Strictly Business Omaha - December 2020

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM

OMAHA • DECEMBER 2020 TM

Lisa Jensen

Salon Manager

Brittney Metzler

John Mangiameli

Salon Manager and Wedding Coordinator

Owner

Carissa Mangiameli Salon Manager

• Mental Health Awareness • Energy Efficiency • Winter Driving • Senior Living Through the Holidays CLIENT SPOTLIGHTS • North Risk Partners • Oasis Senior Advisors • Omaha Staycation • Lincoln Federal Savings Bank

AGO

Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

RIVER CITY SIX

IN THIS ISSUE

Because You’re Worth It!

MEGAN STILMOCK Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Center

KATIE FRAZELL G. Lee Homes

DAN LOUTZENHISER Stories Coffee Co.

KEVIN MEYER Presto-X

ILANNA FERN BELFOR Property Restoration

SANDY SPADY Greater Omaha Chamber

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

1

TM

Make house calls without Seamless cloud migration having to leave your office.

Custom solutions powered by fiber.

Set a new standard of care with a virtual solution tailored to private and group practices.

Connecting a mobile workforce with Microsoft Office 365

Telehealth gives you a healthier future, now.

Voice solutions you can

Our HIPAA compliant virtual care solution allows your practice to sidestep some from device, of the most difficult issues facing routine healthcare manage visits today — while any helping to increase in and ofyou the your productivity and ability to care for all your patients.

It alsoout allows to office brand the care with your practice logo and info. And your patients will enjoy the freedom to get treated right from the comfort of their own home.

Fast, reliable fiber-fueled Internet speeds Latest Wifi technology Simple interface that’s easy for providers and patients

Group chats to involve the entire care team

Quick, thorough training and onboarding

All with 24/7 support and network monitoring 2

Cost effective, one-time set-up cost and flat monthly fee

Get started today with a no obligation 90-day free trial.

402.934.3891 coxbusiness.com Visit md.trapollo.com Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Omaha Staycation There is a new trend in the travel industry postcoronavirus: staycations. This is good news for people living in and around Omaha and Lincoln because there are so many amazing hotels, restaurants, and entertainment districts in the area, all of which have taken the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and fun experience!

Lodging in Luxury

Towering 12 stories high, the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District delivers that luxury factor. The rooms are sleek with big window walls that give a nice view of the riverfront to the east and the Omaha city skyline to west. The lobby is pristine with its vaulted ceilings and high-end furniture—great backdrops for your next Instagram post! The checkin and parking process went very smoothly thanks to the large portes-cochère in front to unload our luggage and the attached garage we were able to easily get in and out of with our room key. There is just something about staying at a hotel that makes you feel a little bit like royalty, especially when the staff is professional, courteous, and willing to go above and beyond to make sure your stay is fabulous with personalized concierge service. Call (402) 807-8000 or visit www.marriott.com/OMADM to book a room.

Swanky Dining

Fancying fresh seafood and crustaceans or exclusively aged USDA Prime grade beef, all unmatched in quality and presentation? 801 Chophouse at the Paxton has earned the rank. Before filling our bellies, we decided to wet our whistles with selections from the seasonal House Crafted cocktail menu. We dubbed the Jackie O's a perfect pre-dinner sip for its bubbly character and use of homemade elderberry syrup. It's a lively spin on the classic French 75. The Nearest and Dearest has a bit more complexity to it thanks to the herbaceous hints from the green chartreuse mixed in with notes of chocolate bitters. The drink gets its name from the Uncle Nearest 1884 Whisky, and it gets two thumbs up from our party. Onto the food, we couldn't resist starting off with

the Baked Escargot—a true delicacy. Our wonderful server, Emily, recommended the Seafood Tower for a healthy array of crab legs, lobster, and raw shrimp and oysters.

801 has their own lobster tank in the back, so there is no denying the level of freshness.

For beef, we recommend the bone-in filet, which exceeded all expectations in flavor and tenderness. 801 also offers various preparation options. Our favorite, and a classic, is the Oscar Style—Deshelled Alaskan King Crab, béarnaise sauce, and broiled asparagus spears—an absolute dream combination. In addition, we really 'oohed' and 'aahed' over the Fried Lobster Bites, which were served in the lobster tail to add a little flare to the presentation and they were very easy to share. The Scalloped Potatoes were nothing short of magical, and we were impressed by how sophisticated the Creamed Corn and Caramelized Baby Carrots were prepared. Beyond what graced our table, our group was mesmerized by the 1920s nostalgia found in the wooden architecture, romantic lighting, and grand back bar. Call (402) 341-1222 to make a reservation.

Party Igloos

There is a new craze sweeping entertainment districts across the country that is not only fitting for the winter season, but also for COVID season: igloos! Now in the Capitol District, you and a small group of friends can reserve your own private igloo for the evening. Each one has comfy chairs, a center table, electric fireplace, and esthetic decorations and lights. Upon check-in in the botanical Ice Lounge, which is located indoors underneath Beer Can Alley, your group can check out complimentary blankets, board games, small televisions with DVD players, holiday favorites, and pillows.

There are restaurants and bars in the district that are ready to provide you with their exclusive igloo menu items featuring special deals on apps to share and festive beverages. Annie’s Irish Pub does a $4 YOUCALL-IT, which includes any beer, well, or call mixed drink. We really did feel like we had privacy, especially because the area is blocked off so there is no pedestrian traffic passing by. If you're trying to avoid cold winds and the risk of being exposed to COVID, but you're still wanting to get out of the house, this is it! Each reservation is good for two and a half hours. Call (402) 200-3039 to book your igloo!

Be sure to check out our extended version of our Travel Story with additional photos and details regarding our

#PrintProudDigitalSmart DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business Omaha experience! You can find the extended version online at www.StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com.

3

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

PAIGE ZUTAVERN - Omaha/Lincoln - President (402) 730-0096 | Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

Add Storytelling to Your Marketing Strategy It’s December, the last month of a historical year. Obviously, things won’t magically c hange when we hang up our 2021 calendars, but it’s a reminder that life keeps on going no matter what the circumstances are—and with life comes change. A big change for many businesses, including my own, is where marketing dollars are being allocated. According to NewsCred Insights (insights.newscred. com), “On average, 30-40% of a marketing budget is allocated for trade show sponsorship, travel, expenses, attendance, and collateral. With the coronavirus blowing up trade show budgets, marketers are challenged to redistribute that budget quickly.”

content is not only shared in print, but also online. We’re excited to be in the process of upgrading our website and strengthening our social media presence. These are two areas that we’re focusing on going into 2021. A New Year’s resolution, of sorts.

As a business owner, what is your New Year’s resolution? If storytelling isn’t something you’re currently doing as a part of your marketing strategy, please reach out to me. My team would love to help you get your message to your audience. In these challenging times, with a fast-changing landscape, communicating brand identity and values remains important—now more than ever. In fact, The CMO Survey this year found that marketers’ views on the importance of marketing have increased during the pandemic.

Just one in 10 (11.1%) believe marketing has decreased in importance, 26.5% believe there has been no change, while 62.3% believe it has increased in importance.

“Content marketing can become an effective way for you to remain in touch with your customers...”

The lack of in-person networking events and trade shows has been extremely tough for me, personally, because I am a highly social person.

Just ask anyone who knows me! It’s been hard for my business as well because those events are where I’d meet a lot of potential advertisers.

This has forced us to get creative with our marketing efforts and how we’re reaching new local businesses.

This is the case for most business owners. I believe that content marketing continues to be an effective avenue of advertising.

The NewsCred article goes on to say, “Content marketing can become an effective way for you to remain in touch with your customers and increase pipeline generation during the coronavirus pandemic. With the ever-changing digital landscape, communicating and engaging with your audience can remain undisrupted, no matter what the situation is—as long as you have the proper content marketing strategies in place.”

At Strictly Business, we believe that original content and storytelling are essential parts of any great marketing strategy. This is what we offer to our clients. Between press releases and feature stories, we give businesses different avenues to share their message. The

As always, I want to thank my current clients for partnering with us and allowing Strictly Business to be a part of their growth. I’m so grateful to be a part of the business community here in Omaha, and it’s always a pleasure to make new connections. Since there aren’t as many events, I’m doing my best to stay actively engaged and seek out new people to connect with. Whether that’s over Zoom, over the phone, or in person.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and is able to spend time reflecting on what really matters in life. It’s easy to get caught up in all the noise, but we need to allow ourselves some time to disconnect and celebrate all the good around us. That is what the holiday season is for, giving thanks.

Let Strictly Business help you lock in your status as THE EXPERT in your industry, utilizing print, the internet, and social media. Find out how by contacting Paige at (402) 466-3330.

CONTENTS NEWS

4 Business 23 Personnel

28 Nonprofit 33 Health

SPOTLIGHTS 1 35 36 48

Omaha Staycation Oasis Senior Advisors North Risk Partners Lincoln Federal Savings Bank

COLUMNS

34 Foster Care: CEDARS 16 River City Six 22 Outlook Business Solutions

FEATURE STORIES

37 38 42 44 4

Mental Health Awareness Energy Efficiency Winter Driving Senior Living Through the Holidays Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

Hannah

Diane

Dillon

PRODUCTION TEAM: Editor/Operations Hannah Hundley - Editor@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Copywriter Diane Gumaer - Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Art Director Dillon Crawford - Design@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com SALES TEAM: President/Sales Paige Zutavern - Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Publisher/Founder/Accounting Shayne Zutavern - SZutavern@yahoo.com STRICTLY BUSINESS is not responsible for unsolicited material. All rights to submission, including letters, will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to our unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially or creatively, unless otherwise negotiated with the author. Nothing may be printed in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. The publication of any advertisement in STRICTLY BUSINESS is not an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised.

Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright ©2020 by PZAK, Inc. Third Class Postage Paid at Lincoln, NE 68505

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

A

About the Cover

Because You’re Worth It!

Has your routine changed this year? Has your social life been affected?

It’s hard to imagine anyone could answer no to both of these questions.

The real question is, have you let it affect how you take care of yourself?

Beyond basic hygiene, keeping up with the health and look of your hair, skin, and nails is an important part of a dignified life. You might not be “going out” as much as before or seeing as many people, but it’s okay to still treat yourself to things that make you happy, bring out your personality, and help you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

At the end of the day, what really matters is that you believe you’re worth it. Even if your husband is the only one who will notice that you’ve changed your hair or your roommate is the only person to show off your manicure to...do it for yourself. So, if it’s time to spruce up your look or you’re in need of a little pampering, go to a place that does it all and does it the best—Creative Hair Design Salon & Spa. Creative Hair Design is located off of 120th and Pacific Streets, but you shouldn’t select your salon solely on proximity...the right stylist or esthetician is worth driving across town for. When you call to make an appointment, tell them about yourself and what you’re looking for so that they can pair you with the most compatible person from their team—and Creative Hair Design has over 80 hand-picked stylists, designers, estheticians, and massage therapists on staff! That means you’ve got a high chance of finding the perfect match. What’s more, Creative Hair Design is a place where these technicians love to work, which is why many of them have been there for 5, 10, 15 years and even longer! This is significant because it means that you, as a client, can really form a relationship and develop trust. Your technician will get to know you and what you like so that each time you visit, you can be at ease knowing you’ll get exactly what you ask for.

STAY CONNECTED /StrictlyBusinessMagazineOmaha

To Get Your FREE Subscription:

CreativeHairDesign.com 402.330.5660

24/7 @SBMAGOMAHA

www.StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com/subscribe-strictly-business #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Creative Hair Design was founded by John Mangiameli in 1982.

John has not only fostered a well-rounded and dedicated team over the years, he’s taken the salon from a 1,200-square-foot space to a 15,000-square-foot luxurious destination for hair, nail, esthetic, and massage services. The first floor features more than 30 styling and nail stations that are nicely spread out. Hair services include extensions, coloring, styling, and cuts and trims. Nail treatments, manicures, and pedicures are carried out by professionally licensed nail technicians who will bring your hands and feet to their natural strength and beauty.

The upstairs spa takes you into a state of absolute zen. There are many private rooms for massages and facials, along with multiple luxurious men’s and women’s dressing rooms where a gown, robe, and sandals are provided before each treatment. The dressing rooms also have lockers for clients to keep their belongings secure during their spa treatment.

Normally, after treatment, a steam room, full shower, products, blow dryers, brushes, and towels are available in the dressing rooms, but not during COVID as a safety precaution. Esthetic services include waxing, facials, CryoClear treatment, acne clearing, glycolic or alpha blend treatment, paraffin treatment, microdermabrasion, exfoliation peels, brow/lash coloring, and lash lifts. Creative Hair Design also offers a variety of massages and body treatments customized to your unique needs, such as mini, full body, mega, and hot stone massages; salt glow transformation; hydrotherapy tub; vichy exfoliation treatment; couples massage; and pregnancy massage. Book a hair, nail, or spa appointment at Creative Hair Design today, because you’re worth it!

Pictured on the cover, the wonderful management staff of Creative Hair Design: Lisa Jensen, Carissa Mangiameli, John Mangiameli, and Brittney Metzler. Not pictured: Sarah Pelster.

Strictly Business Magazine (402) 466-3330 Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

www.StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

5

BUSINESS NEWS Tunde Bankole Purchases Three Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Locations in Region

Site-1 Brewing to Come to Omaha January 2021

Entrepreneur Tunde Bankole recently purc hased three D i c k ey ’ s B a r b e c u e P i t r e s t a u ra n t s — i n O m a h a , Lincoln, and Bellevue—with hopes of keeping more local business going strong after the pandemic. In Omaha, Tunde bought the Dickey’s franchise at 15825 W Maple Rd., STE 107. It is open for dine-in business, as well as delivery through Grub Hub and Door Dash services. You can also order online for no-contact pickup at the restaurant. Under Tunde’s ownership, Dickey’s continues to provide catering for gatherings, including holiday celebrations, as well as providing individual box lunches for meetings or other situations. It’s as simple as making one call to work out details, and Dickey’s will deliver it to your location on time. Dickey’s continues to follow all COVID guidelines and requirements to keep customers safe.

Site-1 Brewing has announced plans to open in Omaha at 26th and Farnam in January 2021.

Founders Mike Peter, Ben Katt, and Melanie Phelan are excited to bring their experience-driven brewery incubator and tap house to the bustling metro. Site-1 Brewing will have 20 beer taps, two head brewers, a full bar, and plenty of seating for you and your friends. Patrons will enjoy the historic building's hotel lobby aesthetic and decor that lends itself to the brewery's 1960’s space race theme.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is a true American success story. The brand has come a long way since World War I Veteran Travis Dickey opened the first location in 1941. But some things never change. Dickey’s still slow smokes all meats on-site, and the menu features beef brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis style ribs, polish sausage, spicy cheddar sausage, smoked turkey, and marinated chicken, with an extensive array of home-style sides, from jalapeno beans to macaroni and cheese. For more information, visit dickeys.com or call (402) 932-0102.

Site-1 is more than a brewery. It's a beer platform where aspiring brewers can hone their craft and gain real-world experience without immense startup costs. Site-1 will provide a shared workspace with all the equipment and guidance a brewer needs, as well as a tap house to show off their innovative recipes and craftsmanship.

By combining our ever-changing beers with a full restaurant menu, engaging atmosphere, and visible beer crafting process, Site-1 promotes a unique experience that is unlike any other brewery. To learn more, visit www.site1brewing.com or contact Melanie (402) 502-1843 / melanie@site1brewing.com.

Stories Coffee Opens Second Location, a Kiosk Shop in Switch Food and Beer Hall

Have a new home or remodel on your Christmas list?

We can help!

Construction •Remodeling •Exteriors •Interiors

402.598.0590 | 2316 S 156th Cir. Omaha, NE 68130 katie@omahasbuilder.com

6

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

In an effort to serve the Blackstone community, new Stories Coffee Co. Owners Dan and Brooke Loutzenhiser opened a second location on November 7—a kiosk business in The Switch Food and Beer Hall. At the new location, 3618 Farnam St., Stories is serving a full beverage menu as well as their scrumptious breakfast and lunch foods seven days a week.

The new location is part of a collection of environmentally responsible eats and drinks operations—including the Infusion Beer Hall, Ansel’s New York inspired sandwich shop, El Arepon Venezuelan cuisine, The Bubbly Tart boutique bakery, Piatto di Pasta Italian dishes, M Square juice and smoothie parlor, and the Red Lantern Vietnamese street cuisine.

When you go to The Switch, you can feel good about making an environmentally responsible choice, too. That’s because it is the first food hall in the nation certified as a 3-Star Certified Green Restaurant™ by the Green Restaurant Association and only the second restaurant in Nebraska to earn this status. The participating local kitchens, craft-beer-bar, and food-hall staff collaborate to implement more than 50 steps to meet the certification standards, and are committed to continue lowering their impact on the environment.

With that in mind, virtually every single-use item you purchase at the Switch—food scraps, plates, bowls, napkins, and cups—are industrially compostable, and what isn’t compostable gets recycled.

The main Stories Coffee Co. location in Omaha is at 114th and Davenport in the heart of Omaha. They operate with a mission to invest in the stories of their customers, vendors, partners, and those in need in the community by providing hope through coffee. A portion of their profits go directly to support nonprofit organizations that are doing good in Omaha. For more information, visit storiescoffeecompany. com and follow them on Instagram (@storiescoffeecompany). #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Manna Industries Rolls Out Santa’s Little Helpers Line, Launches Industry Website On November 19, Manna Industries rolled out a holiday collection called Santa’s Little Helpers.

The line includes an eye shadow palette, a lip kit (lip liner and lip gloss), and a small eye shadow brush collection. This fun and festive line is not the traditional reds and greens, but more of a modern twist on the traditional holiday colors.

The collection is available for a limited time while supplies last.

In addition, Manna has launched a website for industry professionals (www.mannaprofessionals.com). Stylist can come to this website and purchase hair extensions, eyelash extensions, sunless tanning solutions, tools, and online certifications.

Manna Industries is a small, woman-owned and -operated beauty company, striving to help women across the globe feel bold, beautiful, and confident. To shop and stay up to date, check out www.mannaindustries.com or visit Manna Salon at 5342 S 136th St. Follow on Instagram and Facebook (@mannaindustries) for information on the latest products and promotions!

Universal Group Expands Business to Two More States, Adds New Client Services Universal Group, LTD of Omaha recently expanded their business by acquiring and adding insurance offices in Alabama and Wyoming to their portfolio, which also includes Universal Specialty Group in Omaha, Hometown Insurance in Columbus; plus offices in Arizona and South Carolina. With an Omaha legacy dating back to 1889, Universal Group (formerly Loring & Company) Owner Daniel Headlee has worked tirelessly to maintain the stellar reputation and the golden standard of risk management that the Loring family created. Headlee purchased Loring & Company in 2013 and became the president in 2015 when Dan Loring retired. With nearly 30 years of experience in insurance and risk management, Headlee has worked tirelessly to foster growth of the already reputable, trusted company.

The recent acquisitions include Steinhilber & Strawbridge of Montgomery, AL; and WB Insurance of Sheridan, WY. Along with the acquisitions, Universal has added services to help customers manage and grow their own businesses, among those a suite of benefits that include compliance tools—OSHA regulations, a Family and Medical Leave Act advisor; human-resources hotline and resources, including customized handbooks, job descriptions, salary calculators, etc.; an interactive Learning Management System that facilitates employee and manager training with professionally produced training courses; and an employee wellness program.

By remembering their roots in Omaha, Universal Group, LTD brings the combination of tradition and highly technical insurance skills to all of their clients and remains dedicated to professionalism, regular client contact, and ongoing education about the many changes in the insurance field. Universal Group can protect your most precious assets, as they offer personal and business insurance, in addition to employee benefits and industry specialties including contractor, dealership, garage-repair shop, manufacturing, and trucking insurance. For more information, visit universalinsgroup.com or contact COO Ellen Kietzmann at (402) 399-8721, ext. 112 / ekietzmann@universalinsgroup.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Helping babes BossUp in life, health, and business!

Certified Life, Health, and Mindset Coach karissa@365Dailyhustle.com 365dailyhustle.com 402-880-2142

!

T S A E F S ’ LET LEGIT. TEXAS.

BARBECUE.

Delivery. catering. curbside & carryout.

15825 W Maple Rd. 402.408.2878 12241 w Center Rd. 402.932.0102

dIckeys.com

Budget Car and Truck Rental Launches Exciting New Long-Term Rental Program The locally owned Budget Car and Truck Rental of Nebraska recently announced the launch of its exciting new Long-Term Rental Program to serve as an alternative to leasing or purchasing a car. Individuals or businesses can rent a new-model vehicle with a commitment of anywhere from two months to multiple years at discounted rates, with 3,000 monthly miles included, access to a concierge rental agent, use of their own auto insurance, and free airport parking when traveling. The new program is a perfect fit for people who normally used public transportation but are not comfortable doing so in light of the pandemic, for college students unexpectedly at home more than usual, for people without dependable vehicles for winter travel, and for companies who use vehicles for business or want to provide company cars or trucks to employees.

Rates for the Long-Term Rental Program start as low as $549 a month for a new model, and renters may add a spouse or employee from the same company at the time of rental and purchase additional miles, if needed. The only deposit required is 50% of the monthly rental rate, and it’s refundable. You can use your existing auto-insurance policy and list Budget as an additional insured or, if you prefer, Budget Nebraska can assist you with a referral to an agent.

Although Budget Rent a Car is an internationally recognized brand, you might not know that Budget Car and Truck Rental of Nebraska is actually a 33-year-old local family business owned by A Betterway Rent-a-Car group and run by Omaha resident Rob Durrett, so when you become a customer, you’re also supporting local business! Whether you are in need of a vehicle for a day, a week, months, or years, Budget Nebraska will take great care of you. For more information, visit BudgetNebraska. com/long-term-rental or call (402) 898-7250.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 7

BUSINESS NEWS 365DailyHustle Offers 5-Day Masterclass to Storage Concepts Passes Ownership of Create Forward Momentum in Your Life Family Business to Matt and Becky Maltby Success coach, international speaker, bestselling Amazon author and 365DailyHustle Owner Karissa Williams is offering a five-day live online Masterclass December 7-11 to help professional women create forward momentum in their lives, health, and businesses by using proven strategies she employs every day. Register at 365dailyhustle. dropfunnels.com/5-day-mastermind. In addition, Karissa is doing a BossUp book signing for her new book, Women Who BossUp, at the new Peregrine Hotel in Omaha on December 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet and greet, grab a cocktail, and take a tour of the new hotel!

In her five-day Masterclass, Karissa will focus on three game changers: 1) The Reclaim Your Best Life™ blueprint that puts you back in control of your time, energy, and power, including proprietary tools; 2) Walk away with a personalized action plan that will help you thrive instead of just survive the next 90 days and roll into 2021 with unstoppable momentum; and 3) Learn the secret sauce to automate routines, habits, and systems so you can level up in your business, health, and life, and put yourself back on the calendar.

Founded in 2018, 365DailyHustle offers signature coaching programs, including one-to-one VIP coaching, online group coaching, and corporate coaching, as well as a 365 Empower U newsletter to deliver a weekly dose of motivation to women. Karissa also provides motivational talks, lunch-and-learns, and workshops as a keynote speaker and crowd motivator. For more information, visit 365dailyhustle.com, call (402) 880-2142, or follow her on Facebook (@DailyHustle1) and Instagram (@365.Daily.Hustle).

