Catalyst - The Business Magazine Q4 2019

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

4TH QTR 2019

A SALUTE TO VETERANS

Military Veterans Share Their Stories Person to Person with Dr. Bud Hertzog The Business of Influence

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21 SW 3rd Street | Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 | 816-287-2010 2 | CATALYST - THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 3

Fourth Quarter Salute to Veterans In this issue of Catalyst, the Chamber spotlights and celebrates the theme of veterans. It’s particularly fitting to make this observation in the fourth quarter issue, when the nation observes Veterans Day. Monday, November 11th is the 101st anniversary of the end of World War 1, when on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the terrible guns of the “war to end all wars” fell silent. What began as Armistice Day evolved into Veterans Day, honoring and thanking all who have honorably served in the military in times of peace or war. Clearly, we owe these individuals a debt which can never be repaid – standing in the breech to preserve and protect all we hold dear.

In that light, it’s fitting that we spotlight a relatively new and very important addition to the Chamber pantheon. The Military Affairs Committee is a liaison between the Chamber, the community of Lee’s Summit, and our nation’s armed forces, in this case specifically represented by the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron, located at Whiteman Air Force Base. The committee was founded to forge closer ties to our active duty military personnel, and to foster closer economic and emotional ties between the Lee’s Summit business community and the men and women of Whiteman. That relationship is already bearing fruit. See Matt Baird’s chamber update on page 32 for details and information.

I encourage you to join me in celebrating our local veterans and active duty personnel with whom you come in contact. Thank them for their service, and for defending and preserving the rights and freedoms we all enjoy.

Also, within this issue, we’ll broaden the traditional definition of “veterans,” to shine a light on veterans of a different stripe: long-term Chamber businesses and business leaders which have served as the backbone of our growing, thriving city. We salute them as well.

Yours Truly,

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

4TH QTR 2019

PUBLISHER Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce ADVERTISING MANAGER Heather Thompson CREATIVE COORDINATOR Jordan Straits _______________________________ EDITORIAL STAFF Jordan Straits Heather Thompson _______________________________ CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Beaudoin, Carol Sours, Jeff Metcalf _______________________________ ADVERTISING For advertising information, contact Heather Thompson at hthompson@lschamber.com or 816.524.2424 _______________________________ PRESS RELEASES Send to jstraits@lschamber.com

Publication is paid for by the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce-Matt Baird

Jon Garlow, CPWA® Strongbox Wealth 2019 Chair of the Board CHAMBER STAFF Matt Baird, IOM, Director of Business & Governmental Relations Cathy Young, IOM, Director of Member Services Megan Gray, Director of Special Events Agi Bako-LaFave, Office Manager Jordan Straits, Creative Coordinator Heather Thompson, Advertising Manager Vanessa King, Bookkeeper Marilyn Pemberton, Part-time Assistant 4 | CATALYST - THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

220 SE MAIN STREET LEE’S SUMMIT, MO 64063 816.524.2424 • LSCHAMBER.COM

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4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 5

8 8

STAYING RELEVANT Leading the Future of our Air Force in Lee's Summit

12

COMMUNITY FOCUSED Longview Funeral Home Celebrates Veterans Throughout the Year

14

PERSON TO PERSON Veteran Chamber Member, Dr. Hertzog, Shares His Story

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4TH QTR 2019

14

20

18

30

20

32

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Lee's Summit Veterans Investing as Downtown Business Owners

CHAMBER UPDATE Bridging the Gap Between Whiteman Air Force Base and Lee's Summit

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NETWORKING PHOTOS

SOCIAL BUZZ The Business of Influence

PRO TIPS Cyber Security: Tips for Protecting Your Personal Information on the Web

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 7

Staying

Relevant

Leading the Fut Air Force in Lee

Lee's Summit West's JROTC Raiders competition team.

8 | CATALYST - THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Staying

Relevant

ture of our e’s Summit

By: Heather Thompson

W

alking into Lee’s Summit West High School on a Wednesday afternoon, I saw multiple students in uniform as I was scheduled to meet with Lieutenant Colonel Tim Lyon, USAF (Ret), the new Senior Aerospace and Science Instructor (SASI) for the Air Force Junior ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps). I felt disruptive to meet with him during a class period, but he ensured me the class would be run by the students, and they would come in with questions as needed.

The Lee's Summit JROTC program begins in high school and is intended as a four-year elective program. It is an Air Force Title 10 program with funding from Air University in Alabama. The focus is divided about 40% Aerospace Science and Aviation, 40% leadership, and 20% wellness. Lee's Summit West is estimated to have 110 active cadets currently enrolled in the program.

