2018 HEMP Newsletter

2018

entreprenews

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IN THIS ISSUE » p.

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2-3 Pay It Forward President’s Letter

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HEMP Highlights Celebrate HEMP Golf Outing Entrepreneurial Field Trip HEMP Retreat

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10-11 Mentees & Mentors

Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program

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PAY IT FORWARD |

Thank you to all our generous sponsors over the past year.

HEMP HEROES $10,000 + above SHIRLEY + BARNETT HELZBERG FOUNDATION

HEMP HALOS $2,500–$9,999 CHUCK HOFFMAN Hoffman Management Corp.

TRACY & DAVE LOCKTON

HEMP HOSTS $1,000-$2,499 JOE BEVERIDGE Russell - Hampton Co. GRANT BURCHAM Mobank

JOSEPH JANKOWSKY MIMI MARKEL ReeceNichols Real Estate

ED VAN BUSKIRK We Are IT JIM WEIR CompAlliance Managed Care

JIM HUNTINGTON BOB JEWELL Optober Investments, LLC JENNIFER JUAREZ Snacks on Racks, Inc. JEFF KREUTZ KH Properties, LLC ADLAI KUNST Fabri-Quilt, Inc. MICAH LACERTE Hitch Fit MIKE LAMMERS Tricension BARY MARQUARDT JOHN MILLER DEBBIE MURPHY CRAIG NOVORR Paragon Capital Management, LLC MIKE O’MALLEY O’Keeffe & O’Malley MIKE PASLEY Central Packaging DAVE PERKY TPP Certified Public Accountants DON PROFFER Proffer Productions, Inc. MITCH RICE Commercial Capital Company, L.L.C. LORI ROSS FosterAdopt Connect, Inc. JOE RUNYAN Hangers Cleaners & CRDN of Kansas City STEVE RUPP SRKO, LLC

CYNTHIA SAVAGE Raphael Hotel Group DAVID SCHLEICHER Prairie Design Build, Inc. LAURA SCHMIDT notes to self, llc JON SCHRAM The Purple Guys JIM SHERIDAN Sheridan’s UNforked TRAVIS SIEGFRIED Certified Radon BRIAN SMITH Wagner Logistics DOUG STACYE JB Solutions, LLC & The Gutter Cover - Kansas City JOHN STARR UltraSource LLC GINA STUELKE Kenton Brothers Systems for Security RYAN TOELKES Neighborhood Painting, Inc. JESSICA UNDERWOOD Chief of Staff, Inc. EMILY VOTH Indigo Wild DAVID WINDHAUSEN Intouch Solutions RALPH WROBLEY MIKE ZIMMERMAN Artisan Technology Group MIKE ZIMMERMAN The Insurance Partners

HEMP HELPERS up to $999 RITA BASLOCK Max Electric, Inc. KEITH BENNETT Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. BOB BRUSH DAVE CACIOPPO emfluence, llc JEFF CATES Cates Auction & Realty Co., Inc. DARRIN CLAWSON Engage Mobile Solutions MINDY CORPORON Boyer & Corporon Wealth Management, LLC SARA CROKE Weather or Not, Inc. DANIELLE DEBBRECHT CORE Strategies Physical Therapy, P.A. RYAN ELDER Facility Systems, Inc. JON ELLIS Paradise Park AMBER GOERING Goering and Granatino, P.A. LAIRD GOLDSBOROUGH Valbridge Property Advisors LARRY GOLDSTEIN KEVIN GRABILL Grabill Plumbing, Inc. SKULI GUDMUNDSSON OCCU-TEC, Inc. ALEC HAIGHT Pioneer Music Company, Inc. DALE HAZLETT DEG RON HELMER Synetic Technologies, Inc.

