TopCity Rise Issue #8

Cover Photo: Kelly Ann Photography

A WORD FROM THE TOPCITY RISE TEAM:

Linking arms and growing community together is essential for safeguarding our economy and one of the best ways to do this is by supporting small businesses and nonprofits. Small businesses and nonprofits are the backbone of our economy, and they play a critical role in creating jobs, driving economic growth, and supporting Topeka. It is our mission and honor to share about Topeka's fantastic local businesses and nonprofits.

When we support small businesses and nonprofits, we are investing

Pg 24.

Combat The Winter Blues

By: Sarah Lundeen, Restored Counseling Services, LLC

One reason I love living in Kansas is the changing seasons. However, as a mental health professional, I understand that the winter months can be especially hard. Here are a few tips to help you not only survive but thrive this winter season.

Find the Light

Starting the new year off with short, cold days can be enough to get you down. Taking steps to “find the light” physically and mentally may help ease seasonal lows. Taking a walk around the block or sitting by the window are simple ways to increase light exposure. Light therapy through the use of light boxes is another form of treatment found effective. Taking a vitamin D supplement also helps counteract the lack of natural rays. Finally, remembering that sunny days are ahead is a great way to boost hope and appreciate the beauty of winter, as “For everything there is a season”, Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Get Moving

Studies show that daily exercise improves mood, energy, and sleep, not to mention a healthy immune system. Talk about a bang for your buck! Embrace the form of movement that works best with your body (running, walking, yoga), and the one you are most likely to enjoy! Please, note, it is important to consult with your physician before starting a new exercise routine.

For more details on the information included in this article, here are a few resources:

We

by lifting others.”

~ Robert Ingersoll

Sponsored By:

Mingus Leather Studio & Gifts

929 S Kansas Ave Ste A

The world needs more beauty and joy. More gifts given and used. More smiles, kindness, and real service. More people doing what they love and sharing it.

Mingus Leather Studio was born to pursue all these when life presented an unexpected change. They created a place where beautiful handcrafted items, that are designed for life, are celebrated and shared.

It all starts with full grain leather items made in their studio, or from other artisans they partner with. Belts, bags, journal covers, catch all and game trays, wallets, keychains, pouches, purses, and more.

They have also partnered with wood carvers, jewelry makers, and other artists. Doug Mingus has built a shop with unique items that will bring you a smile and greet you with the sweet earthy smell of leather.

owned and independently owned and operated franchise ready to bring your ideas to life.

CoolVu provides a wide variety of impressive home and business improvement products that are sustainable and effective. They offer a wide variety of products including solar control window films, safety & security window films, privacy films and glass finishes.

They are also able to print and install wall murals and graphics, window graphics and prints, architectural surface finishes, switchable smart glass films, retrofit security glass solutions, and so much more!

Linked by AEA

3703 SW Burlingame Rd

Kali Ahlin, the owner of Linked by AEA, fell in love with permanent jewelry when she and her bonus daughter Autumn received their first bracelets. It didn’t take long before they realized that they wanted more of these unique bracelets but didn’t want to travel out of town each time. They invested in supplies and started practicing and before they knew it, their hobby bloomed into a business!

This mother & daughter duo is taking on the newest jewelry trend and loving every minute of it! They enjoy providing our local community and surrounding areas with meaningful, modern, and high-quality jewelry that is light weight, durable, and beautiful! Two ends of highquality gold or silver chain are welded together, thus eliminating the need for a clasp. It’s meant to stay until you decide to cut it off. Permanent jewelry is the true “no hassle jewelry”!

The Little Russia Chili Parlor

508 NE Sardou

Tucked in the quaint neighborhood of Little Russia, just south of the Sardou bridge is this quaint place that since the 1940's was called Porubsky Deli!! Porubsky’s closed in 2022 but that legacy didn’t end there. The space was purchased by some local entrepreneurs, and they are keeping the history alive and growing. Last Fall, revitalization work was complete and now The Little Russia Chili Parlor is open for business. While the recipes are not the same, they carry on the same style and atmosphere. And yes, hot pickles and horseradish pickles too!

If you never visited Porubsky’s they were best known for their amazing chili and hot pickles. Make sure you stop in and visit soon!

New Business Sponsor: Derrick Hodam

Equipping & Empowering

Weight Loss Journeys

If you have ever struggled with weight gain you know it often comes with a feeling of shame and usually every thought of a weight loss program comes with dread. Not at Merit. When you walk into the door at Merit Weight Loss you instantly feel a sense of being welcomed, valued and cared for.

