Small Business Workshop

Leaving a legacy is not always at the forefront of thought, but the process of consideration is certainly important in our LaGrange County business community. As a champion of generational prosperity, the Chamber hosted its inaugural Small Business Workshop on July 27 at the Farmstead Inn and Conference Center in Shipshewana. 

Nearly 100 local business owners, entrepreneurs, and organizational leaders joined together to grow themselves, their businesses, and their teams, all for the sake of driving exponential success within their industry. Business sectors present included manufacturing, woodworking, non-profit, printing, design, retail, food service, cosmetology, and agriculture, in addition to others. 

Justin Maust, Expert Implementer of the Entrepreneurial Operating System, opened the day with a keynote presentation on the value of solid vision, the right people, process, and traction within the workplace and business. Breakouts were designed to create a space for everyone and included topics for business planning (start-up businesses), strategic planning and the value of a business-wide analysis, and how to lead your team well. 

During the lunch hour, a panel of 5 business owners discussed and interacted with the audience on the process towards business success. Included in the panel were: Valerie Whitaker, Radiant Hair Salon; Dan Byler, LaGwana; Joanna King, Jo Jo's Pretzels and Sarah Davis LTD; Fritz Helmuth, S & H Metal Products, Tiffany's Restaurant, and Freedom Finish Works; and, Keith James, Indigo Web Services and Keith James Photography, who facilitated the panel. "If you're green, you grow; if you're ripe, you die," said panelist Valerie Whitaker. While a large portion of our LaGrange County community graduates at the end of 8th grade, the panel found similarities in reflecting on their lack of college education, but the value of ongoing personal and professional growth through workshops, mentors, and educational opportunities. 

The afternoon boasted of roundtable discussions which allowed opportunity for peer-to-peer learning around specific topics. Entrepreneurs talked about best practices and asked questions about how to start a business well. Business owners and leaders sat around tables discussing succession planning and how to best hand off their business to the next generation. Still, others met to discuss how to create a cohesive team: retaining the best workers, getting the wrong workers "off the bus," and growing success in the middle. 

Fritz Schlabach, longtime LaGrange County resident and business owner, closed the day by sharing his story of success in the manufacturing industry through his multi-company Rock Run Industries. 

The Chamber would like to thank the Small Business Workshop presenters who shared and fostered the growth of our local business owners. These included Renea Boots and Joe Urbanski of Farmers State Bank; Ervin Miller of E & S Wood Creations; and, Nikki Heffelfinger of the Small Business Development Corporation. 

The LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce is all about fostering hometown culture and driving exponential success. To learn more about the offerings and value of Chamber membership, visit www.lagrangechamber.org.