Blog

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.

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.     

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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. We're bringing back one of our favorite episodes featuring QuickHire, a tech start-up born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope you enjoy the behind the scenes story of how Deborah Gladney and Angela Muhwezi-Hall's started a career discovery marketplace for the service economy right here in Wichita.

W – A Community of Young Professionals announced the winners of its annual W Awards.

From a lover of comics to creating her own business, Marisa VanSkiver (aka Captain Coder) has been on the forefront of everything digital marketing. She talks with Don and Ebony about how a great website is the foundation of marketing a successful business.

Located right here in Wichita, Five Star Mechanical Inc is a private, locally-owned business established in December of 2005. We provide commercial and industrial HVAC services, specializing in commercial, plant, and facility maintenance, process production equipment, mechanical systems, plumbing constructions services and building automation. Our staff includes certified, factory-trained and licensed HVAC technicians, plumbers, pipefitters, steel and sheet metal fabricators and controls technicians.

When Gabe Juhnke and Rik Dubiel left KPTS to start their own video production company, Method, they wanted to stand out. They share with Don and Ebony how they help businesses who don’t have Hollywood budgets.

The Wichita Regional Chamber Political Action Committee (WRC PAC) voted to endorse Secretary of State Scott Schwab in his reelection campaign for Kansas Secretary of State in the primary election that will take place on August 2, 2022. The Chamber PAC also endorsed 16 other candidates in their primary races for the Kansas House of Representatives.

When Cyle Barnwell went to help the previous owner of Keystone Solid Surfaces sell his business he had no idea he would eventually buy the business with his best friend. He shares his story with Don and Ebony on transitioning from accountant to entrepreneur.

Tim Young came in as a consultant but stayed on as a CEO with Heartland Dermatology. He shares his story with Don and Ebony on transforming the business and serving the community.

New online function allow visitors to search for minority-owned, veteran- or military-owned and women-owned businesses on the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce's directory.

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.

Dr. Tasha Parker loves community psychology so much that she thinks everyone should get involved. She shares with Don and Ebony the pivot she made in December to create the Institute of Development.

Cold starts in the medical field are intimidating and challenging. Dr. Greyson Barger did just that with Opticology Eyecare, and he shares with Don and Ebony how he went from doing everything himself to recently moving into a new building to handle the growth.

What do you do when you don’t think someone else will hire you out of college? You start your own business and grow from there. Dave Wells shares with Don and Ebony the journey he went on with Key Construction.

Andrew Wiens, Vice President of Government Relations for the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, traveled to the National Security Forum at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama in May. He was be nominated by McConnell leadership to attend the event. 

What are you willing to give your 100% to? Renaire Palmer found this out on his journey to becoming a small business owner with Fundamental Fitness and he shares some excellent fitness tips with Don and Ebony.

Several new faces have joined the staff at the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce named these businesses the 2022 Small Business of the Year. Three businesses out of nine finalists won awards during the Chamber's first SBA ceremony since 2019.

For four generations, Johnson’s Garden Center has been bringing beauty to Wichita through horticulture. Hear from Marty and Jeremy Johnson as they share their past and exciting future with Don and Ebony.

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce has been named one of 13 Communications Award of Excellence winners by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.