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PRESIDENT’S LETTER Dear HEMPers, As I write this President’s Report on the State of HEMP, what immediately comes to mind is that your Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program is on a strong solid foundation. AND, we are at a crossroads of change. AND, we are growing faster than ever. AND, we are at risk. I would normally need to explain those dichotomies, but since all of you run or have run businesses, you understand how at one moment you feel on top of the world, and then can feel you’re losing your balance, about to tumble down a steep slope. In the words of Inigo Montoya, “Let me explain… No, there’s too much. Let me sum up.”

A strong and solid foundation…

• HEMP is cash flow positive. We have been able to manage our expenses and continue to operate in the black, as well as put money away for a rainy day.

• HEMP has begun funding our “Pay It Forward” fund. A restricted reserve that, along with the Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation contributions, will ensure the future viability of HEMP for generations of future entrepreneurs.

“We can never sacrifice our core values of putting our worst foot forward, protecting absolute confidentiality and carefully selecting those who we choose to be part of HEMP.”

A crossroads of change…

-Bill Hartnett

• We’ve expanded our facilities. With the acquisition of the new 1st floor space, affectionately known as “Barnett’s Basement”, we can now hold events without paying rents to outside entities while inviting the business community into our home to share HEMP opportunities.

• As part of our initiative to build HEMP’s financial sustainability, we’re launching “AMPUp”. A workshop based on HEMP best practices and Lirel Holt’s MAP program. We will be offering this program to businesses inside and outside of HEMP. This can act as both a revenue generator for HEMP, a community outreach program and a recruitment vehicle, promoting HEMP as a resource for entrepreneurs in our community.

Growing fast…

• As Barnett is prone to remind us, “Bigger is not better, BETTER is better!” As we grow, we are keeping this mantra front and center. We’ve said “No” to several opportunities because in our evaluation, it was only making us bigger, not better. The Board and Committees are dedicated to improvement and stability first, only growing to improve.

• Our Mentee classes have grown from a class of 13 in 2015 to a class size of 20 and 23 in 2016 and 2017. By having larger classes, we are growing more businesses to employ more people. We are growing slowly and cautiously.

• We’ve increased HEMP participation. Over the past 3 years, the total number of Mentees, Fellows, Mentors and Counselors has risen from 161 to 203 participants, for a 21% increase. This growth widens our base and gives HEMP a “better”, more sustainable foundation. Again, we are growing to get BETTER.

The risk…

• Our financial position is the fuel that powers our engine. When I became President, I looked at HEMP as I would one of our Mentees. I asked one of Barnett’s favorite questions, “What percentage of your revenue comes from your largest source?”

The answer was 45%. Nearly half! We owe it to ourselves and the Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation to take our own advice. We must grow alternative sources of revenue and lower that percentage as we go into the future. That was the genesis of the “Pay It Forward” fund. HEMP’s 401k plan of sorts. In 3 short years, we have raised $615,627.41 toward a $4 million dollar goal through individual donations, sponsorships and grants from both inside and outside of HEMP. • Our culture is the glue that binds HEMP together. I believe, like many of you, that it’s the culture we share that makes HEMP special. As we move forward, it’s up to all of us to protect that culture. We can never sacrifice our core values of putting our worst foot forward, protecting absolute confidentiality and carefully selecting those who we choose to be part of HEMP. In conclusion, I want to express my extreme gratitude to all of you for your commitment to each other. HEMP is simply the culmination of each of your efforts. Every time we share our experiences, and with each moment we put our worst foot forward, we make each other stronger. Thank you for your generosity and your compassion for each other.

My hope for all of you is for an amazing 2018! So, in the words of Miracle Max, “Have fun storming the castle!”

BILL HARTNETT, HEMP President and Mentor Harvest Productions, Inc.

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HEMP NEWS

BARNETT’S BASEMENT: OUR JOINT IS EXPANDING Over the years, we’ve held events at some amazing locations around Kansas City like The Kauffman Foundation and Google Fiber Event Space. HEMP is excited to announce that we have acquired an event space of our own, lovingly referred to as Barnett’s Basement. Barnett’s Basement is located on the lower level of the HEMP office building (2000 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64108). The space is called Barnett’s Basement in honor of the first HEMP meeting that took place in the lower level of the Helzbergs’ home. The purpose of the event space is to continually provide you with excellent programs without paying rent to an outside entity, and to invite the business community into our home to share HEMP with others.

