Catalyst - The Business Magazine (2nd Qtr 2015)

the business magazine

2nd qtr 2015

MOVING IN

Picture Perfect Parties

BUILDINGS ARE BLOOMING

A Candid Conversation with Frontier Justice Owners Mike & Bren Brown

Development Heats Up

LESSONS LEARNED

Tips from a Successful Serial Entrepreneur

Because Lee’s Summit means business, we’ve enthusiastically created a “one stop shop” for our customers to quickly navigate each step of the business and development process from start to finish. We think this collaborative approach creates the optimum environment for economic growth and development for both the community and our business partners who call Lee’s Summit home.

LSmeansBusiness.net

220 SE Green Street | Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 | 816.969.1220

THE PARTY SHOULD BE THE ONLY SURPRISE THAT COMES WITH RETIREMENT. OR Thoug ht ful l y plan nin g fo r wh at lies ahead.

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finish line with the resources to enjoy

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600 SW Jefferson, Suite 208 • Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 816.246.8450 • Dennis.Bacon@RaymondJames.com RaymondJames.com/BaconFinancialAdivsors Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC.

Award winner announced in KC Magazine & KC Business

Award selection for nominated wealth managers are based on satisfying the following criteria: credentialed as an investment advisory representative, a FINRA-registered representative, a CPA or a licensed attorney, actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years, favorable regulatory and complaint history review, fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards, and accepting new clients. Other criteria considered are one and five-year client retention rate, noninstitutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered, number of client households served and education and professional designations.

2015 Starts with a Bang The Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce our newest publication, Catalyst.

I’m sure after flipping through this issue, you will be as excited about this publication as we are.

The Lee’s Summit business community is a vibrant one with lots of stories to be told... from feature stories like “Get to Know a CEO” to “Pro Tips,” there is something in here for every business.

Where did the name Catalyst come from? We think it embodies our mission statement. The Chamber’s mission statement is as follows: We create opportunities for business success through networking and advocacy, as well as business and professional development. We provide leadership by serving as a catalyst for the economic growth and prosperity of the Lee’s Summit community.

Our magazine, Catalyst, like its name, is a vehicle to spark new ideas, stimulate discussion and motivate change. Not simply for the sake of change, but for the purpose of growth and development.

If you are not familiar with our organization, I invite you to stop by the office. The Chamber is located in the historic train depot in downtown Lee’s Summit, 220 SE Main.

We have a dedicated and passionate team that loves what they do, and it shows. We have seven full-time employees and three part-time employees.

Just remember, the Lee’s Summit Chamber is the symbol of support and confidence for business networking, referral and opportunity. Our focus and passion is for the betterment of the business community.

Yours Truly,

joe stasi, saint luke’s east hospital 2015 Chamber Chair of the Board

Chamber Staff Nancy Bruns, President Stephanie Kusek, Director of Communications Chrissy Symes, IOM, Director of Special Events Cathy Young, IOM, Director of Member Services Darla Hall, Advertising Manager Gina Seibel, Creative Director Sue McMilian, IOM, Administrative Assistant Nedra Hoover, Bookkeeper Marilyn Pemberton, Part-time Assistant

4 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

the business magazine

2nd qtr 2015

publisher Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce CHAMBER PRESIDENT Nancy Bruns, CCE ADVERTISING MANAGER Darla Hall CREATIVE DIRECTOR Gina Seibel _______________________________ EDITORIAL STAFF Darla Hall Stephanie Kusek Gina Seibel _______________________________ CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Beaudoin, Rob Binney, Rachel Casey, Lynn Goehring, Rick McDowell, James McKenna, Ben Rao and Donnie Rodgers, Jr. _______________________________ ADVERTISING For advertising information, contact Darla Hall dhall@lschamber.com 816.524.2424 _______________________________ PRESS RELEASES Send to gseibel@lschamber.com _______________________________

220 SE Main Street Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 816.524.2424 • LSchamber.com

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Moving In • pg. 8 Meet one of Lee’s Summit’s newest business owners.

Entrepreneurs Corner • pg. 10 Lessons learned from business start-ups.

feature story - frontier justice • pg. 14 Guns and fashion co-exist in this next-generation firearms training facility. community focused Educational ecosystems networking Photos from local business events

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816.554.7779 6 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

ECONOMIC EXPANSION Latest news from LSEDC LOOKING AHEAD Networking events calendar pro tips Consider your culture

12 18 20 22 24 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 34

Visit LeesSummit.org

Possibilities A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere. ~ Joyce Meyer, Author

Lee’s Summit is the place where anything is possible. Our collaborative culture provides an environment where ideas not only take root, but are nurtured so that they can flourish.

See the possibilities online at LeesSummit.org or call 816.525.6617 to find out what we can do for you.

Yours Truly,

In

Moving

The Perfect Pairing for Lee’s Summit Summit Springs Shopping Center • 217 SE 291 Hwy 252-361-2999 • wineanddesign.com/kansas-city-mo Facebook: Wine and Design Kansas City Instagram: Wine and Design KC

Wine and painting, wine and painting… go together like the perfect pairing. Set to open in early May, Wine and Design is the first business in Lee’s Summit solely dedicated to the new paint-and-sip gatherings. Started in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2011, Wine and Design was founded with the intention to offer something new and exciting… a place where friends, family or co-workers could enjoy a night out, socializing and creating art.

The petite 23-year-old, Southern born-and-bred owner of the Lee’s Summit studio is Kathryn Edwards, who exudes charm and Southern manners. After moving from North Carolina to the Kansas City area to join her boyfriend, she realized after a few job interviews, that she really wanted to pursue a different path.

“I wanted to do something for me,” said Edwards. “Not just an 8-to-5 job. I wanted some freedom. I wanted to own my own business.” After consulting with her cousin Harriet Miller, who is one of the co-founders of Wine and Design, she realized that opening a franchise here was the perfect solution because, not only would she have family support, but with more than 50 Wine and Design franchises open or soon-to-open, she knew the business model was set and had proven success.

