SWIN newsletter
SEPTEMBER 2018 #TogetherWeThrive PRESIDENT & CEO LETTER MEMBER MILESTONES NEW MEMBERS & RENEWALS UPCOMING EVENTS NEWSMAKERS
SOUTHWEST INDIANA SBDC IS HELPING
SMALL BUSINESSES
START & GROW Dana and Tony Hallam – owners of Carts Gone Wild – pose with Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch after receiving the 2018 Southwest Indiana Small Business Impact Award.
September New Member Profile:
Award World Trophies
THE
LIFESTYLE HEALTH
CHAMBER ASSOCIATION PROGRAM
The Southwest Indiana Chamber is pleased to introduce Lifestyle Health Plans as a unique health benefits program designed for Chamber members to address the underlying causes of the rise in healthcare costs - employee health behaviors. This program is made available through a partnership with NFP. WHAT MAKES LIFESTYLE HEALTH DIFFERENT? • Level-funded major medical plan designs • Underwritten by “A” rated carriers • Member savings averaging 5-15% in most cases • Integrated wellness incentives and cash-rewards • Up to a $500 deductible credit available to all wellness participants • Integrated concierge telemedicine, outpatient lab and diabetic supply benefits WHAT IS LEVEL FUNDED? Level-funded plans are essentially pre-packaged self-insured health plans, with low attachment stop-loss coverage. For many groups, level-funded plans reduce healthcare spend significantly versus a fully insured ACA small group plan. And because of their structure, levelfunded plans do not have the volatility in monthly cash flows, associated with self-insured plans, that can cripple a small business. HERE’S HOW A LEVEL-FUNDED PLAN WORKS: Level-funded plans are underwritten, health applications are required. For larger groups applications can be avoided if two years of claims history can be provided.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Helping our members thrive! #TogetherWeThrive
JESSICA ELLIOTT 812.422.4000 jessica.elliott@nfp.com
President & CEO Letter
Unlocking the Capabilities of Southwest Indiana
“A
n overnight success, seven years in the making." That’s how Dr. Steven Becker described the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences at the new IU Medical School. A few days before the official opening I had the opportunity to tour this world-class medical school and life sciences hub. This downtown Evansville facility will bring the best in medical talent to our already robust health sciences and medical community. Each of the three local university partners – University of A message from Southern Indiana, University of Evansville and TARA BARNEY President & CEO Indiana University – will develop world-class health education programs thanks to this new facility. We, the citizens of the Southwest Indiana region are the beneficiaries. Seven years ago, community leaders had a vision; August 9, it became a reality. The Southwest Indiana Chamber and many strategic and generous community experts, elected leaders and engaged citizens all recognized the impact a medical school could have for our region and worked together to make it happen. Bill Stone said it best: “the health center is one key to unlocking the capabilities of southwestern Indiana”. Our history is manufacturing, but we can count on our growing Life Sciences Hub to be another key part of our future. Our regional health care systems – Deaconess and St. Vincent’s, Good Samaritan in Vincennes, Memorial Hospital and Health Care in Jasper – as well as Mead Johnson Nutrition, Astra Zeneca and many other life science businesses, employ thousands here, and at particularly high wages. These institutions and those that will be attracted by our world-class Stone Center for Health Sciences will now have a fully complete pipeline to cutting-edge health education and life sciences talent. Once again, our Regional Cities plan is delivering on the promise of a bright future. Speaking of talent, some have said recruiting Walter McCarty to return to his hometown as University of Evansville’s basketball coach is proof that we have moved up to the big leagues. We are honored to have Coach Walter McCarty as our guest and Keynote Speaker at the region’s most impactful business gathering, the Southwest Indiana Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Dinner on Thursday, September 20. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear his story and what his plans are to contribute to our bright future. What’s our next “overnight success”? Here’s what I know: Attracting high value talent is key to a great team, on the basketball floor and in our community. Whatever our next big opportunity, you can count on the Chamber and our partners to deliver on behalf of the Southwest Indiana region. Together we thrive! Register for the Annual Meeting and Dinner now at: www.swinchamber.com.
