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Family Serving Family Jack Vetter of Vetter Health Services

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COVER STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Vetter Health Services

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OmAHA! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Spokiz arts & entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Omaha Creative Institute OmAHA! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Wild Smiles Brackets how i roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Bill and JoAnn Kathrein profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Joslyn Castle In the Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 What Cheer the know-it-all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Buckle Up arts & entertainment Page 10

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STORY BY BRIAN S. ALLEN

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Get Unhinged

James Hermsen, Spokiz inventor.

O

maha-based Spokiz (pronounced spoke–eyez) is at the forefront of setting new standards for both sunglasses and daily RX eyewear. Born from the everyday problems that traditional eyewear has bestowed upon us —glasses slipping down the nose, pressure behind the ears, and broken hinges — Spokiz virtually eliminates these issues, initiating a lifestyle change of sorts for athletes and active wearers.

Back in 2004, James Hermsen, Spokiz inventor, was fed up with these particular problems and decided to take action. He constructed a hinge-less band made of monofilament tubing and bicycle spoke nipples. After removing the original hinges and stems of his glasses, Hermsen drilled holes in the frames and attached the hinge-less band. “(Wearing Spokiz creates) a lifestyle change because it solves all of your problems with broken glasses. The longer you wear them, the more comfortable they become as they form to the shape of your head. They become one with you, and the bands are unbreakable,” said Hermsen.

In fact, not one single pair of eyewear has been returned due to the band breaking.

Spokiz has capitalized on a niche market among the active community and extreme sports enthusiasts. Outdoorsmen, kayakers, climbers, bicyclists, runners, skiers, fishermen, sailors, equestrians, and athletes of all types have embraced it. Artists such as potters and glass blowers benefit from the technology too.

Julie Conway, an Omaha-based glass artist, can attest. “With both of my hands occupied by turning hot glass, it is great to have Spokiz keep my protective eyewear in place. Lightweight, sleek and fabulous, I can now focus on my artwork more, knowing that my glasses will not slip off in the heat,” said Conway.

Spokiz is currently being tested at the University Nebraska Medical Center as well.

8 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

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“We are doing research with kids who have a difficult time keeping glasses on their head or even intact. UNMC is testing these glasses on them with positive results,” said Hermsen.

With the tireless help of Brian Regan and Mark Dean, Hermsen’s two business partners, Spokiz has expanded its appeal to combat soldiers, SWAT teams, policemen, trap shooters, construction workers, arborists, and even farmers. All recently discovered the benefits of getting unhinged.

The versatility of the product does not end here. Hand-made masks have taken on a life of their own. With the help of marketing guru Laura Friesell, Spokiz has struggled to keep supply up to meet booming demand for these one-of-a-kind masks made of leather, paper or clay. The masks are fitting for masquerades, holiday parties, or adding a touch of shock factor to your night out on the town.

As is the case with any new business, what you put in is what you get out.

Hermsen has developed a true underground approach with everything from setting up shop in a hidden Omaha bunker to his grassroots sales and marketing efforts across the country. Spokiz is employee-owned, assembles everything by hand, uses minimalist design features for packaging and displays, and offers a lifetime guarantee.

Spokiz products are not only available in Omaha (Backwoods, The Bike Way, UNMC, Victory Cycles), they are available online (www.spokiz.com), and have now landed on store shelves in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Oregon and Texas.

“Over the last six years there has been a lot of work, persistence and planting of seeds. Some are starting to grow now and we are beginning to harvest some of the fruits of our labors,” said Hermsen.

With Spokiz offering conversions to almost any existing pair of glasses, people can enjoy the benefits of this technology while keeping their favorite frames on their face. Customizing the pair of sunglasses at the point of sale has recently been added.

You can now choose your band color, lens color, and have the opportunity in selecting local hand-made native beads to add some flair or design to the product.

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Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 9

STORY BY HEATHER C. AKERBER G

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Facilitating a Creative Omaha Omaha Creative Institute (OCI)

Susan Thomas & Les Bruning of the Omaha Creative Institute.

M

any times when people collaborate, the end result is something unexpected, something greater than either collaborator could have imagined on their own. This is often referred to in the business world as “synergy”. Sculptor Les Bruning and Potter Tim Barry have a knack for these types of great collaborations. They were two of the founders of Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas Street, in 1999 and more recently germinated the idea for and serve on the board responsible for Omaha Creative Institute (www.omahacreativeinstitute.org).

Omaha Creative Institute (OCI) began as an idea over the last decade, but it started to gain momentum in January of 2008 when Susan Thomas was brought on board as the Interim and later Executive Director. Thomas has brought her business savvy and belief in the transformative powers of art to bare on the task of developing Omaha Creative Institute into a destination for artists, residents and tourists.

With initial programming funded in part by a grant from the Omaha Community Foundation, part of Omaha Creative Institute’s mission is to foster creative capital in Omaha’s residents through 10 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

Painting instructor Paula Wallace enjoying a “Come Create It” workshop with her students. photo by: Ken Guthrie

Mixed Media Collage instructor Ashley Rodriguez Reed helping during her “Come Create It” workshop. photo by: Rebecca Grzeskowiak

hands-on creative experiences. This is achieved through their current schedule of “Come Create It” workshops, a series that covers a wide range of art forms, including glass blowing, ceramics, painting and African drumming. The classes are taught by local, professional artists. Since May of 2009, Omaha Creative Institute has conducted over 75 workshops with approximately 300 participants.

“It’s about experiencing the creation of art,” said Thomas.

Class sizes are generally limited to eight or less to ensure participants are comfortable enough to try something new. The two-hour workshops are structured in a way to allow participants to leave having accomplished something.

“Most of our instructors try to create projects that allow participants to leave with something that they could maybe hang on their wall, something they can look at and say ‘Wow. I did that.’,” said Marjorie Maas, Director of Marketing and Development at OCI. Workshops are offered at an affordable

Glass Blowing instructor Ed Fennell helping a student during a “Come Create It” workshop. photo by: Ken Guthrie

rate to ensure they are accessible to all.

Therefore, all materials are included in the price of each workshop, which usually cost under $40. Omaha Creative Institute is able to keep the cost to the public low as a non-profit organization through individual donations and a grant from the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. The institute publishes new schedules every three months, which allows them to be sensitive to the market.

In addition to their regularly scheduled workshops, Omaha Creative Institute also provides private “Come Create It” workshops as unique team-building experiences. OCI’s success in this market can be attributed in part to the Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau, which has featured the organization’s classes in their out-of-state advertising campaigns and promoted the institute’s teambuilding services to visiting conventions.

“It’s team-building in a more mind-opening way. While bowling is fun, it doesn’t do the same thing to your mind,” said Susan.

An experienced business woman, Thomas

knows that creative thinking is applicable in most fields, even those sectors not traditionally thought of as creative.

During a recent planning session, Omaha Creative Institute’s board met with artists, supporters and representatives from both non-profit and business sectors. A major need was identified for a place for the arts and business sectors to connect. OCI would like to position itself as that place.

“Being an information hub may be the most important role that we play,” said Thomas.

Whether it’s a non-profit looking for an artist to paint a mural or artists seeking housing or employment, Omaha Creative Institute would like to help facilitate those connections, to bridge the gap between the arts community and greater Omaha.

“We see both the artist and the public as our customer,” said Maas.

