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CONTENTS
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TK BUSINESS MAGAZINE | MARCH 2020
PROTECTION
Preservation. Security. Safety. The business of keeping things safe.
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CONTENTS
EXPANDING OUTSIDE OF TOPEKA
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Thriving local businesses are looking to grow and meet increased customer demand by expanding their reach into new locations outside of the Capital City.
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BUILDING COMMUNITY Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Businesses helping to make the golden years the best ones for Topeka residents.
ON THE COVER
MAINTAINING BRAND CONSISTENCY IN A NEW MARKET
Andrea Engstrom shares a simple checklist for businesses to follow as they expand into new territories.
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BRINGING MAKE BELIEVE TO LIFE
One local company is in the business of bringing kids face to face with their heroes.
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TOPEKA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
Meet the 2020 Junior Achievement Kansas Topeka Business Hall of Fame laureates.
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THE TAPESTRY OF BUSINESS EDUCATION
A Washburn University School of Business lecturer talks about the value of bringing the real world into the classroom.
@TK Business
@TKBusinessMag
Photo by SAMMIE ROBINSON
@tk_business_
SCENE ABOUT TOWN @TK...Topeka's Business Magazine
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2020 Greater Topeka Partnership Annual Meeting 2020 Kansas Chamber Annual Dinner
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ART THAT DOES MORE THAN DECORATE
SouthWind Gallery is more than art—it is a tool to bring people together to share in life’s beautiful creations.
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CURIOUS ADVENTURES OF A LOCAL SHOPKEEPER You may be a local shopkeeper if...
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
TK BUSINESS MAGAZINE | MARCH 2020
Experience exciting table games, over 1,100 slot machines, award-winning dining, live entertainment, and Golfweek’s Best Course in Kansas, all only minutes from Topeka. Plan your stay at Prairie Band Casino today and – whether your game’s played on felt, at the slots, or on the links – discover even more ways to play. Don’t have a Prairie Band Players card? Sign up for FREE with a valid I.D. All new members can spin the New Member Rewards Prize Wheel for a guaranteed prize up to $500 Prairie Cash!
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march 2020 TK Business Magazine
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Q
FROM THE PUBLISHER
What are ways you help new employees “get” the vision and values of your company?
Q
“By inviting them to help make decisions that help drive the values deeper into the organization.” Matt Brown | Rolling Hills Christian Church
Photo by BRADEN DIMICK
What advice would you give someone wanting to move-up?
Tara Dimick Tara@TKMagazine.com In each issue of TK, it is our hope that you find a nugget of knowledge, a dash of inspiration and motivation, and a ton of hope. I am constantly inspired by the talent, innovation, expertise and moxie of the people in our community. Over the last couple months our team has been posting questions on social media to provide a sounding board for business owners and professionals to support each other, and the response has been incredible. I want to share a few of the comments we received that I hope will inform, inspire and motivate you as you make today the best day ever.
“First, feel satisfied with how far you’ve come. Then, start to see yourself in the position you desire. How will you act? What will you say? In what ways will it change your life? Answer those questions and then start walking, talking, dressing and FEELING, the way you will when you get what you desire. When you do that, success is inevitable!” Julie Pamplin Castaneda | Dog Day Afternoon
“Show enthusiasm, treat all levels of employees with respect and genuine curiosity about THEIR interests. As Simon Sinek says: ‘Leaders eat last.”’ Derik Flerlage | Tanglewood Health & Rehabilitation “Lead by example. Be present. Stay accountable.” Holly Torrez | Resilience Training
Q
What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
“Make sure you clearly define what ‘up’ means to you, not just the standard accepted definition.” Adam Rosdahl | Norseman Brewing Company
“Be a great leader of yourself first. Solve your boss’ problems. When you bring a problem to your boss, bring a solution with you. Dress for the next position, not the one you are in. Seek more formal education. Always volunteer for more company training. Be the person your peers go to when they need help. Never accept good enough as good enough. Treat everyone in your work environment as a customer you personally can’t afford to lose. That includes co-workers and vendors.” Walt Frederick | Million Air
“Starting my own business!!” Anita Wolgast | Retired “Moving to America with two suitcases.” Chen Liang | The Liang Group Keller Williams One Legacy Partners LLC “Making movies.” Gary Piland | Roaring Rat Films and Umbrella
“Check the elevators.” Roy Marks | Retired
Q
“Running for Congress.” Michelle De La Isla | Mayor of Topeka and Candidate for Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District
What is your word for 2020? *
* Question inspired by Chinell’s By Ariel.
“Consistency” JD Melton | Bajillion Agency
“Impact” Emmanuel Manny Herron | Infinite Properties Group, LLC
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“Kindness” Autumn Johannes | Say Cheez
“Fearless” Ashley Carson | Ash Boutique “Growth” Megan Turner | Turner Designs
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TKmagazine.com CHECK OUT
Get expert business advice and up-to-date information on business in Topeka at TKmagazine.com. Send your news releases to news@tkmagazine.com.
PUBLISHER Tara Dimick
ONLINE ONLY
PROFILE OF A BUSINESS OWNER SERIES Special online-only TK Business series of interviews with local business owners. Get the inside scoop on local entrepreneurs.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lisa Loewen CREATIVE DIRECTOR & DESIGNER Janet Faust MANAGING PARTNER & SALES DIRECTOR Braden Dimick braden@tkmagazine.com 785.438.7773 MARKETING ASSISTANT Sammie Robinson LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Emma Highfill COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Emma Highfill CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Braden Dimick Ken Doll Sammie Robinson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Samantha Egan Miranda Ericsson Lisa Loewen Adam Vlach Kathy Webber
BUSINESSES IN THE NEWS
CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS Jayme Burdiek Andrea Engstrom
PUBLISHING COMPANY
BLIND TIGER BREWERY achieves record craft beer production and sales in 2019 by brewing and selling more craft beer last year than ever before.
TWO NEW STORES, Ash Boutique and Makers, will open in Downtown Topeka in April 2020 by serial entrepreneur Ashley Carson.
BUSINESS GROWTH MARKETING DON’T TAKE THE PERSON OUT OF PERSONAL SERVICE Martha Bartlett Piland MB Piland Advertising + Marketing
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E2 Communications 7512 SW Falcon St. Topeka, KS 66610 785.438.7773
FOUNDER ǀ Kevin Doel
tkmagazine.com 2020 TK Business Magazine is published by E2 Communications, Inc. Reproduction or use of this publication in any manner without written permission of the publisher is prohibited.
HUMAN RESOURCES THE BENEFIT OF FORESIGHT Kristin Scott Scott Human Resources
Every effort was made to ensure accuracy of the information in this publication as of press time. The publisher assumes no responsibility of any part for the content of any advertisement in this publication, including any errors and omissions therein. E2 Communications, Inc. makes no endorsement, representation or warranty regarding any goods or services advertised or listed in this publication. Listings and advertisements are provided by the subject company. E2 Communications, Inc. shall not be responsible or liable for any inaccuracy, omission or infringement of any third party's right therein, or for personal injury or any other damage or injury whatsoever. By placing an order for an advertisement, the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher against any claims relating to the advertisement.
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Red Door Home Store
Photos by EMMA HIGHFILL
Laser Trooper Laser Tag
Hamilton, Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics
EXPANDING
OUTSIDE OF TOPEKA By KATHY WEBBER Photos by EMMA HIGHFILL
Topeka is bursting with small businesses that are expanding and growing. Sometimes that growth demands physical expansion into areas outside of the capital city.
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Experience matters. Trusted since 1881. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements or prior results obtained.
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Making small business easy. The Core Express Loan was created specifically to help small businesses in our community flourish. With simple terms and a quick application process, Core Express is perfect for growing businesses. Let the experts at CoreFirst turn your small business into big business!
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Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Scott Hamilton, D.D.S., M.S.D. | Don Wilson, D.D.S. | Gena Hendrickson, D.D.S., M.S.
Creating Convenience
hamilton, wilson and hendrickson orthodontics Hamilton, Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics want their patients’ experience to be as seamless as possible. So much so that in order to reduce the travel time for its patients, the orthodontic team packs up its equipment and travels every month to Sabetha, Kansas, and every other month to Holton, Kansas, to care for its patients close to those communities. When Gena Hendrickson, D.D.S., M.S. joined their team in 2013, the doctors were able to further convenience their patients by opening up a practice in Lawrence, Kansas.
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Reducing road time for patients is why a team from Hamilton, Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics travel to Sabetha and Holton regularly and is also why they opened a second office in Lawrence.
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Don Wilson D.D.S. said their practice has numerous patients that would travel from Lawrence to Topeka for treatment, making this new location a logical move. “Even patients that are in the Shawnee Heights area often frequent Lawrence. Several of our patients live in Lawrence and work in Topeka or vice versa. We just kept hearing that patients in Lawrence would appreciate a more convenient location,” Wilson said. “We had thought that it was time to expand for two or three years, but the idea of going to Lawrence and opening another practice almost seemed like we would be competing with ourselves for time,” Wilson said. “We would have had to give up something in Topeka to do something elsewhere and we were not willing to do that.” When Hendrickson joined the practice, it freed up that time to be available to take care of those patients in Lawrence. When the doctors heard that an orthodontist practice in
Lawrence was for sale, Hamilton, Wilson and Hendrickson jumped on the opportunity to expand. “We were able to assume his practice and get our own started. We were already working with practices in Lawrence, so we felt there was some untapped potential we had not reached yet,” Wilson said. “It just seemed like everything came together all at once.”
Adding the Lawrence location turned out to be a smart decision, but Wilson says that is probably because they did their due diligence first to make sure it would be successful. “We only wanted to do it if it was going to be done right,” Wilson said. “We don’t ever want to feel like we are sacrificing anything at either practice, and I feel like we are achieving that goal.”
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Home • Auto • Business • Contractors Worker’s Compensation • Life Disability • Surety & Notary Bonding
WE PUT PEOPLE FIRST
1414 SW Ashworth Place, Ste 100 • (785) 271-8097 www.peoplesinsure.com march 2020 TK Business Magazine
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Jesse and Stacie Borjon, Owners | Red Door Home Store
Popping Up for the Holidays red door home store
Open the bright red doors of Red Door Home Store in Fairlawn Plaza Shopping Center and step into a world of timeless furniture, home accessories, seasonal items and holiday decor and gifts. Jesse and Stacie Borjon opened this small business in 2015 with hopes to fill a niche they believed Topeka was missing. “When Stacie and I wanted to shop for home decor, we often found ourselves going outside of Topeka to find the things we wanted. So we thought, why not have those things offered right here in Topeka,” Jesse said.
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The couple took their ideas to the Washburn Small Business Development Center and put their dream into action. The Borjons named Red Door Home Store after a property management company they own called Red Door Property Management— which was named after the odd pattern in the properties they looked at purchasing—they all had red doors. “When we opened up our home decor store, Red Door lent itself well to a home decor store, so we went with that,” Jesse said.
