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ED M O N D, O K LAH O MA
FEBRUARY 2014
VOL. 6 | NO. 2
INSIDE
2014
PUBLISHER Karan Ediger 405-341-2121 kediger@edmondsun.com MANAGING Lisa Shearer EDITOR 405-341-2121 lshearer@edmondsun.com
Health issues are also business issues
6
MULTIMEDIA Carolyn Womack-Jenner SALES 405-341-2121 MANAGER cjenner@edmondsun.com
BrightStar Care enters Edmond market
SALES TEAM Terri Bohanan Brittany Eddins Greg Dorshaw CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mike Crandall
10
Jim Denton Cyndy Hoenig Nick Massey Patty Miller Van Mitchell Tim Priebe Terri Schlichenmeyer Mark Schlachtenhaufen
Ken Fearnow says there were a number of different routes he could have taken when looking at a home health care franchise to own. He says he chose BrightStar Care of Edmond, at 2500 S. Broadway, Suite 122, for a simple reason. Staying safe at work - More companies focusing on ergonomics
12
James Coburn
Just a few years ago the thought of getting injured on the job by sitting at a desk and working at a computer may have seemed farfetched to some. But the number of job-related Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that affect the muscles, nerves and tendons are increasingly being seen by physicians and other health professional across the country. Sherry’s Drug finds prescription for success
Miss your Business Times? Call 341-2121 to get on our mailing list. Thanks! The Business Times is a monthly publication of The Edmond Sun devoted to business in the Edmond area. All rights reserved. Copyright © February 2014.
Terri White has seen the statistics ranking Oklahoma high nationally in the number of residents suffering with mental illness and alcohol and drug abuse. But, the Edmond native and commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services says with education and more treatment opportunities those numbers can be turned around.
16
While many smaller drug stores have gone by the wayside due in part to the influx of larger chain stores, Sherry’s Drug in Edmond is proving to be the exception by celebrating its 32nd year in business.
Cover Photo by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times February 2014 | The Business Times
3
from our Publisher
Four marketing must-do’s for 2014
T
o our readers: This is a big year for The Edmond Sun, parent organization of this magazine. We will celebrate 125 years of service to the Edmond community. It’s a year of celebration; however, I’m going to follow the advice of Marsha Friedman in her column on 4 Marketing Must-Do’s for 2014. No. 1 is to define your marketing goals. With clearly defined goals you have something to aim for. Ideas may include how many followers or connections you’ll gain through your social media networks or in our case how many new readers, advertisers and subscribers we will gain this year. No. 2 is to develop and build your own marketing database with email addresses and relevant information about former, current and prospective clients. If you’re just getting started, Friedman suggests creating a database of all the people you know who might be interested in hearing from you. No. 3 is to maintain your marketing budget even when there’s a sales slump. Through my years of working with clients I find this to be one of the hardest things to do. It may seem your advertising and marketing are an expense to your business. Instead, look at marketing and advertising as an investment in your business. When sales drop off you need to pay more attention to marketing and advertising. No. 4 is to use every marketing tool available to you. Think of how many tools we have to help us connect with our present and future clients. The best news is many of them cost you nothing. Along with social media outlets such as Twitter, Google+,
4
February 2014 | The Business Times
LinkedIn, there are some nontraditional ways to tell your story. Speaking engagements, according to Friedman, may be old school, but they’re still effective, personal, face-to-face experiences that create lasting impressions. Following these must-do’s will help you stay in front of your customers months ahead, which may just make 2014 your best year.
KARAN EDIGER is publisher of The Business Times of Edmond, The Edmond Sun and Community Connection.
with
Terri White
Shining a light on addiction, mental illness Expert: Health issues are also business issues By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times
T
erri White has seen the statistics ranking Oklahoma high nationally in the number of residents suffering with mental illness and alcohol and drug abuse. But, the Edmond native and commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services says with education and more treatment opportunities those numbers can be turned around. “We have serious issues with addiction in Oklahoma,” White said. “Addiction and mental illness, which are both diseases of the brain, are the biggest health problems facing our state. We have more people dying from prescription drug overdoses each year than we do from car crashes.” White said Oklahoma typically ranks second nationally in the number of people struggling with mental illness. She adds that every year 21 percent of Oklahomans struggle with a mental health issue and 12 percent struggle with an addiction issue. “What that means is between 700,000 and 950,000 Oklahomans are struggling each year,” White said. “It is time for a 6
February 2014 | The Business Times
public outcry about this issue. There are multiple ways we have to battle this problem. I absolutely believe that if we put our minds to it Oklahoma can conquer the issue of addiction in general (and) specifically prescription drug abuse.” White, appointed commissioner in May 2007, also was the first woman to serve as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Health, holding that post under then-Gov. Brad Henry from 2009-11. Before becoming commissioner, White held numerous positions within the department, including deputy commissioner for communications and prevention; director of communications and public policy; management analyst; and, executive director of two state-operated facilities. As commissioner, White serves as CEO for one of Oklahoma’s largest state agencies. The ODMHSAS has an annual operating budget of nearly $400 million and a workforce of about 1,800 employees. In addition to overseeing state-run facilities, the agency also contracts with more than 100 private and nonprofit mental health and substance abuse organizations across the state,
which provides services ranging from treatment to housing to prevention and early intervention. White said Oklahoma ranks among the highest in the nation in prescription painkiller sales, and third nationally in opioidrelated overdose deaths. Although prescription drug abuse or misuse occurs in people of all ages, Oklahomans age 35-54 have the highest death rate of any age group for prescription-related overdoses. A task force, appointed at the direction of Gov. Mary Fallin, recently released Oklahoma’s plan to reduce prescription drug abuse. “A State Plan: Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse in Oklahoma” covers community and public education; provider and prescriber education; disposal and storage; tracking and monitoring; regulations and enforcement; as well as treatment and prevention. The state is also moving forward with a campaign to comprehensively address prescription drug prevention, which includes creating a website, www.TakeasPrescribed.org and public outreach efforts. White said prescription drug abuse is a concern all Oklahoma communities are facing. “Becoming addicted to prescription medication may begin innocently,” White said. “Often, people obtain prescriptions for the right reasons, but that can turn into abuse or dependency if misused. There’s also intentional misuse of these medications, when people take them from medicine cabinets or buy them ‘off the street’. To appropriately address this issue, we must look at all aspects of the problem, which this report has done. Fortunately, prescription drug abuse is a substance abuse disorder that can be treated and, perhaps more importantly, prevented.” White received both her master of social work and her bachelor of arts degree in social work from the University of Oklahoma. In addition to her career endeavors, White has been recognized by numerous civic organizations for her outstanding leadership abilities and tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for Oklahomans living with a mental or addictive disorder. In 2011, she was inducted into OU’s Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work Hall of Fame. Q: What is the biggest source of substance abuse in Oklahoma? A: When you look at the data the No. 1 substance abused in Oklahoma is alcohol. More Oklahomans struggle with alcohol than any other substance. When you look at who enters our treatment facilities well over a third of folks entering services say alcohol is their drug of choice. After that about 19 percent identify methamphetamine, 19 percent identify marijuana and the fastest growing one is prescription drugs at 14 percent. That is why prescription and disposal of prescription drugs is so important.
