Geauga Business Magazine

32 Pages·2014·2.77 MB·English

geauga
Summer 201 4
POWERING
Geauga County
Businesses
PLUS:
Western Reserve Farm Cooperative – STRENGTH IN NUMBERS pg 1
CIC’s 44th Annual Salute to Business & Industry pg 9
Don’t Miss GGP HOMEGROWN Event pg 29
1 WEStERn RESERVE FaRM CooPER atIVE
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Publisher 4 POWERING GEa UGa COUNTy BUSINESSES
Chris Yuhasz
6 aMISH BUSINESSES abounD In GEauGa Count Y
Owner, Persistence of Vision, Inc.
9 CIC’S 44th annual SalutE to buSInESS & InDuStRY
editor-in-Chief
Margie Wilber 10 PatIEnt S CoME FIRSt at PRECISION ORTHOPaEdIC
SPECIal TIES, INC.
Owner, Write 2 the Point
14 MEE t GEauGa’ S PERSonablE ChIMnEY SWEEP at
Contributing Writers
MERRy POPPINS
Margie Wilber
Glen Miller 16 ZIRklE TECH: ExCEPtIonal CoRPoR atE & RESIDEntIal
CoMPutER SERVICE
Sheila Roberts
Kelly Donahue
18 EConoMISt MIlton EzR atI KEYnotES GEa UGa GROWTH

PaRTNERSHIP aNNUal MEETING
design
Ellen Seguin 18 GEa UGa GROWTH PaRTNERSHIP ExPanDS to oFFER
Write 2 the Point buSInESS ConSultInG SERVICE
19 loC al DEalER REno VatES FoRD SERVICE aREa uSInG
A special thanks to our partners whose financial onlY loC al MatERIal
contributions make this publication possible.
20 aRTHRITIS FOUNda TION thE buSInESS oF aR thRItIS
22 GEaUGa lEaRN bRInGInG GEauGa Count Y’S RICh
aGRICultuR al hERIta GE to StuDEnt S bY bRInGInG
StuDEnt S to thE GREat GEauGa FaIR
24 JR. FaIR lIVEStoCK SalE aMB aSSadORS
25 GREa T l akES CHEESE WInS 2014 WoRlD ChEESE
ChaMPIonShIP GolD MEDal
Geauga Medical Center
26 UH GEa UGa MEdIC al CENTER It DoESn’t ha VE to huR t
28 kENT STaTE Kno WlEDGE RISInG MuSIC FEStIV al
29 HOMEGROWN GEa UGa
geauga business articles are written and selected for their general interest and
entertainment value. Authors’ views do not necessarily represent the policies
of PoV Print Communication, inc. nor does their publication constitute an
endorsement by PoV Print Communication or Write 2 the Point. All submissions
GEAUGA
are subject to space availability and editing. For advertising opportunities or
submissions, contact POV Print Communication, Inc.
Persistence of Vision, Inc. Write 2 the Point
16715 West Park Circle Po box 385
Chagrin falls, oh 44023 newbury, oh 44065
www.povcommunications.net www.write2thepoint.com
[email protected] [email protected]
p. 440.591.5443 x222 p. 216.410.2395
On the cover: John E. Skory, President, The Illuminating Company, A FirstEnergy Company.
Western Reserve Farm Cooperative
Strength
In
Numbers
by Margie Wilber
thE IMPoRtanCE oF thE aGRICultuRal
InDuStRY REaChES thE MoSt baSIC
but first, let’s define a cooperative. they are businesses
lEVEl oF huMan SuRVIVal. FaRMERS
owned and controlled by the people who use them.
FEED ouR CItIzEnS. FaRMERS FuEl thE Cooperatives include agriculture as well as child care,
credit, health care, housing, insurance, telephone and
loCal EConoMY anD REMaIn VIGIlant
electric cooperatives, to name a few.
to PRESERVE thE EnVIRonMEnt. FaRMERS
Why are cooperatives organized? they strengthen
ContInuallY SEEK nEW MEthoDS to bargaining power, maintain access to competitive
markets, capitalize on new market opportunities, obtain
InCREaSE YIElDS on an EVER-ChanGInG
needed products and services at more competitive
costs, improve income opportunities, reduce costs and
aGRICultuRal lanDSCaPE. WEStERn
manage risk. in agriculture, there are nearly 3,000 farmer
RESERVE FaRM CooPERatIVE PlaYS a PIVotal cooperatives in the united states whose members
include a majority of our nation’s 2 million farmers and
RolE In hElPInG ouR loCal FaRMERS
ranchers. A farm supply cooperative engages in the
aChIEVE EaCh oF thESE MISSIonS. manufacture, sale and/or distribution of farm supplies
and inputs, including energy-related products.
