutions and information to help you better manage and market your business

WHAT IS IT?

Nova 29, LLC, 984 Logan Street, Suite 300, Noblesville, IN 46060 • (317) 770-7365 www.nova-29.com • Pictured: Carrie Renner, Scott Renner, Christi Crosser and Craig Crosser

Ribbon Cuttings

This seminar series provides high value, low cost educational workshops for the Noblesville business community, with specific emphasis placed on new mediums and new technology to help business succeed in today’s marketplace.

H2H Salon 13185 Harrell Pkwy, Ste. 200, Noblesville, IN 46060 (317) 770-7416 www.h2h-salon.com

WORKSHOP SERIES Financial - Financing your business, POS systems, Quickbooks for small business Technology - Data protection, technology 101, wireless/cloud technology Marketing - Customer & client relations, building buzz for your business, building your brand, social media Human Resources - Attracting, screening, hiring, evaluating & retaining employees; understanding the millennial generation workforce

ONLINE PROGRAM COMPONENTS E-NEWS

ONLINE RESOURCE LIBRARY

Monthly emailed newsletter that includes technology tips,featured topic guest column, review of hardware/software/services, highlight of tech team members, product/ solution overviews, member’s technology success story, links to resources, ads, embedded video. Newsletters will be archived and available on Chamber website for one year.

Central repository of all material shared through TechTuesday programs – i.e. workshop handouts & video clips, archived e-news, social media streams, buyers guide, links to Tech Team businesses, resource links and banner ads.

TECH TWEETS Repurpose e-news content on social media platforms; weekly technology tip tweets utilizing hashtags.

BUYERS GUIDE

SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKITS Program will share toolkits to provide the business community the ability to self-evaluate and jumpstart their business through the use of social media.

TUESDAY TIPS FAQ

Annual opportunities for group technology One Tuesday each month the Tech purchasesfor hardware and software. Buyers Tuesday team members will answer questions online. guide to be produced twice annually.

A program of the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce

Noblesville Chamber of Commerce

Sponsored in part by

www.noblesvillechamber.com

3rd – Wednesday – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

NOBLESVILLE

DECEMBER 2014

Ameriana Bank 107 West Logan Street, Noblesville, IN 46060 (317) 674-7120 www.ameriana.com

NEW MEMBERS Nick Peppas, Owner Gigi’s Cupcakes 8981 E. 116th St., Fishers, IN 46038 (317) 577-2253 www.gigiscupcakesusa.com

Mark Skipper, Owner Mustard Seed Gardens 77 Metsker Lane, Noblesville, IN 46062 (317) 776-2300 www.mustardseedgardens.com

Justin Robinette Apex Consulting P.O. Box 361, Noblesville, IN 46061 (317) 678-6196 www.apex401k.com

Dr. Zhichao Ling, Owner Ling’s Oriental Martial Arts 5707 Pebble Village Lane Noblesville, IN 46062 (765) 437-8813 www.lingsorientalmartialarts.com

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Karley Jankowski, Marketing Manager Northridge Gracious Retirement Living 14532 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038 (317) 776-1980 www.seniorlivingstyle.com

Sherrell Smith, Owner Sherrell Smith – Premier Designs Jewelry (317) 796-3439 jewelrysherrell@me.com Richard Van Voorhis, Owner Salt Free Water Systems LLC 1429 Casco Bay Circle, Cicero, IN 46034 (317) 416-3625 www.vulcan-usa.com

Geof Odle, President Noblesville Preservation Alliance P.O. Box 632, Noblesville, IN 46061 317-426-1NPA (1672) www.noblesvillepreservation.com

Noblesville Chamber 601 E. Conner St. Noblesville, IN 46060 317-773-0086 Follow us at:

Jacquelyn Bilbrey Platinum Living Fine Art Gallery 960 Logan Street, Noblesville, IN 46060 (317) 776-8701 www.platinumlivingllc.com

31

www.sheridanchamber.org

SHERIDAN

SPREAD THE WORD Are there others in your business who would like to know what’s happening at the Chamber?