When she drove up to the Summit Springs shopping center in Lee’s Summit, she knew she had found the ideal business space.

“My favorite place in the world is Atlantic Beach in North Carolina.

Our beach house there has shingles and the first thing I saw were the cedar shingles on the businesses. It touched my heart.” In addition, even though Kathryn grew up with the South’s wellknown hospitality, she was relieved and pleasantly surprised that “people are so nice here.”

The concept of the franchise is to bring people who have never painted into a relaxing and fun studio. “One of the things that excites me is just because someone is not artistic, or even if you’ve never painted before, you’ll leave with a painting you love,” says Edwards.

On the business side, Wine and Design has many team-building packages available, either at the studio or on-site. All classes are taught to encourage employee participation and teamwork in a relaxed and creative environment. Wine and Design has partnered with companies such as Apple, Lowe’s, Target, Google, Nike and AT&T to name a few.

Edwards also is committed to paying it forward by embracing the Wine and Design “Paint It Forward” mission. Fundraisers can be held at the studio or off-site with a percentage given to the participating organizations.

She can’t wait to share the Wine and Design opportunity with the residents of the Lee’s Summit area: “It’s an opportunity to build my own life here, not only to make business connections, but also to make friends.”

Out of 3,000 paintings to choose from for private parties, Kathryn’s favorite party is Pet Night. “People send in pictures of their pets in advance. We print the pet photos on canvases in black and white beforehand, and have extra instructor artists available so attendees are ensured their finished paintings replicate their pet photos completely.”

8 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Corner

Entrepreneurs

Lessons Learned from Business Start-Ups

by Ben Rao From the time I was a kid, I knew I was an entrepreneur, always selling something to the other kids or coming up with solutions to problems. Finally, in 1997, I left behind the comfort of being a top sales performer for a large corporation when I was fired for bringing my fianće with me on a company incentive trip, which was against the spouses-only policy. One week after being fired, I married my now wife and mother of our two teenagers.

I haven’t worked for another company since. During this time, I have started four businesses in the technology and real estate investment industries, learning much from each of these endeavors along the way.

My latest adventure, Community Buying Group, started with two part-time contractors, working in the garage of a property I was remodeling as a rental unit. Less than four years later, CBG has expanded to 13 employees, and the plan is to add more positions before the end of the year in our Downtown Lee’s Summit offices.

Hiring the right people is key to your success, plain and simple.

One of the tools I recommend for putting the right person in the right seat on the bus is the Kolbe A Index from Kolbe Corporation.

The Kolbe A Index isn’t a personality test or a test that measures a person’s cognitive ability, otherwise known as their skills. It measures a person’s instinct, because instinct is hard wired inside of every individual, and it does not change over time. It is an amazing indicator of the way my team naturally accomplishes tasks, communicates and solves problems.

It’s something I’ve learned to rely on, and expect, and it has contributed to our success at CBG.

ben rao President, Community Buying Group

Fun Fact

His latest venture has tripled its revenue and staff in three years.

Ben has a passion for helping other entrepreneurs and the community.

10 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

The Kolbe Indexes can help Individuals understand their natural instincts and talents. Unlike personality tests that might suggest what you need to change to succeed, Kolbe focuses on what is right with you and helps you build on how you naturally do things to help you achieve your goals.

For our businesses, I have used a Kolbe Certified Consultant to help assess potential employees, find the right people, build successful teams, solve problems and more.

Not only can Kolbe help you hire the right people for the right positions, but it also gives you an opportunity to help employees be more successful by putting them in a position where they can excel instinctively.

When you understand the way an employee is instinctively wired, you can help maximize his or her potential, specifically as they relate to a person’s behavior in regard to how their instincts drive them in the areas of fact-finding, follow-through, quick start and implementation.

Corner

Entrepreneurs

Rao’s Advice for Business Start-Ups •

Risk is not a dirty word. Calculated risk is even cleaner, but don’t let risk scare you. What’s the worst that can happen?

What’s really at stake?

•

Think big, but build small. Build the minimal viable product for testing and, if needed, be ready to pivot from your business plan before you navigate too far on the wrong trajectory. And don’t be so busy that you forget to stop and take a look at results and measure them.

•

Don’t build products or businesses that people don’t want. Ask people if they would pay for what you are producing. Profit should be at the top of your list if you plan to survive.

•

Be honest about what’s best for the business, not what’s best for your pride or ego.

•

Network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Don’t be afraid of being the least experienced person in the group; you need mentors. Talk less and listen more. Ask for help. Most

entrepreneurs want to give back. You’ll learn much from their advice, even if it’s feedback you don’t want to hear.

•

Take your competitor to lunch. Think of it like playing a game of baseball against another team. You can be passionate and competitive on the field, but you still can all go out for drinks afterward.

•

Be a socially responsible citizen and give back to your community. It doesn’t always have to be in the form of a financial donation; giving of your time is important, too.

•

Focus and make a commitment to be one thing. You can’t be all things to all people.

•

Read books written by entrepreneurs and other experts. What I’m reading now: “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. It poses solutions to being overwhelmed, chasing shiny objects, and helps you focus on your one thing.

Short-term sales training is good for one thing.

Short-term results.

Sandler Training™ utilizes continual reinforcement through ongoing training and individual coaching sessions. The combination helps you learn more quickly and ensures your success. With a training center in Lee’s Summit to provide support, you won’t fail…we won’t let you.

Jeff Driskill Driskill Business Development Group, Inc. An Authorized Sandler Training™ Licensee 816-591-4438 / jeff.driskill@sandler.com driskill.sandler.com

Sandler Sales Institute and S Sandler Sales Institute (with design) are registered service marks of Sandler Systems, Inc. S Sandler Sales Institute Finding Power in Reinforcement (with design) and Finding Power in Reinforcement are service marks of Sandler System, Inc. ©2007 Sandler Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 11

Focused

Community

Educational Ecosystem

Bringing a Vision of Business Workforce Development to Lee’s Summit By many standards, things are going well in Lee’s Summit.

