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In this conversation, Sarah Siders, Executive Director of Spark, and Mike Simon of Outdoor Bank, highlight the critical need for a well-rounded business team, drawing parallels to a baseball lineup. They stress the importance of having specialists in finance, marketing, legal and HR, each playing a unique position to secure business success. Beyond immediate team members, they encourage entrepreneurs to leverage external experts and turn them into valuable players in navigating the intricacies of business financing.
During the webinar, they discuss the intricacies of the entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing that entrepreneurship is not a solo endeavor but a collective effort involving building a team of diverse professionals. They highlight the importance of having the right individuals in key positions, such as lenders, attorneys, marketers and accountants, to foster business success. Read more here.
Local realtors Sabrina and Dustin Scheerer wanted their love of natural, alternative, and holistic healthcare to be more than a passion. As parents of five and co-members of the Scheerer Home Team with NextHome Unlimited, Sabrina and Dustin discovered the challenge of finding resources for holistic health in the Manhattan area.
Through their work in real estate, they found many others experience the same challenge. This realization led to the creation of Well-Con, a vendor event that aims to be a central resource for the community to access health and wellness opportunities in one place. This weekend, the duo are hosting the first Flint Hills Well-Con event on Saturday, January 20th, from 10 AM - 2PM, at Pottorf Hall.
For Amy Shaneyfelt, starting her own business was almost inevitable. As the daughter and granddaughter of entrepreneurs in a small town, her experience in business began as early as she can remember. “Growing up in a small Midwestern town, I was shaped by my lifelong involvement in my parents’ businesses,” Amy reflects.
Her family businesses were more than a source of income; they played integral roles in her community, shaping her views of entrepreneurship,, and specifically, marketing. “With multiple generations of my family preceding me as small business owners, I bring a different perspective honed through first-hand experience of watching my parents and grandparents build businesses that became central to my hometown,” Amy explains. “This perspective has been foundational in my career so it’s no surprise that I find myself drawn to working with start-ups,” Amy adds. Read Amy’s entrepreneur story here.
Daphne McNelly’s journey into entrepreneurship with Art by Daph traces back to an enduring childhood love for art. “I never really imagined myself to be an entrepreneur, or a professional artist for that matter,” she reminisces. Her affinity for art, born from an inclination for doodling that often landed her in trouble, gradually became a defining part of her identity. “In my time since college, art has become a catharsis and endeared passion,” she reveals.
Daphne credits the persistent support from friends and family for nudging her toward the decision to formalize her artistic pursuit into entrepreneurship. “After years of my loved ones and friends telling me I should sell my work, I finally decided to make it official in 2020. Looking back now, I can’t thank those people enough for supporting me to move forward with my art.”
Natalie Barlett, the visionary behind the unique business, Gifts by Natalie and a graduate of the Flint Hills Business Launch cohort in Spring 2023, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey fueled by a passion for gifting and a natural talent for curating the ideal present. “I’ve always loved gifting. And I love finding the perfect thing. That’s such a great feeling for me, when I’m like, ‘I nailed it,’” she shares, reflecting on her path to entrepreneurship.
Her return to Manhattan one year ago from Pennsylvania, where she and her husband taught for 15 years, marked a pivotal transition that momentarily stalled her business growth. However, her commitment to make new connections and establish herself in the community became the catalyst for the resurgence of her business. “It was a slow-growing process, and then I felt like the move froze the growth for a minute. And now, a year and a half later, we’re growing a business,” Natalie states, symbolizing her business’s resilience.
Following their graduation from Flint Hills Business Launch (FHBL) the Spring ’23 cohort of graduates ventured into a dynamic state of entrepreneurial growth and accomplishment. In this series, “Where Are They Now?” , we highlight the notable strides and victories attained by these entrepreneurs in the aftermath of their FHBL experiences. Highlighting the evolution of their ventures in the latter half of the year, each feature illuminates the remarkable achievements, milestones and breakthroughs accomplished since their graduation. As we explore their journeys, we uncover the enduring impact of FHBL, acting as a driving force behind their continued success, shedding light on the diverse pathways these graduates have forged in their pursuit of entrepreneurial excellence.
Within the world of art, sometimes the most intricate masterpiece isn’t always a painting or a sculpture—it's the artist themselves. Jacob Sanderson’s life story embodies this notion, showcasing a profound journey of artistry shaped by adversity.
