Supporting and boosting businesses in the LaGrange County community is exactly what Ian Mullen is dedicated to doing at the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce. Serving as the Director of Marketing & Operations, Ian works alongside business owners ensuring they succeed to not only further their growth but to advance the entire region as a whole.
Ian has been a driving force behind initiatives aimed at enhancing development in LaGrange County. But what exactly does the Chamber do? It serves a larger purpose and isn’t just focused on a single area, Ian and his team work regionwide. “The best part of the LaGrange County Chamber is that we are countywide, so we have the opportunity to champion our community from the western edge of Shipshewana to the eastern edge of Mongo and from the southern edge of Wolcottville, South Milford, and Topeka to the northern edge of Howe and Brighton.”
Born and raised in LaGrange County, Ian and his family have roots here. He’s served the Chamber for three years, is an IU graduate, has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and when not working at the chamber is found cheering on Notre Dame. “You can usually find me spending time with my family in LaGrange County or the Angola area, or working on the next big thing with Main Street LaGrange, where I serve as Treasurer of the board.”
Scan the Chamber’s social media and you’ll see videos and reels highlighting the non-profit. More than likely, the video was created by Ian. “One of my biggest hobbies is photography and videography through my side business, I. Mullen Media. I also love camping, traveling, and spending time with my 2-year-old German Shepherd, Enzo.”
Working with members makes each day different and unique for Ian. “I learn so much about the county through them. A large portion of our membership consists of small businesses with 10 or fewer employees, many of which are located along the backroads of the county.” You can experience many of these businesses as well by exploring the county and taking trials like Off the Beaten Path. “I’m amazed every day when I discover a business at a location I’ve passed hundreds of times, without even realizing there was anything there.”
The Chamber is constantly looking for businesses to become members and has made it easy for you to join. “I would say the biggest way to get more involved would be by staying up-to-date on what we’re doing and by attending our events. Not all of our events are the same and there is something for everyone. From our monthly luncheons around the county to some of our workshops like the Small Business and ConnectHER Conference. There is truly something for everyone. The easiest way to stay up-to-date on what we’re doing would be to subscribe to our email list, which you can do by going to our website www.lagrangechamber.org.”
The Chamber recently won the Innovative Excellence Award for its Willing to Work Tours. The project offers customized group tours at local businesses to provide individuals firsthand knowledge of working within the industry. “We take their clients to visit our member businesses, helping introduce them to different career paths and jobs within the county that might interest them. Receiving this recognition from our state association showed us that our innovative program and efforts to bridge the gap in the next-level workforce are working. We are paving the way for other chambers across the state to implement similar programs in their communities.”
As for the future of the Chamber, Ian says there are initiatives in the works he is particularly excited about. Each has a focus on members and will work with them to further expand the Chamber’s mission. “I love watching how some of our newest events and initiatives grow year after year. If I had to narrow it down to a couple of specific events for 2025, they would be our Field of Dreams Career Expo, the LaGrange County Hometown Heroes Banner Program, and our new After Hours event, which will launch in 2025.” Those are just a few things you can expect to see in the new year from the Chamber.
One of the events Ian is most proud of is the Hometown Heroes Banner Program. “Upon completing the program, the graduating class was tasked with developing a community project, and Keith James and I were among those in that class. We decided to create a program that honors those who have served our country and county, both in the military and as local first responders, by developing banners that are displayed throughout the county.” As of the fall of 2024, the program has honored over 80 individuals and more will be added in the future.
“If I had to describe LaGrange County in a single word, it would be ‘unique.’ In my opinion, there is no other place in the world like LaGrange County. We may not have the loud hustle and bustle that cities offer, but we have our own version of it. Whether it’s local farmers markets or community events hosted by our nonprofits, there is always something to do within the county. Our traffic might look a little different, thanks to buggies and tractors, but LaGrange County is a unique and tranquil place to visit and experience.”’
If you or someone you know are interested in joining the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce, head to the Chamber of Commerce website!
