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FEBRUARY 6, 2015
University of Nebraska- Omaha Thompson Center
PRESENTED BY:
Welcome to
February 6, 2015 - OWN IT OMAHA AGENDA
8:00 AM- 9:00 AM Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast
9:15 AM - 9:25 AM Opening Remarks Melissa Gasnick Cloeter, Founder Own It Omaha
Lee Denker, President and CEO of the UNO Alumni Association
Morning Breakout Sessions 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM (choose a room)
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM SESSION 1
Is Your Business Fundable? Main Room
Digging Deep Into Your Market Room 2
How to Manage Your Website Room 3
Importing/Exporting Issues Room 4
Sales Pitch for Entrepreneurs Room 5
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Session 2
What Are Your Funding Options?
The Market Research is Done, Now What?
Intellectual Property Issues fro Entrepreneurs
Raise Your Business & Your Kids with Purpose
11:00 AM– 11:30 AM Session 3
Social Media, Blogging & Branding
Franchise– As a Growth and Startup Strategy
Best Practices for an Engaged Business Culture
Certification, Getting Business from the Government & Corporations
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM (In Main Room)
Successful Women Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch, Network & Exhibit Time
OPPD Procurement Contracts, Bids & Certification Tables
AFTERNOON PITCH PRACTICE (Main Room)
1:45—2:45 PM Practice Your Funding Pitch for Feedback
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Practice Your PR Pitch for Feedback
3:45—4:45 PM Practice Your Product Distribution Pitch for Feedback
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM Closing Remarks
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM After Hours Networking Reception
#OWNITOMAHA Breakout Session 1 9:30 AM —10:00 AM
Is Your Business Fundable?
Laura Classen served as the controller and financial analyst with a small private equity/venture capi-
tal firm, gaining an understanding of mergers, acquisitions and the analysis behind private invest-
ment. In August of 2012, Laura founded Raven Enterprises, a small business and start up consulting
company to assist entrepreneurs & small business owners to maximize their potential. Currently, Laura
is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Angels and sources investment opportunities for the Angels.
Brad Lehl Brad joined Lutz in 2015 and serves on the Lutz M&A advisory team. He brings several
years of experience in the financial services industry, including mergers & acquisitions, private equity,
commercial and investment banking, and equity research. He brings perspective from both the buy-
side and sell-side of transactions.
Ryan McGregor joined Lutz in 2012 as a financial analyst and now serves as business valuation
manager. With over eight years of experience in banking and finance, he has significant expertise in
providing analysis, forecasting, strategic planning and valuation models to privately-held companies in a
variety of industries. In 2013, Ryan became accredited in business valuation and specializes in helping
individuals and companies with merger and acquisitions, estate and tax planning and marital dissolution
matters. Ryan is a Certified Valuation Analyst.
Dig Deep Into Your Market
Aretha Prodjinotho is the Director of the Nebraska Business Development Center in Omaha. She
manages the small business consulting program and leads a team of professionals who provide direct
technical assistance to owners and potential owners of small businesses. She brings extensive experi-
ence in management consulting, business planning, financial analysis and small business loan applica-
tions.
Manage Your Website & Web Developer
Shonna Dorsey is a co-founder and Managing Director for Interface: the Web School. Her career in-
cludes training facilitation, project management and application development. She is a Certified Project
Management Professional (PMP) & Project Management Institute-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP),
a board member of the UNO Alumni Association, chairs the UNO Information Science and Technology
Alumni Advisory Group, and is an adjunct faculty member for UNO's graduate MIS program.
Importing/Exporting Issues
Adam Baumgartner is a Regional Sales Executive for CDS Global Logistics, a full-service interna-
tional freight forwarder, NVOCC, and U.S. Customs Broker. He is well-versed in global distribution, sup-
ply-chain, overseas procurement, and global trade practices. He offers transportation and logistics ser-
vices to many Midwest companies within the agricultural, manufacturing, retail, and automotive sectors.
Veronica Donga was a research specialist for the Small Business Innovative Research Program
(SBIR) and a Market Research Analyst. She performed market research and analysis for the innovative
technology coming out of R&D companies, and university researchers to help them achieve product
commercialization through government contracting, start-ups, or licensing. For the past 4 years, Veron-
ica has been providing Export Assistance to Nebraska companies helping them with export business
planning, international market research, international pricing, export licenses & regulations.
Launch Your Selling Skills– for Entrepreneurs
Pamela Peterson is an Instructor at the UNO-College of Business Administration. She teaches upper division
courses in sales, marketing and management, including Consultative Selling Principles and Fundamentals of Selling.
Pamela is currently building the Sales Innovation and Research Institute at UNO which includes four programs: Sales
Education, Corporate Services, Sales Career Development and Sales Effectiveness Research.
PAGE 4 WWW.OWNITOMAHA.COM #OWNITOMAHA
#OWNITOMAHA Breakout Session 2 10:15 AM —10:45 AM
What Are Your Funding Options?
Marisol U. Rodriguez is the Technology Commercialization program director at the Nebraska Busi-
ness Development Center. Marisol's business consulting experience consists of start-up consulting, fi-
nancing application/process for lenders and private investors, cash flow analysis, business model devel-
opment and business plan writing, marketing plan development, and financial projections development
and analysis. Recently, she has expanded her knowledge in the grant government, technology trans-
fer, and technology commercialization arenas. She is a Certified Economic Development Finance Profes-
sional by the National Development Council and Certified as Technology Consultant.
Joe Fox is the Business Innovation manager for the Nebraska Department of Economic Develop-
ment. Joe manages the newly implemented Business Innovation programs that are responsible for $7M
in annual state prototyping and R&D grants, SBIR matching grants, and commercialization investment
for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
Elizabeth Yearwood joined the US Small Business Administration in March 2013 as an Economic
Development Specialist and Administrative Officer. Prior to joining the SBA, Elizabeth was an Adminis-
trative Officer with the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Omaha for four years. Elizabeth is a
veteran of the Air Force. Elizabeth’s experience includes economic development, government grant
management and developing educational programs.
The Market Research is done, Now What?
Scott Bishop is a former Franklin Covey consultant and agency digital and social media leader, Scott
brings a coveted blend of creativity and business acumen. He has led sales and marketing campaigns for
big-name brands and startups alike, including ACE Hardware, Disney, Barrel House Distillery and
Shooter Jenning’s new recording label, BCR Media. He’s published two eBooks focused on digital market-
ing for Financial Times. He is also a founder of Omaha’s 1 Million Cups chapter and a mentor for startup
accelerators Straight Shot and NMotion.
