Want to know something about me that you might not already know? I LOVE a good auction. I think it’s because of the adrenaline rush and the search for the best deal of the day. Give me a good auction, and I’ll camp out until my luck comes through.  If you’ve read my column for a while, you probably know that my husband and I built our house about five years ago on a plot of pasture and old corn field. When you build a new homestead in a space like that, it rises up pretty bare, and I’m a girl who loves some good shade trees. So away I went to the best of both worlds: my very first tree auction. I attended, and I was hooked! Year after year, I’ve trekked to the tree nursery to find more mighty maples to line our driveway, our fenceline, and well, just about anywhere else I could find a place to plant another. The unfortunate halt to my tree auction addiction was the year when we had no access to a backhoe. So here I came, gleefully driving home with a trailer of burlapped trees, trying to figure out how I was going to get these root balls into the ground. Luckily, we had access to a skidloader (that might’ve taken an adult or two on the back to balance out the weight), but the hole-digging was all done by pure muscle…very, very sore, pure muscle. I’ve enjoyed watching my auction purchases take root and blossom. Every year, especially about this time of the season, I begin to see the buds turn into glistening baby leaves, ready for another year to offer shade to its inhabitants. In 2025, though, we discovered that one of my prized plants was less-than-beautiful. It began to take a leaned shape, and the buds were few and far between. “Water it!” my husband would say. Week after week, I’d park a four-wheeler trailer with a water basin dumping its contents, to no avail. No matter what we did, we just couldn’t seem to bring back any life into the once lively tree. And now, starting the 2026 spring season, we’ve decided it’s time to rip this one out, with no hope in sight. By the time you read this column, you’ll be in the middle of National Small Business Development Week. In LaGrange County, we are built on the foundation of small business entrepreneurship which innately understands and embraces the “get up and go” that it takes to develop small businesses. Business owner after business owner has rolled up his sleeves to open shop, produce the products, craft the craft, and grow the business. And as small businesses develop, year over year, they deepen their roots and firm up their foundation. They grow, they expand, they provide broader impact to our communities. That’s the beauty of development. However, there’s one piece we often forget when we talk about growth and development. It’s very easy to see the fruit of development, because in business, it often equates to an increase in product output, a growth of the staff, or an expanded workplace–the things we can see. But when true development happens, the roots of the business trench deeper and deeper into the ground in which it started. The business is taken care of, and the products or services blossom, but the unseen work is what happens behind the scenes and underneath the tangible outcomes. Small business development is so much more about the roots than it is about the fruit. Business success happens when the small business owner puts in the overtime to water, fertilize, and support the business, so to speak, when no one else is watching. It takes decisions that evaluate the soil quality (where we do business, how much of it we do, and which employees we start with). It requires an evaluation of the root support (what training to invest in, what processes to implement, and what financing to ensure sustainability). And it takes an intentional, ongoing effort to care for and maintain the roots (who we bring on, when we invest, and when to double down). While my tree-mothering qualities have enabled all others to grow prosperously on our new homestead, this one tree was destined to fail. It was planted in rocky, sandy soil, and its trunk was positioned in the windiest part of our land. And I’ll be the first one to admit that my watering skills for this particular young sapling were less than par. It definitely could have used more fertilizer and attention, too. Fortunately, our local small business owners tend to their shops much more intentionally than I do my tree, and our eyes have the privilege of being witness to that work. Take my tree as this week’s metaphorical example, and pause to reflect on the multitude of small businesses in our communities. Without their blood, sweat, and tears–and I assure you, small businesses don’t develop without a few of each–we wouldn’t have the LaGrange County as we know it. Remember the tree-caring process it takes to develop a small business, and choose to support that effort by shopping local this week. Happy National Small Business Development Week, LaGrange County!

