NOV
20 26 REAL ESTATE | RELATIONSHIPS | RESULTS
MIDWEST MOMENTUM WHERE VISION MEETS OPPORTUNITY
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
MIDWEST MOMENTUM: WHERE VISION MEETS OPPORTUNITY
ASPIRIA
MY FREIGHT WORLD: FINDS ROOM TO GROW AT ASPIRIA
WICHITA
INNER OASIS: FINDING AN OASIS IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN WICHITA
CONTENTS 01 / OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION
03
09
15
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
TENANT SUCCESS STORY
TENANT SPOTLIGHT
MIDWEST MOMENTUM: WHERE VISION MEETS OPPORTUNITY
YEISLEY FINANCIAL: FRAMING THE FUTURE
INNER OASIS: FINDING AN OASIS IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN WICHITA
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27
35
TENANT SPOTLIGHT
TENANT SPOTLIGHT
PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT
SHOESTRING THEATRE: FINDS A NEW HOME AT NORTHWEST CENTRE
MY FREIGHT WORLD: FINDS ROOM TO GROW AT ASPIRIA
ASPIRIA NOW UNVEILS ITS REIMAGINED WORKSPACE ON THE ASPIRIA CAMPUS
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OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION /
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L E T T E R F R O M THE PRESIDENT
MIDW MOME W H E R E
V I S I O N
Chad Stafford
President, Occidental Management
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M E
WEST ENTUM E T S
O P P O RT U N IT Y
There is a shift happening in the middle of the country. You can see it in the construction cranes, new developments and expanding business districts. You can hear it in conversations with brokers, site selectors and companies evaluating their next move. And you can feel it in cities like Wichita and Kansas City, where investment, innovation and opportunity are creating a new kind of momentum. For a long time, the Midwest was sometimes treated as the alternative—the place companies considered after looking at larger coastal markets or more established corporate destinations.
I don’t believe that’s the conversation anymore Increasingly, companies are looking at the Midwest first. They are discovering a region with room to grow, an accessible workforce, strong infrastructure, central geography and a cost structure that can allow businesses to invest more of their resources into people and operations. Just as important, they are finding communities that understand growth and are prepared to welcome it. At Occidental Management, we see that shift from two particularly strong vantage points: Wichita and Kansas City. OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION /
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L E T TE R FR OM THE PR E SID E NT
Different cities. Different strengths. But together, they tell an increasingly compelling story about where business is headed next. The Midwest Has Entered the Conversation One of the biggest changes we have seen is the growing interest from brokers and companies outside our immediate markets. Whether the need is corporate office space, industrial facilities, logistics, technology infrastructure or a regional headquarters, more businesses are widening their search and looking toward the center of the country. That makes sense. For companies evaluating a relocation or expansion, real estate is only one piece of the decision. They are also considering access to employees, transportation networks, utilities, quality of life, operating costs and their ability to expand over time. The Midwest competes exceptionally well when all of those factors are considered together. Affordability certainly plays a role, but I don’t think this story is simply about being less expensive. It is about value. A company may be able to secure the space it needs today while preserving the ability to grow tomorrow. Employees can build careers in communities where quality of life remains attainable. And businesses can operate from the geographic center of the country with strong connections to markets in every direction. That combination is getting attention. Kansas City: Building What Comes Next Our investment in Aspiria in Overland Park is one of the clearest examples of our confidence in the Midwest. Aspiria is designed to be more than a collection of office buildings. It is an environment built around the way people and businesses increasingly want to work, bringing together corporate space, technology, amenities, wellness and future development opportunities.
The campus continues to evolve, with adjacent development envisioned as a larger live-work-play environment incorporating office, retail, restaurants, residential and hospitality uses. For companies looking at Kansas City, that ability to grow matters. Businesses want flexibility. They want environments that help them recruit talent. They want amenities that make coming to work more attractive. And they increasingly expect their real estate to support their culture and their business objectives—not simply provide four walls and an address. The Kansas City region also benefits from a deep educational network that includes the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, University of MissouriKansas City, Johnson County Community College and other institutions feeding talent into the market. Nearby, Overland Park Xchange (OPX) adds another dimension to our Kansas City portfolio, offering companies a highly accessible location in the heart of Johnson County along with flexible workplace options through OPX Plus. Together, Aspiria and OPX demonstrate just how diverse today’s workplace needs have become. Wichita: Opportunity Takes Many Forms In Wichita, the momentum looks different—but it is every bit as important. Our community has long been known for entrepreneurship, aviation and manufacturing. Those strengths remain, but the business environment is becoming increasingly diversified. Downtown Wichita is a great example. At Historic Union Station, we saw the opportunity to preserve one of Wichita’s most recognizable properties while helping it serve a new generation of businesses. Today, the station sits in the middle of a growing downtown district surrounded by restaurants, entertainment, major employers and significant new investment. Nearby, the Ice House is another example of an existing property taking on new life and contributing to the character of downtown. But Wichita’s momentum extends well beyond the urban core.
