April 2016 - ottumwachamber.org

Page 2
April 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURES
Pages for Pennies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Laborshed News Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Golf Classic Save the Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Business of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
New Member Bios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Coffee Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
SCORE Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
IN EVERY ISSUE
Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Ambassador Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Membership Renewals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Upcoming Community Events Calendar
Apr. 7 . . . . . .Ralphie May – Netflix Unruly
Tour
Apr. 8-9 . . . . .Preschool Nature Explorers
Apr. 8 . . . . . .All City Concert
Apr. 14-17 . . .Ottumwa High School
Musical: Oklahoma
Apr. 15 . . . . .Senior Lunch and Learn
Apr. 15-17 . . .OCCP presents “The
Goodcheer Home for
Broken Hearts”
Apr. 16 . . . . .Walk & Run for Rescues 5K
Apr. 20 . . . . .Red Green Show I’m Not
Old, I’m Ripe
Apr. 21-23 . . .Indian Hills Theatre
Spakespeare’s “A
Midsummer Night’s
Dream”
Apr. 22 . . . . .An Evening with Greg Brown
Apr. 22 . . . . .Heroes of the Heartland
Apr. 22 . . . . .Ladies Night Out
Apr. 23 . . . . .Healthy Community Day
Apr. 23 . . . . .Kids in the Kitchen
Apr. 23 . . . . .Disney Dash
Apr. 25-May 5Annual IHCC Student Art
Exhibit
Apr. 26 . . . . .Reminisce Society
Apr. 28 . . . . .Murder at the Market Dinner
Theatre
Apr. 29 . . . . .Oak Ridge Boys Celebration
Tour
Apr. 30 . . . . .Humanities Iowa Speaker Tom
Milligan
Apr. 30 . . . . .Polar Plunge
For additional details, visit www.ExploreOttumwa.com. Receive similar event
information via email every two weeks by signing up at www.ExploreOttumwa.com/newsletter/ to obtain the e-newsletter Bravo Wapello County.
Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce
217 E. Main St. | P O Box 308
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Phone: 641-682-3465 | Fax: 641-682-3466
www.ottumwachamber.org
www.facebook.com/ottumwachamber
Connie Wilson, Executive Director | 641-814-5901 | conniewilson@ottumwaiowa.com
Brenda Sieren, Executive Assistant | 641-814-5900 | brendas@ottumwaiowa.com
Brandie McWilliams, Administrative Assistant | 641-814-5908 | brandie@ottumwaiowa.com
Ottumwa’s Most Unique Store
500 West Main • Ottumwa • 682-4528 or 1-800-728-4528
4 Washington Ave. • Albia • 932-2929
Store Hours: Albia
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Store Hours: Ottumwa
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
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April 2016
Ambassadors Corner
Find great deals on used books, CDs, DVDs, LPs,
board games, puzzles & sheet music
Bridge View Center
May 13 – 15, 2016
DaVita Dialysis, 1005 Pennsylvania Ave., Ste 101.
Friday, May 13th ~ 12:00 to 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 14th ~ 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday, May 15th ~ 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
FREE ADMISSION
All Three Days!
Gooden Family Chiropractic, new building at 1223
Theatre Dr., Ste. B.
Donations are being accepted at the Bridge View Center
during business hours from March 7-May 6, 2016.
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Friends of the Ottumwa Public Library, Bridge View Center and
the Greater Ottumwa Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes the
following new businesses to our membership directory:
Saints Pub & Patio
2513 Northgate
Ottumwa, IA 52501
James Lewis
641-684-2141
Propjobz Aerial Photography
138 S. Milner
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Jeff Diltz
563-209-6279
Habitat for Humanity
112 N. Court St.
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Melody Lowe, Co-President
641-814-2883
www.habitat.org/cd/kit/homepage.aspx?
Pre-Approved Auto
613 Richmond Ave.
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Jen Christopher
641-814-9138
www.preapprovedauto.net
Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant at 1404 Sherwood Dr.
Pre-Approved Auto, new location, at 613 Richmond.
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April 2016
Laborshed study to
explore commute patterns
The Ottumwa Economic Development
Corp. and its colleagues in the Opportunity
Squared Regional Development group will
be working with Iowa Workforce
Development’s Regional Research Bureau
to complete a Laborshed employment study
for a seven-county area which includes,
Appanoose, Davis, Keokuk, Mahaska,
Marion, Monroe, and Wapello counties.
This study will examine the labor force
from which area employers draw their
employees, and is based upon commuting
patterns into the area. The study will assist
existing and prospective businesses to
better
understand
the
size
and
characteristics of the area’s labor force
regardless of political boundaries.
