May 22, 2024 • 23 mins
On this episode of The Hub with Michael Allen, sponsored by Manpower Richmond, Michael sits down with Duke Hamm at the Ink in Ale in New Castle, Indiana.
When local legend Duke Hamm swapped the buzz of the Chrysler assembly line for the hum of his own business ambitions, he began a journey that would redefine what it means to be an entrepreneur in New Castle, Indiana. Our latest episode peels back the curtain on Duke's remarkable transformation from a laborer to a linchpin in the local economy, as he reminisces about his formative years, the pivotal moves that launched his career trajectory, and the community that fueled his endeavors.
Our conversation with Duke takes us through the textures of downtown Newcastle, where the echoes of the past blend with the vibrant thrum of present-day commerce. We uncover the synergy between historic preservation and economic innovation, featuring the renaissance of iconic structures like the Hub building and the birth of new hotspots, such as Ink and Ale and Kai's Creation Bistro. Dive into the heart of local business development, spearheaded by community champions like the New Castle Main Street group, and discover how small business leaders are sculpting a dynamic future for this cherished Hoosier town.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Michael Allen from Manpower.
We are a national brand, yetlocally owned franchise.
We are familiar with thechallenges businesses face.
It's tough recruiting andretaining qualified employees.
That's why working withManpower is a smart,
cost-effective solution.
Our entire focus is talentacquisition.
We'll manage your hiring andtraining and provide ongoing,
customized support.
Since 1966, we have been yourcommunity-invested partner,
(00:34):
uniquely positioned to helpeliminate the hassles and save
you time and money.
Let us help contact Manpowertoday.
Hello and welcome to the Hubpowered by Manpower of Richmond,
Portland and, today, Newcastle.
And I am your host, MichaelAllen.
And here on the Hub weinterview local businesses,
community leaders, variousspecial guests, and our mission
(00:57):
is to share and spotlight uniqueand untold stories of companies
, organizations and people whoare making a difference in our
community.
So today I am with Duke Ham andwe are recording here at one of
Newcastle's newest restaurantscalled Ink and Ale, and Duke is
(01:20):
a Newcastle native and localentrepreneur.
Duke, welcome to the Hub.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Welcome.
Great to have you here at theHub building in Inconel
Brewhouse and thanks so much forletting me join in today,
Michael yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Well, you know it's interesting, this building that
we're in is called the Hub, andwhen I first became familiar
with it, it really gave me theidea for this podcast.
So Duke's not mad, he's notupset, but we stole the name
from him, to be honest, just toget full credit.
So, anyway, thanks for joiningwith us today.
We've known each other for alittle over a year, I'd say, and
(01:56):
we've been talking about thisday for several months, and I'm
happy that it's finally going tohappen right now.
And so, before we go into it,just share with us a little bit,
with our followers, a littlebit about yourself, kind of
where you grew up, your familymaybe where you went to college,
that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Fantastic.
I'm born and bred in Newcastle,indiana, graduated from high
school here, love Newcastle.
All my family parents,grandparents, great-grandparents
are all from Newcastle area.
Lots of great rivalry with theRichmond Red Devils.
And then went to Butler Butlergraduate and moved around a good
(02:41):
bit, come back and forth toNewcastle over the years.
And Kathy and I moved backabout a dozen years ago to
Newcastle and then got involvedwith various businesses like
we're sitting in today.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Yeah, Well, I guess you know it has to maybe some
follow up on that.
But we have a tradition at theHub and it's asking everyone
that comes about their first job.
So being involved with manpowerstaffing we like.
So tell us about what.
Would you like your very firstjob where you got a paycheck,
(03:16):
that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Okay, so I can't count my grandpa's farm cutting
the weeds out of the cornbecause he didn't give me a
paycheck 20 bucks.
But my first job, believe it ornot, was at the Chrysler in
Newcastle, the Chrysler plant,and it was the summer after my
senior year and I thought I wasa rich man because I made more
(03:40):
than enough money to pay for myfreshman year at Butler, believe
it or not, in 1977.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
So that was an assembly plant right.
Were they assembling cars Not?
Speaker 2 (03:51):
assembly, but they did like dies and knuckles and
axles.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Okay, all right.
So what did they have this kidout of high school doing?
Speaker 2 (04:02):
The first two weeks it was working at the night
shift and we cleaned out fromunder the machines the old
greasy, the metal shavings, thatmetal shavings and things and
uh, believe it or not, about 30,40 percent quit the first two
weeks.
