|
On Friday, March 13th, 2026, The Success School, the Chamber's Foundation, held it's Reality Store® at Batchelor Middle School. The Reality Store® is a simulation that helps junior high students appreciate the ‘realities’ of life and achieve a better understanding of personal finance. In the Reality Store® simulation, junior high students pretend they are a 28-year-old starting out in their life and career. Each school year, this program is held at four local middle schools, where close to 1000 students participate. Over 150 community members volunteered to run the tables at these events this year. Volunteering for a Reality Store® is a fun way to interact with students and teach them important lessons. See the photos from the event below! As a part of the Chamber's Foundation, The Success School acts as the connection between the business and the education communities. We serve students by introducing them to many different potential career options, providing them with opportunities to interact with professionals in different fields and helping them understand that graduating from high school is crucial for future success. We also serve the business community by offering meaningful volunteer opportunities for business professionals in our career learning programs which provide workforce development services for youth.
0 Comments
 In the heart of Danielle Willis’s work is a straightforward but powerful mission: helping people feel supported at some of the most important stages of life. As a Bloomington entrepreneur and community leader, Danielle has built two organizations that reflect that calling. As the owner of Dynasty Haven, a home care agency helping seniors and individuals who need help with daily living. At the same time, she leads Strut to Success, a nonprofit mentorship program designed to help young women build confidence, leadership skills, and a clear sense of identity as they move through adolescence.
Danielle founded Dynasty Haven out of a deeply rooted belief that older adults deserve care that honors not only their humanity, but their life experiences as well. The agency provides caregiving services that allow seniors to remain comfortable and supported while maintaining as much independence as possible. Danielle believes her work goes beyond healthcare; it’s about relationships, respect, and recognizing value through every stage of life. She often speaks about the wisdom that older generations bring and specifically highlights the importance of ensuring they feel seen, heard, and cared for in meaningful ways. Congratulations to DK Strategic Marketing Edge on their ribbon cutting! We were excited to celebrate a ribbon cutting for DK Strategic Marketing Edge at the Chamber Office, welcoming one of our newest members, Darren Klein, to the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. DK Strategic Marketing Edge helps businesses sharpen their strategy, strengthen their brand, and grow with purpose through thoughtful, results-driven marketing. We’re proud to support Darren as he launches this new venture and look forward to seeing the impact DK Strategic Marketing Edge will make in our business community. Congratulations to Darren on this exciting milestone! Learn more: http://linkedin.com/in/darrencklein Congratulations to MSI Security on 10 Years in Business! We were proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of MSI Security with a ribbon cutting at Heartwork Brewing. Founded in 2016 by military veteran Jeff Nesbitt, President & Owner, MSI Security is a veteran- and minority-owned small business that has spent the past decade serving communities across southern and central Indiana. Their commitment to safety through unarmed and armed security services, as well as marked vehicle patrols, has made a lasting impact throughout the region. Congratulations to the MSI Security team on this milestone—and thank you for 10 years of service to our community. Learn more: marshallmsi.com On Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce held its February Business After Hours at POSH on Kirkwood. See the photos from the event below! (Photos provided by the Chamber and Playfulli Photography)  The heart of the Eclipse Productions Company is a mission deeply rooted in opportunity, accessibility, and artistic growth; and helping bring that vision to life is Shayna Survil, the organization’s Development Director. Based in Bloomington, Eclipse Productions was founded in 2023 by three artists who met while working on a production in Brown County. What began as a shared creative experience quickly evolved into something ambitious: the creation of a theater company designed to fill a space they felt was missing. Shayna joined the company’s first full season in 2024, stepping into a role that would prove to be both demanding and very meaningful.
Eclipse Productions was created with a clear purpose: to serve as a stepping-stone for performers and artists sailing the path between community theaters and more professional-level productions. Rather than competing with larger, established theaters, Eclipse purposefully makes opportunities for those who may not have access to those stages quite yet. The company shows three shows per year, each of which involves months of rehearsal and a focused two-week run. Alternatively, to traditional theaters, Eclipse prioritizes productions with meaningful themes, resisting the pressure to choose shows solely based on ticket sales. On Friday, February 6th, 2026, The Success School, the Chamber's Foundation, held it's Reality Store® at Edgewood Junior High School. The Reality Store® is a simulation that helps junior high students appreciate the ‘realities’ of life and achieve a better understanding of personal finance. In the Reality Store® simulation, junior high students pretend they are a 28-year-old starting out in their life and career. Each school year, this program is held at four local middle schools, where close to 1000 students participate. Over 150 community members volunteered to run the tables at these events this year. Volunteering for a Reality Store® is a fun way to interact with students and teach them important lessons. See the photos from the event below! As a part of the Chamber's Foundation, The Success School acts as the connection between the business and the education communities. We serve students by introducing them to many different potential career options, providing them with opportunities to interact with professionals in different fields and helping them understand that graduating from high school is crucial for future success. We also serve the business community by offering meaningful volunteer opportunities for business professionals in our career learning programs which provide workforce development services for youth.
On Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, Bloomington Women in Leadership (BWIL) hosted Inspired by Love, a heartfelt and inspiring luncheon focused on compassion, community, and empowerment at Ivy Tech's Shreve Hall. This event featured Sandy Keller, Director of My Sister’s Closet of Monroe County, as she shared the story behind this impactful local nonprofit and its mission to help women build confidence and financial independence through professional clothing and support services. With a fireside chat let by Cassy Caswell, Sandy discussed the organization’s origins, the services it provides, and the powerful impact it has had on women in our community. This BWIL Inspire event embodied the group’s mission to Inspire, Engage, Elevate, and Empower women at every stage of their careers. See photos from the event below! (Photos provided by: Ever Exuberant Co.)  For nearly three decades, Wes Lasher has been telling stories through a lens at The Production House, a Bloomington-based video production company he founded in 1996. This year marks its 30th anniversary of operation; a milestone that speaks to both longevity and adaptability in an industry established by constant change. From corporate and training videos to event coverage and nonprofit storytelling, The Production House has remained a secure creative partner for organizations that prioritize authenticity, clarity, and purpose.
Wes chose entrepreneurship out of necessity and creative independence. At the time, Bloomington offered very few traditional career paths for video production, and developing his own business allowed him to do meaningful and creative work on his own terms. With a double major in telecommunications and theater, Wes blends technical skill with storytelling and collaboration; an approach that still defines his work today. Rather than pursuing volume, he prioritizes long-term relationships with a smaller group of clients, building trust through consistency and mutual respect. On Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's Success School held a Business & Entrepreneurship Career Panel at Bloomington High School North. The panelists had the opportunity to share their experiences, discuss current trends in the industry, and answer questions from students. See the photos from the event below! Panelists include (L to R):
|
|
|
Copyright The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.