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L E T TER FROM THE PRES I D E NT
WICHITA
Our Northwest Centre property serves retail, medical and office users in west Wichita, while developments elsewhere in the market allow us to meet companies at very different stages of growth. And increasingly, some of the most interesting conversations are happening around industrial and logistics real estate. Industrial Growth Has Become Part of the Story The Bel Aire Logistics Park represents the scale of opportunity emerging on the northeast side of the Wichita metropolitan area. Located near East 53rd Street North and Greenwich Road, the south campus includes 92 acres and the potential for up to 1 million square feet of contiguous industrial space, giving companies the ability to consider large-scale build-to-suit projects in a strategically positioned location. Its proximity to K-254 and connections to the I-135 and I-35 corridors put businesses within an important regional transportation network. Occidental has described the site as strategically positioned near those major highway connections, creating opportunities for industrial users focused on distribution, manufacturing and logistics. 07 / OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION
That type of available land and expansion capacity is becoming increasingly valuable as companies reconsider supply chains and look for locations that provide greater operational flexibility. Occidental’s Wellington Industrial Space provides another side of that equation. Rather than a ground-up development opportunity, Wellington provides existing warehouse and industrial configurations that can accommodate businesses ranging from smaller users to much larger operations. The property includes roughly 200,000 square feet of warehouse space, with individual spaces ranging from less than 1,000 square feet to nearly 70,000 square feet, along with additional land for laydown-yard use. That range is important because Midwest growth isn’t limited to major corporate relocations. Sometimes it is an established regional company expanding production. Sometimes it is a manufacturer adding capacity. Sometimes it is an entrepreneur who has outgrown a smaller building. Momentum happens at every scale. Wichita and Kansas City: Two Markets, One Regional Advantage Wichita and Kansas City don’t need to be identical to complement one another.
K AN S A S C IT Y
Kansas City offers the scale, talent pool and connectivity of a major metropolitan area along with a growing technology and innovation economy. Wichita offers a strong manufacturing heritage, an entrepreneurial culture, industrial capacity and a business environment where companies can make significant investments without many of the barriers associated with larger markets. Between those two cities lies something even more powerful: a regional ecosystem. Employees move between the markets. Companies serve customers in both. Educational institutions supply talent throughout Kansas and Missouri. Transportation corridors connect businesses north, south, east and west. A company headquartered at Aspiria can have operations in Wichita. A manufacturer in south-central Kansas can reach customers throughout the Kansas City metro and beyond. The lines separating individual markets matter less when the larger region works together. More Than Real Estate Ultimately, companies aren’t simply choosing buildings.They are choosing places where they believe they can succeed.
That is why our approach at Occidental Management extends beyond leasing space. Our company operates across office, retail and industrial real estate and brings together development, construction, brokerage and property management capabilities. We want to understand where a company is today— and where it wants to be five or ten years from now. That long-term view is also why I remain so confident about this part of the country. The Midwest doesn’t need to imitate the coasts or try to become the next version of another market. Occidental’s opportunity is to build on what already makes this region attractive: talented people, strong communities, accessible geography, room to grow and a culture that still values relationships. From Aspiria and OPX in Kansas City to Historic Union Station, the Ice House, Northwest Centre and Bel Aire Logistics Park in the Wichita area, and industrial opportunities such as Wellington, our portfolio gives us a front-row seat to that evolution. We are seeing the inquiries. We are having the conversations. And we are watching companies take a fresh look at the middle of the map. The Midwest has momentum. And I believe we’re only beginning to see where it can take us. OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION / 08
FRAMING THE FUTURE by Bob Ale-Ebrahim
Yeisley Financial Group Builds Relationships Around Financial Confidence
Meet the Team & Watch the Yeisley Financial Group video
Meet Randy and Stephanie Yeisley For Randy and Stephanie Yeisley, financial planning is as much about people as it is numbers. Randy founded Yeisley Financial Group in 2006 with a desire to help others pursue their goals and build more confident financial futures. Stephanie, Director of Operations, has helped shape the firm’s client-first culture through personal service and proactive communication. Together, the Wichita couple has built a business rooted in relationships, family and community— values that continue to guide the Yeisley Financial Group experience today.
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RANDY YEISLEY Founder & President
STEPHANIE YEISLEY Vice President
TE N ANT SU CCE S S STO RY
Planning for retirement is about more than numbers on a spreadsheet. It is about understanding what those numbers can make possible — more time with family, the freedom to travel, the ability to support the next generation and, ultimately, greater confidence about what comes next. For Yeisley Financial Group, helping clients connect their financial resources with those larger life goals has been at the heart of the company since its beginning. Founded by Randy Yeisley in 2006, the Wichita-based firm has spent two decades helping individuals and families throughout south-central Kansas pursue their financial goals through investment and insurance products and retirement-focused strategies. Along the way, Yeisley Financial Group has built its business around an intentionally personal approach, emphasizing relationships, straightforward communication and solutions tailored to each client’s circumstances. Randy recalled how his career in financial services began: “I started studying and researching and taught myself how to manage my own portfolio. Then I thought, there have to be other people in the same boat who simply want someone they can trust. I earned my insurance and securities licenses, and that’s really how I got into the business. From there, I started helping people take greater control of their financial futures.”
