Meet the Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills Business Launch Class of Spring 2023
Flint Hills Business Launch, an 8-week immersive course designed for entrepreneurs in their first three years of operations, kicked off this March with 15 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 Spring 2023 Flint Hills Business Launch course.
What is your name and business name?
My name is Misti LeMoine and my business is Second Act - Everything House & Home Consulting
What is something unique about your business or business products?
I walk alongside my clients empowering & helping them to make building, remodeling, staging and / or relocation decisions
What are you hoping to get out of the flint hills business launch program?
My goal is to relaunch my business in a more organized & concise fashion. I am hoping this course will help me know where to dot all the i’s & cross all the t’s.
Why are You a Good Fit for business launch?
I feel like I’m a good fit for a business launch because originally I just fell into what I’ve been doing and now I want it be more purposeful and dynamic and I want it to be my full time career.
What is your name and business name?
My name is Karen Wille and my business is Smokin Willes BBQ LLC
What is something unique about your business or business products?
We are a family oriented business that loves to BBQ. We specialized in smoked meats.
What are you hoping to get out of the flint hills business launch program?
I would like to learn how to do a business plan, how to go to a bank or small business and apply for a loan with the correct paperwork, budgets, best applications to use for my business and the ins and outs of my business that I do not know yet.
Why are You a Good Fit for business launch?
I have been in business with out brick and mortar, and still to this day I still learn new things everyday. I would like to learn all the ins and outs of my business.
What is your name and business name?
My name is Suliel Sapp and my business is Suliel Serenades.
What is something unique about your business or business products?
Suliel Serenades is a singing telegram service here in the Manhattan, KS and surrounding area. Singing Telegrams are a fun and unique way to celebrate someone and make them feel special! I deliver a short in-person customized musical performance to that special someone of yours! What a way to let someone know that you were thinking about them!
What are you hoping to get out of the flint hills business launch program?
The Flint Hills Business Launch Program is giving me the opportunity to learn things that I didn’t even know I would need to know to run a business! I’m sure we have all heard of the phrase, “you don’t know, what you don’t know, until you know it.” I am hoping that this course will help bridge that gap in my knowledge of what I don’t know and turn that into what I need to run a business and prepare me for most of the things that come with it. I am especially excited to collaborate and be inspired by like-minded people as well approach my business with more confidence.
Why are You a Good Fit for business launch?
I offer a unique service that I am so excited to put out into the world! On top of that, I have a background and a love for singing and dancing, so I know how important the arts and entertainment are and how much joy it brings into our everyday lives. I am so ready to learn and combine all the knowledge from the Flint Hills Business Launch program and put it towards Suliel Serenades.
What is your name and business name?
We are Jack and Karen Cunningham and we own Fragrant Blends Candle Bar.
What is something unique about your business or business products?
We are a candle shop that also offers guests the unique experience of creating their own custom fragrances for candles and other fragranced products. All our products are hand crafted by us in our store and we offer custom fragrances unique to our store.
What are you hoping to get out of the flint hills business launch program?
We are hoping to learn some of the basics to owning and operating a business. We have learned a lot, but feel we are missing some basics.
Why are You a Good Fit for business launch?
We opened a business without any background in business. We have researched and "figured out" things as they come. We have learned a lot, and we have done a lot of the right things, but by accident. We would love to learn everything we can from this class and become more intentional in what we do. We feel our business is on the cusp of taking off and feel this is the push needed to get us over the hump and speeding on our way!!!
What is your name and business name?
My name is Victoria Wanjiru Mutinda and I own Kiki's Events LLC.
What is something unique about your business or business products?
We love Children!!! Our business is more than a Black Woman Owned, Veteran, Family, and local operating from the confines of our home; it is mobile (we go to the clients) and cater to our clients needs with all party essential items in house, and especially the Balloon Art which I create…as a small business we are more centered on bringing the clients’ "Vision to Reality” and affording them and their Children a memorable experience at very reasonable prices. We work with our Customers.