New students will come in to understand the core structure with ranks and staffing established by the teachers and students.

4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 9

Staying

Relevant

Leadership is really a bigger part than it's probably given credit, as the program is fully cadet-lead with SASI oversight. “We really want to empower the cadets to take on the core as their own, take ownership and run with all aspects of it,” shared Lt. Col. Lyon.

The overriding theme of the mission and goal for JROTC is service to the community. Each cadet volunteers at least 50 hours of community service each year with some going far beyond. Three cadets, Bryce Farris, Adalynn Wade and Rachel Monahan, received Presidential awards for their service last year, each accumulating over 170 hours of community service.

After multiple moves during his 22-years of Air Force service, finding a good hometown for his family to settle and the kids to finish school was very important. Prior to moving to Lee's Summit, they lived in Germany for three years, followed by a move to Missouri through Whiteman Air Force Base in 2015.

While in Germany, Lt. Col. Lyon was a Tactical Air Control Party unit as the commander matching army requested Air Force needs with specific needs delivered.

Lyon’s wife did a lot of research and they concluded that Lee’s Summit was going to be home for the family following his Air Force retirement. “We love that Lee’s Summit allows for so many different interests to find a ‘home zone’ to thrive in,” said Lt. Col. Lyon.

Although the JROTC SASI is Lt. Col. Lyon’s first teaching role, he is certainly not new to Lee’s Summit nor the program. Lyon was an active parent as his oldest son

“We really want to empower the cadets to take on the Core as their own. Take ownership and run with all aspects of it” -Lieutenant Colonel Lyon

was a cadet in the program for the last three years at Lee's Summit West. His father also taught Earth Science and Biology for 40 years in Florida.

The SASI position is open at both Lee’s Summit North and Lee’s Summit high school as well – making Lyon the liaison for the district currently. The full “teacher” team for each school would also include an officer and a senior Non-Commissioned Officer, leaving all other staff and ranks to the students.

You can see the JROTC cadets active throughout the community, most frequently in the way of community service. They are also visible during sporting events as Color or Honor Guard. They are celebrated with formal fun during the annual Military Ball.

Left: JROTC Students completing community volunteer hours.

10 | CATALYST - THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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11 SE 2nd Street Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 11

Community

Focused

Longview Funeral Home Celebrates Veterans Throughout the Year Each year Longview Funeral Home has been hosting and participating in special events that honor those who have served and or are actively serving our country proudly.

For more than five years, Longview Funeral Home has hosted a Memorial Day service in honor of our fallen heros. The funeral home views it as an opportunity to remember the sacrifices that were made and to celebrate the true meaning behind the holiday—our Veterans. Leading the service is a veteran guest speaker and local minister. This is one of the best opportunities in our community to celebrate this important holiday.

Lunch is served for all following the service. The local Grandview Boy Scout Troop 364 places flags the week before on each of the Veterans graves to signify their death while serving in the military.

On Veterans Day, the Boy Scouts troop is invited back out to place flags in the cemetery and down the roadways to honor our Veterans and their families again. There are always extra flags on hand for families coming to visit, so that they can also place one on their specific family members gravesite.

Longview Funeral finishes out the year out by participating in Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization with the mission to honor our veterans, remember our fallen, and teach the next generation. On December 14th this year, Longview Funeral will hold a ceremony in support of National Wreaths Across America Day. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a message of rememberence to those in attendance. Afterward, volunteers place sponsored ceremonial wreaths on the graves of the fallen veterans in the cemetery.

Visit Longviewfuneralhome.com/veterans for more information on their Veterans Program.

12 | CATALYST - THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

SERVING THE LEE’S SUMMIT COMMUNITY Developing Potential, Inc. offers day services and employment services in a setting that addresses the mind, body and spirit of individuals having developmental disabilities.

CALL US FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE A TOUR. 251 Executive Way, Ste. 200 Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 816.525.6000 EXT. 101 | developingpotential.org

4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 13

Person to

Person

By: John Beaudoin, KC Communications & Media Matters

The year is 1956.

There are less than 2,000 people in the City of Lee’s Summit and farmers and livestock likely outnumber the citizens. Between Jackson and Cass County, there are 400 dairies and a dire need for trained and educated veterinarians.

Enter Dr. Bud Hertzog.

By 1956, Lee’s Summit Animal Clinic had been open for eight years and Hertzog was fresh out of the University of Missouri’s prestigious veterinary program. The building was just a few rooms back in the 1940's and 50's. A handful of employees working in a profession that was about to boom into a multigenerational business.