Storage Concepts Inc. Owners Ed and Mickie Abersfeller are excited to announce that their daughter and son-in-law, Matt and Becky Maltby, are in the process of becoming operator-owners of the family business. A 35-yearold home-organization company, Storage Concepts is the oldest company of its kind in the state of Nebraska, serving homeowners, new-home construction, and multi-family developments across the Upper Midwest. As a family-owned, non-franchise business, Storage Concepts is free to offer customers any range of storage solutions— from custom closets to garage organization, kitchen and pantry storage, home offices, Murphy beds, or wine cellars—that best meets their wants and needs.

Don’t worry, though, the Storage concepts mission won’t change with the succession of ownership. They will continue to enhance both the quality of your life and the value of your home, using the highestquality products in the industry and a unique and fun process of consultation, design, and craftsman-like installations. Beginning with a complimentary in-home consultation, Storage Concepts ensures that they have a thorough understanding of your needs. Their professional design team then uses proprietary software to create a custom solution that meets your needs exactly and is uniquely your own!

Storage Concepts has been designing, building, and installing the finest custom closets, garage organizers, home offices, wine cellars, and Murphy beds in the Upper Midwest since 1981. For more information, visit storageconcepsinc.com or contact Ed Abersfeller at ed@storageconceptsinc.com / (402) 592-7752.

DON’T LET THE HOLIDAYS STRESS YOU OUT! Stay relaxed this holiday season and leave your holiday giving to us!

With a wide range of hair, skin, body, and nail services finding the perfect gift has never been easier.

Visit our site to learn more, or call today to book an appointment.

@ CHDSALON 12025 PACIFIC STREET | 402-330-5660 | CREATIVEHAIRDESIGN.COM

8

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS LUX Lounge Installs New Sound System, Big Screen TVs for Sports Fans

First Watch Daytime Cafe Opens Sixth Omaha Location in West Village Pointe

LUX Lounge Omaha, formerly Acadian Grille Dundee, is putting on the games for sports fans, recently installing big-screen TVs and a fearsome new sound system to host football and other sports nonstop. Opening soon for lunch, LUX currently is open from 3:30 to midnight, with happy-hour specials from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The setup of the mesmerizing, energetic lounge and eatery—yes, they have wings!—is perfect for social distancing, so you can enjoy the games safely with friends.

First Watch, a daytime cafe ser ving fresh breakfast, brunch, and lunch favorites, has opened a sixth Omaha location in West Village Pointe at 18101 Chicago St., STE 102. The restaurant's offi cial opening date was August 10.

Patrons visiting First Watch in West Village Pointe can enjoy spacious outdoor seating or a variety of seating options inside, which features farmhouse decor and large windows for natural light.

“Football is on all the time, and it’s on our big screens here all the time, too,” said Owner Dan O’Brien. “You can practice social distancing and still enjoy your favorite games, along with our specialty craft cocktails and your favorite brews!”

The cocktail selection at LUX is second-to-none. Whether you’re a fan of the sweet stuff or something that delivers more of a punch, you’ll find delicious options that you won’t get anywhere else. Add to that the trendy small-plate menu, which includes things like chilled or roasted Brussels, crab cake salad, lettuce wraps, flat breads, Boudin balls, specialty wings, and possibly the best fresh-cut fries you’ll ever have the opportunity to savor. YUM! Located at 5018 Underwood Ave., LUX Lounge is a new Omaha favorite, now catering to football and sports fans aplenty. For more information, visit luxomaha.com or call (402) 991-1552.

Igloos in The Capitol District to Offer Safe Fun this Winter With the prospect of a cold, sociallydistanced winter ahead, The Capitol District has unveiled the solution to people in search of some COVID-safe winter fun. The Igloos at The Capitol District are private, cozy, six-person igloos spaced throughout The Capitol District’s modern town square. Available to rent for $100 for each two-and-a-half block of time, the igloos are outfitted with comfortable seating, a heat-producing fireplace, and even twinkle lights to create a magical ambiance. It’s like being inside a cozy snow globe.

Guests renting the igloos can pre-order take-out from one of the many restaurants and bars surrounding The Capitol District, taking advantage of exclusive deals. The Ice Lounge, where renters check-in, will also have televisions with DVD players and movies, board games, and blankets for customers to check-out at no additional charge for use during their time in the igloo. All items will be cleaned and sanitized before re-use, and a 30-minute block of time will allow staff to fully sanitize each igloo between guests. The igloos will be available to rent through February via The Capitol District’s website, and guests are encouraged to use the igloos with only those people they’d usually be around to prevent the spread of COVID. The Capitol District sits at a key location in downtown Omaha, connecting the Old Market to the events district and linking the Riverfront to the downtown business district. Just steps away from the CenturyLink Center, TD Ameritrade Park and other entertainment venues, The Capitol District is Omaha’s first-of-its-kind entertainment district, with a modern town square surrounded by restaurants, bars, retail stores, offices, apartments, and a full-service Marriott hotel. Visit www.capitoldistrictomaha.com for the latest rundown of events and a full line-up of dining, drinking, and destinations in The Capitol District. Contact Amanda Frank at (402) 8892048 / afrank@capitoldistrictomaha.com with questions. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

First Watch begins each morning at the crack of dawn, slicing fresh fruits and vegetables, baking muffins, and whipping up French toast batter from scratch. Everything is made-to-order and freshness is never compromised. At First Watch, they don’t use heat lamps or deep fryers—only the finest ingredients possible for the freshest taste around. When you arrive, they welcome you with a pot—not just a cup—of their Project Sunrise coffee, along with complimentary newspapers and Wi-Fi internet access.

First Watch in West Village Pointe joins First Watch Aksarben, Bellevue, Center, Maple, and Papillion, a restaurant concept of Cutchall Management Company. To learn more and view the menu, visit www.firstwatch.com or call the restaurant at (402) 916-4109. Further questions can be directed to Dan Kavan, VP/ COO of Cutchall Management, at (402) 558-3333 / dan@ cutchallmanagement.com.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from our family to yours!

402-575-0102 bigbirgeplumbing.com DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

9

BUSINESS NEWS It’s All About Bees! is excited to announce the individual sale of their 1.5-ounce mini jams, jellies, elderberry syrup, mustards, and 2-ounce creamed and varietal honey! In the past, these jars were only available in prepackaged trios or gift sets. Now customers can create unique combinations with their favorite flavors. Some of the most popular flavors to choose from include Christmas jam, choke cherry jelly, apple butter, curry honey mustard, and salted caramel creamed honey, to name a few.

Another new feature in the store this season is the gift basket area where they will professionally arrange the gift treasures that customers find in the shop. You may choose from their selection of baskets and containers for a very personalized gift presentation, then they will top off the creation with a beautiful handmade bow.

Not sure what to get? The friendly staff can recommend proven gift favorites. They are also offering a delivery service in the Omaha Metro area for a fee.

It’s All About Bees! is located in Park Drive Plaza at South 84th and Park Drive (one traffic light south of 84th and Q Streets), in the same shopping center as Spaghetti Works. The store is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Call (402) 216-4545 or place your orders online at itsallaboutbees.com.

Suite Child Boutique of Elkhorn Celebrates One Year in Business Amid the crazy year that the pandemic has served up for small businesses in Omaha, Suite Child—a fabulous boutique selling everything you could possibly want for your little ones and the moms in your life—celebrated its one-year anniversary on November 19.

They celebrated by providing a detailed online tour of their beautiful store on their Facebook page (@suitechild), so you can literally draw up your holiday shopping list from home by walking through the 25-minute video tour with them.

With everything from holiday pajamas for mom, babies, toddlers, and tweens to a tremendous selection of clothing for babies and children, plus toys and kids’ goods galore, the boutique is busting at the seams with holiday gifts. You’ll find a bevy of clothing collections, including a Nebraska Husker line, Copper Pearl, Magnetic Me Holiday, KicKee Pants, and Posh Peanut. So, don’t miss the opportunity to pick up some sure winners to help them celebrate, buy locally, and ensure lots of smiles on Christmas morning.

Located at 725 N. 210 St., STE 140 in Elkhorn, the mission of Suite Child is to celebrate and simplify the journey of growing families. They have registries available, clothing, books, journals, soft books, sensory toys, dolls and dollhouses, games and puzzles, outdoor play, riding toys, home and nursery items, and more. For more information or to shop online, visit suitechild.com. They offer free shipping on orders of $50+, free curbside pick-up, and local delivery. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram (@suitechild), email hello@suitechild.com, or call (308) 237-3044.

“ From left: Allen Chaffee, Omaha Market President; Matt Biggs, VP/Relationship Manager; and Charlie Yin, owner of Local Beer Patio Kitchen and Catalyst Brewing Company.

My Cornhusker Bank team takes the time to understand me and my specific situation. They determine the best services and programs for the benefit of my business. Matt and his associates have been instrumental in assisting me with my personal and business needs and executing a financial road map to achieve my goals. Their approach, time and time again has always been customer-first and this is why we choose to do business with Cornhusker Bank.

“

It’s All About Bees! Offers Customers New Product Customization Options for Gift Giving

Charlie Yin, owner of Local Beer Patio Kitchen and Catalyst Brewing Company

11102 Blondo Street, Omaha, NE 402-671-0200 | CornhuskerBank.com Member FDIC

10

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Presto-X on Deck with Expert Pest Control as Temperatures Drop, Rodent Issues Rise

WATER • FIRE STORM • MOLD RESTORATION SERVICES

As the temperatures in Omaha continue to drop and rodent issues rise, Presto-X is on the ready to provide expert pestcontrol solutions. In fact, because of the many business shutdowns amid the COVID pandemic, they have seen an increase in rodent populations, so you should head off infestations by scheduling pest-control services as soon as possible. Otherwise, these uninvited guests can cause property damage, transmit diseases, and trigger asthma and allergy symptoms.

Presto-X warns of six primary signs of a rodent infestation: droppings, tracks, gnaw marks, strange noises, nests, and, of course, actual rodent sightings. Mice can drop up to 25,000 fecal pellets a year; rats leave dark grease or dirt marks from on walls and floorboards from their dirty oily fur; you may hear strange noises coming from the walls or attic; rodents prefer to nest in dark, secluded areas; and if you see one mouse, it’s most assuredly not alone because mice breed so rapidly.

Your local pest-control experts, Presto-X provides protection against pests 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. For their pest365 plan, highly trained and licensed technicians consider pest food sources, lifecycle, and breeding habits to develop a custom plan to protect your home or business from more than 35 pests. They are guided by the enduring principles of providing world-class service to customers. For more information, visit prestox.com/your-local-office/Nebraska/Omaha, and make an appointment by calling (402) 551-0524. Presto-X is offering a new customer special, including $50 off of your first service with pestfree365, by using code FRS.

Fashion Institute Midwest Announces Rebrand and Launches New Website Fashion Institute Midwest (FIM), a provider of mentoring, training, resources, and industry network opportunities to regional fashion designers, announced in November the official launch of a redesigned website and it’s new branding—Fashion Arts Collective (FAC). The new name emphasizes what embodies the group.

"The new name truly describes exactly who we are in our DNA. Fashion— the industry that is our core; Arts—because fashion is a true artform; and Collective—as it takes each and every one of us to make this work to support designers and the fashion design community," said Mentoring & Opportunities Chair Sam Hohman.

The new website (fashionartscollective.org) highlights FAC’s purpose and supportive entities: The Fashion Guild (formerly Fashion Institute Guild), The Workroom (physical workspace open to the public), and Marketplace (new entity to employ local designers for production).

Starting out in 2012 to provide resources to designers, Fashion Institute Midwest opened its physical space, The Workroom, in 2016. The Workroom spans the entire second floor of the Midco Building located in Omaha's Makerhood District in North Downtown, filled with industrial grade sewing machines, large pattern-making tables, fabric for sourcing, dress forms, a computer lab and board room as well as a Salon for private client fittings.

“FAC has been affected by COVID. Although Metro cancelled all inperson continuing education classes since March and our funding has been reduced, we’ve continued to keep The Workroom open and mentor fashion designers. Along with those cancellations the University of Nebraska at Lincoln is proposing to cut the entire Textiles Department, so we have launched our own class offerings in order for the education of our design community to keep growing and these designers have a place to learn and build their skills,” said The Workroom manager, Denise Ervin.

The Fashion Arts Collective is a nonprofit committed to nurturing aspiring designer talent and supporting the Midwest fashion ecosystem. To learn more, visit fashionartscollective.org or call (402) 342-4487. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

(402) 891-1300

belforusa.com Locally owned independent insurance agency servicing all of your risk management needs.

• • • •

Business insurance Workers Compensation Insurance Personal insurance Employee benefits Universal has added services to help customers manage and grow their own businesses, among those a suite of benefits that include compliance tools—OSHA regulations, a Family and Medical Leave Act advisor; human-resources hotline and resources, including customized handbooks.

Employee Wellness plan delivered online!

Located on the corner of 140th & Center Universalinsgroup.com | 402-399-8721

Sylvan Learning of Omaha Launches Online and In-Home Tutoring In response to COVID, Sylvan Learning of Omaha launched online tutoring for all three of their centers (Omaha, Bellevue, Lincoln). They were able to pivot very quickly and got the online tutoring up and running in two weeks after everything started to shut down in March. So far, Sylvan has found that each student is different and, while some learn better in person, many students are thriving with online learning. They've also started offering in-home tutoring in the Lincoln market and have plans to institute it in Omaha and Bellevue in the near future. These options are great for families who aren't able to come into the center due to health concerns or because they do not live very close, so convenience has played a huge factor as well.

"We started using Sylvan Learning in January 2019, and I have been so impressed every since," said Sarah L., mother of a Sylvan Learning student. "It is an incredible place and the staff is awesome. They not only care about the child but the whole family. The communication is outstanding! My son has not only improved his reading but his confidence.

Since COVID-19, they have kept up the incredible communication and created virtual solutions quickly. It was a great relief to be able to continue the sessions during my son's time away from school. We love the virtual sessions! I could go on and on about how much we love Sylvan and how impressed we are with them. We are so grateful!"

Choosing Sylvan is about getting results and setting your child up for long-term success. To learn more, visit www.sylvanlearning.com or call 888-383-2283.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 11

BUSINESS NEWS King Insurance Offers Coverages to Help Protect Businesses Against Cybercrime

Berry Law Awarded Platinum Medallion in Recognition of Hiring Veterans at Firm

With a tremendous increase in cybercrime in 2020—much because of the growth in the number of employees working from home during the pandemic—King Insurance President Rick King recently issued an E Crime Alert to remind businesses to protect their information from criminals. The risk of cybercrime includes personally identifiable information about your employees, clients, and customers, including names, addresses, email addresses, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, dates of birth, telephone numbers, and more. If a breach on your system occurs and you have collected personally identifiable information, you can suddenly face the costs of notification, monitoring, and possibly restitution—costs that could prove fatal for businesses of all sizes if they are not covered by a cyber insurance plan tailored to their specific needs.

King Insurance offers a full suite of cyber coverages to protect your business against cybercrime and the associated costs. Those include first-party coverage for cyber extortion; data-recovery costs, business interruption, e-crime coverage, notification costs, forensic-investigation services, and many more. King Insurance can provide you with dependable cyber-protection products at affordable prices.

For more than 40 years, King Insurance has worked with a group of financially sound, reputable insurance companies to provide clients the best coverages at competitive prices. To discuss your cyber insurance needs or learn more about King Insurance, visit kingins.com or call (402) 597-5224, ext. 113.

On November 10, Berry Law was awarded the prestigious Platinum Medallion from the U.S. Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Program, which recognizes companies that are committed to hiring, training, and developing Veterans.

This is the second consecutive year that Berry Law has received the honor and is a testament to the firm’s dedication to serving Veterans, which also includes providing legal services to Veterans nationwide. The HIRE Vets Medallion Program is the only federal award recognizing businesses that excel at hiring and retaining Veterans on staff and the Platinum Medallion is the highest honor a company can receive. To be considered for this medallion, the nominated business must have Veteran-integrated assistance programs and 10% of their new hires must be Veterans.

“Veterans are our country’s greatest natural resource,” said Berry Law CEO John Berry. “We reach out to hire Veterans not just to honor their service, but because they are generally great at providing an immediate positive impact to the team. The same skills and values that allowed them to succeed in the military can directly translate into civilian success.”

Berry Law was founded in 1965 by legendary attorney Vietnam Veteran John Stevens Berry, Sr. With more than 250 years of combined legal experience, Berry Law is well equipped to handle the most serious legal needs. Reach the Veterans phone line at (888) 883-2483 or visit their Veterans website at ptsdlawyer.com. For other information, visit jsberrylaw.com or call (402) 446-8444.

12

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Center Sphere: Whether Live or Virtual, Networking Still Must be in Your Plan Center Sphere members aren’t slowing down with their networking activities – quite the opposite actually. While the landscape might look different this year, the message is still the same: we need personal interaction, at least in some capacity. Sure, in-person meetings have been the essence of networking in the past, but if we’ve learned one thing amidst this pandemic, it’s thank goodness for technology! From Zoom to Google Meets to virtual events, Center Sphere members have thrived knowing they can connect and grow their businesses because they now have no geographical limits.

Fashion, Health, and Wellness Shop

Center Sphere looks forward to meeting again face-to-face, but for the time being they will enjoy their morning meeting on the East Coast, local in-person lunch, and evening event with new friends on the West Coast. Consider joining them on their “virtual” cross country networking adventure!

Serving Omaha since 2008

Center Sphere is an established network of business professionals whose mission is to share referrals, ideas, and resources through genuine relationships. The Omaha Network is currently made up of nearly 50 chapters and has access to members nationwide. For more information about Center Sphere or to inquire about attending a complimentary meeting or event, visit www.CenterSphere.com or connect with Omaha Area Director Lona Anderson at LonaAnderson@ CenterSphere.com or (402) 650-5380.

Septic Tanks • Grease Traps

You’ll feel good and look right!

Hydro-Jetting • Car Wash Pits

(402) 332-5575 MidlandPumpingService.com

402-686-3559 10154 Maple St. | Omaha, NE

Why Replace When You Can Restore

LIFETIME stone restoration

BEFORE

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

Marble and other stone refinishing • Grout cleaning and sealing • Tiled shower cleaning and caulking • Granite sealing and repair

402.916.1700 • LifetimeStone.com BBB Offers Tips for Businesses to Prepare for Height of Holiday Shopping, 2020 Style Given the guarantee that the 2020 holiday season will be unlike any before, with holiday spending behavior a major unknown, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is offering tips to help businesses make adjustments to their holiday plans. Following are some crucial things for business owners to get in order in preparation for the unknown: • Create a plan of action early. The forecast for consumer behavior may not be crystal clear, but you can still make sure shelves are stocked and you are promoting products that fit with shoppers’ current reality. Keep in mind your supply chain could be affected by the pandemic, and plan accordingly.

• Hiring for the holidays? Stay flexible. It’s predicted that shoppers are planning on being practical with their purchases and have transitioned to the order-online-with-curbside-pickup model, or are shopping online exclusively. Carefully consider your staffing levels and offer curbside pickup.

• Improve your online presence. Because of increased online sales, make sure your website is up-to-date and running smoothly. Consider investing in social-media marketing.

• Consider flexible payment options. Embrace digital payments, flexible payment options, and contactless payments like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and QR codes.

• Keep customers and employees safe. Set up hand-sanitizer stations and clear signage to direct your customers quickly to what they are looking for. Bring seasonal employees up to speed and trained on social-distancing requirements.

The Better Business Bureau has been serving local communities since 1936. The overall mission of the organization is to be a leader in advancing marketplace trust. Learn more at bbb.org/Nebraska or by calling (800) 649-6814. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NAWIC Offers 12 Opportunities for Women in Construction to Participate in 2021 Events The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Greater Omaha Chapter 116 has unveiled their 2021 calendar of opportunities for women in construction to attend to learn more about the compelling organization. Their monthly meetings and events showcase a vast array of topics and sectors of the construction world. New participants are invited to attend one or many of their FREE events with core purpose of strengthening and amplify the success of women in the construction industry.

In 2021, NAWIC events will tentatively focus on the following, by month: January – NAWIC 101; February: Leadership workshop; March 1-7: Women in Construction Week; April: Jobsite tour with panel discussion; May: College campus event; June: Union Hall tour; July: Jobsite tour; August: Mentorship program; September: Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity; October: Pumpkin, power tools, and safety; November: Book club; December: Donation wrap for charity. NAWIC follows all CDC regulations and regional mandates to ensure that people in our community stay SAFE. To keep up with details about events, follow NAWIC on Facebook (@nawicomaha).

NAWIC is committed to championing women to impact the direction of the construction industry. They provide women with education, support, and networking to help advance their careers in construction, build their technical skills, and help them becomes leaders. All women working in construction are eligible for membership, including those working in the trades, project management, marketing, administration, and executive leadership. Meetings for the Greater Omaha chapter are on the second Thursday of each month in varied locations, and are open to the public.

For more information or to see membership options or careers, visit nawicomaha.com or email nawicomaha@gmail.com.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 13

BUSINESS NEWS BNI to Host Virtual Member Success Program Training on December 16

Creative Hair Design Announces 20%-Off Specials, Sale on Holiday Cranberry Peel

BNI ® Heartland will host its monthly Member Success Program (MSP) training virtually on December 16. The monthly MSP Training is offered each month so that new members can get a jump-start in their BNI chapters and veteran members can refresh their skills. A reservation is required and is free for BNI members. All new members must attend MSP training in their region within the first 60 days of their participation. Only after attending the MSP training may the new member be added to the speaker rotation for their chapter.

Any new members not attending the MSP training within their first 60 days will be subject to having their classification opened by the Membership Committee. Although veteran members are not required to attend, they are more than welcome to come at any time to refresh their skills.

Creative Hair Design Salon & Spa recently announced a special on their holiday favorite Cranberry Peel, at $118 through the end of January. What’s more, they scheduled a 20%-off holiday retail shopping event December 10-12, and will host special weekly feature-product sales. Creative Hair Design Salon & Spa also has gift certificates available for any specific dollar amount or for certain services and is offering holiday gift sets of their product lines, including shampoos, texture sprays, leave-in conditioners, and more.

BNI is the world’s leading referral organization, with over 270,000 members in 70+ countries. Their members generate word-of-mouth business for each other through structured, results-driven groups around the world. In 2019 alone, their members generated over $16 billion (USD) in revenue for member-businesses. To learn more or to register for MSP training, visit bniheartland.com or contact their regional office at (402) 880-6311 / info@bniheartland.com.

14

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

The Cranberry Peel is touted as the best performing treatment against micro-organisms, as cranberries are a rich source of flavonoids, or antioxidants, that protect skin against the damaging effects of the environment. The peel treatment wards off harmful bacteria and soothes inflammation. The salicylic acid in the peel is BHA, lipid (oil) soluble.

It’s excellent for oily skin with comedogenic problems like blackheads and whiteheads. The Cranberry Peel contains a compound known as Vaccinium, which is a natural form of Benzoyl Peroxide that is important for oily and acne-prone skin. It has been shown to perform a “wakeup call” on the micro-organisms that have become accustomed to the predictable environment of an underachieving immune system.