All throughout childhood, my parents intentionally planned a one-week family vacation. In the heat of the moments, we often experienced familial frustration, things breaking unexpectedly, and plans having to be changed on a dime. It was the true picture of family vacations.  But one such vacation, we were packed into the family van, driving down the highway. The year before, I had received my driver’s license (I was a teenager at this time), and I begged my dad to let me drive on the freeway. After I wouldn’t let up on the asking, he finally caved, and we switched seats. He told me where to go, which sign to look for, and said he was going to get some shut-eye. He laid his seat back, covered his face with his ballcap (classic dad-move), and dozed off. I felt like a million bucks! I had the freedom of the driver’s seat, and I was pointing our noses in the direction of our vacation. Time went on, and I drove for 45 minutes to an hour before my dad awoke to check in. “Where are we?” he asked. “I don’t know,” I answered quickly. (Wrong answer, by the way.) Dad started looking around, trying to ascertain where we were and how far we had traveled since he handed over the reins. All of a sudden, he exclaimed, “Sara! We’re driving west. We’re supposed to be going east! How long have you been driving this way?” I panicked a bit inside, not wanting to show that my newfound confidence behind the wheel was quickly crumbling at my amateur mistake. Because while I had big plans for myself as the family captain, the truth was, I didn’t know where I was headed or how I was actually going to get there. Today marks the beginning of a brand new month, and if you are a business or numbers person, you’ll also know it’s the beginning of the second quarter of the year. Oftentimes in business or leadership, this is a checkpoint to review quarter one, and plan for quarter two. It’s a refresher on the goals for the year, and a chance to pivot or adjust where needed. In January, I shared about the value of setting goals, and why fully knowing and embracing your mission and vision matter. (Because without vision, people perish. Without direction, people get lost.) So, here’s a reality check-in: How are things going? When you began the new year, what did you envision for 2026? What things did you hope to accomplish? What changes did you commit to making to reach that vision? And maybe a more honest question is: What haven’t you done yet that you told yourself you were going to do? If you’ve felt off track–or haven’t looked at your goals since January–you’re not alone. Quarter 2 is a second-chance at revisiting goals, and adjusting to get there by December 31. I challenge you to find your 2026 goal list–these can be personal goals, professional goals, or business goals. And if you never set goals this year, what better time than now to do it! Before you push harder and officially start your second quarter, take an hour and walk through this quick audit. Step 1: Start With the End in Mind (Re-anchor Your Vision) Before we look at the details of your goals, take a moment to zoom out and examine the big picture. Ask yourself: ● What does a “win” look like by December 31, 2026? ● If this year is successful, what’s different in my life or business? A lot of goals drift because they were never clearly tied to a bigger outcome. Step 2: Reality Check This is where the rubber hits the road. The success of this audit is entirely dependent upon your willingness to be honest with yourself. Ask: ● What progress have I actually made? ● What’s stalled? ● What have I avoided, and why? (Ouch - that one hurts) Don’t be afraid to look at the data. If you’re a business person, examine your sales, your hires, and your outreach. Look at your cash flow and bottom line. What’s working, and better yet, what’s not? The goal here is to be honest, not (overly) optimistic. You can’t adjust your direction if you won’t acknowledge where you really are. Step 3: Cut or Keep – Simplify Your Focus This is where we stop trying to do everything, and figure out was is top-priority for success to be accomplished. For each of your goals, decide: ● Do I keep this? It’s a yes if it’s working and it still matters. ● Do I adjust this? It’s a yes if it still matters, but the approach isn’t working. ● Do I cut this? It’s a yes if it’s no longer relevant, realistic, or appropriate. The key here? Carrying dead goals is one of the biggest productivity killers. Don’t be afraid to cut a once-great-idea for the sake of ensuring achievement and vision fulfillment in the end. Step 4: Choose Q2 Priorities Don’t be tempted to fix everything at once. (If you are, it’s okay. I’m guilty of this too.) Here is where we identify the absolute top priorities, and set sub-goals to reach that end. What are one or two (yes, 1 or 2!) goals that would make the biggest impact if you actually followed through? Then, define for yourself: ● What does progress look like by the end of June? ● What needs to happen weekly to move it forward? Step 5: Take the Next Right Step (Immediately) This is where thinking is separated from doing. What is one action that you can take this week to move forward? This is not a plan. It’s not a strategy. It’s a step. Examples could include: ● Make the call ● Schedule the meeting ● Test the idea ● Have the conversation Momentum doesn’t come from clarity–it comes from action. Read that again. Momentum doesn’t come from clarity–it comes from action . As you launch your April and quarter two, let it not be a Fool’s Day joke. Breathe deep, and let it be the real deal. Check your signs (make sure you’re actually headed east instead of west), get the right people in the right seats, and make it happen. You don’t need to start over–you just need to make sure you’re still headed in the right direction.

