Edge Magazine - June 2016

JUNE 2016

M A G A Z I N E

AT ECHO SYSTEMS SEEING IS BELIEVING

Elkhorn Soccer Club develops people and players Be part of a Greater Good with TAGG

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LETTER from the EDITOR

We’re

DANIEL MULLER

finally making the transition into summer, and it’s a welcome change from the cool, rainy spring we had. But change is not always so easy to embrace. It takes patience and perseverance. Often the result is something even better than we had expected. This month we’re featuring a number of businesses and individuals who have recognized, created, and directed changes in new and exciting ways that benefit our children, families, and community.

REACH US We want to hear from you. Ideas, suggestions, compliments and critiques, send them to us at Jack@EdgeMagazine.com

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Home technology is an area that sees constant change with ever improving products and innovations. Echo Systems has established itself as a leader in that arena, building a state-of-the-art Experience Center used to inform and educate customers on the possibilities that exist with home lighting, audio, and even video surveillance. They are helping make changes in technology easy to implement and use for everyone in the home.

Elkhorn Soccer Club, the state’s second largest youth soccer program, has had such phenomenal growth, they needed to make changes in order to take the club to the next level. Rob Herringer, the club’s new executive director, has created a team of coaches and staff who are dedicated to learning a new method of teaching soccer skills that focuses on the positive development of kids of all ages and abilities.

Creating social change can be a bit

more challenging, but Leslie Fischer and Holly Baker are doing it one TAGG at a time through their app called Together a Greater Good. When someone makes a purchase at a participating business or restaurant, they TAGG their purchase on the app and 5% is automatically donated to the local organization of their choice.

TAGG is successfully helping make philanthropy a conscious part of our everyday lives.

While you’re out enjoying the nicer weather this month, stop by the new Louie’s Wine Dive, which has undergone its own changes with new owner Mark Kitson and new menu items. If you attend the College World Series, look for the original CWS canvas creations by West Omaha artist Jan Milam with Big O Art. Her work captures the culture of our city—a culture that embraces change.

Jack Shotbolt Editor in Chief

S I M P LY D I S T I N C T I V E Ann Taylor | Anthropologie | Borsheims | Christian Nobel Furs | Evereve | Francesca’s Collections Garbo’s Salon & Spa | Learning Express Toys | LOFT | Parsow’s Fashions | Pottery Barn | Pottery Barn Kids Rhylan Lang | Tilly | White House|Black Market | Williams-Sonoma DINING: Bonefish Grill | Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar | Paradise Bakery & Cafe

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M A G A Z I N E EDITOR IN CHIEF Jack Shotbolt Jack@EdgeMagazine.com

MANAGING EDITOR Kathy Rygg 402-490-3213 // Kathy@EdgeMagazine.com

DESIGNER Quentin Lueninghoener (402) 517-1228 // quentin@hanscompark.com

PHOTO STAFF Maureen Fritts Photography (402) 578-2963 // maureen@maureenfrittsphotography.com J Leonard Photography Jack@EdgeMagazine.com

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kathy Rygg 402-490-3213 // Kathy@EdgeMagazine.com

CONTACT US P: (402) 250-3325 // F: (402) 892-7048 Jack@EdgeMagazine.com 15858 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha NE 68118 Edge is published monthly. Content copyright © 2016 Edge Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, without permission in writing from the publisher, Jack Shotbolt. Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, Edge assumes no responsibility therefore.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Edge Magazine, 15858 W Dodge Omaha, NE 68118

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CONTENTS COVER story

OUR passion

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OUR business

OUR food

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44

OUR leisure

WORTH the haul

38

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MY concoction

OUR hearts

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COVER story

tech

Aesthetics meets

e

Echo Systems helps bring out the best in your home

veryone’s home depends on some level of technology, whether it’s watching TV, listening to music, or getting online with multiple devices.

What many people don’t realize is what type of options are available that can make their everyday use of technology at home more efficient and more pleasing. Echo Systems has built a state-of-the-art Experience Center and welcomes anyone to visit and learn ways they can incorporate technology into their lifestyle and budget.