Q: How have Oklahoma’s addiction issues affected businesses in the state? A: Mental illness is the second leading cause of work absenteeism. OU did a study and for the 200,000 Oklahomans who are employed and struggling with just depression and alcohol they are costing their employers an additional $600 million a year in additional medical costs and lost work performance. It is more common than heart disease, cancer and more common than diabetes and I don’t think most Oklahomans know that. Q: You have talked about how a stigma is attached with mental illness and addiction. How do you combat that? A: Mental illness and addiction doesn’t discriminate. More than 75 percent of Oklahomans who are using illicit drugs are employed and more than 80 percent of Oklahomans who are addicted to alcohol are employed. This is a serious issue for employers in Oklahoma. We have to break through the stigma. We have to get Oklahomans to talk about these issues. Q: Are there enough treatment facilities in the state to meet the needs of those seeking help? A: Imagine being a mom or dad trying to get your child help and being told that there is a long waiting list because each bed is full. We know on any given day every substance abuse bed in our state is full. Q: Funding continues to be an issue to meet the growing need for mental health and substance abuse aid. What are state leaders doing to address this? A: We have been very fortunate that Gov. Fallin has been tremendously supportive of mental health and substance abuse issues every year she has been in office. The Legislature has been incredibly supportive. What they are dealing with is trying to make up for decades of under-funding and you can’t do that in just three years. We still have huge gaps in Oklahoma between the people who need help and the people who get help. February 2014 | The Business Times
7
Q: For many Oklahomans who need help treatment isn’t an option because they can’t afford it. How can you make treatment more available for those who need it? A: We have to get them access to treatment. Two-thirds of Oklahomans who are struggling with mental health or addictions can’t get the help they need. I have seen Oklahomans recover and I have seen the consequences and the tragedies when we don’t prevent or treat these diseases. The data is clear that treatment works. We need to invest more in treatment.
Photos by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times
Q: Can you talk about some of the success stories you have heard from those who received treatment? A: We know that amazing things are happening when people get access to treatment. We are seeing families back together. We are seeing people being employed. We are seeing people raising their children in alcohol and drug free homes.
8
February 2014 | The Business Times
Q: What do you expect will happen with funding this year from the state Legislature? A: The budget situation is crucial this year. We have so many Oklahomans struggling and what we are being told is to expect a flat budget going into this legislative session. There are things that we are going to be required to pay this next year over and above our costs this year. If we don’t have the funds to meet those bills we are going to have to make cuts to services to meet them. Q: For many families who have a loved one suffering from addiction or mental illness they don’t know where to turn for help. What do you tell them? A: They can visit our website at www.odmhsas.org or they call
A SHORT TRIP WELL WORTH YOUR TIME
our hotline at 800-522-9054 or they can simply call 211 for help. Q: How do you stay motivated each day? A: I am really lucky that I love what I do. One of the reasons I love what I do is that I get to help people every single day. I am also surrounded by amazing staff and team members that know the services we provide save families and make our state a better place to live. Q: How do you spend time away from work relaxing? A: I have an amazing 4-year-old little boy who helps inspire me every day to do what I do. And when I am not at work I am usually outside playing with him or having dance parties ® with him. That is what we do.
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www.profilesok.com February 2014 | The Business Times
9
BrightStar Care enters Edmond market
K
en Fearnow says there were a number of different routes he could have taken when looking at a home health care franchise to own. He says he chose BrightStar Care of Edmond, at 2500 S. Broadway, Suite 122, for a simple reason. The franchise is required to be accredited by the Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards. “BrightStar’s standards and Joint Commission standards are very closely aligned,” Fearnow said. “It is an accreditation that assures medical quality for your organization. The reason that we have chosen to become Joint Commission accredited is because it holds us accountable and ensuring that those standards are met.” BrightStar Care of Edmond is owned by Fearnow and his wife Jannie. The home care agency provides quality home care, caregivers and medical staffing solutions to families. The company opened for business on Aug. 1 and serves Oklahoma City, Edmond, Bethany, Guthrie, Langston and Crescent. “We have everything from companion care to help with meal preparation or light housekeeping up to assistance with personal care and skilled nursing care,” Fearnow said. “We are a continuous care organization.” 10
February 2014 | The Business Times
By Van Mitchell Special to The Business Times
According to IbisWorld, there are currently more than 3,600 inhome senior care businesses in the United States. Margherita Labson, executive director of the homecare program at the Joint Commission, said many states have minimum at best regulation for home care businesses. “In many states you don’t have to have a license to begin providing services,” she said. “Not all states license private duty home care like Brightstar does. It becomes extraordinarily difficult for the public to ask the question of how you know what a reputable company is.” Labson said that is where having a Joint Commission accreditation pays off. “We are the largest and most well recognized organization in the world that looks at the quality of healthcare being delivered to the public,” she said. “Our mission is to ensure every individual regardless of where they are served with the highest quality health care in a cost-effective manner. What this does is allow a company to have a credible third party evaluator. We are not going to rubber stamp something. We come out to do a credible observation and give them relevant expertise so they can deliver that care safely.” Fearnow said there are several other private home care agencies in the Oklahoma City metro area. He said it is important for families and individuals to do their homework when trying to find an agency. “The best thing is to ask a lot of questions,” he said. “Interviewing an agency can make a lot of difference. It is prudent to do your due diligence.”
