Applegate builders, caterers, contractors and other local tradespeople gathered for an evening of connection and fun at A Greater Applegate’s recent Business Network Event.
Some Applegate businesses are easy to spot: Stores and wineries have their highway signs and prominent buildings. But what about finding all the services and non-retail businesses in the valley? The businesses that help keep our electricity zinging, our plumbing flowing, and our structures sound?
In an effort to connect and increase the visibility of these behind-the-scenes businesses, A Greater Applegate (AGA) sponsored two Trades Networking Events, one at Sweets-N-Eats on July 25th and another at the Applegate Country Club on September 5th.
Local landscapers, contractors, seamstresses, farm workers and caterers turn out for the event, lured by the opportunity to connect and promote their businesses (and the promise of pizza beer!)
“You are all in high demand,” said Megan Fehrman, the Co-Executive Director of A Greater Applegate. She talked about all the posts she sees on Facebook made by people looking for nearby plumbers and electricians, etc.
Kate Vangeloff, AGA’s new Business Network Coordinator, led the event. Kate runs LongSword Vineyard and brings first-hand experience of running a local business in the Applegate Valley.
She greeted the group. “This event is so we can all find each other and get connected.” She smiled and compared it to speed dating: you never know what business partnerships could result from the meet up! The group then went around to introduce themselves.
“I’m not a winery, not a lavender farm, not in the tourist industry. I’m just a business person,” said Dan Defenbaugh, who recently retired from Jungle Tamer LLC, his business that does wildland fuel reduction, mulching, blackberry removal, and other projects. “Having Kate on board makes me feel like stuff is happening,” Dan said.
Also among the group were Kristen Lyon from Jefferson Farm Kitchen, a local seamstress named Inka Goshorn, Maxwell Unger who is a framer and Jim Reiland, who is now retired but built strawbale houses with his business, Many Hands Builders. Jim is an AGA board member and was the first Business Network Member.
Kate and Megan then outlined some of the benefits of joining A Greater Applegate’s Business Network. In addition to receiving invites to networking events, workshops (like the upcoming Regenerative Economics event), and the holiday party, members also get their listing up on Applegate Valley Connect. This website is our local resource for news and emergency information and includes a beautiful new business directory. If appropriate, members can also get their business listed on the visitor-facing Wander Applegate website.
Kate Vangeloff chats about theater costumes with local seamstress, Inka Goshorn. Like all of AGA’s events, the evening was a mix of fun and productivity.
The group spent the second half of the event mingling over pizza and beer and sharing experiences.
Kristen Lyon of Jefferson Farm Kitchen Catering was happy to see people that she doesn’t get to see often all in one place. She acknowledged the challenges of doing business in a rural area. The long driving distances make getting the food onsite and still hot tricky. But she also espoused the benefits to working in a rural area: access to a multitude of amazing food resources.
“I love to know the people that make the food that I use, and I like spending money on businesses of people I know,” she explained.
Does she ever think of moving to an urban area?
“I never think of going to the big city where everything is more expensive,” she said. “You make more, but you pay more. I’m happy being a medium fish in a small pond. I like the pace and community of a small place.”
Also in attendance was Happy Bernards who recently moved to Grants Pass from Portland. Happy works as the Education Coordinator for Josephine County Farm Collective. Part of his job is to hold a series of adult education programs, give cooking and gardening classes, and to assist a local Farm-to-School program.
“I’m somewhat new to the valley and trying to make connections to find out who else is working and make collaborations,” he said.
Inka Goshorn came from Williams to attend. She makes custom patterns and prototypes for wedding dresses and formal wear through her business called Inka Linn. She honed her skills at the College of Art and Design in Dublin. She came to the event with the intent to be around other makers. “I yearn for more artistic and creative people around me,” she said.
Toward the end of the meeting, she was chatting with Kate Vangeloff who, aside from running LongSword Vineyard, also has a theater company called Wanderlust. She is always looking for costumes for her productions.
A future business collaboration?
Perhaps!
Also, present at the meeting:
Bradford Goshorn of Bear Creek Forest Management, Maxwell Unger of ShebanGo Saunas, Autumn MacIvor from Burning Daylight Construction, and Susan Butler, a local Journeyman Carpenter.
Interested in joining A Greater Applegate’s Business Network? Learn more here.
