Archives
- April 2025
- February 2025
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
Blog
Nonprofits, Businesses Can Forge Win-Win Partnerships
Molly Edwards, senior manager for global community relations and corporate giving for Spirit AeroSystems, spoke about the best way to build lasting partnerships between nonprofits and businesses at The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce's December Sunrise Scrambler.
Solving Cybersecurity Problems - Episode 101 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Tevin Manuel
Tevin Manual has had a clear vision of his future for a long time, and he’s chasing it with Tandem Cyber Operations. He explores his past with Don and Ebony and how it led him to provide services to schools and universities to fulfill an unmet need.
Speaker challenges Chamber to lead with love
Arthur C. Brooks, a social scientist, economist, and author, was the speaker at the 2022 Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting. “We act like we hate each other in America,” Brooks said. “Really, we have bad communication habits."
An accidental entrepreneur - Episode 100 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Bryan Steele
For this special occasion, we are putting our producer behind the microphone. How do you accidentally become an entrepreneur? Bryan Steele will tell you it happens one day at a time. He talks with Don and Ebony how the creation of Forge Podcast Co. was a long journey that he never saw coming.
When Outsourcing Makes Sense - Episode 99 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Bill Maness
When Bill Maness left his sales job over disagreements about what it meant to support clients, he never imagined Syndeo, his own business, one day celebrating its 20th anniversary. He shares with Don and Ebony his thoughts on service, outsourcing and the value the Chamber provides to local businesses.
Episode 98 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Wichita Business Expo
For this episode of the podcast, Don and Ebony were live from the 2022 Wichita Chamber Business Expo at Century II on September 29 meeting with business owners, organizations and attendees.
Episode 94 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Margaret Dechant
The financial services industry finds itself with an aging workforce, but Margaret Dechant and 6 Meridian are focused on bringing a youth movement to their business. Join her as she shares her story with Don and Ebony.
Keeper of the Plains nominations open for 2023
The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the prestigious Keeper of the Plains award that is presented annually in honor of an outstanding architectural achievement.
From Stage to Boardroom - Episode 97 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Maddie Butler
Maddie Butler thought she would be on tour with her background in theater productions. But she has found herself running a wide variety of events with Kent Audio Visual. She shares with Don and Ebony how her career led her here and how Wichita has been the perfect place to grow.
Wichita Chamber, South Central Kansas Transportation Coalition Working to Improve K-96 corridor in east Wichita.
The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and the South Central Kansas Transportation Coalition are among a number of partners working with the Kansas Department of Transportation, the City of Wichita and the Federal Highway Administration to improve the K-96 corridor in east Wichita.
A Community to Build Women-Owned Businesses - Episode 96 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Andrea Hattan
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.
Economist, social scientist, author to speak at Chamber Annual Meeting
Best-selling author and The Atlantic columnist Arthur C. Brooks will headline the Chamber’s December 1 Annual Meeting. Brooks will provide remarks based on his 2019 book, “Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt.”
Business Leaders Learn About Fentanyl Crisis
Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter told employers they should be concerned about fentanyl in the Wichita region during a webinar. Fentanyl began to infiltrate the Wichita region in 2018 and has now replaced methamphetamine as the most popular illegal drug in the community. Easter shared several things businesses can do to help law enforcement combat the fentanyl crisis.
No One Else Can Own This - Episode 95 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Kalee Rose and Marisa McCall
When an opportunity to buy the bakery they had been working at for years presented itself, Kalee Rose and Marisa McCall told themselves they were the only ones who could take over. They share about their jump into entrepreneurship with Don and Ebony.
Mary Shannon Shares Her Journey Unseen
With nearly 30 years in non-profit, Mary Shannon, CEO and President of Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters, says you're never too old to learn something new. She shared her Journey Unseen with the Chamber community at the Hyatt Regency on October 20, the second event in a two-part series sponsored by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Business of Health - Episode 93 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Ed O'Malley
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.
City to City: Minneapolis 2022
The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, along with business and community leaders from an array of organizations and industries, are in Minneapolis, Minnesota for this year's City to City visit. Each day, we will highlight programs and people we met and how we can implement what we learned into measurable success in Wichita.
From Trainer to Owner - Episode 92 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Jose Gutierrez
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.
Claudia Amaro Shares Her Journey Unseen
Claudia Amaro’s journey to successful journalist, business owner and leadership coach had many twists and turns. She shared her Journey Unseen with the Wichita community at the Hyatt Regency Wichita on October 4, the first event in a two-part series sponsored by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Fast-paced Pivot - Episode 91 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Megan McCurdy Niedens
As an auctioneer, Megan McCurdy Niedens is used to talking fast. When COVID abruptly shut down live events, McCurdy Auction had to act fast, too. She shares with Don and Ebony how that has created new growth and opportunity.
Entrepreneurship Meets Healthy Living - Episode 90 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Kalene Hoffman
Kalene Hoffman's entrepreneurial spirt has always driven her to bring new businesses to Wichita. But it was in 2011 when she decided to incorporate her passion for healthy living. She shares her journey with Don and Ebony about her latest endeavor, BodyBar Pilates.
Episode 89 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Mike Heldstab and Captain Ryan "Sugar" Shieve
This weekend is the first air show at McConnell Air Force Base in four years. Don and Ebony are joined by Mike Heldstab and Capt. Ryan “Sugar” Shieve to talk about air show retuning and McConnell's economic impact on the community.
From Garage to SpaceX - Episode 88 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Jorge Martinez and Patty Koehler
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.
Using Your Trials to Forge Culture - Episode 87 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Mary Kate Denton
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.
Creating Community as an Entrepreneur - Episode 86 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Alexus Scott
Alexus Scott's passion for building an engaging community drove her to becoming an entrepreneur. She shares with Don and Ebony how the love of paper products led to Boutique 5 Stationary & Petite Gifts.
One Small Step Serves as Good Reminder to Listen First
As the Chamber continues a focus on taking steps to build trust and transform our community, we asked some local businesspeople how participation in the One Small Step project has influenced them as business leaders.
The Art of Coffee - Episode 85 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Sarah Leslie
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 the 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.
Building Community Among Employees Key to Success
Research shows employees are more productive, perform their jobs more safely and inspire more innovation when they can bring their full selves to work. The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and Kansas Gas Service hosted Creating Community for your Employees August 18. The event focused on ways for employers to create opportunities for intentional inclusion.
Cybersecurity Isn't a Buzzword - Episode 84 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Bill Ramsey
You hear about cybersecurity on the news, but it’s hard for it to seem like anything more than a buzzword. Bill Ramsey, co-founder of Soteria Technology Solutions, breaks down with Don and Ebony how cybersecurity can impact any business.
The biggest mistake small businesses make online - Episode 83 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Krissy Buck
The Wichita Business Accelerator Podcast hosts are taking a summer break. But don't worry, we're leaving you with one of our favorites from the archive. Tune in for Krissy Buck with WSU Tech. Krissy, Program Director of Digital Marketing at WSU Tech, talks all things social media and digital presence for small businesses and the biggest mistake she sees small businesses make online