Kansas City Gears Up for the Second Annual Middle of the Map Fest

We could not be more thrilled that spring weather is making an appearance in Kansas City—the patios are open, the Royals are back in season and perhaps most importantly, the startup scene is gearing up for some major entrepreneurial events.  And that includes the second annual Middle of the Map Fest. 

Kansas City’s Middle of the Map Fest, presented by Ink Magazine and The Record Machine, is a rock festival to promote the city’s culture.  The festival is much more than just music, though.  For the second year, Middle of the Map Fest will incorporate a Forum meant just for KC business leaders and entrepreneurs as well as a Film portion for movie/film buffs. 

With more than 100 bands having played at four venues from April 4-6, the Middle of the Map Fest Music portion has already gotten off to a great start.  However, the event is far from over.  Middle of the Map culminates with its first Film Fest May 1-5, showing more than 15 films.

Sandwiched in between is the Forum from April 17-19.  Some of the most prominent figures in the Kansas City business community will be presenting as speakers and in panels.  The Middle of the Map Fest Forum is a great opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to hear stories and advice from other Kansas City businessmen who have found success in their industries. 

Thursday’s speakers include:

·       John McDonald, Founder and President of Boulevard Brewing Company

·       Adam Jones, historic preservation architectural designer and developer

·       Stephen F. Kingsmore, Director of the Children’s Mercy Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine

Friday’s speakers include:

·       Sandy Kemper, Founder and Chairman of the Board of both Pollenware and The Collector’s Fund

·       Robb Heineman, Chief Executive Officer of Sporting Club

Also included in the Middle of the Map Fest Forum are the eleven panels over topics important to entrepreneurs.  Topics and times can be found here.

The Middle of the Map Fest Forum takes place April 17-19 at both OfficePort and StagePort.  At the end of each day, there will be after-parties hosted by Missouri Bank and Barkley.  Tickets for the Middle of the Map Fest Forum are $50 and can be purchased through The Record Machine’s website.  We hope to see you there!  

Q&A with Dominic Scalise of Startup KC CO.

The Kansas City startup scene is growing every day. We often think of startups strictly as technological entities, but the true essence of any startup is entrepreneurship. Kansas City is unique for many reasons, but perhaps one of the most startling things about the city is that it has a vast spectrum of entrepreneurs, each deserving recognition for the work they do.

One such example is the brainchild of Dominic Scalise, age 25, and Austin Lyon, age 23. The Kansas City natives founded rapidly-growing handmade product company KC CO. KC CO. combines Midwestern work ethic with 21^st century market strategy to create stellar, relevant and quality products.

While their intentionally minimalistic product line of leather goods – choose from a belt, wallet, iPad case or keychain – KC CO. is able to manage the quality of each and every hand-cut and hand-stitched piece. With keen eyes for design, a deep understanding of marketing, a commitment to ethical business and the passion to thrive under pressure, the creators of KC CO. have created something phenomenal: a 21^st century business model with a dedication to relationships. I was fortunate enough to meet with KC CO. co-founder Dominic Scalise to hear more.

Dominic Scalise sat down with TBP to talk about KC CO.

TBP:  How did this all start?

DOMINIC:  Basically, Austin and I became friends during college. Turns out we were both big wristwatch guys, and it’s kind of hard to find other people into that at our age. Austin was making leather watch straps belts. The stuff he was making was really quality stuff. I’ve always been hands-on and I’ve always loved working with my hands, so he gave me a few tips on how to make this stuff. I gave it a shot and made a belt, and it was hideous and I loved it. I wore the hell out of it. I was so proud. And after that I was just hooked. The more I made the better I got and that excited me, because then it started looking like I had visualized it in my head.

At this time I was working at a software company doing sales, feeling really unfulfilled in a cubicle. Every night I came home I went straight to work on the leather, trying to get better and better. That was what excited me, and I was trying to figure out a way to make this work. Suddenly, people just started asking me about the products, wanting to buy it, and that sparked an idea. I thought, ‘Maybe we could make this work.’ So last march I took a day off of work, went to a café, set up an LLC and we were off to the races.

TBP:  Why did you decide to create leather products?