They didn't want to do it theygave you that job first, but
then then I worked on theknuckle line which is around the
(04:25):
tires.
Okay, metal knuckles, feedingthem into the machine.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
So I've been in a lot of manufacturing companies over
the year where they were doingmachining and shoveling metal
shavings and stuff.
That's kind of back-breakingwork it was.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
It's hard.
I was the smallest guy so I gotto go in the best places, yeah
you went in the nook and cranny,that's right.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
So how much do you remember what you made an hour?
Speaker 2 (04:53):
You know I made it was like $6.58 an hour or
something like that, but I alsowas working 48, 56 hours a week
so far of everyone I'veinterviewed, you've made the
highest wage for your first job.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
So far they've been in the $2 to $3 range.
So now I understand how you'reable to help pay for Butler.
So you're talking aboutdifferent jobs that you did and,
if I remember from when wespoke before, one of your first
jobs here was working for HerffJones Out of college.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Yeah, out of college I have an accounting degree.
Yeah, and worked for the ringcompany Herff Jones, the Poma
company, at their corporateoffice in accounting.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Right, well, I just remember that from high school
that Herff Jones rep would comeand we would pick out our class
rings and whatever.
So what were you doing?
For were you?
Speaker 2 (05:51):
you weren't doing that, or were you doing
something?
I was doing corporateaccounting, detail like
accounting work at the corporateoffice, and eventually I was a
credit manager.
So I'd go out all over reallythe country Philadelphia,
chicago and count ringinventories to make sure they
weren't being reported correctlystolen, making sure our reps
(06:15):
paid their bills.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Does that company still exist?
I mean, I don't think either.
One of my kids got a class ring.
They weren't interested in it,but I mean, do they still do
that At?
Speaker 2 (06:27):
that time I believe we were the biggest in the
United States, but is itJohnson's or something like that
?
Another ring company is biggerthan Huff Jones these days.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Okay, so tell me a little bit about when you
started to kind of venture outon your own, your own businesses
and so how, where did that kindof all first start?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
And I would say you know I was an accountant but I'm
not that much of a detailedperson I liked.
I wanted to work for growingcompanies and I worked well with
the sales people and themanufacturing, the working
people.
But where I really learned alot was with a company called
Browning Ferris Industries andit was a Fortune 200 waste
(07:18):
company the second biggest inthe world and learned a lot
about business.
I learned a lot about people.
I learned a lot about trash andlandfills, yeah, but I was with
them for about 11 years andreally learned to love business.
Growing business strategy Ilove strategic growth is what I
(07:39):
really love.
Being entrepreneurial, right.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
So tell us a little bit about kind of where you're,
what you're involved in todayand kind of how those different
things got started and uh, thecompany I was cfo for, elgin
fastener group out of batesville, uh, sold out to private equity
about 13 years ago.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Okay, and as we sold out to private equity I pretty
much knew as CFO I probablywouldn't be around very long and
so Kathy and I's plan we livedin Batesville at that time was
to move back to Newcastle.
The family and love inNewcastle, sure, kids, we were
empty nesters at that time andso even before I was let go a
(08:28):
seat as CFO, we had actuallygotten with Susan Neal, local
realtor here, okay, to show ussome houses, and started to plan
to move back to Newcastle and Iknew I really wanted out of
corporate America.
I was in my close to my mid-50sand wanted to start some type
(08:50):
of business that helped smallcompanies one business owner
type companies, maybe two tostrategically grow their
business or help them sell orbuy another business, because I
had a lot of experience throughmy accounting CFO days.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Okay, and so is that how you got involved in Focal
Point Is that am I getting thatright?
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Yes, you are.
So as I was no longer CFO, Ihad a good exit experience
package, so to speak, in time.
So I researched.
I was looking for strategic uhmaterials.
Uh do cam.
Strategic planning didn't havea lot of uh behind it and it
(09:34):
might today but maybe thank you,but uh, that's where I found
focal point.
It's a franchise uh, there'sabout 150 in the United States.
Okay, and it was very alignedwith what I wanted to do Great
training, great support, andI've been with them now into my
12th year.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Okay, and just real short, being associated with
Focal Point or having afranchise of it.
You do personal coaching orbusiness coaching, right?
Yes, so that's, and theyprovide you with the tools that
kind of helps you do that, alongwith your own personal
experience and life experiences.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
You got exactly right .
As you know a lot aboutfranchises and what they can
provide and the resources beyondmyself.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Okay, and then.
So that's one part of what youdo.
Another significant part wouldbe, mrs, which is on your shirt
there.
