HI, I’M JOE TAYLOR. Overton, Texas. What keeps me coming back to the Trail? It’s just absolutely sensational.
I have people tell me what they’ve spent playing one round at Pebble Beach and a night at the hotel, or going to Pinehurst for a couple rounds. We do the entire week, travel, hotel, green fees, good meals and everything for the price of one day at these places. And it’s absolutely a sensational place to come. TO PLAN YOUR VISIT to Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, visit rtjresorts.com or call 1.800.949.4444 today. facebook.com/rtjgolf twitter.com/rtjgolf
ED M O N D, O K LAH O MA
July 2014
VOL. 6 | NO. 7
INSIDE
2014
PUBLISHER Karan Ediger 405-341-2121 kediger@edmondsun.com MANAGING Lisa Shearer EDITOR 405-341-2121 lshearer@edmondsun.com
Neighbors cleans up Edmond, eyes expansion
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MULTIMEDIA Carolyn Womack-Jenner SALES 405-341-2121 MANAGER cjenner@edmondsun.com
CEO helps build a better business climate
SALES TEAM Terri Bohanan Brittany Eddins Kaycee Wagner CONTRIBUTING Mike Crandall WRITERS Jim Denton Cyndy Hoenig Nick Massey Patty Miller Van Mitchell Tim Priebe Terri Schlichenmeyer Mark Schlachtenhaufen
Mark Neighbors is always looking for ways to improve the quality of business at Parkway Cleaners located at 136 E. Fifth St. that was started in 1959 by his father Ed Neighbors and is now co-owned by him and his brother Brian.
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Kitt Letcher, of Edmond, honed her leadership skills at the United Way of Canadian County before deciding it was time to make that leap to the next level.
EPA refrigerant mandate will cost consumers
10
A key date in the phase out schedule of ozone-depleting chemicals, including a refrigerant known as hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) or R-22, is fast approaching and consumers need to be aware of the changes occurring as a result.
James Coburn 102 Tweets - Social Media Update Ideas for Businesses & NonProfits
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 © July 2014.
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Business Times columnist Tim Priebe is here to help people stay in the tweet of things with his latest book “102 Tweets: Social Media Update Ideas for Businesses & Nonprofits.”
Cover Photo by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times July 2014 | The Business Times
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from our Publisher
Successful businesses thrive off a winning culture
T
o our readers: Edmond is made up of some exceptionally good people as well as business owners. In this issue of The Business Times we’re celebrating independent businesses. An independent business owner faces a lot of challenges and a lot of times they face it on their own. Something that most of these businesses practice is creating a winning culture for their employees to thrive. The right culture fosters engagement, loyalty and productivity. So, I’m going to share some tips by Jack Daly, author of “Hyper Sales Growth.” Some companies outpace their competition because of their culture. Daly offers these tips for growing a business culture that inspires loyalty, engagement and the high performance those qualities produce. Start new hires on Friday and with a big welcome! Many managers think new employees should start on Monday the day when their co-workers are facing a long to-do list for the week. Starting them on Friday allows them to start when the office is a little looser. Consider having a welcome party. Recognize accomplishments by putting it in writing — handwriting. An actual letter is a personal touch and the receiver knows that the manager or CEO has taken some time and effort to create a special communication for them. Provide lunch for free. While many cringe at the expense, employee appreciation outweighs the cost and it keeps people engaged within the office, rather than having people leave for lunch. You will be amazed what you learn about people by having a simple meal together.
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July 2014 | The Business Times
Flatten the privilege structure. For instance, if upper management has special parking consider doing away with it. Upper management should not feel too entitled or privileged above other employees. Enjoy this month’s Business Times and take time to visit some independently owned businesses!
KARAN EDIGER is publisher of The Business Times of Edmond, The Edmond Sun and Community Connection.
Neighbors cleans up Edmond, eyes expansion
Photos by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times
By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times
M
ark Neighbors is always looking for ways to improve the quality of business at Parkway Cleaners located at 136 E. Fifth St. that was started in 1959 by his father Ed Neighbors and is now co-owned by him and his brother Brian. And, that includes looking that the possibility of expanding Parkway Cleaners through the purchase of another cleaners in the Edmond area in the next few years. “I am going to start looking at other cleaners in the next few years,” Neighbors said. “We have reached near capacity here. I can’t stand not to grow.” Neighbors, who puts in about 80 hours a week at work, also owns and co-owns Mark’s Shoe Room and Parkway Men’s Wear, respectively. The three businesses now employ about 60 people collectively. He and his siblings also own and lease 90,000 square feet of commercial space west of them on Fifth Street, to Hideaway Pizza, Sam’s Optical and others. Neighbors said getting to work with his family was something he always wanted to do. He said his parents never pushed him to join the family business. 6
July 2014 | The Business Times
“I wanted to work with my family,” Neighbors said. “My parents told us it was more important to be happy with what we were doing than to be in the family business.” Neighbors said he learned a lot from working with his parents on how to run a business and has taken it to the next level. “My goal has always been to be the best at anything that I do,” Neighbors said. “I don’t worry about my competition. I worry about making me better every day.” Neighbors said making the business better includes working hard and treating the customer right. “I believe in working as hard as anybody else if not harder,” he said. “The way you act permeates your entire business. The success comes from focusing on the customer. Treating them with respect is important.” That attitude toward business has earned Parkway Cleaners honors locally and nationally. The business recently was recognized as the No. 1 dry cleaners in the nation by America’s Best Cleaners. America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) is a national organization that strives to locate and recognize the best dry-cleaning establishments in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. To
that end, America’s Best Cleaners has devised and implements the toughest standards of quality in the dry cleaning industry. To assure dry-cleaning clients, designers, retailers and manufacturers that they will receive the utmost professional care ABC affiliates are inspected thoroughly and tested monthly and yearly with on-site inspections. America’s Best Cleaners also takes surveys of retailers and clients, secret shopping reports and listens to customer to ensure the continued quality of service for all affiliates. Neighbors said the recognition helps reinforce his dedication to making Parkway Cleaners the best it can be. “It gives my clients more faith in what I do,” he said. Neighbors said another key to Parkway Cleaners’ success is the dedication and commitment from its staff, which has little turnover each year. He said the turnover rate averages about 12 percent a year at Parkway, while the national average turnover rate for dry cleaners is more than 200 percent. “We believe that by taking better care of our staff they take better care of our customers and we all benefit,” Neighbors said. “My management team is wide and deep and they are all very good.” Neighbors said technology also has played an important role in making Parkway Cleaners a continued success. “Our cleaners are so efficient with the technology that we have,” Neighbors said. Neighbors said while operating multiple businesses can be challenging, one of his favorite parts of the job is interacting with customers.
“I work in the clothing store and shoe store every Saturday just so I can see all my friends who are customers and serve them,” he said. “I love serving people. I have a pretty great life. I have been very blessed.”