DOMINIC:  Quality is our biggest thing. We want to create something that can last a lifetime. Leather is also easy to work with, and it’s accessible. Logistically, it was easier for us to figure out how to make a wallet or a briefcase than a sweater or coat.

TBP:  What separates your product from other leather products?

DOMINIC:  All the leather we used is natural, vegetable-tanned leather, which is different than the chrome-tanned leather that most companies use. Because our product is more natural, it ages really beautifully and develops what’s called a patina that’s just stunning. The contrast between the worn and unworn parts is very drastic, and it starts out really light and turns a beautiful dark color over time. We’re making the product but the person is making it theirs.

Left: new iPad case and wallet; Right: iPad case and wallet after regular use

TBP:  How long does each product take you to make?

DOMINIC:  I don’t really keep track because I spend way too much time on it already. The iPad cases and wallets take the most time, with a belt taking me up to an hour. But this briefcase I brought with me today took over 24 hours to create over a period of days.

TBP:  You produce a completely hand-made product, which takes a lot of time. Has the speed of your growth been an issue?

DOMINIC:  Absolutely. That’s the main thing for us right now. We intentionally launched with four products. I had way more in mind and we could have done more, but I wanted just the essentials. Moving from the four products into the big stuff, like this briefcase, would be huge for us. Making it work time-wise will consist of hiring more people and buying leather sewing machines. I’d love to produce a hand-stitched briefcase but it’s a lot of work for anyone. The dilemma is going from the four products, which we have down pat, to teaching all new people how to do all that and add bigger products while maintaining the quality standard. We also want to branch off from leather into different materials in the future. It was never meant to be just a leather company. The leather products are so we can establish a reputation for quality, but we have plans for expansion.

TBP:  You’ve established KC CO. as a wholly Midwestern, local brand. How have people responded to that?

DOMINIC:  It’s very exciting. We’re both born and raised in the Midwest. Everything always happens on the coasts, so it’s exciting to come up with a twist on an idea, especially something as Midwestern as leather-working. We’re putting a minimalist spin on it, so pushing out new design from the heart of the country is exciting for us. It’s really exciting to see Kansas City getting behind it, and a lot of people are getting excited about it. People are representing us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and blogs, which is really flattering. It seems that if anyone in Kansas City goes out on a limb and tries something, people like it and get excited about it and that’s really cool. I’ve been going to 1 Million Cups, and that’s a place where people are really passionate about helping entrepreneurs.

TBP:  Who buys KC CO. products?

DOMINIC:  Most of our sales come from the coasts and overseas, not the Midwest. I was expecting it to be the opposite. We’ve had customers from France, Singapore, all over the board. In the United States, most of our sales come from California and New York. I think we’ll start to see more local sales once we start selling our products in local stores here.

TBP:  What has been one of the most memorable moments with your startup so far?

DOMINIC:  I was in St. Louis for Christmas visiting my grandfather, who we call Papa Pinecone. My dad’s side is smaller Italians, and my mom’s side is full of massive, burly men. Papa Pinecone is on my mom’s side, 6’ 4”, deep voice. He had a huge impact on me with learning how to work with my hands. This man taught me how to chop wood, how to challenge a deer to a fight, how to build a birdhouse, gave me sharpening stones for my knives. He is the epitome of a man, and he told me that he really wanted to buy a belt from me. I told him I’d send him one for free, and he said, ‘No, I want to fund your enterprise. Please allow me the pleasure of paying full price for your product.’ It was one of the best feelings ever.

TBP:  What would you say to anyone in the community thinking of taking an entrepreneurial leap?

DOMINIC:  If you have a passion, then do everything you can to make it happen. There are so many people I know who would rather be doing something else but aren’t pursuing it, and you can just tell that they’re drained. The second I put in my two-week notice at my sales job, I was so thrilled and rejuvenated. The first week after I left my job, I didn’t set my alarm. I was waking up on my own before seven AM, just so excited to get at it. If you have a passion, you’re doing yourself an injustice not to pursue it.

KC CO. is a company hand-built by passionate entrepreneurs, and is poised to become a premier Kansas City brand in time. We’re rooting for them, and we hope you are too. To find out more, visit KCCOUSA.com.