New Member Profile
Award World Trophies
Let's welcome Award World Trophies as a new member to the Southwest Indiana Chamber. Award World Trophies is located at 700 N. Weinbach, Suite 103 in Evansville and can be reached at 812-425-4571 or online at www. awardworldtrophies. com. Read on as Leslie Lawrence, president, shares her excitement about her business and the wide range of products and services Award World Trophies offers! Tell us about Award World Trophies and the products and services you offer. Oh, where to begin! Award World Trophies is a superior quality, locally owned and operated award and gift shop. We customize plaques, crystal/glass awards, trophies and medals for all your education, athletic and corporate needs. We also stock ribbons, desk and wall clocks, desk accessories, name badges and more. Need promotional items such as thumb drives with your logo, ball cases for display, key rings, military flag cases, corporate desk sets, etc? We’ve got you covered. Need a personalized gift for a wedding, graduation, birthday or Christmas? Look no further than Award World Trophies. If you can dream it, we will make it happen. What inspires you to do this business? There is nothing more rewarding than “recognizing excellence in people,” our motto and something Award World has been happily doing since 1990. In fact, the father of two of my team members, Charles “Charlie” Perry Sr., engraved trophies and plaques as a teenager for Lomax & Doerner. He then started a local trophy shop in 1964. He’s one proud papa today! Excellence can be viewed so many different ways. A few examples might include a track team that broke the state record in the 4x400m race; Patti, who was the top grossing real estate agent at the firm for the year; a volunteer fire department that bravely and tirelessly fought a large fire to protect a community in danger; or a team of hockey players that may not have finished in the top three but certainly showed up to practice each and every day and busted their butts at the games and fought hard as they were taught. Those and so many more are examples of excellence and the reason I wake up early every morning and love what I do. What career advice would you give the younger generation interested in this type of work? If you enjoy people – and I mean really enjoy them, are open to learn about the basics of business, and the idea of bright and shiny isn’t blinding – then there is hope in this business for you. I entered a little later in my career, but knew I had a touch of creativity in me, I just didn’t know it was on the verge of eruption. Look out Tri-State area. We are excited to be serving you. New Member Profile, continued inside back page
MILESTONES
PENSKE TRUCK LEASING Penske Truck Leasing celebrated its grand opening at 15631 Neeley St. with a ribboncutting. Penske Truck Leasing is a leading global transportation services provider. Contact them at 610-796-4369 or online at www.gopenske.com.
The Southwest Indiana SBDC team – back row: Karina Hampton, Doug Claybourn, Grant Glackman; front row: Kim Howard and Julie Folz.
SOUTHWEST
SOUTHWEST INDIANA SBDC IS HELPING ART VAN FURNITURE Art Van Furniture celebrated a grand opening at 5476 E. Indiana St. with a ribbon-cutting. Art Van Furniture is the #1 furniture and mattress retailer in the Midwest. Contact them at 502-724-9493.
SMALL BUSINESSES
START & GROW
W AAA AAA celebrated a remodel of their building at 7820 Eagle Crest Blvd. with a ribbon-cutting. AAA has remolded their building and has now moved into a different spot at their current location. Contact them at 812-474-2822 or online at www.aaa.com.
hether you’re thinking about starting your own business, or looking for ways to grow your existing small business, the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) may be able to help. The Southwest Indiana SBDC, in partnership with the Southwest Indiana Chamber, provides business advising and access to nationally recognized resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners create jobs, expand and build prosperous communities. The ISBDC is a great source for potential and current small business owners. In the past five years, the Southwest Indiana SBDC has served hundreds of clients and helped over 100 entrepreneurs start their business. Southwest Indiana SBDC clients have invested over $31 million in their businesses and created more than 500 new jobs. Kim Howard, regional director of the Southwest Indiana SBDC, said the general definition of a “small business” is one with 500 or fewer employees, which represents 98% of Indiana’s employers. Howard said that might be a bit misleading, as 89% of businesses employ 20 or fewer, and the large part of the Southwest Indiana SBDC’s clients fall into that group. “For example, Vanderburgh County has 13,000 businesses, but only 23 of those have more than 500 employees,” Howard said. “So a large portion of businesses in our area could qualify for and benefit from our services.”
MILESTONES
Southwest Indiana SBDC client Lucas Oil Center recieved a 2018 Emerging Business Award in May 2018. The ISBDC Southwest provided assistance with market research and financial forecasting and budgeting.
PFL LOGISTICS PFL Logistics celebrated an expansion at 4501 Hitch Peters Rd. with a ribbon-cutting. With the addition of JR's Expedited Freight, PFL Logistics is able to expand and provide their customers full-service freight solutions. Contact them at 812-297-9665 and online at www.pfllogistic.com.
Among those services are:
• One-on-one consulting – Southwest Indiana SBDC advisors listen to each client carefully to understand their needs, and each session is different depending on the client. Advisors have extensive experience in accounting, banking, management, strategic planning, marketing and other related fields, and can help determine a course of action for the client after evaluating their business idea.