Business growth is steady and stable. Population is increasing.

Education entities are performing.

Lee’s Summit is in a unique educational position with its mix of quality public and private K-12 schools, a community college, as well as 4-year business partners, both for-profit and non-profit.

So why would we need to do anything different?

For starters, according to a recent Census Report, a little more than 50 percent of Lee’s Summit’s population has some kind of post-secondary degree.

According to the Lumina Foundation, that figure should be 60 percent for a community to be best situated for long-term economic growth.

60 %G

OAL

While it may not be clear how they will be changing, it is expected workforce demands will change. It’s estimated that 50 percent of occupations today will no longer exist in 2025. An educated, adaptable population will be the critical factor, according to thought-leader Lumina, to meeting the unknown challenges and ensuring long-term economic health in a community.

But how?

“There’s a concept called an ‘Educational Ecosystem’ where we break down the traditional walls between business and educational institutions, and even between educational entities, and strategize how we can contribute to the health and vitality of each other and the overall community by intentionally aligning education to workforce needs,” said Dr. Kirk Nooks, president of Metropolitan Community College – Longview.

At the Lee’s Summit Fifth Annual Education Summit in January, Lee’s Summit business and community leaders, and educational representatives from pre-school to higher education and beyond, gathered to initiate a local conversation of the national Educational Ecosystem movement that addresses how to bring educational opportunities and workforce needs to the same table.

Content provided by MCC-Longview 12 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

What might this look like? If an employer knows how many workers will be needed to provide health care services, the local high schools may begin exposing students to opportunities in health careers to generate an interest and enrollment in high school science classes. Then the community college may discuss projected numbers and training of workers with a company and align faculty and curricula to meet specific workforce needs.

“From my standpoint, as the organization marketing the area to potential businesses, it is critical to have this education system in place and ready to work with businesses,” said Rick McDowell, president and CEO of the Lee’s Summit Economic T N Development Council. “When E R CUR businesses are looking for a new location or to expand an existing business, the key factor is workforce.

Is there a skilled workforce available for them to utilize? The educational ecosystem approach provides an educated workforce and shows that we have the flexibility to meet future needs.”

As the concept is discussed around Lee’s Summit in the coming months, presentations shared and businesses and institutions engaged, the opportunity grows to make the community’s good future even better.

We are excited to be a part of this opportunity to re-imagine how education, business and community can work together educating and training students and workers who will contribute to strong businesses that will support a healthy economy.

Dr. Kirk Nooks President of MCC-Longview

Successful Lee’s Summit Education-Workforce Development Program The Missouri Innovation Campus is a current collaborative effort between MCC-Longview, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and the University of Central Missouri. Participating students earn their high school diploma and associate degree simultaneously while benefiting from real work experience with partner companies.

Students can go on to complete their four-year degree with two fewer years of school and college expenses.

This program was recently nationally recognized by the White House and as one of the top 10 workforce innovation programs by the Community College Futures Assembly.

2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 13

Get to Know a

CEO

Frontier Justice, a $4.7 million, 33,000-square-foot firearms facility and shopping destination, opened in February 2015 in Lee’s Summit’s northern corridor.

Along with a firearms and archery training facility, Frontier Justice is equipped with retail and a gunsmith. Frontier Justice provides both firearms and archery leagues, as well as classes ranging from Conceal and Carry to Basic Pistol, to classes geared toward parents, women and children. Their boutique offers one-of-a-kind women’s and men’s clothing, jewelry and home furnishings. All of their fashions are carefully selected to “tell your story,” some with a “Western Chic” flair. A café offers convenient on-site refreshments.

NE -Jones Industrial 14 |800 CATALYST BUSINESS MAGAZINEDrive

• Lee’s Summit, MO 64064 • 816-336-2600 • frontier-justice.com

Taking a Stand “Faith, Family and Freedom” Mike and Bren Brown were at a crossroads. After 25 years in investment banking, running numerous bond trading floors, traveling internationally and serving on the executive team that started Bank of Kansas City locally, Mike had the good fortune to retire from a lucrative but high stress career while in his early 40s.

His wife, Bren, prior to staying home with their now 13-year-old twins, had utilized her degree in psychology by working in the social services arena. She knew she could return to that career but, knowing that people were relying on her, she knew it would take a lot of energy and commitment.

After someone in a small group at church suggested they merge their passions, everything started falling into place. Mike was a firearms enthusiast who grew up hunting and spending a lot of time outdoors. Bren had considered opening a boutique because she feels strongly the right clothing and furniture can really change a person’s perspective on life, as well as their home space. Working together, they began developing a concept of a shooting range and boutique. They decided to go all in.

Catalyst recently sat down with Mike and Bren to learn more about the story behind Frontier Justice.

What factors went into your decision to do something completely new and different?

Mike: “We realized, at our age, that we’re the kind of people who just can’t sit around.”

Bren: “In addition, our kids are 13 which is a pretty impressionable age, to be in your mid-40s saying, hey, we’re just going to do nothing. That’s not a great message to send your kids; that’s not a great message for your life. You’re given every day on this earth to do something. To sit around would have been a disservice in a lot of ways.”

here to serve those people who are looking to enjoy the sport and utilize the facility wherever they are in the spectrum of knowledge of the sport. On the back of our cards it says ‘Make a Stand.’ We really wanted to make a stand.”

Bren: “We wanted a place with a family atmosphere that really resonated with our family principles. But when we did our research at area sporting goods stores, we found women sat in their cars a lot; they have children in the car… they’re on iPads, they’re reading books; they don’t even go in. So

How did you come up with the concept of Frontier Justice?