 

The Future of the Media Industry (and What Kickanotch is Doing to Save It)

The statistics on Kickanotch's site don't lie:

Google reported $1 billion in mobile advertising revenue in 2010.

Mobile app revenues will triple compared to the year before.

In 5 years, a majority of people will access Internet only through mobile devices.

What does this mean?  It means that if your business isn't mobile, you may not get found.  And Kickanotch makes going mobile not only possible, but also easy.

Kickanotch, a Kansas City-based startup, is a software-as-a-service (SAAS) that allows the media to expand their audiences through mobile app creation and monetization.  You may have heard of hundreds of other companies that do what Kickanotch does, so how does the Midwest startup stand out from the rest?  In order to answer that, we need to focus less on what Kickanotch does and focus more on the problem that it solves.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Kickanotch's marketing manager, Gabe Barnes.  He explained that Kickanotch specializes in saving the media industry by helping them get mobile, fast.

"It's a dying industry," says Gabe.  "People are obviously gravitating now toward mobile.  Kickanotch can help media make the digital a friend as opposed to having to fight it every day."

About 14 months ago, Andy Lynn, founder and CEO of Kickanotch, was hired to find a mobile solution for a local Kansas City radio station.  After pinning down a solution, Andy found that a back-end system would be the best approach to take.  After extensive research and hefty development, Andy and his team created the viable product known as Kickanotch.

The previous paragraph makes it sound like Kickanotch was an overnight success.  But as all entrepreneurs know, it takes more than just a snap of the fingers and a couple of networking events in order to lock down funding, gain exposure and find steady clients.

Lucky for Kickanotch, the startup got a little help.  Andy worked closely with Mike Carter of Carter Broadcast Group and eventually locked down some funding.  Soon after, Kickanotch saw a $1.1 million investment from 42 Ventures out of Salt Lake City.  The Midwest startup continues to work on more deals for the future, as the company (and the industry's need for its existence) continues to grow.

"The hardest part of a startup company is the uncertainty," says Gabe of his day-to-day work life.  "We never know what the future will hold for us.  So, we just take it a day at a time...but as you know, there is never enough time in the day!"

But what about the best part?  "The best part of this company is seeing it be built from the ground up," he says.  "It's amazing to work with clients and to see how lit up they get when they realize how Kickanotch works."


Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

KC Business Magazine Announces 2012 Rising Stars

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR
Last week, KC Business magazine selected 34 of the most promising Kansas Citians to receive a Rising Stars honor.  This program, in its third year, honors the city's most outstanding leaders under the age of 40 in the creative, entrepreneurial, nonprofit and corporate entities.

Think Big Partners' own co-founder, Herb Sih, participated in the program as a judge alongside Steve Booth (PlattForm Advertising), Jerry Jorgensen (Park University), Julius Karash (KC Business magazine) and Jeanette Prenger (ECCO Select).

Congratulations to this year's Rising Stars!  Thank you for dedicating your time and hard work to the Kansas City community.

Clifton Alexander, Reactor Design Studio

Adam Brown, Fun Services

McClain Bryant, Husch Blackwell

Mike Burson, Weitz Company

Matt Clark, Honeywell FM&T

Bryce Davis, UMB Bank

Jessica Dotson, AGENDA:USA

Paul Gutierrez, 17^th & Summit Group

Rachel Hack, Google

Jennifer Hannah, Lathrop & Gage

Jeremy Hegle, U.S. SourceLink

Philip Hickman, Ph.D., Genesis Promise Academy

Zach Hubbard, Block Real Estate Services

Jenny Kincaid, Social WRX

Matt Madden, Google

Anthony Magliano, Quixotic

Kevin Mallot, Netsmart Technologies

Chris Marshall, Callahan Creek

Sarah Martin, Rx Insight

Mark Mazzarese, Pilecap Inc.

Matthew Motsick, Catapult International

Audrey Navarro, Kessinger/Hunter & Co.