Continued on PAge 2
GeauGa Business Summer 2014 1
Western Reserve Farm Cooperative
Strength
In
Numbers
Continued froM PAge 1
Western reserve farm Cooperative, as a
farm supply cooperative, serves as a major
force in helping to ensure the growth and
prosperity of agriculture in geauga County.
this farmer-owned cooperative includes
680 voting, controlling members, serving the Agronomy division provides a full line he continues, “the same field data is also
approximately 20,000 customers every of packaged and bulk seeds, packaged and loaded into a computer onboard the
year. Anyone who derives an income from bulk fertilizers, and packaged and bulk crop- cooperative’s custom-application equipment.
agriculture – livestock and grain farms, protection products. “it also offers a full line When the operator of the application
vineyards, wineries, tree farms, horse stables of services that include delivery, equipment equipment applies the fertilizer and lime, he
– can become a member of the Western rental, seed treatment, and custom or she interfaces the application equipment
reserve farm Cooperative. application, as well as crop scouting and field with the satellites while actually driving across
diagnostics,” eastlake says. the field applying the fertilizer and lime. the
According to Mike eastlake, President/Ceo
equipment automatically adjusts the rate
of Western reserve farm Cooperative, the the Agronomy division has experienced of application to match what the computer
Western reserve farm Cooperative has significant growth in product and service and field records show is needed. this puts
grown from its single-county heritage to offerings over the past 10 years. Most notable the exact amount of product where it is
an organization with 15 locations serving is their custom application. “What not long programmed to be needed.”
members and patrons in 10 counties. five of ago amounted to 40,000 to 50,000 acres of
these counties are located in ohio: geauga, work is now nearing 200,000 acres,” describes
Petroleum Division
lake, Ashtabula, Portage, and trumbull; eastlake. “this has been driven by labor
and five are located in Pennsylvania: erie, resources, government regulations, and the
Western reserve Petroleum division also
Crawford, Mercer, butler, and lawrence. need to get crops planted in a timely manner.
utilizes technology relying on gPs and
Western reserve is handling this growth as
the Cooperative’s diverse facilities are satellite coordinates for routing their delivery
we have a staff of Certified Crop Advisors and
located across geauga County. the trucks and identifying the location of their
Certified Custom Applicators. in addition, we
Middlefield facility houses a lumber customers’ tanks.
have equipment that is equipped with the
operation, grain silos for handling and
latest gPs and Vrt (Variable rate technology)
in addition, Western reserve farm
drying grain, and a retail store.
technology that pays dividends to the local
Cooperative also operates a petroleum bulk
producers.
plant and retail fueling station in burton.
Agronomy Division
the facility was acquired in 2006 and was
“the cooperative’s personnel soil-sample
formerly known as the burton lumber &
the Western reserve farm Cooperative’s fields using a two-acre grid system,” eastlake
fuel business. this location houses the
Agronomy facility, located on rt. 528 in describes. “each sample pulled is identified
cooperative’s petroleum division office; a
Middlefield township, was acquired in 1998. with satellite coordinates. When the results
bulk plant that supports the cooperative’s
A bulk fertilizer plant and packaged goods of the soil tests are known, they are logged
tank wagon delivery of fuels throughout
warehouse were built to provide area into the field records with the same satellite
the area; and a retail fuel station that
grain producers with their needed seeds, coordinates. this is very important as the
accommodates walk-in customers.
fertilizer, and crop protection products. the fertility level in the soil typically varies greatly
Agronomy facility is open throughout the throughout each field, with portions being eastlake says fuel was the first supply product
planting and growing season. much better or worse than others.” handled by the cooperative. their fuel
customers today range from farmer members,
homeowners, and commercial companies, to
a variety of other fuel users. “Western reserve
2
Mike Eastlake, President/CEO of
Western Reserve Farm Cooperative
also distributes an extensive line of packaged and
bulk lubricants, and we have plans to construct a
new warehouse for these products at the burton
facility,” adds eastlake.