Add them to our distribution list by sending their contact information to chambermail@ sheridanchamber. org or calling the office at 758-1311.

Be sure to visit www.sheridanchamber.org for information on all upcoming events!

Sheridan Chamber 101 E. Second St. PO Box 202 Sheridan, IN 46069 317-758-1311

32

Upcoming Events & HAPPENINGS DECEMBER 2014

4th – Thursday - 11:30am – 1pm

Holiday Luncheon

Sheridan Community Center

Cost: $14 for members, $18 for prospective members Join us for a performance by the Sheridan High School Choir followed by an update from Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt. We will be holding a fun silent Bottle Auction. A variety of bottled items will be auctioned with proceeds going to the annual community holiday toy drive. Donations of bottled items can be dropped off at the Chamber office.

Sheridan Chamber of Commerce Celebrated Business and Community Success at Annual Dinner and Casino Night

In September, the Sheridan Chamber hosted their annual dinner and casino night. A record number of attendees turned out to network and celebrate success in the community. The evening included the presentation of business and service awards, a buffet dinner, raffle and casino games.

12th - Friday - 7:30 – 9am

Legislative Breakfast

Mansion at Oak Hill, Carmel

Cost $15 for members of any Hamilton County Chamber, $20 for guests Kevin Brinegar, Indiana State Chamber President, will present a legislative preview.

JANUARY 2015

9th - Friday - 7:30 – 9am

Legislative Breakfast

Mansion at Oak Hill, Carmel

Cost $15 for members of any Hamilton County Chamber, $20 for guests Join us for a discussion with our legislators about items and issues that are important to the business community.

Legislative Breakfast Series Sponsor: The Legislative Breakfast series is presented by the Hamilton County Business Issues Committee, which includes representatives from the six Hamilton County Chambers and advocates on issues of importance to local businesses and the community.

The Chamber recognized successes in the community by presenting awards in the following categories: Business of the Year: Wallace Grain Charity of the Year: Biddle Memorial Foundation Education Service Award: Lisa Samuels, Sheridan Community Schools Public Service Award: Brenda Bush, Sheridan Town Council Volunteer Service Award: Connie Pearson Wellness Service Award: Mary Schaffer, Sheridan Family Practice, Riverview Medical Group The evening was made possible with the generous support of Riverview Health.

22nd - Thursday - 11:30am - 1pm

Sheridan Monthly Luncheon

Sheridan Public Library

Cost $14 for members, $18 for prospective members. Each month the Chamber hosts a speaker to discuss topics of interest or helpful to the business community.

To make reservations for any of these events, pleasecontact the office at 317-758-1311 or mailto:chambermail@sheridanchamber.org, chambermail@sheridanchamber.org, or online at www.sheridanchamber.org.

Join us on Facebook and Twitter:

Sheridan, Indiana Chamber of Commerce

@sheridaninchamb December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

NEW MEMBERS

Legislative Breakfast

12th – Friday Kevin Brinegar, President & CEO of Indiana Chamber, Speaker

Holiday Chamber Luncheon

18th – Thursday

Birch Dalton

270 Consulting LLC

270 E. Quail Wood Lane Westfield, IN 46074 317.979.0538

www.opus-group.com

Jessica Pasztor & Timothy Coe

JANUARY 2015

Pasztor & Coe LLC

Legislative Breakfast

515 E. Main Street Westfield, IN 46074 317.399.7175

9th – Friday

www.pasztorcoe.com

Future dates: February 13, March 13

The Legislative Breakfast series is presented by the Hamilton County Business Issues Committee, which includes representatives from the six Hamilton County Chambers and advocates on issues of importance to local businesses and the community.