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YEARS
THANK YOU TOPEKA! Key Staffing is celebrating 30 years in business serving the greater Topeka area. We value being part of a strong, supportive community and look forward to 30 more years!
THANK YOU, TOPEKA W E
www.keystaffing.com
L O V E
Y O U
(785) 235-1700 | RowHouseRestaurant.net
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Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Jesse Borjon, co-owner of Red Door Home Store, says they try to carry things not readily available online while being competitive on pricing.
The first few years that Red Door Home Store was open, the Borjons participated in the Junior League of Kansas City’s Holiday Mart at Bartle Hall. While there, a representative from the Town Center Plaza Shopping Center in Leawood approached them and asked it they would do a Christmas store. “We were pretty confident in its potential based on the response we received from our customers in Topeka and at the Holiday Mart, so we thought we should take the risk and give it a try,” Jesse said. In October of 2019, Red Door Home Store expanded by opening its first seasonal pop-up store at the Town Center Plaza located in Leawood, Kansas. The store was open from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, and according to Jesse, the store was a success.
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“We try to carry things that are not readily available online and to be competitive in pricing,” Jesse said. “We style the store to give our customers ideas on how to use decor items to achieve a certain look, but it really comes down to customer experience.” The Borjons weren’t always small business owners. Jesse worked for the state for 15 years and Stacie is a high school biology teacher. The two have really enjoyed being small business owners and make a point to give back to the community. “We wanted our store to be very involved in the community. We supported SLI Festival of Trees, are involved in the CASA Holiday Homes Tour, and most recently partnered with the Helping Hands Humane Society to sell fun little tea towels that
TK Business Magazine
raised funds for the shelter,” Jesse said. “I think it is an important part of small business to be able to give back.” With the success of the seasonal pop-up store at Town Center Plaza, Jesse says they are exploring the possibility of adding more locations regionally. “We have been pleasantly surprised by the number of customers that are coming to our Topeka location after shopping with us in Leawood,” Jesse said. “We have been blessed with very talented wonderful folks that work at the store and a very loyal group of customers.” Red Door Home Store in Topeka is open year-round, and in addition to home decor and furnishings they offer in-home design services with a highly creative, experienced group of designers.
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Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Kip Walker, Owner | Laser Trooper Laser Tag
ENTERTAINING ACROSS THE COUNTRY laser trooper laser tag
Kip Walker has been self employed basically since he was 15 years old. In high school, he started his own company doing digital entertainment and working as a DJ for weddings, special events and at clubs. Walker was worried that technology advancements would put him out of business, so he started to look into other ways to earn a living. It
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wasn’t until he went with his kids on a youth group trip to play laser tag that he discovered his new career path. “It was the first time I ever experienced laser tag and I had a blast! I was the oldest one out there playing, sucking wind, dripping wet, having a ball,” Walker said. “That’s when we talked about opening a laser tag business.”
With the help of his wife, Paula, and three kids, he started Laser Trooper Laser Tag. “We researched it for about six years and eventually started with a mobile business doing birthday parties around town,” Walker said. Since opening its first mobile unit, Laser Trooper Laser Tag has grown and expanded its operations all over the United States doing
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Laser Trooper Laser Tag mobile unit operates all across the United States at various events while maintaining a stationary space in Topeka at Westridge Mall.
laser tag events for colleges, corporate team building events, fund raising for schools as well as individual parties. Laser Trooper Laser Tag arrives at a customer’s location with an experienced team that sets up an arena that can be either outside or inside and can be played accurately in a space as big as 435 feet wide. “We’ve played this on horseback; we’ve taken over old rock quarries, four story buildings and basketball field houses. The only thing we have said no to so far is scuba diving laser tag,” Walker said. “We said ‘no, this isn’t going to play very well under water. Electronics and water; its not going to work.’” Laser Trooper Laser Tag is the only company in the United States to use LaserMax equipment. In fact, the next closest place to use this equipment is in Ireland. Walker chose the equipment he uses because he wanted to be different from other laser tag places and give people a laser tag experience like they had never seen before. “There’s no vest, so you don’t have to put on a sweaty, nasty vest after someone just got done using it,” Walker said. “And there is no headgear. It is not easy to keep those head gears as clean as they need to be.” Walker says another selling point was that while most systems require WIFI networks in order to function properly, their equipment works more like wireless microphones. “I don’t have to set up a dozen WIFI portals and then worry about signals overlapping,” Walker said.
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Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
The unique equipment that Laser Trooper Laser Tag uses does not rely on vests or headgear to play, giving the participant a much more realistic experience.
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Shortly after opening the mobile laser tag unit, Walker was able to acquire a stationary location at Westridge Mall in Topeka. Currently, Laser Trooper Laser Tag is open on the weekends and offers three game formats. One format is for people 16 and older and has a more realistic feel to the game. “There are a lot of preconceived ideas of what laser tag is or isn’t. When you mention laser tag, most people think of a bunch of 6-year-olds running around in black light and fog trying to shoot each other in the back,” Walker said. “In reality, we are laser tag for adults, but we let kids play.” Not only is the laser tag equipment unique, Walker says he makes sure no one gets bored by playing the same arena over and over. “Most people build one arena and that is the way it stays forever. Every three months we change ours up,” Walker said. “The arena we have now won’t exist this time next year, it will be totally different, that way people don’t get bored with playing the same thing.” Walker says that playing Laser Trooper Laser Tag is better than playing a video game. “It’s like stepping into your favorite video game, but you have to get off the sofa and actually work,” Walker said. “I have people tell me all the time that it’s the best cardio workout they have had in years!” TK
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MARKETING STRATEGY
1
Create a brand rooted in your values
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This is not only applicable when it comes to expansion. Your brand should always reflect the values your organization adheres to. Values don’t change and neither will your brand. Showing the world your values helps attract the right customers, but it can also serve to attract the right employees.
3 Have brand
standards All brands should have a style guide that outlines appropriate usage. Make these guidelines accessible to all vendors and employees tasked with creating branded items. Having these standards in place removes all subjectivity from the process. Create templates for commonly used items like letterhead or memos so that office staff can help keep the brand consistent without the need for a graphic design degree.
Andrea Engstrom President Bajillion Agency
MAINTAINING BRAND CONSISTENCY IN A NEW MARKET Opening up a new location is an incredible thing. Exploring new markets can mean continued growth for your organization. When you expand into new territories it means new and different things, but how do you make sure that your brand doesn’t change when your location does? Here is a simple checklist to help you keep your brand equity intact as you expand your reach.
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Flex when you can
All of the items above are essential to creating brand consistency and should be taken into consideration when making a move. But it is also important to remember that your brand should be flexible. New markets will be immediately skeptical of an outsider brand so find opportunities to inject local flair into your image whenever you can. Commitment to customer service should never change as you cross into a new market, but your brand can flex to reflect the uniqueness of your new office. Your purple lobby looks great in your original location, but it means something very different in your new Lawrence office.
Do an inventory of marketing items Identify all of the collateral materials that need to be updated or created before the new location opens. Prioritize the list according to ease of completion and impact on marketing efforts. Create a plan to change every item on that list in a timely fashion. Brand consistency leads to brand trust and garnering that trust is essential in a new market.
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Create an approval process Find an internal champion for brand consistency. This employee or department should be most familiar with your brand standards and responsible for the creation of an approval process for all branded material. Adhering strictly to the process will prevent mishaps that can damage your brand reputation and image. The process should be fairly simple and timely. Implementing a process that is cumbersome and creates backlog will more often than not lead to your team circumventing the approval all together. Covert marketing efforts are hazardous for brand consistency.
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Consistency in branding can be more important than creativity in branding (ideally, you should have both). Having a uniform experience, even across city boundaries helps your customers know what to expect and drives loyalty, which is the ultimate goal for branding. We love creating strategic brands that are rooted in Simple Truth about an organization and that can grow as you grow. If you need help creating a brand that consistently tells the world who you are, hit us up. TK
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Quality of life, designed.
ARCHITECTURE 143,000 square foot indoor athletic facility for Washburn University
INTERIORS Only division II university with 200 meter banked indoor track alongside football/baseball/ soccer practice field
PLANNING 5 acre site plan designed to align with university aesthetic and character
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Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF KANSAS
DAVID PORTERFIELD DR. SHEKHAR CHALLA KEN DANIEL By LISA LOEWEN Photos by EMMA HIGHFILL
Dr. Shekhar Challa, Ken Daniel and David Porterfield were selected as the 2020 Junior Achievement of Kansas Topeka Business Hall of Fame laureates who have exhibited unparalleled leadership qualities and worked to make the community a better place to live and work.
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Don’t just join a Club
Join a Family
The Topeka CounTry Club
TO
.
P E K A C.C EST. 1905
love where you
play
“I’m going to play at home. I love to be at Topeka Country Club. It’s where I grew up. That’s one - Gary Woodland course I’d play every day.” 2019 U.S. Open Champion The Topeka CounTry Club www.topekacc.org march 2020 TK Business Magazine
2700 Sw buchanan, Topeka, kansas 66611 | (785) 354-8561
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Dr. Shekhar
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Challa
Some people are doctors. Some people are entrepreneurs. Dr. Shekhar Challa is both. Over the past 35 years, he has taken his love of medicine and used it to grow a conglomerate of successful medical clinics across the state, as well as a variety of other business endeavors that help people live better lives.
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TOPEKA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
Dr. Challa, along with his senior partners, Ashram Sufi, MD and Jerry Feagan, MD, opened an outpatient ambulatory surgery center 32 years ago, specializing in colorectal cancer screening and treating digestive tract diseases. The clinic was the first outpatient surgery center of its kind in the Midwest and the fourth in the nation. Since then, KMC has expanded beyond gastroenterology to include dermatology and medical spa services with 10 locations that employ more than 160 people. EXAMINING THE FUTURE Dr. Challa is a real world “Doogie Houser.” Growing up in Hyderabad, India, he was required to choose what career path he wanted (biology, engineering, computers, etc.) by the time he was in the 10th grade. So, at the tender age of 13, he chose biology. Eight years later he graduated
from Kakatiya Medical College and headed off to Coney Island Hospital in New York City for his residency and fellowship. “If you train in Brooklyn, you can practice anywhere,” Dr. Challa said. “You see everything imaginable in a city hospital, so nothing shocks you.” After training in New York City for more than five years, he and his wife, Jayashree, decided they wanted a quieter place to raise their daughters, Akhila and Shruti. They wanted to live in a good-sized city that was still close to a big city. Topeka was a good fit. The city let him grow professionally and gave him the opportunity to explore his entrepreneurial side. DIAGNOSING SUCCESS After opening Kansas Medical Center in 1987, Dr. Challa found his entrepreneurial alter-ego taking over. Like any parent, he wanted his
“baby” to grow and thrive. He began expanding services and opening additional locations. After extensive market research and feasibility studies, he added dermatology and medical spa services to his clinics. With the opening of each new clinic, he minimized executional risk by putting into place the most qualified and experienced team he could find. They also worked to create a culture of quality service and compassion that implements KMC’s “Great Philosophy.” This philosophy operates under these principles: 1. No drama—life has enough, leave it out of the workplace. 2. We are family, take care of each other. 3. Make the patient’s day, that is why we are here. 4. Play (within reason).