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The 12,000 sq. ft. showroom is designed like a home with each room providing visual examples of ways to use lighting, audio, and visual components that are not only more efficient, but enhance the aesthetic design of the room. Some of these include the use of art lifts over TVs, degrees of invisibility with speakers, and controlling lighting with a single key pad rather than a bank of switches. Helping customers understand LED lighting is also an area they specialize in.

“Most people don’t expect to see what we have here and are surprised by it,” said Doug Dushan, Echo’s senior sales consultant and marketing coordinator.

“It’s worth taking 30 minutes to have a tour. Once you see it in person, then you

STORY BY KATHY RYGG 12-PAGE PHOTO PORTFOLIO BY

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F RO N T E N T RY JUNE 2016

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EXECUTIVE HOME OFFICE

DINING ROOM

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M A S T E R B E D R O O M W/A R T L I F T

GOURMET KITCHEN LIGHTING JUNE 2016

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H O M E T H E AT E R

INVISIBLE SURROUND SOUND JUNE 2016

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COVER story

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brunch

F L U S H M O U N T WA L L O U T L E T

understand why it’s important. If you’re going to use the talents of a builder and interior designer for your home, then you want to make sure their aesthetic intents are illuminated properly. Otherwise all that talent goes unseen.”

Although Echo’s showroom is filled with state-of-the-art uses of technology, Dushan said most of their clients are not tech oriented. Rather, the perfect client is anyone who has ever become frustrated by technology in their home. This is also why Echo designs systems that are very user friendly for everyone in the household. “It’s much easier controlling the technology in a well-designed home than it is learning how to use a new smart phone,” he said. And to ensure every component works properly in the home, Echo Systems tests it first in its production room. “We don’t gamble with components,” Dushan said. “Every system is designed, built, and tested prior to install.”

Educating homeowners about options and what’s available in technology isn’t the only role Echo plays. They also help customers tailor expectations so they meet budget demands. “Your home doesn’t have to look like our showroom,” Dushan said. “We take the time to understand your needs, both current and future, and structure a system that delivers on our promise.” Even if you’re just curious to see what’s possible and get reliable information, Dushan is happy to personally give tours and talk through anything a customer is thinking about.

“Technology exists out of necessity,” he explained. “Often times you need to be able to control a security system remotely, such as when you’re traveling.

Or you need proper lighting simply to see the thermostat. Too often technology is an afterthought, but it needs to be integrated into the building or remodeling process as early as possible because it will affect the value of living in that

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COVER story

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MIRROR T V TECHNOLOGY

home long term. When we understand your needs, then we can develop a very good working relationship.”

Not only does the showroom illustrate examples of how technology can be used in the home, it also features the latest in business technology solutions. Examples include an executive conference room, sophisticated door access systems, as well as video surveillance and conferencing. “The showroom is a piece we can offer that others can’t,” said John Palser, Vice President of Echo Systems. “There are many aspects of technology that are difficult to describe and can only be understood by experiencing it.”

Providing that expertise in physical form and combining it with the customer service and valued relationships is what truly sets Echo Systems apart. And they want to share that with everyone who walks through the door. “We feel anybody that’s investing in a home owes it to themselves to see what we have here,” Palser said. “It’s important for clients to understand everything that’s available and important for us to find out what features are most important to each client. Then we can lay out the roadmap and help integrate technology into your home or business properly.”

ING A D E V E L O P O F E XC E L L E N C E m m u n it y r in th e co co m p e ti ti v e o r e d C U LT U RE a le a la y lu b is p C l o f p la y rn S o cc e r o rt u n it y to T h e E lk h o ll p la y e rs th e o p p w il l a ch ie v e a le v e re s t. a te rs g in e y in d e r; p la p ro v id ti a l a n e n ta l so cc it y, p o te n d e v e lo p m ra te w it h th e ir a b il and co m m e n su 18 -23 y e a r o ld s) u ts J u n e m y (5 -10 te a m tr y o e t d c a c le A e S e • fo r H iv is tr a ti o n • Fa ll re g(11-14 y e a r o ld s) A .D.O. r c amps • Summe

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OUR passion

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Jan Milam creates custom art for the Big O Story by KATHY RYGG | Photos by EDGE STAFF

very city, regardless of size, has its own unique culture. Visitors to Omaha often comment on how friendly, honest, and hard-working people are here. They are also often surprised by the variety of arts, entertainment, and dining options, and are impressed by attractions such as the Omaha Zoo, Boys Town, and the College World Series. This was certainly the case for Jan Milam, who moved to Omaha 10 years ago. And now she is using her artistic talent to capture the city’s culture in her work that has a style just as unique as Omaha itself.