So how did you get into heatingand cooling business?
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Yes, and anyone that knows me well knows I am a
absolute zero mechanically andanything like that.
I was helping a friend of mine,mostly through golf.
Darrell Gross here locallystarted an MRS and I was helping
to prepare him to sell hisbusiness.
And another man I was coachingwith a long time, james Hamilton
(11:00):
.
We identified him to buy thebusiness and he's like well, I
need a business partner to comein with me, 50-50.
And so I ended up buying MRSwith him and we're very
different.
He's more operational andunderstanding there and I'm more
strategic marketing financialaccounting side.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
And then I guess, if I'm kind of fitting all the
pieces together properly about,was it two years ago you bought
the building, this building?
Speaker 2 (11:35):
almost two and a half .
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Yeah, two and a half years ago and this building that
we're in was part of thecourier times yes, which is the
newspaper in newcastle whichstill exists, yes, and, like in
a lot of communities likeNewcastle or Richmond, they're
not printing their own paperanymore, but they still have a
small, I guess, presence withinthe community, which still
(12:01):
exists in this building.
Yes, but it was scaling downquite a bit.
Yes, you know, like where we'reat now used to be where the
printing presses were correct,so you saw this build.
How did this building come upfor your interest in maybe being
invested into it initially?
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Yeah, great question and Kyle York's a younger man
who I'd done some coachinghelping buy a business, and so
we started looking to buy abuilding downtown.
I love this Courier Timesbuilding because when I was
growing up in the 60s and 70sthere was 100 people here.
It was 24-7 paper boys and somegirls.
(12:43):
It was just full of activityand life.
And I love the building becauseit's somewhat different.
It was built in 1962 and so westarted looking at it about four
years ago.
Okay, and there was somenegotiations around
environmental concerns from theInc here and it took about a
(13:08):
year to work those out.
But that's where my interestand love of this building and my
vision and goal was to bringthis building back to life,
where there's people likeyourself and Manpower, kim
Colleen, people coming in andout of this building all the
time.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
So that's part of how I met Duke is that Manpower.
We opened up an office lookingfor a place to put an office and
we were introduced to the hub,which is this building, and we
found a really great place thatwe're very happy with.
As far as our office.
Tell us about all the.
(13:49):
I mean there's more.
I mean Ink and Ale is, at thetime of recording this, about
three weeks old.
Yes, so, and this takes up somesignificant space.
Yes, but there's otherbusinesses in this building as
well.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Yes, and we now have in the hub.
First, I got to give credit,that name came from our Main
Street leader.
Director Kerry Barrett actuallycame up with the hub name and
it stuck.
Kerry Barrett actually came upwith the hub name and it stuck.
And we now have 10 businessesin here, from Whole Heart
(14:25):
Communications, christy Regal,to a man who works remote in one
office, the Courier Times.
My son has the Press CoffeeShop.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
That's about a year and a half old now.
Focal point another focal pointcoach has an office here.
Village creations here.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
So village creations is like a boutique.
Yeah, yeah, you call, okay, yes, and there's manpower, of
course, manpower of course.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
And man.
Is it great that Manpower wouldbe interested in downtown
Newcastle.
That's how much downtownNewcastle has evolved.
And last but not least, weactually have a tattoo artist in
this building that doesscheduled tattoos.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
I'm still working on my design before I get one.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Yeah, I haven't quite got one yet.
You'll be the first to knowbecause you'll see me in the
chair.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
You really, from my experience with you, you really
enjoy promoting the lifeblood ofdowntown Newcastle, if I'm
saying that right, yes, and youhave a lot of passion for
business and what impresses meis that you have passion for
your own businesses, but you'realso a really good cheerleader
for the other ones that youdon't have anything to do with
(15:47):
financially.
You don't have any personalstock in it.
So you know, tell us about someof those businesses and you
know just what's going on indowntown New Castle that you're
excited about, and some of that.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
Maybe some mention some of the businesses that have
started up and that you'reexcited about and I really got
excited about downtown NewCastle really through I
mentioned her before KerryBarrett and the New Castle Main
Street group.
It's ale Main Street group.
It's a national Main Street isa national organization and a
lot of great work for years hasbeen done through that Main
(16:24):
Street organization.
I've been fortunate enough toThank you.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
A little free advertising, that's an incentive
for us to finish this offreally well.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
So I got involved, privileged enough to be on the
board and current president ofthe board, but that's got me
involved throughout the historicdistrict, which is very
important in downtown Newcastleand so many new vibrant
businesses, like Kai's CreationBistro just started across the
(16:59):
street.
