Rooted in business at Lotus Naturescapes! 🌿

Our Union County CEO team recently spent a beautiful morning at Lotus Naturescapes, owned by Mike McLane, at the intersection of IL Rt 3 and IL Rt 146 in Ware. Many of our students have driven past this business for years, some knowing it only as "the place that sells rock," so getting a closer look was a real eye-opener.

The team was welcomed by Ms. Rhonda Tweedy, Mike’s right hand at Lotus. She had some breakfast treats that tasted great and got us energized for our visit! Before the business conversation began, students explored the gorgeous property and took photos together. They were impressed by the care that goes into every plant, pond, and fish.

Rhonda explained that Mike started out digging ponds for customers and soon discovered a growing demand for beautiful, natural decorative elements like rock, stone, mulch, and plants. That discovery grew into a whole new business: Lotus Naturescapes.

Some of the young professionals' biggest takeaways:
�🌱 Be ready to pivot. While many businesses struggled during COVID, Lotus Naturescapes saw a boom, a reminder that circumstances can shift quickly in either direction.
�🌦️ Weather affects everything. Our students keep hearing this from local business owners in the ag industry, and now they understand why rain can keep customers away, even from a rock yard.
�💡 Build around your passion. Not everyone will be your customer, but there's always someone who is. Your job is to find them, and that often starts right here at home.
�🤝 Support local. Small businesses face real ups and downs, and community support makes a lasting difference.

Thank you, Rhonda and Mike, for opening your doors and sharing your story so generously with our class. We're grateful for community partners like you who invest in the next generation of leaders! 💚

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