Converse Economic Development News

Converse Businesses Grow in a Stalled Economy

Behind every successful business model is an entrepreneur that blends a love for what they do with an acquired knowledge often learned through experience. Service becomes the anchor for that growth and works to produce repeat customers. Customer loyalty then follows. Two Converse businesses, though marketing different products, profile that successful model and have a market area beyond the borders of Converse.

Pres. William Clevenger presides over a company that began in 1969 in Marion, IN. Bill moved the laboratory to its First St. location in Converse several years ago largely because he liked Converse and Converse met the criteria for his business to continue its growth. Vita Vet Labs has an established presence in the animal nutrition field. If you are in Bill's office for very long, you soon realize that he is filling orders for ranches in Texas, horse farms in Florida, and zoos from practically anywhere in the USA. The early growth of Vita Vet was based on nutritional needs for horses, and other farm animals. It then spread to deer nutrition due to the growth of deer farms, and now includes exotic animals in zoos. Deficiencies produce disorders in animals similar to humans. Bill commented, "Zoos discovered that just because animals were eating similar to what was in their habitat, it didn't necessarily mean that it was nutritional." Vita Vet Labs has been there to fill a needed niche for animal nutrition.

If you drive by Rick's Trucks lot on SR 18 though Converse, or SR 13 south of the 13/18 junction, you wouldn't guess that the growth in sales of used semi- diesel trucks have doubled twice in the past two years. Rick Pence, owner, has a natural low-key style of service. Rick says, "I dont bug a buyer with calls. Our phone is posted on the lot sign and they get in touch with me if they like what they see." When Rick first opened his lot in Converse, he sold a few dozen the first year. Two years ago, a website was developed for internet sales. The first year doubled sales over the preceding year, and last year again matched the rate of doubling from the previous year, 2007. Due to the internet, the market for Rick's Trucks has suddenly become international. Rick mentioned that the most interest has been from Sweden and Nigeria. "Receiving payment is not the greatest challenge but finding enough dependable trucks to keep up with demand," Rick commented recently.

Converse EDC continues to offer a matching grant ($1:1) for storefronts on Jefferson St. Façade grants cover windows, doors, painting, signage, tuck pointing, awnings, etc. The maximum amount the EDC will match is up to $2,000. Restore or upgrade your storefront with an assist from the Façade Grant program.