July 2014 | The Business Times
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CEO helps build a better business climate By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times
K
itt Letcher, of Edmond, honed her leadership skills at the United Way of Canadian County before deciding it was time to make that leap to the next level. And, in May 2013, she did that by becoming president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, a private, nonprofit Oklahoma corporation that serves Central and Western Oklahoma. In her role, Letcher works with the board of directors to develop and provide leadership toward the achievement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, goals and objectives. She’s responsible for all BBB operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, service and cost-effective management of resources. “What was great about working at the United Way was that I got to take on a lot of leadership roles,” Letcher said. “This really helped me take it to the next level.” Letcher previously worked closely with the United Way’s board of directors managing the community investment process for 17 partner agencies. During her tenure at United Way, she increased workplace campaign contributions in United Way of Canadian County, Heart of the City campaign and United Way of Central Oklahoma divisions and worked with volunteers to annually coordinate United Way of Canadian County special events. She also served as director for Volunteer Center and Community Initiatives, where she developed and implemented a pilot mentoring program for Oklahoma City Public Schools and recruited 45 mentors for every second-grade student at Kaiser Elementary as part of Oklahoma City Public Schools Pilot Project. Letcher has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Tulsa with a major in marketing. For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been 8
July 2014 | The Business Times
Photo by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times
helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2012, consumers turned to BBB 124 million times for business reviews on more than 4.5 million companies and charity reports on 11,000 charities. Since taking the reins at the BBB, located at 17 S. Dewey in Oklahoma City, she has increased the staff from 5 to 13. “We have done a lot of transformation to this BBB in providing a lot more programming and relationship building with the accredited businesses than we have in previous years,” Letcher said. “That is an area where I think we should focus and is a priority for me.” Letcher said she increased the BBB staff to be able to have a local business development team to help consumers and businesses. “We used to outsource our business development team,” she said. “The individuals that would call businesses and make the invitation for businesses to become accredited and come to talk to them were done from a company based in Florida. Being from Oklahoma and wanting to keep it local, I felt very strongly about brining that in-house. Sometimes that face-to-face is a lot more important than what we can do over the phone.” Letcher said there are just fewer than 2,200 BBB accredited businesses in central Oklahoma, or 4 percent of the potential market penetration. “They range from one employee to thousands of employees,” she said. Letcher said businesses can receive a BBB rating and accreditation. To become BBB accredited, businesses have to undergo an application process and extensive background check. “Any business can get a BBB rating,” Letcher said. “They have to submit their questionnaire and have it put online. A rating
is not the same as an accreditation. I don’t want consumers to confuse a rating with an accreditation because when a business has that BBB seal, they have really gone the extra effort to elevate their business.” Letcher said businesses must renew their BBB accreditation each year. “Whether it (business) is year one or year 80, we expect them to do business in an ethical manner,” she said. Q: What are the key benefits for a business to be BBB accredited? A: It does add a level of credibility to their business. Consumers can look at our website and look when walking into a business and seeing that seal of accreditation then a consumer knows they have gone through our accreditation process. Q: Describe what your day-to-day duties are? A: A lot of days are to look at the big picture of how the BBB impacts the community and make sure we are internally doing everything we need to do to walk the talk. Our reputation is built on the credibility of the accredited businesses that we work with and we have to run our business like we would expect any accredited business would. Q: What did you learn from your time at the United Way that has transferred to the BBB? A: One of the best things I got from United Way was transparency and understanding the value of transparency with the community. What we are doing as a nonprofit it completely available to the community of how we conduct business and we accredit businesses. Q: Describe your leadership skills. A: I am a team person. Nonprofits are a great place to work because you get to wear many hats. I rely on a really great team that also can fill that role. I don’t do just one specific thing and the same goes for our entire staff. I love building a team that really fits that and understands that it takes everybody moving in the same direction. Q: What is the biggest misconception about the BBB? A: I really enjoy helping consumers and businesses understand what the BBB does. A lot of people look and think we are just here for the businesses and for consumers to provide complaints. We are not really just one or the other. We really do everything else in between. Q: Scams are sometimes a problem in Oklahoma. How does the BBB help protect the consumers and businesses from this? A: We can really help them identify scams. If they get a piece of mail or an email and don’t really understand it and feel it is questionable, they can call us and we can help them navigate through that and help them determine whether it is legitimate or not. It is really easy for people to go online and see who is an
accredited business and see what their business and customer reviews are. They can also call us anytime at 405-239-6081. Q: What is the best part of your job? A: I really enjoyed building this team. The staff that I get to work with every day is exceptionally fun because they are so hardworking and they are so dynamic and do a great job every day. I enjoy working with the accredited businesses and helping build those relationships and helping them really understand how we can help benefit them makes me happy. It is really enjoyable knowing we can make a difference in so many areas. Q: Your husband Stuart is a pilot in the Air National Guard and travels some. How do you strike a balance between your careers and raising two children? A: He is home a lot more. We have a really good way of working together to get all of our needs met and making sure that we communicate. We utilize family and friends to make it all come together. Q: How do you spend your time away from work? A: Family is always a priority. My daughter and I go horse riding together. I like to go to movies and I love to read. Q: What is your vision for this BBB over the next few years? A: The possibilities are unlimited of what we can do. My biggest goal is education and helping people understand what a BBB can do and what we are here to do. I also want to be able to help educate different populations and we are working more with seniors so that they are not taken advantage of. We are working with college students who are getting ready to go into the workforce and we are working with our military population because they are a huge target for scams. July 2014 | The Business Times
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will cost consumers
By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times
A
key date in the phase out schedule of ozonedepleting chemicals, including a refrigerant known as hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) or R-22, is fast approaching and consumers need to be aware of the changes occurring as a result. Through Title VI of the Clean Air Act, implemented by the EPA, the federal government is required to reduce consumption of HCFCs by 90 percent below the U.S. baseline by Jan. 1, 2015, according to EPA.gov. “R-22 is most commonly used as a refrigerant and contains chemicals that are harmful to the environment,” said Jon Hill, general manager of Hill & Company, a locally owned heating, ventilation and air conditioning company. “The phase out date will be here before we know it and many consumers may not realize what that means for their systems currently running on the refrigerant.” As R-22 production decreases, alternate solutions will become available and at a higher cost, said Dennis McCollough, service manager with Hill & Company. 10
July 2014 | The Business Times
He said prices of refrigerant are continuing to rise and will see an intense spike on Jan. 1. By 2020, the consumption of HCFCs is required to drop 99.5 percent, but that date could be expedited to 2018. “The price of the refrigerant is going out of sight,” McCollough said. “It keeps going up every year.” McCollough said consumers who are still using systems cooled by R-22 should talk to an HVAC professional and discuss alternative solutions for servicing their heat pumps and AC systems. He said the best way to ensure your system is running effectively and efficiently is through pre-scheduled maintenance. McCollough said maintenance plans, like Hill & Company’s Smart Service, ensures that a consumers system is being regularly checked and tuned-up and also reduces the cost of maintenance and operation. “If their units are in good shape what they need to do is make sure there are no refrigerant leaks in the system,” McCollough said. “If they are losing refrigerant they need to get it fixed. It will
MidconAd2013__ 9/6/13 4:20 PM Page 1
cost them a little bit, but not near as much as a new unit.” McCollough said another option for consumers in the shortterm is the development of a drop-in refrigerant that takes the place of R-22. He cautioned though some manufacturers have warned they would void the warranties on their HVAC units if homeowners choose this route. “There are a lot of people using it and it is a lot less expensive than getting a new unit,” he said. According to the EPA website, highly efficient systems also can save homeowners anywhere from 10 percent to 40 percent on heating and cooling bills every year, in addition to protecting the environment. A new AC system purchase could be necessary. The Clean Air Act mandates HVAC manufacturers not produce new air conditioners and heat pumps containing R-22. As a general rule, AC systems last about 10 years. Systems purchased before 2010 and running on R-22 may become obsolete by 2020, as consumption of HCFCs is required to drop by 99.5 percent and R-22 will become unavailable for purchase. McCollough said homeowners need to look at all their options in determining solutions to save money in the long run on system replacement and service due to the heavy regulations. For more information, visit www.topahill.com.