Intellectual Property Issues for Entrepreneurs
Mary Ann Novak has trial practice focusing on complex commercial disputes, with particu-
lar emphasis on patent, trademark, unfair competition and copyright disputes and securities litigation.
Mary Ann also counsels clients on intellectual property matters, assists clients in enforcing intellectual
property rights, and prosecutes trademark applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Of-
fice.
Raise Your Business & Your Kids with Purpose
Ty Delley worked for nearly 20 years at Gallup, a research-based management consulting firm prior to
launching into the entrepreneurial world as the Performance Manager for Gallup’s Entrepreneur Accel-
eration System (EAS) FROM 1993—2012 — a program that matches entrepreneurs who are in the early
stages of building a business with experienced business leaders who support and mentor them through-
out this process. In addition to her role as Operational Performance Manager, Delley built and led
Gallup’s Global Client Support from 2000-2012. In 2013, Ty launched Back 2 Family, a service to help
busy parents with after school obligations.
#OWNITOMAHA www.facebook.com/OWNITOMAHA WWW.OWNITOMAHA.COM PAGE 5
#OWNITOMAHA Breakout Session 3 11:00 AM—11:30 AM
Certification & Getting Business from the Government & Corporations
Rissa M. Scurlock is the Corporate Purchasing & Inventory Control Manager in the Material Man-
agement Division for Omaha Public Power District. Rissa began her career with the Omaha Public
Power District (OPPD) in 1988 as a Junior Clerk in the Transmission and Distribution Division. In 1996
she was promoted as a Corporate Buyer for Purchasing and Contracts and in 2011 named as the Man-
ager of Corporate Purchasing and Contracts.
Mary Graff is a consultant with the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the Nebraska
Business Development Center (NBDC), College of Business Administration, University of Nebraska at
Omaha. Mary has worked at NBDC for 34 years, and was the Assistant State Director for Outreach
programs for a number of years prior to her current position as a PTAC consultant.
Lisa Tedesco is a Business Opportunity Specialist with the US Small Business Administration (SBA) with primary
responsibilities in federal government contracting, specifically working with certified 8(a) and HUBZone firms as well
as assisting the public with federal contracting assistance.
Social Media, Blogging & Branding
Catherine Walsh is Editor for Social Media Contractors, a premium social media marketing firm
located in Omaha, NE. As Editor, Catherine oversees all blog activity for SMC and their clients. She
also contributes as a social engagement specialist ensuring that all social media content is consistent
and quality-driven.
Veronica Barrientos is Client Development Strategist for Social Media Contractors—a premium
social media and content management firm located in Omaha, NE. In her role, Veronica focuses on
working with new and existing clients to build effective social media strategies based on true ROI. She
has previously held advertising and marketing positions for political campaigns, sports teams, popular
tourist destinations, and nonprofit educational services.
Franchise– As a Growth & Startup Strategy
Melissa Hegarty and business partner, Sharon, visited the Nothing Bundt Cakes Corporate Office in
2009 and were invited to become franchisees. With help from the SBA and Nebraska Business Devel-
opment Center (NBDC), the two worked on and revised a business plan and received business loan
funding. They opened the store in Omaha in November 2010. They’ve since opened another location
in Lincoln.
Teri Koller trial practice focuses on complex commercial disputes, franchising, intellectual property,
product liability, securities, and insurance defense. Teri's franchising experience includes representing
franchisors and franchisees, in both litigation and alternative dispute resolution venues, regarding a
whole host of franchise relationship, intellectual property, and compliance issues. Additionally, she has
counseled start-up franchisors regarding franchise and business opportunity matters.
Tanya Morrison, Director and General Counsel for Home Instead, Inc., a franchise network
founded in 1994 has consistently been recognized as one the world’s strongest franchise businesses.
With more than 1,000 independently owned and operated franchises throughout the US and 14 addi-
tional countries, the franchise has created more than 5,000 jobs for franchise owners & their office
staffs, established more than 65,000 jobs for CAREGivers, & serves more than 1,000,000 clients.
Best Practices for an Engaged Business Culture
Janyne Peek Emsick, P.H.D. is an expert in leadership development, organizational change and
adult learning. With over 20 years of global experience designing and leading custom programs,
Janyne’s insightful and energetic approach inspires organizations around the world to walk their talk,
one leader at a time. She has partnered with clients as large and as small as micro-
entrepreneurships. Janyne and her husband, Mike, launched Emsick Architects, where Janyne serves
as Managing Principal.
#OWNITOMAHA www.facebook.com/OWNITOMAHA WWW.OWNITOMAHA.COM PAGE 7
11:45 AM—12:30 PM Main Room #OWNITOMAHA
An Interview with Successful Midwest Women Entrepreneurs
Shonna Dorsey is a co-founder and the Managing Director for Interface: the Web
School. Shonna was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and is an alumnus of the
University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) where she earned both Bachelor's and Master's
of Science degrees in Management Information Systems (MIS). Her career includes
training facilitation, project management and application development. She has earned
the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Project Management Institute-Agile
Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certifications through PMI. Shonna is a board member
of the UNO Alumni Association, chairs the UNO Information Science and Technology
Alumni Advisory Group, and is an adjunct faculty member for UNO's graduate MIS program. As a pro-
fessional who is passionate about education, Shonna is excited to extend support to the region's tech
talent development and retention efforts through Interface: the Web School.
Janyne Peek Emsick, P.H.D. is an expert in leadership development, organizational
change and adult learning. With over 20 years of global experience designing and
leading custom programs, Janyne’s insightful and energetic approach inspires organi-
zations around the world to walk their talk, one leader at a time. She serves as a
catalyst for positive change in individuals, which drives successful change transforma-
tion in teams and organizations. Janyne's experience is multi-faceted, having part-
nered with clients as large as the Fortune 100 and as small as micro-
entrepreneurships. Janyne and her husband, Mike, launched Emsick Architects, where
Janyne serves as Managing Principal. Janyne serves on the Business Ethics Alliance's Board of Trus-
tees, and served on the founding board of the Congo Initiative, launching a bilingual university in the
war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Her consulting and facilitating has taken her from North
America and Europe to Burma, the Philippines, Kenya and the DR Congo.
Sara Slimp is a corporate controller turned entrepreneur that is passionate about the
flourishing of Omaha. She brought the west coast blowout bar concept to Omaha in
December, 2013, by opening Lark Blow Dry Studio. She recognized the need for
women to be able to get their hair styled in between their normal cut and color visits.
It's an old concept, the "wash and set" of your grandma's day, repackaged and called
"the blowout". Sara is the fourth-generation of an Omaha-loving family and a gradu-
ate of UNO. She is a mentor for Straight Shot and is a deacon at Coram Deo Church.
