Understanding the Heritage of Our Community
By Steven J. Olsen
Yoder Ainlay Ulmer
& Buckingham, LLP
The Elkhart County community is filled with
creativity, ingenuity, and the entrepreneurial
spirit. Our community understands how to
identify and meet the needs of others. By
developing new businesses and building
non-profits we make our community great. Our quality of life is
strengthened by the diversity of thought that our community offers.
The Elkhart Chamber Leadership Academy provides us with an
opportunity to meet others, diversify our thoughts, and further
understand the rich heritage of our community. Many know that
our heritage is impacted by a significant Amish population, but
few take the time to learn about it. In November, the Leadership
Academy visited Amish members and businesses in
our community.
we continued to visit other local businesses that represent the
entrepreneurial spirit of our community. Local companies continued
to welcome us into their businesses by providing tours and describing
the history of the businesses. We visited a buggy manufacturer, an RV
manufacturer, a wind chime manufacturer, a grocer, and even a camel
farm. We also experienced a traditional Amish meal that ensured no
one left hungry. I am confident that this month was an experience
that none of us will soon forget.
I am excited to be a part of our community’s success story and am
honored to participate in this year’s Leadership Academy. On behalf
of all Leadership Academy participants, we look forward to working
with you in growing and strengthening our community.
(Due to space constraints, the Leadership diary in November’s Leading
Business did not run in its entirety. The full version is available at
elkhart.org/leadership_diary_nov2013.pdf.)
Our morning started with an experience I will never
forget. We were welcomed into one of many Amish
schools located in our community. We entered a
one-room class with students from first to eighth
grade. Three teachers discussed the Amish teaching
process and then allowed us to ask questions. We were
welcomed upon arrival and the students sang to us
prior to departure.
Upon departing the Amish youth, we visited a
community landmark – Rise’n Roll Bakery. After
enjoying some of the best donuts ever made,
Label Logic sticks with service, succeeds through creativity
It’s the familiar Elkhart story – an
entrepreneur with an idea starts a
company in a garage. To make a go of
it, the start-up adapts to needs and fills
a niche.
Label Logic started this way, and even
if the name is unfamiliar, the products
and services aren’t for those who buy
items with bar codes, tags and item
descriptions.
For its innovative and creative services, Label Logic has been
selected for the monthly award by the Greater Elkhart Chamber’s
Business Recognition Council. Led by president Jeff Cripe and vice
president Karen Cripe, the Pine Creek Road business prides itself on
quality design and production to meet business labeling needs.
into flexographic printing. Tags, printers, ribbons and software are
among the many items offered to its international customer base.
Founded in 1997 to sell Zebra bar code printers, Label Logic moved
Learn more about Label Logic and its offerings at label-logic.com.
The company’s mission: “To exceed our customers’ expectations
in quality, delivery and cost through continuous improvement and
customer service.”
LEADING BUSINESS 5