The first time my son brought home a less-than-great report card, I experienced all sorts of emotions. I, of course, was displeased (as a self-diagnosed perfectionist) that I didn’t see all As on the white piece of paper. I also felt sorrow for him, that perhaps, there was some sort of struggle occurring in the walls of school. I experienced curiosity, and a sudden drive to uncover the real happenings behind my boy, who oftentimes, doesn’t love school. As a mom, I experienced an entire array of mixed emotions.  But in these moments, I am reminded of the truth that I’ve had to absorb time and time again for the last nine years as a mom. It’s this: I’m new at this. I’ve never parented a child before, let alone a very energetic, intelligent, different-than-me son. And, the flip side of that truth is this: he’s never been a nine-year-old boy before in 2026. Let that land for a sec. It hits hard every time I swallow it. This is uncharted territory as a mom, as a son, and as a family. You may know that I’ve had the true privilege of taking part in the Business Leads Fellowship program with the United States Chamber of Commerce. I’ve had the honor of meeting and learning from peers from all across the country–literally, from California to New York, and everywhere in between. Our last virtual “homeroom” session happened recently, and I felt myself feeling stuck as we wrapped up our seven-month conversation around workforce development and everything that falls under that umbrella. In that discussion, I confessed that it seems like workforce development is just one roadblock after the other. Here’s what I meant by that: When we finally gain some traction in systems-level solutions, another hurdle comes up. If it isn’t compensation for entry-level workers, it’s insurance and liability, or transportation, or delivering expansive value to the student on very limited school schedules. The list goes on and on. And then it hit me as I listened to my peers on that last homeroom call: I’ve never been in this position, on this day, in this year, tackling these exact roadblocks. It’s uncharted territory. And all it takes is a willingness to take the next right step. It seems elementary, sure, but the saying goes that an elephant can only be eaten one bite at a time. So as I close out a full month of columns about work-based learning, workforce development, and the next generation of LaGrange County laborers, consider it joyful and honest work to engage in the process. It takes all of us taking the next right step to pull off an empowered, prepared, and work-ready generation of students. Here are a few key tips to get involved: For Students: ● Be curious about work, not just jobs. Ask questions when you meet someone in a career field. Commit to understanding the reality of work, because knowing the reality of work is often more valuable than just knowing the job titles. ● Try something–even if you’re not sure it’s “the one.” A job shadow, internship, or part-time job isn’t a lifetime decision. It’s an experiment. Every experience teaches you something about what you enjoy, and what you don’t. ● Show up like a professional. Be on time. Ask good questions. Follow through. All of these things will set you apart quickly. For Parents: ● Help your student explore, not just decide. Many parents feel pressure to guide their child to the “right” career path. Instead, encourage exploration–job shadows, part-time work, conversations with local professionals. ● Use your network. You likely know someone in a field your student is curious about. A simple introduction or workplace visit can unlock the world for your child. ● Value experiences as much as academics. (Can I say this one louder to myself??) Grades matter, sure, but so do work habits, communication, and real-world exposure. Work-based learning builds those skills in ways a classroom alone cannot. For Business Owners: ● Start small. You don’t need a formal internship program to get involved. A one-day job shadow, facility tour, or short-term project can make a meaningful impact for a student. ● Show the “why” behind your work. Students connect when they see the purpose behind what your company does–how your work serves customers, build community, or solves problems. ● Invest in your future workforce. Today’s students are tomorrow’s employees. A small investment of time now can build awareness, interest, and relationships that benefit your business for years to come. The simple truth is this: It takes one person to make a difference. When one person is willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved, even in the smallest way, a ripple begins to play out. It’s the multiplication effect–when you impact one person, they impact another, and another, and soon, you’ll have touched an entire community of students by taking the right next step. We’re here, today, in 2026, living a life we’ve never lived before. Every day is a new opportunity to navigate uncharted territory in order to impact the future of our communities. Are you in? Take the plunge, because the future of LaGrange County is counting on it.