Creative Hair Design Salon & Spa has been in business since 1982 and has grown into a 15,000-square-foot luxurious salon in Omaha. Their technicians are continuously updating their artistic and technical skills with the latest knowledge in their individual fields of expertise. Creative Hair Design is located at 12025 Pacific St. To book an appointment online, visit creativehairdesign.com. For more information, call (402) 330-5660 or email info@creativehairdesign.com.

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Zoup! Eatery Opens in Aksarben Village With a slight delay because of the pandemic, Zoup!

Eatery opened for business in Omaha’s Aksarben Village on July 20. As the weather cools, the fastcasual restaurant known for its wide variety of soups and broths is prepared to be the “go-to” place for Omahans. Omaha native Jeff Hansen is the franchise owner and operator. As a means of giving back, Zoup! donated proceeds from the first two days of soft opening events to United Way of the Midlands.

The Aksarben Village Zoup! location is among the first to showcase the brand’s refresh including a redesigned modern interior and new menu innovation. The menu includes 12 daily soups like fan-favorites Chicken Potpie and Lobster Bisque. Varieties include dairy-free, vegetarian, and made with gluten-free ingredients. Guest can also enjoy fresh, made-to-order salads, sandwiches, signature mac ‘n cheese, broth bowls, grain bowls, and organic craft beverages.

To ensure a safe dining experience for guests and staff, Zoup! has implemented several facility enhancements and safety protocols in response to COVID-19. Guests can enjoy contactless online ordering, curbside pick-up, express in-store pick-up, and delivery through zoup. com. The team adheres to a COVID-19 prevention plan that involves rigorous cleaning protocol with a focus on high traffic areas, increased physical spacing between guests within the restaurant and wearing of facemasks and gloves.

If you need to feed a group, Zoup! caters tureens of soup, sandwich trays, group salads, “build your own” mac ‘n cheese or chili bar and individually packaged boxed lunches. Learn more or place an order at zoup.com/catering.

Zoup! Eatery Omaha is located at 1917 S 67th St. For more information, please visit zoup.com and learn more about the Aksarben Village location on Facebook (@ZoupOmahaAksarben).

Nebraska Safety Council’s Worker 360° Workshop to Help Leaders Optimize Workforce The Nebraska Safety Council is offering a virtual Worker 360° Workshop on December 3 to help business leaders become more competitive in their industries and improve their bottom lines by optimizing their workforces. The workshop is ideal for humanresource professionals, wellness and safety coordinators or directors, leadership charged with safety and wellness, and safety and wellness team members. The six-hour workshop, which includes a one-hour lunch break on your own, costs $113 for members and $184 for non-members, and participants will be eligible for $1,350 in scholarships to use toward safety-training classes of their choice.

This workshop will cover the core elements of a comprehensive program, including leadership and culture, worksite analysis, risk-management planning and control, and evaluation and continuous improvement. By taking this integrated risk-management approach, participants learn how to develop and implement their own organizational policies, programs, and practices that promote overall worker safety and wellness. When your people are at their best, they become more engaged, are healthier, and have a better overall quality of life, and employers benefit from reduced illness and injury-related costs, higher productivity, and lower absenteeism rates. This comprehensive approach is rooted in NIOSH’s Total Worker Health® concept and is far more than simply ensuring you have both safety and wellness programs.

The mission of the Nebraska Safety Council is to provide education and leadership to empower Nebraskans to live safe and healthy. To learn more or sign up for the Worker 360° Workshop, visit nesafetycouncil. org, call (402) 483-2511, or email nesc@nesafetycouncil.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Premier Event Venue, House of R Hits OneYear Mark in 2020 House of R, founded by Vic Richards, is proud to have hit their one-year mark in August of this year.

Housed in a chic industrial space within Omaha’s original small town—Countryside Village, the premier event venue looks forward to many more years of providing the best wedding showers, rehearsal dinners, baby showers, anniversaries, graduation ceremonies, birthday parties, and more to the community. House of R can accommodate up to 60 guests and is fully equipped with a catering kitchen, audio visual equipment, and a full array of furniture, décor, and props. Combining passion for creating immersive experiences with expertise in storytelling, their event packages are carefully crafted to ensure celebrations are unforgettable.

From enchanting dinner parties to kids dance parties, House of R’s design team remains on the cutting-edge in decoration, catering, and entertainment trends.

House of R manages all aspects of your event thereby saving you time, energy, and money. Steering away from the traditional ballroom venue, House of R offers a pristine, blank canvas with no predetermined embellishments, colors, or décor—allowing you complete design flexibility. House of R’s talented designers are happy work with you to execute your vision, leaving you with only the guest list to take care of!

Let House of R help you turn your next party into a unique and hasslefree experience you’ll cherish forever. For more information about House of R or to book an event, call (402) 810-4240 or visit thehouseofr.com.

Business Ethics Alliance Highlights Messages from EthicSpace Moral Courage Training In a year of adversity, the Business Ethics Alliance recently shared the messages from its successful October 13 Ethics Under Pressure – Moral Courage in the Face of Ethical Adversity educational conference. The second annual event featured two keynote speakers, plus the Second City Work famed comedy troop, which provided fun ethics education for participants practice useful skills such as “Yes…but,” “Yes…and,” “thank you…and,” and more, all toward helping individuals stand up for their values with moral courage in the workplace.

The training also included three breakout sessions: Compliance Doesn’t Quite Cover It…You Need Ethics; You’ve Seen Something Unethical…

Now What?; and Bonus: Grow the Pie with Alex Edmans.

Dr. Jill Brown of Bentley University led an educational presentation about moral courage in leadership, asserting that moral courage is not innate but is a skill that can be developed and nurtured. One aspect of the skill included emotional intelligence—being aware of our emotions and intentional about how we respond to them given that anxiety, discomfort, and fear are all barriers to exercising moral courage. Business Ethics Alliance founder, former CEO, and current Senior Ethicist Dr. Beverly Kracher sat down with Scooter’s Coffee Co-founder Don Eckles to discuss the role that moral courage has in building a business. He shared how to cultivate a culture around core values with stories and examples from his time and team at Scooter’s and offered practical advice about how to hire and fire to find those who fit with a company’s values.

The Business Ethics Alliance—the Greater Omaha Alliance for Business Ethics at Creighton University—is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to city-level business-ethics education. To get access to the featured speakers, breakouts, and more for just $40, visit ethicspace.org. For other information, go to businessethicsalliance.org and connect on Facebook (@ BusinessEthicsAlliance) and LinkedIn (@business-ethics-alliance-omaha).

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 15

BUSINESS NEWS Strictly Business Encourages Locals to Participate in #StrictlyStaycation Contest

Valeriya Life to Host Christmas Open House December 3

Strictly Business is encouraging locals to participate in their newly l a u n c h e d # S t r i c t l y S t ayc a t i o n contest. The goal of the contest is to support the hospitality, dining, and retail industries in Omaha and Lincoln. With already a handful of hotels donating free overnight stays for the weekly drawings, this is a great opportunity to have some fun with family and friends while strengthening the community back up after taking a major hit from COVID.

Valeriya Life is excited to host a Christmas Open House on Thursday, December 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be Christmas music, wine and refreshments, drawings, and specials. The event is meant to celebrate the season and thank clients for choosing Valeriya Life for their beauty and wellness needs. It’s also an amazing opportunity for new guests to learn more about the skin and body care, nutritional support, and products offered. If you haven’t done your holiday shopping yet, this is also a great chance to get gift cards for your loved ones or something for yourself too!

To enter, you must book a room at a hotel in Omaha or Lincoln and make a purchase at one nearby restaurant or shop. Take photos from your experience and post them on any social media platform with the hashtag #StrictlyStaycation. Everyone who participates will be entered into the drawings. In addition, there will be four main categories: Girls’ Night Out, Guys’ Getaway, Family Outing, and Couples’ Retreat (must book at least 3 rooms). The winning group of each category will get included in a fun special full-page feature in Strictly Business with a photo and write-up! For those who are not on social media, feel free to call (402) 466-3330 or email editor@strictlybusinessomaha.com with your entry. More information can be found online at strictlybusinessomaha.com/ features/strictlystaycation-contest.

Valeriya Life, located at 1515 S 204th St., STE 105, conducts research on world top technologies for skin health and body transformation. Their selected aesthetic medical technologies provide highly effective, non-surgical, safe, and low downtime treatments. They are the only center in Omaha that is certified in four different Venus Concept technologies and LPG Endermologie®.

The team at Valeriya practices strong ethics placing customers’ satisfaction as a top priority. They create individualized continuity treatment plans making Valeriya Life the future of total mind and body wellness. To learn more, visit www.valeriya.life.

Building Relationships Through Craftsmanship Services: Parking Garages/Stadium Repairs Industrial Restoration & Coatings Infrastructure Repairs & High Performance Coatings Masonry Restoration

Let’s discuss your project today!

Omaha 402.558.7989 | mcgillrestoration.com | Lincoln 402.438.4110 16

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Frontier Bank Moves Headquarters to New California Pointe Building in Omaha

Amazon Breaks Ground on Robotic Fulfillment Facility in Papillion

Frontier Bank has moved into its new headquarters at 13333 California St. The bank is one of only two anchor tenants in Omaha’s premier business park. The new location, highly visible along the West Dodge Expressway, will allow the bank to consolidate its talent and expand its services.

“Our headquarters is a physical culmination of the dedication, hard work, and commitment of every single person on our team—as well as the trust of the customers and communities we serve,” said David Rogers, CEO and founder of Frontier Bank. “We have grown because we are as invested in our local neighborhoods as they are in us, and this new building will allow us to tend and grow our Omaha community with greater convenience and accessibility.”

Since its founding in 2004, Frontier Bank has increased its total assets by over 25% a year for 15 years, earning a coveted position as one of the top 10 largest banks in the state. With assets of almost $1 billion, the Omaha operation now offers a full suite of banking services, including private banking, commercial real estate, and commercial banking. The new location will serve as the home for the entire Omaha banking team, corporate staff, and Holding company offices and offers space for future expansion.

“Our customers benefit from our rare combination of size, skillful bankers, and local decision-making,” adds Kevin Munro, Omaha market president. “What started as a group of dedicated community partners and friends purchasing interest in a small, local bank has become a state-wide institution all its own—one that stands for community involvement, local service, and personal attention.”

To learn more about Frontier Bank and start accomplishing your financial goals, visit www.frontbank.com.

Amazon announced its newest robotic fulfillment center via virtual press conference on October 27, saying they expect the facility to create more than 1,000 full-time jobs.

Women, People of Color Graduate from Real Estate Developer Academy

Additional analysis of the project suggested the facility, when fully operational, will add $203.9 million to the local economy each year, the Chamber said.

A more diverse talent pipeline of real estate professionals in the metro is on its way, thanks to 16 women and/or people of color completing the first ever Developer Academy, a team effort from Omaha-based Spark and the National Development Council. The Academy taught participants a variety of real estate and finance basics and is grounded in Spark’s commitment to holistic community development led by those who live, work, and believe in their neighborhoods. The participants completed two weeks of intensive training and networking workshops at the end of October and are now taking steps to bring their real estate development ideas to life.

The graduates of the inaugural Spark Developer Academy are Angel Starks, Brandi Liberty, Donnell Brown, Dr. Ralph Lassiter, Franchell Abdalla, Jewel Rodgers, Juan Daniel Sanchez, Justine Knapp, Kassie Inness, Katrina Adams, Kyle Keith, Lynn Dittmer, Nancy Williams, Ruben Gomez, Shaun Ilahi, and Tiba Brown.

Each participant earned their place in the group through a competitive application process and is relatively new to real estate development.

The National Development Council provided the rigorous coursework.

More than 30 local real estate experts assisted in the workshops as panelists and presenters, offering local connections and advice specific to the Omaha metro area. The culmination of the Academy allowed each graduate to pitch their project idea to local real estate development and finance experts.

A second cohort of developers will be selected for the Spring 2021 Developer Academy in March. More information on the Academy and continuing education opportunities open to the public can be found on www.sparkcdi.org. To set up interviews with the Spark staff or Developer Academy participants, contact Angela Smith at (402) 708-0050 / angela@sparkcdi.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

“We are thrilled to be opening our first fulfillment center in the great state of Nebraska and bringing 1,000 full-time jobs with industry-leading pay and benefits to Omaha,” said Alicia Boler Davis, vice president of Global Customer Fulfillment at Amazon. “Amazon leverages its scale for good and makes investments to support communities. We appreciate the strong support from local and state leaders throughout the process, and we look forward to supporting the Nebraska community with great delivery options.”

Andrew Rainbolt, executive director, Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation, who opened the online event, added, “Amazon has invested more than $96 million into Nebraska since 2010.

The groundbreaking shows a continued commitment to collaboration between Amazon, the State of Nebraska, Sarpy County and the City of Papillion. Exciting things are definitely ahead, and we are grateful to the many, many individuals who worked together to make it happen.

We are beyond enthusiastic about the many great opportunities Amazon’s growing presence in Sarpy County offers.”

Economists at the Greater Omaha Chamber evaluated the economic impact of the proposed site, noting the 1,000 jobs catalyzed by the project would help support an additional 603 workers in the community, according to an IMPLAN Trade/Flow analysis of the seven Eastern Nebraska counties served by the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership.

“It’s no coincidence why Amazon chose Greater Omaha, and Sarpy County specifically. This is a region that works together and aspires to more,” said David G. Brown, president and CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber. “When fully operational, this facility will add nearly $204 million to the local economy each year. That’s significant, and we’re excited and grateful for what’s ahead. Congratulations to everyone involved. We are proud to partner with you.”

Papillion Mayor David Black said many hands made Amazon’s decision to build their newest robotic-fulfillment center in Papillion possible, not the least of which was the city and surrounding area’s ability to meet both the rigorous demands of the facility’s build-out, as well as satisfy Amazon’s need for highly skilled workers.

“We are proud of the spirit of collaboration that brings new business to our community; and, we are equally proud of the talented workforce we have at our disposal to fill the technical positions Amazon provides,” Black said.

“Sarpy County is the fastest growing county in the state, and that doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a team effort that requires commitment from the state, the county and the economic development community. We’re proud to partner with Amazon and so many great organizations to bring Amazon’s newest robotic fulfillment center to Sarpy County,” said Sarpy County Commissioner Don Kelly.

The Greater Omaha Chamber Economic Development Partnership represents a seven-county area from two states (Nebraska and Iowa) that includes Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Otoe, Pottawattamie, Sarpy, and Washington Counties. The regionalized partnership operates as a comprehensive resource, driving growth and championing collaboration.

Learn more online at www.omahachamber.org/economic-development.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 17

MEGAN

Megan Stilmock

Ask us about Completely FREE Checking!

• • • •

No minimum balance No monthly service charge FREE Debit Card FREE* Online Banking with Account Alerts • FREE thank you gift • Up to $10 BUY BACK of your old checks and/or debit card ...and MORE!

Visit us online at westgate.bank for details on our Completely FREE Personal and Business Checking.

*Your cell phone provider may charge additional fees for web access or text messaging.

westgate.bank | 402.434.3456

EQUAL HOUSING

LENDER

18

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

PRAIRIE MEADOWS ALZHEIMER’S CENTER Meet Megan Stilmock, the program director at Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Special Care Center.

Tell us a little about your business. - Prairie Meadows is a memory care community that strives to serve the residents we care for by honoring them as individuals. Our approach is tailored to include family and friends as part of the specialized care team, ensuring the comfort of your loved one. This is seen through our Meaningful Moments® program. The staff at Prairie Meadows will develop a unique care plan to meet physical and cognitive needs as well as social, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. We believe that past patterns create comfort; therefore, we rely on partnerships with families to help us learn how best to meet resident needs.

How did you get started in the business? - I received a degree in therapeutic recreation which led me to work with this special population.

There are many highs and lows in what I do, but it's all a blessing. I'm grateful to be where I am.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Getting my foot in the door in healthcare.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? Becoming the program director at Prairie Meadows has been a highlight.

The experience has helped me grow both professionally and personally.

Tell us a little about your family. - I am the youngest of three siblings, born and raised in Omaha. I enjoy any time I get to spend with my family.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? Graduating college and obtaining my undergrad and master degrees.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spending time outdoors with my dog Zoe. What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I like to cook using new recipes.

Who inspires you? - My mother. She is a strong woman.

What is your favorite quote? - "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel." – Maya Angelou If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Kind.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - I'm a great volleyball player.

Which talent would you most like to have? - Organization.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Baker.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - The Alzheimer’s Association.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - I love Nicholas Sparks books.

What is your favorite movie? - Sweet Home Alabama.

What is your favorite TV show? - New Girl.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Kenny Chesney.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? (402) 391-2790; megan.stilmock@jeaseniorliving.com; www. jeaseniorliving.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

KATIE

JOAN KURTENBACH - HEARTLAND PAYROLL SOLUTIONS It’s about time payroll was made easy. Our platform is intuitive and our personal service is exceptional. Gain access to employee management tools including employee paperless onboarding, tax credit screening, time & attendance, human resources and a full payroll and tax service.

Katie Frazell

G. LEE HOMES Meet Katie Frazell, co-owner of G. Lee Homes.

Tell us a little about your business. - We have a new construction and remodeling division. I’m also a licensed realtor at Berkshire Hathaway, so we really offer the full scope when it comes to getting you in your dream home. G. Lee Homes is known for building to a higher standard.

We regularly receive compliments from appraisers, agents and inspectors for our attention to detail and quality construction standards. In a time when builders will settle for what is cheaper over what is right, we appreciate these compliments. We’re also very committed to ensuring there isn’t anything overlooked in the budget so there won’t be any costly surprises down the road.

How did you get started in the business? - My husband Greg and I started G. Lee Homes in 2004. We also got married and bought our first home within the same month. It was right after graduating college. In the beginning, I primarily oversaw the financing and business management side of things. My level of involvement has evolved as I balanced raising our kids. It was very important to me that my role as a mom was a priority. When my youngest entered kindergarten, I pursued my real estate license.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? Being twice selected as the People’s Choice Award Winner during the Street of Dreams, the region’s most premier home tour event. I’m also very proud of our team. Most of our employees were once a subcontractor or vendor of ours before they asked to work for us. It’s a huge compliment!

“Entrepreneurs respectfully helping entrepreneurs”. It’s at the core of every client Joan sets up on the Heartland Payroll Service.

Everyone Matters.

402-850-5384 • joan.kurtenbach@e-hps.com • www.heartland.us

ONE CALL. ONE SOURCE.

Products & Services

CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION TODAY!

Life Safety Consulting Fire Alarm Systems Fire Sprinkler Systems Restaurant Systems Special Hazard Systems Fire Extinguishers Exit and Emergency Lights Fire Door Inspections Fire and Smoke Dampers Fire Extinguisher Training Path of Egress Illumination …and more!

4404 S. 76th Circle, Omaha, NE 68127 www.FireGuardUSA.com

ElitePartner

Full Service Fire Protection Company

402-592-1999

Tell us a little about your family. - Greg and I have five children, ages 18, 15, 14, 11, and 6.

WORKING FROM HOME?

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? Becoming an agent. It’s opened up a lot of opportunities for relationships, and I absolutely love it. It’s not “work” for me. I genuinely love going through the buying and selling process with people. With my experience in the industry, I feel like I’m really helping them.

NG FROM HOM I K R E? O

W

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Watching Husker football, going to the lake, and spending time with my family.

Tired of your dining room table doubling as your home office?

Who inspires you? - My dad and of course, my husband. My dad built his business on creating strong relationships and taught me its value.

Maximize your space with our preconfigured affordable office designs!

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Dedicated.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Make-AWish Nebraska. My daughter is a Make-A-Wish kid, and I’m on the Young Leaders Council.

What is your favorite movie? - Dirty Dancing.

Closets Garages Wine Cellars Murphy Beds Home Offices Kitchen Storage

+ + + + + +

What is your favorite TV show? - Friends is my all-time favorite, but I’ve been watching Schitt’s Creek recently.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Nicola’s Italian Wine & Fare.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Jesus.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? (402) 871-9170; katie@omahasbuilder.com; www.omahasbuilder.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

8052 H St, Omaha, Nebraska 68127 402.592.7752 | Storageconceptsinc.com/home-office DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

19

Family owned.

Family values.

DAN

Dan Loutzenhiser

STORIES COFFEE CO.

+ Home, Auto, & Life + MFG Home Communities & Retailers + Contractors + RV Dealerships + Manufactured Homes + RVS & Travel Trailers Committed to a high + And more... standard in all t hat we do and establishing a firm relationship of trust and service wit h our clients.

We work for you.

Save money on your insurance.

Whether commercial or personal, our program is custom designed to provide you a comprehensive insurance package tailored to your special requirements and individual needs.

11326 Q St. Omaha, NE 68137 | 402.597.5224 | kingins.com

A time to plan.

A time to stay connected.

As a part of your community for over 16 years, it’s important to us we don’t stop now. Take a moment to learn more about our online design tool and book your free virtual consultation with one of our experts at designyourownbath.com We’re here to help.

20

Call for your FREE virtual consultation

402-934-2284 Start designing today at designyourownbath.com

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

Meet Dan Loutzenhiser, owner of Stories Coffee Co. Tell us a little about your business. Stories Coffee is a local, family-owned company that roasts and serves its own specialty coffee. Stories also offers premium teas, 100% fruit smoothies, local craft beer, wine, and an extensive food menu covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A portion of Stories' sales goes directly to local nonprofits that are doing good things for the Omaha community.

How did you get started in the business? - Ten years ago, my dad and I began roasting coffee as a hobby. As time went along, the opportunity to move from hobby to business grew and within the last couple years it’s progressed to what it is today with more family members involved, several physical locations, and other business lines.

We look forward to the next chapter for Stories!

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

- At the beginning of this year, I went from a steady, full-time corporate job to opening a coffee shop with 35 employees in the midst of a pandemic.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Developing people. I love finding each person’s unique traits and then helping grow them in to successful and fulfilled employees.

Tell us a little about your family. - I am married to my wife Brooke, who is the true brains and beauty behind the Stories Coffee business. We have three beautiful girls, ages 10, 8, and 1. They’re my motivation and mean everything to me!

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? Five years ago, my first wife Kim and son passed away unexpectedly.

Going through this drastically changed what my priorities were, both professionally and personally. I want to make the most of each day God has given me on this earth.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Travel. There’s something about getting out and exploring something new.

Who inspires you? - My dad, who happens to be our coffee roaster.

At 71 years old he still acts as if he’s in his twenties. He always has a positive attitude, willing to help anyone in a moment's notice, and is constantly learning.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Humble.

Which talent would you most like to have? - The talent of stopping time. I’d be a lot more productive, get more sleep, work out more, and be able to keep my kids young.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Music industry. I’ve always had a love for music and performing. For now, I’ll live vicariously through Justin Timberlake (some say I’m a better-looking, singing, and dancing version of him).

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Hope Center for Kids. They do such great things for the youth in Omaha and was one of our first non-profits we supported as a business.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? The Bible.

What is your favorite TV show? - The Office.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (531) 213-2742; dan@storiescoffeecompany.com; www. storiescoffeecompany.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

KEVIN

Kevin Meyer PRESTO-X

Meet Kevin Meyer, the operations manager at Presto-X. Tell us a little about your business. - Our industry is pest control, but I consider the largest aspect of our front line employees’ job to be customer service. I appreciate working for a company with the mission of Protecting People. Enhancing Lives. Our business is about building relationships. My position allows me the privilege to get out and visit customers and work with my specialists. The largest segment of our business is commercial and industrial. A large portion of those are national companies, but all of us on the Omaha pest team live in our local communities.

