DECATUR HERALD & REVIEW
20 UNDER 40 | MAY 2020 |
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DANIEL BENNICK Age: 30 Occupation: Owner of Interchem Polymers, Inc. and Procoat Painting Plus, LLC.
ing, they might want to be a part of it. There seems to be a cycle occurring where we need the jobs, but we need all the local glam to attract those companies who provide the jobs. Its harder to become more attractive to those entities without investing in the community first. Decatur just needs to become a place where everyone will thrive and then things will fall in to place. If you build it, they will come!
SARAH JANE PHOTOGRAPHY
Career Highlights/Accomplishments: I haven’t worked for anyone but myself for going on three years. Started a business in something with little to no experience and have made it a success. Took the reigns of the family business that my grandfather started 40 years ago. I finally won an award for some- What are three things most people don’t thing (20 Under 40). know about you? 1. I enjoy studying history. 2. I competed in mixed martial arts. Community Involvement: I have donated materials and labor for local revitalization 3. I have over 200 St. Louis Cardinals and beautification efforts. I also have had T-shirts. opportunities to get involved with development and historic preservation. What is the best and worst piece of advice you have ever received? Best: “Never say you can’t do something. What should the community do to attract more young people to the area? The first step Never say you cannot win. Anyone can win. is inspiring and cultivating talent we already If you count yourself out, you’ve already lost.” have in the community. Everybody needs to Worst: “Don’t start a business. It’s too hard know that they can be somebody and make and very risky.” a difference. We have plenty of resources for those wanting to make an impact, but those What are your three favorite movies? “The resources need to be made known and readily Patriot,” “300” and “Fury.” available. However, I do believe that we still need more avenues for creativity and col- Who inspires you to become better? My famlaboration. Now it is time to start working ily, my friends. Those who have come before together, getting outside our comfort zone, me, and those who will come after. The ones and making things happen. There are plenty who told me I could and even the ones who of things moving in the right direction. Once told me I couldn’t. I love being able to say that others on the outside see what we are do- I find inspiration in so many people.
Everybody needs to know that they can be somebody and make a difference.
Ulis
Best advice: How to raise newborn twins with a husband who works 100 From 16 hours a week, no family in the state, no friends with children, and no money for culture and language. a babysitter WITHOUT going insane. 3. I am an honorary ENT doctor by pas- Thankful for my friends with multiples sive experience and many sleepless nights. in Connecticut. What is the best and worst piece of advice you have ever received? Worst advice: A high school guidance counselor told me I shouldn’t even bother applying to UCLA (where I went to college, met my husband and formed the entire trajectory of my life).
What would your perfect Saturday be like? For me, a perfect Saturday would be very well-rounded: definitely family time with all the kids, preferably involving some outdoor activity like hiking. A little bit of accomplishing projects around the house with my husband (need to feel productive).
A delicious meal prepared by my husband, with the family peacefully sitting around the table sharing all their thoughts and hopes and fears (never a raised voice or fight between the children — ha, only in my dreams). And relaxing with a movie at night, or a board game, after the kids are in bed (with homemade popcorn). Who inspires you to be better? My mother. She raised me as a single mother who worked tremendously hard, sometimes three jobs at a time, in order to make ends meet. And through that, instilling empathy, integrity, a love for our God, creativity and
determination in me. Watching her make sacrifices throughout her life for the betterment of others, including many children I brought home who needed love and support from an adult. She always supports my crazy ideas (maybe not the first time she hears them), all the while giving me time to rejuvenate while she watches my kids. The next generation, my kids. Not only do I want to give my children life experiences and perspective as I was given, I also want to help make our community one where we can work together, in cultural understanding, in order make our community a great place to serve our God.
