To Develop Value-Add Office, Retail and Industrial Commercial Real Estate Properties
TENANT SUCCESS STORY KYURAMEN + TBaar
EXPERT INSIGHT
BULLET POINTS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
TINNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENTS ATTRACT
TALENT, CUSTOMERS
he nature of innovation … what is innovation?
Simply put, it’s the introduction of something new. As a society, we can be all too consumed by the shiny, new objects placed in front of us. But often, interest in those objects is fleeting and short-lived.
Keeping interest in something long-term takes thought and planning. Today’s savvy business owners keep their customers and employees at the forefront when planning workspaces. The modern workforce seeks more than just a desk and a laptop; they want experiential and flexible workspaces.
Since each employee is unique and values different things, providing a good experience for all requires variety and input from employees and managers. This includes individual working pods, collaboration areas,
relaxation, and recharge spaces like patios, soft seating, and recreation areas, as well as nearby amenities and entertainment options. These environments improve productivity, influence company culture, and impact how employees interact.
On-site amenities attract employees to businesses, where they can continue to elevate their quality of life. Vibrant cultural scenes, low cost of living, and nearby activities continue to attract employees to the Midwest … and keep them here. Companies have taken notice,
ENVIRONMENTS & RETAIN
CUSTOMERS & PROFITS
“ This is a new era of opportunity, but only for those who are willing to accept change as an opportunity, not for those who are afraid of it”.
Peter Drucker
and some of the nation’s most innovative companies now call the Midwest home. See page 25 for a contributing article by Libbey Tucker, CEcD, Sr. Vice President of Economic Development for the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce.
Experiential environments are not limited to office spaces; they are also found in shopping districts, residential developments, and restaurants. An example is the new Kyuramen + TBaar restaurant and tea shop in Wichita. It’s innovative and inviting interior not only offers multiple seating options but also enriches the dining experience. See page 9 for an inside look at the restaurant.
Chad Stafford President, Occidental Management
PROMOTING
ACTIVE LIFESTYLES
CAMPUS RUNS & EVENTS
Aspiria aims to be a 24/7 ecosystem for workers and the community at large; a place where people are inspired to grow. A key element of that ecosystem is having amenities and events on campus that promote an active lifestyle.
The Aspiria Fitness Center, the RideKC bike share program, soccer fields, and walking paths are all available on the 207-acre campus in Overland Park, Kansas. The campus has also attracted several tenants in the lifestyle and sports community. Heartland Soccer has made Aspiria their permanent home and the Kansas City Monarchs will be on campus temporarily while the stadium is converted into the KC Winter Wonderland lights display during the holiday season.
Membership to the on-campus Aspiria Fitness Center is free to all tenant employees, making it convenient for workers to exercise and engage in various fitness activities. The three level, 72,000-square-foot, the fitness center offers a
wide variety of state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength equipment. The fitness center offers group classes, personalized exercise plans, body composition assessments, recreation leagues and tournaments, and wellness programming. The fitness center also has basketball and pickleball courts, and a 1/8-mile indoor running track with stunning views of the campus.
For people who share a passion for running, the Aspiria Run Club meets every Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. Monthly fitness challenges and recreational leagues are a fun way to keep up with fitness goals and socialize, and include outdoor workout series, pickleball leagues, yoga with puppies, and pickleball and dodgeball leagues.
You can sign up for memberships in person at the fitness center. For more information on the Aspiria Fitness Center visit aspiriafitness.com.
CAMPUS EVENTS
Aspiria hosts a variety of events on campus throughout the year to promote a healthy lifestyle
and community involvement. Patriots Run, Pupkin Festival 5K and Fun Run, Depot Dash, and Stars & Stripes Run 5K are just a few of the community organizations that have found the campus to be the ideal location for their annual fundraising runs.
The use of the entire 1.5-mile street loop on campus is able to be reserved for events and races. For information on booking space on campus for events, contact Kathy Brown at 913.285.5809 or visit aspiriakc.com/bookyour-event.
