Manhattan, KS February 2022

F E B R UA RY 2 022 | TH E P R E M I E R E I S S U E

The Man In Manhattan

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

This Is My Town

February 2022 PUBLISHER

Tyler Jackson | tyler.jackson@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Heather Hoffman | heather.hoffman@citylifestyle.com

For the record, I’m like most everyone else here: a transplant. A native of Dodge City, I’ve been here since 2006, having arrived as a yet-to-ripen, young, and dumb 21 year old. After a quick stint at Dodge City Community College, I moved to Manhattan to be the Assistant Store Manager at Sherwin-Williams in Junction City. After getting fired, I have really earned my MHK Townie stripes. I’ve worked at Lemmy’s Pizzeria, Prockish Painting, Lawn Pro, The Little Grill, The Purple Pig (RIP), Peerless Tires, Schram Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and my favorite of all – Manhattan Broadcasting and B104.7 FM! I was lucky enough to be on the air there for nine years as fifty percent of the most amazing morning show duo: Tyler & Megan. You can still catch me at Mojo’s Beach Bar and as the official race announcer for the Manhattan Running Company! From the St. Patrick’s Day Road Race, to the Bill Snyder Highway Half Marathon, to the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5k, you can find me at the finish line of all of those!

I made my first trip to MHK as a kid with my grandma in the early 90’s, went to my first K-State game in 1996 against Iowa State, and now, twenty-six years and nearly half a lifetime later, I get to help tell the story of this place. This town has truly helped forge me into who I am today. Manhattan is a treasure trove of hidden gems, fantastic attractions, and a ton of tales that must be told. It has endless beauty, grand vistas, and immediate access to nature with its hiking trails and waterways. It’s as big or as small as you want to make it.

This place is pretty special, and we’re honestly lucky to be able to live here.

With that being said, it is the honor of a lifetime for me to introduce: City Lifestyle Manhattan! This is the product of a lot of blood, sweat, tears – and absolute dreaming – and I am so proud to share this with you and bring it to you every month. I hope you enjoy this premiere issue and learn more about your neighbors here in town. I hope you enjoy catching up with Coach Snyder! I hope you go and patronize the partners you see listed throughout the magazine – they love this town as much as I do.

Like Coach Snyder has mentioned several times, “[we] came because of the people and stayed because of the people,” and I completely understand why. I’ll never leave this town as long as I can help it. Manhattan, I love you!

This one’s for you!

STAFF PHOTOGR APHER

Tim Sigle | siglephoto@gmail.com AD DESIGNER

Chad Jensen LAYOUT DESIGNER

Sara Minor CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Kenny Whitis CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Devan Garcia

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER Bruce Ianni DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

T YLER JACKSON, PUBLISHER @ C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E M A N H AT TA N

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E .C O M / M A N H AT TA N |

Proverbs 3:5-6 Manhattan City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Manhattan area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Manhattan City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable,

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but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue The Premiere Issue

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F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

12 A New Fan Favorite: Rockin K's

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Lifestyle Letter

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City Scene

16 The Man in Manhattan

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Business Monthly

Legendary Head Coach Bill Snyder recently sat down with publisher Tyler Jackson

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Hot Spot

to catch up on life in retirement

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Local Limelight

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Culinary Creations

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Locally Owned

S HO PPI NG

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Financial Buzz

FI NA NC E + LEGA L SE RV IC E S

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Events

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Local’s Choice

24 Rob’s Wild Adventure

Meet Rob Wild, Manhattan’s newest American Family Insurance Agent

34 Meet Your Publisher, Tyler Jackson

Tyler Jackson has been in Manhattan for 16 years, and hopes to never leave

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Tim Sigle 6

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city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen in the city.