Mike: “We wanted a place where families can enjoy and have archery and firearms and the hunting sports. We want to be 2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 15

Get to Know a

CEO

you’ve missed an entire demographic. All the statistics say that shooting sports are up 77 percent in the female market. Who makes economic decisions in most households? Who decides where the dollars usually go? At the end of the day, it’s usually the woman.”

and lifetime memberships that give you access to the gun club or what they call “guntry clubs.” They have a locker room, their own private entrance and concierge that caters to them. We also have a ton of corporate memberships and corporate events.”

Mike: “We literally did put everything into it. Some people think we’re crazy. We just took everything we worked 20 years for and you know what, we don’t know if it’s going to work, but we felt called to do it. We accumulated all this wealth and we have been blessed to do so, but if we do this, it’s going to take it all and we’re going to put it all in.”

Bren: “Here’s an example of one of our corporate events.

A member from one of the founding member investment companies is going to have a client event where he brings in 40 customers and they’re going to have breakfast. He’ll give a presentation, and then they’re going to go on the range and shoot fully automatic weapons. We also have corporations coming in that just want to do a team-building event. A group of 20 will come in and split their time between the simulator room, because they have employees who have never shot before, and the other part of the group will go on to the range.”

How did you decide on this location?

Mike: “Lee’s Summit was where we wanted to be; we really just felt like this made good business sense. Lee’s Summit has done fantastic things in developing the community, growing and stabilizing the community. Also, visibility to the highway is huge. With 72,000 cars driving by every day and the new exit, it’s perfect and easily accessible. Plus, I get tired of Johnson County getting everything.”

Can you tell us more about the membership and corporate events available?

Mike: “We have memberships starting at $49 and go all the way from there… monthly memberships, annual memberships

16 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Mike: “One of our founding members told me he just closed a quarter-million dollar deal out on the range. It’s just like the golf course… there are deals being done here.”

Bren: “The nice part is they’re providing their clients with a new experience and it’s not weather dependent.”

What’s your BUSINESS philosophy?

Mike: “Our goal is to provide a service. We want to be the best. Executing excellence. E squared. Is it meeting our standard? That’s what we try to do every day.”

Bren: “The whole reason I’m in this is to set a good example. I think it’s important for people to tithe, and 10 percent of our proceeds are going to the National Christian Foundation.”

Give us something to think about.

Bren: “I look at shooting sports not only as a life skill but also as recreation. There aren’t a lot of things like that. I think golf’s like that and swimming’s like that. And just like swimming, if you don’t follow safety procedures, bad things can happen.”

Mike: “A man came in and wanted to buy a gun. I asked him a lot of questions and he said he’d never bought a gun, didn’t know anything about them, but decided he wanted to buy a gun that day. I told him we weren’t going to start that way. I told him, ‘I’d love to sell you a gun but I’m not going to do that.’

I advised him to take some classes, learn more about guns and then we can talk about you buying a gun, getting you on a range and teaching you about it. Education is the key.”

What does the future hold?

Bren: “We’ve structured everything for growth.

Everything we’ve done. We have a growth strategy and a scalability strategy.“

Advice for other new businesses?

Bren: “Hiring is everything.”

Mike: “Recognize that you’re going to make mistakes. Because you are. We make mistakes.

We’ve made a lot of mistakes. It’s going to happen. That’s how you learn, right?”

What would you want our readers to know about Frontier Justice?

Mike: “I would want other Lee’s Summit businesses to know that we want to be a good corporate citizen, a resource to other businesses here in the community. I think we need to work together to build the city of Lee’s Summit. We belong to the Chamber and Economic Development Council because we want to be one of those corporate citizens who work with the other businesses here in Lee’s Summit. We’re proud to be in Lee’s Summit, we believe in Lee’s Summit, we’re about Lee’s Summit.”

Bren: “Their success is our success and vice versa.”

An effective and affordable way to grow your business with the right customers.

Advertise in their monthly neighborhood newsletters.

Contact Mike Maksin

816-892-0788

michael.maksin@n2pub.com 2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 17

Truly 150 Sponsor Appreciation Party • Centennial Queen Norma Wood and Honorary Truly 150 Co-Chair Bud Hertzog cut into the sesquicentennial cake. Sponsors were invited to a sneak peak of the new Lee’s Summit Historical Museum.

Truly 150 Sponsor Appreciation Party • Susan Coffman (Lee’s Summit CARES) and Julie Doane (UCM) pose for a quick photo in the museum lobby. To learn more about the Truly 150 celebration, visit Truly150.com.

18 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Truly 150 Sponsor Appreciation Party • Volunteers and sponsors Bob Glaser (Summit Bank of Kansas City) and Dr. Kirk Nooks (MCC-Longview) visit inside the museum exhibit space. The museum is located at 220 SW Main.

Chamber Young Professionals Rick Smetana (UCM) and Carson Graff (Western & Southern Life) check in at the Chamber Young Professionals morning coffee event.

CYPs meet monthly for networking and professional development.

Chamber Before Hours • Ashley Nowell (ProDeo Youth Center), Jeff Driskill (Sandler Training) and Clint Haynes (NextGen Wealth) gather at a Chamber Before Hours event at Saint Luke’s East for some morning networking and breakfast.

816.525.4555

Chamber After Hours • The staff at Lakewood Orthodontics fully embraced March Madness as they hosted March’s Chamber After Hours event.

2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 19

Town

New to

Buildings are

Blooming

Warmer Weather Heats up Development Projects in Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit has been home to multiple developments in the past six months. At least 15 new projects have gone vertical and injected millions of dollars of construction, job wages and other economic impact into Lee’s Summit.

At Home is a new store located in the old K-Mart building at 601 NE Missouri 291 Highway. The building spans more than 85,000-square-feet and opened at the beginning of April.

The Todd George Marketplace fills more than 11 acres off of Todd George Parkway and U.S. 50 Highway with retail, service industries and a new Price Chopper grocery store. Price Chopper will fill more than 68,000-square-feet of space. Other buildings hold 30,000-square-feet of space with pad sites for a bank and restaurant.