Paul Neidlein, Turner Construction Company

Kevin Oldham, United Country Marketing Services

Crispin Martin Rea Jr., Kansas City Missouri School Board

Seamus Smith, Will & Trust Center

Rachel Spear, Morningstar Communications

Jeremy Tasset, Nueterra Capital Management

Tucker Trotter, Dimensional Innovations

Lee Everett Urban, Martin Pringle

Lindsey Wade, rw/2 studios

Lyndon Wade, rw/2 studios

Ryan Weber, KCnext

Keli O’Neill Wenzel, O’Neill Marketing & Event Management

Tomorrow, the 34 honorees will be awarded at a networking and cocktail reception from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Berg Event Space.  Tickets are $30 and are available at kcbcentral.com.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

The Gigabit Challenge Announces Initial Advisory Board Members and Judges

The Gigabit Challenge, a global business plan competition looking for entrepreneurial ideas to disrupt on the Google Fiber network, has announced the initial members of its Advisory Board and Judging Panel. The Advisory Board members will provide their extensive knowledge, expertise, and seasoned experience advising The Gigabit Challenge on how to run the best business plan competition possible. 

The initial Advisory Board members for The Gigabit Challenge are: 

• Erik Brynjolfsson, Professor of Management, MIT & Director, MIT Center for Digital Business
• Vint Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist, Google
• Robert Gunderson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Gunderson Dettmer
• Harry Kellogg, Vice Chairman, Silicon Valley Bank 
• Philip Korn, Relationship Manager and Managing Director, First Republic Bank 
• Dan'l Lewin, Corporate Vice President of Strategic and Emerging Business Development, Microsoft
• Robert Marcusse, President & Chief Executive Officer, Kansas City Area Development Council
• Keith Molzer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Balance Innovations 
• Rex Northern, Executive Director, Cleantech Open
• Mark Radcliffe, Partner, DLA Piper 
• Mario Rosati, Managing Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati
• Angela Tower, Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers

For more information on the Advisory Board members, please visit http://www.gigabitchallenge.com/about/advisory-board.

Through a graduated process, the judges will evaluate the executive summaries, business plans and investor presentations submitted by contestants and will select the winner of The Gigabit Challenge Grand Prize valued at $100,000. The judges will use a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application called iStart to review, evaluate and vote on the materials submitted by the contestants. The iStart application is provided by the Kauffman Foundation, a Gigabit Challenge partner.

The initial Judging Panel members for The Gigabit Challenge are:

• Jennifer Bailey, Partner, Hovey Williams LLP
• Jeff Barco, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner, Barco Partners LLC
• Richard Brenner, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Brenner Group 
• Erik Brynjolfsson, Professor of Management, MIT & Director, MIT Center for Digital Business
• Michael Burke, Vice President, King Hershey PC & Co-Chairman of the Bi-State Innovation Committee 
• Steve Fennel, Director of Communications Outreach, KU Medical Center 
• Victor Friedberg, Executive Director, Launch.org
• Michael Gale, Chief Executive Officer, Gramercy Private Equity
• Stuart Gannes, CEO, XVD Technology Holdings & Director of Partnership Projects, O'Reilly Media
• Michael Gelphman, Founder, Kansas City Information Technology Professionals 
• Jonathan Gleason, Director of Business Development, Gunderson Dettmer
• Matt Heinrich, Vice President for Facilities and Technology, Rockhurst University
• David Isenberg, Founder, isen.com LLC
• Philip Korn, Relationship Manager and Managing Director, First Republic Bank
• Greg Kratofil, Shareholder, Polsinelli Shughart
• Thad Langford, Executive in Residence, Openair Equity Partners & President/Chief Executive, Zave Networks (acquired by Google)
• Casey McGlynn, Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
• Eric Melin, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Philanthropist.org 
• Bryan Richard, Founder, iCode
• David Silverman, Partner, Crosslink Capital
• Adeline Tang, Director of Business Development, SingTel Idea Factory 
• Angela Tower, Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Bud Vick, Owner, Cochran Head Vick & Company
• Radd Way, Executive Vice President, Weitz Construction Company & Advisory Board Member, FiberKC
• Jase Wilson, Principal, Luminopolis & Member, Bi-State Innovation Committee

For more information on the Judging Panel members, please visit http://www.gigabitchallenge.com/about/judges. 

"We are extremely honored to have such accomplished people involved as advisors and judges for The Gigabit Challenge," said Tyler Prochnow, co-founder of Think Big Partners, host of The Gigabit Challenge. "The participation of these high-quality professionals will assure that The Gigabit Challenge will be a great success. We look forward to adding more people to these groups over the coming weeks."