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1: Aaron Watson takes a selfie with a fan during his concert at The Hat 2: Aaron Watson, from Abilene, Texas, has been playing in Manhattan for nearly two decades 3: Aaron Watson, playing several hits for the crowd of Red Dirt country fans! 4: Prizes were announced at SantaCon, alongside milk & cookies! 5: Several motorcyclists with the ABATE of Kansas District 15 doing toy pick-up during SantaCon 6: The Aggieville Business Association hosted its first-ever SantaCon at Johnny Kaw’s Yard Bar. 7: Aggieville’s inaugural SantaCon helped collect toys for Toys for Manhattan Photography by Devan Garcia

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Tag your social media photos with @citylifestylemanhattan

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C I T Y SC E N E

We take the invitation into your home very seriously.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Photography Cats Cans Portable Services of Manhattan

Cat Cans Portable Services teams up with Complete Enviro Solutions Worried about germs in a portable restrooms? Don’t be! Cat Cans has partnered with Complete EnviroSolutions to ensure that no germs can grow in their portable restrooms! Not only does Cat Cans clean and disinfect each restroom before every installment, they also have CES apply “Aegis,” a Microban product, which puts an antimicrobial protection layer on every square inch of the restroom. There’s no germs getting through that protection! Cat Cans & CES, serving Manhattan!

Scan to read more.

Photography FlyMHK.com

Brandon Keazer Named Director of Manhattan Regional Airport Brandon Keazer, Assistant Director since 2015, has been named the new Director of Manhattan Regional Airport. With more than 12 years of airport experience, Brandon will be tasked with directing and supervising all airport operations.

In addition to daily operations, he will oversee building and field maintenance, finances and budget concerns, security, public relations, and personnel matters.

He’s also tasked with overseeing the Runway Rehabilitation Project, slated for mid-2023. To learn more, and to book a flight, visit FlyMHK.com.

Scan to read more.

If you want to be included, send us a message!

Visit CityLifestyle.com/Manhattan to get in touch.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

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A New Fan Favorite: Rockin K's

Birria Tacos

ARTICLE BY H E ATH E R HOFFMAN PHOTOG R APHY BY TIM SIG LE

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H OT SP OT | FOOD + BEV E RAGE

Brisket Nachos

Start a restaurant in the midst of a global pandemic.

This is likely not the advice you would get from your financial advisor or your mother. But, that’s exactly what Scott Sieben decided to do in August 2020.

Scott isn’t new to the restaurant game. A native Manhattanite and Kansas State graduate, he cut his teeth in the industry as a cook at Kite's Bar and Grill in 2002. Over the past two decades, he has bolstered his resume with stints as a bartender, manager, operations director, and eventually, entrepreneur. In 2010, Scott and his wife Lindsay acquired Mr. K's Café and Bar, a westside gem known for its high-quality service and mouth-watering cookie bake. In 2018, Scott took the next step in his journey as a restaurateur when he purchased Kite’s, the very same Aggieville hotspot where he got his start.

So, while the rest of us may have balked at the idea of starting a business during a time of such uncertainty, Scott had the insight and experience to see the opportunity in front of him.

The first thing I noticed about Rockin K’s was the light. Located in the K-State Foundation building, the space features floor-to-ceiling windows that allow natural light to illuminate the restaurant throughout the day. As you take in the restaurant’s expansive, modern interior, you cannot help but notice the eclectic mix of Kansas curios and K-State sports paraphernalia lining the walls. From photos of Wildcat legends and the majestic Flint Hills, to Big 12 trophies and a mounted bobcat, there’s no question that you’re in MHK. After the sun sets, diners can admire the most awe-inspiring sight in Manhattan, the luminous Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

But, you’ll be forgiven for not noticing the surroundings if you are too busy drooling over the food.

“You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu,” says Scott.

The menu has something for truly everyone: busy professionals, health-conscious eaters, and, of course, the game day crowd. Scott’s personal go-to is the Asian wrap, which features sliced chicken, chow mein noodles, and a delectable peanut sauce.

Tailgaters and barbecue lovers alike delight over the brisket nachos, which are smoked on-site. Those looking for a meat alternative can stink their teeth into the Caliburger, a plant-based burger with sliced avocado, vegan cheese, and grape tomatoes on a brioche bun. Beyond the plate, Rockin K’s offers a handful of local beers and specialty cocktails, including the amethyst-hued blackberry mojito, perfect for Wildcat fans.

