Catalyst - The Business Magazine Q3 2016

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Edible Income Provides Boost Powell Gardens celebrates new milestones, growing exhibits and programs

3RD QTR 2016

WHO’S HUNGRY? Best Places for Brunch

CULTURAL ARTS EXPANSION New Venue Extends Possibilities

REVITALIZATION Historic District Sees New Updates

Smart...

The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council takes pride in being known as one of the most responsive, resourceful, innovative and collaborative business environments in the Kansas City metro area. Our entire business community shares an enthusiastic and forward-thinking spirit.

It is our pleasure to serve all those with a sincere interest in investing, relocating and expanding their business in Lee’s Summit. We invite you to visit us online to see what we can do for you and your business.

Yours Truly, LEESSUMMIT.ORG | 816.525.6617

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. Whether it’s a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or a certificate program to help you get ahead, the University of Central Missouri – Lee’s Summit offers affordable, in-demand programs with the flexibility to fit your busy life.

Check out your options at ucmo.edu/summit.

Enjoy the Fresh Air Can you feel that? Summer is finally here and it’s time to get out and take a breath of fresh air. Daydreams of summer vacations loom, while the sun shines and community activities buzz all around.

It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through 2016, and the second half looks to pass us by just as quickly as the first. The Chamber has celebrated this year’s business of the year winners, a successful Chamber Challenge and another sell-out golf tournament and we hope you find yourself celebrating successes too.

The halfway point is a good time to take a look at your business plan and the goals you set at the beginning of the year. Are you where you want to be? Is there room for improvement if you had just a little bit more time? The Chamber offers resources for members who are looking to develop not only their business network, but their professional repertoire as well, which can save time in the long run.

Free seminars such as Recess for Success help you gain knowledge and tools to work more efficiently. Take a look at the calendar on page 50 to see which upcoming topics suit you. Don’t have the chance to get away from the office? The Chamber has a whole list of ways to promote your business without leaving your desk chair.

Give the Chamber office a call or reach out to me and we can walk you through the tips and tools to get the most out of your Chamber membership.

Wherever you are and however busy you may be, just remember to take a moment to stop and enjoy the fresh air.

Yours Truly,

VICKY CUNDIFF, WEED MAN 2016 Chamber Chair of the Board

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

3RD QTR 2016

PUBLISHER Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce CHAMBER PRESIDENT Tim Arbeiter ADVERTISING MANAGER Darla Hall DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Stephanie Kusek _______________________________ EDITORIAL STAFF Darla Hall Stephanie Kusek _______________________________ CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Beaudoin, Clint Haynes, Rick McDowell, Jim McKenna, Ben Seidel _______________________________ ADVERTISING For advertising information, contact Darla Hall dhall@lschamber.com 816.524.2424 _______________________________ PRESS RELEASES Send to skusek@lschamber.com _______________________________

_______________________________________________________ CHAMBER STAFF Tim Arbeiter, CEcD, IOM, President Matt Baird, Director of Business & Governmental Relations Stephanie Kusek, Director of Communications Stacy Needels, Director of Special Events Cathy Young, IOM, Director of Member Services Darla Hall, Advertising Manager Anne Aubuchon, Administrative Assistant 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

Visit LSmeansbusiness.net for info

At Your Service...

Subscribing to the belief that tomorrow’s economic growth demands smarter forward thinking (and doing) today, the City of Lee’s Summit introduced the Business and Development Center. A first-of-its-kind, the “concierge service” makes the business and development process a whole lot easier from start to finish.

Maybe that’s why Lee’s Summit’s rating as a “place to conduct business” is now 12.9 times higher than the national average by both entrepreneurs and CEOs. But don’t just take our word for it, come see what we can do for you and your business.

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DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT pg. 28 The projects revitalizing downtown

8 22

THE PERFECT BLEND pg. 8 Lee’s Summit’s brewing success

POWELL GARDENS • pg. 22 From edible income, to exotic butterflies and dinosaurs

CULTURAL ARTS Summit Theatre Group STAY INFORMED Department of Labor Ruling DOWNTOWN SCOOP Re-branded Bar, Bistro...Bar•istro MANUFACTURING INSIDER Polytainers is the Whole Package SOCIAL BUZZ Google Apps to Save Time LEADERSHIP LESSONS Tingle Flooring STAYING RELEVANT Catalysts for Change PRO TIPS Tracking Marketing Efforts MEMBER SPOTLIGHT What’s for Brunch NEW TO TOWN Legacy Park Amphitheatre POWER OF ONE Meet Shirley Boyer CHAMBER UPDATE Transitioning Leadership REAL ESTATE RULES Tips for Keeping Up with the Market 6 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Picture

Life…

You picture a life with financial security. Connect your vision to a real strategy designed to secure your tomorrow. Join us for a confidential consultation to evaluate what your retirement could look like.

Unbiased Advice with Integrity, Transparency & Professionalism Chuck S. Cooper III, CFP®  Senior Vice President – Investments Jon G. Garlow  Financial Advisor 3171 NE Carnegie Dr, Suite B  Lee’s Summit, MO 64064  816-554-5470 www.wfadvisors/cooperwealthmanagement.com Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC  Member FINRA/SIPC CAR-0815-03297

Town Corner

Entrepreneurs New to

THE PERFECT BLEND POST COFFEE COMPANY Tanner Stevens and Levi Holland met while living in the same townhome complex in Kansas. Friendship came easy for the two, and they soon realized they both had a mutual love and background in coffee. One thing led to another, and they began roasting coffee in a garage in the complex. They’ve come a long way from that garage to owning and operating Post Coffee Company in Lee’s Summit.

Stevens helped open Quay Coffee in the River Market area and Holland worked for a coffee shop in the Village of Liverpool, N.Y. Interestingly enough, both also have experience as pastors, and it’s easy to see they love interacting with people as they visit with customers.

In June 2014, both families moved to Lee’s Summit and in scouting for a permanent shop, they found a location they liked on Chipman Road.

Before opening there, however, the

duo rented a spot at the Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmers Market on Wednesdays. Shortly after, Wednesdays turned into Wednesdays and Saturdays, and with the continued support of the community, they were ready for their brick-andmortar location. In January 2015, the two opened Post Coffee Company at 200 NE Chipman Rd. As Stevens recounted, it is an unassuming strip mall that had a great location available and they were able to transform the space and make it their own.

“It has been neat to become a part of this community,” said Stevens. “We felt welcome right away and we want people to feel that way when they come into the café. We have designed the café in a way that encourages people to interact with us while we make their drinks.”

Post uses the pour over method to manually brew their coffee.

Hot water is carefully poured over grounds with perfect timing, allowing the flavors to emerge. Post uses fair-trade coffees and roasts their beans on-site.

In June 2016, by popular demand, Post Coffee Co. began offering coffee classes. Topics include cold brew, espresso, latte art and palate development classes. Held on Tuesday evenings in the Coffee Lab, guests taste and learn about different coffees and terminology. Interested parties can register for classes with any staff member. The cost to attend the 1-hour classes is $25.

8 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Follow their Instagram @postcoffeecompany for a great example of how to use the platform to build your brand.

aged for five days. Affogato is a coffee-based dessert featuring a scoop of ice cream (also locally made) topped with espresso.

When asked how business is going, Stevens humbly said, “It’s going good.” It’s easy to see that “good” is an understatement as the shop is completely full at 10:25 a.m. on a Wednesday.

The café is full of the perfect blend of patrons: senior citizens exchanging stories, professionals plugged into their computers and a mom sharing a treat with a toddler. From the staff to the music, and the space itself, the tone is relaxed and inviting.

“Our café is large and that’s what we wanted,” said Stevens.

“It’s a place for people to come together and enjoy a sense of community.”

With a successful year and half under their belt, what does the future hold for Post Coffee? “We want Lee’s Summit to be our staple café,” stated Stevens. “We have no desire to franchise.

We are interested in expanding our wholesale side of the business. We are also looking to go mobile and have a truck that can set up shop at events.”

The duo is pleased to call Lee’s Summit home and plans to help other businesses the way they have been helped. “As newcomers to Lee’s Summit, the people pulled us right in and we felt like part of the community,” explained Stevens. “We joined the Chamber and it has been really great. We liked coming into a community that is more than just a bunch of separate businesses. Now that we are open and established, we want to start contributing to other small businesses that are opening. We want to be involved in the business community the way it has been with us since we opened.”

The menu features coffee drinks such as espresso, macchiato, cortado, Americano, flat white and lattes, as well as chai tea and hot chocolate. The coffee beans primarily come from Colombia and Ethiopia but, at any given time, they arrive from Kenya, Sumatra, Rwanda, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Papua New Guinea and more. The coffee and the espresso headline the drinks, not the syrups and sugars. You also can purchase pastries made by McClain’s Bakery, and on the weekends treat yourself to a locally made donut.

Besides the standard menu, Post Coffee also offers seasonal specials, and summer is no exception. Think iced coffees, mocktails and affogato. The iced coffee is a unique slow brew (one drip every five seconds), then the coffee is sealed and

3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 9

Arts

Cultural

Summit Theatr e Group brings community theater roaring back to Lee’s Summit It all started at a café in downtown Lee’s Summit. Community theater was finally reborn after years of planning, fundraising and commitment to its revival.

At the front of that line were Ben Martin, James Wright and Lindsey Dragen – three members of the Lee’s Summit community with deep ties to theater and a vision to bring it back to life.