Content provided by John Beaudoin 20 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Wilshire at Lakewood is adding senior housing to north Lee’s Summit at 3360 NE Wilshire Drive, with the completion of a three-story, 56,000-square-foot, 42-unit senior living facility. Future residential and commercial sites are planned for that area, which extends just east of the Lee’s Summit Airport.

The Residences at New Longview multifamily development includes a total of seven buildings and 309 living units, ranging from 1-bed & 1-bath to 2-bed & 2-bath with a den and guest room. A leasing office is under construction that will house a fitness facility, heated pool and theater room.

projects have made their way through the City of Lee’s Summit Development Center, from conception to completion, in the past year. More plans are on the way for future construction in Lee’s Summit. To reach the Development Center, call 816-969-1220 or visit cityofls.net.

Real Estate Reality Spring has sprung and real estate has certainly thawed in Lee’s Summit.

The resale market is very active, interest rates remain at or near historic lows and some lenders have lowered the amount of down payment required for a loan. It’s certainly not the days of ‘stated income’ lending, and in fact, it is a much more measured and underwritten approach than ever before. Lenders have learned from the mistakes of the past, and homeowners are looking now, as much as ever, to make a change.

First time and move-up buyers are abound in our area for both resale and new construction homes. The market also is seeing a variety of demand for new construction alternatives. ‘Onestory living’ and ‘multi-generational floor plan’ are the new buzz words in real estate.

New construction is still an important part of our community growth. New phases in popular subdivisions like Legacy Wood, Mill Creek, Highland Meadows, New Longview, Parkwood at Stoney Creek and many others, along with new subdivisions, are being proposed in and around Hook Road and Pryor Road.

Resale homes are very short on inventory and hopes are that spring will bring out more sellers. Homes under $275,000 had less than three months worth of inventory according to recent statistics. That means if you have been thinking about listing, and want to maximize your buying power with low interest rates, now is the time to do so!

rob binney ReeceNichols Real Estate

Fun Fact

Rob is looking forward to riding in Parks & Rec’s Spring Spin and Tour de Lakes.

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127161

by Rob Binney

Relevant

Staying

Marketing Messaging

by Jim McKenna

Successful marketing is all about creating a message that will reflect a changing consumer mindset. By watching changes in consumer behavior over time, you can anticipate and forecast the changing needs, wants and desires as they relate to your customer base.

Five key considerations to ensure your messaging remains relevant...

Consumer Focused Your marketing communication needs to focus on “consumer wish fulfillment” NOT “advertiser wish fulfillment.” Maybe that’s why two-out-of-three consumers state that advertising today has very little if any, relevance to them and what’s important in their lives.

Emotional Seventy-five percent of all consumer decision making takes place on the subjective emotional level. So your marketing and advertising messaging must touch them emotionally if you hope to inspire and attract them. Make your messaging optimistic and refreshingly honest.

People don’t want to feel like they are being sold.

Flexibility The pace of change is changing. If you don’t like change, you’ll like irrelevance even less.

Just because it ‘worked’ before doesn’t mean it will work today or tomorrow. Perfect example, Blockbuster.

Inoculation Be a leader in your category. Focus your marketing on how you can redefine the category as opposed to simply being satisfied with trying to be the best at being the same.

Deliver a message that excites the imagination and redefines possibilities.

Jim McKenna Community Marketing Director

Fun Fact

Jim was part of the strategic team at an advertising agency that developed the airline industry’s first ever frequent flyer rewards program.

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Study Up Unfortunately, market leaders will not stay leaders if they’re not in tune with the changing consumer mindset. Research helps keep you ahead of the competition by analyzing and interpreting the forces shaping consumer behavior by providing an understanding of what really matters to the consumer. Not what we think should matter to them or what we’d like for them to care about.

We have your solution.

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2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 23 www.dynamicdisplaysllc.com

Doing Good in the

Neighborhood

Coldwater is all about relationships, and it shows. Director Monica Humbard and Community Director Monte Stull were quick to explain that everyone they serve becomes a friend.

They don’t have clients…just friends.

“At Coldwater we focus on friendships,” said Humbard. “We need the people we serve to feel comfortable with us so they can communicate their needs.

We listen to those we serve and provide comfort where we can.”

Since its inception in 2009, Coldwater has been caring for the Lee’s Summit community. This faith-based organization works to break down economic, cultural and physical boundaries through mutual friendship and hope.

With summer just around the corner, Monica and Monte are gearing up for the busy season.

The Summer Lunch program is part of Coldwater’s “No Hungry Kids!” initiative, and it’s the one that requires the most volunteers. The program is designed to provide meals for Lee’s Summit youth during summer vacation. For 10 weeks, Coldwater volunteers prepare and deliver 100 meals daily Monday-Friday.

Plans also are underway for the 6th Annual Out4Others Mission Week. The week-long program is available for 5th-8th graders in the month of June. During the session, students are introduced to different volunteer opportunities and exposed to the importance of giving back.

24 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

“Kids make some of the best volunteers,” said Humbard.

“They don’t think within the boundaries that we do. They have great ideas and are eager to help where they can.”

Additionally, Friends Days (not just exclusive to the summer months) are important days to Coldwater.

“Every Second and Fourth Saturday of the month we gather our friends from noon-2 p.m. and serve them lunch,” said Stull. “During this time, we enjoy each other’s company and our Clothes Closet is open for shopping. It’s just a great day that we look forward to each month.”

Both Monica and Monte expressed how grateful they are for the generous business community that volunteers and supports their organization through sponsorships. For example, one day recently, representatives from Arvest Bank and Mazuma Credit Union were on hand working in the Clothes Closet.

Coldwater is happy to work with any business or organization that is looking for volunteer opportunities. All talents, all ages and all skills can be used at Coldwater. Interested volunteers should email volunteer@coldwater.me.

Thanks to Coldwater for taking care of our friends in Lee’s Summit.

To learn more about Coldwater make sure to visit coldwater.me. Their League of Smiles t-ball league is definitely something to look into!

Make your goals a reality.