Stephanie Sisk APRN, WHNP-BC, CSOWM and Veronica Mcpike APRN, FNP-C, CSOWM, Co-founders of Merit Weight Loss have created an atmosphere that provides a non-judgmental and warm space for patients to come and focus on themselves. In the first six months of being open, this team has helped our community lose over 5,000 pounds!

1111 SW Gage Blvd. Ste 300 Topeka, KS 66614

By: Lesleigh Hodam

Stephanie was born and raised in Topeka, fell in love and married Brady, a Washburn basketball alumni. Together they have two young girls, and they look forward to raising them in her hometown.

Veronica has lived in Topeka for over 30 years and is married to, Michael, her highschool sweetheart. They have four wonderful daughters between the ages of two and sixteen!

Building Merit has allowed Stephanie and Veronica to show their daughters that women can be empowering, passionate, business minded, and can do anything they set their minds to.

Left: Stephanie Sisk APRN, WHNP-BC, CSOWM

Right: Veronica Mcpike APRN, FNP-C, CSOWM

Photo: Kelly Ann Photography

Stephanie and Veronica provide a personalized, simple, and motivating weight loss experience for their clients to help set you up for success. They offer regular check-ins, medications, video lessons, meal/recipe ideas, body composition analysis and support. They don’t just put you on food supplements, shakes, snack bars and hand you a list a mile long of food you can’t eat.

The Merit team will teach you how to make simple changes in your eating habits, and mindset and offer you support throughout your journey and hope to encourage people to choose healthy, sustainable methods for weight loss. Their services are focused on making sure clients walk away with all the tools they need to be successful lifelong.

They are working hard to transform the way our community thinks and feels about the weight loss process. They want people to understand that the most underrated aspect of weight loss is support, and it is okay to ask for help!

Merit hopes that they will be the last stop for their clients in their weight loss journey. They offer two membership plans to enable clients to tailor their plan and receive the support they need to reach their goals. There is a one-time enrollment fee of $50 to reserve your membership and you will then be prompted to schedule your new client consultation.

“Taking the risk of going on your own and putting yourself out there can be very scary. We are dedicated to our clients and to providing Topeka a warm and welcoming environment for weight loss. We’ve had so much support from our clients

Photos: Kelly Ann Photography

At this visit you will meet their team, receive a body composition, and sit down with your provider to discuss your history, goals, medication options, and choose how frequently you would like to return for accountability and support. Their goal is that everyone will leave that appointment and the ones following, feeling motivated, confident with their plan, and excited about their progress.

“Through our years specializing in medical weight loss, we realized people don’t always enjoy the process. We wanted to make weight loss an enjoyable experience and knew we could make it more exciting and motivating but were limited within a large organization. We decided to put our heads together on how we can make the entire journey better and more patient focused, and that is how Merit was created.” ~ Stephanie

They are not just about their business or clients; they have a heart for our community as well. If you don’t follow them on Facebook, you should, even if you are not on a weight loss journey because they will invite you along to support Topeka. In December, Merit partnered with Bee the Blessing, and hosted a drive at their office to help provide nutritious food to underserved areas in our community. They are looking forward to continuing to fill these boxes and are excited for new opportunities to give back to the community.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining Merit call 785-329-6282 or go to their website, www.meritweightloss.com to enroll.

"Merit is family. I know they accept me for who I am and support my journey to obtain a healthy lifestyle. I look forward to every visit because the focus is on my health, not just the movement on the scale!"

~Current Merit Client

As a busy wife, mom, elementary principal and church leader, I got into the routine of placing anything to do with myself at the end of my priorities. As a result, I let my health slide, gaining weight, lowering my activity level and experiencing several health issues as a result. When my doctor recommended Merit as a solution, versus medication, I really thought that it was just “too selfish” to take time and money from my monthly resources and give them to myself. After the encouragement from my husband, and after meeting Stephanie and Veronica and Linnie, I began to see that how I feel is just as important as everything else I was balancing. At Merit, you are heard, understood, never judged, guided, coached and celebrated at every visit.

OnBusiness

Artificial Intelligence:

The Tools of Tomorrow Have Finally Arrived

By Connor England & SJ Hazim, Creative Pathways & Means

If you’ve tuned into the news since the start of 2023, you’ve probably noticed a common theme: everyone is talking about a technology that once seemed like a futuristic concept, and yet is now infiltrating classrooms, offices and more at a breakneck pace. That technology is artificial intelligence, and it seems that it is here to stay in a big, big way.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept, it's becoming mainstream and it's changing the way we live and work. From self-driving cars to virtual assistants, AI is becoming more prevalent in our daily lives. As a result, it's important for individuals and businesses alike to learn about this technology and how to use it effectively.