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Staying safe at work
J
ust a few years ago the thought of getting injured on the job by sitting at a desk and working at a computer may have seemed far-fetched to some. But the number of job-related Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that affect the muscles, nerves and tendons are increasingly being seen by physicians and other health professional across the country. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration website, work-related MSDs (including those of the neck, upper extremities and low back) are one of the leading causes of lost workday injury and illness. Dr. Brian Lamkin, medical director of Key Health Institute at 14701 N. Kelly Ave. in Edmond, says he has seen a stream of patients the past few years with work-related MSDs. “It is not increasing but it has been steady,” Lamkin said. “Not a 12
February 2014 | The Business Times
More companies focusing on ergonomics By Van Mitchell | Special to the Business Times
day goes by where we don’t see somebody with lower back pain or musculoskeletal disorders.” The OSHA website states that workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Exposure to these known risk factors for MSDs increases a worker’s risk of injury. The website states that work-related MSDs are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time. In 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that industries with the highest MSD rates include health care, transportation and warehousing, retail and wholesale trade and construction. According to BLS, the 387,820 MSD cases accounted for 33 percent of all worker injury and illness cases in 2011. “There are health problems that can come from just sitting at the desk all day,” Lamkin said. “All this affects the employer’s bottom line and the employee’s health.” Dr. Burt Chappell is director of the physical medicine department at Key Health Institute. Its services include chiropractic, physical therapy, massage therapy and various stretching protocols. Chappell said he has seen an increase in the number of neck and back problems from MSDs including those of teenagers who text. “The last 10 to 12 years there have been a lot of neck and upper back problems just from sitting and being at the computer,” Chappell said. “We have also seen younger kids with neck and upper back issues by texting and sitting in the wrong position or angle.”
Photos by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times
Doctors and physical therapists at Key Health Institute of Edmond work with a number of occupational therapy patients and say they see work-related injuries on the rise. While MSDs are a growing problem they can be prevented. Ergonomics — fitting a job to a person — helps lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity and reduces the number and severity of work-related MSDs. The OSHA website states that employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers. In the workplace, the number and severity of MSDs resulting from physical overexertion, as well as their associated costs, can be substantially reduced by applying ergonomic principals. Implementing an ergonomic process has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of developing MSDs in industries as diverse as construction, food processing, office jobs, healthcare, beverage delivery and warehousing. Robert Aldridge, safety coordinator with Francis Tuttle’s Business and Industry Services, works with businesses conducing training seminars including those with ergonomics. “I help them to understand what an ergonomic injury is,” Aldridge said. “And I try to help them with some of the signs and symptoms to look for that you could possibly have an ergonomics injury.” Aldridge said during the training sessions he goes over a variety of things employers can do to help reduce employee injuries and in turn possibly reduce their worker’s compensation insurance costs. He said some basic rules include having the right office chair that offers the proper back support; a properly aligned computer desk station; wearing headsets when talking on the phone for extended periods of time and proper lifting techniques. “The end result of the training is hopefully to reduce or eliminate ergonomic injuries so the employer will see reduced medical costs and hopefully a reduced cost on their workers comp insurance,” Aldridge said. “On the employees’ side you are going to have higher employee morale and more productive and less absenteeism and better quality.” Lamkin offered several tips on helping employers and employees have a healthier and more productive workplace. They include working with your doctor to ensure that your computer workstation is ergonomically correct; maintain a healthy weight; remain active; avoid prolonged inactivity; warm or stretch before exercising or other physical activities; maintain roper posture; wear comfortable shoes; quit smoking and maintain a healthy diet. “All the information provided translates into less pain and less injury,” Lamkin said. “This increases productivity, decreases absenteeism, and the business’s focus on the employee’s health increases overall morale and job satisfaction. All this results in fewer workers comp claims, less doctor visits with diagnosis codes that go to the insurance and raise group rates, less surgery and less hospitalization.”
The Details Office furniture meets ergonomics OFM, a leading office and school furniture manufacturer, distributor and wholesaler, identified workplace trends that can be seen in today’s office furniture. The way desks, chairs, cubicles and other furniture have changed in recent years tells important things about broader shifts in how people work. Some of the trends include: • Businesses are emphasizing collaboration. Workplaces are becoming flatter, with less hierarchy and more emphasis on working together. As a result, office furniture is being designed for more casual collaboration such as modular desks that can be arranged and rearranged in a number of different configurations. • Businesses no longer need just a set of office chairs for a group meeting. Office furniture needs to be more versatile having more than one purpose, like chairs that have a swivel tablet for meetings that can be stowed when not in use making the chair a great option in other settings too. • The days of 9-to-5 with an hour for lunch and three breaks are in the past. Today, chairs need to be designed with ergonomics in mind to allow workers to sit in them for long periods of time. That means office chairs are being designed for more than eight hours of use per day and come with as many as 16 ergonomic configurations for unparalleled customization. • More people are working from home, which means there is a greater need for office furniture designed for home use, many times to fit smaller spaces.
