Arthur Deibler, owner of Bullpen Fitness & Recreation, Prima Pizzeria, and Lucky Horse Tavern in Valley View, Pennsylvania, is urging business owners to look beyond transactions and consider the broader role their businesses play in their communities. Deibler believes local businesses can become places where relationships are built, neighbors connect, and communities grow stronger.
'Every business has an opportunity to create more than a product or a service,' says Deibler. 'It can become a place where people feel welcome, where conversations happen, and where people build connections they might not find anywhere else.'
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses and employ nearly 46% of the nation's private workforce. Research also indicates that communities with thriving local businesses often experience stronger civic engagement and greater neighborhood involvement. For Deibler, these statistics reinforce his observations throughout his career.
'When people have places they enjoy spending time in, they become more connected to where they live,' he says. 'That connection benefits everyone.'
Each of Deibler's businesses serves a different purpose but is built around the same philosophy. Bullpen Fitness & Recreation was designed to create an approachable environment for all fitness levels. Prima Pizzeria offers a gathering place for families and friends over a meal, while Lucky Horse Tavern provides a setting to unwind and socialize.
'I've always believed that atmosphere matters,' Deibler explains. 'People remember how a place makes them feel. If they feel respected and welcomed, they'll come back.'
He emphasizes that creating these environments requires consistency rather than grand ideas. 'You don't need to reinvent your business every year,' he says. 'You need to show up every day, take care of people, and build trust over time.'
Deibler also stresses the importance of business owners remaining visible in their communities. 'I like being present,' he says. 'Talking with customers and employees tells you much more than looking at numbers alone. Those conversations help you understand what people actually need.'
His commitment to community extends beyond his businesses. Deibler volunteers at Hebron United Methodist Church in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, and believes community involvement is part of being a local business owner. 'I don't think leadership stops when you leave work,' he says. 'Being involved in your community gives you a better understanding of the people you're serving.'
As customer expectations evolve, Deibler believes authenticity will become an even more important advantage for small businesses. 'People have plenty of choices today,' he says. 'What they remember isn't just what they bought. They remember how they were treated and whether they felt like they belonged.'
Rather than focusing solely on growth, he encourages entrepreneurs to consider the long-term role their businesses can play in their hometowns. 'If you build a place that people genuinely enjoy coming back to, you're doing more than running a business,' Deibler says. 'You're helping build the community around it.'