THE RIDEKC BIKE PROGRAM
Tenant employees on campus get free annual memberships to the RideKC Bike program, helping workers drive less and thrive more. Seven rental/drop-off locations are located across campus, providing workers with immediate access to the electric and classic bikes.
“We have been pleased that the tenant employees have embraced using the bikes,” said Kathy Brown,
Aspiria Community Event Director. “In 2023, 188 memberships were redeemed with an average trip duration of 15 minutes on the bikes.” Kathy added.
Hunter Johnson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Leasing at Aspiria, says the addition of the bikes to the campus is another differentiator that Aspiria has to offer its current and potential tenants. “The RideKC program adds even more life to an already vibrant and growing community at Aspiria,” Hunter said.
RideKC Bike is a partnership between BikeWalkKC and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, RideKC Bike is making Kansas City a healthier, more livable, and economically competitive place to live, work and play. It started in Downtown Kansas City in 2012, and the program has become a major part of the region’s expanding public transportation network. Learn more at ridekcbike.com.
SPIN BIKES
SPORTS TEAMS ON CAMPUS
Heartland Soccer moved its headquarters to the Aspiria Campus in 2023. Recognized as the largest soccer league and tournament host in the U.S., Heartland Soccer embraces players of all skill levels, from recreational to premier-level teams.
“Aspiria is a great fit for us,” said Shane Hackette, Heartland Soccer Executive Director. “We are committed to fostering a sense of community among our member clubs and community partners, and the Aspiria campus aligns perfectly with that vision.”
Annually, over 170 soccer clubs engage in spirited competition through the Heartland League, spanning Spring, Fall, and Winter leagues. With more than 3,450 teams and 55,000 youth players aged 9 to 19, numerous age groups feature up to 9 subdivisions, providing ample opportunities for players and teams to compete against similarly skilled opponents.
Participation in leagues and teams, both recreational and competitive, is open to anyone of all skill levels. For more information or to register for an upcoming event, visit heartlandsoccer.net.
The Kansas City Monarchs have made the Aspiria NOW coworking facility their temporary “home base”. The Kansas City Monarchs honors the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965.
The Monarchs were one of the most successful baseball teams of all time, winning 10 league pennants and two Negro League World Series championships. Featured players of the years, have included Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Hilton Smith, Willard Brown, Ernie Banks, and Buck O’Neil.
Today’s Monarchs carry on the legacy of those that came before them while supporting the mission of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. To learn more at monarchsbaseball.com.
Like the nature of innovation, the Aspiria campus is evolving every day. Having athletic organizations and events on campus adds to the already active environment. Hunter Johnson added, “These athletic-focused amenities and events go hand-in-hand with our holistic approach at Aspiria, helping our tenants attract and maintain a talented workforce.”
Kyuramen + TBaar Adds a UNIQUE FLAIR to the Wichita Dining Experience
A kind gesture came full circle and brought the owner of Wichita’s Kyuramen + TBaar back together with the founder of the New York City franchise.
Wichita’s Kyuramen + TBaar restaurant is owned by Lee Li, Leo Lin, and Quinn Nguyen. In 2006, Lee was 17 years old and living in New York City. She found herself broke and very hungry. The first TBaar opened around the corner from her apartment, and she read about a buy-one, get-one-free promotion on their tea drinks. With only a few dollars in her pocket, she knew the teas had fresh fruit in them and could help fill her up, so she decided to take advantage of the promotion. TBaar founder, Gary Li was there that day and noticed Lee who looked hungry and like she could use some help, and offered Lee a free snack.
“I was so happy and so thankful,” said Lee. “And I couldn’t believe it when I emailed to ask about a franchise business and it was him who answered,
and I said, “Oh, it’s you! He said, ‘how do you know me? And I reminded him about that day on the street in New York and that he helped save my life because I had no money for food.”
Providing a Nonconventional Dining Experience
Lee and her husband, Leo, also own Saporro, a Japanese sushi restaurant in East Wichita. Quinn went to work for the restaurant, eventually becoming a manager. So, when Lee was interested in opening a ramen restaurant, she knew Quinn’s impressive work ethic and that she could make for a great business partner.