While OCI has connected over 300 people with a creative experience, it has also offered local artists the opportunity to generate income teaching their skills to others. The institute currently has 25 artists on its roster of instructors. Jean Mason, an oil and acrylic painter, has taught several workshops for Omaha Creative Institute. For Jean, teaching workshops isn’t about financial gain; it’s more about spreading happiness.

“When people leave workshops, they dance out of the room because they are so happy that they’ve created something,” said Mason.

Besides facilitating creative experiences, the classes create an engaged audience for art and artists. It builds a community of people who understand art and its creation.

Many workshop participants become devotees of their instructors; they attend gallery shows and help promote the arts through word-of-mouth.

While most of Omaha Creative Institute’s workshops are currently taught at Hot Shops Art Center, they are actively looking for a permanent home. They don’t, however, plan on going very far. As a member of the North Downtown Alliance, OCI plans to take up residence in this developing area. Their hope is to renovate an existing building and help to preserve the neighborhood’s character.

A new series of “Come Create It” workshops continues in May. Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 11

STORY BY HEATHER HEIER LANE

PHOTO BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

Say Cheese...

With Hearts and Soccer Balls

Wild Smiles Brackets showcase your snappy smile with a little pizzazz

Dr. Clarke Stevens, inventor of Wild Smiles Brackets.

A

perfect smile is often considered a thing of beauty. Surf the web or flip through magazines at the grocery store and you will be bombarded with images of pretty people beaming unnaturally pearly whites—that happen to be perfectly straight. Chances are that most of these celebrities and models have been the recipients of some orthodontic care. And few crowning smiles come without sacrifice — namely, braces.

Anyone who has ever worn braces can relate to the frustration of smiling with a mouth full of metal. Even today, with so many sporting the hardware, for some reason people still get self-conscious when it comes to wearing braces. It can be a bit of a drag.

But Dr. Clarke Stevens is on a mission to make orthodontics fun for everyone. A successful orthodontist right here in Omaha, Dr. Stevens invented a fun way to showcase his patient’s hardware— Wild Smiles Brackets. The brackets make braces fun by turning the normal metal squares into fun shapes. Dr. Stevens came up with the idea 10 years ago after seeing a patient’s necklace. He immediately

12 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

WWW.BESTOFOMAHA.COM noticed how the hearts were strung on the necklace, and that it looked just like the brackets on traditional braces. Dr. Stevens envisioned making the brackets into shapes and drew up the initial heart shape design.

Flash forward a decade, and Wild Smiles Brackets are now available all over the world—with doctors and patients from the United States and over 20 countries around the globe requesting the fun shapes. Subtle but noticeable, the styles include hearts, flowers, footballs, soccer balls, stars and a super-diamond (imagine the chest of a certain super hero and you get the idea).

Dr. Stevens knew he had a great idea, but what surprised him the most was that patients really seem to respond to having options. “When a child comes in, they are initially apprehensive about braces,” says Dr. Stevens. He adds, “When they see that they can make a decision, and participate in the treatment … they get excited.” Yet no matter how appealing Wild Smiles are to kids, it’s not just the tween set that’s interested in having a fun smile. “I had an 80-year-old man choose footballs,” says Dr. Stevens with a laugh.

In the 10 years since Dr. Stevens drew the first mock up, it has become abundantly clear that there is indeed a market for his patented invention. With the help of Davin Bickford, Vice President of Marketing and Practice Development for Wild Smiles Brackets, Dr. Stevens has been able to watch his business grow. In the past year alone, they’ve seen a 7% increase in sales. More importantly, having Bickford on board has allowed Dr. Stevens to concentrate on what he really loves—faceto-face time with patients.

While it may seem a bit crazy that a necklace was the inspiration for his invention, Dr. Stevens points out that many orthodontists are really into design and architecture. Makes sense—designing a smile is indeed a work of art. A thing of beauty.

If you are a dentist looking to offer Wild Smiles Brackets to your patients, a parent wanting the option for your child, or an 80-year-old looking for football brackets, visit www.wildsmiles4you.com for more information.

Check out current and past results of Best of Omaha®. See who the readers of Omaha Magazine chose as their local favorites for Dining, Entertainment, Shopping and much more.

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 13

STORY BY LINDA PERSIGEHL

PHOTO BY JOHN GAWLEY

Bill and JoAnn Kathrein

B

ill and JoAnn Kathrein have been motorcycling enthusiasts since their days as undergrads at UNL in the late ‘60s. The pair of Omaha dentists, who’ve shared a practice for 25 years, met and dated while in college and Bill admits, “Our first dates were by motor cycle, since I didn’t get my first car until I was 25 and married.”

Bill spent his college days tooling around on a 350cc Honda, eventually moving up to a Road King Harley. JoAnn’s gift from her hubby upon dental school graduation? — a Harley Dyna Low Rider.

Today, the couple owns seven Harleys in all, as well as two Vespa scooters. The couple rides their Vespas for the everyday commute to work and on routine errands around town. Garnering up to 60 mpg, the motorized bikes seem the “green” choice, and make parking a breeze, Bill said.

The Kathreins fell in love with the colorful, fun-inspired Vespas while traveling abroad. “In Europe that’s all we see.” But back here in the States, the scooters are often seen as novel and described as ‘cute,’ Bill said. “I’m convinced that’s code for ‘I wish I could have one to ride.’”

For long-distance rides, the couple still prefers their Harleys, and has racked up miles in the six digits hitting the pavement through Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho… One highlight: “We did the “Run for the Wall” Memorial Day ride to Washington, D.C., along with 400,000 others.” Bill’s also done longer trips through The Yukon, Nova Scotia and Alaska. “JoAnn and I have both always enjoyed the freedom of travel….We’ve been caught in snow on Independence Pass, sand storms in eastern Idaho, 120-degree heat in Death Valley, and monsoon-style rain in West Virginia.

“I do believe that I enjoy the challenge a little more than JoAnn would let me think she does…,” joked Bill.

14 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

Story by Sandy Lemke

profile

A “Royal” Residence A Working Castle

O

CASTLE CLASSIC CAR SHOW Nearly 100 cars from the 1920’s to the ‘60s will be showcased at the Classic Car show, a brand-new event planned for Father’s Day weekend, June 18 to the 20th. The show will begin at 11 a.m. on the opening Friday in a tent on the castle grounds, followed with a luncheon in the castle. That evening, a VIP cocktail reception will be held. The next evening, festivities continue with a Jazz and Gin Gala. “Guests are encouraged to dress in costumes that evoke the period, flappers and such,” said Mark Maser, Joslyn Castle board member. “Charleston lessons and dancing will take place after dinner in the tent.”

Ticket packages are available to all of the weekend events, but individual event tickets are also available. For tickets or more information, call 595-2199 or go to www.joslyncastle.com.

ne of the finest historic residences in Omaha, the Joslyn Castle is the site of many memorable events such as weddings, charitable fundraisers and private dinner parties.

Managed by the Joslyn Castle Trust, the Joslyn Castle is an anchor of the historic Gold Coast neighborhood at 39th and Davenport. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of Interior.

Its stately rooms and graceful furnishings conceal one of Omaha’s best-kept secrets: its super-organized onsite staff ready to carry out not only elegant soirees but also conferences and committee meetings. The entire facility is Wi-Fi enabled, a feature Sarah Joslyn certainly would not have anticipated in 1893.

