F A L L 2 0 2 5 5 BUSINESS solutions It’s All About Family This successful operation is truly a family business, with past and present contributions of many Starr family members coming together to make it work. “Even though Nathan, Bryan, and Mom don’t currently work as store employees or have ownership, their individual roles are what made this a family business. It took all of our ideas to get here and create Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor. Everyone was at a time in their lives with different career opportunities, so Dad and I co-owning and operating the business is just what happened to work out. We continue to cut and smoke meat and do all the other things that running a family business entails,” explained Starr. According to Starr, the family also includes the store family. He said, “We’ve been fortunate to have some of the best employees one could ask for. It takes a wellhearted and friendly individual to work in this fast-paced environment. Dad and I couldn’t do this without everyone’s help.” A Switch to Madison Communications Speaking of help, Starr appreciates the 1 Gig fiber internet fromMadison Communications, which helps Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor operate smoothly and efficiently. “You can’t compare Madison’s service to any other. It’s been flawless. With our previous internet provider, the internet would overload at our busiest time of day, and we weren’t able to run a credit card. We switched to Madison Communications because Kim Harbor and Josh Boente, both Madison employees and great customers at our store, highly recommended the service. We’ve never regretted our decision!” I believe the experience at our store today is like the old Steak & Chop Shop. We have a different name and location, but the quality and comradery remain.” —RYAN STARR, OWNER, STARR’S PRIMAL MEATS & PACKAGE LIQUOR Who’s Minding Your Business? Alex Wood Senior Accountant Alex Wood joined Madison Communications in 2023. Earlier in his career, Wood was an Army officer stationed mainly in Fort Carson, Colorado, working in logistics. He also spent one year as a business teacher at a high school in Mt. Olive, Illinois. Wood said, “I really found my comfort zone working as an accountant. As Senior Accountant at Madison Communications, one of my primary responsibilities—outside of the typical financial reporting—is regulatory filings. Telecommunications is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country and requires filings with government agencies on a routine basis. I help ensure these filings are accurate and on time.” What does he find most rewarding about his job? Wood replied, “I like being a part of a local company that’s vital to the community. Madison Communications is a small business in rural Illinois competing against the telecom giants of AT&T and Verizon, and it’s rewarding to see us persevere.” When not working, Wood enjoys football (especially fantasy football) as well as gaming and going to the movies.
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