Quinn said, “One day Lee was like, do you want to join me in doing this, and I was like why not, it’s a new adventure! It’s my first time owning a business and while I still have a lot to learn, it is very rewarding, and who best to learn from than Lee? Her hard work and ethics just really motivate me to be like her and work hard.”
worked with a real estate broker who connected them with Occidental Management.
Tiffany Stokes, Project Manager/Coordinator of Construction Services for Occidental Management, said the space at Royal Shopping Center in East Wichita was ideal due to the tall ceilings.
In 2021, Lee and Quinn visited New York to meet with the Kyuramen franchise owner, try out the menu items, and learn more about the business. As much as they loved the food, they were even more impressed by the unique interior of the restaurant.
“Our Royal Shopping Center property was formerly the Cinemas East movie theater and has high ceilings,” said Tiffany. “There were two adjacent spaces available for lease at that time and combining both spaces was the perfect solution for the dual-branded Kyuramen restaurant and TBaar tea shop.”
Quinn added, “The high ceiling was one of the selling points for us and once we learned that we could break down the walls between the two spaces, we were like we’ll sign the lease right now and let’s get this going! We fell in love with the space.”
Honeycomb-shaped structures and wood booths shaped like sake bottles make for a unique dining experience. Enclosed booths with curtains provide privacy for meetings or intimate date nights, and are reminiscent of a “ramen alley” in a historic Japanese district. Additional seating is available at the ramen bar, where you can watch food being prepared. The interior incorporates traditional Japanese design principles and natural accents with a contemporary approach.
“There’s nothing like this here in Wichita,” said Quinn, “and we wanted to bring to Wichita customers the experience we felt in New York. We wanted to create that ‘wow’ factor.”
There’s also a beautiful “wishing tree” structure centered in the restaurant. Patrons can write their wishes on wooden cards to leave their mark. Quinn added, “We want our customers to kind of leave a little something behind at the restaurant and next time they come in they’re like, oh yeah let me look for my wish. The wishes and adorable drawings really bring joy to our day.”
Taking the Space to New Heights
Finding just the right space to open the restaurant in Wichita was important due to the tall nature of the honeycomb booths. The Kyuramen owners
Lee added, “Our location is central to a lot of hotels and other attractions. We get a lot of customers who are visiting town for a few days. Rock Road is also good for our business because it a very busy street with lots of traffic, and the neighbor businesses help us, too. Auburn Spirits liquor store is next door, and we give each other a lot of business.”
QUINN NGUYEN & LEE LI
Preparing Flavorful Dishes & Unique Presentations
Kyuramen’s signature ramen dishes are a delicious source of sustenance and comfort. All ramen at Kyuramen restaurants is carefully crafted by ramen masters. The thick, milky white soup bases are fresh and fragrant, and served with a chashu (Japanese-style pork roast), a 7-minute boiled egg, and chopped green onions. The broth is made with 40 lbs. of bone and cooked for 18 hours to get the desired consistency.
Some of the more popular dishes with Wichita patrons are the Yinyang Bowl, the Yakitori Platter (five skewers with chicken, beef, pork belly, baby scallop, and zucchini), Popcorn Chicken, and the Classic Omurice. With the Yinyang bowl, you can try two different types of ramen in one bowl, which appeals to those who may want to try one side spicy and one side not.
Capitalizing on the Bubble Tea Trend
Omurice is a unique, fluffy omelet served on a bed of chicken fried rice and topped with choice of curry sauce or demi-glace. The presentation of the dish is an experience in and of itself. When you cut into the top of the outer layer of the omelet, it opens up and unveils the scrambled eggs inside.
TBaar beverages provide both a thirst-quenching drink and a rewarding sweet treat all in one. The menu includes boba teas, milk foam drinks, fresh fruit teas, smoothies, and lemonade. The ingredients are fresh and prepared in-house, including brewing their own tea, cutting fresh fruits, and baking bobas fresh every day.