Laurie Hellbush Wolford is owner Spirit World, Omaha's original specialty wine and
spirits store and gourmet deli and specialty wine, beer and liquor store located in mid-
town Omaha, Nebraska. They are known for their famous chicken and tuna salads, as
well as a wide selection of wine, specialty import and microbrew beers, and hard-to-
find liquors and cordials. Spirit World is a local favorite, having won Omaha Magazine's
Best of Omaha award for Best Wine Store, Best Liquor Store and Best Deli for many
years!
MODERATOR: Melissa Gasnick Cloeter is Founder of Own It Omaha. She launched
her entrepreneurial path after an extensive and rewarding career in Sales Manage-
ment, Marketing and Business Development for Fortune 500 companies and privately
owned enterprises. She is a graduate of the UNO, and recently moved back to
Omaha after living in New Jersey for several years, where she created a business net-
work for women entrepreneurs called Own It Ventures. The network’s focus was to
encourage more women to pitch their businesses to Investors, the Media and Major
Retailers. She is recognized as a business leader and public speaker, receiving a For-
mal Recognition for her work with entrepreneurs by the General Assembly of the State
of New Jersey; and in 2010, as one of the Top 50 NJ Women in Business.
PAGE 8 www.facebook.com/OWNITOMAHA WWW.OWNITOMAHA.COM #OWNITOMAHA
CONGRATULATIONS, OWN IT OMAHA!
We help make owning your own business a great
investment by preparing you for your future.
BARTHOLOMEW GASNICK INVESTMENT GROUP
17117 Oak Dr Omaha, NE 68130
(402) 932-3344
Serving the Small Business Midwest Community
with over 65 years of combined experience
Basic Employment Law Considerations for a Start-Up Company
The journey to starting a new business is one that can be both exciting and
intimidating for a new entrepreneur. Finding good employees is an impor-
tant part of starting a company, but becoming an employer also brings
about a host of legal compliance responsibilities. Some business owners
may be tempted to treat all workers as independent contractors to avoid
these responsibilities, but owners should beware of the significant liability
associated with worker misclassification where workers should have been
treated as employees.
To help new business owners navigate the issues involved with becoming
an employer, the Koley Jessen Employment, Labor and Benefits Practice
Group has put together the following list of basic employment law consid-
erations for start-up companies.
At-Will Employment. As a general rule, employment relationships are maintained on an “at-
will” basis, meaning that either the employer or the employee can terminate the relationship
at any time and for any reason. There are some exceptions to “at-will” employment, including
where the parties have entered into a contract or where an employer attempts to terminate an
employee on the basis of a protected class characteristic or in violation of public policy. Be
careful about making representations, either verbally or in an employee handbook, that could
give employees the impression that they are not “at-will” employees, such as saying employ-
ees will only be terminated for just cause.
Protected Classes. Federal and state law prohibit employers from taking adverse employment
actions against their employees on the basis of protected class characteristics. Under federal
law, these protected classes include race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability,
genetic information, and military status. Additional classes may be protected under state law,
which varies from state to state.
Exempt or Nonexempt Status. Determining how much to pay employees is an important
consideration for any new business. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) sets forth
specific requirements for the payment of minimum wage and overtime to employees. Certain
employees may be exempt from the FLSA depending on their job duties and whether other
specific requirements are met. Note that just because an employee is paid a salary does not
mean they are automatically exempt!
Payroll Procedures. Employers are responsible for calculating and withholding certain deduc-
tions from each employee’s paycheck. These include federal and state income taxes, Social
Security and Medicare taxes, and federal and state unemployment taxes. To determine the
amounts to be withheld, all employees should complete a Form W-4.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance. State law requires employers to provide workers’
compensation insurance for employees to cover workplace accidents or injuries arising during
the course of employment. Most major insurance companies offer policies to meet this re-
quirement.
Form I-9. Federal law requires employers to verify that their employees are eligible to work in
the United States. To do this, employers must ensure that Form I-9 is completed and that the
worker presents appropriate documents verifying their eligibility to work. Employers should
also keep track of their I-9 records for audit purposes.
Employee Handbook. It is recommended that all new employers have an employee hand-
book. The size of the handbook will vary based on the business, but it should communicate
important policies and set the employer’s expectations of all employees.
Personnel Files. Keeping appropriate records
for individual employees is a must. In many
cases, good documentation in a personnel file will
be the main source of evidence in resolving com-
plaints, grievances, or lawsuits against the com-
pany. Federal and state law determine specific
documentation to be included, but all information
should be job-related.
Margaret C. Hershiser, Attorney
Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O.
1125 S. 103rd St., Suite 800
Omaha, NE 68124 402.343.3711 Direct
margaret.hershiser@koleyjessen.com
Practice Your Funding Pitch
Sponsored by Lutz Accounting Firm 1:45 PM—2:45 PM
MODERATOR: Deyna Rouse is a Tax Partner at Lutz. She joined the Lutz team in
2001. She began her public accounting career in 2000 and has significant experience in
tax consulting and compliance within the non-profit, real estate and construction, manu-
facturing and services business industries. Areas of specific focus include depreciation
and cost segregation issues. Deyna also serves clients through IRS audit consulting and
representation. Deyna is a Creighton University Graduate with Highest Distinction recog-
nition and supports several community organizations, including Literacy Center for the
Midlands, Past Board Treasurer, and the Junior League of Omaha.
Karen Linder is Partner, at Linseed Capital LLC. She is an entrepreneur and a member
of the Nebraska Angels and Women Investing in Nebraska (WIN). She is a former small
business owner and former faculty at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She
serves on the boards of the Museum of Nebraska Art, KANEKO and SkyVu Entertain-
ment. Linder spent nearly 30 years as a Cytotechnologist, studying cells, and has writ-
ten numerous medical scientific journal articles and books. Her book, The Women of
Berkshire Hathaway, was published in 2012.
Bart Dillashaw is a partner at the Koley Jessen law firm in Omaha, Nebraska, where
he practices general corporate and securities law. Bart primarily works with private com-
panies on general corporate and transactional matters, including formation, equity fi-
nancings, and mergers and acquisitions. In addition, Bart represents venture capital and
angel investors on investments in high growth companies.