Martin, a retired drama teacher who spent 18 of his 34 years teaching at Lee’s Summit and Lee’s Summit West high schools, said the discussions to renew community theater started as early as 2010 with Dragen and Wright contacting Martin. He’s been president of Summit Theatre Group (STG) since day one.

“They deserve the credit as much as anyone does,” Martin said. “I wasn’t one of the movers and shakers in the very beginning. They called me; I had just retired at that point, so I thought, ‘Yeah, I need something else to fill up my life.’”

It could be said that Martin never really “retired” though. Since leaving the classroom, he’s seen STG through nearly five seasons of shows, including the inaugural “Bus Stop” performance at 10 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Neighborhood Café, musicals such as the lighthearted “Bye Bye Birdie” and the captivating “Godspell,” to the dramatics of “The Guys” and “All My Sons.” The current season includes the classic stage show “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and the holiday offering “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some).”

All told, when the fifth season curtain closes in December, 24 shows will have hit the stage, every one of them rewarding and challenging to Martin.

“That first performance at the Café was really unique and memorable. We did not have a home. We were gypsies at that point,” Martin said of “Bus Stop.” “We were kind of making it up as we went along. It really was fun as far as being totally creative. Seeing what worked and what didn’t work. We seemed to really capture the community’s imagination too.”

Hundreds of actors, stage workers and production team members have been a part of STG since that first play, including Lee’s Summit West theater teacher Brad Rackers. Rackers played Jesus in “Godspell” and appeared in the ensemble in “Assassins.” He also has directed “The

Nerd” and is currently directing “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

“Community theater is a way for people of all ages and stages to be involved in the wonderful world of theater,” Rackers said. “Summit Theatre Group has allowed people from all walks of life to come together to create high quality theatrical works. Businesses, professionals and actors/technicians work together to make Lee’s Summit a thriving and supportive theatrical community.”

In those early years of discussion and planning in 2010 and 2011, the group harkened back to the former Lee’s Summit Community Theater, which operated from the 1980s until 2002 – discussing what worked and what was needed to bring local productions back to life.

Martin said the group spent a year getting its incorporation done, working on nonprofit status and bylaws. And the first few years had rocky moments.

“It felt really good after the first year; the second year brought us back to earth,” Martin recalls. “We did some great shows, but they didn’t make any money.”

Community theater operates in a world of year-to-year finances. “Just about any small, nonprofit organization, and definitely community theaters operate like that,” Martin notes.

“It does feel gratifying that we’ve made it this far.”

His greatest memories are pairing with the Lee’s Summit VFW chapter on “A Piece of My Heart,” a season one performance that Martin called “very important.”

“Doing something with some kind of social importance,” he said. “So we try each year to do at least one show with that kind of aspect to it. There is a place for ‘theater for a cause’ and I have been very happy we’ve been able to do that.”

Martin said something about every performance stands out, including the individual work of Jeff Reed in “The Music Man” and the entire cast of 2015’s “The Women of Lockerbie.”

Still, if he could change anything, Martin said he would love to make sure every resident of Lee’s Summit knows that community theater is resurrected.

“We hear all the time, ‘Oh, we didn’t know we had a community theater here in town,’” Martin said. “We’re going to continue to do all we can to change that.”

upcoming shows JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING T EC H N I C O LO R D R EA M C OAT August 12, 13 & 14, 2016 Legacy Park Amphitheatre

F I RST K I S S ES October 7, 8, 14, 15 & 16, 2016 MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center

E V E RY C H R I ST M A S STO RY E V E R TO L D (A N D T H E N S O M E) December 15, 16, 17 & 18, 2016 Holiday Dinner Theatre at Longview Mansion summittheatre.org • Facebook.com/summittheatregroup

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Informed

Stay

Department of Labor Makes Final Ruling on Overtime Protection Breaking down changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act

The recent changes to the Department of Labor’s Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) have gained quite a bit of attention, and rightfully so as it means a lot of changes for businesses, both big and small, as well as employees. On May 18, President Obama announced the final ruling, updating overtime regulations to automatically extend overtime protection pay to more than four million workers within the first year of implementation.

The FLSA was established in 1938, but wasn’t enforced much until the late 1980s when litigation was brought forth by plaintiff attorneys. It became quick and easy to file collective class-action lawsuits, which was proven in 2015 when more than 8,000 lawsuits were filed.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has hired hundreds of new investigators, even amid budget cuts in Washington, and can audit a company at any time without notice. Seventy-nine percent of recent audits yielded violations. Companies who fail to compensate employees for overtime can be required to pay back pay in liquidated damages, going back as far as three years.

Wage and hourly claims suits cannot be settled without the approval of the DOL or the court system. The department also launched a misclassification campaign, focusing on contractors who may actually qualify as employees. All violations, back pay, etc. are then reported to the Internal Revenue Service.

So what exactly does all of this mean? Businesses with more than two employees and annual revenue exceeding $500,000 are required to compensate employees 1.5 times their standard rate for hours worked over 40 in a seven-day work week. Even if the employee takes unapproved overtime, a company can discipline, and even terminate the employee, but still has to pay overtime.

To be exempt from overtime pay, workers must meet a certain salary threshold and perform certain duties.

12 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Previously, employees had to make at least $23,660 annually or $455 a week. The salary threshold has now been raised to $47,476 annually or $913 a week. The Highly Compensated Employee (HCE) rate has been raised from $100,000 to $134,004 annually. The duties test, however, remains the same.

Previously, employees had to make at least $23,660 annually or $455 a week.

The salary threshold has now been raised to $47,476 annually or $913 a week.

White collar exemption duties are broken down into three levels: executive, administrative and learned professional. Executive duties require workers to manage the enterprise (or a division of the enterprise) and also manage two or more employees, with the authority to hire and fire. The administrative exemption requires employees to manage primary office functions and make discretionary decisions and independent judgments. To qualify for the learned professional exemption, employees must have advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning.

Changes also include policies regarding bonuses. For the first time, employers will be able to count bonuses and commissions toward as much as 10 percent of the salary threshold.

The DOL projects that $12 billion will come out of employers’ pockets and into employees’ pockets over the next ten years.

Future updates will occur every three years, beginning 2020.

LEARN MORE Informational seminar hosted by the Chamber 7:30-9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24 Saint Luke’s East Hospital, 100 NE Saint Luke’s Blvd.

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Downtown

Scoop

Co-owners Eric Allee and Randy James

A Bar, A Bistro Branded Bar•istro Rebranding a business can be challenging, exciting, frustrating and rewarding. And that’s just in the first week.

It’s not as though Eric Allee and Randy James were simply putting a new name on an accounting firm or a law practice – they were rebranding a long-standing, popular wine bar with a recipe that included new menu items, craft cocktails, music and a mission to drive people back to the eastern edge of downtown Lee’s Summit.

The mission continues. But both Allee and James can certainly sit proud – garage doors open, walls lined with wine and specialty drinks – now that the transformation (or revolution, not to overstate it) is complete at Bar•istro, 127 SE Third St.

The process started a few years back when Eric purchased the bar in February 2013 from Tony Mills (who had purchased it from longtime owners Marsha and Larry Bradbury). About 14 months later, James joined him.

Soon, the accountant and attorney, respectively, began to look at not only what the customer base was asking for, but what the market demanded downtown in an increasingly competitive environment.

“How can we broaden our demographic?” James asked rhetorically. That was the question, and still is the question for many bars. Bar•istro had already nailed

Customers can make their own batch of wine from start to finish, even designing their own labels. These homemade, personalized wines make great gifts during the holidays!

14 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

YOUR

one key demographic, offering 32 different types of wine from sweets to reds.

“So we had to talk about walking that tightrope,” James began, “from the one thing that makes us unique – we make, bottle and sell our own wine – and not be pigeon-holed into just that.”

So in September 2014, Bar•istro was born from the former LMS Wine Creators. Allee and James went to work doing a remodel of the bar, adding the distinctive touch of garage doors that front the heavily traveled Third Street, and thus increasing sales by 40 percent since that addition.

Eric & Randy’s Favorite Drinks

When the pair took over, social media metrics told them their business was nearly 85 to 15 percent women to men; today, that number is 60 to 40, still favoring the females. The changes surrounding those numbers are evident.

Eric’s Top Shelf Lemon Drop Martini

Artists like Tina Garrett began doing “live drawing” events during Fourth Fridays; the wine cellar moved into a dedicated room; they offered new food options you can’t find in other venues (try the smoked salmon) and live music Thursday through Saturday became the norm, not the exception.

1-1/2 shots Kettle One Citron Vodka 1/2 shot Caravella Limoncello

Sure, wine is still in the arsenal. It has to be. Bar•istro is the only local joint where you can design your own wine labels, make your own batch and take it home. But they wanted to do even more.

Even though their backgrounds were nowhere close to the bar business, it appealed to both of them for different reasons. “At the time, I needed a change,” Allee said of leaving his CPA practice, noting his only real bar experience came at age 24 as a banquet bartender at the Marriott. “When I grew up, my father had a little restaurant – probably no bigger than this space here – I started at age 10 helping out. I didn’t know a lot about the business, but I did know about customer service and that’s what drew me in.”

Allee and James met when they both had kids at Woodland Elementary.

“As an attorney, this business had a real appeal to me,” James said.

“To have people come in to your place, and if they had a good day you made it better, and if they had a bad day, you made it better…”

So, the transition continues, with both owners keeping an eye to the future. “When we have music here, this place rocks,” James said. “And it’s a place where women can come and feel safe, enjoy themselves, not worry about a thing.”