From Engineering to Financial Services Yeisley brought an interesting perspective to financial services. Before entering the industry, he spent 20 years in telecommunications, with an emphasis on engineering and new business development. That background continues to influence his approach today, combining analytical thinking with an ability to break complicated subjects into concepts clients can more easily understand. Yeisley, a Texas Tech graduate and Registered Financial Consultant, moved to Wichita in 2000 and founded Yeisley Financial Group six years later. Today, he serves as founder and president alongside Vice President Stephanie Yeisley and a growing team of professionals focused on operations, new business, client service, marketing and tax planning. The company describes its vision as creating a culture of caring and generosity that empowers its clients, employees and owners to positively impact their families and communities. That emphasis on relationships is reflected in the firm’s philosophy of providing down-to-earth financial guidance. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the Yeisley team begins by understanding what clients want their future to look like and then develops strategies around those individual goals.
OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION /
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such as how much someone may need to retire, when to begin taking Social Security and how taxes can affect retirement. The company also hosts educational seminars and events covering retirement income, wealth management, estate planning, tax strategies and other financial topics. Randy emphasized the importance of helping clients understand their financial decisions: “I want people to understand what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. I look at each client’s portfolio, evaluate where they are today and identify what we can do to help them move forward. One client told us after seeing our presentation, ‘For the first time ever, we finally understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.’” A Wichita Company Focused on Relationships When asked what advice he would give to younger generations, Randy emphasized the importance of planning ahead. “The most important thing for a young person is to start planning for retirement early. It can be dangerous to put it off. By your early 50s, you should be sitting down and developing a serious, comprehensive retirement plan with specific goals. The earlier you start planning and preparing for the future, the better positioned you’ll be.” Building a Retirement Frame Yeisley Financial Group describes its planning process through the idea of “framing your future.” Just as a frame is designed around the artwork it surrounds, the firm believes a retirement strategy should be built around the individual. The process begins by learning about a client’s goals, dreams and current financial picture. From there, the team analyzes that information and develops a customized strategy before implementing the plan and reviewing it regularly as circumstances change. The firm’s services encompass a broad range of financial needs, including retirement income strategies, investments, wealth management, IRA and 401(k) rollovers, tax-efficient strategies, IRA legacy planning, annuities, life insurance and asset protection strategies. Yeisley Financial Group operates collectively through independent financial-services entities providing insurance, investment advisory and tax-preparation services. Education is another important component of the company’s approach. Yeisley Financial Group provides retirement resources addressing common questions
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Yeisley Financial Group’s Wichita headquarters is located at the Offices at Cranbrook, 10111 E. 21st St. N., Suite 205, where the firm continues to serve clients from throughout the region. For Occidental Management, having a locally grown company like Yeisley Financial Group as part of the tenant community represents exactly the kind of long-term business relationship the company seeks to foster. “Yeisley Financial Group has built its reputation by putting relationships first, and that is something we value greatly at Occidental Management,” said Chad Stafford, President of Occidental Management. “Randy and his team have created a successful Wichita company centered on serving people, and we’re proud to have them as part of the Offices at Cranbrook community.” As Yeisley Financial Group marks two decades in business in 2026, its focus remains rooted in the same idea that inspired its beginning: financial planning should ultimately be about helping people. For Randy Yeisley and his team, that means looking beyond accounts and investments to understand what clients hope to accomplish with them — and helping build a financial framework designed to support those goals for years to come. Go to yeisleyfinancial.com to learn more.
“
A FINANCIAL STRATEGY SHOULD BE BUILT AROUND
“
THE INDIVIDUAL — NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
Twenty years after its founding, Yeisley Financial Group remains focused on helping clients frame their financial future.”
OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION / 12
NOW LEASING
Gre
enw
ich
Rd.
K-254
BEL AIRE INDUSTRIAL PARK BUILD TO SUIT
OCCMGMT.COM ● 316-262-3331 NEAR JABARA AIRPORT
SOUTH SITE
NORTH SITE
North & South sites offer 230 Acres of Prime Industrial Development Now offering two premier industrial development sites— Bel Aire Industrial Park North and South—offering a combined 230 acres of prime development land positioned to capture the region’s next wave of growth. Situated at the intersection of K-254 and Greenwich Road, the parks provide unmatched highway connectivity and proximity to key logistics hubs. Future diamond interchange improvements at K-254 and Greenwich will make access even more seamless, placing businesses within quick reach of Kansas City, Salina, Tulsa and Oklahoma City in just a 2 to 3 hour drive. For Leasing Information Contact: 316.262.3331
T E N ANT PRO FILE
Learn more about Inner Oasis Yoga
15 / OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION
Inner Oasis Wellness Studio Brings Full-Service to Historic Union Station From infrared yoga and private saunas to massage, skincare and everyday recovery, Inner Oasis Wellness Studio is creating a new kind of wellness destination in downtown Wichita.
