Business Times of Edmond, March 2014 by Business Times of Edmond

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ED M O N D, O K LAH O MA

March 2014

VOL. 6 | NO. 3

INSIDE

2014

PUBLISHER Karan Ediger 405-341-2121 kediger@edmondsun.com MANAGING Lisa Shearer EDITOR 405-341-2121 lshearer@edmondsun.com

Karen Blevins Group grows with Edmond

MULTIMEDIA Carolyn Womack-Jenner SALES 405-341-2121 MANAGER cjenner@edmondsun.com

Home, commercial permits break records in 2013

SALES TEAM Terri Bohanan Brittany Eddins Greg Dorshaw CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mike Crandall

Jim Denton Cyndy Hoenig Nick Massey Patty Miller Van Mitchell Tim Priebe Terri Schlichenmeyer Mark Schlachtenhaufen

Edmond has entered a new era in investment and spending, said Janet Yowell, executive director of the Edmond Economic Development Authority. The Edmond area experienced $1.06 billion worth of homes sold for the first time, she said. Commercial alterations and investments totaled $27 million in 2013. Helping military members one mortgage at a time

James Coburn

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Karen Blevins recalled a time early in her real estate career when she didn’t think she would be able to survive. And, now 17 years later, the Edmond Realtor has long ago put those doubts aside and created one of the fastest growing real estate groups in Edmond with a new location and staff.

One response to this growing need is a training program for Realtors called the Certified Military Residential Specialist designation. Realtors and mortgage industry members who go through the training learn the ins and outs of helping military clients obtain a Veterans Administration loan. Key considerations when redesigning your website

Individuals who are in charge of marketing for their business or nonprofit frequently approach me for advice when redesigning their website. They have had a site for years, but decided for various reasons the time is right to start over again. The question I get time and time again is, “What should I consider when redesigning my website?”

Cover Photo by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times March 2014 | The Business Times

from our Publisher

6 ways to overcome excuses in 2014

o our readers: Sometimes I find myself coming up with excuses as to why or why not something did or did not happen. Like not walking for two weeks because of the “cold weather.” Never mind that I have an elliptical machine 5 feet from my bed. It gets really dangerous, however, when we start using excuses in business. I recently read an article by Dan Waldschmidt author of “Edgy Conversations: How Ordinary People Achieve Outrageous Success.” Waldschmidt says that most of us have dreams, and many of them are big ones, but few actually follow them through. He offers six tricks for jumping off the excuse train and forging the path to your goals. Avoid the need to blame others for anything. Small-minded people are eager to point out others’ mistakes. They hope by causing others to feel inadequate, everyone will forget how off the mark their own performance was. Blaming others is a bad habit. Stop working on things that don’t matter. Not everything needs to be done in the place of sleep. If you work for someone you owe them solid time so you can’t cut that out. You can, however, cut out television time, meetings and anything else standing in the way of your goal. Refuse to let yourself wallow in self-doubt. You’re alive to succeed. Stop comparing your current problems to your past several failures. Your entire life has been a training ground for you to capture your destiny now. Stop whining and go conquer!

March 2014 | The Business Times

Ask yourself, “What can I do better next time?” Once you’ve answered that question then do it. Learn from your mistakes and use the lessons to dominate. Proactively take time to do things that fuel your passion. Exercise is a great example. Living in the moment means living in peak performance. A huge part of mental fitness is physical fitness. Physical activity accelerates mental motivation. Apologize to yourself and those around you for having a bad attitude. Do this once or twice and you’ll snap out of your funk pretty fast. When you start apologizing for being a bad influence you learn to stop whining and start winning.

KARAN EDIGER is publisher of The Business Times of Edmond, The Edmond Sun and Community Connection.

(405) 340-1717 www.womackadvisers.com 1366 E. 15th St., Edmond â&#x20AC;˘ 73013 Registered Investment Adviser

Q &A with

Karen Blevins

Photos by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times

Karen Blevins Group Grows with Edmond By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times

aren Blevins recalled a time early in her real estate career when she didn’t think she would be able to survive. And, now 17 years later, the Edmond Realtor has long ago put those doubts aside and created one of the fastest growing real estate groups in Edmond with a new location and staff. “My first year I sold 12 homes,” Blevins said. “I remember going to my broker and telling her I couldn’t survive on this. She said just keep doing it and you will be good.” Blevins, 52, received her Oklahoma real estate license in 1997 and started the Karen Blevins Group. She joined with ChurchhillBrown in 2001. She is currently president of the Edmond Board of Realtors. 6

March 2014 | The Business Times

Blevins said she has grown from a one-person operation to today operating with several assistants and a buyer’s agent at her new Edmond location at 15th and Bryant. She said she plans to add additional staff this year. “With divisions in residential sales, new development marketing and corporate relocation we align ourselves with our clients to engage in a thoroughly collaborative process of finding, selling or renting a home,” Blevins said. “Our group spans the full spectrum of real estate services allowing us to become a one-stop shop for real estate needs.” Blevins said it doesn’t seem that long ago that she was using her car as her office.

“I remember carrying my files around in my car, working late at the office and doing open houses every weekend when I first started,” Blevins said. “I always envisioned growing from Day One. I believed it would happen.” Blevins said her company has steadily grown in home sales the past few years. “Our production numbers have really gone up,” Blevins said. “In 2012 we did $34 million in sales and last year we did $48 million. That tells you what we saw in the Edmond market.” Blevins also puts together a regular real estate review called City Overview on her website www.KarenBlevins.com, which details the sales trends for the year in Edmond. She is a member of the Edmond Board of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Oklahoma Homebuilders Association and Marketing Council of New Homes. Blevins’ continued success in the real estate field and how she conducts herself hasn’t gone unnoticed with her fellow Realtors, who voted her Most Cooperative Realtor in 2003 and 2012. “It is truly an honor,” she said of receiving of her peers’ acknowledgment. “People like doing business with people they like. It is important to me that I have built these relationships since Day One.” Q: Last year was a banner year in Edmond for real estate sales. What do you attribute that to? A: It was a very good year. I think people are feeling secure in

the economy and ready to do those buys. The existing housing market has been able to grow because you are not competing against so many new homes on the market. We also have more people moving here as a result of the oil and gas industry and jobs with Tinker Air Force Base and the growth going on along I-35. The school system here is also one of the best. Q: You have said the Edmond real estate market is turning into a seller’s market. Why is that? A: It is starting to turn into a seller’s market. We are starting to get multiple offers on the table. There are more buyers than we have listings. The inventory is very low. Q: Do you see the 2013 real estate success carrying over into 2014? A: This year has already been great so far. Sellers should take advantage of the low interest rates now, which might go up later this year. It is a really good time to get your home on the market. Q: You were named as president of the Edmond Board of Realtors. What does that honor mean to you? A: It’s about giving back to an industry that I am very passionate about. We have had some great leaders in the past and we are just building on that platform they have built and moving it forward. It takes a lot to give to the board but it is important to me.

March 2014 | The Business Times

Q: What are some of things you would like to see accomplished while serving as board president? A: We are getting our younger membership more involved in the community. I have also visited with the Edmond Chamber of Commerce about partnering up with their Young Professionals group to get more involved with the real estate business and community as well. Q: What is some advice you would give other people interested in becoming a Realtor? A: You can get as much out of it as you put into it. You can work part-time or full-time at this. Q: What is the most enjoyable part of your job? A: The best part is helping people find homes and getting the right family into the right home. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t imagine doing anything better. Q: How do you relax when you are away from work? A: This job is 24-7. I have learned to relax and take time off. I have learned to forward my calls to my staff when I am away. My place of peace is always the beach and sitting by the water.