Growing up outside of New Orleans, Jan knew she wanted to be an artist at an early age. Her father was a commercial artist, and she recalls always having something to color with in her hands.

She was graduated from Louisiana State University with a BFA in graphic design and worked as an art director in New Orleans, printing posters for Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras, as well as designing posters for establishments such as Café Beignet. She and her husband, Matthew, and their two children moved to Kansas City, where Jan also developed her own mobile picture framing company.

When Jan learned the family would be moving to Omaha for Matthew’s

job, she was less than enthusiastic. “I thought it was in the middle of nowhere and I didn’t want to leave KC, which had since become home to me,” she said. Her perception quickly changed, though. “In the South, everyone is friendly, but people in Omaha are so genuine.” With a desire to get back into her love for creating art, Jan extended her education to become more efficient in digital artwork for its flexibility. “I wanted to develop a style that incorporated the textures, colors, and use of light found in fine art,” she said. It took her some time to develop, but her background in traditional art enabled her to find the right mix.

Jan Milam

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Culture CA PTU RING OUR

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That style has resulted in custom canvas pieces with a textured, transparent quality, allowing her to layer elements for a truly unique look and feel. Her creations started with her love for photography and for Lauritzen Gardens, shooting photos of flowers to use in her work.

She also took photos around the city, including the famous Old Market “Omaha” brick wall. Family and friends took notice, and through a colleague, a couple of her pieces ended up in the 2012 and 2013 Street of Dreams. “After receiving a lot of feedback, I realized people were hungry for Omaha art,” Jan said.

In 2014, one of the Street of Dreams builders asked her to design a sports-themed piece for the home office.

She created a canvas that incorporated the College World Series “Road to Omaha” statue. As fate would have it, the Director of Marketing for the CWS, Daniel Morrisey, walked through the home and saw it. “I received a letter stating I had to remove the piece because I wasn’t allowed to use the statue due to licensing,” Jan said. “I called and apologized, and he was very kind about it.”

After that phone call, she contacted him back and inquired about licensing with the NCAA to create and sell art for the CWS. The following January she met with Morrisey to present her ideas for CWS pieces. “I hadn’t seen any previous artwork for the CWS being created, so I thought it was worth inquiring about,” Jan explained.

Morrisey liked her work and put her in touch with an NCAA licensed distributor out of Kansas City, who was also impressed.

“I designed several posters and canvases for the 2015 CWS,” Jan said. “They were sold in the stadium, through JUNE 2016

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OUR passion

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OUR passion

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surrounding vendors, area merchants and directly on my web site, BigOArt. com.” What made the deal even sweeter was that her Alma Mater, LSU, was in the CWS in 2015 and also won the series in 2009, which she and her family witnessed. “The games were so much fun and became my Omaha connection to New Orleans,” she said.

Jan’s been designing pieces for this year’s CWS since February and will again include individual team posters.

Because she’s now licensed through the NCAA, she can create custom pieces for any college team. Her Omaha art is also still popular, and she can create custom pieces for any special event or hometown. She loves working with her customers directly to create personal pieces and is looking forward to expanding her areas of corporate and hotel art. Jan has since become involved in area philanthropic work including Child Saving Institute, Open Door Mission, and Boys Town. You will often find her pieces in area fundraisers for Make-A-Wish, Boys Town, Abide, American Cancer Society, and Project Pink’d.

Jan noted that if she hadn’t moved to Omaha, she never would have discovered her niche. “I love Omaha—I have the best friends here and it’s a great place for families. I never would have had this opportunity otherwise, and I’m very grateful.”

To place an order or request a custom piece, visit www.bigoart.com.