The staff, led by Executive Director Nano Little, has close working relationships with caterers, rental companies, florists and other key vendors who make each event run smoothly. This scores points with meeting planners. Lesley Brandt of planitomaha said of the Joslyn Castle: “Our firm produced a murder mystery dinner at Joslyn Castle for a large & very prominent Omaha company. The experience was well received by all attendees & Joslyn Castle was the perfect backdrop for this type of themed event. The attention to detail provided by Castle staff enabled us to produce a seamless event which resulted in a very happy client.”

B2B Omaha magazine voters have selected the Joslyn Castle their favorite banquet facility for 2010.

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 15

feature

Story by Sandy Lemke

Contest Call For Entries

Non-Profit Seeks Entertaining Safety Videos – Two Winners Each Receive $1,000

Kay Farrell presenting 2009 award check to Safety Icon winners Darilyn “Keds” Beekley and Angie Burns

Did

you miss out on an Oscar at the Academy Awards ceremony? There’s still hope for you this year. The National Safety Council Greater Omaha Chapter is seeking entries for its Safety Icon Contest. Producers of eye-catching safety videos are eligible to receive the Safety Icon Trophy (pictured) and $1,000 cash. Intent to enter forms are due April 9 and completed entries are due May 3.

The videos are meant to entertain while promoting important safety messages. Entries can be musical, serious, comedic, a parody and include one or more performers. Past winners’ entries are set to the music of, and parody popular hits such as Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” Justin Timberlake’s “Sexy Back” and Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby.” Previous winners’ videos can

16 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

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be seen at www.SafeNebraska.org/Awards/ SafetyIcon.php.

Anyone can enter this contest – entries can be submitted in the “Community” category, comprising individuals, families, schools and civic groups or in the “Business” category. Top prizes will be awarded in each category.

Top contenders’ videos will be shown continuously from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 19, 2010 at the Safety and Health Summit tradeshow at the Qwest Center Omaha, where everyone in attendance will vote for their favorite video. Local celebrities will critique the entries from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. The National Safety Council Greater Omaha Chapter, a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, hosts the Safety and Health Summit annually. It is the largest safety and health conference and trade show in the area. Admission to the tradeshow is free.

Winning videos will be shown at the Safety and Health Awards Luncheon on May 20, 2010. Download complete rules, intent form and entry form at: www.

SafeNebraska.org.

The National Safety Council Greater Omaha Chapter, led by President and CEO Kay Farrell, is one of the most active safety organizations in the nation. Farrell is wholly committed to the cause of safety, citing statistics that show preventable accidents’ rate of occurrence. “Did you know unintentional injury is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States?” she asks. Farrell and her staff work to promote the organization’s mission in unique ways such as the video contest. “Most people think we’re a government agency, because they come in for class after they’ve been issued a traffic ticket.” Other upcoming safety events include a “Safe Ride” for motorcycles on June 26. Farrell is contacting local rider enthusiast groups to rally participation.

Learn more about these events, and about how you and your business can promote safety and health at www.

SafeNebraska.org.

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Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 17

cover story

Story by Donald J. Rashid

•

Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

Family Serving Family at Vetter Health Services

A profound respect for life, a growing elderly population and a business agreement drawn up on a napkin are all elements of a phenomenal business success story that Jack Vetter can tell about his company, Vetter Health Services.

The Chairman and CEO of VHS has grown his business from owning a single nursing home in Fairbury, Nebraska circa 1975, to managing 33 long-term care facilities and retirement communities throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, Kansas and Missouri. Today, the company employs just under 3,200 team members.

In recent months, VHS has relocated its corporate headquarters near 118th & Q streets in Omaha to a new, 10-acre campus just south of the junction of Highways 6 and 31 in Elkhorn. The offices sit on land adjacent to the company’s short-term 18 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility, Brookestone Meadows, which opened in late 2007. And with demand for senior health care continuing to expand, VHS is poised for further growth.

Vetter attributes much of his business success to his personal philosophy on life, which is reflected in the first value of his company — live a quality life.

And so it seems fitting to tell his story by first looking at the man in the mirror.

A MEANDERING JOURNEY Growing up in Bassett, Nebraska in the Sandhills, Vetter developed early on a love for hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.

He was raised with strong spiritual values, and went to Church with his mother most Sunday nights.

Vetter left home after high school, and did not attend college. He worked as a blacksmith, held tenure at International Harvester and served two years in the U.S. Army. His journey also included working for Rogers Feed and Grain in Ainsworth, Nebraska, Ford Motor Company, and the Ainsworth Livestock Market.

He developed an interest in fixing mechanical equipment, and in 1967, he earned his private pilot’s license.

Vetter ventured into health care, serving as the administrator at Pine View Manor in Valentine, Nebraska; and later, for the Betheseda Foundation as a Regional Manager in their nursing care facilities. A humble and confident spirit comes across Vetter when he describes a divinely inspired series of events that led him to become a business owner.

Wayne Fields, the gentlemen who approached him about buying his first nursing care facility in Fairbury, Nebraska, was looking to divest of his Nebraska locations and secure monthly income. When Vetter replied that he did not have the capital, Field said “I will fix that,” and they developed a business agreement on a napkin. VHS began in earnest, and he purchased his first four or five facilities with minimal down payments.

FIRST VALUE – QUALITY LIFE Vetter said he’s worked hard to infuse his company with great value for personal dignity and quality life. He believes “Nursing homes have had a stigma – a place to go to die. I don’t like that a bit.” Each day, his company strives to live their motto, “Family Serving Family.”

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The following Nebraska facilities are proud members of the Vetter Health Services family:

Tiffany Square Papillion Grand Island Manor Papillion Hooper Care Heritage Center of Red Cloud Hooper Heritage of Red Cloud Bridgeport Milder Manor Bridgeport Ridgewood Lincoln Seward David Place Village Manor David City Friendship Lincoln Villa Brookestone Rose Lane Spalding Meadows Home Elkhorn Cloverlodge Loup City Care Center Heritage of Heritage St. Edward Emerson of Bel Air Emerson Heritage Norfolk Living Center Heritage Care Linden Court St. Paul Center North Platte Fairbury South Haven Linden Estates Wahoo Heritage North Platte Crossings Heritage Geneva Brookestone of Wauneta Village Wauneta Heritage Omaha Estates Gering, NE Highland Park Care Center Alliance

Who Inspires You? Mom or Dad? Or maybe Grandpa or a close friend?

At Vetter Health Services (VHS), we are inspired by the residents we serve. They give us a lifetime of wisdom, experience, and spirit.

We strive to improve our residents’ quality of life and personal well-being, and to ensure that their contributions are not forgotten and their need for recognition is not ignored.

To this end, VHS is continuously adopting unique concepts such as “caring households for seniors,” silent call systems, and new concepts in memory support and rehabilitation.

With our “family serving family” attitude, we’re changing people’s views of long-term care.

Vetter Health Services | 20220 Harney Street Elkhorn, Nebraska | (402) 895-3932 For a complete online listing of facilities owned or managed

by VHS, log on to www.VetterHealthServices.com

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 19

cover story continued from previous page

Vetter said, “True, people age… we can’t change people getting older. Life may end while they are [in our care.] With a (caring) environment for therapy and a pleasant staff, VHS provides quality life and activities.”

While touring VHS’s Brookestone property in Elkhorn, it becomes evident that every effort has been made to create a warm, family-like atmosphere, with the comforts of home nestled into a health-care setting. Noteworthy features include three therapeutics gyms for physical and occupation therapy, a meditation chapel, small café, beauty salon and an outdoor putting facility. Each of the eight neighborhoods (wings) within the facility features their own dining room and a kitchen staffed by professional chefs, while the whole facility offers a nature-inspired décor.