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Home, commercial permits break records in 2013

By James Coburn | The Business Times

dmond has entered a new era in investment and spending, said Janet Yowell, executive director of the Edmond Economic Development Authority. The Edmond area experienced $1.06 billion worth of homes sold for the first time, she said. Commercial alterations and investments totaled $27 million in 2013. EEDA presented the 2014 Economic Preview in late January on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma. The city also saw the most housing permits since 2008, and commercial permits in Edmond totaled more than $77 million in investment, Yowell said. “New residential permits were the highest since 2005, totaling over $197 million,” she said. “Our existing residential market broke several records this year, including the average value.” The year 2005 brought 3,670 residential transactions to the Edmond area. 2007 broke the 3,700 mark, said Brian Preston of RE/MAX Associates. Sales began to come back in 2011 following a housing dip caused by the recession. Residential transactions last year numbered 4,140 units to beat the record, Preston said. “Our average sales price in Edmond hit over $250,000 for the first time,” he said of 2013. He expects to see the average sales price of homes to increase because more pending homes are under contract today than are available to purchase. “Our inventory is at its lowest point, even lower than 2005,” Preston said. Susan Brinkley, representing Price Edwards & Company, said Edmond has an 11 percent vacancy of retail space. There is a retail vacancy of 9.3 percent based on centers that have more than 25,000 square feet, she said. “These numbers are really kind of skewed because we’ve got some properties out there that are in the process of being developed that show 100-percent vacancy,” Brinkley said. The Edmond Market Place at 33rd and Boulevard is set to open this year, she said. 10

March 2014 | The Business Times

“We’ve got about 80,000 square feet of vacancy there,” Brinkley said. “So realistically if we’ve ruled out some of these vacancies, Edmond has a very healthy regional market of about 6.5 percent.” The market trend for Edmond is health and recreation oriented, she said. Grocery stores are touting health-oriented concepts. Some of the grocers that are currently looking at Edmond include Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Natural Groceries and Trader Joe’s. A new Aldi grocery store is being constructed on the north side of West Edmond Road at the intersection of Kelly Avenue. The grocery store will be next to the RCB Bank branch. “I believe Uptown Market is also looking for a possible second location in Edmond,” she said. David Forrest of CB Richard Ellis said Edmond is the strongest sub-market in the Oklahoma City area, leading the way in average rental space and occupancies. “Edmond’s occupancy is currently 96 percent,” Forrest said. Office occupancy rates in Edmond continue to be strong, said Derek Turner of Turner and Company. “We do a lot of work with local tenant, local office space people,” Turner said. “Those people tend to want to be close to their home.” There is a lot of owner-occupied property going in at Kelly Avenue and Covell Road, he said. Regional and national business tenants have a lot of people living in the area. “I think we’ll see it in the I-35 area before long,” Turner said. That growth is driven by how close the highways are to get people to Oklahoma City, Tulsa or Wichita, he said. “The interesting thing in our market is the square footage has started to creep up a little bit,” Turner said. “Our average price of buildings we sold last year was about $150 per square foot. There were buildings that were constructed at $200 (a square foot) or better, but there were also some buildings that were sold at $225 (per square foot).”

RETAIL Snapshots The Business Times File Photo

The Business Times File Photo The Sam’s Club, 1117 W. I-35 Frontage Road, had the largest retail construction price tag of any project built during 2013 in Edmond.

TOP 2013 RETAIL PERMITS

ive commercial retail permits issued by the City of Edmond in 2013 surpassed the $1 million price point. In total, the city issued just under $20 million in retail permits for 272,849 square feet of new projects in the city limits for the year. According to the City of Edmond, there were 31 total permits issued, which is 34.8 percent more than the 23 issued in 2012. The 2013 number is still down from the 46 permits issued in 2008 at the beginning of the Great Recession. Here’s a quick look at some of the top retail permits, as reported by Price Edwards & Company at the EEDA’s 2014 Economic Preview event in January: • The new Sam’s Club, 1117 W. I-35 Frontage Road, tops the charts in 2013 with a $7.5 million price tag. The 138,242-square-foot store was permitted in January 2013 and opened for business in October. This is the largest retail permit issued in Edmond since 2005, according to the EEDA. The I-35 Walmart Supercenter next to the Sam’s is the largest retail permit in city history at $9.3 million. • L.A. Fitness, 2121 W. Danforth Road, took out a $3.54 million permit in May 2013 for 41,654 square feet. It had a soft opening in late February. • Fox Lake North, 909 W. I-35 Frontage Road, took out a $3 million permit in September for 40,199 square feet. This is part of the complimentary retail project next to the Sam’s Club. SOURCE: Susan Brinkley of Price Edwards & Company as reported at the EEDA’s 2014 Economic Preview

The Lowe’s Home Improvement Store at Second and Bryant is part of the University Plaza shopping center, which remains the largest retail center in the city at 454,897 Sq. Ft. The other anchor store at this location is Super Target.

SHOPPING CENTERS IN EDMOND

dmond is now home to almost 3.4 million square feet of shopping center space with an 11 percent average vacancy rate. Here’s a look at the five largest centers based on square footage: • University Plaza at Second and Bryant is by far the largest single shopping center entity at this point in time. Built in 2003, this center has 454,897 square feet and is anchored by the Lowe’s Home Improvement Store and the Super Target. There are no vacancies in this retail complex. • Bryant Square at Second and Bryant was built in 1980 and features 287,776 square feet. The project is anchored by Steinmart, Old Navy, Ross and Bed Bath & Beyond. There is a 4.48 percent vacancy rate with 12,307 square feet available. • Shoppes on Broadway, 33rd and Broadway, was rebuilt in 2008 with a new upscale urban design. At 160,000 square feet, the center is anchored by Hobby Lobby and IO Metro. There currently is a 5.75 percent vacancy rate with 9,200 square feet of space available. • Edmond Crossing, built in 1985 is anchored by Homeland and TJ Maxx. This 159,600-squarefoot center has an 11.22 percent vacancy rate with 17,915 square feet of available space. • Edmond Plaza, at 15th and Broadway, was built in 1989. It’s 158,373 square feet features anchor tenants Staples and Westlake Ace Hardware. There is a 1.58 percent vacancy rate with 2,500 square feet available. SOURCE: Susan Brinkley of Price Edwards & Company as reported at the EEDA’s 2014 Economic Preview

The Business Times File Photo A student at Frontier Elementary writes on the board during the first day of the school year. Opening in 2013, Frontier was the 16th elementary opened for Edmond Public Schools.

2013 HOME SALES IN EDMOND

dmond home sales broke records in 2013, according to Brian Preston’s Edmond Market Report. There were 359 more homes sold last year than in 2012, which also was a record-breaking year. The previous record was set in 2007 with 3,739 homes sold the year before the Great Recession hit the nation. • 2013 Edmond home sales totaled 4,149 • Total volume of home sales topped $1 billion in 2013 • Average 2013 sales price of an existing home — $257,290 • Average 2013 sales price of a new home — $283,019 • The top three months for home sales in 2013 — May, July and August • The month with the fewest number of homes sold in 2013 — January with 234 sold • 549 homes were sold in the $250,000$300,000 price range • 534 homes were sold in the $175,000$200,000 price range • 512 homes were sold in the $150,000$175,000 price range • 34 homes sold for more than $1 million each • Residential building permits hit a new high of 619 permits issued by the city. That’s up 2.7 percent from 2012’s high of 603 permits. In the past five years, the lowest number of residential permits issued was 238 permits in 2009.