Whether it’s a bachelor’s or master’s degree, the University of Central Missouri – Lee’s Summit offers high-demand academic programs with the flexibility to fit your schedule.

Contact an advisor today.

816-347-1612 summitcenter@ucmo.edu

ucmo.edu/summit

2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 25

What’s Your

Says

Survey

Business Quote?

R e s po n s e s p r ov i d e d b y L e e ’ s S u m m i t C h a m b e r Bo a r d of D i r e c t o r s

Unknown Vic Cundiff Weed Man

PAUL MCCLAIN FREEDOM WEALTH ADVISORS

Trisha Goodale Pulaski Bank Home Lending

"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

jeremy wood cinematic visions

Molly Wichman Life Transformations Personal Training

“You cannot be anything you want to be—but you can be a lot more of who you already are.”

Tom Rath Strengths Finder 2.0 Rosalie newkirk hsmc orizon llc

26 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Do not be afraid to give up the good and go for the great!

John D. Rockefeller john brown hollis + miller

Joe Stasi saint luke’s east hospital

Scoop

Downtown

“Every taxable purchase downtown will now help preserve, protect and improve Lee's Summit's most famous attraction.” Jason Norbury, Chair of the CID Board

Funds for the Future Downtown Community Improvement District Established April marks a milestone for Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street that has been eight years in the making... the Community Improvement District is now active.

WHAT IS A CID? A CID is a special taxing district established to provide funds for services and public improvements within a district.

Overall, the goal is to maintain the district, in this case, downtown Lee’s Summit, and provide enhancements that may not otherwise be possible without the additional funding.

Examples of items that can be funded with a CID include trash pick-up, beautification, marketing of the district, public art and economic development initiatives.

HOW IS IT FUNDED? The Downtown Lee’s Summit CID is funded through a one percent sales tax for a total of 8.725 percent on all retail purchases made within the district. The boundaries of the district are roughly Jefferson to Grand streets and Second to Fifth streets, which encompass the central business district.

ADDITIONAL LEE’S SUMMIT CIDs

I-470 Business Center Chapel Ridge Langsford Plaza New Longview Raintree 150 Center

1% 0.5% 1% 1% 1%

Raintree North Raintree Lake Village Summit Fair Summit Woods

0.5% 1% 1% 1%

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? The CID acts as a self-sustaining mechanism by which downtown Lee’s Summit can remain a viable and vibrant part of the Lee’s Summit community, taking the downtown core into its next generation of economic and cultural development.

WHO MANAGES THE FUNDS? Downtown business owners and property owners comprise the board that manages the funds. Mayor Rhoads appointed the first directors, with future directors being board-appointed.

BOARD MEMBERS Chair Jason Norbury, Treasurer Jennifer Swearngin, Secretary Amy Robertson, Justin Bliefnick, Brad Culbertson, Bryan King and Debbie Stoddard

donnie rodgers, jr.

Assistant Director, DLSMS

Fun Fact

Donnie is a farm boy. Growing up he showed chickens in the SEMO District Fair. In fact, one of his hens won reserve grand champion!

2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 27

Update

Chamber

The Champion of Business Laying a New Foundation

by Nancy Bruns Since 1968, the Lee’s Summit Chamber has been the champion of business in the Lee’s Summit community. It should come as no surprise when I say that people enjoy doing business with people they know and trust. We are proud to create opportunities for businesses to succeed through networking and advocacy, as well as business and professional development.

We love what we do, and it shows. In fact, we are currently renovating our office and expanding our staff to better meet the needs of our members. Look for a ribbon cutting in the next month or two as we unveil our newly expanded offices and introduce our newest staff members.

Truly the Best Business of the Year Awards Each year the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce accepts nominations for the Truly the Best Business of the Year awards. Awards are given in various size categories.

The top three candidates were announced at the Chamber’s Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, March 25.

BEST IN CLASS NOT FOR PROFIT (under 20 employees) • Coldwater • MetroCARE-Lee’s Summit • Truman Heartland Community Foundation BEST IN CLASS IV (five or less employees) • A Thyme for Everything • Dana Arth CPA, LLC • Embrace the Grape Beverage Catering BEST IN CLASS VI (6-20 employees) • Lakewood Animal Health Center • Missouri Central Credit Union • Rejuvenate Mind-Body Wellness Center XX

BEST IN CLASS XX+ (more than 20 employees) • Great Southern Bank • Hollis + Miller Architects • Saint Luke’s East Hospital The top three recipients will have a site visit prior to the announcement of the winner in each category.

Consideration is given based on service to the Chamber and to the community, prudent business practice, stability/growth, history of good employee relations, effective marketing strategies, technology resource management, growth in number of employees and the application presentation.

The final award recipients will be announced at the Membership Luncheon on Friday, May 15.

28 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Pictured: Executive Committee Members Tyler Morehead and Vicky Cundiff place the time capsule

History in the Making

Thanks to Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation, we have new permanent signage to further signify our commitment to this community.

In fact, one of our board members, Tyler Morehead, had the great idea to bury a time capsule in the sign. Wish we could tell you what is inside, but you are just going to have to wait until April 23, 2068. That date marks the 100th Anniversary of the Lee’s Summit Chamber’s incorporation.

DANCE FOR FUN! DANCE FOR LIFE! 816-525-7464 • steppinoutthestudio.com 750 W Main Street • Lee’s Summit, MO

THE LEGACY OF DANCE IN LEE’S SUMMIT Phyllis Balagna has 26 years of providing dance and performing arts instruction to the children of Lee’s Summit and supporting the business community.

Steppin’ Out - The Studio is 100% synonymous with outstanding training and is the area leader in dance education and performance, from preschool to professional.

The Lee’s Summit CARES Character Business Sector strives to build businesses of character that make life better for employees, customers and the community. Learn more by visiting LScharacter.org/business.