I recently had the privilege of assisting in the funeral of a community and church member I’ve known for many years. What made it sweet was that, not only did I know him and his wife, I also have known his daughter and his granddaughter for many years. It was a sweet time of reflection that the end of a life brings.  As I sat and listened to the numerous (and quite comical) stories about his life, a theme began to emerge for me. My friend was a decades-long farmer in our community, and he was known for his farm suspenders and his ag-centric adages. The pattern that was so intricately woven throughout every story was this firm belief and behavior in him that said: “When you’ve got a job to do, you just get up, and you do it.” That was his way of life–he inherently knew how to work hard and get the job done. And it was equally quite clear that he instilled that work ethic in his children, his grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren who spoke about his life. As does any funeral service for most folks, this one caught me hanging on these shared words most of the weekend that followed. I found myself pulling many nuggets of wisdom. They included: 1) We are fortunate for the farming community found in our midst. 2) We are fortunate to have an integral work ethic here that is, at times, hard to find in other communities. 3) We are fortunate to have men and women who understand and live out community–caring for those both within and outside of their families. 4) We are fortunate to have people here who teach the next generation, both through their words and their actions. If you’ve read my column long, you’ve probably read a few articles around the idea of career readiness and career awareness, particularly for our next generation of workforce (i.e., our youth). As I often do (perhaps because of my line of work), I tie many life experiences back into this strategy, because our work is not linear or done singularly. Agriculture is the undercurrent of our way of life here. From gardening to thousand-acre corn fields, we know how to sow and harvest our land. But where career preparedness meets the farming industry is in the people. It’s the “ole farmers” who carry the wisdom of sunbeat life and hundreds of hours of tractor-driving that trickle down into the next generation. While they may not realize it in the process, their actions, their responses, their words, and their gestures are teaching the young farmers and agriculturalists coming behind them in more ways than one. This concept trickles right into every aspect of life, especially for those of us who have a younger generation following us (i.e., kids, grandkids, students, neighbors, nieces and nephews, or children of friends). Everything we do and say is teaching a lesson. So, how will we leave our legacy, and how will we choose to intentionally water the next generation? The truth of the matter is, everyone’s a teacher, whether we own it or not. Everyone has a lesson to give, a life experience to share, or some words to depart. How can you invest by giving what you have? Here are a few tips to consider: ● Slow down . I bet if you take a few minutes every day to intentionally stop, breath deeply, and look around, you’ll find an opportunity to talk to someone you wouldn’t normally have time for. Who is that person (or persons)? ● Be willing to be the conversation-starter . The best way is to ask a genuine question. Enough of this shallow “How are you?” conversation. Ask a question that pulls back a layer, and be honestly willing to listen (and ask more questions!). ● Lend your experience. It won’t cost you a thing to share a story from your past. What happened, and what did you learn? Your experiences carry value. Share them before you get to the end of your life! ● Walk in relationships . I am who I am today because of people who saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself. They took me for car rides, they bought me coffee, they took me to lunch. All because they wanted to speak into and develop me. Find those around you who need someone to do the same, and then do it for them! Take them for a walk, have them over for dinner, or sit on the porch with them. Invest your time into another. I will miss my friend. But what I will remember is how he encouraged, and he was willing to stop what he was doing to say hello and check in. When I left a conversation with this old farmer friend of mine, I felt empowered to take on the task at hand. Who can we give the gift of encouragement and development to today? Be like our farmers, and be willing to sow today for a harvest of next-generation workers and community members tomorrow.

My kids go to school in Shipshewana, so I get the advantage of a 15-minute drive of solitude every morning. This time is a great space for me to prepare my mind for the work laid out for the day, and I do a lot of my thinking during that drive into the office. One day a couple weeks ago, I was driving on the old Mishler’s Packing road–because if you’re a local, you know we name our roads by establishments, not by numbers–and I drove by a sight to see. The weather was one of those first spring-like days we experienced. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and you could tell in the local livestock that it just felt different. It felt fresh and uplifting. As I drove by a flock of sheep, I caught a peculiar glimpse of the smallest lamb I’d ever seen. The lamb wasn’t what was comical. No, it was where the lamb was. The babe had to have been no more than a few days old, and it was confidently standing on new legs–on top of its mom lying in the sun! I chuckled to myself, because that mama sheep cultivated some validation within me. I said out loud in a quiet car, “Yep, I’ve been there too, mama.” You know the feeling? Kids pulling on your arm, jumping on your back, at your side. It’s a blessed feeling like none other, but sometimes, the mom just wants a moment without the lamb on its back! It was a pure picture of motherhood on my way to work. My brain translated this into a metaphor real quick. I thought, “Boy, what a great glimpse into the work we do in workforce development.” Because sometimes, getting involved in this work–even if it's for the greater good–feels like a heavy lift. Let’s be real…volunteering your business or your team takes time, it costs money, and it sometimes can take precedence over your own company’s productivity and performance. And it’d be really easy for me to sit here and tell you just how great it is to get involved, but ultimately–you're a business owner or a leader or someone with other responsibilities. Right? I’ve heard it all–the reasons why businesses hesitate to get involved. These include: ● It’s expensive. “You mean I have to pay a kid to come into my workplace?” (Answer: No, you don’t have to pay, but sure, it does have the possibility of additional cost.) ● It’s a time-sucker. “You mean I have to pay one of my employees to babysit a student in my workplace?” (Answer: It’s not babysitting. It’s not even supervising. It’s mentoring and investing in a possible future worker who will stay for the long-haul. And who might even bring better ideas or processes to your business you hadn’t previously considered.) ● It’s a liability. “I can’t afford the possibility of what this added liability will bring.” (Answer: Yep. I can empathize with this one too. It’s actually something our state legislature is working on actively. More to come on this.) Listen, I get it. You should always keep your business at the front of mind and make decisions that better your operations. It’s good business! It takes me back to that mama sheep. Sometimes, we just want our space. We just want to stay in our lane. We don’t have time or energy to add to our already-heavy lift we’re trying to manage every single day. Yet…that mama sheep still did it. And moms everywhere still do it. How? Because while the days are long, the years are short, and our work today isn’t about today. It’s about tomorrow. It’s about the next generation. We’ve had the privilege to work alongside some highly-qualified organizations recently who are leading the charge in identifying easy “on-ramps” for businesses and employers to get involved in workforce development, especially with today’s youth. Those organizations, including our LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce, include the Horizon Education Alliance, the Northern Indiana Educational Service Center, the Region 8 Education Service Center, the Indiana School Counselor Association, and the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce. The output of that work is a Northern Indiana Work-Based Learning Toolkit. What is the Northern Indiana WBL Toolkit? It is a regional resource which makes the case for financial and strategic business advantages found in WBL partnerships, while also providing actionable opportunities for businesses to get involved. Consider some very easy steps that take minimal time, money, or energy which support local workforce development and future employability that come directly from that Toolkit: ● Volunteer to speak in a local classroom. (Translation: Tell kids about your business, how you started, what you do every day, and answer questions. Talk about yourself!) ● Offer to help with mock interviews. Students need the skills to interview well, and land the job that fits. You want better, more-prepared workers, and this is an easy way to grease that pipeline. ● Register for our Field of Dreams Career Expo happening on March 25 at the Michiana Event Center in Shipshewana. Students need to know about the careers available here locally, or they’ll go elsewhere. They don’t know what they don’t know. Your involvement in this type of event ensures that they know they can find work here. ● Open your doors to a job shadow, a workplace tour, or a teacher externship. (Teacher externship = allow a local teacher to “intern” at your place of employment for a couple weeks this summer to learn more about local industry and employment opportunities.) ● Want to dive deep? Consider hosting an intern, an apprentice, or partnering with schools to establish long-term programs and career pathways. (Reach out to us to learn more.) Workforce development in rural LaGrange County is a work in progress, and it’s a big lift. But, the hope in the hustle is that, if all of us get involved, the lift doesn’t seem quite so heavy. So, you sheep out doing your thing, day in and day out…consider the lamb. Let’s lift together and get those legs confidently under our future workforce, today.

By nature of my job, I am, at times, approached by businesses looking to enter into the LaGrange County market. Often, they ask me a question like, “How do I get ‘in’ with the local business community?” I always find this an intriguing question because the idea that one would need to be “in” locally is a foreign concept to me. Now, to be a bit candid, it is a foreign concept to me because I’ve never truly had to work at being “in,” by virtue of being a “hometown girl.” It’s a great opportunity for me to learn from another and grow in community! Back to the question…I love this one. It allows me to describe the very nature of our community. It opens the book into LaGrange County, and sets the stage for what makes local business work. My answer? It’s usually reflective of something like: “People here do business with people they know. Let’s make you known, through the Chamber.” You see, many of our local businesses are rooted here — they grew up here, know the people here, and are integrated into our community. It takes true grit, perseverance, and intentionality for business owners not originally from our community to find home here, and one of our