NAME

HERE

Allee said maintaining the “not a stuffy wine bar” feel is critical. “We’re not going for the snobby experience,” he said. It’s the “everyone from business happy hour to first-date” kind of place.

That’s what rebranding is all about.

Lemon Juice Simple Syrup

Randy’s Beer•istro 2/3 Bud Light 1 shot house-infused Bloody Mary vodka Zing-Zang Bloody Mary Mix Olives to garnish Served in a pint glass

127 SE 3 rd St. Lee’s Summit, MO

Best

Truly the

Kathy Edwards, Dana Arth, Brad McCleary, Mayor Randy Rhoads

Chamber Celebrates Top Businesses for 2016 Four local businesses were recipients of the Truly the Best Business of the Year awards at the monthly membership luncheon on May 20. The four award winners include: Rachel House Pregnancy Resource Centers (nonprofit with less than 20 employees); Dana Arth CPA, LLC (five or less employees); Bodies Health & Fitness (6-20 employees); and the City of Lee’s Summit (more than 20 employees).

Rachel House Pregnancy Resource Centers exist to supply women in an unplanned pregnancy with physical, emotional and spiritual support, as well as resources to enable them to make the best decisions about their pregnancy, their future and the future of their child. Their passion and faith drive them to provide a caring, compassionate environment for those in crisis.

16 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Dana Arth CPA, LLC specializes in providing services to small business owners such as accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation and more. The firm also offers income tax returns for individuals. The responsive firm experienced a 30 percent increase in clients over the past year. Arth also passed the exams to offer financial services as well as accounting services.

Bodies Health & Fitness is a comprehensive health club offering fitness programs, nutrition education, chiropractic, massage, race management and more. At Bodies, clients are encouraged to work towards individual goals through connecting with others in their supportive network. Bodies believes in making a difference in the community and living their core values: faith, family and fitness.

The City of Lee’s Summit is responsible for providing municipal services, police and fire protection, and managing development and growth of a community of more than 93,000 residents. Guided by a strong business plan, the city focuses on citizens, employees and the ability to deliver quality services. The city “truly delivers” on its mission to create a progressive organization through positive community relationships and strategic planning.

The winning businesses are chosen by a task force consisting of previous award winners. Through the application process, each business is given consideration based on service to the Chamber and community, prudent business practices, stability, good employee relations, effective marketing, technology resource management, growth and the application presentation. Interviews and site visits also are conducted throughout the process.

Winners from the Past Three Years 2015 MetroCARE-Lee’s Summit A Thyme for Everything Lakewood Animal Health Center Hollis + Miller Architects 2014 Pro Deo Youth Center Julia Hampton, CPA Douglas Tire & Auto Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic School 2013 Lee’s Summit Social Services Cinematic Visions Lee’s Summit Journal MCC–Longview

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3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 17

Insider

Manufacturing

POLYTAINERS INDUSTRY LEADER IS THE WHOLE PACKAGE Have you ever purchased cream cheese, coffee creamer, whipped topping, sour cream or yogurt? Did you know that many of the containers for these products and others were manufactured right here in Lee’s Summit? Did you know that in 2015 this company celebrated its 25th anniversary in the Lee’s Summit community?

and Victoria. Not only was there room for expansion in the business park, but a welcome supply of employees with a farming background and a great work ethic lived in the area.

The plant started with 20 employees, and three of the original employees just celebrated their 25th anniversary along with the company last year.

You’ve probably driven by the intersection of Douglas and Victoria Road and seen the “Polytainers” sign at the edge of the cross streets and wondered who they were.

Today, Polytainers is one of the largest producers of specialty containers in the food and dairy industry in North America, focused exclusively on rigid plastic containers. The Lee’s Summit facility operates 24/7, has more than 300 employees and manufactures more than 1.6 billion containers annually.

Yes, you read that right, 1.6 billion containers per year! The food-safe, SQF certified plant expanded 50,000 square feet in the last 10 years and now encompasses more than 224,000 square feet, housing 33 injection molding machines, 18 printing presses, 3 thermo-forming machines, 5 in-mold label machines and all operate with high-end robotics.

Polytainers’ competitive advantages are printing, decoration and a quick turnaround time from concept to consumer and order to delivery.

The story of Polytainers began in the 1950s with current Polytainers CEO and president of the board, Bob Barrett. His father owned a milk delivery service in Toronto and began making containers for margarine in 1968. He brought his son into the company, and soon they were making containers for the entire butter industry in Canada, eventually expanding into the United States. They started looking for a centrally located city in the Midwest to build a second plant and Lee’s Summit made them a great offer.

So, in 1980, in the middle of farmland with nothing else around…no stoplights, no movie theatre, no residential development, no other businesses, Polytainers was the first manufacturing facility to open on 40 acres near Douglas

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Polytainers is a privately-held company with Barrett, an innovative visionary leader who’s very involved in the business, solidly at the helm. What changes do they see in

their industry? Thinner, thinner, thinner is the name of the game, so that more product can be stacked on store shelves and sold.

The Lee’s Summit location manufactures more than 1.6 billion containers annually.

Polytainers is committed to internal development and promotions, so the company looks at each and every employee and defines a unique career path for each one. They believe diversity helps them to be a better company. Polytainers has a progressive, diverse workplace, with more than 37 languages spoken, including Somalian, Chinese and Japanese. Many of the company’s improvements are based on employee suggestions.

As part of their family-friendly culture, Polytainers has a holiday brunch for employees and their families with food, games, music, photos with Santa and more. They also have a patio party for the Royals home opener, complete with grilled hotdogs and the works.

awareness of the many non-degree opportunities at Polytainers and other similar workplaces locally. Their mission is to find a path for all high school students, whether they’re going to a 2- or 4-year trade school or college, or for those who aren’t necessarily interested in a college degree. For example, automation technicians can make as much money as an engineer and don’t need a 4-year degree. They offer internships, assign mentors and provide scholarships for employees and their children going to college. They would like people to know that it’s possible to have a lucrative, long-term career, one involving robotics and other cutting-edge technology, without having to leave Lee’s Summit.

So next time you’re perusing the aisles of the grocery store, just remember that even some of these big brand names include a little piece of Lee’s Summit.

Terisa Guenther, controller and Glenn Watson, human resource business partner, were interviewed for this article.

Staffing remains a big concern, which is why you’ll sometimes see “Job Fair” and “Help Wanted” on their corner sign. They often have entry-level, full-service packers and printer positions available, with internal training provided. They’re looking for people who are willing to come to work and give 100 percent while they’re there.

Technical staffing is their most critical issue and they work with local high schools and community colleges to find and groom high school students for industrial work. They believe that being a good corporate citizen is increasing

3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 19

Buzz

Social

Google Apps Time-saving resources for businesses

Like many of you reading this, I too once lived in the Microsoft Outlook world. It seemed good enough at the time and there was really no other choice when it came to email for business.

However, you now have options, and very good options at that. In migrating from Outlook to Google Apps, it’s opened my eyes to an entire new world…a much more efficient, time-saving world!

Google Apps such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, etc. came along a few years ago. Now, not only are small businesses migrating to Google Apps, but some of the biggest companies in America, companies with tens of thousands of employees, have seen the light as well.

For most employers, it’s a relatively easy transition; there are many companies who perform these migrations. It took about 30 days for me to have the Google Apps system down. Since that day, I haven’t given Outlook another thought.

So why am I so passionate about Google Apps? First of all, Google Apps is cloud

based. You can access your email from anywhere on any device and it looks and functions exactly the same.

You don’t need a server like you do for Outlook and the cost is only $5-10 per user each month. If you compare the cost and ease of setup/use to Outlook, it’s almost night and day.

You also have access to Google Drive, aka the cloud, which means you can access your documents from anywhere on any device. Plus, download Google Drive on your desktop and anything you save there will automatically be saved to Drive.

However, by far the best features of Gmail are the time-saving extensions/plug-ins that work seamlessly right inside your email. The one I use most frequently is Mixmax. Ever dreamed of having Inbox Zero? Mixmax will get you there. Plus, it’s totally free.

Its primary feature is scheduling reminder emails. In Outlook, I would send an email and then have to create a task to remind myself to reach back out if I hadn’t heard

back, and then do this again every time I didn’t get a response. With Mixmax, I click a button right in the email and schedule the email to pop back into my inbox on a given date and time if I haven’t received a response yet. It’s so easy and saves me an estimated 40-50 hours each year.

The other feature I use daily is the appointment scheduler. All I do is click on the little calendar icon in my email message and it pulls up the Mixmax calendar, which is synced to my Google calendar. I select a few dates and times that I’m available and they automatically get inserted into the email. I send the email and the receiver clicks on the time that works for them, and we both get automatic calendar reminders. This feature saves me an estimated 40-50 hours each year.

Google Apps has been an absolute blessing for me and my business and gives me more time to focus on what’s most important…my clients.

Other Cool Apps to Check Out • Crystal Knows • SignEasy • Google Keep

• Virtu • Square Cash • Songkick

CLINT HAYNES Founder, Financial Planner NextGen Wealth

Fun Fact

Clint’s wife works for a candy company and they have a closet at their house full of every kind of Peeps, Mike & Ikes and Hot Tamales one could ever imagine.

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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.

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3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 21

Heartland Harvest Garden 22 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

PUT IT ON THE SUMMER TO-DO LIST For parts of four decades, Powell Gardens has been packing the house full of garden-lovers, tourists and those with a true appreciation of the vast beauty and transcendence of the area – a count that is now impressively in the millions.

Powell Gardens, located near Kingsville, Mo. in Johnson County, averages more than 100,000 visitors each year and 2016 will be no exception, especially with the 20th anniversary of the Butterfly Garden in full bloom.

