MC Chamber - October 2019

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

OCTOBER 2019

PLATINUM MEMBERS

2020 Executive Board of Directors Michelle Barker President Bridge Title Danette Doyle President Elect The Pioneer Group

2019 Board of Directors

GOLD MEMBERS

Connie Koepke Mecosta County Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

SILVER MEMBERS

Josh Pyles Downtown

Randy Ostrander Past President Lake and Lodge Realty, LLC Mindy Taylor Treasurer Mecosta County

Business Association Michelle Rasmussen Ferris State University Jim Sandy

LEADING BUSINESSES, LEADING COMMUNITIES For information on becoming a member of the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce, please contact us.

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce 127 South State Street, Big Rapids Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 796-7649 • Fax: (231) 796-1625 mecostacounty.com

Mecosta County

Jeff Godfrey Member At Large Spectrum Health Heather Bowman Member At Large City of Big Rapids Kasey Pressley Member At Large Hampton Inn of Big Rapids

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Development Corporation facebook.com/mcacc

Stay connected by reading the Chamber’s blog! My Chamber Connect is updated frequently with helpful articles, information about the county, video tutorials and commentary!

twitter.com/mcacc2017

instagram.com/mecostacountychamber

STAFF

Kim Schwamberger Executive Director

director@mecostacounty.com

Jennifer Buwalda Program & Events Coordinator

events@mecostacounty.com

Shelby Withers Administrative Assistant

info@mecostacounty.com

OCTOBER 2019

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

A Message From Kim Schwamberger, Executive Director

A Message from 2019 Chamber President, Michelle Barker

Businesses Need Change and Innovation to Grow

There are a lot of exciting changes happening here at and in the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce organization. I joined the team as the new Executive Director on September 3, 2019 and I am excited to learn how we can best serve you in the areas of growth, education, visibility, networking, and advocacy. I have a question for you to ask yourself, and would like for you to think about how is change affecting you and your business? (by the way this is interchangeable from work or home) Change is important and allows us to learn new skills, explore new opportunities and exercise our creativity.

Nothing is as important to the survival of your organization or life as change. History is full of examples of organizations that failed to change and are now extinct. The secret to successfully managing change, is understanding. Resistance to change comes from a fear of the unknown or an expectation of loss. Change can be forced upon us, or it can be a choice. Either way it is difficult, but the right tools can and will ease the process.

I am no stranger to “Change”. Five years ago, I was given the news “you have cancer”.

At that time in my life I was running a thousand miles per hour, wearing many hats while working, being a wife, and a mom that was hardly ever sick, not even a cold. My life and my health quickly changed with many doctor appointments and chemo treatments. The Doctors ordered me to stop working and to rest (Rest?- what’s that??). I underwent many surgeries, and a whole lot of life changing alterations. This affected my family, friends, and the rest of my “bubble” of the world. What I want to share through my experience, is that change can be the needed wake up call.

During my treatments and recovery, I learned that I needed to embrace change and begin to accept and access the resources available to me from the community, the hospital, my friends, neighbors, and family. I will admit, that this was not easy for me to do. I think many of you can relate that we think we can do it all by ourselves. Today, I am cancer free. I continue to learn and embrace the changes that I faced and overcame. Every day, I am reminded, to face the fear of change in whatever comes my way and to access the resources available.

Thank you for letting me share my story.

Over the last 82 years the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce has continually adapted to meet the needs of this amazing community. We are here to help you navigate and do what most people think just happens.

We are working hard behind the scenes to leverage resources, plan events, and network our members together. There is a plentitude of support available to help create an environment in which businesses can succeed and grow.

It’s difficult to have a strong community without a strong business community backing.

The chamber is here through Mecosta County’s many ups and downs, playing a supporting role in what helps promote the quality of life through the economic, educational, and cultural development.

My final question to you all is, “when will you make the changes that you have been putting off?”

Hello Fellow Chamber Members!

When asked to write an article as incoming Chamber Board President, I wasn’t sure what to write. I struggle to put into words the gratitude and excitement I feel in being chosen to lead such a great organization.

As you know, the Chamber has gone through a few changes over the last couple of months.

I’ve always believed change to be a good thing.

Change provides new perspectives, leading to opportunities for further growth and keeps us from becoming irrelevant. Without change we become outdated and obsolete.

We have a strong and dedicated Board of Directors, a new Executive Director, and an amazing support staff assembled to take the Chamber to new heights. Many great things are happening as the organization is moving forward. The enthusiasm and positivity amongst the team is exhilarating to be around.

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I can’t wait for each of you to experience this exciting time at the Chamber.

I encourage everyone to embrace and join us as we move forward in making our Chamber of Commerce better than ever.

I look forward to serving as your 2019-2020 Board President.

Congratulations to our Member of the Month Isabella Bank

At Isabella Bank, we focus on you. Your dreams, goals, needs, and your adventures along the way. When we opened the Perry Street branch back in 2004, we were welcomed with open arms by the amazing Big Rapids community, and we have never looked back. The team at Isabella Bank is committed to serving your financial goals today, and in the future. Over the years, our products and services have evolved to fit the changing banking needs, but our core values as a community bank have not changed.

We believe in local decision-making. As a customer, this gives you answers to your questions quickly and from every day people who understand your local community. We value long-term relationships with our customers. The biggest compliment we can receive is when our customers refer their friends and family to us.

Whether we are giving monetary support to a local organization or volunteering our time, we believe that together we can help build stronger communities.

Like all great friends, we are there for you. We offer mortgage, investment services, student loans, checking and savings accounts. Stop by one of our locations or join our conversation online.

We’re where you are, in-branch, online at isabellabank.com, mobile, 24/7 banking.