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TOPEKA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
“We are truly a family business. I am so proud of what we have all built here, together,” Dr. Challa said. In addition to opening dermatology clinics across the state, Dr. Challa has created an innovative fellowship to increase the number of physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners trained in dermatology across the state of Kansas. “Every dermatologist wants to have a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner on staff, but they have to have experience,” Dr. Challa said. “The KMC Fellowship Program has been a great success so far and what
ADVICE TO 26-YEAR-OLD SELF: Be less arrogant and have more “self-doubt.”
ADVICE TO ENTREPRENEURS: Dreaming is free, so dream big. It may not happen… but what if?
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we are doing is very unique. We are getting applications from all over the country.” OPERATING OUTSIDE OF KMC When Dr. Challa’s daughter, Akhila, finished medical school, she wanted to find a way to put her skills to work outside of a medical practice. The entrepreneur in Dr. Challa looked for ways to incorporate her education and training in a business that would benefit them both. His expertise on digestive health led him to explore the topic of probiotics, the good bacteria in the digestive system. Research has shown that gut flora influences health in many ways, from helping to extract energy from food and building the body’s immune system to preventing obesity and protecting against infection. Dr. Challa dove into research on the various types of probiotics and found it so complex that it spurred him to write a book in 2012 titled, “Probiotics for Dummies.” Soon after, he took his research, experience and expertise to market with Probulin, but the business got off to a slow start. For a few years it felt like he was simply throwing good money after bad. Dr. Challa knew the product was superior but recognized that he didn’t really know how to take the product to market. He hired an expert to take over the logistics and marketing, and the company flourished. Probulin products can now be found in 4,500 stores throughout the U.S. and the Middle East. LEARNING FROM FAILED EXPERIMENTS Some of life’s greatest rewards come as a result of failure. Dr. Challa sees each failure as a
TK Business Magazine
learning experience that results in a stronger character. “Failure means you tried,” Dr. Challa said. “That is better than never trying. And being willing to get up and try again is what makes you stronger.” From health clubs to hotels, weight loss centers to plastic surgery clinics, Dr. Challa has seen his share of failures. Through these failures he has learned to be honest with himself about when it is time to cut his losses. However, each time he chose to rise from the ashes and look for more opportunities. “You have to feed your winners and starve your losers,” he said, “because status quo is the kiss of death.” He has also learned to “stay in his lane.” “I know medicine and the medical business,” Dr. Challa said. “So, now most of my entrepreneurial endeavors are now related to the medical field.” SPREADING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUG Successful entrepreneurs understand the value of experience and knowledge. They also understand the importance of passing that knowledge on to the next generation of entrepreneurs. “Life is about being mentored and then mentoring others,” Dr. Challa said. “I still have a mentor that I turn to for advice.” Dr. Challa finds himself mentoring medical students, entrepreneurs and pretty much anyone else who asks for his help. With his own crazy schedule and entrepreneurial endeavors, he may not have large chunks of time to give, but Dr. Challa carves out what he can to help the next generation discover their entrepreneurial spirit.
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The number one symptom of colon cancer, is no symptom at all. Schedule your screening colonoscopy today.
Shekhar Challa, MD
Balaji Datti, MD
Laura Welborn, APRN
Jayda Rupp, APRN
Michelle Schmale, APRN
KMC Gastroenterology 2200 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66606 (785) 354-8518
10 Gastroenterology Compensation for time Clinical Trials at our and travel available! Topeka Research Center Visit kmcpa.com/clinical-trials or call 785-295-0938 to learn more!
KMC Strollin’ for the Colon 5K Run/Walk aims to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and the importance of colon cancer screenings. During this unique event, runners will begin and finish the race through our GIANT SUPER INFLATABLE COLON TUNNEL.
March 28th MacLennan Park Trail 6th Ave & Governors Lake Rd, Topeka, KS 66606 8:30 AM
For more information or to register march visit2020 kmcpa.com/5k TK Business Magazine
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Ken
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
daniel
Ken Daniel has never been one to sit around and wait for things to happen. He takes charge and seizes opportunities.
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TK Business Magazine
TOPEKA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
As founder of Midway Wholesale of Topeka, Ken Daniel grew a business from a one-man selling operation to a multi-million-dollar business that employs 162 people. And as an entrepreneur and community leader, he has led the way in creating a voice for small business in Topeka. Ken’s childhood was a little different than most. By the time he was in fifth grade, he had lived in more than 150 different places across the United States. With a father who worked in the oil industry as a surveyor and seismologist, Ken moved from site to site, often spending just a few weeks in each location. They finally settled for good in
Oklahoma when his father took a job as a salesman. “I learned the basics of sales from watching my dad,” Ken said. “I learned that the most important thing was connecting with customers and treating them honestly and with respect.” SEIZING OPPORTUNITY One week after graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma with a business degree, Ken heard about a possible manufacturer’s representative business for sale in Topeka. Knowing he wanted to be his own boss and build a business, he moved to Topeka to give it a try. Ken didn’t have any money to buy the business
outright, so he paid a percentage of his sales over time. His hard work paid off. Sales increased and the business began to grow. However, just when things seemed to be going in the right direction, the company he represented decided to change territory allocations, effectively “firing” him in the process. “I didn’t let that discourage me,” Ken said. “I saw it as a challenge. I knew I had a viable business, so I just went out and found replacement suppliers and kept continuing to grow.” Midway Wholesale transitioned into a commercial roofing supplier, and the journey to success was underway.
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TOPEKA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
BUILDING BRIDGES As an entrepreneur, Ken knew first-hand how difficult it can be for
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a small business to have a voice in the community. He found a group of small business owners in Wichita that had formed a coalition to help solve common issues. Wanting to bring that same type of collaboration to Topeka, Ken formed the Topeka Independent Business Association more than a decade ago. TIBA has worked to create a better business climate for small, locally owned businesses to help them grow and thrive. “I knew Topeka needed this type of organization,” Ken said. “I wanted small businesses where I live to have a voice in the larger business community. We took a bunch of small voices and made them a bigger one.” REAPING REWARDS Creating a successful business, being part of a thriving community and making a difference to those around him are all rewarding to Ken, but his favorite part of being a business owner is being able to say he was chairman and CEO of his own business. Now that he has stepped away from the business, he is still deciding what the future looks like. “I haven’t figured out yet what I want to do long term,” Ken said. “Right now, I am just enjoying spending time with my wife of 51 years and my daughter and twin granddaughters.”
TK Business Magazine
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
RECOGNIZING POSSIBILITIES After six years growing the business, Ken knew he needed to hire another salesperson if he wanted to continue that growth. However, one of the hardest things to find as a business owner is a really good salesperson. Sometimes that means looking in the most unconventional places. For Ken, that meant a Mennonite farm. “I had been dealing with this man for a while, and I just knew he was honest, hardworking and eager,” Ken said. “It didn’t seem logical at the time, but it was a good fit.” That was a turning point in the business. With more manpower, sales took off and the business grew in scope and reach. Another turning point came when Ken admitted to himself that he needed to give up some control of the business to really take it to the next level. While Midway Wholesale of Topeka had seen significant growth over its last 20 years, it couldn’t cross the next hurdle without making some changes. Growth requires risk, and Ken never shied away from risk. Ken turned over operational control to two trusted employees and growth skyrocketed under their leadership. “It is hard to let someone else run things,” Ken said. “But when I saw what those two hot shots could do, I knew it was the right decision.”
ADVICE TO 26-YEAR-OLD SELF: Treat people right. If you make a promise, keep it. Be honest, listen to what others have to say, and try every day to make your employees’ jobs better.
ADVICE TO ENTREPRENEURS: When the opportunity comes along, you have to be marginally ready for it and willing to go for it.
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Architecture. Planning. Interiors.
Kaw Valley Bank (NOTO) | Topeka, KS
CHANGING WITH THE TIMES
When Kaw Valley Bank opened their North Topeka, Kansas location in 1965, they had 12 teller bays to serve the community in their large, open lobby area. As the industry has evolved to include online banking and drive up ATMs, the bank has modernized their building to best serve their customers. Architect One was thrilled to join them as they recently celebrated the completion of their bank remodel! The renovated space hosts a new main entry and interior updates to provide tons of natural light and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The main lobby area has been reconfigured to provide more space for their loan operations and their parking lot has been raised and resurfaced to better serve customers. Iconic elements of the original building, including the Topeka mural, were restored and revitalized to honor the bank’s rich history. Congratulations on your past, present and future success, Kaw Valley Bank! We were honored to be a part of this project.
LISTEN. DESIGN. INSPIRE. march 2020 TK Business Magazine
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David
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
porterfield
David Porterfield has spent his entire life surrounded by beauty. He is an artist, and roses, lilies, hydrangeas, snapdragons, daisies, poinsettias and flowers most people have never heard of are his palette. If you have lived in Topeka for more than five minutes, you have likely heard of Porterfield’s flowers, and if you haven’t, you are missing out on a true experience.
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TK Business Magazine
TOPEKA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
Porterfield’s flower arrangements have welcomed brides down the aisle, helped countless people say “I love you,” expressed gratitude and congratulations for a job well done, livened up holiday festivities, and witnessed our tears as we said goodbye to those we lost. And David Porterfield has been the inspiration behind every one of those beautiful bouquets. PLANTING THE SEEDS David’s parents, Brooke and Virginia Porterfield, opened the flower shop in 1965 in part because they saw an opportunity in a town they loved, but mostly because they saw a creative spark in David that—they wanted to foster. David, who was 16 at the time, found himself working in the store after school and on weekends. He didn’t mind it though—he had found his calling.
balance the travel and hectic schedules with the retail store. “I decided I needed to concentrate on my own little piece of paradise that I had back home,” David said. That was a turning point in his career and for the store. In 1981, David purchased the business from his parents and moved the store to its current location in Westboro. While that move made his mother a little nervous because of the financial risk, David knew it was the right place to be, not only for the store, but for him personally. “Moving the store to Westboro was more than just a location decision,” David said. “It was about seeing the gifts this business could give me, other than the creative outlet. It was about being able to foster those magnificent and meaningful relationships you develop with people throughout your career.”
“I always knew I would go into the family business,” David said. “I thought about going to law school at one time, but I knew in my heart I could never sit behind a desk. I was meant to be on the move, turning already beautiful flowers into something special.” That dream sent him to floral design school in Denver after graduating from Washburn University and then ultimately back home to Topeka, where he poured his knowledge of flowers into every arrangement. TENDING THE BLOOMS In the early years of his career, David found himself on the road attending floral trade shows and consulting with national firms and floral publications. While it was exciting to be in the floral spotlight and be recognized for his creative talents, David found it increasingly difficult to
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TOPEKA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
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Those relationships have lasted into the next generation as the children and even grandchildren of longtime customers now walk through his door.
