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The Brilliance of Bill

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A business can’t survive for 5 and 1/2 years on main street in Gillespie without a business savvy, resourceful owner that’s passionate about the community, especially if your business is a toy shop.  Bill Toprani, owner of the newly renamed Village Toy Chest, is just that kind of entrepreneur.

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking with Bill about the impact ShopBenGil will have on the local economy, the history of his store as well as its future, and about ideas on how to improve the BenGil economy.  It was enlightening to say the least.

The New Hybrid Business Model: Brick and Mortar + E-commerce

Bill was actually using the hybrid business model I spoke about previously (link) long before I even dreamt of it.  He has been selling on-line, primarily Ebay, for close to 10 years now.  He’s not only proof that it works, especially in today’s economy, but he’s proof that one day it may just be the life saver your brick and mortar business needs.

Originally, Bill didn’t choose the internet. The internet chose him. It was a business decision of necessity.  Like most brick and mortar merchants, Bill had a growing inventory that he just couldn’t move in the local market.  Shelf after shelf had items on it that should have been cash in his pocket, yet there it was month and month taking up more and more space. Needing to sell his inventory to buy new inventory and pay his bills, he began brainstorming about possible solutions to his cash flow problem. Eventually, after weighing the pros and cons of each solution, he settled on using the internet to liquidate his unsold inventory.  10 years later, he’s still using the internet to sell products he has trouble selling at the Village Toy Chest.  And guess what? It’s still working.

Would his brick and mortar store have survived 5 and ½ years without an on-line outlet? Although he can’t be 100% sure, he said it would have been much, much tougher.   He openly confesses that some days, his only sales come from his on-line accounts. Unfortunately, like most small businesses in town, those days are increasing with each passing year.

When I asked him about the transition from strictly a brick and mortar store to a hybrid model (brick and mortar plus on-line e-commerce), he said, “The physical store is a far greater challenge than on-line selling. May I suggest a degree in marketing, finance, psychology, business/stress management, etc. You must constantly reinvent the wheel and never become complacent. As far as on-line selling is concerned, it’s really very easy. Once the initial “set up” to your on-line store is made, you just ‘set it and forget it’. You only work when an order needs packed and shipped.”

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And the benefits of selling on-line? According to Bill there are almost too many to list. “

  • COST/INVESTMENT- a very small fraction compared to the overhead of a physical location (as little as $15 a month or my monthly water bill!)
  • CUSTOMER BASE – Potentially “millions” across the country. Your store/products are listed with various search engines vs. having a selling radius of maybe 10 – 15 miles! Ebay alone has 135 million customers with more than 2 million visitors DAILY
  • HOURS OF OPERATION – you’re “always” open. The internet never closes at 5pm!
  • PROFITABILITY – less overhead means higher profit margins. (think back to the break even analysis for a store front with overhead of $1500/month and a profit margin of 50%; BE= $3000/month in sales – hope your salary is part of the overhead!)
  • EASE OF OPERATIONS – once set up is complete very little admin work is required except to maybe add products or change/add promotions to the site.
  • FREEDOM/FLEXIBILITY – Need a sick day? Kids have a doctor’s appointment? Gone fishing? Check the business anywhere anytime! Don’t worry, your on-line store will run briefly without you!
  • QUALITY OF LIFE – Never miss out on the little things again. Have date night or family time all day, everyday including weekends!
  • LEARNING CURVE – Not computer literate?  No worries. Many companies offer “all in one packages” that includes web hosting, templates, and shopping carts with great customer service and support to get you started and continue to help once you’re up and running.
  • PERCEPTION – Big company, small company?  No one will know you’re a one woman show selling your homemade jams & jellys from you house unless you tell them.

Honestly, the list could go on and on.”

And that my friend is the future of small business in rural communities.

Next week’s article will finish the conversation Bill and I had regarding the future of the BenGil main streets, possible ideas to improve the main streets, as well as the new ShopBenGil business grants.

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Domestic violence is prevalent in Macoupin County

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Dear Editor,

Domestic Violence within Macoupin County is prevalent. It is destructive and can be both physical and psychological. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. It may include behaviors meant to scare, physically harm, or control a partner. While every relationship is different – domestic violence generally involves an unequal power dynamic in which one partner tries to assert control over the other in a variety of ways. The following statistics are all according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

We can see domestic violence inside the home: through the use and control of household pets. In one study, 85% of survivors who experienced co-occurring animal abuse reported that the behavior of their pets had changed. An even higher percentage of survivors who reported partners had harmed or killed their pet, have also reported their partner for domestic violence. We can also see an increase usage of firearms within the intimate partner violence home. A survey of contacts by the National Domestic Violence Hotline found (of those with access to firearms):  

  • 10% said their abusers had fired a gun during an argument.  
  • 67% believed their abusers were capable of killing them. 

