Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator

When Jenny Helms-Calvin arrived in Wichita, she already had a two year plan to get out.  But as she shares with Don and Ebony, she recognized her misconceptions and saw an opportunity to launch and grow SOMA Therapy to help improve mental health in our community.  On this episode we discuss: A brand-new acquisition of New Perspectives Thinking about the business first, even as a licensed therapist...

With 2023 upon us, incoming Chamber Chair Joy Eakins is challenging the business community to make faithful investments in people.  She shares her vision for this year with Don and Ebony.  On this episode we discuss: How Joy was invited to participate more and more in the Chamber Finding great people to be supported by The generous investment that Wichitans make in each other Creating a dashboard...

While we all get ready for the new year, take a listen to one of our favorite episodes from 2022.  We spend much of our daily time in the workplace.  Often, that is where it’s easiest to see that our friends and colleagues need support and help.  Empac CEO Stacey Winter shares with Don and Ebony how her EAP brings that help directly to businesses.   On this episode we discuss: Loving your life and...

Justin Eklund has one primary goal with Grove9: to help businesses and organizations focus more on the mission and good they provide our communities.  He shares with Don and Ebony his journey through ministry and how it eventually led him to take a new approach in a profit driven world.  On this episode we discuss: Valuing mission over profit From ministry to the marketplace Helping organizations...

Tevin Manual has had a clear vision for his future for a long time, and he’s out here chasing it with Tandem Cyber Operations.  He explores his past with Don and Ebony and how it led him to provide services to schools and universities to fulfill an unmet requirement.  On this episode we discuss: How certifications are more valuable than degrees Starting his first company as a mental health break i...

100TH EPISODE! For this special occasion, we are putting our producer behind the microphone.  How do you accidentally become an entrepreneur?  Bryan Steele will tell you it happens one day at a time.  He talks with Don and Ebony how the creation of Forge Podcast Co. was a long journey that he never saw coming.  On this episode we discuss: Falling backwards into podcasting over a love of basketball...

When Bill Maness was fired from his sales job over disagreements about what it meant to support clients, he likely did not expect to see Syndeo, his own business, one day celebrating its 20th anniversary.  He shares with Don and Ebony his thoughts on service, outsourcing and the value the Chamber provides to local businesses.  On this episode we discuss: How he chose to operate a service oriented...

For this very special episode of the WCBA, Don and Ebony were live at the 2022 Wichita Chamber Business Expo meeting lots of people on the red carpet. On this episode we met with: Chris French - Cox Business Bethan Johnson - South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) John Schwartz - Wichita Shredding Tara Clary - High Touch Technologies Chris Batcheller - CheckSix Creative Studios...

The financial services industry finds itself with an aging workforce, but Margaret Dechant and 6 Meridian are focused on bringing a youth movement to their business.  Join her as she shares her story with Don and Ebony.  On this episode we discuss: Finding a passion for the financial industry at Bank Four Relieving financial stress for clients Starting from nothing when creating a new firm Having...

Maddie Butler thought she would be on tour with her background in theater productions.  But she has found herself running a wide variety of events with Kent Audio Visual.  She shares with Don and Ebony how her career led her here and how Wichita has been the perfect place to grow.  On this episode we discuss: The role of the General Manager How Maddie transitioned from performing arts to corporate...

Andrea Hattan had an idea, a vision, for women to have their own place to collaborate and encourage one another on their entrepreneurial journeys.  She talks with Don and Ebony how The Hive has created that safe space for women in the Wichita community.  On this episode we discuss: Being a 5th generation entrepreneur All the coworking spaces seemed to be men in the tech industry Creating a “coffee...

When an opportunity to buy the bakery they had been working at for years presented itself, Kalee Rose and Marisa McCall told themselves they were the only ones who could take over.  They share about their leap into entrepreneurship with Don and Ebony.  On this episode we discuss: Kalee and Marisa’s favorite treats Their biggest pain point as new entrepreneurs Coming from culinary and art backgroun...

It’s only been four weeks, but now Ed O’Malley has to know a few things in his new role at the Kansas Health Foundation.  He shares with Don and Ebony the impact our physical health can have on the local economy and how Wichita can’t be left behind.  On this episode we discuss: Improving the health of all Kansans How Kansas was one of the healthiest states, but has slipped dramatically over the la...