Great food, great partnerships.
Blue River Taproom a littleover a year ago down at 11th and
Broad.
1822, dance Studios, nowdowntown.
Primo's been downtown for sevenor eight years now, I believe,
but there's just so many CJ'scandy I'm going to forget a lot,
(17:21):
right.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
And forgive us for not plugging everybody.
It's not intentional.
Yes, yes, 65-year-old brain.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
I understand, but there's so much energy downtown.
We've got a $2 millionpreserving grant through the
state and okra department in atthe state level, and so also I
have to thank the city, themayor of the county there's so
(17:49):
many people to thank and thebusiness owners and building
owners who have taken the riskto step up.
There's also been grantsavailable through our
redevelopment corporation.
I can go on and on, as youowners who have taken the risk
to step up.
There's also been grantsavailable through our
redevelopment corporation.
I can go on and on.
As you can tell, I can rambleon and on about all of it.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Well, you know, we opened up our office at kind of
early winter last last year.
We kind of waiting for thespring to kind of have our grand
opening, which our open house,which was actually just
yesterday.
But I've just been impressedwith just the spirit of people
(18:25):
encouraging us.
You're a great cheerleader, butthere's other people that are
like you that want to seebusinesses succeed, and we kind
of had a number of what we hopedwould show up yesterday, and
way more than that showed up,you know and and uh, so that was
(18:47):
super encouraging.
And it's tough starting a newbusiness, you know and and you
kind of want the spigot to turnon right away and it just
doesn't work that way and uh.
But uh, yesterday was kind of areinforcing moment for us that
we were really happy with thedecision to come here and and we
have a lot of really high hopesfor having an office, you know,
(19:11):
here in Newcastle.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
And Michael, I want to give you a very shameless and
well-deserved plug for Manpower, because our general manager
for Ink and Ale Brewhouse,brandy, came through Manpower
and she is fantastic and we owethat and lots of gratitude to
you and Kim and Colleen andeverybody involved.
(19:35):
She's fantastic.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
So I mean we've covered a lot of stuff.
It seems like we've just beenrolling right along, but I guess
, kind of wrapping things up,kind of what are you excited
about right now?
That's going on, or evenlooking just a little bit
further, what are some of thethings that you're excited about
for next year, because we'realmost through the halfway point
(19:58):
of this year already.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
Can you believe we're already there?
Time flies.
Obviously continued development.
Hopefully we can develop.
A couple of the bigger, olderbuildings downtown Kind of on my
radar right now, just from acommunity viewpoint in Henry
County become involved, involved.
There is a building built outin Memorial Park and it's been
(20:22):
called the Expo building.
We're not changing the name tothe 4-h Center okay, because
that's more accurate.
And getting that bill, gettingthe old Sears building bought
from that organization andhopefully develop.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
There's a couple other buildings involved with
that and obviously growing thethe businesses uh, in downtown
newcastle and especially we needpeople to come out and support
all these different uhbusinesses in the downtown area
and also just throughout thewhole community.
Yes, yes, I appreciate youcoming on today.
(20:59):
Is there anything else thatmaybe we didn't hit on that you
think would be noteworthy forour followers?
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Well, I think the biggest thing is there's some
axe throwing over there, michael.
Okay, if you want to throw anaxe, maybe you want to throw one
at me or my picture as we goalong.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
But thanks so much for having me here and thanks so
much for you and manpower to behere in newcastle, indiana well
, it's our pleasure and I'm gladyou mentioned that, because, uh
, this is quite a unique venuehere this, this restaurant and
and the vibe here and, uh, likeduke mentioned, it's kind of
unique.
There's's ax throwing here andand he has a kind of a really
(21:39):
cool golf simulator in here andthere's a spot to kind of have a
own little private littlegathering if you want to here.
So there's just lots of neatthings in this, in this building
here and in specifically inEconale.
So, if you have a chance toGoogle Econale Newcastle and
come and check out this place,it's just really cool.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
And I better add one more thing, not to cut you off,
but I cut you off.
I have eight differentadditional business partners in
Incanale.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
This is very much a partnership that I play a very
small part in yeah, so you'rejust one of a whole group of
people who are totally investedin making this go, so I'm sure
they appreciate hearing that anduh, so we're going to cut out
by getting into our reward intothis.
Uh, what I understand isoutstanding carrot cake.
(22:29):
So as we sign off, we're goingto take a little bite into here
great idea and Michael.
