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Luncheon puts biz ‘In the Spotlight'
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff Writer
Keokuk Affiliates hosted the 15th annual Small Business Appreciation Luncheon Wednesday at the Holiday Inn Express with the theme “In The Spotlight.”
Business owners, managers and employees from an eye doctor to bankers, small shops to small industries, from one-month old businesses to those that have passed the century mark, were spotlighted and thanked.
As lunch guests arrived they were offered an interview by local media and on camera with Ed Vinson of Vinson Media, Keokuk. Owners or managers were asked to introduce themselves and business, tell what products or services they provide, how long the business has been open, the number of employees, hours of operation and a brief item of interest.
The interviews will be broadcast next week on government access Mediacom Cable TV channel 9. A time and date will be announced.
“Welcome on behalf of our citizens and city council for what you bring to Keokuk,” said Mayor Dave Gudgel.
“Small businesses are the backbone of a community. Small businesses are important to Keokuk and you are truly appreciated. You've invested in Keokuk,” said Gudgel.
Kevin Kuckelman, emcee, said the luncheon was an opportunity to point out what small businesses do in the community.
“We're grateful you are here,” he said. “This luncheon can provide encouragement. We all can hear about what you do. We can be appreciated. We can network. Finally, relax and enjoy the lunch. Thanks to Atmos Energy for being our sponsor for the fifth year in a row.”
Kuckelman is owner of Keokuk Abstract Title Company since 1994.
“I'm an attorney practicing real estate law. We do stuff nobody else finds interesting. That's why you pay us to search titles,” he said. “We have six employees.”
He invited everyone in the room to stand and introduce themselves, fellow workers and briefly tell about their company or business.
“I could probably write a book about all that I've seen over the years,” said Terry Wells, owner of Wells Way Carpet Cleaning.
He has been in business 27 years with a service that cleans carpets and upholstery, cleans up smoke and water damage and cleans nearly all the Keokuk factories. He has two full-time and 13 part-time employees.
“All the houses I've been in over the years, I could tell some stories,” said Wells. “One incident stands out. We were working on a hot day, probably 95 degrees. It was about the fifth job for the day, so I was hot and tired. I was thirsty and saw a glass of water by the sink. The owner was outside on the porch, so I helped myself and drank the water.
“After a while, she came in and asked if I wanted a drink. I told her I helped myself. She asked what glass I had used. I told her I drank the glass of water sitting there.
“‘Oh, that's the one I use to soak my false teeth,' she said.”
Abby Etter, owner of Petite Boutique, a hair salon, also said she could write a book.
“Between my years of doing hair and Lenny's years on the police force, I have some good stories,” she said.
Etter has been in business since 1971 and at her location on North Fourth Street since 1974.
“We chronicle the bitter and the sweet for you,” said Cindy Iutzi, staff writer at the Daily Gate City with almost 11 years here and five years at the Hancock County Journal Pilot newspaper. “You are what makes us interesting.”
The Daily Gate City employs about 20 people at its Main Street location and traces its origins in Keokuk back to 1847.
Some surprising businesses were revealed during the introductions.
Sherry Morton of Warsaw, Ill., owns Zoe's Fitness on Main Street in Keokuk.
“My husband is retired army and we returned to the area a few years ago,” she said. “In 1993 I started a business, Millennium Wellness. We have contracts with the military and government around the world. We employ 300 staff around the world. We were recently awarded a contract with the Secret Service. We'll be training them.”
Carol Mardis of Keokuk introduced herself as an attorney and Ph.D. candidate.
“I'll be opening a new business soon in Keokuk,” she said. “It will be an educational research firm.”
Tongas Substance Screening, headquartered in Alaska with a Keokuk branch on Blondeau Street, can provide safety training for employers such as CPR classes, conduct department of transportation and other testing for drugs and alcohol in employees and help a company create policies.
“We also can do DNA testing,” said Kelly Baum from the Keokuk office. “We can be available 24/7 if needed.”
More of the individual businesses that were represented at the luncheon will be featured on the Daily Gate City's business pages published each Wednesday.
“I'm always surprised at the diversity of the market here,” said Kuckelman. “Let's not be afraid to promote one another. If you have a customer you can't help, send them down to the next guy.”
A slide show highlighted small businesses that made significant investments in the past year, improvements, renovations or relocated as well as new businesses.
A video compiled by Vinson brought messages of appreciation and encouragement from Iowa's senators, congressman and governor; economic development, Main Street Iowa and department of tourism directors; and President George Bush.
After the luncheon, Crystal MgGee, co-owner with her husband of an autobody shop, Body Tech, that opened in April, said she was impressed with the number of businesses represented.