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Open Faced Philly

While Rockin K’s, Mr. K’s, and Kite’s each feature their own menu, it was important to Scott that the culture remained consistent across all three restaurants. The hosts, servers, bartenders, and kitchen staff work together to ensure that locals and visitors leave happy and full.

Since opening, Rockin K’s has welcomed a number of catered events in the space: weddings, birthdays, the 2021 MHK Chili Cook-Off, and the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Award ceremony. They have also had the privilege of hosting Hail and Farewell events honoring military members preparing to leave for deployment.

While we are still in the midst of intense uncertainty, one thing is certain: nothing beats time together with loved ones over a great meal. Whether you want to root for the Cats over a plate of brisket nachos, enjoy a Sunday brunch on the outdoor patio, or pick up a quick lunch, Rockin K’s is a must-visit for all Manhattanites.

Shrimp Cobb Salad

Birria Tacos

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H OT SP OT | FOOD + BEV E RAGE

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The Man in Manhattan

Legendary Head Coach Bill Snyder recently sat down with publisher Tyler Jackson to catch up on life in retirement ARTICLE BY TYLER JACKSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM SIGLE

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | SPORTS + RE CRE ATI ON

I HAVE TO START OFF BY ASKING, AS ONE COULD CERTAINLY SAFELY ASSUME, YOU’RE NOT TOO BORED IN YOUR RETIRED LIFE, ARE YOU? “I haven’t gotten to that point yet. I wouldn’t mind a little boredom, but it hasn’t quite arrived. I imagine it will soon!”

YOU’VE GOT FIVE KIDS, TEN GRANDKIDS, AND SIX GREAT GRANDKIDS. WHAT’S A BETTER TITLE: COACH OR GRANDPA? “I like grandpa! I’ve been blessed. We’ve been blessed to have wonderful children and wonderful grandchildren. I mean, truly wonderful people. Now we’re going to find out about all of these great grandchildren. I hope they take after their parents.”

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES THESE DAYS? “I can’t say that I have a lot of hobbies. I still stay active and busy. I like to swim and I work out on the treadmill every day as well, as the swimming is over until the weather gets good again. I do a lot of stuff with the children and grandchildren. Outside of that, there’s a lot of odds and ins. I’m better when I’m busy than when I’m not.”

WHAT’S ONE BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE? “I don’t know if there’s one, but like most people, I would probably have to say the Bible. It’s certainly impacted my life. Bobby Bowden wrote a very meaningful book, not just about football, but about many things that had taken place in his life. I really enjoyed that. I like biographies. Dwight Eisenhower has a great one, and Joe Paterno has a great one also. I also enjoyed Hayden’s book (Legendary Iowa coach Hayden Fry) as well. Lots of books like that.”

D. SCOTT FRITCHEN RECENTLY WROTE A BIOGRAPHY DETAILING YOUR COACHING CAREER, MY FOOTBALL LIFE AND THE REST OF THE STORY, WHAT WAS IT LIKE REMINISCING ON THOSE DAYS? “Well, it did bring up a number of times in my life: good, bad, and indifferent. We sat right here for

several weeks and months. We would just talk about things until we ran out of stuff to talk about, and then we would come back the next day. Scotty always had an interesting list of questions that he would bring. It was just like this, not much different.”

YOU’RE FAMOUS FOR YOUR HAND WRITTEN LETTERS, WHAT’S YOUR PHILOSOPHY ON THOSE? “Well I didn’t know how to type! That’s probably a part of it. We all get things that come through the mail, and sometimes those type-written things are like form letters. I just think that it’s more meaningful.

I know that when I get a hand-written note it’s more meaningful to me because somebody took the time to do that, rather than dictating a letter to somebody. It just makes sense to me.”

SPEAKING OF PHILOSOPHY, WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR THE CREATION OF THE “16 GOALS FOR SUCCESS” “They’re not unique. Everybody in the coaching world, or in the teaching world, or in any classroom or locker room in the country, and there’s words posted.

