Recently, the Union County CEO team had the privilege of visiting Rusty's Home Center and hearing from Rusty Flamm and Jason Stegle about what it truly takes to build a successful business rooted in community, service, and trust.
Rusty’s Home Center has been a longtime investor in the Union County CEO Program and continues to generously support countless school, community, and youth projects throughout our area. Their willingness to continually give back is a powerful reminder of the impact local businesses have on the strength and success of Southern Illinois communities.
One of the biggest lessons our students took away from this visit was that success is not about being the biggest — it is about being the best at serving people. In a world filled with large chain stores and online competition, Rusty’s has continued to thrive by focusing on relationships, trust, consistency, and customer service. Students reflected on how meaningful it was to hear that Rusty’s aims to “out-service” the competition rather than outsize them.
Several students shared personal experiences about how the staff at Rusty’s has always taken the time to help customers, answer questions, and genuinely care about the projects people are working on. Others reflected on how eye-opening it was to see how often small businesses are approached for sponsorships and support — and yet Rusty’s continues to show up for the community time and time again.
Students also recognized the importance of listening to customers, staying connected to local needs, and building trust long before it is ever needed. During uncertain times like COVID, Rusty’s remained a reliable place for the community, reinforcing the idea that businesses become essential by consistently serving others well.
Thank you again to Rusty Flamm, Jason Stegle, and the entire Rusty’s Home Center team for investing not only in our program, but in the future of our communities and young professionals. Your example of leadership, service, and community commitment left a lasting impression on our students.
#UnionCountyCEO #CreatingEntrepreneurialOpportunities #SupportLocal #CommunityImpact #SouthernIllinois #AnnaIL