The Festival of Butterflies (Aug. 5-7 and 12-14) sees the 2,500-square-foot conservatory altered to a temporary butterfly house.

“Inside the conservatory, there will be hundreds of free-flying tropical butterflies, including some butterflies from Asia that we haven’t exhibited before. We are excited to see those,” Powell Gardens Marketing Director Karen Case said. “As usual, there will be lots of activities for kids, a costume parade and a few surprises for the 20th anniversary.”

“Experts from Monarch Watch will be here, which is always a treat. And for those who want to plant a butterfly garden at home, we will have a nice assortment of plants for sale. All plants are great for containers, so everyone can plant and help the butterflies – even with limited space.”

Powell Gardens first opened its doors in 1988 when ties with the University of Missouri Extension Center ended, establishing the notfor-profit endeavor. According to the official history, “Powell Gardens’ began in 1948, when George E. Powell, Sr., a prominent Kansas City businessman, acquired the beautiful tract of land that is now Powell Gardens. Mr. Powell had learned firsthand about the sometimes harsh and unpredictable life of farming during his childhood on the family farm.”

Powell Gardens is governed by a 19-member board, including members of the Powell family. The organization employs as many as 70 during its peak season.

Case has been with Powell Gardens since 2011 and said her past history with the organization made working there an easy decision.

“I was a member for a long time, before even volunteering here,” Case said. “There is always a good mix of things going on for just about anybody. I’m a gardener, but you don’t have to be a gardener to enjoy it.

I used to come out here and make notes on every single plant I thought I needed. I had time to volunteer and the Heartland Harvest Garden was my favorite because I love food.”

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Story

Feature

Case said she planted a “ridiculously large” edible garden based on her inspiration from Powell Gardens. “This is a great place to come out and see what all the possibilities are,” Case said.

Powell Gardens President and CEO Eric Tschanz said the organization has matured and grown over the years, becoming the premier botanical garden in the Kansas City area. “Besides our work at the Gardens, we are reaching out more into the Greater Kansas City community,” he said. “We have developed numerous earned-income programs, from introducing new plants to the market to our memorial scatter garden and our hightunnel tomatoes. Yet, we continue to refine and polish the tried and true, such as the Booms & Blooms Festival with the Lee’s Summit Symphony and our Festival of Butterflies, now celebrating its 20th year.”

Festival of Butterflies

The continued success and attention to the attraction comes from the Powell Family Foundation, Friends of Powell Gardens, employees and the volunteers, Tschanz said. “Powell has such a great committed staff – many of whom have been with the Gardens for many years. That continuity and dedication allow us to exceed our visitors’ expectations,” he said.

The produce program and “high tunnel method of growing” are two particular areas of pride for Tschanz and Powell Gardens. “A high tunnel is basically an unheated greenhouse and there are no fans for ventilation,” he said. “They are large hoop structures, about 15 feet tall to help with excess heat in the summer, with roll-up sides to cool during sunny days.

Generally, we plant about one month earlier than outdoor tomatoes and harvest at least a month earlier. Because the tomato plants are under plastic, we do not rely on rain and control the moisture through drip irrigation. Last season was cool and damp, and outdoor tomatoes didn’t perform well. Our tunnel tomatoes did fine. We harvested in early June and as late as October. We have one acre covered with seven tunnels that are 31 feet wide and 200 feet long. We grow approximately 4,000 plants in our native soil, and the tomatoes are delicious!”

Powell Gardens

“Powell gardens is a great place for all ages to visit many times during the year— it is not necessary to be a gardener to enjoy a visit.” -eric tschanz Tschanz says the high tunnel was developed with the goal of an earnedincome source to market Powell Gardens as an educational component, Jurassic Garden

1988

1991

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1996

Powell Gardens opens

Perennial Garden opens

Rock & Waterfall Garden opens

Meadow Pavilion opens

Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel opens

and to continue with the Heartland Harvest Garden mission of providing fresh, local produce. “We are fortunate that the Cosentinos have been longtime friends, members and supporters. They purchase the bulk of our tomato crop (26 tons last year),” Tschanz said. “Most of that goes to the Cosentino’s stores in Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs and Brookside. We also deliver weekly to about 20 high-end restaurants in Kansas City, from the Plaza to the Crossroads and west to the Mission Farms complex.”

From local produce to local employers, Powell Gardens Director of Development Rhonda McClung said that corporate support is the key to their future. “We work with our sponsors to customize packages to address their business goals and create special opportunities to showcase the company’s brand and products during events,” McClung said.

GLOW Jack-O-Lantern Festival

Powell Gardens’ range of offerings extends from butterflies to dinosaurs, with the Jurassic Garden exhibit running through Oct. 3.

“As they stroll through the Gardens, they will encounter incredibly realistic dinosaur sculptures, created by Missouri artist Guy Darrough, a well-known fossil collector, fossil preparation expert and illustrator,” Case said.

Powell Gardens is funded three different ways: one-third through admission and memberships, one-third through philanthropy and one-third through endowment. And even with the astronomical visitor numbers since 1988, Case said she still comes across first-timers at Powell Gardens and those who have not yet seen it firsthand.

“I try to give them as much information about the variety of things we have going on out here. We have dinners with local chefs, festivals, demos – there’s bound to be something that appeals to that person,” she said. “Chef Jasper Mirabile will demonstrate how to make fresh mozzarella at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7. He serves that with some of the Gardens’ fresh heirloom tomatoes. And on most Saturday afternoons through August, our Heartland Harvest Garden Interpreter Barbara Fetchenhier (aka Barb the Gardener) hosts Fresh Bites, a series of seasonal demos focusing on whatever is ready in the garden.”

Missouri Barn Dinner

They also offer the Missouri Barn Dinner series and invite guest chefs to create multi-course menus featuring produce from the Heartland Harvest Garden. The dinners take place in the open-air Missouri Barn and always sell out. Finally, for 2016, the Education Department has added a Cooking from the Garden series of classes taught by chefs.

For more information, visit powellgardens.org.

Eric Tschanz, CEO

1997

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Visitor Education Center opens

Island Garden opens

Garden Gatehouse opens

Fountain Garden opens

Heartland Harvest Garden opens

Networking

Photos

CHAMBER CHALLENGE • Ladies from Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic School enjoyed the gorgeous weather while working a snack stop at the inaugural Chamber Challenge held at Paradise Park.

LEGISLATIVE DAY Brianne Miller, Steve Casey and Stephen Stricklin joined fellow Chamber members and traveled to Jefferson City to meet with legislators, tour the capitol and network.

26 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS • Young Professionals worked together and cheered each other on during a teambuilding event at Sky Zone. The Young Professionals group is open to members ages 21-35.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR RECEPTION Laura Maxwell, Michael Bailey and Nancy Bruns stopped for a photo while visiting with nominees for the Teacher of the Year award, presented by the Chamber and the R-7 School District.

AFTER HOURS • Sage Norbury takes aim in the Nerf archery competition at the Chamber After Hours event in June. Turn the Page Online Marketing hosted the fun Renaissance Festival themed networking event.

LEGISLATIVE DAY • Clint Haynes, Cathy Young, Frank White, III and Bruce Clark posed for a photo at a reception during Legislative Day, sponsored by Central Bank of the Midwest.

3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 27

Reimagining A redevelop e d

Downtown

by John Beaudoin

28 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

A former restaurant gets a complete facelift after sitting empty for nearly five years; a modest space west of the railroad tracks is transformed from gym to event use; a vacant spot overlooking Third Street is reconceived as an old-time speakeasy; a historic building envisioned into a bustling restaurant.

It’s called redevelopment. And it is happening in every corner of downtown Lee’s Summit.

123 SE Third St.

From office to entertainment, food and drink to retail and service, buildings are largely not staying empty for long – on the rare occasion they go vacant – thanks to some creative visions by investors, property owners and those interested in continuing to see downtown thrive.

In the last two years, no less than 16 redevelopment projects have seen their way through the process, from conceptual to complete, in downtown Lee’s Summit.

And there are some hefty numbers behind those redevelopment investments. Conservatively, almost $1.5 million has been spent on interior and tenant finishes and improvements on redevelopment projects in less than two years downtown.

315-317 SE Main St.

Those dollars have been poured into more than 37,000 square feet of space on projects as massive as the 315-317 SE Main St. building (7,100+ square feet in a renovated building housing Land 3 Studio, Bushyhead, LLC and Fossil Forge Design) to as modest as the 820-square-foot Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street office, located inside a revamped warehouse in an alley at 13 SW Third St. Christine Bushyhead, incoming chairman of the board for the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council and owner at Bushyhead, LLC, isn’t just discussing redevelopment in the downtown core, she’s living it, both with investments in the building and construction of a new home.

“I’m looking forward to new construction opportunities all over the downtown area,” Bushyhead said. “Right now, we’re getting head turns. We will turn that into, ‘Wow, what’s going on in that area?’ We won’t ever be ‘redeveloped’ out.

Diversity in commercial activity gives us a more sustainable model…office, retail, dining, services.”

Neighborhood Café owner Tony Olson has been invested in downtown Lee’s Summit for several years, having taken the reins at the restaurant more than five years ago. As a

210 SW Market St.

Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street board member and investor, he says he’s watching the district’s energy cultivate.

“The growth we see is not only in new buildings or updating existing ones, but in energy,” Olson said. “There is a new wave of optimism and energy that comes with these people. These business owners are excited to be down here and you can really see the teamwork

factor starting to rise. We all see what is happening and are wanting to work together to make it better.”

