Known as the RV Capital of the World, Elkhart County, Indiana found itself mired in unemployment near 20% in 2009, as the gas crisis and financial meltdown conspired to cut off much of the business the region had relied on for years. Every week was met with more lay-offs; plant shut downs, companies being sold and more bad news. Elkhart County was featured by FOX News, CNN, and major networks, national newspapers and even on late night comedy as the ground zero of our nation’s economic misery.
Right after President Barack Obama was inaugurated, he chose Elkhart County as the first place to sell his massive stimulus package. His message of hope may have rung true for some, but many Elkhart County business people decided that bailouts coming from the government couldn’t be the right answer. No Thank You, Mr. President, provides stories of how real entrepreneurs, businesses and community leaders are rolling up their sleeves and working to succeed despite the seemingly long odds.
This book has a message of hope based on American Values of hard work, personal responsibility, celebrating success and reliance on the individual, not the government.
Here are just a few inspiring stories of success and hope that will make you remember why America is the greatest nation in history:
* An Amish machine shop with exceptional skills, inventive products and minimal use of new technology.
* Real Estate Entrepreneur expanding and looking for new opportunities in the housing crisis. He even decided to run for State Representative.
* A hometown bank, holding true to their conservative policies and thriving despite the meltdown.
* The largest privately owned RV Company gaining market share in a down market.
* A husband and wife team who created a sensational new product that is growing like crazy in the competitive retail gift shop market.
* A technology company flying under the radar, but growing and competing in well chosen niche markets the big guys aren’t interested in.
"No Thank You, Mr. President" is really a result of the frustration that many people feel about the Obama Administration's attempt to make political hay due to the misery in Elkhart County. Elkhart is very entrepreneurial and has experienced great prosperity up until a few years ago, but it is dependent on the RV and auto industries which have been hard hit. While Obama may want to swoop in and pretend to be the savior, the reality is that Elkhart County businesses know that the "real story" is that we will recover because of our efforts. Several businesses continue to thrive while others are just rolling up their sleeves like they always have. This is a story of strong-minded entrepreneurial businesses using Hoosier values to support each other.
"When John Cohoat told me about his book at a recent talk in Elkhart County, I told him it’s wonderful to hear from the people of Elkhart County and know that they are focused on their own recovery. John’s book captures the spirit of small business in America today... moving ahead despite all the road blocks our Government is trying to put in their way."
~ Mike Pence, Indiana Congressman
