Entrepreneurs Focus On Business News, Success

By GENE O. MORRIS
Business Correspondent

08.28.09 - McCOOK — No one knew what to expect Friday when the Entrepreneur Network devoted the entire meeting to an open, around the table discussion of whatever topic the attendees wanted to talk about.

But it actually turned out to be both newsworthy and inspirational.

The newsworthy parts came when Cody Dame, the co-founder of Game On, revealed that he has purchased the half block of buildings south of the JCPenney store in McCook.

The buildings, bounded by C Street on the north and West First Street on the east, were formerly owned by members of the Romanoff family. Dame started out with a desire to lease the corner location, formerly occupied by Self Service Furniture, as the site for his and his wife's new business, Spotlight Studio.

But, during discussions, Dame learned the half block group of buildings was available for purchase. With help from his father, Doug Dame's construction business, the space for Spotlight Studio is now being readied for occupancy. Dame reported two other sites are available for rent, including the storefront formerly occupied by the sewing machine business and the long-vacant space west of the former furniture corner.

An October opening is planned for Spotlight Studio, with dance instruction offered by a young woman who recently moved to the U.S. from Germany.

Also during the Entrepreneur Network discussion, Allen Gunther of Farm Bureau Insurance announced he will be opening an office in the former Ron Penner State Farm Insurance location. The office is located on the southeast corner of Norris and E, next to Dr. Michael Owens' dental office and across the street from Rye Printing and Splash Designz.

While Dame and Gunther are embarking on new endeavors, Marlan Dooley of High Plains Cab Company is celebrating the success of his business.

The story he told is dramatic. Since starting in business 9 1/2 years ago, High Plains cab has grown from a one-person operation to a firm with 17 drivers and three locations: McCook, North Platte and Kearney.

With the benefit of contracts with social service agencies, High Plains Cab now transports riders throughout Nebraska and to many other states. These trips have reached as far as New York, where High Plains took a lady to a nursing home.

"When I started in business I knew I couldn't operate like McCook cab companies had done in the past," Dooley said. By this he meant waiting for calls to transport riders from bars to home or from home to the grocery store. So he and his wife, Linda, widened their horizons, seeking contracts with agencies whose clients need frequent transport.

The free-flowing discussion, called "networking," was moderated by Dena Beck of the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project, better known as REAP. She was accompanied to McCook by Betty Sayers, the co-founder of Nebraska Rural Living.

As a fun way to start the networkers talking, they were each asked to tell about their first cars. Answers were as varied as the age of the participants, ranging from a used Studebaker to an American Motors' Gremlin. Other first cars named were a '56 Ford, a '57 Chevy, a '59 Ford, a '61 Cadillac, a '69 Camaro, a '71 Volswagen Beetle, a '77 Monte Carlo and a '79 Volkswagen Rabbit.

The monthly discussions are sponsored by the McCook Economic Development Corp. and coordinated by Sue Shaner, the MEDC business coach. The September meeting will be at noon Friday, Sept. 25, at the First Central Bank meeting room in McCook. There is no charge, but those attending are asked to bring their own lunch.