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

OCTOBER 2019

CHAMBER NEWS AND INFO Rise & Shine Mecosta scheduled 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, hosted by Metron of Big Rapids

at Planet Fitness

Rise & Shine Mecosta! Start your day with networking over morning refreshments. All Mecosta county area residents are welcome to attend this free networking event.

Metron 725 Fuller Avenue Big Rapids, MI 49307 RSVP is encouraged. Call the chamber at (231)796-7649 or email events@mecostacounty.com. Meet the hosts: metronhealth.com.

Business After Hours scheduled 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, hosted by Tullymore / St. Ives

Topgolf Swing Suite at Tullymore Golf Resort 9900 St. Ives Drive Stanwood, Michigan 49346 Register by phone at: 231.796.7649 Register by email at: Events@mecostacounty.com Meet the hosts: tullymoregolf.com

at The Woods Vacation Rentals

2019 Schedule The Ambassador Club of the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors monthly networking events. Business After Hours are on the third Thursday of the month and Rise & Shine Mecosta are on the fourth Thursday of the month.

Upcoming Business After Hours and Rise & Shine Mecosta events will be hosted by the following members: Upcoming Rise & Shine Mecosta • October 24: Metron

Upcoming Business After Hours • October 17: Tullymore-St. Ives • November 21: CL Pizza Company If you’d like to host a Rise and Shine or Business After Hours event at your workplace, call the Chamber at (231) 796-7649 or email events@ mecostacounty.com.

RSVP by calling the Chamber at (231) 796-7649 or email events@mecostacounty.com.

Thank you to our August hosts! The Woods Vacation Rentals hosted a Rise & Shine and Planet Fitness hosted a Business After Hours. Hosting Rise & Shine Mecosta or Business After Hours events are a great value included in membership. Contact the Chamber at (231) 796-7649 or email events@mecostacounty.com if you are interested in hosting either.

OCTOBER 2019

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

Upcoming Artworks Schedule

OCTOBER 2019

Ferris State University Fine Art Gallery

Electric Dreams 3.0 Nemanja Rosic- Paintings October 2nd - November 2nd, 2019

My paintings portray the micro-circuit: its physicality and, to me, an appealing pictorial strength. Similar to Peter Haley’s abstract experiments, James Sienna’s pattern-based paintings, or Piet Mondrian’s design-oriented work, I strive to turn these portraits into visually powerful macro-objects. In so doing, I seek to assign greater significance to a chip beyond just its functionality and use my artistic practice to marvel at the importance of science for the existence of contemporary society. On slim-profiled aluminum, similar to the factory printing process, I transfer the chosen chip design onto the acrylic glaze film exposing the sections and channels. The channels have a networked appearance, resembling the micro-wires of the chip circuitry. After these sections and channels have been colored, the work becomes a large painted image of the miniature conductors of the circuit. -Nemanja

OCTOBER 2019

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

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Big Rapids Lions Club Hear from Big Rapids Lions Learn about Spectrum Health Now Program the Mecosta County Sheriff Posse

Pictured – Katelyn Johnson, Spectrum Health staff and Wendy Fowler, Big Rapids Lions Club Second Vice President

The Big Rapids Lions Club welcomed Katelyn Johnson from Spectrum Health who provided an overview of the Spectrum Health Now (formerly MedNow) program which has two components. Individuals can access medical personnel through an app on their phone for care for a specific set of symptoms. This program can possibly eliminate a trip to the emergency room or other urgent care facilities during off hours. The second use addresses access to medical personnel for medical specialties where the patient remains at a local medical facility and has consults or care provided via links to medical care providers in Grand Rapids. This eliminates the need for the patient to travel a long distance for care saving time and financial expenses involved with the travel.

Picture – Big Rapids Lions Club President Dave Hamelund and Mecosta County Sheriff Posse member John Lawrence

The Big Rapids Lions Club members had the opportunity to hear from John Lawrence, a member of the Mecosta County Sheriff Posse. Mr. Lawrence shared information regarding Posse activities and responsibilities. Members are all volunteers and are on call 24 hours a day. They provide traffic assistance during such activities as festivals, fairs, and parades as well an emergency situation such as searches for missing persons if asked. They are funded through private donations but take advantage of grants whenever possible. They use hand me down uniforms from the Sheriff’s office along with used equipment. Members thanked Mr. Lawrence and his members for their service to the community.

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

Bulldog Bonanza Event on Ferris Campus

This collaborative event showcased student organizations and numerous local businesses in the University Center building, at Ferris State University, for Bulldog Bonanza. The event was held on Wednesday September 4, 2019 from 4 to 7 p.m. and shared a sample of what the local and university communities and other resources have available to students.

The University Center’s first, second floors and outside areas were host to vendor and student organization tables. Bingo cards were available for students to use as a fun way to visit tables at their leisure, as they collect free samples, coupons and other giveaways.

Bulldog Bonanza, part of the Bulldog Beginnings celebration to kick off the 20182019 academic year, is a collaborative effort between Ferris’ Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services and the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce.

OCTOBER 2019

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

OCTOBER 2019

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

OCTOBER 2019

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OCTOBER 2019

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

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OCTOBER 2019

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What is it?

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Royal View

The chamber has events and Check out our events calendar on programs such as Lunch & Learns, Educational Speaker Series, our website and see what kinds of Legislative Luncheons, TIPS trainings, and the Leadership educational events are happening, or Mecosta program to help further the success of your business. call and ask at 231.796.7649

SO MUCH TO OFFER • Full Line of Farm Seeds & Fertilizer • Full Range of Pet Foods & Supplies • Chicken Feeds and Accessories

Retirement Community

Services and Amenities Three home-cooked meals per day Housekeeping and laundry services Nutritional snacks provided throughout the day Life enriching activities • Beauty/barber shop services Registered Nurse on Staff

What should you do?