ADVICE TO 26-YEAR-OLD SELF: The cemetery is full of people who thought they were irreplaceable. Things will change; you have the power to make them change for the better.
ADVICE TO ENTREPRENEURS: People look at successful people and think “aren’t they lucky?” That is not how it works. You have to work hard every single day of your life if you want to be successful.
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SURVIVING THE THORNS Success, as David will admit, hasn’t come without its thorns. He had to learn some lessons the hard way, including always being in control of important aspects of the business. One particular instance stands out in David’s mind. For florists, Valentine’s Day is like “Black Friday.” They create more arrangements and collect more revenue on that one single day than the rest of the year combined. The biggest limitation is not creating the arrangements—it’s delivering the flowers. Several years ago, an independent contractor approached David about providing delivery services for the store. He had a warehouse to store the arrangements and a refrigerator truck for delivery. It sounded like a dream come true. With additional delivery available, Porterfield’s could concentrate on creating even more floral arrangements. February 13 rolled around, and the contractor picked up hundreds of flowers, storing them overnight for delivery the next day. David had his own delivery drivers scheduled as well, so they were on track to have a record year. On Valentine’s Day, Porterfield’s delivery drivers hit the road. Everything was going like clockwork until about 4 p.m. Then the phones lit up at the store. Not one of those 150 floral arrangements he had sent with the private contractor had been delivered. David discovered that the contractor had made the same business pitch to every florist in town and had oversold his ability to deliver. He promised to have all deliveries done by the 15th. Except it was Valentine’s Day. And David had promised customers
TK Business Magazine
they would have flowers. David drove down to the warehouse and picked up the flowers. The next day he refunded every single customer whose flowers had not arrived on time and gave them brand new arrangements. That cost the store thousands of dollars, but customers always come first, and it was the right thing to do. “I knew that keeping my promises to my customers was more important than my bottom line,” David said. SMELLING THE ROSES As David looks back over a successful career doing what he loves, he feels fulfilled. He is also grateful to have been surrounded by creative and talented people that he has had the privilege to work with for decades. Design Director Patrick Wages, who has been with Porterfield’s for 30 years and Floral Designer Linda Kennison are the heart and soul of the floral department. Together they create the beautiful store displays, handle purchasing and consulting with clients. The regular staff in the office and front room have also been with the store for many years. But most of all, David is grateful for all of those loyal customers with whom he has shared their most meaningful moments—happy and sad. David has been able to experience so much in his life that he doesn’t even have anything left on his bucket list except to spend more time with his daughter and maybe slow down just enough to stop and smell the roses. David is also grateful and humbled to receive this honor from the business community in Topeka. ‘It is so meaningful to me to be recognized as a businessperson as well as a creative individual as my career comes closer to an end,” David said. “I love Topeka. I love the people here. We aren’t just part of the community; we ARE the community. You have to give back more than you take.” TK
COOL NIGHTS, WARM FIRE: WE’VE SPENT ALL WINTER JUST GETTING WARMED UP FOR THIS. Get your natural gas firepits, grills and gas lights fired up. Visit KansasGasService.com Connect with us march 2020 TK Business Magazine
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BUILDING COMMUNITY Businesses making the golden years the best years.
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
By MIRANDA ERICSSON Photos by EMMA HIGHFILL
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OPEKA SENIORS have a host of options to choose from in retirement living. Topeka communities offer opportunities to ease their workload and enjoy retirement, while also making new friends and exploring new hobbies. McCrite Plaza, Aldersgate Village and Brewster Place have continually provided top-notch care and set the bar for retirement living in our community. Seniors can count on medical care and support to help them stay healthy so that their golden years can be among the most active and engaging years of their lives.
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A framed chalkboard at Brewster Place reminds residents and guests what blends well.
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Owners Pat and Judy McCrite opened McCrite Plaza 45 years ago and have built this family business together.
McCrite Plaza
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N A RECENT COMMERCIAL for McCrite Plaza, you will see Coach Pat McCrite on the field with the community’s full-contact football team. The men charge onto the field in full gear, but then decide they would rather go to the pub for a drink. The commercial is one of a series featuring seniors battling it out on the field or court, and each one is pure fun, with real residents dressed up and showing off in staged competitions. While McCrite does not really have a full-contact football team for residents, they want to send a message that they are offering a fun, active community for retirement living, where seniors can choose how they want to live in retirement.
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45 YEARS IN THE MAKING In 2020, McCrite is celebrating their 45th year in business. Marketing Director Cindee Williams points out that it is a challenging industry, and not a service that can be done halfway. “Longevity in any industry is tough,” Cindee said, “but especially in one that relies not only on medical skills but stellar customer service. It’s a testament to that customer service and the reputation that Pat and Judy McCrite have built that allows us to celebrate this milestone.” Family is a big point of emphasis at McCrite Plaza. Being family-owned and operated is a rare feat in the world of senior living. Pat and Judy McCrite built the business together, and they
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A recent McCrite Plaza commercial playfully depicts what retirement living is like in their community where seniors can be as active as they choose to be.
define success as taking good care of people and building lasting relationships. “When we say that it’s a family, we mean it,” Pat said. “We really get to know the people in our community. We know everyone by name, and we’re present in the community every day.” The McCrites also view their employees as part of their family. Many of them have spent decades working for the company. “You don’t get that longevity, loyalty, dedication and commitment from employees unless you have something really special to offer,” Cindee said. “Pat and Judy have it—and each of their five children, who work in the business, do too.” QUALITY OVER QUANTITY In a business where the number of residents translates into dollar signs, the McCrites are committed to quality over quantity. Rather than packing in rooms, they have built large common areas to encourage people to gather together. “From the beginning we planned to devote a lot of room to shared spaces,” Pat said. “Some facilities don’t have the room to spare, but we made it a priority, so that residents and their families would have a place to spend time together.” A SOCIAL CONNECTION The McCrites see that residents often become healthier after they move in. Especially for those who may have been living alone, without as many opportunities to interact with other people.
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One of the many social activities include shuffleboard competitions at McCrite Plaza.
“They just blossom,” Judy said. “It may be that they’ve been neglecting to eat healthy meals, or that they’ve been lonely or isolated. They move in and begin to make connections with other people, and their spirits really improve.” Pat agrees that social connection is a big factor in physical and mental health. He points out that McCrite Plaza does everything they can to make it easy to live a healthier life, too. “This is an exciting chapter of life,” Pat said. “Our residents are released from work so that they can just enjoy themselves. And that’s exactly what we want, because they deserve it.” INTENTIONAL INVESTMENTS McCrite Plaza is constantly evolving and renovating to meet the needs of residents, and they are intentional about their investments, with a priority to holistic health through skilled care and opportunities to be active and engaged socially. McCrite was one of the first retirement communities
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in the area to offer a pub and a movie theater on their campus. Over the years they have invested in a fishing pond, where residents can fish with their families or relax on their own, as well as a putting green that residents of any skill level can use to unwind. Their wellness coordinator helps residents develop a fitness plan to fit their needs, and also assists those who would like to improve their computer skills. Continuing to innovate and offer more options for residents to enjoy their lives is important to McCrite’s plan for the future, but they are also watching the medical side of the industry. Cindee sees that medical research is not keeping up with the needs and number of dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and predicts that this will get worse. The McCrite Briarcliff community in Kansas City has a dedicated memory neighborhood, and all staff members receive ongoing training to offer the best in memory care.
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Brewster Place
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Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
REWSTER PLACE’S beginnings date back to 1958, to a couple caring for an elderly aunt who lived on a farm alone. Their aunt did not need nursing care, but did need some support to keep up with chores and a way to connect with other people. The couple approached the Congregational Church for a solution, a way to care for their aunt and others like her, and then donated land to contribute to the effort. The Congregational Church took it from there, hiring a director, securing financing, and making plans for a community that would serve the needs of elderly citizens.
Residents at Brewster Place enjoy fellowship and conversation during a coffee break.
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SERVING SENIOR NEEDS Today, Brewster Place is still meeting the ever changing needs of seniors to help them live a more fulfilled life. President and CEO Joe Ewert notes that the not-for-profit model makes a huge difference in how decisions are made for the organization. Brewster’s volunteer board is composed of members of the Topeka community and members of the Congregational Church. Plans for investments and renovations include the board, as well as feedback from residents. Brewster’s most recent expansion, an investment of $22.5 million, began in 2013 in just this way. “In 2013 our board sat down to decide how we could be viable for another 50 years,” Ewert said. “Feedback from residents and their families led to our plan for a major expansion to our campus.” Work will conclude this year on that expansion, a community hub that includes a cultural arts center, wood shop, indoor pool, wellness center, spa, restaurant, coffee lounge, space for classes, and more. “The goal of the cultural center is to help our seniors live more satisfying, engaged lives,” Ewert said. “We want to provide a class, activity or connection for everyone. If there is a niche group, we still want to run the class for them. We want to make opportunities
“Providing opportunities for active social engagement is crucial for every person’s health.”
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Joe Ewert President/CEO Brewster Place
available for those who want to come and enjoy their retirement years at Brewster Place.” As this project wraps up, the Brewster Place Board has plans to meet in the spring to discuss what project to tackle next. SERVING SENIORS OFF CAMPUS Topeka seniors who don’t live in the retirement community can still enjoy the activities and services provide by Brewster Place through their BrewsterConnect memberships. For a minimal fee, BrewsterConnect members can access all of the new amenities, including the pool, wellness center and classes. Brewster even provides access to safe, reliable transportation for a reasonable fee. Ewert stresses that the BrewsterConnect membership is not a trial or promotion. “Memberships help us achieve our goal of making life healthier and richer for seniors, even if they aren’t residents at Brewster Place,” Ewert said. The infusion of people also means more opportunities for campus residents to connect with their community and build relationships. “When we look at what makes people happy, time and again it’s the number and quality of relationships that someone has,” Ewert said. “Providing opportunities for active social engagement is crucial for every person’s health.” SERVING SENIORS WITH CARING STAFF In addition to providing opportunities for residents to engage with others on campus, Brewster Place invests in relationship building through its caring, dedicated staff. Ewert notes that often, residents are drawn in by the housing and campus activities, but after they have made the move, they
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Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Residents provide feedback on future renovations and expansion for Brewster Place.
SERVING SENIORS IN THE FUTURE Ewert says he is confident that Brewster Place is positioned well to continue serving seniors long into the future and help them live fulfilled and happy lives. “At the fundamental level I think folks will want more options that allow them to avail themselves of high value services and supports, with the absolute minimal trade off in independence and active living,” Ewert said. “The Brewster culture aligns perfectly with and is uniquely poised to deliver along these lines.”
