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WOMEN IN BUSINESS
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CAREY HAMILTON’S RISE TO PRESIDENCY
LITTLE BOHEMIA
COLLABORATION TRUMPS COMPETITION
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN OMAHA
THREE OMAHA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS MAKE THEIR FOODIE MARK
02 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
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senior editor Tara Spencer associate editor Linda Persigehl editorial interns Bryan Vomacka Rebecca Weis contributors Keith Backsen Tamsen Butler Greg Jerrett Beverly Kracher Sara Locke Mandy Mowers Niz Proskocil Mariel Richter Sean Robinson Kara Schweiss Justine Young INFORMATION advertising information 402.884.2000 subscribe online omahamagazine.com/ subscribe B2B Magazine is published six times annually by Omaha Magazine, LTD, P.O. Box 461208, Omaha NE 68046-1208. Telephone: 402.884.2000; fax 402.884.2001. Subscription rates: $12.95 for 4 issues (one year), $19.95 for 8 issues (two years). Multiple subscriptions at different rates are available. No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of B2B Omaha Magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted, however no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS MAIN FEATURE
48
MORE AND MORE
CAREY HAMILTON’S RISE TO PRESIDENCY
FEATURES
36
BUSINESSES IN LITTLE BOHEMIA
7
COLLABORATION TRUMPS COMPETITION
40
44
THE SEVEN
A SMALL, BUT MIGHTY, GROUP
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
THREE ENTREPRENEURS IN OMAHA’S FOOD SCENE
DEPARTMENTS
06 AFTER HOURS
10 LEADERS
16 BIZ + GIVING
08 ON THE RISE
12 IN THE OFFICE
20 OMAHA!
VALERIE CALDERON
SARA HOWARD
COLUMNS
NICOLE BIANCHI
MILFORD REAL ESTATE
KRISTIN WILLIAMS
CHANT CLEAR BAGS
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RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN OMAHA
THREE OMAHA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS MAKE THEIR FOODIE MARK
Senator Sara Howard looks up at the ceiling. The legislator, who serves her last year in 2020, loves her job, and loves working for the people.
04 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
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FROM THE EDITOR
FROM 100 YEARS AGO TO TODAY: WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Thanks Omaha for over 30 Years! We would also like to thank Omaha for voting our company the Best of B2B™.
T
his year is special for women in the United States. On June 4, 1919, Congress passed the 19th Amendment. Six days later, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan became the first three states to ratify this amendment, which became official when the 36th state, Tennessee, ratified the amendment on Aug. 18, 1920. With the passage of the women’s right to vote, one Nebraska woman gained the right to use her own invention. Elizabeth Jane Robb Douglas of Crete created the collapsible voting booth in the early 1900s and began selling them in 1910s. Douglas Manufacturing Co. made collapsible voting booths for more than 100 years, until it closed its doors in 2015. This was one of many companies throughout Nebraska, and Omaha, run by a woman, and we highlight several of them this month. Douglas was inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame, one of seven women you can read about in our story featuring these entrepreneurs and business leaders. The Little Bohemia area on 13th Street was once known for the Bohemian Cafe, which closed in September 2016. PJ Morgan Real Estate bought several buildings, including the cafe, in 2017, and the area is seeing a revitalization. Included in this revitalization are several businesses run by women. One that we were unable to spotlight was Pretty in Patina. This boutique opened as we were headed to press. These are a few of the many remarkable stories about women running businesses in this issue. I hope you enjoy them all. B2B Daisy Hutzell-Rodman is the managing editor of Omaha Publications. She can be reached at daisy@omahapublications.com
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06 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
“I ESPECIALLY LOVE THAT THE PROGRAM ALLOWS STUDENTS TO NOT HAVE TO MISS A GREAT DEAL OF SCHOOL TIME.” -VALERIE CALDERON
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
07
DECEMBER
· JANUARY | 07
AFTER HOURS | STORY BY JUSTINE YOUNG | PHOTO BY BILL SITZMANN
HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE SUCCESS ON THE JOB AND OFF
VALERIE CALDERON’S TEAM WORK
V
alerie Calderon has spent the last decade working as a senior consultant at Gallup, an analytics and advice firm that uses research data to help organizations solve problems and develop strategies. Her work involves directing the Gallup Student Poll, which measures levels of engagement, hope, entrepreneurial aspiration, and career and financial literacy among students from grades five through 12. Her passion for helping students, however, extends beyond regular business hours. Calderon is a former substitute teacher and children’s minister with a Ph.D. in theology. She spends her free time serving as the vice president on the Bennington School District’s Board of Education and mentoring a local student through, and sitting on the board of, the Bennington chapter of TeamMates. “Nudging the trajectory in a student’s life is really satisfying,” Calderon said. “Just being there to show you’re on their side, I’m here to help, you can make a real difference.” Tom and Nancy Osborne co-founded the TeamMates mentoring program in 1991 in Nebraska. What began as a team of football players volunteering their time to mentor local middle school students nearly 30 years ago has grown into a multi-state mentoring program designed to match volunteers with students in their communities.
“THE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE SHE BRINGS FROM HER WORK AT GALLUP, COMBINED WITH HER EXPERIENCE AS A TEAMMATES MENTOR AND PARENT IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE PLAYED A PART IN OUR PROGRAM’S SUCCESS.” -REGINA MERADITH “I especially love that the program allows students to not have to miss a great deal of school time,” Calderon said. “The goal is for matches to meet at least once a week, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. It’s not a lot of time, but it is a lot of impact.” When Calderon began volunteering through TeamMates, she was matched with a local sixthgrade student. She still meets with that same mentee, now a sophomore in high school. Calderon said her mentee is a hardworking kid who is always thinking ahead. Most of the mentoring sessions occur at the student’s home school, but the pair occassionally venture to other places. “Each year, Henry Doorly Zoo sponsors TeamMates matches to come for an end-of-year celebration,” Calderon said. “It’s always one of our favorite days.” TeamMates officially started in the Bennington school district in 2014, when the district’s school principals saw a need for their students. Calderon was an original board member and key player for the new chapter.
“Valerie’s area of expertise is a valuable asset to our board, but even more noteworthy is her passion for making a difference in the lives of students,” said Regina Meradith, executive director of the Bennington Public Schools Foundation. Meradith also sits on the board of the Bennington TeamMates chapter with Calderon. “The wealth of knowledge she brings from her work at Gallup, combined with her experience as a TeamMates mentor and parent in the community have played a part in our program’s success.” Calderon believes mentorship in the community is something that can benefit everyone. The TeamMates program is available to all students free of charge and funded through donations and fundraisers. “We continue to grow the number of matches every year and there’s always a need for new mentors, and that just never stops,” Calderon said. “You don’t have to have…a certain kind of expertise, you just need to be willing to spend time with the student, to hang out with them and be their cheerleader, and let them know that they have someone in their corner.” Visit teammates.org to learn more about the TeamMates mentorship program. B2B
“THERE IS A LOT GOING ON THERE. WE HAVE MEDICAID EXPANSION. WE HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE KIDS ARE LOSING THEIR COVERAGE ON THE DISABILITIES WAIVER. WE HAVE A CRISIS IN OUR YOUTH REHABILITATION AND TREATMENT CENTERS.” -SARA HOWARD
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER · JANUARY | 09
09
ON THE RISE | STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
40,000 VOICES, ONE VOTE
SARA HOWARD CHAMPIONS HEALTH CARE
S
ara Howard made state history in 2012 when she was elected to represent District 9 in the Nebraska Legislature. Her mother, Gwen Howard, had just served two terms in the same seat and was ineligible to run again because of the state’s term limits law. “It was the first time a daughter had replaced her mother,” Sara said. Sara ’s involvement in politics started in 2004 when she helped manage her mother’s campaign. Gwen, a widow, was a social worker and adoption specialist before she ran for office. Sara learned about the day-to-day responsibilities of public service as she accompanied her mother to community events. “She didn’t have a lot of support from the traditional establishment, but she had a lot of support from me and my sister, Carrie,” Sara said. The women knocked on doors, shook hands, and engaged in conversations with thousands of constituents during the campaign. The strategy worked. After the election, Sara left for law school in Chicago. She specialized in child and family law, as well as tax law, and after earning her degree began working as a staff attorney for the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition. In March 2009, one month into her new job, Sara received the news that her sister had died. Following the advice of a grief counselor not to make any big decisions for at least a year, she remained in Chicago.
That devastating event has helped shape her platform as a legislator as well as continue the work Gwen started. Their work is a direct reflection of daughter and sister Carrie Howard’s struggle with opioid addiction. In the early 2000s, she suffered a car crash and was given prescription painkillers post-surgery. Her addiction to the painkillers took over, and she was 33 in 2009 when she died from an overdose. “When she met Oxycontin, there was no going back. She was immediately addicted,” Sara said. “I view substance use disorder as an illness. Carrie was very sick. She would get better. She would get worse. She would get better. She would get worse… Within that last five months she was given almost 1,000 pills every month from Nebraska physicians and Nebraska pharmacies.” Gwen championed legislation that created a prescription painkiller monitoring program in 2011. Sara continued the fight, and due to these efforts, the legislature passed LB 471 in February 2016. LB 471 requires pharmacies to report when prescriptions are filled, and allows pharmacists to check records of past prescriptions to avoid abuse. That passion, combined with Sara’s experience in child and family law, serves her well as chairperson for the Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee. “The most effective legislators are those who carve out an area of expertise,” she said.
“Right now, in terms of the Legislature, my goal is to make sure that the committee provides appropriate oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services. There is a lot going on there. We have Medicaid expansion. We have an issue where kids are losing their coverage on the disabilities waiver. We have a crisis in our youth rehabilitation and treatment centers. We have a very real and genuine challenge for the committee,” Sara said. “I would say this is probably one of the most challenging cycles for the HHS committee that we’ve seen in a long time.” And as she places an emphasis on her passion for drug monitoring, her efforts are helping to prevent similar heartbreak for other families. “Nebraska is one of the hardest places for someone with a substance use disorder to try to get medication,” she explained. “Nebraska now has the lowest rate of reported opioid overdose deaths in the country.” She also tries to remember the fact that everything she votes for or approves is for the people, not her. “I approach this work as though I have 40,000 bosses, and they don’t always agree all the time but they do have an expectation that I will listen to them and I will hear them even when we’re not on the same page on an issue,” Sara said. “I’m not meant to be a mirror of any one individual in my district; I’m meant to reflect our values as a whole.” B2B
10 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
“SMALL FLUTTERS OF CHANGE INSPIRE THOSE TRANSFORMATIONS TO HAPPEN.” -NICOLE BIANCHI
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER · JANUARY | 11
11
LEADERS | STORY BY JUSTINE YOUNG | PHOTO BY SARAH LEMKE
BEING BRAVE
NICOLE BIANCHI’S TAKE ON LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS AND BEYOND
“W
hy wouldn’t you go start the business you want?” Nicole Bianchi said.