They’re not insignificant, but that’s all they are is just words, until you do something about them. Yes there’s 16, but there was 12 to begin with. There could be 100.

But to me, the important thing wasn’t just having a bunch of words posted around, it was about what each one meant, and if they were important, intrinsic values.

Which they are. Then how do you implement them in your program to help serve young people? That was the important thing. They weren’t just goals posted on a board. How do we teach? How do we utilize? How do we embrace commitment? Responsibility? Discipline? Etc., etc. So it was about having a process for each and every one of those goals that was really significant.”

I’VE READ THAT YOUR MOTHER WAS YOUR BASE. HOW MUCH OF THAT DO YOU CREDIT TO YOUR COACHING CAREER? I credit everything to my mother, all the good things in my life anyway. My mother was an amazing woman.

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | SPORTS + RE CRE ATI ON

My mother was 4’9”, and never weighed 100 pounds in her life. She was the mentally strongest and mentally toughest individual I’ve ever known in my life. She worked 12 hours a day, six days a week. Didn’t make a great deal of money, but saved it all up to send me to college. She disciplined me. She had a sense about what I was doing, or what was good in my life, or what was maybe on the verge of not being so good. She guided me, and sometimes with a strong hand. She was just an amazing woman, and was such a giving person for everybody in her life. She was always attempting to help others. My mother and I lived in a one room -- not one bedroom -- one room apartment close to downtown St. Joe (Missouri) where she worked.

She never drove an automobile in her life, and never had a driver’s license in her life. Therefore, walked to work so she didn’t have to spend money on a streetcar, away from town. She was downhill all the way to work, and uphill all the way back. She was phenomenal. My bed was a Murphy bed that came out of from the wall, and my mother’s was a cot that unfolded, that was on the landing where our apartment was, and I would put it in and out every morning and every evening. She was something!”

FROM FACEBOOK, I ASKED A COUPLE OF OUR READERS, “IF THEY COULD ASK COACH SNYDER ANY QUESTION, WHAT WOULD THEY ASK?” DEB METZGER ASKS, “WHAT IS YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE FOOD?” “I don’t know, probably hamburgers! I always loved my mother’s grilled cheese sandwiches. I love bacon. I love biscuits & gravy! That’s not one all-time favorite, but those are things that I like!”

EVAN CRAIG ASKS, “REFLECTING BACK ON YOUR ENTIRE COACH CAREER AT KANSAS STATE, WHAT’S THE GAME YOU STILL THINK ABOUT THE MOST?” “Interesting, because I try to put that in the past, and don’t really think about it. I try to think about the day. Games that come to mind, there would be a number of them. That first win we had here over North Texas was meaningful to a lot of people. I think the

loss against Texas A&M was a very meaningful game, and obviously, a difficult loss. I enjoyed some of the Nebraska games, wins & losses. The Michigan game in Tempe was great. The Iowa game we played in Kansas City was significant because of my background. There was a lot of great games.”

JASON MEYSENBERG ASKS: “DOES NIKE PAY YOU A ROYALTY FOR BEING THE AMBASSADOR OF A CERTAIN SHOE, THE NIKE CORTEZ?” “No. Haha! When we went with Nike, I got a royalty, and I don’t remember what it was, or how long it went, or how much it was. It wasn’t much. The thing with Nike was, I enjoyed the people with Nike. That’s where I met Bobby (Bowden) and Joe (Paterno). It wasn’t playing against them. Well, I had met Joe before, only just met him, but we would travel on a yearly trip with Nike. We would go to a nice place on an island somewhere and hang out for a week. We would spend all of our time talking. We would talk four or five hours a day with Bobby and Joe and others, and we would share all kinds of stories. I really enjoyed that, and getting to know them and others.”

DO YOU EVER STILL WEAR THE NIKE CORTEZ? “I don’t wear the Cortez, no, but I still have Nike stuff that I get into from time to time.”