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Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
will say that the staff is the best part of living at Brewster. “We take care of our staff,” Ewert said. “We’re invested in having people work here who want to be here, and are happy to be here. Our staff is what sets us apart. The ties developed at Brewster are deep and long lasting.” Interestingly, Ewert reports that on staff surveys, given every six months, the number one reason that staff report for continuing their employment at Brewster is the residents. “It’s mutual,” Ewert said. “Literally everyone is on the same page with what’s most important.”
Residents at Aldersgate Village recently enjoyed a guest speaker in one of their gathering areas.
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Aldersgate Village
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LDERSGATE VILLAGE has been in operation since 1904, and in their current location since 1979. They are one of the largest retirement communities in the state of Kansas, with independent living apartments, garden homes, cottages and villas, as well as 59 assisted living units, 12 home plus units, and a 196-bed skilled nursing facility on a 168-acre campus. They are also one of the largest Medicaid providers in the state. Like Brewster Place, Aldersgate is a nonprofit organization, which means that residents who have exhausted their financial resources still have options to stay in the community. They are also a faith-based organization, affiliated with the Methodist church, but welcoming to all denominations and faith backgrounds. Like many nonprofit retirement communities, Aldersgate’s Medicaid reimbursements are limited, so they aim to reduce expenses while also creating profitable revenue streams.
Marketing Director Renessa Lolley says Aldersgate is deliberate and careful when spending funds. Because of that approach, Aldersgate recently reported that their debt service, coverage ratio, and days cash on hand are the highest that they have been in more than 10 years. “It is both good stewardship and reassurance of long-term viability and quality service,” Lolley said. STAYING RELEVANT Renovation and investment at Aldersgate are still driven by the same need to stay competitive and relevant. Management closely watches the industry for changes, seeks feedback from residents and prospective residents, and works to offer people what they want and expect in their retirement years, both now and in the future. Aldersgate recently invested in a million-dollar renovation to their dining room, called Esther’s Place. The renovation created a beautiful
“Once here [people] want to stay as independent as possible.”
Renessa Lolly Marketing Director Aldersgate Village
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Living ■ Assisted Living ■ Home Plus ■ Skilled Nursing ■ Memory Care ■ Short-Term Care ■ Rehabilitation
aldersgatevillage.org 7220 SW Asbury Drive | Topeka, KS 66614 | (785) 478-9440 march 2020 TK Business Magazine
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“Nancy’s Place,” offers 12 private suites, complete with bathrooms and showers. The suites are arranged around comfortable shared spaces, including a great room, dining area, kitchen, quiet room, and outdoor courtyard.
dining area and event space on the Aldersgate campus. “Residents enjoy dining in a beautiful space,” Lolley said, “but they also utilize the space to meet with their outside groups and organizations, or to socialize with family and friends. People on our waiting list also visit Esther’s Place, to enjoy the setting and engage with the community before they move in.” AGE-IN-PLACE LIVING The Aldersgate team sees that seniors want larger, age-in-place spaces designed with the features and technology that will accommodate them for years to come, which is why they built age-in-place villas. The organization also invested in a new home plus service line, called Nancy’s Place, which opened in early 2019. The new option includes 12 private suites with comfortable shared spaces, including a quiet room and an outdoor courtyard. Providing a variety of housing options is important to the organization’s strategy to meet seniors’ needs in the coming decades, with a full spectrum of services in one place. “People are waiting longer to move into communities,” Lolley said, “and once here they want to stay as independent as possible. Home health services are a big part of that. People appreciate that they can move in and don’t have to feel like they’re going to have to move again,
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they can receive services as needed to stay where they are in our community.” Lolley predicts that the next generation of residents will want more space and more services. As an example, she notes that residents in the Midwest have largely been “meat and potatoes” diners, but that in recent years there have been more requests for vegetarian and vegan options. “Boomers want to eat and live how they want,” Lolley said, “and to stay relevant in this industry, we will have to keep up with their needs.” SENSE OF SECURITY Aldersgate is proud of their long service record because their stability and longevity give potential retirees and their families a sense of security. Lolley points out that the organization definitely has some strong competition, and she believes that is a good thing. “Topeka is blessed to have a lot of options for seniors,” she said. “Moving into a retirement community is a major life decision, and Topeka area seniors can make a choice that fits their needs. We all keep that bar high and work to provide the best care possible for our residents. It makes us all better for the people we serve.” TK
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Preservation Security Safety
PROTECTION Life is full of things we value that need protecting. We seek to provide shelter for loved ones and family members from storms and other physical dangers. We aim to protect electronics and technology from power surges that would destroy their ability to function. And we work to preserve historical items so future generations can learn from the past. Three Topeka businesses offer solutions to help us protect the things we care about the most.
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Brett Danielson, President/Owner | Delta Designs Ltd.
Preserving the Past
Delta Designs Ltd. By ADAM VLACH
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When it comes to creating custom-made products for some of the most reputable institutions in the nation, determining which part of the process is the most important may seem like a daunting task. One might think, perhaps, that the design phase is the most challenging. After all, names such as Harvard, Yale and Smithsonian don’t maintain the reputations that they have by associating with second-rate products and designs. On the other hand, perhaps the marketing of a product is the deciding factor in whether a business venture succeeds or fails. Certainly, a product line can’t survive if no one knows about it. COMPLEX AND DEMANDING For Delta Designs Ltd., the process of designing, producing and selling top-of-theline museum storage equipment is one that can be both complex and demanding. From trying to coordinate a multitude of suppliers spread across the globe, to iterating on designs that can take years to complete, to making sure the finished product is installed correctly and able to protect high-value artifacts, the company drives a process with quite a few missioncritical pieces. But for Brett Danielson, president and owner of Delta Designs, the answer to the question of the most important aspect of the process is an easy one.
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Custom flat storage cabinetry by Delta Designs Ltd. can preserve a variety of artifacts.
“The people,” he says without hesitation. Since its inception in 1987, Delta Designs has always been a family business built on a people-first principle. Brett Danielson’s father, Bruce Danielson, co-founded the company in 1987. After his business partner passed away unexpectedly in 1990, Bruce grew the business as a solo entrepreneur, taking it from a $100K per year company to a multimillion dollar per year business, due in no small part to the company’s
focus on quality products and quality people. Fast forward to 2009. Brett Danielson joined his father’s company, taking ownership of all sales. Then eight years later, Brett purchased the company from his father, who subsequently retired. Since April 2017, Delta Designs has thrived under Brett’s leadership. And even though there was a change in leadership, the focus of the business remains the same.
HIGHEST QUALITY STORAGE STANDARDS “The company’s goal is to provide the highest quality collection storage equipment to museums, universities, and research collections—throughout the country and throughout the world,” Danielson said. When a company is consistently able to provide quality products and services over an extended length of time (three decades, to be exact), it can’t help but enjoy brand recognition and organic customer-base growth.
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“We focus on our core values, and right at the top of the list is honest and integrity.”
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Brett Danielson President/Owner Delta Designs Ltd.
“A great deal of our marketing is through our reputation, word of mouth and referrals,” Danielson said, mentioning that they supplement that demand generation with their own digital marketing efforts and a handful of roadshows each year. And it’s not just what is being said about Delta Designs’ quality work that makes such a positive impact on the company’s brand, but who is saying it, as well. Danielson’s company is proud to work with and serve top-tier organizations such as the Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology; the Harvard Art Museums; the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University;
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the American Museum of Natural History in New York; the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City; and the world-famous Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. A complete soup to nuts operation, Delta Designs serves these customers—and many more—through an end-to-end process, starting with conceptualizing a piece all the way to the final installation. Danielson’s team consists of designers, welders, painters, finishers and installation specialists, in addition to some longterm vendors and partners. Altogether, this group—with an impressive collective tenure due to very low turnover rates—is able to provide their customers
TK Business Magazine
both intricate custom designs as well as expansions to existing models. No challenge is too difficult for his team, as evidenced by one project in which his team designed and constructed large racks to hold ancient canoes. SUSTAINING MOMENTUM AND GROWTH With such a solid reputation and an arsenal of expertise, future business growth now sits on the forefront of many team members’ minds, not the least of which is Danielson himself. “We’ve sustained a good production level the past few years that we’re very good at and very comfortable
with, but obviously we always want to grow and offer more products.” Danielson says the plan is to sustain their momentum in 2020 and then with some big projects coming in 2021, he hopes to move the needle on growth. For the time being though, and as he always has, Danielson will focus on what he and his company know best: “We focus on our core values, and right at the top of the list is honest and integrity,” Danielson said. “We’re very trustworthy, and it doesn’t just start with me; it starts with everyone in the plant. “The people here do an incredible job of maintaining the integrity of the company.”
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DON’T STAND ALONE. IT’S EASY TO GO UNHEARD WHEN YOU’RE JUST A SINGLE VOICE. YOU DESERVE TO BE LISTENED TO IN THE STATEHOUSE WHEN IT’S YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR EMPLOYEES’ LIVELIHOODS AND ALL OF YOUR DREAMS AT STAKE. PARTNER WITH THE KANSAS CHAMBER. STRENGTHEN YOUR VOICE. DON’T STAND ALONE. JOIN THE KANSAS CHAMBER. LET US FIGHT ALONGSIDE YOU.
march 2020 TK Business Magazine
www.kansaschamber.org - president@kansaschamber.org - 785-357-6321
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Photo By EMMA HIGHFILL
Pete Keegan, General Manager | Tim Carty, Inventor/Founder | EMP Shield
Protecting Homes
EMP Shield By MIRANDA ERICSSON Photos by EMMA HIGHFILL
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EMP Shield, a one-of-a-kind patented, protective device manufactured in Kansas, protects your entire home from lightning strikes, electrical surges that damage home electronics, as well as an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) or CME (Coronal Mass Ejection/Solar Flare). It is basically a super surge protector, the only whole home and vehicle EMP protection that exists. The device, from the brain of inventor Tim Carty and the team at EMP Shield, works by draining the voltage away from equipment so fast that it does not have time to do damage. The technology, called SightSpeed™, reacts in less than 1 billionth of a second. In the first year of business, EMP Shield has sold devices in 13 countries. Each EMP Shield costs around $350. General Manager Pete Keegan notes that
Basically a super surge protector, this modestly priced device from EMP Shield reacts in less than 1 billionth of a second to drain voltage away from equipment to keep it safe from damage.