recent podcast guests is a great example of that journey. Brett Hahn, owner of Indian Lakes Marketing (along with his wife, Katelynne), joined us to talk about his business, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his journey into LaGrange County. Here’s a snapshot of our conversation. Chamber: Let’s start with you telling us about yourself. What’s your story, and how did marketing become your thing? Brett Hahn: I grew up in southern New Jersey, in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I always wanted to be an architect, and I had a drafting table since I was 8. An architect moved next door when I was in high school, and told me it wasn’t all it was cracked up to me, he completely discouraged me. C: Dream crusher. BH: Yeah, it completely ruined me. So I was like, all right, I guess I’m going to choose something else. And I had a business teacher in high school who said, “Hey, if you like business and you like being creative, you might like marketing.” I said, okay, so that’s the route I went. I went to college in North Carolina, got a marketing degree, and…eventually found a role in Atlantic City at Caesar’s Entertainment. It was the biggest casino in the world at the time, and their parent company—Harrah’s—really wrote the book on loyalty marketing and customer relationship marketing in the 90s. So I had a really good start to my career in a boot camp sort of way. From there, I had an opportunity in Chicago to work, and that’s where I met my wife. She’s from Fort Wayne, but her family had a house on Westler Lake. We’d spend our weekends there, and it was such a breath of fresh air leaving the big city and coming to this little slice of heaven here. I fell in love right away, and always had a place in my heart for LaGrange County. I said, man, you know, someday maybe we’ll end up here. Fast forward, we moved to Colorado where I worked for a ski company. I was leading the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) division for them on their retail side, and they had about 250 retail stores in and around the ski resorts they own. Well, Colorado’s pretty expensive, so we decided to move back east to New Jersey in January 20020. I worked for Comcast building a CRM team for their corporate office, and in the meantime, we had our daughter, my wife stepped back from her career to be a full-time, stay-at-home mom, and I began consulting on the side. [Side note: listen to the full podcast episode for the details of the story here.] I kind of realized that, maybe this consulting thing could be something in the future. In 2024, we moved from New Jersey to Indiana to be close to the in-laws, and then we had an opportunity to build a house on Westler Lake in Wolcottville. In the middle of all of that, we established Indian Lakes Marketing in September 2024, and the vision was that this was going to be a true family business. Even though my wife’s still a full-time mom, and now we have two kids, our long-term goal was always that we’d build a family business, something that can really have an impact on the community in terms of how we lift up local businesses so they can be more efficient, and grow with little tips and tricks along the way. Because if every business is doing better, that means it’s safer for our kids, and it’s better for all of us. C: Wow, full circle! You literally make your circle around the eastern half of the United States. I think, oftentimes, there is an equation of marketing with art or the creative side. And it’s interesting to hear that your marketing business isn’t just creative, but it’s also data through CRM. How does that CRM experience tie into LaGrange County here? BH: So it’s just my wife and I, we’re not trying to be a big agency. The way we position ourselves is a true strategic partner, where we can go to businesses and really build a full marketing plan for them. Marketing is starting with the foundation and then you build upon it. One of the biggest gold mines that businesses are sitting on that they’re not tapping into is customer data. If you do the right things to retain and grow your current customers, you’re going to save so much money. You just have to know how to mine it. So the real question is how can you dig into your customer data, chop it up, get surgical with it, segment it, and then say, “Okay, who’s our new customer? How do we talk to them? How do we get them back in for a second, third, or fourth purchase?” We have a treasure trove of data. The old style of thinking is taking a product or service, then shove it down everybody’s throat. That doesn’t work anymore. The common consumer knows that we have all the data on them, which means that they expect us to give them a personalized, tailored experience. So, my vision for LaGrange County is to help businesses take advantage of that and to give a good experience to the customers, as well as help their businesses grow. There’s a lot that can be said about this podcast conversation, and truthfully, a lot more transcript I could share. The conversation was so good and fun! Brett Hahn, his family, and his business have all become quick and strong champions of our local community. Their heart to invest and develop our small towns and our small businesses is quite evident, and they have approached it headfirst to get “in” on the local front. When we talk about the “in” crowd of LaGrange County, may it be received as an open-arm concept—that our people, our leaders, and our businesses seek to pull another chair to the table, and get to know the new neighbor on the block. And for those eager to be “in,” may you intentionally seek out those ready to pull you in and make you known. To learn more about Brett and what Indian Lakes Marketing can do to bolster your business, visit our Chamber member directory, or their website at www.indianlakesmarketing.com , or call them at (260) 221-9252. 