Some of that vigor surrounding redevelopment is connected to a hopeful increase in future foot traffic and housing, some of which will be driven by the eventual construction of the outdoor performance space passed by the voters in April 2013.

Mayor Pro Tem Rob Binney, who represents District 1 and downtown, said

30 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

he’s optimistic movement on that project is forthcoming. “The most recent update I have had on our downtown space is that the City signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Downtown CID (Community Improvement District) Board and Downtown Main Street for the next phase of general planning of the project,” Binney noted. “I believe staff is in discussions with property owners

residential development in the area, and take into consideration the impact it will have on its immediate site, as well as the potential benefits to the small businesses, restaurants and other commercial ventures in the area.”

to further secure the property before getting too far into the planning stage.”

Regardless of the location, Binney said one of the long-held goals of downtown revitalization is to attract more people, in a closer proximity, to help support and sustain the businesses moving and investing in the district.

the current and expanded downtown boundaries are ripe for discussion.

Currently two sites – the former U.S. Post Office land on Market Street between Second and Third streets and the Methodist Church property for sale at Second and Douglas streets – have been widely discussed as future sites for multifamily development.

“In order to do that, some multi-family units will need to be constructed in the downtown core,” Binney said. “We have to be willing to look at potential

“The resulting residents will require new products and services supporting current proprietors as well as additional business investment,” Brown said. “The existing

Current LSEDC Chairman Bill Brown said new housing options and maintenance of current housing stock are essential to a vibrant downtown, noting that both

Summit Grill owner Andy Lock was looking for just that – a sense of place – for his newest creation, Third Street Social.

“It was kind of a perfect marriage really. We had been wanting to come to downtown Lee’s Summit for quite a while,” Lock said of 123 SE Third St., site of historic Arnold Hall. “The commitment and dollars inside this restaurant are significant.”

“The physical characteristics of the building are just amazing.

We love the brick. The historic message of Harry Truman on the front. Everything from the barreled roof and the truss work in here, reminded us of some of our favorite restaurants in Chicago, where we found restaurants with rustic elegance, cool menus, and a certain vibe when you walked in.”

Lock said the truss work blended into his new logo and ties to Lee’s Summit resonate inside the building with history, photos and maps.

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“We are extremely proud of where this restaurant is. This restaurant will fit in perfectly with all the pieces we have downtown. Our hope is it enhances the entire downtown, to drive more people here from a bigger circle of impact.”

Driving people downtown, Bushyhead said, is at the core of redevelopment. “We have to go there in our minds so we can get there in reality,” she said.

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.

3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 31

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central business district offers options for new housing, but it is within the boundaries of the expanded downtown footprint (Chipman Road, U.S. 50 and 291) which has the greatest potential, including vacant lots on Third Street, the Methodist Church site, and the potential mixed-use redevelopment of the Pine Tree Plaza Shopping Center. All three locations sit on major downtown corridors and provide both the ability to create new downtown residents and a sense of place that does not currently exist.”

Lessons

Leadership

Flooring Celebrates 70 Years in Lee’s Summit “What exactly do you do?” is a question Chip Moxley, president and owner of Tingle Flooring, has heard many times. Tingle Flooring is a 90,000-square-foot wholesale distributor of any kind of flooring you can imagine, from hardwood to more modern carpet tiles and everything in between. Just take a look around at any industry and you’ll find that many of them do their work through distributors.

Think back in time to post-war America in 1946. Many homes were being built and construction was booming to support the soldiers who were coming home. A big piece of that construction puzzle was flooring, and how to get it across the country quickly enough to satisfy demand. Armstrong Flooring, a major player in the flooring industry at that time, used railcars as the main mode of transportation, giving them a need for more distributors across the country.

Meanwhile, Bill Tingle, a 1920s University of Missouri graduate, opened shop in Kansas City. However, it wasn’t until much later in the 1980s that Chip, previously a CPA, joined forces with his dad at Tingle Flooring. While Bill owned a good amount of stock, Chip set forth to buy out their other investors and grow the business. This concerned Armstrong, who believed they were too small to survive and wouldn’t be able to compete with giants like Lowe’s and Home Depot. It was this line of thinking that led to a new partnership.

A merger with distributors in Denver and St. Louis formed the I-70 partnership, and required a $10 million credit line to do so. Banking relationships were key in making the deal work and the importance of guarding your line of credit, and actually using it, proved to be vital. The partnership changed the game and the business was off and running.

1

Cash is king. If you don’t convert enough money to cash, your business won’t make it.

2 3 4 5

Everything costs more and takes longer than expected.

6

It’s OK to not want to work here. Bad attitudes are contagious, don’t tolerate them.

7 8 9 32 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 10

Manage your finances by percentages.

Sleep on it! Take time to reflect on decisions.

Play to people’s strengths. Have someone you can trust to tell you when there’s a problem.

Follow up, follow up, follow up.

Be humble and kind.

People wish you well, but only so well.

Life is never as good or as bad as it may seem at the time.

As in every facet of life, challenges presented themselves, forcing Tingle Flooring to make adjustments. Home Depot began offering night delivery, making a big impact, and then came the recession in 2008. Chip’s biggest challenge of all was remaining calm in trying times, and taking the time to assemble a team to deal with various issues. Now, the Lee’s Summit hub sends a truck to Denver every day to compete and offer quick turnaround.

Denver has proven to be a lucrative market, where the builders market is twice that of St. Louis and Kansas City combined. Trends also start in Denver and make their way east like a weather pattern.

One of the most recent trends has been carpet tiles for commercial buildings that can be laid together like puzzle pieces. Imports have also become mainstream, which was not the case just five short years ago. While increasing imports have improved margins and allowed Tingle Flooring to offer more varieties, inventory has skyrocketed, posing a storage problem.

Tingle Flooring continues to grow, adding between 100 and 150 new customers every year. This year marks the 70th anniversary of Tingle Flooring, and the entire company will be together for the first time in years. Chip plans to continue investing in Lee’s Summit, saying a possible expansion may be on the distant horizon for their 3-acre warehouse. Their employees, including their drivers, love Lee’s Summit’s safe, welcoming atmosphere and plan to continue their work here for many years to come.

33 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Relevant

Staying

Catalysts for Change “You understand how this works…men want her, (therefore) women want to be her.”

-Don Draper, Mad Men TV show set in the 1960s

In the 1960s, only 22 percent of women worked and just 35 percent attended college, while 72 percent were married and 70 percent were “stay at home moms.”

The Times Have Changed

of college graduates today are women of the family finances are 75 percent handled by women

51 85

percent of women today are married percent of all automobile purchases are influenced by women of all stock market investors are women of households have female breadwinner or co-breadwinner

Now, let’s move the calendar ahead to the present day.

A more relevant attitude reflecting today’s world would be something along the lines of “women want to be her because other women admire her.”

The Facts Speak for Themselves It’s easy to see that women are catalysts for change when it comes to the home, workplace, economy, health care (especially attitudes toward wellness and aging), politics, education, religion, social interaction and family.

For businesses, if your message is no longer relevant, it’s falling on deaf ears. To be successful, it is imperative that your marketing communication take into consideration the values, preferences, behaviors, attitudes, beliefs and lifestyle characteristics that motivate women to purchase your product or service. Remember, women are the most powerful segment in today’s economy so your messaging needs to resonate and motivate them to purchase your product or service.

Some Helpful Hints A woman’s balancing act (career and family) results in a time famine. Think about more convenient hours, layout (store or website) and less time waiting in line.

They are seeking products and services to help them save and manage their most precious commodity… time. Women are brand loyal because brands represent a guide post to quality, and therefore, reduce the stress and demands of comparison shopping.

If you ignore this market, you do so at your own peril.

So I suggest you wake up and smell the perfume.

34 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

GUTTER COVER OF KANSAS CITY Local Business Commemorates 15 Years

Gutter Cover of Kansas City is a family-owned, Lee’s Summit based business. This year marks the company’s 15th anniversary. The owners, Doug and Pam Stacye, established the company in 2001 offering The Gutter Cover™ to the Kansas City metro. The business is second generation. Pam’s parents were very entrepreneurial at heart, owning and operating many businesses over the years. They were building contractors for many years. Her dad noticed the damage to homes caused by clogged gutters and became very interested in gutter protection. They began to sell and install gutter covers.

Pam helped in advertising development and sales for her parents’ business. Doug had business experience as sales manager for a successful company. After moving to the Kansas City metro, Doug and Pam obtained the exclusive distributorship of The Gutter Cover™.

Their philosophy has always been customer oriented, with a desire to provide a quality product that solved problems.

As Gutter Cover of Kansas City has grown and developed, the goal is always to be progressive and improving.

Training processes have been developed to help ensure estimators can identify problems and provide solutions for homeowners. Craftsmen are trained to implement those solutions, which contributes to a reputation as a company that provides a high-quality product with an emphasis on strong customer service.

This philosophy has been successful as the company continues to grow. The best proof of this is the many happy customers who post their positive experiences on Google, the BBB and Angie’s List. Angie’s List has honored Gutter Cover of Kansas City with the Super Service Award seven times.

The growth of Gutter Cover of Kansas City was further accelerated in 2011 when Doug Stacye was accepted by the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program. The program was founded by Barnett Helzberg, Jr in 1995. The mentoring program provides tremendous training, business knowledge and experience.

Revenues have doubled in the last three years and today, the company employs 20 people who work in sales, customer service and installation.

