AUGUST 20, 2021
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS
$2.00
VOL. 47 NO. 34
Modern Matriarch distillery sets sights on expanding operations
THIS WEEK ’S ISSUE:
by Brooke Strickland
40 er d Un 40 Tjaden finds ideal career track at Union Pacific. – Page 4
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Retirements, potential tax changes among drivers pushing succession planning. – Page 6
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Housing supply, attracting and retaining talent take center stage in Lincoln. – Page 25
Modern Matriarch is bringing all sorts of flavor to the Midwest. Modern Matriarch is a craft rum distillery that was born out of passion for the community, bringing people together, and embracing friends and family. The goal: create a delicious product that people love, ultimately building a business that can be successful enough to pass onto future generations. The woman-owned company was incorporated in 2018 and each batch of handcrafted rum is made in Iowa. Doreen Blakely is the majority owner and silent partner. She realized that craft distilling is part of her family history. “I recently learned that my father and uncle made their own moonshine in Minnesota,” she shared. “My cousin found their still after my grandmother passed away.” This information fueled Blakely to continue making her products the best they can be. The small-batch, double-distilled spirits are light-bodied, filtered for Continued on page 23.
Owner Doreen Blakely is seeing steady growth for the small-batch distillery. (Photo by Roger Humphries)
Job Share Connect poised to reshape outdated model of work, retain talent by Michelle Leach
From its Midlands nerve center, Jessica Charlsen and Jina Hwang Picarella, Ph.D., are transforming the way that people work and the way they learn through a concept known as “job sharing.” In its second year, the aptly-named Job Share Connect has been on the receiving end of a continuous stream of validation courtesy of everything from local accelerators to state grants to national pitch competitions.
The firm has also refined itself along the way, a series of pivots that defy the notion of a singular, dramatic, pandemic-driven pivot. “We’re on our version seven or eight,” Hwang Picarella said, as it was poised to launch a revamped website. “This is now a business-to-business solution.” Charlsen added “ABC Co.” can set up a profile, cross-train and look for flexible options within their Continued on page 23.
Owners Fatiah Ali and El Ali are eyeing future expansion with opening of vegan sweet shop. (Photo by Roger Humphries)
Marking first year, Naughty Buddha Burger Bar opens vegan sweet shop by Gabby Hellbusch
Founders and CEOs Jina Hwang Picarella, Ph.D., and Jessica Charlsen pivot to connect talent with shared opportunities for cross-training, up-skilling. (Photo by Monica Sempek)
After more than 20 years in the food industry, Fatiah Ali and El Ali have figured out that a simple and streamlined approach is the most effective way to run a business. It’s this model that has led them to growth since opening Naughty Buddha Burger Bar, a restaurant offering vegan-only options, in August 2020. One year later, the owners have used their success to expand the
operation by opening Naughty Buddha Chocolate Bar, a vegan sweet shop, in July 2021. While living a healthier lifestyle has become somewhat of a trend for many during the pandemic, Fatiah Ali said it’s not a new concept for the business. The Alis, who have always embraced the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle of eating well and being healthy, aimed to put a spin on Continued on page24.