We can see domestic violence inside our schools: as partner violence is not exclusive to the home. There are many instances of violence between dating partners that begin in high school. Nearly 1.5 million high school students in the United States are physically abused by dating partners every year. Within those relationships, 13.4% of male high school students report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.  

We can see domestic violence inside our community: Macoupin County provides a specific set of needs for those victims and survivors of domestic violence. There are several complex concerns within a violent relationship that come to light once action has been taken. Safe Families sees a few main re-occurring concerns within the county:  

  • Survivors have fewer financial resources, making them more financially dependent on an abusive partner.  
  • The lack of rental units or other affordable housing options makes it more difficult for survivors to leave spouses or co-habiting abusers.  

The Macoupin County Safe Families program provides support for residents as they journey the emotional endeavors to leave behind domestic violence. As a contributor to that experience, we will be hosting a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on October 7th on the Carlinville Square. An event shirt will be included with a ticket sale. The online tickets will close 09/29 at 5pm. Tickets will be sold at 9am day-of event at the Safe Families booth. More information about the Awareness Walk can be found on our website at mcphd@mcphd.net. We urge Macoupin County residents to join us and rally against domestic violence together.  

Juliet Wooldridge and Lilly Booth

Domestic Violence Advocate Coordinators
Community Health Worker
Macoupin County Safe Families

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: National Health Center Week is week of August 6

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Dear Editor,

Community Health Centers are the backbone of our nation’s primary health care system. We design innovative, integrated primary care based on what services communities need most — ensuring access to affordable, quality healthcare for over 30 million people. In addition to creating jobs and saving lives, collectively we save American taxpayers $24 billion a year in health care costs by preventing and managing chronic diseases.

Community Health Centers are not ordinary medical clinics; we are also problem-solvers who reach beyond the exam room to care for the whole person by providing access to necessities like food, transportation, and housing. Community Health Centers care for everyone, regardless of insurance status. Nationwide during hurricanes, floods, and fires, and locally during the pandemic, Community Health Centers are first on the scene and are vital to keeping America healthy.

The 2023 theme of National Health Center Week is ‘The Roadmap to a Stronger America.’ Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities. In moments of pain and loss, we offer support and love. In moments of triumph, we offer hope and a vision for the future. This year’s National Health Center Week theme takes us on a virtual road trip across America, highlighting the achievements and amazing work being done at Community Health Centers in every state and territory. Celebrate the uniqueness of our community and get to know others as we journey across the U.S. together!

Each day of National Health Center Week is dedicated to a particular focus area. We will be working with community partners to recognize and celebrate each of the following focus groups in our community.

As part of National Health Center Week 2023, we invite you to support Macoupin Community Health Centers, Inc. to celebrate our mission and accomplishments.

Christy Blank
CEO/Public Health Administrator
Macoupin Community Health Centers, Inc.
Macoupin County Public Health Department

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Drobney family thanks the community

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To the great people of Macoupin County.

Although several months have past, the family of Bridget Drobney would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the overwhelming love and support that we received during the recent attempt to secure the release of one of Bridget’s rapist/murderers. We are truly grateful for the numerous letters that were written and sent to the Governor of our state, the Illinois Prison Review Board, and the personal outreach to our family; all of which demonstrated your unwavering love and support. Your efforts were instrumental in persuading the Governor and members of the Prison Review Board to deny clemency for Bridget’s murderer.

While it remains a possibility for the individuals involved in Bridget’s kidnapping, rape and murder to annually petition for clemency, The Drobney family takes solace in knowing that the exceptional people of Macoupin County will steadfastly oppose any such requests and stand ready to fight should the matter of clemency arise again. We are particularly grateful to retired Macoupin County State’s Attorney, Vincent Moreth, as well as the current members of the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s Office, under the leadership of State Attorney, Jordan Garrison. Their unwavering dedication and support was evident as they traveled to Chicago to represent Bridget and the Drobney family during the clemency hearing.

Once again, we express our sincerest appreciation for your profound support and unwavering commitment to justice. Your solidarity has been a source of strength for us during these difficult years. We will keep you in our prayers and will be forever grateful to the people of Macoupin County.

Sincerely,
The Drobney Family

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