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OUR business

numbers

S TRE NGTH IN

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Elkhorn Soccer Club puts an emphasis on people Story by KATHY RYGG Photos by DARREL & MAUREEN FRITTS PHOTOGRAPHY

ith more than 1,900 kids participating annually, Elkhorn Soccer Club has become the second largest soccer club in Nebraska. That kind of growth is exciting but doesn’t come without challenges. However, with a new executive director in place, a dedicated staff of both new and longtime coaches, and a proven method for building player skills, the organization is focused on carrying out its mission: to have an important, positive impact on the development of kids.

Rob Herringer and Lori Scott

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The club’s executive director, Rob Herringer, has played, trained, and coached soccer his entire life, beginning as a child growing up in Bellevue. He played soccer at Benedictine College in Kansas, went on to coach soccer there, as well as held positions as the state director of coaching for Kansas and as a national staff instructor for the National Soccer Coaching Association of America. When approached about the position with Elkhorn Soccer Club, Herringer said he felt it was the right fit.

“I really wanted to be able to give back to the community I grew up in and have an impact on kids in Omaha,” he said.

With his own experience and having worked with some of the best coaches in the country, Herringer was ready to step in. And the club was ready for the change. Lori Scott, who has been an administrator with Elkhorn Soccer for JUNE 2016

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more than 10 years, said they had grown so big by 2014, they needed more staff and organization put into place. “We had a lot of momentum and needed someone with the coaching knowledge and knowledge to run a large club,” she said. “We were so lucky to find Rob, and the timing was perfect.”

One of the strengths Herringer has brought to the program is the addition of the Coerver Coaching method into ESC’s curriculum, which is the same method he learned throughout his soccer career and is used in many other national programs. Coerver is focused on developing technical skills in players, especially within small groups, which is what players face during game situations. “If we can develop technical skills in kids ages 5-14 and help them be the best players they can be, then they will be successful for any team, club or coach,” Herringer said.

But the Coerver method isn’t the

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only thing he’s brought to the club. He knows that a club of this size requires the right kind of people—people who are dedicated to working with kids and their development. “If you start with good people, you can turn them into good coaches,” Herringer said. “Families are trusting us with the development of their children, and we take that seriously.” A large part of his job is training and educating the club’s coaches. He provides clinics and symposiums where he brings in coaches from national programs. “We hold our coaches to a higher standard, because we’re developing people first and soccer players second,” he added.

With the right staff in place, Herringer said they are hoping to bring new aspects of soccer to Omaha. However, one area they are still challenged with is facilities. The club is fortunate to own its own fields off 233rd & Maple Streets, as well as have access to Ta-HaZouka Park, Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn, and partner with Elkhorn schools for indoor gym space, but with

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more than 100 kids playing on any given night, they are at capacity. “We’re running out of space for what we’d like to do going forward, and we need to have facilities that reflect the professional nature of this club,” Herringer said.

“We’re making efforts for those necessary improvements but still need to be fiscally responsible.”

These challenges are the result of success, so Herringer and Scott are confident that the club is headed in the right direction. “We’re getting better and better every day,” Scott said. Change isn’t always easy, but everything ESC is doing is to serve the needs of kids of all ages and abilities. “We hope that what we’re doing can serve as an example to other clubs,” Herringer said. “We’re getting the right people in place, we have the right structure, and we’re very organized. We have an amazing opportunity to have a dramatic impact on the lives of our kids.”

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OUR leisure

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Our global connections allow us to provide our valued clients with the most advantageous pricing and upgrades with leading hotels, resorts, spas, cruise lines, tour companies, rail lines, airlines, and ground operators. Through Virtuoso, we are able to offer exclusive amenities, experiences and privileged access not available to the general public.

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When to travel: Year-round When to book: 9-12 months in advance 11 Day Oahu Explorer Marriott Waikiki & Pride of America Hawaiian Cruise: This inter-island cruise is the perfect introduction to everything the Hawaiian Islands have to offer. In Oahu, explore the surfer-friendly North Shore, visit the deeply moving USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor and admire the breathtaking view from Pali Lookout. On the big island, you won’t want to miss Volcanoes National Park, where you may glimpse molten lava, or the opportunity to sample Hawaiian-grown coffee and chocolate in Kona. With additional stops in Maui and Kauai, you’ll see the natural beauty that makes Hawaii a true paradise.