Vetter said just as with senior residents in his facilities, the same quality of life philosophy is extended to his employees, saying,“I appreciate the people that work for me. If I can help

them have a good life, that’s important to me.”

And Vetter puts money where his mouth is, so to speak, in more ways than one…

AN INFUSION OF CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP Perhaps the most remarkable element of the VHS success story is the collective response to corporate social responsibility, a lasting legacy that his company refers to as Stewardship.

A working definition of stewardship is

investing time, talents and treasure toward the betterment of others. VHS President Glenn Van Ekeren further defines this integral business success factor: “Stewardship is pretty simple. We are stewards and wise users of financial and people resources, investing in people and our business with the resources we have been blessed with.”

Vetter credits his wife, Eldora, as being a vital part of VHS, from keeping the books with her “knack for numbers” when the company started, to more recently helping decorating their facilities with keepsakes and antiques. Eldora’s also played a role in developing ways to infuse the company values while making a profit.

This process of self-examination led the Vetters to establish the Vetter Foundation in 1992.

Within the communities VHS operates, the Foundation and employees regularly make donations to food banks and shelters and provide clothing for school-age children.

Do you feel like you’re just feeding the meter?

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20 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

cover story An annual $500 match program by VHSmanaged facilities is available, when raising funds for a community or a team member’s extenuating need arises, such as house fires or family illness.

The Vetter Foundation also funds staff scholarships to further employees’ education and professional development, and participates in immediate-response efforts to natural disasters around the world.

A direct outgrowth of this philosophy at VHS was being named as one of Omaha’s Best Places to Work in 2008 and 2009.

Equally impressive is that VHS earned this award, an initiative of Baird Holm LLP and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, in their first year of application.

Vetter has enjoyed working in foreign mission projects, which include forming new church plantings and partnering to start or sustain Bible colleges in third world countries. A recent venture has been collaborating with five partners from the United States to form Water for the World, a not-for-profit water well drilling organization in Nairobi, Kenya. He said “I have seen what water can do for villages, schools and orphanages, which has been a real gratifying experience.”

Vetter further defines his philosophy on life and stewardship as “Love, peace and spiritual contentment; when you work at what you really want (knowing) that people will have a quality life, the elderly, our employees and quality business partners. I believe that is what I was called to do. It’s not a burden, it is a joy.”

VISION FOR THE FUTURE At 75, Vetter has no plans to retire. He emphasizes that he has a great leadership team but can and would leave for “one week to six months” and they would take care of their business. Vetter relishes working with long-term employees, including his assistant Julie Knobbe, who joined the company in 1980.

Summing up his experience at VHS, Vetter said, “This has been a pleasant, great experience, a tremendous fun story. I like working with the elderly and our staff. New ventures intrigue me.

It interests me that people have a quality of life. We only go around once. If I can make this a good journey, this is what I wish to do.”

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World Class chauffeured service

viplimo.com 402.934.5466 • 1.866.762.6885 Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 21

feature

Story by Elizabeth A. Elliott

Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

Jane & Matt Morinelli with Bailey.

Printmaker Pedigree Tourek Engraving

In

business, image matters. One way a business projects its image is through its letterhead and business cards. And for nearly a century, many of the most prominent companies and professionals in Omaha have turned to Tourek Engraving Company to provide their stationery, and help them put their best face forward.

Tourek Engraving was founded by Joseph Tourek and his brother in an Omaha garage over 90 years ago. Since its inception, the company has been doing business stationery for lawyers, accountants, doctors and other business professionals. Their client list reads like a “Who’s Who” of Omaha and beyond.

Local businesses and people who use Tourek Engraving include McGrath, 22 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

Pansing & Hogan, Fraser Stryker, Baird Holm, and the “Oracle of Omaha,” Warren Buffett.

Kutak Rock law firm has their business cards and letterhead printed at Tourek.

“We’ve used Tourek for years to do all our engraving,” said Brenda Lambrecht, office services manager at Kutak Rock of Omaha.

“We like to promote local business, and they do a great job and are very dependable.”

Of all the print services Tourek Engraving provides, “Engraving has always been the most prestigious,” said Jane Morinelli, company president. “It’s kind of like the ‘Cadillac’ of stationery. But we also do printing, thermography, blind embossing, foil stamping and embossing.”

A popular item sold by Tourek Engraving is wedding invitations. “We love selling wedding invitations because it is such a happy occasion,” said Morinelli. Tourek Engraving has helped create invitations for

multiple generations of families.

“There are many families where we have done the invitations for the grandparents and parents of the bride ordering.”

Morinelli said one of their favorite wedding invitations was done for Chip Davis (of Manheim Steamroller fame) and his bride, Tricia. “The lace from her dress was photographed and printed on the front of the invitation and accessory pieces.

Plus it was a fun wedding to attend! We also offer letterpress done in-house — made popular lately by Martha Stewart.”

In addition, Tourek Engraving also works with personal stationery and party invitations.

Through the years, Tourek Engraving has always remained a family business. “It was handed down from my grandfather, Joe,

to my dad, Frank, and his brother, Joe,” Morinelli said. “Frank retired three years ago due to health reasons.” It’s now run by Jane and her son, Matt.

Matt Morinelli, who serves as vice president, said he enjoys being part of the tradition. “It’s great being one of the owners of the family business. I have been here for 20 years, and many of the customers are truly like friends.

“And it’s great to see a business that is family-owned stay family-owned, especially these days with all the consolidations and mergers,” he added.

The skills to work with engraving have also been passed down through the generations, mom, Jane, said, though continuing education is important as well.

“There are yearly seminars in New Jersey to keep up with the latest advances in the engraving industry.”

But overall, things have not changed much in the industry in recent decades. “The equipment and technique have remained unchanged,”Morinelli said.

Morinelli said their business has expanded into Lincoln and elsewhere. “We do have a lot of accounts that we service in Lincoln after buying out the last engraver there. We do work and ship all over the U.S. We have customers with offices in many states.”

For a business to run as long as it has, it takes employees devoted to their craft—something Tourek Engraving has always had. “We have five full-time valuable employees who have been with us 12 years or more,” Morinelli said. “Some have been here 30 years or more.

“Our biggest challenge is getting jobs done in a timely manner due to all of the ‘hand’ work that goes into engraving,” she said. “We couldn’t do what we do without them.”

That dedication to excellence has helped the company win numerous awards, including the silver Cronite Cup for the “most excellent letterhead” in the USA, Mexico and Canada in both 2004 and 2006, according to Morinelli.

She described a business card they created that stands out for them. “We recently did a business card for a local artist that incorporated design elements from his art and items he brought in,” she said. “It was a two-sided foil-stamped card. He got many compliments at his recent exhibit.”

Downtown Old Market • Riverfront

Omaha’s

downtown

magazine

Pick up a copy of The Encounter at downtown retailers to find out what’s happening in Omaha’s Old Market, Downtown and Riverfront.

VISIT www.encounteromaha.com To subscribe go to: www.omahapublications.com

For advertising information call: (402) 884-2000 Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 23

Hilton HHonors membership, earning of Points & Miles* and redemption of points are subject to HHonors Terms and Conditions. Š2010 Hilton Worldwide, Inc.

The 2010 Results are Here!