MENTEES AND THEIR MENTORS

SPECIAL TIES: MENTEE/ MENTOR BONDING Dave Perky and Brett Wacha strike a pose.

Duff Greenwood and Karen Crnkovich take a selfie.

Larry Goldstein beats his Mentee, RL Brooks, on the racquetball court every Sunday.

Haley Haar and John Miller carve out some time to chat at the annual Retreat.

In the early 1990’s a peer advisory group named Paradigm existed. There were 8-10 small business leaders that met monthly to discuss business. Two of the members were Jim Stuelke and Tim McCarthy. Roll forward 20 years, and during a HEMP networking event, Stuelke and McCarthy become re-connected!

HEMP REKINDLES OLD RELATIONSHIP

It didn’t take long before the two embarked on a business relationship.

Stuelke’s technology and McCarthy’s marketing prowess were pillars beneath a new and exciting venture launched in late 2017. “Jim and I lost touch for

nearly 20 years. It didn’t take us long to get the entrepreneur in both of us to get the ball moving,” stated McCarthy.

The Kansas City entrepreneurial environment is alive and well and the crown jewel catalyst is HEMP! Stay tuned for future news on the Stuelke/McCarthy venture and how HEMP brings people together.

JIM STUELKE & TIM MCCARTHY

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HEMP HIGHLIGHTS

CELEBRATE HEMP 2017 A chance for our participants and their spouse/significant other to come together to mingle in a relaxed and social gathering while celebrating the organization we all love!

Will Polese, Ron Hill and Bill Hartnett catch up over sangrias.

Melody Warren, Michelle Robin, Christina Dreiling, Laura Lee Jones and Barbie Hill enjoy a little girl time!

Bob Brush, Doris Royals, Robin Royals and Karen Brush cozy up by the fire.

Will Buchanan, Nathan Roberts and Madison and Travis Siegfried cheers to HEMP!

Judy and Walt Rychlewski enjoy the view.

Shirley and Barnett Helzberg are all smiles at this year’s Celebrate HEMP. How could they not be with a suit like Barnett’s?

Gina and Jim Stuelke take in the city lights.

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HEMP HIGHLIGHTS 2017 GOLF OUTING A fun way for entrepreneurs to get out of the office and on to the green, golf green that is! HEMP appreciates all of the support everyone gives to make this event happen and one of the highlights of the event is our Photo Contest, the crazier the better, as you can see!

Jeff Chaney, Dave Cacioppo, Adlai Kunst and Mike O’Malley believe they have the winning score card!

Thank you to all of our sponsors and teams who came out to support HEMP and enjoy a fun day of golf!

PULL! Amber Goering and Jennifer Juarez’s team know a little bit about work/life balance.

PEARLS “I owe our growth to HEMP. I did it the hard way for eight years without much guidance. If only I could have been part of HEMP earlier, who knows where I would be now.” –Fellow (Mentee Graduate)

Golf Cart Troublemakers!

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HEMP HIGHLIGHTS

ENTREPRENEURIAL FIELD TRIP A small group of HEMP participants visit businesses in other cities to learn about their culture and lessons learned to take back a fresh perspective to their own business.

Being out of town with a small group encourages new relationships at a deeper level. HEMP has traveled on these field trips since 2013!

ON TO AUSTIN! The HEMP group outside their visit at Medtronic.

Front row (from left to right): Travis Siegfried, Lirel Holt, Renee McDougal, Vicki Lopatofsky, Kerry Hartnett, Christina Dreiling, Barnett Helzberg, Jr., Missy Love, Bill Love, Melody Warren, Adrienne Kreutz, Dr. Michelle Robin, Burnetta Burtin, Kali Buchanan, Beverly Drew.