She credits that question, posed by her husband nearly seven years ago, as a life-changing moment. She earned a degree in human resources from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; an internship, then a job with Conagra Brands; and five years experience working in human resources at Markel Insurance. She had achieved her desired professional success. The one thing left on her bucket list was starting a business. Bianchi decided to pursue a business as a formal leadership coach. “I asked myself, ‘Am I ready?’” Bianchi recalled. “And then I asked, ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’” Four months later, Bravium Human Development was born. During those four months, Bianchi designed a business model, created programs for leaders, and identified strategies for coaching leaders. The future leadership coach also hired a leadership coach for herself. “I wanted a coach who could help me navigate starting up my own business, my coach was able to dive in and understand my business objectives, the pressures I was under starting my own business, my personal and professional realities,” Bianchi said. “My coach was able to help me think through what I should be saying yes to, what I needed to say no to, and how to begin to market my products and services. A great executive coach takes a fully integrated, holistic approach to all dimensions because that’s the only way to be sure you’re successful and feel meaning in your life and work. They see things you may not be seeing.”
It was a brave move, but Bianchi believes bravery is an essential element to leadership; her business’ name was inspired by the idea of adding ‘bravery’ as an element on the periodic table. “Leaders who are being bold—those are the leaders that shine.” Working remotely out of her own home, she landed her first client contract with Fortune 500 company General Electric. Seven years later, GE is still a top client of Bravium, which has grown to be a four-member team that also works with clients such as NCAA and Macy’s. The company now offers services ranging from leadership and strategy workshops to one-on-one and team coaching. Bravium’s job, Bianchi explained, involves working with every member of a team from the CEO down. While every case is different, there are three main tenets she looks for in each client: understanding the challenges the company is facing, identifying the outcomes they want, and assessing the readiness for change within a team. She is also working on a book, What’s the Bravest Thing You Can Do Right Now?, slated to be published in 2020. The book explores bravery in leadership and the habits of successful leaders. Part of that successful leadership is a willingness to be vulnerable and a continuous development of the self. In the business of leadership coaching, Bianchi advised, “Find a coach who has done the work, and is properly trained and certified.” With hundreds of hours in training, hands-on coaching, and formal certification, Bianchi takes her craft seriously. Her hard work and self-development is rewarded by “aha!” moments.
“Those moments are my favorite, where you can see transformation beginning, see the results,” she said. “Small flutters of change inspire those transformations to happen.” Bianchi’s work entails collecting powerful stories from different kinds of businesses, and she’s noticed a slightly different set of challenges for women in leadership positions. Some of these challenges she’s encountered in her line of work include how to differentiate themselves in the workplace and how to juggle all aspects of their lives without shortchanging themselves in the process. Each of Bravium’s clients is unique and requires a unique approach, but some fundamental tenets of professional coaching remain consistent, such as a focus on mindsets, behaviors, and habits. Whether working one-on-one with local leaders or traveling to Germany to help guide a fortune 500 company, Bianchi is always looking to build a positive and lasting relationship with her clients. For more information on Bravium Human Development, visit braviumhd.com. B2B
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER · JANUARY | 13
13
IN THE OFFICE | STORY BY MANDY MOWERS | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
A HOMEY PLACE IN WHICH TO CLOSE MILFORD REAL ESTATE
K
arie Milford’s new office speaks volumes about her real estate business. She opened Milford Real Estate Group in March 2018 and moved her 10-member brokerage team into a new space in Briar Hills at 168th and Blondo streets in January 2019. To prepare the space, Milford added walls. She wanted an open concept to create community and a team environment, but she also wanted smaller spaces so clients who come in do not feel lost or overwhelmed—especially on closing day. “When the client walks in, I want them to sense a personal touch,” Milford said. The space feels more like a home than an office. In the front room, a collage of framed pieces hangs against a pale damask wallpaper. Milford’s vision was to decorate with old-school elements that have a sense of elegance. The pieces all mean something to her, and they tell a different story to everyone who walks in. Two pieces—one masculine and one feminine— created the cornerstone for the room. A brown leather sofa with tufted buttons invites people to relax; adjacent is the largest piece in the collage, a painting of a woman obscured by eight white birds. The obscurity symbolizes Milford’s business motto.
“WHEN THE CLIENT WALKS IN, I WANT THEM TO SENSE A PERSONAL TOUCH.” -KARIE MILFORD “When you own your own business, you have to stay focused,” Milford said. “What’s important to you? Never lose yourself in the process. It’s like you’re a running horse with blinders on: This is what I want.” The conference room is arranged like a dining room. Rich purple drapes frame the window. A pair of large, gold, birdcage-esque light fixtures draw focus to the table, which has the brokerage’s logo subtly embedded in its wooden surface. Milford wanted the office to evoke a sophisticated, but eclectic style. “We’re a boutique agency, and that’s how we wanted to align the space,” she said. “We brought in pieces you just don’t see everywhere.” Milford increased the heights on the doors, and used frosted glass on them so light could come through, tricks to make the space feel bigger. CONT. PAGE 14
14 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
“WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU? NEVER LOSE YOURSELF IN THE PROCESS. IT’S LIKE YOU’RE A RUNNING HORSE WITH BLINDERS ON: THIS IS WHAT I WANT.” -KARIE MILFORD
FROM PAGE 13 As in a home, one main focal point in the office is the kitchen. As people gather in the kitchens at family homes, Milford wanted her people to gather in this kitchen. “I put in a full kitchen because I wanted us to be able to cook together like a family,” Milford said. The team cooks before their weekly meeting and often brings in meals to share. A painting of a horse overlooks the island, continuing the theme of focus. A bold gold-andblack wallpaper with damask roses complements the geometric lines of the backsplash tiles. Spreading beyond the kitchen is an open workspace for the agents. “I was thinking of the agents, what they would want, what could help them collaborate as a team,” Milford said. One private office is tucked away with a pocket door. The full-time creative director has an adjoining office, a space filled with windows and light to aid her process. Milford’s own office flows from the kitchen/ workspace and opens again into the hall. A giant mixed-media piece of a woman with roses in her hair sits behind the desk. “I wanted a fashion piece, something girly,” she said. “Throughout the office, I’m trying to balance a masculine feel with feminine pieces.” She wants her team and her clients to be comfortable. “My clients trust me not only with buying and selling their homes,” Milford said, “but more than that, they’re trusting me to help them get to a better future.” Visit milfordco.com for more information. B2B
16 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
“I GIVE MONEY AWAY TO NONPROFITS. THAT’S THE EASY PART OF THE JOB. THE HARD PART IS TRYING TO LEVERAGE THOSE RESOURCES WITH GOVERNMENT SOURCES TO CREATE SYSTEMIC CHANGE.” -KRISTIN WILLIAMS
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER · JANUARY | 17
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BIZ+GIVING | STORY BY GREG JERRETT | PHOTO BY BILL SITZMANN
DIRECTING THE COMMUNITY
KRISTIN WILLIAMS’ WORK FUNDS SOCIAL JUSTICE
K
ristin Williams is well-known in the Omaha nonprofit sector—having been a tireless public servant and nonprofit manager for the last 27 years. The energy and focus she puts into her position at the Sherwood Foundation is backed by her breadth of experience. Williams has been a legislative aide to Sen. Elaine Stuhr, a public information officer for the Nebraska Health and Human Services system, communications and marketing director for the Nebraska Hospital Association, a manager of workforce development programs, director of development and marketing for the YWCA Omaha, and has worked in public relations for Gov. Ben Nelson. Williams joined the Sherwood Foundation in 2006 as director of community initiatives. She manages a diverse portfolio with an eye toward racial and social justice in such areas as child welfare, holistic neighborhood revitalization, housing and homelessness, family economic well-being, civics, and the arts. She is drawn to, and driven by, a need to help others, whether working or serving on community boards such as that of Seventy Five North. “Here at 75 North and Highlander, for the first part of our existence we worked hard to get things in place around education and housing, and trying
to move the needle in this neighborhood,” said Othello Meadows, executive director of Seventy Five North. “It would have been easy to stay on the same track, but she pushed us to go deeper, and to serve the people who need for us to stand up for the most vulnerable population.” In addition to Seventy Five North, Collective for Youth, OpenSky Policy Institute, Project Everlast, Connections at Project Harmony, all were aided by the Sherwood Foundation and Williams’ influence. She led the creation of the African American Unity, Futuro Latino, and LGBTQ+ Equality funds housed at the Omaha Community Foundation. “These were Kristin’s brainchildren,” said Sara Boyd of OCF. “She recognized that people who are a part of those communities are going to have a much deeper connection to meaningful work with them. Too often, people in these communities are not at the table making investments in them.” Williams approached OCF and said she could help change who is at the decision-making table. She advocated for resources from the Sherwood Foundation and other partners. “I think her experience and reputation for credibility made it a smoother process than had it been led by someone else,” Boyd said. “Without a real design of the program, we have, over time, been able to think through how these things would unfold and allow some freedom for these things to take shape.” CONT. PAGE 18
18 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
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The communities themselves have embraced this opportunity to make these specialized funds fit while recognizing their values and differing views of the world. Williams, through her work, provided for the opportunity for that flexibility.
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“There’s a lot of power in these funds,” Boyd said. “I think it’s created opportunities for people to interact within their own community, but then across different groups that I have seen lead to new and different partnerships, people getting involved in leadership, and the collision of different thoughts that lead to a richer involvement. These are not static groups; we continue to learn alongside the leadership engaged in these funds.”
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Because of her work, Williams is a 2017 WCA Tribute to Women honoree, recipient of the Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Service from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, 2014 honoree for Outstanding Nonprofit Administrator by the Nebraska Chapter of American Society for Public Administration, and was named a State Afterschool Champion in 2013 by the Afterschool Alliance in Washington, D.C. • • • •
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“Susie Buffett is our principal and my boss. I give money away to nonprofits. That’s the easy part of the job,” Williams said. “The hard part is trying to leverage those resources with government sources to create systemic change.”
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Williams said the issue of homelessness is a great example of the kind of systemic change that can be addressed to solve chronic societal issues such as this.