FINDING AN
AN OASIS
This fall, Inner Oasis Wellness Studio will open its first permanent home at Historic Union Station, transforming approximately 6,000 square feet into a full-service destination designed around movement, recovery, relaxation and connection. The new location will bring a broad range of wellness services together under one roof, including heated and non-heated yoga, private infrared saunas, massage therapy, skincare and spa services, corporate wellness programming, meditation, Reiki, sound healing, workshops and community experiences. For founder Synthanee Humbert, the goal is to create a place people can incorporate into their everyday lives—whether they come for a yoga class, schedule a massage, spend time in a private infrared sauna, receive a skincare treatment or simply find a way to step away from the demands of the day. “Our vision has always been to create a sanctuary for healing, movement, and meaningful connection,” Humbert said. “Opening a permanent home at Historic Union Station allows us to deepen our roots in the Wichita community while creating a welcoming space where people can reconnect with themselves and each other.” A New Approach to Everyday Wellness For more than two years, Inner Oasis has taken wellness into the Wichita community through yoga, corporate wellness programs, meditation, Reiki, sound healing and community events. That mobile beginning gave Humbert an opportunity to listen to people and ultimately envision something larger: a permanent wellness destination where a variety of services could work together to support the whole person. “My focus was getting into the community,” Humbert told the Wichita Eagle about the traveling studio.
IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN by Bob Ale-Ebrahim
Now, the Union Station location gives Inner Oasis the space to significantly expand that vision. Someone might come regularly for yoga, while another person may never take a yoga class and instead use the private infrared saunas, massage therapy, skincare services or other recovery offerings. “What we’re really doing is taking a holistic approach to health in general,” Humbert told the Wichita Eagle. Infrared Wellness Takes Center Stage One of the signature features of the new Inner Oasis will be its infrared offerings. The wellness center will include two yoga studios and a variety of heated and non-heated classes, giving members options based on their interests, comfort level and wellness goals. Its dedicated infrared yoga studio will use radiant infrared heat rather than relying solely on heating the surrounding air. Infrared panels directly warm people and surfaces in the room, creating a different experience from a conventionally heated studio. Just as importantly, Inner Oasis’ infrared experience will extend well beyond yoga. The wellness center will feature private infrared sauna rooms designed as standalone wellness and recovery services. Guests will not need to take a yoga class or participate in another Inner Oasis program to use them. OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION /
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The private rooms will accommodate one or two guests and allow users to personalize their experience. Someone might visit after a workout, incorporate sauna sessions into a regular recovery routine or simply use the experience as an opportunity to relax and recharge. The idea reflects a larger philosophy behind Inner Oasis: wellness doesn’t have to be complicated or require a major lifestyle change. It can become part of an everyday routine. Massage, Skincare and Spa Services Inner Oasis is also expanding into massage, skincare and spa services, making the new Union Station location much more than a traditional yoga studio. Massage therapists and estheticians will provide services within the wellness center, giving clients the convenience of accessing multiple types of care in one location. Humbert also sees opportunities to broaden the spa and recovery offerings over time by bringing
INFRARED YOGA
additional independent wellness professionals into the Inner Oasis community. The result is intended to be a place where someone might attend a yoga class one day, schedule a massage or skincare appointment another day and return later in the week for a private infrared sauna session. Meditation, Reiki, sound healing and other wellness experiences will continue to be part of Inner Oasis, supporting the broader goal of helping people reconnect physically, mentally and emotionally. Wellness Beyond the Studio Corporate wellness has been part of Inner Oasis from its earliest days, and the permanent studio will create new opportunities to work with Wichita-area businesses and organizations. Programs can introduce employees to movement, stress management, mindfulness, recovery and other wellness practices in approachable ways—helping
Practice in the gentle, healing warmth of infrared heat — designed to deepen your practice and support your body from the inside out.
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PRIVATE INFRARED SAUNA
Relax, recharge and restore in a private infrared sauna, where gentle radiant heat creates a soothing experience designed for everyday wellness and recovery.
TE N ANT PR O FILE
“We plan to have Yoga, Infrared Yoga, meditation, massage, energy healing, Reiki, sound healing, facials, esthetic treatments and corporate wellness programs.” Synthanee Humbert, Owner, Inner Oasis Yoga companies make wellness part of their workplace culture. That accessibility is important to Humbert. Inner Oasis is being built for people with different experiences, schedules and comfort levels. Someone doesn’t need to consider themselves a “yogi” or already have an established wellness routine to walk through the door. The goal is to meet people where they are and give them options for taking care of themselves. A Permanent Home at Historic Union Station As Humbert searched for a location, she wanted a space that could accommodate her broader vision while still feeling welcoming. Her search eventually brought her to Historic Union Station. A former downtown resident herself, Humbert was drawn to the property’s location, convenient parking and especially the expansive windows and natural light within the space. She sees Inner Oasis becoming a “little oasis in the city”—somewhere people can step away from the pace of their day and focus on themselves. The addition of Inner Oasis also represents another evolution for Historic Union Station, bringing a wellness destination to a landmark property that has increasingly become home to businesses, restaurants and organizations attracting people downtown beyond the traditional workday. Chad Stafford, President of Occidental Management, said the new tenant reflects the continued momentum surrounding Union Station and downtown Wichita. “Bringing Inner Oasis Wellness Studio to Union Station in downtown Wichita reflects the appeal of downtown as a destination for innovative companies,” Stafford said. “Their commitment at the Historic Union Station adds to the energy and collaboration that are helping shape the future of Wichita’s urban core.”