It’s time for the highly anticipated Best of B2B Omaha Winners List! The list is organized into categories, so if you’re looking for a specific product or service, you can easily find the best! These businesses have the coveted vote of confidence from B2B Omaha readers.

The results were tabulated from ballots sent in from the Winter issue of B2B Omaha. Ballots had to be original, not photocopies, and more than half the ballot had to be filled out.

If you see some of the businesses you patronize, be sure and congratulate them. They will greatly appreciate it! “This year, we received more votes than ever. The businesses who won in this year’s Best of B2B Omaha contest should feel very proud of their accomplishment,” said Todd Lemke, publisher of B2B Omaha magazine.

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 25

Businesses Are Buying Smarter The All Makes team is trained to help you make design and furniture purchases that fit your office atmosphere, your work style and your budget. Visit All Makes’ 165,000 sq. ft. showroom to see the latest in new office furniture, pre-owned office furniture and business machines.

Thank you for voting us #1 for 5 consecutive years!

Mention this ad and receive Free space planning and design. www.allmakes.com • Omaha: 2558 Farnam St. | 402.341.2413 • Lincoln: 3333 O St. | 402.477.7131

26 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

a/v Service AVI Systems 402-593-6500 www.avisystems.com

best janitorial service

Pratt

accounting oFFice Lutz & Company Orizon Group

Keeping Omaha beautiful for 50 years.

advertiSing agency Clark Creative Turnpost 402-345-5959 www.turnpost.com

advertiSing SpecialtieS Bergmans Incentives Ideal Images 402-596-1002 www.ideal-images.com

fbgservices.com 402.346.4422

airline Southwest American

aSpHalt company US Asphalt Omni Engineering

auctioneer Rine Auctioneers

Post Construction Services Your Partner, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Anderson Auction

auto leaSing company Atchley Ford Budget

auto repair Service Walker Tire & Auto Service

Enhanced Project Closeout

Warranty Management

Building Systems Commissioning

Firestone

aWning/canopy company Atlas Awning Jorgensen Startup Commissioning • LEED Commissioning • Enhanced Project Closeout Warranty Management • Facility Consulting Services • my Facility Source Website 3921 Mason Street Facility Assesments • Thermographic Services • Energy Auditing and Omaha, NE 68105 Benchmarking • Retro-Commissioning • Re-Commissioning • Digital 402.977.4500 Documentation • Trend Analysis • Design Review

www.kiewit.com

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 27

David Radler Studio Thanks our business

Commercial Construction Green Environments Disaster Recovery Industrial Medical Education

We appreciate your Best of B2B Vote!

2606 S. 156th Circle • Omaha, NE 68130 • (402) 399-9233 www.sparklingklean.com

partners for voting us #1!

www.davidradler.com 402-342-6230

Best of B2B Winner 5 Years in a Row

WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE BEST? WE’RE WITH YOU. For the fifth year in a row, B2B Quarterly has selected First National as the Best Bank and Best Payment Processing Company.

Thank you to all of our customers for your votes and your business.

Member FDIC 28 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

Background Screening Service One Source Drug Test Services 402-813-5720 www.drugtestservices.net

Bank First National Bank Omaha

Looking for a better way to manage all your print projects?

Security National

Banquet Facility Joslyn Castle

We deliver a powerful, streamlined Print Management Solution when you combine our e-commerce ordering with our single source guarantee.

Scoular Building

Order, manage, print and ship — right from your desktop.

Building contractor Oakview Construction Darland

Burglar alarmS & monitoring SEI ADT

BuSineSS appraiSer/Broker

Thanks for voting us best!

Business forms & services

13308 Chandler Road • Omaha, NE 68138 402-896-9400 • www.formsguys.com

Sunbelt Henderson Business Group

BuSineSS FormS & SyStemS Performance Group 402-896-9400 www.formguys.com

Public Relations Works.

If it’s not for your business, you may be missing a vital connection.

Donis

At Zaiss & Company our customer-based communications plans include effective, business-moving PR strategies that deliver marketplace results.

carpet & rug cleaning Sparkling Klean CORT

caterer Brandeis Catering Hap Abraham Catering

For PR strategies that integrate with your total plan and connect to real, bottom-line benefits, partner with us.

cellular Service

You’ll be in good company.

Verizon Sprint

Customer-Based Planning and Communications

coFFee Service LaRue Host Coffee & Vending

Best PR Agency, 2008, 2009 & 2010

Call 964-9293 today.

11626 Nicholas Street Omaha, NE 68154 zaissco.com

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 29

Thank you Omaha! for voting us one of Omaha’s Best Credit Card Processors for the second year in a row!

In our continuing efforts to save merchants money, we proudly introduce

The Discount, Loyalty, Payment Card . . . All in One! Offered Exclusively by 402.502.9985 americanpayment.com

Did you know that one of the Nation’s Top 100 Financial Advisors is your neighbor?

Probably not.

Feltz WealthPLAN

Voted #1 Financial Advisor by B2B Magazine Readers for the 2nd Consecutive Year!

One of the Nation’s Top 100 Financial Advisors- Barron’s 2009 Voted Omaha’s #1 Financial Planning Firm

by Omaha Magazine Readers

www.FeltzWP.com

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial - Member FINRA/SIPC

30 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

Whether it is retirement planning for the your future or the future of your employees, call 402.691.0200 for a Complimentary Consultation.

COMPUTER SERVICE Our Tech Omaha Computer Repair

COPIER & SUPPLIES COMPANY SolutionOne

THANK YOU to Omaha’s business leaders for voting Hemphill as Omaha’s #1 Employment Firm for the last three years!

1 Employment Firm — 2008, 2009 and 2010

#

Better Business Equipment

CREDIT CARD MERCHANT PROCESSING First National Bank Omaha American Payment Systems 402-502-9985 www.americanpayment.com

DELIVERY SERVICE Ontrac Capital Express

ELECTRICAL SERVICE Miller Electric OK Electric

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT COMPANY SilverStone Group Encore Financial Services 402-991-2533 encorefinancialservices.com

EMPLOYMENT AGENCY Hemphill Search Group (402) 334-4800 www.hemphillsearch.com C&A Industries (402) 891-0009 www.ca-industries.com

ENGINEERING FIRM HDR DLR Group

FENCE COMPANY American Fence S&W Fence

FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM Feltz Wealth Plan Carson Wealth Management Group

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 31

Service comes first at Otis.

To us, that means developing new products that meet our customers’ needs and challenges; providing reliable maintenance; and modernizing systems to keep pace with a building’s changing face and function. In all areas of service, Otis is committed to inspiring total customer confidence.

Residential • Commercial • Rec ycling Sales • Service • Rentals

Abe’s Trash Service, Inc. “Serving Omaha For Over 50 Years” COmmeRCial

• BOth FROnt FOad & ReaR lOad St YleS • SizeS FROm 2 - 8 CuBiC YaRdS

Our technicians are trained to service all makes of elevators.

Give me a call, and let me give you a quote. Let me earn your trust and business.

