small town BIG BUSINESS

Iowa today is made up of many small towns. Including the town of Panama, which is located 15 minutes from Harlan. Hi, I’m Christine Wingert, and I had the chance to interview some of the owners of some of the businesses in small town Iowa. I interviewed Glenn Wingert, owner of Wingert Construction, Tracey Kenkel, owner of Main Street Market, Laura Wingert, owner of Uptown Looks, and Jay Fahn, the manager of the Shelby County State Bank in Panama. This small town contains more than 20 businesses. One thing they all commented on was that you need to bring out your creative side and that it’s a privelage to know most of your customers.

Interview Questions:

1. What is it like having a business in a small town?

2. Are there a lot of ups and downs to your job?

3. What do you encourage kids to do if they are interested in this kind of business?

Answers:

Glenn-

1. It’s rewarding because you know your helping other people out. But its fun and you can meet a lot of new customers.

2. Yes. Ups - being busy, making money, and happy customers. Downs - customers not paying and running out of work.

3. Get some education on it and get some experience of it to see if you like it.

Jay-

1. You have the advantage of know all of your customers.

2. Like any busniess there is competition and you have that with anything you do. Ups - we have some very loyal customers. Downs - again on competition and things like. Example: technology.

3. I would encourage kids to get some education. You need a little more than a high school diploma and you need to find what you like before you go for the big stuff.

Laura-

1. Wonderful. I have my freedom and I can do more things.

2. Yes. Ups - I see my family members and close relationships with customers. Downs - I have a hard time saying no and I do the standard people every week.

3. Find the creative side of yourself, socialize with other people, and it can be a lot of fun.

Tracey-

1. It’s interesting, challenging, at times you have to be the social coordinator, the weather person, and the person with the mind reading ability, but it’s fun but can be stressful at times.

2. Yes. Ups - I get to be my own boss, do what I enjoy, I get to see and interact with people, for the most part, I like. Downs - I get to be own boss, it’s not something you’re going to make a lot of money doing, hard to be the only person who has the final say in everything.

3. Don’t. Having a grocery store is a finacial challenge. Advice: Be married to someone with a lot of money. If you want to do it you need creativity and a lot of energy.