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“We’re trying to make it so that homelessness is a solved problem in Omaha,” Williams said. “We do that by working with policymakers and providers on creating a vision, then we fund programming to help divert people from going into homeless shelters by getting them into a better place, whether that is available housing or with a family member. That all depends on the individual.” There is a positive ripple effect on the local economy as employers, as well as employees, benefit from programs designed to help those struggling, Williams said. “It absolutely impacts employees and employers because oftentimes employees of businesses in town don’t make enough money to get by every month. So we are funding food pantries, rental assistance, and other kinds of supportive services. Most of the people receiving services are working in some capacity,” Williams said. “We also fund financial literacy programming, bike trails, art, and after-school programming. All that supports the workforce because parents who know that their kids are safe after school are going to be better employees.”
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Williams takes a holistic approach to solving problems in Omaha that will have lasting effects. Those positive changes create a ripple effect, inspiring long-term change.
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20 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
“THEY SOLD OUT INSTANTLY.”
-ABBY GROSS
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER · JANUARY | 21
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omAHA! | STORY BY REBECCA WEIS | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
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CHANT PROVIDES MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CLEAR BAGS
A
bby Gross sat in Memorial Stadium looking out across the football field. She cheered on the Huskers, but she looked at the bags of the people to the sides of her, in front of her, across the stadium from her. The 50,000-plus, 12 inch x 12 inch x 6 inch bags all bore the same red N on them. They looked like the type of tote bag one used to lug around groceries. And they all emitted a noxious odor that could not be good for anyone’s health. Many of the women in that stadium had carefully chosen their outfits that day. They were out on the town, and they looked good—except for their bags. In recent years, many venues have instated a clear bag policy that causes customers to become frustrated. Company after company has created, essentially, the same tote bag. A big red N or blue C (for Creighton) might be the only difference. The lack of fashion statement in clear plastic bags was one area where Gross had the know-how to help. She graduated with a degree in textiles, apparel, and design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and interned in the fashion industry in L.A. She ran an apparel pop-up shop called East Campus at Nebraska football games. And she had been the sales and marketing director for leather handbag brand Tehra&b.
She saw person after person look uncomfortable as they took wraps and other too-big items out of massproduced clear bags, and she began researching what women thought when security stopped them. “She left no stone unturned as it related to what it was like to walk through the turnstiles,” said Erica Wassinger of the Startup Collaborative, where Gross spent time researching and creating a line of handbags. Many women told Gross they did not know what they could carry to a stadium, or how they would get through security with the amount of stuff they needed to bring.
“HONESTLY I LOVE IT. I FIND MYSELF PREPPING TO GO TO A CONCERT, OR RECENTLY, A HUSKER FOOTBALL GAME. I KNOW I HAVE TO USE THIS CLEAR BAG, AND GET ALL MY STUFF TOGETHER, AND STILL GO THROUGH THE PORTALS. WITH ABBY’S BAG, I KNOW I WILL MAKE IT THROUGH.” -ERICA WASSINGER Gross started with a demo project, using a clear plastic bag she found to use as a pattern. “I went to Amazon to find the cutest one I could find and then just made my own keychains to go with it,” Gross said.
Many women wanted to replace their standard-issue stadium bags. There were some things about the regulation bags that bothered Gross. PVC vinyl— with its noxious smell and weak construction—is bad for the environment. And these bags are created for one specific reason, resulting in more waste ending up in the landfills. Gross researched environmentally friendly ways to create clear plastic for 18 months, and concluded that bags made of thermoplastic polyurethane are sturdier and more resistant to abrasives, like sand or loose keys in a purse, than PVC. TVP is also odorless. Gross designed purses in popular styles, such as saddlebags or satchels, that help customers with the clear bag policy and can be used for more than one occasion. She is melting pop bottles into beads and creating keychains, which should be out this month. She also sells waxed canvas pouches that measure 6.25 inches x 4.5 inches, again stadium regulation, that attach to, and detach from, the clear bags. They add color to the bag and allow the user to keep cash, credit cards, and other items secure. “Honestly I love it,” Wassinger said. “I find myself prepping to go to a concert, or recently, a Husker football game. I know I have to use this clear bag, and get all my stuff together, and still go through the portals. With Abby’s bag, I know I will make it through.” Visit thechantbrand.com for more information.
She took the bag to her pop-up shop. People liked the sleek design, so she created a small run of about 15 bags. “They sold out instantly,” Gross said.
B2B
22 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
PHOTOS BY MONICA SEMPEK | PHOTO OF MONICA BY BILL SITZMANN STORIES BY TAMSEN BUTLER, SARA LOCKE, MARIEL RICHTER & KARA SCHWEISS
According to a 2010 study by the U.S. Department of Labor, women comprised 47 percent of the total U.S. labor force. That same study found that women comprise 91.1 percent of registered nurses, but also 66.1 percent of tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents, and 59.3 percent of all insurance writers. The National Association of Women Business Owners revealed in 2015 that women-owned firms account for 31 percent of all privately held firms. The women on these sponsored pages own or represent a variety of businesses, from those that have been traditionally male-dominated, to those run by all-female teams, to those that encourage diversity in the workplace. They are advertising professionals, real estate agents, urban planners, and more. B2B
DECEMBER · JANUARY | 23
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EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON OMAHA DOWNTOWN OLD MARKET ADRIANNE LESCANIC Director of Sales and Marketing Adrianne Lescanic is hyper-focused on her team as well as on her clients. Leading a team of seven sales associates, Lescanic feels supported in her role. “We are blessed to be in an amazing location downtown and to also have a really even spread of seasons of groups as well as the individual hotel bookings,” said Lescanic. Her goals are to not only contribute to the success of the hotel in as many ways as possible, but to develop the strongest sales team possible. Lescanic’s marketing role includes marrying Embassy Suites’ company brand with Omaha’s unique flavor. After studying communications at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lescanic pursued restaurant supervision. During her tenure in the restaurant industry, Lescanic nurtured mentorships with experienced professionals who steered her into
the hospitality industry. Although still being a male-dominated industry, Lescanic thrived in the industry due to her love of a challenge. Mentors advised her to pursue work in the hotel industry, as her personality and love of people were an ideal fit. Not only does the hotel industry offer multiple career paths, it is supportive of women in sales channels.
Taking the leadership skills she learned in her first role at Embassy Suites, Lescanic hopes to be an effective director for her team by hiring the strongest sales associates and ensuring they are equipped to master their jobs. Lescanic owes her success in hiring fantastic team members to having an amazing Human Resources department and to her supportive and helpful general manager.
As a long-time individual contributor at Embassy Suites, it was important to Lescanic for her to learn every aspect of the sales team. By working in every role on the team—from selling to large-scale planning, to doing both—Lescanic is equipped to advise her team on every aspect of their roles so they can be successful together.
With a multi-million-dollar renovation underway in the Old Market space, Lescanic said her team will be able to offer clients and guests floor-to-ceiling renovations, including a new restaurant and bar that will encourage guests to feel at home. Any time Lescanic is feeling the pressure of her role as a sales leader and marketing guru, she knows she has her team and leaders by her side.
To cultivate a strong sales team, Lescanic must use the same approach as her first leader did when she began at Embassy Suites six and a half years ago. “I try to determine associates’ strengths and break down their skill set by market segments,” she said. “For instance, some associates are perfect for working social events and others may be more suited to corporate segments.” The idea, Lescanic says, is to not keep her team with her. She hopes her team will grow in their careers just as she grew in her career in her years in hospitality.
555 S. 10TH ST. OMAHA, NE 68102 402.346.9000 EMBASSYSUITES3.HILTON.COM
24 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
JJT TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS BECKI CLOYED
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“Our business is providing transportation solutions to move our customers’ freight and we have a couple of different avenues we can use to do so,” Cloyed said. “We’re a can-do company. We can solve your issues with our van and reefer division, our heavyhaul division, or our power-only division.”
People may notice the JJT Transportation & Logistics logo on trailers pulled by big rigs around town and on the highway, but those are a fraction of shipments the company has a hand in per month. JJT is an asset-based trucking and brokerage company where brokerage makes up the majority of their business. “We have the same standards for our outside carriers as we have for our own fleet, and we’re excellent at executing and delivering freight,” said Becki Cloyed, one of the company’s owners.
That approach has cultivated loyalty, leading to repeat business and referrals. It’s also helped the company grow rapidly from its three-truck beginning in 2008 in Wathena, Kansas. Cloyed joined the company in 2012 with over 30 years of industry experience. “I believe I created a creditable reputation and I was really able to hit the ground running,” she said. Today, the company is owned by Cloyed; her brother, James Quimby; and Joel Euler. Cloyed oversees the primary operations in Omaha.
Some of the company’s customers include Conagra Frozen Foods, Jack Link’s, Union Pacific, United Rentals, and LALA Branded Products, but the company is willing and able to find solutions to move goods in special circumstances like train derailments, flooding, or moving nonstandard freight that other companies decline.
Cloyed and Quimby are not the first in their family to enter the industry. Their mother worked as a terminal manager from 1977 to 2000—a time when very few women were in the transportation sector—but that never slowed her down. Colleagues still remember her mother and sing her praises, Cloyed said.
“That’s how I evolved into the transportation industry, watching my mom run an LTL terminal,” Cloyed said. “I truly believe that women have the same ability as men to multitask and solve problems. I’m really good at figuring out how to put the puzzle together and get a truck from point A to point B. My passion is all about the service to our customers and finding a way to create quality of life for our drivers.” Approximately one-third of the JJT team is female and Cloyed said the diversity is good for business. “To me, it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman in our industry,” she said. “There is opportunity for both.” 7006 J ST. OMAHA, NE 68117 402.614.4777 JJTTRANS.COM
DECEMBER · JANUARY | 25
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MERIDIAN CLINICAL RESEARCH NICOLE “NIKKI” OSBORN When Nicole Osborn enrolled her first patient into a clinical trial at Meridian, the company’s assets totaled little more than a fax machine and a few credit card advances. Today, Meridian is celebrating its 20th anniversary and has enrolled over 40,000 patients across more than 2,400 clinical trials. As CEO, Osborn grew Meridian from a single dedicated research center in Omaha to a womenowned and -led network that now includes more than 20 research sites and 50 physicians across North America. Meridian conducts clinical trials to help determine if investigational medicines, medical devices, and tests are safe and effective. Without clinical trials, it would be impossible to develop new medicines, treatments, and cures.