There’s a movie I used to watch with my siblings during my teenage years. It really had no deep value, other than sheer entertainment. However, the movie still rings relevant in my present-day conversations with my siblings because of one line that we often attempt to mimic. In a nasally, high-pitched tone, one of the main characters is captured saying, “Happy birthday, America!” And on every fourth of July, in the same nasally voice, my siblings and I recite that line at least once. It’s become a tradition. What is ironic about the line is that, while the movie is in no way truly patriotic, the phrase has stuck. Mostly joking, always consistent, it has become our family’s way of marking Independence Day–a reminder that even lighthearted traditions can carry deeper meaning over time. In 2026, that line takes on a much bigger significance. The United States will mark its Semiquincentennial–America’s 250th birthday. Known nationally as America 250, this once-in-a-generation milestone commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the ideals that shaped a new nation. As U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission Chair Rosie Rios notes, “America’s 250th Anniversary is about more than reflecting on our past–it’s about honoring the contributions of individuals who built this country, the innovations that put this country on the map and a man on the moon, and imagining what the next 250 years might look like for our children and the generations to come.” In essence, America 250 is about honoring the past, convening and collaborating in the present, and building for the future. It’s a celebration–but also an invitation. An invitation to reflect on the remarkable gift of freedom we’ve inherited, and the responsibility that comes with it. That invitation feels especially timely as we just commemorated President’s Day this past Monday, February 16, a federal holiday rooted in the legacy of George Washington. Washington didn’t just become our first president; he led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, helping secure the independence that would later be formalized through the Declaration of Independence. His leadership laid the foundation for a nation built on representative government, civic duty, and shared sacrifice. The freedoms outlined in that Declaration–life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness–were radical ideas in 1776. They remain powerful today. But they were never meant to be passive gifts. They require participation. Stewardship. Engagement. Freedom gives us the ability to be individuals–entrepreneurs, innovators, workers, parents, neighbors. Civic responsibility reminds us that we are also part of something larger: a community, a county, a state, a nation. One body of Americans, bound together not by uniformity, but by shared values and mutual accountability. That’s where this anniversary matters most–right here, at the local level. Policy decisions shape how we live, how we work, how we grow businesses, educate our children, build infrastructure, and care for one another. Civic engagement isn’t reserved for election cycles or distant capitals. It shows up in school board meetings, town councils, county commissioners, chambers of commerce, nonprofit boards, and community conversations. As we look ahead to America’s 250th birthday, my hope is that we don’t just celebrate with fireworks and festivities–though those have their place–but that we recommit to the work of citizenship. That we link arms with neighbors. That we stay informed. That we engage respectfully. That we understand how policy, collaboration, and participation shape the vitality of our communities and our local economy. America 250 isn’t just about looking back. It’s about asking what kind of country–and what kind of communities–we want to help build next. So maybe this year, when we say, “Happy birthday, America,” we say it with a little more intention. With gratitude for the freedoms we’ve been given–and a renewed commitment to use them well. To learn more about the America 250 movement, visit www.america250.org. 

It’s that time of year. I’m getting the notes from school and the messages being sent by teachers, most of which are dazzled with pretty hues of pink and red. “Valentine’s Day festivities are around the corner, and it’s time for your child to consider bringing in a collection box and Valentine’s grams to distribute to friends!” Truth be told, it’s a fun tradition that I enjoy as a mom just as much as I did as a schoolager myself. There is excitement around crafting the perfect container to collect the cards, and there is a sense of joy that arises in selecting the perfect card or gram to deliver to the friends that mean the most. In our family, my nine year old son is built much like his dad–he likes to craft and build and engineer the best way to collect his beloved grams. In years past, he and his dad have built boxes, crates, and bags to collect the goodies. This year will be no different, with the final product being one built out of anticipated excitement and fulfillment of “the big day.” Even my three year old daughter will have a chance to celebrate Valentine’s Day at her preschool, with the opportunity to hand out goodies to her friends and teachers. It’s a day of celebration, after all! But the real resonation of the festivities lies not in the handcrafted containers or the carefully selected cards. No, what this exchange stands for is so much more than the materialistic distribution. Rather, it quietly, yet very powerfully communicates something to the other classmates. It says: “You belong here.” What’s the easiest way to transcribe this very transaction into our “real world” lives? Consider the cash in your wallet or the card in your hand when you enter a store. The handing over of payment in exchange for product or service–it’s a relationship built on anticipated longevity, one that communicates: “This business is important and needed here in our community. I’m putting my money down on that truth.” That’s the hinge of local commerce. It’s why it is so vital in our communities. And that connection is a choice we make each and every day. As we approach Valentine’s Day, you may choose to patronize a local florist or gift shop to find a gift for your sweetheart. You may choose to visit the downtown boutique to snag the perfect sweater or top to showcase your love. You may stop at yet another business to find the perfect handwritten card to communicate all that you feel but just can’t put the words to. In these moments, intentionality is elevated. When we choose local, we’re not just buying a product–we’re reinforcing a relationship. That’s the true joy I find in our Chamber’s program of work. I get to be a firsthand witness to the genuine connections that unfold in the spaces we create and hold. People who wouldn’t otherwise meet are introduced across the table of a luncheon. Trusted spaces are built for referrals to be unleashed that aren’t accessed in any other way. Conversations are organic, and even more powerfully, they turn quickly into collaborations. With my own eyes, I watch our local businesses operate in a networked community instead of in isolation. There is a unique and treasured belonging that happens here. In many ways, the Chamber is a community-wide Valentine exchange–connecting people, celebrating strengths, and reminding us that we’re stronger together. As you wrap up your work week and celebrate those you hold dear this weekend, remember how special connection and belonging really are in our local communities. And, perhaps when we all open our arms just a little bit wider, we can find one more connection, one more shop-local opportunity, one more business relationship, or one more new conversation. This Valentine’s Day, may we remember that connection–like community–is something we build together, one relationship at a time. To find the best florists and gift shops in our area, pick up one of the 2026 Chamber Member Directories (hot off the press!) or visit our online directory at www.lagrangechamber.org/directory.

