Episode 79 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Cyle Barnwell

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Cyle grew up in Emporia, Kansas and graduated from Emporia High School. He came to Wichita to play basketball at Newman University in 2005 and played for four years. He graduated with a degree in accounting and worked for Grant Thornton, BKD, Koch Industries and Redguard in various financial and accounting roles.

Cyle always had entrepreneurial spirit. In 2017, a deal came across his desk to purchase Keystone Solid Surfaces. He was able to convince his lifelong best friend to come in and be part owner of the company. Cyle handles the finance, tax and sales side of the business, while his friend handles operations, machining and tooling. When they purchased Keystone, they inherited nearly a dozen employees and a 10,000 square-foot shop in Benton, Kansas. In less than five years, the business has grown 500 percent in revenue, employees and space.

They now have a 50,000 square-foot facility in downtown Wichita and nearly 60 employees. They just added a division in Kansas City and fabricate and install countertops all over Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Keystone Solid Surfaces
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On this episode we discuss:
● The role of good mentors
● Moving the business from Benton to 16th and Wabash
● Involvement in the community
● The importance of a partner who provides strengths in your areas of weakness
● Massive growth over three years
● When he knew he was ready to switch to being a business owner
● Taking care of your employees
● Supply chain and inflation challenges
● Community, craftsmanship and integrity
● Small businesses must ask for help, others are willing
● The best advice Cyle has received and what he would tell his younger self

Listen on popular podcast directories and aggregators, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, and ICT Podcast Network or using the player above. Send feedback on this show and/or suggestions for future guests or topics by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or emailing communications@wichitachamber.org.

Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator is a weekly podcast devoted to supporting and learning from area business owners. Released every Wednesday, it's produced by Forge Podcast Co, managed by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Evergy. 

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