The Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual meeting last week, honoring several local businesses and organizations for their contributions to the community.
Prior to awards being given Southwestern Michigan College President Dr. Joe Odenwald gave a passionate keynote speech to attendees of the ceremony.
“What we exchange in commerce is far more than money,” he said. “We exchange our lives. It’s about relationships, first and foremost. … I’ve never lived anywhere, including my hometown, that I believed I could trust so many people like I can here in Dowagiac. This is a special place.”
Odenwald offered a lighthearted recounting of encounters with the Dowagiac’s business community since moving here five years ago with his wife, Laura.
He turned serious recalling Sara Schonbok, who died Jan. 13 at the age of 62. She worked at Dowagiac Cleaners for 29 years as a seamstress.
“Heaven knows how many prom dresses and tuxedos she sewed for our young people,” he said. “She took care of me the first four years we lived here, and visiting with her was a treat. Sara hated winter and couldn’t understand why I, a Southerner, seemed to like it so much. Like many of you, I miss Sara dearly.
“I could go on all night about the great merchants who make up our community. If I’m asked back in five or six years, I’ll keep going down the list, I promise you. If you didn’t get featured tonight, in 25 or 30 years we’ll get this done.”
Awards
Business of the Year was presented to third-generation Hale’s Hardware, founded 64 years ago in 1958 by Vince Hale. Randy Hale accepted the award on behalf of his father, Tom, and brother, Ron.
Hale recalled how his grandfather traveled for W.T. Grant, the variety store chain, to manage locations back to profitability. Vince decided he wanted his own store and scouted northern Indiana and southwest Michigan until settling on M-40 Hardware, which the family expanded from 5,000 to 20,000 square feet.
“When you own a small business, you’re involved in every aspect — marketing, merchandising, hiring good people you can trust to work hard for you,” Hale said. “You’ve got to pay attention, adapt and embrace change. We’ve changed the store’s layout so many times and fine-tune things, like adding electronics and an archery range, to give customers the best shopping experience.”
Stefany Holland, MBA, of Wightman was named Young Professional of the Year. She joined the consulting firm in 2008 and is a commercial sector specialist, project manager and architecture leadership lead.
Holland is also president of 2014’s Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac, which captured the Community Service Award for reviving annual fireworks, fundraising to construct Russom Park’s pavilion, organizing daddy-daughter and mommy-and-me dances and sponsoring an annual Christmas ornament, which this year features SMC’s Roadrunner.
Another Young Professional, City Councilman Pat Bakeman of Bakeman Barbers, was awarded the Shining Star Award. He is also the radio voice of Chieftain football. His wife, Ravan, is active with Beckwith Theatre and helps Union High School’s Tammy Mammel with plays.
“We’re in customer service before haircuts,” Bakeman said. “We go by the five Ps – product, price, punctual, polite and sell a piece of your soul because (business success) takes sacrifice. You have to give up money, time, things you want to do, to make it happen. We don’t do this for awards, but we’re happy when it happens.”
– Submitted by SMC