Donnie & Christina Stilts

Chamber Luncheon

15105 Romalong Lane Carmel, IN 46032 317.564.4396

15th – Thursday Topic: 2015 Westfield Chamber Preview

For more information and online registration, please visit: www.westfield-chamber.org For more information and online registration, please visit: www.westfield-chamber.org Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Fall Fare Showcase Luncheon held at East Street Studios – October 16.

Stilts Spirit – A Giving Tree

www.stiltsspirit-agivingtree.org Kelly Evans & Joe Quinn

Union Baking Company 303 E. Main Street Westfield, IN 46074 317.804.8200

WESTFIELD

DECEMBER 2014

www.westfield-chamber.org

Upcoming Events & HAPPENINGS

www.unionbakingco.com Sheryl Kancs

Pebbles to Pearls Boutique, LLC 108 E. Main Street Westfield, IN 46074 317.403.5745

Owner/Operators Roxanne and Rich Koopman get assistance from Mayor Cook and others for the Grand Opening of the McDonald’s Restaurant located at 945 Tournament Trail – October 16.

Mayor Cook assists the owners of Union Baking Company, Kelly Evans and Joe Quinn, in cutting the ribbon for their Grand Opening after their relocation within downtown Westfield – October 15.

Partners Dace Abeltins and Sherry Kancs have opened Pebbles to Pearls, a retail store offering vintage gifts and consignment items at 108 East Main Street in downtown Westfield.

The Westfield Chamber of Commerce along with the City of Westfield and a number of guests celebrated the store’s grand opening with a ribbon cutting on October 25th.

Photo by Zach Burton

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Westfield Chamber of Commerce 130 Penn St. Westfield, IN 46074 317-804-3030

33

Hamilton County History

David Heighway

Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow Noblesville grocer eventually became part of international giant Sysco Foods The popular television show “Who Do You Think You Are” looks at ancestral lines and family heritage of celebrities, usually with some surprises.

Businesses can also have a genealogical line.

After all, even gigantic multinational companies have to begin somewhere. A key way of growing a company is by acquisition of small companies.

Looking at a corporation’s “family tree” can sometimes reveal some surprising local ties.

Harold Sr. closed his Super Market in 1953, the same year his three sons opened their food wholesale business, McMahon Fruit Company. The sons started with $1,500, a pick-up truck and a leased larger truck, delivering two routes-in Sheridan and Tipton. Three years later they changed the name to McMahon Food Co., Inc. to reflect the ever-widening diversity of its inventory. In 1969, the growing company opened a brand new office and warehouse facility on 146th St. between the railroad tracks and IN 37 (pictured here). Eventually the company would have over 150,000 sq. ft. under roof on 29 acres, 45 delivery trucks, over 315 employees and $85,000,000 in annual sales. The aerial photo shows the sprawling facilities and the undeveloped corner along the highway. The building is still in use as a warehouse. (photo from Brad Cook Collection)

For example, one could start with the Houston, Texas based Sysco Corporation (founded 1969), a large international company which markets and distributes food to restaurants and groceries. At the present time, it’s in the process of merging with the Rosemont, Illinois based US Foods (founded 1989 from many older companies) which has a facility on 126th Street in Fishers.

In 2001, US Foods acquired the Deerfield, Illinois

34

based Alliant Foodservice. Alliant had purchased the foodservice operations of the Northfield, Illinois based Kraft Foods (founded 1909), including their facility on 146th Street in Hamilton County.

That facility was there because, in 1986, Kraft had purchased the Noblesville-based McMahon Foods.

Humble Beginnings Brad Cook did an extensive series of articles in the Noblesville Times in 2011 on the McMahon family and their businesses. The captions on these photos are derived from that series. The company began when Harold McMahon Sr. (1892-1956) sold food from his farm and started a grocery store in 1925. The first store was at the address which houses The Hamilton restaurant today.

His second store was on the north side of Logan

Harold McMahon Sr. started with two greenhouses, delivering homegrown sweet potatoes, cabbage and cucumbers to the Farmers Market in Indianapolis.