Bart is actively engaged in the angel and venture capital community in Nebraska, and he
is the President of the Nebraska Angels, Nebraska's largest formal network of angel in-
vestors. In addition, Bart is a mentor for the Pipeline entrepreneurship program and for
the NMotion and Straight Shot business accelerators, and he is a member of the advisory board of the
Entrepreneurship Clinic at the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Laura Classen earned her bachelor's from UNL while maintaining her first small busi-
ness - an administrative and bookkeeping consulting business. Upon graduation, she
served as the controller and financial analyst with a small private equity/venture capital
firm based in Lincoln, gaining a deep understanding of mergers, acquisitions and the
analysis behind private investment. In August of 2012, Laura founded Raven Enter-
prises, a small business and start up consulting company with the mission of enabling
entrepreneurs and small business owners to maximize their potential. Serving as a com-
plement to the entrepreneur, Raven Enterprises works with the founder to build strategic business plans
and financial models to analyze various market and exit opportunities. Currently, Laura is the Executive
Director of the Nebraska Angels, a network of over 50 accredited investors who meet regularly to review
and invest in early stage companies with high growth potential. As Executive Director, Laura sources in-
vestment opportunities for the Angels, manages and conducts diligence and guides both Angels and en-
trepreneurs through the capital raise process.
#OWNITOMAHA Practice Your PR Pitch
2:45 PM—3:45 PM
Barbara Soderlin is one of seven reporters on The Omaha World-Herald's Money
desk. She covers retail shopping, consumer spending and the food business. Barbara
studied English literature at Northwestern University and is pursuing a master's de-
gree in journalism at South Dakota State University. She is a Chicago native and
lives in Omaha with her husband, World-Herald photographer Ryan Soderlin, their
two daughters and their rabbit, Sunny B.
Erica Wassinger positions clients in the national spotlight through high-quality
stories appearing in The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Fitness
Magazine, Woman's Day, Shape, Family Circle, Self, and Parade to name a few. She
hails from Dallas and now resides in the Good Life State, specifically Omaha. Working
with a handpicked group of clients spanning the marketing, technology, startup and
nonprofit industries. Erica continues to build valuable relationships with media and
i n f l u e n c e r s f o r t h e b r a n d s s h e r e p r e s e n t s .
Erica's a mentor in the first-ever Omaha technology accelerator, Straight Shot, as
well as the American Heart Association Sweet Hearts program. Erica is also a member of the Fashion
Institute Guild, which supports Omaha Fashion Week -- the nation's fifth largest fashion event.
Angela Woltman has worked for Strictly Business magazine since graduating from
college in 2001. She began as a features writer, then moved up to Editor in Chief
and Vice President of Operations. She soon realized that taking on the roles of editor
as well as ad sales and being a single mother was too much, and scaled back to focus
on sales. She now enjoys working with local businesses to help them realize the
value of press, assist them in developing their message, and helping them succeed
through marketing and PR. Angela also organizes and speaks at seminars on writing
and utilizing press releases.
MODERATOR: Melissa Gasnick Cloeter is Founder of Own It Omaha. She
launched her entrepreneurial path after an extensive and rewarding career in Sales
Management, Marketing and Business Development for Fortune 500 companies and
privately owned enterprises. She is a graduate of the UNO, and recently moved
back to Omaha after living in New Jersey for several years, where she created a busi-
ness network for women entrepreneurs called Own It Ventures. The network’s focus
was to encourage more women to pitch their businesses to Investors, the Media and
Major Retailers. She is recognized as a business leader and public speaker, receiving
a Formal Recognition for her work with entrepreneurs by the General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey; and in 2010, as one of the Top 50 NJ Women in Business.
Page 12 www.facebook.com/OWNITOMAHA
“It Takes 20 Years to Build a
Reputation and Five Minutes to
Ruin It. If You Think About
That, You’ll Do Things
Differently.” - Warren Buffet
Practice Your Product Distribution Pitch
3:45 PM—4:45 PM
Ginny Ward is a 20-year Hy-Vee veteran who began her career at Hy-Vee in Des
Moines working part-time as a service clerk, checker/stocker and customer service clerk.
While attending college in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, she continued to work part-time
at stores in Coralville, West Des Moines and Ankeny. After graduating from Grand View
College in 2003, Ginny became a full-time employee at the Hy-Vee in Coralville. She was
quickly promoted to manager of perishables in 2004 and then manager of store opera-
tions in 2006. She was selected for her first store director assignment in 2008 in Creston,
Iowa. She was selected for her current store director assignment at Omaha No. 2, lo-
cated on Stony Brook Blvd. in July 2011.
Laurie Hellbush Wolford is owner Spirit World, Omaha's original specialty wine and
spirits store and gourmet deli and specialty wine, beer and liquor store located in mid-
town Omaha, Nebraska. They are known for their famous chicken and tuna salads, as
well as a wide selection of wine, specialty import and microbrew beers, and hard-to-find
liquors and cordials. Spirit World is a local favorite, having won Omaha Magazine's Best
of Omaha award for Best Wine Store, Best Liquor Store and Best Deli for many years!
Bart Dillashaw is a partner at the Koley Jessen law firm in Omaha, Nebraska, where
he practices general corporate and securities law. Bart primarily works with private com-
panies on general corporate and transactional matters, including formation, equity fi-
nancings, and mergers and acquisitions. In addition, Bart represents venture capital and
angel investors on investments in high growth companies.
Bart is actively engaged in the angel and venture capital community in Nebraska, and he
is the President of the Nebraska Angels, Nebraska's largest formal network of angel in-
vestors. In addition, Bart is a mentor for the Pipeline entrepreneurship program and for
the NMotion and Straight Shot business accelerators, and he is a member of the advisory board of the
Entrepreneurship Clinic at the University of Nebraska College of Law. He will give feedback on Technol-
ogy Pitches.
PROCUREMENT-CERTIFICATION AREA
Interested in doing business with the City,
State or Federal government? Visit the Pro-
curement-Certification area. Meet with rep-
resentatives from the Small Business Ad-
ministration, Nebraska Business Develop-
ment Center, and Omaha Public Power Dis-
trict.
NETWORK WITH THE EXHIBITORS
Visit the organizations who helped to make
this day happen.
#OWNITOMAHA www.facebook.com/OWNITOMAHA WWW.OWNITOMAHA.COM PAGE 13
Special Recognition and Gratitude To:
Bartholomew Gasnick Investment Group Carriage House Rest, LLC
CBS Home & Realty Chelsea Friel Graphic Design
Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather ENCAP
Homeland Security Hy-Vee
INTÉGROW Interface: A Web School
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Koley Jessen Law Firm
Linseed Capital Lutz Accounting Firm
Metro Omaha’s Women’s Business Center Metro Omaha Magazine
More Runway Nebraska Angels
Nebraska Business Development Centers NMotion
Omaha Public Power District Omaha World-Herald
Small Business Administration Social Media Contractors
Spirit World Standard Printing Company
State of Nebraska Economic Development Department
Straight Shot Strictly Business Magazine
Univ. of Nebraska Omaha, Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Franchising
University of Nebraska Omaha-Thompson Center
Wells Fargo Bank
Thank You to the Speakers, the University of Nebraska Omaha Faculty &
Students, The Own It Omaha Committee, Family, & Friends!