“It’s not easy money and you have to work hard but the reward is worth the effort,” said Lee. “I enjoy meeting new people and talking with them and making good friends. I also enjoy learning about people from all over. We have a lot of Air Force customers who enjoy our food and say it’s closest to what they’ve had in Japan.”
Quinn added, “I would say to anyone who wants to start a business or restaurant to just go for it, because the more you ponder on it, the more time you will waste. So, while you have the energy, while you have the time and the passion, just go for it, and it’ll pay off in the end.”
Serving Patrons 7 Days a Week
Located at 314 N. Rock Road in Wichita, Kyuramen + TBaar currently offers dine-in and carryout orders. They have two, large private rooms that are available for reserving that can accommodate up to 12 people per room. They hope to soon to be able to offer delivery orders through meal delivery services. Operating hours are Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. –10:00 p.m.; and Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
To learn more about Kyuramen + TBaar and owners Lee and Quinn, watch this video here. To see their full menu, visit kyuramen.com or call 316.941.5585.
Boba is the name of the chewy tapioca pearls used in the boba teas. Tapioca starch is mixed with sugar to make a dough and then baked. The drinks are served with straws that have a thick opening so the pearls can be sipped up. The pearls have roots in traditional Taiwanese folk remedies, where they were made from sweet potato or tapioca starch and added to sugar water to help cool down the body.
Reaping the Rewards of Hard Work
Running a restaurant may not always be the easiest of work, but both Quinn and Lee find the rewards worth the effort.
POPULAR JAPANESE DISH - OMURICE
KYURAMEN
The name Kyuramen comes from the Japanese word for “nine” or “Kyu” making nine ramen flavors the foundation of Kyuramen’s menu.
ADDITIONAL
SAKE BOTTLE EATING AREA
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
by Michael Babich, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Occidental Management
Business owners and managers are heroic and inspirational. Like most superheroes, it can often be lonely at the top. You must constantly be innovating to stay ahead and stay relevant. Innovation doesn’t mean you have to invent a new product every month. It means you are constantly on the lookout for opportunities and open to doing things differently. You also need to instill some fundamental business steps, tasks, and plans to clear space for innovation.
DISCIPLINE
Guard your time fiercely. It is finite and, behind family and friends, it is the most precious thing in your world.
Avoid wasting time on tasks that won’t save you money or make you money. But designate weekly blocks of time for employee recruitment and retention, financial analysis, and communicating with strategic partners.
Identify the 4-5 most critical elements of your company. Figure out a way to quantify and measure success in each (sales per day/% of on-time delivery/gross margin, etc.), and measure those constantly.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
Keep your accounting simple. Accounting is the language of business and not something to be feared or ignored. The balance sheet and income statement (P&L) combine to create a report card for you and your business.
BULLET POINTS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
CASH FLOW How much cash is your business producing? A debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) of 1.25 or higher is considered healthy (but is subject to industry and circumstance). To calculate your DSCR: (Net Income + Depreciation + Amortization +/- Non-Recurring Expenses/ Income). If you have a loan(s), add Interest Expense to the previous equation, then divide the result by the total of your Loan Payments during the same period.
LIQUIDITY It’s important to have a grasp on how many months your company can survive even if it ceases to have income. To calculate your liquidy: Cash + Liquid Assets that can be converted to cash within 1 week + Availability on a line of credit. Divide that number by what you define as your fixed costs.
LEVERAGE Compare what you “owe” to what you “own”. Total Liabilities + Owner Loans to the company divided by ÷ The combo of Net Worth, Less Intangibles, and Owner Receivables. A leverage ratio of 3.5 or lower is considered healthy, but this is subjective.
CURRENT RATIO, IF APPLICABLE Current Assets divided by Current Liabilities. Usually better to have more assets than liabilities. A ratio of 1.5 or higher suggests your balance sheet has good balance. (subject to industry and circumstance).
SUCCESSION PLANNING
Create a succession plan. Even if you are 28, you should consider an exit strategy. What moves can you make today to affect the company’s attractiveness 5-10 years from now? Be innovative!