Dave Grogan, manager at T. O. Haas Tire said it was a nice idea to recognize everyone there.
“It's good to know we have so many specialty businesses,” he said.
Business owners, managers and employees from an eye doctor to bankers, small shops to small industries, from one-month old businesses to those that have passed the century mark, were spotlighted and thanked.
As lunch guests arrived they were offered an interview by local media and on camera with Ed Vinson of Vinson Media, Keokuk. Owners or managers were asked to introduce themselves and business, tell what products or services they provide, how long the business has been open, the number of employees, hours of operation and a brief item of interest.
The interviews will be broadcast next week on government access Mediacom Cable TV channel 9. A time and date will be announced.
“Welcome on behalf of our citizens and city council for what you bring to Keokuk,” said Mayor Dave Gudgel.
“Small businesses are the backbone of a community. Small businesses are important to Keokuk and you are truly appreciated. You've invested in Keokuk,” said Gudgel.
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“We're grateful you are here,” he said. “This luncheon can provide encouragement. We all can hear about what you do. We can be appreciated. We can network. Finally, relax and enjoy the lunch. Thanks to Atmos Energy for being our sponsor for the fifth year in a row.”
Kuckelman is owner of Keokuk Abstract Title Company since 1994.
“I'm an attorney practicing real estate law. We do stuff nobody else finds interesting. That's why you pay us to search titles,” he said. “We have six employees.”
He invited everyone in the room to stand and introduce themselves, fellow workers and briefly tell about their company or business.
“I could probably write a book about all that I've seen over the years,” said Terry Wells, owner of Wells Way Carpet Cleaning.
He has been in business 27 years with a service that cleans carpets and upholstery, cleans up smoke and water damage and cleans nearly all the Keokuk factories. He has two full-time and 13 part-time employees.
“All the houses I've been in over the years, I could tell some stories,” said Wells. “One incident stands out. We were working on a hot day, probably 95 degrees. It was about the fifth job for the day, so I was hot and tired. I was thirsty and saw a glass of water by the sink. The owner was outside on the porch, so I helped myself and drank the water.
“After a while, she came in and asked if I wanted a drink. I told her I helped myself. She asked what glass I had used. I told her I drank the glass of water sitting there.
“‘Oh, that's the one I use to soak my false teeth,' she said.”
Abby Etter, owner of Petite Boutique, a hair salon, also said she could write a book.
“Between my years of doing hair and Lenny's years on the police force, I have some good stories,” she said.
Etter has been in business since 1971 and at her location on North Fourth Street since 1974.
“We chronicle the bitter and the sweet for you,” said Cindy Iutzi, staff writer at the Daily Gate City with almost 11 years here and five years at the Hancock County Journal Pilot newspaper. “You are what makes us interesting.”
The Daily Gate City employs about 20 people at its Main Street location and traces its origins in Keokuk back to 1847.
Some surprising businesses were revealed during the introductions.
Sherry Morton of Warsaw, Ill., owns Zoe's Fitness on Main Street in Keokuk.
“My husband is retired army and we returned to the area a few years ago,” she said. “In 1993 I started a business, Millennium Wellness. We have contracts with the military and government around the world. We employ 300 staff around the world. We were recently awarded a contract with the Secret Service. We'll be training them.”
Carol Mardis of Keokuk introduced herself as an attorney and Ph.D. candidate.
“I'll be opening a new business soon in Keokuk,” she said. “It will be an educational research firm.”
Tongas Substance Screening, headquartered in Alaska with a Keokuk branch on Blondeau Street, can provide safety training for employers such as CPR classes, conduct department of transportation and other testing for drugs and alcohol in employees and help a company create policies.
“We also can do DNA testing,” said Kelly Baum from the Keokuk office. “We can be available 24/7 if needed.”
More of the individual businesses that were represented at the luncheon will be featured on the Daily Gate City's business pages published each Wednesday.
“I'm always surprised at the diversity of the market here,” said Kuckelman. “Let's not be afraid to promote one another. If you have a customer you can't help, send them down to the next guy.”
A slide show highlighted small businesses that made significant investments in the past year, improvements, renovations or relocated as well as new businesses.
A video compiled by Vinson brought messages of appreciation and encouragement from Iowa's senators, congressman and governor; economic development, Main Street Iowa and department of tourism directors; and President George Bush.
After the luncheon, Crystal MgGee, co-owner with her husband of an autobody shop, Body Tech, that opened in April, said she was impressed with the number of businesses represented.
Dave Grogan, manager at T. O. Haas Tire said it was a nice idea to recognize everyone there.
“It's good to know we have so many specialty businesses,” he said.
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