• Horse Supplies The Area’s ONLY Drive-Thru Feed Store!

WE SALUTE OUR LOCAL 4-H GROUPS!

Full Line of Organic Insecticides, Fertilizers & Seeds!

24 hour personal care assistance All medical needs monitored • Assistance with medication 9100 Buchanan Rd., Mecosta (Canadian Lakes Area)

231-972-6600

Your source for Wildlife food plot seeds

BULK GARDEN SEEDS

Organic Seeds, Heirloom Seeds, High Quality Flower Bulbs

Visit Big Rapids Farm & Garden at 310 N. Fourth Street with the Area’s Only Drive-Thru Feed Store! Phone: 231-796-6363

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

OCTOBER 2019

HOW ENTREPRENEURS CAN MAKE A REAL CHANGE? PRIYANK NARAYAN Entrepreneur.com

Entrepreneurs, dressed with curiosity and ardor to make a change, are proactive thinkers.

This spirited thinking is what sets them apart from routine job seekers and organizational managers. The world in which we are currently living alters every minute because of enthused demand and supply of goods and services. Continuous technological advancement only adds to this refashioning dynamics, and these fluxing advents offer us multifarious opportunities, challenges, and problems. If given a chance, entrepreneurs around the world, could take to rooftops and proclaim themselves as persistent “solution finders” and “solution providers”.

Needless to say, such jovial tags in fact in all seriousness are justified as we owe an unpayable debt to such innovators and thinkers.

Entrepreneurship Today With the enlarging population of entrepreneurs, supplemented by an ever-increasing number of prestigious universities offering entrepreneurship courses, the idea of problem identification has become pivotal in any entrepreneurial journey. The challenge is that most entrepreneurs these days think about the idea first and then weave a problem around it.

This is not to doubt their credibility or ability to execute things on the ground, but the crucial process of identifying real problems shouldn’t take a backseat. There is no universal approach to entrepreneurship and in some cases, the ventures need to be idea-driven, but the impact of a framework which identifies real

problems first and then moves on to devising solutions is tenfold.

The Issues Understanding real problems demands from an entrepreneur an empathetic attitude towards their colleagues, employees, stakeholders, customers, and more importantly their surroundings. Sometimes seeing from the eyes is not enough, and you need to see from your heart. Here, empathy by no means should be confused with sympathy. Being empathetic doesn’t mean that an entrepreneur should hire an undeserving employee out of pity or recklessly invest in a resource that in future will bear no fruits. Empathy has got to do more with understanding what the other person feels by putting yourself in their shoes. It is impossible to please everyone around you all the time, but there is an intoxicating charm of self-satisfaction in exercising an empathetic approach. This method also possesses the potential to harness the unexplored methods of innovative thinking, which all entrepreneurs exercise in their daily life in their own unadulterated way.

Benefits Consider it the benefit of a conducive environment, the new generation of entrepreneurs like to start-up big while learning at the university itself. The availability of resources at one’s fingertips brings along with it the challenge of aggregating them for optimal usage. Optimal resource management is a key trait that all successful entrepreneurs have a mastery on. For doing a job X, you can do it with Y resources, and you can also do it with less than Y resources. It merely depends on an entrepreneur’s decision making and leadership skills. The best part of resource

management is that it is as easily learnable as it is implementable. To make real change, a test the millennial entrepreneurs will face is to create a business with a social sensitivity that is backed by a sustainable model. This idea of contributing back to society has been addressed by leading social entrepreneurs like Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Sonam Wangchuk in their talks across the globe. The benefit of a space which renders a multidisciplinary education

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is that it encourages students to see problems with multiple lenses and then come with solutions. This practice inadvertently brings in an element of social consciousness right from the inception of the thought process. Such breed of entrepreneurs will not only be great thinkers but efficient executors as well, simply because a reward bigger than monetary gain awaits them. The entrepreneurs who conspire to leave a social impact actually go out and make change for generations to come.

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

DEALING WITH CHANGE DR. DAVID G. JAVITCH Entrepreneur.com

Many employees report that when management wants a change in policies, people, processes, structure and so on, they offer inspirational sayings such as, "Change is a challenge to us to use our untapped skills" or "It's an opportunity for us/you" or "Change can be energizing."

But for whom? Ironically, many employees do not see change as simple or as uplifting as management does.

But you can minimize or avoid potentially negative aspects of change by following my "seven P approach" that includes purpose, people, plan, process, product, perception and problem.

1. Purpose: Ask yourself and others the most important question of all: Is there a need for a change? If the answer is no, then your most crucial task is either to persuade people of the need or to create a need.

Otherwise, without a recognized need for change, the entire change process is doomed to failure. Next, as a change agent, you need to ask yourself these questions: Exactly why am I encouraging this change? Who will benefit from it, and who will not? Is the change worth it?

2. People: Look at the people on your team and those who will be affected by the change.

Are they committed, and do they have the needed skills to participate in the change process? Are they willing to take risks?

Will they support you through the easy times as well as the difficult times? Do they need to see some progress before joining the team or agreeing to engage in the change process?

3. Plan: Do you have a solid, working, practical plan? Is it rational and well thought out?

How sure are you that it will succeed? Is

it flexible enough to adapt to unforeseen changes or obstacles? Is the plan motivating, uplifting and visionary enough to attract followers and helpers? Have you built in buffers or backups of resources that you might need should unexpected obstacles arise? Are your time frames realistic?