“We conduct clinical trials for conditions that affect ourselves and our own families,” said Osborn. “Clinical research is a complex and heavily-regulated industry, but it has a very simple purpose—to improve human health and wellbeing.” Meridian partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to conduct clinical trials for everything from flu vaccines and acne, to chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Meridian is currently conducting clinical trials for Zika virus and anthrax vaccines, and even conducted research for the Ebola vaccine when the outbreak affected the Democratic Republic of Congo. “It’s most rewarding to see a product we studied achieve FDA approval and enter the mass market,” said Osborn. “That’s when our work can touch the lives of millions.” Beyond what Meridian’s team does in clinics, Osborn has created a unique program to keep patients and communities at the forefront of everything the company does. “We have a charitable
giving budget that is woven into our employee incentive program,” said Osborn. Driven by high employee performance, the company far surpassed its 2019 charitable giving goal of $209,700. Osborn’s commitment to charity is showcased during a company-created holiday, Good Deeds Day. Once a year, employees at each Meridian site are given a stipend and a mission: Go make a difference in your community. “We’re always astonished by the team’s thoughtfulness and creativity.” Osborn leads Meridian with a unique blend of tenacity, compassion, and generosity—all traits that are essential in the pursuit and exploration of new frontiers in human health. 3319 N. 107TH ST. OMAHA, NE 68134 402.934.7563 MCRMED.COM
26 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
MOD DERMATOLOGY DR. MELANIE ORTLEB It’s ironic that the practice of dermatology centers on what’s visible on the outside of the human body, Dr. Melanie Ortleb says, because “it’s really about the whole person.” At her practice, MOD Dermatology, Ortleb sees patients of all ages with a wide spectrum of concerns—from allergic rashes to skin cancer— with many internal and external root causes: allergies, autoimmune disease, environmental irritants, hormones, sun exposure, and more. In addition to medical and surgical dermatology, the practice also offers patients cosmetic treatments like Botox and fillers, microneedling, PRP injections, sclerotherapy, and chemical peels. “In dermatology, you treat everything related to hair, skin, or nails. In one day I can easily see 30 different conditions. The vast amount of knowledge you need is a challenge, but I’ve always been up for a challenge,” Ortleb says. The Omaha area has a limited number of dermatologists for a market of its size, which keeps the year-and-a-half-old practice relentlessly busy, she adds, but she has built a reputation for being thorough and patient-centered.
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“I try to include the patient as part of the care team. I’m there to guide them in their decision-making process and go over their options with them, but I really want their input,” she says. “After patients leave, I hope they feel they were listened to, that I took time to answer their questions. People will always comment on how thorough the exam was or that they were surprised they were given options. I feel that’s just providing appropriate care.” There are also patients who simply want to be told what to do, and that’s okay, too. “You have to be able to read the patient,” Ortleb says. Because either way, “When you know the patient is on board with the game plan, they get better faster.” Some treatments, like melanoma excisions, can save a person’s life. Other treatments can be lifechanging. Ortleb has successfully treated patients with persistent conditions, such as psoriasis or acne, that have caused them to avoid social situations or feel ashamed of their appearance. “When you have those tough cases or when people have been suffering for a long time and you fix their skin, they’re so thankful,” she says. “It’s transforming.”
Ortleb describes MOD Dermatology’s office as welcoming, comfortable, and beautiful. “It’s not clinical, cold, or sterile.” The environment is a nice complement to the “kind and sincere” staff, all women with the exception of Ortleb’s husband, who does some of the practice’s accounting. “We’ve created a team who want to be here and like their jobs,” she says. As a mother of three, Ortleb wants parents to know they are always welcome to bring children with them to MOD Dermatology’s office—their children for their own appointment or other children to a child’s appointment—especially if it means the difference between getting prompt treatment and delaying or forgoing care. “We can relate to our patients. We provide quality care, but we are also compassionate,” Ortleb says. 2953 S. 168TH ST., SUITE 101 OMAHA, NE 68130 402.505.8777 MODDERMATOLOGY.COM
DECEMBER · JANUARY | 27
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PRIME CHOICE INSURANCE COURTNEY CALLAWAY Courtney Callaway opened Prime Choice Insurance in 2013 as its founding agent. The company has since become a team of eight, focused on serving customers across Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota.
“Having somebody to help walk you through the process and also help you with renewals is really helpful. The health insurance market is really volatile and having someone who specializes and understands the market is valuable,” Callaway says. “The product, the insurance, itself is not that unique and the options are what they are, but having us assist is a totally different experience than trying to do it on your own.” Maintaining a current customer’s business is as important as adding new clients, Callaway says.
“Our niche is the individual health insurance market. A lot of insurance agencies help with home or auto insurance, life insurance, financial advising, or group insurance, but there are very few agencies that specialize in the individual health insurance market,” Callaway says. “The individual health insurance market is self-employed people, people who work for small businesses, students, early retirees, people on Medicare—people who don’t have coverage through an employer’s plan.”
“Clients know we care about them and they know that when a problem or issue arises we’re there to help advocate for them,” she says, adding that the company is active on social media and clients receive regular personal communication from their agent, including birthday and holiday cards. “Keeping existing customers engaged and making sure they know that we care and value them is a top priority.”
The company works with all major carriers to find plans that fit their clients’ budget and health needs, but the agents of Prime Choice Insurance also pride themselves on providing a superior level of service in addition to their expertise, Callaway says.
Excluding Callaway’s husband, all of the agents and administrative personnel are women, which Callaway sees as one of the company’s biggest strengths. Perks such as flexible schedules and the ability to work from home support their success.
“We’re all hardworking businesswomen but we also have households to manage and we’re all moms as well. The balance between work and home is difficult but I feel all of us have mastered it and we work really hard for our customers,” she says. “And what’s also interesting is that many of the customers we interact with are women. The wife or mother of the family is often the one taking care of the responsibility of finding health insurance or figuring out what option is best.” Callaway says that in line with her team’s reputation for being kind, reliable, and helpful, she strives to be a leader who empowers others. “I want to be known as someone who, when I get to the next level, will share my ladder with those who are coming after me,” she says. “I want to encourage people, especially women, to be their best and want to be the kind of leader I’d like to follow: a trusted and steady source of direction.” 402.219.3024 PRIMECHOICEINS.COM
28 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
SMITH SLUSKY ASHLEY ALBERTSEN, DANIELLE DRING, SHAUN MICHELLE JAMES, AND MELISSA OESTMANN Since its founding more than 40 years ago, Smith Slusky Law has grown to 13 attorneys encompassing a wide range of practice areas that can meet the legal needs of nearly any client. The firm has an emphasis in commercial real estate and business law, but also represents businesses and individuals in an impressive variety of legal services—including litigation, estate planning and probate, employment, domestic matters, injuries, and more. “Our firm is a diverse general practice firm covering almost every area [of law],” said attorney Danielle Dring, who joined the firm in 2016. In recent years, the firm has become increasingly diverse in another way. Dring is one of four female attorneys at Smith Slusky. The other three are Shaun Michelle James, who has been with Smith Slusky for more than 20 years; and Ashley Albertsen and Melissa Oestmann, who joined the firm last year.
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“The legal profession is still a male-dominated industry, but I don’t necessarily feel our office is unbalanced per se,” Dring said. “But having Ashley and Melissa come to our firm last year was a good addition.” James, Albertsen, Dring, and O estmann each bring a different focus to the practice. At Smith Slusky, each attorney manages her or his own book of business while sharing operating expenses and resources. Clients work with their individual attorneys but benefit from the collective expertise of the entire firm. James practices primarily in the areas of real estate acquisition, financing and development, and property tax valuation. She also works in the formation and counseling of small and new business operations. Dring’s focus is in corporate, real estate, and construction law, and she is certified by the Nebraska Office of Dispute Resolution as an alternative dispute resolution mediator. Albertsen, who joined as a partner, focuses on criminal, domestic, and tribal law. She also works with family law—including juvenile law, protection orders, conservatorships, and criminal law. Oestmann, also a partner, serves clients in family litigation and juvenile law matters.
Attorneys are problem-solvers, said the women of Smith Slusky, and with the depth of its team’s experience, the firm is able to address nearly any legal question or concern placed before them. In contrast to the dramatic criminal trials portrayed on television, the day-to-day practice of law is more about preparing, advising, negotiating, preplanning and guiding. “[Clients] expect a solution, and they expect a good solution,” Albertsen said, adding that clients want to work with attorneys who are approachable. “The average person on the street is going to want to have a discussion with a person who is going to try to understand, and even empathize with, their situation.” Loyalty and honesty are also valued by clients, and the attorneys of Smith Slusky “strive to do the best for our clients every day.” “We’ve had repeat clients who’ve told us they’ve come back to us because we’re honest and up-front,” Oestmann says. “They trust us.” 8712 WEST DODGE ROAD, SUITE 400 OMAHA, NE 68114 402-392-0101 SMITHSLUSKY.COM
DECEMBER · JANUARY | 29
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CITY WIDE MAINTENANCE OF OMAHA
COLLABORATIVE PLANNING GROUP
MEREDITH CIMINO ERICKSON
SHANNON MCNEIL, ERYKA MOREHEAD, AND MYKALA STAVA
As children we were asked regularly what we were going to be when we grew up. A better question to ask would be “How will you make a difference?” This is the question City Wide Maintenance of Omaha Principal-Owner Meredith Cimino Erickson was answering when she first took a position with City Wide Maintenance’s flagship location in Kansas City. “City Wide Maintenance opened in 1961, and they were doing such great things and had made such a name for themselves in how they did business, how they treated their customers, and they decided to franchise 18 years ago,” Erickson said. “I was working as a business performance coach for City Wide franchise, teaching franchise owners how to best represent City Wide in their markets. It was such a great way to learn the business, inside and out, and to really appreciate what was being done.” That respect grew into a passion, and Erickson learned of an opportunity to buy the commercial building maintenance franchise in Omaha. “I grew up in Texas, so Omaha’s big city-meets small town feel was really surprising for me,” Erickson said. “I loved the environment. The attitude of business owners here is so perfectly in-line with ours; businesses that see the benefit and really recognize the importance of every employee or customer feeling good about being in their facilities. Whether that’s a thoroughly cleaned and well maintained building, with prompt, proactive maintenance, or through any means that we as a team can improve the environment of our clients. Those are the clients we want, and they’re abundant in Omaha.” Erickson’s relationships with City Wide’s independent contractors keep their commercial maintenance customers safe, happy, and in business—with a smile that’s city-wide. 13362 CHANDLER ROAD OMAHA NE 68138 402.331.1000 GOCITYWIDE.COM/OMAHA
Eryka Morehead spent the first three years of her insurance career working for a carrier and the next five years in a corporate role. Seeing firsthand the challenge of working with limited products and contracts inspired her to start her own independent insurance brokerage. “I needed to create Collaborative Planning Group to be able to get access to the contracts and the policies that were going to be in the best interest of clients,” she says. “Our firm is insurance only, so we specialize in life, disability, and long-term care insurance. Our clients are wealth advisory firms who put together their clients’ financial plans and manage the assets, but don’t specialize in insurance. Those firms partner with us and we address the risk elements of their clients’ financial plans.” Collaborative Planning Group then identifies and presents solutions, she adds. “We’re incredibly objective and transparent with our insurance solutions and our recommendations.” The team also guides clients through the application and underwriting process. “In most insurance firms you would find that the men are client-facing and the women are support staff, and in our case it’s actually the exact opposite. The three of us who are client-facing and that manage the firm-client relationship are all female and we actually have an all-male support staff,” Morehead says, adding that talking about death and disability is never easy, but “We try to make those conversations manageable and easy for people to get through so they have the information they need to make a good decision…we are truly there to do what is in their best interest.” 111 N. 181ST ST., SUITE 202 OMAHA, NE 68022 402.881.0274 COLLABORATIVEPLANNINGGROUP.COM
30 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
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ISLA DEL MAR RESTAURANTE
MID-CITY OBGYN
ISMARA GONZALEZ
ANN MEISSNER SJULIN, M.D.
Omaha, especially South Omaha, has many great Mexican restaurants. So when Ismara Gonzalez founded Isla del Mar Restaurante, she wanted to offer something no other Mexican restaurant in the area had. “We concentrate on seafood,” Gonzalez said. “‘Isla del Mar’ means ‘Island of the Sea.’”
Even after 25 years in practice, Ann Meissner Sjulin, M.D., never forgets what it’s like to be on the other side of female health care, from pelvic exams and fertility concerns to pregnancy care and hormonal changes. She’s even experienced some not-so-ordinary things like emergency surgery for a ruptured ovarian cyst at 16, giving birth to a 10-pound baby without an epidural, and surviving breast cancer.
Mexico has around 6,000 miles of coastline facing both the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, so seafood is an important part of the country’s cuisine, Gonzalez says.
“Delivering a baby and having a baby—it’s not the same,” she said. “Or when women are in menopause and telling you about their hot flashes? Yeah, I get it,” Sjulin says. “I’ve kind of run the gamut on health issues for females.”
“It’s a side of Mexico that not a lot of people know. I wanted to introduce that,” she says. “A lot of Mexican restaurants here don’t offer seafood. People are used to tacos, tamales, and burritos, but there’s more to it. We have a lot of seafood and we have sushi as well.”
So as an obstetrician/gynecologist, Sjulin’s compassion comes naturally. “I love taking care of women,” she said, adding that she listens to patients’ concerns and strives to make sure they understand both the medical details and their treatment options.
Gonzalez said she runs her business in a very hands-on manner. “I’m the owner, the founder,” she said. “From making sure I order the best and freshest ingredients, to hiring the employees, to doing accounting and payroll, I try to be involved in every part of this business.” Her staff consists of mostly women, and Gonzalez says she strives to create a friendly, team-oriented atmosphere for everyone at Isla del Mar that translates to outstanding service to diners. “When I hire people, the first questions I ask are ‘Why do you want to work for us?’ and ‘Do you like the [restaurant] work?’” she says. “I think it’s important people like what they do. And I think everyone here gets along pretty well. I hear from my employees that they really like their job.” 5101 S. 36TH ST. OMAHA, NE 68107 531.772.0754 FACEBOOK.COM/ISLAMARRESTAURANTE
“Today’s patients want to feel like they have a say in what’s going on,” she said. The practice was only four years old when Sjulin joined as the third person and first woman on staff in 1993. Seven of 10 doctors on the current team are female, along with all seven nurse practitioners/physician assistants and four midwives, and all but one member of the support staff. It creates a nice camaraderie among the staff and a welcoming environment for the practice’s female clientele, she said. “[Patients] feel very comfortable talking to us about their medical concerns; they feel like we give them time and really listen and validate what they’re worried about,” she says. “That patient-centered focus makes people want to keep coming back.” 7205 W CENTER ROAD, SUITE 200 OMAHA, NE 68124 402.397.6600 MIDCITYOBGYN.COM
DECEMBER · JANUARY | 31
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EMERY’S CAFÉ SOUTHERN CUISINE
ORTHOMEDICS ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC SERVICES
DIAMOND LARIEL
KASSIE HARNDEN
“Everything about my business is in my DNA— from my great-grandparents’ and mom’s recipes, to naming ‘Emery’s Café’ after my great-uncle,” said Diamond Lariel, owner of Emery’s Café on North 24th Street.
Orthotic or prosthetic devices increase mobility, independence, or quality of life for a patient. So it’s imperative they fit perfectly and wear well, said Kassie Harnden, director of operations for OrthoMedics Orthotic and Prosthetic Services.
Lariel said she has big shoes to fill, living up to her own dreams and those of her community and family.
“We’re constantly raising the bar on what we provide,” she said. “We’re determined to find the right solution for each patient.”
“As a young woman, I have a lot of people who have doubted me, but what people need to know is that I may be 29, but there’s history and it’s my legacy.”
With an in-house fabrication clinic, OrthoMedics provides a level of service above industry standard and controls costs at the same time.
In 2018, Lariel opened Emery’s Café, an ode to Sunday dinners with her family. Lariel and her mother, who is is her partner and the lead chef, are continuing the family legacy of serving soul food. They are especially proud of the cafe’s signature recipes, such as the old-school mac and cheese originally created by Lariel’s mother. These are part of what makes Emery’s Café special.
“We believe you can’t take a cookie-cutter approach in orthotics and prosthetics,” Harnden said. “Each device is based on what the individual needs and what’s going to benefit them the most.”
Lariel plans to continue building up the cafe, which is also helping revitalize the North Omaha Dream Street, and eventually expand the business throughout the city. 2118 N. 24TH ST., SUITE 1011 OMAHA NE 68110 402.281.5115 OR 402.884.1112 EMERYSCAFE.COM
As one of seven team members, Harnden’s job description includes insurance billing, marketing, and managing the day to day business operations. But she especially enjoys educating patients and their physicians on the advances in clinical care that OrthoMedics offers. “We develop relationships with patients and families,” she said. “We are dedicated to advancing the standard of care for our industry.” 13217 F ST. OMAHA, NE 68137 402.614.7321 ORTHOMEDICS.US
PREMIER ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY KELSEY GARDNER LAPORTE, DDS, M.D. Dr. Kelsey Gardner LaPorte is accustomed to being in a league of her own. As the only current woman practicing in the state of Nebraska as an oral and maxillofacial Surgeon, she was frequently told by people outside of her family that her goals were too ambitious—especially for a woman. Growing up with a dentist mother led Gardner LaPorte to believe all doctors were women; she did not realize until age 7 or 8 that instead men were often the majority in the fields of dentistry and medicine. She encountered sexism throughout medical and dental school. “I had experiences where they told me women weren’t welcome in surgery,” she says. Her tenaciousness and stubborn nature led her to success. She graduated as a surgeon at the top of her class. Nowadays she thrives in her position. “I like operating on the face and mouth. I like the idea that surgery on the face is immediately gratifying with immediate improvement in cosmetics and function.” Every day spent at Premier Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is a day Dr. Gardner LaPorte loves because she is helping others with their oral and maxillofacial needs. 546 S. WASHINGTON ST. PAPILLION NE 68046 402.916.0588 PREMIEROMS.COM
32 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019/2020
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SELDIN COMPANY ALICIA STOERMER CLARK, PH.D. With a Ph.D. in human capital management, a Bachelor of Science in housing and the near environment from Iowa State University, and an MBA from Bellevue University, it’s easy to see why Seldin, Omaha’s award-winning property management organization, was interested in Alicia Stoermer Clark.
Locally Owned Since 1950
Having started her journey in property management while still in college, Clark intimately understands the needs of each Omaha neighborhood. “Working within property management was part of my degree program, and I really connected with it. After college I found a position with another management company. In my role at that firm, I met [former Seldin president] Bob Dean.”
68
Serving Omaha
YEARS
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MONICA SEMPEK PHOTOGRAPHY MONICA SEMPEK Shooting the arrangements at her sister’s memorial garden, Monica Sempek felt the gravity of the simple act of recording a moment. Neighbors soon implored her to shoot their own gardens, and as those flowers grew, so did Sempek’s passion and portfolio. “I was in this middle place where I knew I had a gift, but I didn’t dream a career would come of it,” Sempek said. “I thought God gave me a gift so I could make a difference, then a friend told me ‘no, Monica. God gave you a gift so you could make a living.’” She began photographing women’s symposiums and conferences, listening to stories of women who had created lives that supported their passions, paid their bills, and made the world a little better for their communities.
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“For me, photography is about capturing something really raw,” Sempek said. “I wanted to find the stories people weren’t telling, whether it was a moment they missed during an event, or a whole event that isn’t getting the coverage it deserves. I want to bring people to the experience through photos.” It’s a balancing act that Sempek hadn’t even considered before launching her business. “I started later in life than most, I would say,” Sempek said. “I was 50. I was still thinking, ‘What do I want to be when I grow up?’ It wasn’t what I was doing at the time. It took a while to believe in what was possible, but I think it started with just realizing what I could offer others. If I could offer someone a shot that captured them as they truly are, maybe they would stand a little taller.” Sempek’s theory was that if you hand a person a little confidence, they could build something. What she didn’t realize was that she was building something of her own in the process. “I am so proud knowing that people are trusting me with these really intimate stories and moments, that they have faith in me to understand what their story is about,” Sempek said.
Videographers add music or text to tell people how to feel about what they’re witnessing—an endless script explains each nuance. Photographers have the briefest of moments to capture everything, and then it’s gone. Sempek’s ability to tell an entire story with her lens has secured her invitations to Omaha’s most prestigious events, landing her positions not only capturing people’s stories, but finally being given the opportunity to share her own. “If my journey can inspire one more woman to start creating the life she is being called to, I’ll feel like I’m doing my job,” Sempek said. “Like I’m giving thanks for what I was given.” The advice she offers anyone who will listen is simple: “Surround yourself with people who lift you up. We can come down on ourselves easily enough, but surrounding yourself with positive, successful people will open doors you didn’t even see there. And you never know when your positive words, your gift, is going to open the door for someone else.” 402.203.7908 MONICASEMPEKPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
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VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
“THERE’S GREAT POTENTIAL FOR SOUTH 13TH STREET TO HAVE A LOT OF SHOPPING THAT’S VINTAGE, ANTIQUE, AND SUSTAINABLE. THAT’S ALL COMING TO LIFE NOW.” -ABBY MASSEY
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FEATURE | STORY BY SEAN ROBINSON | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
BUSINESSES IN LITTLE BOHEMIA
WHERE COLLABORATION TRUMPS COMPETITION
“T
his street is about to go HAM with business.”
Zoey Sterba—owner of The Chute, an ethical womenswear boutique in Little Bohemia—isn’t wrong about that. With the opening of several bars and stores, including her own, all within weeks of each other this past fall, Little Bohemia has indeed gone “Hard as a Mother.” From fashion to furniture to fruity cocktails, it can all be found just south of downtown on 13th Street—and much of the fresh development is women-led. “We’re all in support of one another, whether that’s sharing each other’s stuff on social media or collaborating on events,” Sterba said. “As women, we’re in this together and want to see each other succeed.” Zoey Sterba—The Chute Sterba never questioned if she would open a business. Rather, it was always a question of what kind of business she would run. She’s had an entrepreneurial spirit for as long as she can remember. At 6 years old, while other girls were playing house, she sold garden supplies and created her first company, Z Bloom. She then moved on to a card-making business with her neighbor, but it was her studies in fashion merchandising at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that helped shape The Chute.
“I really learned a lot about sustainability there,” Sterba said. “If I am going to do anything, it has to be meaningful, and respect the Earth and everyone in it. It has to put good out in the world in some way.” The Chute opened Sept. 18 to fill Omaha’s need for a womenswear shop that was uniquely youthful and affordable, yet ethically based. Whether shopping for the office or a night out, all the styles found at The Chute are either produced at factories with good working conditions and wages, are handmade, or created with recycled materials. “It’s all about bringing meaningful and mindful shopping to Omaha,” Sterba said. Abby Massey—Dusk Goods & Gifts Another Little Bohemia retail-owner who’s weaved integrity into her business model is Abby Massey of Dusk Goods & Gifts. She also makes sure her products are handmade or come from a place where employees are paid proper wages. “I take time in the brands I incorporate,” Massey said. “It’s really all carefully and thoughtfully collected goods.” And the Goods & Gifts go beyond fashion here. Womenswear fills the racks, but so do baby clothes with a vintage touch, greeting cards, planners, natural soaps, and colorful beauty products. CONT. PAGE 38
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VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
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FROM PAGE 37 No matter what she’s selling, Massey’s personal maker mantra is “Honest + Authentic + Handmade.” Little Bohemia seems to capture this for her. After years of pop-up shops and online sales, she fell in love with the neighborhood for its big sidewalks, charm, and old town vibes. So much so, she knew this would be home for her first stand-alone. After two years of researching via email, Facebook, and word-of-mouth, she found the perfect space. Her shop opened Aug. 1. “There’s great potential for south 13th Street to have a lot of shopping that’s vintage, antique, and sustainable. That’s all coming to life now,” Massey said. “We’re all just very eager to help each other. If the other new shops shine, I shine.” Here’s more proof that these women truly support one another: The Chute and Dusk Goods & Gifts share the same building, with Sterba subleasing from Massey.
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Megan Malone—Tiny House Megan Malone’s Tiny House is unlike many, if any, bars found in Omaha. Like the name suggests, it’s located at what was once a tiny house. But come inside, and the fun really begins. Funky light fixtures hang above plush furniture, private seating areas are hidden behind boho beaded curtains, and random art pieces that shouldn’t work together, but do, set the mood. Then, there’s the drinks. Cocktails with names like “It’s Britney, Bitch” and the “Obama Sex Dream” are made with the house’s own juices and syrups. The majority of the bartenders are women, a rarity in the male-dominated industry, and it’s a designated safe space. “People seem to really respond initially to the atmosphere,” Malone said. “There’s really not a whole lot of other places where you can have a $3 beer and you’re not staring at a blinking, neon Budweiser sign.” Opened in March, Tiny House is one of several new Little Bohemia bars, including Infusion and Beercade. To Malone, it’s no surprise this once quiet corner of 13th Street is on its way to becoming the next Benson or Blackstone.
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER · JANUARY | 39
“C’mon, it’s beautiful here,” Malone said. “It has a rich history of mixed-use ethnic residencies. As a kid, I can remember going to the movie theater or butcher shop. The locals are seeing life come back here.” Jennifer Penton—Brick and Hoarder Brick and Hoarder started because founder Jennifer Penton fell from a building in New York City.
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Following the near-fatal accident, Penton couldn’t work the three day jobs she needed to earn enough for rent in the Big Apple, so she started selling her hoard of clothes online. To her surprise, her stash started making her some treasure. Once she moved back to Omaha in 2017, Penton began signing new brands to build Brick and Hoarder’s inventory, first selling in a studio, then a storage unit, before opening a full store on Oct. 5 in Little Bohemia. “I’m trying to bring that bigger city style here,” Penton said. “I find a lot of people shopping that say, ‘I love this but I don’t know where I would wear it.’ Wear whatever you want, wherever you want! I want people to feel comfortable feeling beautiful all the time.” Like other Little Bohemia retailers, Brick and Hoarder’s specialty is curated recycled goods and styles from independent designers for women, but there are also future plans to develop a larger breadth of plus sizes and bring in men’s clothing. Penton said her vibrant merchandise likely isn’t found anywhere else in the city. When it comes to Little Bohemia, however, she’s all about helping direct customers to the next coolest thing, often right outside her store doors. Working with the other women business owners, she plans to have a mural map of the neighborhood painted on the side of her building to guide shoppers. “I think all of us women believe in collaboration over competition,” Penton said. “We want to send customers to one another, so our traffic builds off each other. It’s women helping women, friends helping friends.” B2B
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From top left: Rose Blumkin, Alice Dittman, Harriet Petersen Fort, Margaret Robinson, Jan Thayer, Elizabeth Jane Robb Douglas, and JoAnn Martin.
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
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FEATURE | STORY BY TAMSEN BUTLER | PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
THE SEVEN
A SMALL, BUT MIGHTY, GROUP
T
he Nebraska Business Hall of Fame was created in 1997 between the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the University of Nebraska College of Business to recognize notable business leaders in Nebraska. The women appearing on the list are greatly outnumbered by their male counterparts, and the number of women appearing solo—not alongside their husbands—is even smaller. These women have created products and services known around the world—from tools to tables.
1997: Rose Blumkin Rose Blumkin took $500 she saved from working a variety of jobs, such as selling used clothing, and bought $2,000 worth of goods to start Nebraska Furniture Mart. Blumkin became a retail giant, and not one to be trifled with. When Warren Buffett bought a majority of NFM in 1983, he paid $60 million. Blumkin’s philosophy of selling cheap and telling the truth was one she kept until she retired—at age 103. She had more than one reason to not succeed in 1917 when she arrived in America—she was a Russian Jewish immigrant who spoke no English and had no formal education. Her signature on business documents was an illegible scrawl. She set a trend that many women try to emulate today: building a business from the ground up and succeeding far beyond anyone’s expectations.
1997: Alice Dittman Alice Dittman became CEO and president of Cornhusker Bank in 1975, one year after The Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 allowed women to apply for credit cards without their husband’s permission. She stepped into the role upon the death of her father—three months after becoming a widow. Then age 45, Dittman was the first female president of a Nebraska bank. She also became the first female president of the Nebraska Bankers’ Association and was summarized in a February 2017 Lincoln Journal Star piece as an “opinionated trailblazer.” Dittman started a job-sharing program to help working mothers, embraced electronic banking technology, and expanded the bank’s assets from $8 million to $235 million. In an era when women were just starting to obtain the rights to make financial decisions on their own, Dittman was running a thriving financial institution.
2000: Harriet Petersen Fort Harriet Petersen Fort started as a schoolteacher, but a few years later, switched gears to help market her father’s invention, the vise grip. In the 1930s, Fort placed small ads in magazines that helped attract direct sales agents. Those sales agents began selling vise grips in a time when corn prices were so low it was often burned instead of sold. The first payments for vise grips were often chicken or produce, which the salesmen then sold for cash.
Fort co-founded Petersen Manufacturing Co. along with her brothers in 1939. She was credited with expanding the company internationally. The first plant reportedly had a staff of 37, and in its heyday, the company employed more than 600 people at the main plant in DeWitt, Nebraska, and another 200 in Beatrice. The company sold to a national corporation in 1993, and, when the DeWitt plant closed in 2008, it employed nearly 300 people.
2001: Margaret Robinson Margaret Robinson was one of the first women elected to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, alongside Nancy Hoch, and one of the first women to serve on the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board of Directors. She became president of Norfolk Iron and Metal Co. in 1974 when her husband died. The company started as a scrap metal business and had been in the Robinson family since 1908. Under her leadership, Norfolk Iron and Metal Co. grew into one of the largest steel supply and processing companies in the United States. In fact, four years after Margaret assumed the presidency, the company earned the Nebraska Small Business Award. She served two six-year terms as a regent and also served as chairwoman. She served on the Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education for 14 years. CONT. PAGE 42
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FROM PAGE 41
2005: Jan Thayer Jan Thayer did not think about receiving accolades in November 1988 when she founded Excel Health Services. She simply wanted to provide health care options for the growing population of elderly. Now known as Excel Development Group, the development, property, asset management, and consulting firm has now grown to managing 14 retirement facilities with over 1,100 apartments and 500 employees. Thayer has earned the national American Health Care Association Chairman’s Award and was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame with a Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award. Other accolades included being named the 1988 Grand Island Independent Woman of the Year and the 1992 University of Nebraska Businesswoman of the Year.
2006: Elizabeth Jane Robb Douglas
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Legend has it that Elizabeth Jane Robb Douglas had a dream in which a bearded man told her the design for a collapsible voting booth. The following day, she awoke and created a prototype of cardboard and sewing pins. In 1906, she received a patent for the product. The first order for these booths came from Los Angeles County, where she and her husband made and sold nearly 5,000 booths. The couple returned to Crete in 1912 and began manufacturing the booths there. Another eight years would pass before Douglas would be allowed to use her own invention through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Born in 1858, her 2006 Hall of Fame win was posthumous. When Douglas Manufacturing Corp. announced its closure in late 2016, the company was the oldest manufacturer of election equipment within the United States.
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER · JANUARY | 43
THESE SEVEN WERE THE ONLY WOMEN NOT DESIGNATED TO THE NEBRASKA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME ALONGSIDE THEIR HUSBANDS. THEY WERE INNOVATIVE, DRIVEN, AND SUCCEEDED DESPITE THE OBSTACLES SOCIETY PLACED BEFORE THEM.
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VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
BEFORE ELLIE PEGLER LAUNCHED HER ORGANIC BAKERY-CAFE NEAR 30TH AND LEAVENWORTH STREETS, THE LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, NATIVE TRAINED AT THE FRENCH CULINARY INSTITUTE IN NEW YORK AND WORKED AT SOME OF THE CITY’S TOP RESTAURANTS.
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FEATURE | STORY BY NIZ PROSKOCIL | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
THREE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS MAKE THEIR MARK IN OMAHA’S THRIVING FOOD SCENE
T
he Pareto principle states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. In the case of the restaurant business, only about 20% of head chefs are women, according to 2016 U.S. Department of Labor statistics. Those who run kitchens know the job requires planning menus, prepping ingredients, hiring staff, ordering supplies, putting in long hours with few breaks, pleasing customers, investing time and money, and creating opportunities to grow. And a passion for food.
BETWEEN 2007 AND 2012, WOMENOWNED RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 40 PERCENT, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION. As head baker, chef, certified sommelier, and owner of Farine + Four, Ellie Pegler knows full well the hard work running a business requires. Before launching her organic bakery-cafe near 30th and Leavenworth streets, the Lincoln, Nebraska, native trained at the French Culinary Institute in New York and worked at some of the city’s top restaurants. She moved back to Nebraska to open Farine + Four, which offers an assortment of sweet and savory baked goods, breakfast and lunch fare, coffee drinks, chocolate bonbons, and more. The business, which turns two in January, fills a void in the local culinary scene, said Pegler, who also produces baguettes, buns, croissants, and other baked goods for more than a dozen restaurants around town.
Pegler is among a growing number of women restaurateurs. Between 2007 and 2012, womenowned restaurants increased by 40 percent, according to the National Restaurant Association. The data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 Survey of Business Owners. A 2017 report has not yet been released. Although many women co-own or manage restaurants, the restaurant business is a traditionally male-dominated field. In Omaha, where the food scene continues to diversify and gain national attention, there are a number of women-owned restaurants, bars, bakeries, coffeeshops, and cafes. Running a successful restaurant can be tough for anyone, but women face unique challenges. Some argue that women restaurateurs have a harder time obtaining startup capital and getting recognition. There are other hurdles, too. Pegler, who started working in professional kitchens as a teenager, said women in the restaurant industry too often are not taken as seriously as men. Confident, assertive women, particularly those in leadership roles, are sometimes seen as angry or mean. She’s had to deal with male employees who questioned her authority and resisted taking direction from her. And, Pegler said, she’s “constantly expected to be motherly” because she’s a woman. CONT. PAGE 46
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VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
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FROM PAGE 45 Popular midtown diner Lisa’s Radial Cafe is known for its hearty breakfasts, big crowds, and casual, friendly vibe. Open since 1940 at 40th and Cuming streets, the business changed hands a few times before Lisa Schembri and her family bought it in 2000, adding “Lisa’s” to the cafe’s name. When Schembri ruptured her aorta in 2003, daughter Jennifer Maguire stepped in to handle day-today tasks. After Schembri’s death in December 2016, the family made the decision to keep the Radial going. Maguire said it’s rewarding to be able to carry on the tradition. “I’ve learned a lot from my mom, but I think the most important thing I’ve learned is the value of relationships with your staff, customers, and vendors,” Maguire said. “The cafe’s success is based largely on those relationships and our family atmosphere.” Every job has its downsides—but for women, it’s especially tough. Women in the restaurant business are held to a higher standard, Maguire said. “We have to work twice as hard to prove to our male counterparts that we have what it takes, and we have to be likable while doing it.” But being a woman-owned business also has its advantages. There are resources available for female entrepreneurs, including becoming a certified woman-owned business, which can help bring visibility and lead to opportunities for growth and networking.
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The culinary world can be even more difficult for women of color. Big Mama’s Kitchen and Catering founder Patricia Barron opened her soul food restaurant in north Omaha when she was 65. Her age, along with her race and gender, put her in the position of having to shatter several glass ceilings at once.
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER · JANUARY | 47
Barron died in March 2018, but her family continues to run the business. Daughter Gladys Harrison, former manager and now owner, said her mom’s plan to start a restaurant was met with pushback from lenders, who thought she was too old to start a business and, despite decades of cooking and catering, lacked experience. In 2007, Barron realized her dream of opening a restaurant. Her made-from-scratch soul food dishes, sweet potato desserts, and warm personality drew customers. Business took off in 2008 when Big Mama’s Kitchen was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The restaurant also appeared on the Travel Channel and Sundance Channel. Big Mama’s will soon move from 45th Street and Bedford Avenue to its new home in the Highlander Accelerator Building, a commercial and community center at 30th and Parker streets. Harrison is excited to be a part of the revitalized north Omaha neighborhood and to fulfill a promise she made to her mom. “She said, ‘Gladys, that’s your charge, to take the restaurant to the next level.’” Many new restaurants fail in the first year. Keeping Big Mama’s Kitchen going for 12 years brings Harrison and her family a sense of accomplishment and pride. While obstacles exist, those who are persistent, creative, willing to embrace technology, and prepared to work hard, Harrison said, can succeed. She urged aspiring restaurateurs to sign up for entrepreneurial classes, explore mentorships and apprenticeships, and learn how to write a business plan and market themselves. “This is the time for women,” Harrison said. “I encourage any woman— whatever you want to do, do it.” Visit farineandfour.com, @lisasradialcafe on Facebook, and bigmamaskitchen.com for information about the featured restaurants. B2B
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“[CAREY IS] STILL INTERESTED IN WHAT’S GOING ON WITH WARRANTIES. TO THIS DAY SHE LOOKS AT THE WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT AND MAKES SURE THAT WE’RE GETTING PAID AND THAT WE’RE PAYING WHAT WE’RE SUPPOSED TO.” -CHRIS FASBENDER
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
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FEATURE | STORY BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN | PHOTO BY BILL SITZMANN
MORE AND MORE...
CAREY HAMILTON’S RISE TO PRESIDENCY
C
arey Hamilton started working in the automotive industry after she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1978. She was interested in the industry, but she did not realize it would become a passion. The career path, however, seemed in some ways destiny. The former Carey Beardmore was working for the family industry, Beardmore Chevrolet, in the warranty department. Her father, Moe Beardmore, had worked in the automotive industry since 1948. Carey grew up memorizing pieces of business wisdom her father shared at the dinner table. The advice was less often about dollars and cents, and more about sense—about treating people with respect and trying to understand their points of view. It’s a philosophy that has carried her through her entire career. “She always told me that when someone is upset, you have to think about why they are upset,” said Carey’s daughter, Rebecca Hamilton. A man selling a vehicle may be upset about the price he is given, but it may not be the price—it might be that the man’s wife recently passed and he doesn’t want to sell her car. “There’s more to the story. My mom has always considered people’s feelings that way.” Although Carey’s family owned automotive dealerships, she did not come by the automotive ownership industry easily. Carey was a part-time employee and a full-time mother to two daughters in the early 1980s. Her husband, Brian Hamilton, knew about the trucking industry—first through his family’s business, and then through jobs.
The young couple took a chance in 1982, when Carey was 29, and moved away from the area to open Hamilton Chevrolet Cadillac BMW of Grand Island.
Kearney was familiar to Carey. It is where her mother, Patricia (Lundeen) Beardmore grew up, and where her aunt Barb (Lundeen) and uncle Max Burroughs still lived.
“We sold our house and our cars, and cashed in our 401K, and I got loans from my father and General Motors’ Motorholding,” Carey said. (Motorholding was the financial arm of General Motors). “It took six months for [Motorholding] to approve me because I was so young. We moved in with a bachelor friend for several months until we could get approved and move to Grand Island.”
Today, Carey is the vice president of Midway in Kearney, and Brian is president. The path of being a woman owning automotive dealers has been bumpy. Carey brushes it off, saying it “wasn’t always pleasant,” but she was a groundbreaker. She attended dealers conventions, sometimes being the only woman in the room, and became active in industry organizations such as the National Auto Dealer’s Organization.
It wasn’t an idea that everyone approved of. “That’s pretty young to pick up your family,” Carey said. “People kept saying ‘[the auto industry] is so risky,’ but growing up, that’s all I knew. I didn’t think of it as risky, I thought of it as an exciting opportunity.” The gamble paid off. The couple worked hard and expanded the business. Carey also made sure to become active in the community, and they are still active there today. They have been involved with the Heartland United Way, St. Francis Foundation, and Grand Island Community Foundation, among others. The Hamiltons ran Hamilton Chevrolet Cadillac BMW in Grand Island for five years, and then purchased the Chevy and Mazda franchises in Kearney. They opened Midway Chevrolet Mazda in February 1987. The move was important as the previous Chevrolet dealership, Kizzier’s, had closed in 1985. That is a large gap in an auto industry that sells more than 2 million units annually, especially in a domestic-auto heavy area like the Midwest.
“We just sold a lot of cars and we took care of a lot of people,” Carey said. The family moved back to Omaha in 1995. Moe died in 1992, and her brother Dan Beardmore took over Beardmore Chevrolet. Dan, however, did not have his sister’s passion for the family business. Carey bought the business from her brother, becoming president and owner of Beardmore Chevrolet. Shortly after purchasing the Bellevue store, Carey and Brian noticed a newer brand that was beloved by their owners and kept their monetary value well. Those values inspired the purchase of the Subaru franchise, adding to the inventory in Bellevue— next door to the Chevrolet dealership. CONT. PAGE 50
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FROM PAGE 49 Two years after moving back to Omaha, Carey was asked to join the board of directors of Bellevue University. Her father previously sat on the board of directors of this university, an outlet for military members and people working to get a leg up in society. Her business acumen was an important part of her being asked to the board. “One of the things that is important is that they like people who own businesses, who can really be on the front lines with issues that are important to business owners, and businesses of different sizes,” said Gail S. Seaton, board treasurer. “That, I think, was a key element. When we look at different people, it really is ‘are they a down-to-earth person, are they a hard-working person?’. We truly are a working board.” Seaton herself was recruited by Carey to join the Bellevue University board, and said although she doesn’t know Carey well as a businesswoman, as a person, she immediately felt welcomed by her. “She was one of the people who made a point to… talk to me about what she liked about it, why she participated in it, why she thought it would be a good match for me as well,” Seaton said. “She really was kind of a champion for helping to recruit and making sure there were different kinds of voices.”
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As a member of this board, Carey has helped establish, and fund, the Maurice Y. and Patricia Beardmore Scholarship. But it isn’t about establishing a memorial to her parents—it’s about helping those who need it. Students attend Bellevue primarily because they are making a move in their life. The board’s job is to look for creative ways to make sure that learning is accessible to people. She continued to work, with her husband, as a major auto dealer in the area. They purchased the Cadillac and Buick franchises in 1999 in Kearney, and in 2004 purchased Spady Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep in Kearney. After consolidating and expanding those businesses for 10 years, they bought Killion GMC in Kearney.
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER · JANUARY | 51
Her company, Beardmore Chevrolet and Subaru, became more successful. Carey watched the numbers, and her days in the warranty department served her well. Through the years, she has learned every aspect of the business of a car dealership, but her favorite job is crunching numbers. “She’s still interested in what’s going on with warranties,” said Chris Fasbender, director of operations for Beardmore Chevrolet and Subaru. “She’s in the back with technicians. To this day she looks at the warranty administrator report and makes sure that we’re getting paid and that we’re paying what we’re supposed to.” Along with keeping up with her local industry, Carey has also been on the Women’s Dealer Advisory Council for GM, and a number of Chevy marketing dealer advisory committees. She was the president of the GMC local advertising and marketing group. “I was just really proud to have been asked to do these things,” Carey said. She continues to try and improve her industry, and to do the right thing for the customers, and the community. “We may be the only dealer in town that doesn’t pay off of commission,” Fasbender said. “We pay off number of cars sold. My job as a salesman is to find the best Subaru for you. Do you have a dog, do you have a family, do you have headroom issues? Our salesmen are not here to make as much money as they can off a sale. We want to make sure every person gets the vehicle they want or need, not the vehicle we want to sell.” Carey is a problem-solver, whether that is a problem of how to sell cars better or how to garner more donations. She is a member of the board of Women Investing in Nebraska through the NU Foundation, which gives money to education and nonprofit projects. She was the chair from 2017 to January 2019. During this time, Carey recognized that, by asking women to donate $2,400 to join this group, a lot of people were being left out. During her years as chair, she was instrumental in developing a stepped membership to allow women to join for $500, $1000, or $2400. Each member, no matter their membership level, has one vote.
“It was a different way of thinking that created a huge growth, especially with young entrepreneurs and professionals,” said Lori Byrne, executive vice president of advancement at the University of Nebraska Foundation. “I love it because when you combine our gifts we can truly make a significant impact,” Carey said. “When you pool all our dollars, it’s wonderful to be able to make an impact in a community. It’s wonderful to meet other women who have the passion of education and nonprofit. You learn so much about what’s happening throughout the state through the grant application process.” She and her husband have been major donors to several academic projects. In 2012 they gave the lead gift to what would be named the Hamilton Academic Excellence Room at UNO. This 5,200 square foot study space for athletes opened in 2013 with updated technology and comfortable seating, and was an improvement over the previous space. It was also a passion project for Carey. “The athletes studied in this horrible room, and so they moved into much finer quarters,” Carey said. “I love the fact that athletes learn through their teamwork; they have to be disciplined. They really go on to be future leaders. It’s nice to be a part of that.” It was not their first gift to UNO. They also gave one poignant sum of money in 2010. “One of our development officers went to Grand Island to meet with [Carey], and was talking about the social work program,” Byrne said. “[Carey] wanted to know more about the school, and they were going to take a tour the next Monday. Unfortunately a tragic car accident happened. The development officer was hit by a teenage driver who was DUI. ” Although Carey only knew development officer Jessica Bedient for a short time, she and her husband were so moved by her passion for the university they helped create the Jessica Lutton Bedient scholarship, given annually to the Grace Abbott School of Social Work. “We do a lot of different sponsorships that I am proud of,” Carey said. “We try to be a big part of the community. You give back to the people that take care of you.”
They also keep an eye on what is important to their customers, such as the environment. A 2017 renovation to Beardmore in Bellevue made the company the first GM dealer in Nebraska to earn GM Green Dealer Certification. Eco-friendly improvements made during this $3.38 million, 17,000 square-foot addition included a 14kW photovoltaic system that converts sunlight into electricity, a heating system that uses waste oil for a fuel source with natural gas for backup heat, LED lighting throughout the addition and parking lots, and new fire sprinklers. Beardmore Subaru includes a dog park and a dog lobby, due to research that Subaru owners are often loyal dog owners. In fact, the company recently added a second dog park because the park is so popular the grass was getting trampled. Subaru owners’ love of pets also keeps the dealership donating to pet organizations. One recent organization to receive their generosity was the Good Life Bulldog Rescue. While the auto owning industry has been good for her, she said the auto business is great for any woman. A fifth generation Beardmore certainly enjoys aspects of working for the family business. “I love seeing my grandpa’s picture on the wall when I walk around,” Rebecca said. “It means a lot, how I remember them working here.” For her mother, it’s one more female face in the door of an industry that she believes in. “I don’t think women look at it as something that can support their families, and it can,” Carey said. “We have a female technician at Beardmore Subaru, a female in the parts department at Beardmore Chevrolet. There are three female service advisers [people who talk to customers and write service tickets]. There’s some really steady, good jobs. I would like for more women to consider coming into our industry.” B2B
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OMAHA CVB BY KEITH BACKSEN
GIVE THE GIFT OF OMAHA THIS HOLIDAY he Omaha Daily Bee, one of the city’s earliest newspapers, printed a story in 1889 reminiscing about Christmas in 1854 in Omaha. One of the people the paper interviewed remembered the general store located on 12th and Jackson streets that sold two things— “whiskey of a very poor quality and some garden seed that never had a fair chance to exert itself.” Needless to say, holiday shopping in Omaha has improved immensely since the mid-1850s. Today, one can find a variety of gifts that are unique to Omaha and can be shipped anywhere.
T
Those who enjoy giving gifts of sweets certainly do not need to go out of their hometown. Omaha offers chocolate makers and bakers that can compete with anyone in the world. The specialized chocolate-covered cherries created at Cordial Cherry, located in the Shoppes of Legacy, were inspired by a grandmother’s recipe. Owner Melissa Stephens even sells a nativity set made from chocolate-covered cherries. Stephens ships her family’s recipe around the world, often selling out during the holidays. The Old Market Candy Shop offers the mud ball. This chocolate-covered truffle made of cookies and cream cheese is a local favorite, and is probably the only mud ball that someone will truly appreciate as a gift. Also located in the Old Market is Chocolat Abeille, which sells chocolates infused with honey from the owner’s personal beehives that are almost too pretty to eat.
It takes artisan bakers three days to make the mouth-watering Old World Napoleon torte at Lithuanian Bakery in south Omaha. Even premium ice cream, yes, ice cream, can be shipped to loved ones around the world. eCreamery in Dundee has been featured in O,The Oprah Magazine and The New York Times. Two of people’s favorite scoops are Sea Salt Carmel ice cream and White Chocolate Peppermint gelato. Omaha Steaks makes it easy to ship decadent cuts of beef to meat lovers. This fifth generation, family-owned business has been around for more than 100 years, and offers a variety of special deals during the holidays. An Omaha experience also makes an awesome gift. Those whose loved ones include baseball fans can give NCAA Men’s College World Series tickets. CWS Inc. sells a 10-pack of general admission tickets for about $90; that translates to an affordable $9 a game. Another bucket listworthy sporting event in Omaha is the 2020 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials. A 4-Day Pass places gift recipients in the arena to watch future Olympians get one step closer to going for gold in Tokyo. Omaha is the only place to experience this—now that’s a unique gift. Happy holidays, and check out visitomaha.com/omaha-gifts to find more uniquely Omaha gift ideas. B2B
ETHICS BY BEVERLY KRACHER
WEST AND EAST, TWO VALUES AS ONE H
umanities Nebraska has a mission to ensure that humanities experiences are available across the state, from west to east, and everywhere in between.
I notice the same traits in Jaclyn and Susan regardless of their roots. They are both analytic risk-takers. These are, according to the research, masculine traits.
I sit on the Humanities Nebraska governing board. One recent meeting was held in western Nebraska. While there, board member Jaclyn Wilson invited us to her family’s ranch in the Sandhills about an hour outside of Alliance.
I see the shared trait of caretaking, a feminine quality, that serves them in their own special ways. Jaclyn gives her livestock the best possible care. She wants them to fulfill their purpose, which is to feed thousands. Susan has devoted years to building a partnership devoted to helping clients work through the divorce process that, at its best, ends in the care and shared values that brought people together in the first place.
Jaclyn had aspirations of being a lobbyist, so she could have left the Sandhills. She chose to return to her roots after college, worked her family ranch, and as the years progressed also founded her own business, Flying Diamond Genetics. Listening to her talk about legacy, values, and the challenges of female business ownership in western Nebraska caused me to reflect and compare her dedication to another strong businessperson making her mark in eastern Nebraska, Susan Koenig. Susan is a south Omaha native, and like Jaclyn, hasn’t fallen far from her tree. She could have left but stayed in south O and is founder and partner of Koenig Dunne, a successful law firm located on 13th Street in the heart of revitalized Little Bohemia. Susan has dedicated her life to defending the under-represented, fighting for women’s rights, and promoting diversity and inclusion. She has been an ambassador of the ongoing vibrancy of her Omaha neighborhood.
I also see the same core values that are neither masculine or feminine. These include the value of a hard day’s work, the belief that their word is their bond, and the idea that integrity, respect, and trust are the basic covenant upon which all business deals are based. West or east, Jaclyn and Susan have surely been asked every genderbased question possible. “Did your daddy/husband give you money to get going?” “Do you have a man help you with your books?” “How do you manage to get home to do the cooking?” As Jaclyn says, for those who ask the questions, she usually replies with a smile, and thinks of the quote, “tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.” Now that’s the Nebraska way. B2B
Two businesswomen—one rural, one urban; one west, one east—both seek to leave legacies for future Nebraska generations.
Keith Backsen is executive director of the
Beverly Kracher, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Business
Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Ethics Alliance and the Daugherty Chair in Business Ethics and Society at Creighton University.
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OFFICIAL BALLOT THE BEST OF B2B
CELEBRATING BUSINESSES THAT HELP OTHER BUSINESSES KEEP THE BIG O’S ECONOMY ROLLING. Voting is open! Businesses all over the area are ready to be declared the Best of B2B, which is determined solely by the business community. Only the ballot printed in this December 2019/January 2020 issue will be accepted. We will not accept copies, faxes, or scans. A minimum of 10 categories must be filled out. Ballots must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2019. Results will be published in the April/May 2020 issue, which should be delivered by April 1. PLEASE MAIL YOUR ENTRIES TO: Best of B2B P.O. Box 461208 Papillion, NE 68046
2020 Results
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
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VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 6
Painting Contractor
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