Don’t overlook life insurance. You are doing the owners, the company, and each owner’s beneficiaries a huge favor if you have life insurance on all owners, with fellow owners of the company as the beneficiary (to purchase the decedent’s stock). God forbid, your partner dies. Human tragedy is enough. Protect your loved ones and reduce the chaos of a business transition. Call a trusted insurance professional this week!
SALES AND NEGOTIATING
Deal with quality, innovative people. I say, “If the people in the room are intelligent, creative, and empathetic and you don’t get a deal done … shame on all of you.”
Fight to Maintain Perspective Remember why you are doing this in the first place. Whether out of passion or for profit or both, owning a business is a choice; indeed, a way of life. Lean on your significant other(s) and your strategic partners.
Tenacity, creativity, and the ability to overcome challenges … just a few of the many ways business owners are like superheroes. They also want to build something great and make a difference in the world. And, yes, at times, it will still be lonely at the top. But you sure can’t beat the view!
Do you have business questions or want someone to run a new idea by? Mike looks forward to meeting you and can be reached at 316.409.2599 or michael.babich@occmgmt.com.
MEET THE DYNAMIC DUO OF
TURTLENECK TABLETALK
Meet Austin Rempel and Devin Roberts of “Turtleneck Tabletalk.” Austin and Devin began their podcast after they met as teammates on the Wichita Barbarians Rugby Club. While on a road trip one day they came up with the idea to interview their teammates and act like they were doing a podcast on the last road game of the season. Even though they played with them every week, they felt that they really didn’t know their teammates. After doing a few interviews, Austin and Devin realized they had good communication chemistry, and their teammates really opened up and shared their stories with them.
Their teammates enjoyed doing the interviews and wanted to see them, asking “When are you going to post those interviews?” They realized they were on to something, and discussed how they felt that Wichita needed a podcast where they could interview interesting people in the community. They wanted to provide insightful conversations to promote growth in the Wichita metro. The duo caught the entrepreneurial bug and began their podcasting series to talk with interesting people, innovative entrepreneurs and top business leaders.
Austin is originally from Hillsboro, Kansas, and is a senior at Wichita State University. He is pursuing a degree in Product Design & Manufacturing and is currently working at Spirit Aerospace in a co-op work assignment and will be graduating in May 2025. He is also involved
with the 3D Prostetics Club at WSU. Austin said, “We find people in the community who need prosthetics or animals who might need a wheelchair, then we get to make it with all the cool tech out at WSU.”
Devin is originally from Derby, Kansas. He went to Wichita State University and received his undergrad in Sports Management with a Minor in Business and Dance and then received a Master’s in Exercise Science. Devin is a personal trainer and online coach, and also freelances at a couple of gyms downtown.
INSIDE THE TURTLENECK
The name for the podcast was inspired by one of Austin’s college professors. “It was a joke in my freshman year in college that my professor would say he wouldn’t wear a turtleneck every Tuesday, and I’d shared that joke with Devin. We’d had trouble coming up with a good name, and then one day Devin said, ‘I think I’ve got the perfect name for our podcast … Turtleneck Tabletalk!’ It had good alliteration and as soon as he said it, I know that’s what it was without hesitation.”
At this point, Devin was egging Austin to get the podcast
Austin Rempel and Devin Roberts
(From Left to Right)
Austan and Devin met as teammates while playing rugby for the Wichita Barbarians Rugby Club.
Watch their podcasts at https://www.youtube.com/
started. That’s when Austin reached out to Justin Rorabaugh, the Director of the Shocker Studios, for suggestions on equipment. According to Austin, Justin suggested that they do their podcast at the Shocker Studios. “He said, ‘We have a studio that we’re building right now and if you want to come down and be guinea pigs, we can start that right now.’ Ever since then, Justin has been helping us with our podcast, helping us to get our priorities straight in the beginning, and letting us use the studio. They have a producer and an editor who also help with our podcast and we even shoot trailers with them. They’ve been super with helping us get off the ground and we’ve been there since June of 2023.”
Devin added, “We’ve built a good relationship with them and we always aim to keep
things professional. We do a good job of promoting them and keep our podcast at a high quality so that when they are showing students, it looks very professional.”