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what’s new?
Around Town
I-35 hotel/conference center steps closer to reality The City of Edmond and Covell I-35 Development LLC are about to close on a property exchange for a hotel-conference center site, said Janet Yowell, executive director of the Edmond Economic Development Authority. “We are anticipating an October or November groundbreaking for the hotel and conference center,” Yowell told the EEDA board on June 17. The Edmond City Council in October 2013 approved a proposal by Covell I-35 Development LLC concerning a property exchange for the hotel-conference center site. Covell/I-35 Development LLC is developing infrastructure for the $25.5
million Hilton Garden Inn farther west, within the northwest corner of I-35 and Covell. A movie theater group has shown interest in developing a 150,000-square-foot complex at the site, Yowell said. They would like it to be near activity generated by Summit Sports, she said. However, the theater group has not determined an east or west location on Covell and I-35. Braum’s has shown interest in the southwest corridor of I-35 and Covell as well as a gas and convenience store is making inquiries, Yowell said.
33rd Street and Boulevard shopping center Vanguard Development is making a multi-million dollar commitment to the shopping center at 33rd Street and Boulevard, saying its potential for a new retail life is unmatched. Hobby Lobby formerly anchored this 1981 shopping center before moving to greener pastures at 33rd and Broadway. After languishing for several years, new owners Vanguard are 12
July 2014 | The Business Times
completely repurposing the 96,112-square-foot center in the hopes of attracting new tenants with a $3 million facelift. There is 79,547 square feet available for lease when the project finishes in August. The Edmond Economic Development Authority’s Janet Yowell said several grocery stores have expressed interest in the site, but as of late June none have committed.
Public Safety Center officials mark topping out with ceremony Edmond Police Chief Bob Ricks said the concrete skeleton of the $25.6 million, 70,000-square-foot struture is now complete and exterior steps including brick laying will begin soon. City officials celebrated the milestone in the two-year project with a topping out ceremony and luncheon June 25. He said the completion date in the contract was September 2015, but at the current pace, if things go well, leaders hope to be done by June 2015. The downtown structure, located across the street from the current Edmond Police Department location, will contain the Police Department, public safety communications and emergency management functions. The price tag for furniture, fixtures and equipment for the downtown facility is an estimated $3.5 million, bringing the total project cost, which includes an auxiliary building west of Broadway and 33rd Street, to $32.29 million.
July 2014 | The Business Times
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T
Columnist tweets his way to his third book release
im Priebe, owner of T&S Online Marketing, recently released his third business book. In place of his regular monthly column, Tim took a few moments to chat with The Business Times of Edmond about “102 Tweets: Social Media Update Ideas for Businesses & Nonprofits.”
However, when I did my due diligence, I found that I couldn’t get all the digital properties I needed. Either the domain name, Facebook username, or Twitter handle was already taken. When I bumped it up to 102 ideas, I had much better luck. For example, I grabbed @102tweetsbook on Twitter.
Q: When was the release date? A: The book was published on April 24. Completely by coincidence, that was two years and one day after my last book.
Q: What are the most common mistakes businesses make on social media these days? A: One of the biggest mistakes businesses and nonprofits alike make is thinking they have to get a complete understanding of social media before they start. While it is important to have goals and a plan to reach those goals, for many the biggest step is to just get started. Of course, everyone is wired differently, and some have no problem jumping in feet first. That’s certainly my personal tendency. In those cases, the mistake is the lack of those goals and plan to reach them. It’s important to step back and look at the big picture to make sure it’s even worth your time and effort. The truth is social media is not a good fit for every person or every organization! If you don’t take that time to really evaluate, you can easily end up wasting resources. The misconception that social media is free simply isn’t true. At the minimum, you have to invest time. And most people undervalue their own time. Without goals and a plan, you can waste tons of time.
Q: Who published your book? A: So far, all my books have been published directly through my company. For the past 11 years we’ve been known as T&S Web Design, and that’s the official name in 102 Tweets. But we actually changed our name July 1 to T&S Online Marketing. Q: Why write a book about tweets? A: Over the last few years, I have run into dozens of people who believed that social media could benefit their organization, but they either didn’t know what to write, or were worried about writing the wrong thing. I wanted to provide a tool for those people to get through that mental block and start utilizing social media. And the ideas can be applied to any social media site that has text-based updates. That includes Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+. Q: Why specifically 102 ideas? A: I wanted to give around 100 ideas so that the reader would have more than three months’ worth of updates if they were to post daily. In an effort to over-deliver, I bumped it up to 101 ideas. 14
July 2014 | The Business Times
Q: How will your new book help readers fix those problems? A: The book is definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s not a book on planning, or setting goals, or even choosing the right social media platforms. But if their problem is waiting too long before starting, it may be a good fit.
What many of my readers have told me is that they weren’t being consistently active on social media before buying the book. Now, they sit down once a day for just a couple minutes. Q: What tips can you give for writing a more engaging tweet? A: One of the update ideas in the book is to write a specific question. A lot of people try to promote interaction by asking questions online, but end up making them way too general. Asking a very specific question tends to get more answers. Although it’s definitely not a guarantee! Q: Would you recommend that every business have a Twitter account? Why or why not? A: Social media in general is not a good idea for every organization. And even if it is, Twitter’s not always the best fit. I typically recommend people look at four things when considering any social media platform: The audience on that platform and how well it matches their target market; the capabilities of that platform and how well that matches their needs and capabilities; the comfort level the person who will be doing the actual work has with that platform; and the overall culture of the platform and how well it matches their company culture. Given all that, there is something to be said for maintaining at least a minimum presence on what I consider the four major social networks: Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn. While it may not make sense to invest a lot of resources in one that’s not a really good fit, it’s still a good idea to have a presence, so people can find you there if that’s their preferred social networking website. Q: How do you use Twitter to engage with current and potential clients? A: To engage my target market and those who are already my clients, I do two things. I post on a regular basis, and I interact with others on a regular basis. I use all sorts of methods for doing both of those, but I actually spend very little time on Twitter on a daily basis. I’m actually much better at consistency in the business accounts I manage than I am in my personal account. But I tend to do much more interaction with my personal account than I do with my business account. Regardless, it’s important to do both to get the best results. Q: You’re now the author of three books. What will your next book project be about? A: This year I expect to finish book four, which I’ve actually been working on for around five years, give or take. It’s similar to 102 Tweets, but for blogging. It’s called Blog a Week, and will have 52 blog topic ideas, along with exercises to help with the different topics. If anyone’s interested, they can sign up to be emailed when the book launches at blogaweek.com. 102 Tweets is 108 pages long and may be purchased at Amazon.com in paperback or a Kindle version. There is a free preview on 102tweets.com, as well as links to purchase both versions from Amazon.