ANY LAST WORDS TO THE GREAT PEOPLE OF MANHATTAN? “I’ve said so many times: we came because of the people and stayed because of the people, and when we retired, we continued to stay here because of the people. It’s been home. Because they really are very special. If it wasn’t for the people, we wouldn’t have stayed here. I could’ve went and lived by the water, and enjoyed the warm weather every day, but people are far more special than the weather.”

BILL SNYDER: MY FOOTBALL LIFE AND THE REST OF THE STORY BY D. SCOTT FRITCHEN IS NOW AVAILABLE AT YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL MANHATTAN BOOKSTORES.

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ARTICLE BY THE SALTY MARSHMALLOW | THESALTYMARSHMALLOW.COM PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN SMITH

TORTELLINI LA SAGNA SOU P

Nichole and her partner in crime Dan, alongside their kids Bailey & Ethan, have completely changed the food blog game with their website, The Salty Marshmallow! Based right here in Manhattan, KS, they develop decadent recipes based around comfort food, baked goods, and healthy family eating.

From delicious cookies and simplified Instant Pot recipes to this mouthwatering Tortellini Lasagna Soup, be sure to stop by The Salty Marshmallow before you indulge in your next treat!

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C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

ALL OF THE LASAGNA FLAVOR YOU LOVE IN A COMFORTING BOWL

ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage ½ medium yellow onion, diced 3 cloves minced garlic 2 teaspoons dried basil 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes pinch salt & black pepper 1 tablespoon tomato paste 4 cups beef broth 15 ounce can tomato sauce 24 ounce jar marinara sauce 20 ounce package cheese tortellini For serving: shredded parmesan, mozzarella, and/or ricotta cheese

instructions: 1. In a large soup pot or dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat.

2. Add beef or sausage, onion, garlic, salt, and spices, breaking up the meat as you go. Cook until meat is no longer pink. Drain excess grease if necessary.

3. Add tomato paste and stir constantly for one minute. Pour in broth, tomato sauce, and marinara sauce.

4. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Add tortellini and cook 4-5 minutes until tortellini is tender.

5. Serve with parmesan, mozzarella, and/or ricotta cheese if desired.

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Rob’s Wild Adventure MEET ROB WILD, MANHATTAN’S NEWEST AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE AGENT

ARTICLE BY KENNY WHITIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM SIGLE

Born and raised outside of London, in Essex, England, Rob Wild never imagined himself one day being an insurance agent. Like most other kids in Great Britain, and as an avid fan of the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, he dreamed of growing up to be a soccer star. After attending the University of Chichester, and obtaining a degree in Sports & Exercise Psychology, Rob knew one thing was certain: He wanted to spend his life helping people.

After traveling the world post-college, he made his first trip to America to work at a summer camp for kids with special needs in Pennsylvania, Camp Lee Mar. Not only did he fulfill his wish to help others, but he also met his future wife: Sarah. A native of Abilene, Sarah welcomed Rob on his first trip to Kansas after the camp. The next adventure took them both to Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, where Rob worked at a ski resort, and soon after, he proposed to Sarah.

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“I always wanted to assemble a team, and give them an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally in the insurance industry. None of them had any experience in insurance; I hired them all based off of personality. My goal is for each of them to grow with the business and take any opportunities that come their way.”

— Rob Wild

After getting married, and while Sarah was finishing her degree at Fort Hays State University, Rob received another opportunity to assist people: working at Bethesda Place in Hays. An active tree farm where a half-dozen talented men live, work, play and pray, Bethesda Place grows their own trees for local landscaping developments.

They also plant and tend gardens to nourish themselves and others, and have created an inspirational community.

“They taught me so much. I barely picked up a screwdriver before I started there.”

After Sarah finished her degree, they settled in Abilene, where Rob began his journey in the insurance world. Things were going well, until major news came from the UK: in December of 2019, his mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“In order to experience greatness, you have to get out of your comfort zone.