One of the biggest drivers of AI's mainstream adoption is the abundance of data that is now available. With the rise of the internet, social media, and the Internet of Things (IoT), there is more data being generated than ever before. This data can be used to train AI algorithms, which in turn can be used to make accurate predictions, automate tasks, and improve decision-making in fields as diverse as law, medicine, advertising, retail, and beyond. The possible benefits of these technologies are plenty, and the impacts range from convenient to life-saving.

One of the most visible examples of AI in action is self-driving cars. Companies like Tesla have been working on developing self-driving cars for years and they're now becoming a reality. These cars use AI algorithms to navigate roads, avoid obstacles, and make decisions about when to brake or accelerate. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce the number of car accidents and fatalities caused by human error.

Another example of AI becoming mainstream is the widespread use of virtual assistants like Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Google Assistant. These assistants use AI to understand natural language and carry out tasks such as scheduling appointments, setting reminders, and providing information. Virtual assistants are becoming increasingly popular, especially in homes and small businesses.

However, with the rise of AI, there are also concerns about its impact on jobs and society. Some people fear that AI will replace human workers, leading to widespread unemployment. While it's true that some jobs will be automated, it's also important to remember that AI can also create new jobs and will be used by many to augment human capabilities, making workers more productive and efficient.

We’ve observed that, with relatively little training on the right tools for the job at hand, people can become between 10 and 20,000 times more productive (yes, you read that right!) than they currently are.

It's important to note that AI is not a magic solution to all problems. It's a tool that can be used to improve decision-making and automate tasks, but it's not a replacement for human judgment and creativity. These areas of our inner life will be the most important to grow in over the coming years as AI becomes even more mainstream. If we do that, then the promises of this exciting new technology will be even better than they are now.

To help people experience AI in a simple, hands-on way, Creative Pathways & Means has created multiple free trainings on the foundations of how to use freely available AI tools to do all sorts of meaningful things for both your personal and professional life. If you’re interested in learning more, go to www.pathwaysmeans.com and experience these future tools for yourself.

It seems that the future is here and is here to stay. And with a bit of intention and manmachine collaboration, it just might end up being better that way.

Connect. Collaborate. Create. Omni Circle Group

By: Lesleigh Hodam

The past few years, co-working spaces have become a popular trend, as more and more people are looking for flexible and affordable workspace options. However, at Omni Circle, they believe that co-working is more than just providing a physical space for people to work. It's about building a community, fostering a sense of belonging and collaborating with other creatives to drive social impact. A space to have your basic needs met, grow personally and professionally, and gain access to opportunities to building your desired future.

Omni Circle Group was built on a firm foundation with several core pillars that are designed to help members of the community climb the ladder of success. With their Pro Equity Action Plan, Whole Personal Model, and Topeka Startup Community, it's a holistic approach that targets the community's basic needs, foundational wellness and opportunities for growth. To put it simply, they Connect, and Collaborate to Create.

For the past few years, we have watched Michael Odupitan’s vision unfold. He is working incredibly hard to unite and strengthen our community by providing resources for personal growth, professional development opportunities for budding entrepreneurs and fostering multi-cultural unity through volunteerism. He believes that by bringing people from different backgrounds, demographics and industries together, they can create a more innovative and dynamic environment where everyone can thrive.

Photos: 5 Senses Photography

Their mission is simple: to unite and strengthen the community by empowering individuals, small businesses and communities to achieve their goals by enhancing theirs perceptive and connecting them to opportunities, resources, and wrap around services they need to succeed.

They understand that starting or running a business can be challenging, especially for underresourced dreamers ready to build a legacy. That's why they offer a variety of different member packages and services to help their members achieve their desired outcomes. From networking events and workshops to mentorship opportunities and access to capital, they seek to provide members with the tools they need to take themselves and their businesses to the next level.

Omni Circle isn’t just providing coworking space, its a Collaborative Workspace for members of the community to drive social and economic impact in the city of Topeka. If members choose to work in the fully furnished collaboration workspaces or the tech-enabled conference rooms they will have access to fast speed internet, media rooms, print and business center, networking events, mailboxes, onsite support teams, endless coffee and more!

With social impact being the foundation of the organization, Omni Circle also believe that diversity is key to fostering innovation and creativity. This is why they actively seek out and welcome members from all backgrounds and industries. Whether you're a freelancer, a startup founder, or a member of a larger organization, they believe that we all have something valuable to contribute.

At Omni Circle Collaborative Workspaces, they are striving to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. They believe that by working together, we can achieve great things and build a brighter future for our community. Omni Circle is a community of likeminded individuals and small businesses united in a shared goal of continuous community and individual improvement with a goal to create multi-cultural and multi-generational unity.