Awfully good.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Oh, that is good, that is good.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you, michael.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Michael Allen from Manpower.
We are a national brand, yetlocally owned franchise.
We are familiar with thechallenges businesses face.
It's tough recruiting andretaining qualified employees.
That's why working withManpower is a smart,
cost-effective solution.
Our entire focus is talentacquisition.
We'll manage your hiring andtraining and provide ongoing,
customized support.
Since 1966, we have been yourcommunity-infested partner,
(23:10):
uniquely positioned to helpeliminate the hassles and save
you time and money.
Let us help.
Contact Manpower today.
Michael Allen from Manpower.
We are a national brand, yetlocally owned franchise.
We are familiar with thechallenges businesses face.
It's tough recruiting andretaining qualified employees.
That's why working withManpower is a smart,
cost-effective solution.
Our entire focus is talentacquisition.
We'll manage your hiring andtraining and provide ongoing,
customized support.
Since 1966, we have been yourcommunity-invested partner,
(00:34):
uniquely positioned to helpeliminate the hassles and save
you time and money.
Let us help contact Manpowertoday.
Hello and welcome to the Hubpowered by Manpower of Richmond,
Portland and, today, Newcastle.
And I am your host, MichaelAllen.
And here on the Hub weinterview local businesses,
community leaders, variousspecial guests, and our mission
(00:57):
is to share and spotlight uniqueand untold stories of companies
, organizations and people whoare making a difference in our
community.
So today I am with Duke Ham andwe are recording here at one of
Newcastle's newest restaurantscalled Ink and Ale, and Duke is
(01:20):
a Newcastle native and localentrepreneur.
Duke, welcome to the Hub.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Welcome.
Great to have you here at theHub building in Inconel
Brewhouse and thanks so much forletting me join in today,
Michael yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Well, you know it's interesting, this building that
we're in is called the Hub, andwhen I first became familiar
with it, it really gave me theidea for this podcast.
So Duke's not mad, he's notupset, but we stole the name
from him, to be honest, just toget full credit.
So, anyway, thanks for joiningwith us today.
We've known each other for alittle over a year, I'd say, and
(01:56):
we've been talking about thisday for several months, and I'm
happy that it's finally going tohappen right now.
And so, before we go into it,just share with us a little bit,
with our followers, a littlebit about yourself, kind of
where you grew up, your familymaybe where you went to college,
that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Fantastic.
I'm born and bred in Newcastle,indiana, graduated from high
school here, love Newcastle.
All my family parents,grandparents, great-grandparents
are all from Newcastle area.
Lots of great rivalry with theRichmond Red Devils.
And then went to Butler Butlergraduate and moved around a good
(02:41):
bit, come back and forth toNewcastle over the years.
And Kathy and I moved backabout a dozen years ago to
Newcastle and then got involvedwith various businesses like
we're sitting in today.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Yeah, Well, I guess you know it has to maybe some
follow up on that.
But we have a tradition at theHub and it's asking everyone
that comes about their first job.
So being involved with manpowerstaffing we like.
So tell us about what.
Would you like your very firstjob where you got a paycheck,
(03:16):
that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Okay, so I can't count my grandpa's farm cutting
the weeds out of the cornbecause he didn't give me a
paycheck 20 bucks.
But my first job, believe it ornot, was at the Chrysler in
Newcastle, the Chrysler plant,and it was the summer after my
senior year and I thought I wasa rich man because I made more
(03:40):
than enough money to pay for myfreshman year at Butler, believe
it or not, in 1977.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
So that was an assembly plant right.
Were they assembling cars Not?
Speaker 2 (03:51):
assembly, but they did like dies and knuckles and
axles.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Okay, all right.
So what did they have this kidout of high school doing?
Speaker 2 (04:02):
The first two weeks it was working at the night
shift and we cleaned out fromunder the machines the old
greasy, the metal shavings, thatmetal shavings and things and
uh, believe it or not, about 30,40 percent quit the first two
weeks.
They didn't want to do it theygave you that job first, but
then then I worked on theknuckle line which is around the
(04:25):
tires.
Okay, metal knuckles, feedingthem into the machine.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
So I've been in a lot of manufacturing companies over
the year where they were doingmachining and shoveling metal
shavings and stuff.
That's kind of back-breakingwork it was.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
It's hard.
I was the smallest guy so I gotto go in the best places, yeah
you went in the nook and cranny,that's right.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
So how much do you remember what you made an hour?