The Laborshed boundary is based on the
place of residence of individuals
commuting into the Opportunity Squared
area for employment. For the success of
this study, we will be sending letters to
employers
in
Albia,
Bloomfield,
Centerville,
Knoxville,
Oskaloosa,
Ottumwa, Pella, and Sigourney, asking that
they provide aggregate counts of their
Cody and Lindsey Cook won the smoker grill and
accessories, courtesy of O’Hara Hardware and Fareway meat
bundle. Pictured are Lindsey and her daughter.
employees’ residential ZIP codes. This
reporting will afford an understanding of
where each community’s workforce resides.
Once that Laborshed area is determined,
a confidential household telephone survey
will be conducted in those identified areas.
The questions will cover topics such as:
employment status, current and desired
wages, current and desired benefits,
education level, and type of occupation.
Survey results will be applied to
demographic data to determine the size of
the Opportunity Squared area labor force as
well as various labor force characteristics.
Iowa Workforce Development will not be
asking survey takers any identifiable
information such as: name, social security
number, or date of birth.
The results for each county and regional
Laborshed analysis can be found at
https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.g
ov/laborshed-studies. Questions about the
Laborshed workforce project should be
directed to Katie Lippold at 515-281-3035
or Sharon Stroh at 641-799-1203. Thank
you for your support and participation.
April 2016
Page 5
R/J Peformance Business of the Month
Rick Canode, owner operator of R/J
Performance Hwy. 63 North Airport Exit
Ottumwa Iowa.
RJP was born in 1982, in a 1500 sq. ft.
building at 1113 E. Main in Ottumwa. As an
independent motorcycle parts, accessories
and service shop we catered to owners for all
makes and models.
At that time there were four franchised
dealers and two aftermarket parts houses in
this community. Needless to say there was
plenty of competition!! While the first four
years were pretty slow RJP started to gain
traction as we started to diversify, first by
purchasing builder motorcycles from Rick at
Spillman Auto which eventually led to a preowned parts business!
In 1993 expansion continued as we added
Polaris ATV our first franchise which led to
ranger off road models and the need for a
larger store and area to operate!
In 2000 land was purchased and a store built
at our current location Hwy. 63 Airport Exit at
edge of Ottumwa. Yamaha and the all new
Victory Motorcycle line were also added that
year before the move.
With the expanded sales on new units, parts
and accessories along with our everexpanding service department has required
building additions along the way. We
currently set on five acres and have about
24,000 sq. ft. under roof with the latest off
road show which opened February 2016.
With the addition of the Indian Motorcycle
Ottumwa’s newest
auto supply store to
host open house
Dani's Auto
Supply, located
at 827 E. Main
Street, is
planning an open house on April 27,
2016. Lunch will be served from 11:00
a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Menu is pulled pork,
baked beans, pasta salad, cookies,
soda and water.
line our store is now complete as we offer the
finest motorcycles and off road ATV/UTV
products available and of course service
which has always been the constant and
what drives business.
RJ Performance is built for and by our loyal
customers and we have the best customer
base and employees that have contributed to
this amazing growth (along with great
bankers) Thanks to Hedrick Savings and
South Ottumwa Savings.
Look for new and exciting local partnerships
as the US economy is forever changing and
we look for ways to better serve SE Iowa and
beyond motorcycle and off road customers
along with introducing new people to this
great way of life! The R/J Performance way
since 1982!
R/J Performance
14231 Sycamore Rd.
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684.8400
www.shoprjperformance.com
www.Facebook.com/RJ-Performance
Get On Board
Thursday, May 19th
12:00 ʹ 1:30 p.m.
Bridge View Center
Is your nonprofit or service agency looking for board members, committee members, or volunteers?
:ŽŝŶƵƐĨŽƌ͞'ĞƚŽŶŽĂƌĚ͟ƚŽƌĞĐƌƵŝƚĨŽƌLJŽƵƌŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƚŝŽŶ͘zŽƵǁŝůůŚĂǀĞƚŚĞŽƉƉŽƌƚƵnity to talk with
members and alumni of Ottumwa Leadership Academy as well as the WomenREACH group of John
Deere Ottumwa Works.
Deadline to reserve your nonprofit or service organization table is May 2nd - no cost to participate
Italian Pasta Bar lunch available with a pre-paid lunch ticket for $15; deadline to order/purchase
lunch ticket is May 10th.
Contact Hollie Tometich at 641-684-6221 or htometich@leadottumwa.org to reserve your table
and/or purchase lunch ticket.
