Woman Business Leader Inspired Professionals
by Andrea Cook 
The candid conversation continued as she shared her biggest challenge that she was faced with during 2009 when her company went from a thriving staff of 50 to a slender seven. She is happy to announce she has rehired most of her workforce back and now has factors in place that will help her to see the risks so she is better prepared for any future decline in the revenue.
How did this business owner turn the company from failing- into thriving mode in the midst of a declining economy where the RV industry is hit the hardest? By tightening up her shoestrings (by the way, this woman is a remarkable dresser too!), Karen led her company through the recent time of a dying economy by diversifying into new markets. As a second generation owner of a company that had provided decorative graphics for recreational vehicles for decades, Karen worked with her team to brainstorm on new ways to use the existing equipment and bravely launched two new divisions within her organization including vehicle wraps and residential decor graphics.
Fascinating questions were posed to Karen by the audience members during the afternoon's session such as:
Q: Do you have tips in how to succeed in a male-dominated industry?
Karen recommends that you assert yourself by serving on boards. There are so many opportunities for networking and growing your confidence by serving on boards. She recommended women to get involved on the Women Business Owners of Michiana. WBOM is a monthly networking group that meets over lunch while leaders share and present on topics of interest to women business owners.
Q: How is online social media changing face to face sales?
Karen relies on each of the brands to provide the proper marketing and sales for the diverse product line. She shared an example on how she marketed her children's decor through the use of mommy bloggers. Most likely, she wouldn't reach out to mommy bloggers to sell vehicle graphics however.
Q: How do you manage your time?
She admits that she's still working on the juggle act of the volunteer work with her personal and professional time and tells the group that she's tried using the iPhone, iCal, iGoogle, etc. to manage her schedule and to-do lists but still relies on the good ol piece of paper.
Q: Of all the roles in your career, which one helped prepare you for a CEO role?
Karen has worn multiple hats from working in the plant, to managing traffic in the plant, to processing and admin, she claims the most helpful position was the training and experience in sales. Sales taught her that "no never means no. No means, not now." For sales, she recommends to maintain contact, top of mind and make the calls by playing the number game.
There were more suggestions shared that enlightened the up and coming leaders in the audience. The most remarkable were words that Karen no doubt lives by, "Take the initiative and network. Be genuine."
Thank you for walking the talk and exemplifying success along the way Karen! Keep up the hard work and pure heart.
TMCInspiration Found in 40 Under 40 Program
by Andrea Cook 
Today a room overflowing with over 400 professional leaders hailing from Valparaiso, Plymouth, Elkhart, South Bend and beyond joined to honor the Class of 2011 Michiana's Forty Under 40 at South Bend's Gillespie Conference Center. The event, led by the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County recognized forty outstanding local professionals under age forty for their business success and community contributions.
The Midas Center owner, Andrea Cook was one of the honorees. She shares, "It is a pure honor to be recognized with such a group of dynamic thought leaders. Although diverse in backgrounds, professions and interests, there is still one thread that brings us all together. Leadership. I'm looking forward to the opportunities to grow along side of these up and coming game changers."
Cook acknowledges this experience as a milestone in her professional career and claims that the most rewarding part was sitting among the group of peers while listening to the remarks made by Tracy Graham, Managing Principal at Graham Allen Partners. Graham, a Michiana Forty Under 40, Class of 2007, shared sage and insight with these powerful words:
"There will always be naysayers, cynics and obstacles. They are placed in our ways to weed out the weak."
In the company of mayors, chairpersons, business owners, non profit directors and chief executives, former Michana Forty Under 40 honorees, as well as the supportive colleagues, friends and family members of this year's class, Graham continued to acknowledge the need for strong and purposeful leadership in our community and businesses and as he gazed upon the future leaders in the room, he remarked that we are "unified in purpose and passion."
"Truly inspiring," Cook remarks as she holds steadfast to those encouraging words. Immediately following was the 2011 Class Recognition where each professional was announced and congratulated with a special award and hand shakes by Presidents and CEOs Jeff Rea, Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County and Phil Penn, Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce.
The Midas Center Welcomes New Team Members
by Andrea Cook 
The Midas Center, a full service communications agency located in downtown Plymouth is proud to officially announce three new members to the Midas team. New team members Michael Bergman, Brandy Coomer and Shannon Samuelson bring the perfect amount of creativity and technical expertise to help The Midas Center meet its main objective: to help organizations and businesses succeed in the marketplace.
With over 50 years of collective experience serving global corporations, professional service firms, government agencies, political campaigns and nonprofit organizations, this latest addition will position The Midas Center to better serve Michiana’s business leaders and ultimately foster growth for the community’s commerce.
In addition to helping current and future clients, this expansion also provides local employment opportunities. “One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been getting projects that provide jobs and empower other creative professionals,” remarks Andrea Cook, The Midas Center’s Founder and President.
Michael Bergman, account executive speaks on his new position, "I'm proud to join The Midas Center team, in a downtown building that bears my family name on its Michigan Street exterior," said Bergman. "My roots are in Plymouth, I'm finally 'home' and share Andrea's vision for a revitalized, green, downtown Plymouth and a business that supports economic development in Marshall County."
Recently relocated from Chicago, The Midas Center opened its doors at 100 W. Garro Street and since October has provided a variety of services for local clients including Culver United Methodist Church, Earthworks, Lake Maxinkuckee Envrionmental Council, HanggUp, Imaginary Art School, inSPIRATIVE art center, Marshall County Neighborhood Center, Recycle Depot and Sorian. From web sites, social media programs, visual identities and public relations, The Midas Center has provided a customized approach based on each client’s vision, need and budget.
In six short months The Midas Center has reached out to local business to offer free monthly workshops. This series of Brown Bag lunch workshops have included topics such as web site basics, social media and branding. Wednesday, April 28th will be the final free workshop and is a WILDCARD. The public is welcome to vote for the preferred topic to be presented by visiting The Midas Center on Facebook.
US Industries: Out with the Old, In with the New
by Andrea Cook 
As one calendar approaches the end of its lifecylce, all 2010 calendars are primed and ready to go. Much like some key industries reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) this month, the adage: Out with the Old, In with the New holds true for the marketplace with some industries predicted to decline while emerging sectors show signs of growth.
According to the BLS report, growth industries include:
- Management, scientific and technical consulting services
- Offices of physicians
- Computer systems design and related services
- Other general merchandise stores
- Employment services
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
- Home health care services
- Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities
- Nursing care facilities
- Full-service restaurants
On the flip side, the BLS reports these industries expected to experience the steepest employment declines:
- Department stores
- Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing
- Motor vehicle parts manufacturing
- Postal service
- Printing and related support activities
- Cut and sew apparel manufacturing
- Newspaper publishers
- Support activities for mining
- Gasoline stations
- Wired telecommunications carriers
How will your business thrive? Are you adapting to and growing with the marketplace as the technical revolultion shifts the way businesses communicate to the public? As 2010 approaches and its trends will inevitability impact your business' bottom line, what ways are you shifting your marketing message? With Social Media as one of the fastest growing marketing tools, technology has again brought meaning to the term: the medium is the message.
If you are interested in learning more about social media, register for the upcoming free workshop, Social Media Pioneers. The Midas Center is dedicated to help Michiana's businesses grow in the marketplace.
For further information on this report, visit the report press release by BLS and an article titled, "Top 10 Growing and Shrinking US Industries," released by MC Marketing Charts.