• Market research – Advisors will help a client find its customers. By accessing local and global intelligence exclusively for its clients, the Southwest Indiana SBDC can help connect a client with its customers.
• Forming a business plan – The center’s advisors can help entrepreneurs connect with their customers by helping to write a solid business plan. Many business owners know what they plan to do with their company, but not necessarily how to go about it. Southwest Indiana SBDC can assist with that. • Help with securing financing – With contacts and resources in many fields, Southwest ISBDC can assist in acquiring capital to start or expand a business. • Seminars and workshops – The topics continually evolve based on the trending issues and client needs, but a “Launching Your Own Business” course is offered for new business owners and entrepreneurs every other month.
Howard pointed to the economic impact that small businesses play in their communities. They generate 64% of new jobs and represent 44% of payroll. Since most operate locally, they hire local people and return money to the local economy. She noted that for every $100 spent at a local business, $69 stays in the local economy. “Small businesses are an important part of community identity,” she said. “Our mindset is that the services we provide support these businesses and help them to be the best they can be.” There are many success stories to come out of the Southwest Indiana SBDC, including this one from Scott Massey, cofounder and CEO of Heliponix, a company that devises methods for consumers to more easily grow their own hydroponic produce: “As a 23 year old, recent graduate from Purdue University, and co-founder of Heliponix™ with Ivan Ball (Owensville, IN native), we found ourselves in need of capital to cover our initial inventory of GroPods™ after spending the investments from the Purdue Research Foundation on our utility patents…. However, we were relieved to learn that we had more than enough resources at the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) in my hometown of Evansville. Not only did the Southwest Indiana SBDC recommend us to receive a favorable business loan from the Vectren Foundation, but their proven faith in our business has initiated discussions with several local investors while continuing to provide valuable business advice when needed.” For more information about the Southwest Indiana SBDC, visit their website at http:// swinchamber.com/isbdc/ or on Facebook @ SouthwestIsbdc.
CHALLENGE ISLAND EVANSVILLE METRO Challenge Island Evansville Metro celebrated a grand opening at 551 N. Boeke Rd. with a ribbon-cutting. Challenge Island Evansville Metro provides S.T.E.A.M. activities for kids. Contact them at 812-568-0514 or at www. challenge-island.com/evansville-metro.
RIVER KITTY CAT CAFE River Kitty Cat Cafe celebrated their one-year anniversary at 226 Main St. with a ribboncutting. Contact them at 812-453-5699 or on Instagram @riverkittycatcafe.
NEW MEMBERS JULY HONEST ABE ROOFING
FARMERS INSURANCE JAMES DOANE AGENCY
Deborah Lanier 2510 Cullen Ave., Suite C Evansville, IN 47715 812-777-8800 deborah.lanier@honestaberoofing.com
James Doane 6700 Darmstadt Rd., Suite B Evansville, IN 47710 812-626-1616 jdoane@farmersagent.com
ELEMENTS DESIGN STUDIO
MALEY AND WERTZ
David Oldham 318 Main St., Suite 100 Innovation Pointe Evansville, IN 47708 812-471-8980 Elements318main@gmail.com
Mike Powers 900 E. Columbia St. Evansville, IN 47711 812-425-3358 mpowers@maleyandwertz.com
PIECE OF CAKE BAKERY
Chase Oswald 7700 Eagle Crest Blvd. Evansville, IN 47715 812-476-7069 blevansville@blro.net
LINCOLNLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Josh Jackson 812-202-9804 jjacksonmba@hotmail.com
Cate Sisco 210 Main St. Evansville, IN 47708 812-424-2253 info@pieceofcakebakery.com
Valerie Schmidt 2792 N. Hwy 231 Rockport, IN 47635 812-649-2119 specialproject@ledc.org
EVSC FOUNDATION
Maureen Barton 951 Walnut Street Evansville, IN 47713 812-435-1096 maureen@evscfoundation.org PROREHAB
Gib Riffle 4922 IN-165 Poseyville, IN 47633 812-476-0409 gib@prorehab-pc.com BOARD & BRUSH CREATIVE STUDIO
