New group facilitates networking among businesses

Steve Moyer/Daily Mail-- Dr. Jason Meisenheimer, Jason Comstock, Lisa Christie, Carol Schotz and Amy Whittington meet at a local doughnut shop, Wednesday morning. They, and several others, are working to bring together new individuals and businesses in Vernon County with those who have been around awhile. "Parts of the group have been getting together for four or five years," Meisenheimer said. "Meeting like this gives us a chance to get with new businesses and individuals and help them."

It's an informal group, a small group but the TIPS group wants to do what larger groups can't -- give people a chance to interact with each other that is just not possible as part of a large group.

"The small-group dynamic helps get people talking who normally wouldn't in a large group," Dr. Jason Meisenheimer said. "People feel more comfortable and aren't as reluctant to speak. Even if we get a lot of people coming to these get-togethers we'll still break up into small groups for that reason."

Meisenheimer said that groups like the chamber of commerce and Rotary were good and have their places but a group like TIPS provided businesses and their owners' unique benefits that the larger, more orthodox groups can't.

"I belong to Rotary and the chamber, but in this group you can do things you just can't in a larger group."

Meisenheimer thinks a mix of experienced and new business people make for a good combination for the group.

"We need people who have been in business a long time, people just starting out and people at all points in-between," Meisenheimer said.

Speaking to Amy Whittington, Madison's Place, Meisenheimer said, "For instance, I don't know a lot about clothes, but I can still help you about what I've learned in my years here," Meisenheimer said. "There's a lot of information I can give you about the area.

"The key to success is to let your concern for your customers drive your business.

"You have to give the customers good service," Meisenheimer said. "You have to get past yourself."

Jason Comstock, agricultural loan specialist with Merchant's Bank, said that having someone to talk to about ideas is helpful because of the feedback others can give.

"You've got to have a sounding board, someone to tell you whether or not you've got a good idea," Comstock said.

The TIPS group -- TIPS is not an acronym for anything -- meets three times a week, at three different locations and times to accommodate as many people as possible. On Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., the group meets at Cherry Street Celebrations, 314 West Cherry; Wednesdays, at 8 a.m., the group meets at Daylight Donuts on the Square: and on Fridays, the group meets at noon at A.J.'s Coffee Rush, 1506 West Austin.