Sponsored Content

1151 SE Century Dr. | Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 816.246.7881 | guttercoverkc.com 3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 35

Pro

Tips

Tracking Systematically tracking your marketing efforts to streamline campaigns Let’s face it, there are infinitely many different ways to spend money on marketing your business, and they all yield varying degrees of success. One fundamental truth rings true: regardless of which marketing avenue you choose, they all generate significant costs for small businesses. Keep in mind that costs don’t just include tangible cash expenditures of the associated campaign; costs also include your time and effort put into networking, hosting seminars, participating in events, coordinating marketing efforts, etc.

So, with all those expenditures, are you tracking your results?

According to a study by the Beagle Research group, only 22 percent of mid-sized companies (fewer than 250 employees) are using analytics to manage and track their marketing campaigns.

As the company size decreases, that percentage is likely to follow suit. However, it’s arguable that tracking marketing efforts is just as critical, if not more critical, to a small business.

Why is Tracking Important?

if the relationship is valuable. Use your own tracking systems to keep your marketing partners accountable.

Analyzing tracking data also allows you to better tailor marketing and product lines to customers’ needs and wants, and also helps you better understand where and when your precious time and money can be spent most efficiently.

What Should I Track?

In short, track as much as you can without being utterly creepy.

At our company, we track details of the current or potential client relationship in our CRM (customer relationship management) system. This CRM lets our staff see the history of the relationship, including the first stages when they are a lead, who referred them, which staff member did they meet and when, which marketing campaign was a direct influence, what are their interests, and what should the follow-up steps be. Once there is a clear business opportunity present, we use this system to track the results of meetings, and any proposals issued or accepted.

Tracking the results of your hard-earned money spent on marketing is critical for many reasons. First, it tracks the overall effectiveness of your differing campaigns. For example, did that recent mailer you sent out yield any leads? If so, how many turned into potential clients? How many requested proposals, and how many ultimately converted? Finally, what was the total dollar spend vs. the total of new contracts? All of these inquiries lead to one final question: is this marketing avenue growing my business or is there a more efficient route to explore?

Eventually, all leads, contacts and proposals are tied to a campaign. A common misconception is that a “campaign” is simply a marketing effort such as an advertising campaign, email/ digital marketing or a seminar, but campaigns are much more fluid. Nearly any public-facing action of a company can be a campaign. For example, your company joining a local chamber can be defined as a campaign. Ultimately, you are responsible for tracking these details and drawing the associated conclusions.

If you are working with a marketing company, don’t leave the tracking solely up to them. Sure, it’s critical to request reports and make sure they are providing consistent updates. However, you need to be the one who does the final math to determine

It’s even more critical to track recurring events consuming a considerable amount of time on a regular basis, i.e. networking groups, publicity opportunities, local entrepreneur events, etc.

Remember, time equals money, and you can’t acquire more hours in a day.

36 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

How Do I Track?

Next Steps

Numerous tools exist that are designed for the sole purpose of tracking and evaluating your marketing efforts. One of the most common is a CRM system. Not all CRMs are created equal in capabilities or costs. Prices for CRMs can range between $0 (yes, free!) per user per month to more than $300 per user per month. You might check out a few of the most common and popular CRMs for small businesses – Salesforce, Zoho CRM and Insightly. Each have a multitude of different packages and addons that integrate with your current systems. Keep in mind it’s easier, and much more realistic, to start small and build slowly.

Each of these platforms require a significant portion of upfront customization to your business and sales workflow. Even more so, they require time and training to learn and put into practice, but great tracking is well worth the cost.

Recognizing the benefits of tracking is critical to growing your business and operating more efficiently. Next, I recommend researching and trying out a couple of the platforms. Additionally, it may be helpful to talk to a marketing consultant who can guide you to the right CRM based on your overall goals and budget.

One sobering reality is that the success of your tracking is a direct metric of utilizing the right tools multiplied by the time and effort you consistently put into the tracking system. Either a terrible system or a lack of discipline can drastically impact your success.

TM

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Our extraordinary setting can accommodate any size crowd and offers a memorable opportunity to celebrate, entertain, educate, or focus on whatever unique objective that pertains to your group.

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Once you’ve had a chance to try out and customize a platform, start by tracking a smaller subset of your marketing efforts. To jump straight into tracking every single effort right off the bat can be overwhelming. As you progress with your comfort level, add deeper levels of reporting to analyze your efforts. Oh, and you can be certain we will be tracking this article itself in our CRM! BEN SEIDEL President & Founder Igniting Business, LLC

Fun Fact

Ben built his first custom computer at age 10 and completed his first website design project for a corporate client at age 13.

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Member

Spotlight

What '

38 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

's for

3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 39

Everyone looks forward to the weekend. A more relaxed schedule makes the idea of sleeping in or having a nice meal after church or weekend activities more inviting. Even better, you don’t have to travel far because so many Lee’s Summit Chamber member restaurants specialize in brunch…the best of both worlds, giving you the choice of a scrumptious breakfast, lunch or both!

e Bean Counter Café 9010 M-Hwy 7 bean-counter-cafe.com Brunch Hours: Tu–Sat 7 a.m.–2 p.m.

Garozzo’s Ristorante 1547 NE Rice Rd. garozzos.com Brunch Hours: Sun 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Ginger Sue’s Bruncheonette 20 NE Sycamore St. gingersues.com Brunch Hours: M–Sun 6:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Gregory’s Sunday Brunch 401 W. Pine St., Raymore gregoryssundaybrunch.com Brunch Hours: Sun 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Neighborhood Café 104 SE 3rd St. neighborhoodcafels.com Brunch Hours: Tu–Sat 6 a.m.–8 p.m.

Sun 6 a.m.–3 p.m.

This charming café, located inside Lead Bank on Highway 7, has a full complement of breakfast/brunch items on the menu. Offerings include quiche, homemade biscuits and gravy, 8-inch Belgian waffles, pastries and Danish, coffee cakes, filled croissants, breakfast sandwiches and more. In the summer, fresh organically grown produce is incorporated into the dishes. “Our specialty is the Florentine Frittata, made of ham, fresh spinach, provolone, parmesan, mozzarella, angel hair pasta and rich egg custard,” says Sara O’Bryan, owner. “Also, our reuben is the best in town, made with homemade Bavarian sauerkraut.”

Garozzo’s brunch options include biscuits and Italian sausage gravy, bacon, eggs and made-to-order omelets just to name a few. Lunch includes classic Italian staples such as pasta, meatballs, breads and desserts. Guests also can indulge in the signature chicken spiedini, which is marinated chicken breast rolled in Italian bread crumbs, skewered and grilled. “We’ve been doing the Sunday brunch for years and it’s gained in popularity. I definitely recommend reservations,” said Ryan Klein, general manager.

If “bruncheonette” is part of the name, you know you’re in for a treat at Ginger Sue’s. Indulge in a variety of breakfast burritos, crepes, biscuits and gravy, eggs benedict (traditional, crab or salmon) as well as pancakes, breakfast scrambles, French toast and Belgian waffles. Sandwiches and salads, as well as fish and chips, salmon and meat loaf are a just a few of the available entrées for those whose taste buds prefer lunch.

As indicated by its name, Gregory’s Sunday Brunch is only open Sundays with a great variety of breakfast and lunch offerings, as well as a salad, dessert and omelet bar. “All of the food is housemade and we don’t use packaged or prepared foods,” says owner Dee-Dee Stokes. Some favorites are chocolate chip bread pudding with white chocolate sauce, homemade corned beef hash, eggs benedict and bananas foster French toast. The 150-seat dining room can easily accommodate large groups.

With breakfast served all day and lunch served from 11 a.m. on, brunch is when and what you make it at this popular downtown Lee’s Summit café. “Brunch and breakfast dining has gained increasing popularity in recent years,” said owner Tony Olson. “We have had great success with our pulled pork benedict, smothered in BBQ and hollandaise sauces and coleslaw. We also added several gourmet breakfast burritos to the menu, such as our prime rib burrito and power turkey breakfast burrito. Our new breakfast skillets, like our smoked salmon sauté and double stack tostada skillet are popular as well.” And we can’t forget the complimentary cinnamon rolls!

For a complete list of Chamber Member restaurants, visit LSchamber.com.

40 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Chef and co-owner Noah Smith was once an omelet chef at the Ritz-Carlton and estimates he makes 4,500 omelets per year. All brunch items are made from scratch and served à la carte. Signature dishes include biscuits and gravy, made with both regular and Italian sausage and sriracha sauce, as well as French toast foster, made with homemade challah bread, cream cheese, bananas, carmelized rum sauce, fresh berries and powdered sugar. Lunch consists of burgers, French dip, phillies, wraps and the signature steak grilled cheese, made with Texas toast, colby jack, provolone, fresh-shaved ribeye and creamy horseradish sauce.

“Brunch has become a very important part of our restaurant,” said Andy Lock, co-owner. “Jalapeño cheese grits in a jar with Nueske’s applewood smoked bacon, soft poached eggs, sausage from Fritz’s, hollandaise sauce…it’s both unique and local. The corned beef brisket hash is very, very good also.” Other brunch options include biscuits and gravy, omelets, brioche French toast, burgers, steak salad, salmon, fish and chips, pot roast and more. Third Street Social, their newest restaurant in downtown Lee’s Summit, also serves brunch on the weekend.

“Our Sunday brunch started out in the summertime with primarily lake people but it’s gotten busier and busier,” said owner Jane Schied. “People like the relaxed open-air atmosphere inside with the doors open, or on the patio. Customers like the make-it-the-way-you-want-it omelet bar with fresh ingredients and $3 mimosas.” The Sunday breakfast buffet also includes sausage and bacon, as well as house favorites like biscuits and Rex’s famous sausage gravy, homemade French toast, Jane’s signature potato casserole and more.