Munson Country Store
Western reserve farm Cooperative also operates
a “Country store,” built and opened in 2007 in
Munson township. “this facility replaced one
of the original facilities located on Park Avenue
in Chardon. the new location provides more
space to display and warehouse its extensive
may be local or operating in an area from
line of products for horse, dog, cat, and other
hundreds of miles away. so, we must first earn the
pets,” eastlake states. “there is also plenty of
customer’s business, and then balance the returns
merchandise for yard and garden enthusiasts.
paid to the members with the reinvestments into
A drive-thru enables our employees to actually
the cooperative to insure it’s there to meet the
load customers’ purchases as an added
future needs of the members and patrons.”
convenience at this retail store.
he continues, “While i do believe our members
“like all businesses, Western reserve farm
appreciate the patronage dividends they receive,
Cooperative’s various business divisions go
i also believe they appreciate what Western
through cycles that alter our gross sales,
reserve is doing to position itself to serve their
changing which are the most profitable year
future needs.” Western reserve routinely issues
after year,” eastlake explains. “in our recent
dividends each year and has a program that
fiscal year ending August 2013, we exceeded
also routinely redeems some of the equity that
$100 million in sales. Currently, our Agronomy,
members hold in the cooperative.
Petroleum, and grain operations have the
greatest dollar sales, with our lumber, retail “As long as we continue to grow, provide a
stores, and Commercial feed operations also return on our members’ investments, and serve
adding significant amounts to our total.” our members and patrons, we are achieving
our goal,” states eastlake. “there will always be
Western reserve farm Cooperative employs 115
challenges in agriculture, as well as our other
full-time, 20 year-round part-time, and another 40
industries. but many of those challenges are
seasonal workers. the Cooperative is governed
also opportunities.
by a nine-person board of directors elected by its
farmer members. “the bottom line is this cooperative is built on
our people,” eastlake concludes. “We can have
Patronage dividends is a key component
the best buildings, the newest equipment, and
that differentiates cooperatives from other
the latest technology, but without the people
forms of businesses. Cooperatives return their
who have a vision for the future and are able to
profits to their members in the form of cash, or
lay out a plan for that vision and execute that
investments in the cooperative itself.
plan, the building, equipment, and technology
are simply assets. our success is truly based on
eastlake explains, “While some might see this
capable people who achieve desired results.
as an advantage for the cooperative to gain
And, we’re certainly proud of our staff.”
members, every industry the cooperative is
involved in is very competitive. the competition
Continued on PAge 4
GeauGa Business Summer 2014 3
POWERING
Geauga County Businesses
FirstEnergy invests $176 million in infrastructure upgrades
by Margie Wilber
the Cleveland electric illuminating our day-to-day service reliability and was 117 minutes; in 2012, 107 minutes.
Company (Cei) was formed back in 1894 maintain our system’s capability to handle for 2013, the average restoration time
and has been serving customers in future load growth.” dropped to 99 minutes – about an hour
northeast ohio ever since. and half. Percentage-wise, the 2013 results
As part of its ongoing efforts to improve the were about a 7-percent improvement
now part of Akron-based firstenergy durability and flexibility of its electric system, compared to 2012, which was an 8-percent
Corp. (nYse:fe), the illuminating Co. has firstenergy plans to invest about $176 million improvement compared to 2011.
almost 750,000 industrial, commercial and in 2014 into service reliability infrastructure
residential customers in six counties in upgrades in the illuminating Co.’s service one of the key infrastructure projects
the lake erie region. that figure includes territory. this represents about a $27 million completed in late 2013 was a new
about 40,000 total customers in geauga increase over what the company invested 138-kilovolt transmission line and substation
County, among which are more than 5,600 in reliability infrastructure in the region last in geauga County, which is expected to
commercial and industrial customers. year. And the infrastructure investments are enhance service reliability and provide for
producing reliability improvements. future load growth. the total cost of the
from the president on down to the project was approximately $30 million.
linemen in the field, the company’s top using the reliability metrics that are the project was built and is owned by
priority is providing safe and reliable submitted to the Public utility Commission the illuminating Co.’s transmission affiliate,
electric service to customers. of ohio (PuCo), the illuminating Co. outage American transmission systems inc.