I oversee one specialist near Denison, IA, one near Red Oak, IA and another 11 in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area.

How did you get started in the business? - I started in the pest control industry in 2000 in sales. At the time, Presto-X was still family-owned. I came from the auto repair industry. I had been painting cars and wanted to change professions. I don’t think anyone starts out saying, “I want to be in pest control when I grow up.” I had not considered the industry before, but this change proved to be a position that provided me and my family with more opportunities. I had grown up in Omaha but had never learned about how many interesting industries there are and how much history was here until selling and performing services in pest control.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- In 2011 when I passed the test to be called an Associate Certified Entomologist (or, A.C.E.) through the National Pest Management Association. I had been promoted into the position of technical services manager, and I was part of the division responsible for the training and development of individuals and products within the U.S. My responsibilities took me all over the Midwest to support offices and troubleshoot difficult pest issues. The title of A.C.E. added an amount of credibility to my ideas and suggestions to customers that I had not had time to build a relationship with or had interactions with before.

Who inspires you? - My inspiration does not come from one person but is rather fueled by people performing as their best selves. People doing good, just for the sake of being good to each other. None of us are perfect but we can all help. And, when we’re honest, we all need help sometimes.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - There is one piece of advice that I remember my dad giving me: “There is always more than one side to a story. Take the time to listen to as many as possible before you judge someone.” In essence, be quiet, listen, and don't jump to conclusions. I will admit that it did not have much impact on me at the time but it has stuck with me. I find it applicable in both my professional and personal life. It causes me to ask more questions and, in doing so, helps me to remain calm through those critical conversations where emotions can rise.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. I first read it back in high school and was truly intrigued with the themes of strategy, perseverance, and revenge. There is one quote that kind of stuck with me: “Hatred is blind and anger deaf.”

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Mouth of the South. I find it unique and have liked everything I’ve tried.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- (402) 659-6788; kevin.meyer@prestox.com; www.prestox.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

WE ARE the Solution to Your Collection Needs.

Do what you do best and let us take care of the rest.

Call today for a FREE consultation!

402-817-3929 • ARSOLUTIONSINC.COM

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

21

ILANNA

Illanna Fern

Create Your Own Superstars!

The Success Omaha LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM allows your employees access to over 130 business and life skill courses, providing new skills and confidence.

• Organize eLearning content in one location • Assign specific courses to each employee • Easily track learner progress and performance • Reduce Learning and Development costs • Reduce Learning and Development time

Don’t miss this opportunity usually only available to large corporations!

Business Owners and managers may plan,

execute and assess training with ease and complete maha presents professional control, giving them a leg up on the competition. or yourUnlimited business and staff. online training for as little as $167 per month, paid annually.

Success Omaha by

LEARN MORE AT SUCCESSOMAHA.COM/LMS! What your employees don’t know

can hurt you!

Email info@successomaha.com to sign up today!

We can help you build a team of well-trained, skilled workers who will make your company stand out in an unskilled world.

Accelerate Your Shut-Down Recovery!

n or to register, om.

Email info@successomaha.com to sign up today.

BUSINESS BUILDER 360 IS YOUR 4/9/19 3:59 PM BUSINESS TOOL-KIT!

• DiSC assessments for your Team development and hiring • ActionCOACH Business Training and Tools • Business Book Summaries of top titles • Over 140 Online courses for business owners and employees • Great pricing for Business Valuations, LegalShield, and more...

22

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

BELFOR PROPERTY RESTORATION Meet Ilanna Fern, estimator at BELFOR Property Restoration.

Tell us a little about your business. - BELFOR Omaha provides disaster recovery and property restoration services.

Located in the heart of the Midwest, where severe weather is no stranger, we are 24/7 to help get you back to life or back to business as quickly as possible. If your home or business is damaged by fire, water, mold, or storm damage, we are the best contractor for the job.

How did you get started in the business? - My career as a restoration estimator was cultivated from a personal experience where I lost everything. On October 7, 2010 I was escorted up the charred staircase to what was left of my apartment in Fontenelle Hills, Bellevue. We were uninsured and all of our belongings were non-salvageable due to either fire, water, or smoke damages.

Words cannot describe how devastating it is to lose everything.

Words also cannot describe the path to recovery that was made seamless with the support and efforts from the community, family, friends, and, of course, the first responders. Fire officials from both the Bellevue and Omaha Fire Departments joined together to control the fire and mitigate damages. Although tragic, this event marked the beginning of my passion to “restore more than property”. I began as a receptionist for a restoration franchise and learned the administrative and fi nancial aspects. I then began working in the emergency department, scheduling crews and writing estimates for mold remediation, trauma, and water mitigation. Four years later, I was recruited to join the BELFOR team. I was able to utilize all previous experience and training and put it to use in the field. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Without having lost everything, I would not have pursued the path that I am excited to continue.

Tell us a little about your family. - I was born in New York but have lived in six different states as my parents were both military.

I have 11 siblings, six sisters and five brothers. I have a brilliant and beautiful daughter, Peyton, who is nine years old. She enjoys crafts, basketball, and pageantry. We adopted a Bengal named Ziggy. He mainly enjoys hide and seek…around the neighborhood.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - A typical day off for me involves brunch with my little one, a gym session, and thrifting.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - Most people are surprised to learn that I am the third oldest of 11 children. We all were homeschooled and turned out sociable and fashionably savvy!

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - Cooking. It is therapeutic and an art to me. If you don’t own a cast iron pan, get one!

What is your favorite movie? - The Patriot, Braveheart, Apocalypto… I can’t just choose one.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - This a tough one since I love food but Pitch Pizzeria has never disappointed. Their margherita pizza and sweet and spicy rosemary wings are my favorites!

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Adam Sandler. He is successful, hilarious, and humble. So many forget to appreciate the simple things in life, and he is a prime example of one who doesn’t take anything, including fame and wealth, for granted. That is rare in this world.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 891-1300; ilanna.fern@us.belfor.com; www.belfor. com/en/us/belfor-usa-offices/nebraska/omaha. You can also find me on LinkedIn! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

SANDY

Water Shouldn’t Be Hard Rent a water softener or reverse osmosis system for

Sandy Spady

4

$ 95

GREATER OMAHA CHAMBER M e e t S a n dy S p a dy, m e m b e r s h i p development representative for the Greater Omaha Chamber.

*

“Improve the quality of your life by letting us improve the quality of your water. Our low-pressure sales experience is why 9 out of 10 people who talk to us...work with us.”

Jeff White, Aqua Systems

YOU SAVE

month

* First 33months @ $4.95/mo. *FIRST MONTHS @ $4.95/MO. WITH INSTALLATION COST with installation costOFof$149; $149;AFTER after INTRODUCTORY PERIOD, RENTALS introductory period, rental is $23/mo.

START AT $25/MO.

Tell us a little about your business. - My role at the Chamber allows Shop and compare at me to connect with people, listen to their stories, and learn their business, ilovemywater.com iLoveMyWater.com life, and dreams. I plant each person I meet in my mind like a seed so TEMS that when I see an opportunity to connect, build, or promote them, I can WAT E R S OF N E R S · DRINKING SYS TE effectively do so. This is how I bring value to our membership. I love to connect the dots. That’s why the Greater Omaha Chamber is a perfect match for me. I am able to work with prospective businesses and share the benefits of the Chamber by providing information on programs we 2020AquaSystems_3_68x2_41.indd 1 offer, as well as orient the client to take advantage of the extensive professional development opportunities, events, and resources available.

402-235-5867

People. LOVE. Coffee.

How did you get started in this business? - I believe it all started as a young girl growing up in the small town of O’Neill, NE, where I spent most of my Sundays hanging out in my family’s restaurant, Lee & Carol’s Specialty Hut. My five siblings and I would all help out. My older brothers would be in the kitchen helping my father cook, and my two older sisters would waitress with my mother. My twin brother and I would buss tables.

Unfortunately for my twin, I was often found sitting at customers’ tables, chatting away. That’s when my love for meeting people all began. In my career, I’ve gone from retail management, recruiting and training new team leads, to working in media as an executive for cable TV, print, and radio. This is where I found my specialty in planning events and coming up with promotions. I was also lucky enough to be spend the next years raising my two stepchildren, Mariah and Adam, and my daughter Katie, which gave me opportunities to volunteer on many boards. That’s where my love for nonprofits began. I was a high school cheer coach, Brownie troop leader, Teammates mentor, and many other community roles. I moved to Omaha three years ago. On my first day after getting settled, I went to the Greater Omaha Chamber and volunteered.

3/19/20 10:58 AM

Locally Roasted Coffee | Drive Thru and Dining Room Happy Hour Monday-Thursday 3pm -7pm 11426 Davenport St Ste 1, Omaha, Ne 68154 531-213-2742 | www.storiescoffeecompany.com

What’s your biggest challenge you’re faced professionally? - Time.

There is never enough time to do what I would like to do.

What has been your most proud achievement professionally? - One that stands out would be when I worked at CableONE in Norfolk and collaborated with Town & County Insurance agencies in five different surrounding towns. I came up with a promotion for The Weather Channel that included informational, 30-second commercials. I had each agent take a 15-second commercial. Then, I worked with the surrounding grade schools in Norfolk, and we brought in a weather channel educator. Together, we created a program to educate children on the safety of lightening and tornado storms. I won The Weather Channel promotion of the year.

Tell us a little about your family. - It’s my daughter Katie and me, now. I moved to Omaha because she was living here, and I wanted to be close to her.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I spoke on live TV on the Dr. Oz show.

It was seven years ago when my girlfriends and I took a trip to New York. We had all applied to be an active participant in the audience six months prior, but we had completely forgot about it. On our second day in NYC, I got a phone call to be at the studio at 6 a.m. the following day. I had my own greenroom and my wardrobe and makeup done.

It was a dream.

GLAD T I D I N G S O F C O M F O R T AN D J O Y

Wishing you the blessings of peace, hope and love this holiday season.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS Your Friends at

Who inspires you? - My daughter, Katie Breidenbach, inspires me.

When she was 13, she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, but she has always persevered and stayed positive no matter what life throws at her.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? (402) 669-0041; sspady@omahachamber.org; omahachamber.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

20_POG56_STRICTLYBUSINESS_DEC_HOLIDAY_AD.indd 1

23 11/10/20 8:37 AM

ASK THE EXPERT: OUTLOOK NEBRASKA (531) 365-5055

WE WORK. WE GROW. WE LIVE. WE CONTRIBUTE.

OutlookBiz.co/Accessibility

Automated Beta Testers vs. Real-Life Beta Testers Your fingers manipulate keys, navigating a webpage. Arrowing down, the cursor lands on a picture, and you hear, “Two people and a baby.” Great, you think, no context. You continue to arrow down, finding what you think is text, but there’s little contrast between the background and text. Now, you skip around the page and hear “Graphic.” But no description is available to indicate the graphic.

This is an example of the online exclusion blind and low vision people encounter daily when accessing websites and apps. Digital platforms drive our lives, but accessibility barriers lead to frustration.

Thank you to these businesses who recently joined the Chamber and invested in the community AIM Institute

Mutual of America Financial Group

AnswerPro, LLC

Nebraska Health Information Initiative (NeHII)

Blackstone Meatball Blackstone Meatball West Cheeseburgers

Omaha Homes for Cash Omaha Restaurant Association

Cornhusker Bank - Blondo Farmer’s Insurance - Fernando Rodriguez Field Day Development Four Corner’s Restoration

Pacific Engineering Pageturner’s Reno’s Karaoke Ricky’s Rooftop Bar That Pottery Place

Gershman Mortgage

The Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council

Gitt Construction Holistic Homes

The Sports Hall

Husker Window Solutions Journey Ahead Coaching Killerspin

ThinkFree Toj Boutique US Army Medical Recruiting

Kum & Go

Uta Halee/Rite of Passage

LingoDocs Marketing Lola’s Café

Venture Workforce Solutions, Inc

Maxon Repair Group, LLC

ZenBusiness

Companies are cracking the door open on inclusive design. Microsoft, Amazon, and even social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have considered accessibility. Many companies rely on automated software to test accessibility. Automated accessibility checkers—including IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker and WCAG Accessibility Audit Developer—scan digital platforms, notifying developers when certain aspects lack accessibility.

According to Harvard Business, inherent bias is often an unintentional product in the creation and construction of digital platforms.

Ultimately, digital platforms are shaped by the experiences of the creators, not necessarily consumers.

The web content accessibility guidelines provide basic protocols for creating accessible digital content. Automated checkers improve accessibility when developers lack specific knowledge, but nothing substitutes employing real-life testers with the first-hand experience to shape the creation of inclusive platforms.

Consumers with disabilities need to be directly involved and guide the testing process. It’s the difference between a sketch and a portrait. Automated testers create an outline, a sketch of accessibility needs, but actual disabled testers fill in the sketch, informing developers of specific needs and notifying when automated systems have missed something.

Outlook Business Solutions can run diagnostics, analyzing how accessible your website and/or app is. Skilled technicians will test various aspects of your online/digital platforms and provide suggestions you can implement to ensure your content meets with ADA and WCAG guidelines. Outlook Business Solutions’ technicians are not only knowledgeable about accessibility for low-vision people, but they are also low-vision and use accessible tech and software themselves. These technicians marry knowledge with lived experience and will assist in shaping a broader user experience. This will provide your company with a broader market reach and lessen your legal risk.

Meridian Business Services

Is your website as ADA-compliant as your restrooms?

Join today at

Expand your market reach and limit your legal risk.

Get affordable testing and remediation services from people who understand accessibility.

OmahaChamber.org/Membership

402-346-5000 24

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

Call today for a free initial evaluation of your website.

outlookbiz.co/accessibility 531.365.5055 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

PERSONNEL NEWS Aradius Group Announces New President Chris Mueller, Appoints Two New Directors The Board of Directors is proud to announce that they have elected Chris Mueller to be the next President of Aradius Group. Mueller follows Chuck Kinzer, who has recently retired after being with the company for 30 years and serving as president since 2008.

Mueller has held many integral roles over his 13 years with Aradius Group, from quality management and continuous improvement roles, to leading the production platform as VP of manufacturing, and most recently as the chief operating officer. He is responsible for predicting Aradius Group’s future and creating velocity within the business by leading the company as it develops products and offers services that deliver value beyond ink on paper. Mueller is consistently expanding on his leadership skills by being an active member of Vistage and by earning various certificates in Business Management, Lean Leadership, Value Stream Mapping, and more.

Additionally, Chris Mueller and Ricky Fairchild have recently been named as the newest members of the Aradius Group Board of Directors. Fairchild graduated with a double major in finance and legal studies of business and later earned his master’s degree in education. He currently works in Dallas as a financial advisor and as senior vice president for RBC Wealth Management and serves Chairman of the Board for The Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation.

Aradius Group, formerly known as Omaha Print, has been a leader in the printing industry for over 160 years and is based out of Omaha.

To learn more, visit www.aradiusgroup.com or call (402) 734-4400.

Creative Hair Design Celebrates Milestone Work Anniversaries of 11 Loyal Employees Creative Hair Design Salon & Spa Owner and President John Mangiameli recently honored 11 employees for milestone anniversaries with the company. In recognition of their hard work, loyalty, and premiere customer service, John celebrated each employee with a gift of some sort, among them extra vacation time, cash bonuses, and all-expense paid spa days, based on the number of years they have worked diligently for the company. John wants them to know that their loyalty and dedication as part of the CHD team do not go unnoticed.

At the top of the list is nail technician Kathy Italia, who celebrated 25 years with Creative Hair Design this year, and massage therapist Samanatha Wehrli, who’s been part of the team for 20 years! Three employees—hairstylist Molly “Madison” Carmichael and massage therapists Rachel Guthmiller and Tammy Longacre—all celebrated 15-year anniversaries in 2020, while hairstylist Raven Rohan and licensed esthetician Chriss “C.C.” Lundgren have worked at the salon and spa for a decade. Finally, four employees—hairstylists Whitney Jurgens and Monica Golden, massage therapist Carrie Myers, and licensed esthetician Dakotah Copper—each have dedicated five years of work to CHD. Since 1982, Creative Hair Design Salon & Spa has been providing luxurious treatments and services to the Omaha area. From humble beginnings in a 1,200-square-foot space with handpicked specialists to its current 18,000-square-foot beautiful building, they have truly perfected the salon and spa experience. For more information or to make an appointment, visit creativehairdesign. com or call (402) 330-5660. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Lincoln Federal Promotes Carson McCormick to Jr. Mortgage Loan Officer Lincoln Federal Savings Bank is excited to announce the promotion of Carson McCormick to Jr. mortgage loan officer.

Carson has worked as a mortgage loan processor at Lincoln Federal’s Wilderness Hills, Lincoln location for four years. He has worked closely with the bank's top producing loan officers and has a vast understanding of the loan process. Carson has been noted for communication skills and strong work ethic.

Carson will work alongside vice presidents/ mortgage loan officers, Shane Podliska and Chris Elgert, in preparation for a position as a mortgage loan officer in the future. Please help in congratulating Carson McCormick on his tremendous achievements.

Lincoln Federal Savings Bank has five branch locations in Lincoln.

The corporate office can be found at 8400 Maddox Dr. Additional branches are located in Omaha, Fremont, Blair, Holdrege, Hastings, North Platte, McCook, and Benkelman. Learn more at lincolnfed.com.

True North Technologies Hires Nebraska Native Alex James as Creative Director True North Technologies, a Lincoln-based business launched by Renee Sobotka, recently brought Alex James onto their team as creative director. Alex is a Nebraska native who graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 2010, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He has worked in the creative and graphic-design fields ever since. Being an entrepreneur himself makes Alex a perfect fit at True North, bringing the drive and determination it takes to get a small business off the ground and running.

As creative director, Alex is responsible for the graphics of both internal marketing projects and those for True North clientele, designing and overseeing everything from apps and websites to flyers and brochures.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, and dog, and a couple of his many hobbies include photography and painting. In fact, some of his photos of the night sky can be found within the marketing used by True North Technologies.

True North Technologies makes technology simple with website and mobile-app development, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), branding, and social-media marketing. For more information, visit go-tnt.com, call (402) 420-5101, or follow them on Facebook (@tntapps), Twitter (@TrueNorth_Apps), LinkedIn (@True North Technologies), and on Instagram (@truenorthtechnologies).

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 25

PERSONNEL NEWS Millard Business Association Elects New Board Leadership Team for 2021

Seldin Announces Promotion of Michele Nathaniels to Chief Operating Officer

The Millard Business Association (MBA) recently elected their Board leadership for 2021, welcomed them to the team, and thanked them for their willingness to volunteer.

Serving in 2021 are President John Drazic; Past President Jill Schoenherr Melby; Treasurer Dana L-R: John Drazic, Jill Schoenherr Melby, Dana Anderson, Raina Anderson; Secretary Raina Garcia; Garcia, David Engelmeyer, President Elect David Engelmeyer; and Roxy Starkey and Vice President Roxy Starkey.

The new Board will lead MBA in meeting the organization’s four core objectives: promote, preserve, and enhance Millard-area commerce; develop active business-tobusiness networking among members; provide business-specific educational opportunities to members; and provide benevolent community programs.

Seldin Company was excited to announce the promotion of Michele Nathaniels from Executive Vice President (EVP) of Operations to Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective at the end of October. Michele has been a part of the Seldin team for more than 15 years, serving in many capacities throughout her tenure. She is a results- and data-driven leader who has tremendous knowledge about property finance, contract management, and operations. She has extensive experience in all aspects of conventional and affordable housing, including compliance and fair housing. This promotion allows Michele to engage at the company level, with oversight of additional functions, including business development, marketing, facilities, and compliance. As a result of her promotion, Seldin Company will be hiring a new EVP of Operations, who will report directly to Michele and provide supervision to the company’s property operations team.

“It is a true testament to where hard work and dedication can lead you in the property management industry,” said Seldin Company President and CEO Alicia Clark. “Michele started with Seldin Company as a leasing agent, and her drive and work ethic propelled her through the ranks, gaining responsibility through her efforts and great skill.”

Seldin Company is a leading property management firm with deep roots throughout the Central United States. Headquartered in Omaha, Seldin was founded in 1923 and engages in the management and expansion of more than 18,000 apartment homes across eight states. For more information, visit Seldin.com or call (402) 333-7373.

The Millard Business Association Omaha was formed in 2003 by a small group of Millard-area business owners and associates who recognized and developed opportunities for effective business networking and community development. The MBA is also highly involved with Millard schools and the community. They have helped to provide for more than 1,100 families in need over the holiday season. They also raise scholarship funds each year to contribute to high-school students’ education opportunities and equip their members in many other ways to give back by playing an active role in the community. For more information, visit millardbusinessassociation. org or email info@millardbusinessassociation.org.

26

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

PERSONNEL NEWS Midlands Community Foundation Names Four New Board Members

GMP Pros Promotes Jeff Debrie to Community Manager

The Midlands Community Foundation Board of Directors has named four new members to its Board: Rod Buethe, representing Gretna; Spencer Kimball, representing Papillion and Sarpy County; Kevyn Sopinski, representing Papillion; and Jay Theis, representing Gretna.

Rod Buethe was born and raised in Tecumseh, NE. He has been employed by Werner Enterprises for the past 31 years and is currently in the Risk Department as the Cargo Loss Control Specialist. Rod has been involved in fire service for the past 30 years, currently serving as Chief of the Gretna Volunteer Fire Department.

Spencer Kimball is originally from Papillion.

He has been an employee of Pinnacle Bank since November 1998 and is currently the market president in Papillion. Spencer has been involved with several community groups and organizations including the Boards of Directors for both the Sarpy County and Gretna Chambers of Commerce, Lift Up Sarpy County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands Service League, and TeamMates of Papillion-La Vista.

Born and raised in South Omaha, Kevyn Sopinski started his career managing the margin and option desks at TD Ameritrade, where he was employed for 11 years. In 2017, Kevyn forged a partnership with several advisors and friends to create Pathfinder Wealth Advisors.

Kevyn is very active in Papillion sports and the Papillion community, currently serving as chairman of the CHI Health Midlands Hospital Board of Directors. He is also an elected official and serves on the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District BOD. Jay Theis was born and raised in Friend, NE. He has been in banking for more than 16 years and is currently senior vice president at F&M Bank in Gretna. Jay is very active in Gretna as an Ambassador for the Gretna Chamber of Commerce and a member of Gretna Optimists Club, and the Sarpy County and Western Douglas County Chambers of Commerce (Valley and Elkhorn).

The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to benefit the diverse needs of the Sarpy and Cass county communities by providing financial support, involvement, and service. To learn more, visit midlandscommunity.org.

In November, Jeff Debrie took on an additional role at GMP Pros as community manager. This means that Jeff will build internal tools for clarity on performance and guidance on skill training and tracking of those skills. This will help the company to ensure they are putting people in opportunities where they are able to succeed with clients and projects.

Rod Buethe

Jeff brings over 20 years of people leadership experience and has led teams from as small as 12 to as large as 450.

GMP Pros looks forward to the leadership support and insight that Jeff will bring to the company, and they are happy to have such an exceptional leader dedicated to supporting the team’s personal development and growth.