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15
business matters
Nick Massey Astute Investor
Don’t bet against the Fed? T
he year was 1907. The stock market was down 50 percent from the year before and bankruptcies were skyrocketing. There was no such thing as the Federal Reserve Bank then and panic was in the air. The two most prominent figures on Wall Street met to discuss what should be done. Jesse Livermore was summoned by J.P. Morgan to listen to a proposition. Livermore was one of the most successful, or notorious, stock traders of his day. Morgan, using the bank’s reserves, would support the banking system and bolster the markets if he, Livermore, would stop taking short positions. (Short stock positions are bets that stocks are going down.) The foremost banking leader convinced the foremost investment “bear” of the time that it was their patriotic duty (and best personal interests) to take this action. Livermore agreed. He closed out his short stock positions and promised to be nice. Of course, he also bought a lot of stock and made a killing. So much for patriotism. Morgan, on the other hand, convinced the rest of his bank colleagues to pony up enough money to save the day. The story goes that he got them all in a room, locked the door, and wouldn’t let anyone out until
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July 2014 | The Business Times
they agreed. When asked what money the banks should use, he simply said, “The people’s money, the deposits, after all why do you think they call them the reserves?” The banking system, the stock market and the country at large were all saved and Morgan became a hero. However, a dangerous precedent was set and unrealistic expectations were established. This led to the founding of the Federal Reserve Bank in 1913 and was supposed to be the end of big swings in the market and economic activity. We all know how well that is working. The expression, “don’t fight the Fed,” or any central bank for that matter, became the rallying cry for all bull markets at the end of their run. So it was in 1929 when a collapsing market and the powers to be, once again turned to J.P. Morgan to save the day. For a few brief days in that fateful October, the echoes of the past reverberated through
“ At any negative fluctuation the federal bankers will spring into action and theoretically save the day — until they can’t.”
the canyons of Wall Street and investors breathed a sigh of relief. However, reality set in on Oct. 29, 1929, when all the money the banks could muster could not stop the onslaught. It turned out that the markets were bigger than any bank. So it is today the world sleeps soundly knowing the Fed has its back. At any negative fluctuation the federal bankers will spring into action and theoretically save the day — until they can’t. Again and again the Fed’s ability to ride to the rescue takes more and more money and creates more unintended consequences. The shelf life of the rescue package has gotten shorter and shorter until such time as it will have no effect at all. Morgan and Livermore may be long gone but the attitude that the banks are bigger than the market prevails to this day. Unfortunately when they are proven wrong it will be the 99 percent who will pay for the sins and the bruised egos of the 1 percent. 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 LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC.
Business matters
Mike Crandall Growth S olutions
Get to know your real sales competition W
ho is your sales competition? The answer likely will not make you feel very good. Most business owners, executives and salespeople think about competition in sales completely wrong. As a sales consultant I hear comments all the time like “We don’t have anyone that we compete with” and “No one sells what we sell.” These may seem like odd statements, however, they are very real and come up on a regular basis. In a recent meeting of CEOs I was facilitating, one of them shared “I can’t believe Jim’s company is not bigger than it is.” Jim was part of the group and it led to a lengthy discussion about his company (a software company). The majority of CEOs in the group shared they believed what Jim’s company had created, developed and sells is unique and doesn’t have any competition. The conversation went on that Jim’s company should be growing by leaps and bounds rather than the struggle they were in. Jim’s company had been around for close to 10 years and was still struggling each year, and even most quarters. The members of the group were mystified by this. As we continued the conversation — this is what we learned. The products and services that Jim’s company had were indeed somewhat unique. And in fact have little (if any) competition. As we uncovered 18
July 2014 | The Business Times
this, the group continued to share that this was reinforcement to the point they had about Jim’s company should be growing like crazy. Even Jim could not understand why they were struggling so much. When I proposed an alternative view the room fell completely silent for quite some time. I shared Jim does have competition — his products and services may not — however his sales does. As the CEOs contemplated my comment finally they broke the silence and asked: What do you mean his sales has competition? I went on to ask a series of question about how they sell. Jim shared step by step how they figure out who to prospect, how they prospect, how they present and how they close. When I asked how many other companies call on the same people you call on. Jim again shared no one sells what his company sells. I clarified my question: Don’t think about people who sell what you sell but think about everyone that could call on them. Do bankers call on them? Do phone companies call on them? Do insurance companies call on them? As I asked several more you could begin to see the light bulb over Jim’s head and also over everyone else’s head. Your real sales competition is not the company that sells what you sell. It is every salesperson who has ever called on them,
regardless of what they sell. It is all of these other salespeople who have created the environment of defensiveness, distrust and often dishonesty that exists with prospects. As Jim realized this, he sat silent and humbled. He had never thought about his real sales competition before. He (like most business owners, executives and salespeople) only had thought about the people who sold what he sold, which in Jim’s case was really non-existent. Likely this thought of who your real sales competition is has you uneasy — which it should. Your competition in sales is not about products or services — it is about all of the other salespeople who call on that company/person. So let me ask: What/who is your sales competition? If you are not 100 percent sure you should find out. Ask the prospects you call on, who else calls on them? The answers likely will surprise you.
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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July 2014 | The Business Times
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business matters
JIM Denton L edger Lines
Do you really need an audit? C
reating or revising the bylaws for organizations is a tricky business. I am not a lawyer so I do not write bylaws as a matter of profession, but I am sometimes asked about the audit requirements clause. The question is something like: “Should we require a financial audit?” My answer is always that they don’t need one because I try to avoid allowing an organization’s governing document to determine the service that an outside professional is to provide. Audits are expensive and are often not generally necessary unless a third party lender or investor requires an audit. If you must address it, consider using language such as “an audit in accordance with procedures generally accepted in
“Do you really need an audit? If so, have an audit. But try not to require one just because you think you might want one.”
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July 2014 | The Business Times
the United States or other equivalent procedures agreed-upon by the board of directors (or audit committee as applicable) that are performed by an independent certified public accountant.” This language requires that some type of process be performed, but does not tie the organization down to an actual audit. An agreed-upon procedures engagement is a type of service that can be tailored to address certain business practices and account balances. It allows the user to determine the procedure (with the help of the auditor) and thereby obtain a level of assurance that is more customized than if an audit had been performed. For example, an agreed-upon procedure could be written to say: “Obtain and vouch 50 paid invoices from the accounting period to trace into the general ledger and note any exceptions.” The accountant would then perform the procedure and report any related findings. Agreed-upon procedures in most cases are more economical than audits. Due to the defined criteria of the accounting standards, an audit could involve much more effort than the agreed-upon procedures.
The objective of an audit in accordance with standards generally accepted in the U.S. is to determine whether the financial statements are fairly stated in accordance with specified accounting standards. An audit will not specifically indicate whether procedures were properly followed, bank accounts reconciled, receipts kept or travel documented. Simply put, an audit will tell you whether the financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects. Fairly stated financial statements may not always be a concern of management. An agreed-upon procedures engagement will tell you more about processes and documentation. Do you really need an audit? If so, have an audit. But try not to require one just because you think you might want one. 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.
