Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator

Although Tricia Wilson and her husband, Brandon, didn’t expect to start their own business, they slowly moved from side-projects to creating Icon Structures.  Tricia shares their journey of humble beginnings to statewide success with Don and Ebony.  On this episode we discuss: Starting in the basement and growing to 80 employees Having well defined roles Success is about the people around you The...

Andrew Gough has shaken up with coffee scene in Wichita with Reverie Coffee Roasters.  He shares with Don and Ebony his perspective on empowering and supporting employees and the community.  On this episode we discuss: Expanding to a new location in Newton Pivoting to areas with growth Getting and supporting employees for your business The creation of a “daydream” Inspiring others to do their best...

Vicki Bond has always been ready to pick up the phone.  From growing and selling her own business to starting a new non-profit while attending Leadership Wichita, she shares with Don and Ebony how she has been inspired to lift up the community with the Raise My Head Foundation.  On this episode we discuss: Stating in the local healthcare industry Building a business from the basement How the phone...

The first episode of 2022 starts with a bang as incoming Chamber Chair Damon Young joins the program.  He shares his perspectives on leadership and entrepreneurship in Wichita with Don and Ebony and unveils the guest for the upcoming Chair’s Lunch at Intrust Bank Arena on February 9th. On this episode we discuss: How a social entrepreneur supports other businesses Getting a business to find their...

As we take a short break to prepare for the new year, we thought it would be a good time to bring back one of our favorite episodes from the first year of the Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator.  We hope that you find inspiration from Mary Billings’ story as you make resolutions for your own business.  See you all in 2022! Cheers!   Beginning as a passion side-project, Mary Billings came to a cr...

It’s a milestone today as we hit 50 episodes!  Danielle Johnson, Executive Director of the Wichita Habitat for Humanity joins Don and Ebony to share her experiences with the Leadership Wichita program and how it has impacted her perspective on the community.  On this episode we discuss: Getting through to Danielle’s people The role of Habitat for Humanity providing affordable housing Working at Wi...

Half of the guests on the podcast have mentioned her and now we get to hear directly from the legend, Christina Long.  Don and Ebony explore with her how CML Collective and the Create Campaign have lifted other minority-owned businesses in the community.  On this episode we discuss: Starting out in journalism through the Wichita Eagle, covering the ethnic and minority communities Small beginnings...

When it opened, The Monarch was not necessarily in the best location in Delano, but owner Jen Ray trusted her intuition and has been able to thrive over 9 years in business.  She shares her challenges through the COVID pandemic with Don and Ebony and her perspective on the local business community.  On this episode we discuss: Jen realizing she needed to do something else than she was doing A cost...

We are so excited to have the new Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO John Rolfe join the podcast to share his vision for what the Chamber does for our community.  Don and Ebony get inside his vision for supporting businesses in the region.  On this episode we discuss: Native son of Wichita How the Chamber impacts the quality of life in the community Being an advocate for local...

Troy Houtman was always supposed to be an accountant, but he found a passion for growing communities through Parks and Recreation.  He shares with Don and Ebony how the Leadership Wichita program challenged him in new ways and gave him a network of support across the city.  On this episode we discuss: Why Troy got started in Parks and Recreation How the 2016 Leadership Wichita class is the best No...

Josh Oeding and Mary Beth Jarvis aspire to grow the Wichita business scene through NXTUS by capturing the rapid change created by new startups.  They share how all of us can be involved in supporting startup growth with Don and Ebony.  On this episode we discuss: Josh’s transition from Koch to NXTUS Establishing the entrepreneurial mojo of Wichita Helping any business leader that walks through the...

Being a dentist that intentionally considers their practice a business is rare.  Dr. Ashley Humlicek talks with Don and Ebony about her unique perspective as a healthcare provider that focuses on her practice as an entrepreneurial opportunity.  On this episode we discuss: Getting started purchasing a practice from a retiring dentist with consistent values Creating a different dental experience Lea...