A couple weeks ago, we hosted our annual meeting, which is an event in which we highlight local businesses through our Member Showcase Expo, elect our board of directors, and share a “State of the Chamber” – a year-in-review of sorts. One of the moments of the day that I will cherish for years to come happened during the final portion of the day, our annual awards ceremony. For folks who don’t know, we receive nominations from the public every year to highlight individuals and businesses within six award categories–Large Business, Small Business, Non-Profit, Professional, Young Professional, and Educator of the Year. When we highlighted the three finalists for the Small Business of the Year category, I looked out to see that all three business owners were sitting at two tables right next to each other. When they stood, it was a very clear and visible message: we’re in this together. When I arrived at the part of my speech in which I announced the 2026 winner–Bloomfield Lavender–I invited Marion Wiggins, the owner of the business, to come to the stage as I read aloud some of the comments from her nomination. The comments noted true grit, a collaborative approach to business, and a heart that’s not just in her business but also deeply rooted within her community. Once I completed my reading, I turned to congratulate Marion, only to find that she had brought to the stage with her the other finalists within the category. Admittedly, I was taken aback by the image, and moved deeply. We finished announcing the categories and then ended the day by snapping group photos with all of the winners. I had a brief moment with Marion when we waited for her photo to be taken. I turned to her and said, “It was really special what you did, bringing up the other finalists to the stage with you when you accepted your award.” Without missing a beat, she replied, “Well why wouldn’t I? We’re all in this together, and we support each other.” I had no further response to give, because that statement in and of itself sunk to the depth of my being, and the same sentiment reverberates into every inch of how we do business here locally. So often, I have found myself saying that, in LaGrange County, folks do business with the people they know. It’s not an inward approach, as it could be interpreted. Rather, the culture is that business is still very much relational and collaborative. While there is certainly a competitive market found in our communities in every industry, there is even more so a desire to uplift and support one’s neighbor (and business), because when we do that, everyone wins. Business here isn’t cut-throat. It’s not a quick transaction that sends the next customer on their way. No, business here is relational at its very core. As we continue on through the 2026 Indiana Legislative Session this month, we’re seeing the value and necessity of relationship-based advocacy for LaGrange County. While legislators gather in Indianapolis, folks here locally are continuing to do business, grow, innovate, and expand. But, what is happening at the state capital impacts how we do those very things. A relationship with our legislators is crucial to ensuring that LaGrange County remains relevant, vital, and pro-business. So how does the Chamber exist in this space? As a key convener for business success in LaGrange County, we maintain and hold dear these key relationships with legislators at all levels. While local elected officials are often much more accessible than those at the state and federal level, the Chamber exists to serve as a conduit to legislative influence for and on behalf of our members. Do you need help with a regulatory hurdle? Call the Chamber. Are you experiencing undue business friction because of a legislative burden? Call the Chamber. Do you have a desire to push into another area of business, but need direction or connections to make it successful? Call the Chamber. We’re positioned to connect you with the relationships in which we hold tight–relationships with Indiana Representative Tony Isa and Senator Sue Glick, as well as the offices of U.S. Congressmen Marlin Stutzman, Jim Banks, and Todd Young. While we may not be able to sign, seal, and deliver the legislation, we know the people who can. Let us put your hand into the hand of the right relationship, because that’s how business happens here. So, even if you weren’t at our annual meeting in January, I invite you to imagine the scene I described in my opening. It’s one where businesses are free to compete for market share, all while linking arms to enhance and sustain our local economy. As a business owner or resident–whichever you are–consider how you might step into a new role of influence and collaboration this year. How can you serve as an example for others, and bring other neighbors along with you? In LaGrange County, connecting the dots, supporting others, and doing it together is what makes the secret sauce. Thank you, Marion, for showing us what it means to show up and bring others along the way. That’s the LaGrange County business way.