February 2014 | The Business Times
13
Memory care community to open March 1 By Van Mitchell | Special to the Business Times
C
onstruction is nearing completion on Autumn Leaves Edmond, an $8.8 million memory care community that will be for residents living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory impairment. The 28,000-square-foot facility at 1001 S. Bryant Ave. is expected to open for business on March 1, said Jonna Flick, executive director for Autumn Leaves Edmond. The project is the result of a partnership with The LaSalle Group of Irving, Texas, a recognized leader in the senior living industry, and Silverado Interests. The facility will offer a family approach to provide a home-like environment with highly trained staff members who understand Alzheimer’s and dementia. Flick said this will be the second Autumns Leaves facility in Oklahoma with one in Tulsa and a third being planned for near Moore. “There was a need for this (type of) facility,” Flick said. “We are designed specifically for people who have some form of dementia. We have 31 properties now across the country.” Jon Featherston, associate developer for The LaSalle Group, concurred. “There is a strong demand for our services, and we know we provide a place where families can bring their loved ones without having to worry about the level of care they are receiving,” he said. “Edmond has a small town feel with a wide range of conveniences and services, which makes it ideal for an Autumn Leaves community.” Brenda Brantley, chief financial officer of The LaSalle Group, said they are excited about helping families in Edmond who need memory care. “Our goal is to give residents a place where they feel at home while providing the specialized services that meet their needs,” Brantley said. Flick said the Edmond facility will have 42 apartments but is licensed for 50. She said the facility can house individuals as well as couples. Sign-ups for the new Autumn Leaves are growing steadily. The community itself will revolve around the needs of the 14
February 2014 | The Business Times
residents, she said. The design team will use the latest Alzheimer’s and dementia research when making decisions about every detail. From the color scheme and the type of furniture to the spacing of the lights and the layout of the community, everything is chosen with the residents in mind. Flick said an important part of the enrollment process is making sure there is clear communication with family members. “We really like for the families to be involved,” Flick said. “They know their loved ones better than anyone. We want them to interact with our staff. It helps us take better care of them (residents).” Autumn Leaves of Edmond also will have its own culinary director who will prepare fresh food from scratch. A team consisting of a nutritionist and dietitian will collaborate to create healthy meals for the residents. In addition, the community will have aquariums in the dining rooms, which according to scientific research, will create a calming effect and increase appetites — priorities for families living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Flick said she expects Autumn Leaves to employ about 30 people. She said every employee will undergo rigorous training that focuses on Alzheimer’s and dementia to ensure the staff knows and understands the best ways to respond to the residents’ needs. She said the life enrichment manager will enhance the residents’ lives with programs that focus on the mind, body and spirit while providing a place that welcomes their loved ones. “The staff goes through ongoing training before they are hired,” Flick said. “Everybody goes through dementia training. It is very specialized.” Autumn Leaves of Edmond also will offer free programs to the public including seminars, support groups, memory testing and free respite care for five hours on Wednesdays to give caregivers a break. FOR MORE information, visit www.autumnleaves.com or call Jonna Flick at 405-394-9142.
February 2014 | The Business Times
15
W
Photos by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times
Sherry’s Drug
finds prescription for success By Van Mitchell Special to The Business Times
16
February 2014 | The Business Times
hile many smaller drug stores have gone by the wayside due in part to the influx of larger chain stores, Sherry’s Drug in Edmond is proving to be the exception by celebrating its 32nd year in business. Sherry Ross founded the business at 220 S. Littler Ave. in 1982 at age 30 after being asked to open a store for another individual. “I have always been a progressive thinker,” Ross said. “I thought to myself if I am good enough to open a store for someone else then I should just do my own.” Ross, 62, said she looked at various locations in Edmond before deciding her current 7,000 square foot location was the right spot. “I decided I was going to make this store the best store it can be,” Ross said. “I’m very blessed to be part of this community. I love it here.” Ross, who graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., has been a pharmacist since 1975. She started with just two employees and today has 30. “I have a wonderful staff,” Ross said. “They love working here. Every day is a new day.” Ross said she works hard to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new technologies and new treatments by accruing more than 185 hours of continuing education at various conferences across the country. Ross said she makes sure her employees also continue their education training as well. “Every time you go to one you learn something new that you can use,” Ross said. “If you don’t travel and don’t study then you aren’t at the top of your game.” Ross cited the example of helping pioneer the concept locally of minute clinics where patients receive immunization shots at her store. “We did immunizations before anybody else was doing immunizations,” Ross said. Ross said Sherry’s Drug specializes in a number of things including menopause and thyroid testing; bio-identical hormone testing and replacement for men and women with a personal consultation; in-store compounding laboratory for bio-identical hormone replacement and pain management; on-staff physician; cholesterol testing and immunization and homeopathic remedies with on-staff herbalists. As part of her ongoing education efforts, Ross started attending anti-aging conferences with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine where she became a help practitioner diplomat. The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine is a nonprofit organization comprised of more than 26,000 members including physicians, health practitioners, scientists, governmental officials and members of the general public, representing more than 110 nations. Ross said another reason for her business longevity is due to a loyal customer base. “We have a strict focus here and that is getting to know who our customers are,” Ross said. “We try to make sure that we know everybody that walked in the store. I think that has paid off with great dividends. I never did much advertising because my patients do it for me. We are like a family. I don’t know a chain store that can say that.” Among those loyal customers are Tim and Beverly Daughtry who have used Sherry’s Drug for the past four years.
“We started going to Sherry when we heard so many positive things about her and her results working with women and female hormone issues,” Tim Daughtry said. “Sherry has been able to work with the doctors and my wife with great success and has her feeling better than she has in years. My wife is 67 years young and is more active than most people we know in their 40s. We owe a lot of that to the way that Sherry treats her customers.” Beverly concurred. “You will not find a more professional pharmacy or a friendlier group of professional staff and one of the cleanest facilities in business today,” she said. “We highly recommend Sherry and her team to anyone looking for someone that goes a little ‘above and beyond’ most pharmacists. Sherry does an excellent job.” Ross said that loyalty base has continued to grow for the past 32 years. “The way we grade things here is if we are filling more new prescriptions than refills you are constantly growing,” Ross said. “Whether the economy was up or down it didn’t seem to matter. We have been growing every year for 32 years.” SHERRY’S DRUG is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 405-341-1683.
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business matters
Nick Massey Astute Investor
Unemployment gets the ‘new math’ treatment M any of us Baby Boomers probably recall a period in our school lives when the “new math” was all the rage. Since I wasn’t exactly a math genius, I couldn’t tell the difference. But what’s fascinating these days is government math, especially when it comes to unemployment figures. You just have to admire the math creativity that regularly emanates from the federal government. Specifically, it’s the employment participation rate that’s utilized in order to calculate the official unemployment numbers. If we were to use a parody of Abbott and Costello’s classic “Who’s on First” routine, apparently the more that out-of-work individuals are not considered to be unemployed, the lower the monthly unemployment rate goes. You see, if you’re out of work and stopped looking for work, you’re no longer unemployed, according to government statistics. Magic! You’re just not there. So, this begs the obvious question of why delay the inevitable? Let’s just go ahead and stop counting several million unemployed individuals immediately, allowing us to achieve full employment in the blink of an eye. If all those unemployed people are no longer counted, we have no unemployment. Too radical, you say? Well, if a discounted participation rate was combined with the latest analysis by the 20
February 2014 | The Business Times
Congressional Budget Office, we just might have something that both the mainstream media and the gullible American public could embrace.