Tori Lemke

Sr. Account Representative tori.lemke@otis.com

ReSidential

•d dependaBle ependa weeklY ReSidential tRaSh SeRviCe • 90 GallOn tRaSh C aRtS avail aBle • Re ReC YClinG and YaRd waSte SeRviCeS avail aBle

COmpaC tORS

ROll-OFF COntaineRS

• 12, 20, 30, & 40 YaRd SizeS • metal Open tOp ROll-OFF dumpSteRS • One-time uSe OR On a lOnG teRm BaSiS • COnStRuCdtiOn pROjeC tS, SpRinG CleaninG, neiGhBORhOOd CleanupS

• Stati StatiOnaRY & SelF-COntained COmpaC tORS • C aRdBOaRd COmpaC tORS • ReC YClinG SeRviCe • we pe peRFORm all maintenanCe On OuR COmpaC tORS

COnStRuC tiOn & demOlitiOn •C&d landFill • C&d ReC YClinG • GReen Build SeRviCeS

(402) 733-4525, ext. 14

locally Owned and Operated

Otis Elevator Company

402-571-4926

5366 ‘F’ Street, Omaha, NE 68117 www.otis.com

8123 Christensen lane • Omaha 68122 • www.abestrash.com

Photos: Tom Kessler

PopulousTM and HDR

Life. BETTER.

Thanks, Omaha, for making us #1!

We’re proud to help you make life better here.

Engineering | Architecture | Consulting

www.hdrinc.com

32 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

Fire alarm company Barone Security Continental

Thank You Cathy, Dianne, Julie, T.J., Chris, Kat, Susie, Jennifer, Dean,

FloriSt

Mark, Jeff, Martha, Ellie, JoAnn, Ann, Natalia, Ryanne, Brenda, Dana, Deb,

Taylor’s Flowers 402-733-2322 www.taylorsflowers24hours.com

Jasmyn, Cathy, Larry, Amee, Jaylene, Jeff, Scott, Amy, Elise, Dave, Jen,

Stems

John, Neil, Mike, Mike, Gary, Lindsay, Paula, Joel, Rob, Kristy, Nate, Jodee, Sandy, Mike, Karen, Brian, Adrienne, Tim, Denise, Nikki, Jim, Audri, Wade,

garBage collection

Lucas, Michelle, Sam, Curt, Chip, Terry, Brian, Catherine, David, Lance,

Abe’s Trash 402-571-4926 www.abestrash.com

Jenny, Joe, Ben, Catherine, Dick, Lorraine, Don, Katie, Catherine, Ron,

Papillion Sanitation

Sue, Jim, Mickey, Angie, Kevin, Keith, Shawn, Tyrone, Jess, Tom, Jerry, Steve, Andrea, Kevin, Greg, Scott, Rob, James, John, Brad, Sam, Carlo,

general contractor Kiewit Building Group 402-977-4500 www.kiewit.com Hawkins Construction

Mark, Barbara, Terri, Kim, Robyn, Tony, Brook, John, Julia, Mark, Todd, Julie, Ree, Jun, Hal, Karen, Barb, R.J., Jeff, Sheila, Randy, Larry, Todd, Pete, Jim, Chantel, Tim, Bill, John, Scott and Mark for bringing out our best.

glaSS/WindoW/door company City Glass Omaha Door & Window

golF courSe Champions Run

Thank You From All of us at Malibu!

Omaha Country Club

Heating/ac Service Standard Heating and Air Conditioning Service One

Hotel Hilton Omaha 402-998-3400 www.omaha.hilton.com Regency Lodge

inSurance agency Grace-Mayer Chastain-Otis

internet provider Cox Business Services 402-934-3223 cox.com Qwest

Omaha’s picture framer for 25 years!

301 North 78th St.

One Block N of Dodge

402.391.4628

malibu gallery BB0610.indd 1

MALIBU G

A

L

L

E

R

Y

17010 Wright Plz.

The Shops of Legacy

402.334.0920

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 33 3/12/10 10:45 AM

Voted Best Caterer in Omaha!

“I want to thank the Omaha Business Community for selecting my company, Brandeis Catering, as the best caterer in the Metro Area for four years in a row. We appreciate your support and will continue to work to make you proud.” Joe Thallas - Owner/General Manager

TipTop Downtown Ballroom

Livestock Exchange Ballroom

2440 S O U T H 141 S T C I R C L E

34 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

•

Thompson Center at UNO

(402) 334 -5446

•

Georgetowne Club

www.brandeiscatering.com

Janitorial Service FBG 402-346-4422 www.fbgservices.com Midwest Maintenance

Thank You For Voting Us Best of B2B!

landScape/laWn contractor Lanoha Nurseries Mulhall’s

laW Firm Baird Holm Fitzgerald Schorr

limouSine VIP 402-934-5466 viplimo.com Old Market Limousine

live entertainment Michael Walker Bandstand OPS

lockSmitH Carl Jarl Big Red

mailing liStS InfoUSA The List Company

mailing Service Burke’s List Management & Mail Service

scouler BB0610.indd 1

Thank You, Omaha,

3/16/10 10:52 AM

for recognizing your hometown firm.

Orizon CPAs LLC is proud to receive a “Best of B2B” award for the fourth consecutive year in the category of Best Accounting Firm in Omaha. It is our privilege to serve the needs of our clients and we wish to extend our thanks for receiving this recognition.

Omaha Mail

oFFice Furniture All Makes Office Equipment 402-341-2413 www.allmakes.com Sheppard’s Business Interiors

oFFice recordS Storage / deStruction Benson Shred It

Securities offered through QA3 Financial Corp., Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Orizon Investment Counsel, LLC.

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 35

Thanks for Voting us Your #1 Locksmith!

To see what else we are up to, check us out at:

www.carljarlgroup.com

Thank you!

Voted Omaha’s Best P rint er!

4700 F Street Omaha, NE 68117 800.369.0033 www.omahaprint.com 36 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

oFFice SupplieS Pay-Less Office Products 402-891-6210 www.paylessoffice.com Office Depot

painting Traco Terry McGill

Give us a call for your Retirement & Wealth Preservation Planning needs.

Life Insurance Health Insurance Long Term Care Insurance Disability Income Insurance Cancer & Critical Illness Coverage Vision & Dental Coverage Plan D & Medicare Supplements Group Benefits

party planning Service planitomaha, Inc. 402.333.306 www.planitomaha.com Fundways

payroll Service ADP Paychex

peSt control Lien Termite & Pest Control 402-397-8884 www.lienpestcontrol.com Heartland

pHotograpHer Ervin Photography David Radler Photography 402-342-6230 www.davidradler.com

Patrick G. Bonnett Financial Advisor President / CEO

4602 South 132nd Street Omaha, NE 68137-1624 (O) 402-991-2533 (F) 402-991-2535 www.encorefinancialservices.com

Thank You Omaha!

picture Framing Malibu Galleries malibugalleries@qwestoffice.net Omaha’s Picture Framer for 25 Years!

Creekside Framing

Best Florist

plumBing company

“Taylor Made” for ALL your floral needs since 1950”

Carmody Backlund

printer Omaha Print 800-369-0033 www.omahaprint.com Barnhart Press

733-2322

12330 K Plaza, Ste. 113 www.taylorsflowers24hours.com Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 37

Thanks for Voting us Best of B2B Four Years in a row!

13665 California Street Omaha, Nebraska 402-445-4380

FACES • STYLE • HOME

• EVENTS • HAPPENIN

The Dog Days of Summer Issue Is

FACES • STYLE • HOME

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LAST WORD

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74470 63857

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LEGENOFDHASIR David Scott, Rick

Carey, Tom “Tino”

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Constantino, Heathe

Smith

$3.95 US

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Private dining rooms from 6 to 40 people.