GMP Pros provides expert embedded and remote technical professionals for services such as capital project management, quality engineering, qualification and validation, process engineering, and process improvement. To learn more, visit www.gmppros.com or contact Co-founder Stephanie Clark at (402) 499-7758 / stephanie. clark@gmppros.com.

Spencer Kimball

Clearwater Counseling Expands Team with the Addition of Therapist Taylar Mason

Kevyn Sopinski

Jay Theis

It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know and Who Knows You! At Strictly Business, we strive to recognize local businessmen and women for their significant awards, promotions, achievements, and/or efforts in partnership with other organizations and the Omaha community. If you know of someone who meets these criteria and wish to include their news in our publication, please call (402) 466-3330 or email editor@strictlybusinessomaha.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Clearwater Counseling, PC, a mental health services provider located in Omaha and Grand Island, recently welcomed Taylar E. Mason to its team of therapists in Omaha. Taylar is a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and Certified Masters Social Worker who received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Nebraska Omaha. She has clinical experience working with children and adolescents with trauma—and their families—and with individuals of all ages diagnosed with behavioral, chronic mental health, and substance abuse disorders.

Taylar also has experience working with probation, foster care, and multi-disciplinary teams, and she has worked in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, primarily with dually diagnosed adolescents and their families. Taylor has training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Sand Tray Therapy. She uses evidence-based practices to guide her and develop individualized treatment plans. In her new role at Clearwater Counseling, Taylar looks forward to using her passion to meet clients “where they are at” in treatment and help them find inner peace and their true potential as they work through any barriers.

Clearwater Counseling, PC is a private practice offering mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults in the Omaha and Grand Island areas. They work to treat mental health diagnoses through personalized and compassionate counseling practices that promote growth, development, and well-being to further enhance quality of life. For more information, visit clearwatercounselingpc.org, call (308) 210-8487, or email info@ clearwatercounselingne.org.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 27

PERSONNEL NEWS Tyler Rains Joins Cornhusker Bank Team Cornhusker Bank is pleased to announce Tyler Rains has been added to the Cornhusker Bank team and will serve as portfolio mortgage loan officer from the 8310 O St. Bank Center in Lincoln. According to VP, Mortgage Lending Mike Barrett, “Tyler’s 18 years of banking experience has prepared him with the knowledge and experience to conduct mortgage lending activities with a high level of expertise with both Cornhusker Bank customers and within the bank’s mortgage department.”

Tyler graduated from Doane University. He participates on the committee of the Homebuilders Parade of Homes; supports the church he and his family attend, Sheridan Lutheran; and contributes regularly to United Way. “I'm excited to be joining the Cornhusker Bank team," said Tyler. "I'm blessed to be able help homeowners buy, build and improve the home of their dreams through our portfolio mortgage loan products. I will be a homeowners point of contact throughout the process and am excited to work with bank customers on their projects.”

“Home Ownership is the most important financial asset many people will have in their lifetime, for this reason, we welcome the expansion of our mortgage team with the addition and expertise of Tyler to our mortgage team," noted Barry Lockard, bank president.

Cornhusker Bank remains locally owned, demonstrating Nebraska values, stability, soundness, and a commitment to the community and its residents. For more information, visit www.CornhuskerBank.com

Kim Rowell Appointed Market Vice President for Cox Communications Kim Rowell has been appointed Cox Communications Market Vice President for the Greater Omaha area, returning to a position she held from 2014 to 2016.

In the role, Kim will be responsible for championing the customer and employee experience, building community and civic relationships, and maintaining the company’s long-standing commitment to the greater Omaha metropolitan area. Most recently, she worked for Cox Communications at the company’s Atlanta headquarters, leading a team that established enhanced process improvements across the telecommunications company’s national network.

Kim has an incredible pedigree in the telecom industry. Throughout her career, she’s been asked to lead a number of different functional areas, including call centers, credit and collections, sales, product development, and marketing and communications, among others.

She has also led a variety of initiatives centered on productivity and optimal operational performance, which is why she was asked to leave Omaha for a few years to help lead a team that established process improvements for Cox as a whole. Kim is currently on the Board of Trustees for Atlanta’s Shepherd Center, which is ranked among the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Kim earned a BS Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri, with a minor in Mathematics.

Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, they proudly serve 6 million homes and businesses across 18 states. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique.

Learn more at cox.com.

28 Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

Concentric Corporation Welcomes Brittany Stander to Team, Promotes Cori Gibson Concentric Corporation continues to grow and thrive with the addition of a new team member, Brittany Stander, and by promoting Cori Gibson from within. By adding Brittany Stander as one of their talented business development managers in September and promoting Cori to the same level in December, the Concentric team is stronger than ever. Brittany is a fantastic new asset to the team, with her personality and knowledge of the industry making her a perfect fit for the company Brittany Stander culture. Cori’s promotion from recruiter to business development manager will allow her to continue connecting excellence and developing new relationships within the community. With both having experience in the staffing industry, there is no limit to the connections they can make for their clients!

Concentric Corporation is bringing back the fundamentals of recruiting, which starts with the relationship. They are upgrading the approach in executive search and recruiting by being deliberate and purposeful, always Cori Gibson taking the extra step with their audience’s best interests in mind. They uncover true motives in hiring and career advancement by having transparent, honest conversations. This allows execution of what Concentric calls “connecting excellence.” For more information, visit concetriccorp.com or contact Founder Andy Hawkins at (402) 991-8400 / andy@concentriccorp.com.

A Better Way Therapy’s Eboni Merrill Now Trained in Eye Movement Therapy After many requests by patrons to include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy among their services, A Better Way Therapy’s own Eboni Merrill stepped up to the plate and completed her training to add the progressive therapy to the center’s offerings. Already a practiced therapist, Eboni now is trained to administer EMDR, a proven technique that helps a person’s brain heal from past trauma with specially guided eye movements.

EMDR is proven to help treat PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as eating disorders and certain addictions. Eboni works well with individuals of all ages. She is the perfect therapist to take the helm of EMDR at A Better Way Therapy, as she has already spent years working with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and has developed rapport with clients of varying backgrounds with her genuine, nonjudgmental approach.

She strives to meet her clients ‘where they are at’ and works with them to achieve their individualized goals for recovery. To schedule an appointment with Eboni, please contact her at (308) 280-0441 / ebonimerrill@yahoo.com.

At their new location—11204 Davenport St., STE 200—A Better Way Therapy offers mental health and chemical dependence therapy, in-home services, tele-therapy, and face-to-face therapy.

From counseling for anxiety, depression, anger management, and marriage issues to alcohol and drug counseling, group therapy and education, A Better Way Therapy’s wide range of services allows them to accommodate all of your needs. For more information, visit abetterwaytherapy.com or call (402) 813-2235. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

PERSONNEL NEWS Strictly Business Welcomes Emma Tuzicka as Graphic Design Intern

G. Lee Homes Announces the Addition of K.C. Fagan as Schedule Manager

Strictly Business recently welcomed Emma Tuzicka to the team as graphic-design intern. Born and raised in Nebraska, Emma is entering her senior year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she is working to earn her advertising and public-relations degree, with a minor in business administration. Her cheerful attitude, creative vision, and willingness to learn make Emma a perfect fit for the position, in which she assists the art director with ad design and development, feature layouts, and more.

“I have always enjoyed the idea of being creative and getting to share my work with others,” Emma said. “This internship is helping me bring that idea to life! Right away when I started at Strictly Business, I felt so welcomed and accepted, and I have already learned and improved my work within the first few weeks. I look forward to learning more in the months to come, as I get the chance to work on products for various types of businesses and broaden my creative skills.”

Strictly Business has been a reliable news source and effective advertising tool in Lincoln for more than 27 years, publishing original content in print and online. To learn more, visit strictly-businessomaha. com. Emma can be reached directly at creative@strictlybusinessomaha. com or by calling the office at (402) 466-3330.

G. Lee Homes, owned by Greg and Katie Frazell, recently brought on K.C. Fagan as a schedule manager for the company.

K.C. was actually one of G. Lee Homes' first employees in 2016. He took a job as a manager at Hobby Lobby, and now he's bringing that managerial experience back to G. Lee Homes. In his new role, K.C. will oversee the new construction and remodel projects. His main jobs will be to keep the subcontractors and jobsite supervisors on the same page, ensure the schedule stays on track, and make adjustments to the construction calendar as necessary.

Malone Center Welcomes Mismiki Montgomery to Lead New Youth Program

CFO Systems has added Christen Scofield, Mike Vaughn, Aaron Watterson, Mike Mohr, and Karen Jordan to its nationwide team of more than 40 professionals focused on helping their clients grow. The CFO Systems team has extensive experience leading the accounting, finance, and human resources and procurement for organizations of all sizes. Each of the new team members will serve different markets. Christen, Mike V., Aaron, and Mike M. are based in Omaha, while Karen focuses on building a practice in San Diego, CA. Christen Scofield has 20 years of progressive experience as a humanresources professional, providing HR consulting and executive coaching for businesses and leaders globally. Today, she partners with organizations in the areas of HR strategy and vision and leadership and employee development, in addition to employee wellness. Mike Vaughn has more than 25 years of financial and management experience working in various industries, including manufacturing and financial services. He has a diverse background not only in finance, but also in strategy, operational leadership, treasury management, and M&A. Aaron Watterson is a controller and finance manager with more than 15 years of experience in strong financial leadership. He is a demonstrated leader, skilled in conveying numerical data and ensuring understanding of data for organizational decision-making purposes. Mike Mohr is a proven leader with a track record of delivering business-impacting results in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, and operations management within progressive organizations across multiple industries.

Karen Jordan is a senior executive with a strong background in privately held and public company financial leadership. A 2019 recipient of the San Diego Business Journal CFO of the Year award, she has led rapidly growing organizations through a variety of challenging transitions and developed effective teams and processes.

Headquartered in Omaha, CFO Systems is a nationwide company founded in 2005 to provide practical, experienced financial and humanresources leadership organizations of all sizes. The firm was named on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies four consecutive years.

For more information, visit cfosystemsllc.com or dial (402) 884-0066.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 29

Toward ensuring high-quality opportunities for the Lincoln community, the Clyde Malone Community Center created a new position to oversee the school-aged and preschool programs, hiring Mismiki Montgomery to serve as the new Youth Program Director. Mismiki has a breadth of experience working with children and youth in the community, having worked as an elementary school teacher at Lincoln Public Schools and, most recently, as a lecturer/lead teacher at the Ruth Staples Child Development Lab. With Miki’s leadership, the Malone Center expects some exciting changes to be coming.

Class enrollment is on the rise for the Malone Center’s Early Achievers Academy, an educational preschool program that partners with the University of Nebraska’s Child, Youth and Family Studies Department and serves children ages 3-5. The mission of the Academy is to level the playing field by providing high-quality early education for lowincome families and is operated on the belief that children learn through play. The curriculum includes individualization and emphasizes positive guidance.

The Center’s Out-of-School Youth Program serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade, providing after-school transportation from 13 local elementary and middle schools and transportation home at the end of the day. It provides a safe, nurturing, and structured environment for students to spend their time after school, while also offering opportunities to engage in programs currently focused on outdoor education, mindfulness and mental health, peer-group mentoring, online tutoring, and various “craftivities.”

Since 1955, the Clyde Malone Community Center has created and facilitated programs to combat the racial disparities and inequities in justice, healthcare, and social systems. Learn more at malonecenter.org or call (402) 474-1110. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

G. Lee Homes offers full design services from concept to construction.

Already working with an architect? They are happy to review your completed plans and offer expert insight at no cost or obligation.

Their team is committed to building to a higher standard because a home should be built to last. To view photos from G. Lee Homes' past interior, exterior, and remodel projects, visit omahasbuilder.com or contact (402) 415-1187 / katie@omahasbuilder.com to learn more about lot selection, design, and their build process, team, and product.

CFO Systems Continues Growth, Adds Five New Team Members

NONPROFIT NEWS Stephen Center to Feed the Hungry and Homeless Through Gobble 4 Good Initiative

Omaha Home for Boys to Host Project Christmas Joy December 15

Stephen Center invites the Omaha community to "Gobble 4 Good" by donating turkeys and hams to serve those in need. Donations can be brought to the Stephen Center Donation Dock, 2723 Q St. (located off the alley between 27th and 28th Streets), between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

Individuals can also visit www.stephencenter.org/ gobble4good to learn more or make a monetary donation.

Omaha Home for Boys (OHB) is holding its annual holiday gift and essentials drive, Project Christmas Joy, and is asking the public to help make the holidays special for area youth, young adults, children, and families. Project Christmas Joy is taking place through December 15 with a goal to provide every client at OHB with both necessities and a special gift at Christmas.

“Donating a turkey or ham makes a difference in the lives of vulnerable and hungry individuals and families for the holidays, and throughout the year,” Executive Director Michael Wehling said. “Our amazing kitchen staff utilize hundreds of hams and turkeys to provide delicious, high protein meals year-round.”

In 2019, Stephen Center provided over 230,000 meals to individuals overcoming homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Donated turkeys and hams are also shared with local pantries to help meet community needs.

Some of the most critically needed items include hygiene items, cleaning products, laundry supplies, kitchen essentials, diapers and wipes. Some of the “wants” of OHB’s youth include gift cards (Walmart, TJ MAXX, Kohls, McDonald’s, QuikTrip, Burger King, Uber, Auto Zone), body spray, lotion, nail polish, backpacks, wallets, purses, socks, and blankets.

Located in South Omaha, Stephen Center is a sober campus of resources for mental health and addiction services. The campus includes a homeless emergency shelter, inpatient/outpatient co-occurring treatment, and permanent supportive housing for disabled and lowincome individuals. To learn more, go online to www.stephencenter.org or call (402) 715-5442.

Bailey Perry, self sufficiency director at OHB, notes just how impactful the public’s support of Project Christmas Joy is: “We try to give every youth in our programs a few gifts at Christmas, and the reality is that for some, it’s the first time they’ve had the opportunity to experience this aspect of the holidays. They are truly grateful for everything they receive.”

Aksarben Foundation Magazine Weighs Effects of COVID on Nebraska’s Future

Support of Omaha Home for Boys' Project Christmas Joy can be offered in a number of ways. Monetary gifts can be given online at OHB.org/joy or items can be purchased via the “Project Christmas Joy” Amazon Wish List and shipped directly to OHB.

The Aksarben Foundation recently released a 2020 Spirit of Aksarben special-edition magazine, which features interviews with more than 50 leaders from across Nebraska to understand how different industries and communities have been impacted by COVID-19 and are adapting, learning, and overcoming together. The goal is to learn, to find the positives in the chaos, and to change the narrative from one of fear and separation to one of strength and unity. The report notes examples of strength, perseverance, and innovation amid incredible uncertainty.

What becomes clear is that the side effects of the health crisis go beyond the physical. COVID-19 is impacting our economic health and our mental health, as well. Nebraskans are hungry for unity.

Many have said that things will never be the same after this, and perhaps they’re right. The Aksarben Foundation’s conclusion is that, as Nebraska emerges from this pandemic and businesses and schools resume more traditional schedules, we must continue to focus on Nebraska’s strengths. There lies another threat to our state’s economy that outweighs even the pandemic, though, and that is the lack of skilled workers, which has created a workforce problem that is stifling economic growth. Get the details in the 2020 Spirit of Aksarben at aksarben.org/covid-19-impact/.

For 125 years, the Aksarben Foundation has been working with public, private, civic, and philanthropic leaders across Nebraska to address issues facing the state. Two years ago, Aksarben repositioned its mission to focus its energy on the issue of workforce development for Nebraska. Since that time, extensive research and analysis have been completed to take a holistic approach to addressing these challenges both by industry and by region, resulting in the launch of several workforce development initiatives. For more information, visit aksarben.org or call (402) 554-9600.

30 Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

Angels Among Us Sets Out to Fill Funding Gap During Holiday Season, Sets Goal of $40K Due to the increasing need in the community, Angels Among Us needs help as there is a funding gap to be filled this holiday season. A goal of $40,000 has been set to be raised to help bridge the gap for families extra needs this year.

Often times, one parent/caregiver has to leave their job when their child is diagnosed and, due to COVID-19, families have experienced additional income loss. Angels Among Us is fortunate to be able to continue to walk alongside their families during a very difficult time but community support is needed more than ever.

Amid a global pandemic, Angels Among Us has been able to provide a record amount of critical financial support to a record number of pediatric cancer families. Due to COVID-19, pediatric cancer families have experienced additional income loss and additional financial strain so in addition to normal budgeted support emergency funding has been used this year. Over $500,000 has been given to over 120 families to help pay rent, mortgage, utilities, auto payments, medical bills, and more.

On average, 83% of families whose children have cancer experience financial hardship and, in 2020, that number has grown.

Angels Among Us is a Nebraska nonprofit that provides financial and emotional support to families whose children are battling pediatric cancer. Any family living-in or being treated in Nebraska is eligible to apply for financial support with mortgages, rent, and other expenses.

For more information about ways to make an impact, please contact Aly Theilen at alyssa@myangelsamongus.org. Please consider giving at www.myangelsamongus.org and clicking the donate button or mail in a check to 3858 Jones St., STE A, Omaha, NE 68105. Every dollar matters. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS Banisters Leadership Academy Introduces New Program, Family University Banisters Leadership Academy is excited to introduce a new program, Family University. This program provides telehealth therapy with a licensed therapist (there is an option for in-person counseling by request, COVID-19 levels permitting) to students in grades K-12 who need coping strategies to deal with emotional and circumstantial changes due to the pandemic. Therapy through Family University is provided at no cost to the student or their families. Therapists are available Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Banisters Leadership Academy is a nonprofit with a mission to Strengthen Youth and Families through Leadership. Striving to foster and develop leadership within the youth and families in our communities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, its primary outreach is through the organization's Night LIFE program, which operates in the evening in the following counties: Douglas on Friday and Saturday, Sarpy on Thursday, and Scotts Bluff on Friday.

Families interested in Banisters Leadership Academy's Family University can call (402) 571-4293, ext. 1 or email enroll@ banistersacademy.org. More information can be found online at www.banistersacademy.org.

United Way of the Midlands Awards $70K Karnett Trust Grant to Goodwill Industries Goodwill Industries, Inc., Serving Eastern Nebraska and Southwest Iowa, (Goodwill Omaha) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the $70,000 Karnett Family Trust Grant by United Way of the Midlands Karnett Trust. The Karnett Family Trust Grant is administered by the United Way of the Midlands and is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties to fund programs that are focused on the care, education, and training of children with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the Omaha metropolitan area. The grant will provide vital funding for Goodwill Omaha’s Work Experience program, which gives developmentally disabled high school students opportunities to gain exposure to work situations in supportive environments.

Goodwill’s Work Experience program has provided training services to developmentally disabled high school students since 1965. As Goodwill’s oldest program, Work Experience has professionals who work with local school districts in eight retail and community-based locations in the metropolitan community.

COVID-19 has presented many challenges for students at schools that haven’t yet returned to in-person learning, parents’ reluctance to allow children to return to a classroom, or whose underlying health concerns make returning to a classroom undesirable or unsafe.

Goodwill Omaha is adapting its service delivery with a flexible online training system designed to help bridge the gap until schools and students can return to more normal learning environments.

Many people know Goodwill Industries, Inc., Serving Eastern Nebraska and Southwest Iowa, as a place to donate used clothing and household items or find great bargains, but you might not know the mission at the heart of the organization: provide job training and placement services to people with disabilities and other disadvantages. To learn more, please visit GoodwillOmaha.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Transform your life from the inside out!

Emily Gilli R.N.

Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach

Emily@revealandheal.coach | www.revealandheal.coach Midlands Community Foundation Awards Grants Totaling Over $135K Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) has awarded grants totaling $135,019 to 25 nonprofit organizations serving Sarpy and Cass counties, including: • American Legion, Frisbee-EidenmillerMcCaig Post 247, Elmwood - $3,643 • Assistance League of Omaha - $5,000 • Bellevue University - $5,000 • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands - $1,500 • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands - $2,000 • College Possible - $2,500 • Fontenelle Forest - $1,320 • Food Bank for the Heartland - $25,000 ($12,500 MCF/$12,500 Facebook match) • Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska - $3,000 • Greater Omaha Attendance & Learning Services Center - $3,000 • Habitat for Humanity - $5,000 • Happy Paws - $3,500 • Heartland Family Service - $5,520 • Hospice House - $8,900 • Kids Can Community Center - $3,000 • Latino Center of the Midlands - $3,000 • MilkWorks - $3,325 • Ollie Webb Center, Inc. - $2,000 • Omaha Equestrian Foundation - $2,500 • Omaha Performing Arts - $5,000 • OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc. - $8,317 • Papillion Area Historical Society - $3,745 • Plattsmouth Rural Fire Protection Department - $15,000 • Radio Talking Book Service - $2,500 • Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. - $11,749 In partnership with MCF, Facebook is generously matching MCF’s $12,500 grant to Food Bank for the Heartland for its BackPack program which will ensure children in Sarpy and Cass counties stay fed, healthy, and happy.

This is the first of two grant distributions for Midlands Community Foundation’s fiscal year. The next grant deadline will be February 1, 2021, with funds distributed in April. Through its grants program, MCF places an emphasis on prevention and education. The Foundation has a strong commitment toward programs benefiting health, art, culture, community, economic development, education, and human services.

To learn more, visit www.midlandscommunity.org.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 31

NONPROFIT NEWS Open Door Asks Businesses, Families, Groups to Collect Toys for Project Santa

CenterPointe Requests Donations for Annual Coats of Hope Coat Drive this Holiday Season

Open Door Mission is asking businesses, families, and groups in the Omaha region to consider hosting toy drives to help provide gifts for their 2020 Project Santa toy drive, or shop their Amazon Wish List. The Mission also needs volunteers to hand out toys at the associated drivethru events on December 5, 12, and 19. Open Door Mission’s Project Santa provides toys to needy boys and girls so that everyone gets gifts for Christmas.

CenterPointe is asking for donations of new or gently used winter gear to those who have none this holiday season during their Annual Coats of Hope Coat Drive! Through December, CenterPointe will be taking donations of adult-sized winter coats, gloves, hats, and scarves at their office located at 1490 N 16th St. in Omaha during office hours. By giving these gifts, you’re helping neighbors, friends, and family in your community stay healthy and warm during the winter months.

CenterPointe is a nonprofit that has been offering Omaha and Lincoln a broad continuum of care for the disadvantaged, individuals facing homelessness, and those with mental health challenges since 1973.

Today, CenterPointe offers more than 35 programs in the areas of crisis response, treatment, rehabilitation, housing, and peer support.

These programs have helped countless men, women, teens, and veterans find their footing again and make strides towards living a healthier and more fulfilling life. By treating the whole person, CenterPointe has proven that mental health, physical health, and addiction can be addressed together in real time and provide a lasting recovery.

CenterPointe’s mission is to help those they serve get better, sooner, for longer. To learn more about CenterPointe or to donate, contact (402) 475-8717 / development@centerpointe.org or visit centerpointe.org.

Suggested items for Project Santa include toddler toys, small and medium Lego sets, art sets, dolls, Barbies, Matchbox and Hotwheels five-car packs, Play-Doh sets, board games, and puzzles. Due to COVID, the toys will be distributed via a drive-thru event on the Open Door Mission campus on the three Saturdays in December that are prior to Christmas. Volunteers for the distribution events must fill out applications and COVID waivers prior to serving.

Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission that meets the needs of individuals and families while inspiring HOPE for lasting change.

Each day, the Open Door Mission campus offers 917 safe shelter beds to homeless men, women, and children, serves about 4,750 nutritious meals, and provides preventive measures to more than 1,000 people living in poverty. For more information or to inquire about volunteering for Project Santa, visit opendoormission.org or contact Kristen Dineen at (402) 829-1538 / kdineen@opendoormission.org.

The First Responders Foundation Opens New Wellness Facility The First Responders Foundation opened a new Wellness Facility at 10605 Burt Circle in Omaha.

The new Wellness Facility houses administration offices, behavioral health services through the FRST Program (First Responders Support Team), a Service Dog Program called JAVELAN and a new Physical Health/Fitness Department called Free Weights and Freedom, all exclusively for first responders, veterans, and their families.

The Physical Health/Fitness Department is facilitated by Director Adam Tripp. The goal of the department is to provide a holistic group fitness and wellness program specifically designed to help members recognize, address, and overcome issues related to their physical and emotional well-being due to occupational stress.

Programs and classes include an open gym membership, Respond Stronger exercise class, Respond Stronger for Spouses Only class, yoga classes, an exercise class followed by a devotional called Rock Solid for Jesus, and more. Nutritional coaching is available along with a free monthly nutrition class. All classes and programs follow the goal of the Foundation to help produce first responders who are: Emotionally Strong, Physically Fit, Financially Secure, and Spiritually Sound.

The mission of the First Responders Foundation is to serve and honor all first responders and their families, build appreciation and respect for their work, and enhance public safety. The programs and services of the First Responders Foundation are available for both paid and non-paid first responders and their families. To schedule an appointment or talk with Adam about the Physical Health/Fitness Department, call (402) 788-1574 or email adam@ firstrespondersfoundation.org. For more information about the organization, email contact@firstrespondersfoundation.org or visit firstrespondersfoundation.org.

32 Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

Youth Emergency Services Releases 2020 Holiday Wish List Youth Emergency Services (YES) recently released its 2020 Holiday Wish List of gifts and items of need for youth in the community who are experiencing homelessness or near-homelessness. Due to COVID-19 restrictions/concerns, YES is accepting only the items listed below. The greatest need is for gift cards/monetary donations.

YES is unable to host its annual Santa’s Workshop event/gathering this year, so gift cards will be dispersed to youth instead. The goal is to give each young person store gift cards as well as fast food gift cards.

The list has become an annual event where youth describe their wishes for the holiday season, and members of the community—churches, businesses, individuals, etc.—respond by donating items on the list as a gesture of goodwill and holiday spirit. This year’s list includes: • Gas cards and bus passes (adult w/transfer, 30 day pass) • Gift cards (Walmart, Walgreens, Target, grocery stores, Menards, Home Depot, fast food—$10 and $20 increments) • Headphones • Apple and Android chargers • Footballs & Basketballs • Razors/Electric Shavers/Clippers • Men’s Coats (M-XXXL) • Women’s Coats (S-XXXL) • Gloves/Hats • Hand warmers • Fleece blankets Monetary donations also allow Youth Emergency Services to continue providing a full continuum of care to ensure all youth receive the support they need, no matter their situation. This includes a Street Outreach Center, Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living Program, Maternity Home, and Rapid Rehousing program. Online donations can be made at www.yesomaha.org/donate. Items from the list can be delivered to or dropped off at: 2679 Farnam St., STE 205, Omaha, NE 68131. Hours are Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS Cross Training Center Stars in the Making Program Seeks Help Collecting Supplies The Cross Training Center is seeking help from area residents to host drives that collect hygiene and home products, as part of its Stars in the Making Program.

The items will go to the Training Center’s vocational training students, who must be presentable and professional for job interviews and eventually need home products when they are financially successful enough to move into apartments or houses. Some hygiene products needed include shampoo, bar soap, deodorant, feminine products, toothpaste, and the like, while home items include cleaning supplies, shower curtains, towels, silverware, and trash cans.

CHECK OUT OUR DAILY SPECIALS AND ORDER ONLINE! WWW.ACADIANGRILLE.COM ACADIAN GRILLE - MIRACLE HILLS | 725 N 114 St. | 402.933.0980

The Cross Training Center provides vocational training and careerplanning services to help their students overcome challenging backgrounds and life circumstances, and they equip parents to overcome poverty for themselves and their children by teaching them the skills they need to be successful in the workplace. For more information, visit crosstc.com or to participate in a Stars in the Making drive, contact Director of Training Jeff Loveland at (402) 590-2100 / jeff@crosstc.com. To drop off items, take them to 5030 N 72nd St. Tuesdays-Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NAM Pulse Poll Shows Significant Impact of COVID-19 on Nonprofit Organizations The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) recently completed its third Nonprofit Pulse Poll of nonprofit leaders to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the nonprofit community, and key findings show that the pandemic is already have a significant and alarming financial and programmatic impact on most nonprofits in a time when demand for their services is heightened. Conducted October 1-12, the third poll collected responses from 248 nonprofit organizations and asked them to estimate the current and anticipated level of COVID-19’s impact on their services, programs and operations. The poll concluded that the pandemic has made the mission of nonprofits more challenging due to the following economic, health, and social fallout from the need to contain the virus: • 75% of nonprofits report budgetary implications related to strains on the economy, and the combined 248 respondents said they anticipate losing a combined total of $54 million in revenue, up $42 million from their estimates in April.

• While demand for nonprofit services is increasing, nonprofits may be restricted in their ability to respond due to the immediate need for supplies, staffing, volunteers, and resources from government, philanthropic, and business entities.

• 71% of nonprofits have canceled or postponed events. With very limited reserves, many nonprofits rely on earned income and fundraising events to sustain their missions.

• 35% of organizations believe the effects of the pandemic on the financial conditions of their organizations are moderate but will need additional financial supports to overcome difficulties.

The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands is a state association that represents more than 600 nonprofit organizations in Nebraska and Southwest Iowa. They strengthen the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofits to enrich the quality of community life.

For more information, visit nonprofitam.org or call (402) 895-2552. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

33

NONPROFIT NEWS Omaha Discovery Trust to Build Science Center as part of RiverFront Revitalization Project

Parkinson's Nebraska to Host Online Support Group Featuring SpeechVive Representative

Omaha Discovery Trust announced its plans to build a science center on Omaha’s Lewis and Clark Landing as part of The RiverFront Revitalization Project. The proposed 82,000-square-foot attraction will be a learning and entertainment destination offering interactive exhibitions and engaging programs focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The center will be a welcoming and inclusive space intended for a diverse audience of all ages and is expected to draw residents, regional visitors, and community partners to its family-friendly destination.

The building will reflect the area’s rich heritage of discovery, design, engineering, and construction and help position Omaha as a must-see city, as well as attract economic development.

Parkinson's Nebraska's December support group will feature guest speaker John McDonald with SpeechVive. The talk will be held online via zoom on Saturday, December 12, at 2:30 p.m. John will share information about SpeechVive's wearable speech device allowing you to speak louder and more clearly, every time you talk. If you are experiencing Parkinson’s speech symptoms (low volume, slurred speech, and changes to speech rate), you're encouraged to take part in this free virtual learning opportunity. The zoom link and more information about Parkinson's Nebraska can be found online at parkinsonsnebraska.org. Call (402) 715-4707 with questions about additional upcoming groups, classes, and programs.

The privately funded, $101 million project total includes construction costs, exhibit design and fabrication, one year of operating expenses, plus an endowment that will provide for the future sustainability of the project. A planned opening date is set for early 2023.

Partners involved in the project include Omaha Discovery Trust, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to manage the project; Heritage Services, which initiated a $101 million capital campaign to build the center; HDR, which will serve as lead architect and engineer; and the Exploratorium, a San Francisco-based museum of science, technology and arts that will lead the design of programming and develop hands-on exhibits that reflect the community’s unique needs.

Several Kiewit-affiliated partners generously donated to the project, including the Kiewit Corporation, the Peter Kiewit Foundation, former Kiewit Chairman Walter Scott Jr.’s foundation, and the Grewcock family. As lead donors, the building will include Kiewit in the name.

RISE Academy to Offer Reentry Mentor Training December 10 RISE Academy will hold a Reentry Mentor training on Thursday, December 10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This training is intended for approved mentors. RISE Reentry Mentors provide relational support to men and women navigating reentry into society after incarceration. Reentry Specialists work daily with people to attain employment and safe, stable housing, but reentry needs beyond a place to sleep and a job are real and complicated. Mentors attempt to address some of those needs by walking with RISE graduates as they return to the community.

The mentoring relationship is consistent two-way communication; think meeting for coffee and conversation.

Being volunteers from the larger Nebraska community, RISE Reentry Mentors directly welcome people returning from incarceration back while challenging longstanding perceptions of people with criminal histories through face to face encounters. The result is practically addressing the varied reentry needs of individuals and slowly building a more welcoming community for people to transition back into. Generally, mentors and RISE graduates will communicate weekly for six-months with regular in-person meetings.

All interested parties are encouraged to apply. There is no skillset one needs to be a great mentor. Showing up and a willingness to accompany RISE graduates as they navigate reentry are the most important ingredients for a fruitful mentoring relationship.

The vision of RISE Academy is that all people find freedom from cycles of incarceration. Contact Jaxson Schneider at 1-(253) 5094905 / jschneider@seeusrise.org with any questions or go online to www.seeusrise.org.

34 Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

NAMI Omaha Announces December Affiliate Meeting NAMI Omaha’s next Mental Health NAMI Affiliate meeting will be held virtually through Zoom on Thursday, December 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. The topic will be wellness and dealing with the holidays. Advanced registration must be done through Zoom (Meeting ID: 895 6628 9161).

NAMI Omaha is a nonprofit organization composed of consumers, family members, professionals, and friends who have come together to share and take comfort in the commonality of their experiences and to educate members of their communities about serious brain disorders. Along with providing education, literature, support, workshops, conferences, and more, NAMI Omaha actively advocates at the local, state, and national levels to improve the services for and the lives of those affected by mental illness and their families. For more information on NAMI Omaha, visit namiomaha.org or call (402) 345-8101 / (877) 463-626. For helpful articles on mental illness, follow NAMI Omaha on Facebook (@NAMIOmaha).

SAC Museum to Offer Winter Camps for Students Grades 1–8 The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is offering winter camps for students in grades 1–8 for three weeks this month, starting December 13. The camps are one-day or three-day experiences that inspire cooperative learning in students as they work together to discover, learn, and work as a team. There are several camps to choose from with themes in aerospace, drone, game coding, and robotics. All camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; before-camp care will be offered from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. for $8 per day. The camp programs include: Game On, a coding camp where campers build their own video game and unleash their creativity by creating a board or card game; Above & Beyond, an aerospace-themed camp that includes a mix of aviation and space activities; Drone Challenge, where campers learn how to fly a drone through obstacle courses; Robotics, where campers learn about programming a variety of different robots; and others. For questions about the camps or to register, call the museum’s Education Department at (402) 944-3100, ext. 221.

The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum houses an impressive collection of military aircraft and space artifacts, STEM education opportunities for people of all ages, traveling exhibits, and a variety of special events for those interested in space and flight. To learn more about the SAC Museum, visit SACMuseum.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

HEALTH NEWS AnswerPro of Omaha Selected for Support Monitoring COVID-19 Vaccine Trials

American Red Cross Encourages Blood Donations to Head Off Impacts of Winter

AnswerPro, LLC of Omaha has been selected by Current Health as a strategic partner to provide patient monitoring services for one of the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine trial. Current Health, a full-service care management organization, provides healthcare professionals visibility to high-risk patients through remote monitoring and integrated virtual engagement tools.

Jeffrey Zindel, owner and CEO of AnswerPro, says, “We are uniquely positioned to successfully deliver quality patient monitoring services due to our extensive medical call answering and nurse triage experience.

From concept to fruition, we were able to bring this project to life in less than 10 days. Our highly tenured programming and call agent team has been able to pivot effectively, ensuring all monitoring protocols align with the appropriate patient medical teams. We are on-deck to support over 79 U.S. locations as well as additional locations in Chile and Peru."

AnswerPro brings the following patient monitoring call center services to Current Health: • 24/7/365 patient monitoring and nurse triage • 50+ years of medical answering experience • Over 20 years average call agent tenure • Staffed with Registered Nurses licensed in all 50 states • Seamless integration with technology developed by Current Health AnswerPro, LLC was founded in 1956 and offers award-winning medical answering services, customized call center solutions, and virtual receptionist services for many businesses and healthcare organizations nationwide. AnswerPro’s tenured team of call experts are highly skilled and are committed to delivering the best caller experience every time and for every call. Learn more online at answerpro.com.

The American Red Cross is encouraging healthy individuals to consider donating blood this month to head off the shortages that tend to occur in winter months when busy holiday schedules and winter weather can negatively impact blood donations. Make appointments to donate by using the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling (800) RED CROSS (800) 733-2767, or enabling the Blood Donor skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital to Open New Women-and-Newborns Center The Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital team believes that women and mothers in Council Bluffs and Western Iowa deserve exceptional healthcare that is close to home. To be completed this month, the transformation of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital’s current birthing area into the hospital’s new Women-and-Newborns Center will create the premier women’s-health facility in Southwest Iowa, providing local mothers, newborns, and their families with unrivalled care and support delivered by leading clinicians and staff in a state-of-the-art environment.

This project is ongoing, and has progressed even despite financial obstacles posed by this year’s unanticipated COVID-19 outbreak.

When completed, the Center will offer features and services such as the following: six private rooms where mothers can labor in a comfortable, “at-home” environment; a dedicated C-Section suite; 12 post-partum rooms for mother-infant bonding; four Level-II NICU bays with space for private, complex-care consultations; and a sophisticated infant-security system.

The highly skilled clinicians at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital’s new Women-and-Newborns Center will provide women, new mothers, and babies the most compassionate, current, and extraordinary care.

For more information on how you can help, please call (712) 3966040 or visit jehfoundation.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Blood products are perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors. Every day, volunteer blood and platelet donors are needed in Nebraska to help save lives. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and eligible donors can feel good knowing that by donating through the Red Cross, they may be helping patients not only in our community, but others across the nation. A blood donation takes about an hour, from start to finish, but the actual donation itself only takes about 8-10 minutes.

Each day, the American Red Cross is active in the community, serving those in need. Visit redcross.org or call (800) RED-CROSS to support Red Cross efforts by volunteering, donating financially, or giving blood.

Northwestern Mutual Donates $50K to Local Childhood Cancer Organizations Northwestern Mutual – Nebraska has been recognized as a 2020 Childhood Cancer Impact Award winner, receiving a $50,000 grant.

As part of this award, University of Nebraska Foundation received a $20,000 grant, and Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation, Lolo’s Angels and Camp CoHoLo each received a $10,000 grant. Throughout the year, the office also raised over $40,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, for which they received an additional $4,000. The team selected the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Nebraska Chapter as the recipient for this funding.

Each of these organizations serves those affected by childhood cancer through efforts to raise awareness, provide emotional support, fund life-saving research and more. To support these nonprofits in their efforts, the team at Northwestern Mutual – Nebraska has hosted over 100 events, dedicated more than 7,500 community service hours and fundraised almost $500,000 for the cause.

More than $2 million in grants has been donated to childhood cancerrelated organizations through Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Impact Awards since its inception. In addition to the company’s ongoing financial support and volunteerism throughout the year, it has donated more than $345,000 in grants on behalf of the 2020 award recipients.

Launched in 2012, Northwestern Mutual's Childhood Cancer Program was developed to find cures, provide family and patient support, and aid those who continue to struggle with long-term effects of cancer treatment. With the help of employees and financial advisors nationwide, the program has contributed more than $30 million and has helped fund over 400,000 hours of research. Visit foundation. northwesternmutual.com to learn more.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 35

Lock In Your Expert Status Are you an expert in the healthcare, trades, financial, retail, construction, business, government and/or education fields?

FOSTER CARE: CEDARS (402) 436-5437

www.cedarskids.com

CEDARS Calls on Community to Make the Holidays as Cheerful as Years Past For many kids in CEDARS care, this holiday season will be the first one they spend in a place where they feel truly safe.

Although it may be difficult for many of us to imagine being away from family during this special time, kids and families turn to CEDARS for safety and stability. While CEDARS works to ensure kids spending the holidays with them receive the safety and stability they deserve, CEDARS is asking the Omaha community to help provide the holiday cheer.

Even in the midst of COVID-19, CEDARS never wavered in their dedication to care for kids who have nowhere else to turn. To combat the challenges of this pandemic, CEDARS has created more ways for the community to get involved this holiday season.

Let Strictly Business Magazine help you lock in your status as A LOCAL EXPERT by helping you: • Create a marketing program to compete on more than just price.

• Create press releases, feature stories, and advertisements to showcase your expertise.

• Create and strengthen your credibility with existing clients and potential clients.

• Cause the right people to choose you over your competition and increase your profits.

Let us help you lock in your EXPERT STATUS! Call 402-466-3330 today!

CEDARS has created an online store featuring items that CEDARS kids and families wish for the most, allowing supporters to make donations from the safety of their own home. There is also an option to create an online fundraising team. This is great for teams that are working remotely but still want to come together to make the holidays brighter for kids! Staff can create a personal fundraising page and ask friends, family, and the general public to join them in support. The page is easy to create, has a secure online donation tool already built-in, and CEDARS will provide a detailed tool kit including instructions, sample social media posts, emails, logos, videos, and images. To learn more about the ways you can make a child’s dream of receiving holiday gifts come true, visit CEDARSkids.org/holidays. For questions, please email holidays@cedarskids.org.

This holiday season, things will look a little different for all of us, but the kids still need you. Would you set an extra place at your table by donating to our holiday gift drive to give joy to each kid in CEDARS care this year? Or would you help us set an extra seat at our table by donating to the Heart of CEDARS capital campaign? To donate now, text “CEDARSHeart” to 41444 or visit CEDARSkids.org. CEDARS has been helping kids in crisis and building strong families in Nebraska for nearly 75 years.

Since 1947, CEDARS has been community supported and community led. To learn how CEDARS supports families in the community, visit CEDARSkids.org or call (402) 434-5437.

EVERY DAY,

kids are turned away because there aren’t enough foster homes.

KAREN BECAME A FOSTER PARENT.

YOU CAN TOO. Lock In Your Expert Status In Print, Online, In Person & On Social Media StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com | 402.466.3330

36

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

CEDARS

402.434.5437 CEDARSKIDS.ORG

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Providing Answers for Mom When a loved one starts aging, it can be tough to know what to do or who to turn to. You want to make sure they feel safe, comfortable, and happy while living somewhere affordable— someplace that feels like home. Oasis Senior Advisors understands that with all the senior living options available for families to choose from, finding the right one with your loved one can be overwhelming. That’s why Oasis Senior Advisors provides free senior housing services for you and your family.

Oasis Senior Advisors is dedicated to simplifying the process for finding a senior housing situation with your loved one. They take the burden of finding a senior housing option off your shoulders by handling all the research and matching services for you. They sit down with you and your family to discuss your lifestyle, finances, and other factors and input them into their OasisIQ™ software to find you the perfect match. Then, your Oasis advisor will go with you and your loved one to every

location, answering any questions or concerns you might have, until you feel comfortable with selecting an option.

Oasis Senior Advisors’ dedicated staff are informed and knowledgeable about the many kinds of care your loved one might need and are ready to help you decide which is the best option. Oasis’ compassionate staff will walk you through the type of living options that’s best for you, whether that’s independent or assisted living, a retirement community, memory care assistance, in-home care, a skilled nursing home, respite care, or hospice care. There’s no need to worry about whether or not you’ll find an option that suits your family best, because your one-on-one Oasis advisor will be with you at every step to ensure your loved one is cared for.

Many other families in Omaha have used Oasis to help them through this tough transition. Here’s what they have to say:

“My husband and I contracted with Oasis Senior Advisors to assist us with placement of my husband’s 95-yearold father... We had a bit of a challenge because of COVID-19, but Jenny was able to arrange a Zoom meeting with the Director at Bickford Cottages. After speaking with Bickford and with Jenny, we secured a room for him in July... We could not have secured such a wonderful facility for my father-in-law if it wasn’t for Jenny and her expertise. Thank you Oasis Senior Advisors!” – Sharon D. “Three months ago, I faced the reality of having to find a senior living facility for a parent who could no longer live safely in their house alone. I had very little knowledge of the new senior living world, or how to even begin this process. I was referred to Oasis Senior Advisors by a care giver service and had the great fortune to begin working with Jenny Trebold. Jenny patiently walked me through this intimidating new world with understanding and compassion that I did not expect... If you are in a similar family situation, I strongly recommend contacting Oasis Senior Advisors for assistance and guidance. Their valuable assistance will take a lot of anxiety and pressure off your shoulders!” – Ron H.

If you or your loved one are considering transitioning into senior living, don’t hesitate to reach out for free consulting from Oasis Senior Advisors at (402) 378-9592 or visit www.AnswersForMom.com.

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

37

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT 38

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

Mental Health Awareness Mental Health Awareness Day Should Be Every Day! About 44 million American adults experience a serious mental-health condition in a given year, including 46% of teenagers, and 13% of children—but those numbers have been blown out of the water by the exponential increase in mental-health disorders amidst the pandemic of 2020. What’s more, according to a report in the October 9 Journal of the American Medical Association, there is mounting evidence that a “second wave” of spiking mental-health and substance-abuse disorders is “imminent” in COVID’s wake, further overwhelming the already-stressed mental-health system, including access problems for some of the most vulnerable people.

“We all need to support all of the members of our community and recognize that mental health is a part of it,” said A Better Way Therapy Executive Director Bruce Hugunin.

“It is hard to find any family who hasn’t had mental-health issues affect family members.

There is a big need for treatment and services in the Omaha and surrounding communities, and with COVID-19 and the recent election, we have seen a spike in anxieties, depression, and alcohol and drug abuse.”

A Better Way Therapy has therapists with Bruce Hugunin A Better Way Therapy different specialties, so they can help with just about every mental-health issue. That includes everything from family therapy to parent-child interaction therapy, play therapy, domestic-violence counseling, anger management, depression, anxiety, ADHD and ADD, victim abuse and other trauma, grief, truancy, oppositional defiant disorder, parent counseling, adjustment issues and life changes, and more. Bruce told us that he believes the stigma surrounding mental-health illness has improved in recent years, thanks to more public discussion, including by actors and athletes who have stepped forward to tell their own struggles with it. More and more, people understand that it’s important to get that help.

“Our therapists help clients deal with their mental-health issues and find ways to move forward with life, even if that means it is different that it was in the past,” Bruce said. “We try to help clients learn how to stay safe and still find things they enjoy doing, as well as looking forward to a bright future. It is a sign of strength to admit that you could use help and not have to face issues alone. The support you get from therapists can show you the way to be happier and more fulfilled.”

New Barriers While there certainly has been increased awareness about mental health in recent years, there’s plenty of room for improvement, according to Clearwater Counseling, P.C. Co-owner Kayla Leddy, MS, LIMHP, LIPC, CA. Clearwater therapists work with clients of all ages, treating a variety of mental health diagnoses, including depression, relationship issues, grief/loss/trauma, addiction and recovery, co-dependency, anxiety and phobias, parenting problems, sexual abuse and incest, physical abuse and violence, and more.