INSPIRATION, EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT
Devin and Austin’s mission is to promote growth in the community through inspiration, education, and entertainment. Devin said, “We’ve had a wide variety of people on the podcast with different backgrounds and accomplishments, which is the heart of our podcast. We try to educate people, too, because a lot of times people don’t know about these different career opportunities.”
Turtleneck Tabletalk interviewed Andrew Schinstock of Fartlek’s Running Shop Smoothie Shop. Fartlek’s is one of
Occidental Managemen’s tenants in the Delano District in Downtown Wichita. You can watch the interview on YouTube: Andrew Schinstock on Building the Wichita Running Community.
How Devin and Austin entertain is with their “Turtleneck Try” segments. Austin said, “After the interview, we go into the person’s natural element and do what they do. We did one with Andrew with the process of fitting for shoes, having a smoothie, and then going for a run with his downtown running group.”
They also sat down with Gary Oborny, CEO and Chairman of Occidental Management, for an insightful interview to discover the challenges he has faced, lessons learned, and the vision that continues to drive his entrepreneurial
Devin and Austin pictured with Gary Oborny, Chairman and CEO of Occidental Management.
When asked what their ideal version of success would be, the entrepreneurial duo said, “It would be really cool if we could do this full-time. It’s not a job if you are doing what you like.”
Pictured at right are Devin and Austin of Turtleneck Tabletalk with Dina Curtis-Triligi, Multimedia Designer and Bob Ale-Ebrahim, Marketing Director of Occidental Management.
journey. Austin said, “We didn’t know Gary before we did the interview. But as we did the editing, we were looking at it and there were so many good things that he said that we said, ‘which parts to we clip out?’ He said so many good things.”
Watch Gary’s interview on The $230 Million Risk: Gary Oborny on Entrepreneurship and Mentorship. Turtleneck Tabletalk delves into his story of determination, resilience, and the business astuteness that fueled him to become the amazing entrepreneur he has become today.
Turtleneck Tabletalk releases new episodes every Tuesday at 2 p.m. To learn more, contact Austin and Devin via email at turtlenecktabletalk@gmail.com or visit Turtleneck Tabletalk’s website.
Click here to watch the interview, The $230 Million Risk: Gary Oborny on Entrepreneurship and Mentorship on YouTube.
Click here to watch the interview with Andrew Schinstock on Building the Running Community on YouTube.
DISCOVER ASPIRIA
Work-life harmony comes full circle on the Aspiria campus. This innovative hub meets the needs of today’s workforce with an environment
to bring talent together with the community at large … An environment that supports their ability to work mixed with world-class amenities, smart technology, and desirable experiences. Located in Overland Park, KS, the expansive Aspiria campus is home to 3.8 million square feet of Class A office space. Aspiria presents a unique opportunity to have it all. Nowhere else in the country can companies discover an atmosphere sure to attract top talent like this technological oasis in the Midwest.
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS
An Emerging Innovation Hub for Businesses
Overland Park, once recognized as a suburban community of Kansas City, has steadily transformed into a dynamic hub for businesses and innovation. The city’s strategic location, robust infrastructure, and high quality of life have played pivotal roles in attracting companies and professionals from various industries, earning it regional and national recognition. The Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council work to strategically recruit new businesses and assist in the growth of existing businesses.
Strategic Location and Regional Impact
Overland Park offers companies easy access to a wide network of transportation and supply chain channels. Its central location within the United States has made it an attractive base for companies looking to expand their national reach without the congestion and costs of larger urban centers.
by Libbey Tucker, CEcD, Senior Vice President, Economic Development Overland Park Chamber
Local leaders in Overland Park have strategically invested in developing the city’s infrastructure, offering excellent transportation links, reliable utilities, and advanced technology infrastructure. Coupled with a highly educated workforce and a business-friendly regulatory environment, the city has steadily attracted attention from companies across various sectors with concentrations in medical technology, healthcare, transportation, architecture, engineering, and finance industries. Top-rated school districts and numerous local colleges and universities contribute to a robust talent pipeline, ensuring businesses can find the skilled professionals they need to drive innovation.