Victories draw a crowd. Tough calls – the ones that leave you exhausted but stronger – those thin a room. The path of entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. Same goes for the bank standing by your side. It takes tenacity and the conviction that small businesses matter. We want to be your lender. We want to be your bank.
okfidelitybank.com I 405.755.5330
14OFB3862_YourBusiness_Edmond.indd 1
5/12/14 10:43 AM
business matters
Cyndy Hoenig S ocial Strategies
Be prepared so you can respond to PR crisis quickly H
ow you handle the bad news will play a large role in how your good news will be met by the media in the future. Not having the right processes in place to pre-empt or deal with a crisis can easily turn a minor situation into a full-scale disaster. Corporate reputation is a delicate thing, with even the slightest tarnish affecting customer and stakeholder perception, sales and share price. But how can you protect that reputation and, if the worst happens, defend it? Prevention is better than cure Firstly, it is crucial you have a communications policy that includes a process for tracking and responding to market issues effectively. A crisis often can be averted if you anticipate what’s happening out there, rather than being forced to react to it. As the cause of an immediate crisis is often due to activity within the company, the policy should include a system for ensuring that the communications department and their agencies are quickly appraised of any developments such as redundancy, client losses or acquisitions. This will ensure everyone is communicating the same, up-to-date information. Taking control of a crisis Whatever the scale and type of the crisis, you need to own it from the start. This is essential, although it’s very rare that you can change negative opinion, you can contain and minimize it if you take control early on. By tracking market issues you can become part of the debate from the start and hopefully defuse the situation. As public interest builds you can have an impact on the evolution of an 22
July 2014 | The Business Times
issue and maintain control. The media often will influence the development or death of an issue so, it is essential to use it to make sure your view is heard. Having a comprehensive communications policy that contains roles and responsibilities in a crisis is imperative. Ideally have one spokesperson to deal with media interviews but produce written statements where possible so your company representative doesn’t deviate from what you want them to say. A question-and-answer document setting out the company stance and providing strict guidelines for comment will ensure that one single and consistent message is communicated. Make sure spokespeople use the statements and stick to the agenda, so they cannot be pushed by a journalist. While it is imperative that you acknowledge a crisis situation as quickly as possible, keep statements factual and succinct, saying why the situation has arisen and what is being done about it. Honesty is the best policy, as appearing to be open will keep the media on your side. If you don’t talk to them they will become hostile so communicate regularly to update them either with statements or press conferences. Never refuse to do an interview and never admit liability or speculate. Keep it simple Understand what motivates the aggrieved and respond empathetically, answering all their concerns. A heavy-handed response won’t buy you any friends, which you need in a crisis. Keep responses simple so they are easy to understand and there is no chance of them being misunderstood. Don’t dilute your point by losing focus — keep to no more than
three key messages to ensure your position is communicated correctly by the media and understood by your market. To protect your reputation in the future, always evaluate the result you intended against the actual outcome of a crisis. Reviewing the entire process will strengthen it and contain any future situations. CYNDY HOENIG is a PR strategist who owns Pure PR in Oklahoma City. She is the author of “600 PR, Marketing and Social Media Tips,” which is available as a free download at http://pureprokc. com/600-diy-pr-tips. She also is the author of the recently released “PR Rock Star.” Email Cyndy at cyndyhoenig@ymail.com or call her at 245-4668 for more information.
PR Checklist
Are you prepared with facts and figures so you can respond to a crisis quickly? Here are some quick tips: • Have you written down lists of leading, difficult, tricky and nasty questions that could be asked of you in a controversial situation? • Do you have the answers to them? • Discuss your answers with your lawyer. • Never say “No Comment.” It’s like pleading the Fifth. • Practice these questions and answers with your spokesperson. • Do not restate misconceptions and wrong information. • Respond promptly. • If you don’t know the answer, say so.
The Business Times
The Business Times Proudly Honors
homa of Edmond, Okla and Innovation ation Inspiration , Inform
July 2010 Vol. 2
No. 7
20 Forty
The
y Honors Business Times Proudl U N D E R
20 Forty U N D E R
2014 Nominee Ballot Form
The next generation of Edmond business community leaders are already making their presence and influence felt in every industry. They’re there, working beside you every day, finding new ways to achieve success for both themselves and their businesses. The Business Times of Edmond wants to highlight the Top 20 under 40 in the local business community. Help us find the 2014 class of go-getters by nominating a young businessperson for this honor. Name:_______________________________________Age:______________________________ Business:______________________________________________________________________ Education:_____________________________________________________________________ Do they live in Edmond?__________________________________________________________ What makes this young businessperson outstanding?__________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ How do they contribute to the community?___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ _______________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Previous honors and recognition:___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ How to contact them:____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Nominee name and phone number:_________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Please fill out this form online at www.edmondsun.com/top20under40 or mail this form to The Edmond Sun, Managing Editor Lisa Shearer, P.O. Box 2470, Edmond, OK 73034, drop it by The Sun at 123 S. Broadway or FAX it to 405-340-7363. Deadline for nominations is 5 p.m., July 3, 2014.
GROWING EDMOND
Photos PROVIDED | EDMOND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Ribbon Cuttings
CITIZENS BANK UNVEILS NEW VIDEO ATM
Great plains Edmond brings Kubota to metro
Citizens Bank of Edmond recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate the official opening of its new Video ATM at the northeast corner of Danforth and Kelly in Edmond. Citizens Bank of Edmond worked with Oklahoma City-based point-of-service technology provider OrderMatic to incorporate the See and Speak Interface (SASI) into its ATMs, allowing customers to experience face-to-face contact with a teller. The Video ATMs greatly expand banking options for customers and represent the greatest leap forward in ATM technology in decades. Citizens Bank of Edmond celebrated its grand opening with balloons, music and sno-cones. For more information, call 405-341-6650 or visit www.citizensedmond.com.
Great Plains Edmond recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate its grand opening at its newest location at 6505 N. I-35 Frontage Road. Great Plains Edmond is family owned and operated and also has locations in Duncan, Ada and Shawnee. Great Plains Edmond is the only Kubota construction dealer that will service the Oklahoma City area. The Edmond location has a full line of tractors, utility and construction equipment as well as hay equipment. With the help of its friendly staff, the Edmond location will specifically cater to lawn care and construction professionals. For more information, call 405-330-5300 or visit its website at www.greatplainskubota.com.
Home Instead Senior Care celebrates grand opening
Insure It Forward Celebrates grand opening
Home Instead Senior Care recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate its grand opening of its new location at 2300 S. Broadway. Home Instead Senior Care enhances the lives of aging adults and their families through a variety of services such as: companionship, transitional care, medication reminders, meal preparation, light housekeeping and personal care services, among many others. For more information, call 521-1963 or visit www.homeinstead.com.
Insure It Forward recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate its grand opening of its new location at 3200 E. Memorial Road. Insure It Forward is a locally owned health insurance brokerage that guides individuals, families and businesses while specializing in the Affordable Care Act. Founder Jim Scheihing has 24 years of experience in health and life insurance as well as employee benefits, and the agents at IIF have a combined 45 years. For more information, call 405-606-9090 or visit www.insureitforward.com.