Sanderson recalls, after completing an Army contract, he started a circuitous college career. “After the military, I was at K-State doing research in psychology, and I was close to [getting] done with my degree and got a grant to do research during the summer.”
After a mental health crisis, he began a process of taking his internal struggle and forging it into art, conscious of the ways in which the artist’s lifestyle could also accommodate changes to his capacity or mental health. “It was an intentional identity shift into something that was flexible, able to accommodate occasional crisis,” Sanderson reflects. First, he changed his major to creative nonfiction because, he says, “it seemed like an area where you can encounter distress and turn it into a narrative.”
MANHATTAN, KS – In a collaborative effort aimed at nurturing local entrepreneurship, $350,000 in new capital is now at the fingertips of area entrepreneurs for the upcoming year. This financial boost comes through the launch of two entrepreneurial funding programs—the Elevate Micro-Loan Program and the NetWork Kansas Empower Fund. A consortium of key entrepreneurial ecosystem partners, including the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Spark, Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills, K-State Innovation Partners, the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, and NetWork Kansas, have joined forces to make this initiative a reality.
To complement these new initiatives, the Manhattan region also benefits from existing NetWork Kansas E-Community and GrowKS loan programs, ensuring a comprehensive suite of resources for local businesses. Interested entrepreneurs can find detailed information and check eligibility on the Spark website at funding.sparkmhk.com, where an online Inquiry Form is available to start the process.
Last night, the Women in Entrepreneurship community hosted the 2nd Annual End of Year Celebration and Awards, presented by Addair Law, at Arrow Cocktail Lounge in Manhattan, Kansas.
Women business owners and supporters from around the Greater Manhattan area gathered for an evening of dinner and networking. Executive Director of Spark, Sarah Siders, shared the history of the community and how it has evolved from a small Facebook group in 2020 to monthly events with over 225 women in attendance during 2023, and nearly 450 women entrepreneurs as a member of the online community.
The evening concluded with recognition of women entrepreneurs in four categories and a special Women in Entrepreneurship community award. Read more here.
During #NationalVeteransMonth, we feature stories and interviews with Veteran entrepreneurs from across the Greater Manhattan and Flint Hills region. The following interview features Shawnette and Darryl Williams, Army Veterans and owners of Positively Soap and Candle Co., located in Manhattan. Customers can locate their safe, premium and ethnical products on their website, and at a number of retail locations throughout the Flint Hills. Read their Veteran entrepreneur story here.
Want to read more stories of Veteran entrepreneurs? Click here.
Flint Hills Business Launch proudly presents the Fall 2023 class of current and future entrepreneurs who have successfully completed Spark’s core business fundamental class, a 9-week program. The graduation ceremony and pitch competition, featuring 15 participating entrepreneurs and 12 businesses, took place Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the Union Pacific Depot in downtown Manhattan.
This season’s cohort was comprised of entrepreneurs from across Pottawatomie, Riley, and Geary counties in Kansas, who engaged in the twice-annual, virtual class designed for entrepreneurs who are pre-launch through the first three years of operations. The class was facilitated by serial entrepreneur, owner of MHK Caravan Co and K-State Entrepreneurship Instructor, Tara Geiber.
During #NationalVeteransMonth, we feature stories and interviews with Veteran entrepreneurs from across the Greater Manhattan and Flint Hills region. The following interview features Shawn Robison, Army Veteran and owner of Honor Screenprinting and Embroidery, located in Junction City. Shawn’s commitment to business excellence extends to investing in his community through education and mentorship, not only in Junction City but throughout the Flint Hills. As Vice Chair of the newly-formed Flint Hills Vetrepreneur Foundation, Shawn hopes to increase his impact in supporting Veteran-owned businesses through the foundation’s values: advocacy, community and training.
Want to read more stories of veteran entrepreneurs? Click here.
During #HispanicHeritageMonth, we will feature the inspiring journeys, diverse backgrounds, and exceptional achievements of Hispanic entrepreneurs in the Flint Hills region who have left an indelible mark on their industries and communities. Join us as we explore the stories of resilience, creativity, and success that make up the spirit of Hispanic entrepreneurship. In this interview, we meet Yahaira Lorenzo-Jaime, aHispanic entrepreneur and co-owner of Ia’s Kitchen in Junction City, along with her husband, Luis Cubero. These features are written in both English and Spanish.