Unfortunately for me, it was my mom’s situation that gave me the kick in the backside and opened my eyes. But I know she will stay with me through this journey, and all the successes as well!”

After losing his mother, Rob sought to challenge himself by working to earn an insurance accreditation through the

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American College. Through LinkedIn, he found a mentor named Trevor, an American Family Insurance agent based in Wisconsin, who guided him through video chat and voice calls. Rob’s opportunity to become an agent in Kansas arrived after long-time agent Jim Feeney announced his retirement. Rob applied for Jim’s position, and was appointed on June 1, 2021. Jim retired to the East Coast after serving Manhattan for 36 years.

Rob is now the American Family Insurance agent at 1601 Poyntz Avenue, alongside his staff of Yara Mendoza, Zac Burt, and Sherricole Wagner.

“I always wanted to assemble a team, and give them an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally in the insurance industry. None of them had any experience in insurance; I hired them all based off of personality. My goal is for each of them to grow with the business and take any opportunities that come their way.”

Especially passionate about life insurance, Rob is there to help with any insurance needs, whether it’s your home, auto, business, farm or life, he and his team are there for you. He resides in Manhattan with Sarah, and their two children, Jack, age three, and Leo, age four months.

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F IN A N CIA L BU Z Z | FIN ANCE + LE GAL S E RVI CE S

creative planning for your future ARTICLE BY ALLISON SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Creative Planning believes there’s a richer way to wealth. Their team of CFP professionals, CPAs and attorneys work together to create clear, customized plans to maximize your wealth, all in one place. Their award-winning, in-house services span a variety of financial disciplines, including comprehensive wealth and investment management, insurance, tax prep, trusts, estate, financial and retirement planning. Founded in Overland Park, Kansas, they have since branched out across the globe, gaining a national reputation that has earned them numerous prestigious awards, including #1 wealth management firm in America by Barron’s, CNBC and Forbes.

President and CEO Peter Mallouk shares his wealth of knowledge with approachable financial advice. Two issues coming together at once inspired the creation of Mallouk’s business.

“My dad was a physician frustrated with his financial advisor who sold him products and didn’t really explain things well, and I was an estate attorney that saw a full view of the advisory world and thought there was a better way to deliver the all-around experience. Ultimately, that led to Creative Planning offering investments and planning as well as legal and tax advice in a very approachable, consultative way.”

Mallouk has written several books, including 5 Mistakes Every Investor Makes and How to Avoid Them, and has cowritten Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook and The Path: Accelerating Your Journey to Financial Freedom with Tony Robbins.

“People are generally fearful of investment and feel the market is too low or too high at any given time. When there is a correction (a drop of 10% or more), people generally stay on the sidelines or sell their stocks, fearing the market may collapse and stay lower—there have been over 100 corrections, usually about one per year, and they have all ended with a full recovery. Some of these corrections turn into bear markets, a drop of 20% or more, and all have ended with a full recovery. On the other end of the spectrum, many are worried about investing when the market is at an all-time high. This is actually completely normal and happens about once every 19 days—in other words, all the time! We aren’t surprised when a Hershey’s bar, box of cereal or ticket to Disney World costs more, but somehow are shocked when the market hits an all-time high. It’s normal, and inflation has a lot to do with it.”

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“It’s an exciting time—we can do more for our clients today than at any point in our history. In many ways, it feels like we are For those with a 401(k), Mallouk says to do everything you can to contribute.

“Some 401(k) plans have an employer match, meaning for every dollar you put into the 401(k), the company will match—it usually applies to the first 3%. It’s a guaranteed 100% rate of return, and there is just nothing else you can do that is going to be as good as that. If you have the ability to contribute the max, do that as well, but for sure take advantage of the match.”

When faced with the choice to either invest or pay off debts first, Mallouk says to start with focusing on the interest rate.

“All debts aren’t created equal—if you have credit card debt where you are paying 10% or more in interest, then paying off the debt before doing anything else other than a 401(k) match is the way to go. If your only debt is a home mortgage at 2-4% or so, then investing over a long period of time is very likely to yield you a far better outcome than making extra debt payments.”