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July 2014 | The Business Times
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BUSINESS CALENDAR Edmond Summit Rotary Club 7 a.m. July 1 (Meets every Tuesday) Oklahoma Christian University 2501 E. Memorial Drive For more information, call 405-CUEARLY Planning Commission 5:30 p.m. July 1 (First and third Tuesday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda Edmond Kiwanis Club Noon July 2 (Club meets every Wednesday) Cherokee Room in Nigh University Center 100 N. University Drive Edmond Rotary Club Noon July 2 (Club meets every Wednesday) Henderson Hills Baptist Church 1200 W. I-35 Frontage Road For more information, facebook.com/rotaryclubofedmond
REI Women’s Business Center Women’s Business Breakfast 8:15-10 a.m. July 10 Kamp’s 1910 Café 10 N.E. 10th St., Oklahoma City Free parking at Kamp’s and on Ninth Street. To register, go online to www.reiwbc.org Oklahoma City American Marketing Association 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 10 (Second Thursday of the month) Will Rogers Theatre 4322 N. Western Ave., Oklahoma City, 73118 For more information, www.amaokc.org Edmond AMBUCS Noon July 11 (Club meets every Friday) Cherokee Room in Nigh University Center 100 N. University Drive Call June Cartwright at 405-820-9667 for more information Edmond Economic Development Authority Board of Trustees 8:15 a.m. July 15 (Third Tuesday) 825 E. Second St. Visit www.eeda.com; Call 340-0116
Edmond Exchange Club 7 a.m. July 3 (Club meets every Thursday) Room 213 in the Nigh University Center Planning Commission 100 N. University Drive 5:30 p.m. July 15 For more information about the club, visit www. (First and third Tuesday) facebook.com/EdmondMorningExchangeClub City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Boulevard Rotary Club Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda 6-7 p.m. July 7 (Club meets every Monday) Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Louie’s Bar and Grill Morning Mingle 1201 N.W. 178th St., Suite 101 8-9:30 a.m. July 16 For more information, INTEGRIS Cancer Institute http://facebook.com/BoulevardRotary 5911 W. Memorial Road, Oklahoma City No RSVP required and event is free Centennial Kiwanis Club for chamber members 6 p.m. July 7 *Member Rewards drawing at this event (Club meets every Monday) Italian Jim’s Restaurant Edmond Young Professionals 13 S. Broadway Figurehead Forum 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 16 City Council Edmond Public Schools Administration Bldg. 5:30 p.m. July 8 1001 W. Danforth Road (Second and fourth Mondays) RSVP required to City Council Chambers mboswell@edmondchamber.com. 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda Cost: $10 for EYP members; lunch included Edmond Evening Lions Club 6 p.m. July 8 (Club meets second and fourth Tuesday) Johnnie’s 33 E. 33rd St. for more information, call Bob Austin at 285-4980 26
July 2014 | The Business Times
Launch Pad FT Discovery at Lunchtime seminar Noon to 1 p.m. July 17 Topic: How Money Works Speaker: Joyce Isbell of Prime America Cost: Free. Call Launch Pad FT Business Incubator at 717-7730 to register
City Council 5:30 p.m. July 21 (Second and fourth Monday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours 5:30-7 p.m. July 22 First Fidelity Bank 725 W. Covell Road No RSVP required for chamber members; cost free Launch Pad FT Discovery at Lunchtime seminar Noon to 1 p.m. July 22 Speaker: Donna Miller Topic: Business ethics Cost: Free. Call Launch Pad FT Business Incubator at 717-7730 to register
Edmond Noon Exchange Club Noon July 23 (Fourth Wednesday of the month) Italian Jim’s Restaurant 13 S. Broadway To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/edmondexchange Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Breakfast 7:30-9 a.m. July 31 Speaker: Jennifer Crow of the Beautiful Dream Society Topic: Oklahomans helping victims of human trafficking Oklahoma Christian Gaylord University Center 2501 E. Memorial Road RSVP required; Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members
TO ADD your business event to this free calendar, email the details to lshearer@edmondsun.com.
Nominate your favorite
Who has the best looking yard in Edmond? We want to recognize a beautiful yard per week through the summer with the annual Yard of the Week award. The honor is presented by Edmond Beautiful and co-sponsored by The Edmond Sun, Home Depot, TLC Garden Centers and the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce. Winners receive a $50 gift card to Home Depot, a $50 gift card to TLC Garden Centers and a six-month free subscription to The Sun. The contest kicks off May 26 and ends Aug. 31. There will be 13 winners announced in The Sun’s Weekender edition each week. To nominate a beautiful yard, call 341-2808 and leave a message with the homeowner’s address.
Call the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce at 341-2808
NEW BUSINESS LISTINGS Following is a listing of newly filed businesses in the Edmond area with the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s office: Affordable Lawn Design LLC, 201 E. Campbell, filed June 16 by Tim Hartman of the same address. ARB Royalties LLC, 3126 S. Boulevard, filed June 17 by Phillips Murrah P.C. of Oklahoma City. BlazeJobs LLC, 501 N. Broadway, filed June 15 by Lydia Benham of the same address. Bob Eskridge, 641 Deborah Lane, filed June 17 for trade name. Bow’s Construction LLC, 18509 Chestnut Oak Drive, filed June 19 by Kelly Bow of the same address. Canfield Rentals LLC, 4310 Davis Road, Guthrie, filed June 16 by Michael Canfield of the same address. Choctaw Express LLC, 6000 N. Hiwassee Road, Choctaw, filed June 19 by Tra Neal of the same address. CLK Travel LLC, 15500 Cyndelyn Drive, filed June 20 by Craig Kerr of Stroud. Coach Aviation Ops LLC, 1812 Faircloud Drive, Suite 102, filed June 19 by Cheri Warren of the same address. Cordum Properties LLC, 15303 Pheasant Run, Guthrie, filed June 16 by Michael G. Cordum of the same address. D-N-M Trucking LLC, 9551 Saddle Sore Circle, Cashion, filed June 17 by Dan Boswell of the same address. Deals and Discounts LLC, 9687 Oak Pond Drive, Luther, filed June 16 by Beth Ann Gritte of the same address. Devin B. Elder Enterprises LLC, 14117 Oxford Drive, filed June 17 for trade name. Devin B. Elder Enterprises LLC, 14117 Oxford Drive, filed June 16 by Devin B. Elder Enterprises LLC of the same address. Diane Busby, 1517 Olde Depot Drive, filed June 16 for trade name. Dynamic Real Estate & Development Company LLC, 6250 Industrial Boulevard North, filed June 17 by James A. Duit of the same address. Fretz Lease Properties LLC, 23400 N. Luther Road, Luther, filed June 17 by James C. Tapp of the same address. GCO Exploration LLC, 1900 E. 15th St., Bldg. 600, filed June 18 by Taylor W. Dillard of the same address. GDW Land Services LLC, 601 Vista Lane #237, filed June 20 by Greg Wanzer of the same address. Geometric PLLC, 6910 Ashley Trail, filed June 18 by Geometric PLLC of the same address.