“...during the first quarter of 2014, a little more than two million jobless folks will be cut-off from extended federal unemployment insurance benefits.” As I write this, during the first quarter of 2014, a little more than two million jobless folks will be cut-off from extended federal unemployment insurance benefits. Time is up. However, riding to the rescue is the CBO, urging once again that Congress extend the emergency unemployment benefits with this rationalization (words to that effect): “Jobless workers will quickly spend unemployment benefits. It’s an efficient way to support consumer demand in the economy. It will create a quick surge of cash that will raise the GDP and, last but certainly not least, it will add 200,000 fulltime equivalent jobs in the quarter.” Huh? Therefore, putting on my new or old
math hat, why don’t we just eliminate everyone’s unemployment benefits — both state and federal — for a period of time? That number would be about 10 times (my guess) the number of people who are currently facing the elimination of emergency and extended unemployment benefits. (Stay with me folks. We’re creating new science here.) Then, the benefits could be reinstituted, which according to the CBO, would create such a surge in spending that 200,000 x 10 = 2 million new jobs that would be created. And the aforementioned 2 million individuals who are currently out of work would be right back to their 9-to-5 jobs. It sounds quite simple to me as long as I do the math like an experienced government official. Who knew it could be solved so easily? What a tremendous way to start 2014 — the total elimination of unemployment. Problem solved. Who should I call to make this happen? Thanks for reading. NICK MASSEY is a financial adviser and president of Householder Group Financial Advisors in Edmond. Massey can be reached at www.nickmassey.com. Securities offered through Securities Service Network Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.
business matters
Mike Crandall Growth S olutions
Make it easy for others to do business with you H ave you ever been frustrated because doing business with a certain company was harder than you thought it should be? Recently I was trying to buy some gift cards to one of my favorite restaurants. The idea crossed my mind while they were closed so I went online to see if I could do it on their website. First I was excited to see that they had a promotion for every $100 spent, you would get a $10 bonus gift card (a really good deal for me as I was going to spend $2,500). I thought I could just say I want 25 cards with $100 each on them, but unfortunately this was not the case. Quickly I became frustrated because the only way I could figure out to do it was to put in each individual recipient and then they would receive an email with a gift certificate. I had no desire to spend the time to put in the details for 25 different people. So I waited until the next morning and called the restaurant. I was shocked to find out they did not want to help me. The person who answered the phone shared they preferred to have me go online to buy the gift cards. And if I came in they would not give me the extra $10 bonus. Obviously I did not buy them from this restaurant. The experience really made me wonder if others had the same frustration, so I asked around. I found dozens of people with a similar experience — not all from the same restaurant — however the 22
February 2014 | The Business Times
same frustration overall. I’m curious to know if the owners of this (or the other restaurants) have any idea of how much money they have lost by making it hard for people to do business with them.
“...I found people who shared hundreds of experiences where they choose not to do business with a certain company because it was harder than it needed to be.” It would be nice if it was only these isolated incidents with restaurants, however, it is not. While I was asking around I found people who shared hundreds of experiences where they choose not to do business with a certain company because it was harder than it needed to be. The stories that were shared with me were amazing — the lost opportunities for the businesses and their owners were countless. I heard things that ranged from too complicated websites, to overly long hold times on the phone, to being asked to call back and talk to someone else, to not being able to find contact information,
to having employees who did not know anything, to not taking certain credit cards, just to name a few. Likely you can relate to this as a consumer because you can think of a time you chose not to do business with a company or person because they made it harder than you thought it needed to be. However, I am curious when the last time you spent time and energy to understand what prospective clients think of doing business with your organization and you? If you have not done this recently it could be the key to figuring out some of the simplest and easiest ways to grow your own business. If we make it hard for others to do business with us, they will find another company who makes it easier for them. MIKE CRANDALL is an Edmond resident and the owner of Sandler Training in Oklahoma City. He can be reached via email at mike.crandall@sandler.com or by phone at 405-844-1700. For more information, go to online to www.customgrowth.sandler.com.
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business matters
JIM Denton L edger Lines
Conduct a fraud prevention check up E
very year about this time, I go to the doctor for my annual check-up. This process is a fun thing for a guy in his mid-fifties. Hopefully, my physician only finds a slightly different blood pressure. He listens and finds no strange sounds in my breathing. The part where he puts on a glove goes quickly with lots of chatter about sports and the weather. We draw a little blood at the lab. I write my name on a cup with a black marker and we are done. The goal is to catch something before a problem arises. If we do that, we have improved my situation and may have possibly extended my existence here on the planet. As with the annual physical, a similar process should be conducted for our businesses as it relates to fraud, which is defined as the “willful intent to deceive.”
“According to a survey of fraud experts conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, organizations lose an estimated 5 percent of their annual revenue to fraud.” 24
February 2014 | The Business Times
According to a survey of fraud experts conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, organizations lose an estimated 5 percent of their annual revenue to fraud. That means, if you are a $10 million entity, you could be losing $500,000 annually and you still would be considered average! So as a practicing auditor of various businesses, governments and organizations, I’ve put together a short set of questions for you to examine your business and how it conducts itself to prevent fraud. • Tone at the top — Is it clear that employees and management understand how fraud hurts the workplace? Has management communicated that fraud of any type will not be tolerated? Is potential fraud followed up on and is appropriate action taken? Are all employees to be accountable for their time? Does management conduct itself with prudence in financial matters? • Hiring — Is there a hiring process in place? Does management check the references of potential employees? Are educational credits and certifications checked? Is there a procurement process in place? Are potential major vendors’ references checked? • Segregation of duties — Are financial duties appropriately segregated between
custody of assets and recording of transactions? • Approvals — Do larger transactions require management approval? Are employee expense accounts reviewed and questioned? • Policies — Are policies written and clear? Are vacations mandatory? Are sick, annual and personal leave policies clear? Is it clear as to how employees are to report fraud should they suspect it? • Property — Is equipment inventoried annually? Is data guarded and monitored? • Financial statements and accounts — Are financial statements reviewed closely by top management? Are current year amounts compared to prior amounts, budgets and prior periods? Are variances in accounts questioned and analyzed? Are accounts receivable reviewed? Is management vigilant about the numbers? Do you have your financial statements audited or reviewed annually? Your truthful answers to these questions and your response with new and improved practices can save your organization from a shortened life. JIM DENTON is a CPA and a managing partner with Arledge & Associates P.C. in Edmond. He may be reached via email at jim@jmacpas.com.