Helped get the word out...
If I forgot anyone, my apologies...
Own It Omaha Agenda Feb 2015
Own It Omaha Agenda Feb 2015

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Own It Omaha Agenda Feb 2015

  • 1. FEBRUARY 6, 2015 University of Nebraska- Omaha Thompson Center PRESENTED BY: Welcome to
  • 2.
  • 3. February 6, 2015 - OWN IT OMAHA AGENDA 8:00 AM- 9:00 AM Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast 9:15 AM - 9:25 AM Opening Remarks Melissa Gasnick Cloeter, Founder Own It Omaha Lee Denker, President and CEO of the UNO Alumni Association Morning Breakout Sessions 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM (choose a room) 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM SESSION 1 Is Your Business Fundable? Main Room Digging Deep Into Your Market Room 2 How to Manage Your Website Room 3 Importing/Exporting Issues Room 4 Sales Pitch for Entrepreneurs Room 5 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Session 2 What Are Your Funding Options? The Market Research is Done, Now What? Intellectual Property Issues fro Entrepreneurs Raise Your Business & Your Kids with Purpose 11:00 AM– 11:30 AM Session 3 Social Media, Blogging & Branding Franchise– As a Growth and Startup Strategy Best Practices for an Engaged Business Culture Certification, Getting Business from the Government & Corporations 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM (In Main Room) Successful Women Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch, Network & Exhibit Time OPPD Procurement Contracts, Bids & Certification Tables AFTERNOON PITCH PRACTICE (Main Room) 1:45—2:45 PM Practice Your Funding Pitch for Feedback 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Practice Your PR Pitch for Feedback 3:45—4:45 PM Practice Your Product Distribution Pitch for Feedback 4:45 PM – 5:00 PM Closing Remarks 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM After Hours Networking Reception
  • 4. #OWNITOMAHA Breakout Session 1 9:30 AM —10:00 AM Is Your Business Fundable? Laura Classen served as the controller and financial analyst with a small private equity/venture capi- tal firm, gaining an understanding of mergers, acquisitions and the analysis behind private invest- ment. In August of 2012, Laura founded Raven Enterprises, a small business and start up consulting company to assist entrepreneurs & small business owners to maximize their potential. Currently, Laura is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Angels and sources investment opportunities for the Angels. Brad Lehl Brad joined Lutz in 2015 and serves on the Lutz M&A advisory team. He brings several years of experience in the financial services industry, including mergers & acquisitions, private equity, commercial and investment banking, and equity research. He brings perspective from both the buy- side and sell-side of transactions. Ryan McGregor joined Lutz in 2012 as a financial analyst and now serves as business valuation manager. With over eight years of experience in banking and finance, he has significant expertise in providing analysis, forecasting, strategic planning and valuation models to privately-held companies in a variety of industries. In 2013, Ryan became accredited in business valuation and specializes in helping individuals and companies with merger and acquisitions, estate and tax planning and marital dissolution matters. Ryan is a Certified Valuation Analyst. Dig Deep Into Your Market Aretha Prodjinotho is the Director of the Nebraska Business Development Center in Omaha. She manages the small business consulting program and leads a team of professionals who provide direct technical assistance to owners and potential owners of small businesses. She brings extensive experi- ence in management consulting, business planning, financial analysis and small business loan applica- tions. Manage Your Website & Web Developer Shonna Dorsey is a co-founder and Managing Director for Interface: the Web School. Her career in- cludes training facilitation, project management and application development. She is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) & Project Management Institute-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), a board member of the UNO Alumni Association, chairs the UNO Information Science and Technology Alumni Advisory Group, and is an adjunct faculty member for UNO's graduate MIS program. Importing/Exporting Issues Adam Baumgartner is a Regional Sales Executive for CDS Global Logistics, a full-service interna- tional freight forwarder, NVOCC, and U.S. Customs Broker. He is well-versed in global distribution, sup- ply-chain, overseas procurement, and global trade practices. He offers transportation and logistics ser- vices to many Midwest companies within the agricultural, manufacturing, retail, and automotive sectors. Veronica Donga was a research specialist for the Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR) and a Market Research Analyst. She performed market research and analysis for the innovative technology coming out of R&D companies, and university researchers to help them achieve product commercialization through government contracting, start-ups, or licensing. For the past 4 years, Veron- ica has been providing Export Assistance to Nebraska companies helping them with export business planning, international market research, international pricing, export licenses & regulations. Launch Your Selling Skills– for Entrepreneurs Pamela Peterson is an Instructor at the UNO-College of Business Administration. She teaches upper division courses in sales, marketing and management, including Consultative Selling Principles and Fundamentals of Selling. Pamela is currently building the Sales Innovation and Research Institute at UNO which includes four programs: Sales Education, Corporate Services, Sales Career Development and Sales Effectiveness Research. PAGE 4 WWW.OWNITOMAHA.COM #OWNITOMAHA
