Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator

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.  On this episode we discuss:

• Her sister, “Company”
• Having a different kind of salon
• Never having to recruit new h...

Justin Eklund has one primary goal with Grove9: to help businesses and organizations focus more on the mission and good they provide our communities.  He shares with Don and Ebony his journey through ministry and how it eventually led him to take a new approach in a profit driven world.  On this episode we discuss:

• Valuing mission over profit
• From ministry to the marketplace
• Helping organizations tell stories that really ...

Josh Oeding and Mary Beth Jarvis aspire to grow the Wichita business scene through NXTUS by capturing the rapid change created by new startups.  They share how all of us can be involved in supporting startup growth with Don and Ebony.  On this episode we discuss:

• Josh’s transition from Koch to NXTUS
• Establishing the entrepreneurial mojo of Wichita
• Helping any business leader that walks through the door
• Taking inspiration f...

Half of the guests on the podcast have mentioned her and now we get to hear directly from the legend, Christina Long.  Don and Ebony explore with her how CML Collective and the Create Campaign have lifted other minority-owned businesses in the community.  On this episode we discuss:

• Starting out in journalism through the Wichita Eagle, covering the ethnic and minority communities
• Small beginnings with a t-shirt company a...

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.   On this episode we discuss:

• An Air Force and Air Traffic Controller background brought Pat to Wichita
• Getting a degree in entrepreneurship and looking for that opportunity
• Bartending as a side gig
• Creating a bus...

Andrea Hattan had an idea, 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 safe space for women in the Wichita community.  On this episode we discuss:

• Being a 5th generation entrepreneur
• All the coworking spaces seemed to be men in the tech industry
• Creating a “coffee shop” model that helps w...

When Brandon Gaide started the strategy and innovation firm Sevenfold, he found an unlikely partnership with construction firm Hutton.  Brandon shares with Don and Ebony how that partnership has allowed the creation of something new to help businesses make work more human.  On this episode we discuss:

• Helping organizations become more strategic
• Partnering with construction firm Hutton to build something new for businesse...

Sometimes you just have to be willing to follow your passions and lean into what you don’t know.  When Stacy Ward-Lattin and her husband, Torrey, started the Hopping Gnome taproom 6 years ago, they had no idea the adventure they were in for. Stacy joins hosts Don and Ebony to share the Hopping Gnome story, from home brewing to deciding to create something brand new in Wichita.  On this episode we discuss:

• The upcoming 6...

Bill Gardner has been around the brand creation game for a long time and has a ton of insight to share.  Don and Ebony dive into what has made him successful with Gardner Design and how others can be successful at building their own brands.  On this episode we discuss:

• The constantly changing world of branding
• How success and risk are tied together
• The connections and relationships that kept Bill in Wichita
• Tips and pitfal...

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 and talks with Don and Ebony about surviving the pandemic.  On this episode we discuss:

• Creating the third space
• Discovering the art of coffee as a barista
• Starting out in New York City
• How to make latte art
• The community refrigerator
• Sarah’s approach to re-opening during the pand...

Mental health and wellness continues to come more infocus for businesses, leaders and their employees.  Dr. Larry Mitnaul of the Ascension Medical Group talks with Don and Ebony about what this looks like and practical ways to engage mental health and wellness in our homes and workplaces.  On this episode we discuss:

• Having a passion to help kids and families with mental health
• Always being available to help others
• What w...

It started humbly making metal products in the garage, but now JR Custom Metal Products has thrived to over 140 employees.  Hear from Jorge Martinez and Patty Koehler as they share with Don and Ebony how their father’s legacy lives on in their business.  On this episode we discuss:

• Jesus Raul Martinez Sr. starting in the garage in 1978
• Always wanting to start his own business
• Partnering with Spirit and SpaceX
• Selling durin...

For many years, Jose Gutierrez has helped train and develop other Farmer’s Insurance agents.  But after all that time he felt the pull and bought his own agency one year ago.  He shares that journey with Don and Ebony.  On this episode we discuss:

• Moving from coach and trainer as a district manager to being a business owner
• The importance of having a personal relationship with your insurance provider
• Coming to Wichita fro...

On the final chapter of our Journey Unseen series host Don Sherman is joined by Amy Williams who shares about how she learned to own her own space when she entered the room.  With these special conversations we share the stories of women in our community who have had a profound impact on our community through their leadership and achievements.  On this episode we discuss:

• What brought Amy back to Wichita
• Having a passion...

We are joined on the second of our special three-part Journey Unseen series by Vera Bothner.  As she shares with us her unique career journey as a woman in business, she reflects with host Don Sherman 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 p...

Join us for a special three-part series called Journey Unseen where we share the stories of women in our community who have had a profound impact on our community through their leadership and achievements.  For the first of this series, Yoland Camarena talks about the value of mentorship in her life with hosts Don and Ebony:

• Growing up with five sisters
• Family values growing up in south Texas
• Lessons learned from moving a...

Through her long career in the Air Force, Cathy McClain has seen a lot of exciting things.  But what she has found is an intense appreciation and love for the people she has been around.  Now retired from her military career, she shares with Don and Ebony how she serves people by helping them become the most effective leaders they can be. On this episode we discuss:Developing leadership strengths

• The belief of parents
• Wr...

Do you know what a bramble is?  Don and Ebony didn’t, but Katherine Elder walks through how the family farm has continued to grow into a larger and larger culinary experience, culminating in the opening of 1400 by Elderslie. On this episode we discuss:

• Opening in the Wichita Art Museum
• What’s the deal with the goats?
• When Katherine hit pause
• Growing up with a culinary knack
• Being dedicated to sourcing locally
• All the element...

When Brandon Converse left his engineering career to join his brother at the Converse Team, he was motivated by the desire to help others secure their financial future.  Don and Ebony dive in with him on how they help make that possible for companies and individuals.  On this episode we discuss:

• The ways The Converse Team can serve others
• How Brandon found his way from being an engineer to the financial services industry
• ...