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Business matters
Tim Priebe Webifiable
If you build it, they won’t come B
ack in the late nineties and the early 2000s, marketing your business or nonprofit online was pretty straightforward. You put a website online, and then you were good to go. So why won’t the same one-time investment of time or money work now? I frequently meet with business owners and nonprofit executive directors looking to make an investment in improving or creating a website. Often, a reality check on what a one-time investment in their online marketing will actually do for them is in order. While putting a good-looking website up worked when the web was just getting popular, it’s just a starting point now. How your customers access the internet is different than it used to be. There are three key ways it’s different now: 1. More of your potential customers are online. 2. Those people have far faster internet access. 3. Those people spend far more time online. So what impact does that have on your organization’s marketing? Simply put, for marketing your organization online to be effective, it needs to be an ongoing process. “If you build it,
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February 2014 | The Business Times
“ ‘If you build it, they will come,’ no longer applies to online marketing, if it ever did in the first place.” they will come,” no longer applies to online marketing, if it ever did in the first place. Sometimes the people I meet with decide they shouldn’t even invest in a website, as it would be a waste of money. And that’s perfectly fine. Other times, they decide marketing online is worth an investment of time, money or both on an ongoing basis. Of course, even ongoing online marketing isn’t going to help if you don’t know what you want out of it in the first place. So before you even get started, you should come up with clearly defined goals. Generally, S.M.A.R.T. goals are best for online marketing. In case you’re not familiar with the acronym, it refers to goals that are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely. Once you’ve come up with the goals, you can decide what online marketing tools make the most sense given your organization’s audience, culture, your
comfort level with the tools and the capabilities of the tools. Then you create your presence on the various tools, and start consistently updating them. Many people find one or more of those steps challenging. If that’s the case for you, I would encourage you to seek the help of a professional. Even if you’re wanting to invest more time than money on an ongoing basis, it’s generally worth it to make a one-time monetary investment upfront to make sure you’re starting out the right way. TIM PRIEBE is a public speaker, the author of the book “The Beginner’s Guide To Facebook Timeline for Business” and the owner of T&S Web Design in Edmond. He can be reached by email at tim@tandsgo.com, by phone at 405-285-0348, or online at www.tandswebdesign.com.
“Generally, S.M.A.R.T. goals are best for online marketing.”
Edmond is Alive and Well‌ OU Physicians Edmond has experienced and caring providers offering primary care, cardiology, neurology, plastic surgery and urology all at our convenient location on Eastern Avenue, just north of Memorial.
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Ribbon Cuttings
Hobby Town
Cut’n Loose Salon, 161 W. 15th St., recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate its grand opening. Owned by mother/ daughter team Beverly Cox and Melissa Hoover, they proudly state that, “the foundation of Cut’n Loose Salon is our extraordinary team of experts. We offer expertise in all areas of hair therapy and strive to establish long-lasting relationships with each guest. Our goal is to help each individual achieve his or her own sense of style and beauty.” In addition to superior hair care, Cut’n Loose Salon offers nail services and eyelash extensions. For more information, call 405-340-4247 or visit www.cutnloosesalon.net.
Hobby Town, at 813 W. Danforth Road, had a ribbon cutting to celebrate its grand opening. The franchise is owned and operated by Chip and Leslie Stockel, who have been residents of Edmond since 1996. As a hobbyist himself, Chip realized that Edmond needed a place where hobby enthusiasts could shop locally and began the process of opening the shop. Hobby Town offers a wide selection of radio controlled cars, trucks, planes, helicopters and other related accessories in addition to paints, puzzles, games and toys. With more than 170 franchises open in 43 states, Hobby Town is the largest retail hobby franchise in the world. For more information about the store, call 405-844-8697 or visit www.hobbytown.com.
Isabella
AHS Staffing
Isabella had a ribbon cutting to celebrate its grand opening under new ownership at its Spring Creek location at 1389 E. 15th St. Isabella, which was launched in 2004 by Teresa Pinson, was recently purchased by Edmond businesswoman Ginger Sloan. Sloan’s plans for the boutique include the addition of new clothing and accessory lines, an interior and exterior renovation and a renewed focus on personal attention and style support. Guthrie native Amy Cornwell will serve as the store’s manager, and a new buyer, Layni Voight, has also joined the team. Pinson will remain at the store to assist the new staff. For more information, call 405-3590777 or visit www.isabellaclothes.com.
AHS Staffing had a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of its new location at 3501 Willowood Road. The team at AHS Staffing began with a mission to be a world-class provider of pharmacy and dialysis staffing services in the United States by following a well-defined set of core values that places their clients, recruits and employees at the forefront of every decision the company makes. Founded in April 2010 following the purchase of Houston-based PharmStat Staffing LLC, the company plans to add team members as the business grows. Twenty employees will eventually office out of the new Edmond location. For more information, call 405-509-6200 or visit www.ahsstaffing.com.
Cut’n Loose Salon
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February 2014 | The Business Times
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BUSINESS CALENDAR Planning Commission 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4 (First and third Tuesday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda REI Women’s Business Center Women’s Business Breakfast 8:15-10 a.m. Feb. 6 Kamp’s 1910 Café 10 N.E. 10th St., Oklahoma City Free parking at Kamp’s and also on Ninth Street. To register, go online to www.reiwbc.org City Council 5:30 p.m. Feb. 10 (Second and fourth Mondays) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Business Development Workshop 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 11 Topic: Developing a Technology Strategy Speaker: Lane Griffing, Dolce Vita Solutions Edmond Chamber 825 E. Second St. RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com; Cost: $15 to members, $20 for nonmembers
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Total Resource Campaign Training 2-3 p.m. for veterans Feb. 13 3-4:30 p.m. for rookies Feb. 13 Edmond Chamber 825 E. Second St. RSVP required to info@ edmondchamber.com; Cost: Free for members Edmond Economic Development Authority Board of Trustees 8:15 a.m. Feb. 18 (Third Tuesday) 825 E. Second St. Visit www.eeda.com; Call 340-0116 Edmond Young Professionals EYP Mitch Park YMCA Tour 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 18 Edmond YMCA-Mitch Park 2901 Marilyn Williams Way RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com. Cost: $10 to EYP members as lunch will be provided Planning Commission 5:30 p.m. Feb. 18 (First and third Tuesday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Morning Mingle Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce 8-9:30 a.m. Feb. 19 Business After Hours OU Medical Center Edmond Senior 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 11 Health Clinic Communication Federal Credit Union 105 S. Bryant, Suite 210 100 N.E. 150th St. No RSVP required and event is free for No RSVP required for chamber members; chamber members. cost free. Member Rewards drawing will be at this City Council event 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24 (Second and fourth Monday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Total Resource Campaign Kick-off 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 25 Location: TBA RSVP required to info@ edmondchamber.com; Cost: Free. *MUST have attended a training session and be a volunteer in the campaign to participate in this event.