  • 5. #OWNITOMAHA Breakout Session 2 10:15 AM —10:45 AM What Are Your Funding Options? Marisol U. Rodriguez is the Technology Commercialization program director at the Nebraska Busi- ness Development Center. Marisol's business consulting experience consists of start-up consulting, fi- nancing application/process for lenders and private investors, cash flow analysis, business model devel- opment and business plan writing, marketing plan development, and financial projections development and analysis. Recently, she has expanded her knowledge in the grant government, technology trans- fer, and technology commercialization arenas. She is a Certified Economic Development Finance Profes- sional by the National Development Council and Certified as Technology Consultant. Joe Fox is the Business Innovation manager for the Nebraska Department of Economic Develop- ment. Joe manages the newly implemented Business Innovation programs that are responsible for $7M in annual state prototyping and R&D grants, SBIR matching grants, and commercialization investment for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Elizabeth Yearwood joined the US Small Business Administration in March 2013 as an Economic Development Specialist and Administrative Officer. Prior to joining the SBA, Elizabeth was an Adminis- trative Officer with the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Omaha for four years. Elizabeth is a veteran of the Air Force. Elizabeth’s experience includes economic development, government grant management and developing educational programs. The Market Research is done, Now What? Scott Bishop is a former Franklin Covey consultant and agency digital and social media leader, Scott brings a coveted blend of creativity and business acumen. He has led sales and marketing campaigns for big-name brands and startups alike, including ACE Hardware, Disney, Barrel House Distillery and Shooter Jenning’s new recording label, BCR Media. He’s published two eBooks focused on digital market- ing for Financial Times. He is also a founder of Omaha’s 1 Million Cups chapter and a mentor for startup accelerators Straight Shot and NMotion. Intellectual Property Issues for Entrepreneurs Mary Ann Novak has trial practice focusing on complex commercial disputes, with particu- lar emphasis on patent, trademark, unfair competition and copyright disputes and securities litigation. Mary Ann also counsels clients on intellectual property matters, assists clients in enforcing intellectual property rights, and prosecutes trademark applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Of- fice. Raise Your Business & Your Kids with Purpose Ty Delley worked for nearly 20 years at Gallup, a research-based management consulting firm prior to launching into the entrepreneurial world as the Performance Manager for Gallup’s Entrepreneur Accel- eration System (EAS) FROM 1993—2012 — a program that matches entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of building a business with experienced business leaders who support and mentor them through- out this process. In addition to her role as Operational Performance Manager, Delley built and led Gallup’s Global Client Support from 2000-2012. In 2013, Ty launched Back 2 Family, a service to help busy parents with after school obligations. #OWNITOMAHA www.facebook.com/OWNITOMAHA WWW.OWNITOMAHA.COM PAGE 5
  • 6. #OWNITOMAHA Breakout Session 3 11:00 AM—11:30 AM Certification & Getting Business from the Government & Corporations Rissa M. Scurlock is the Corporate Purchasing & Inventory Control Manager in the Material Man- agement Division for Omaha Public Power District. Rissa began her career with the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) in 1988 as a Junior Clerk in the Transmission and Distribution Division. In 1996 she was promoted as a Corporate Buyer for Purchasing and Contracts and in 2011 named as the Man- ager of Corporate Purchasing and Contracts. Mary Graff is a consultant with the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC), College of Business Administration, University of Nebraska at Omaha. Mary has worked at NBDC for 34 years, and was the Assistant State Director for Outreach programs for a number of years prior to her current position as a PTAC consultant. Lisa Tedesco is a Business Opportunity Specialist with the US Small Business Administration (SBA) with primary responsibilities in federal government contracting, specifically working with certified 8(a) and HUBZone firms as well as assisting the public with federal contracting assistance. Social Media, Blogging & Branding Catherine Walsh is Editor for Social Media Contractors, a premium social media marketing firm located in Omaha, NE. As Editor, Catherine oversees all blog activity for SMC and their clients. She also contributes as a social engagement specialist ensuring that all social media content is consistent and quality-driven. Veronica Barrientos is Client Development Strategist for Social Media Contractors—a premium social media and content management firm located in Omaha, NE. In her role, Veronica focuses on working with new and existing clients to build effective social media strategies based on true ROI. She has previously held advertising and marketing positions for political campaigns, sports teams, popular tourist destinations, and nonprofit educational services. Franchise– As a Growth & Startup Strategy Melissa Hegarty and business partner, Sharon, visited the Nothing Bundt Cakes Corporate Office in 2009 and were invited to become franchisees. With help from the SBA and Nebraska Business Devel- opment Center (NBDC), the two worked on and revised a business plan and received business loan funding. They opened the store in Omaha in November 2010. They’ve since opened another location in Lincoln. Teri Koller trial practice focuses on complex commercial disputes, franchising, intellectual property, product liability, securities, and insurance defense. Teri's franchising experience includes representing franchisors and franchisees, in both litigation and alternative dispute resolution venues, regarding a whole host of franchise relationship, intellectual property, and compliance issues. Additionally, she has counseled start-up franchisors regarding franchise and business opportunity matters. Tanya Morrison, Director and General Counsel for Home Instead, Inc., a franchise network founded in 1994 has consistently been recognized as one the world’s strongest franchise businesses. With more than 1,000 independently owned and operated franchises throughout the US and 14 addi- tional countries, the franchise has created more than 5,000 jobs for franchise owners & their office staffs, established more than 65,000 jobs for CAREGivers, & serves more than 1,000,000 clients. Best Practices for an Engaged Business Culture Janyne Peek Emsick, P.H.D. is an expert in leadership development, organizational change and adult learning. With over 20 years of global experience designing and leading custom programs, Janyne’s insightful and energetic approach inspires organizations around the world to walk their talk, one leader at a time. She has partnered with clients as large and as small as micro- entrepreneurships. Janyne and her husband, Mike, launched Emsick Architects, where Janyne serves as Managing Principal.