Speaker 2 (04:53):
You know I made it was like $6.58 an hour or
something like that, but I alsowas working 48, 56 hours a week
so far of everyone I'veinterviewed, you've made the
highest wage for your first job.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
So far they've been in the $2 to $3 range.
So now I understand how you'reable to help pay for Butler.
So you're talking aboutdifferent jobs that you did and,
if I remember from when wespoke before, one of your first
jobs here was working for HerffJones Out of college.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Yeah, out of college I have an accounting degree.
Yeah, and worked for the ringcompany Herff Jones, the Poma
company, at their corporateoffice in accounting.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Right, well, I just remember that from high school
that Herff Jones rep would comeand we would pick out our class
rings and whatever.
So what were you doing?
For were you?
Speaker 2 (05:51):
you weren't doing that, or were you doing
something?
I was doing corporateaccounting, detail like
accounting work at the corporateoffice, and eventually I was a
credit manager.
So I'd go out all over reallythe country Philadelphia,
chicago and count ringinventories to make sure they
weren't being reported correctlystolen, making sure our reps
(06:15):
paid their bills.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Does that company still exist?
I mean, I don't think either.
One of my kids got a class ring.
They weren't interested in it,but I mean, do they still do
that At?
Speaker 2 (06:27):
that time I believe we were the biggest in the
United States, but is itJohnson's or something like that
?
Another ring company is biggerthan Huff Jones these days.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Okay, so tell me a little bit about when you
started to kind of venture outon your own, your own businesses
and so how, where did that kindof all first start?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
And I would say you know I was an accountant but I'm
not that much of a detailedperson I liked.
I wanted to work for growingcompanies and I worked well with
the sales people and themanufacturing, the working
people.
But where I really learned alot was with a company called
Browning Ferris Industries andit was a Fortune 200 waste
(07:18):
company the second biggest inthe world and learned a lot
about business.
I learned a lot about people.
I learned a lot about trash andlandfills, yeah, but I was with
them for about 11 years andreally learned to love business.
Growing business strategy Ilove strategic growth is what I
(07:39):
really love.
Being entrepreneurial, right.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
So tell us a little bit about kind of where you're,
what you're involved in todayand kind of how those different
things got started and uh, thecompany I was cfo for, elgin
fastener group out of batesville, uh, sold out to private equity
about 13 years ago.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Okay, and as we sold out to private equity I pretty
much knew as CFO I probablywouldn't be around very long and
so Kathy and I's plan we livedin Batesville at that time was
to move back to Newcastle.
The family and love inNewcastle, sure, kids, we were
empty nesters at that time andso even before I was let go a
(08:28):
seat as CFO, we had actuallygotten with Susan Neal, local
realtor here, okay, to show ussome houses, and started to plan
to move back to Newcastle and Iknew I really wanted out of
corporate America.
I was in my close to my mid-50sand wanted to start some type
(08:50):
of business that helped smallcompanies one business owner
type companies, maybe two tostrategically grow their
business or help them sell orbuy another business, because I
had a lot of experience throughmy accounting CFO days.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Okay, and so is that how you got involved in Focal
Point Is that am I getting thatright?
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Yes, you are.
So as I was no longer CFO, Ihad a good exit experience
package, so to speak, in time.
So I researched.
I was looking for strategic uhmaterials.
Uh do cam.
Strategic planning didn't havea lot of uh behind it and it
(09:34):
might today but maybe thank you,but uh, that's where I found
focal point.
It's a franchise uh, there'sabout 150 in the United States.
Okay, and it was very alignedwith what I wanted to do Great
training, great support, andI've been with them now into my
12th year.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Okay, and just real short, being associated with
Focal Point or having afranchise of it.
You do personal coaching orbusiness coaching, right?
Yes, so that's, and theyprovide you with the tools that
kind of helps you do that, alongwith your own personal
experience and life experiences.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
You got exactly right .
As you know a lot aboutfranchises and what they can
provide and the resources beyondmyself.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Okay, and then.
So that's one part of what youdo.
Another significant part wouldbe, mrs, which is on your shirt
there.
So how did you get into heatingand cooling business?
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Yes, and anyone that knows me well knows I am a
absolute zero mechanically andanything like that.
I was helping a friend of mine,mostly through golf.
Darrell Gross here locallystarted an MRS and I was helping
to prepare him to sell hisbusiness.
And another man I was coachingwith a long time, james Hamilton
(11:00):
.
We identified him to buy thebusiness and he's like well, I
need a business partner to comein with me, 50-50.
And so I ended up buying MRSwith him and we're very
different.
