What I Learned About My Community While Working On My Own.

This story isn’t about what you might expect. Even though it is about what I’ve learned the past year since launching my first entrepreneurial adventure – Lucas Partnering – it isn’t about leadership, marketing strategy, or tips on being on your own. No, this is about what I’ve learned about the community I’ve lived in for the past 30 some years...Peoria, Illinois.

You see, Peoria, like many cities its size located in the middle of the country, sometimes gets an undeserved rap. I won’t bother reviewing some of them, because chances are you’ve heard them already, or more likely you have your own impressions.

But the fact is, while working for someone else for 30+ years, much of it for a big multi-national company, you can get caught in your own professional bubble. Everything is global. Money isn’t real money unless you’re at least talking in tens of millions. Ideas are big. Problems complex and processes cumbersome. Change is slow.

So when I suddenly and unexpectedly found myself outside that bubble, which lead to my decision to go out my own, well, I discovered a new world. Or so I thought. Fact is, it wasn’t new at all. You see it had been developing and thriving for years.

When I first launched Lucas Partnering, I struggled, and still do at times, with the lifestyle, the uncertainty and the inconsistency of being on my own. Luckily I reached out to the small number of people that I knew who were already doing it. People still in my area of expertise, but still, those who had done it successfully for years. But then a strange thing happened.

Those few contacts introduced me to others like them, but in different professions. Those folks introduced me to their peers and connections. And suddenly my world, my back yard, expanded. They brought me in and more importantly welcomed me into their world. A world still full of big ideas...but a world where change can be fast. A place where dreams are more than making the most money and more than just a dream. A place where sharing ideas and each other’s passion is contagious.

During this time short time period, I’ve worked with the community organizer who understands the power of building a network and connecting ideas. I’ve gotten to know the coffee shop owners who are masters at marketing and their brand, but more importantly know how to bring people together. I’ve met the talented film maker moving back home from Los Angeles. I’ve learned from the artists looking to inspire through all things creative. I’ve watched the MIT graduate doing incredible things around data. I’ve been inspired by the entrepreneurs dedicated to reducing landfill waste.

I’ve come to know the owner of a small video production company, a myriad of local restaurateurs, local markets, newly established event venues, developers, writers, manufacturers, artists, designers, small retailers and engineering firms established out of necessity due to a story similar to mine. I’ve even discovered awe-inspiring, million-dollar, entrepreneur-driven companies in my own backyard who are literally doubling in size year-over-year.

The thing is, through all this discovery I found an amazing amount of diversity – backgrounds, ethnicity, education and available resources. But what I’ve also found were the similarities – an unending drive, a willingness to share, endless ideas, a non-acceptance of the status quo, a true desire for all to succeed and an attitude of belief like no other. And there is amazing power and ability to drive change when those characteristics are given the freedom to blossom.

Now the reality is a year from now some of these ideas and endeavors will likely no longer exist. Statistics simply say so. But the thing I do know is that failure will stop few, if any, from trying again. Quitting is not in them. For teaching me that lesson I’ll be forever grateful. They are inspiring.

So here we are a year later and I’ve come to believe to my core that my community – Peoria, Illinois – is not just going to be ok, but it is already doing better than ok. It is alive. The rapid heartbeat might still be slightly under the surface, but it is there. And as long as the people I’ve had the honor of meeting, and more importantly learning from the past year are still here, well, my community, my hometown is going to be just fine. And I plan on being a part of it.

Hi, I’m Dave Lucas. I am passionate about people-first leadership and marketing. My experience includes 20+ years in marketing leadership positions at Caterpillar Inc., many as the Global Digital Marketing Manager, and 10+ years in leadership positions at various marketing agencies. I am now the owner of Lucas Partnering, which focuses on helping companies by leveraging my experience in marketing strategy, planning and writing. You can reach me at davidlucas@lucaspartnering.com.

Please follow me on LinkedIn or my Facebook page (Lucas Partnering) for notification of further articles.