MASSAGE & SPA
Therapeutic and restorative massage services rooted in wellness. Skincare rituals and esthetics designed to nourish from the outside in.
CORPORATE WELLNESS
Bring mindfulness and movement to your team. On-site sessions for businesses throughout Greater Wichita. OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION /
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The lease transaction was facilitated by Charlie King, Commercial Advisor with Occidental Management, on behalf of the landlord. Alex Ibarra of ReeceNichols represented Inner Oasis. Building Something With the Community While Inner Oasis is expanding its services, Humbert doesn’t want to lose the idea that inspired the business in the first place: creating opportunities for people to slow down, reconnect with themselves and build meaningful connections with others. The permanent location simply gives that philosophy more ways to take shape.
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Humbert also plans to listen closely to the Inner Oasis community to help determine what additional services, programs and experiences should be added over time. “It’s just a really good way to be part of building something in the community,” she told the Wichita Eagle. After more than two years of bringing Inner Oasis into the community, Humbert is now creating a place where the community can come to Inner Oasis— a place to move, recover, recharge and reconnect in the heart of downtown Wichita. Visit inneroasisict.com to learn more.
P ROP ERT Y S P OT LI GHT
NOW LEASING
A WICHITA ICON FOR 112 YEARS AND COUNTING
Photo: Great Plains Transportation Museum
Photo: William Art Gibson
Photo: William Art Gibson
Located in the Heart of Downtown Wichita The Historic Union Station opened its doors on March 7, 1914, serving as Wichita’s primary arrival and departure point for thousands of passengers. Designed by Louis Curtiss, Union Station closed its doors in 1979 after Amtrak discontinued its Lone Star rail line. Occidental Management renovated the building in 2013, helping to bring new life and commerce to downtown. Today, Union Station offers Class A office space with suites available between 4,000 SF and 65,000 SF. Surrounded by a vibrant environment of amenities, restaurants, shops and galleries, Union Station provides an ideal location for inspirational businesses.
To learn more or schedule a tour contact us at 316.262.3331. NOW LEASING ● 701 E. DOUGLAS AVE. WICHITA ● UP TO 65,000 SF ● OCCMGMT.COM OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION / 20
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SU P P ORTI NG THE CO M M U N IT Y
Shoestring Theatre, the location is permanent. The Comedy is anything but predictable. After 25 years of making audiences laugh in venues across Wichita, Say What?! Improv has finally found a place to call its own.
And while Say What?! finally has a predictable place to perform, what happens once the lights go down remains wonderfully unpredictable.
Shoestring Theatre, the new permanent home of Wichita’s long-running improv troupe, recently opened at Occidental Management’s Northwest Centre, near 13th and Tyler. The intimate new performance space gives founder Dan Gray and the Say What?! performers something they’ve never had before: a stage that’s truly theirs.
With a permanent stage, new performers and plenty of possibilities ahead, Shoestring Theatre is ready to give Wichita something else to laugh about—right from its new home at Northwest Centre.
For years, the group performed in pop-up locations throughout Wichita. Gray told The Wichita Eagle that opening a dedicated performance space is something he had envisioned for many years. Now, that vision has become a reality.
For more information contact: Dan Gray at saywhatimprov@yahoo.com. Shoestring Theatre is located at 8414 W. 13th, Suite 160, Wichita, KS 67212.
The approximately 50-seat Shoestring Theatre celebrated its grand opening October 3 with a Say What?! performance, bringing a new kind of entertainment to Wichita’s west side. The location at 8414 W. 13th Street, Suite 160, also adds another unique destination to Northwest Centre’s growing mix of businesses and services. While improv comedy is at the heart of Shoestring Theatre, Gray sees the space becoming much more. Plans include making the venue available for other comedians, musicians, small theatrical productions and film events. The theater also plans to feature the work of a different visual artist each month, creating another opportunity to connect local artists with new audiences. The permanent location also gives Say What?! room to grow. Following recent auditions, the troupe added approximately a dozen performers, which could allow it to increase its schedule from about one show a month to three or four. Gray also plans to eventually offer improv classes, with regular classes anticipated to begin in early 2027. For Northwest Centre, Shoestring Theatre brings an unexpected and exciting new dimension to the property. Alongside restaurants, healthcare providers and service-oriented businesses, visitors can now come to the center for something entirely different—a night of live, unscripted comedy.
“It’s something that I’ve had in mind for many, many years. . . . We want the Shoestring Theatre to be a versatile space that can be used for a variety of things.” DAN GRAY Owner and Founder
Follow our Facebook to learn more about upcoming events:
OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION / 24
OCCMGMT.COM ● 316-262-3331
Class A Office Space in the Heart of Overland Park The Overland Park Xchange (OPx) is in the heart of Overland Park. Just moments away from Highway 69 and I-435, it offers quick and easy access from anywhere in the Kansas City Metro area, and is within walking distance to restaurants, hotels, and retail. We take great pride in being ‘not your average’ commercial developer and landlord. We work deliberately every day to ensure we’re going above and beyond the expected by adding value in multiple ways for our clients. Expect More. Give us a Call to Schedule a Tour.