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Person to

Person

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Person to

Person

“Sixty-three years later, here I am, right in the same location,” said Dr. Hertzog from his office on Market Street, surrounded by decades upon decades of memorabilia, awards, newspaper clippings and a mountain of evidence that Bud may just be the biggest Mizzou fan in Jackson County.

"Now, we're running out of space. When I started here, this was just a farming community with 2,000 people, there were 400 dairies in Jackson and northern Cass counties. And now not a dairy left in Jackson County. Back in those days, farmers had 80 acres and some cows and that's how they made a living.”

One of the original members of the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, Lee’s Summit Animal Clinic has grown to over 40 employees with 10 vets on staff in a building that is bursting at the seams (and another three vets at a second clinic on Commerce Drive).

Still, the dogs, cats, and, yes, monkeys, wait patiently in the lobby for their turn to be seen by the doctors.

Hertzog recalls the time when he began his career and the country had a critical need for veterinarians - coming out of the very few programs nationwide - to be on the job.

Sixty-three years later, here I am, right in the same location. Now, we're running out of space. When I started here, this was just a farming community with 2,000 people.

Military service never came calling and Dr. Hertzog put his skills to work locally. His bachelor’s degree in animal science in hand, Hertzog was one of only 30 in his class from a program that was still in its infancy in Columbia.

Born on a farm in Lee’s Summit in 1931, one of six children, Bud said he always knew he was going to work with animals.

"My folks were hard-working people,” Bud recalled. “Those were the Depression days. A dollar was about the going wage for a day's work. I remember those guys on Longview Farm working for a dollar a day."

Bud attended Cedar Hill School, a country school, and graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1948 with just 43 in his graduating class. "Kids grow up on the farm, and I thought everybody got up at 4:30 in the morning and worked until after dark,” Bud said, his signature smile creeping over his face. “I didn't know there was another life.

My folks taught me the balance of life and work ethic."

The Hertzogs were dairy farmers and for the first number of years of his practice, Bud would find himself on a dairy farm often testing the cows. The long and often arduous labor of the time sends Hertzog directly to fond memories of his wife of 67 years, Betty. “My wife, bless her heart, it had to be a trying life. We had 5 kids. But we made it through,” he said.

Now with 10 grandkids and 11 great-grandkids, Bud knew he would surely have another Hertzog in the building. Their son

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Person to

Person

David graduated from Missouri and has been with the practice since 1991.

"When he was finishing up with vet school, we thought maybe it would be better to work somewhere else, but we needed help and it ended up working out well,” Bud said, walking around his clinic and taking time to listen in to David talking to a patient and her dog in an exam room.

Cattle and horses and sheep and hogs can be found on almost every farm, so Dr. Hertzog’s clinic soon became known for medical care that spanned the animal world. At one point, the Kansas City Zoo came looking for a vet, so those duties went to the clinic as well. “I used to go to the zoo nearly every day or they would transport animals out here for care,” he said.

"Humbling experience, that was. I got out of school, one of the first calls I got was from the zoo to come look at a turtle. I have been used to snapping turtles, so I thought that could not be too difficult." The first turtle was a Galapagos and he was over 200 pounds. “He was so big, I couldn’t even hear his heartbeat with a stethoscope,” Bud recalled. “He had pneumonia, but he turned out OK. Hey, that was 61 or more years ago and that rascal is still in the zoo today.”

In his line of work, Hertzog and his team could be treating a calf, snake and gorilla all in the same day. “We had three tortoises this morning,” he said with a laugh. “We see everything from humming birds to elephants in this practice. We had a pet tarantula come in a while back with a broken leg and we amputated it. All better.”

Bud and his team did work for the American Royal as the lead vet team for more than 50 years. "Every weekend and sometimes most of the week, we spent a lot of time down there and a lot of good memories of the American Royal,” he said.

Hertzog has been at the practice so long, he’s seen second and third generations of patients and cared for family pets from father to son to grandson. "It always brings back good memories,” he said, adding that technology isn’t the only thing that’s massively changed in his time. “Awareness of pets, certainly. In the old days, people would spend a little money on a dog. But animals are living longer now with special diets and other things. People never cease to amaze me what they will do for their animals. And I think that's great."

Dr. Hertzog served on the Lee’s Summit Chamber Board for two terms. He’s also seen time in elected office with the Jackson County Legislature and Lee's Summit R-7 School Board. "Being a part of the community and being able to participate with others and seeing the community grow, gives us a great sense of pride,” he said. “Not too many communities with the private-public cooperation that we have here with our Chamber, our EDC and others. We have great faith in the future of our Chamber and are big supporters of our Chamber."