Travel and Transport Exclusive Offer*: Mention promo code HAWAII2016 at time of booking your cruise and receive a complimentary $200 onboard credit for your cruise.

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OUR wealth

The “write” plan a column on estate and financial planning for everyone

By LISA M. LEHAN, J.D.

What exactly is an estate plan? Webster defines “estate” as all of the things that a person owns and “plan” as something that a person intends to do. Put these definitions together and your estate plan sets forth your intentional decisions about the ultimate disposition of your property.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR I am a member of the Estate and Business Succession Planning and Tax Practice Groups at Koley Jessen, PC LLO, located in One Pacific Place.

You may contact me directly at 402.343.3881.

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The process of establishing your estate plan involves three primary components: (1) the execution of certain legal documents, (2) the coordination of proper asset titling and (3) the implementation of proper beneficiary designations. Typically, the following documents are prepared and executed as part of each person’s basic estate plan: a Last Will and Testament, a Trust Agreement, a Financial Power of Attorney, and an Advance Directive.

Together, the Will and Trust Agreement control the disposition of your assets. The Will also appoints guardians for minor children. The Financial Power of Attorney and Advance Directive grant an agent the authority to make financial and health care-related decisions for you if you are incapacitated. I will discuss each of these documents in more detail in future issues. Once you execute the legal documents, it is equally as important to title your assets and complete your beneficiary designations in a way that does not override the provisions in your Will and Trust Agreement.

Assets may be titled in a variety of ways, including your individual name, the name of your trust, or jointly with another person as tenants in common or joint tenants with rights of survivorship.

In order to fully carry out your intentions regarding the disposition of your assets following death, it is critical that the titling of your assets be coordinated

with your estate plan documents. Titling arrangements can also have significant income and estate tax consequences, and if properly structured, help you avoid probate.

As with titling arrangements, beneficiary designations on assets such as life insurance and retirement accounts control who receives the asset upon your death and will override the provisions of your Will and Trust Agreement.

Beneficiary designations can also have significant tax consequences and must be carefully considered as part of the process of developing your estate plan.

To achieve your goals, your estate plan must be comprehensive and should be coordinated between several advisors, including your lawyer, your accountant, and your investment advisor. You have a lot to consider, but as with most things in life, having a plan feels good.

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MY concoction

Jams Old Market 1101 Harney St. 402-614-9333 Open daily jamseats.com

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1

5

What you need: • 1.5 oz Crater Lake Pepper Vodka • .75 oz Crème de Cassis Lucien Jacob Liqueur

• .75 oz fresh squeezed orange juice • .25 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice

Combine in shaker.

2

steps

Add fresh sliced jalapeño and shake.

3

to the perfect cocktail THE BAR: Jams Old Market THE BARTENDER: Shawn THE DRINK: Rob Rob

4

5

Strain into chilled martini glass.

Garnish w/ orange twist and fresh jalapeño.

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OUR food

LOUIE’S WINE DIVE 16920 Wright Plaza #118 (402)-884-8966 Open daily

A new and improved Louie’s Wine Dive is ready to serve

MARK KITSON

Affordable excellence Story by KATHY RYGG | Photos by MAUREEN FRITTS PHOTOGRAPHY 44 |

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t

here’s a new Louie in town.

Louie the pig, that is. He’s the statue that sits proudly outside of Louie’s Wine Dive and is displayed throughout the restaurant at the Shops of Legacy off 168th & Center Streets. Under new ownership and a remodeled interior, Louie’s Wine Dive offers fine wine at affordable prices and a revamped menu with fresh ingredients and original recipes.