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FINDS ROOM TO GROW AT ASPIRIA
by Bob Ale-Ebrahim
Freight brokerage and management company brings its growing team, technology-driven approach and customer-first culture to the Aspiria campus
providing trucking solutions along with the technology, support and expertise needed to manage freight from pickup through final delivery.
For MyFreightWorld, moving freight has always been about more than finding a truck and getting a shipment from Point A to Point B. It’s about solving problems, building relationships and helping customers navigate everything that can happen during the life of a shipment.
“We like to think that we make the wheels of transportation less squeaky,” Chalfant said. “We are here to problem-solve, provide trucking solutions and actual trucks, back-office services along the way, tracking and tracing, freight bill audit and pay, damage and claims, dispute resolutions — so there is a whole host of things that happen during the lifecycle of a shipment. We assist with the whole thing.”
That approach has guided the company since it was founded in 1999 and continues today from its new offices on the Aspiria campus in Overland Park. Led by President Mike Chalfant, MyFreightWorld is a freight brokerage and freight management company serving primarily small and medium-sized manufacturers and distributors. The company works as an extension of its customers’ businesses, 27 / OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION
An Early Technology Pioneer Technology has been part of MyFreightWorld’s DNA almost from the beginning. Founded during the dot-com era in 1999, the company was among the early freight businesses to allow customers to receive less-than-truckload, or LTL,
TE N ANT SPOT LIG HT
freight quotes online through a website. At a time when online commerce was still in its infancy, offering customers the ability to request freight pricing digitally was a forward-thinking approach to an industry that had traditionally relied heavily on telephone calls, fax machines and manual processes. More than two decades later, technology remains central to the company’s operations — but Chalfant is quick to point out that technology isn’t intended to replace people. Instead, it gives employees more time to focus on the situations where human experience and relationships matter most. “We invest heavily in technology, and it’s to make our people more efficient so they can spend their time helping customers and working with carriers, solving problems that humans should be solving,” Chalfant
said. “We use technology to deliver a better customer experience, show visibility of where the freight is, anticipated arrival dates and price points.” That combination of technology and personal service has become an important part of the MyFreightWorld business model. For many small and mid-sized manufacturers and distributors, transportation is essential to their businesses, but maintaining a large internal logistics department may not be practical. MyFreightWorld helps fill that gap, giving customers access to freight expertise, trucking capacity and management services without requiring them to build those resources entirely in-house. Solving Problems Throughout the Shipment The company’s role can begin with finding the right truck, but it doesn’t end there. OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION / 28
Occidental Management’s Brady Sullivan, Regional Director of Construction Services, helped facilitate the development of MyFreightWorld’s new offices at the Aspiria campus. The space was designed by Perspective Architecture + Design, with Goebel Mitts Construction serving as the general contractor. Together, the project team created a modern, functional workspace designed to support MyFreightWorld’s continued growth and evolving business needs.
Watch the video interview with Mike Chalfant
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TE N ANT SPOT LIG HT Transportation is filled with variables. Schedules change. Capacity tightens. Weather can impact routes. Deliveries can be delayed. Products can occasionally be damaged. Invoices need to be reviewed, freight needs to be tracked and customer questions need to be answered. MyFreightWorld helps manage those details throughout the entire shipment lifecycle. That hands-on approach allows the company to function as an extension of its customers’ teams. Employees work with both customers and carriers, keeping information moving and responding quickly when an issue arises. Ultimately, the goal is straightforward: allow customers to concentrate on manufacturing, distributing and growing their businesses while MyFreightWorld focuses on the transportation challenges. And as the company has continued to grow, finding the right workplace for its own team became increasingly important.om to Grow MyFreightWorld’s move to Aspiria came after years of planning. The company had begun outgrowing its previous office and wanted a new environment that provided both immediate functionality and room for future growth.
That search ultimately led MyFreightWorld to Aspiria and the team at Occidental Management. Chalfant said the process of identifying and planning the company’s new space began approximately three years ago with Occidental Management’s Hunter Johnson. “Hunter Johnson took us around to several different spots,” Chalfant said. “We knew we needed a space of about this size with an open floor plan, with a break room and a place that we could make our own. He helped us make that vision come true.” The result is an office designed specifically around how MyFreightWorld operates. One of the most significant changes is the open layout, which brings the company’s employees together and makes communication between teams easier. “We like the more open floor plan, and everyone is in the same room to communicate with each other,” Chalfant said. “The open floor plan has really worked well for us.”
We like the more open floor plan, and everyone is in the same room to communicate with each other.
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“We knew we wanted enough space to grow into,” Chalfant said. “We kept running out of space in our old office. We’re continually reinvesting in our workforce. We were really looking for a spot where everyone could get back together.”