4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 17

NetworkingPhotos

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON • Weed Man had fun sponsoring our August Membership Luncheon at the Adams Pointe Conference Center. Complete with greeters in Weed Man costumes and Weed Man stickers, guests were all smiles as they took their seats.

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON • Luncheon greeter, Cara McElhaney of ENT Associates, caught mingling with guests Andrew and Kelly Lighthouse of Matchstick Websites.

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NEW TEACHER BREAKFAST • On August 5th, the Education Committee and University of Central Missouri hosted their annual New Teacher Breakfast. Seen here are long time committee members Cindy Miller and Tricia Crego.

Networking

Photos

LEADERSHIP LEE'S SUMMIT • Dan Harper, of the City of Lee's Summit, took his turn at the lasso competition during the 2020 Leadership Lee's Summit kick off event. The new class spent the afternoon getting to know fellow classmates, program coordinators and past alumni at Faulkner's Ranch.

CHAMBER AFTER HOURS • Chamber members made themselves at home during our After Hours event Sept. 12th hosted in a Eagle Creek model home. Thank you to Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development for sponsoring the event!

CHAMBER BEFORE HOURS • Members mingled with puppies and kittens at our monthly Before Hours event held at Lakewood Animal Health Center Sept. 17th. In addition to petting the animals, guests were given tours through the facility and enjoyed networking with other members. Not a bad way to start the morning!

4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 19

Member

Spotlight

Business Owners Share Their Stories of Service By: John Beaudoin, KC Communications & Media Matters As we look forward to celebrating Veterans Day on November 11, we took inventory of the veterans in our community and realized we are blessed with several right here in the downtown area. These five men, now taking on the role of business owner, sat down with us to share their stories of service in the military. We were interested to know what impact their service has had on how they manage their businesses now.

While this is certainly not a complete list of veterans in our community, we hope their stories shine light to all the veterans in Lee's Summit and the sacrifices they made to serve our country. We salute you all!

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Member

Spotlight

From left: Joel Wilson, Brian Sandy, Michael Dodig, Steve Tominia and Jeff Edwards.

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Member

Spotlight

Brian Sandy Edward Jones United States Army Brian Sandy served as a Sergeant in the United States Army on active duty from 2008-2011 and then in Army Reserves from 2011-2016. During his tour, he was deployed to Bahrain in 2009 with a patriot missile battery in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sandy served as a patriot missile operator while on active duty, and combat engineer during his time in the reserves. Sandy is the recipient of many military honors, most notably the Army Achievement Medal, which was awarded for outstanding achievement/meritorious service. He said the military did an exceptional job preparing him and other soldiers for business ownership through discipline, integrity and building strong work ethic.

"When you see a veteran-owned business, you know that the person running it knows what values are and uses them as a driving force behind their mission," Sandy said. "Integrity is the starting point for how I run my business and is incorporated in every decision I make, both personally and professionally. The military also helped develop my decision-making skills under pressure, which is key to running a successful and ethical business."

Sandy said owning a business in downtown Lee's Summit has added another layer of pride to his career. He has been with Edwards Jones financial advisory firm for four years, located in downtown Lee's Summit since 2017.

"There is absolutely something to be said about our award-winning downtown, and it starts with every single shop/business owner cheering each other on to succeed," he said. "I love having personal connections all around my business and knowing that these connections will run for decades to come, just as they have since Downtown Lee's Summit was established. Being able to be a small part of the history behind each building is unique and special and I hope my clients experience it when they come to see me."

Sandy and his family take advantage of the downtown amenities like the farmers market and events like Downtown Days, and with a new baby on the way (number four) he will have children ranging from newborn to 20 years old.

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Member

Spotlight

Michael Dodig The Dodig Law Firm United States Army Lee's Summit attorney Michael Dodig's journey has taken him from the jungles of Grenada to the courtrooms of Kansas City. As a veteran, a business owner, a former member of the Lee's Summit R-7 School Board and the Lee's Summit City Council, there isn't much Dodig hasn't seen or experienced. An attorney for 26 years, he's owned his own firm for 12 years and has been a downtown Lee's Summit business resident for five months at 300 SW Main St. "I have said for a long time that, for me, downtown Lee's Summit is like Bedford Falls, from the movie, It's a Wonderful Life," Dodig said. "It's my home, and it's a part of me as much as I'm a part of it."

Dodig served as a paratrooper (airborne infantry) in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1982-1986 and fought in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. Among his honors, he's been awarded his Master Parachutist Wings, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Egyptian Jump Wings, Jungle Expert Badge and Good Conduct Medal.