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the nearest competitor is a surge protector with a base price starting at $3,000 and does not have the functionality of the EMP Shield. So why is EMP offering their product at such a bargain price? “We want to protect people,” Keegan said. “We want our device to be accessible.” “We treat people how we want to be treated,” founder Tim Carty added. “We’re fair. We set our price point low, less than the deductible on insurance, and we did that intentionally.” OLD SCHOOL VIEW Carty said EMP Shield takes an old school view on business. He wants to turn a profit, of course, but more importantly, he wants the product to be accessible to everyone and his staff to be compensated well for their work. “We are not trying to get rich,” Carty said. “Good businesses take care of their customers and their employees.” Part of taking care of customers is offering a solid product warranty. Much like an airbag in a car, if the EMP Shield is activated and fulfills its
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Tim Carty, Inventor/Founder EMP Shield
Photo By EMMA HIGHFILL
“Good businesses take care of their customers and their employees.”
intention of protecting your home from a power surge, the device will no longer function. Under the company warranty, a customer may return the ruined EMP Shield, and the company will replace it with a new one for only $50. IT’S NOT IF, IT’S WHEN EMP and CME might sound like plots out of a science fiction novel, but Pete Keegan says these are very real threats. CMEs have already occurred in the past, but the last one with the potential to do real damage struck before our nation was wired for and dependent on electricity.
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Science warns that a recurrence is a certainty, much like an active volcano will eventually erupt again. “It’s not if,” Keegan said, “it’s when.” In addition, Carty says the Department of Homeland Security has identified the possibility of damage to infrastructure from electromagnetic incidents caused by an intentional electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack as a high-level threat. They also name naturally occurring geomagnetic disturbances (CMEs) as events to protect against. Even though the potential damage from
TK Business Magazine
CMEs and EMPs have been noted, a product that could truly mitigate the effects of these hazards did not exist until now. So, how did Carty develop a product that no one else could? His colleagues note that he is an out-of the-box thinker who sees things that others don’t. “Tim’s about half a bubble off plumb,” Keegan said, laughing. Others have applied the word, “genius,” but Carty is uncomfortable with that label and turns the credit back to his team. While the patent for the device is in Carty’s name, the intellectual property belongs to the company.
“No one gets there alone,” he said. “We all stumble, but with a team we keep moving. We find a way to go forward together.” EXPANSION At the end of the first year in business, EMP Shield is expanding its current facility in Burlington, Kansas, and looking at possible locations for another. The website is filled with glowing reviews from satisfied customers, and EMP Shield was chosen as one of 10 companies among thousands to be honored in Washington, D.C. as part of the ASBDC Annual Awards.
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Photo By EMMA HIGHFILL
Four years of design and testing went into the manufacturing of South Wind Shelters and Safe Rooms’ product before introducing it on the market.
Matt Cobb, Owner | South Wind Shelters and Safe Rooms
Protecting People
South Wind Shelters and Safe Rooms By MIRANDA ERICSSON Photos by EMMA HIGHFILL
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Matt Cobb was celebrating his daughter’s 5th birthday with family in 2011 when a funnel cloud passed over the house. Thankfully, Topeka was spared that day, but families in Joplin, Missouri, were not so fortunate. Cobb looks back on that moment as a wake-up call. “I felt vulnerable,” Cobb said. “I realized we didn’t have a safe place to go. The experience motivated me to accept responsibility of my family’s safety and do something to protect them.” A TRULY SAFE PLACE In the Midwest, many of us seek shelter in our basements during severe storms. While a basement can protect us from swirling debris and shattering glass, it does nothing to protect us from the danger of a building collapse. Cobb also points out that for the elderly or disabled, a basement might
Photo By EMMA HIGHFILL
not be accessible. Cobb searched for a shelter to purchase but found nothing on the market that met his expectations or standards. So, he set out to build a truly safe place, a far leap beyond what a cellar or basement offers. Safe rooms are exactly as the name describes—a room to keep people safe from danger, including home invasions and storms. Cobb worked with engineers and put in four years of design and testing to create a product that goes well beyond the minimum FEMA and ICC 500 guidelines. “South Wind Shelters and Safe Rooms are overengineered and over-built,” Cobb said. “The bolts are the same used in skyscraper I-beams. My anchors were designed to meet the seismic and tensile strength requirements in hydroelectric dams, power plants and ski lifts.” Cobb says the extra measures are not just bells and whistles. He captured all of his concerns with the products available on the market and addressed them in his design. “Every single detail and component of these shelters has a reason,” Cobb said. “The testing results speak for themselves. I’m proud of the product we’ve made. I invite anyone to watch our testing videos and know that your family would be safe in that shelter.” TWICE THE STEEL Cobb’s shelters cost more than competing models, but he stresses that for a slightly higher price, his product uses twice as much steel as the competition.
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“I created a shelter that I can trust to protect my own family with no hesitation.”
Matt Cobb, Owner South Wind Shelters and Safe Rooms
“Not all shelters are created equal,” Cobb said. “Things can always be built cheaper, but safety is not the place to cut corners. Our shelter was designed with families in mind, and that’s the high bar, not the FEMA requirements.” Cobb says another part of the costvalue ratio with a storm shelter is the peace of mind. “I created a shelter that I can trust to protect my own family with no hesitation,” Cobb said. “There’s no way to put a value on the sense of security that I feel knowing that my family has a safe place.” Cobb created his business because he wanted to protect people and give them that same peace of mind. GIVING BACK “As a Marine, and a father, protection is a big part of who I am. After I built a shelter that I knew could protect my family, I wanted everyone else to have that opportunity.” Wanting to start South Wind Shelters and Safe Rooms off on a note of giving, Cobb’s first official business act was to donate a storm shelter to St. Jude. The shelter will be offered as a prize to people buying tickets for a dream home giveaway. “Purchasing tickets for the dream home giveaway will let someone be entered to win the shelter as a prize, so it will be an enticement for people to buy more tickets,” Cobb said. “I wanted my first official act to be one of giving back.”
Photo By EMMA HIGHFILL
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CONSIDER IT A NECESSITY Cobb believes that no dream home would be complete without a safe place. He sees a future where life safety is taken so seriously that a storm shelter is thought of like an appliance or piece of furniture, a standard investment. “For about the price of a good bathroom remodel, a family can purchase a shelter that could save their lives,” Cobb said. “These shelters are for anyone who takes safety seriously, and your family’s lives are worth a product that really works.” TK
Here to Help You Rebuild Your LifeÂŽ Locating Hidden Assets in Divorce
In a divorce, courts require parties to identify all marital assets and debts. The exact way in which this takes place can vary. However, most courts require parties to disclose their assets and debts in financial statements early in the case. Discovery usually takes place to various degrees in a divorce as well. There could be interrogatories and requests for production propounded related to marital assets and debt. Depositions often take place. The lawyers may also issue subpoenas. However, some parties may, unfortunately, decide to hide marital assets in a divorce. They might hide assets with the illicit motive that if the court does not discover them, they will get to retain it. This leads many to wonder how they can find and identify hidden assets that are out there. The facts can vary in every case, but below are some common ways: 1.
2.
Bank records can sometimes identify hidden assets. Bank statements can show money coming in and being paid from various sources that do not add up, including cash deposits and withdrawals. They can also show evidence of hidden bank accounts where one is transferring or depositing money. Tax returns can be useful in many cases in locating hidden assets. Many of the schedules that are part of the tax returns can identify the existence of assets that were not disclosed.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Social media is becoming more prominent in locating hidden assets. Parties may post photos of assets like boats, vacation properties or jewelry. They also might make posts about these hidden assets. Electronic evidence such as email and text message evidence might be revealing. Parties might have emails where they get monthly statements that involve the hidden assets. They also might have electronic evidence on their devices regarding the purchase itself, including purchase agreements, sales information and statements relating to what they still owe on a note. Private investigators can sometimes help to locate hidden assets. They might be able to take photos and videos of properties, vehicles, boats and other hidden assets. Credit card statements can often be invaluable. Credit cards are sometimes the way they purchase these assets. Their spouse might not even know the credit card exists. When one has credit card debt their spouse does not know about, or other obligations, this can be problematic. When a party has hidden debt their spouse did not know about, this can be upsetting.
In the end, parties should be above-board and honest about their marital assets and debt. If the family court judge discovers that a party is being dishonest, this can
be very damaging to their credibility. It can also result in a court setting aside a completed divorce to deal with the hidden assets. Stange Law Firm, PC limits their practice to family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, guardianship, adoption, mediation, collaborative law and other domestic relation matters. Stange Law Firm, PC gives clients 24/7 access to their case through a secured online case tracker found on the website. They also give their clients their cell phone numbers. Call for a consultation today at 855-805-0595.
Shawnee County Office
800 SW Jackson Street, Suite 812 Topeka, Kansas 66612 855-805-0595 | www.stangelawfirm.com
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Kirk Stange is responsible for the content. Principle place of business 120 South Central Ave, Suite 450, Clayton, MO 63105. Neither the Supreme Court of Missouri/Illinois/Kansas nor The Missouri/ Illinois/Kansas Bar reviews or approves certifying organizations or specialist designations. Court rules do not permit us to advertise that we specialize in a particular field or area of law. The areas of law mentioned in this article are our areas of interest and generally are the types of cases which we are involved. It is not intended to suggest specialization in any areas of law which are mentioned The information you obtain in this advertisement is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results afford no guarantee of future results and every case is different and must be judged on its merits.
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BRINGING MAKE BELIEVE TO LIFE By SAMANTHA EGAN Photos by EMMA HIGHFILL
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dad or someone else, they still need to talk to that person. That way, they realize they can grow up to be whatever they want.” Today, Rodeny is the owner of TopCity Costumes, and Toryn is the co-owner. In business since 2017, they provide mascots and costume characters for hire in Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri. TopCity Costumes doesn’t rent out their characters. Instead, they dress up themselves to deliver the ultimate entertainment. Their characters don’t just pose for pictures. Beginning with a dramatic entrance set to the character’s theme song, the arrival itself is an event, and often, one of the most memorable moments of the party.
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Toryn Harmon and Rodeny Harmon, co-owners of TopCity Costumes, along with Chrishon Harmon, bring costumes to life and give an ultimate entertainment experience at events.
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
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HEN TORYN HARMON was a child, he talked to Batman on the phone. And Spiderman. And other superheroes he, his brother and cousins idealized. They simply dialed a special number, said who they wanted to talk to, and, like magic, that hero would be on the other line. Even better than that, their superhero friends would show up to their birthday parties. Years later, Toryn discovered the true identity of his heroes: his dad, Rodeny, who had secretly installed a second phone line at his house and rented costumes from a shop in North Topeka. Why go through such measures for make believe? Rodeny said he did it because at the time it wasn’t possible for their family to visit amusement parks where superheroes roamed. But Rodeny still felt it was important for his children to meet the characters they looked up to. “Every kid has a hero,” Rodeny said. “Whether it be their mom or
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“It’s an unexplainable feeling when you see the kids’ faces light up,” Toryn said. The arrival leads into a dance party where guests jump around alongside the character. Depending on the package, the character also facilitates games like hot potato, limbo or obstacle races. “Each party is different,” said Rodeny. “The games we play, the order we play them in and how we treat each kid.” TopCity has 90 costumes. While none are licensed, they strongly resemble characters from TV shows and movies. The first costumes they purchased were the “turtle warriors” (who look like characters from a cartoon starring crime-fighting reptiles named after Italian Renaissance artists). Since then, they’ve built an inventory based on customer requests and recommendations from similar businesses in other states. But two years in, the turtles still rank among the most popular costumes. (They’re also the hardest to put on. It takes about 30 minutes and a bit of baby powder to get into the multi-piece latex suits.) Word of mouth has been huge for TopCity Costumes. While they started with a clientele of about three families, those families generated about 30 parties. From there, word spread so rapidly that Rodeny and Toryn didn’t advertise until about a year and a half into their business. Now TopCity Costumes has a website, Facebook page and Instagram account.