Gutter Done LLC, 15524 Wood Creek Lane, filed June 16 by Jason Dodd of the same address. HDB Investment Properties LLC, 909 Avalon Lake, filed June 19 by Benjamin Bowman of the same address. Holleman Medical Group LLC, 16908 Shorerun Drive, filed June 17 by Stacy Williams Holleman of the same address. Home Grace Properties LLC, 16304 Josiah Place, filed June 19 by Kelly Glascock of the same address. JAG Holdings LLC, 1208 Kingston Court, filed June 16 by JAG Holdings LLC of the same address. JBL LLC, 23361 Hunters Spring Drive, filed June 16 by Jordan Lundeen of the same address. Kaw Valley Outdoors LLC, 1517 Olde Depot Drive, filed June 16 by Diane Busby of the same address. L&K LLC, 19285 W. Highway 74F, Cashion, filed June 20 by Karen F. Bodkin of the same address. La Rue Legacy Enterprises LLC, 2413 Brookdale Ave., filed June 16 by La Rue Legacy Homes of the same address. Lancaster Properties LLC, 3000 Puget Sound, filed June 16 by Todd Nance of the same address. LaShonda Davis, 1712 Timberview Drive, filed June 16 for trade name. Laura Bennet Schwarz LLC, 15409 Sugar Loaf Drive, filed June 17 by Laura Schwarz of the same address. Majestic Limousine LLC, 18700 Aerial Road, filed June 20 by Mike Lane of the same address. Meybo USA LLC, 609 W. Main St. No. 11, filed June 18 by Ben Taber of the same address. Michael Robins Consulting LLC, 14025 N. Eastern Ave., filed June 18 by Michael Robins of the same address. MVP Investments International LLC, 826 Willment Place, filed June 19 by Peter Ray of the same address. New Canaan LLC, 5500 New Canaan Road, filed June 20 by McAlister & McAlister Law Firm P.C. of Edmond. Ogle Property Solutions LLC, 624 Belmar Drive, filed June 19 by Jimmy Ogle of the same address. Outlaw Outdoors LLC, 4158 S. Henney Road, Choctaw, filed June 18 by Bradley Craig of the same address. Pantheon Capital Partners LLC, 16301 N. Rockwell, filed June 20 by Kent W. Gardner PLLC of Oklahoma City.
Pantheon Management LLC, 16301 N. Rockwell, filed June 20 by Kent W. Gardner PLLC of Oklahoma City. Port Meadow Capital Fund 1 LLC, 1705 Renaissance Blvd., Suite 100, filed June 16 by Andrew Schroeder of Oklahoma City. Roselius Holdings LLC, 210 N. Oklahoma, Guthrie, filed June 18 by Tanner Hicks of Oklahoma City. S.T. Barrel Horses LLC, 7231 Cimarron Road N.W., Piedmont, filed June 18 by Sheresa K. Jackson of the same address. SAAE Enterprises LLC, 16407 E. 750 Road, Kingfisher, filed June 17 by Paul Compton of the same address. The Levi Group LLC, 2201 Heatherstone Road, filed June 17 by Jack Chamberlain of the same address. Treva J. Braun, 17291 Mary Ennis Circle, Choctaw, filed June 19 for trade name. Uberfin LLC, 3613 Jim Robison Drive, filed June 17 by LegalInc Corporate Services Inc. of Tulsa.
Vast Field Services LLC, 1700 Kickingbird, filed June 16 by Andrew Spurgeon of the same address. Vintage Investments LLC, 32 N.W. 144th Circle Ste. A, filed June 20 by Timothy J. Smith of the same address. W Collection LLC, 6724 N.E. 113th St., filed June 16 by the Corporation Company of Oklahoma City. Ward Consulting LLC, 4101 Sooner Circle, filed June 19 by Gerald Ward of the same address. WM Development LLC, 900 N. Fretz, filed June 16 by WM Development of the same address. Zero G Consulting LLC, 1301 Wild Plum Court, filed June 19 by United States Corporation Agents Inc. of Oklahoma City.
July 2014 | The Business Times
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Mercy Clinic in Oklahoma announces new chief operating officer Mercy in Oklahoma strengthened its commitment to patients on the frontline of clinic care with the appointment of Gary Jepson as the Chief Operating Officer of Mercy Clinic. Jepson previously worked as the Chief Executive Officer for Progressive Health System in Illinois and will Gary Jepson be responsible for 65 Mercy Clinics across Oklahoma. “Our clinics are often the first contact with patients and Mercy is committed to making that initial patient interaction a first step in a lifelong relationship of caring. That commitment starts at the top with quality administrators like Gary Jepson,” said Dr. Cullen Thomas, Mercy Clinic President. “Gary’s extensive experience in this region of the country makes him an ideal choice to lead our vital clinic operations.” Jepson earned his Master’s in Health Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas after completing a degree in Business Administration from Walla Walla University in College Place, Washington. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served on many council and advisory boards during his career. His career has also included a variety of health administration positions throughout Oklahoma and Texas.
Bush takes on Altus chamber role The Boards of Directors of both the Altus Chamber of Commerce and the Altus Southwest Area Economic Development Corporation recently selected Brian Bush, of Edmond, to serve as the new Chamber of Commerce CEO, where he will serve simultaneously as head of the economic development efforts. In addition to managing the operations of the Chamber of Commerce, Bush will Brian Bush work closely with community, educational and business leaders to further the economic growth of Altus and create an environment where businesses can succeed. Bush was born and raised in Altus and earned his bachelor’s degree from Harding University and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. His career includes public service as an assistant district attorney in Oklahoma County under Wes Lane, small business experience as an attorney in Norman, and private higher education experience as assistant dean of students at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. He also has taken on volunteer roles in the Edmond community, including with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, youth sports leagues and he has served as a member of The Edmond Sun’s Community Editorial Board. “I am honored and excited to be selected to lead the Altus Chamber and the community’s economic development efforts. No matter where my education or my career has taken me over the last several years, I have always called Altus home, and it is an honor to come home to help the community that has given me so much,“ Bush said. “Altus has all of the components needed to grow its economy, including great schools, strong support for our Air Force base, a resilient agriculture sector and committed business leaders who give us all a better quality of life through their hard work. “I look forward to working with the community to put together a program to grow our local businesses and create new ones,” Bush said. “My wife and I are thrilled that we will have the opportunity to raise our children here.” Bush has a 12-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. He and his wife, Becca will be moving to Altus as soon as possible. He was expected to start in his position July 1. 28
July 2014 | The Business Times
Business Briefs
Vermeire named to Lawyers of Color’s 2014 Hot List
Diana Vermeire, an Of Counsel attorney with GableGotwals, has been named to Lawyers of Color’s Second Annual Hot List, which recognizes early- to mid-career minority attorneys working as in-house counsel, government attorneys, and law firm associates and partners. Diana Vermeire Vermeire is an attorney with extensive experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Her practice includes state and federal litigation; administrative, regulatory and legislative advocacy; policy analysis and management for a diverse client group. Ms. Vermeire has experience representing clients in the area of compliance review and providing external reviews for companies that includes an analysis of workplace policies and procedures, identifying areas of exposure for potential litigation and offering solutions that not only ensure compliance, but also the adoption of better corporate practices. Vermeire’s practice also involves issues related to privacy and First Amendment matters as well as government relations and representing clients with policy makers in order to negotiate compromises that are best for all parties. The honorees were chosen through a two-pronged process. The selection committee spent months reviewing nominations and researching bar association publications and legal blogs in order to identify promising candidates. Nominations from mentors, peers and colleagues were accepted. The selection committee also made editorial picks of attorneys who had noteworthy accomplishments, especially those active in legal pipeline initiatives.