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The Rebecca Grille 3365 SW Fascination Dr. therebeccagrille.com Brunch Hours: Sat & Sun 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Summit Grill & Bar 4835 NE Lakewood Dr. summitgrillandbar.com Brunch Hours: Sat & Sun 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

T-Bones Deli & Meat Market 27900 E. Colbern Rd. tbonesdeliandmeatmarket.com Brunch Hours: Sun 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Town

Legacy Park

New to

Providing a New Cultural Arts Destination in Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation purchased and began developing Legacy Park in 2001 after a 3/8 cent sales tax was approved by voters in 1998. Since 2001, $23 million in improvements have been made to the 700-acre park, the centerpiece of the Lee’s Summit park system.

One of the latest upgrades was the outdoor theatre, the Legacy Park Amphitheatre, which initially was a concrete pad with grass seating. The Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation board approved two contracts in July 2015 for completion of the amphitheater, adding a 40 ft. by 30 ft. covered stage, box office, restrooms, concessions, and additional parking. Using $373,000 of Parks’ money to supplement bond issue funding earmarked for the amphitheatre, construction began in August 2015, with the dedication on September 27, 2015.

The Legacy Park Amphitheatre, located adjacent to the Legacy Park Community Center at 907 NE Bluestem Drive, is sure to be a top quality destination for area residents. Community patrons will be able to enjoy movies in the park; concerts under the stars, including both local and national acts; local theatre in the park; and space to rent for private gatherings such as weddings, corporate events and much more.

The Legacy Park Amphitheatre had its grand opening on May 20, 2016. The free kickoff event for the entire community was themed “Celebration of the Arts.” Former Lee’s Summit Arts Council member and long-time park supporter Brad Cox emceed the event. Entertainment included choral groups, dancers and musicians from the School of Rock, led by Patrick Redd. Ben Martin coordinated the Summit Theatre Group performers, who did numbers from both “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and their

summer musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Stage performances concluded with Russ Berlin conducting the Lee’s Summit Symphony.

Attendees viewed works of art from the R-7 School District and Got Art Gallery students, as well as local artists, photographer Jim Ware and painter Tina Garrett. The evening concluded with a fireworks display, compliments of Wald & Company Fireworks.

The opening act at the amphitheatre’s inaugural concert on May 21 was local favorite, State Line Drive, which won LS CARES “Got Talent” contest in 2014. The main attraction was Belton resident and country singer, Tate Stevens, who was the winner on the X Factor show in 2012.

“This will be an important asset going forward to bring many different types of exciting entertainment to our community,” said Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation Administrator Tom Lovell.

Upcoming Events Movies in the Park

Zumba Parties

Invigorating Yoga

Bring your blanket for a movie under the stars.

Calorie-burning dance fitness party.

Outdoor breathing and flexibility group exercises.

July 21: Home

3–4:30 p.m. July 24 & Aug. 21

Sunrise Yoga: 6 a.m.

Aug. 13 & Sept. 10

$5 fee; register in advance at rocktheamp.net

Moonlight Yoga: 9:30 p.m.

July 19, Aug. 18, Sept. 16

Aug. 4: Night at the Museum Gates open at 7 p.m.; movies begin 8:45 p.m.

Summit Theatre Group “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” 8 p.m. Aug. 12, 13, 14 Tickets must be purchased in advance at summittheatre.org

$5 fee; register in advance Some content provided by Tede Price

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summit-christian-academy.org 3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 43

Power of

One

Meet Shirley Boyer Running a One-Woman Shop in Lee’s Summit

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? After graduating with a degree in fashion merchandising, my first job was store manager for a retail store called Fashion Conspiracy. I also worked at Casual Corner and had done clothing seminars for women’s groups when the opportunity to venture into the promotions industry occurred. The seminar experience made me realize I had the confidence to explore something new.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE BUSINESS? I started in the promotional products trade 28 years ago with a great business partner. We started making Kansas City-themed souvenir shirts for Hallmark and other retail stores. Then companies began asking us if we could do custom shirts, water bottles, you name it, and one thing led to another and it just evolved.

HOW OLD IS THE BUSINESS? I started my own business, B Positively Promoting, Inc. in 2008. I am a broker and wholesale distributor of promotional products, as well as screen-printed and embroidered apparel.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR COMPANY NAME? I knew I wanted “positive” in the name because that’s how I am about everything. I started out with the name B Positive Promotions (“B” for both Boyer and “Be Positive”). It turns out that name was too close to another name in the industry so I changed it to “B Positively Promoting U.” TELL US ABOUT THE POWER OF ONE. After years of working hard for others in the retail industry and having a partner in a promotional business, I felt a strong urge to go out on my own and become the sole owner of a business. The move was a good one and my customers chose to stick with me and now, eight years later, I have even more great customers. It’s not easy being the sole operator of a company, handling every 44 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

detail of all day-to-day activities, but with passion, perseverance and a positive outlook, my business has been more rewarding than I could ever imagine. Growing, learning and building relationships along the way have definitely contributed to the success of my business.

WHAT’S YOUR COMPANY MISSION AND CULTURE LIKE? Be positive, love what you do and work hard. It’s a formula I have used and one I believe in. Great customer service has always been key. Great product knowledge comes in a close second. I work with my customers learning what their needs are, finding the perfect product, and getting it to them in a timely and costeffective manner, which makes for successful business/customer partnerships.

WHO’S YOUR IDEAL CLIENT? I am happy to say I do not have an ideal client. I work with everyone, I don’t have a particular niche. I work with individuals, schools, organizations, small businesses and large corporations.

If you need something for an event or something with a logo on it, I can help you!

HOW HAS YOUR INDUSTRY CHANGED OVER THE YEARS? The computer and internet have changed this business so much since I first started. I used phone books and event ads in newspapers for leads, camera-ready logos and art slicks had to be picked up or mailed, and business was conducted face-toface or via phone. Now, so much of the business is done on the computer…emails, web catalogs, digital artwork and proofs, etc.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS? This is a very detail-oriented business if you do it right. You have to be meticulous to make sure every single detail is correct for your clients.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY. I’ve been married to my husband, Brad, for 33 years. He has always been a great supporter of my business and very much a part of my “positive” outlook. Many do not know I have a twin sister here in Lee’s Summit and an older brother. I’m a lucky girl!

WHAT’S YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN CIVIC, COMMUNITY OR CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS? I have been a member of the Lee’s Summit Chamber for the past eight years, volunteering on both the Golf Task Force and the Holiday Reception committee. I also am a strong supporter

of the Susan G. Komen Foundation because breast cancer runs in my family. In addition, I was the president of my homes association for eight years.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LEE’S SUMMIT? I love working in Lee’s Summit because people here enjoy and want to work with other people and businesses in Lee’s Summit.

The relationships I have cultivated through the Chamber also have been well worth it.

It’s our business to help you with yours.

We’ve been helping businesses grow and reach their potential for more than 100 years, providing the friendly, one-on-one service that’s become our hallmark.

To help you succeed, we offer solutions for businesses of all sizes, including: • Cash Management / Deposit Services • Business Loans • Ag Loans • Insurance*

• Investment Services* • Employee Benefits* • VISA® Business Platinum Rewards Credit Card

*Insurance products and services are provided by Simmons First Insurance Services, Inc. Investment products and services are provided by Simmons First Investment Group, Inc. (Member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products and investment products are: Not a deposit of Simmons Bank.

Not FDIC Insured. Not guaranteed by the bank. Not insured by any federal government agency. May lose value.

Loans and credit cards are subject to approval.

Member FDIC | simmonsfirst.com 3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 45

CHAMBER CONTINUES THE MOMENTUM WITH NEW PROGAMS, EVENTS AND STAFF It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through 2016, and what a whirlwind it has been. The Chamber has been buzzing with new events and new faces, and we hope you’ve noticed it too while you’ve been out making new connections!

The Chamber launched a successful new program called Business Field Trips…Who Knew? designed to drive traffic into businesses while providing educational and entertaining handson experiences for members. With field trips to Frontier Justice and Powell Gardens behind us, we’re counting the days until the next adventure.

The inaugural Chamber Challenge also was a huge hit, giving member teams the opportunity to spend time with their coworkers and build relationships outside the four walls of the office. It turned out to be a gorgeous day at Paradise Park, and we were able to learn even more about our members…how competitive they are!

TIM ARBEITER, CEcD, IOM President Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce

Fun Fact

Tim was an actor in the old television series called Real Life Stories of the Highway Patrol.

46 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

In May, the Chamber welcomed a new bookkeeper, Vanessa King. She has an extensive background in finance and accounting and has been a great addition to our team. She is a University of Missouri grad who also brings experience in assisting with various events and fundraising activities.

Another new face you may have seen out and about belongs to Yours Truly (see, I’m already catching on!). As the new president of the Chamber, I’m looking forward to meeting each and every one of our members and community partners. The Lee’s Summit community has welcomed my family with open arms, and we can already see what a great place this is to be.

My previous position, serving as the vice president of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber for ten years, taught me so many great things about Chamber work, development and tourism, but the people I worked with taught me even more. Lee’s Summit has so many great initiatives and programs already underway, and I’m excited to contribute and be a part of it.

