The Latest From The Collective – A Note From Our Founder
Written by Mandy Krickhaln // July, 2024
Hey Everyone, Happy July!
We’ve got a lot going on this month, and I’m excited to share it all with you. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your business skills, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, or give back to the community, there’s something here for everyone.
First up: Meet Our New Team Members + Big Things Ahead
If you’ve noticed a few things shifting lately, you’re right, we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes growing our team and laying the groundwork for some exciting improvements!!!
First up, say hello to the newest faces of The Collective:
Gabriela, our Marketing Coordinator, joins us from sunny Miami with a long career in marketing and a passion for helping small businesses stand out. She’s a creative powerhouse with a brain full of ideas and a strategy for everything.
Margaret Ann, our Tech & Systems Support Specialist, is based in South Carolina and is an absolute wizard with a spreadsheet. She’s been tackling six years of my messy Google Drive files (and is still smiling). Pretty sure she deserves some kind of medal for that, maybe not a Nobel Prize, but definitely a big gold star.
Zach, our Events & Operations Coordinator, grew up right here in Northwest Indiana and now calls Buchanan home. He brings experience in the service industry, painting, and accounting, basically, he’s the guy who can figure out (and fix) anything.
They are already making such a big impact, and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead! We’re in the process of updating the website for a smoother member experience, refreshing our newsletter (the first new issue goes out next week), and planning even more ways to support you and your business.
Want to help shape what’s next? Take a minute to fill out our quick survey and let us know what you’d love to see more of.
The Workshop You Cannot Miss
We’re pumped to welcome Whitney and Jonathon Hagerbome, two absolute powerhouses who have grown Innovative Energy from a small distributor into a thriving manufacturer. Translation: they’re total badasses, they’ve been exactly where you are, and they’ve figured out how to grow their business without burning out.
If you’re tired of doing everything yourself, this interactive session is your chance to learn how to scale in a way that feels sustainable and achievable. You’ll walk away with practical tools, learn to delegate like a pro, and finally start building a business that doesn’t rely on you for every single decision.
Bring your questions, bring a guest, and bring that big idea you’ve been too overwhelmed to tackle. This is the space to dig in, get clarity, and feel supported by your fellow members!
Meetup at Inspiration Wood
We’re switching things up this month with a Member Meetup / Cookout at Inspiration Wood Wellness Club. If you haven’t been out there yet, you HAVE to come. Fellow TC Members, Kim & Ron Van Session, will give us a tour of all the new additions, think meditation spaces, archery, hatchet throwing, and future plans for the Warrior Welcome Village.
They will have plenty of cookout classics, burgers, hot dogs, chips, fruit salad, and of course great company. Just RSVP to let us know you’re coming so we can plan accordingly!
Farmed & Forged Updates + Kids Weekend
July 12 and 13 is Kids Weekend at the market, and we’re excited to officially launch Curious Chefs, our new program to help kids discover the joy of cooking and fresh food. We’ll be running it every second weekend of the market season. It’s one more way we’re investing in the next generation and making the market an even better place for families.
This month, we’re also giving back to the Boys & Girls Club of LaPorte County with a donation drive. If you’d like to help, you’re welcome to run your own collection (just let us know, and we can pick everything up at the end of the month), or you can bring monetary donations or any of these most-needed items to the market info booth:
Construction paper
Plain white paper
Card stock (all colors)
Glue bottles and sticks
Markers
Sharpies
Crayons
Kleenex
Paper towels
Ziplock bags (all sizes)
Clorox wipes (or similar)
Play Doh
Small “treasure box” type prizes
Quick note: They typically don’t need many individual backpacks, notebooks, folders, or binders, since those are often covered by back-to-school events.
We are still accepting vendors for Kids Weekend. If you or your business would like to get involved with a donation drive or any other philanthropic efforts this month, let us know. We’d love to help promote your cause and showcase how our community gives back!
We’re here to support you, learn with you, and keep moving forward together. Big things are happening, and we’re glad you’re part of it!
See you soon,
Mandy
Bill Nelson
Author / Lawyer / TC Member