He's more operational andunderstanding there and I'm more
strategic marketing financialaccounting side.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
And then I guess, if I'm kind of fitting all the
pieces together properly about,was it two years ago you bought
the building, this building?
Speaker 2 (11:35):
almost two and a half .
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Yeah, two and a half years ago and this building that
we're in was part of thecourier times yes, which is the
newspaper in newcastle whichstill exists, yes, and, like in
a lot of communities likeNewcastle or Richmond, they're
not printing their own paperanymore, but they still have a
small, I guess, presence withinthe community, which still
(12:01):
exists in this building.
Yes, but it was scaling downquite a bit.
Yes, you know, like where we'reat now used to be where the
printing presses were correct,so you saw this build.
How did this building come upfor your interest in maybe being
invested into it initially?
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Yeah, great question and Kyle York's a younger man
who I'd done some coachinghelping buy a business, and so
we started looking to buy abuilding downtown.
I love this Courier Timesbuilding because when I was
growing up in the 60s and 70sthere was 100 people here.
It was 24-7 paper boys and somegirls.
(12:43):
It was just full of activityand life.
And I love the building becauseit's somewhat different.
It was built in 1962 and so westarted looking at it about four
years ago.
Okay, and there was somenegotiations around
environmental concerns from theInc here and it took about a
(13:08):
year to work those out.
But that's where my interestand love of this building and my
vision and goal was to bringthis building back to life,
where there's people likeyourself and Manpower, kim
Colleen, people coming in andout of this building all the
time.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
So that's part of how I met Duke is that Manpower.
We opened up an office lookingfor a place to put an office and
we were introduced to the hub,which is this building, and we
found a really great place thatwe're very happy with.
As far as our office.
Tell us about all the.
(13:49):
I mean there's more.
I mean Ink and Ale is, at thetime of recording this, about
three weeks old.
Yes, so, and this takes up somesignificant space.
Yes, but there's otherbusinesses in this building as
well.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Yes, and we now have in the hub.
First, I got to give credit,that name came from our Main
Street leader.
Director Kerry Barrett actuallycame up with the hub name and
it stuck.
Kerry Barrett actually came upwith the hub name and it stuck.
And we now have 10 businessesin here, from Whole Heart
(14:25):
Communications, christy Regal,to a man who works remote in one
office, the Courier Times.
My son has the Press CoffeeShop.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
That's about a year and a half old now.
Focal point another focal pointcoach has an office here.
Village creations here.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
So village creations is like a boutique.
Yeah, yeah, you call, okay, yes, and there's manpower, of
course, manpower of course.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
And man.
Is it great that Manpower wouldbe interested in downtown
Newcastle.
That's how much downtownNewcastle has evolved.
And last but not least, weactually have a tattoo artist in
this building that doesscheduled tattoos.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
I'm still working on my design before I get one.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Yeah, I haven't quite got one yet.
You'll be the first to knowbecause you'll see me in the
chair.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
You really, from my experience with you, you really
enjoy promoting the lifeblood ofdowntown Newcastle, if I'm
saying that right, yes, and youhave a lot of passion for
business and what impresses meis that you have passion for
your own businesses, but you'realso a really good cheerleader
for the other ones that youdon't have anything to do with
(15:47):
financially.
You don't have any personalstock in it.
So you know, tell us about someof those businesses and you
know just what's going on indowntown New Castle that you're
excited about, and some of that.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
Maybe some mention some of the businesses that have
started up and that you'reexcited about and I really got
excited about downtown NewCastle really through I
mentioned her before KerryBarrett and the New Castle Main
Street group.
It's ale Main Street group.
It's a national Main Street isa national organization and a
lot of great work for years hasbeen done through that Main
(16:24):
Street organization.
I've been fortunate enough toThank you.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
A little free advertising, that's an incentive
for us to finish this offreally well.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
So I got involved, privileged enough to be on the
board and current president ofthe board, but that's got me
involved throughout the historicdistrict, which is very
important in downtown Newcastleand so many new vibrant
businesses, like Kai's CreationBistro just started across the
(16:59):
street.
Great food, great partnerships.
Blue River Taproom a littleover a year ago down at 11th and
Broad.
1822, dance Studios, nowdowntown.
Primo's been downtown for sevenor eight years now, I believe,
but there's just so many CJ'scandy I'm going to forget a lot,
(17:21):
right.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
And forgive us for not plugging everybody.
It's not intentional.
Yes, yes, 65-year-old brain.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
I understand, but there's so much energy downtown.