Back row (from left to right): Austin Bickford, Dan McDougal, Mike O’Malley, Tim Lopatofsky, Bill Hartnett, Terry Garberg, Steve Mathews, Dan Stalp, Jeremy Greenamyre, Jeff Kreutz, L. Eric Burtin, Will Buchanan.

Eric and Burnetta Burtin outside of the 3M Innovation Center.

We are pleased to announce that we will be going to Austin this year!

Stay tuned for details.

The group enjoys one last dinner together before wrapping up the trip!

PEARLS For the past 5 years HEMP has taken an Entrepreneurial Field Trip to some exciting places: Las Vegas, Nashville, San Francisco, Seattle and Minneapolis! We have visited businesses such as Tesla, Starbucks, Boeing, Salesforce, Zappos, Shelby Car Factory, Dave Ramsey and Tennessee Bun Company, just to name a few.

Our trip to Minneapolis was one for the books! We visited some amazing businesses, including 3M, Medtronic and The Nerdery and Prime. We also made time to visit Prince’s Paisley Park.

“HEMP is a one-of-a-kind experience that is based on a shared passion for business success. At HEMP we learn together, and grow together, both personally and professionally. It is such a pleasure and an honor to be a part of this wonderful organization!”

–Mentor “I believe HEMP provides a safe place for me to be authentic and encourages me to be the best me I can be. The energy that the staff, Barnett and the Board create is one of growth and love.” –Fellow (Mentee Graduate)

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HEMP HIGHLIGHTS 2017 RETREAT

HEMP’s annual event kicks off our program year with a new class of Mentees and a class that graduates after their 3 year mentorship. It’s a full day of keynote speakers, small interactive sessions and time to catch up with entrepreneurs to help you work on your business, not in it!

Jon Schram, Danny O’Neill and Melody Warren are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at the 2017 Retreat breakfast. (Must be the coffee!)

Susan Ahn, Angela Hurt and Danielle Debbrecht catch up.

Karen Crnkovich and the Class of 2017 take the stage with “HEMP” awards.

Bob Shapiro and Mary Lou Jacoby share a hug.

GOLF CART TROUBLE MAKERS

Deuce Livers and Lirel Holt stop to smile.

Speaker Greg Knapp captivates the afternoon audience.

Speaker Dolf Berle helps Emcee Joe Runyan with the morning raffle.

Christina Dreiling and Chuck Hoffman are all smiles.

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HEMP HIGHLIGHTS

KANSAS CITY BUSINESS MENTORING AWARDS The Kansas City Business Mentoring Awards celebrate the mentors who help Kansas City’s entrepreneurs thrive. An award is given in each of the three categories: The Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring, Corporate Mentor of the Year and Entrepreneurial Mentor of the Year.

Walt Rychlewski receives the Lifetime Achievement in Entrepreneurial Mentoring.

Left to Right: Barnett Helzberg, Jr., Walt Rychlewski and Bill Hartnett.

R. Lee Harris is the Entrepreneurial Mentor of the Year.

Left to right: Barnett Helzberg, Jr., R. Lee Harris and Bill Hartnett.

Dayton Moore and Barnett Helzberg pose for a photo after the luncheon where Dayton gave the keynote speech.

Jason Gaikowski, VML, is the Corporate Mentor of the Year.

Left to right: David Mitchell, Jason Gaikowski and Bill Hartnett.

PEARLS “When I agreed to be a mentor with the HEMP program, it was the classic ‘I want to give back’ reason. Granted, that aspect of the program has been everything I expected, but what I didn’t expect was how much I would get out of the program as well. Whether it is learning things from my Mentee, or from others in the program, HEMP has given me more than I ever expected. Now I have to ‘give back’ even more just to keep up! ” –Mentor

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WELCOME 2017 MENTEES & THEIR MENTORS

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

Susan Ahn

Grant Burcham

Charlie Arnot

Tim McCarthy

Steve Bastasch

Gordon Harton

Great Plains Supply, Inc.