Austin & Ali Halbig 4909 Theater Dr. Evansville, IN 47715 812-470-3283 halbigenterprisesllc@gmail.com
BAR LOUIE
BENZOGA CONSTRUCTION
MARX BBQ
Tony Marx 3119 W. Maryland St. Evansville, IN 47720 812-425-1616 marxbbq@yahoo.com CONQUERORS QUARTET
Joyce Meyer 812-480-2632 sgqkeys@gmail.com
CHRISTIAN LIFE COACH
Carla Webb 812-641-1102 carlabunnerwebb@gmail.com DUNCAN’S JANITORIAL & CARPET CLEANING
Lorrie Weiss 1222 Heinlein Rd. Evansville IN 47725 812-423-6549 lweiss@duncansjanitorial.com
MEMBER RENEWALS JULY
• All In the Family Dental • Bar Louie • Bartas Affordable Painting • Bill Egli Concrete Construction, Inc. • Carousel Restaurant • CED\Evansville Supply • Colonial Classics • Community Foundation Alliance • Control Specialists, Inc. • Cornerstone Controls • Corressell Mowing & Landscape, LLC • Crane Environmental Services, LLC • Culinary Innovations • Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc. • Darla's Oasis, LLC • Diehl Consulting Group • Donaldson Capital Management • Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Mike David • EEMSCO, Inc. • Elpers Truck Equipment • Enviroplas, Inc. • Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science • Evansville Rescue Mission • Evansville Welding Supply, LLC • Fehrenbacher Cabinets, Inc. • First Security Bank • Freeman, Will & Niemeier, Inc. • Genesis Business Systems LLC (dba Gangnam Korean Cuisine) • Gibco Motor Express • Golden Living Woodbridge • Greer's Flooring America • Gribbins Insulation Co. • Hahn Insurance Agency • Haynie Travel • Hearing Healthcare Center, Inc. • Heritage Federal Credit Union • Hofmann Landscaping & Lawn Care • Home Instead Senior Care • IGT Indiana • Indiana State Games • Indianapolis Colts • Industrial Transport Services, LLC • IU School of Medicine - Evansville • J & L Acoustics, Inc. • Jacob's Village • Jan Davies • John Elpers Homes • LegalShield • MCF Construction, Inc.
MILESTONES • Media Mix Communications, Inc. • Meuth Carpet • Midwestern Pet Foods • Nix Companies • Nomad Technology Group, LLC • Oakland City University • Painting With a Twist Evansville • Pathway Family Farms • PBJ Group LLC (dba House Hunter Realty) • PGP International Inc. • Pinnacle Computer Services • Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 136 • Rasure Floor Covering Inc. • Schutte Lithography, Inc. • SelfRefind • Send Out Cards • Slade Print • Solarbron Pointe, Inc. • Sonitrol of Evansville, Inc. • Southwestern Indiana Land Title, Inc. • Speedy Oiler Inc. • SS&C Technologies • Storm Guard • Superior Concrete Constructors, Inc. • The Salon Professional Academy • The State Group Industrial • Tri-State Food Bank, Inc. • UniFirst Corporation • United Methodist Youth Home, Inc.
• University of Southern Indiana Foundation • Vanderburgh Co. Republican Central Committee • Volunteer Lawyer Program of Southwestern Indiana • Wayback Burger • Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc.
SEPTEMBER 26 & 27 This two-day event offers business leaders the opportunity to deliver their federal policy priorities and concerns directly to lawmakers. For more info, go to: SWINCHAMBER.COM
EVANSVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT Evansville Regional Airport dedicated a new TSA checkpoint and PreCheck with a ribboncutting at 7801 Bussing Dr. Contact them at 812-421-4401 and online at www.flyevv.com.
TRISTATE FUNCTIONAL WELLNESS TriState Functional Wellness celebrated a oneyear anniversary at 120 N. Fulton Ave., Suite B with a ribbon-cutting. TriState Functional Wellness is a chiropractic office that looks at the entire person. Contact them at 812-3030407 or at www.tristatefunctionalwellness.com
Q3 EVENT
SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
7:00 AM – REGISTER | NETWORK | BREAKFAST 7:30 - 11 AM – EVENT
SIGNATURE SUPPORTERS:
REGISTER ONLINE AT: WWW.SWINCHAMBER.COM
LEAN OR CALL 812-425-8147
PIVOTAL SUPPORTERS:
PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY
IF YOU WANT TO LEAD LEAN, YOU’VE GOT TO LIVE LEAN.
SWIN CHAMBER
PRESENTED BY:
NEWSMAKERS OLD NATIONAL BANK
Old National Bank promoted Gary Roan to Senior Vice President, Talent Integration Director, and Stephanie Roland to Senior Vice President, Community Development Banking Manager.
