He and his wife, Lanice, and her husband, George Swaney, opened Amish Reflections in Midland in 1994, selling authentic, handcrafted furniture.
Email news about local businesses or individuals who have received awards or appointments to Dan Chalk at chalk@mdn.net.
Amish Reflections will celebrate its 30th anniversary with its annual tent sale on Saturday, September 28th.
The sale will take place from 10am to 5pm outside the furniture store at 54 Ashman Circle, with special discounts being offered only during the tent sale.
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Owners Lanice and George Swaney opened Amish Reflections in 1994 to sell furniture handcrafted by Amish artisans, and their son Jeremy, who was seven years old when the store opened, now runs the business.
“He picks up the furniture, he delivers the furniture and he sells the furniture,” Lanice Swaney said.
She said the biggest reasons for Amish Reflections’ success and longevity are the quality of the furniture, the attentiveness of the staff and the affordable prices.
“Our products are really high quality,” Lanis says, “and I think the customer service is really good. And the people in town have been really nice to us.”
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“Our prices are really competitive,” she continued. “In the current economic climate, you have to look around. We work really hard to keep our prices low and competitive with others.”
Amish Reflections was once the site of Miller Furniture, another furniture store that operated until the 1960s.
“When we opened the store, one of the Miller daughters came (to see the store),” Lanis recalled.
The Hospitality Business Management course will be available free of charge to the first 2,000 applicants.
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The Michigan Hospitality Training Institute is set to begin its fourth hospitality business management course in Midland in October.
The 12-week comprehensive skills course is valued at $2,500 but will be offered free to the first 2,000 program enrollees. HTIM will also offer a $500 incentive for each graduate who completes the course.
October classes are still open to residents, so interested students are encouraged to apply at HTIM.com/stepup .
“Being able to participate in this program is truly amazing,” said Tyler Johnson, Director of Operations and HTIM instructor for Downtown Restaurant Investments. “It’s an opportunity to improve your skills in many different areas of hospitality, become a more well-rounded employee, and take the next step in your career. For a program like this to be free makes it a fantastic opportunity and one that shouldn’t be missed.”
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Upon completing the course, participants will earn nationally recognized certifications, such as ServSafe Manager Certification and National Hospitality Supervisor Certification, and complete training on unconscious bias, mental health, sexual harassment and more, giving them the skills to become leaders in their industry.
HTIM initially piloted the program with about 100 students and, with support from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development, expanded the program to make it available to even more Michiganders seeking rewarding, high-paying careers.
“After completing this course, I am definitely better equipped to navigate entrepreneurial challenges, make informed decisions, and contribute to the success and growth of a restaurant business,” said Jacinta Shields, a third- to eighth-grade mathematics teacher at Francis Lae Public School Academy and an alumna of the program. “Not only will this experience help me succeed in my current endeavors, it will also enhance the knowledge and experience I already have in my field of expertise.”
Michigan’s hospitality industry generates approximately $44.6 billion in annual sales and is the state’s second-largest private employer, serving approximately half a million residents. As an integral part of Michigan’s economy, the HTIM program provides an avenue for employees to grow and develop, building a stronger workforce in Michigan.
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The deadline to register for classes is 5pm on Friday, September 20. Interested students and employers can register for their selected class session or visit HTIM.com/stepup for more information on HTIM Hospitality Business Management courses.
Kuroha becomes a member of the Wildfire Credit Union board of directors
Wildfire Credit Union recently announced the addition of Rodney Kloha to the credit union’s board of directors as an associate director.
Mr. Kuroha has been with Circle K Service Corporation since 1986. He began his career as a technician and worked his way up the ranks, serving as the company’s president for the past 10 years.
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The credit union said Kloha’s experience as a business owner and commitment to community development aligns perfectly with Wildfire’s mission. Kloha also serves as vice president of government relations for the Midland Business Alliance and as board chair for the National Federation of Independent Business Associations.
Ben Denney, Wildfire’s President and CEO, commented, “On behalf of everyone at Wildfire Credit Union, we are pleased to welcome Rod to our Board of Directors. As a successful business owner, Rod brings a wealth of experience, insight and a deep understanding of the needs of the community we serve. We are confident his perspective will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve our members with integrity and innovation. We look forward to the positive impact Rod will undoubtedly have on the Board and Wildfire’s future.”
Editor-in-chief Dan Chalk writes about education, business, sports, the military and interesting people and places in the Midlands region. Email him at chalk@mdn.net.
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