National Recognition and the Arrival of Major Companies
Nationally, Overland Park has been increasingly recognized as a business-friendly city, consistently ranking high on lists evaluating quality of life, cost of living, and employment growth. Ranked the #4
HILL’S PET NUTRITION OFFICES
Best Place to Live in the Midwest by Livability, the #8 Top Place to Raise a Family by Fortune, and the #2 Happiest City in America are just a few of the factors that have driven several major companies to choose Overland Park as their headquarters or regional offices.
One prominent example of a company that has made its mark in Overland Park is Netsmart, a leading provider of healthcare technology solutions. Specializing in electronic health records (EHR), behavioral health management software, and analytics platforms, Netsmart chose Overland Park as its home base with a prominent presence at College and Nall Avenue and continues to grow, now occupying considerable space on the Aspiria campus. The company’s decision to settle in Overland Park was no accident; the city’s strong focus on technology infrastructure, affordability, and an educated workforce were key factors in their decision. Netsmart’s success has, in turn, solidified Overland Park’s reputation as a technology-friendly environment.
In addition to Netsmart, Healthcare IT Leaders is another innovative firm that has been drawn to Overland Park’s growing reputation and has also chosen Aspiria as the home of their Technology Hub. A company that focuses on providing consulting and technology solutions to healthcare organizations, Healthcare IT Leaders has found Overland Park’s location to be ideal for expanding its operations across the U.S. The company’s presence in Overland Park is indicative of the city’s growth as a hub for health technology and innovation.
Additionally, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, an international leader in pet food and care products, expanded its headquarters location to Overland Park. This move underscores the city’s growing influence beyond the Midwest and into the national and international business landscape. Hill’s Pet Nutrition has brought a wealth of opportunities to the region, further diversifying the business ecosystem in Overland Park.
Quality of Life and Workforce Retention
Beyond its business-friendly attributes, Overland Park has garnered praise for offering an exceptional quality of life. With a combination of highly ranked schools, safe neighborhoods, and ample green spaces, the city appeals to
professionals and families alike. The city offers a relatively low cost of living compared to other major metropolitan areas, making it easier for companies to recruit and retain top talent. Additionally, Overland Park’s cultural scene, recreational opportunities, and vibrant local economy ensure that residents and employees enjoy a high standard of living.
The quality of life in Overland Park also plays a crucial role in workforce retention. Companies moving to the area know they can attract top-tier talent not only because of competitive salaries and career opportunities but also because of the city’s appeal as a place to live and raise a family. This factor helps businesses maintain a stable workforce, reducing turnover rates and contributing to long-term business growth.
A Bright Future for Overland Park
Overland Park’s transformation from a suburban enclave to an innovative business hub has been nothing short of remarkable. The city’s strategic location, robust infrastructure, and emphasis on innovation have attracted companies such as Netsmart, Healthcare IT Leaders, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, further cementing its status as a business-friendly environment. As it continues to grow and attract attention from both national and international firms, Overland Park is poised to remain a leader in innovation, offering businesses the tools, talent, and opportunities they need to succeed.
In the years to come, Overland Park will likely continue to expand its influence, offering a vibrant and sustainable environment for companies in industries ranging from healthcare technology to innovative professional services. Its transformation has only just begun, and the future looks bright for businesses seeking a forward-thinking, innovative community to call home.
For more information on the city of Overland Park and the Overland Park Chamber, visit opchamber.org or call 913.941.3600.
LOCAL FARMER’S MARKET
SALON 5THIRTY5
A GEM
IN THE HEART OF DELANO
Salon 5thirty5 at the Perfect Touch strives to make you feel welcome the moment you walk through the door. A family-friendly atmosphere, a comfortable space, and inviting staff all play a role in creating the ideal environment. Located in the Delano shopping and entertainment district in Wichita, the salon is co-owned by Jill Nuss, Trisha DeVore, and Heather Hargadine.
Highly Trained Stylists Catering to All
The services offered at Salon 5thirty5 include haircuts, coloring, and styling for men, women, and children. They also offer manicures and pedicures, as well as waxing services (brows, facials, etc.).