If you are starting up a new business or seeking a like-mind group to connect, collaborate and create with, reach out to Omni Circle Group.

Email: info@omnicircle.co

Website: Omnicircle.co

Phone: 785.422.7459

Creating Kingdoms

Kevin Ford, author of Lepunia: Kingdom of the Gallopers is originally from St. Leo, a very tiny town in southern Kansas and if you blink while driving by you might just miss it. With only thirteen houses, a Catholic Church, and a bar there weren't a lot of activities or businesses to provide entertainment which lent itself for Kevin to build a mind of creativity and imagination. Kevin and his wife Mary moved to Topeka for a brief period in 2011, before moving back to his hometown to pursue a dream of being market gardeners. In 2015, they returned to Topeka to make it home for their family. They have five beautiful children, four fantastic children earthside, ages 14 to 7, and one sweet girl in Heaven.

As we all experienced, the pandemic presented a number of difficulties but also the opportunity of time. Some imaginative minds were able to dive into their world of creativity during the extra time gifted to us, and Kevin is one of them. He had begun writing his book before the pandemic started, but with everything shut down he was presented with an optimal opportunity to continue working on it. "Originally, my story began because my youngest two children asked me for stories. I had a very idyllic childhood growing up in rural Kansas, and I often told my children about the adventures I had growing up. One night, I decided to make up a story about a lone Jackrabbit who had lost his home and went out as a pilgrim in search of something better. Slowly, this morphed into Lepunia: Kingdom of the Gallopers."

Are you curious about the name Lepunia (LehPOOH- nee-uh)? It is a combination of several Latin words or word parts. "Lepus"--genus of hares or jackrabbits; "unum"--one, singular; and "-ia"--a land, place, or kingdom. Thus, Lepunia is the land of the Lone Jackrabbit.

Throughout his life, Kevin frequently had people compliment him on his storytelling skills, but he never really understood his talent until he began reading excerpts to his wife who has a degree in English and is well versed in fiction and writing. Mary was eager to read more and now the manuscript has grown into 100,000 words. While Kevin has not published a book before, he has learned so much walking through the process. After looking into all the options, he has decided that self-publishing is the best route for him. With social media and access to printing houses, the world of book publishing has changed and allowed authors to keep decisions about their writings in their own hands.

What drives you?

Kevin ~

"Faith, family, and meaning are driving forces. I see everywhere in our world the crisis that comes when we don't realize that life and all that happens to us have meaning. My book has a constant underlying theme of meaning, even when it seems like all hope is lost. Sometimes bad things and hard things happen, but God has a purpose for us. My first audience, though, is my children. I started this story for them, and I will continue it for them. I do hope there are many other children out there who will read it and love it, but my first hope is that my own will love it."

Where do you get your source of inspiration from? Or do you have a place you go to get inspired?

Kevin

~

"Some authors say that they read many books and draw inspiration from those, but I'm a little different. I have always been very observant and notice things that other people don't. I believe that it is often not inspiration that we lack, but rather vision. Inspiration is all around us if we are able to see it. We can take little pieces of our reality and refashion them into something completely new. I will give a couple of examples. We recently moved to a new home in southern Topeka. One of the first things I noticed was a fox squirrel who seemed to have lost his equilibrium. He would begin to climb trees and just topple off. I immediately began creating a backstory for him in my mind. Also, when I was growing up, we had a crazy roadrunner who lived in our town. You never knew what he would do next. One day he walked right into our kitchen and stood on the kitchen table staring at my astonished mother. As an author, this is the stuff of writing magic. However, I warn people that they may end up as a character in my book if they have any strong personality traits or quirks."

What legacy do you hope to leave?

Kevin

~

"My legacy is that sometimes you have to try a lot of different things before you find the best match for your skills. I spent years as a teacher and then as a farmer. The lessons I learned doing these things are very valuable, but ultimately, they have led me to being a better author. I have had a very interesting life with many different experiences. My legacy would be that it's ok to fail at something. Failure is often the bridge to the next thing. The important thing is to keep getting back up and taking the next step forward."

TopCity Rise

The publishing process is a time consuming and a costly endeavor which makes the publishing date dependent on many factors. If the professional illustrations, editing, design, and printing all go as planned, Lepunia: Kingdom of the Gallopers will publish just in time for Christmas of 2023 for all your readers ages six to eighteen!

And soon to follow is the rest of the trilogy. Kevin is already 20,000 words into writing the second book of the series, Lepunia: The Last Galloper and also has the third book concept in the works and titled, Lepunia: Return of the Gallopers. Kevin has many plans for his world of Lepunia so make sure you give his Facebook page, "Kevin Ford - Author of Lepunia" a follow and as soon as his website is up and running, sign up for emails!