The Young Professionals Network (YPN), a committee organized by the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, recently began Searcy Heroes: A Professional Development Series. The group welcomed Larry Crain of Crain Automotive and Crain Media as the first speaker in the series.
“Mr. Crain and several other role models in Searcy have achieved statewide success,” Mat Faulkner, President and Creative Director of Think Advertising, said. “Our Searcy Heroes seminars give us a chance to learn from these fellow citizens about a variety topics: How did you get where you are today? What character traits do you value the most? How do you advance your career in Searcy? What do you look for in your key people?”
The four areas that Crain discussed as being essential for a successful career are faith in God, family relationships, education and experience.
“Don’t measure success by the world’s standards,” Crain said. “Success is achieving something you planned or intended. Success is something that turns out well.”
Crain discussed his early childhood in the community of Crosby, which is outside of Searcy on Highway 36.
“We didn’t own a car. My parents and I would walk to church,” Crain said. “That was the foundation of my faith. That’s what I have the most appreciation for.”
Crain’s father and grandfather both owned small country stores in Searcy.
“My dad had an eighth-grade education, but he could really cipher. He was good with numbers, and he was a good trader,” Crain said. “I got my passion for business from him.”
Crain emphasized that passion is essential.
“Have a passion about what you do. Passion comes with DNA, but it can also be developed,” he said.
He talked about the importance of discipline, persistence and taking risks.
“Get absorbed in what you’re doing, and be willing to do each part of it,” Crain said. “Learn every job there. I don’t feel like I can fully understand what’s happening in a business unless I know what each person is doing.”
Crain discussed that reputation is more important than wealth. He emphasized the importance of making moral choices.
“My goal each day is to do the best I can do,” he said.
As a young entrepreneur, Faulkner said I could relate to everything Crain said about starting a business.
“I enjoyed hearing his story: It is reassuring to know that someone who is so successful went through similar challenges that I’ve faced,” Faulkner said. “In the short five years since I’ve started my business, I’ve experienced the hard work, the emotional ties, the pitfalls that he discussed. I am pleased that Mr. Crain chose to join us.”
The Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a group organized by the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The YPN strives to retain and advance the young workforce in Searcy by providing them with professional development, social activities and service opportunities.
“I enjoy being a part of the YPN in Searcy,” Faulkner said. “We are an enthusiastic, powerful and diverse organization that helps young professionals in our area discover new business relations, strengthen existing contacts and ultimately get excited about working in such a great city.”
The YPN currently has 60 members.
“The Young Professionals Network is one of the Chamber’s most exciting committees,” Tara Cathey, Vice President of the Chamber, said. “We feel that the YPN helps our area attract and retain young professionals in our workforce and helps strengthen the community as a whole.”
To become a YPN member, the participant or the business that he or she works for must be a member of the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“I am excited to develop an organization that creates an infrastructure for young Searcy professionals,” Faulkner said. “As the YPN continues to evolve, we hope each and every Searcy professional will consider joining both the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce and the YPN.”
For more information concerning the Young Professionals Network, contact the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce at (501) 268-2458.
By Sara Dacus Special to The Daily Citizen