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Breakfast 7:30-9 a.m. Feb. 27 Speaker: Debbie Bendick and Ruthie Riggs, Edmond Public Schools Topic: Yours, Mine and Ours: The Parent/Community/EPS Partnership Oklahoma Christian Gaylord University Center 2501 E. Memorial Road Edmond Chapter of National Active & RSVP required; Cost: $20 for members, Retired Federal Employees Association $25 for non-members 11:30 a.m. Feb. 25 (Fourth Tuesday of the month) Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Oklahoma Christian University — Membership Luncheon Gaylord University Center 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 27 2501 E. Memorial Road Speakers: Steve Goo of Boeing and Meetings are open to any current or Michael Ming of GE retired federal employee or spouse. Oak Tree Country Club Lunch cost is $8.50. To register, email 700 Country Club Drive Jerry Reese at jreese5@cox.net RSVP required; Cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members TO ADD your business event to this free calendar, email the details to lshearer@edmondsun.com.
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February 2014 | The Business Times
Business Briefs TopGolf announces OKC location
Blood Institute welcomes new board members
TopGolf has selected a location in Oklahoma Cit y. The company will break ground this year. Golf entertainment leader TopGolf International Inc. announced Monday it will open its flagship Oklahoma location in Oklahoma Cit y in spring 2015. The company will begin construction on the site, located near Quail Springs Mall at the southwestern quadrant of North Western Avenue and the John Kilpatrick Turnpike, early this year. Last September, TopGolf® announced it was actively seeking a site in Oklahoma. The new 65,000-square-foot facilit y will feature: 102 hitting bays that can accommodate up to six players at one time; a full-service restaurant and bars; 4,000-square-feet of private event space; a rooftop terrace and more. The project is being funded through TopGolf’s investors and EPR Properties, a $3.4 billion specialt y real estate investment trust. Residents can follow TopGolf’s progress in Oklahoma Cit y at topgolf. com/okc, facebook.com./topgolfokc and @TopGolfOKC on Twitter.
Myron L. Pope, of Edmond, has been named to the Oklahoma Blood Institute’s board. Pope is University of Central Oklahoma’s vice president of Enrollment Management and interim assistant vice president of Student Affairs. He has worked at the University of Alabama and University of Oklahoma in faculty and administrative roles. He serves on the regional and national boards of many professional organizations involved with higher education. Pope is already active on several community boards including the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce and Myron L. Pope the YMCA. “(Myron’s) recent participation in Leadership Oklahoma and his past success as an NCAA championship football player attest to his character,” said Dr. John Armitage, Blood Institute president and CEO. Jim Marvel also was named to the board. Marvel is vice president of Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company and was recently named president of the Oklahoma Beverage Association.
Parman & Easterday hires new attorney Parman & Easterday, an Oklahoma Cit y estate planning, elder law and business planning firm, hired Blaine Peterson as a new attorney. Peterson bolsters the Parman & Easterday Oklahoma Cit y office with more than 15 years of combined experience as a licensed attorney specializing in estate planning and tax law; a Certified Public Accountant; a Certified Valuation Analyst; and as a former business owner. Throughout his career, Peterson has provided families maximum protection against the government, creditors, long-term care costs and lawsuits by developing estate Blaine Peterson plans that take into careful consideration each family’s personal, tax and business needs and desires. Peterson is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma Societ y of Public Accountants and National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. He served multiple terms as chairman of the Tax Committee for the Oklahoma Societ y of Certified Public Accountants and currently serves as a director. Peterson also serves on the tax committee for the Oklahoma Bar Association and regularly meets with representatives from the Internal Revenue Service and Oklahoma Tax Commission seeking proactive resolutions to issues affecting the public. Peterson received his Juris Doctorate from the Universit y of Oklahoma in 1999 after previously earning his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1994, also from the Universit y of Oklahoma. He and his family reside in Norman. Parman & Easterday specializes in trusts, health care power of attorney, Medicaid and Medicare planning, tax planning and qualified retirement plan distribution, organ donations, limited power of attorney and federal, estate and gift tax returns.
