In this episode of 'Small Town Big Business,' hosts are joined by Glen and PJ Faith, the owners of Mermet Springs in southern Illinois. Mermet Springs is a unique dive destination and dive center situated in a former quarry between cornfields. Glen shares the history of how he transformed the site from a quarry filled with junk into a premier dive center, replete with sunken planes, buses, and other intriguing artifacts. PJ revisits her introduction to diving and the family aspect of their business, emphasizing the unique opportunity diving provides for family bonding. The episode also explores the challenges and joys of running a niche business in a rural area, the widespread reach of their clientele, and the community and global connections they've fostered through diving. Listeners get insights into what it takes to maintain a dive center, the fun stories behind their underwater features, and the transformative experiences that diving offers.00:00 Welcome to Small Town Big Business00:50 Introducing Glen and PJ Faith of Mermaid Springs01:10 The Origins of Mermet Springs02:42 Diving Adventures and Stories07:25 Maintaining and Enhancing the Quarry11:43 The 727 Airplane Story22:14 Challenges and Rewards of Running Mermet Springs22:50 Destination Diving: A Multifaceted Business24:02 On-Site Amenities and Activities24:46 Visitor Demographics and Reach26:01 Family Bonding Through Scuba Diving27:38 Marketing Strategies and Community Engagement30:25 Encouraging New Divers: Tri Scuba Experience32:49 Global Diving Adventures and Experiences34:03 Inclusivity in Diving: Age and Mobility34:40 Future Plans and Equipment Innovations35:46 Travel Stories and Favorite Destinations42:28 Getting Started with Diving: Advice and Resources43:16 Conclusion and Contact InformationRecorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://www.mermetsprings.com/
