Success Stories
Jon Schwab
Industrial Pallet Corporation
As a boy, Jon grew up, as many who enjoy a childhood in the wide open spaces of the country, juggling chores, school work and farming. The first boy of seven children, from the age of eight he was responsible for ensuring the cows weremilked and pigs were fed before making the bus at 7:30.
Upon graduation from Benton Central high school, Jon went into farming with his brother. Jon and his brother were successful yet, deep down, Jon always knew he was born to do something other than farming. Though this was all he knew growing up and had not been afforded the opportunity to attend college, he had a passion for business and had dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.
Jon married his wife in 1978 and was blessed with four children by 1988. It was in the fall of 1986 that Jon knew he would soon harvest his last crop. He knew it was time to move forward from farming and pursue his dreams. With the support of his wife, the mentorship of his uncle and the motivation of four young children at home, Jon began what is today Industrial Pallet Corporation.
Many lessons, late nights, prayers, tears and wins later, Industrial Pallet Corporation does $35 million in annual revenue and employs over 250 people in Indiana alone. The company recently expanded operations to the east coast and has plans for further expansion. Jon credits much of his success to vertical integration within the supply chain of manufacturing pallets and to bringing value to a largely commoditized product.
Jon’s encouragement to other aspiring entrepreneurs is: 1) “Don’t get too caught up with formal education, a spirit of learning and network of mentors will work too.” 2) “Even my best friend told me there was no money in pallets… I think I’ve proved him wrong!”
Dennis and Sharon McIntosh
Wolf's Homemade Candies
This is the story of entrepreneur Dennis McIntosh and his wife Sharon. They purchased Wolf’s Homemade Candies in Attica, Indiana from James and Myrna Wolf in 1996.
Sharon grew up in Warren, Michigan and received her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. Sharon and Dennis met while working at a Hilton hotel to pay their way through college. Upon graduation, Dennis and Sharon moved to Houston, Texas where Sharon was first employed by Merrill Lynch as a Brokers Assistant and later went to work for Global Marine Drilling Company, a premier offshore drilling contractor, as a financial anayst. She began pursuing her MBA from the University of Houston. Their son Doyle was born two years before she completed her MBA. Sharon left Global Marine as a senior financial analyst to work as the Chief Operations Officer for Southern Cellular Distributing, Inc., a company owned by Dennis. Shortly thereafter their daughter, Jessica, arrived. They have worked together as business partners ever since and now operate Wolf’s Candies as well as Wolf’s Frozen Custard. Sharon entered politics at the urging of friends in 2003 and became the Clerk/Treasurer of Attica. She maintains her office and responsibilities at Wolf’s as well as the responsibilities of her elected position.
Dennis grew up in Trenton, Michigan and attended Western Michigan University to pursue a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. While working various entry level sales positions and attending school part-time, Dennis developed his sales skills. In 1984, Dennis began working for a new start up cellular phone distributor. The cellular industry was in its infancy but Dennis boldly decided to form his own company with a partner. Four years later, Dennis and his partner had the opportunity to sell their thriving business to a California based company where Dennis remained Vice President of Sales and Marketing. After 2 years of employment, in partnership with the local cellular service provider, Dennis was able to buy back the business. Shortly thereafter Sharon joined the operations and the new company expanded rapidly with the popularity of the cell phone and, by 1992, they became the 10th largest distributor of cellular phones in the United States with over 60 outlets. Again, they sold the company in 1995 and began looking for a different lifestyle to raise their family and find a different pace to life.
With two children in tow, Doyle (8) and Jessica (4), Dennis and Sharon found that lifestyle in the candy business in the small town of Attica, Indiana in 1996. For the last eleven years, this family has come to know Attica as home. The high stress life they knew in Houston is becoming a distant memory as this family embraces and appreciates the security and easier lifestyle of a small town. Doyle is now a freshman at Ball State University studying Meteorology and Jessica is a freshman in high school.
Success, once again, has found Dennis and Sharon McIntosh. Wolf’s Fine Handmade Chocolates, has expanded to include stores in Terre Haute and Lafayette, Indiana as well as Danville and Shelbyville, Illinois. Dennis and Sharon have plans for continued expansion; but plan to keep their home base in Attica, Indiana. Dennis has proven entreprenural success can occur in big cities such as Houston, and in the intimate community of Attica, Indiana.