Name
Nicholas Barber
Company/Organization
Sturgis Bank and Trust
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
We focus on community banking in Southwest Michigan. Giving an opportunity for customer service to shine at the forefront of banking. Allowing for customer needs to be the most important factor in a banking relationship. Local Faces driving Local decision making.
Age
28
Accomplishments
Leading a team of 10+ individuals across the entire county. Serving needs from dozens of different walks of life. Growing playmakers and thoughtful business people in our community.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
Leading a team of 10+ individuals across the entire county. Serving needs from dozens of different walks of life. Growing playmakers and thoughtful business people in our community.
Education
Central Michigan University
What Town Do You Reside In?
Saint Joseph
Where were you born?
Cadillac, MI
What was your first job?
Kirby Vacuum Repairman
Best advice you ever got?
Lead by example and always talk the best of those around you.
Who inspires you most?
My father – He is a constant inspiration of what to be in business and in leadership. With 30 plus years of experience in business and leadership, there are no scenarios he hasn’t run into, and solved. A perfect role-model and mentor.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
Almost went to Culinary school and have sold vacuums door-to-door
What do you love to do in your downtime?
Relax with my wife and two cats. and play video games
What book are you reading now?
Driven – Robert Herjavec “How to succeed in Business and in Life”.
Volunteer activity you love the most.
I spend most of my volunteer hours with The Citadel Dance and Music Center in Benton Harbor. My wife has danced and worked there for over a decade. It is like home. We love to be involved in keeping the arts alive and bringing them to our area!
What motivates you to give back to your community?
We should always be looking for growth. Giving back and being involved breeds growth and change. These are all great things!
What Superpower would you most love to have? (for example, the ability to fly or to be invisible, or incredible strength, etc)
Flight = free travel!!
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
A legacy of growth, acceptance and friendship. A welcoming feeling and kindness. Legacy is a hard concept to grasp but in my head, it is a feeling of completion and thoughtfulness. I hope to help this community and those that I interact within it, to grow and feel as if they have completed something, or helped something grow.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
Being recognized by peers is always a great feeling. I am so happy and blessed to be involved in a community like this that focuses on growth, excellence and togetherness. It feels like an amazing opportunity to help grow others to go above and beyond and serve this community. It’s wonderful to be able to be recognized by peers from this outstanding area. I have more drive than ever to create and thrive in this Community and give back to those who can serve it, in every different way.