2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 29

Person 2

Person

Meet Dr. Christina Woodle Advanced Sports and Family Chiropractic & Acupuncture Tell us a little bit about your business I am a chiropractor and co-owner of Advanced Sports and Family Chiropractic & Acupuncture. We have been in business since 2008 and in Lee’s Summit since June 2014.

What made you decide to do this for a living?

I had the opportunity to see many miracles happen for those that I love the most in my life, as well as myself and it was because of chiropractic care.

What is the most important issue your business faces today?

Patients often come to us as a last resort rather than a first choice. This means that in many cases patients are in bad shape before they find chiropractic, but the good news is chiropractic works and can even help some of the worst cases.

Why did you choose to do business in Lee’s Summit?

As a mom of two children, I love the family feel of the downtown area. It screams family and community and I wanted my business to be surrounded by that.

Tell us about your family I have an amazing husband who I married six years ago and shares my passion for chiropractic and acupuncture. Together we have two girls. Serenity is lively and fun and all of 3 years old. Our youngest, Brooke, is 11 months old and is on the move following and mimicking everything her sister does.

What would you be doing if money was no object?

I wouldn’t change a thing!

Do you have a favorite motivational quote?

I’m not sure if this qualifies, but I live by the motto that your life is what you allow it to be!

Learn more at ASFCA.com

30 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Social

Social Media Strategy Five Tips to Build a Strong Foundation

2. Content truly is king.

Your followers want to read relevant posts. Good content is the best and easiest way to grow your Social Media exposure. Whether it’s when to put fertilizer down in the spring or what mutual funds to avoid for conservative investing – sharing small golden nuggets of your expertise will help build you as the expert in the industry.

3. Look beyond your business for content.

Look to your strategic business partners, your local schools and even your favorite local charities for additional content.

If a business partner is hosting a blood drive to benefit the local charity, share that information with your followers to spread the word as well as the wonderful things happening in the community.

4. Build a calendar.

Social Media can be a daunting task without a clear plan of action. Calendars ensure you have a defined plan to share original content on all of your business accounts.

39% users utilize Google+

The great – and scary – thing about Social Media is that it is constantly changing. What’s a great solution now may not be the best answer for your company next year. As you develop a strategic Social Media plan, remember to be flexible. Try new networks and measure engagement success; if it doesn’t work, it’s okay to move on to something else.

1

71% of all Internet

users utilize Facebook

ages

41% 18-24 ages 29% 25-35 ages 15% 35-44 ages 9% 55-54

23% 241

200

26%

ages

of all Internet

users utilize Instagram

28% 20 of all Internet

users utilize Pinterest

28% users utilize LinkedIn

ages

37% 18-29 ages 25% 30-49 of all Internet users utilize M i l l i o n ages T w i t t e r U s e r s 12% 50-64

53% 18-29 ages M i l l i o n 25% 30-49 Active ages U s e r s 11% 50-64

of all Internet

5. Engage, don’t sell.

For businesses that have a product to sell, this one is difficult. The companies that have grown the most successful social media reputations have done so by building engagement. It’s okay to occasionally promote a great special price on your widget. The rest of the time, share original content that asks relevant questions, solicits feedback or requests ideas. And reply to those comments!

Million Users

of all Internet

Worldwide

540

1. Know your audience.

It seems simple enough, but often businesses take a shotgun approach to Social Media and miss the target all together.

Take time to determine your audience and research which platforms will effectively reach that audience with the least amount of investment.

ages

87% 18-29 ages 73% 30-49 ages 63% 50-64

Billion Users

Social Media. No matter if you are a small business or a large corporation, those two words often cause uncertainty when you are involved in marketing your organization. Follow these five tips to best benefit your business.

Worldwide

by Lynn Goehring

Buzz

Million Users Worldwide

ages

ages

34% 18-29 ages 28% 30-49 ages 27% 50-64

300

23% 18-29 ages 31% 30-49 M i l l i o n ages 30% 50-64 U s e r s

lynn goehring Marketing Diva GraphicGator Marketing & Creative

Fun Fact

She is a crazy, overextended volunteer mom: Girl Scout & Cub Scout leader; softball, volleyball and soccer coach... and MUCH more.

2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 31

Expansion

Economic

We Lee’s Mean Business Summit is the Total Package

by Rick McDowell

By the time you are reading this column, I will have seven months under my belt with the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council. In that time, I have more than doubled my staff (moving from a one-person office with the Liberty EDC to a three-person office in Lee’s Summit). Of course, this is said with my tongue firmly in my cheek, but in all honesty, the connections I have made in this community even in seven short months have been invaluable.

I have spent hours with community partners and City staff. I even participated in a retreat with City Councilmembers before my first day on the job. I can honestly say I have spent more time with City Councilmembers here in Lee’s Summit, working towards a common goal of creating the most effective economic development partnership, than I have in previous cities.

Looking ahead, my personal goals for the LSEDC are three-fold: • To retain and attract LSEDC investors while continuing to collaborate with our existing investor base.

• To build upon my personal professional network, which is the investment of my years of experience.

• To effectively expand on our job-creating capabilities while protecting our current job base.

I am a firm believer in the power of marketing. Not only does the LSEDC have more than 125 public and private investors, but we are lucky to have amazing community partners to work with: the Lee’s Summit R-7 and Blue Springs R-4 school districts; Summit Christian Academy; higher education partners such as MCC-Longview and UCM; the Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street organization, with nearly 300 businesses and investors; and the Chamber of Commerce, with nearly 1,000 members.

Our marketing strategy is built around the power of the entire community working together. The trick is to determine how we best differentiate ourselves from other cities competing against us. Think about it. On average, the U.S. has 250 projects annually, with 22,500 EDC organizations vying for their attention.

Lee’s Summit’s community spirit approach to business represents a collaborative, pro-business atmosphere which we and our business partners have found conducive in attracting and retaining business investment and job creation. Mirroring the Kansas City Area Development Council and Missouri Partnership, we have worked with City staff to establish target industries for our community. We will focus on these industries which we believe represent the greatest return on investment for our marketing dollars.