The Gigabit Challenge is actively seeking additional partners. If you are interested in discussing this opportunity, or have questions regarding entering the competition, please visit www.gigabitchallenge.com or contact Think Big Partners at 816-842.5244.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

KC Businesses Help People Beat The Heat

The relentless heat wave has taken a hold of Kansas City.  Weather reports say KC has been experiencing above average temperatures consistently since July 13th.  I feel every time I climb into my car the temperature gage spits out a reading of 100 degrees or more.  During a heat wave like this I find myself actively seeking any and all things cool!  Check out these KC businesses that are working hard to help Kansas City beat the heat.

Stay Cool at the Pool

If your ideal way of cooling down means jumping into the pool, then head for the Jones in downtown KC.  Take a dip in their rooftop pool and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.  Feeling more adventurous?  Gather up some friends and head to Oceans of Fun or Schlitterbahn for a day at the water park.  In case you’re in need of a new swimsuit, Swim Quik and Swimwear Solutions can outfit you for all your water apparel needs.

Cold Cravings

Nothing can compare to a frozen treat on a hot summer day.  I am longing for the opening of Snow & Company in the Crossroads.  Their soon-to-be-open artful frozen cocktails sound like the perfect way to end a long hot day work.  But in the mean time my obsession has been frozen yogurt.  Two great places that I frequent are Yogurtini and Peachwave.  Both have a variety of delicious flavors and toppings that keep you coming back.  Frozen cocktails and yogurt, you can never go wrong with ice cream or Popsicle.  Stop longing for the ice-cream truck to wander down your street, instead book a Frosty Treat Ice Cream Truck for you next summer event or party.

What do you do to beat the heat?  Let us know what Kansas City businesses you frequent during the hot summer months. 

Written By Laura Goede

@LauraGThinkBig

The 3 Big H's of Kansas City: Helzberg, H&R Block, Hallmark

Is it a coincidence that three of Kansas City’s big original companies start with the letter “H”?  Although it may be just a coincidence, there’s no doubt that Helzberg, H&R Block and Hallmark (all Kansas City-based companies), have become Huge and Honorable companies by implementing Hard work, Holistic strategies, and, of course, a touch of Happiness.  Entrepreneurs, these 3 H’s may have something to teach you.

Helzberg Diamonds

Drive success under any condition. When the Depression began in the 1920s, Helzberg Diamonds didn’t sink—it flourished.  This company is living proof that even under difficult economic times, a company can still succeed as long as it has the right people pushing it.  Even during World War II, Helzberg churned out advertisements with patriotic themes and marketed its “Certified Perfect” diamonds to get ahead of the competition. 

Be sure to analyze (and reanalyze) your target market. Helzberg Diamonds was a company that focused on growing—and in order to grow, Helzberg had to branch out.  The company retrenched to the suburbs in the 1960s and 70s in order to target a new market.  This changed Helzberg’s image as well—they were finally portrayed as a “youthful” business.  Additionally, Helzberg began offering mail-order business in the early 1950s for rural customers.

Revamp the company.  Helzberg reinvented itself over and over again.  One of its biggest makeovers was during the 1980s when most stores were introduced in “superstore” format.  Helzberg stores became some of the biggest jewelry stores in the nation.  It’s something that made Helzberg different than its competitors. 

H&R Block

Take that leap of faith.  Henry Bloch stumbled upon a pamphlet in the Harvard Library that illustrated the challenges facing America’s small business in the early 1940s.  After reading this message, Henry wanted to help small companies succeed.  In his mind, he imagined a company that provided comprehensive services for small businesses.  And directly after he thought of the idea—he took the leap of faith.

You don’t have to start with a lot.  Henry Bloch started with $5,000 which he borrowed from his aunt.  In 1946, Henry and his brother, Leon, opened the United Business Company which provided bookkeeping services and rented offices right on Main Street in Kansas City.  After nine years of hard work, Henry saw success when he began doing income tax preparation as part of the business and the company became H&R Block.