He opened a produce market in downtown Noblesville in the summer of 1925, and, with his sister Kate opened McMahon’s Market at 933 Conner Street.

The photo shows the store in 1927 with Harold on the left and his sister Kate on the right. (Photo from Brad Cook Collection)

Street in the Castor Block. His sons - Harold Jr., Ed, and Earl – had larger ideas and started a wholesale food business in 1953. After outgrowing their first few facilities, they moved into the

Harold McMahon Sr. relocated City Market to Logan Street in 1941 and renamed it “McMahon’s Super Market”. Although the grocery enjoyed the benefit of being downtown Noblesville where most of the commercial activity in the city was located, it had to compete with 23 other grocery stores in the city!

(Watercolor by Brad Cook)

former Model Mill building on 8th Street in 1961 and occupied it for eight years. At that point, needing a larger new base, they established the 146th Street facility in 1969. By 1976, they had 178 employees, 45 delivery trucks, and were the 35th largest wholesale food distributor in the United States. They continued to expand until they sold their operation to Kraft.

Although it no longer exists as a business, McMahon Foods is an interesting study because it was an important part of the fabric of the community.

For example, it was one of several occupants of the Model Mill Building and possibly the only one that had local origins. It reflected Hamilton County’s agricultural heritage and, as a large employer, had a direct impact on many people’s lives. Other similar companies which are now gone – like Wilson’s Milk in Sheridan, the Arcadia canning factory, Lynwood Farm in Carmel, and others – were also important parts of their communities. However, they did not become part of the “family tree” of a larger entity. McMahon Foods and its connection to the larger world makes it a unique story in the history of the county. HCBM David Heighway is the Hamilton County Historian

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

BUSINESS RESOURCE DIRECTORY Business Technology Sharp Business Systems of Indiana 7330 East 86th St. Indianapolis, IN 46256 317-844-0033 www.sbsindiana.com

We are serious about improving our clients businesses by updating office technology, managing office printing and streamlining critical business processes. Sharp Business Systems of Indiana, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, can increase your company’s bottom line.

Service Club

Rotary International

Rotary brings together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encour-

Commercial Lease Space

Signs and Banners

River Edge Professional Center and River Edge Market Place Noblesville, IN Call John Landy at 317-289-7662 landyfortune@gmail.com

Logan Street Signs & Banners 1720 South 10th St. Noblesville, IN 317-773-7200 Open M-F 7-5 www.loganstreetsigns.com www.noblesvilletrophies.com www.noblesville.com www.HamiltonCountyTV.com www.HamiltonCountyCalendars.com www.HamiltonCountyRadio.com

65,000 square feet of flexible floor plans. Design and build to your specifications. Time Share space available. Retail space also available from 1,600 square feet up. Easy access and abundant parking! High speed internet. 3 minutes from Riverview Hospital. age high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Each club meets weekly. For more information on the Noblesville Midday Rotary Club, contact President Scott Smith, 773-2090

Digitally printed signs and banners of any size, vehicle wraps and graphics, T-shirt printing, laser engraving.

Great customer service, fast turn-around. Family Owned and Operated. Serving Noblesville and Hamilton County since 1992.

Also home of Noblesville Trophies. 773-7391 Open M-F 9-6 Sat. 10-2

Commercial Residential

www.ductznoblesville.com • 317.773.9831

Now taking reservations for our 4th Annual event Saturday and Sunday January 17 and 18, 2015 Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-4 Hamilton County 4H Fairgrounds 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville

A two day week-end mid-winter show in the heart of Indiana’s fastest growing county Attractive and accessible venue with plenty of free parking Aggressive, targeted marketing plan Presentations by the Indiana Design Center Affordable Exhibitor space: Rates 20% lower than last year Locally sponsored and produced

Space is limited so reserve yours today: Call 774-7747

Produced by the

Visit www.hchomeshow.com and click on exhibitor info Or email: homeshow@hamiltoncountybusiness.com

December • January 2015 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

35

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Bus 9

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