  • 8. 11:45 AM—12:30 PM Main Room #OWNITOMAHA An Interview with Successful Midwest Women Entrepreneurs Shonna Dorsey is a co-founder and the Managing Director for Interface: the Web School. Shonna was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and is an alumnus of the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) where she earned both Bachelor's and Master's of Science degrees in Management Information Systems (MIS). Her career includes training facilitation, project management and application development. She has earned the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Project Management Institute-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certifications through PMI. Shonna is a board member of the UNO Alumni Association, chairs the UNO Information Science and Technology Alumni Advisory Group, and is an adjunct faculty member for UNO's graduate MIS program. As a pro- fessional who is passionate about education, Shonna is excited to extend support to the region's tech talent development and retention efforts through Interface: the Web School. Janyne Peek Emsick, P.H.D. is an expert in leadership development, organizational change and adult learning. With over 20 years of global experience designing and leading custom programs, Janyne’s insightful and energetic approach inspires organi- zations around the world to walk their talk, one leader at a time. She serves as a catalyst for positive change in individuals, which drives successful change transforma- tion in teams and organizations. Janyne's experience is multi-faceted, having part- nered with clients as large as the Fortune 100 and as small as micro- entrepreneurships. Janyne and her husband, Mike, launched Emsick Architects, where Janyne serves as Managing Principal. Janyne serves on the Business Ethics Alliance's Board of Trus- tees, and served on the founding board of the Congo Initiative, launching a bilingual university in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Her consulting and facilitating has taken her from North America and Europe to Burma, the Philippines, Kenya and the DR Congo. Sara Slimp is a corporate controller turned entrepreneur that is passionate about the flourishing of Omaha. She brought the west coast blowout bar concept to Omaha in December, 2013, by opening Lark Blow Dry Studio. She recognized the need for women to be able to get their hair styled in between their normal cut and color visits. It's an old concept, the "wash and set" of your grandma's day, repackaged and called "the blowout". Sara is the fourth-generation of an Omaha-loving family and a gradu- ate of UNO. She is a mentor for Straight Shot and is a deacon at Coram Deo Church. Laurie Hellbush Wolford is owner Spirit World, Omaha's original specialty wine and spirits store and gourmet deli and specialty wine, beer and liquor store located in mid- town Omaha, Nebraska. They are known for their famous chicken and tuna salads, as well as a wide selection of wine, specialty import and microbrew beers, and hard-to- find liquors and cordials. Spirit World is a local favorite, having won Omaha Magazine's Best of Omaha award for Best Wine Store, Best Liquor Store and Best Deli for many years! MODERATOR: Melissa Gasnick Cloeter is Founder of Own It Omaha. She launched her entrepreneurial path after an extensive and rewarding career in Sales Manage- ment, Marketing and Business Development for Fortune 500 companies and privately owned enterprises. She is a graduate of the UNO, and recently moved back to Omaha after living in New Jersey for several years, where she created a business net- work for women entrepreneurs called Own It Ventures. The network’s focus was to encourage more women to pitch their businesses to Investors, the Media and Major Retailers. She is recognized as a business leader and public speaker, receiving a For- mal Recognition for her work with entrepreneurs by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey; and in 2010, as one of the Top 50 NJ Women in Business. PAGE 8 www.facebook.com/OWNITOMAHA WWW.OWNITOMAHA.COM #OWNITOMAHA
  • 9. CONGRATULATIONS, OWN IT OMAHA! We help make owning your own business a great investment by preparing you for your future. BARTHOLOMEW GASNICK INVESTMENT GROUP 17117 Oak Dr Omaha, NE 68130 (402) 932-3344 Serving the Small Business Midwest Community with over 65 years of combined experience
  • 10. Basic Employment Law Considerations for a Start-Up Company The journey to starting a new business is one that can be both exciting and intimidating for a new entrepreneur. Finding good employees is an impor- tant part of starting a company, but becoming an employer also brings about a host of legal compliance responsibilities. Some business owners may be tempted to treat all workers as independent contractors to avoid these responsibilities, but owners should beware of the significant liability associated with worker misclassification where workers should have been treated as employees. To help new business owners navigate the issues involved with becoming an employer, the Koley Jessen Employment, Labor and Benefits Practice Group has put together the following list of basic employment law consid- erations for start-up companies. At-Will Employment. As a general rule, employment relationships are maintained on an “at- will” basis, meaning that either the employer or the employee can terminate the relationship at any time and for any reason. There are some exceptions to “at-will” employment, including where the parties have entered into a contract or where an employer attempts to terminate an employee on the basis of a protected class characteristic or in violation of public policy. Be careful about making representations, either verbally or in an employee handbook, that could give employees the impression that they are not “at-will” employees, such as saying employ- ees will only be terminated for just cause. Protected Classes. Federal and state law prohibit employers from taking adverse employment actions against their employees on the basis of protected class characteristics. Under federal law, these protected classes include race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, and military status. Additional classes may be protected under state law, which varies from state to state. Exempt or Nonexempt Status. Determining how much to pay employees is an important consideration for any new business. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) sets forth specific requirements for the payment of minimum wage and overtime to employees. Certain employees may be exempt from the FLSA depending on their job duties and whether other specific requirements are met. Note that just because an employee is paid a salary does not mean they are automatically exempt! Payroll Procedures. Employers are responsible for calculating and withholding certain deduc- tions from each employee’s paycheck. These include federal and state income taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and federal and state unemployment taxes. To determine the amounts to be withheld, all employees should complete a Form W-4. Workers’ Compensation Insurance. State law requires employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance for employees to cover workplace accidents or injuries arising during the course of employment. Most major insurance companies offer policies to meet this re- quirement. Form I-9. Federal law requires employers to verify that their employees are eligible to work in the United States. To do this, employers must ensure that Form I-9 is completed and that the worker presents appropriate documents verifying their eligibility to work. Employers should also keep track of their I-9 records for audit purposes. Employee Handbook. It is recommended that all new employers have an employee hand- book. The size of the handbook will vary based on the business, but it should communicate important policies and set the employer’s expectations of all employees. Personnel Files. Keeping appropriate records for individual employees is a must. In many cases, good documentation in a personnel file will be the main source of evidence in resolving com- plaints, grievances, or lawsuits against the com- pany. Federal and state law determine specific documentation to be included, but all information should be job-related. Margaret C. Hershiser, Attorney Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. 1125 S. 103rd St., Suite 800 Omaha, NE 68124 402.343.3711 Direct margaret.hershiser@koleyjessen.com
  • 11. Practice Your Funding Pitch Sponsored by Lutz Accounting Firm 1:45 PM—2:45 PM MODERATOR: Deyna Rouse is a Tax Partner at Lutz. She joined the Lutz team in 2001. She began her public accounting career in 2000 and has significant experience in tax consulting and compliance within the non-profit, real estate and construction, manu- facturing and services business industries. Areas of specific focus include depreciation and cost segregation issues. Deyna also serves clients through IRS audit consulting and representation. Deyna is a Creighton University Graduate with Highest Distinction recog- nition and supports several community organizations, including Literacy Center for the Midlands, Past Board Treasurer, and the Junior League of Omaha. Karen Linder is Partner, at Linseed Capital LLC. She is an entrepreneur and a member of the Nebraska Angels and Women Investing in Nebraska (WIN). She is a former small business owner and former faculty at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She serves on the boards of the Museum of Nebraska Art, KANEKO and SkyVu Entertain- ment. Linder spent nearly 30 years as a Cytotechnologist, studying cells, and has writ- ten numerous medical scientific journal articles and books. Her book, The Women of Berkshire Hathaway, was published in 2012. Bart Dillashaw is a partner at the Koley Jessen law firm in Omaha, Nebraska, where he practices general corporate and securities law. Bart primarily works with private com- panies on general corporate and transactional matters, including formation, equity fi- nancings, and mergers and acquisitions. In addition, Bart represents venture capital and angel investors on investments in high growth companies. Bart is actively engaged in the angel and venture capital community in Nebraska, and he is the President of the Nebraska Angels, Nebraska's largest formal network of angel in- vestors. In addition, Bart is a mentor for the Pipeline entrepreneurship program and for the NMotion and Straight Shot business accelerators, and he is a member of the advisory board of the Entrepreneurship Clinic at the University of Nebraska College of Law. Laura Classen earned her bachelor's from UNL while maintaining her first small busi- ness - an administrative and bookkeeping consulting business. Upon graduation, she served as the controller and financial analyst with a small private equity/venture capital firm based in Lincoln, gaining a deep understanding of mergers, acquisitions and the analysis behind private investment. In August of 2012, Laura founded Raven Enter- prises, a small business and start up consulting company with the mission of enabling entrepreneurs and small business owners to maximize their potential. Serving as a com- plement to the entrepreneur, Raven Enterprises works with the founder to build strategic business plans and financial models to analyze various market and exit opportunities. Currently, Laura is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Angels, a network of over 50 accredited investors who meet regularly to review and invest in early stage companies with high growth potential. As Executive Director, Laura sources in- vestment opportunities for the Angels, manages and conducts diligence and guides both Angels and en- trepreneurs through the capital raise process.