Hallmark

Focus on quality.  In JC Hall’s autobiography, he wrote, “If a man goes into business with only the idea of making a lot of money, chances are, he won’t.  But if he puts service and quality first, the money will take care of itself.  Producing a first-class product that is a real need is a stronger motivation for success than getting rich.”  JC never let a greeting card reach the market without his stamp of approval—he wanted to be hands-on so that Hallmark would create the best, most quality greeting cards. 

Reinvent and renew yourself.  JC Hall made things happen.  He once said, “I don’t like to sit around and wait for something to happen, it’s more fun making it happen!”  This attitude is what led Hallmark to invent modern wrapping paper, and later branch into a television network and develop e-Cards. 

As three of Kansas City’s most successful "H" companies, Helzberg Diamonds, H&R Block and Hallmark have many lessons to teach.  Take these lessons into consideration when starting up your own business.  You never know what will Happen!

Keep tHinking big! 

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner. 

What can Think Big Partners do for you in 2011?  Take our poll (above) and let us know!

Top 5 Publications for the Kansas City Entrepreneur

There is a wide variety of Kansas City publications to aid those who want to start up a business; from local daily newspapers to annual business journals, it seems like Kansas City has it all.  But what publications are actually worth subscribing to?  Is it necessary to subscribe to local mags in order to gain knowledge about Kansas City small business?  I have produced a list of the Top 5 Publications for the Kansas City Entrepreneur in order to help answer those questions.  Read up on these newspapers, journals, books and magazines, and you will be able to zero in on Kansas City entrepreneurship and gain knowledge on how to start a new business. 

1.   Kansas City Business Journal

As part of the American City Business Journals, the Kansas City Business Journal gives Kansas City entrepreneurs information about local news, small business updates, sales and marketing strategies, as well as real estate guides.  In addition, this Kansas City publication tells readers about local business events and information about employment.  Kansas City entrepreneurs will find an abundance of pertinent entrepreneurial information, including advice on how to start up a business, in the small business section of the Kansas City Business Journal. 


  Ingram's Magazine

For over 30 years, Ingram’s Magazine has brought information, ingenuity and inspiration to Kansas City entrepreneurs and small business owners.  Ingram’s Magazine covers key economic developments, supports locally-owned companies, hosts exclusive forums for the movers and shakers of each KC industry, and is known as one of the most respected business publications in the Kansas City area.  With articles like "Rainmakers 2010", Ingram’s is a local monthly magazine that will benefit the Kansas City entrepreneur. 

        Kansas City Small Business Monthly

For more information about small business news, events, and entrepreneurial advice, the Kansas City Small Business Monthly magazine can serve the Kansas City entrepreneur.  With an attitude all about “thinking bigger”, the Kansas City Small Business Monthly provides KC entrepreneurs and readers with information about local success stories, expansion and growth, finance, green news, leadership, technology updates, sales and marketing advice, and much more. 

4.   The Kansas City Star

Kansas City’s widespread newspaper, the Kansas City Star, produces articles pertaining news, sports, and entertainment.  One of the Star’s strongest sections, however, is the business section, in which it breaks down information for big business and, of course, Kansas City small business.  Flip to the business section of the Kansas City Star and you will find an abundance of information about consumer news, emerging businesses, technology, workplace, and guides to starting up a business. 

5.   Kansas City Public Library books

With such impactful local magazines, many Kansas City entrepreneurs skip the trip to the library.  The Kansas City Public Library, however, may be a resourceful spot for entrepreneurial information.  The Kansas City Public Library has a whole section dedicated to Kansas City small business owners and entrepreneurs called the H&R Business and Career Center, located on the 3^rd floor.  The Business and Career Center provides entrepreneurial resources including videos on specific careers, information on education, training and certifications.  In addition, the Kansas City Public Library is the home of many business publications and allows for a monthly heads-up on books that will help you get ahead in the Kansas City business world. 

And if these Kansas City publications do not answer your entrepreneurial questions, feel free to check out Kansas City’s Journal of Society, The Independent, which has pages full of pictures of people who participate in the community through support of the arts, area cultural institutions, local and national nonprofit organizations and fundraising events.  For national publications, Kansas City entrepreneurs are encouraged to subscribe to Entrepreneur, Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, and Newsweek.  Additionally, Think Big Partners would like to encourage Kansas City entrepreneurs to read-up on local blogs and website articles in order to gain knowledge about Kansas City small business.  With Kansas City publications and resources like these, you will be Thinking Big in no time!