"For the first three years, I was an infantryman, grenadier, Operations NCO and infantry squad leader," Dodig said. "My final year, I served as an instructor at the Advanced Airborne School at Ft. Bragg. I trained in the jungles of Panama and the Sahara Desert in Egypt, among other places."

As a veteran-owned business, Dodig said he strongly believed in public service and that his firm is based on those ideals.

"My military services is just one aspect of my overall efforts to serve my community," he said.

Dodig and his wife are Lee's Summit High School graduates and he's active in many boards and commissions around town. He's also a life member of the Lee's Summit Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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Member

Spotlight

Jeff Edwards Smoke Brewing Company United States Marine Corps Marine Corps veteran, Jeff Edwards, is another in a small-butmighty downtown group of business owners in this category: military veteran and family-owned.

Jeff opened Smoke Brewing Company, along with his son, Josh, and wife Lanni in downtown Lee's Summit in March of 2017.

Jeff is a home builder, brewer and also a veteran of the competition BBQ circuit. He served in the United States Marine Corps from February 1968 through February 1971, including 13 months in Vietnam, where he was a forward observer for an artillery battery.

He spent more than half his time in Vietnam in the jungles around the Demilitarized Zone.

"Myself and other veteran business owners are kind of like an exclusive club and very proud of it," Jeff noted.

As a business owner in the historic business district of downtown Lee's Summit, Jeff said he feels fortunate to be a part of something unique to the city.

"I consider our downtown to be what other small downtowns want to be," he said.

Jeff began brewing beer more than 20 years ago in his laundry room and in 2012, he and Josh formed Building Smoke, their award-winning competition BBQ team.

"We were just going to have a tap room, but one of our friends said because we have award-winning BBQ, we needed to start a restaurant also," Jeff said. "From there Smoke Brewing Co., the restaurant, was born."

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Member

Spotlight

Steve Tominia Cameron's Home Furnishings United States Army Steve Tominia is likely the only business owner around that can talk teaching, Vietnam and accent table lamps all in one sitting.

Tominia, who owns Cameron's Home Furnishings with his wife, Sue, and daughter, Amy Robertson, boasts a downtown Lee's Summit business heading into its 19th year. And he's a veteranowned business at that.

Tominia, who was teaching before he was drafted and went back to teaching after his service, headed to Vietnam in 1970 for two years, working in the 37th Medical Company as support for artillery units in the field. “We were basically like M.A.S.H., a small hospital, and I was like Radar, I did all the paperwork. I dodged a few bullets and few rockets, and provided support for the guys out in the field,� said Tominia, noting his unit was about 18 miles southeast of Saigon.

Tominia left as an E-5 and was given a commendation medal for working in a combat zone and as a sharpshooter in basic training.

He said his military service doesn't come up often at work, but people will ask from time to time if they offer a military discount, which he said he is proud to do.

Cameron's is also a veteran business of Downtown Lee's Summit. Tominia served on the Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street board of directors for nine years as president and was part of the most monumental honor downtown has received, the 2010 Great American Main Street Award.

"Being a part of this downtown has been special, really special, to our family for many years. Our city council has promoted us as the heart of the city and that is a neat feeling to be a part of," Tominia said, recalling all the times customers from other cities have, asked, "Can you move your business to our downtown?�

Tominia, his family and work family have endured streetscapes and recessions, and "we worked our way through it, and the economy has come around and now is in our favor. Here we are 19 years later," he said.

4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 25

Member

Spotlight

Joel Wilson Edward Jones United States Marine Corps United States Marine Corps veteran Joel Wilson has been a part of Edward Jones since 2016 and has been in downtown Lee's Summit since February of 2017.

When you ask Wilson how long he served, he knows it to the day: 7 years, 11 months and 18 days. Specifically, he served in Afghanistan for five months from 2009-2010 as an adviser to the Marines Special Operations Task Force 81 Commanding Officer providing team movement updates and operations requests in support of the global war on terrorism.

The Marine staff sergeant also worked on planning and logistics for command deployments and re-deployments, reviewing and "wargaming" operations planning in response to global conflicts and worked internal security for the United States Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia and in Tokyo, Japan.

Wilson said as a vet himself, he prides himself on being available to other veterans.

"Military personnel share a bond through their experiences that few others are capable of understanding, primarily due to their complete trust of one another with their lives," he said. "It's important to me that I uphold that trust and respect through my work now, outside of the military, by putting the client first and keeping their best interest in mind."

Growing up in Lee's Summit, Wilson said that despite seeing many places around the world, it was important for him to come back home to start a business.

"I chose to come back to Lee's Summit, because of the community and the incredible people I've met here," he said.

Wife, Elizabeth Wilson, also grew up in Lee's Summit and the couple has two daughters, Lena and Maren.