4. Process: What processes have you and others created to ensure the success of the change? Will you start the change with a small unit or group, or will you foolishly begin the change with the entire division, section or organization? What mechanisms are in place to deal with obstacles, especially those you do not anticipate? How are decisions made?

Will you allow for dissent or be caught in the sinking process of groupthink, where dissension is not tolerated or voiced?

How and by whom will communication within the change team be communicated internally and externally? And finally, but very crucially, how will you deal with conflict before it inevitably arises?

5. Product: Exactly what is it that you and others are working so hard to achieve? How realistic is it that you and your team can achieve this product? What is the cost of this product in terms of time, people, money and equipment? Beyond the vision of creating your product, what will it look like? How will it be used? If your end product is a service, how will it be carried out? How will you know if you have been successful?

6. Perception: How do others perceive you, your colleagues, the change process and the end product? You may believe that everything is moving along smoothly, that all or most of the people understand and accept the change and its implication, but those are your perceptions. Have you verified your reality with the reality

of your colleagues and the other people involved in the change? Do other people perceive that you are an effective change agent, that the change will actually benefit them and that they can trust you with this process?

7. Problem: How will you deal with problems that inevitably occur? Do you have a crisis plan in place? Are your team members able to identify potential problems or

OCTOBER 2019

obstacles before they get out of hand?

Do your people know what to do when a problem occurs in terms of how to cope with it, whom to contact, what procedures to follow and how to prevent it from recurring? What will you do if you run out of resources or if the time frame shortens?

When considering any type of change, try to recall these important factors before you even think of moving forward.

Remember, a job not worth doing is not worth doing well!

OCTOBER 2019

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

HOW TO THRIVE ON CHANGE NIK GOWING & CHRIS LANGDON Entrepreneur.com

The business world is struggling to come to terms with the scale of disruption. That is what we have heard from many entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. They have revealed candidly in hundreds of confidential interviews and conversations with us over the past four years that they have not been mentally prepared for the scale and pace of change they face. They use the words "scared," "fear" and "overwhelmed." Our database totals over 2,500 pages of transcripts used as research in our new book, Thinking the Unthinkable: A New Imperative for Leadership in a Disruptive Age. Our key finding: The conformity that got many leaders to the top often disqualifies them from understanding the enormity of what's now happening.

There is a "new normal." The pace of change and disruption is similar to that in wartime, yet we are in peace time. It challenges and overcomes conventional thinking and institutions. Conformity to outmoded systems that has previously guaranteed stability is now a negative asset. Those who understand this have a significantly greater chance of understanding, then handling disruption.

It isn't easy to cast off outmoded thinking and "zombie orthodoxies." One top leader compared the enormity of simultaneous challenges to "eating an elephant in one mouthful."

Unexpected events are surprising and overwhelming many corporate leaders.

But, often the events that undermined them are not "unthinkables," or "black swans," as risk management researcher Nicholas Taleb dubbed them. In reality, the destabilizing events are better termed unpalatable. They were known about, but no one dared talk about them openly to their peers and seniors.

But, conformity within C-suites and boards means they often don't want to see the "black elephant" in the room.

Consequences can be severe.

Conformity can have no place at a time when both technologies and consumer behavior are changing so rapidly. Entrepreneurs have to adapt fast. This requires self-interrogation and a willingness to embrace change.

There are grounds for optimism.

Entrepreneurs have an enormous advantage. They can benefit from the agile and maverick thinking that first set them on the path to entrepreneurship.

Smart entrepreneurs will realize that the current scale of disruption should not freak or destabilize.

In our research we have examined businesses that are adapting positively to disruption or disrupting themselves.

As our case studies confirm, this provides new opportunities. It should stimulate digital, social, economic and political transformation so that businesses, can thrive on change.

We have distilled our findings into a process to help entrepreneurs to learn to thrive on change.

Audit the external reality.

The first step is an awareness of the tectonic shifts internationally and their impact on industry sectors and markets. These are the trends that could transform or threaten a business. One leading Dutch company told us they gather behind closed doors annually to figure out what could destroy their business.

In many cases, organizations are prompted to grip the external reality after a shock. Safaricom is a case in point. Having provided cutting-edge mobile phone services in Kenya since 1997, the company was suddenly faced with an almost existential crisis in 2016.

It came after an unfavorable internal

financial audit was leaked. In a social media frenzy, young customers falsely labelled the CEO, Bob Collymore, as a "thief." Collymore realized immediately the company's brand was in jeopardy.

Safaricom moved fast. It changed tariffs to make them fairer. It established the BLAZE initiative to engage 18to 26-year-olds. Safaricom also invited millennialsto help develop their products so they are "created for young people, by young people." Smart action has meant that Safaricom retained its market share and improved its brand reputation.

Audit the internal reality.

Once a company understands the external threats and opportunities the next step is to discard outmoded orthodoxies that prevent their ability to respond to new disruptions.

That is what happened at OCP, the giant phosphate business at the heart of Morocco's economy. In 2016, it too faced a potential existential crisis. The response, orchestrated by CEO Mostafa Terrab, was a complete re-imagining of the internal culture. He engaged his millennials in what he labeled "Le Mouvement." It was a transformation top-down and bottom-up. After initial inevitable skepticism, Le Mouvement is now empowering every employee to think differently and think unthinkables.

External consultants have been dispensed with. Instead, OCP is tapping into the knowledge and ideas of the staff, especially millennials. All employees share ideas. One major change has been #switchtodigital: fully embracing cutting-edge technology driven by millennial mid-level employees. OCP has transformed its culture in the age of new disruption.

Address your challenges.