SOURCE: Brian Preston’s Edmond Market Report as presented at the EEDA’s 2014 Economic Preview March 2014 | The Business Times

RETAIL Snapshots The Business Times File Photo The intersection of 33rd Street and Broadway is the most heavily traveled intersection in the City of Edmond. In 2013, it averaged 65,328 motorists through the area per day.

Photo Provided Gateway Services Group LLC purchased this building at 80 E. Fifth St. near the downtown corridor to serve as its Edmond headquarters. Gateway utilizes the fourth floor of the building and is leasing out the other three floors for office and retail space.

The Business Times File Photo Students work on a project at Orvis Risner Elementary.

BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS

EDMOND OFFICE SPACE GROWS

EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

he City of Edmond releases an annual traffic count list of the 10 busiest intersections in the city. Counts are per day averages and not every intersection is counted yearly. • 33rd and Broadway — 65,328 • 15th and Broadway — 56,500 • Second and Bryant — 44,621 • 15th and Kelly — 42,964 • Second and Broadway — 41,374 • Edmond Road and Santa Fe — 41,009 • 15th and Boulevard — 40,928 • 33rd and Kelly — 40,911 • Edmond Road and Kelly — 40,530

ccording to Derek Turner of Turner & Company, who presented the 2013 Office Market Report at the EEDA’s Economic Preview event, there were 15 new construction permits issued in 2013 for office buildings. Those permits add up to 66,644 square feet of space at a total permit cost of almost $5.9 million. • The average construction cost of office space in 2013 was $88.27 per square foot. • Another $41.8 million in office building sales were recorded in 2013 in Edmond with a total 277,270 square feet involved in transactions. • The average price was $150.76 per square foot. These figures are through the end of the third quarter of 2013. Turner projects that rental rates for the Edmond office market this year will continue to trend upwards as demand space outpaces building delivery. He forecasts more speculative office construction this year, particularly in the “garden office”-type developments.

SOURCE: City of Edmond

he No. 1 oft-cited reason for people moving into Edmond is the quality of the public school system. Here are some quick facts about Edmond Public Schools: • 2013-14 enrollment — 23,020 students • 630 more students than compared with October 2012 enrollment statistics • 65.5 percent of the student body is Caucasian • 10.3 percent of the student body is African American • 9.1 percent of the student body is Hispanic • 5.1 percent of the student body is Asian • 2.2 percent of the student body is Native American • 7.7 percent of the student body is of mixed race with .1 percent of Hawaiian descent • 26 percent of the student body qualifies for free and reduced lunch prices • 2,731 employees makes Edmond Public Schools the largest employer inside city limits • $141.8 million makes up the district’s General Fund. • 10 National Blue Ribbon Schools in the district. • 44 students were National Merit Semi-finalists and Commended Scholars • 15.9 percent of Edmond graduates are required to take remedial college coursework compared with a state average of 42.5 percent SOURCE: Edmond Public Schools

March 2014 | The Business Times

Helping military members one mortgage at a time Company’s real estate training aims to aid military families By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times

t takes more than just physical and mental training to make U.S. military members combat and mission ready. It takes piece of mind that things back home will be taken care of, too, and that often includes very quickly buying or selling a home in order to transfer to a new military base. Families in Oklahoma know this need all too well. There are more than 300,000 veterans living in Oklahoma and 20,459 active duty members residing in the state. One response to this growing need is a training program for Realtors called the Certified Military Residential Specialist designation. Realtors and mortgage industry members who go through the training learn the ins and outs of helping military clients obtain a Veterans Administration loan. “We are trying to bring awareness about the VA loans,” said Lauren Layman of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. “There are a lot of myths out there about the VA loan and the

VA loan process. A lot of time our military are talked into getting a FHA loan instead of a VA loan, which in turn costs them a lot more money. With the CMRS designation we try to bring awareness to the Realtors.” Lisa Pape, a senior loan officer with Fairway, said the objective in offering the CMRS program is to provide a platform whereby real estate professionals can be trained and equipped to handle with excellence the home purchase needs of active duty and former military clients. “This course offers essential guidelines to equip real estate agents with the education they need in order to provide a higher level of service to active duty and veteran clients,” Pape said. “By improving the skill set of agents working with military and veteran clients, these clients will be provided a more professional and positive real estate experience. And, this is just one way to honor the men and women of the United States military and their families, for their service to our nation, and to fulfill the obligation we have to each and every one of these heroes for the freedoms we enjoy.” Jim Steward, a senior loan officer with Fairway, said the CMRS training shows current military and veterans that Fairway cares about them. “Sometimes those families are on short notice and they have to do something quick,” Steward said. “They need somebody that is experienced and gives a damn and will hold their hand through the process and give them straight answers and get it done.” Pape concurred. “This training is critical because the men and women of the military are often a “targeted population” with some businesses cheating, scamming, and overbilling,” Pape said. “Many are young, financially inexperienced and transient, unaware of dishonest businesses. This training is an opportunity to become a watchdog for the warrior by pursuing excellence in serving the home purchase needs of military clients.” Layman, Steward and Pape, all of Fairway Mortgage, went through a new round of CMRS training sponsored by Fairway in December. Layman, a loan officer and military mortgage specialist, said the event included presentations by CMRS specialists Louise March 2014 | The Business Times

Thaxton and Terri Murphy. Additionally, Sean Parnell, a retired Army Ranger and New York Times best-selling author of “Outlaw Platoon,” told his story of leading troops into combat in the mountains of Afghanistan at the age of 24. Parnell and his men saw 16 months of combat where more than 80 percent were wounded in action. Layman said Fairway employees nationwide also are engaged helping the military through a partnership with the Boot Campaign, which provides mortgage-free homes to combat-wounded veterans. Fairway employees make volunteer contributions to help fund the program. The Boot Campaign is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2009 by five Texas women who were in part inspired by Marcus Lutrell’s book “Lone Survivor,” which was made into a movie of the same name. The program is dedicated to showing tangible appreciation of active military, raising awareness of the challenges they face upon return and supporting their transition home. Through the sale of its signature military combat boots, general public donations and corporate sponsorship, the Boot Campaign operates five distinct initiatives -- jobs, housing, wellness, urgent assistance and family support. According to Thaxon, the homes are mostly foreclosures that are donated by banks. Most of the homes need thousands of dollars of repairs and renovations, and the banks give them to the

March 2014 | The Business Times

Military Warriors Support Foundation to get them off their books. Money raised by organizations like Fairway then goes to renovate the homes to prepare them for the veterans. To date, contributions from Fairway employees have been responsible for 13 home giveaways across the country. Layman said plans call for a home in Oklahoma to be given away in 2014. Meghan McDermott from the Boot Campaign said the partnership with Fairway Mortgage has been a win-win situation. “We are amazed at the continued support of Fairway Independent Mortgage and the passionate ways they are showing their support for our troops through the Boot Campaign,” McDermott said. “Thanks to the generosity of Fairway Independent Mortgage we have been able to put more than a dozen combat wounded veterans into mortgage-free homes. This is truly a life-changing partnership and we are forever grateful to Fairway employees for ‘getting their boots on’ in every sense of the words.” Founded in 1996 by Steve Jacobson and Dean Anderson, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a mortgage banker headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The company has 145 locations and about 1,400 employees nationwide. Oklahoma has three branch offices in Stillwater, Tulsa and the Oklahoma City metro area.