For many years, Jose Gutierrez has helped train and develop other Farmers Insurance agents.  But after all that time he felt the pull and bought his own agency one year ago.  He shares that journey with Don and Ebony.  On this episode we discuss: Moving from coach and trainer as a district manager to being a business owner The importance of having a personal relationship with your insurance provid...

As an auctioneer, Megan McCurdy Niedens is used to talking fast, but when COVID hit and live events shut down she had to pivot McCurdy Auction fast in a way to serve their clients.  She shares with Don and Ebony how that has created new growth and opportunity.  On this episode we discuss: Auctioneering as a family business Why auctions create an advantage for the seller Shedding the stereotypes ar...

While she started in the corporate world, Kalene Hoffman always had a desire to bring new businesses to Wichita.  In 2011 she used her passion for healthy living to start launching businesses over the years.  She shares her journey with Don and Ebony and talks about her latest endeavor, BodyBar Pilates.  On this episode we discuss: Kalene’s background in mathematics Becoming a serial entrepreneur...

It’s been 4 years since there was an air show at McConnell AFB, but now Frontiers in Flight is back!  So we thought this would be a great time to highlight that event and share about the economic impact of McConnell AFB on our local community.  Don and Ebony are joined by Mike Heldstab and Capt. Ryan “Sugar” Shieve.  On this episode we discuss: How does McConnell AFB impact our local community eco...

It started humbly making metal products in the garage, but now JR Custom Metal Products has thrived to over 140 employees.  Hear from Jorge Martinez and Patty Koehler as they share with Don and Ebony how their father’s legacy lives on in their business.  On this episode we discuss: Jesus Raul Martinez Sr. starting in the garage in 1978 Always wanting to start his own business Partnering with Spiri...

What happens when your business finances are in disorder, the IRS is coming after you and a negative article just came out in the press?  Many would fold in that situation, but Mary Kate Denton regrouped with her team and shares with Don and Ebony how that forged a culture of thriving at Mary Kate and Company.  On this episode we discuss: Her sister, “Company” Having a different kind of salon Neve...

Alexus Scott has a passion to create businesses as she constantly looks for ways to engage and build community.  She shares with Don and Ebony how the love of paper products led to Boutique 5 Stationary & Petite Gifts (and the creatives who join her there).  On this episode we discuss: Being a serial entrepreneur Where the love of paper came from How a boss encouraged her to spread her wings W...

What started as looking for a job during college turned into a passion for the art of coffee.  Eventually, Sarah Leslie opened her own coffee shop and talks with Don and Ebony about surviving the pandemic.  On this episode we discuss: Creating the third space Discovering the art of coffee as a barista Starting out in New York City How to make latte art The community refrigerator Sarah’s approach t...

You hear about cybersecurity on the news, but it’s hard for it to seem like anything more than a buzzword.  Bill Ramsey, co-founder of Soteria Technology Solutions, breaks down with Don and Ebony how cybersecurity can impact any business   On this episode we discuss: Cybersecurity certifications and gap analysis Being a serial entrepreneur Creating a different kind of IT company The danger of rans...

Does your online presence need an upgrade?  Krissy Buck, Program Director of Digital Marketing at WSU Tech joins the show to talk all things social media and digital presence.  Hosts Don and Ebony pepper Krissy with questions aimed to help you optimize your digital marketing efforts in a way that will grow your reach to potential customers.  On this episode we discuss: Diving into the digital medi...

When sisters Deborah Gladney and Angela Muhwezi-Hall saw a need for the workers and employers in the service industry, they didn’t let their lack of tech knowledge hold them back from starting QuickHire.  They share with hosts Don and Ebony how their tenacity led them to create a tech startup that is on the rise. On this episode we discuss: Starting a tech company with no tech background How the p...

From a lover of comics to creating her own business, Marisa VanSkiver (aka Captain Coder) has been on the forefront of everything digital marketing.  She talks with Don and Ebony about how a great website is the foundation of marketing a successful business.   On this episode we discuss: Building cool websites, the foundation of marketing a business The nickname her love of comics created Driving...