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PHOTOS SUBMITTED
TopCity Costumes has 90 mascot and character costumes built from customer requests and recommendations.
Generating buzz was easy, but picking a price point was more difficult. Since TopCity Costumes is the only business in the area to offer characters for hire, Topekans don’t have other price points to reference. “You play with price a lot,” Rodeny said. “If you’re too low, no one believes it’s a good service. If you’re too high, then everybody thinks you’re charging too much.” Highlighting their veteran status helps build trust. “I feel like people trust us because we were in the military,” said Toryn, who served five years in the Air Force. “We chose to serve our country, and now we choose to serve your family,” said Rodeny, who served seven years in the Army. Rodeny and Toryn hope to eventually open a storefront. Having
TK Business Magazine
their own space would allow them to host parties and other events, like read-a-longs. It would also eliminate traveling, which would cut fuel costs and save time, enabling them to do more parties in a day. They also want to work more with corporations, not only through events but also by making deliveries. Their stuffed heart character, for example, would be a perfect postman for Valentine’s gifts. But, for now, they’re content being in the business of helping parents make their kids incredibly happy. “It’s an epic feeling,” Rodeny said. “It’s like when a kid opens that one special Christmas present that is something that they’ve always wanted. That’s what we think the parents are trying to do for their kids on their birthdays.” TK
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WEAVING
Business & Learning TOGETHER
for a Lifetime Work of Heart By JAYME L. BURDIEK, MBA
Living and learning are the warp and weft threads through which life’s grand tapestry is woven. Support and tension are both present in the structure of the loom. As life brings opportunities and experiences, the tapestry gains threads and a tangible story is created in vibrant visual form. Organizations, like tapestries, are built from varied elements thoughtfully and strategically brought together for purpose, strength and value. People are dynamic and creative therefore business is dynamic and creative. Management and entrepreneurship rely upon those who diligently search, solve and strive for new ideas and markets.
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Instruction or Inspiration “I am not a teacher, but an awakener.” —Robert Frost, American Poet & Teacher
Education or Experience “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” —Chinese proverb
Whether working in local community banks, at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka, or at Security Benefit, education and experience were often at odds as to the advantage they offered in a go forward sense. Which of these would prove to be the catalyst for change this time? How did they impact persons entering the workforce or looking for growth opportunities? Each position, task, and project provides a learning experience and a chance to bring others along on the adventure. Learning is as vital in this scenario as it is in the classroom. In fact, the work room, when properly managed, is a classroom. While at Security Benefit, building the Investments team involved interviewing and hiring people, establishing processes and developing systems. Leading new staff to an understanding of derivatives was a thrill. I was able to not only teach them the daily process of trade support, but also introduce an industry holistically made for workers who learned the purpose of policy and regulations, understood the history of the markets, and prepared them to think through and prepare to handle future scenarios on their own.
Education is an active process of introduction, assessment and application. Instruction attempts to transfer information from the sender to the receiver for a purpose. Often for student receivers the purpose is short-term outcome based. They must decide whether to memorize facts long enough to pass an exam or to retain for lifelong knowledge. However, inspiration goes further. Eyes open in a classroom where experience fosters learning. Guest lecturers from companies such as FHLBank Topeka, American Century Investments, Clayton Wealth Partners, and investments/risk management startup Veta Investment Partners, expound upon the financial industry’s footprint in Topeka during my MBA investments class. These professionals speak about current events and market trends, and share their insights on career development. Washburn School of Business purposefully brings business practitioners into the classroom to expose students to real-time scenarios of local companies as well as working on problem solving assignments for multi-national companies in an international setting. As an instructor, equipping students with relevant, tried and tested tools coupled with the ability to use them effectively in practice is the benefit I can bring from years on the investments desk, building teams and systems and serving others.
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Advantage or Asset “The only thing we have is one another. The only competitive advantage we have is the culture and values of the company.” —Howard Schultz, Former CEO of Starbucks
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Does the pursuit of a degree provide an advantage or produce an asset? One running thread, woven through the curriculum at Washburn School of Business is introducing students to the concept of competitive advantage. A competitive advantage is established when an organization’s products or services stand out from their competitors because customers perceive greater value in them. Competitive advantage is not only taught at Washburn, it is practiced through the studentcentered, teaching-focused culture. A regional teaching institution must differentiate itself from the educational options available locally, virtually and abroad. There is no patent on research methods. Knowledge and resources are shared regularly for the benefit of others and the pursuit of greater understanding thus eliminating any competitive advantage. Degree programs, areas of study, and facilities can be replicated, mimicked, and perhaps improved upon by competitors. The fidelity demonstrated by the Washburn family is its competitive advantage. The people contrive a social fabric intended to enrich lives far beyond the confines of the campus. Academics become entrepreneurs when their business is building competent wellrounded graduates who bring exceptional value to the workplace and their world. Alumni who enrich communities by creating jobs and developing products take the Washburn mission further. Equipping tomorrow’s leaders with principled decision-making training, generous scholarship funding opportunities, and promoting exceptional peer competitions set Washburn apart. The Pitch Competition, Business Plan Competition and Student Business Accelerator Fund cultivate ingenuity and entrepreneurship by rewarding new business ideas, start up plans and ventures with cash prizes from alumni and Go Topeka, along with community recognition and support.
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The Washburn story is a tapestry woven thread upon thread representing 155 years of Topeka history through the lives of people who have contributed to this work of heart by embracing learning and connecting lives together into the fabric of society. Each person is represented by their own pattern in the greater work, joined together by the threads of ardent learning and inspired living. TK
JAYME L. BURDIEK, MBA, is a lifelong Topekan with over twenty years of finance and management experience. She is a Lecturer of Management at Washburn School of Business.
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
YOU’VE GOT THE SPARK. It’s an unquenchable desire to improve your career, your life, and your future. Washburn University’s School of Business Graduate Programs unite your ambition with the real-world experience necessary to advance your career. Enroll today at washburn.edu/mba.
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Art
That Does More Than Decorate
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By SAMANTHA EGAN HIGHFILL
Photos by EMMA
opeka native Janet Paduh has fixed engines, balanced books and flown small planes. But it is her passion for art that has made the biggest imprint on her life and the lives of those around her. Janet just finished her first year as owner of SouthWind Art Gallery and Framewoods of Topeka. She purchased it in early 2019 from Gary Blitsch, who owned the business for 27 years before retiring. SouthWind is the third gallery Janet has owned. While she grew up in Topeka (She recalls running through the farmland that is now Fairlawn Plaza as a 9-year-old.), she’s spent large portions of her life in San Antonio and Oklahoma City. She owned galleries in both cities. “I think all towns and cities need lots of them,” Janet said. “It’s a culture. It’s a bonding thing.” The daughter of accomplished local painter Jane Stephens, art was in Janet’s upbringing. Her Topeka West art teacher, Royce Fleming, was one of Janet’s earliest encouragers. She finished her high school coursework two years early, but since she was required to graduate with her class, Janet had plenty of time to take more art classes. “Whatever I wanted to learn—weaving, whatever—it just appeared. If anyone could have a mentor, he was it,” she said.
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Janet Paduh, Owner | SouthWind Art Gallery and Framewoods of Topeka
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Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Filling the walls of SouthWind Gallery was surprisingly easy with very talented local artists. While art had its hooks in her, Janet also had an aptitude for numbers. She became an accountant for Texaco, but soon grew bored and decided to learn to be a mechanic. At age 23, she was fixing engines, a trait that impressed her future husband. Ron Paduh, a San Antonio-based Air Force pilot, was stationed in Topeka in 1973, where he taught Forbes Field pilots. One night, while out for drinks, he caught Janet’s eye. “He was so cute with that blonde hair,” she recalled. “And he had a flight suit.” Eventually, they married and moved to San Antonio. In Texas, Janet began painting again. She entered her work in Topeka art shows, giving her an excuse to visit. Though she was living in Texas, she was granted membership to the
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Topeka Art Guild. Through the Guild, she took workshops that allowed her to master a new type of medium: acrylics. “One thing about acrylics is after you learn to handle it, if you don’t like that tree you just painted, give it about three minutes and you can put a swimming pool in its place,” Janet said. FIRST BRUSH AS A GALLERY OWNER Back in San Antonio, Janet bought a gallery on the river walk, an area that attracted tourists from all over the world. There she continued to paint, focusing heavily on animals. While in San Antonio, Janet started a program for kids who needed a place to go after school. With the help of another artist, she organized a spring watercolor month
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Art
where the students, many of them first-time painters, would submit. Each piece was framed and displayed on stage in the plaza of a San Antonio art district. The students would win awards and even get to sell their work. “I have watercolors from 10-year-olds that would blow your mind,” Janet said. When Ron was transferred to Oklahoma City, Janet became active in a new art community. She purchased a gallery and led several organizations, including the Oklahoma Watercolor Association and the Oklahoma Art Guild. When Ron retired, the couple returned to San Antonio, where they lived until he passed away in 2016. “All I could think was, ‘My best friend is gone,’” Janet said.
Wanting to be near to family, Janet moved back to Topeka in 2017. “It’s good to be home,” she said. Janet regularly stopped in SouthWind to visit with Gary and see what was new in the gallery. From those visits, she got to know Apollonia, a custom framer, and Abby, the gallery assistant. USE THE RIGHT TOOL One day in 2018, Janet drove past and saw a “For Sale” sign outside the shop. She continued on, but less than a quarter mile later, she pulled into Dairy Queen. At that moment, she remembered when her husband would tell her to “use the right tool” back when she was rebuilding engines in her Texaco days. “It was like his voice said, ‘Now, you know
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Counselors. Client advocates. Problem solvers. Advisors. JEREMY L. GRABER
jgraber@foulston.com 785.354.9412
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JAMES P. R A N K IN
jrankin@foulston.com 785.233.3600
L IS A M . B R OWN
lbrown@foulston.com 785.354.9414
APRIL 18 at 7:30PM APRIL 19 at 1:30PM LACEE SANDGREN, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
TOPEKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
www.balletmidwest.net
Tickets: TPAC Box Office • Ticketmaster Barbara’s Conservatory of Dance
My First Ballet: Pirates & Princesses APRIL 18 at 1:30pm
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Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL
Art
Topeka’s monthly First Friday Art Walks bring in crowds to SouthWind Gallery to shop and visit about paintings.