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Chamber honors members for 2013 efforts Photos by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times

Linda Fanning presents the Ambassador of the Year Award to Charles Oliver

he Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 2013 accomplishments with an awards banquet Jan. 24 in the UCO Nigh University Center. The following awards were presented: • Edmond Public Schools Superintendent David Goin received Citizen Bank’s 2013 Citizen of the Year award. • Jill Castilla of Citizens Bank of Edmond received the Prosperity Bank 2013 Woman of the Year award for her service to the community. • Wells Fargo Advisors’ Charles Oliver received Mercy Health’s 2013 Ambassador of the Year award, which goes to the chamber ambassador who makes the most goodwill calls, ribbon-cuttings and groundbreaking events during the year. • Allegiance Credit Union’s Pam Gonzaque was named INTEGRIS Health Edmond’s 2013 Volunteer of the Year, honored for her leadership and dedication to the chamber and the community. • Evans & Davis’ Bryan Evans was the winner of the 2013 Tayo Fichtl Young Professional award, given to a young professional who demonstrates leadership, provides valuable service to their business or profession, gives back to the community, exhibits initiative and creativity and serves as a role model for youth both personally and professionally. • Regent Bank’s Darin Kent, the chamber’s outgoing chairman of the board, honored Hoot Gibson of McCall’s in downtown Edmond with the Chairman’s Award, given to the person who contributed the most to the chairman’s term. • Millie’s Table received the Bank of Oklahoma 2013 Small Business of the Year award, which honors a small business that has made outstanding contributions to the economy and community. Finalists were chirps & cheers; Madeline’s Flower Shop and Red Rock Consulting. Millie’s Table, which offers a 22-entree menu, maintains a take-n-bake freezer and offers buffet-style and service-focused catering.

Bryan Evans receives the Tayo Fichtl Young Professional Award from Leslie Buford and Angie Johnson

March 2014 | The Business Times

Matt Peterson receives the chairman’s gavel from Darin Kent

Barbara and Randy Matthews

Lenzi, Barbara and Lacee Bilke

Mike and Gayle Thompson and Jill and Marcus Castilla

Millie Shores, Roe MacDurmon and Candace Jackson

Jill Castilla, left, and Dr. Krista Jones, right, present the 2013 Citizen of the Year Award to Superintendent David Goin

Hoot and Marilyn Gibson and Brenda and Randy Granzow

Dr. Karen Mahlmeister, Councilman Nick Massey, Dick and Peggy Geib and Mayor Charles Lamb and Cheri Lamb

Pam Gonzaque, center, receives the Volunteer of the Year Award from Avilla Williams, left, and Darin Kent March 2014 | The Business Times

Business matters

Tim Priebe Webifiable

Key considerations when redesigning your website

ndividuals who are in charge of marketing for their business or nonprofit frequently approach me for advice when redesigning their website. They have had a site for years, but decided for various reasons the time is right to start over again. The question I get time and time again is, “What should I consider when redesigning my website?” Naturally, you want to put some thought into the look and feel of your website. That should revolve around the impression, or feeling, that you want others to have when visiting your website. What is your company culture, and how can you convey that in layout, design and color? Also consider what features you want on your site. Do you need a form for people to request more information, so your sales team can follow up? Do you need an instant quote calculator? Or maybe you actually want to sell products or services right on your website.

“If you provide professional services to other businesses, you might look at other companies that do the same, but are not actually in your industry.” 18

March 2014 | The Business Times

Rather than pulling ideas out of thin air, it helps to take a look at other websites, primarily in three categories. • Websites In Your Industry — Taking a look at other sites in your industry is a no-brainer. You’ll want to make a list of what you like about those sites, so you can make sure you’re not missing anything that others in your industry are doing. You also want to make a list of what to avoid. What practices do you see your competitors engaging in online that you think are a terrible idea? Make sure you avoid those things on your own website. • Websites Outside Your Industry — Too many limit themselves only to other websites in their industry. Break the mold, and look at other websites outside your industry. If you provide professional services to other businesses, you might look at other companies that do the same, but are not actually in your industry. If you are going to sell something online, look at the e-commerce store run by someone who sells something completely different. Of course, your list again should include both things you like and what you want to avoid. • Your Current Website — Finally, take a look at the website you already have. I’ve found that even when our clients are ready to scrap their entire website, there’s typically something they still like about it, that they want to carry over into the new website. By the same token, if you made some

“By the same token, if you made some mistakes that you regret in that old website, you need to make sure you don’t repeat the same mistakes in the new website.” mistakes that you regret in that old website, you need to make sure you don’t repeat the same mistakes in the new website. Whether you’re going to redesign your site yourself, or you’ve decided that was the mistake you made last time, looking at websites for guidance is a great first step. It will get you started on the right foot before starting to build your new website by yourself or with a team. 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.

URGENT CLINIC — PHYSICAL THERAPY URGENT CARE CARE CLINIC — PHYSICAL THERAPY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE — CORPORATE WELLNESS PRIMARY HEALTH CARE — CORPORATE WELLNESS FITNESS & WELLNESS CENTER — NUTRITION SERVICES FITNESS & WELLNESS CENTER — NUTRITION SERVICES Key Health Institute Edmond™, formerly Transformation Fitness Center, Key Health Institute™ is an integrated medical and wellness facility. is transitioning into an integrated medical and wellness facility.

Our team merges the future of the preventative health carehealth and medically-integrated Our team merges future of preventative care and medicallyintegrated wellness with tomorrow’s technology to help patients to wellness with tomorrow’s technology to help patients overcome the barriers overcome the barriers to healthy lifestyle changes. healthy lifestyle changes. Clinic, SCREENS 405-463-6601 | Urgent Care,A 405-463-6610 | Fitness Center, 405-752-1233 FREE Wellness HEALTH (FOr lImIted tIme Only) Wellness Program inquiries for contact Prater mon-Fri 6For amCorporate to noon. Contact Jessica at 607-5921 moreCharlie information or atjust405-408-5364 stop by!

Wellness Clinic, 405-607-5999 | Urgent Care, 405-607-5921 | Fitness Center, 405-752-1233 www.keyhealthinstitute.com 14701 N. Kelly, Edmond, OK 73013 For Corporate Wellness Program inquiries contact Charlie Prater at 405-408-5364

14701 N. Kelly, Edmond, OK 73013

www.keyhealthinstitute.com March 2014 | The Business Times

business matters

Nick Massey Astute Investor

Government backed mortgages are here to stay T ypical mortgage lending, from a lender’s point of view, is betting on one of the worst investment deals in the world. That is, allowing people to borrow 80 percent of the money they need to buy a home and then repay that debt over 30 years. Who in their right mind would lend such money? As it turns out, the answer is almost no one, or at least not without much higher interest rates. That’s why the U.S. government created the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA, or Fannie Mae) and eventually the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC, or Freddie Mac). It is also why these programs or something similar will be with us for a long time. I’m not suggesting that it’s a bad thing for consumers. But from a pure investment standpoint, it’s a risky deal for the lender and many are staying out. In the years before the Great Depression, home mortgages were simple. A borrower could take out an interest-only loan for 50 percent of the purchase price and the balance was due in five years. That’s it. Typically, the borrower rolled over the unpaid balance of the mortgage at the end of the five years. Of course, when the Depression hit and mortgages came due, banks either didn’t have the capacity or the stomach to roll over these loans, so they simply called 20

March 2014 | The Business Times

them. And since the borrowers didn’t have the money to pay off the loans in full, homes were foreclosed and then sold, helping to drive the property market into a tailspin. President Franklin Roosevelt recognized in the 1930s what the government recognizes today … that home building creates a bunch of jobs and new money through credit extension. So he was eager to get the residential housing sector back in action.

“Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac buys almost all of the mortgages written today, allowing banks to get them off their own books almost immediately.” Unfortunately, banks were still hurting from the Depression and weren’t all that eager to make new loans. Sound familiar? The idea of lending money to people who might lose their jobs, against assets that could drop dramatically in value, seemed risky. So in 1937 Fannie Mae was born.

Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac buys almost all of the mortgages written today, allowing banks to get them off their own books almost immediately. In a time of slow economic growth, wage deflation and rising interest rates, who wants to make, and then hold, a 30-year loan? No one. Which is why no one else does it. Now, when I say “no one else does it,” I mean no other country operates this way. Other nations use adjustable rate mortgages, typically on a five-year term, and with some sort of government backing to keep the banks happy. One thing is clear: The U.S. won’t be dismantling or otherwise closing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac anytime soon. And taxpayers will continue to be the backstop. If we could put limits on what Fannie and Freddie could do, and if all loans were to become adjustable rate loans of some type, it would open up far more sources of mortgage lending and relieve some of the pressure on taxpayers. Just a thought. 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

Motivating employees requires more than sticks, carrots

ow often have you been frustrated by the fact some employees work harder than others? Or by the fact that some employees seem to care more than others? The majority of business owners/managers share this has been a point of challenge, grief, anxiety and frustration — if not one of the greatest overall issues in running and growing a business. It is natural for employees to have different levels of drive, desire, care and concern. Typically owners/managers attempt to use motivation to get employees to change or to get more out of them. Generally they use the two most common types of motivation — incentive motivation and fear motivation. Both have some positives, however, they generally have far more negatives. For incentive motivation picture a donkey pulling a cart. In front of the donkey is a carrot dangling from a stick. As long as the donkey is hungry enough, the carrot big enough and the load light enough this works. However, it tends to stop working as soon as the donkey gets to eat the carrot. Then we have to wait for the donkey to get hungry again. Owners/ managers offer trips, bonuses, time off or prizes as the carrot. Just like with the donkey once the appetite is met we have to wait until they are hungry again. This can 22

March 2014 | The Business Times

only work if the incentive is big enough and is something the employee really wants. However, once they have it the motivation fades. For fear motivation picture the same donkey pulling the cart. This time instead of the carrot on the stick the stick is being used to smack the donkey to get it to move. As long as the donkey is sensitive enough, the stick big enough and the load light enough this works. However, it tends to stop working as soon as the fear goes away or the donkey gets tough enough that it is not bothered by being hit with the stick. The only way to get it to continue working is to keep getting bigger sticks and hitting the donkey harder. Owners/managers threaten more work, eliminating benefits or firing of people as the stick. Just like the donkey once the employees become tough enough we are at a standstill. This can only work if the fear is great enough. However, once the fear is no longer applicable the motivation fades. The reasons the majority of owners/ managers fail at motivating their employees is that these are the only two types of motivation they know or use. Both are only marginally effective and typically last for short periods of time. To truly motivate employees there is only one way to do it. That is through attitude motivation. This is about understanding why your employees

work, what matters to them, what are their goals, both professional and personal. In our book “The Sandler Rules®” there is a rule that says “People work for their reasons — not the boss’ reasons.” Once an owner/manager can understand why the employee works we can then, and only then, build a plan that matters to them. This is not simple, or easy, however, it is tremendously effective and long-lasting. If you are struggling to truly and continuously motivate your employees you would want to learn how to connect with them on a level that allows you to understand “their reasons” for working. What do they want to accomplish in their lives, where do they want to be in the future or what are their dreams/goals? Once we understand this it allows us to find ways to ensure we are helping them with the things that matter to them. This is the only way to truly motivate employees. Not only will it benefit the growth of your employees and teams, it also will foster the growth of your organization, and ultimately your revenue. 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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Phil Thompson from Moore, Okla., keeps his family safe with a GFS Storm Shelter.

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business matters

JIM Denton L edger Lines

A recipe for retreats that really works I

s it possible to hold a highly successful board or management retreat? I absolutely believe that with a clear process in place, you can ensure that your retreat will be a resounding hit with all who attend. One of the first items to insist upon with your board is a code of conduct. Things like arriving on time, speaking up, listening respectfully, refraining from engaging in sidebar conversations and getting to the point should be spelled out. Also, use of cell phones and email should be taboo and allowed only during breaks. Next, the meeting’s leadership should take time to clearly define the desired

“The goal of those planning the meeting should be to make the gathering a leave-nothing-to-chance, top-flight event.” 24

March 2014 | The Business Times

outcome of the meeting. Your board or management team presumably has the horsepower to move the dial of the company. So the objective should be to move the dial in at least one key area of the company’s operation. An example would be to change how the company recruits and trains its personnel. Other examples would be to get started on defining your core values or establishing a firm vision. The goal of those planning the meeting should be to make the gathering a leavenothing-to-chance, top-flight event. You can do that by holding the meeting at a high-quality facility, providing excellent information and materials and superb breaks and meals. Some companies even provide gifts for the attendees and those leading the meeting. You are looking for the wow factor here. It is an excellent idea to bring in an outside facilitator for your retreat. With advance preparation, this person can be most effective in bringing up issues that need attention. Some companies develop a pre-meeting survey to gather management’s input over operational issues. With tools like SurveyMonkey, a survey becomes almost painless to administer and complete. The

survey results can help shape the agenda and ultimately the goals of the meeting. Also, companies may require a particular book be read in advance and allow time for some discussion of the text, what it conveyed and how it relates to the company. Firms are stifled when elephants in the room go unaddressed. Such elephants might be chronic underperformers, a broken compensation system, unproductive marketing, etc. If they know that nothing will be done about critical issues that have existed for years, your participants will come with low expectations. With large meetings, small break-out groups can attack a problem more skillfully. Smaller groups can bring back their proposals and the larger group can have a more substantive discussion and provide succinct input. The overall goal is to spend less time identifying problems and most of your time on solutions, goal setting and getting going on your action plans. 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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NEW BUSINESS LISTINGS Following is a listing of newly filed businesses in the Edmond area with the Oklahoma Secretary of Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office: 214 Maple LLC, 1503 E. 19th St., filed Feb. 20 by Rubenstein & Pitts PLLC of Edmond.

J&T Legacy LLC, 417 Country Club Terrace, filed Feb. 18 by Jennifer Hunter of the same address.

Richey Realty and Construction LLC, 16417 Bandera, filed Feb. 18 by Josh Richey of the same address.

Simple Life Realty LLC, 2126 #261 S. Boulevard, filed Feb. 20 by Kurt Miller of Oklahoma City.

Airwire PCS LLC, 4901 Clipper Crossing, filed Feb. 18 by Chad Dobbins of the same address.

JC Smith Trucking LLC, 2209 N.W. 157th St., filed Feb. 18 by JC Smith Trucking LLC of the same address.

RJKC LLC, 2917 N.E. 133rd St., filed Feb. 21 by Rodney Morgan of the same address.

Always Edgy Stuff LLC, 1833 Olde School Road, filed Feb. 21 by Yombi Taponno of the same address.

Kells Exquisite Business Services LLC, 3000 Marla Lane, filed Feb. 19 by Kelli M. Bell of the same address.

Rockdrop Media LLC, 3809 Polo Club Ct., filed Feb. 16 by Rockdrop Media LLC of the same address.

The Butternut Squash Exporters of America LLC, 129 W. First St., Suite A, filed Feb. 20 by Ryan McGann of the same address.

Amateur Baseball Development LLC, 8771 Long Spur Trail, filed Feb. 19 by Robert Watson of the same address.

Knobbyfit LLC, 18520 Lazo Drive, filed Feb. 18 by Knobbyfit LLC of the same address.

Rockdrop Resources LLC, 3809 Polo Club Ct., filed Feb. 16 by Rockdrop Resources LLC of the same address.

AMC Group LLC, 17625 Brass Drive, filed Feb. 18 by Andrew Cobb of the same address.