“Across the nation, a spotlight has been put Kayla Leddy on mental health during COVID-19, as mental Clearwater Counseling #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Your Mental Health

is our priority

You are not alone 308-210-8487 info@clearwatercounselingne.org clearwatercounselingpc.org 7701 Pacific St, Ste 100A | Omaha

health diagnoses have been on the rise since the start of the pandemic,” Kayla said. “While it’s certainly a very devastating and stressful time for our nation, we are glad people are talking about mental health and bringing this important topic to the forefront. The pandemic has created new barriers for people already suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders. For instance, the increase in social isolation and loneliness can lead to poor mental health. Many have also lost their jobs, which is also associated with increased depression, anxiety, distress, and low self-esteem.”

What’s more, Kayla explained, we’re seeing poor mental health due to burnout among frontline workers and increased anxiety or mental illness among those with poor physical health. The stigma surrounding mental health as “being labeled with a diagnosis” unfortunately influences people’s decision against seeking assistance.

“Not every single person in therapy has a major mental illness diagnosis,” Kayla said. “Thus, diagnosing mental health symptoms should be viewed the same way as cold or flu symptoms are viewed.”

A Holistic Approach Traditional counseling and therapy is a wellproven avenue for treating mental-health conditions, but it’s not the only option. Reveal & Heal Owner Emily Gilli addresses mental health from another paradigm, providing coaching and functional-medicine health coaching services to help individuals through a wide range of personal and/or professional issues. She accomplishes this by helping her clients analyze their current situation, identify obstacles or limiting beliefs that hold them Emily Gilli back, and create strategies and goals to help Reveal & Heal them reach their desired outcome.

“While I believe the pandemic has shed light on mental-health awareness, I do believe there is, in general, a low level of mental-health awareness,” Emily said. “There is even less awareness around holistic treatment for a variety of mental-health diagnoses. We have come to rely on pills to fix us, but in many cases, there are proven self-management skills that can get us where we want to go.”

Emily believes in and shares her knowledge about lifestyle, or holistic medicine, which taps things like diet, exercise, proper sleep, hygiene, and stress / thought management are used to relieve anxiety and depression and a host of other wellness challenges.

“In holistic medicine, there are no specialties,” she said. “Everything is connected. When we shift our own thought patterns from ‘I need the medical system to treat me’ to ‘I own my body and I know what it needs to be well,’ we will see a dramatic decrease in not only mental-health issues, but chronic illness.”

We can all play a role in improving mental health by becoming educated about it. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out to some of the professional service providers featured here. Become part of the change.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 39

Energy Efficiency There’s no question that Americans are hooked on practices that use a flabbergasting amount of energy every day. In fact, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), electricity accounted for 41% of household end-use energy consumption in 2019, while natural gas represented 44%, followed by liquefied petroleum gas, mostly propane.

Space heating and air conditioning account for about 51% of annual seasonal household energy consumption, while water heating, lighting and refrigeration represent about 27% of total home energy use, and the remainder is used for things such as televisions, cooking appliances, washers and dryer, and electronics like computers, tablets, smartphones, video-game consoles, and internet streaming devices.

When it comes to commercial buildings—including offices, hospitals, food establishments, schools, police stations, churches, warehouses, hotels, and shopping malls—electricity and natural gas are the most common energy sources. Different commercial activities have unique energy needs but, as a whole, space heating accounts for about

Overwhelmed with IECC 2018 Compliance?

Energy Studio’s experts are here to help you navigate requirements, so projects stay on track.

www.energystudioinc.com | 888-503-7591 40

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

25% of total energy use in commercial buildings, the EIA reports.

Of commercial buildings, mercantile and service buildings use the most total energy. District energy services generally use fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, or fuel oil, while some use renewable sources of energy like biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind energy.

Be it commercial or residential energy use, it’s important to educate ourselves about ways to save energy. Science is continuously delivering new technologies to professionals who can help make a difference, and we talked to some local experts to identify some of the tools at their disposal to improve energy efficiency.

Improving Your Perspective An effective way to get a view of a commercial building’s energy efficiency is by getting up above them and using thermal imaging to identify weaknesses. Mirage Aerial Imaging does just that, providing baseline and post-damage structural assessments of commercial buildings—all via their from-the-sky view but controlled from the ground.

Aerial thermal assessments improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings because they identify water infiltration beneath the surface of the roof. This is helpful because wet insulation is an energy drain.

“It is advised for the health of any low slope or flat commercial roof that you have a regular maintenance schedule consisting of visual inspections, cleanings, and regular Certified Roof Inspector visits,” said Tom vonAhlefeld, who owns the company with his wife, Sara. “An aerial thermal image provided by Mirage Aerial Imaging can assist in the inspection process by directing inspectors and building managers toward areas of potential water infiltration.”

T h e r m a l s c a n s s h ow t e m p e r a t u r e Tom vonAhlefeld differentiations and, if water potentially Mirage Aerial Imaging infiltrated a roof’s outer membrane, the underlying insulation would be wet. Wet insulation holds heat from the sun longer than dry insulation, allowing the thermal camera to “see” a temperature difference.

“The entire roof can be seen on one image and compared to a highresolution photograph,” Tom said. “This helps increase safety, because there is no need for an inspector to take hours to walk the entire roof. A thermal scan allows for inspection of targeted areas on the roof but is controlled by people from the ground. We can also detect and confirm leaks early, decreasing overall maintenance costs due to unidentified leaks. Thermal imaging also potentially allows for targeted roof repair rather than replacement, and decreases energy costs.”

Streamline Your Way to Savings The Streamline Energy Solutions team of energy-efficiency specialists operates with the goal of saving energy—and saving you money.

They pride themselves on being a one-stop shop for all of your home energy-efficiency needs, providing various insulation and weatherization #PrintProudDigitalSmart

services, coupled with a crucial blower door test, to create immediate improvements in how your home uses energy.

“One of the biggest things we recommend to create the maximum impact when someone wants to insulate their home is to air seal it,” said Streamline Co-founder and BPICertified Auditor Jen Keller. “We’ll locate all the accessible crevices in your attic, including around your fixtures and top plates and seal them so to prevent conditioned air from leaking into the attic space. That preps the attic for us to insulate with blown-in fiberglass. We prefer this product over cellulose because it doesn’t settle over time, does not absorb moisture, and Jen Keller is a lot cleaner product. Of course, the baffles Streamline Energy we install in an attic are a crucial step in the Solutions process, too, because they keep the insulation from blocking air flow through your soffit vents and provide necessary ventilation.”

Streamline uses CertainTeed Insulsafe SP blown-in insulation not only because it doesn’t settle but also because it provides better coverage, excellent sound control, lasts for the life of your home to reduce longterm energy demand and costs; is environmentally sustainable and formaldehyde-free; and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. This isn’t your typical itchy fiberglass. It is actually soft to the touch! Another fabulous offering from Streamline Energy Solutions that is not universal to all insulation companies is a blower door test because not everyone is BPI (Building Performance Institute)-certified to administer them. As a BPI-certified auditor, Jen starts by connecting the blower door device to one of the exterior doors of your home to audit energy loss.

Start Losing Power Whether it is for the purpose of saving money, reducing emissions, or some other reason, commercial building managers are expected to develop long-term energy-reduction strategies. A new commercial building energy code, International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2018 went into effect in Nebraska in July 2020 and increases energy-efficiency requirements of new buildings substantially, so the task is truly at hand.

Energy Studio Inc. professionals have the expertise and technology to help commercial facility managers and developers create and realize an energy master plan to make their utility performance meet their longterm energy goals. They offer a wide array of services with a single focus: Improving the energy performance of commercial buildings. Among their services are an integrative design process; building-envelope optimization; energy modeling at all design phases; energy-code compliance; measurement and verification of energy performance; a lifecycle cost analysis; and energy audits. From a financial standpoint, however, will investments in energy efficiency pay for themselves in time?

“The right strategies do but the wrong strategies might not!” said Energy Studio Founder and President Amanda Bogner.

“Every energy-efficiency strategy has its place in the market but may not be right for every building. Our lifecycle cost analysis is an important tool to evaluate how quickly a strategy will pay for itself. Understanding how a specific building uses energy is the first step to identify energy-efficiency strategies that may pay for themselves in time. For example, replacing windows in a medical building might Amanda Bogner not be the best use of capital funds. Energy Energy Studio Inc. consumption in a medical building is usually driven by conditioning fresh air. Window performance and wall/roof insulations contribute very little to improving this type of facility. Instead, design strategies focused on improving the efficiency of conditioning outdoor air should be prioritized.”

Amanda explained that understanding the utility rate structure is another important component for determining strategies that may pay a business back over time. For example, if a building is on a demandbased electric rate schedule, strategies that allow a building owner to #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Need An Electrician?

Commercial • Residential Call today! (402) 215-1914

control their peak demand may offer more savings than strategies that reduce overall electric consumption. Energy Studio can help you evaluate the history of your utility bills, which tell their trained professionals a lot about how you use your building and help identify no-cost or low-cost strategies you can deploy quickly to begin saving energy (and money) immediately. They can also help you create an energy master plan for your building or campus.

“Having a holistic energy strategy for your facility or campus can help crystalize where to spend precious capital,” Amanda said.

Energy Studio professionals have the expertise and technology to help facility managers have confidence that their utility performance will meet long-term strategy goals.”

Insulating Your Investment If you’re not building a new high-efficiency home or business, you can still make great strides in improving your building’s efficiency via some simpler, affordable options. Omaha Spray Foam is a trusted and reliable insulation and roof-coating contractor in Omaha, who can help you achieve tremendous energyefficiency improvements. Their professionals use the best products available in the market to provide homeowners with top-of-the-line services, including fiberglass insulation, sprayfoam insulation, roof restoration coatings, Brandon Lowndes cellulose insulation, hybrid insulation, soundOmaha Spray Foam control insulation, insulation removal, and more.

“When you build or buy a home and skimp on insulation, you will notice that in your comfort and wallet,” said Brandon Lowndes, president of Omaha Spray Foam. “It’s what you can’t see that matters.”

Omaha Spray Foam will walk you through the range of options for spray foam, the most popular being wall insulation, attic insulation, crawl-space insulation, and floor insulation. R-values measures how well a building insulation can prevent the flow of heat into and out of your home, with higher R-values translating to greater insulation performance and, as a result, more savings on your upcoming heating and cooling bills. What sets Omaha Spray Foam apart from other companies are the relationships they establish with their clients. They understand the importance of communication and give no preference to any particular client or project, taking great pride in their ability to meet deadlines and their competitive prices and high-quality work.

It’s All About Balance Back in the 1970s, the Western world experienced some serious energy shortages, among them the 1973 oil crisis and the 1979 energy crisis triggered by wartime interruptions in Middle Eastern oil exports. Electrical blackouts became commonplace, and it wasn’t long before people started to consider energy efficiency when designing and constructing their homes and commercial buildings. Strategies like passive solar energy and fewer windows were considered as Americans zeroed in on the wasteful ways they were using fossil fuels. Now, fast forward to 2020 DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

41

where we find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic where health and wellness are emerging at the forefront of the energy conversation.

We are looking at a balancing act between innovation, risk, and the ability to keep people safe against germs and viruses in their schools, homes and businesses.

BranchPattern is a commercial engineering and building consultancy firm in Omaha that is dedicated to creating Better Built Environments® through their many interwoven specialisms, including acoustics; audiovisual; security and telecom; building performance modeling; building enclosure analysis and design; total building commissioning; smart buildings, net-zero building performance; Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing & Technology (MEPT) engineering, and more.

“We work to find building solutions that optimize energy, while placing a focus on people’s safety,” said BranchPattern Associate Principal Stuart Shell. “We help building owners and occupants to make those decisions with confidence. Even more so in light of the pandemic, businesses are getting ever-more-thoughtful about the air quality in their buildings.”

The focus on health is particularly poignant with COVID in mind, as businesses and individuals want assurance that their buildings Stuart Shell are both energy efficient and have good BranchPattern indoor air quality, promoting health and wellness. To increase energy efficiency, buildings must have good insulation and a tight seal so that heated or cooled air is not lost through the windows, roof, or walls. Various strategies can be implemented to mechanical equipment which also reduces energy consumption. For example, energy recovery units or a well-tuned Building Automation System (BAS) could be used in a commercial building, while not new concepts, these are fitting for creating the intended balance between energy and health.

42

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

“We believe that when we design buildings, we need to think first about the people who are in them, creating human-centered designs,” Stuart said. “The mechanical equipment required to accomplish this is not new— but the demand for extremely healthy spaces with really good indoor air quality is even more prevalent today due to the coronavirus. For example, some school districts are bringing in more fresh air for students and faculty to breathe but are not paying the costs to reheat all that air because they are utilizing energy recovery generators. The whole point of reducing energy consumption is to protect our environment, as the way we currently make electricity pollutes the air and negatively impacts ecological well-being and human health. BranchPattern will continue to discuss this health-energy nexus as we design indoor environments that work for people and the planet.”

Safety, Comfort, and Energy Savings In line with protecting both humans and energy supplies, equipment manufacturers are making a host of new products that can improve your home’s comfort AND help you operate it more efficiently. From the most state-of-the-art thermostats and zoning systems to whole-house air-cleaning, humidification, and dehumidification systems, security and video systems, the marketplace is geared to making homes more energyefficient and secure. Engineered Controls is on the cutting edge when it comes to building systems that do it all.

“To combat indoor air problems, Engineered Controls offers demand control ventilation software that will automatically adjust heating and cooling systems to introduce higher levels of outdoor air only when occupancy levels of building contaminants are at a high level,” said Engineered Controls President and CEO Pat Killeen. “Equally important is that features like demand control ventilation only induce more outdoor air when required, thus allowing building owners to maintain optimum levels of Pat Killeen IAQ (indoor air quality) and, at the same time, Engineered Controls

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

obtain substantial energy cost savings while increasing the comfort and productivity of the employees or tenants.”

Engineered Controls recently finished a $90 million expansion project at the Metropolitan Community College Fort Omaha campus, where they installed a Honeywell building management system that includes monitors and controls for all the traditional mechanical sub-systems like air-handling units, chillers, and pumps. In addition, the building automation system integrates electrical metering equipment, BTU metering, emergency generators, and lighting systems. Engineered Controls also featured custom energy or utility dashboards to assist students and faculty in visualizing energy consumption on campus, plus deliver weather data and energy-conservation suggestions about how to improve the building’s energy performance.

Regardless what you choose for your energy-efficiency upgrades, taking care of all of the systems in your home or business will determine how well they pay you—and the environment—back.

“Probably the most-overlooked and least-expensive way to save money on energy in your home or office is to maintain normal preventive maintenance on the mechanical and electrical equipment,” Pat reminded.

“Engineered Controls offers our customers Planned Service Agreements, or PSA’s, to assist them in the daily operation of their facilities. The PSA has two elements—preventive care and routine maintenance—plus system-wide energy analysis.”

Style. Comfort. Efficiency.

The efficiency professionals at KPE Architecture – Engineering – Forensics are experienced at looking both at the big picture and the tiny details to help commercial-building owners create sensible environments that work as intended to create style, comfort, and efficiency. They address the unique needs of each building owner, while working within budget limitations and time constraints to transform ideas and concepts into comfortable spaces that incorporate efficient and economic construction practices. KPE engineers are also forensic engineering experts that use the lessons learned from investigating construction defects and the design errors of others to maximize the quality of KPE designs.

Some of the technologies that KPE clients are choosing for energyefficiency include state-of-the art refrigerant flow, LED lighting, smart controllers, and solar tubes for water heating. In fact, KPE has pioneered a water-cooled variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system for cold climates like Nebraska. Demand for these efficient heating, ventilating, and cooling systems in the Omaha region is strong, and they yield tax credits and utility-company incentives.

“For businesses, VRF fan terminal units are connected to either water or air-cooled condensers with refrigerant lines, and they provide both heating and cooling simultaneously,” said Brad Lauritsen, associate principal and mechanical engineer. “It eliminates messy ductwork and pipes, as well as water leaks. Safe 401A refrigerant is generally used in these systems as it is not so detrimental to the environment as other refrigerants. When coupled to a geo-exchange wellfield, you have access to tax credits and the most energyBrad Lauritsen efficient system available. VRF is an excellent KPE Architecture choice for an older building, where running Engineering - Forensics ductwork and pipe is difficult.”

Some of the biggest culprits of energy loss are in old buildings with single-pane windows or windows that aren’t thermally broken, as well as poor insulation in attic spaces, and definitely any building still using a steam heating system.

“A steam system is very inefficient,” Brad said. “We design projects to convert from steam to hot-water heating, or some other more efficient system. The economy is changing to a natural-gas economy because the U.S. has ample amounts of this clean energy source.”

Attaining responsible energy efficiency in our homes and buildings is something to which each of us can contribute. Reach out to our local professionals who can help you do your part, attaining a balance between sustainability and your personal health and comfort. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

We’re more than just insulation

Aerial Photography & Video for: Real Estate, Advertising, Construction Updates, Thermal Imaging, Insurance Claims 360 Degree Virtual Tours for: Real Estate, Commercial Venues

mirageaerial.com | (402) 203-7868

www.kpe-inc.com

Architecture Engineering Forensic Investigation Planning & Programming Construction Management Pay Application Verification Energy Efficiency Fire Protection/Life Safety Facility Assessments

ur o y e riz ve this e h t a a We e and s r! hom winte

We are a team of energy efficiency specialists who have the goal of saving you money.

Insulation + Air Sealing + Blower Door Testing + Solar Attic Fans SCHEDULE YOUR FREE ENERGY CONSULTATION TODAY!

BPI Certified

savewithstreamline.com / 402.512.4221 DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 43

WINTER DRIVING

Long-Term Rental.

No Long-Term Commitment.

Looking for a great alternative to leasing or even purchasing?

It’s time to rethink your personal or business transportation needs and try our Long-Term Rental Program. You can choose a new model vehicle for a competitive monthly rate. No cost for preventative maintenance and generous monthly miles are included. Best of all, no long-term commitment.

BudgetNebraska.com/long-term-rental | 402-898-7250 | longtermrental@budgetnebraska.com ©2020 Budget Car and Truck Rental of Nebraska A Budget System Licensee.

44

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

Adverse winter weather can be dangerous and frightening for travelers, especially early in the winter season, when they’re out of practice—and late in the winter, when they get overconfident! In fact, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter. With this in mind, it’s crucial that anyone who drives in winter understand the safety rules for driving in severe weather, the rules for dealing with winter road emergencies, the crucial winterizing your vehicle requires, and general winter-driving safety.

When you drive in Nebraska winters, AAA recommends basic safety measures like keeping a bundle of cold-weather gear in your car, including extra food and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, medications, and more.

Further, make certain that your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread, keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times, never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area like a garage, and do NOT use cruise control when you’re driving on any slippery surface, including ice and snow. If you have to go out, drive slowly, accelerate and decelerate slowly, increase your following distance, know your brakes, and don’t stop if you can avoid it.

Of course, you’re required to have insurance on your vehicle, and carrying an adequate amount of coverage is crucial. Then, from a mechanical standpoint, wet, cold, and icy weather serve up the biggest challenges to your vehicle’s efficient operating. There are a host of mechanical things that are crucial to preparing prepare your vehicle for winter, including your battery, ignition system, lights, brakes, tires, windshield wipers, winter driving kit, and exhaust and heating-and-cooling systems. Read on to learn more about preparing for winter driving in Nebraska.

Borne of the Pandemic When it comes to winter driving, of course, the first requirement is a dependable vehicle, and while growth in the rental-car market might not be the first effect of COVID that comes to your mind, it should be in there somewhere. At the start of the pandemic, the halt to air travel slammed the rental-car industry hard. But with restrictions in place and concerns about other transportation options, the local, family-owned Budget Car and Truck Rental of Nebraska launched a demand-responsive LongTerm Rental Program that serves as an alternative to leasing or even purchasing a car. It’s the perfect solution for individuals and businesses with extended transportation needs who may not want to make a purchase commitment—and for someone #PrintProudDigitalSmart

who needs a better vehicle to get them through the sometimestreacherous Nebraska winters.

“Some people may think that in the middle of COVID-19 might not be the best time to roll out a new business initiative, but to us it felt like the opposite,” said Budget Nebraska Vice President and General Manager Rob Durrett. “We saw it as a way to fill a need that arose out of the pandemic. People and businesses still require transportation but because we’re in uncertain circumstances, they may not have the funds to purchase a car or they may not want to be committed to a longRob Durrett term lease. Some individuals who normally Budget Car and Truck take public transportation may no longer Rental of Nebraska feel comfortable doing so, or perhaps a family unexpectedly has a collect student at home and now wants an extra car.”

The Long-Term Rental Program is also a great solution for companies that use vehicles to conduct business or want to provide company cars to employees, many of whom are now choosing to drive instead of flying for business travel. Budget Nebraska offers a wide selection of dependable vehicles for business use, including cars, pickup trucks, and passenger and cargo vans.

“We have provided fleets for several local car companies through our Long-Term Rental program and that has proved to be a real cost savings for them,” Rob said.

What’s perfect for winter is that all of Budget Nebraska’s SUV’s and pickup trucks come with all-wheel or four-wheel drive, which better prepare you to handle Nebraska’s winter weather. So, if you need transportation or your car isn’t dependable for winter driving, you can purchase the peace of mind you need through a long-term rental, which can cover anything from days to years.

Budget Nebraska also keeps the newest vehicles available in their fleet, rife with a host of winter-loving features, like remote starts, ice and snow scrapers, and heating steering wheels and seats.

They also perform extensive and timely preventive maintenance on all of their vehicles, and the cleaning process they use between renters is comprehensive, so you can relax knowing you are safe from any residual germs from previous use.

“Of course, knowing that collisions are more likely during winter months, when conditions can be treacherous, we do recommend adding our vehicle coverage for short-term rentals in winter,” Rob said. “If you choose a long-term rental, you can use your own insurance, so whether you are in need of a vehicle for a day, a week, months, or years, Budget Nebraska will take great care of you!”

On a Collision Course The fact that 70% of the roads in the United States located are in snowy areas significantly increases the threat of an accident occurring, especially when you consider that driving on snowy roads can take your vehicle 10 times longer to come to a complete stop. Other causes of increased danger are the result of black ice, that often-transparent coating of ice that is nearly invisible to the human eye, as well as sudden heavy snowstorms that hit in Nebraska and decrease road visibility dramatically, plus damp sleet that turns the roads icy and slippery.

In the unfortunate event of a winter collision, the first concern is the condition and safety of all people involved. The next thing that often comes to mind is the condition of your vehicle. That’s where Cars R Us Auto Body, Inc. of Omaha comes in. They always put forth the extra effort to ensure that their customers’ cars are fixed and restored to their pre-accident condition.

Cars R Us Auto Body works with all insurance companies and delivers the finest customer service going—and they offer noninsurance auto-body repair for customers with older vehicles or who are otherwise paying out-of-pocket. They also offer a variety #PrintProudDigitalSmart

of non-collision services, including rust repair, which is common in the Nebraska climate, as well as headlamp reconditioning to avoid fogging headlights that limit your visibility at night and in storms even further. Just taking a look at their online photo gallery and host of customer testimonials at carsrusautobody.com will demonstrate that they know what they’re doing and make you know you’re choosing a winner!