We've got a $2 millionpreserving grant through the
state and okra department in atthe state level, and so also I
have to thank the city, themayor of the county there's so
(17:49):
many people to thank and thebusiness owners and building
owners who have taken the riskto step up.
There's also been grantsavailable through our
redevelopment corporation.
I can go on and on, as youowners who have taken the risk
to step up.
There's also been grantsavailable through our
redevelopment corporation.
I can go on and on.
As you can tell, I can rambleon and on about all of it.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Well, you know, we opened up our office at kind of
early winter last last year.
We kind of waiting for thespring to kind of have our grand
opening, which our open house,which was actually just
yesterday.
But I've just been impressedwith just the spirit of people
(18:25):
encouraging us.
You're a great cheerleader, butthere's other people that are
like you that want to seebusinesses succeed, and we kind
of had a number of what we hopedwould show up yesterday, and
way more than that showed up,you know and and uh, so that was
(18:47):
super encouraging.
And it's tough starting a newbusiness, you know and and you
kind of want the spigot to turnon right away and it just
doesn't work that way and uh.
But uh, yesterday was kind of areinforcing moment for us that
we were really happy with thedecision to come here and and we
have a lot of really high hopesfor having an office, you know,
(19:11):
here in Newcastle.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
And Michael, I want to give you a very shameless and
well-deserved plug for Manpower, because our general manager
for Ink and Ale Brewhouse,brandy, came through Manpower
and she is fantastic and we owethat and lots of gratitude to
you and Kim and Colleen andeverybody involved.
(19:35):
She's fantastic.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
So I mean we've covered a lot of stuff.
It seems like we've just beenrolling right along, but I guess
, kind of wrapping things up,kind of what are you excited
about right now?
That's going on, or evenlooking just a little bit
further, what are some of thethings that you're excited about
for next year, because we'realmost through the halfway point
(19:58):
of this year already.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
Can you believe we're already there?
Time flies.
Obviously continued development.
Hopefully we can develop.
A couple of the bigger, olderbuildings downtown Kind of on my
radar right now, just from acommunity viewpoint in Henry
County become involved, involved.
There is a building built outin Memorial Park and it's been
(20:22):
called the Expo building.
We're not changing the name tothe 4-h Center okay, because
that's more accurate.
And getting that bill, gettingthe old Sears building bought
from that organization andhopefully develop.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
There's a couple other buildings involved with
that and obviously growing thethe businesses uh, in downtown
newcastle and especially we needpeople to come out and support
all these different uhbusinesses in the downtown area
and also just throughout thewhole community.
Yes, yes, I appreciate youcoming on today.
(20:59):
Is there anything else thatmaybe we didn't hit on that you
think would be noteworthy forour followers?
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Well, I think the biggest thing is there's some
axe throwing over there, michael.
Okay, if you want to throw anaxe, maybe you want to throw one
at me or my picture as we goalong.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
But thanks so much for having me here and thanks so
much for you and manpower to behere in newcastle, indiana well
, it's our pleasure and I'm gladyou mentioned that, because, uh
, this is quite a unique venuehere this, this restaurant and
and the vibe here and, uh, likeduke mentioned, it's kind of
unique.
There's's ax throwing here andand he has a kind of a really
(21:39):
cool golf simulator in here andthere's a spot to kind of have a
own little private littlegathering if you want to here.
So there's just lots of neatthings in this, in this building
here and in specifically inEconale.
So, if you have a chance toGoogle Econale Newcastle and
come and check out this place,it's just really cool.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
And I better add one more thing, not to cut you off,
but I cut you off.
I have eight differentadditional business partners in
Incanale.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
This is very much a partnership that I play a very
small part in yeah, so you'rejust one of a whole group of
people who are totally investedin making this go, so I'm sure
they appreciate hearing that anduh, so we're going to cut out
by getting into our reward intothis.
Uh, what I understand isoutstanding carrot cake.
(22:29):
So as we sign off, we're goingto take a little bite into here
great idea and Michael.
Awfully good.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Oh, that is good, that is good.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you, michael.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Michael Allen from Manpower.
We are a national brand, yetlocally owned franchise.
We are familiar with thechallenges businesses face.
It's tough recruiting andretaining qualified employees.
That's why working withManpower is a smart,
cost-effective solution.
Our entire focus is talentacquisition.
We'll manage your hiring andtraining and provide ongoing,
customized support.
Since 1966, we have been yourcommunity-infested partner,
(23:10):
uniquely positioned to helpeliminate the hassles and save
you time and money.
Let us help.
Contact Manpower today.
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