When planning an estate, it’s crucial to have a healthcare and financial power of attorney and a will or trust.

“A healthcare power of attorney names someone to make healthcare decisions for you in the event you can’t make them for yourself. A financial power of attorney names someone to make financial decisions for you if you can’t for yourself. Lastly a will or a trust both name who will handle things for you in the event of your death, and who will oversee and inherit your assets. A trust tends to make more sense for wealthier individuals as it can bypass the probate court system, which keeps things private, allows for a faster transfer of assets after death, and because it skips the court system, settling the estate is much less expensive.”

When looking for a financial advisor, find the right one by asking the right questions.

“Most don’t realize that the vast majority of financial advisors don’t have to act in the client’s best interests. A minority of financial advisors are fiduciaries and operate under laws that share similarities with doctors and lawyers, meaning they do have to act in their client’s best interests. First, ask your advisor if they are registered as a broker or are dually registered.

If they say yes to either, that means that part or all of the time, they don’t have to act in your

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just at the starting line.”

best interests. There are thousands of advisors that will act in your best interest, so take the time to find one. Second, ask your advisor if their parent company, or the ownership of their parent company, own investment vehicles. If the answer is yes, don’t be surprised if some of those investment vehicles find their way into your portfolio. Essentially you may find yourself paying an advisor to then put you in a fund where the company collects another fee. There is no need to accept this conflict. Find a fiduciary that is not dually registered and that does not own their own investment products. At that point, you at least have someone that is incented to act on your behalf all the time. From there, look for education, credentials and experience with people like you.”

As for the future, it’s never looked brighter at Creative Planning.

“It’s an exciting time—we can do more for our clients today than at any point in our history. In many ways, it feels like we are just at the starting line.”

For more information, visit CreativePlanning.com.

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events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in the city.

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Pecos and The Rooftops

T HE HAT | 7:00 PM Come see country music stars Pecos and the Rooftops with Canaan Bryce are at The Hat! TheHatKSU.com .

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Inaugural Pickle Ball Tournament

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Community Fair at Manhattan Town Center

MAN HATTAN TOWN CEN TER | 1 0 :0 0 A M The Community Fair is an excellent opportunity for local non-profit and educational organizations to highlight volunteer and membership opportunities while generating awareness and interest. The Community Fair will be held at the Manhattan Town Center, in the Center Court.

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Science On Tap

MAN HATTAN BR EW IN G COMPA NY | 7 :0 0 P M Science on Tap is fun and engaging event coordinated by Sunset Zoo and hosted by the Manhattan Brewing Company. Each monthly event will feature a different scientist/researcher and incorporate a short introduction and some type of interaction.

F E BRUA RY 18T H & 1 9 T H

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Casey Donahew at The Hat

T HE HAT | 7:00 PM No stranger to Manhattan, red dirt country music legend Casey Donahew is coming back to The Hat -- get your tickets before they sell out! TheHatKSU.com .

Polar Plunge 2022

T UTTLE CREEK LAKE | 10:00 A M Come get cool and jump in for a good cause at the 2022 Polar Plunge! Every dollar earned helps support Special Olympics Kansas, and more than 4,000 Kansas athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout the state! There will also be contests for Best Costume, Top Fundraising, and the Team with Most Participants. Fee to plunge is $75. PlungeKS.org.

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TYLER JACKSON HAS BEEN IN MANHATTAN FOR 16 YEARS, AND HOPES TO NEVER LEAVE

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04 06 01 Getting ready to go into big waves at Tuttle Creek Lake // 02 My pride and joy is my Olde English Bulldog, Happy // 03 On Saturdays in the fall, you can catch me tailgating in my 1976 Dodge Sportsman RV called “The Bishop” // 04 Kayaking is absolutely my favorite sport. Join me on the Kansas River or the Big Lakes of Kansas! Pictured here at Lake Wilson // 05 The Manhattan River Trail is my favorite place when I can’t get into the Kansas River! // 06 I love adventure!

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