Find the Unexpected Path - Episode 140 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Vera Bothner

Posted by: Hannah Crickman on Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Over the Wichita Business Accelerator Podcast's summer break, we revisit some of our favorite episodes. -- Journey Unseen podcast series with Vera Bothner, owner at Bothner and Bradley.

You might say, Vera Bothner likes to get inside peoples’ heads. That’s what happens when you make a long and successful career out of a dual major in psychology and public relations at Kansas State University.

It also helps explain her interest in truly understanding people, and her desire to champion causes and clients that can make her small corner of the world just a bit better.

Her experiences in communications at a non-profit, as a senior leader at the state’s largest advertising and public relations firm and as a consultant to the Kansas Health Foundation gave her the experience and insight to launch a communication and consulting firm with friend and colleague Tami Bradley.

Through 17 years of business, the partners have worked side-by-side with great leaders and teams on important and complicated issues, opportunities and projects. Throughout her career she has counseled dozens of organizations on branding, issues management, community relations and through crisis.

The commitment to people and community service doesn’t stop with clients. Throughout her career, Vera has served on numerous non-profit boards. Early in her career, Vera was a lead volunteer in helping pass the first school bond issue in decades for Wichita Public Schools. In addition to her bachelor's degree from Kansas State University in journalism/public relations and psychology, Vera is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America and member of the Counselor's Academy.

Vera Bothner

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As Vera shares with us her unique career journey as a woman in business, she reflects on the pivots and changes she has made each step of the way and what she has learned from those. On this episode we discuss:

● Initially wanting to get into clinical psychology serving children

● Finding the unexpected path

● A passion for working with people

● Being an expert in communicating with people

● Being able to look back on Old Town as an idea coming to fruition

● Struggling to say “no”

● How the Kansas Health Foundation gave Vera a chance to pivot

● Creating more margin in your life

● Not waiting for someone else

● Clearing obstacles to allow others to reach their vision

● Dealing with imposter syndrome

● Recharging by carving out alone time

● Learning from the next generation of leaders

● Carrying a torch for your clients and the community

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.

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