"When we aren't taxiing to dance practice and competitions, we're serving the community through organizations like Rotary and the Marine Corps League," Wilson said.

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Social

Buzz

The Business of Influence By: Carol Sours, Treo Marketing

Once upon a time in marketing, if you hired a spokesperson to represent your brand, you sought an individual with some sort of celebrity status. You looked for someone with a fan-following and a platform from which to tout the benefits of the brand. Depending on the scale of your efforts and market, you would seek out a media personality, athlete or entertainer. This could be an expensive, shotgun approach with limited (if any) ability to track direct return on investment (ROI).

Times have changed and social media has blown open the options for securing a mouthpiece for your brand, with very targeted approach and instant performance monitoring. Welcome to the world of influencer marketing. Today, there are over 500,000 active influencers on Instagram alone!

Leveraging influencer marketing is not just for lipstick and laptops or big national brands. Small businesses of all types can (and should) consider integrating an

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influencer strategy in their marketing plan. Influencer marketing works because of the age-old “word-ofmouth” principle. Purchasing decisions are easier when the information comes from someone you know, like and trust. Even if you think you serve a niche market or are very localized, there is likely an influencer that has the ears and eyes of your target consumers.

There is a whole segment of “micro-influencers” across diverse markets. These are influencers with 5,000 to 25,000 followers. To zoom in a little more, there are “nano-influencers” with 1,000 followers or less.

Because it comes down to the quality of the content and responsiveness of the followers vs. volume of followers, engagement can run higher than average with these accounts. These influencers are able to effectively move the needle for brands. A recent survey by eMarketer reports that 30% of North American retailers rely on micro-influencers as part of their marketing strategy.

Social

If you’re thinking of adding an influencer strategy to your marketing plan (smart move, as 80% of marketers agree influencer marketing is effective), keep these pillars in mind: Relevance. Reach. Response. Results.

•

Partner with a social influencer who shares content that is relevant to your brand and offering. If you offer financial services, partnering with a musician with a large following is likely a disconnect. An influencer in real estate, insurance or legal segments will make more impact.

•

Check out the influencer’s platforms to see the numbers of followers for your potential audience reach.

•

Review platform posts and engagements for response and interactions. High levels of likes or reactions and comments demonstrates an active,

Buzz

engaged audience. What level of response has the influencer been able to generate for other brands or on topics relevant to your brand?

•

Likes, reactions, comments and follows are nice warm fuzzies, but you’re looking for revenue results.

Tracking all the interactions is important, but keep in mind that many followers may never engage on social, yet are still moved to take action with a purchase. Incorporating a promo code or other mechanism with your call to action or offer will help monitor sales performance, and give you insight for adjusting your influencer strategy as needed.

When you find the right influencer partners, this is a smart marketing strategy that most any business can implement to effectively raise brand awareness and drive sales. Give it a try. Your business could be the next Ista-hit!

Visit Unity Village

Security Bank joins Lee’s Summit Businesses of Character to present this quarter’s Character traits: Oct: Responsibility Bookstore and Coffee Shop Golf Hotel and Conference Center Nature trails

unityvillage.org

Nov: Self-Control Dec: Kindness To learn more find us on Facebook @LeesSummit CARES

LEE’S SUMMIT

1901 NW Blue Parkway Unity Village, Missouri 64065-0001 Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .ai

Facebook “f ” Logo

prevention - parenting - character

CMYK / .ai

fb.com/unityvillage

www.LSCARES.org 4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 29 LSC.Q3.CATALYST AD.indd 1

9/11/19 9:49

Pro

Tips

Cyber Security: Be Aware of the Dark Web By: Jeff Metcalf, Salvus TG The deep web is the hidden part of the internet that you can’t find using Google or Yahoo search engines. Experts estimate that the “surface web,” the internet that is accessed through Chrome or Internet Explorer, only accounts for 1015% of the whole internet.

Most of the deep web is harmless. It is full of medical records, private directories and websites under various stages of construction. The smaller and notoriously dangerous portion of the deep web that hosts illicit content is what is commonly referred to as the dark web.

To access this part of the internet you need specific software, like the Tor (The Onion Router) browser. This browser hides internet traffic, allowing for anonymity when searching the dark web for guns, drugs, hacking tools or personally identifiable information. Every day, stolen email credentials are bought and sold on the dark web at a serious discount.

In most cases, email credentials sell for $1 or less. This could lead to a major security breach of your business. It is a scary thought, but your personal information could already be on the dark web.