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April 2016
Pre-Approved Auto, quality autos
and laid back atmosphere
Pre-Approved Auto has been
in business for six years and just
moved to our new location at 613
Richmond Ave. We are a full
service shop offering auto sales,
financing, auto repair and auto
detailing. Often time people
think we are a buy here, pay here
but we are not. We work with
several
lenders
to
offer
competitive financing for all
types of credit.
We also sell Big Dog and
Raven lawn mowers and EGO
chain saws and trimmers for all
those landscaping and yard
maintenance projects.
Pre-Approved Auto sets itself
apart in many ways. We offer the
best used autos in the area. A lot
of work is put it on the front end
to ensure quality autos are
offered for sale. In the event that
something would happen after
the sale, we offer exceptional
service to our customers to make
things right.
The work atmosphere at PreApproved Auto is not typical of a
normal work place. Some
employees are family, but those
that are not necessarily so-called
family, are treated as if they are.
Birthdays and holidays are often
celebrated as a whole with
family, friends and employees
present. The atmosphere is laid
back and there is a lot of fun that
takes place in a typical work day.
Like on Facebook – PreApproved Auto. Please call us
with any questions or for more
information on our products at
641-814-9138 or check out our
website
at
www.preapprovedauto.net.
Kevin and Jen Christopher,
owners
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April 2016
IS ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR YOU?
There is simply no way to eliminate all the risks associated with starting a new business, but you can improve
your chances of success with good planning, preparation and insight. Start by evaluating your strengths and
weaknesses as a potential owner and manager of a small business. Carefully consider each of the following
questions.
Are you a self-starter? It will be entirely up to you to develop projects, organize your time and follow through
on details.
How well do you get along with different personalities? Business owners need to develop working
relationships with a variety of people including customers, vendors, staff, bankers, employees and professionals
such as lawyers, accountants, or consultants. Can you deal with a demanding client, an unreliable vendor, or a
cranky receptionist if your business interests demand it?
How good are you at making decisions? Small business owners are required to make decisions constantly-often
quickly, independently and under pressure.
Are you considering moving in
the direction of entrepreneurship?
If you are, there is an opportunity on the horizon to assist
you in making that dream a reality.
Save the Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2016
What: Southeast Iowa Entrepreneurship Conference
Where: Indian Hills Community College
Why: To assist budding (and existing) entrepreneurs in
learning more about this exciting and growing career
opportunity, offer advice and guidance from the professionals
and offer prize money for contestants that have great, new
ideas in new business ventures!
Do you have the physical and emotional stamina to run a business? Business ownership can be exciting, but
it’s also a lot of work. Can you face 6 or 7 12-hour workdays every week?
Presenting Sponsor of IES:
Wells Fargo
How well do you plan and organize? Running a business can wear you down emotionally. Some business
owners burn out quickly from having to carry all the responsibility for the success of their business on their own
shoulders. Strong motivation will help you survive downturns and periods of burnout.
This conference is being sponsored by:
CommunityCPA.com
How will the business affect your family? The first years of business start-ups can be hard on family life. It is
important that family members know what to expect and for you to be able to trust that they will be able to support
you during this time. There also may be financial difficulties until the business becomes profitable, which could take
months or years. You may have to adjust to a lower standard of living or put family assets at risk.
All of these questions need to be answered before you start the planning process. The above is one of many
articles in the 2015-2016 Resource Guide for Small Business. A free copy can be obtained at the Ottumwa Area
Chamber of Commerce, 217 E. Main St.
Submitted by
Gordon Aistrope, Chair
South Central Iowa SCORE
Host Sponsors:
Community 1st Credit Union, Indian Hills Community
College, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach,
Legacy Foundation, Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce,
South Central Iowa SCORE
Watch for next month’s edition of the Chamber Link for
more information!
Connie Hammersley-Wilson
Executive Director
Membership Renewals
Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce
Alliant Energy
Atomic Termite and Pest Control
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Farmers Insurance
George Boitnott Enterprises
Ideal Ready Mix
Infomax Office Systems Inc
Journeys by JeanAnn
KLEE-AM 1480 / KOTM-FM 97.7
(TOM-FM)
Martin's MIni Barns
Mitchell & Sons Heating & Cooling
Nu-Life Cabinets
O'Hara Hardware
Papa John's
Quincy Place Mall
Reed Excavation Company
Reed Overhead Doors
Richwell Carpet & Cabinet Center
Ridgewood Nursing & Rehab.
The Stitch Doctor
Thumbs Up Awards
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SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL • SHOP LOCAL
April 2016