38 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

SUBSCRIBE S UBSCRIBE AT www.omahapublications.com

property management The Lund Company 402-393-8811 www.lundco.com PJ Morgan Real Estate

puBlic relationS Firm Zaiss & Company

Thank You Omaha!

VOTED OMAHA’S BEST ROOFING COMPANY 4 YEARS IN A ROW!

Ervin & Smith

real eState - commercial Grubb & Ellis CB Richard Ellis

rental Service Store Honeyman Rent-All AAA Rents & Event Services

reStaurant - BuSineSS BreakFaSt Wheatfields Eatery & Bakery FarmHouse Café & Bakery

reStaurant - BuSineSS dinner Mahogany Prime Steakhouse 402-445-4380 www.mahoganyprime.com

An authorized Duro-Last Contractor.

Passport 402-344-3200 www.passport-restaurant.com

reStaurant - BuSineSS luncH Spezia Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano 402-965-9800 www.biaggis.com

rooFing company Ciaccio Roofing 402-293-8708 Ak-Sar-Ben

Screen printing Union Jack Shirt Shack

Security equipment SEI ADT

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 39

Security guard Service American Security LEO Security Services

Sign company Best Buy Signs Superior Lighting

For over 63 years, Omaha has turned to Travel and Transport, Meeting Trends and Travel and Transport Vacations to meet all of your travel related needs. From our innovative corporate travel management and meeting/event planning solutions to our expertise in creating unforgettable vacations, our employee-owners are dedicated to the businesses and travelers of Omaha.

Thank you for voting us Omaha’s Best Travel Agency.

402.399.4500 Headquarters: 72nd & Mercy www.tandt.com • www.tandtvacations.com Look for us on Facebook and Twitter.

SnoW removal Service Clear Creek Jay Moore

toWing company Neff 402-733-5500 Heartland Towing

travel agency Travel and Transport, Inc. 402-399-4500 www.tandt.com MEETING TRENDS

Pegasus

uniForm Supply

Thank You Omaha for Voting us Best of B2B!

Alamar Pioneer Uniforms

vending macHineS Apple Vending Dependable Vending

video production Editech Inflight Productions

Water - Bottled

65 Years of Business in Omaha!

Ideal Pure Water Deep Rock

WeBSite developer Bozell Interactive Rebel Interactive 402-561-0520 rebel-interactive.com

WindoW cleaning Window Pro

4315 South 50th Street • 402.733.5500 40 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

Fisher Window Cleaning

Thank you Omaha for voting us Best of B2B!!

CHOOSE FROM THESE 4 STYLES

AND SEE THE WORLD WITH BRENDAN VACATIONS Escorted Vacations Travel with a group and a Tour Director, generally on a deluxe motorcoach.

Locally Guided Vacations For travelers seeking a more independent vacation or a quick getaway, a Locally Guided Vacation may be the right choice.

Independent Vacations These are flexible, customized vacation packages, perfect for independent travelers who prefer to set their own vacation pace.

Self Drive Vacations In Europe (including Ireland and the UK), Australia and New Zealand, we offer the option of renting a car and setting out on your own.

To reserve your space today contact

1034 S. 74th Plaza • Omaha, NE 402-390-0122 or 800-523-2120 www.pegasusomaha.com

Exclusive dealer for Autocom Communication systems, Olympia MotoSports, Gerbings Heated Clothing, Nolan N-com Helmets. Available for any motorcycle.

BMW S 1000 RR Superbike BMW Motorcycles of Omaha | Apparel & Accessories 6775 S. 118th Street | (402) 861-8488

of Omaha Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 41

STORY BY MELISSA MCELROY

PHOTOS BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

What Cheer

More than cool aesthetics

O

maha’s growing arts district on north 13th Street is lined with trendy shops, a hip coffee house, Film Streams and Hot Shops. The eclectic, hipster vibe of the neighborhood provides the perfect setting for What Cheer, Omaha’s new, progressive web site company. Their catchy slogan on their web site describes what they do: “We build cool web sites.”

Nestled away in a once-vacant warehouse since December 2009, What Cheer screams hipster aesthetic. The building’s architect, Paul Nelson, embraced what the old industrial space offered and transformed it into functional office space. From the unfinished concrete floors to the wide-open space, down to the loading dock, much of the space remains intact. Yet it’s surprisingly light and airy. Natural lighting adds to the open feel of the office. The furnishings, put together by the What Cheer staff, are sparse and create a minimalist, modern feel. It’s clear upon stepping foot in their office that they are a different kind of company.

Within this large space, a couple of 20-somethings work intently at their computers.

They look so engrossed in their work they scarcely look up from their screens. Soon I

42 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

am greeted by John Müller, another young 20-something, who looks more like someone you might run into at a Kings of Leon concert than the “suit” who runs the company. But What Cheer is more than just cool aesthetics. Müller tells me that they believe in a fun, comfortable work environment free of a rigid hierarchy. He tries to approach work in a positive light.

“I believe in working hard and being nice. Do those two things and you’ll be fine,” Müller said.

It doesn’t hurt that he happens to love what he does. He loves building web sites so much that he works on side projects in his own time. Most notably, the pro-Omaha web site titled “I live in Omaha because…”

“We really like Omaha and wanted to design a web site that reflected that.”

According to Müller, Omaha is an excellent place to do business because of its entrepreneurial culture. The What Cheer pack chose the NoDo area to be near other creative people. Their web site lists an impressive array of clients: artists, a photographer, a health care provider and non-profits, to name a few. Their client base has been built by word of mouth.

Jeff Koterba, a political cartoonist for the Omaha World-Herald and author of “Inklings,” succinctly described his experience as a client of What Cheer.

“I was impressed with their ideas and I felt that they really got me, and what I was going for. Not only that, they surpassed my wildest expectations. I’m very happy with what they’ve done and would recommend them to anyone. I love how they think,” Koterba said.

According to Müller, each project is approached differently. “We carefully consider the needs of the client to determine the style and strategy. We help build brands for who they are.”

Office Environments That Inspire Your company is a place where team members meet day-to-day to engage in activity that helps the company thrive. The space in which they work should do more than just house creative minds – it should inspire them.

A well-planned office does more than just look good. Well-planned offices create a positive first impression on your clients, draw in potential candidates, and also improve the productivity of your current employees. Fortune magazine once revealed that the largest impact on productivity would result from improvements in office layout; alongside personal computers and thermal control.

If you are going to invest your time and money in a new office environment, you want to make sure it’s done right. Try to avoid these two common mistakes some companies make: • Benchmarking. Don’t compare your company’s office layout to other office setups. They do not have the culture, management, or employee practices that your company has. Therefore, your office environment shouldn’t look like theirs. Instead, identify specific challenges that your current office environment has and work to improve those areas.

• Guessing. Many companies guess how their businesses work by what they see. Although observation is helpful, there is always more than what meets the eye. Ask your employees about what they need and use.

Tips to consider when updating your office furniture: Look for versatility – buy office furniture that can easily be moved and reconfigured Always buy quality – you should ask if products have been tested for durability and meet office furniture performance standards, commonly referred to as ANSI-BIFMA Remember the benefits of ergonomical furniture – good ergonomics make employees feel better, make them more productive and more energetic as well Feel confident about your choice – research and compare warranty options before purchasing Warranty – a quality chair should always have a lifetime warranty on the frame and mechanical parts and a 5-10 year warranty on fabric All Makes Office Equipment Co. offers design services and office furniture selections that fill all the spaces in which your employees interact, develop, create, and execute. Visit All Makes’ 165,000 sq. ft. showroom at 2558 Farnam St. in Omaha to see the latest in new and used office furniture or call 341-2413 to receive a free copy of HON’s “How To Maximize Your Workplace” guide.

Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 43

T H E K N O W - I T - A L L I S P R E PA R I N G A N A C C E P TA N C E S P E E C H .

Buckle Up!

We are all in for a wild ride over the next couple of years

I

n this day of big government, big banks, big hedge funds and multi-national companies, what about the backbone of American business? All the small companies that make America great.

It seems to me that there is over-emphasis on saving the big guy, at the expense of the little guy. Let’s take the current economic crisis for instance. By 2006, the end of the housing bubble was becoming common knowledge. In 2007 and the first half of 2008, the hedge fund manipulation of oil left consumers and trucking in survival mode. Heck, even the sleeping federal regulators were awakening from their Alan Greenspan “free trade� slumber, only to be frightened by what they saw.

The executive branch, Congress and the regulators facilitated the over-leveraging of America. The Fed put the markets on amphetamines with their non-stop supply of cheap dollars.

In 2008, banking regulators became determined to do something in the heavyhanded manner big government usually does. In other words, micromanaging banks, rather than establishing appropriate guidance. Whereupon lending to businesses 44 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

dried up during this loan-by-loan review.

That is, which loans would be classified and which would be allowed under the new regulatory terms.

Enough with the history, it’s time to focus on what to expect in the coming months.

Today’s reality is continued de-leveraging.

Banks must meet the new strict criteria banking regulators expect. That is, loans only to well-qualified businesses, at loan- to-value ratios of maybe 50 percent to 60 percent. If you have existing real estate loans and if your property value has dropped, expect a call to hand over sufficient cash to meet the new criteria. Some are calling them “right-sizing” loans. The days of “other people’s money” thinking are over.

I worry about the unreasonable regulatory pressure on small banks, which never caused this economic crisis. It seems that the banking regulators are being even harder on them than the giants that crapped on America. Small banks get taken over; large banks get bailed out. Heck, the worst financial offenders became banks in order to take advantage of the public bailouts.

Hedge funds and some large banks are playing in the commodity markets yet again.

Today, we all are paying an additional dollar a gallon for gas and fuel because of this “speculation.” Face it, that dollar a gallon adds up to more money being stolen from Americans, even more than what’s been spent for all the federal bailouts.

The transfer of commercial and investment property from upside-down owners and developers is about to begin. A friend of mine participated in a Citibank and Bank of America road show. Meetings with those sitting on cash to showcase the massive portfolios of foreclosed properties.

I expect the foreclosed asset transfers to build to a frenzy over the next 12 months, and then taper off over the subsequent 12 months. The smart investors will buy the mortgage notes at a substantial discount from the banks. That way, if the mortgagee performs, the investor gets a great return. If the mortgagee defaults, he gets the property.

A new twist on the old adage: Loan to own.

What if you are a tenant in a building that has been over-leveraged, and the property

owner isn’t able to bring enough cash to the lender to get the loan into compliance?

Performing tenants are certainly worth their weight in gold. But this doesn’t help if you are paying timely, and your property owner is pocketing the cash in preparation for a disappearing act. I personally know one very large property owner that sent an email to his wife and investors saying good-bye, I have your cash and I’m gone forever. He is now living comfortably in a South American country that doesn’t extradite to the U.S. There are 1,500 shopping malls in the U.S. We will see 500 of these malls close in this economic cycle. Closing, either all at once or a leper’s death by losing tenant after tenant.

We all understand the federal deficit, but few are discussing the state budget shortfalls.

Until the world economy returns to vigor, states will have to somehow finance their substantial shortfalls. There is just no way to increase taxes enough to cover all the federal, state and local governmental deficits. I expect these debts to be financed at rates that will please investors, and crush taxpayers.

Expect even more federal bailout money to prop up these state budgets.

Gaming is going to expand across the U.S. Gone are the silly notions of floating gaming floors on navigable waters. States want, and need, the revenue gaming offers. I know this firsthand because of my involvement with a consortium backing this expansion.

The challenge will be in dealing with the percentage of gamblers who are unable to control themselves.

Privatization of public infrastructure will gain speed. (I discussed this in a previous article.) Look at Connecticut where there is a movement to re-regulate electricity.

At this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, bankers and fund managers were told that new regulations were coming. Regulations to curtail the abuses that threw the world into this economic crisis. Those in the know understand that the real result of any new regulation will be but window dressing.

Now that Pandora’s Box is open, there may be no way to close it again.

Buckle up, we are all in for a wild ride over the next couple of years.

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Spring 2010 B2B Omaha 45

business ethics B Y B E V E R LY J . K R A C H E R , P H . D.

Grameen America has come to Omaha

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OFashionShowcase.com 46 B2B Omaha Spring 2010

ane sat down next to me. I hadn’t seen her for a month. She looked tired but her words were upbeat. “How’s it going, Bev?” We talked for a while about the snow, politics, the snow, movies, the snow. I was hesitant to mention it, but finally I asked, “How’s the job search going?”

“I have never been in this kind of situation,” Jane said. “It’s been a year and a half.

When I lost my job five years ago, it took me three days to get another one in my industry. And over the years, I’ve had companies call me twice a month to do consulting jobs. There was so much work. But now, I can’t even find short-term consulting jobs to tide me over. And I’m living off my 401(k). I lost my home and now I’m renting. I figure I have two months of money left until I have to pack up my bags and move out of the state to live with my mom.

I never thought I’d be this poor.”

The Labor Department reports that 6.3 million Americans are currently out of work and have been for six months or longer. This is the highest unemployment rate that the country has experienced since 1948 when the government started keeping track of unemployment.

This is not what we want in greater Omaha. We are happy to work. We were raised to do anything it takes (within the law) to put food on the table. Indeed, the recent Gallup World Poll shows this situation is just the opposite of what anyone wants. Across the world, the #1 thing that people want is a job.

Jane wants to work. Jane wants a job.

Jane is a decent, honest person. She has taken the risks that are supposed to pay off.

Where is the relief?

How about private enterprise? Most companies would be happy to give Jane a job, but can’t – they don’t have enough clients and every month brings more debt.

Government is not a long-term option.

The federal administration can create legislation to spur job growth but it is the referee, not a player, in this critical game.

Now I’m not saying that this next idea is the solution. But it is at least part of the solution. What if we don’t give people jobs – but we support an effective organization that distributes money to people who want to start their own businesses? What if this organization makes it very easy to get a simple interest business loan with no collateral? What if loan repayments supply money for future loans “in an ever-expanding circle of economic growth?” And what if this organization is in our hometown?

It’s called Grameen America, founded by Professor Mohammad Yunus. He and the Grameen Bank are Nobel Prize recipients for their pioneering, global work in microlending. Grameen America is in two U.S. cities – New York City and Omaha.

Grameen is part of the solution – not for everyone but for some. As our U.S. economy tumbles, more and more people who used to be middle class are now poor. As Professor Yunus writes in Creating a World Without Poverty, “microcredit turns on the economic engines among the rejected population of society. Once a large number of these tiny engines start working, the stage is set for big things.”

Hey, Jane, check ‘em out.

Beverly Kracher, Ph.D. Executive Director, Business Ethics Alliance Associate Professor of Business Ethics & Society College of Business Creighton University

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