The first Business 2 Business tour took place on Tuesday, April 25, and everyone left with a better understanding of the four participating businesses.
Megan Barfield, President of Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, and Jon Prescott, retired CEO of Sunflower Diversified Services, welcomed the group of local businesses to the first ever Business 2 Business event. The objective of this tour was to educate other businesses about the businesses of Barton County.
This tour featured four Main St. businesses: That Hipster Place, Kustom Floor Designs, Inc., Renue Salon and Spa Beauty Boutique, and Identifications. Each business was given 15 minutes to explain who they are and what they do.
The objective is to keep people in town (Great Bend),” Prescott said. “We want them to shop in Barton County.” In the end it benefits the majority of people living in Great Bend.
The first stop on the tour was That Hipster Place, located at 1519 Main St., and is owned by Jerry and Kristie Carmichael. This shop carries a variety of novelty gifts and items that are sure to make people chuckle. Ranging from homemade items to jewelry and bags to dish towels and dog treats, this store asserts it has something for everyone.
The next stop on the tour was Kustom Floor Designs, Inc. located at 1515 Main St., and it is owned by Mark and Kris Bitter. Kustom Floor Designs does everything needed when it comes to renovating a home. They can install new floors, change cabinet fixtures, decorate a home for Christmas or year round, and register gifts for an upcoming wedding.
The third stop on the tour was Renue Salon and Spa Beauty Boutique located at 1419 Main St. and this business is owned by Mark Mingenback of MyTown, LLC. This relaxing getaway is the perfect place to get a massage, a pedicure, a perm, and a new outfit before leaving. The front has clothes, jewelry, and beauty products for sale, the back has massage therapists, a sauna, and a salon. “I saw stores that were empty and knew that we needed to solve that,” Mingenback said.
The final stop on the tour was Identifications at 1413 Main St. Identifications is owned by Matt and Maya Kurtz. This business specializes in customization. They do screen prints, embroidery, etching, and more. For those with the vision the staff at Identifications can make it happen.
“I was born and raised here,” Prescott said. “I learned many things on this tour that I didn’t know before.”
The tour concluded with snacks, water, and final thoughts from the participants before everyone dispersed and went back to their own business. Most of these businesses will be hosting artists on Saturday, April 29, for the Art and Wine Walk.