What are you hoping to get out of the flint hills business launch program?
My love for Balloon art is what got me started on this path and as a military spouse; trust me it is not easy… I run this business with my husband Charles Mutinda, who is retiring from the military out of our home in Ft Riley and were it not for my passion and support from my family I would not be able to do what I do. I’m hoping to gain exposure to the community, connect with other businesses, learn how to market and operate my business better, how to get financial assistance, and find better innovative ideas to elevate the community in celebrating and encouraging our children through memorable experiences.
Why are You a Good Fit for business launch?
I am humble and acknowledge that I am not perfect and need all the help I can get to see my vision come to fruition… I am a better fit because I bring forth 10 years of balloon experience that I am now looking forward to make a business and what a better time than this after being a military spouse to be afforded the time to focus on my visions and wishes. Flint Hills Business Launch Program came around at the perfect time (Military Retirement) in our family and I think it is purposeful for our goals in establishing this as our family business.
What is your name and business name?
My name is Mentoria Green and I own Black Paradise Doulas, here in Manhattan.
What is something unique about your business or business products?
My business is unique because I am the only black doula locally. My desire to service women that look like me is due to the high maternal death rate across the United States.
What are you hoping to get out of the flint hills business launch program?
I am hoping to learn from the Flint Hills Business Launch, all of the behind-the-scenes work of owning a business. I think often it’s the admin tasks of businesses that can make us give up or fail. Things like a business plan, resources and business education are all valuable things I hope to learn.
Why are You a Good Fit for business launch?
I am a good fit for this program as I am stepping into my second year of business and I realize there are a ton of things I don’t know. I am eager to learn so I can be a business owner for years to come.
scroll to Read the responses side by side from the entrepreneurs of conceptual art studio LLC.
What is your name and business name?
My name is Arelis Diaz Briceno and I am the accountant for Conceptual Art Studio LLC. I also work the sale and marketing of original works of art and reproductions.
What is your name and business name?
My name is Pablo Diaz Carballo and my business is Conceptual Art Studio LLC.
What is something unique about your business or business products?
With more than 20 years of experience in the art market and education Pablo Diaz Carballo (artist) and Arelis Diaz Briceno, (Accountant) continue to study art in the United States, some projects were carried out in Willemstad - Netherlands Antilles, and in Caracas.
What is something unique about your business or business products?
My paintings; our process as Conceptual Art Laboratory; my career since 1980, and as a professional since 1999 with my wife Arelis (accountant and manager) as a business team. The value we obtained follows the timeline of historical artists like Duchamp, Warhol, Beyus, Pollock, and Kosuth and our personal contribution to contemporary Art History. We follow some of their proposals and add a new chapter to Universal Conceptual Art and Painting.
What are you hoping to get out of the flint hills business launch program?
We hope to get a grant or scholarship so that we can have working capital. We hope to develop a business plan focused on marketing to overcome inertia and thus make ourselves known. We want to look for exhibition halls similar to the MAC, to do at least 4 individual exhibitions a year. Also to get my first exhibition in a Museum of Contemporary Art, where I can present my work that is already ready and in phase for dissemination through new works and publications.
Why are You a Good Fit for business launch?
My artwork is a work that took 15 years of work and is ready to be presented in the art market and museums. Because of the cultural impact that my work had in Caracas and the Netherlands, there were almost 5.420 students. We have all the processes and products readymade, so we need the capital, sponsor and discussion, just to start, then the art business will be self-sustainable.
What are you hoping to get out of the flint hills business launch program?
Financial tools that allow us to adapt the new guidelines of the business plan, access sources of financial resources, marketing and contact that allow the dissemination of the work.
Why are you a good fit for business launch?
An already executed business plan and a personal contribution to the History of Contemporary Art that follows the chronology of historical artists such as Duchamp, Warhol, Beyus, Pollock and Kosuth, we added a new chapter to universal contemporary art, and obtained a cultural impact as a result. in a population of more than 5,420 students, by executing the experience of art through the plastic work of the artist.