figure was 1.18 outages per customer
“the system-wide infrastructure in 2011, and .96 outages in 2012. for over the last 30 years, geauga County and
enhancements we have completed over 2013, the number dropped to .86, which parts of Ashtabula County have experienced
the past several years, combined with skory attributes to the reliability projects significant residential, commercial and
the outstanding work being done by our being completed throughout the region. industrial growth. since 1990, the number
employees, has helped reduce, on average, Percentage-wise, the company made about of residential customers served by the
the number of outages our customers a 10-percent improvement over 2012 illuminating Co. in geauga County alone
experienced compared to previous years,” results, which was about an 18-percent has grown about 25 percent, while average
says John skory, regional president of the improvement over 2011 results. customer usage is up approximately 28
illuminating Co. “in addition, when an percent. More customers using more
outage did occur it was, on average, for a Another measurement involves the electricity necessitated the need for the new
shorter period of time. the work we are average restoration time for customers transmission line.
doing on our system will help us enhance who experienced an outage. in 2011, it
4
in ohio, the ohio Power siting board poles as needed as part of an inspection
(oPsb) is responsible for approving utility process that is conducted on a 10-year
transmission projects. As part of the cycle. And ongoing tree trimming and Since 1990, the
detailed approval process, firstenergy vegetation management work will continue
number of residential
submitted information showing that the throughout northeast ohio, including a
new transmission line was needed to handle special program designed to proactively
customers served by The
current and future load growth. in addition, remove trees affected by the emerald Ash
the company submitted information borer, particularly those that could fall into Illuminating Company
showing that the preferred route for the electric equipment and result in service
new 138,000-volt transmission line would interruptions. in Geauga County alone
travel about 14.7 miles cross-county from
has grown about 25
an existing transmission line near Madison in addition to providing electricity,
township to a new substation that would be firstenergy considers itself a partner
percent, while average
built on Mayfield road near state route 528. to the local business community. this
ultimately, the oPsb agreed with firstenergy commitment includes hogan serving customer usage is
on the preferred route and granted approval on many local boards, including geauga
for the project, which crosses portions of growth Partnership, geauga united Way, and up approximately 28
Madison township in lake County, and Cleveland hearing and speech Center, which
percent.
thompson, Montville and huntsburg serves geauga County. he is board chairman
townships in geauga County. of notre dame-Cathedral latin high school
and also sits on the legislative Committee on
“the new transmission line went into service the Mentor Chamber of Commerce.
in december 2013 and has enhanced
the service we provide our customers the illuminating Co. and firstenergy are
now, along with giving us the ability to strong supporters of the united Way. for
serve additional load growth in the future, the 2013-14 campaign, illuminating Co.
particularly commercial development in the employees pledged more than $150,000
Middlefield area,” says doug hogan, external to united Way of greater Cleveland. the
affairs manager for firstenergy. “in addition, company also is active with harvest for
the redundancy this line provides gives us hunger. in 2013, employees raised more
added flexibility for system maintenance and than $13,500, the equivalent of more than
gives us the ability to restore service faster if a 95,000 meals.
large-scale weather event hits the region.”
over the past year, firstenergy has added a
Customers in geauga County also will benefit variety of new tools to better communicate
from a “smart grid” pilot program that is with customers. the company has revised
now underway. using a grant from the u.s. its www.firstenergycorp.com website to
department of energy (doe), firstenergy make it more accessible via smartphone.
has installed automated equipment that is firstenergy customers also can use a new
designed to reduce the number of outages free smartphone app to report outages and
and reduce the outage time if one occurs. access important information and services
by “sectionalizing” various power lines, fewer related to their electric accounts. the app is
customers will be affected if there is an available for Apple® iPhone® and Android™
outage. in addition, because the equipment smartphones. Customers can use the
can be operated by remote control, an outage keyword “firstenergy” to locate the apps in
can be fixed in minutes, rather than hours. their online stores.
the smart grid pilot program includes about in addition, customers can use firstenergy’s
40,000 customers in an area bordered to the text messaging service to report outages
east of interstate 271, north of state route and receive updates on reported outages.
422, west of state route 44 and south of to get started, text reg to 544487 (lights).
interstate 90. data collection and analysis Customers also can follow the illuminating
will continue through June of 2015 as part of Co. on twitter @illuminatingCo.
the doe grant.
the illuminating Co. has about 1,000
While there are no large-scale, local employees in northeast ohio and serves
geauga County projects like the recently more than 750,000 customers across 1,600
completed transmission line, the company square miles of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga,
plans to inspect and replace distribution geauga, lake and lorain counties.
