Case Studies
Pictured: Veronica Ohler, Plant Controller at Eaton Corporation, Lincoln, IL
Eaton
Eaton is a global power management company with 60+ years of manufacturing excellence in the Heartland. Eaton’s connection to the area began in 1958, when former electrical company Cutler-Hammer opened a greenfield operation in Lincoln, Illinois. Eaton subsequently acquired Cutler-Hammer, and has been here ever since.
Today the Eaton Lincoln plant employs more than 750 employees including production, product development, design, purchasing, planning, manufacturing engineers, and accounting. The Lincoln plant currently produces electrical equipment including load centers, metering devices, meter breakers and air conditioning disconnects, as well as components utilized in the solar and generator industries. Products produced in Lincoln are sold across the United States, in Canada and Costa Rica.
TJK Fabricators, LLC
Mike Siltman, owner of TJK Fabricators, LLC, moved his metal fabrication business to Lincoln in September 2020. Mike is a 30-year veteran of the trade but grew tired of commuting from his home in Middletown to Peoria every day.
With the help of LEAD board members Patrick Doolin and Eric Burwell, Mike found the ideal location for his business in Lincoln. TJK Fabricators, LLC, is family owned and family run: Mike’s wife, son, and daughter all work in the business.
Mike enjoys the small town setting while access to the interstate makes it easy to get raw materials and ship out finished projects. And local vendors like Ace Hardware, Big R, Sherwin Williams, and Lincoln Iron and Metal keep Mike’s business stocked with the supplies he needs. “I love working here,” says Mike.
Pictured: Mike Siltman and his daughter Whitney weld plates for a project - TJK Fabricators, LLC, Lincoln, IL
Pictured: Ethan Hoinacki at his coffee bean roaster - Guest House Coffee and Pastries, Lincoln, IL
Guest House Coffee & Pastries
When did Ethan Hoinacki’s fascination with coffee begin? “I’ve loved coffee since I was a kid,” he’ll tell you.
Ethan’s enduring love affair with all things java looks like a veritable Hero’s Journey through coffee culture:
- Stealing sips of his mom’s cappuccinos
- Visiting a local coffee shop while in grade school—sometimes two or three times a day
- Buying his first espresso machine in high school
- Developing a taste for good black coffee while in college
- Discovering the art of roasting his own coffee beans
In 2017, Ethan and his wife Nicole seized the opportunity to buy an existing coffee shop business on Lincoln’s square and christened it “Guest House.” They’ve since built it into a thriving Lincoln landmark by focusing on outstanding quality and customer service. “We don’t want coffee to be pretentious,” he says. “We want people to have a remarkable experience here.”
With strong family roots in Lincoln—his grandparents also had businesses on the square—Ethan loves being downtown. Stop in and you’ll find him roasting coffee beans, chatting with customers, and working hard to ensure you have a great visit at Guest House.
Porter Electric
Porter Electric, a full-service electrical contractor serving central Illinois since 2016, initially came to Lincoln to work on the expansion at Cresco Labs. During the project, a number of tradespeople were trying to finish their work in a limited space. Greg Porter, owner and region manager, connected with LEAD board members Eric Burwell and Patrick Doolin to find some temporary, local space where materials could be prefabricated before being taken to the jobsite for installation. Over the course of the project, though, Greg and his business partner, Stephanie Grigsby, began to see a unique opportunity in front of them—a permanent expansion into the Lincoln market.
The move gives Porter two strategic advantages:
- Opportunity to work under Springfield’s Union Hall
- A vantage point to establish an additional satellite location in Bloomington within the next five years
The company plans to triple their service footprint in central Illinois, a move made possible because of their new location “hub” in Lincoln.
When entertaining business associates from Chicago, Greg loves to bring them to Lincoln. “There’s a charm about Lincoln that they can’t find in Chicago,” says Porter. “When we take our customers out to dinner or for a cup of coffee in Lincoln, they love it! It is an entirely new experience that we love to share with them.”
Pictured: Greg Porter and the Porter Electric team in Lincoln, IL
Clear Grace Strength – Turning Passion into a Full-Time Purpose
Background
In 2023, Katie Davis took a bold step forward in her passion for women's fitness by launching Clear Grace Strength, a stand-alone gym focused exclusively on female athleticism. What began as a women-only fitness class grew into a dedicated space where women of all ages could build strength, confidence, and community.
Katie’s journey into the fitness world wasn’t traditional. For years, she balanced her growing interest in fitness with her successful career as a hairstylist. Clear Grace Strength started as a side hustle—an outlet for Katie’s belief that strength training should be accessible and empowering for every woman.
Challenge
Despite her passion and the growing popularity of her classes, Katie faced a critical crossroads: how to grow Clear Grace Strength into a sustainable business without sacrificing stability for her family. As a full-time hairstylist and mother, Katie needed a strategic plan to turn her side hustle into her primary source of income.
Solution
In 2023, Katie partnered with LEAD, to develop a strategic growth plan for Clear Grace Strength. Over the course of the year, she worked with LEAD to:
- Clarify her vision for the gym
- Establish sustainable pricing and membership models
- Identify marketing opportunities to grow her client base
- Create a roadmap for transitioning out of her day job
With focused planning and coaching, Katie positioned Clear Grace Strength for long-term success—without compromising her values or her responsibilities as a mom and entrepreneur.
