Business Spotlight
ON THE HOMEFRONT WITH OUR ENTREPRENEURS
Mike Blakesley and Longtime Entrepreneurship
By Cheryl Heser
“On the Homefront with Our Entrepreneurs” is the product of my belief that our community is thriving because of independent business people running everything from a theater and a drugstore to construction businesses. A couple times a month, I will be introducing readers to these admirable people who are so important to our town and area.
We will begin with one of the longtime entrepreneurs in Forsyth. A common sight on Main Street is Mike Blakesley crossing the street between Valley Auto and the Roxy Theatre, his two very varied workplaces. He prides himself on keeping on top of things at both businesses.
Mike, who was born and raised here, began working at his father’s Valley Auto Supply when he was in eighth grade. He soon became interested in Valley Music, the music store side of the business popular with the many people who were moving in to the community, and he was running the music business by the time he was out of high school.
Mike says, “I’m a gadget guy and was interested in sound equipment, an interest which started with the music store and helps with what I do at the theater.” When the music business was no longer feasible, he took care of the bookkeeping for Valley Auto until buying the store in 2009 after his father died.
Meanwhile, just out of high school in 1975, Mike became the projectionist for the Roxy Theatre and found another niche that fit him well. In 1979 he and Tom Clifford bought the Roxy from the retiring owners with the idea of fixing it up and selling it, but soon Mike realized that he wanted to continue running it. They owned it together for 13 years, and then Mike bought it.
Mike’s involvement for 45 years makes him the theater’s longest owner, and he was glad to welcome his wife Lynn as a partner in the theater. Because of having principal income from Valley Auto, they have been able to invest funds in new sound equipment, new seats, and other improvements to the Roxy. They have consistently good audiences including many people from out of town.
What is a typical day for this busy entrepreneur? Normally, he takes care of the store from 10am to 6pm, then runs the theater in the evening. Of course, he shifts from one business to the other as needed, hence crossing the street regularly. He takes great care of details and neat presentation in both places and enjoys “putting out fires” behind the scenes.
Mike is dedicated to serving needs in the community of Forsyth and the surrounding area in two very different ways. Valley Auto serves local people and the agricultural community with a variety of parts and supplies. The Roxy Theatre, in addition to providing entertainment “without performing myself”, has employed about 65 teenagers over the years, eight at a time. Most of them have remained good friends who years later might fill in at the theater when they are back in town.
What are some of the challenges? Getting supplies has been more difficult in recent years. In addition, the demands of change are constant, for example the changes in how movies are shown and how repairs are made. Mike considers keeping things well organized and looking presentable a priority. But he enjoys having plenty to do, meeting challenges and keeping things running smoothly.
For pleasure, Mike has put hours into an electric train display with dozens of handmade authentic buildings and details from Forsyth’s history. He also puts many hours with Keith Raymond in putting on a major fireworks display every summer. Mike and Lynn enjoy traveling, some of it to conventions including Cinemacon in Las Vegas and some to Florida and other venues because the two of them are Disney fans.
Although they enjoy getting out of town, they know it will always be complicated because everything has to be covered while they are gone. Other challenges with the theater are hours and getting movies because the studios dictate the length of time they can have movies. They would prefer to have two screens and show two movies at a time, but the Roxy has no place for that kind of expansion and they are committed to keeping the building much as it originally was.
What is Mike’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? First, owning your own business is a major commitment, and you have to love what you do enough to be willing to put in all the time and effort necessary for success. You need to be there because just owning and turning the details over to someone else doesn’t work. Of course, you need good help and a backup plan for when you will be gone or cannot be there for another reason.
I am sure that the people of this area join me in being thankful for Mike’s standards and the presence of two businesses that keep us supplied and entertained.
Mike Blakesley and Longtime Entrepreneurship
By Cheryl Heser
“On the Homefront with Our Entrepreneurs” is the product of my belief that our community is thriving because of independent business people running everything from a theater and a drugstore to construction businesses. A couple times a month, I will be introducing readers to these admirable people who are so important to our town and area.
We will begin with one of the longtime entrepreneurs in Forsyth. A common sight on Main Street is Mike Blakesley crossing the street between Valley Auto and the Roxy Theatre, his two very varied workplaces. He prides himself on keeping on top of things at both businesses.
Mike, who was born and raised here, began working at his father’s Valley Auto Supply when he was in eighth grade. He soon became interested in Valley Music, the music store side of the business popular with the many people who were moving in to the community, and he was running the music business by the time he was out of high school.
Mike says, “I’m a gadget guy and was interested in sound equipment, an interest which started with the music store and helps with what I do at the theater.” When the music business was no longer feasible, he took care of the bookkeeping for Valley Auto until buying the store in 2009 after his father died.
Meanwhile, just out of high school in 1975, Mike became the projectionist for the Roxy Theatre and found another niche that fit him well. In 1979 he and Tom Clifford bought the Roxy from the retiring owners with the idea of fixing it up and selling it, but soon Mike realized that he wanted to continue running it. They owned it together for 13 years, and then Mike bought it.
Mike’s involvement for 45 years makes him the theater’s longest owner, and he was glad to welcome his wife Lynn as a partner in the theater. Because of having principal income from Valley Auto, they have been able to invest funds in new sound equipment, new seats, and other improvements to the Roxy. They have consistently good audiences including many people from out of town.
What is a typical day for this busy entrepreneur? Normally, he takes care of the store from 10am to 6pm, then runs the theater in the evening. Of course, he shifts from one business to the other as needed, hence crossing the street regularly. He takes great care of details and neat presentation in both places and enjoys “putting out fires” behind the scenes.
Mike is dedicated to serving needs in the community of Forsyth and the surrounding area in two very different ways. Valley Auto serves local people and the agricultural community with a variety of parts and supplies. The Roxy Theatre, in addition to providing entertainment “without performing myself”, has employed about 65 teenagers over the years, eight at a time. Most of them have remained good friends who years later might fill in at the theater when they are back in town.
What are some of the challenges? Getting supplies has been more difficult in recent years. In addition, the demands of change are constant, for example the changes in how movies are shown and how repairs are made. Mike considers keeping things well organized and looking presentable a priority. But he enjoys having plenty to do, meeting challenges and keeping things running smoothly.
For pleasure, Mike has put hours into an electric train display with dozens of handmade authentic buildings and details from Forsyth’s history. He also puts many hours with Keith Raymond in putting on a major fireworks display every summer. Mike and Lynn enjoy traveling, some of it to conventions including Cinemacon in Las Vegas and some to Florida and other venues because the two of them are Disney fans.
Although they enjoy getting out of town, they know it will always be complicated because everything has to be covered while they are gone. Other challenges with the theater are hours and getting movies because the studios dictate the length of time they can have movies. They would prefer to have two screens and show two movies at a time, but the Roxy has no place for that kind of expansion and they are committed to keeping the building much as it originally was.
What is Mike’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? First, owning your own business is a major commitment, and you have to love what you do enough to be willing to put in all the time and effort necessary for success. You need to be there because just owning and turning the details over to someone else doesn’t work. Of course, you need good help and a backup plan for when you will be gone or cannot be there for another reason.
I am sure that the people of this area join me in being thankful for Mike’s standards and the presence of two businesses that keep us supplied and entertained.