Written by Allison Way.  Allison Way is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's articles, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.

EDC Cornerstone Awards Luncheon Recognizes Kansas City Companies and Inspires Business Leaders

Yesterday’s Economic Development Corporation Cornerstone Awards luncheon not only highlighted the leading Kansas City companies and their outstanding projects, but also allowed Kansas City business leaders to celebrate the city’s economic growth, stability, and innovation.

The event kicked off at noon on Thursday with Mike Chesser and Clyde McQueen, past and present Chairmen of the Board of the EDC followed by a word for Mayor Mark Funkhouser and Jeff Kaczmarek, President and CEO of the EDC.  Afterwards, Kansas City businesses who have contributed outstanding efforts to Kansas City economic growth were recognized, which included the presentation of the James C. Denney Spirit Award to Lee Derrough who “embodies the spirit of the award’s namesake and has left a lasting impression on the business community of Kansas City.”

Finally, the Cornerstone Awards presented keynote speaker Jeremy Gutsche, the host of TrendHunter TV and author of best-selling book, “Exploiting Chaos: 150 Ways to Spark Innovation During Times of Change.”  The overall theme for the luncheon centered around “KC: RU Up 2d8?”, as Gutsche discussed how becoming a leader in expansion and development requires us to look beyond typical thinking to see the real trends in the marketplace.

 

Gutsche is a remarkable business man; at age 28, he was one of Captial One’s youngest Business Directors and innovation leads.  With a relentless focus on innovation, he led his team to grow a $1 billion portfolio of market leading products.  His interesting views and cutting-edge approach made an impact on the Kansas City business leaders who attended the EDC Cornerstone Awards Luncheon and may have even inspired more people to Think Big when it comes to innovation, market trends, and the definition of success.

A big thank you to the EDC and sponsors for putting on such a successful event! 

Written by Allison Way.  Allison Way is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's articles, visit the Entrepreneurship Examiner.

The Importance of Exercise on the Entrepreneur's Mind

Written by Allison Way, writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources. 

In a recent study conducted last month, researchers recruited schoolchildren (age nine to ten) to conduct a series of physical and psychological exercises. The children ran on a treadmill to test their fitness and were then asked to complete a series of cognitive challenges which involved watching directional arrows on a computer screen and pushing certain keys in order to test how well the children filtered out unnecessary information. The results? The children who were more fit scored better on the tests.


Dog-n-Jog, which took place last week in KC,
is a great way to keep in shape to encourage
a more creative mind. 



After scanning each of the children’s brains using magnetic resonance imaging technology, the researchers found that the fittest children had a larger basal ganglia (a part of the brain that helps maintain attention and coordinate actions) as well as an enlarged hippocampus (which helps one to focus on complex memory). Together, these two parts of the brain allow some of the most intricate thinking. The researchers concluded that being fit in young people may “enhance neurocognition.”

As a matter of fact, it may not only be young people whose brains are affected by fitness. In a study done in Sweden a year ago, researchers found that 18-year olds who had better fitness also had higher I.Q.’s. The fittest of the fit were then more likely to excel in more lucrative careers. Georg Kuhn, professor at the University of Gothenburg, says that although there is no direct evidence that exercise leads to a higher I.Q., researchers believe that aerobic fitness produces specific growth factors and proteins that stimulate the brain.

So what does this mean to the everyday entrepreneur? This means that exercise can actually improve small business. The more aerobic exercise that a small business owner or entrepreneur may indulge in (especially during childhood), the better off they are setting up their own future. Exercise can stimulate creativity. So whether it’s that next business marketing strategy you’re looking to enhance, or a new logo that you want to tackle, aerobic exercise and physical fitness can actually improve the results of your brainstorming!

For Kansas City business owners, there are tons of ways to stay aerobically fit while still upholding a career in entrepreneurship or becoming an entrepreneur. Even a twenty-minute walk on a lunch break can improve an entrepreneur’s brain functionality. So get out there: take the dog for a late night jog around the Plaza, go swimming at Ocean’s of Fun on the weekend, or commute to work via bike. There are many ways to enhance your physical fitness without sacrificing your work time.