Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator

Dec 27 2023 154 ep. 36 mins 3
Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator Podcast artwork

Explore the world of business and entrepreneurship in Wichita. Learn from local business owners from a variety of industries as they share their experiences with hosts and Evergy leaders, Don Sherman and Ebony Clemons-Ajibolade, who are also small business owners. You’ll learn how they have built and grown their companies and the challenges and opportunities they encountered along the way. This podcast is brought to you by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and is powered by Evergy.

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De-Clutter Your Marketing (Jordan Walker - Bondfire Strategy) [Re-release]

Dec 27 2023 36 mins  
Bondfire Strategy is closing in on its first anniversary in business, but Jordan Walker is already making an impact in the local marketing scene. She shares with Don and Ebony how she builds relationships with her clients to deliver them great results. On this episode we discuss:Taking the clutter out of marketingHaving a focus on people and relationships to build connectionsNot be

Using Your Trials to Forge Culture (Mary Kate - Mary Kate and Company) [Re-release]

Dec 20 2023 37 mins  
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 ki

Mission Before Profit (Justin Eklund - Grove 9) [Re-release]

Dec 13 2023 27 mins  
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 profitFrom ministry to the marketplaceHelping org

Championing Wichita Startups (Josh Oeding / Mary Beth Jarvis - NXTUS) [Re-release]

Dec 06 2023 41 mins  
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 NXTUSEstablishing the entrepreneurial mojo of WichitaHelping any business leader that walk

Lifting Minority-Owned Businesses (Christina Long - CML Collective) [Re-release]

Nov 29 2023 34 mins  
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 communitiesSmall

Making a Great Event First (Patrick Pelkowski - Shaken or Stirred Bartending) [Re-release]

Nov 22 2023 38 mins  
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 WichitaGetting a degree in entrepreneurship and looking for that opportunityBar

A Community to Build Women-Owned Businesses (Andrea Hattan - The Hive) [Re-release]

Nov 15 2023 29 mins  
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 entrepreneurAll the coworking spaces seemed to be men in the tech industryCreatin

Making Work More Human (Brandon Gaide - Sevenfold) [Re-release]

Nov 08 2023 39 mins  
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 strategicPartnering with construction firm Hutton

The Taproom Adventure (Stacy Ward-Lattin - Hopping Gnome) [Re-release]

Nov 01 2023 39 mins  
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

All in the Brand (Bill Gardner - Gardner Design) [Re-release]

Oct 25 2023 40 mins  
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 brandingHow success and risk are tied togetherThe connections and relationships that