  • 12. #OWNITOMAHA Practice Your PR Pitch 2:45 PM—3:45 PM Barbara Soderlin is one of seven reporters on The Omaha World-Herald's Money desk. She covers retail shopping, consumer spending and the food business. Barbara studied English literature at Northwestern University and is pursuing a master's de- gree in journalism at South Dakota State University. She is a Chicago native and lives in Omaha with her husband, World-Herald photographer Ryan Soderlin, their two daughters and their rabbit, Sunny B. Erica Wassinger positions clients in the national spotlight through high-quality stories appearing in The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Fitness Magazine, Woman's Day, Shape, Family Circle, Self, and Parade to name a few. She hails from Dallas and now resides in the Good Life State, specifically Omaha. Working with a handpicked group of clients spanning the marketing, technology, startup and nonprofit industries. Erica continues to build valuable relationships with media and i n f l u e n c e r s f o r t h e b r a n d s s h e r e p r e s e n t s . Erica's a mentor in the first-ever Omaha technology accelerator, Straight Shot, as well as the American Heart Association Sweet Hearts program. Erica is also a member of the Fashion Institute Guild, which supports Omaha Fashion Week -- the nation's fifth largest fashion event. Angela Woltman has worked for Strictly Business magazine since graduating from college in 2001. She began as a features writer, then moved up to Editor in Chief and Vice President of Operations. She soon realized that taking on the roles of editor as well as ad sales and being a single mother was too much, and scaled back to focus on sales. She now enjoys working with local businesses to help them realize the value of press, assist them in developing their message, and helping them succeed through marketing and PR. Angela also organizes and speaks at seminars on writing and utilizing press releases. MODERATOR: Melissa Gasnick Cloeter is Founder of Own It Omaha. She launched her entrepreneurial path after an extensive and rewarding career in Sales Management, Marketing and Business Development for Fortune 500 companies and privately owned enterprises. She is a graduate of the UNO, and recently moved back to Omaha after living in New Jersey for several years, where she created a busi- ness network for women entrepreneurs called Own It Ventures. The network’s focus was to encourage more women to pitch their businesses to Investors, the Media and Major Retailers. She is recognized as a business leader and public speaker, receiving a Formal Recognition for her work with entrepreneurs by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey; and in 2010, as one of the Top 50 NJ Women in Business. Page 12 www.facebook.com/OWNITOMAHA “It Takes 20 Years to Build a Reputation and Five Minutes to Ruin It. If You Think About That, You’ll Do Things Differently.” - Warren Buffet
  • 13. Practice Your Product Distribution Pitch 3:45 PM—4:45 PM Ginny Ward is a 20-year Hy-Vee veteran who began her career at Hy-Vee in Des Moines working part-time as a service clerk, checker/stocker and customer service clerk. While attending college in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, she continued to work part-time at stores in Coralville, West Des Moines and Ankeny. After graduating from Grand View College in 2003, Ginny became a full-time employee at the Hy-Vee in Coralville. She was quickly promoted to manager of perishables in 2004 and then manager of store opera- tions in 2006. She was selected for her first store director assignment in 2008 in Creston, Iowa. She was selected for her current store director assignment at Omaha No. 2, lo- cated on Stony Brook Blvd. in July 2011. Laurie Hellbush Wolford is owner Spirit World, Omaha's original specialty wine and spirits store and gourmet deli and specialty wine, beer and liquor store located in mid- town Omaha, Nebraska. They are known for their famous chicken and tuna salads, as well as a wide selection of wine, specialty import and microbrew beers, and hard-to-find liquors and cordials. Spirit World is a local favorite, having won Omaha Magazine's Best of Omaha award for Best Wine Store, Best Liquor Store and Best Deli for many years! Bart Dillashaw is a partner at the Koley Jessen law firm in Omaha, Nebraska, where he practices general corporate and securities law. Bart primarily works with private com- panies on general corporate and transactional matters, including formation, equity fi- nancings, and mergers and acquisitions. In addition, Bart represents venture capital and angel investors on investments in high growth companies. Bart is actively engaged in the angel and venture capital community in Nebraska, and he is the President of the Nebraska Angels, Nebraska's largest formal network of angel in- vestors. In addition, Bart is a mentor for the Pipeline entrepreneurship program and for the NMotion and Straight Shot business accelerators, and he is a member of the advisory board of the Entrepreneurship Clinic at the University of Nebraska College of Law. He will give feedback on Technol- ogy Pitches. PROCUREMENT-CERTIFICATION AREA Interested in doing business with the City, State or Federal government? Visit the Pro- curement-Certification area. Meet with rep- resentatives from the Small Business Ad- ministration, Nebraska Business Develop- ment Center, and Omaha Public Power Dis- trict. NETWORK WITH THE EXHIBITORS Visit the organizations who helped to make this day happen. #OWNITOMAHA www.facebook.com/OWNITOMAHA WWW.OWNITOMAHA.COM PAGE 13
  • 14. Special Recognition and Gratitude To: Bartholomew Gasnick Investment Group Carriage House Rest, LLC CBS Home & Realty Chelsea Friel Graphic Design Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather ENCAP Homeland Security Hy-Vee INTÉGROW Interface: A Web School Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Koley Jessen Law Firm Linseed Capital Lutz Accounting Firm Metro Omaha’s Women’s Business Center Metro Omaha Magazine More Runway Nebraska Angels Nebraska Business Development Centers NMotion Omaha Public Power District Omaha World-Herald Small Business Administration Social Media Contractors Spirit World Standard Printing Company State of Nebraska Economic Development Department Straight Shot Strictly Business Magazine Univ. of Nebraska Omaha, Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Franchising University of Nebraska Omaha-Thompson Center Wells Fargo Bank Thank You to the Speakers, the University of Nebraska Omaha Faculty & Students, The Own It Omaha Committee, Family, & Friends! Helped get the word out... If I forgot anyone, my apologies...