But how did it get there? There are many ways for your passwords to show up for sale on the dark web, but typically it is due to a breach or a successful phishing attempt. Major companies all over the world get hacked more often than you might think. Target, Yahoo, Marriot and Equifax have all 30 | CATALYST - THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

significant data breaches in the last 5 years. A portion of the data that was stolen includes customer’s email addresses and passwords. These credentials are then uploaded and sold on the dark web.

Phishing campaigns are another major contributor of credentials for sale on the dark web. Once the phisher has a confirmed working set of credentials, it is placed for sale on the dark web or used to continue the phishing campaign and obtain more passwords.

If your credentials are for sale on the dark web the impact can be far reaching. This ‘foot in the door’ sets the criminals down a path of gaining more access to your online life or your critical business data. To mitigate this risk, consider updating and strengthening all your passwords. You should also use different passwords for different accounts and scrutinize suspicious emails.

To protect your business from the dark web, consider using a third-party platform like ID Agent that will scan the dark web for your company’s domain on an ongoing basis and notify you if any usernames or passwords have been found. For personal use, there are more simplified and free versions like www.haveibeenpwned.com. Most importantly, make sure you talk to your IT team about best security practices to avoid your password going up for auction.

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400 SW Longview Blvd., Lee’s Summit, MO | 816.222.1100 | salvustg.com

4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 31

Chamber

Update

Bridging the Gap Between Whiteman Air Force Base and Lee's Summit By: Matt Baird Many new efforts have been generated over recent months with the Lee’s Summit Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee.

Their purpose is to bridge the gap between the City of Lee’s Summit and Whiteman Air Force Base.

Disseminating valuable information to community members in order to better understand the impact of Whiteman Air Force Base - both economically and emotionally - is the committee’s main objective. From picnics to deployments and receptions to galas, the committee ensures that the men and women from the 509 Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) is receiving the appreciation they clearly deserve.

Every third Thursday of the month, a group of dedicated Chamber members come together to help make Lee’s Summit a great place for our military personnel to call home and feel welcome.

The members are made up of veterans and non-veterans all passionate about our service men and women.

During these meetings they hear from a representative of the 509 CES as well as representatives from other community

32 | CATALYST - THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Left: Lt. Col. Michael Belardo, pilot of the B-2 Bomber, speaking at our Monthly Membership �uncheon in September 2018.

"The Military Affairs Committee has made great strides in their relationship this year with our sister squadron on Whiteman Air Force base, the 509th Civil Engineers Squadron. As we work with the Base Community Council we've really focused on building a solid foundation to support the troops first. An essential part of bridging the gap between the Chamber and Whiteman has been Jim Hallam and his continuous efforts on the committee; as well as, the efforts of several others. There are ample opportunities for Chamber members to get involved!"

- Joel Wilson, 2019 Military Affairs Committee Chair

Chamber

Above: The Whiteman Air Force Base Community Council invited Lee's Summit citizens out to the base for a tour and viewing of the Stealth Bomber.

and civic organizations. The topics of discussion are usually focused on how the Chamber can better assist the squadron but other times they hear from organizations that are representing our men in women in uniform.

The committee recently put together an initial allotment of gift bags for the new airmen joining the squadron. Bags are filled with everything “Lee’s Summit” from coupons to maps and visitor guides, to gift cards from businesses located in

Lee’s Summit, all of which have donated to these efforts.

The bags are given to incoming families of the squadron inviting them to Lee’s Summit as an ongoing effort. Airmen who have been recognized for an award are also given a LS gift bag. The committee is currently working on a window decal that allows businesses in Lee’s Summit that they offer discounts to military active duty and veterans to highlight and post in their window as a welcome.

Update

The great thing about this relationship is that members of the squadron are also helping the Chamber. At Oktoberfest, the airmen provide a color guard and singer for the national anthem. They also allow volunteers to cover shifts during the event as well as for event tear down.

As opportunities continue to arise, the stronger the relationship will become.

Chamber members are welcome to join the committee and help make a difference for our community and the those serving in uniform.

The Military Affairs Committee meets every third Thursday of the month at 3:30 p.m. at Lee's Summit Medical Center. For more information contact Matt Baird at the Chamber.

4TH QUARTER - 2019 | 33

CALENDAR OF

EVENTS RECESS FOR SUCCESS 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 1 Missouri Innovation Campus 1101 NW Innovation Pkwy.

