Steve and Beth Gasser combine an active family life with owning a business, and still find plenty of time to get involved with their community.
Beth is from Canby and attended Southwest Minnesota State University-Marshall. After getting married, she and Steve set down roots in Hutchinson.
“I love southwest Minnesota,” Beth said. “I’ve never lived anywhere but southwest Minnesota.”
The couple finds Southwest Initiative Foundation to be a great resource for their many regional connections and supports our work as donors, partners and makes referrals to our programs.
“Every little bit helps,” Steve said, admitting that what they give feels small in comparison to others. “The Growing Home Circle makes us feel like we’re
doing a lot.”
“Southwest Initiative Foundation is a good fundamental building block for entrepreneurs or just getting people involved in community,” Beth said.
The Gassers know firsthand what it’s like to start and grow a business. Steve started their online marketing company Vivid Image in 1995 and eventually Beth
joined in. She said they balance each other. “Steve’s courageous, the true entrepreneur. I’m practical and grounded.”
Their daughters have distinct personalities and interests, too.
Isabelle, 15, loves fashion and plays lacrosse. She led a fundraising effort for new dance line uniforms and is planning a mission trip to Thailand. “Get out
and try things,” she said.
Adria, 11, is a talented artist and enjoys animals and games. This year, she helped her teacher get the classroom ready and volunteered with her mom and
sister at a local coat drive.
Jilian, 6, is into shoes and reading. She recently ran in a father-daughter race, helping their extended family raise $1,100 for the ALS Association. All of the girls
helped fundraise for local causes at their summer lemonade stand, located near the family’s business.
And, the Gassers have hosted five exchange students, introducing their family to new cultures and exposing visiting students to rural Minnesota life. “We try to be open-minded and inclusive,” Bethsaid. “That’s a big thing about our family.”
They make it a priority to do things as a family both at home—including eating dinner around the table every night to reconnect—and in the community. Adria’s advice to other families is to “stick together.”
“It’s important to find what you enjoy,” Beth said. “There are plenty of things out there that need help.”