Mike Chalfant
President, MyFreightWorld OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION / 30
Learn more at myfreightworld.com
The office also includes numerous smaller meeting rooms for Zoom calls and internal meetings, larger conference rooms for presentations and visiting customers, employee gathering areas and even a golf simulator. Those features allow employees to collaborate when needed while still having access to private spaces for meetings and customer conversations. The Aspiria campus itself also played an important role in MyFreightWorlds decision. Located on 207 acres in Overland Park, Aspiria combines office environments with amenities designed to support the broader employee experience. For MyFreightWorld features such as covered parking, dining options and fitness facilities were more than added conveniences — they were part of the company’s search criteria. “People like the parking garage, and it keeps their cars cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter,” Chalfant said. “People like the robust cafeteria that is on campus, and that was one of our requirements. And people love the Aspiria Fitness Center.”
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Those amenities have become especially valuable as MyFreightWorld continues adding to its workforce. The company is actively recruiting, and Chalfant believes the workplace environment can help make a strong first impression on potential employees. “We are in a recruiting mode, so having a great workplace only helps with that,” he said. “They come in and they see the vision, and they compare it to where they are currently working, and we usually stack up pretty well in that comparison.” That ability to recruit and retain talent is increasingly important for companies competing for employees throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. For MyFreightWorld, the new office provides both a functional workplace and an environment that reflects the company it wants to continue becoming. Chad Stafford, President of Occidental Management, said MyFreightWorld is a strong addition to the growing community of companies at Aspiria. “MyFreightWorld is exactly the kind of innovative, growing company we want to attract to Aspiria,” Stafford said. “Their investment in their people, technology and workplace is a great fit for the vision we continue to build across the campus.”
TE N ANT SPOT LIG HT
Positioned for the Future Much has changed in transportation since MyFreightWorld began in 1999.Technology has transformed how shipments are priced, scheduled, tracked and managed. Customers have greater expectations for visibility and responsiveness. Supply chains have become increasingly interconnected, and businesses expect transportation partners to provide information faster than ever.
Now, from its new home at Aspiria, MyFreightWorld has the space, amenities and working environment to support the next chapter of that journey — and to keep making the wheels of transportation a little less squeaky. Go to myfreightworld.com to learn more.
MyFreightWorld has continued evolving alongside those changes.Yet even as technology becomes more sophisticated, the company’s core mission remains rooted in something much simpler: solving problems for customers. Its new Aspiria office brings those two sides of the company together — technology and people — in a workplace designed for communication, collaboration and growth. More than 25 years after MyFreightWorld first began helping bring freight transportation online, the company continues finding new ways to make shipping easier for the manufacturers and distributors it serves.
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A New NOW
Aspiria NOW Unveils Its Reimagined Workspace on the Aspiria Campus by Bob Ale-Ebrahim
The way people work continues to change. So does the space where that work happens. That evolution is at the heart of the newly remodeled Aspiria NOW, which has reopening its doors in Suite 100 on the Aspiria campus with a refreshed environment designed around flexibility, productivity and connection. Located at 6300 Sprint Parkway in Overland Park, Aspiria NOW has established itself as a workspace for entrepreneurs, remote professionals, small businesses and growing teams looking for something between the traditional office and working from home. Now, its newly remodeled space takes that concept another step forward—creating a workplace designed not simply around where people work, but how they want to work today. The renovated Suite 100 features updated finishes throughout, new furniture, refreshed private offices, expanded workstation options and enhanced collaboration spaces designed to support a variety of work styles. Many of the workstations now include height-adjustable sit-stand desks, giving members greater flexibility and comfort throughout the workday. The redesign also includes modern conference rooms equipped for hybrid meetings and comfortable gathering areas that encourage both productivity and connection. The result is a more welcoming and adaptable environment for remote professionals, entrepreneurs and growing teams. “We wanted the newly remodeled Aspiria NOW to reflect what today’s professionals are really looking for in a workplace,” said Robert Curland, General Manager of Aspiria NOW. “Our goal with this renovation was to create a workspace that reflects how people work today. We’ve created a more modern, flexible and welcoming environment that helps our members stay productive, connect with others and grow their businesses.” 35 / OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION
Flexibility Built Into the Workplace Aspiria NOW is designed around a simple idea: businesses change, and their workplaces should be able to change with them. Members can choose from hot desks, designated and non-designated workstations and private offices in several sizes. Daily, month-to-month and longer-term options give members the ability to select a workspace based on what they need today while retaining the flexibility to adapt as their businesses grow. For someone working remotely, that might mean occasionally reserving a hot desk or private office away from the distractions of home. An entrepreneur may need a dedicated workstation and professional environment for meeting clients. A growing company might need a private office for several employees without committing to a conventional long-term office arrangement. Virtual office plans are also available for businesses that primarily operate remotely but need a professional business address and mail and package management. The result is a workplace capable of serving businesses at very different stages of their growth. More Than a Desk The newly remodeled space is only part of the Aspiria NOW experience. Members have access to secure high-speed connectivity, covered parking, complimentary coffee, collaboration areas, kitchenette and breakroom access, printing options and 24/7 secure access. Depending on the membership plan, additional benefits include conference room allowances, mail and package management and office cleaning.