Fidelity Bank announces leadership changes Fidelity Bank is making changes to key leadership roles following its most profitable fiscal year to date. Fourth-generation family member and bank leader Aaron Bastian has moved into the position of chief executive officer of Oklahoma Fidelity Bank. Wichita commercial business lending manager Jeff Ronen Aaron Bastian has been promoted to replace Bastian as president of Oklahoma Fidelity Bank. “These changes are made with an eye to the future and will position us to build on our record performance,” said Clark Bastian, chairman and chief executive officer of Fidelity Bank. “We expect additional growth in Oklahoma under the leadership of Aaron and Jeff.” In his new role, Aaron Bastian will focus on long-term strategic initiatives for Oklahoma Fidelity Bank. “In just 10 years in the Oklahoma City metro area, we have made great strides in our retail, consumer lending and commercial banking divisions,” said Aaron Bastian. “However, we must continually evaluate the ways we support our customers and the products we offer. This means understanding the challenges that business owners face and ensuring they have access to comprehensive cash management, credit and capital solutions.” Ronen brings a background of banking, corporate capital development and small business ownership to Oklahoma Fidelity Bank. Ronen will oversee the administration and daily operations of the bank’s six-office market presence. “Our Oklahoma division has experienced tremendous growth under Aaron’s leadership,” Ronen said. “I’m honored to continue the work and lead the great team he put in place. With the foundation we have, the future is very bright.” The leadership role transitions have begun and will be fully completed by August.
Business Book Review
by Terri Schlichenmeyer | The bookworm sez
“Duncan Hines:
How a Traveling Salesman Became the Most Trusted Name in Food” by Louis Hatchett, foreword by Michael and Jane Stern c.2014, University of Kentucky Press $19.95/higher in Canada 326 pages
T
onight’s dessert is courtesy of your childhood. The cake you’ll have after dinner is just like the one Mom used to make. It’ll be round, mostly, maybe a little lopsided, with a divot in the center from letting the oven door slam. Like Mom’s cake, your icing will be thick on top, thin on the sides. And like hers, yours came from a box, too. Cake mix. What a concept. So how did something so revolutionary (in the 1930s) end up in nearly every kitchen in the country? Read “Duncan Hines” by Louis Hatchett and find out. Born in Bowling Green, Ky., at a time when automobiles were new, Duncan Hines was the eighth of 10 children, but the last to live. He seemed to have an idyllic childhood but when his mother died in 1884, young Hines was sent to live with his grandparents. It was a decision that changed his life. Because his grandmother was an excellent cook, eating became Hines’ “great passion.” He developed a keen palate for fine foods so, as later health issues took him to the newly-settled West; marriage brought him to New York ; and a sales
gig led him to Chicago , he seized every opportunity to sample various cuisines. Furthermore, Hines and his wife made it a “hobby” to dine out on weekends and he kept meticulous notes on restaurants, sanitation, and food. By late 1935, after trading his information with other traveling salesmen, Hines’ notes grew to include 167 restaurants in 30 states. He saw that automobile travel was quickly becoming popular and he knew that everybody wanted to know where to get a decent meal away so, that year, he and his wife added a self-published booklet to Christmas cards and “mailed them to everyone they could think of…” Beginning with that giveaway, and until a few years after his death in 1959, Duncan Hines enjoyed fortune and popularity as America ’s foremost restaurant critic. His was not the first such ratings book, but it was arguably the world’s most trusted. So why is the name Duncan Hines synonymous with cake mix today, and not with the travel-restaurant guides that Hines first created? The answer lies with a young marketer
who knew the right things to say… Huh. Who knew? Apparently, says author Louis Hatchett, everybody did, including thousands from around the world. In fact, he believes, it’s a pretty safe bet that if you were born before 1955, you knew where to look before you dined. In “Duncan Hines,” Hatchett describes his subject as a mercurial man who fiercely protected his reputation but still managed to make money, despite the Depression and World Wars. The story of this rags-to-riches salesman is surprising and surprisingly fascinating — perhaps because Hines is not Hatchett’s only subject. We also get a sense of time and place, and I liked that. This book is perfect if you’d like an unusual (and lively) biography to enjoy while dining, vacationing, or any time. With “Duncan Hines,” you can have your cake and read it, too. Terri Schlichenmeyer is a book reviewer in Wisconsin. She may be reached via email at bookwormsez@yahoo.com.
July 2014 | The Business Times
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LAST LOOK
special to The Business Times
New Franchise Owner Gives Back to Veterans By Van Mitchell Special to The Business Times
Brian Culver, manager of Lapels Dry Cleaning in Edmond, is accepting donated suits that will be cleaned and delivered for free to the Paralyzed Veterans of America group in Oklahoma City. The suits will be given to veterans to help them with their employment pursuits.
Lapels Dry Cleaning celebrates first anniversary in Edmond
B
rian Culver spent 10 years serving in the U.S. Navy when the time came to begin looking for a career in the civilian world. That opportunity occurred last year when he opened a Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise at 13801 N. Bryant Ave. in Edmond. Lapel’s marked its first anniversary in Edmond on June 20. And, with that opportunity was the ability to help his fellow veterans by cleaning donated suits for free and giving them to veterans through the Paralyzed Veterans of America organization. “I was in the Navy for 10 years and it came to a point where I had to decide what I was going to do next,” Culver said. “I had always wanted to own my own business and I started looking at different franchises and I liked Lapels because they were small and new.” Culver said the idea of cleaning suits for free came from discussions he had with his friend Jed Castle, who serves as a meteorologist for KWTV Channel 9 in Oklahoma City. Culver said Castle had several suits he wanted to donate and asked him for advice of how to help. “We came up with the Paralyzed Veterans of America, which is right here in Oklahoma City,” Culver said. “To buy a nice suit is not cheap. Jed was actually the first customer to donate suits to these guys and they were really happy to get them.” For more than 67 years, Paralyzed Veterans of America has 30
July 2014 | The Business Times
been on a mission to change lives and build brighter futures for seriously injured soldiers to empower them with what they need to achieve success. The organization was founded by a band of service members who came home from World War II with a spinal cord injury. Culver said several other customers have donated suits since word started spreading about their efforts. “There is definitely a need out there,” he said. “The response from the public has been really responsive.” Culver said he is appreciative of any opportunity to help military veterans. “It is something that is near and dear to my heart,” he said. “Guys leaving the military and trying to get back into the civilian workforce don’t always have an easy time of it and I want to help out veterans any way I can.” Culver said he is hopeful that the suits program will also raise awareness about the need to hire veterans. “If people really appreciate veterans, then hire them,” Culver said. “I really hope employers will take notice of them.” Lapels Dry Cleaning is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. For more information about donating, call 418-4030 or email bculver@mylapels.com.
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