TA N D O O R I S A L M O N JUNE 2016

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OUR food

S H R I M P TA C O

SESAME CRUSTED TUNA

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B LT D E V I L E D E G G S

Mike Miller, C LU

402.392.5802

HO M E • AU TO • BU SI N E SS • H E A LT H • L I F E

Specializing in coverage for homes with wood roofs Omaha’s Fastest Growing Insurance Agency www.RedOneInsurance.com JUNE 2016

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OUR food

W H I T E C H O C O L AT E B R E A D P U D D I N G

CRAB PUFFS

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T H E O M A H A C O C K TA I L , L E F T, A N D T H E V I O L E T E Y E S

Owner Mark Kitson has spent his entire career in the restaurant and food service industry, including as a partner with Millard Roadhouse. While looking for a new restaurant opportunity, he met the founder of Louie’s, which was started in Kansas City, and discussed the possibility of opening a second location in Omaha. However, when the current location became available, Kitson didn’t hesitate to take it.

When he came on board last November, he met with the staff and decided to make changes to improve upon the existing location. Those changes included remodeling the interior of the restaurant with a new floor, paint, lighting, and complete bar top. “We wanted to really warm up the atmosphere and bring back that restaurant look and feel,” Kitson said. New umbrellas were also added to the patio tables this past spring. They even changed the music played throughout the restaurant to reflect a more relaxed environment.

Wine is still at the heart of Louie’s, and five sommeliers test every wine that the restaurant offers. The giant wine board that displays current offerings

REAL ESTATE NOT does

have to be

DIFFICULT

carol lapole 402.968.0476 carollapole.cbshome.com // facebook.com/tagteamrealestate

carol.lapole@cbshome.com

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OUR food

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IMAGINE THE SMILE OF YOUR DREAMS

w w w . w h i t t e n d e n t i s t r y. c o m

changes daily. “We bring in some of the finest but most affordable wines you can drink,” Kitson said. Even if you’re not a wine drinker but want the experience, they will have a wine you like. “We want you to come here, have fun, and enjoy the eclectic wine and food,” he added.

The food, all made from scratch, is overseen by head chef John Vong who creates new items every week. Some of Louie’s specialties include the 4 Pork Gnocchi made with braised pork and a red wine cream sauce; the Pork Street Tacos served with a hand-chopped house made salsa, and the Diablo served with either shrimp or chicken. The Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich is a new item that features cayenne buttermilk chicken, lettuce, bacon, swiss, tomato, cinnamon honey butter on a brioche bun served with fries or quinoa.

Many of the items on Louie’s menu are gluten-free or can be modified to gluten-free. The Sunday brunch is also popular featuring a variety of benedicts and omelettes and bottomless mimosas. Happy hour runs daily with food and drink specials, including the Big City Pour, which is an 8 oz. glass of wine for $6. A favorite seasonal cocktail is Grandma’s Garden: basil, cucumber, mint, Bombay Sapphire gin, and Sauvignon Blanc, served in a colorful mason jar. Live music is also offered on Sunday nights from 5:00-8:00pm.

For larger events, such as Louie’s grand reopening and its Kentucky Derby party, the restaurant has partnered with Partnership 4 Kids, a local, group mentoring program for under-served students that helps keep them engaged in learning from kindergarten through their adult careers. “We gave 50% of our proceeds to them for both events,” Kitson said. “It’s a great partnership.”

Kitson is pleased with the changes they’ve put in place, and encourages everyone to try out the new Louie’s, whether you’ve been to the restaurant before or not.

He stressed how passionate he and his staff are about Louie’s, and they are a very family-oriented company. “I love talking to customers and have them tell me what’s working and what’s not,” he said. “I want everyone to feel comfortable here. Come experience the new Louie.”

Have you ever wanted to know what your dream smile could look like? What if you were able to “test drive” the smile of your dreams? Well, now you can.

My Smile Imagined at Whitten Dentistry offers our patients a way to see what their smile would look like with veneers or cosmetic restorations using a custom made temporary Trial Smile designed by our on-site ceramist and lab technician.