A few of our focused industries include: • Health & Medical fields • Data Centers • Manufacturing & Distribution How will we market moving forward? Using face-to-face meetings with companies and consultants; attending industryspecific trade shows; updating our website, as well as printed marketing materials to make them friendlier for site selectors; and by utilizing social media.

This is an exciting time to be part of our responsive, resourceful, innovative and collaborative business community.

It is no wonder that in a recent independent national survey, people said they were 12 times more likely to recommend Lee’s Summit as a place to conduct business. I am thrilled to be here and a part of the community.

32 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

calendar of

EVENTS LS Chamber Membership Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Fri., April 17 TMC Lakewood (Truman Room) - Kansas City, MO Sponsor: TMC Lakewood Speaker: Kevin Sheridan, Consultant and Leading Expert on Employee Engagement Topic: Building a Magnetic Culture: How to Attract & Retain Top Talent to Create an Engaged, Productive Workforce RSVPs Required Directing a Purposeful Career Transition 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tues., April 21 & 28 Location: MCC-Longview - Lee's Summit, MO This two-session “Directing a Purposeful Career Transition” workshop is designed for “Boomers” anticipating a career transition or seeking post-retirement employment opportunities. For more information, contact Janet Schaaf at 816-604-2030.

Social Media Marketing 2-4 p.m., Thur., April 23 Location: MCC-Longview - Lee's Summit, MO Are you behind the social media curve? Learn how to use blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other tools to network with potential customers, colleagues and friends. Students MUST have a Facebook account before attending this course.

For more information, contact Janet Schaaf at 816-604-2030.

LS Chamber Before Hours 7:30-8:30 a.m., Tues., April 28 Sponsor & Location: Summit Flooring & Turf- Lee's Summit, MO LS Chamber Recess for Success 3:30-4:30 p.m., Tues., May 5 Location: John Knox Village, The Manhattan Room Lee’s Summit, MO Sponsor: AFLAC - Alan Mais Speaker: Clint Haynes, CMFC® - NextGen Wealth Topic: A Broad Overview on the Power of LinkedIn LS Chamber After Hours 4:30-6 p.m., Thurs., May 14 Sponsor & Location: Silverstein Eye Centers- Lee's Summit, MO

LS Chamber Membership Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Fri., May 15 Location: Abundant Life Baptist Church – Lee’s Summit, MO Sponsor: Lee's Summit Journal “Truly the Best” Business of the Year award winners announced! RSVPs Required LS Chamber Before Hours 7:30-8:30 a.m., Tues., May 19 Sponsor & Location: T-Bones Deli & Meat Market, Lake Lotawana, MO LS Chamber Recess for Success 3:30-4:30 p.m., Tues., June 2 Location: John Knox Village, The Manhattan Room Lee’s Summit, MO Speaker: Jeff Driskill, Driskill Business Development Group Topic: Are They Qualified to be Your Client?

LS Chamber After Hours 4:30-6 p.m., Thurs., June 11 Sponsor & Location: Duct Doctor USA of Kansas City Lee's Summit, MO LS Chamber Membership Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Fri., June 19 Location: Paradise Park - Lee's Summit, MO Sponsor: University of Kansas Edwards Campus Speaker: Ronnie Burt-President & CEO, Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association. RSVPs required LS Chamber Before Hours 7:30-8:30 a.m., Tues., June 23 Sponsor & Location: Budget Blinds - Lee's Summit, MO Caring Community - Networking Event 4:30-6 p.m., Wed., June 24 Location: Summit Bank of Kansas City - Lee's Summit, MO Take time out to meet the people associated with nonprofits and businesses who make Lee's Summit a great place to live. For more information, contact Susan Coffman at 816-835-3459, sdcoffman@rediscovermh.org or LShsab.org.

To submit business related events please visit LSchamber.com and select the member events calendar.

2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 33

Pro

Tips

Consider Your Culture Tips for Succeeding in Today’s Ever-Changing Business Climate John Wisniewski knows a thing or two about success. The now retired president of Hollis + Miller led the team in persevering during economic downturns and various cycles of the economy.

Hollis + Miller, founded in 1950, has grown from a one-man office into a company with offices in both Kansas and Missouri, along with licenses in more than 30 states.

Through partnerships and resilience, the company has established itself as the longest continuously practicing architecture firm in the Kansas City area. The company prides itself on its results-driven architecture and design work, along with its relationship with the community.

What exactly did it take for Hollis + Miller to reach where it is today? Wisniewski offers the following advice for businesses looking to grow and succeed.

• Stick to what you know and do it well.

• Hire people with skills and capabilities beyond your own.

• • • • • • • •

Invest in your community: nurture friendships and relationships and things come back to you in unexpected ways.

Retreat. Take a step back and review what you’re doing.

Conduct a SWOT analysis annually and tweak things until they work.

Establish “go and no-go” decisions. Develop guidelines for realistic decision-making.

Create a culture employees want to be a part of. Reward your employees and celebrate milestones. If you buy food, they will come.

Implement an advisory board of professionals who know what you may not. More importantly, LISTEN to your advisors.

Balance the number of employees, hours and workload.

Growth is good, but be wary of growth rate and don’t lose perspective.

Stay on top of knowledge and responsibilities, even if they may not be your own, and be prepared for the worst case scenario.

Invest in technology.

All of these things will help build a culture and business with the ability to succeed; however, it takes a leader who can find a way around obstacles and survive hardships. Whatever the endeavor is, survive, have fun and enjoy what you’re doing.

Pancake Breakfast • Face Painting • Bounce House Young Eagles Flights (ages 8-17) • Helicopter Rides Aircraft Displays • Food Vendors and much more

816.969.1800 • LSairport.net • 34 | CATALYST - BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Yours Truly,

2ND QUARTER - 2015 | 35

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

1100 SE Century Dr 1100 SE Century Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Lee’s 816-524-7733 Summit, MO 64081 816-524-7733 www.BodiesHF.com www.BodiesHF.com

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