GeauGa Business Summer 2014 5
Amish
Businesses
Abound in
Geauga
County
by Glen Miller
You won’t see large, flashy signs outside most Amish
businesses in Geauga County — rather you’ll notice small signs
not much larger than most home-for-sale signs. And if you
watch closely, you’ll observe dozens posted along rural roads in
southeastern and eastern parts of Geauga County.
Most of these signs designate the location of a small- to
medium-size workshop or store, located behind an Amish
home. but, sam Weaver’s Kitchen stove shop, located at 17117
newcomb road, Parkman township, doesn’t even have a sign.
“
AdherenCe to quAlity
“i don’t need one. People have known where i am for 30 years,”

says Weaver matter-of-factly. Weaver is the great grandson of the
first geauga County Amish settler. Weaver lives on a 129-acre CrAftsmAnship estABlishes
farm but stopped hay farming several years ago following hip
replacement surgery. he continues to rent a 40-acre pasture to
A reputAtion thAt AttrACts
nearby Amish dairy farmers. Weaver estimates 20 percent of the
Amish in geauga area are still farming. those who do have been
”
fortunate to inherit a farm, although many of these farmers are Customers.
hard pressed to eke out a living these days, he insists.
-
Mervin and Pete Miller
6
“
you’ve Got to tAke
because of the economic uncertainty Miller has been slowly transferring
caused by the recent recession, many ownership of Marsh Valley, at 14141 old
your time And do
young Amish family men have opted to state road, to his four children.
go into business for themselves or work for
it riGht – Build A
At first, Mervin and a friend were the only
other Amish businesses. Weaver took over
two full-time employees. one of Mervin’s
a family-owned cooking stove distribution
Customer BAse thAt
sisters, leanna Miller, took on a part-time
and repair service after his father became
role of handling accounts receivable, a job
ill about 31 years ago. since then, he has
will Come BACk to
she continues from home while caring
spent the last three decades ordering
for her family. shortly afterward, Mervin’s
wood-burning cooking stoves for Amish
you for repAirs
younger brother sam joined as vice
and english customers throughout the
president. he oversees safety, maintenance
Amish geauga settlement.
And refer others
and front desk operations. Another sister,
“i’m not unusual,” claims Weaver. “i’d say Christine fisher, simply owns shares.
”
Customers.
at least half of our Amish businesses are
“We have a lot of competition and some
handed down from father to son or other
very lean years, but we stuck to it and now
family members.” -
e.M. slaubough
are a growing company with 21 employees,”
Weaver distributes five different brands of says Mervin, president. he has learned and
the stoves, four of which are manufactured honed his business management skills over
by Amish companies. Weaver is among the last several years by attending several
several Amish stove distributors in the business seminars. he receives advice and
county, although he contends he does guidance from his father who has been a
not compete with the others. “We all work major factor in Marsh Valley success.
together,” says Weaver. “We’re not cutthroat.”’
Another long-time success story is an
in many cases, the Amish children slowly Amish buggy manufacturing and repair
assume ownership of their father’s business business owned by Michael slaubaugh. the
— either as a gift or, in a few cases, purchased shop was formerly owned and operated by
over several years, Weaver explains. his father, e.M. slaubaugh.
but, there are exceptions, including sam located about three miles east of
Weaver’s family. rather take over his stove Middlefield near the geauga-trumbull
business, Weaver’s two sons, sam Weaver, county line, the newly relocated Mespo hill
Jr. and Chris Weaver, each own separate buggy shop sits back off the road and is
businesses. Chris owns and operates Weaver hard to find without asking directions. “i just
lumber, a sawmill business, while sam Jr. haven’t had time to put out a sign yet,” says
is a carpenter who owns and operates a the younger slaubaugh. “We just moved
carpentry company. here, and it’s been a busy and rough winter.”
“they have been very lucky because not the elder slaubaugh helps out when time
everyone makes it in business,” Weaver permits. otherwise, e.M. slaubough is busy
admits. “You’ve got to have a good, honest overseeing b & K salvage, a small, nearby
reputation because if a customer finds out grocery store, located at 5515 Kinsman
they have been ripped off, your name goes road, offering groceries, bulk food, and
on a blacklist.” health and beauty items. “the secret to a
long healthy life is not sitting in a rocking
Weaver says this is one of the factors that chair,” he says with a grin.