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WORTH THE HAUL CENTURYLINK CENTER OMAHA 445 North 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 341-1500 www.CenturyLinkCenterOmaha.com Tickets: www.TicketMaster.com or (800) 745-3000 UNO Hockey: All tickets $15-$25

30 July

Miranda Lambert $28-58

STIR COVE 1 Harrah Blvd. Council Bluffs, Iowa | (712) 329-6000 | www.caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluffs/shows Tickets: www.caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluffs/shows or (712) 329-6000

1 July

Chris Stapleton $58

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9 June

Lee Brice $38

9 June

Ron White at The Orpheum Theater $47-$239

27-26 May

OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS Holland Center: 1200 Douglas St., Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 345-0606

June

The Producers at The Orpheum Theater $40

The Orpheum: 409 S 16th St, Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 661-8501 www.omahaperformingarts.org Tickets: www.TicketOmaha.com or at the Ticket Omaha office inside the Holland Center

JUNE 2016

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OUR hearts

innovation P H I L A N T H RO PIC

i

Together a Greater Good makes contributing easier than ever

Story by KATHY RYGG Photos by MAUREEN FRITTS PHOTOGRAPHY

nnovation is often the result of need. West Omaha residents Leslie Fischer and Holly Baker recognized there was a big need in the way fundraising was conducted locally. It was becoming more difficult for schools to have students go door to door, and local businesses were flooded with donation requests from local charities. All of these organizations rely on fundraising, but it had become daunting. So the former co-workers joined forces to create a way to make it easier on everybody.

Holly and Leslie had worked together at a previous company, and Leslie said with Holly’s marketing skills, she knew they’d make good business partners.

Together a Greater Good (TAGG), originally started as a website in 2012, with a voucher model similar to Groupon, which had recently launched at the time.

Whenever someone made a purchase at a participating local business, a percentage of their purchase would be donated to a local organization that the consumer selected.

The partners started off slowly, talking

to local businesses. They quickly learned how many donation requests businesses were receiving, both for money and products. “One of the first business owners we talked to validated our concept and gave us the confidence to keep moving forward,” Leslie said. Many of her friends with school-aged children mentioned how they were always asked to participate in a big school fundraiser once a year.

“They all said they’d rather be able to TAGG their purchases for their schools and fundraise that way all year long,” she added.

Holly Baker and Leslie Fischer

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JUNE 2016

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OUR hearts

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locally crafted food & drink

STONEHENGE CENTER 1814 N 144 TH STREET CALL 402.493.4743 FOR A RESERVATION

JUNE 2016

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OUR hearts

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In 2014, they revamped TAGG and changed it from web based to app based, launching the TAGG app in the fall of 2014. Users download the TAGG app for free on their smart phone. When they’re at one of the 160 participating businesses and restaurants, they track their purchase either by asking the businesses for their QR code to scan, or simply snap a photo of the receipt. Next, they choose one of the 400 local organizations listed. Finally, users are encouraged to share it on social media. For each TAGGed purchase, 5% is donated by the business to the chosen cause, facilitated by TAGG. What makes this model different from other donation programs is two-fold: most participants are local businesses, and all those being supported are local organizations. The other difference is that TAGG doesn’t require the use of debit or credit cards to automatically track a purchase. “Ours is a conscious process, rather than something that is generated automatically, possibly without thought behind it,” Leslie said. In fact, 75% of the 5,000 users who regularly TAGG share their efforts on social media. And the number of those who TAGG is growing by about 120 new users a week. Organizations can raise money as a whole, as sub-organizations or teams, or on an individual level, which is popular for youth sports.

Businesses have embraced this new form of giving. Jared Clarke, owner of Railcar Modern American Kitchen has been participating from the beginning.

“Restaurants are often on a strict budget, and in the past we’d receive donation requests all at the same time of year,” he said. “TAGG helps us direct our funds across all organizations throughout the entire year. It takes pressure off of us, helps drive business, and makes it easier for everyone.”

With the TAGG momentum strong, Holly and Leslie are focused on continually adding local business participants.

They also want to expand to other markets, and are currently pursuing Lincoln. But the ultimate success of TAGG depends on people regularly using it.

“We encourage everyone to get involved, whether you are a parent supporting your child’s school or sport, or anyone willing to support a nonprofit simply by choosing our charitably-minded businesses,” Holly said. “I love that my daughter sees our signs at places we go and is excited to support her school. There’s so many great causes needing our support, and we want everyone to feel like they’re part of the greater good.”

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IT’S NOT JUST PAINT!

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