After re-assessing internal structures and external challenges, it is essential

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to develop new ways of addressing with them. Faced with consumer moves to healthier products, PepsiCo has had to transform itself. Under former CEO Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo took steps to reduce sugar, salt and saturated fat levels in their products. Under the goals of "Performance with Purpose," the number of nutritious beverages has increased. Nooyi has been at the forefront of CEOs aware of the changes in public mood. She has warned of the dangers of creating angry citizens and angry consumers -- if leaders don't realize the enormity of expectations for change because of disruption.

Thrive on change.

In this new environment, flexibility and agility are key. Singapore's DBS bank has focused on harnessing millennial employees and flattening management structures in order to counter intense competition. CEO Piyush Gupta transformed it from a traditional state bank. Then, he realized he must be far more radical to stave off the growing challenge from new Chinese banking competition. So, he has now turned DBS into what he calls "a startup." The DBS culture is now transformed. It is now a tech company that does banking.

DBS has a team of 50 people driving transformation. Such is DBS's success that it was recently awarded Global Bank of the Year. The ability, determination and energy to adapt and disrupt shown by entrepreneurs such as Gupta is essential.

Embracing change and adapting is key to surviving and thriving in this age of disruption. New technologies coming fast -- such as robotics and automation and artificial intelligence -- make this all the more urgent.

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

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OCTOBER 2019

Members Bulletin Board

This section is dedicated to Chamber members who are utilizing their marketing opportunities as one of the many values of belonging to the Chamber:

Artworks.

Youth Beginning Dance Ages 5-8 $5 Mondays Sept. 9 - Dec. 2 from 5-6:30 PM Fundamentals of Photography $60-$70 Tuesdays Sept. 10 - Oct. 15 from 5:30-7:30 PM

Big Rapids Community Library

Drop-In Studio $5 Wednesdays Sept. 11 - Dec. 18 from 11AM - 2 PM

bigrapids.lib.mi.us

Michigan Libraries for Life Organ Donor Drive

Oct 10 - 16

Friends of the Library Meeting

Oct 2 4p.m.

Breast Feeding Support Group

Oct 4 11:30a

Bats in Michigan

Oct 12 2p-3p

Foreign Film Club

Oct 12 7p-8p

Mary’s Book Club

Oct 18th 12p-1p Story Time

Mondays & Wednesdays 10:30a-11:30a

Youth Beginning Dance Ages 9-12 $5 Thursdays Sept 12 - Dec 5 from 6-7:30 PM

Community Playgroup

Tuesdays 9:30a-11:30a Knit Night

Youth Drop-in Studio $5 Oct. 18, Nov. 19, Dec. 13 from 1-3 PM

1st & 3rd Thursday 6:30p-8:30p (9.5.19 & 9.19.19)

Open Pottery Studio (Prices vary) Oct. 2, 16 30 from 6-9 PM

Playgroup

2nd & 4th Thursday 10a-12p

Beginning Wheel Pottery $140-$150 Oct. 3, 10, 24 from 6-8 PM

(9.12.19 & 9.26.19) Tiny Tots Tinker Lab

Fridays 10:30a-11:30a Overeaters Anonymous

Sundays 9:30a-10:30a vv

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Hand Pottery $140-$160 Oct. 7, 21, 28 from 6-8 PM Intermediate Photography $60-$70 Tuesdays Oct. 22 - Nov. 26 from 5:30-7:30 PM Mosaic $60-$70 Oct. 12 & 26 from 10AM-12PM Basket Weaving: Rustic Radiance $60-$70 October 12 from 9 AM - 12 PM Coffee & Canvas Sunday, Oct. 13 from 12 - 2 PM Creative Night Out: Portraits $25-$40 Thursday, Oct. 17 from 6 - 8:30 PM For class descriptions, fees, and registration, visit artworksinbigrapids.org/ classes or scan QR code

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

OCTOBER 2019

FSU Fine Arts Gallery Electric Dreams 3.0

Nemanja Rosic - Paintings October 2nd – Nov 2nd, 2019

Big Rapids Department of Parks & Recreation Summer Programs To register for programs please contact City Hall Recreation Department 226 N. Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231)592-4038

FARMERS MARKET Fridays May 10th—October 25th 8:00 am—2:00 pm City Hall Parking Lot

ZUMBA GOLD

RECYCLE! Of Mecosta County MONDAY 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

424 N. 4th Street Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 796-9872

Card Wildlife Education Center Website: www.ferris.edu/card

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Thursdays September 5th—December 12th 5:30—6:30 pm Cost: $2 per participant Big Rapids Middle School Cafeteria No Class (Nov. 28th) Instructor: Janitza Sawyer Zumba Gold is perfect for active older adults, as well as those just starting their journey to a fit and healthy lifestyle, who are looking for a modified Zumba class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower intensity. The design of the class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination.

TENNIS IN THE PARK September 10th—October 3rd Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30pm—5:00 pm Cost: $5 per week or $15 For all four weeks Hemlock Park Tennis Courts Instructors: BRCTA Members and Ferris State University Club Tennis This program is for students grades 5th—8th.

Learn to play tennis—try out this great sport and get in a good workout! Returning players are welcome and will be grouped by skill level.

Tennis racquets will be available if needed.

Space is limited to 20 students.

TAI CHI

SENIOR FIT TIME

September 4th—December 18th Mondays & Wednesdays 12:00 pm—1:00 pm Cost: $2 per participant When weather permits (60° or above) class will meet at Hemlock Park, otherwise class will be held at Artworks.

(No class: November 27th) Instructor: Mary Loesch, Certified International Instructor An ancient form of exercise originally developed in China as a martial art. This exercise has benefits to allow participants to improve muscle tone, flexibility, balance and coordination.

Newcomers are always welcome!!

