‘Meet & Greet’ held at East of Chicago Pizza

East of Chicago Pizza, Warren, was the location of the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce’s seventh entrepreneurial gathering ‘Meet & Greet.’ The event held Wednesday, February 5, introduced three businesses that were begun by entrepreneurs Terry L. Miller, Mike and Tasha Ralston and Bruce and Zane Herr. East of Chicago Pizza, Warren, served a soup, salad, pizza bar and beverage for those in attendance.

Steve Kimmel, executive director of the Chamber, began the evening by welcoming those in attendance and explaining the Entrepreneurial Leadership Council under the direction of the Chamber. He thanked Terry Miller, owner of East of Chicago Pizza, for providing the location and meal for the evening.

Kimmel said “The goal of the Council is to grow entrepreneurial wealth, and encourage more entrepreneurs to open businesses or to attract more businesses to open in our county.” He continued, “New businesses help to bring growth and development to the community with the support of residents and existing businesses; in other words, we grow the community.”

Kimmel then introduced John Niederman, director of the Fortitude Fund through Elevate Northeast Indiana. Niederman explained the Fortitude Fund and its support of entrepreneurs. The Fortitude Fund offers entrepreneurs with businesses under five years old, $1,000 grants by application. He said that to date $300,000 has been given in grants that are administered through the Community Foundation of Huntington County. The next grant cycle began February 1, 2025. To learn more or apply visit https://fortitudefund.com/.

Terry Miller began the entrepreneurial ‘Meet & Greet’ and thanked everyone for coming. Miller spoke about his beginning East of Chicago Pizza, Warren. He used three words to describe the way he operates the business: courage, compassion and consistency.

As a Huntington North High School and a Ball State University graduate, he worked at a few jobs before purchasing East of Chicago from Jeff and Becky Souder. After overhearing a conversation at church one Sunday that the couple were looking to sell the business, Miller approached the idea of his purchasing East of Chicago with them. He had acquired a Masters of Business Administration from St. Francis University, but had no restaurant experience. He felt the businesses he had worked in had “kind of” prepared him for this.

He said, “The stars kind of aligned and everything was in the right place and in the right time.”

Miller became the owner of East of Chicago, Warren, in January of 2019. He has experimented with different ways of operating the business, and has “had a few ups and downs.” He believes though, “it’s not about pizza, it’s about people. I’m passionate about the people.”

Mike Ralston, owner along with wife Tasha of Aerial Ag LLC, also of Warren, then spoke about the beginnings and success of their business. Mike, a drone pilot, operator, maintenance supervisor, CEO, customer service representative, troubleshooter, private applicator and third generation farmer, says he is willing to tackle any challenge. The couple began Aerial Ag LLC in 2022, and are in the forefront of the agriculture industry, spraying fields with drones.

Mike has an associate’s degree from the University of Northwestern Ohio, and worked in the precision ag industry. Tasha has a background in accounting and according to Mike is, “the force behind the scenes of the business.”

“The business has been a journey of trial and error from the beginning,” said Mike, “but an idea turned into a reality.”

The couple began their idea with a flight demonstration, renting the Dogwood Glen Golf Course. After this, farmers became curious. Mike and Tasha think that taking that calculated risk was hard, but now is worth it. They think being adaptive is key, and “success is not about where you start but how hard you are willing to work.”

Aerial Ag LLC first appeared on Facebook January 1, 2023, and is their informative Facebook page which bridges the gap and invites others into their business. Three drones are now spraying farmers’ crops capable of spraying eight-and 10-gallon loads. Visit Aerial Ag LLC on Facebook.

Right outside of the Town of Warren you will find Dash 90 Wines. Bruce Herr and son, Zane, owners, talked about the beginnings of their winery located at 6750 W 900 S-90. Zane spoke about some of the challenges and rewards that come with building and managing your own business.

They grow their own grapes, bring in some juices from New York, as well as produce and bottle their wines onsite. Their menu features a mix of red, white, fruit and sweet wines as well as slushies. Guests under 21 are welcome and soft drinks are available for purchase.

Dash 90 Wines currently has 24 wines in the inventory. It all began with a restructuring of the family farm and intensive permitting. A vineyard was planted, and the tasting room completed in 2021. The doors opened in May 2022 and the business is open three days a week. Live music and food trucks are featured. Visit the website at dash90wines.com or their Facebook page.

Bruce explained that it is a passion for the people, the personal touch, in the rural setting that makes it all viable.

Dash 90 Wines will be the site of and one of the featured vendors at the Taste of Warren, Saturday, March 1, 7 to 9 p.m. It is a fundraiser for the Warren Area Chamber of Commerce and a food, drink and music event.

Present for the ‘Meet & Greet’ was Jake Wyatt of Wyatt Way Landscapes and Nursery, Banquo. Wyatt recently received a $1,000 Fortitude Fund grant to use in his business. Wyatt grows native Indiana plants, and works with wildlife conservation. He landscapes with native Indiana plants and searches for the seeds in Indiana.

Wyatt has operated his backyard plant nursery for five or six years, and books landscaping jobs for a variety of clients. The business has over 100 species of plants, and Wyatt also teaches classes to educate the public about them. Future plans include an onsite greenhouse where the public will be able to purchase Wyatt’s plants. Wife, Cora, helps with the business side of Wyatt Way, and his two sons are learning the business. Follow Wyatt Way Landscapes and Nursery on Facebook.

If you are an entrepreneur, aspiring entrepreneur, own your own business or thinking about starting a business consider attending the next ‘Meet & Greet.’ For more information contact skimmel@huntington-chamber.com.