Spirit

Celebrating our Spirit 2009

Meeting the challenges of today... moving forward... old reliables put to the test

Staff reports

Yeah, it's tough out there. But these folks are fighters. The Lima region has been feeling the pains of the recession, just like the rest of the country. But during such times, the spirit of entrepreneurship and the toughness of the human spirit... Full story

Learning is ongoing

An interview with Roger Hornung, Husky Refinery superintendent

Bart Mills

What are the challenges of leadership at Husky? Addressing the needs of a diversity of stakeholders. Providing management that strategically pursues the best value for investors while also maintaining the quality of the product and a good working... Full story

Remodeling, renting, rewarding

An interview with Todd Fisher, who along with his wife Tami Fisher, owns Fisher Investment Property, Inc.

Liz Olson

What are the challenges of leadership? Just staying positive and making changes when needed. How do you move your business forward? Basically less overhead, eliminating any unnecessary costs. This downturn for us is kind of a good thing. We were... Full story

Hard-earned dough

An interview with Kelly Lange, 36, co-owner of The Pizza Station with wife, Ashley Lange

Beth L. Jokinen

When and why did you open the business? We've been here a year. I worked at Elmview Pizza as a kid growing up and had some good mentors there. I owned Westside Pizza for 10 years, but wanted a new challenge. We had the opportunity to buy out Mike's... Full story

Know your niche

An interview with James Brunner, owner of Readmore's Hallmark stores throughout the region

Tyrel Linkhorn

What are the challenges of leadership? We're not necessarily going to be affected that much by what's going on in the financial area today. The Lima area and the areas that we're in, unemployment seems to be pretty steady. But we're continually... Full story

Elick keeping it one big family

An interview with Kim Elick, general manager of Braun Ambulance in Van Wert

J.D. Bruewer

What are the challenges of leadership? Right now for Braun, some of it is preparing for the business cycle. We are not recession-proof by any means, but we are a bit recession-delayed. The ambulances that are being bought now are being bought with... Full story

Dress business a perfect fit

An interview with Diane Varno, owner of The Bridal Emporium, Wapakoneta

Liz Olson

What are the challenges of leadership? The challenge is on-going. There's so much to do. I would say I live here. And as for my age, 28, that poses a problem sometimes. Some customers don't think I know what I'm doing. It's a day-to-day challenge.... Full story

Rolling with the times

An interview with Kurt Emans, president of Easter Tire

Steven Losey

What are the challenges of leadership in owning a business like this? Quality of people. In our business, we base everything on service. We are a service-driven organization all the way to the retail stores all the way up through commercial... Full story

'Pizza kind of chose me'

An interview with Dave Boyles, owner Fat Jack's Pizza in Lima

Liz Olson

What are the challenges facing Fat Jack's Pizza? The biggest challenge we face is finding good, dependable employees. Even with so many people out of work, most people who want to work are working. That's probably our biggest challenge. We address... Full story

The little pharmacy that could

An interview with John Pack, owner of Pack Pharmacy in Lima for more than 30 years

Beth L. Jokinen

How long have you had the business? I came here in the summer of 1977. There had been a previous pharmacy here since 1937. That owner retired and sold it to my wife and I.   How is the economic downturn impacting your business? You see more... Full story

Oinking out a decent living

An interview with Richard and Paulette Schnipke, owners of the Red Pig Inn in Ottawa and Findlay

Liz Olson

What are the challenges of leadership? Richard: "Creating a team of people that is customer-oriented and puts the guests first, and can deliver great food and service for a great value." How do you move your business forward? Richard: "We try to... Full story

Realtors banking on low interest rates

An interview with Teresa Irwin, president of the West Central Association of Realtors and owner of Irwin Real Estate with offices in Columbus Grove, Ottawa and Kalida

J.D. Bruewer

What are the challenges of leadership? The biggest challenge is to get members involved. People say they want to get involved but they don't. It's almost like we have to push them. This year I just made up my mind that we're going to get more... Full story

Betting on chemistry

An interview with Patrick Conrath, site director, INEOS Lima Chemicals

Heather Rutz

How did you come to be the new site manager at INEOS? I moved around with BP a good bit ... Chicago, Alabama, Houston ... and was in Lima about 10 years ago. I just moved back about four months ago. In 2005, BP decided to spin off most of its... Full story

A Superior strategy

An interview with Superior Federal Credit Union President and CEO Phil Buell on a challenging year and strategies for the future

Bart Mills

What are the challenges of leadership? Right now we have a great staff and a motivated staff, but with what I call all the national noise out there, the bad news everywhere, it's a challenge keeping ourselves motivated and moving forward. How do... Full story

Weaving a Web of opportunity

An interview is with Marc Bowker, owner of Alter Ego Comics, Lima

Bob Blake

What are the challenges of leadership? I think trying to stay positive when things go bad. I don't think necessarily things are as bad as everyone says they are these days. I think the media is overplaying certain aspects of it. Obviously, people... Full story

Tending to the flock

An interview with Daniel Hughes, pastor at The Future Church, 125 W. Kibby St., Lima

Tyrel Linkhorn

What are the challenges of leadership? I think providing encouragement and resources. Confidence is low, morale is low. We believe the gospel is encouraging and life-giving, but right now when you're presenting that message, people are going home... Full story

Configured to serve

An interview with Mike O'Connor, owner of WCOIL

Steven Losey

What are some of the challenges of leadership?  Making sure employees know they have a direct impact on the success or failure of the company. I've worked for big companies and sometimes if you don't show up for work for a day, no one can... Full story

United to find ways to help

An interview with Bev Prueter, president of the United Way of Greater Lima since 1976

Greg Sowinski

What are the challenges of leadership? In my leadership I always try to remember what I say and do has an impact on a lot of different people. My staff, my board, my volunteers, partner agencies that I serve. You need to try to move forward and... Full story

The beauty secrets of business

An interview with Sue Ford, owner of Country Styles Beauty Salon in Spencerville since 1971

Greg Sowinski

How did you get started in your business? I've enjoyed doing hair since high school when I was 15 or 16 years old. I won a half-paid scholarship to Ohio State Beauty Academy. Back then it was only $600 to go so I got it for $300. That was 1968 or... Full story

Running lean, running smart, running strong

An interview with Dan Clelens, the plant manager for Metokote

Steven Losey

What are the challenges of leadership? Changes with our customers, sometimes on a week to week basis, sometimes on a day to day basis. It's hard times just dealing with the ongoing stresses of the cost issues and making sure we keep people... Full story

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