Results
By the end of 2023, Katie reached a major milestone: she was able to resign from her hairstyling career and commit to Clear Grace Strength full-time.
Key outcomes include:
- Steady membership growth driven by word-of-mouth and targeted outreach
- Improved business structure with clear offerings and community-focused programming
- Increased work-life balance, allowing Katie to spend more intentional time with her young family
Looking Ahead
Clear Grace Strength is more than a gym—it’s a movement for empowering women through fitness. As Katie continues to grow her business, her story serves as an inspiring reminder that with the right support, strategy, and passion, side hustles can become full-time realities.
The Bee – A Creative Pivot from In-Person Wellness to Retail Resilience
Background
The Bee, founded by Melanie Welch, originally operated as an in-person wellness business offering therapy, yoga, and massage services. Rooted in community care, The Bee was a sanctuary for holistic healing and personal growth. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, lockdown restrictions made in-person services nearly impossible—forcing Melanie to make a difficult decision: adapt or risk closure.
Challenge
With government-mandated closures and social distancing protocols in place, The Bee faced an existential crisis. The business model, heavily dependent on physical interaction, could no longer operate under the same structure. Like many service-based entrepreneurs during the pandemic, Melanie was challenged to find a way to sustain her livelihood and continue serving the community—without physical contact.
Solution
Rather than shutter the business, Melanie boldly reimagined The Bee's role in the community. She pivoted from in-person wellness services to a pop-up plant shop and boutique, offering curated items that still aligned with her mission of self-care and connection. This transformation not only allowed The Bee to remain operational but also expanded its brand identity in new and unexpected ways.
Results
The reimagined Bee quickly gained traction. For three years, it thrived at its original location on Pekin Street. In 2023, the opportunity arose to move into a more prominent and permanent location downtown—a long-held dream of Melanie’s.
This transition required careful planning and negotiation. With the support of LEAD, Melanie examined her business operations, assessed financial feasibility, and structured a deal that aligned with her long-term vision.
In September 2023, The Bee opened its new location at 121 S. Kickapoo in Lincoln. The move proved to be transformative:
- Increased visibility in a high-traffic downtown area
- Boosted sales due to foot traffic and renewed community interest
- Enhanced brand presence, establishing The Bee as both a retail destination and a hub for thoughtful, intentional living
Looking Ahead
Now thriving in its new home, The Bee is positioned not just for sustainability but for growth. The challenges of the pandemic catalyzed a creative pivot that expanded the business’s reach and deepened its community impact. Melanie’s journey stands as a powerful example of entrepreneurial resilience, adaptability, and the enduring power of purpose-driven business.
PRYNT Digital – Global Expertise, Local Impact
Background
In 2023, Cale West, owner of PRYNT Digital, joined the LEAD Board of Directors, bringing with him a wealth of marketing expertise and a deep commitment to community growth. PRYNT Digital is a full-service marketing and creative agency specializing in:
Web Development, Hosting, and Management
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Content Creation and Social Media Management
Online Advertising and Digital Strategy
With clients and employees located around the world, PRYNT Digital has the infrastructure and flexibility to operate from virtually anywhere.
Challenge
When Cale and LEAD connected in 2022, PRYNT Digital was poised for relocation. With plans to move headquarters out of state, Cale was exploring opportunities that would align with PRYNT’s global ambitions. However, LEAD saw an opportunity—and a responsibility—to encourage local growth. They asked Cale to consider a different path: building PRYNT’s future in his hometown of Lincoln, Illinois.
Solution
The result was more than a change in address—it was the beginning of a powerful partnership. Cale decided to keep PRYNT Digital headquartered in Lincoln and committed to becoming a deeper part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The collaboration with LEAD included:
Business strategy conversations to envision PRYNT’s growth in Lincoln
Advisory support for other entrepreneurs through LEAD’s network
Board leadership, with Cale joining LEAD’s Board of Directors in 2023
Community engagement, culminating in PRYNT presenting LEAD’s Social Media Marketing training
That 2023 training event—presented by Cale—became LEAD’s most well-attended session to date, showcasing the value of PRYNT’s expertise and the demand for digital skills among local businesses.
Results
PRYNT Digital remains headquartered in Lincoln, contributing to the local economy while serving global clients.
Cale’s board participation has added insight and strategy to LEAD’s mission.
The partnership between PRYNT and LEAD has elevated digital marketing education and outreach in the community.
Entrepreneurs in Lincoln now have direct access to high-level marketing knowledge, thanks to PRYNT’s engagement.
Looking Ahead
PRYNT Digital and LEAD continue to build a model of
collaborative leadership—one that proves small towns can house big ideas. Cale’s decision to stay rooted in Lincoln is already paying dividends for the entrepreneurial landscape, inspiring others to grow where they are planted.
Schedule a call to learn how your business can thrive in Lincoln
Already a business owner in Lincoln?
We’re always looking for great stories about businesses in our community.
Let us know if you’d like to have your business considered as a featured LEAD case study.