P R OP E RT Y S POT LIG HT
Watch the video to Learn More:
Robert Curland General Manager Aspiria NOW
Photos by Jon Dunn and Bob Ale-Ebrahim
Molly Jarrett
Member Experience Coordinator, Aspiria NOW
OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION / 36
Aspiria NOW also provides fully equipped meeting and conference rooms that can accommodate everything from a small client conversation to a larger team meeting or presentation. Meeting spaces include Wi-Fi, whiteboards, flat-screen displays and video conferencing capabilities. But perhaps the biggest differentiator is what exists outside Suite 100. A 207-Acre Office Step outside Aspiria NOW and the workplace suddenly becomes much larger. Aspiria NOW members are part of the 207-acre Aspiria campus, providing them with access to amenities rarely associated with a traditional coworking membership. The campus includes a three-story, 65,000-squarefoot fitness center, walkable green spaces, dining options, community activities and events. Members can take a walking meeting outdoors, meet someone for coffee, exercise before or after work or simply find a change of scenery without leaving the campus. For businesses that may consist of only one or two people, that creates an experience more commonly associated with a major corporate headquarters. That was part of the original vision behind Aspiria NOW: give entrepreneurs and smaller businesses access to an environment and amenities typically 37 / OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION
available to much larger organizations.The newly remodeled Suite 100 builds upon that concept. “Our investment in the newly remodeled Aspiria NOW reflects our continued commitment to creating workspaces that meet businesses where they are today and give them the flexibility to grow,” said Chad Stafford, President of Occidental Management. “Flexible workspace has become an important part of the modern office environment, and Aspiria NOW gives companies of all sizes the opportunity to have a professional, high-quality workplace while taking advantage of everything the Aspiria campus has to offer.” The Workplace as an Experience The reopening also comes at a time when companies and employees continue to reconsider what they expect from an office. Working from home demonstrated that many jobs can be performed almost anywhere. At the same time, it highlighted the value of having a professional environment where people can collaborate, meet clients and separate work from home life. That has created an opportunity for flexible workspace. Instead of choosing between the kitchen table and a traditional office lease, professionals can build a workplace around the way they actually operate.
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Aspiria NOW takes that idea further by combining flexible workspace with the resources of a large corporate campus. Members can spend part of their day in a private office, move into a conference room for a client presentation, grab coffee or lunch on campus, take an outdoor walking meeting and finish the day at the Aspiria Fitness Center—all within the same environment. It is an approach that turns the office from simply a place to sit into part of the overall workday experience. Room to Grow For entrepreneurs and small businesses in particular, flexibility can also remove one of the challenges associated with growth.
community. Whether someone starts with a single desk or a private office, the connections and opportunities they find here often become an important part of their success.” Your Work. Your Space. Now. The remodeled Aspiria NOW represents both a new look and a continuation of the idea behind the workspace from the beginning: create an environment capable of adapting to the people and businesses using it. Some members may need a desk for a day. Others may need an office for several years. Some want a quiet place to concentrate, while others are looking for opportunities to collaborate and connect. Aspiria NOW is designed to accommodate all of them.
A company may begin with one person working from a hot desk or dedicated workstation. As new employees join, the business can transition into a private office and potentially expand again as its needs change.
With its newly remodeled Suite 100 now reopening, members have a refreshed workspace inside one of the Kansas City region’s most distinctive corporate campuses—and the flexibility to make that workplace their own.
And being located on the Aspiria campus means those businesses are working alongside organizations of many different sizes and industries.
Because the future of work isn’t necessarily about choosing between home and the office.
That creates opportunities not only for growth, but also for connection. Robert added, “One of the most rewarding things we see at Aspiria NOW is businesses growing within our
It’s about having the freedom to choose the space that works for you. Go to aspirianow.com to learn more. OCCIDENTAL MANAGEMENT VISION / 38
FLEXIBLE MEMBERSHIP PLANS
MEMBERSHIPS MADE SIMPLE Aspiria NOW is Kansas City’s premier flexible workspace solution, offering vibrant, move-in-ready spaces on one of the nation’s most technologically advanced corporate campuses. Designed for entrepreneurs, small businesses and growing teams, Aspiria NOW gives you access to the professional environment, technology and campus amenities typically associated with large national companies. Choose from flexible month-to-month or longer-term memberships tailored to the way you work. And with access to an unmatched collection of campus amenities, Aspiria NOW offers more than a workspace—it delivers a better workday.
Work How You Want. Talk With Us Today. SUITE 100, ASPIRIA CAMPUS, OVERLAND PARK, KS · ASPIRIANOW.COM · 913.285.7300
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165 S. Rock Island, Ste. 300 Wichita, KS 67202 316.262.3331 occmgmt.com LEADERSHIP
Gary Oborny, Chairman & CEO Chad Stafford, President Troy Marquis, Chief Financial Officer Brian Burris, Chief Legal Officer Gary Schlotzhauer, Regional Manager, KC Bob Ale-Ebrahim, Marketing Director Steve Lebeda, VP of Construction Services Yolanda White, Senior Property Manager
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Bob Ale-Ebrahim
PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS Bob Ale-Ebrahim Jon Dunn Austan Jones
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS Bob Ale-Ebrahim Chad Stafford
PROOFREADERS Robert Curland Molly Jarrett Janis Marean