Last fall, members of Ellsworth’s Chamber of Commerce shared that business owners wanted more opportunities for young professionals to network locally. They shared that the younger demographic struggles to make friends and meet new people if they move to the area for work.

At its annual awards banquet in March, the chamber announced its new program targeted at young professionals ages 21-45, the Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX).

According to the Chamber’s website, “FLEX events provide unique opportunities for the region’s young professionals to meet new people, connect with like-minded peers outside the office, develop and enhance skills, and make a lasting impact on the future of our community.”

Spearheaded by Trenton Nyhus of the Nyhus Agency and Makayla Zimdars of Musty Barnhart Insurance, the first FLEX event will be hosted at the Ellsworth Country Club on Thursday, May 27.

FLEX events will feature a 30-minute networking time before a half-hour presentation from a guest speaker.

Nyhus and Zimdars want to catch some local attention to start FLEX with a splash and are excited to announce the first speaker is serial entrepreneur and author, Dana Derricks.

Derricks was featured in Forbes magazine in 2017 after he found international success selling books to business owners.

What is considered a young professional, you may be asking? In the Chamber’s own words, “Young professionals come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities, backgrounds, industries and educational experience. Accountants, artists, bankers, engineers, non-profit workers, graduate students, those in manufacturing, construction and the trades, small business owners and everyone in between are welcome to join FLEX.”

The yearly goal is one FLEX event on the fourth Thursday of every month, except November (due to Thanksgiving). During the FLEX launch, the cost to join is $25 per person for the entire year, capped at $100 total for a business with four or more members joining. If you’re not a member of the Chamber of Commerce and you’re interested in joining, you’re in luck! You don’t need to be a member of the Chamber to join, nor do you need to be from Ellsworth to take advantage of the monthly networking opportunity.

FLEX members who bring a non-FLEX member friend to an event (for free), will receive a free drink. You can sign up and find more information by visiting www.ellsworthchamber.com and selecting FLEX under the “Your Chamber” drop down menu.