Blog

When it opened, The Monarch was not necessarily in the best location in Delano, but owner Jen Ray trusted her intuition and has been able to thrive over 9 years in business. She shares her challenges through the COVID pandemic with Don and Ebony and her perspective on the local business community.

In the non-partisan primary race for Wichita Mayor, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election. The Wichita Regional Chamber PAC endorses Bryan Frye and Lily Wu as the two candidates who should face off for the city's top elected position in November. 

Over the Wichita Business Accelerator Podcast's summer break, we revisit some of our favorite episodes. Being a dentist that intentionally considers their practice a business is rare. Dr. Ashley Humlicek talks with Don and Ebony about her unique perspective as a healthcare provider that focuses on her practice as an entrepreneurial opportunity.

In the second half of our two-part conversation with Jeff Turner, TNW founder and former Spirit AeroSystems' President & CEO, we continue the conversation with Don and Ebony on the lessons he’s learned, how he has grown over the years and his philosophy and principles on leadership in our community.

In the first of our two-part conversation with Jeff Turner, TNW founder and former Spirit AeroSystems' President & CEO, we cover a broad range of thoughts on leadership. Jeff shares with Don and Ebony the lessons he’s learned, how he has grown over the years and his philosophy and principles on leadership in our community.

After years of growing in high-level leadership roles developing some of the largest brands in the world, Anita Greenwood felt like she was missing out. She tells Don and Ebony how she found something different in Wichita that gave her the freedom and lifestyle she wanted.

While never intending to start a business, Mark Daniels and his wife, Grace, saw a opening in the marketplace because one company said they would never come to Wichita. So they decided to fill that niche and have been growing ever since.

Bicycle Pedaler and Humilcek Family Dental have been named the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Small Businesses of the Year.

Starting at the bottom as a dishwasher, Darren McGilbray had ambitions to grow his career in the restaurant business. While others didn’t see a viable career path, Darren shares with Don and Ebony how he saw an opportunity for a bright future.

Now in its 40th year, The Chamber's Leadership Wichita program has helped motivate individuals to take up influential roles in their community. Kim Doze-Lohmann and Joseph Shepard share with Don and Ebony how the program has shifted to helping the community have leaders of all levels engaged in tackling big challenges we share.

Cindy Carnahan has been growing her business in the real estate industry for the past 40 years. But what you might not know is she has had a passion for growing flowers in downtown Wichita. Find out with Don and Ebony what adventures this has brought.  

Sometimes we lose touch of dreams as we grow up. But for Darrin Teeter, he sees his company at Fiber Dynamics as an opportunity to let his team pursue their own passions. He shares his vision with Don and Ebony.

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.  

When Cody Beard and his wife started on their journey to find a franchise business they could run together, they focused on their own lifestyle desires. Cody shares with Don and Ebony how that led them to Prime IV.

Ben Arnold started his catering business with only $30,000 in the bank, his Dodge Intrepid and a couple of ice chests. He shares with Don and Ebony how his energy, hustle and creativity led him to find a steady stream of clientele. 

Stan Shelden grew up loving art and technology. So naturally, he combined the two into a career in architecture, bringing the experience he gained in Chicago back to his hometown with Shelden Architecture.

Sam Foreman is on a mission to change the way legal firms operate, starting with his own practice, Foreman Law. He shares his views on mental health and balance in the workplace with Don and Ebony (and a few dad jokes, as well).

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force held the first in a three-part series of events for DEI professional development at NetApp on Wichita State's campus on March 29. 

Do you know what a bramble is? Don and Ebony didn’t. Katherine 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.

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce brought together a panel of four Wichita women who are leading change in the community for its March Sunrise Scrambler Celebrating Women’s History Month.

Leadership is an action, not a position. Julia Fabris McBride from the Kansas Leadership Center joins Don and Ebony to talk about the steps anyone can take to lead.

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce has been in contact with our local banking community and the Kansas Bankers Association in light of the recent issues in New York and California, and if those repercussions could impact businesses and individuals in our region.

When Kianga Kelley-Crowley was tempted to criticize others, she heard the call to help instead. Now she shares with Don and Ebony how she has been blessed by the way the Wichita community has embraced her Simply a Lady journey.

Six finalists have been chosen for the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce 2023 Small Business Awards. Judges evaluated applicants based on five key areas: leadership and performance, employee relations, entrepreneurship, community involvement and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Despite what you may have heard, print is alive and thriving in some industries. Ashley Martin shares with Don and Ebony how the family business, Valley Print Logistics, has grown in recent years and serves as a major component to any marketing campaign.

Employers learned about incentives available to provide assistance to current and future employees in finding quality, safe and affordable child care during a webinar hosted by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Wichita Partnership, Regional Economic Area Partnership, and the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas.

When Audra Dinell was reflecting on what she would do if she were her most audacious self, she was inspired by another leadership experience to come back home and start The Thread: A Women’s Leadership Collective. She shares with Don and Ebony the journey that has taken her on and the confidence others have poured into her.

As Black History Month wraps up, we are joined by the legendary Regina Miller of Trailblazers Academy, who shares how she measures her success as an entrepreneur by the people she helps succeed.

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 60th Honors Night celebration presented by Fidelity Bank will be April 20. Honors Night recognizes an outstanding individual, young professional, exceptional commitment to the community and a striking architectural achievement.

Economic indicators like employment, labor and prices on good are fueling growth in the Wichita economy and it's painting an optimistic picture for the region's immediate future.