Trisha said, “I just love making people feel good about themselves. When their hair looks good, they feel good about themselves. I love being a part of their lives and building a relationship with my clients.”
Trisha also added that they have created a family-friendly atmosphere for both staff and their customers. “I feel like we’ve done a really good job of making our customers feel welcomed and the staff all works really hard at welcoming a new client to the salon. We like to have fun, but we also like to make people feel great about themselves, so that’s why I love working here.”
Creating a Culture for Longevity
It’s that friendly atmosphere and mutual camaraderie amongst the staff that helps set the salon apart. Jill stated, “I think our salon is unique because we do have stylists who have been with us for years and like the family atmosphere. We even do things outside of work together, all of us, and even taking trips together.”
Jill continued, “When a stylist starts out in our salon, they may start by doing the kids of one of the clients. Then when those kids grow up, they continue to come to the same stylist throughout the years. Then see them through college and their marriage and they even start doing their kid’s hair. So, we do multiple generations of hair. We have even found that we’ll start doing the sister-in-law, the brother-in-law, and even cousins. Usually, if you develop a relationship with a client, then those customers come back, and it just ends up being a lot of fun to watch the kids grow up and getting to know their family.”
The salon also offers incentives to help recruit and retain staff. Salon 5thirty5 offers hairstylists a free week of booth rent after they’ve been with the salon for a year. They supply all the products to do laundry as well as all of the products a stylist needs for waxing services. They provide continuing education opportunities, and they also offer retail bonuses on styling products sold to customers.
Making a Move for Greater Visibility
The salon, which started in 1983, was originally located in Haysville. The owners recognized the need for a new space and a fresh start, and in 2005, they moved to their current location in the Delano District.
“There weren’t a lot of businesses around us at the time and a lot has changed since then,” said Jill. “I believe we were either the first or second tenant in the building, which was formerly the Nichols Honda building.”
She continued, “Occidental Management was really welcoming to us. They helped us a lot with getting the architect and the contractors to help us build out our space. And they really did help with all our decision-making because we didn’t have a lot of experience with that. At that time, I had been only working as a hairstylist and then became co-owner. It was a big leap for me to go into that role. It was not easy, and I had a really hard time because I have such a passion for being a stylist. So, it took a while to get used to doing that and be comfortable in that role, plus working behind the chair.”
The location has proven quite successful for the salon. Being centrally located, the salon is easily accessible from anywhere in town. There is ample parking in both the front and back of the salon and they receive a lot of foot traffic.
Jill, Trisha, and Heather enjoy the rewards that come with being both an owner and continuing to “work behind the chair” as stylists. Jill said, “My success as a small business owner is always going to be the success of my staff and my reputation as an owner, as a boss, and as a friend.”
Salon 5Thirty5 is currently seeking aestheticians, as well as additional hairstylists and nail technicians. For more information about a career with Salon 5thirty5 or the services they provide, call 316.522.9205 or visit their website at theperfectsalon.com. You can also learn more about the salon and its owners by clicking here to watch the Salon 5thirty5 video.
The Salon 5thirty5 Team from left to right:
Top Row: Teresa Nguyen, Starla Mangan, Lex Rodriguez, Cheyenne Frost, and Amy Ohl
Bottom Row: Jill Nuss and Trisha DeVore
Not Pictured: Heather Hargadine, Rhen Nuss, Stacey Savage, Vivianne Searfoss
LEADERSHIP
Gary Oborny, Chairman & CEO
Chad Stafford, President
Troy Marquis, Chief Financial Officer
Brian Burris, Chief Legal Officer
Jeannette Vahle, Regioinal Manager, KC
Bob Ale-Ebrahim, Marketing Director
Steve Lebeda, VP of Construction Services
Lee Schnyder, Senior Property Manager
Stacy Jones
Bob
GRAPHIC
Bob
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS
Bob Ale-Ebrahim
Mike Babich
Stacy Jones
Chad Stafford
Libby Tucker, Overland Park Chamber