“
AdherenCe to quAlity give Amish businesses a 95 percent success
rate in their first critical five years — nearly like many Amish craftsmen, e.M.
twice the success rate of small english slaubaugh learned the buggy-making
CrAftsmAnship estABlishes
business start-ups. trade from his father, who also owned
a buggy-making business, and, in turn,
A reputAtion thAt AttrACts Among the success stories is Marsh Valley taught his son. At least one grandson is
forest Products ltd., a Middlefield township also interested in apprenticing in the shop,
” lumber molding company started by Pete he states with a smile.
Customers.
Miller, president of sheoga hardwood
flooring and Paneling, inc., located on buggy-making is a craft that requires skill,
- burton-Windsor road in burton township. patience, practice and time, he describes.
Mervin and Pete Miller
Continued on PAge 8
Continued on PAge 8
GeauGa Business Summer 2014 7
Amish wood-burning heating stoves while the
showroom is staffed by an employee. he
Businesses
travels as far west as sheffield, east to parts
of Pennsylvania, and south as far as Atwood,
Abound in
ohio, although he prefers to stay within
Geauga County about a 50-mile radius of Middlefield.
both he and his son toby, 17, are nationally
Continued froM PAge 7
certified to install the wood-burning stoves.
About 80 percent of the stoves he sells
“You’ve got to take your time and do it right
burn wood pellets — “compressed sawdust
– build a customer base that will come
that looks like a rabbit food” that have a
back to you for repairs and refer others
high btu rating.
customers,” explains the elder slaubaugh.
Amish Business Expo
“We build basic buggies but add whatever
Although marketing is part of his
a customer wants.” Among the available Attracts 1,500
wife’s responsibilities, James promotes
accessories are side view mirrors, hydraulic
his business by advertising in local
brakes, a pyramid-shaped reflective Brothers Paul and Marvin Wengerd,
newspapers. Yet, like other Amish
triangle, and a flashing led light placed in
businessmen, he feels his best advertising owners of Pine Craft Storage Barns
the rear for safety.
is, “the quality of work i do” that’s passed on at 13656 Madison Road (Route
Providing good service also helped James through word-of-mouth. 528), held an Amish business
Miller’s at JMJ enterprises, located at 1584 exposition attended by 32 mostly
technology is not allowed to invade the
nauvoo road, Middlefield township, grow a Amish entrepreneurs on April
personal lives of Amish, who believe it’s
successful business in just seven years.
unethical to use these devices other than 4-5. The exposition was first held
An Amish entrepreneur as a teenager, Miller for business, James explains. As a result, in 2006 with the grand opening
started sugar Valley Maple farm, at 15771 JMJ is affiliated with non-Amish who take of Pine Craft. Five fellow Amish
care of the “modern part of the business
Chipmunk lane, burton township, 20 years businessmen were invited to
and the technology that is a necessity for
ago, and used his learned engineering skills
participate to promote their small
business growth,” says his wife linda, who is
and mechanical insight to grow it into a
back-road shops.
in charge of advertising and marketing.
60-acre, award-winning business.
Joe Miller, an Amish community leader and
using his skill and experience in heating “The first time, we probably had five
the patriarch behind the success of d&s
stoves and fireplaces, he also opened JMJ exhibitors and 100 people showed
door & Window sales, located at 15020
(which stands for James Miller Jr.) in 2006.
up,” says Paul. “This last time, we had
and 15060 shedd road, burton township,
the business sells and services wood-
says the Amish philosophy of “help people at least 1,500 people attend.”
burning stoves and fireplaces.
and profits will happen” is the basis behind
“i lost money the first year, but we’re most successful Amish businesses. Pine Craft has experienced steady
getting bigger and bigger,” describes James. growth despite the recession. The
Mervin and Pete Miller say adherence
Although this year’s long winter hurt many
expo further helped get the word
to quality craftsmanship establishes a
businesses, JMJ benefited from the sale of
reputation that attracts customers and, out about small Amish businesses.
its wood-burning stoves to heat the homes
according to Weaver, usually commands a “We still find face-to-face contact
of Amish and some non-Amish.
good price. with people more valuable than
“i’d say business was very good this year,”
advertising,” says Paul. They plan to
When businesses difficulties occur, the Amish
James states. Most of the week, he is
continue to make this Amish expo
replace fear with faith, a source of strength
on the road installing various brands of
and security. an annual event.
8