September 3rd —December 19th Tuesday: 4:00 pm—5:00 pm Thursday: 3:00 pm—4:00 pm Cost: $2 per participant Style Station (1619 Catherine Street) (No class November 28th) Instructor: DeMar Hatchew, Certified in Senior Fitness A senior fitness class geared to get those in need of a low impact routine emphasizing cardio, balance and muscle stretching. The class will get you feeling energized and active! Bring a mat, water bottle and personal weights.

LINE DANCE CLASSES September 3rd —December 19th Cost: $2 per participant Instructor: Diane Jones Come join choreographed line dancing while increasing your heart rate for a great cardio workout! You can select the class that best fits your needs.

MORNING LINE DANCE Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00am-9:00am (Step Instruction and easy beginner dances) 9:00 am—10:00 am Improver Dances Learn coordinated steps to a variety of music. A social and aerobic activity. Bring a friend!

Artworks, Dance Studio (No class: (Sept 17, 19, 24, 26 or November 28th)

WATER AEROBICS

September 9th—December 13th Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 am—9:30 am WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Cost: $5 per class or $50 for punch LEAGUE card (12 classes) Sundays Ferris State Recreation Center Pool Scrimmage: September 8th (No class November: 29th ) League Games Begin: September 15th Instructor: Sherry Williams Cost: $300 per team Low impact exercise offered for adults.

Big Rapids Middle School Gym Beginning in the shallow area and progressing Games are played on Sundays starting at to the deep water to allow for a full body 1:00pm and ending as late as 9:00pm. 10-week workout. season. Ages 18 and older. Registrations due by August 30th.

DELAY THE DISEASE FITNESS FOR PARKINSON’S September 5th—December 19th Thursdays 1:00 pm—1:45 pm Cost: $2 per participant Style Station (1619 Catherine Street) (No class November 28th) Instructor: DeMar Hatchew, Continuing Education in Parkinson’s Disease Training Methods A fitness class designed to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. No matter what stage of the disease you are battling—it’s never too late to start exercising! The class will incorporate a variety of chair exercises, stretching, balance work, strength training, and vocal and facial exercises. Caregivers are welcome to join participants.

GROOVE September 9th – December 9th Mondays 5:30pm-6:30pm Cost $2 per participant Big Rapids Middle School Cafeteria Instructor: Janitza Sawyer Class description: No dance experience required or fancy choreography to memorize! Do the simple steps your way, at the intensity of your choice, and add your own style! Have fun moving and groovin' to ALL genres of music.

GROOVE is a great opportunity to cultivate your innate creativity and self-confidence. Wear comfy clothes to move in & comfy shoes (or go barefoot). Be sure to bring along a water bottle and a towel (or yoga mat) for light stretching at the end. Come for the fun and stress relief! Take a sneak peek of the class at bodygroove.com.

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

OCTOBER 2019

ENTREPRENEURS CAN AND SHOULD CHANGE THE WORLD MIKE TEMPLEMAN Forbes.com

Not to sound hyperbolic, but I believe that as entrepreneurs, we are responsible for pushing forward ideas that benefit humanity. So, while we’re out there chasing our fortunes and success, we can also be actively helping society and our environment.

A great example of someone living this mantra is Elon Musk. He has made it very clear that his investments in Solar City, SpaceX, and Tesla are to help us become less dependent on fossil fuels and to help us one day become a multiplanet civilization.

And before you scoff at these statements, consider that Elon basically took all of his earnings from the sale of PayPal in the late 1990’s and invested all of it into moonshot companies.

Yes, solar and electric vehicles are all the rage right now, but 16 years ago that wasn’t the case.

Play Video But solar companies, electric vehicles, and rocket ships are all expensive endeavors to try and undertake. So how can entrepreneurs, that aren’t flush with billions from their previous exit, make a difference?

I’ve been following a few companies for a while now that are actively trying to tackle the issues we’re facing from an ecological point of view, and here’s some of the innovative ways they’re doing it.

CleanThe Oceans – Make A Great Shirt Last year I wrote about Purakai, a company that was using Kickstarter to try and bring their plastic bottle shirts to the market. I’m happy to report that their funding campaign was a success and their shirts have hit the market.

In speaking with Noel Helsenbeck, the founder, he shared with me the impetus for turning waste into clothing. He is

a surfer first and foremost. And while floating out on his board one day, he was appalled by the amount of bottles and trash drifting alongside him. He decided that if people weren’t going to clean up their waste, then he was going to use it to make some money.

And Purakai isn’t alone in the idea of taking people’s waste and monetizing it.

Bacon From Coffee?

A company out of Montana, called Blue Marble Biomaterials, is taking biomass (a fancy word for food and organic waste) and through proprietary processes is turning that waste into a host of chemicals and ingredients that are used in manufacturing products.

I reached out to Colby Underwood, the CEO for Blue Marble, and he had some shocking figures to share with me.

catastrophic levels. Thus, a small company like them isn’t going to be able to tackle this problem by themselves.

But while entrepreneurs should step up, big companies also have an onus to help where they can. Luckily, brands like Adidas are taking steps in the right direction.

They recently released a running shoe that is made up of 95% waste harvested from the ocean, is still a prototype – and yes, is probably a PR stunt – but it shows a willingness from larger companies to address the ecological issues we’re facing.

Similarly, I wrote about Google’s Project Sunroof last year. It was obviously a play by the search engine to capture revenue through affiliate sales. But regardless of

how they were making profits, they were pushing forward the idea of residential solar panels. And when a company as big as Google pushes an idea, people listen.

And if we can continue to push forward the dialogue of entrepreneurs helping solve are ecological and societal problems, there are bound to be countless brilliant ideas that will come about that will benefit everyone, not just the entrepreneur making the profit.

