Wells County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter
#WeLoveOurMembers
Together We Are Stronger
September Member of the Month:
A Perfect Surprise
Chamber Recognizes A Perfect Blend

Family. A Perfect Blend is all about family in all aspects of the business. Everyone plays a very important piece to this family-run business between Melinda Gilgen, Natasha Gilgen, and Preston Gilgen.

Melinda is not new to running and operating a business. Melinda said in the early 2000’s she used to have her own catering business and had a physical location north of town. “I also arranged flowers for weddings and funerals as a side business out of my home. I have been doing this type of work since I was very young.”

During that time, Natasha lived in New York City and worked at a museum and visitors center. “I gained a lot of experience while in New York and worked at the best gift shop in the city,” explained Natasha. “When Mom decided she wanted to open her own flower and gift shop, I moved back home to help her.”

Preston, who is the son of Melinda, helped with catering events and currently arranges flowers. Natasha and Preston focus on the wedding events and Melinda focuses on the funeral arrangements. Each bring their talents to the business to make it work. Melinda’s mother, Edna Moser, even plays a huge part sewing pillows that customers will find at the store.

When the Gilgen family purchased the building in 2014, it was a huge undertaking to remodel the old building. “Everything needed replaced from the windows, flooring, roofing, lighting, electrical, siding, and so much more,” said Natasha. “We put in a new parking lot and took down the trellis in the front of the building as well; it was a lot of work that needed to be done before we could open for business.”

The Indiana Small Business Development Center COVID-19 Resources
 
Need help? The Indiana Small Business Development Center is your one-stop shop.
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Cliff "CJ" Johnson
815.756.2840
cliffjohnson@ampcorporate.com
Online Visibility, Virtual Tour, Websites, Advertising, Reviews

Darren Harrison
260.348.9126
DarrenLeeHarrison@gmail.com
Real Estate

Landon Gerber
2275 N Main St, Bluffton
844.697.6774
landon@theropshop.com
Outdoor Products for all seasons. Parts & Service for: Auto, Garage Doors, Golf Carts, Lawn & Garden, Plumbing Fittings, Power Sports, Pressure Washer, Snow Removal, Tires,, Trailers, Watercraft.
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
2020 Member Appreciation Day
Thank you to everyone that came out and enjoyed the great food, fun fellowship, and fall weather.
We appreciate you, our Members, so much!

Lunch n' Learn
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
12:00pm to 1:00pm
$10 Per Person for Lunch

Sprunger & Sprunger,
Attorneys at Law present:
Concerning the Law and COVID-19

Join us for a candid conversation regarding the legal implications of Covid-19. Attorney, Gina Eisenhut, will cover topics that include some of the most timely and topical legal issues presented by COVID-19 and the effects it has had on businesses, communities, and industries.

Topics that will be discussed include real estate issues, including tenant/landlord disputes over rent, eviction moratoriums, and contract issues including force majeure clauses, interpretation, the excuse for performance due to unforeseen circumstances, how courts are handling contracts that were not able to be performed because of COVID/lockdown and how to prepare for future contracts during unprecedented times. 
Lunch n' Learn
Thursday, October 29, 2020
12:00pm to 1:00pm
$10 Per Person for Lunch

Tom Harris with ActionCOACH Business Coaching present:
Creating a Dynamic Team & Employee Development Culture

Each participant will receive: 
  • 5-Strategies for growing your employees in the 4th quarter! 
  • Identify and evaluate steps to develop your leadership team 
  • Learn 20 techniques to implement today to improve your employee effectiveness 
  • Learn 8 crucial steps to successfully implement change in your business 
WCPL RIBBON CUTTING AND TOURS
Thursday, November 5, 2020
9:00AM

Celebrate the renovations of the Wells County Public Library with a Ribbon Cutting and tours of the facility. All are welcome to attend.
200 West Washington Street, Bluffton
Lunch n' Learn
Thursday, November 19, 2020
12:00pm to 1:00pm
$10 Per Person for Lunch

Tom Harris with ActionCOACH Business Coaching present:
Creating Your Sales Success Strategy

 
Creating Your Sales Success Strategy!
  • Recruiting, Retaining and Selecting a Successful Sales Team
  • Creating Your Company's Sales Steps Process
  • Identifying Your Top 5 Closing-Techniques for Increased Sales
  • Implementing a Sales Performance Measurement System 
  • Keeping Your Sales Team Motivated and Growing
Shelton Financial Opens in Ossian

The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff welcomed Shelton Financial to Ossian with a Ribbon Cutting celebration on September 17, 2020. Shelton Financial renovated and moved into the old PNC Bank located at 1102 N Jefferson Street, Ossian.

