Daniel Bennick

Age: 30 Occupation: Owner of Interchem Polymers, Inc. and Procoat Painting Plus, LLC. 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 fi nally won an award for something (20 Under 40). Community Involvement: I have donated materials and labor for local revitalization and beautifi cation e orts. I also have had opportunities to get involved with development and historic preservation.

What should the community do to attract

more young people to the area? The fi rst step is inspiring and cultivating talent we already have in the community. Everybody needs to know that they can be somebody and make a di erence. We have plenty of resources for those wanting to make an impact, but those resources need to be made known and readily available. However, I do believe that we still need more avenues for creativity and collaboration. Now it is time to start working together, getting outside our comfort zone, and making things happen. There are plenty of things moving in the right direction. Once others on the outside see what we are doing, 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 fi rst. 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!

Everybody needs to know that they can be somebody and make a dierence.

culture and language. 3. I am an honorary ENT doctor by passive experience and many sleepless nights.

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).

SARAH JANE PHOTOGRAPHY

What are three things most people don’t know about you?

1. I enjoy studying history. 2. I competed in mixed martial arts. 3. I have over 200 St. Louis Cardinals T-shirts.

What is the best and worst piece of advice you have ever received?

Best: “Never say you can’t do something. Never say you cannot win. Anyone can win. If you count yourself out, you’ve already lost.”

Worst: “Don’t start a business. It’s too hard and very risky.” What are your three favorite movies? “The Patriot,” “300” and “Fury.” Who inspires you to become better? My family, my friends. Those who have come before me, and those who will come after. The ones who told me I could and even the ones who told me I couldn’t. I love being able to say that I fi nd inspiration in so many people.

Best advice: How to raise newborn twins with a husband who works 100 hours a week, no family in the state, no friends with children, and no money for a babysitter WITHOUT going insane. Thankful for my friends with multiples in Connecticut.

What would your perfect Saturday be like?

For me, a perfect Saturday would be very well-rounded: defi nitely 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 fi ght 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 sacrifi ces 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 fi rst 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.