Mobank

Look East

HushMat

Lenexa Manufacturing Company

GFH Business Consulting

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

RL Brooks

Larry Goldstein

Justin Copeland

Mike O’Malley

Karen Crnkovich

Duff Greenwood

Seen Merch

Retired

Triggerfish Corporation

O’Keeffe & O’Malley

DMC Service, Inc.

Cleaves-BessmerMarietti, Inc.

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

Danielle Debbrecht

Angela Hurt

Amber Goering

Walt Rychlewski

Haley Haar

John Miller

CORE Strategies Physical Therapy, P.A.

Veracity Consulting, Inc.

Goering and Granatino, P.A.

Retired - Dotcom Entrepreneur

AlphaGraphics Kansas City

Retired

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

Alec Haight

Dan Stalp

Joelsette Jones

Bob Brush

Jennifer Juarez

Deuce Livers

Pioneer Music Company, Inc.

Sandler Training

Pharos Partners Inc.

Retired, Hallmark

Snacks on Racks, Inc

Livers Bronze Company

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

Vlad Kaufman

Steve Shondell

Nick McLean

Tracy Lockton

Managed Energy Systems

Heathwood Oil Co., Inc.

Southwest Steel Fabrication

Consultant

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WELCOME 2017 MENTEES & THEIR MENTORS

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

Matthew Moore

Darren Traub

Doug Obershaw

Ralph Wrobley

Mitch Rice

Keith Bennett

Martin City Brewing Company

Former CEO of Central Fiber

SkuTouch Solutions LLC

Retired

Commercial Capital Company, L.L.C.

Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc.

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

Robyn Schmitz

Scott King

Dan Shirey

Laura Lee Jones

Steve Spangler

Dave Perky

High Prairie Landscape Group

Kendal King Group

Freedom Transportation, Inc.

Lionshare, Inc.

Simple Science Juices

TPP Certified Public Accountants

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

MENTEE

MENTOR

Courtney Thomas

Margaret Reynolds

Ryan Toelkes

Dan McDougal

Brent Voepel

Tim Lopatofsky

Central Exchange

Reynolds Consulting, LLC & Breakthrough Masters Unlimited

Neighborhood Painting, Inc.

Dredge America, Inc.

Voepel Property Management

LKLL&L

HEMP KEYS TO SUCCESS

by HEMP Mentor

LEE HARRIS Cohen-Esrey

#1

Live today like you’re going to die tomorrow.

#2

What you think, will become reality.

#3

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever give up.

#4

Don’t take risk...manage risk.

#5

Laugh every chance you get...especially at yourself.

#6

What you give will come back to you in amazing ways.

#7

March to your own tune, but do so with purpose.

#8

Mistakes are simply unfinished experiments in the laboratory of life.

#9

Creativity is a way to express your passion. And passion allows you to see in color.

#10

The success of a career can be measured in the number of lasting relationships that have been collected and nurtured.

#11

Balance your life - emotionally, intellectually, financially, physically, spiritually and with your family.

#12

Help others buy your ideas.

#13

You can do this all by yourself. Develop a support network of colleagues, friends, family.

2000 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 200 Kansas City, Missouri 64108

HEMP is dedicated to strengthening entrepreneurial leaders through excellence in mentoring.

MENTORING TESTIMONIALS “It’s like my Mentor is a trail guide. He hasn’t necessarily been on the exact path that I’m on, but he has done a lot of ‘walking’ on similar paths, paths I have not ever seen. He also can see further ahead than I can. I feel so supported.” –Mentee “The impact continues still, in both my current position and in my restless ideation about the future. My mentor is there, as an ear and a voice, listening, testing and encouraging. It’s a friendship first, but a mentorship nonetheless. After all, a mentorship without friendship is just a job.” – Fellow (Mentee Graduate)