Dear Chamber Supporters,
It’s slowly settling in that we are officially in 2023 2024! Along with that new year positivity comes some quotes I want to share with you. Yesterday our Leadership Franklin County class heard from national speaker Steven Iwersen. Two quotes captured my attention from his talk about leadership, the first being, “Manage processes, but make sure to mentor people.” The second is “Trust is the currency of business.” In the context of the discussion, Steven mentioned how to work with coworkers, staff, and those around us for more positive results. Though managing processes is an effective way of working and is necessary to accomplish tasks, it is a less effective (or maybe even ineffective) way to work with people. Instead, mentoring people is what makes real progress in the workplace and beyond. The act of mentoring those within your scope of influence can be transformative. This foundation is built around trust, whether you’re performing business internally, business to business, or business to customer. More and more communities like our own judge their trust in an organization over anything else. So much of our nation, even the world, has moved towards an impersonal way of performing business. Meanwhile, smaller communities in the Midwest, like our own, find a desire to do business face to face, and to know the individual you’re engaging with. One of my favorite aspects of working in Ottawa and Franklin County is the general desire to create relationships with those around us as we do business… this cannot be done without trust! Steven does a great job of making his talk each year motivational and practical, all rolled into one—another outstanding Leadership Franklin County session.
The Silent Auction is Live
Bidding time has officially begun! We’re so pleased with all the fantastic local support we have received for our biggest annual fundraiser. The banquet and auction were wrapped up together into one single night pre-2020… now we let everybody join in on the fun (access auction here). With bidding starting today and ending after the completion of the annual banquet next Thursday (1/25), there will be a whole week for potential winners to participate. We cannot thank our supporting businesses enough. Each year we get to see unique and exciting new items; there’s really a little bit for everybody up for grabs. Along with those who donated, we’re so thankful for those who bid as well! We say to bid high and bid often… always a good strategy to win. With every item donated and every bid placed, our organization and the prosperity of our community are supported. The money raised here is directly poured back into the community in more ways than one. We love to see Ottawa and Franklin County thrive, we’re so blessed to be a part of its success!
Six Acre Farm LLC
This morning, Chamber members gathered for the Ribbon Cutting for one of Ottawa’s newest businesses, Six Acre Farm LLC (pictures here). Located just south of 15th Street (1521 S Main St.), in the strip on the east side of the road, tucked away is Jessica and Brandon Dowdy—two new entrepreneurs who have dived in headfirst with their new embroidery and screen-printing business. Many will know Nancy at M&N Sportshop, a business on W 2nd St. for 25 years. In the late summer, Jessica and Brandon purchased this business and started Six Acre Farm, effectively taking on M&N’s business with a new name, new scenery, and fresh personnel to run the show. If you don’t know the Dowdy’s, you’re missing out! They are one of the sweetest couples you can run into, and they have such a passion for community involvement. Though neither are native Kansans, they chose to move to Franklin County for many of the reasons we love this community… and I’m more than pleased they’ve chosen Ottawa to live and run a business in.
One of the questions asked this morning was the history of their name and logo. Jessica and Brandon recently moved to a six-acre plot of land that they hope to turn into a small farm with livestock in the future, hence the name. The logo they created has an array of flowers within the center, representing each of her siblings. A very creative name and logo for a business that uses practical skills to express creativity on clothing products for people to enjoy. I love to see young entrepreneurs chase their dreams and create success through hard work and a quality product. I recommend you give Jessica a call when you have your next project in mind; no better way to advertise your business or organization than with swag to show it off. You can visit Jessica at the store here soon with regular hours Tuesday through Thursday. But you don’t have to wait to reach out, as they also take calls throughout the week at 785-214-9731. I’m excited to have the Dowdy’s in Ottawa; great things to come from these two!
Legislative Coffee Tomorrow
If you’re brave enough to take on the cold and are interested in having a discussion with our local legislators, make sure to come to Ottawa City Hall tomorrow (1/20) at 10am for our first Legislative Coffee of the year. Having only been in session a few weeks, our Legislative Action Committee has slightly altered how this first Coffee will be arranged. We will first hear from each legislator (our four legislator’s contact info here) about what they participated in towards the end of 2023 to better prepare themselves for this 2024 session. They will also be able to discuss what they’re looking forward to as this year progresses—specifically thinking about what legislation they are supporting or maybe will introduce. After these questions, those in attendance will have the unique opportunity to talk one-on-one with each legislator about practically anything… within the bounds of reason. It will look much like a networking event or social hour. Hopefully this addition to the first gathering will create an environment moving forward where legislators and constituents are more than just names; they are humans who want to make the community/state a better place. Stay tuned for the results! As we move forward, these events will be held on the third Saturday of the month through April (info here). These will also be livestreamed on the City of Ottawa’s Facebook page for those who cannot make it in person. All with the hope that we keep Franklin County residents tuned in to what is happening at the state level, at least those who are interested anyway!
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Tonight my family and I will attend our first-ever hockey game as we go and check out the KC Mavericks in Independence, Missouri. Can’t be any colder in the arena than it is outside currently! Also getting mentally prepared for the Chiefs matchup in Buffalo… go Chiefs! Hopefully when we talk next we’re celebrating a big win, until then I hope you stay warm! See you soon,
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000