Area Businesses Return From “Destination Bootcamp” with New Tools to Change Business, Attract New Cutomers.
Business entrepreneurs from McPherson and Lindsborg returned this week from a Colorado based business improvement “Destination BootCamp”, where they learned hundreds of new methods to bring more customers and tourists to their communities. Attending the two and one-half day, 20 hour workshop from McPherson were – Jen Bonham – Peoples Bank & Trust, Brian & Kendra Hopp – Hopp’s Sound & Electric, Richard Martin – The Village Geek, Shannon Wilson – Reach Solutions, Ann Engel – McPherson Main Street and Jennifer Burch – McPherson Chamber of Commerce. From Lindsborg were: Molli Esping – The Old Grind, Christi Becker – Chestnut Studios, Deborah Briggs – Trollslanda Toy Store, Liz Lahodny – The Good Merchant, Holly Lofton – Lindsborg Convention & Visitors Bureau, Amy Kay Pavlovich – Connected, Lauren von Klinggraeff – The While Peacock Coffee Shop and Kathy Richardson – Small World Gallery.
The “Destination BootCamp”, created by marketing consultant Jon Schallert, teaches independent business owners on how to reposition their businesses as “consumer destinations”. According to Schallert, a business using his “Destination Business” strategies can complete effectively with superstores like Wal-Mart and Home Depot, and significantly impact a local community. According to Schallert, it is not uncommon for destination businesses to create change in an entire city, by drawing consumers from miles around, from outside the immediate marketplace of a community.
Schallert’s Destination Business BootCamp is held in Colorado three times annually. Schallert has worked with independent business owners since 1983, speaks to thousands every year, and is the President of The Schallert Group, Inc., Longmont, Colorado. One newspaper called Schallert “the marketing guru rooting for the retail underdogs”.
A partnership grant from NetworkKansas to the McPherson Chamber of Commerce E-Community Loan Program provided the funding for tuition for the 15 businesses to attend the Destination BootCamp.