Photo provided by: Heather Wanniger, Sweet Lemonade Photography
By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
Mahomet Chamber of Commerce 2020 Award Winners
Overall Business of the Year – Area Garbage, Bud Boller
Small Business of the Year –Yellow & Company, Elizabeth VanHoutan McDermith
Food Service Business of the Year – Filippo’s Pizza, Brigi and Jerry Paris
Health & Wellness Business of the Year – The Rock Counseling Group, R.J. and Staci McNicholl
Startup Business of the Year – Ruff Dayz, Tim and Lacy Belangee
Community Servant of the Year – Mahomet-Seymour schools superintendent, Dr. Lindsey Hall
Volunteer of the Year – Raptor Power Systems, Evan El Koury
The Mahomet Daily will post a series of profiles on each of the award winners, who were recognized at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet on Friday night at Mahomet’s Grace Church. To see the other articles, click on the link associated with each business name above.
YELLOW & COMPANY, Elizabeth VanHoutan McDermith
Elizabeth VanHoutan McDermith is an entrepreneur who has flourished in Mahomet by responding to her customers.
In 2014, she opened Paint Like Me in the heart of the downtown area.
“People would say, ‘Downtown used to be full of cute little shops,’ and ask if I had anything they could buy as a gift,” McDermith said.
After saying “no” more times than she wanted, McDermith changed her answer to the affirmative.
She devoted a portion of her shop space to a second venture and opened up Yellow & Company in August, 2017.
Nine months later, she moved a few blocks east to the WesPark Towne Center (604 E. Main).
“Originally, I thought I would have handmade and artsy items,” McDermith said. “I had a pretty good balance, about 25 percent handmade and 15 percent locally made.”
She tried to feature items from small shops and especially ones with female owners.
The reception was positive.
“It was kind of a destination,” McDermith said. “People loved to come in and loved the feel and look of it.”
Yellow & Company was one of the winners in Friday’s Mahomet Area Chamber of Commerce banquet, taking home top honors in the community’s Small Business of the Year category.
Running a shop was a different pursuit for McDermith, who married Mike McDermith in 2015 and moved to Mahomet.
“I’ve always been self-employed,” she said. “I was a paint contractor for 20 years.
“I have a degree in interior design, but retail was new to me.”
It fits her personality.
“Before, it was solitary (work),” she said. “I was by myself all the time.
“I wanted to meet people and this is more fun and joyful.”
She is grateful for the Chamber recognition, but it was never an end goal.
“I work really hard, and love the community,” she said. “I try to do everything I can to get people to come here.
“I don’t do it to be recognized. I do it because I think it’s the right thing.”
It took a lot of soul-searching to take her businesses to a brand new location.
“We would drive by and think, ‘Is that a smart business decision,’” McDermith said. “We loved the landlord and the quaintness of the (previous) building, but this is so much better.
“Down the street, no one came in unless it was for a paint party. There were days we had one person come through the doors.”
Though her schedule offers little free time, McDermith generously donates what she can.
“I’m happy to do anything involving the Chamber,” said McDermith, who not only coordinates social media posts but also is the co-chairman for the annual Christmas Walk as well as serving as a board member.
“The way Mahomet is exploding, I feel like we’re building something here,” she said.