UCO MBA graduate selected for international credit union leadership program University of Central Oklahoma alumnus Joseph Griffith has been selected by the U.S. Department of State and the World Council of Credit Unions to participate in the International Credit Union Leadership Program Jan. 12-25 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Griffith is one of 12 participants selected from more than 600 applicants. Griffith, who received a Bachelor of Science in general studies from Central in 2008 and an MBA from Central’s Jackson College of Graduate Studies in 2013, will intern at Sicredi, a Brazilian Joseph Griffith financial cooperative. He currently works for Communication Federal Credit Union in Oklahoma City where he oversees the credit union’s compliance and risk management functions. During the two-week leadership program Griffith will gain hands-on experience working side by side with the senior management team at Sicredi. “I have always been interested in other countries and their people. Now that I have been in my profession for almost 10 years I am more focused on how businesses operate in the global environment,” Griffith said. The program is designed to facilitate idea exchanges, promote foreign language development, enhance cultural diversity and improve problem-solving skills as they relate to global credit union development and management. The program also focuses on helping credit unions find new ways to attract young members. “I feel my industry experiences along with the world-class education that I received at UCO will allow me to take full advantages of the program. My intention is to make a lasting impression on Sicredi and bring back skills and ideas that will add to the overall effectiveness of my organization,” Griffith said. February 2014 | The Business Times
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Business Book Review
by Terri Schlichenmeyer | The bookworm sez
“Bargain Fever: How to Shop in a Discounted World” by Mark Ellwood c.2013, Penguin Portfolio $26.95/$28.50 Canada 278 pages
You thought you’d never reach the door. There you were, day after Thanksgiving, three o’clock a.m., and the Black Friday line stretched a mile in front of you. What, exactly, possessed you to get out of your warm bed to stand in line? Was it the sale, the thrill of the hunt or something else? Read the new book “Bargain Fever” by Mark Ellwood, and you could say it’s all in your head. The last time you went to the store, it may have seemed like there were a dozen new products on the shelves. That’s entirely possible, actually: Since World War II, in supermarkets alone, the number of individual items has increased “more than tenfold.” Your brain loves that — to a point. When you shop (particularly when bargains are involved), dopamine floods your gray matter, giving you a rush of excitement. But that can backfire: If 32
February 2014 | The Business Times
discounts are too frequent, dopamine highs are lessened. Retailers and manufacturers know that, and they have ways to override your blasé brain. Shoppers are increasingly becoming savvy, though; we’re getting better at “spotting the trick first.” We’re learning to fight back. Take coupons, for instance. In 2010, consumers saved almost $2 billion by using coupons. More than 60 percent of U.S. households use them today, including upper-income shoppers. Entire industries (and reality TV) are based on little pieces of paper — and so, alas, is an increasing amount of crime and fraud. But money-saving doesn’t stop with snip of scissors. You can join one of those savings websites, and hope a big enough group wants to join you in a deal. If you know how to do it right, you can save scads of money on flights, hotels, clothing and shoes (even high-end designer kicks). Savvy retailers know how to wring more cash from a buyer, and buyers are learning to negotiate. And on that note, we’re frequently discovering that a haggle is no hassle. In the meantime, merchants have
learned to utilize our “purchase history” for better marketing. They’ve learned that we hate no-markdown stores. And they know that there’s no going back: bargainhunting is definitely here to stay. Can’t pass up a good sale? Are the words “marked down” like a balm on your soul? Then open your wallet. You won’t be able to resist “Bargain Fever,” either. With the gossipy tone of a sure insider and the details to match, author Mark Ellwood pokes around retail shelves and e-stores to teach us why we shop, how we buy and why the rules are constantly changing for both seller and shopper. The facts that Elwood shares are fascinating and the secrets he spills are fun to know. And that’s what makes this book so darn good: It’s got something for everybody here, no matter which side of the cash register you’re on, and no matter how much money you budget for shopping — that is, if you budget at all. Either way, if you plan to spend money anywhere this holiday season, “Bargain Fever” is a book to reach for first.
Terri Schlichenmeyer is a book reviewer in Wisconsin. She may be reached via email at bookwormsez@yahoo.com.
LAST LOOK
Story by patty miller | The Business Times
Duo design glass pieces portraying ‘Spirit of Oklahoma: Integrity’ OBEC commissions piece with donated funds
Micah McGahan and his father, Chris McGahan stand with the “Spirit of Oklahoma” trophy purchased by the Oklahoma Business Ethics Commission Board with funds provided by an anonymous donor. The duo made the vase in the Bella Forte Glass Studio adjacent to Italian Jim’s restaurant in Edmond. PHOTO PROVIDED
A
program on OETA about Muranse glass blowers mesmerized Chris McGahan and prompted his wife Linda to sign her husband up for glassblowing lessons. The birthday present was the beginning of fostering Chris’s passion for learning the art of glassblowing and ultimately Bella Forte Glass Studio was born. “Bella” is Italian for “beautiful,” and “Forte” means “loud or strong.” Chris has been joined by his son, Micah, and neither could have known their
glass designs would include commissioned pieces, chandeliers, pendant lights, art glass in the form of vases, wall hangings, functional bowls, pitchers and just about anything they can dream up. Most recently he was commissioned to create a trophy for the Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium. The more than 40inch tall “Spirit of Oklahoma” trophy is a Redento Raffinato vase made in shades of blue glass. Redento Raffinato is Italian for redeemed elegance and refers to glass artists who use broken pieces or excess pieces of
Purchased by the Oklahoma Business Ethics Commission Board with funds provided by an anonymous donor, the Redento Raffinato vase celebrates the 10th anniversary of the OBEC to promote the Spirit of Oklahoma as it relates to integrity. The more than 40-inch tall vase will be seen throughout the state at various businesses after its stay in Oklahoma’s State Capitol. PHOTO PROVIDED February 2014 | The Business Times
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LAST LOOK
Story by patty miller | The Business Times
glass to make new works of art. “My understanding is the Redento Raffinato was purchased to be placed in the state Capitol to start with and then moved to different locations throughout the state,” McGahan said. The Okahoma Business Ethics Consortium also purchased six smaller Redento Raffinato vases, miniature versions of the larger vase, to be given to six Pinnacle members including Bama Companies in Tulsa, Chesapeake, Hobby Lobby, SandRidge, KIMRAY Inc. and Devon. “We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of OBEC this year and we wanted something special to put in a public area,” said Shannon Warren with the OBEC. “We wanted to promote the Spirit of Oklahoma as it relates to integrity.” OBEC promotes Oklahoma values and integrity in the workplace, Warren added, and does so by spotlighting those companies that have achieved success while staying true to the highest ethical standards. Warren said one of the OBEC board members had researched different art pieces and she ran into Chris and his son. “I love the inspiration Chris shared with us representing the Spirit of Oklahoma,” Warren said. “Our whole thing is that we promote Oklahoma values and integrity at work.” Warren said she walked in and saw the vase that was purchased
with funds from an anonymous donor, and knew immediately it was what they wanted. The vase is made of hues of handblown blue glass standing more than 40 inches tall. “When Chris submitted a proposal telling what the colors and design stood for, I knew this was the special piece the OBEC Board of Directors was looking for to celebrate their 10th anniversary.” Warren said McGahan’s proposal included the following: “The color ‘Blue’ in this Redento Raffinato, symbolizes the Spirit Of Oklahoma in that blue symbolizes optimism, depth and stability. Blue, symbolizes the color and depth of the ocean. It also is the color of the sky. The ‘Sky’ is our limit!” “Our challenge has been to find a case to display the vase in so it will be safe when displayed,” Warren said. “We want it lighted, locked and made so it has a place to put some information.” Chris and his son, Micah, create blown art glass and their own unique McGahan Signature Glass lines. They have incorporated blown art glass (which is widely known as an “Italian art”) with Italian cuisine in their restaurant, Italian Jim’s, in downtown Edmond. Their glass designs can be seen in galleries in Edmond and Oklahoma City.
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February 2014 | The Business Times
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