In addition, Shelton Financial held a grand opening celebration with food trucks, camels to pet, and local nonprofits. Helping Hands, Forgotten Children, and Loving Shepherd Ministries were present conducting activities such as a dunk tank (with fearless dunkers Tom Felger and Steve Gerber) and cornhole games.

Jeff Shelton, owner, said “twenty-five years ago, I started Shelton Financial in this same business complex and look where we are today; back to the same area. We are excited to be here in Ossian and appreciate the support from the community.”

Shelton Financial currently employs 6 advisors and 7 support staff. Amy VanMeter was Shelton’s first hire 23 years ago and she still works for the firm today.

First Bank of Berne Named a Five Star Member of the IBA
 
First Bank of Berne has been honored as a Five Star Member of the Indiana Bankers Association. The award was presented on September 29th by Chris Bennett, IBA Vice President, in recognition of First Bank of Berne’s Association involvement throughout 2019.
 
The Five Star Member designation recognizes those IBA-member banks which demonstrate outstanding commitment to the Association in five areas: political awareness, issues advocacy, life-long learning, IBA volunteerism, and Preferred Service Provider utilization.
 
“We very much appreciate the dedication of First Bank of Berne and as a Five Star Member bank,” said Amber Van Til, IBA president and CEO. “Our Association is strong, thanks to our supportive members.”
 
The Indiana Bankers Association supports Indiana banking through issues analysis, professional education, and products and services that enhance member banks’ ability to serve their communities.
 
Displaying First Bank of Berne’s Five Star Member award from the Indiana Bankers Association are (from left): Chris Bennett, IBA Vice President and Kent Liechty, First Bank of Berne President & CEO.
Ministry Opportunity: Brickhouse Farms Looking for Family to Foster Teen Boys
Ministry Opportunity: The BrickHouse Program of Loving Shepherd Ministries is looking for a Christian family interested in fostering vulnerable teen boys at the BrickHouse Farms location. The BrickHouse Program is the pilot program of Structured Foster Care and offers an opportunity to help vulnerable teens reach their full potential. The focus of the program is to provide a loving and stable home for 4-5 teen boys, working to help the young men develop their God given potential and positively impact our community. Interested couples can reach out to Adam Carroll, at adam@loving-shepherd.org, or contact Adam by phone at 260.824.9000 ext. 106. For more information on our current foster family for teen girls, please watch the video HERE.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

The Chamber of Commerce & Wells County Public Library held a Webinar on Creative Conversations Transcending Divides through Creative Conversations with Dr. Sara Drury with Wabash College.
You an view the webinar HERE until October 30, 2020.
christmas-present-boy.jpg
UNITED WAY OF WELLS COUNTY COLLECTING TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS

Organizations are encouraged to collect new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages (up to age 12). Toys are especially needed for older boys and toys for babies. Monetary donations will also be accepted to help deliver gift cards to older children and elders in the community.

If you know of a family you think may need some extra help at Christmas, encourage them to apply at the Wells County Food Bank, Division of Family Resources, or United Way of Wells County.

Toys need to be dropped off at United Way of Wells County, 122 LaMar Street in Bluffton, by December 1, so they have time to coordinate the efforts and get them to the children.

Let's join together and remember that at Christmas we celebrate a most precious gift, and by giving ourselves, we honor the real meaning of the holiday.

As you are dropping toys off this year, please call ahead at 824-5589 to let the staff know.
KARING FOR KIDS
CHRISTMAS PROJECT

The registration process has begun and it is time to find host locations for the trees and ask for monetary donations to help purchase gift items not provided through the tree collections.
What to help?
UNITED WAY OF WELLS COUNTY PAPERLESS CAMPAIGN

The United Way of Wells County has announced that they are running a paperless campaign this year. If your company would like to run a United Way campaign, please email Pamela Beckford at pamela@unitedwaywells.org.

Or if you would like to contribute to the campaign as an individual, you can do that at unitedwaywells.org. This year's campaign video features a virtual bus tour of some programs - see below.
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Community Events
Click on any event for more information
HOW IT WORKS:
Member businesses provide a discount to other Chamber Members when they show their membership card.

WHY IT WORKS:
The Member2Member provides value to all participating Chamber Members by offering them a discount on goods and services, while also driving new customers to YOUR business.

HOW TO ENROLL:
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Thank You to Our Gold Member!