Flint Hills Business Launch, a 9-week immersive course designed for entrepreneurs in their first three years of operations, kicked off this September with 16 participating businesses from Pottawatomie, Riley and Geary counties in Kansas. The course curriculum is built on the nationally-recognized, Kauffman FastTrac, with additional support for participating business owners in the form of small group discussions, expert Q&A, mentor matching and additional visibility and preparation for capital for their business during and after the course.
In this series, get to know the participating entrepreneurs committing to start and grow their businesses on strong foundations in the Fall 2023 Flint Hills Business Launch course.
During #HispanicHeritageMonth, we feature the inspiring journeys, diverse backgrounds, and exceptional achievements of Hispanic entrepreneurs in the Flint Hills region who have left an indelible mark on their industries and communities. Join us as we explore the stories of resilience, creativity, and success that make up the spirit of Hispanic entrepreneurship. These features are written in both English and Spanish. This interview is with Yendi Gonzalez, a Hispanic entrepreneur who is forming a business around the translation service she has provided for years. “Ayuda Para Hispanohablantes” (Help for Spanish-speakers) offers services such as translating and interpreting from Spanish to English and vice versa, and everything that a non-English’s speaker would need,” Yendi says. Read her Hispanic entrepreneur story here.
During #HispanicHeritageMonth, we will feature the inspiring journeys, diverse backgrounds, and exceptional achievements of Hispanic entrepreneurs in the Flint Hills region who have left an indelible mark on their industries and communities. Join us as we explore the stories of resilience, creativity, and success that make up the spirit of Hispanic entrepreneurship. These features are written in both English and Spanish. The first interview in the series is with Oscar Montenegro, owner of OM Consulting. Oscar helps “high level leaders achieve complete clarity, alignment, and movement towards their most ambitious personal/professional goals. Read his Hispanic entrepreneur story here.
Get to know Nikita Razo, serial entrepreneur and owner of Manhattan’s only rage room. Nikita was motivated to open a rage room in Manhattan when she heard people complaining that there aren’t enough adult activities in Manhattan. “So I decided, why not help with that and bring something a little more outside the box into town. So far people are loving it and having so much fun smashing things and throwing paint around.” Read her Office Space Rage Room business story here.
In downtown Manhattan, Kansas, a unique and faith-driven business has emerged to bring together a community of believers and offer a distinctive shopping experience. In this feature, we meet Kyra Vanderbilt, the entrepreneur who owns Twelve A Fellowship Boutique.
With a background in apparel marketing and a deep sense of calling, Kyra embarked on a journey to create a space where Christians from diverse denominations could come together for fellowship.
In this interview-styled feature, we hear from Kyra about the inspiration behind her store, also known as Twelve AFB, about its products and services, and her vision for the future. Read along as we explore how this boutique is not only a retail destination but aims to be a beacon of faith and unity in the Manhattan community.
Heather Hnizdil, the Art Coordinator of Downtown MHK Art, which manages the gallery spaces 409 Gallery and Underground Collective Gallery, is no stranger to the entrepreneurial world. After two years getting her Poyntz Avenue-facing coffee shop, Flight Crew, up and running, she and the Downtown Manhattan Inc board saw a new opportunity to develop Downtown Manhattan as an art hub.
In addition to being a business owner, Heather is also an artist. The impressive floor-to-ceiling mural of a plane on the wall of Flight Crew is an example of her skills as a visual creative. The 409 Gallery and Underground Collective Gallery, which opened in June this year, is a creative collaboration with Downtown MHK Art and the Downtown Manhattan Inc board. Heather and her team have created a unique platform for local artists to display and sell their work. In this interview, Heather shares her motivations for the galleries, along with its distinctive approach, and their vision for the future of art in Downtown Manhattan, KS.
On May 1, 2023, a new CBD shop, Top Shelf CBD, opened its doors in the Candlewood Shopping Center in Manhattan, KS. This veteran-owned shop offers a variety of CBD products including tinctures, gummies, topicals, and pet treats. The veteran owners are passionate about the benefits of CBD, having used it themselves as a natural alternative to prescription medication for pain management. After years of research on healthy CBD treatments, the owners recognized the opportunity presented by the intersection of the growing varieties of CBD options with a more supportive political and economic environment for CBD. In this interview with Jeremy Meek, one of the three owners of Top Shelf CBD, get to know their business backstory and what inspired them to open Top Shelf now.