Speaker: Ryan Waters, SHREDD KC Sponsor: SHREDD KC RIBBON CUTTING UNWIND FIBER ARTS, LLC 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct 3 207 SE 3rd Street, Ste. 102 RIBBON CUTTING - SKRATCH BAKERY 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 9 862 SW Blue Parkway CHAMBER AFTER HOURS 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct 10 Budget Blinds of LS, 239 SE Main St. NEW MEMBER MEET UP 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct 14 Johnny's Tavern, 1660 SE Blue Parkway Reservations Required RIBBON CUTTING AR WORKSHOP LEE'S SUMMIT 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 15 1171 SE Oldham Parkway RIBBON CUTTING FOUNT ATELIER OF FINE ART 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct 17 1007 W 1st St. CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS 'TALES FROM THE TOP' LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct 17 Security Bank, 210 SW Main St. Sponsor: Budget Blinds of Lee's Summit Reservations Required MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct 18 Unity Village 1901 NW Blue Parkway Speaker: Mary B. Lucas, author of Lunchmeat & Life Lessons Sponsor: Saint Luke's East Hospital Reservations Required

RIBBON CUTTING BELLA'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 3 p.m. Monday, Oct 21 511 SE Melody Lane CHAMBER BEFORE HOURS 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct 22 Great Southern Bank, 300 SW Ward Rd. RIBBON CUTTING/OPEN HOUSE THE FARFALLE BISTRO 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct 24 318 SE Green St. GROUNDBREAKING THE GODDARD SCHOOL-LS LAKEWOOD 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 29 511 SE Melody Lane RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 29 Gamber Community Center 4 SE Independence Ave. RECESS FOR SUCCESS 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 5 Missouri Innovation Campus 1101 NW Innovation Pkwy.

Speaker: Tracy Enos Sponsor: Edward Jones-Joel Wilson RIBBON CUTTING - HOTWORX 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov 6 1309 NE Douglas St. CHAMBER 101: GET PLUGGED IN 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov 7 Paradise Park, 1021 NE Colbern Road HEALTHY FOR THE HOLIDAYSCOMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov 9 Bernard C. Campbell Middle School 1201 NE Colbern Road CHAMBER AFTER HOURS 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov 14 SERVPRO of Lee's Summit 1001 W Hunters Ridge

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov 15 Stillhouse Farms Wedding & Event Space 8547 S Stillhouse Road, Oak Grove Speaker: Curtis Sneden, Greater Topeka Partnership Sponsor: Greater Lee's Summit Healthcare Foundation Reservations Required BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov 19 Missouri Innovation Campus 1101 NW Innovation Pkwy.

Speaker: Megan Day, Burnt Finger BBQ CHAMBER BEFORE HOURS 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov 19 MCC-Longview, 500 SW Longview Road RECESS FOR SUCCESS 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec 3 Missouri Innovation Campus 1101 NW Innovation Pkwy.

Speaker: Jane Monroe Sponsor: TBD HOLIDAY RECEPTION 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec 4 The Historic Longview Mansion 1200 SW Longview Park Drive CHAMBER AFTER HOURS 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec 12 Henry's Antiques, Collectibles & Tea Room 401 SE Douglas St. MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec 13 Gamber Community Center 4 SE Independence Ave. Sponsor: Country Club Bank Reservations Required

Registering for events is easy at LSchamber.com! Click the event you wish to attend and log in with your ID. Don’t know your password or aren’t a member? Call 816.524.2424 for help.

34 | CATALYSTmember - THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

MKT-8275B-A-AD

Lee’s Summit, Missouri Brian Sandy, AAMS®, CRPC® Financial Advisor Brian R Sandy, AAMS®, . ® 200CRPC S.E. Douglas Ste 105 Lees Summit, MO 64063 200 SE Douglas 816-272-5650 Suite 105 816-272-5650

Joel Wilson

410a SE 3rd Street Suite 102 816-554-3128

www.edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

Mark A Sandy, AAMS® 200 SE Douglas Suite 105 816-272-5650

Joseph Hyde, CIMA®

3550 NE Ralph Powell Road Suite 200 816-272-6219

Thom Schlosser, CFP®

192 Northwest Oldham Pkwy.

816-525-0770

4TH QUARTER www.edwardjones.com - 2019 | 35 Member SIPC

220 SE Main Street • Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

Member FDIC

A BANKING PARTNER AS FOCUSED AS YOU ARE From nationally expanding corporations to beloved local bookstores, Country Club Bank believes in business. A venture only needs a financial spark to ignite success, and we understand that. We wouldn’t be what we are if a bank hadn’t taken a chance on entrepreneur/former Chairman Byron Thompson decades ago. That spirit of listening, believing and building through personal attention is the foundation of all we support at Country Club Bank. Advancing business is good for you, good for us and good for the city we call home.

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Visit one of our 19 area locations including 831 NE Woods Chapel Road, Lee’s Summit