Wilson Distributor Service named Small Business of the Year

MT. PLEASANT — Friday morning, the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce announced Wilson Distributor Service as the Small Business of the Year recipient.

“Jason and Lisa Goody have been outstanding member of the community for as long as I have known them,” Chamber Executive Vice President Rachel Lindeen read from a nomination for Wilson Distributor Service. “When I think about excellent customer service, friends and volunteers of the community, and overachieving employees, I think of them.”

With tears from both Jason and Lisa, they made their way to the front of the Small Business Breakfast to accept their title and thanked the community, their family, friends, and God for the success of their business.

Jason says that he and Lisa remained shocked that they received such an honor.

“We feel honored to even be included in that whole crew that was nominated,” he said.

“We were really surprised,” Lisa said. “So very humbling.” Yeah, it just was really nice.”

According to Jason and Lisa, they’ve operated Wilson Distributor Service in the Mt. Pleasant area for the last 30 years after Jason bought the company from Bob Wilson in 1993.

“Side by side and as a team, Jason and Lisa have successfully grown the business nearly 10 times since taking it over and have focused on servicing customers with a great product and providing excellent personal follow-up,” WDS’s website says.

“Anybody that knows us, knows we're just genuine people,” Jason said. “We love people and we care about people. We don't really care about the dollar, I guess. We’re more concerned to make sure our customers are taken care of. “

The Goodys accept this honor with humility saying that they don’t think they’re any better than any of the other nominees.

“We know all of them, and a lot of them have been in business as long as we have,” Jason said. “That's why we're probably more humbled and honored, because I'll be honest with you, I thought KILJ would have won!”

According to Jason, WDS does business with all four of the other nominees, and every one of these businesses support one another.

“Business has changed, and it's not like it used to be,” Lisa said. “It's not easy to do business. It really isn't. It's way different, and we have to stick together.”

Along with the support of the community and fellow small businesses, the Goodys find that the team within WDS is crucial for the business’s overall success.

“It takes us all as a team to work together, and our staff is great, and they go above and beyond,” Jason added. “They treat it like it's their own business, and that's been a big plus as well.”

Jason and Lisa encourage anyone that might need something to reach out.

“We do all kinds of stuff, from cleaning supplies to janitorial items to promotional items, and printing,” Jason said. “We just kind of do a gamut of things and we tell people to just ask, because you just never know.”

According to Lindeen, Wilson Distributor Service received this recognition thanks to a panel of local judges which first selected the five finals from over 20 applications.

“Once selected, the five finalists were given three questions to answer,” Lindeen said. “Why did you decide to open your business? Tell us about your community involvement specifically in the last 18 months and what set you apart from other businesses in the community?”

The judges then scored those responses to select WDS as the winner of Small Business of the Year 2023.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com