Korterman AEW LLC, 3400 Harris Drive, filed Feb. 19 by CLG Corporate Services LLC of Oklahoma City.

Rose State Commons I LLC, 2800 E. Randolph Road, filed Feb. 19 by McAlister & McAlister Law Firm PC of Edmond.

Leaping Lizards LLC, 8771 Long Spur Trail, filed Feb. 19 by Britni Watson of the same address.

Royce Jeffrey Managed Technology LLC, 17428 Hawks Tree Lane, filed Feb. 17 by William J. Hedrick of the same address.

Awakening at Carnegie Center LLC, 16305 N. May Ave., filed Feb. 21 by Ginger Sloan of the same address. Cemetery RD LLC, 211 N. Broadway, filed Feb. 20 by Evans & Davis PLLC of Edmond. Choctaw Genesis Group LLC, 2952 Via Esperanza, filed Feb. 18 by Joseph Bowie of the same address. Chris Newsom, 2121 Shamrock Drive, filed Feb. 20 for trade name. Cutting Edge Solutions LLC, 13630 Valley Road, filed Feb. 19 by Ronald Thompson of the same address. Darrell and Joyce Gregory LLC, 4701 N. HIghway 74 St., Crescent, filed Feb. 21 by J. Leslie Lareau of Oklahoma City. Deer Creek 192 LLC, 2575 Kelley Pointe Parkway, Ste. 300, filed Feb. 18 by Joseph Hogsett of Hartzog Conger Cason & Neville in Oklahoma City. Dightman Transportation LLC, 5050 N. Coltrane Road, Guthrie, filed Feb. 19 by Corporation Service Company of Oklahoma City. Empirical Entertainment LLC, 18001 Highland Park Road Apt. 220, filed Feb. 19 by Empirical Entertainment LLC of the same address. Formula Resources LLC, 604 N. Creek Drive, filed Feb. 20 by Richard Gore of Oklahoma City. Fox Lake WB LLC, 23400 N. Luther Road, Luther, filed Feb. 18 by James C. Tapp of the same address. In-House Labs LLC, 17625 Lead Lane, filed Feb. 20 by Andrew Blakeman of the same address. 26

March 2014 | The Business Times

Manna Apps LLC, 6209 N. Midwest Blvd., filed Feb. 18 by Matthew Rice of the same address. MH Mobile 1 LLC, 609 S. Kelly, Ste. D, filed Feb. 21 by Agent Services at McAfee & Taft in Oklahoma City. Mobile Master Tech LLC, 1819 E. Springer Ave., Guthrie, filed Feb. 17 by Johnnie Taylor of the same address. Otis Wilmot, 8932 N. Penn, Crescent, filed Feb. 18 for trade name. Palmer Properties LLC, 1012 Chartrand, filed Feb. 19 by Casey LeBlanc of Edmond. Patmar Properties LLC, 1712 Magnolia Lane, filed Feb. 20 for trade name. Patmar Properties LLC, 1712 Magnolia Lane, filed Feb. 20 by Mark McKenna of the same address. Pistol Pies LLC, 3023 Hidden Prairie Circle, filed Feb. 18 by William Bajema of the same address. Prosperity Solutions LLC, 220 E. 13th St., filed Feb. 18 by Prosperity Solutions LLC of the same address. Redman Roofing & Construction LLC, 21500 N. Rockwell, filed Feb. 18 by Jose Estrada of Oklahoma City. Redtail Ventures LLC, 3408 French Park, filed Feb. 19 by Redtail Ventures LLC of the same address. Retro Clothing LLC, 1264 Skyline Blvd., filed Feb. 21 by Lauren Starr of the same address.

Sagehill One LLC, 211 N. Broadway, filed Feb. 20 by Evans & Davis Law Firm of the same address. Select Guttering Solutions LLC, 801 N.W. 194th Terrace, filed Feb. 19 by Josh Pitts of the same address.

Total Equipment & Rental of Elk City LLC, 16301 N. Rockwell, filed Feb. 20 by Kent W. Gardner PLLC of Oklahoma City. Truelm LLC, 1824 N.W. 176th Terrace, filed Feb. 18 by Joshua Turmel of the same address. Viva La Pies LLC, 509 Country Side Trail, filed Feb. 21 by Timothy Layman of the same address. Westmoore Class of 2004 Reunion LLC, 2316 N.W. 162nd St., filed Feb. 18 by Amanda Blackwood of the same address. Willco LLLP, 2322 Melody Drive, filed Feb. 18 by Alex Buersmeyer of the same address. Wilson Family Holdings LLC, 3201 Crown Feathers Drive, filed Feb. 18 by Bruce Klein of Oklahoma City.

March 2014 | The Business Times

GROWING EDMOND

Photos PROVIDED | EDMOND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Ribbon Cuttings

Gateway Services Group LLC Photo by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times Key Health Institute

Local and state dignitaries joined the public and the doctors and staff of Key Health Institute for a grand opening celebration in January. The dignitaries included Barry Switzer, OU coaching legend, as well as several state senators and representatives among other officials. Key Health Institute, formally Transformation Fitness Center on Kelly Avenue, offers a full-service medical experience underneath one roof. The integrated health and wellness services include urgent care, medical offices, a dietitian, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and a fitness facility. To learn more, go online to www.keyhealthinstitute.com.

Gateway recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of its Edmond operations center at 80 E. Fifth St., Suite 400. An energy services company with offices throughout Oklahoma and Texas, it purchased the entire four-story building at the corner of East Fifth Street and South Littler in 2013 and currently occupies the top floor. While it was founded in 1997 as a pipeline construction company, Gateway expanded its services to include drafting, mapping, land survey, horizontal directional drilling, safety and environmental restoration. “Gateway officials expect to be a viable and important contributor to the Edmond business and public community,” said Business Project Manager Kyle Thompson. For more information, call 844-7300 or visit www.gatewayok.com.

Wine Shop

Edmond Wine Shop, at 1520 S. Boulevard, recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate its fortieth anniversary. The store offers a selection of wines representing high quality, artisanal producers from around the world as well as many popular labels. Although wine is the emphasized product at the store, the shop also stocks a wide variety of spirits and beer. Recent accolades include recognition in the metro-wide Daily Oklahoman “Best of OKC” contest, a category victory in Edmond Sun’s “2012 Sunshine Awards,” as well as status as a perennial winner of Edmond Life and Leisure’s “Best Wine Store” in Edmond. For more information, call 341-9122 or visit www.edmondwine.com. 28

March 2014 | The Business Times

Heirlooms

Heirlooms Buy Consignment, at 322 W. Edmond Road, had a ribbon cutting in January to celebrate its grand opening. The shop presents premier furniture, jewelry, coins and consignment services. Heirlooms accepts gently used furniture, decorative accessories, unique items and other items for consignment and sells hundreds of pieces through its showroom every month. Consignments sell in an average of 21 days. Offerings consist of items such as living room, dining room and bedroom furniture, as well as décor, estate sale pieces, antiques and more. For more information, call 405-315-0342 or visit www.heirloomsfurniture.com.

