Entrepreneurial ‘Meet & Greet’ held in Markle

Markle Church of Christ, 455 E. Morse Street, Markle, was the location of the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce’s eighth entrepreneurial gathering ‘Meet & Greet.’ The event introduced three Markle area businesses that were begun by entrepreneurs in the Markle area.

Steve Kimmel, executive director of the Chamber, began the evening by welcoming those in attendance and explaining the Entrepreneurial Leadership Council under the direction of the Chamber. He thanked Nadean Brown of Nadean’s Cakes/Cookies/Catering, Markle, and her sister Cindy Blocker for preparing the meal. Kimmel also thanked Markle Church of Christ for hosting the event and Mike Grant, Markle Operations Manager, for his help in organizing the evening and the Markle Chamber of Commerce. Present for the evening were State Senator Andy Zay; Jane Rich, Indiana Small Business Development Center, and Terry Miller, Huntington County Council.

Nadean and her sister not only catered the meal but spoke to the group about beginning Nadean’s Cakes/Cookies/Catering. Her business has been located in downtown Markle for 13 years. Along with her sister Cindy Blocker, they have catered for twenty years, and started the storefront as baking and cooking are her “God-given gifts,” according to Nadean. She spoke to those in attendance about her recipes and her mom who taught her to bake and cook. Her family and friends are very important to her, and are her encouragement. She also makes cakes, which former Pastor Ron Goetz taught her to decorate. She is involved with the Markle Chamber of Commerce, takes care of Markle’s Easter Egg Hunt and runs the Pork Chop tent at the Huntington County 4-H Fair.

Kimmel introduced John Niederman, director of the Fortitude Fund through Elevate Northeast Indiana. Niederman explained the Fortitude Fund and its support of entrepreneurs, “We have helped over 250 entrepreneurs with $1,000 grants, and we like to connect people. We currently have a business here going through the process, GenSolar Power.” To learn more or apply visit fortitudefund.org.

The entrepreneurial ‘Meet & Greet’ featured two additional entrepreneurs who spoke about their businesses. Zach Halsema, The Bread Guy LLC, Markle, and Josh Eltzroth and Kevin Jeffrey, GenSolar Power, Markle, explained how they began their businesses and the success they have experienced.

Zach Halsema shared how his passion and love of baking Artisan breads, pastries and more led him to beginning The Bread Guy. He began by bringing his baked goods to his place of employment, GM. People loved his baked goods so much that he was bringing more and more items to work. Halsema made the decision to leave his place of employment and begin the business. He was one of the first applicants in the third cycle to receive a $1,000 Fortitude Fund grant. Halsema’s storefront, The Bread Guy LLC, is located in downtown Markle, and he now bakes every day and distributes his baked items to Farmer’s Markets, restaurants and grocery stores. He also has an online Farmer’s Market. His items are baked fresh daily and have no preservatives. Halsema uses the finest grade ingredients available, and offers classes on Friday nights in Markle.

The co-owners of GenSolar have a goal of providing the best backup power solution for anyone’s needs. In business for two and a half years, Josh Eltzroth and Kevin Jeffrey, sell and service Generac generators. They are the number one Generac dealer in Northeast Indiana and Ohio. The systems that they install are built to the customer’s needs. The pair can provide industrial and residential solutions. They explained the system they provide is adequate for many homeowners today, and not every home requires a full standby system. Eltzroth and Jeffrey believe the growing industry they are involved with is important to the future.

If you are an entrepreneur, aspiring entrepreneur, own your own business or are thinking about starting a business consider attending the next ‘Meet & Greet.’ For more information contact skimmel@huntington-chamber.com.