EVANSVILLE VANDERBURGH PUBLIC LIBRARY Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library made two promotions and one new hire.
GARY ROAN
Vice President, Talent Integration Director Roan joined Old National’s Talent Development department, responsible for recruiting senior level associates and assisting with corporate and regional strategies to advance diversity and inclusion objectives. Roan joined Old National Bank in 2012. In addition to his leadership and management experience in community development banking, he has 24 years of experience as a business owner and has worked with Fortune 500 companies and non-profits. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fisk University and currently serves on the boards of Prosperity Indiana and CAPE.
STEPHANIE ROLAND
Senior Vice President, Community Development Banking Manager Roland oversees community development and outreach activities targeting affordable housing initiatives, business and economic development and community services for underserved populations. She also manages the compliance and administration of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Roland has worked in the banking industry for 17 years and has worked in ONB’s Community Development Banking department for 12 years. She is a member of the board and executive committee for the Darrell Ragland Foundation and a member of the Self-sufficiency Committee for United Way of SW Indiana. Roland earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Evansville.
BRITTNEY THOMAS
RELATIONSHIP MANAGER Brittney Thomas joined United Capital as a Relationship Manager in the Evansville office. She is responsible for gathering client information and data using the firm’s wealth planning software and developing financial plans for the team’s clients. Thomas has an extensive background in multiple roles within the financial services. United Capital’s foundation of client services is comprehensive wealth planning for clients and their families, together with management of client investment portfolios.
JARED COOK
KASSIDY KINNER-GREEN
HEATHER MCKINNEY
Jared Cook was promoted to the Visual Design Specialist role. Jared had been at EVPL Oaklyn as an Experience Facilitator, but had been assisting in the design and visual content work for EVPL for many months. Kassidy Kinner-Green is now the Engagement Manager for EVPL. Her role encompasses the oversight of all communications, programming, and outreach. Heather McKinney was hired as the Writing and Social Media Specialist. She was previously in the marketing department at 14NEWS.
LEANN MORRIS
PRESIDENT Leann Morris took the reins as owner and president of Patton Heating and Cooling Company Inc., effective August 16. The licensed and bonded company has served Evansville since its founding in 1973. Morris has 15 years of HVAC experience in her past.
RICHARD STARLEY
VICE PRESIDENT OF LENDING Heritage Federal Credit Union announced that Richard Starley joined the organization as Vice President of Lending. Starley has more than 20 years of executive level consumer, mortgage, and commercial lending experience in the credit union and banking industry. He attended the University of Utah, is a graduate of the Western CUNA Management School in Claremont, California, and is a graduate of the Northwest Business Lending School in Seattle, Washington.
To feature your new hires or promotions in the next digital newsletter email a short description and photo to: news@swinchamber.com.
FALL GOUTING LF
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER FOUNDATION
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 3, 2018
WESTERN HILLS COUNTRY CLUB MT. VERNON, INDIANA
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 11:30 AM LUNCH
NOON
SHOTGUN START AWARDS & SOCIAL HOUR
Posey County Office
PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER FOUNDATION.
Posey County Office
REGISTRATION FORM Posey County Office
NAME(s):___________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ COMPANY:_________________________________________________________________ PHONE:_____________________________EMAIL:_________________________________ PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY! _____SINGLE GOLF $85 _____FOURSOME $340 _____HOLE SPONSOR $100
QUESTIONS?
CONTACT BECCA STRAUB 812.838.3639 OR bstraub@swinchamber.com
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Posey County Holding Company PO Box 633 Mt. Vernon, IN 47620
Thank you for your support!
1ST ANNUAL
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY IN OUR COMMUNITY
OCTOBER 13
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
RIVERSIDE @ MAIN FOOD | LIVE MUSIC | VENDORS BEER GARDEN | CHILDREN’S AREA
e
What is your ‘ ’...? We are seeking food and craft vendors, community groups, talent and sponsors who celebrate the diversity of Evansville through offering delicious tastes, products and gifts from across the globe. The eFest Multiculural Festival, scheduled for October 13, 2018, will offer a beer garden, live music throughout the day, children’s area and a celebration of the “E is for Everyone” campaign. In addition to marketing and media efforts boosting attendance, the event will begin at the finish line of the YMCA of Evansville Half Marathon, bringing over 4,000 runners, family, friends and volunteers.
