Blog

Wichita now has a direct, daily flight from Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) to Washington D.C. (DAC) thanks to the collective effort of businesses, organizations and government officials.

What happens when your business finances are in disorder, the IRS is coming after you and a negative article just came out in the press? Many would fold in that situation, but Mary Kate Denton regrouped with her team and shares with Don and Ebony how that forged a culture of thriving at Mary Kate and Company.

Each year, the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce develops a state legislative agenda of initiatives important to the business community in South Central Kansas. This agenda is developed by the Chamber’s Government Relations Committee with input from Chamber membership. It is then approved by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Justin Eklund's primary goal with Grove9 is helping businesses and organizations focus on their mission and the good they provide the community. He shares with Don and Ebony his journey through ministry and how it eventually led him to take a new approach in a profit driven world.

Passenger rail service through Wichita, a project championed by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s South Central Kansas Transportation Coalition, took a major step forward today after being awarded a $500,000 grant by the Federal Railroad Administration.

Josh Oeding and Mary Beth Jarvis aspire to grow the Wichita business scene through NXTUS by capturing the rapid change created by new startups. They share how all of us can be involved in supporting startup growth with Don and Ebony.

Half of the guests on the podcast have mentioned her and now we get to hear directly from the legend, Christina Long. Don and Ebony explore with her how CML Collective and the Create Campaign have lifted other minority-owned businesses in the community.

A desire to be an entrepreneur took this air traffic controller into the world of bartending. Hear how Pat Pelkowski moved from side gig work to creating a thriving business with a unique position in the market.

Andrea Hattan had a vision for women to have their own place to collaborate and encourage one another on their entrepreneurial journeys. She talks with Don and Ebony how The Hive has created that space for the Wichita community.

When Brandon Gaide helped to start the strategy and innovation firm Sevenfold, he found an unlikely partnership with construction firm Hutton. Brandon shares with Don and Ebony how that partnership has allowed the creation of something new to help businesses make work more human.

Sometimes you just have to be willing to follow your passions and lean into what you don’t know. When Stacy Ward-Lattin and her husband, Torrey, started the Hopping Gnome taproom 8 years ago, they had no idea the adventure they were in for. Stacy joins hosts Don and Ebony to share the Hopping Gnome story, from home brewing to deciding to create something brand new in Wichita.

Bill Gardner has been around the brand creation game for a long time and has a ton of insight to share. Don and Ebony dive into what has made him successful with Gardner Design and how others can be successful at building their own brands.

What started as looking for a job during college, turned into a passion for the art of coffee. Eventually, Sarah Leslie opened her own coffee shop, which went on to win one of The Chamber's Small Business Awards in 2022. She talks with Don and Ebony about surviving the pandemic and growing into one of Wichita's most popular coffee shops.

Mental health and wellness continues to come more in focus for businesses, leaders and their employees. Dr. Larry Mitnaul of the Ascension Medical Group talks with Don and Ebony about what this looks like and practical ways to engage mental health and wellness in our homes and workplaces.

JR Custom Metal Products went from making parts in a garage to a thriving multi-generational family business. Hear how Jorge Martinez and Patty Koehler father’s legacy lives on in their business.

For years, Jose Gutierrez trained and developed Farmer’s Insurance agents. Then he realized it was time to open his own agency. He shares his journey with Don and Ebony.

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee has endorsed four candidates for the Wichita Municipal General Election on November 7.

Members of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce had the opportunity to see first-hand how federal advocacy can benefit the business community in South Central Kansas at the D.C. Fly-in this past week.

We wrap up our special three-part Journey Unseen series with Amy Williams who shares how she learned to own her own space when she enters a room. With these special conversations we share the stories of women in our community who have had a profound impact on our community through their leadership and achievements.

In the second episode of our Journey Unseen series, Vera Bothner shares her unique professional path as a woman in business, reflects on the pivots and changes she has made each step of the way, and what she has learned from them.

As a first generation student in the 70’s Yolanda Camarena experienced the many obstacles Latino students faced trying to get a college education. Yolanda vowed when she was able to help ease that burden for other Latino students she would assist them to fulfill their goals of getting a college degree.

With a population of 7,000 and an economic impact of $825-million, McConnell Air Force Base operates as a small city. But as an Air Force pilot whose 25-year career included being stationed three times at McConnell, Cathy McClain tells Don & Ebony the real impact to the Wichita community is the people who work and live there.  

Do you know what a bramble is? Don and Ebony didn’t. Katharine Elder walks through how her family farm has continued to grow into a larger culinary experience, culminating in the opening of 1400 by Elderslie at the Wichita Art Museum.

When Brandon Converse left his engineering career to join his brother at the Converse Team, he was motivated by the desire to help others secure their financial future. Don and Ebony dive in with him on how The Converse Team helps make that possible for companies and individuals.

Mark and Summer Guerrero are dedicated to providing support and empowerment through their business, Affinity Automotive. They share with Don and Ebony that this journey of empowerment originated between themselves, beginning in an after-hours garage located in their home.

Thirty-one emerging leaders from South Central Kansas have been selected to participate in the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce's 2023 Leadership Wichita program. The 2023 class marks the 40th anniversary of the Leadership Wichita program, which aims to motivate individuals to take up influential roles in their community. This immersive program offers valuable insights into various areas such as local government, economic development, education and media.

For the past 25 years, Steve Dixon has been helping others live their best life by providing career opportunities at Hoidale, a third-generation, family-owned local business. He shares with Don and Ebony his passion for the people in his community and the employees who work for him. 

After just four weeks, Ed O’Malley is well into his new role at the Kansas Health Foundation. He shares with Don and Ebony the impact our physical health can have on the local economy, and how Wichita can’t be left behind.

It began with a single restaurant in west Wichita, but now Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers has grown to over 400 locations. Hear directly from co-founder and COO Scott Redler on how this business came to be and the approach they took that brought so much success.

A new daily direct flight from Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Wichita to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington D.C. will begin January 2024 with help by the Wichita Airport Authority, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and its Air Services Taskforce.