When the pandemic started in 2020, Taishma Council saw a business opportunities to support others in the midst of chaos.  Through a team of virtual assistants, she shares with Don and Ebony how the Virtual Goals Assistant Agency helps others grow and become successful.  On this episode we discuss: Seeing a new opportunity in the pandemic through virtual assistants What is a virtual assistant? Hiri...

When businesses come to Kansas Business Services, LLC it’s about more than just business.  Donna Wright shares with Don and Ebony how she and her son are supporting the community and culture through this work that they do.  On this episode we discuss: Helping companies be their best selves How Donna came on board the business The importance of social media The challenges that minority owned busine...

When Brandon Gaide started the strategy and innovation firm Sevenfold, he found an unlikely partnership with construction firm Hutton.  Brandon shares with Don and Ebony how that partnership has allowed the creation of something new to help businesses make work more human.  On this episode we discuss: Helping organizations become more strategic Partnering with construction firm Hutton to build som...

Imagine for a moment just how much media has changed over the last 30 years, from TV and radio to internet and social media.  Bonnie Tharp, founder of Copp Media, has been in the middle of that transition and shares her story of growth and transition with Don and Ebony.  On this episode we discuss: The role of media buying Moving into a new building during COVID The focus on building relationships...

In the world of providing marketing and media to the local Hispanic community, Claudia Yauiar-Amaro is all over the place.  She shares with Don and Ebony how AB&C Bilingual has created a bridge to the Spanish-speaking community in the Wichita area through intentional and thoughtful engagement.  On this episode we discuss: Focusing on the community through local businesses Getting into radio th...

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting is coming up.  Which makes this a great time for us to catch up with the 2021 Chair Ben Hutton, CEO of Hutton.  He joins Don and Ebony to talk about his leadership path as well as what to expect from special guest speaker Patrick Lencioni at the Annual Meeting.  On this episode we discuss: Starting work from the age of 12 How Ben’s leadership...

For the past 25 years, Steve Dixon has been helping others to live their best life through providing career opportunities at P.B. Hoidale.  He shares with Don and Ebony his passion for the community and people in it while providing critical needs through the gas stations his business builds.  On this episode we discuss: His great-grandfather starting the business from his garage Why he likes to hi...

Sometimes your super-power just finds you.  That’s what happened to Dawn Monroe as she began her first job out of college helping others learn how to use Word Perfect and Lotus.  From there, she shares with Don and Ebony how she built her own technical education business, Dawn Monroe Training, from the ground up.  On this episode we discuss: What is an MOSM Starting with a desire to help others “Z...

There aren’t many companies that can claim they have been in business longer than electricity has been available in Wichita, but that’s what the four-generation Dondlinger Construction can hang their hard hat on.  Tom and Raymond Dondlinger share with hosts Don and Ebony what has contributed to their long term success over a century in business.  On this episode we discuss: The history of a multi-...

It’s a simple story, where a desire to capture great photos of his children eventually led to Milt Mounts moving his photography from hobby to business.  But as he shares with Don and Ebony, his Essential Images business did not necessarily go in the direction you would expect.  On this episode we discuss: Going from hobbyist to business owner Finding a niche in photography Differences between pho...

When one thinks of dynamic and evolving industries, funeral services does not immediately come to mind.  However, Ashley Cozine is continuously looking for opportunities to innovate with the Cozine Memorial Group and he shares those developments with hosts Don and Ebony.  On this episode we discuss: The origins of the longtime family-run business Finding unexpected opportunities to expand and dive...

Bill Gardner has been around the brand creation game for a long time and has a ton of insight to share.  Don and Ebony dive into what has made him successful with Gardner Design and how others can be successful at building their own brands.  On this episode we discuss: The constantly changing world of branding How success and risk are tied together The connections and relationships that kept Bill...

When Jessie Sterling saw a unique opportunity for a new business in Wichita she jumped right in with Paint the Towne.  Despite having no business background, she has continued to thrive and operate 12 years later.  Jessie shares with Don and Ebony what led her to become an entrepreneur and her unique perspective on success.  On this episode we discuss: The meaning behind the business Going from el...