The Chamber’s upcoming Cocktails and Caddies tournament on July 22 is sure to be a fun event to help me get acquainted here at the Chamber. Ladies, I hope you’ve been saving your money to bid on your caddie! And before we know it, Oktoberfest will be here Sept. 23-24 in historic downtown Lee’s Summit.

The festival features a carnival, Biergarten, two stages of live entertainment, sizzling brats, contests and much more. Visit LSoktoberfest.com for more details about the festivities.

I just want to say a huge thank you for inviting me into your community, and I invite you to stop by the Chamber office at any time; my door is always open.

$ALES TAX HOLIDAY Tax Free Shopping in Lee’s Summit Aug. 5 7 Parents of school-aged children in Lee’s Summit take note and get ready to save some green. The Sales Tax Holiday is just around the corner. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, and running through midnight Sunday, Aug. 7, school apparel, supplies and many electronics will not be subject to city and state sales tax.

This is the ninth year that the City of Lee’s Summit will participate in the Sales Tax Holiday after the City Council overwhelmingly approved their participation in May 2007, thereby waiving the city sales tax on those eligible back-to-school items. This means that items such as articles of clothing, supplies, computers, computer software and the following items will receive the tax break: • • • • • •

Clothing – any article having a taxable value of $100 or less School supplies – not to exceed $50 per purchase Computer software – taxable value of $350 or less Personal computers – not to exceed $1,500 Computer peripheral devices – not to exceed $1,500 Graphing calculators – not to exceed $150

For more information about the holiday, check out the Missouri Department of Revenue website at dor.mo.gov/business/sales/taxholiday.

Advertise in Catalyst and reach Business Owners Decision Makers Local Consumers Chamber Members

SEPTEMBER 23 & 24, 2016 DOWNTOWN LEE’S SUMMIT Carnival REMAINS open Sept. 25

The October 2016 issue is perfect for: Holiday Shopping & Events • Year-End Sales...and much more!

Contact Darla Hall at dhall@lschamber.com for details.

“My investment in advertising in Catalyst paid off the moment the issue hit the mailbox. As a small business owner, I had to watch my marketing budget carefully, but I was immediately thankful I made the investment in Catalyst. Since the second issue has published, I can track at least three clients back to my Catalyst investment.”

- John Beaudoin, KC Communications & Media Matters

vendor Applications available at LSoktoberfest.com 3RD QUARTER - 2016 | 47

Update

Economic

From the Outside In We have a lot to celebrate in Lee’s Summit, but how do we look to those outside the community?

About 100 economic developers from seven Midwestern states toured Lee’s Summit in April. They spent the day in Lee’s Summit learning about the city as part of a week-long course study through the University of Northern Iowa’s Heartland Economic Development program.

Sanctioned by the International Economic Development Council, the program is considered “Economic Development 101” for anyone involved in the economic development world.

Attendees work in a wide range of organizations, including cities, chambers of commerce, economic development groups, neighborhood organizations and incentive granting agencies.

Through the course of a week, the “students” learn from the experts on everything from business retention/expansion, workforce development, entrepreneurship, marketing, business attraction, real estate development/reuse and financing from industry leaders.

I’ve been honored to serve as a guest instructor for the Heartland program for the past decade, so it was especially

gratifying when Program Director James Hoelscher asked if Lee’s Summit would host participants for a day of exploring and learning about our historic downtown. Business owners were volunteer tour guides as students learned best practices and tools of the trade from a community who has managed to get it right.

“Our purpose was to come and hear about what has been going on in downtown Lee’s Summit with all the revitalization and retail development. We also are very interested in all of the mixed-use going on in Lee’s Summit, especially with Cerner’s expansion,” Hoelscher said. “We were very impressed with the level of knowledge, detail, passion and enthusiasm our volunteer tour guides had for Lee’s Summit.”

Hoelscher said his group’s experience in Lee’s Summit was so positive, he would like to bring his next class of economic development professionals back in 2017 for more expert advice and training.

“I really have been impressed by Lee’s Summit and all the changes downtown for quite some time as an outside third party,” Hoelscher said. “The changes the community has made, and the investment and commitment are very apparent.”

RICK McDOWELL President & CEO Lee’s Summit Economic Dev. Council

Fun Fact

Rick once got to wear the University of Missouri “Truman the Tiger” mascot costume.

48 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Survey

Says

REAL ESTATE RULES The only thing hotter than the temperatures right now is the real estate market. Read up on these tips from Chamber members to make sure you’re staying on top of the market.

Homeowners should keep up with home repairs and updates so they will be ready to sell when the market is good. In the meantime, enjoy the home improvements.

Be prepared! Buyers, get prequalified before the search; sellers, complete any upgrade or improvements before listing.

Rob Binney-ReeceNichols Real Estate

John Jeffries Double J Auction & Realty

Work with a top professional in your area from start to finish. Take their advice although it may seem like a lengthy and time-consuming process. They have your best interests in mind resulting in a better deal for you at the closing.

If you’re selling, price your home to sell, ensure that it’s in ‘move-in’ ready condition and be prepared for multiple offers. If you’re buying, it’s critical to have a preapproval letter from a lender. Pre-approval allows the buyer to confidently make offers when the opportunity arises.

Dave Thurman ReeceNichols Real Estate, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate

David Nichols RE/MAX Elite, REALTORS

Far too often the consumer simply hires the first agent they speak with.

Instead, do your homework and ask tough questions. Make sure your agent has experience in the market with properties in your price range. Check their references and ask for a printout of their last 12 month’s production.

Bruce Clark Kansas City Real Estate, Inc.

Amanda Pfeifer | Kaleb Drinkgern Destination Home Team

Three factors - price point, condition, and location - can help you determine if you are making the right financial decision when selling or buying real estate. Obtain a comprehensive market analysis to find out what your home is worth, so you fully understand the task at hand.

Your agent should have the expertise to analyze the market for correct value; stage using a design team; use multiple, combined marketing strategies (online, social, video); negotiate; orchestrate inspections; deal with appraisal and municipal requirements, etc.

Also, look for knowledge of your market area, stats on their production, years in the Cynda Rader business and creative strategies to get the Cynda Sells Realty Group most money for your home.

Tim & Jana Allen Realty Executives of Kansas City

It is a sellers’ market and the best market of the last eight years. If you have thought about selling your home, now is the time. Inventory is low, buyers are ready to buy, interest rates are low, and prices are up.

CALENDAR OF

EVENTS RECESS FOR SUCCESS 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 12 Location: John Knox Village, Villager Inn-Manhattan Room Speaker: Cathy Weaver Topic: Networking on Steroids Sponsor: Baird Group Real Estate

RECESS FOR SUCCESS 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 Location: John Knox Village, Villager Inn-Manhattan Room Entrepreneurial Panel Discussion – Ben Rao, Jeff Danley & Jill Meyers Sponsor: RBC Wealth Management

CHAMBER AFTER HOURS 4:30–6 p.m. Thursday, July 14 Location and Sponsor: Summit Flooring and Turf

CHAMBER AFTER HOURS 4:30–6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 Location and sponsor: Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Friday, July 15 Location: Paradise Park Speaker: Frank White, III, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Sponsor: The Coyote Group, LLC Reservations required

CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MORNING COFFEE 8–9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16 Location and Sponsor: Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street

CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS DEVELOPMENT LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 19 Location and Sponsor: UCM-Lee’s Summit Speaker: Lynn Hinkle, Great Southern Bank COCKTAILS & CADDIES LADIES’ GOLF TOURNAMENT 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Friday, July 22 Location: Teetering Rocks Golf Course, Kansas City, Mo. Sponsor: Two Rivers Behavioral Health System Registration required CHAMBER BEFORE HOURS 7:30–8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 26 Location and Sponsor: Sprint

50 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19 Location: Adams Pointe Conference Center, Blue Springs Speaker: Joel Sealer, FBI Special Agent Sponsor: Weed Man Reservations required CHAMBER BEFORE HOURS 7:30–8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23 Location and sponsor: Peace Partnership OVERTIME RULING BREAKFAST 7:30–9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24 Location and Sponsor: Saint Luke’s East Hospital RSVPs required CHAMBER 101: GET PLUGGED IN 3:30–5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 Location: Paradise Park RSVPs required

CHAMBER AFTER HOURS 4:30–6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 Location and Sponsor: Summit Rehabilitation and Wellness Center RECESS FOR SUCCESS 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 Location: John Knox Village, Villager Inn-Manhattan Room Topic: Unmasking Marketing Myths Speaker: Dana Gonnerman, Mastering Excellence, Inc. Sponsor: Marilyn Arnold Designs MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 Location: Unity Hotel & Conference Center Speaker: Kendall Gammon, Kansas City Chiefs Sponsor: Truman Heartland Community Foundation Reservations required SHATZEN KICKENOFFEN 5–7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 Location: Oktoberfest Biergarten (in front of the Chamber office, 220 SE Main St.) 2016 OKTOBERFEST FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY PINNACLE BANK 5–11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 & 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 Carnival only:12-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 Downtown Lee’s Summit

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

Call 816.524.2424 for help.

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䌀愀氀氀 渀漀眀 愀渀搀 爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀 ㈀ 䘀爀攀攀 匀攀猀猀椀漀渀猀℀ ㄀㄀ 匀䔀 䌀攀渀琀甀爀礀 䐀爀⸀ 䰀攀攀ᤠ猀 匀甀洀洀椀琀Ⰰ 䴀伀 㠀㄀㘀ⴀ㔀㈀㐀ⴀ㜀㜀㌀㌀ 眀眀眀⸀䈀漀搀椀攀猀䠀䘀⸀挀漀洀 52 | CATALYST–THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE