34 minute read
Business
Stories Coffee Co. Opens Dining Room and Drive Thru on 114th and Davenport Stories Coffee Co. is pleased to announce the opening of its spacious coffee house on 114th and Davenport. Stories Coffee is family and locally owned with a focus on quality and experience. In addition to serving its own hand-roasted coffee, Stories Coffee also boasts a delicious cafe menu with its own selection of craft beer and wine to sip on. The shop has a large, open seating area for its guests and also has a conference room for business or personal meetings. On weekends, guests can enjoy live music by local musicians. While Stories Coffee requests that guests keep others safe while they visit during the pandemic, guests are encouraged to come and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere at any time.
Stories Coffee is a family-owned and operated roastery and coffeehouse that’s proudly serving the Omaha community. The coffee is selected from the fi nest specialty coffee beans and then roasted at their Davenport Street roastery or in their hometown of O’Neill, NE. Their mission is to invest back into their community and their customers and to provide hope to those in need. This mission is why Stories Coffee donates a portion of their profi ts to local nonprofi ts that are doing good work in Omaha.
For more information about Stories Coffee Co. or to order coffee and food online, please visit storiescoffeecompany.com or call (531) 213-2742. Upcoming live music events are posted on the Facebook page (@storiescoffeecompany).
Clearwater Counseling Meets Standards to Become a BBB Accredited Business Clearwater Counseling, PC announced that they recently became a Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited Business. The accreditation is reserved only for businesses with a good marketplace track record, including maintenance of a B or better rating and the ability to meet a set of standards that incorporate lawful business practices, as well as BBB’s standards for of ethical advertising, selling, and customer experiences. Founded in 1912, the Better Business Bureau is a private, nonprofi t organization focused on advancing marketplace trust. Each year, about 3 million consumers visit the BBB website to search for reliable companies, and Clearwater Counseling is honored to be part of this business community. Clearwater works with clients who are struggling with a variety of mental health diagnoses, including depression, relationship issues, grief, loss, trauma, addiction and recovery, codependency, anxiety and phobias, parenting diffi culties, sexual abuse and incest, physical abuse and violence, and more. Clearwater Counseling, PC, 7710 Pacifi c St., STE 100A, is a private practice offering services to children, adolescents, and adults in the Omaha and Grand Island area. They treat mental health conditions by employing personalized and compassionate counseling practices that promote growth, development, and well-being to further enhance every client’s quality of life. To learn more about staff, services, or resources, visit clearwatercounselingpc.org or email info@clearwatercounselingne. org. To schedule an appointment, call (308) 210-8487.
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101 Mobility Opens First Location in Nebraska, Serving Omaha and Beyond Marking the first franchise location in Nebraska for the company, Tom Riedl opened 101 Mobility at 10717 Mockingbird Dr. in Omaha on May 15 to provide residents in the region with life-changing mobility and accessibility equipment. Their core products include stairlifts, ramps, vertical platform lifts, patient lifts, and more. 101 Mobility provides professional advice and consultation, as well as service, sales, rentals, and installation. They support “agingin-place” by providing people who want to stay in their beloved homes but are faced with limited physical mobility with the equipment that will allow them to stay where they want to be. In short, 101 Mobility strives to help clients regain their freedom, independence, and hope. 101 Mobility is a national leader in mobility and accessibility equipment that thrives on creating the best of both worlds. It is a local business that is independently owned and operated by someone in the community who cares about its people but backed by a reputable national brand. Tom grew up in Dubuque, IA, but he and his wife Donna moved to Omaha in 1994 and raised their three kids here—and yes, they converted to Huskers fans! Tom received his MBA from the University of Nebraska Omaha and previously worked in the transportation, investment, and insurance industries, primarily as an operations manager. From the fi rst phone call to the fi nal solution, 101 Mobility works diligently to provide the right option for their clients’ mobility needs and deliver unconditional support throughout the process. Tom also will be the mobility consultant who meets with clients in their homes in Omaha, Lincoln, and western Iowa to determine their needs and identify solutions. For more information, visit 101mobility.com/omaha or call (402) 356-1670.
Manna Industries Launches in Omaha, Offers Cosmetics and Tanning Products Manna Industries was launched by Marcie Manna as the fi rst and only small beauty company in Nebraska, bringing cosmetics and the Manna Glow collection of tanning products to local clientele and beyond. Marcie has been a licensed professional in the beauty industry for over 20 years and was also a cosmetology instructor for 15 years. She started Manna Industries in hopes of bringing upcoming beauty trends and education into the Midwest. When COVID hit, Marcie was forced to temporarily shut down her hair salon, which is where she sold the majority of her beauty products. Before closing her doors, one thing Marcie noticed was that her sunless tanning product sales reached an all-time high. This helped Marcie realize that despite these dark, uncertain times, people still love to feel good about themselves, even if they were unable to go into the salon. Between her enthusiasm for helping people and realizing the need for a professional makeup line in the Midwest, Marcie decided to dive head fi rst into the cosmetics industry and come out with her own cosmetics line. Manna Industries’ cosmetic line currently includes a classic baseline of products—face, lips, eyes, and cheeks. In addition, there are a variety of Manna Glow tanning products that are vegan-friendly, Parabenfree, and follow organic practices. Each season, Marcie plans to launch limited edition collections, which she feels will be her bestsellers. Manna Industries is a small, woman-owned and -operated beauty company, striving to help women across the globe feel bold, beautiful, and confi dent. To shop and stay up to date, check out www. mannaindustries.com or visit Manna Salon at 5342 S 136th St. Follow on Instagram and Facebook (@mannaindustries) for information on the latest releases and upcoming events and promotions!
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Sip Nebraska Festival Moves to Haymarket Park in Lincoln on October 2-3 Sip Nebraska, typically occurring in May, will now be taking place on the weekend of October 2–3 at Haymarket Park in Lincoln. The outdoor event highlights Nebraska-produced wines, craft beers, and distilled spirits from roughly 20 different Nebraska-based beverage vendors. The two days include contactless tastings from the beverage vendors, shopping at artisan and food vendors, local music, educational sessions, fun fall-themed activities, and more! Health measures are being taken to ensure all attendees have a safe and enjoyable time.
For the second year, Sip Nebraska will be benefi ting A Warmer Day. Their mission is to help spread love and warmth in the Nebraska community by providing coats and winter apparel to underprivileged children and families. The team from A Warmer Day will be accepting gently used winter apparel on-site at the event. To add to the excitement, guests will receive one raffl e ticket per item donated for a chance to win one of many fun giveaways they will be holding each day.
Tickets range from $25 to $75; the tasting and limited-edition tickets include commemorative items, along with wine, hard cider, craft beer, and distilled spirits tastings. Featured musicians, food vendors, artists, and more are posted on the Sip Nebraska Facebook page (@sipnebraska) and on the event website at www.sipnebraska.com.
Volunteer and sponsor opportunities for Sip Nebraska are still available as well. Call (402) 882-2448 or email stacy@blurparties.com at Blur Parties, Inc. for more information.
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Anna Buys Houses Now Serving Omaha Anna Graham launched Anna Buys Houses in Omaha this summer to help the small percentage of property owners who aren’t able to sell their homes through traditional means. The new business assists with “as-is” and cash sales, where time is of the essence. Anna looks forward to meeting realtors, probate attorneys, and others to help achieve a positive outcome for all in challenging situations. Anna Buys Houses purchases property that will benefi t from remodeling, allowing new owners and renters to enjoy it for years to come. Anna’s hope is to contribute to the Omaha community by breathing new life into older homes through remodeling and resale and to provide affordable homes to fi rst-time homebuyers and renters. The company also assists business professionals seeking to add real estate to their investment portfolios. Real estate can provide an alternative to the stock market as people look to diversify their retirement investments. To learn more and connect with Anna Buys Houses, visit www.AnnaBuysHouses.com or contact Anna at (402) 313-8700 / info@annabuyshouses.com.
AR Solutions Celebrates 15 Years in Business The locally owned and operated collection agency AR Solutions is proud to be celebrating their 15th year of business in Lincoln. Over these 15 years, they have been serving clients as a trusted partner in handling past due receivables. AR Solutions has grown both in employee number and offi ce size due to the team’s ability to build close relationships that lead to economic growth. The company is widely recognized for its professional handling of accounts as well as a success rate of collecting on average 2.5 times the national average for clients. “Without the continued support of our clients, we wouldn’t have any success or anniversaries to celebrate,” Founder/CEO Aaron Newell told us. “We at AR Solutions just want to extend our utmost gratitude to everyone who has supported us thus far and moving forward.” AR Solutions offers competitive fees that are contingent upon collection. You can trust that your accounts will be handled with the highest quality service so that you can focus your time and energy on what you do best— running your business. To learn more about AR Solutions or to receive a free consultation, visit arsolutionsinc.com or call (402) 817-3929.
Bennington Chamber Moves into New Offi ce The Bennington Chamber of Commerce (BCOC) was excited to move into their new offi ce at 15611 Bennington Rd. The team recently took the opportunity to showcase the new space with an open house on July 23. The event was hosted in partnership with Darkside Advertising and Nikki Thomsen Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. They offered goodies from Jones Bros. and tours of the offi ce to all attendees. Ever since the COVID pandemic and the negative economic consequences that followed hit Nebraska, BCOC has been hard at work promoting and uplifting locally-owned businesses. They also made the diffi cult decision recently to cancel their annual golf tournament to ensure the safety of those close to the organization and the community. So, the team was happy to have something to celebrate! The intention of the Bennington Chamber of Commerce as a 501(c)(3) organization is to organize, strengthen, and build the business community in the Bennington area. They use their resources to promote member businesses to the community, as well as serving as a beacon to attract and guide businesses considering Bennington as home. Learn more at benningtoncoc.org or email benningtonchambercoord@gmail.com.
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Immanuel Fontenelle Begins Construction to Update Skilled Nursing Community Immanuel, the Midwest leader in retirement and senior living, announces its plans to begin construction on a new building for its Immanuel Fontenelle location in northwest Omaha. Committed to a mission of serving seniors, Immanuel is proud to remain at its current location while enhancing services for those in need of 24-hour nursing support. Construction began in August on the existing campus with completion tentatively scheduled for January 2022. The new Immanuel Fontenelle will offer enhanced amenities and updated home-like environments for individuals in need of skilled nursing and long-term care.
“With so many organizations focused on building additional opportunities for independent seniors, we’re proud to support this project that supports those in need of 24-hour nursing support,” said Eric Gurley, Immanuel president and CEO. “A new building for Immanuel Fontenelle fulfi lls our not-for-profi t mission to improve and reinvest in our communities and continuously provide intuitive services for residents.”
The new building will replace the 44-year-old existing structure and be more fully suited to resident and employee needs. With a new, home-like neighborhood design serving 96 residents, the space more fully supports resident-centered care and effi ciency for team members. Separate common spaces and family areas, modern dining options and private rooms will all be incorporated into the new community design—a modern, yet comforting atmosphere on the cutting edge of long-term care and skilled nursing offerings. Immanuel is pleased to partner with SFCS Architects, Hitchcock Landscape Design, and Weitz Construction on this project.
Immanuel Fontenelle, located in the heart of Omaha at 6803 N 68th Plz., is part of the Immanuel Village campus and is designed to serve residents in need of long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and memory support. To learn more, visit www. immanuel.com/community/immanuel-fontenelle.
SEPTEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 9
BUSINESS NEWS Better Business Bureau Offers Tips for Reopening Businesses During COVID If you’re contemplating re-opening your business during the pandemic, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has some tips for how you can do it safely. While the BBB realizes that the decision to open is an individual one, some businesses are not ready. Those that are need to know how to do it safely. First, fi nd out if Nebraska requires any signage for entrances and exits. Many states are requiring signage at all doors, and they can help customers and employees feel more secure. You’ll also need a plan in place on day one to eliminate unnecessary contact and prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout your establishment. Visit the website and offi cial communications channels from the governor or the Nebraska Health Department to get industry and area-specifi c guidance. Regardless of the type of business you operate, the BBB offers some general safety tips for reopening of any business to keep you, your family, your customers, and your employees safe. A few examples include following CDC guidelines for safe distancing; reducing general occupancy and gatherings to allow customers to spread out; limiting the number of people in your business at one time and create queues outside (“one out, one in”); allowing employees who can work from home to continue doing so; maintaining touchless and virtual options; consider removing self-service tools, like salt and pepper shakers; and having sanitizing wipes, sprays, or gels readily available. The Better Business Bureau also recommends that businesses fi nd reputable cleaning services on bbb.org to keep their operations as safe as possible.
Maxwell Launches App Focused on Work/ Life Management for Employees On August 17, Maxwell—a new mobile app designed for employers to support their employees during these uncertain times, or entrepreneurs trying to ramp up their business— launched. The Maxwell app gives time back to the user to focus on work and recharge by saving them time in traffi c; managing the house; and researching, planning, and worrying about childcare or school. It does this by leveraging the power of AI (artifi cial intelligence), a team of personal assistants, and amazing partnerships to support the unique needs of each user. Through a consumer-friendly application that ist always at their fi ngertips, Maxwell provides a white-glove experience. “The launch couldn’t have happened at a time of more need. Entrepreneurs and employers are worried about ramping up their business, and employees are under severe economic and mental health strain,” explains Founder Adriana Cisneros Basulto. “Millions of parents are worried about playing the role of teacher and caregiver while trying to meet job expectations. Society is at risk of reversing the strides made towards women’s advancement in the workplace and their economic gains, as primarily women consider leaving their job to care for and teach their children.” This is why Maxwell is proud to provide employers a way to subsidize much needed support for their employees through Maxwell’s partnership with swishBOOM—helping families connect and schedule babysitters without the hassle—and TheirSpace— offering interactive tutoring during off-school hours. Maxwell is a privately held company based in Omaha and a fellow within The Startup Collaborative. Learn how Maxwell is helping high-performers take off everyday tasks from their plate by visiting www.maxwell.app. Questions can also be directed to Cameron French at (402) 432-2686 / cameron@startupcollaborative.co.
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Center Sphere Announces Clever RX and Event Vesta as Two New Member Perks Partners Center Sphere continues to add more value to their active membership, in August announcing two new Member Perks Partners: Clever RX and Event Vesta. Through their nationwide membership reach, Center Sphere has negotiated unheard-of savings for members, especially important during these times. Center Sphere President and Partner Erin Pearson said it’s really their ultimate goal to add as much value to each and every member that they possibly can. At less than $30 per month, they want their membership to be a no-brainer investment. Both new Member Perks partners offer savings on necessary personal and/or business expenses for each member. Clever RX offers prescription savings up to 80% and often even beats the average copay. Event Vesta uses its intelligent online platform to help drive clients, prospects, and friends to their local events. For more information about the Member Perks program, visit CenterSphere.com/member-perks. Center Sphere is an established network of business professionals whose mission is to share referrals, ideas, and resources through genuine relationships. The Omaha Network is currently made up of nearly 50 chapters that have access to members nationwide. For more information about Center Sphere or to inquire about attending a complimentary meeting or event, visit CenterSphere. com or connect with Omaha Area Director Lona Anderson at LonaAnderson@CenterSphere.com or (402) 650-5380.
McGill Restoration Helps Fund Girl Scouts’ Young Women Executives Camp In line with their vision to support local and national nonprofits build better communities, McGill Restoration this summer helped fund the Girl Scouts of Nebraska’s Young Women Executives (YWE) Camp focused on developing women’s leadership skills through connecting with mentors one-on-one and around the campfire. McGill Restoration President Tim McGill has also spent time speaking, educating, and sharing his entrepreneurial experiences with young women in the Girl Scouts’ program.
“The program is designed to help young women connect with inspirational women mentors to learn how their own life choices can affect their success, and it all happens within a camp setting,” Nebraska Girl Scout Alum and Lifetime Member Rachelle Rice touted on the Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Facebook page. “McGill Restoration helps ensure that Nebraska girls are able to continue to have these lifetime experiences.”
In addition to supporting the Girl Scouts of Nebraska in becoming valuable members of Nebraska communities, McGill Restoration is a proud supporter of a variety of other local and national nonprofi ts, including serving as the 2020 auction sponsor for Makea-Wish Nebraska, for which Tim serves as the vice chairman of the board of directors.
McGill Restoration is an Omaha-based construction company that specializes in concrete repair and restoration. They provide services for large-scale projects such as parking garages, stadiums, historical buildings, industrial facilities, and other infrastructure construction work across the Midwest. Learn more at mcgillrestoration.com or by calling (402) 558-7989 in Omaha or (402) 438-4110 in Lincoln.
SEPTEMBER 2020 Strictly Business 11
North and South Omaha Small Businesses Awarded Grant Funding Seven local small businesses were recently awarded $3,000 each in grants by The Community CONNECT – Investing in Small Business 2020 initiative to help alleviate the impact of COVID-19. These businesses include: Lion Construction LLC, Ortiz Construction LLC, Quick Bites Soul Food, Still Poppin Gourmet Popcorn, Tachitos Daycare LLC, Tipico Helado LLC, and White Rhino Productions. The grants were made possible by a collaboration of Catholic Charities, Omaha Economic Development Corporation, Mutual of Omaha, and CIT Bank for the purpose of supporting entrepreneurs and economic growth in the North and South corridors of the Omaha community. The 2019 Community CONNECT collaboration featured a startup pitch competition held in the fall of 2019. When COVID-19 struck earlier this year, plans for the 2020 “shark tank” event were postponed, and a decision made to move to an online, grant competition format in order to continue support of small businesses when they most need it. Catholic Charities and the Omaha Economic Development Corporation have experienced fi rsthand the devastating impact of COVID–19 on their business clients and graduates as they have sought support and advice on how to keep their businesses afl oat during these turbulent times. To learn more about The Community CONNECT, please contact Kathleen Berg at (402) 829-9233 / Annette Artherton at (402) 871-8365 or visit the Catholic Charities website at ccomaha.org.
Kindler Hotel Offers Staycation Packages to Provide Safe Getaways Amidst Pandemic With so many area residents anxious for a getaway, The Kindler Hotel is partnering with local businesses to promote some enticing “staycation” packages, including a stay at the elegant hotel. You can treat yourself to a fabulous vacation without leaving Nebraska or subjecting yourself to crowded public places. The smaller boutique hotel, with just 45 guest rooms, is particularly attractive amid COVID restrictions because it bodes well for natural social distancing. To make your staycation complete , visit downtown Lincoln, including the wide selection of locally owned boutiques like Tsuru Madida and Ruby Begonias. Stop in at Husker Headquarters for the latest in Husker gear, or head over to the Lincoln Children’s Museum, ice-cream shops, and the historic Haymarket.
The Kindler also introduced a wonderful new patio area when the hotel reopened July 1, providing a relaxing setting with comfortable seating and beautiful planters, plus umbrellas for those who prefer the shade. Sit back and enjoy tasty, locally sourced small-plate food, and choose from a variety of creative handcrafted cocktails or the extensive selection of wines and bottled and draft beers at Boitano’s Lounge while taking in some fresh air, sunshine, and good conversation.
The Kindler Hotel is the only boutique hotel of its kind in Lincoln, resembling a boutique hotel usually found only in large metropolitan U.S. cities and in Europe. The hotel staff goes above and beyond to ensure that guests have everything they need to have an exceptional experience. They take great pride in making all guests feel welcome and at home during their stay. For more information, visit thekindlerhotel.com or contact Cheryl at dos@thekindlerhotel.com / (402) 261-7800. Visit The Kindler Hotel on Facebook or Instagram (@kindlerhotel) for a chance to win one of a series of fabulous staycation packages!
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Emily Gilli R.N. Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach emily@emilygilli.com | emilygilli.com
Huntrex, Central Nebraska Website Management Company Expands to Omaha
Huntrex ® Create & Connect is proud to call Omaha its new home. Huntrex is a leader in marketing communications, focusing on its signature website design and management solutions. Huntrex clients range from Fortune 500 companies to local enterprises. A Central Nebraska native, Mitch Hunt founded Huntrex in 2012 in Broken Bow, NE. Huntrex soon became known for video production, with a portfolio of local, state, and national clients. Huntrex also unlocked the potential of the web for its clients. “With current COVID-19 restrictions, websites have never been more important to conducting business,” said Mitch Hunt, Huntrex CEO. “Businesses must innovate to survive. Huntrex is a catalyst for growing business in the increasingly important and complex online marketplace.” Having witnessed the enormous opportunity and potential of the web, Hunt concentrated efforts on building a hybrid website service. After years of R&D and business advancement, Huntrex tapped an under-served market. “Through research, I discovered a niche in the website market. It is currently dominated by self-serve web builders, which too often end with frustration and a lackluster result. Alternatively, professional agencies are expensive, and quality freelancers are hard to fi nd and can be unreliable,” said Hunt. Huntrex provides quality, responsive websites at a price tag businesses can afford. Huntrex is continually adopting new technology to ensure clients experience optimal results, security, and reliability. Relationships are key to the Huntrex philosophy. Understanding the client’s business and unique needs is a priority. This context translates to a superior website strategy and design. Following website launch, Huntrex maintains a close connection to ensure the site adapts to business needs and technology. Clients can easily make most changes through the website portal. Huntrex is only moments away at any time a question or need arises. Businesses no longer have to worry about complicated, outdated, or unreliable websites—Huntrex ® Create & Connect manages the design and future administration of the site, while the client focuses on business. A website subscription powers all standard technology costs, administration, training, and personal support. Clients enjoy robust features, simplifi ed site editing, effortless management, and website lifetime support. Huntrex websites are created and maintained in Omaha, Nebraska, with pride and dedication. To learn more, visit www.huntrex.com, contact start@huntrex.com / 1-(844) HUNTREX (486-8739), or follow on Facebook (@huntrexcreative).
Toastmasters District 24 Receives Recognition for Online Meetings, Education, Membership In the fi nal months of their 2019-2020 fi scal year, Toastmasters District 24 won special recognition from Toastmasters International for the district’s online meetings, earned educational awards, and membership growth. District 24, serving Nebraska and Council Bluffs, IA, earned distinctions including the Online Ovation Silver for having between 75% and 99% of their clubs supporting online meetings—with an 86% score.
District 24 also won an Academia Athletes Bronze for having the third-highest percentage-based increase in educational awards between April 30 and June 30 in Toastmasters’ Region 4, representing an increase of 55% for the region. Top individual award winners for the fi scal year ended June 30 include Doni Stoner (19 awards), Marian Albin Gramlich (12), Claire Titus (11), Melinda Haag (10), Cathleen Barry (9), Jessica Codr (9), Kristin Malek (9), Cynthia Coleman (8), and Keith Jones (8).
Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofi t educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Lincoln, Omaha, and surrounding areas are served by Toastmasters District 24, which groups 70 clubs and 1,100 members. For more information, visit d24tm.org or follow them on Facebook (@D24TM). Ambius Cranks Up 2020 Holiday Decorating Services for Area Businesses As the décor experts, Ambius is cranking up for the holidays by reaching out to Omaha businesses about creating their dazzling 2020 holiday displays, which can transform spaces and captivate clients and passersby alike. The company provides stunning holiday displays, exterior lighting, and decorations such as trees, wreaths, garlands, swags, winter scenes, poinsettias, and a vast selection of other holiday fl orals, as well as fabulous holiday scents that create the ultimate holiday experience in your offi ce or business. Ambius designers work year-round to create fabulous new Christmas decorations which can be adapted to work in various business spaces, and they offer decoration rental, including installation and takedown services, so you can sit back and enjoy! It might seem too soon to think about the holidays, but it’s never too early to start thinking about how to provide a warm, friendly holiday atmosphere with tastefully designed and prominently displayed decorations. Ambius can provide the creative fl are that will share your gratitude to your employees and your clients by lifting their spirits, especially in a year as challenging as 2020 has been. Contact Ambius to discuss what will work for your business. They will listen to your needs to help ensure that your display complements your interior and exterior, be it the subtle or the elaborate. For more information, contact Tiffany Falconer at (402) 510-9747 and she’ll get you started. Learn more at ambius.com.
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Berry Law Makes Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies for Fourth Straight Year Out of more than 6 million businesses in the United States, Berry Law has been honored with a spot in Inc. magazine’s annual list of the 5,000 fastestgrowing private companies for the fourth consecutive year. With that, Berry Law remains among the most respected companies in the United States and is the fastest-growing law fi rm in the Midwest. The prestigious list highlights the national industry leaders who continue to grow their businesses in both size and revenue. The Berry Law team has worked diligently to provide exceptional service to their clients while growing a scalable practice focused on individuals’ rights. This year alone, Berry Law has added 32 additional employees to its headcount, including 24 new hires since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Part of Berry Law’s success has been using its military roots to build a culture of aggressively rising to meet diffi cult changes. When an event like the pandemic upsets the status quo operating environment, Berry Law looks for opportunities to improve and streamline. “We are proud to be recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for another year,” said Berry Law’s CEO John Berry, Jr. “We use every day as an opportunity to get better, constantly improving our client services, business practices, and employee training. While this award is worth celebrating, rapid business growth is just a secondary outcome of fi ghting hard for our clients every day.” Berry Law was founded in 1965 by legendary attorney John S. Berry, Sr. With more than 250 years of combined legal experience among their attorneys, Berry Law provides exceptional legal representation to every client, and they specialize in personal injury, criminal defense, and veterans law. To learn more, visit berrylawfi rm. com, call (402) 466-8444, or email marketing@jsberrylaw.com.
Business Ethics Alliance to Focus on Moral Courage in Daily Life and in Business At its EthicSpace Conference on October 13, the Business Ethics Alliance will focus on the concept of moral courage, both in daily life and in business. Especially this year, every person and business owner has had to make tough decisions, and being able to come to a defi nitive answer that’s in line with their values and can endure associated backlash is an example of moral courage. In short, it is defi ned as having consistent ethical behavior even when it is diffi cult, unpopular, or comes at a cost. Being morally courageous includes thinking about all the possible outcomes and dangers that can come with making a tough call or stance. At the annual EthicSpace conference this year, the Business Ethics Alliance will talk about ethics under pressure and maintaining moral courage in the face of ethical adversity. The online conference features guest speakers Second City Works and Don Eckles, cofounder of Scooters Coffee, who will talk about the importance of communication in making tough decisions. Being transparent with employees about what actions you want them to take is crucial in having your employees act ethically—and while being morally courageous is an intentional life-long endeavor, there is no guarantee for a happy ending, as danger exists in virtually every decision or stance. That’s where the Business Ethics Alliance comes in. The Business Ethics Alliance—the Greater Omaha Alliance for Business Ethics at Creighton University—is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to city-level business ethics education. For more information, visit businessethicsalliance.org or follow them on Facebook (@ BusinessEthicsAlliance) or LinkedIn (@business-ethics-alliance-omaha).
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7th Annual Sip Nebraska Celebrating Nebraska Wine Join us! Craft Beer and Spirits October 2-3 Haymarket Park www.sipnebraska.com
People. LOVE. Coffee. Locally Roasted Coffee Drive Thru and Dining Room Live Music Craft Beer and Wine
11426 Davenport St Ste 1, Omaha, Ne 68154 531-213-2742 | www.storiescoffeecompany.com
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Thank you to these businesses who recently joined the Chamber and invested in the community
A Better You Is Possible Amethyst Home
Banister’s Leadership Academy
Beth El Synagogue
Bonnie Lou Enterprises, LLC
Bruce Digital
CareBuilders at Home
Collective Development, LLC
Crown Services Inc
Dakota Reit
Football for the World Foundation USA
Gamers
Genentech
Gerst Painting
Houghton Bradford Whitted, PC LLO
Huntrex Create & Connect
Institute for Urban Development IQ Car Wash
Le Smash
Legal Aid of Nebraska
M. Vince Nail Spa, One Pacific Place
Maxima
Nebraska Tech Collaborative
Omaha Beef Football
Piatto Di Pasta
rveal media
Seven Rays
Sofra Creperie
Stay Sharp Embroidery/ Custom Apparel
Stone Creek Golf Course
Stratus Building Solutions
Teams.Coach
Zoup! Eatery
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Making Digital Forms Compatible with Screen Readers Working with Universal Design on digital platforms ensures accessibility for a broader group of consumers. Following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines avoids consumer frustration and the potential risk of legal action for the business. It also broadens your market reach. Many blind and visually impaired people use screen readers to access digital platforms. Implementing screen reader compatibility into these platforms creates a smoother experience for these users. Interactive forms that can be fi lled out online work best. However, not all interactive electronic forms are accessible. Washington University states the two key things to keep in mind when creating interactive PDF forms are: 1. Labels and prompts must be explicitly associated with the fi elds they represent. Otherwise, screen reader users may be unable to determine what labels and prompts belong to what fi elds. 2. The tab order must be logical. Screen readers typically navigate the keyboard with the tab key. Ensuring proper tab sequences helps users determine where they are in a form. Digital forms are used for almost everything these days. Developers should consider screen reader compatibility from the beginning. Some best practices for digital form creation from Innovation Studios include: • A set of input fi elds within a form should be grouped by fi eldset elements if they are related. • Do not use auto-advance. • Do not rearrange the order of the form or inputs with CSS. • Present only one or two inputs per line. • Ensure color-contrasts ratios and typography are accessible. • Each fi eldset should have a legend element directly under the fi rst fi eldset tag that describes the grouping. • Every input element in the form should have a related hybrid or explicit label. • Submission buttons should have a clear, actionable label. All form fi elds need clear, descriptive labels for buttons, boxes, links, etc. Without a clear label, screen reader users cannot identify a function or fi eld. If something is required for the form, provide the actual term “required” along with an asterisk (*). Outlook Business Solutions provides accessibility testing for organizations and companies. Skilled technicians test various aspects of your online/digital platforms—including your forms— and provide suggestions you can implement to ensure your content meets with ADA and WCAG guidelines. Learn more about why equal access to your website and mobile app is so important in the white paper you can download from the website.
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