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March 2014 | The Business Times

BUSINESS CALENDAR Boulevard Rotary Club 6-7 p.m. March 3 (Club meets every Monday) Louie’s Bar and Grill 1201 N.W. 178th St., Suite 101 For more information, http://facebook.com/ BoulevardRotary Centennial Kiwanis Club 6 p.m. March 3 (Club meets every Monday) Italian Jim’s Restaurant 13 S. Broadway Edmond Summit Rotary Club 7 a.m. March 4 (Meets every Tuesday) Oklahoma Christian University 2501 E. Memorial Drive For more information, call 405-CUEARLY Planning Commission 5:30 p.m. March 4 (First and third Tuesday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda Edmond Rotary Club Noon March 5 (Club meets every Wednesday) Henderson Hills Baptist Church 1200 W. I-35 Frontage Road For more information, facebook.com/ rotaryclubofedmond Edmond Kiwanis Club Noon March 5 (Club meets every Wednesday) Cherokee Room in Nigh University Center 100 N. University Drive Edmond Exchange Club 7 a.m. March 6 (Club meets every Thursday) Room 213 in the Nigh University Center 100 N. University Drive For more information about the club, visit www.facebook.com/ EdmondMorningExchangeClub. REI Women’s Business Center Women’s Business Breakfast 8:15-10 a.m. March 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 Edmond AMBUCS Noon March 7 (Club meets every Friday) Cherokee Room in Nigh University Center 100 N. University Drive Call June Cartwright at 405-820-9667 for more information City Council 5:30 p.m. March 10 (Second and fourth Mondays) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda 30

March 2014 | The Business Times

Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Business Development Luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 11 Topic: Branding on a Budget Edmond Chamber 825 E. Second St. RSVP required to info@edmondchamber. com; Cost: $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers Edmond Evening Lions Club 6 p.m. March 11 (Club meets second and fourth Tuesday) Johnnie’s 33 E. 33rd St. for more information, call Bob Austin at 285-4980 Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours 5:30-7 p.m. March 11 Bank SNB 1440 S. Bryant Ave. No RSVP required for chamber members; cost free. Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Total Resource Campaign Reward Session 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 12 MIDCON Data Services RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com; Cost: Free. *Must be a campaign participant to attend Oklahoma City American Marketing Association 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 13 (Second Thursday of the month) Will Rogers Theatre 4322 N. Western Ave., Oklahoma City, 73118 For more information, www.amaokc.org. Edmond Economic Development Authority Board of Trustees 8:15 a.m. March 18 (Third Tuesday) 825 E. Second St. Visit www.eeda.com; Call 340-0116 Edmond Young Professionals Networking event 5:30-7 p.m. March 18 The Garage 601 S. Bryant Ave. RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com. Cost: Free to EYP members Planning Commission 5:30 p.m. March 18 (First and third Tuesday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda Launch Pad FT Discovery at Lunchtime seminar Noon to 1 p.m. March 20 Speaker: Kathy Wallis Topic: The Legal Issues You Don’t Know About Cost: Free. Call Launch Pad FT Business Incubator at 717-7730 to register.

City Council 5:30 p.m. March 24 (Second and fourth Monday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda

Edmond Noon Exchange Club Noon March 26 (Fourth Wednesday of the month) Italian Jim’s Restaurant 13 S. Broadway To learn more, visit https://www. facebook.com/edmondexchange

Edmond Chapter of National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association 11:30 a.m. March 25 (Fourth Tuesday of the month) Oklahoma Christian University — Gaylord University Center 2501 E. Memorial Road Meetings are open to any current or retired federal employee or spouse. Lunch cost is $8.50. To register, email Jerry Reese at jreese5@cox.net

Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Breakfast 7:30-9 a.m. March 27 Speaker: Jill Castilla, Citizens Bank of Edmond president and 2013 Woman of the Year Topic: Rebuilding for a Better Tomorrow; Leaving a Legacy Oklahoma Christian Gaylord University Center 2501 E. Memorial Road RSVP required; Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members

Launch Pad FT Discovery at Lunchtime seminar Noon to 1 p.m. March 25 Speaker: Anita Kelley Topic: Finding Your Unique Selling Position Cost: Free. Call Launch Pad FT Business Incubator at 717-7730 to register. Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Morning Mingle 8-9:30 a.m. March 26 Oklahoma Fidelity Bank 1127 E. Second St. No RSVP required and event is free for chamber members. Member rewards drawing will be at this event

Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Total Resource Campaign Reward Session 4-5 p.m. April 4 Quail Creek Golf & Country Club RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com; Cost: Free. *Must be a campaign participant to attend

TO ADD your business event to this free calendar, email the details to lshearer@edmondsun.com.

Business Briefs Oklahoma contractor lands software engineering bids

UCO grads bring Counterclock Custom T-shirts to Edmond

Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma LLC has added several contracts within the past 60 days for software engineering services. DRG is now contracted by several large defense contractors to provide software engineering and subject matter expert services. DRG is tasked with development and modifications of simulator training devices and virtual maintenance trainers for several U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft along with other military programs. The combined subcontracts exceed $2 million a year with options through 2020. Brian Busey DRG has hired several new employees in the last several weeks and plans to hire an additional 10 to 15 to meet the requirements of the new subcontracts. The new employees will work from DRG’s offices in Jacksonville, Fla.; Salt Lake Cit y and St. Louis. “The diversification element of our business is a testament to the hard work of our team,” said Brian Busey, senior vice president and chief operations officer. “The added capabilit y will augment and contribute to our overall long-term strategy.”

University of Central Oklahoma graduates and fraternity brothers Brian Downs and Nik McDaniel used to sell T-shirts to campus organizations and one might say the “come back kids have come back to their roots” by moving their Counterclock Custom T-shirts business to Edmond. Nik McDaniel & Brian Downs “We started our business a little more than a year ago now in Oklahoma City, but the decision to move the business to Edmond allows us to come home,” Downs said. “We are excited to be in Edmond.” Their business includes custom design, screen printing and embroidery. “Since opening last February we have sold more than 20,000 apparel pieces our first year in business,” Downs said. Counterclock is at 321 W. 18th St., Suite 170 and online at www. counterclocktees.com. For more information or a free quote, call 8444921 or stop by from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Wooster achieves Modern Woodmen management honor

Carson Wooster

Carson Wooster of Edmond, a Modern Woodmen of America managing partner, has earned membership in Modern Woodmen’s Managing Partner Round Table. The distinction recognizes outstanding leadership and is based on high achievements in life insurance sales. Membership in Modern Woodmen’s Managing Partner Round Table is limited to the top managers nationwide. Modern Woodmen’s local office is at 101 W. Fifth St. in Edmond. For more information, call Wooster at 513-7642.

Mercy named 22nd healthiest workplace in U.S. Mercy recently was named one of the 2014 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America, ranking No. 22 and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Baylor Health Care System, Vanderbilt Universit y and Verizon Wireless. Healthiest Employers, a leader in employee health analytics, took a year-long look at companies of all sizes, and from all regions and industries, and culled the Healthiest 100 that have successfully implemented practical, effective and ever improving corporate wellness strategies for creating a sustainably healthy workplace. Mercy got the nod in part thanks to its Walk to Dublin program, which challenged co-workers to collectively walk 6,183 miles in a month (the distance to Dublin, Ireland, where Mercy was born). Co-workers walked 123,000 miles (a total of nearly 250 million steps). “We have more than 40,000 co-workers and many of the states where we serve lead the nation in obesit y,” said Lynn Britton, president and CEO of Mercy. “Through a focus on healthy lifest yles, Mercy’s goal is to reverse the trend.” For the full list of 100 healthiest workplaces and more, go online to http://healthiest100.com/h100-full-list/.

Red Sky Constructors LLC promotes two

James Kerr

David Tichenor

Red Sky Constructors LLC, an Edmond-based construction management company specializing in certified construction management services, has promoted James Kerr from vice president of Construction Services to president and David Tichenor from senior project manager to director of Construction Services. Red Sky started as a specialties subcontractor and has grown to a full service construction management firm with clients across Oklahoma and Texas. Kerr will be responsible for the overall daily operations of Red Sky while also serving as the vice president of the architecture firm, kerr 3 design group inc. He has an extensive architectural and construction management background, having worked more than 13 years in the industry. Tichenor will be responsible for the coordination of all Red Sky project management and project estimation activity. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the construction management industry.