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you want to ask. Just go down and ask. If it’s too much or is not the right thing, then you’ll know you’ve tried.” Janet turned around and drove back to the gallery. Less than two months later, on January 2, 2019, Janet officially became the owner. Both Abby and Apollonia stayed on through the change of hands. One of Janet’s first changes was the business’ name. Formerly, the gallery’s legal name was Framewoods of Topeka, Inc. and SouthWind Gallery. Janet flipped it and nixed the “Inc.” She dove right into remodeling, a process she
TK Business Magazine
enjoyed. While she had help, she also rolled up her sleeves and got to work. “I like painting a wall almost as well as I do a painting,” she said. Once painted, finding new artists to fill the walls was surprisingly easy. “A lot of them come to you. It’s amazing,” she said. “Word gets out. Big city. Little city. It doesn’t matter.” One artist who approached her was Stan Herd, a Kansas-based artist who is internationally-known for his large earthworks, giant paintings he creates using natural materials like stone, crops and other plants. Several of his works are now in SouthWind. Other artists come from old connections. Diane Lawrence, for example, was a friend of Janet’s late mother (and now Janet’s good friend) through the Topeka Art Guild. FIRST FRIDAYS ARE NOT JUST ABOUT ART Janet said her first year in business was smooth. Topeka’s First Friday Art Walks were a highlight, bringing in crowds each month. “The most fun we have is the First Fridays,” she said. “The neat thing I noticed was by the third month, it was like a community meeting place with all of these people I didn’t know and others I hadn’t seen in years.” While Janet sells something almost every First Friday, she is prouder of how the gallery has brought people together. “People are talking about paintings or about their kids. It doesn’t really matter to me,” she said, adding, “I mean, I’d love to sell everything on the
walls. But I’m way too logical for that.” BROADENING THE CLIENTELE One area Janet has tried to focus on is broadening her clientele, especially to younger buyers. “A lot of my friends, my age, already have more art than they can look at,” she said. Offering layaway has helped encourage younger buyers who may be hesitant to spend several thousand of dollars on their first piece of art. In the years to come, Janet hopes to do more workshops and host more competitions. She hosted the first annual Jane Stephens Memorial Watercolor Competition, in honor of her mother, last July. Janet said her staff worried when they realized they only had 10 submissions with the deadline fast approaching. But Janet wasn’t stressed. “I said, ‘You watch. I ran these shows for years. Painters are notorious for waiting until the last minute,’” she said. By the deadline, they had 94 entries. In years to come, Janet hopes to keep improving, whether it’s trying different mediums or price points. With items starting at $22, she hopes to become a place people go to purchase gifts. But her deepest hope is to give artists a place to share their work. “I want to make this space nicer and brighter for the artists and get more people in here for them,” she said. “That’s what makes me happy.” TK
REFERRAL PROGRAM
PUT YOUR NETWORK TO WORK FOR YOUR COMMUNITY! You can help encourage economic growth through tourism by helping bringing your events, sports tournaments and conferences to Topeka. Learn more about this referral program at EndorseTopeka.com.
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SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS
Entrepreneurial & Minority Business Development A GO Topeka Program
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, The Greater Topeka Partnership will recognize local businesses, a nonprofit agency and an emerging entrepreneur for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the Shawnee County community. You can become part of the process by nominating a business for consideration. Please complete this form and return it to: Greater Topeka Partnership 719 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 100, Topeka, Kansas 66603
Greater Topeka
Partnership
Greater Topeka
Partnership
Nomination forms can also be e-mailed to MaryAnn.Anderson@TopekaPartnership.com or faxed to 785.234.8656. All nominations must be received by 3 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2020. The Greater Topeka Partnership will contact the business/organization and ask for additional information addressing the specific selection criteria.
AWARD CATEGORIES CAPITAL CITY BUSINESS OF DISTINCTION A successful company that exhibits strong growth, longevity, and is committed to community involvement.
NONPROFIT AWARD OF DISTINCTION Must be legally formed as one of the following: 501(c)3, 501(c)4, 501(c)5 or 501(c)6.
MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS OF DISTINCTION A minority-owned business is a business that is at least 51% owned and operated by one of the following: Native American, Hispanic/Latino, African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander or Subcontinent Asian.
EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR AWARD Successful business owner who has been in business one to three years. Nominee must be aligned with below criteria and must submit two references from either an educator, community service professional or customer.
WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS OF DISTINCTION The nominee must be a female who serves as a majority owner (51% or more) and operates or bears principal responsibility for operating a small business.
INNOVATION AWARD Recognizes a business or organization for the exemplary use and implementation of innovation and progressive practices that have made a significant improvement for customer, company, community or environment.
CRITERIA FOR ALL CATEGORY NOMINEES
LONGEVITY The company or firm must have been in business a minimum of three successive years under the same ownership. Exception made for Emerging Entrepreneur Award. GROWTH The firm should demonstrate growth in employees, sales and business/organization expansion.
IMAGINATION/CREATIVITY The firm should have demonstrated creativity and imagination in the development of its business, or in its product or service.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT The ownership of the firm should demonstrate initiative to aid the community through the use of personal or financial resources, including examples of involvement of its business, or in product or service. NOMINEES MUST BE LOCATED IN SHAWNEE COUNTY For questions, call GO Topeka at 785.231.6000 or email MaryAnn.Anderson@TopekaPartnership.com. DEADLINE All nominations must be received by 3 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2020. 2020.
NOMINATION FORM (please print) Company Name _____________________________________________ President/Owner ____________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________ City ____________ State ___________ Zip ______________ Phone No. ___________________________________________________ Email ______________________________________________ Award Category __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Brief Description of Product or Service ________________________________________________________________________________ Nominated By _______________________________________________ Company/Organization ______________________________ Address _____________________________________________________ Email ______________________________________________
SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSOR
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Advisors Excel | Go Modern, LLC Ricks Advanced Dermatology | Security Benefit Sprout Creative | Topeka Capital-Journal US Bank | Washburn University/Tech Business Magazine
SILVER SPONSORS
Budget Blinds of Topeka | Capitol Federal | Foulston Siefkin KBS Constructors, Inc. | Midwest Health | Prairie Band Casino & Resort Schendel Lawn & Landscape | Silver Lake Bank Summers, Spencer and Company, PA | Valeo Behavioral Health Care
SCENE ABOUT TOWN
The 2020 Greater Topeka Partnership Annual Meeting STORMONT VAIL EVENTS CENTER JANUARY 16, 2020
PHOTO 1 Alex Reilly and Martha Bartlett Piland, MB Piland Advertising + Marketing
PHOTO 2
Photos by SAMMIE ROBINSON
Kaley Setser and Bayley Ward, Kansas Secured Title; Alyce Bishop and Kerstin Engelhorn, Cox Media
PHOTO 3 Bryce Liedke and Makenna Orton, Topeka Youth Commission; S.J. Hazim, Clad Astra
PHOTO 4 Heather Teufel, Thadd Taylor and Gary Yager, Vision Bank and Widge Yager, Community Volunteer
PHOTO 5
1
Rosa Cavazos, Greater Topeka Partnership; Michaela Saunders, WU Arts and Science; Rebecca Radziejeski, Greater Topeka Partnership
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SCENE ABOUT TOWN
2020 Kansas Chamber Annual Dinner
PHOTO 1
STORMONT VAIL EVENTS CENTER JANUARY 28, 2020
Debbie Luper, Office of US Rep. Ron Estes; Bishop Wade Moore, Jr., Urban Preparatory Academy
PHOTO 2 Nancy Longhurst, Olivia Collection; Kim Burns and Shirley Martin-Smith, Adecco
Photos by KEN DOLL
PHOTO 3 Allen Reavis, DDS, Atchison Dental Associates; Trey Cocking and Amanda Stanley, League of Kansas Municipalities; Joe Warren, City of Atchison
PHOTO 4
1
Eydie Jones, SumnerOne; Joe Pennington and Erin Bess Pennington, Stevenson Co Kim Burns and Tim Martin, Adecco
PHOTO 5 Megan Bottenberg, Cox Communications; Ryan Irsik, Walmart; Ari Fleischer, Ari Fleischer Communications; Mark Eaton, Envision; Curtis Stamp, Cox Communications
PHOTO 6
2
Scott Raymond, Marlou Wegener and Angie Strecker, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas
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“We’ve always considered Bartlett & West a leader in their profession, but they’re also a leader in our community. As we went through the redevelopment process with the City and private sector,
Bartlett & West was there hand-in-hand with us the entire time.” Vince Frye, President & CEO
Downtown Topeka, Inc.
Driving community and industry forward, together.
www.bartlettwest.com
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you
may
be a local
shopkeeper if...
Your nicest accessory is the random price tags you accumulate on your collar. You are on day 3 of dry shampoo and a 4th does not seem out of the question. You become multiple strangers’ therapist and you think, maybe this can be added to the business plan. You can use the restroom in under 1 minute. You have a wide assortment of local event posters. One day you look like a classy, put-together business professional, then the next just slightly above homeless. You know all the best places for retail therapy. You can fix anything with a sharpie, so you always keep the largest variety pack on hand. No matter what your emotions may be, you know how to always smile. Taxes—enough said. You know the difference between exposure and actual payment. Your daily to-do list includes organizing your storage area. You have successfully moved it to the next day for the past year. Randomly your clothes may be backwards or inside out. No big deal, you know how to roll with the punches. There is always glitter in random places. Even if you do not work with glitter. Your regular customers have become some of your closest friends. You know how to take a message “for the owner” when a door-to-door salesman walks into the shop… It is only a little lie, right?!? You have built a life you absolutely LOVE!
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I Am Recovering... 330 SW Oakley Topeka, Kansas 66606 Valeo’s Programs and Services for Recovery: 24 Hour Crisis Intervention Primary and Dental Care On-site Pharmacy and Laboratory Mental Health Assessment Residential Care Psychotherapy Substance Abuse Services Case Management Medication Management Community Medication Outreach Homeless Outreach and Housing Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment Expressive Therapies Services for Employment Success Peer Support Community Education and Outreach
LET VALEO PROVIDE YOU WITH HOPE THROUGH RECOVERY. CELEBRATING OVER 50 YEARS OF RECOVERY SERVICES
Phone: 785.233.1730 24-Hour Crisis Line: 785.234.3300 24 Hour Detox Number: 785.234.3448 Visit us at: or valeotopeka.org march 2020 TK Business Magazine 83
Empowering Your
Spending.
Photo credit: Max is in remission from leukemia thanks to Stormont Vail Health (a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital).
Stormont Vail Foundation and Azura Credit Union are teaming up in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®. Every time you make a purchase, Azura donates 5 cents to help provide necessary resources for pediatric patients like Max. Be a hero by choosing the Stormont Vail Foundation Community Impact Debit Card! For more information, visit AzuraCU.com/empower or stop by any Azura location and ask about the Max card.
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TK Business Magazine
Federally Insured By NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.