• VENDOR • SPONSOR • COMMUNITY GROUP • ENTERTAINMENT • VOLUNTEER
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Karen Robinson, 812-425-8147 krobinson@swinchamber.com
Wil Marquez, 812-425-8147 wmarquez@swinchamber.com
PRESENTED BY:
CALENDAR CALENDAR UPCOMING EVENTS:
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ALLIANCE SOCIAL September 13 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM | Bar Louie LAUNCHING YOUR OWN BUSINESS WORKSHOP September 19 | 3 - 5 PM | Southwest Indiana Chamber TSMA Q3: LEAN PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY September 18 | 7 - 11 AM | Ivy Tech Community College ANNUAL MEETING & DINNER September 20 | 5 - 8 PM | Old National Events Plaza RIVERBEND MARKET - WELLNESS DAY September 27 | 4 - 7 PM | Mt. Vernon Riverfront SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER FOUNDATION FALL GOLF OUTING October 3 | 11:00 AM | Western Hills Country Club CONSTANT CONTACT TRAINING: 30 WAYS TO GROW YOUR LIST October 4 | 10 - 11:30 AM | Fat Head Media LUNCH WITH THE MAYOR October 11 | 11:30 - 1 PM | Tropicana Evansville CHAMBER NETWORKING & NEWS Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 | Oct. 5, 19, 26 7:30 - 9 AM | Various Locations - visit swinchamber.com/events
318 Main Street, Suite 401 | Evansville, IN 47708 812-425-8147 | www.swinchamber.com @SWINChamber
New Member Profile, continued
In your opinion, what are three ingredients for success? Unlike what spices I may be in the mood for in my pot of chili this weekend and it can vary significantly, I feel strongly about these key ingredients. The first should be the simplest: DO WHAT YOU LOVE / LOVE WHAT YOU DO. If you don’t, then you may likely struggle through any job or career. So, follow your heart and chase that dream of yours. The second is the most important to me: HONESTY. It’s super important in business to be honest with the key three, which include yourself, your team and your customer. It really is the “best policy.” The third and probably most difficult is PATIENCE. You have to not just be patient in the moment but also in life. Yes, it can be a difficult one to master. My favorite quote on patience is this one by Joyce Meyer: “Patience is not the ability to wait but how you act while you’re waiting.” What has been one of the toughest challenges? Last fall I chose to exit corporate life and weekly travel and become a small business owner. Rewarding and excellent? Yes! A couple weeks later the opportunity presented itself to purchase Crown Trophy, and the choice was an easy one. The challenge – though a molehill and not a mountain – has been managing the differences in retail pricing between the two businesses. In some instances, we were very comparable and in others the differences were quite sizable. The one thing we have learned in the past several months from these two similar but different “shops” is that quality and service can and does make all the difference. What do I miss most? AirMiles What is your favorite thing about your work? For the first time in my 40+ years I don’t refer to it as work. I love getting to spend the first five days of the week hanging out with a team of people that I love and respect. We are one big family – and 98% of the time very happy. The other 2% we are eating and therefore are very happy. What do you like most about the community in which you live? I’m a Texan, that state down south where things are bigger everyone is “friendly.” This community may not be big in size compared to Dallas, but it definitely has captured the spirit of friendly. I can now say that Evansville has officially become “home.” E really “is for everyone.” Is there anything else you would like to share? In all seriousness if you are still reading, we do hope you will stop by our new location on North Weinbach and browse our ultra-modern showroom. One of our professional and friendly trophy ladies will show you around and help you find the perfect item for recognizing excellence in that certain someone. And don’t forget, we have unique gifts for every occasion. Thank you, Leslie Lawrence, president of Award World Trophies, for taking the time to share with us!
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER SIGNATURE EVENT
OCTOBER 11 | 11:30 AM - 1:00PM | TROPICANA PRESENTED BY FOR MORE INFORMATION, SPONSORSHIPS & RESERVATIONS, CONTACT:
Karen Robinson, 812-425-8147, krobinson@swinchamber.com or go to swinchamber.com
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER SIGNATURE EVENT
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
WALTER MCCARTY
@SWINChamber
UE Men’s Basketball Head Coach
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 | 5 - 8 PM
GOLD SPONSOR:
OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA The 2018 event promises to be bigger and better - featuring Keynote Speaker, Walter McCarty, UE Men's Basketball Head Coach. We will celebrate our region's successes and present awards to top business and community leaders who
SILVER SPONSORS:
#SHOOTFORTHESTARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, SPONSORSHIPS & RESERVATIONS, CONTACT:
Karen Robinson, 812-425-8147, krobinson@swinchamber.com or go to swinchamber.com