Presidents Chat              

Did you know that our Grand Mound-Rochester Chamber office is also a Visitor Information Center? Publishers of ‘Experience Olympia and Beyond’ recently reached out to us for local input as they update the ‘Experience Rochester’ and ‘Experience Grand Mound’ visitor guides. GMRC requested to have a picture of the ‘Welcome to Rochester’ truck on the front cover (instead of a building out in Gate). Also, along with their descriptive content, we asked to have included, “Rochester can be described as mid-Century Americana vibe with a highway garage, hometown diners and corner groceries. Along with generations of native and pioneer families, Rochester is home to one of the largest Mennonite communities in Western Washington.” Check out the chamber office at 9917 Hwy 12 to see your Visitor Information wall and while you’re there, please drop off some of your business cards in our special chamber member’s rack.

Watch for fun activities coming up such as our Business-Relationship-Building Networking Breakfast at the Fairfield Inn, and a guided tour of the massive Electrolux Plant in Grand Mound.

I’m grateful for our strong community commitment as we continue to share our values to instill hope and prosperity into generations to come.  

 Varsågod*                                 

Diane Weaver                                                 

*Norwegian for “Be so kind”

Area Happenings:

Tim Nichols won the drawing for at the March general membership meeting for a gift card donated by Lucky Eagle to the Craft House Restaurant.

In November 2024 the chamber sent a local citizen to a 6-day Community Self-Defense Law Conference in Olympia. At our March 5th meeting speaker, Brian Fagernes gave informative tips for self-defense safety strategies. The common-sense training spearheaded by J.B. and Glenda Herren of Old School Gun School is designed to prepare good people to avoid, de-escalate and if necessary, quickly dominate and end a violent ambush. Then, how to articulate, defend and justify those actions in the courtroom.

Ribbon Cutting: Rochester High School entrepreneurship students have constructed a brand-new school store from the ground up. Their new venture, called the Blue and Gold Cafe sells drinks and ‘in house’ merchandise such as custom stickers, cups & shirts made by their peers. This hands-on experience is building future business owners and leaders! March 31st was the big ‘Grand Opening’!

Electrolux in Grand Mound held a weekend appliance sale in March. It was a chance to get a sneak peek at the facility and meet general manager, Benny Morrow. Chamber member Marti Jones (HoLG Nature and Renewal Center) and Diane Weaver visited with Benny and asked if we might set up a chamber tour to get a better understanding of their facility and business plan in our community.

STEDI (South Thurston Economic Development Initiative) held their March meeting at the impressive new Stone City Event Center in The Southwest Washington Regional Agricultural Business & Innovation Park just west of Tenino. Also, just open at this location is Simply Organic Café & Catering. Coming soon to the facility is Thurston EDC Center of Business & Innovation, Colvin Ranch, Dragonwheel Investment Group, Inc., HOTBABE - HOTSAUCE, and Gondola Ventures!

Thank you to OlyFed for sponsoring our first quarterly Business Relationship Building Networking breakfast at Fairfield Inn in Grand Mound on April 4th. This powerful new model is set up for ‘speed’ networking for business people to present their elevator speech to other business people in short-order format. Following the April event, the next quarterly breakfast is in July so stay tuned. The time is always at ‘airplane time’ 7:27 a.m. each quarter.

Thank you to Newly Renewed Members:

Beacon of Hope Center, Cram A Lot Storage, Security State Bank

Upcoming!   Save the date and put these on your calendar.

April 2nd Wednesday at Noon Luncheon at Rochester School District. Guest Speaker Sheriff Derrick Sanders.

April 4th Friday at 7:27 AM Business Relationship Building Networking Breakfast at Fairfield Inn

May 7th Wednesday at Noon Luncheon at Rochester School District. Guest Speakers: Thurston County District 4 Commissioner and County staff members. 

2025 GMR Chamber of Commerce Board:

Diane Weaver, President, Nicole Engel, Vice President, Barbara Munsell, Secretary, Kathy Hangartner, Treasurer, Gene Weaver Ancient Past President, Jennifer Bethman, Rodney Youckton, Aron Dowell, Karoline Sanchez

Contact: Phone: 360-858-7362

Email: RochesterGrandMoundChamber@gmail.com

Website: www.GrandMoundRochesterChamber.com

Snail Mail: PO Box 211 Rochester, WA 98579

Member Spotlight JMJ Auto

JMJ Auto in the Highway Garage has operated in Rochester for 22 years under the ownership of Lowell & Joel Deguise. They sell new, used, rebuilt and service vehicles, including Model t’s. The coolest old 1956 F100 is currently on the lot. Their auto repair shop operates and looks much like it did back in the 1950’s. Pop in and ask JMJ’s skillful manager, Ben Murphy to schedule an oil change or tune up. ss 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they ca

JMJ Auto is located at 10120 Hwy 12 SW, Rochester, WA 98579

Business hours of operation:  8 AM – 5 PM Monday thru Friday, 8 AM -12 PM Saturday

Website: www.JMJautomotive.com Phone: 360-273-8347

Instagram: JMJ.auto Facebook: JMJ Automotive

GMR Chamber president Diane Weaver recently interviewed Joel Deguise about JMJ Auto:

1.   How did the business get started? JMJ Auto started by our family custom building cars. In the mid to late 90s our family was "horse trading" classic fords and started to get some demand from businesses for vehicles that were rebuilders. The demand continued to grow until we needed to form a company to continue our business.

2.   What inspired you to open the business? The more demand we received, the more formal the business needed to be. As we had planned to all work together as a family, the automotive side of JMJ Services was a natural addition.

3.   How long have you been in business? 22 years

4.   What services do you offer? We have a variety of different automotive services. We sell vehicles, rebuild vehicles, and service vehicles.

5.   What makes your business unique in your industry? We are a low pressure and honest operation. Because we have seen everything from under 100-mile new model vehicles in our shop to model Ts, we have a vast amount of experience with a wide-ranging number of problems. We also run into problems other shops do not, due to the nature of how we purchase and rebuild vehicles. We also are not afraid to ask other shops when we run into problems that we cannot solve. 

6.   What are you most proud of about your business? We are most proud of the relationships we have built over the years. We have a lot of families that have bought 10+ vehicles from us over the lifespan of our business.

7.   What are your goals for the future? Continuing to adapt to the automotive industry as it continues to evolve and create new customer relationships that can create win-win situations for both parties.

8.   What is your motto or favorite quote? My fathers would be "JMJ - stands for Just More Junk".

9.   What do you want the public to know about your business? I would want the public to know how willing we are to listen to and attack their automotive problems - whether it is on the repair side or with car purchases.

10. What do you love about the community? I love how the business community protects each other. Several times we have had multiple vandalism attempts thwarted because members of the community have paid attention to our buildings and inventory. Without their concern, we would be out even more than the thefts and damage we have experienced.

11. What do you love about their customers? We have a very loyal customer base that we have had long genuine relationships with. 

12. What do you give back or support the community? We have donated vehicles to RFAN (Rochester Family and Neighbors) to several of their vehicle auctions - and we have sponsored various Rochester sports/community groups. 

13. What is your advice to fellow business owners and those interested in starting a business? Be honest and genuine, most products sell themselves.

14. What is something people might be surprised to learn about you? I play the guitar and have been in several bands.

15. What are your favorite things to do outside of work? Supporting and coaching my kids in sports, enjoying the various adventures our family gets involved in.