Jim Hess
Jim Hess has been owner and publisher of the Morgan County Business Leader since 2011 and owner and publisher of the Town Planner Community Calendar since 2008. In both businesses Jim aspires to connect, promote and support the local small business community. As a successful small business owner himself, he knows the challenges entrepreneurs face, the thrill of achievements reached, and the appreciation felt for support and encouragement. That understanding, along with his mission of building relationships, is reflected in the purpose and pages of his publications. Jim’s success began when he graduated from Olivet Nazarene University and embarked on a career with Northwest Airlines. While there, he received numerous awards for his work including the 2003 President’s Award for Employee Support and Inspiration. Several years later, he accepted a position in the manufacturing industry where he was tasked to manage corporate relationships with many different entities ranging from the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. to employee relations. Jim continually strives to contribute to the business community through his participation in civic organizations such as the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce where he has served as both vice president and president. Jim can be reached at jim@morgancountybusinessleader.com.
Elaine Whitesides
Elaine Whitesides brings a unique perspective to her position as writer for the Morgan County Business Leader. With an extensive background in real estate finance and the restaurant industries, she understands the corporate and business perspective of small business owners and entrepreneurs. As an elementary school educator, she has the skills to take the complex and make it simple and clear. As a writer, she loves nothing more than to tie all the information about an enterprise up into a story that reflects not only the business, but the business owner as well. Elaine held management positions for First Financial Savings and Loan and Inland Mortgage Corporation, a division of Inland Real Estate, before obtaining her teaching credentials. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, both from National Louis University. After leaving the education field in 2003, Elaine pursued her interest in writing. It evolved into a business, Whitesides Words, LLC, which she has owned and operated since 2009.
AUTO-MATIC Customer Service
On a snowy weekday morning the phone doesn’t quit ringing and there’s a steady stream of customers through the door. In the waiting area is a family with a child playing with toys while his parents watch TV and talk on their cell phones. A woman is tapping at her laptop keyboard in the light of a picture window while yet another woman cracks open a textbook.
Sustaining Liberty
Tax time is generally not something most people get excited about, but then, Denise Carr is no like most people. She has an entrepreneurial streak in her. The kind that sees opportunity, grabs it and learns how to make it work.
Meet the Face of the Martinsville Chamber
When speaking with Jamie Thompson, she has a tendency to reply using pluralities—using terms such as “we” and “us.” For instance, she might say, “We want to introduce you the right people, so tell us more about what you do.” When asked about what gives her the greatest job satisfaction, she replied, “making the right introductions, or getting the right idea to someone at just the right time. When I can help someone grow their business, or connect someone with a great idea with the person who can help get it done.”
Insuring a Successful Business
Right on Dean Mayfield’s business card, it says, “Mooresville’s Own” and that says a lot about how Mayfield views himself and his business, Mayfield Insurance, Inc. Other than commuting to Indianapolis for college and a couple of jobs prior to 1989, Mayfield’s entire life from before his first birthday to the present has been spent in Morgan County. He’s proud to say Morgan County has always been his home and he says, “I never really thought about going anywhere else.”