BUSINESS VOICES

Advice from local business owners

Question: Who was your mentor or who inspired you to go into business?

ANDY REEDER

POLAR COOLING

“My mentor and reason I went into business is Lynn Comstock, back in April 1982. He is the reason I am the man I am today giving my customers the best service we can offer. I learned a lot from him and make sure to pass it on to those who work with me now.”

PAGE MISENHIMER MISENHIMER, AIVAZIAN & TENNANT, P.C.

“My mentor was my grandfather Jim Hudson. He was a rancher in Willcox, Arizona. He grew up 25 miles from town when you rode in a wagon to get supplies. From the age of 9 until 17 I worked on the ranch every summer. Jim taught me to be resourceful, resilient and to appreciate the challenges for working for yourself. World champion team roper in 1941, member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame, successful rancher and my inspiration.”

DAVE MCHONE 310 DIESEL WORKS.

“The inspiration to open my own shop was from my Step Dad He passed away in 2017, before we could move into the new building. My local Mentor would absolutely have to be Ronny Martin He started out as my landlord at the first shop location. I got so much free advice and ideas over the years and he was instrumental in getting my new shop off the ground I still call him before every large decision just to get his take. He is a great businessman and citizen who is always ready to lend a hand or give back to the community.”

AMANDA MELLON

DANDY HOME & RANCH

“I think my love of homemaking and creating came from my Momma. I learned to sew, craft, create and feed people. This is where Dandy was really born. Who inspired me to really take the plunge and dive in to being a business owner? That would be my husband, Todd. He spoke courage into me and helped put legs under the vision. We planned for years before we ever opened our doors...we knew exactly what we wanted it to smell like, sound like, look like and feel like when you walked in. Dandy is in our 3rd year now, and we couldn’t be more thankful for our community and friends who support us and who make it a point to shop local.”

CHRIS WHEELER PRISON HILL BREWING

“There is really only one person I can point to as a mentor when it comes to business.

His name was Richard Berger, and he owned U of A Liquors in Tucson, Arizona. I worked for him for while at the U of A as an undergraduate and graduate student. I learned as much from him about business as I did about the subjects I was studying, and to this day, the way I interact with customers, my staff, and my general business philosophy can be traced back to days spent behind the counter at that small store on campus.”

KC HOFFMAN

ALLUVIAL MEDIA LLC

“My Dad was a smart and tough businessman that started his construction career as a bricklayer in Iowa. He moved his way quickly up to the VP of that company and then went on to owning his own business as a contractor in Colorado and Arizona. He’s my idol as a businessman and a Dad. My clients are the absolute best and many have mentored me along the way and I’m so grateful to them and for them! One constant mentor for years is Julia Hook, who has gently and intelligently encouraged and cheered me along the way. She’s one of the smartest and strongest ladies I know. I wouldn’t have Alluvial Media LLC without these awesome people and more!”

MELODY LANGFORDDUNN LAPELS DRY CLEANING

“Liz Laster, my sister and owner of a Farm Bureau Insurance Agency. She has encouraged me from day 1. Liz started her business in 2013. She said to me, “I wish I had done it 10 years sooner.”

SHANEN ARANMOR

WELD LIKE A GIRL

“I never expected to go into business but I knew from my very first welding class with Sam Colton that this was something amazing I had to share with the world... It’s unbelievably empowering to build something with your own hands, especially when sewing with fire!.”

ANIBAL “AT” TAFOYA MAXX FORCE PEST CONTROL

“I didn’t really have a mentor at the time when I went into business but I always had the support of my immediate family. My father played a big part

because even though he never had a business

of his own he always showed me hard work and dedication pays off. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people in this

journey.”