What is your name and business name?
I am Melissa Soldan and my business is Lil’ Munchkins Children’s Boutique.
What is something unique about your business or business products?
Holidays and dressing up have always been a favorite in our family. Lil’ Munchkins strives to find fun apparel to celebrate life’s everyday memories and celebrate each day whether a holiday or not. Our boutique specializes in carrying holiday apparel as well as fun clothing that takes you from playing outside to taking a family photo all in one outfit.
What are you hoping to get out of the flint hills business launch program?
With Flint Hills Business Launch I am hoping that I can gain information through ideas, networking with others, and course work to take our business to the next level. Each year we continue to grow, however we also have continued competition growing around us. Continuing to keep our goal of celebrating life’s everyday memories through the clothes selected to sell, we also want to create a platform of branding that support this so shoppers or anyone looking for apparel will visit Lil’ Munchkins.
Why are you a good fit for business launch?
I believe that my business is a good fit for Flint Hills Business Launch because I would love to see this hobby of owning a business part-time grow into something more. I have always been entrepreneurial - selling lemonade and flowers outside our house, creating custom necklaces in the third grade, and being selected as the Sports Store owner during a 5th grade field trip where our store saw the highest sales in the day. Taking this spirit that I had at a young age, and expanding my talents as a professional - earning awards as a Top Salesperson, Spirit Award, and passing goals of building relationships in the community; I would like to continue to continue to apply and grow this within my own business.
Photo credit: JDecker Photography
What is your name and business name?
I am Natalie Barlett and my business is Gifts by Natalie.
What is something unique about your business or business products?
For Gifts by Natalie, I curate custom gifts that are thoughtful and useful! Each gift is based on your recipients’ interests or the feeling you want to convey and can be for personal or professional gifting. It is an absolute honor to be allowed to be a part of one’s gifting experience, and I strive to take the stress out of gifting by doing the idea creation, shopping, assembly, and delivery. I also incorporate items from local artisans to support local and keep the gifts unique.
What are you hoping to get out of the flint hills business launch program?
I am highly anticipating learning more about the money side of business. I need to make sure my business is profitable and sustainable. In addition, I hope to make connections with those in the program as well as those teaching.
Why are you a good fit for business launch?
This is a perfect time to add more business knowledge to my entrepreneur journey as I have been running my business at a very small scale for a few years and am ready to grow! However, to take the next steps, I need to make sure I know business basics. I just moved back to Manhattan and am also eager to get established in the Manhattan area. In addition, I love learning so it is a great opportunity to learn from so many knowledgeable others.
Photo credit: Reflections Photography.
What is your name and business name?
I am Amanda Bullock and my business is Amanda's Cookie Colony.
What is something unique about your business or business products?
I offer decorated sugar cookies, macarons, deep dish cookies, and more! I love helping create special sweet treats for people and their life celebrations! I've made cookies from birthdays to weddings to a hip replacement. Cookies can be part of anything in life.
I love setting up at events and getting to meet and connect with people! I have often been accused of talking too much, but it generally serves me well at events. I enjoy getting to banter and share my sarcastic side with customers.
We purchased the home next to ours and are remodeling it from top to bottom. It will have my commercial kitchen so I will be able to wholesale as well as have plenty of space to work and host cookie classes. The bottom level of the home will be an AirBnb with a separate entrance and 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
What are you hoping to get out of the Flint Hills Business Launch Course?
I want to make sure I am setting my business up for success and learn from others than have followed their dream as an entrepreneur. I feel like I have figured some things out along the way, but could use some help to focus and grow.
Why are you a good fit for Business Launch?
I am very excited for this opportunity! I have a degree in Finance from Kansas State University and have always had a day job related to that degree until last July when I had the opportunity to take my business full time. I want to be able to show my children that you can do anything you want to do in life!
I also love cheering on other business owners and seeing them succeed. I love being surrounded by other small business owners and being able to chat about the successes and struggles that come along with being a business owner.