And don’t believe that any initiative to help our society needs to be a non-profit.

Profits are a major driver of innovation.

If we can harness that innovation for the good of mankind, then it behooves us to do so.

“ Did you know that over 95% of the consumer goods we use every single day – clothing, food, makeup, soap – contain chemicals that are derived from crude oil? Because of this, we’re never going to reduce our dependency on oil if we keep buying the products that help bank roll their operations.”

Colby is extremely passionate when it comes to the idea of taking waste and creating profits. And his company is aggressively trying to replace our dependence on crude oil by taking biomass, like spent coffee grounds, and creating a bacon flavoring ingredient.

And ingredient, mind you, that is most commonly produced with chemicals derived from oil.

His company is currently running a campaign called test the waters, which allows regular folks to reserve shares in their company for their online public offering, or Regulation A+ offering.

Ocean Waste Is A Common Theme As Purakai has highlighted, the waste problem in our oceans is reaching

mecostacounty.com

How to join the Chamber All types of businesses are welcome to join the Chamber and anyone that feels they would benefit from additional marketing, networking and educational opportunities are encouraged to take advantage of all of the benefits that the Chamber has to offer!

Joining the Chamber is easy, all you have to do is fill out the application form and submit with your annual dues. Payment options are available. You can receive the application form by going to our website at www.mecostacounty.com, by stopping in our office at 127 South State Street, Big Rapids or by calling us at 231-7967649 and requesting a packet be mailed to you. Your benefits start immediately once the application is received. It’s just that easy! Let us know if you have any questions and we look forward to serving you!

OCTOBER 2019

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

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6 ENTREPRENEURIAL LESSONS LEARNED FROM EMBRACING CHANGE ANDREW COLLIVER Inc.com

So many of us fear or dread change, but to what end? Life is a series of changes from birth to death--both minuscule and monumental. How we react, navigate, and grow from these changes is a critical aspect of our journey.

realized I had the self-discipline and commitment to start my own business. I also realized the only reason not to chase this dream was my fear and self-doubt. And that's not a good reason to give up on a dream, is it?

My dream: Starting an online lending company to serve the small- and medium-sized business sector that has suffered from a lack of accessible capital since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. I wanted to be the best banker they could find as they serve our economy and contribute to the community. I had found my new purpose.

and I went months without pay. But we changed, adapted and learned from those mistakes. I grew and became a better version of myself, more capable of facing similar challenges as they present themselves.

4. When you ask for advice, listen!

As entrepreneurs, we want to do things our way, but there's so much we don't know. It's sort of like I spent two decades as a corporate being a teenager--you think you banking executive, growing more and know how to do everything best, not more frustrated that I couldn't attain recognizing that others successfully what I wanted to achieve. When I navigated similarly choppy waters encountered a serious health scare before you. I received excellent five years ago, I reevaluated. As advice about not spending too much a result, I left the corporate track, on digital advertising since our transitioned into the role of co-founder 2.

Respect the unknown ... company involved accountants and and started my entrepreneurial Moving from a structured corporate brokers. But, I didn't listen, which was journey. setting with two paychecks per month probably the biggest mistake I made.

My business philosophy is to be to entrepreneurship is a big change. If you're going to ask for advice, resilient and learn to endure pain.

In the corporate world, you generally it's smart to listen to what people I also make a point of embracing know what your days will look like. share. The best advice I received change, even though I don't Entrepreneurship is more like flying (and listened to) was to run an agile necessarily enjoy it. an airplane that might need mid-air business that is open to constant If you're considering your own repairs. You have to jump out on the iterations of testing, learning and entrepreneurial venture, here are six wing and secure rivets or touch-up adapting. And we established our things I've learned along the way that paint in mid-flight, but you can't let vision: To become the pre-eminent may resonate with you: those side-gigs impact navigation financial services provider in toward your ultimate destination. It's Australia for small- to medium-sized 1. Know yourself--really well. more challenging, but I like the highs enterprises.

You know yourself because you've and tolerate the lows.

5. Find your support network. lived your entire life in your skin, 3. ...But don't give in to fear right? Now add a little analysis.

Joining the Entrepreneurs' Search back through your life and or self-doubt.

Organization was a powerful factor notice central themes. When I did I faced the fear of using my own in establishing new practices and this, I realized I've been curious and capital to fund the business. Now I thought patterns throughout our creative since childhood, which is recognize self-doubt as a harbinger company. I know I need to continually one reason I didn't make a great fit in of personal growth, and I do my work on developing myself and my the structured, corporate world. best to embrace it. I made my share leadership skills, and the support When I left that world, I had to of mistakes, including the startup of my EO chapter is integral in that reassess. I spent six months thinking, classic of hiring too many people pursuit. I've picked up precious landscaping my backyard and before we had sustained growth insights from fellow members as they extensively researching my next step. to support them. We had to lay share diverse business problems and I had heart-to-heart conversations off valued employees--which was the strategies they've implemented to with people who knew me best and heartbreaking, and my co-founders overcome them. Maybe the biggest

benefit is that I finally don't feel like I'm the only one facing difficulties in running my business. We're all in this together. Having a supportive network of entrepreneurs facing similar struggles is invaluable.

6. Revel in the benefits of being your own boss.

For several years we weren't seeing any major victories, but we kept at it, changing and adapting where necessary--and finally, our business started to come together.

We implemented the right strategies, tools and people to raise $50 million in capital and received a high netpromoter score of 71, while many banks in Australia are in the negative 10 to 15 range.