Protection from the Elements Winter weather in Omaha may not make you want to run out in the wind and frigid temperatures to wash your vehicle, but it should if you want to extend the life of your car and its resale value.

That’s because wintertime road salts, including treatments with liquid calcium chloride and sand, plus the moisture from Nebraska storms can cause your car to rust, which can spread across your entire vehicle over time. We recommend putting IQ Car Wash in charge of keeping your vehicle shiny and protected throughout the winter months and beyond.

IQ Car Wash employs its “Smarter. Cleaner. Greener.” concept to give your car a true, meaningful clean. It’s Smarter, thanks to 3D mapping technology, Cleaner due to their high-tech equipment and premium bio-degradable soaps, and Greener because it uses less water and energy than many other types of car washes.

With soft-touch and touch-free options, IQ’s intelligent profiling technology provides a custom wash for everything from a MINI Cooper to a dually and full-sized pickup trucks. The 3D scan captures each vehicle’s unique shape to produce a more efficient and safer wash to clears away the weapons of winter. Do the smart, clean, and green thing today and visit iqcarwash.com to get your reloadable IQ Card and protect your vehicle all winter long!

Whether you like winter weather or not, it likes your vehicle and will take advantage of it if you give it a chance. Be prepared by keeping a list of these outstanding providers who can help you preserve the life of your vehicle no matter what Nebraska winter serves up!

The Ultimate Rust Protection.

An annual Krown treatment is one of the best investments you can make.

Book your appointment today!

of Omaha 5020 William Street | Omaha, NE 68106 402-558-6393 | www.carsrusautobody.com DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

45

Senior Living Through the Holidays

When most people think about the holidays, they envision twinkling lights, family time, laughter, funny sweaters, decorations, glistening snow, Christmas carols, Santa Claus, parties, hot cocoa, family movies, and general holiday cheer. In fact, it seems that people are actually under pressure to enjoy themselves during the holidays. Holiday joy is not a reality for everyone, though, especially in this crazy year of isolation. Many elderly residents in Lincoln will spend their 2020 Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in assisted living, rehabilitation, memory-care, or independent living, while others will stay home, often alone, because they don’t have family nearby or are dedicated to practicing social distancing.

While anxiety, depression, and isolation are more common among the elderly than we’d like to believe, research has shown that the holiday season often makes these feelings more severe. People need social interaction, and memories of the holidays of yore, missing family and friends, and the extreme lack of social interaction they’ve experienced

this year can leave seniors feeling lonelier than ever. The loss of traditions and acceptance that their life is not like it was in the past can be especially painful during the holidays. It turns out, however, that making special connections with your loved seniors during this season isn’t as difficult as you might think—even if you can’t visit them in person.

We talked to senior-care experts in the Omaha community to find out how they help spread the joyful holiday spirit among the seniors in their care—and how seniors’ families can help keep their moods boosted and make them feel like they are still part of the celebrations. There are some fantastic caregivers in Omaha that are taking tremendous care of your loved ones in senior living, but the fact is, they aren’t YOU, and the seniors in your life need to connect with family more than ever during this holiday season.

We even asked the experts to share some fitting gift ideas for isolated seniors in 2021, and we got some fantastic input that can help you wrap up your holiday shopping for your favorite seniors—or for someone

Wondering about memory care?

We’re here to help.

Whether you’re just starting to research or ready to make a move, our caring team can help you every step of the way.

402-853-7809 THREE COMMUNITIES IN LINCOLN 5720 S. 25th Street | 6616 S. 84th Street | 240 South 70th Street

46

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

else without family—and know that your gestures will be on-target for their needs. Be sure to read to the end for that list!

COVID Fatigue CountryHouse Residences for Memory Care Life Enrichment Director Marcia Houchin said the repercussions of the coronavirus have many seniors and their families experiencing COVID fatigue, as it has become clear that fighting the pandemic is a marathon, not a sprint. Even in normal times, the holidays are especially fraught with emotion by way of memories about past holidays, family traditions, extreme forms of skepticism, and (often unrealistic) expectations. With COVID in play, things are exponentially Marcia Houchin more difficult.

CountryHouse Residences “People are just plain tired of restrictions for Memory Care and not seeing their loves ones for months on end,” Marcia said. “Signs of COVID fatigue include loss of interest, as well as anger and feelings of sadness or anxiety. Sadness can lead to depression, which, in turn, can take a deadly toll on both mental and physical health. Residents who were careful in the beginning may now adopt an ‘I don’t care anymore’ attitude and quit following precautions or give up on making healthy choices.”

The staff at CountryHouse has gotten creative to come up with new and better ways to engage seniors during this time. The staff is learning about each resident’s family traditions for the holidays and recreating them in activities including recipes, stories, music, meditation, and the like. Other activities include finding programs to help provide for people in need—like sending care packages to troops and making and sending cards to friends and family.

“These things are important,” Marcia said. “No matter what, we can all do something to be a positive force in the world.”

It’s also beneficial to engage seniors who are struggling with COVID fatigue during the holidays by surprising them with joyful experiences, like carolers singing from the parking lot, fun holiday activities and games, silly and spontaneous fun with staff and, in their assistedliving housing, helping and encouraging residents to decorate their apartments to get into the joyful spirit. Family members should do as much virtual visiting as possible with their loved ones in senior care, too.

“When you’re on Skype, Zoom, Facebook with your loved one, give your visits some creative twists, like gathering the family together in your home to cook a favorite recipe together—like grandma’s famous stuffing or cranberry-fluff salad,” Marcia said. “Or take turns sharing ‘my favorite Christmas’ memories or carry on a family tradition, like reading The Night Before Christmas or the nativity story from the Bible, singing Christmas carols, or opening a gift.”

Going the Distance Holidays in 2020 mark tremendous change for the elderly, especially those living in assisted living, memory care, or a skilled nursing facility.

The potential for seniors’ health to decline during this time is raised dramatically with COVID restrictions and the resulting forced isolation.

“Because so many seniors are not able to see their loved ones in person over the holidays this year, we could see an increase in loneliness, depression, illness, self-neglect, and everything that goes with those,” said Midwest Geriatrics House of Hope Alzheimer’s Care Community Nurse Carly Snider. “It can also be a big challenge for families that may not get to see their loved ones very often and generally use the holidays as a time to do a well-check.

I encourage those family members to ask a neighbor or friend to check in on their loved one to ensure that they are doing well.”

Carly Snider At Midwest Geriatrics, the staff goes the Midwest Geriatrics distance to make the holidays as festive as #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Everyone Has A Story Make Us A Part of Yours...

Trusted non-medical home care provider

402.506.9368

www.CareBuildersatHomeOmaha.com possible for their residents. They decorate the community and engage seniors in decorating with them—including their apartments, if they wish. The dietary staff also works diligently to bring the holidays to life with traditional holiday favorite foods and holiday parties, though they’ll be smaller and look different this year. It’s crucial that families of seniors go out of their way to make their loved ones feel included in holiday festivities, too.

“Even though families may not be able to see their loved on in person, there are many ways to show your loved one that you care,” Carly said. “Technology is a prime source of connection these days for a lot of families and friends through Facetime, Zoom, and Facebook, for example. Our residents love seeing their family and friends, but they also love phone calls, letters, care packages, and anything special from the heart. I know our residents love when families drop off their favorite foods or treats, and I think it would be really cool for families and friends to decorate outside of the resident’s apartment and courtyard with holiday décor for their loved ones to enjoy. Maybe get the family together and do a little Christmas caroling outside the resident’s apartment if it’s allowed by their community. If a loved one lives at home, the gift of companionship is ideal.”

Stimulate the Senses Regardless of opportunities for making connections that aren’t in-person, the truth is that loneliness will be one of the greatest challenges for seniors this holiday season. The feelings that come with not being able to connect directly with their loved ones will weigh particularly heavy on them. Ovation by Avamere Heartwood Preserve, which now is taking reservations for new residents to move into its new sophisticated independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities in Omaha next summer, shared some recommendations for helping your elderly loved ones feel as connected as possible this holiday season.

“Think about ways in which you can stimulate their five senses to provide them the feelings of love and connection during this time of isolation,” said General Manager Stephanie Grade. “Create a schedule for family members to ensure that your loved one has received a call each day, and use technology to take that contact to a visual experience whenever possible. Send cards throughout the holiday season so they have something to look forward to when they’re not speaking with you directly. This also Stephanie Grade gives them something with which to touch Ovation by Avamere and feel your love when they are having Heartwood Preserve a moment of extreme loneliness.”

Stephanie said that one of her personal favorite practices that families can do for their loved ones is to create a family memory or gratitude jar. Each day, you and your loved one write down your own memory or gratitude and add it to their jar. Keep this up until a special day that you select to share with one another what you have written down.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

47

Medicare and insurance in general, can be complicated.

Let me help you understand all the options and find the best plan for you.

I’ll love you through it.

Medicare Supplements | Medicare Advantage Plans Affordable Care Insurance | Bridge Health Plans Life Insurance | Medicaid Assistance | Dental

Lisa Wilsey, Owner/Independent Agent (402) 955-9233 | LisaWilsey@yahoo.com

Designed for Comfort, Care, and Quality of Life.

• Specialized Diets • Meaningful Moments® • 24/7 Specialized Nursing Care 402.391.2790 Jeaseniorliving.com

13208 Meredith Ave Omaha, NE 68164

“This could be on a holiday evening with numerous family members in attendance via a virtual experience,” Stephanie said. “What a great way to have them be part of the holidays and share your love for one another!”

Sharing the Love With so many seniors not able to enjoy visits with family this holiday season, it’s crucial that families and caregivers engage them with the traditions they treasure. The caregivers at CareBuilders at Home are putting together plans to ensure that every one of their clients living in their homes gets to experience some holiday tradition.

“Even before COVID, the holiday season brought with it depression and loneliness for many seniors who were without family or were unable to spend time with their loved ones,” said CareBuilders CEO Brenda Ouellette. “With COVID changing our daily lives and now affecting our traditional holiday events, this year will be extremely difficult for families and their loved ones who cannot share together in creating traditional holiday memories.”

In an effort to keep their clients engaged, Brenda Ouellette CareBuilders at Home CareerBuilders at Home will be making and sharing Thanksgiving dinner with their clients who would otherwise be alone. They will also coordinate with families to video-chat with their loved ones if they are not able to be together.

“Our team of compassionate caregivers will also be working closely with our office team to make sure no client goes without a Christmas gift, meal, and even a little celebration with Christmas Caroling,” Brenda said. “Families can send Christmas packages, too, and our team can set up a video call so they can talk on Christmas morning over a cup of hot cocoa or coffee.”

48

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

Making Dreams Come True Amid the COVID restrictions, Care Consultants for the Aging is finding that more seniors are staying in their homes because of the quarantines and the inability to have visitors inside senior communities. During the holidays, many seniors feel intensified heartache of the loss of friends and family and general holiday blues. In 2020, more than ever before, they also struggle with the reality that they may not be able to join in the holiday festivities and meals and having people checking in on them. That’s where Care Consultants for the Aging comes in. Their caregivers will make sure that your loved ones are safe and content during the holidays, that they get time visiting, cooking, or playing games, and that they feel loved and included to the greatest degree possible given restrictions.

“CCA provides comfort to the seniors through making their wishes come true,” said Care Consultants Omaha Business Development Director Blake Thomas. “We can spend the holiday with them, taking them shopping or making a special meal for them. Families of seniors can make special connections with their loved ones that mean more than you can imagine. Drop off or send their favorite holiday treat, and then Skype with them while they enjoy that special treat. In these times, we have to get creative.”

Blake Thomas If you are caring for your senior loved one but Care Consultants find them declining to a point where you must for the Aging consider moving them to a senior-living home during the holidays, Oasis Senior Advisors of Omaha will be there for you. They are an outlet for caregiver support, offering free senior-housing placement services so you can find the right community that meets the needs of your loved one. Oasis Senior Advisors rely on their cuttingedge OasisIQ™ software, as well as their extensive knowledge of the community, to reveal the best option available to each specific client.

Meaningful Moments At Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Care Center, the staff helps seniors live as closely to “normal” as possible during the holidays and throughout the year. Their Meaningful Memories program helps them get to know residents by learning their life stories and finding out their preferences, including likes, dislikes, family, hobbies, careers, achievements, and cherished memories. People living with memory loss face greater challenges than most of us but that certainly doesn’t mean that they’ve lost the capacity to experience joy and the ability to continue leading meaningful lives. If they have a favorite restaurant where they always went to have pumpkin pie during the holidays, Prairie Meadows will make sure they still get to enjoy that.

“Our residents have access to a whole host of amenities and programming options to help keep them active and engaged in daily life,” said Community Resource Director Don Woods. “Plus, we have a nurse here 24/7, which is way above and beyond the minimal regulations of eight hours a day, and we partner with home health, hospice services, everything we need to provide all of the services they need so their families can rest assured that they are safe and cared for, even if they might not always remember who Don Woods they are. They still cherish their time together, Prairie Meadows enjoying the same things they always have.”

Alzheimer’s Care Center COVID restrictions really take a toll on memory-care patients, too, psycho-socially and overall, because they don’t understand why they can’t do the things they’ve become accustomed to. The Prairie Meadows team helps them through by doing a lot of redirecting, but hearing from people who care about them can be quite helpful. If you’re struggling with being a family member of someone with dementia, the holidays can be particularly rough, but keep in mind that Prairie Meadows offers support groups for families throughout the year, whether your loved one lives there or somewhere else. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Kindness, Caring, and Faith Amid the challenges for seniors in winter and People who care throughout the year is the transition to or for the people you love updating of Medicare and other insurance products—including life insurance—all of which can be overwhelming. That’s why Lisa • Refers interviewed, screened and qualified Wilsey partners with Insurance Advisors in in-home caregivers Omaha. She can help you take the guesswork out of the confusing insurance landscape and • Provides quality care at affordable rates get you set with the plans that are best for • Places caregivers between 1 to 24 hours per your specific needs. That includes everything day, 7 days per week from Medicare Advantage to Medicare • Flexible hours that can change as your needs supplements, D plans, Medicare Part B change Lisa Wilsey enrollment, Affordable Care coverage, life • No up front deposit or fees to begin services Insurance Advisors insurance, dental insurance, cancer plans, spend-downs, Medicaid support, and more.

11640 Arbor St., Suite 103 Omaha, NE 68144 Lisa goes above and beyond to protect her clients and make the process 402-398-1848 CareConsultants.com as pain-free as possible for them.

“I guess none of us could have predicted that we’d be facing our current circumstances,” Lisa said. “So it has caused people to take a look at their life insurance to ensure their families are protected in the event of their loss.”

If you want to help seniors continue to thrive through pandemic restrictions this holiday season, Lisa suggests that people take extra time out of their days to call their senior loved ones and send cards regularly so they have that to look forward to. In short, while Medicare is Lisa’s main business, when you hire her, you’ll find that kindness, caring, and faith are all part of the package!

“My advice is to do what you can for seniors who are isolated during this holiday season,” Lisa said. “Send cards and call a couple of times 402.669.9490 a day if you can. We all thrive on interaction with others. I have a few Omaha@YourOasisAdvisor.com things I always say. In fact, sometimes my clients tease me about it, but AnswersForMom.com Kyle Johnson Jenny Trebold these are things I really believe: Kindness matters, and faith changes Senior Living Advisor Senior Living Advisor everything, which seems especially true in these times.”

Gift Ideas for Seniors The senior-living experts we talked with combined to create a tremendous shopping list of perfect gift ideas for seniors who are Oasis Senior Advisors_KJohnson_Quarter Page.indd 1 1/11/2019 9:49:36 AM spending more time alone than ever, so you can find the right gifts to keep you loved one engaged and thriving. There’s a lot of creative thinking involved here, so get out your pen and finish your gift list: • Technology, including voice-activated music and Echo Show 8, which allow family members to “drop in” on a loved one for a video visit; motion-activated, stick-anywhere LED lights; a tablet to play games or video call; audio-book subscriptions; electronic games; their favorite music.

• Custom photo albums or calendars that show birthdays and anniversaries, along with smiling faces; a supply of greeting cards Get into better and stamps; photos of past holidays; books to read; puzzles, adult coloring books, craft projects and art supplies; large-print playing HEALTH cards and games, like Sudoku; paints and canvas, cross-stitch with Midwest Geriatrics projects, word-search books.

• Gifts of comfort, such as weighted blankets, compression socks, adaptive clothing, a super-cozy robe, an aromatherapy mister, a fabulous pillow; a blanket with family pictures to wrap themselves in for comfort and enjoyment; and the gift of companionship.

• Helpful items like a cup holder for their wheelchair; a walker caddy or tote bag; a gel or memory-foam seat cushion; an electric toothbrush; a rechargeable shaver; a mobility cane or grab bar.

The holiday season is a great joy for so many people, rife with family memories and traditions, shining stars, and heartfelt stories of love.

With COVID running the show in 2020, the holidays promise to look very different, with fewer gatherings and planning challenges arising at every turn. As you lay out your plans to bring warmth and love to your holiday season, be sure to keep your eldery loved ones front and center in your minds and hearts. Even if you can’t see them in person, there are many ways to engage them and make them feel the joy, too. We’ve provided the advice and suggestions of some senior-care www.Omahaseniorcare.org 402.827.6000 experts here, and we hope you will take it to heart this holiday season!

We make senior living simple.

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

49

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

This large bronze penny is a nod to Lincoln Federal Savings Bank's history, dating back to 1906. It hung on the outside of the bank's first building and can still be found today in the lobby of the bank's corporate office in Lincoln.

Lincoln Federal Savings Bank Who We Are. Lincoln Federal Savings Bank has been serving the Omaha community for 24 years. Located in Linden Market at 132nd and Dodge, they provide all of your personal banking needs; from checking accounts to savings accounts to home mortgages, they have you covered.

What do you think makes you different from other companies similar to yours?

In comparison to our competitors, we offer highly competitive rates on all of our products—checking, savings, certificates of deposit and residential mortgage loans. When you call our bank, Susan or Doug will answer the phone—no robots here! Personal Banking Like You Remember is more than tagline—it is how we treat our customers.

Our personal banking truly gives us a competitive edge and makes our customers feel at ease. Our products are meant to meet you where you are in your financial journey.

What changes have you seen in the industry in the past few years?

What kind of community organizations is your business involved with?

Our banking professionals in Omaha are involved in a number of community organizations including the MS Association, Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Realtors Association, Omaha Municipal Land Bank, and Business Networking International (BNI). They also participate in Lincoln Federal’s Lending Hands program, a program that is designed to encourage employees to do good in their communities and get involved with programs like Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Nebraska Blood Banks and so much more.

In the past few years Lincoln Federal has evaluated the market and has made some great changes! We have reevaluated our product offerings to provide a highly accessible and easy to use mobile app, bill pay, compatibility with Apple Pay and Google Pay, and so much more!

In 2020, we have all been presented unique challenges. We have adapted in ways that we hadn’t imagined before—at one time, over 50% of our workforce was working remotely. We had to adapt our loan closings to make sure that our customers were feeling comfortable throughout the process. We began using video chats and started performing closings outdoors where accessible. We adapted all of our services to be performed through the drive-thru to minimize contact and have optimized our online banking so that all of your banking needs can be performed at home with little effort.

Customer Testimony: Dave’s customer

Pictured (L-R): Dave Arkfeld; VP, Mortgage Loan Officer, Susan Scheef; Customer Service Representative, Mary Byrnes; VP, Mortgage Loan Officer, and Doug Lebbert; VP, Branch Manager

This morning, I closed on my first Nebraska home with Lincoln Federal. Coming from the financial world (Farm Credit System), I have been involved in more closings, loans, and refinances than I care to admit. Lincoln Federal blew it out of the water. Dave took an obviously intentional approach to FaceTiming me instead of calling during the pandemic, he kept me constantly in the loop, he was friendly, and on top of things at every moment. I couldn’t be happier, and I can’t sing his praises enough (and I am probably not doing it justice). Overall, you guys are a fantastic partner of Five Nines, which is why I worked with you all instead of the bank of whom I am a 20+ year customer. Thank you for the amazing customer experience you have provided me during what should be a stressful process (it was not stressful at all, thanks to Lincoln Federal). You guys are awesome, I can’t wait to refer you all to everyone in my network!

Lincoln Federal Savings Bank is a depositor owned financial institution with 13 branches across the state. The corporate office can be found at 8400 Maddox Drive, Lincoln, NE 68520 with local branches in Omaha, Lincoln, Holdrege, Hastings, Benkelman, Blair, McCook, Fremont and North Platte. Member FDIC.

402-474-1400 (Corporate Office) | www.lincolnfed.com 50

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

Share the Christmas Spirit Christmas can be a difficult time for the Heartland's homeless men, women, and children, especially in these times when many of our neighbors are struggling to get by. However, you can make a difference by helping Open Door Mission provide toys and gifts!

Project Santa

Christmas Bells

Provide gifts for hurting adults who are lonely and need to know someone cares.

Provide toys to needy boys and girls so that everyone will have gifts on Christmas morning.

       

Toddler Toys Art Sets for All Ages Small and Med. Lego Sets ALL Sports Balls Dolls Board Games and Puzzles Play-Doh Sets Car Sets

      

Generic Body Wash Makeup Sets Ear Buds Deodorant Men’s Underwear Tube Socks $10.00 Gift Cards for Walmart and Target

Will you inspire HOPE for lasting

For drop-off locations visit change by providing Christmas www.opendoormission.org presents?

Shop our Amazon wishlist or visit www.opendoormission.org for more information!

Volunteer Opportunity Open Door Mission would love to have you join our volunteer team!

Volunteers are an integral part of day-to-day operations serving the hungry and homeless. Your help becomes HOPE!

Holiday Meals Banquet-style meals will be served to help the hungry and homeless celebrate the holidays. Can you volunteer to help serve the meal, interact with guests, prepare food, and/or clean the kitchen?

Evenings in the Kitchen Volunteers are needed to help serve dinner to the hungry from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sack Lunches

Make sack lunches or sandwiches for hungry and homeless men, women, and children.

Check out even more Volunteer Opportunities for you, your family, your church and your business at www.opendoormission.org! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Open Door Mission’s

2020 Online Shopping Lists Buy Christmas Gifts that Matter ─ for everyone on your list.

Mom — Hot mea ls fo hungry people $2r 10 2 Dad — A night of safe shelter for a homel Sis — Christmasess person$49 pres boy or girl $25 ent for a Teacher — Hats and warm hearts thisgloves to winter $40 Boss — Friend —

Christmas shopping has never been so easy and rewarding.

Go to www.opendoormission.org/shopping-lists to start shopping NOW.

DECEMBER 2020 Strictly Business

51

Omaha’s Ovation is Here N O W A C C E P T I N G R E S E R VA T I O N S Nebraska deserves an Ovation. Opening Summer 2021, Ovation by Avamere is an active lifestyle village where people will live, thrive, invent, volunteer and innovate. Ovation features exclusive wellness and fitness programs, concierge services, multiple gourmet restaurants, innovative technology and everything you need to enjoy life to its fullest.

Ovation is your reward for a life well-lived.

Reservation Showroom Pepperwood Village North 155th Plaza, Suite 573 52 573 Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020 Omaha, Nebraska 68154

Independent | Assisted | Memory Care 402.999.7900 | ovationheartwoodpreserve.com #PrintProudDigitalSmart heartwoodpreserve@ovationbyavamere.com