March 2014 | The Business Times

Business Book Review

by Terri Schlichenmeyer | The bookworm sez

“Idea to Invention” by Patricia Nolan-Brown

c.2014, Amacom $17.95/$20.95 Canada 256 pages

That little problem you’ve got is going to take some serious thinking. Something’s not working out right, it’s not fixing an issue you’re wrestling with. It’s frustrating. You’ve tinkered and poked at it and you’re finally convinced that what you need is for somebody to invent a … So why not you? Author Patricia NolanBrown says that anyone can be an inventor, and in her new book “Idea to Invention,” she tells you how. They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and Patricia Nolan-Brown embodies that old saw. Just after she became a mother for the first time, she noticed a need for a product that wasn’t on store shelves so she invented it. But inventing — putting your ideas out there for acceptance or rejection — might seem scary. You’ve seen TV’s “Shark Tank.” You’ve seen wannabes who go broke obsessing over hair-brained ideas. You have to be rich, super-talented and highly educated be an inventor, right? No, says Nolan-Brown. “Ordinary people create their own success all the time … .” As long as you keep in mind “six-plussix,” you can do it, too. First, cultivate an “I.N.V.E.N.T.” 32

March 2014 | The Business Times

personality. Maintain a childlike Inquisitiveness. Be curious and observant. Practice your Nerve to stay the course and ignore naysayers. Use your Voice to display your passion. Keep your Energy level high by taking care of you. Feed your dreams the proper Nourishment by surrounding yourself with “cheerleaders.” And stick with it. Tenacity is the key. Next, think about your product while researching. Is there something else like it in stores? Does your idea improve on something that’s already available? Who’s your potential customer? Become familiar with terms and procedures you’ll need to know in order to bring your product to market. Determine the answers to “So what? Who Cares? What’s in it for me?” Be careful to keep your ideas quiet while you’re in the early stages, before you’ve filed for a patent — which, incidentally, may be something you can do yourself. Finally, put fear of failure aside and “try something on your own.” Says NolanBrown, “… the longest journey begins with a single step. It’s time to take it.” Did you ever see something useful/ unique/cool and say, “I coulda thought

of that.” Now you will, with “Idea to Invention.” With overflowing enthusiasm, NolanBrown helps readers take their creative notions from mind to market, step-byside-step. Though she calls it “simple,” I thought her method was anything but: There’s a lot to know when you’re an inventing entrepreneur, including that things get complicated. But that’s OK. Nolan-Brown is very thorough here, and answers all types of issues before they’d normally pop up on the path to production. That’s helpful, like someone holding your hand in the process. If you’ve had a brainstorm for a new product but you don’t have a clue how to proceed, get to a bookshelf soon. This Bible for Builders should be the next thing you read. For you, “Idea to Invention” is what I seriously think you need.

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

Skimpy Mixers combines great taste with low calories

kimpy Mixers are the newest thing in drink mixes and they have hit the store shelves in Edmond. Walmart is stocking this low-calorie drink sensation in more than 1,300 stores across the nation, and the two Walmart Supercenters have them available in Edmond. Skimpy Mixers created these mixes to give consumers a unique flavor and a healthier alternative when drinking alcoholic beverages by tying in with their motto, “Skimp on the Calories, Not on the Taste.” During a bachelorette pool party, Megan Toole, now TooleHall, was introduced to a frozen drink tasting remarkably like a Dreamsicle. It was called what else, a Frozen Dreamsicle, and when the frozen drink ran out she was left wanting another. “I left that party searching for a Frozen Dreamsicle,” TooleHall said.

Finding drinks of the same name but that just didn’t taste the same, Toole said she and her friends started experimenting with flavors. “We found out the original drink had about 800 calories so we got in our kitchen and started subbing down,” Toole said, “to try to mimic the original version by trying several different sweeteners and multiple ingredients. We would invite our neighbors over to taste test, and it took us a year and a half to finally get the flavor we wanted.” Skimpy Mixers has three co-founders, President/CEO Megan Toole-Hall; Vice President Krista LaMothe and co-founder Summer Lamons. Both Toole-Hall and Lamons graduated from Edmond North High School in 1995 and ran cross country together. LaMothe is from Perry, Ill., and graduated from the University of North March 2014 | The Business Times

LAST LOOK Continued...

Edmond’s Premier Caterer Weddings - Graduation Office Gatherings - Parties - Birthdays ALL YOUR SPECIAL EVENTS! Texas with a degree in marketing. The ladies use a real fruit concentrate and Splenda for sweetener to come up with flavors that have 45 calories or less for each drink mix. The Skimpy Mixers line now has five flavors including Orange, Pineapple, Berry Lemonade, Skimpy Margarita and Sweet ‘N Sour with Cherry Limeade set to come out in the near future. Each flavor is under 45 calories and has 7 grams of sugar. “In October we decided, ‘Let’s go to Walmart,’” Megan said. “I walked into the corporate offices and walked out with 50 stores. Those grew to 250 stores, then 350, and now we are in more than 1,300 stores across the nation. “It has been quite a ride,” she added. “We knew we had a great product that everyone loves, even the guys, but we had no idea it would take off so fast. We hope this is the beginning of something big.” Skimpy Mixers LLC headquarters are based in Carrollton, Texas, and the mixers are formulated there and bottled in Chicago. The founders have been collectively based in the Dallas area for 14 years. Their distinctive zebra-print bottle sleeves makes them easy to spot on store shelves. The mixers retail for about $4.98 per 32-ounce bottle. They also can be purchased by the case, online at www.SkimpyMixers.com. FIND Skimpy Mixers on Facebook, Twitter @SkimpyMixers, Instagram, VINE and Pinterest.

Our Professional Chefs & Butchers will deliver the finest to your special event! - ENTREES Beef • Pork • Poultry • Seafood - SIDES (Hot & Cold) - FRESH BAKERY ITEMS Bread • Rolls • Dessert

We’ll Custom-Build Your Special Menu Why Go Anywhere Else?

Located At 2249 W. Danforth

W. Danforth & N. Santa Fe

(405) 509-2900

March 2014 | The Business Times

Open 7 Days, 9am - 7pm

Located at the intersection of I-35 and Covell Road in Edmond, the Business Innovation Center provides a new, purpose-built environment in which Francis Tuttle can deliver programs and services to the Edmond area more efficiently and more comfortably.

The Center serves four main functions: • Customized Training Services • Career Development & Personal Enrichment

• Launch Pad FT Business Incubator • Center for Municipal Excellence

2824 Progressive Drive • Edmond, OK 73034 francistuttle.edu • 405.717.7799

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDMOND OK PERMIT NO. 84

ALL IN ONE PLACE: Edmond’s Newest, Largest And Most Advanced ER. Edmond’s Only NICU. Edmond’s Only Dual Plane Cath Lab.

In a perfect world, no one would ever have to face a life-threatening injury or health crisis. But when those times do arise – and every second counts – it’s good to know the most complete critical care available in the area is also the most convenient. INTEGRIS Health Edmond is the first to bring a life-saving dual plane heart catheterization lab to the area, so intervention is moments away instead of miles away. Our Level II NICU, the only one in the Edmond area, is standing by to make sure our tiniest patients have the biggest protection available, 24 hours a day. And speaking of hours in a day … we’ll save you a few with the shortest ER wait times in town and a location that’s not only close, but the most convenient by far. With claims like that, it’s no wonder we can now also claim Edmond’s highest patient satisfaction rating.*

The Most Challenging Healing.

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integrisok.com/edmond *Press Ganey, 2013