Entrepreneur Arthur Deibler, owner of Bullpen Fitness & Recreation, Prima Pizzeria, and Lucky Horse Tavern in Valley View, Pennsylvania, is urging business owners to recognize the broader impact their enterprises can have on local communities. Deibler believes that small businesses have the potential to become places where neighbors connect, relationships are built, and community ties are strengthened.
"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."
Across the United States, locally owned businesses remain vital to community life. 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 indicates that communities with thriving local businesses often experience stronger civic engagement and greater neighborhood involvement. For Deibler, these statistics reinforce what he has observed throughout his career: that when people have places they enjoy spending time in, they become more connected to where they live, benefiting 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 people of all fitness levels. Prima Pizzeria offers a gathering place for families and friends, while Lucky Horse Tavern provides a setting for relaxation and socializing. "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. You need to show up every day, take care of people, and build trust over time."
Deibler also stresses the importance of business owners being visible in their communities and staying connected to daily operations. "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; he volunteers at Hebron United Methodist Church in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, and believes community involvement should be integral to 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 greater 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. You're helping build the community around it."
Deibler encourages individuals to support businesses that invest in their communities, whether by joining a local fitness center, dining at a neighborhood restaurant, attending community events, or volunteering with local organizations. "Communities grow stronger when people choose to show up for one another," he says. "Supporting local businesses is one way to make that happen."