But the biggest win for me is how entrepreneurship impacts my personal life. As a business owner, I have the flexibility to spend more quality time with my family. Sure, I'm working 24/7, but I choose the hours, and the work gets done. I drop my kids off at school and then come to work, as opposed to missing most of their waking hours. Striving to achieve work-life balance helps me to become more efficient and effective. I might work for a few hours after they go to bed or over the weekend, but I get more smiling, happy memories of my kids as they're growing and changing. I wouldn't trade that for any steady paycheck.

As I move along this journey, I'm uncovering and discovering a better version of myself. I haven't yet reached my highest peak, but I'm climbing steadily toward it!

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

MECOSTA COUNTY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OCTOBER 2019

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Oct. 1

6-9p Zonta Fashion Show Fundraiser

Oct. 3

Senior Parade of Homes

5-6:30p Natural Elements Reception @ Artworks

Oct. 4

10-11a RSVP Medicare Educational Seminar @ Mecosta County Activity Center

12-4p Car Seat Safety Check @ Big Rapids Public Safety

Oct. 5

6-9p Woodbridge N. Ferris Dinner @ Holiday Inn

Oct. 6

AMVETS Auxillary Monthly Breakfast

Oct. 9

10-11a RSVP Medicare Educational Seminar @ Mecosta County Services Building

11:30a-1p Lunch & Learn @ Chamber Office

Oct. 10

Senior Parade of Homes

5:30-6:30p RSVP Medicare Educational Seminar @ Mecosta County Activity Center

Oct. 12

8a Cardinals Sports Boosters 5k Run/Walk

2-3p Bats in Michigan @ BRCL

Oct. 13

8-11:30a Mecosta VFW Pancake Breakfast

Oct. 17

5-6:30p Business After Hours @ Tullymore

Oct. 18

10-11a RSVP Medicare Educational Seminar @ Mecosta County Activity Center

1-3p Youth Drop in Studio @ Artworks

Oct. 22

5:30-6:30p RSVP Medicare Educational Seminar @ Mecosta County Service Building

Oct. 24

7:30-8:30a Rise & Shine @ Metron

5:30p Crush Illiteracy @ Cran Hill Ranch

7:30-9:30p Stage M Presents: Agnes of God

Oct. 25

Last day of Farmers' Market

Big Rapids Fall Festival

Oct. 26

9a Skeleton Skurry

Big Rapids Fall Festival

Oct. 31

11a-7p Trick or Treat @ BRCL

OCTOBER 2019

BIG RAPIDS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION SUMMER PROGRAMS

PICKLEBALL – TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 5-7PM ZUMBA - THURSDAYS 5:30-6:30P TAI CHI - MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 12-1P MORNING LINE DANCE - TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS - 8-9A BEGINNER, 9-10 IMPROVER WATER AEROBICS - MON, WED, FRI 8:30A-9:30A SENIOR FIT TIME - TUESDAY 4-5P & THURSDAY 3-4P DELAY THE DISEASE FITNESS FOR PARKINSON’S -THURSDAYS 1-1:45P GROOVE - MONDAYS 5:30-6:30P

GFWC MONTHLY MEETINGS

2ND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY AT THE BIG RAPIDS PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT. CALL 231-349-7743 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

BIG RAPIDS COMMUNITY LIBRARY STORY TIME - MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 10:30A-11:30A COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP - TUESDAYS 9:30A-11:30A KNIT NIGHT - 1ST & 3RD THURSDAY 6:30P-8:30P (10.3.19 & 10.17.19) PLAYGROUP - 2ND & 4TH THURSDAY 10A-12P (10.10.19 & 10.24.19) TINY TOTS TINKER LAB - FRIDAYS 10:30A-11:30A OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS - SUNDAYS 9:30A-10:30A

ARTWORKS

YOUTH BEGINNING DANCE: AGES 5-8 $5 MONDAYS SEP 9–DEC 2 5PM-6:30PM FUNDAMENTALS OF PHOTOGRAPHY: $60-$70 TUESDAYS SEP 10–OCT 15 5:30PM-7:30PM DROP-IN STUDIO: $5 WEDNESDAYS SEP 11–DEC 18 11AM-2PM YOUTH BEGINNING DANCE: AGES 9-12 $5 THURSDAYS SEP 12–DEC 5 6PM-7:30PM HAND POTTERY: $140-$160MON OCT 7, 21, 28 6-8PM AFTER SCHOOL ART: $5 TUESDAYS SEP 10-DEC 17 3:45PM-5:15PM OPEN POTTERY STUDIO: (PRICES VARY) WED OCT 2, 16, 30 6PM-9PM BEGINNING WHEEL POTTERY: $140-$150 THURS OCT 3, 10, 24 6PM-8PM INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHY: $60-$70 TUES OCT 22-NOV 26 5:30-7:30PM MOSAIC: $60-$70 SAT OCT 12 & 26 10AM-12PM

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, CHAPTER 18 A SERVICE OFFICER IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST VETERANS IN RECEIVING BENEFITS. THURSDAYS 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. AT THE DAV IN BIG RAPIDS. ALL VETERANS WELCOME

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY FINE ART GALLERY ELECTRIC DREAMS 3.0 NEMANJA ROSIC - PAINTINGS OCTOBER 2ND – NOV 2ND, 2019

FARMERS' MARKET

EVERY FRIDAY FROM MAY 10TH- OCTOBER 25TH 8:00AM- 2:00PM

BIG RAPIDS LIONS CLUB MEETS EVERY SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAYS OF THE MONTH, 6:30 P.M. AT #52 SPORTS BAR AND KITCHEN. BIG RAPIDS ROTARY CLUB MEETS EVERY TUESDAY AT NOON AT FALCON HEAD