own it omaha sept 27 2013 program

OWN IT OMAHA!

Sponsored by:

September 27, 2013 UNO ‐ Mammel Hall #OWNITOMAHA!

OWN IT OMAHA! is presented by Own It Ventures, a platform for

women entrepreneurs and business owners to get prepared and market

their companies, goods and services for funding, media buzz and product

distribution. Through an online community, virtual meetings, Roadshows

and Conferences, women take the steps for business and financial success.

www.ownitventures.com

Thank you for joining us today for the launch of OWN IT OMAHA!

Growing a business is like raising a family: You have the desire, a mission, and a plan. At some point, obstacles or un‐expected situations happen, and you have to make decisions accordingly. In life, we navigate through and around challenges with the help of a network of friends, family, health experts, and the internet. We call upon our trusted network for suggestions, information, guidance and referrals to make the best decision possible.

While restarting my career after working as a stay‐at‐home mom, I quickly discovered the importance of having a busi‐ness network comparable to my personal network. It took time and effort, but gradually I built my business network to the point where it provided the support I needed. Then, when the 2008 economic meltdown occurred, I heard from other women business owners, and women who wanted to start a business, this same need and void. That’s how the idea for Own It Ventures was born.

Own It Ventures is based upon three key elements for business success: funding, media buzz and product distribu‐tion. What began as a series of conferences with a Sharkette Tank expanded to an online community with virtual meetings and roadshows. The Own It Ventures community has helped women find funding from Angel Investors and banks, exposure in various media outlets, distribution of product in retailers, and most recently, the successful sale of a product line to a large corporation.

Own It Omaha! for me, is coming home to a place I love. Amazing things are happening in the area for small business and entrepreneurs. Yet, there is a void that needs to be addressed. Women in Omaha and the Midwest deserve a platform to build their business networks so they can come to the business community table and Own It!

I look forward to meeting everyone and getting to know you and your business. Melissa

Louis G. Pol

Dean

Louis G. Pol is the John Becker Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In his position as dean, he is Chief Executive Officer for the college, and is responsible for program development, outreach and fundrais‐ing. He is a demographer, and over his academic career, his research and teaching have focused on health demography, marketing, racial and ethnic disparities in health insurance and housing, and demographic applications in business. He has authored six books and over sev‐enty articles in a wide range of journals including Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Family Practice, Social Forces, Genus, Journal of the Market Research Society, Public Opinion Quarterly, Jour‐nal of the American Dental Association, Social Biology and Urban Studies.

© 2013 Own It Ventures, LLC All Rights Reserved www.ownitventures.com 908‐852‐4200


OWN IT OMAHA! AGENDA September 27, 2013

8:00 AM‐ 9:00 AM Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast

9:10 AM ‐ 9:20 AM Opening Remarks Dr. Louis Pol, John Becker Dean, Professor of Marketing

Morning Breakout Sessions 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (choose a room during each session)

The Break Station is Sponsored by: Koley Jessen Law Firm

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM SESSION 1 Show Me the Money– Bank Loans, Lines of Credit & State Grants Launch Your Selling Skills– Preliminary Steps for Entrepreneurs

Websites & E‐Commerce

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Session 2 Making Sense of Social Media & Technology

Do Business with the City, State & Federal Governments Essentials for Sales Results: For the Entrepreneur & Business Owner

11:00 AM– 11:30 AM Session 3 Money, Money, Money‐ Is Your Business Fundable?

Email Marketing Strategies & Social Media Intellectual Property Issues– Patents & Licensing Agreements

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM Session 4 (In Main Room) Successful Women Entrepreneurs & Business Owners Share Their Stories

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch, Network & Exhibit Time

Procurement Contracts, Bids & Certification Tables

Women Investing in Nebraska Table

Afternoon Speakers and Panels are in the Main Room

1:00 PM ‐ 1:30 PM Afternoon Keynote: Dr. Joel Bessmer

Your Health & Your Business

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM What does an Investor look for in a business?

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM How to capture the Media’s attention?

4:15 PM – 5:00 PM Product Distribution, The Secrets to Success

5:00 PM – 5:15 PM Closing Remarks

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM Cocktail Networking Reception & Exhibit Time

#OWNITOMAHA! Breakout Session 1 9:30 AM —10:00 AM

Show Me the Money: Bank Loans, Lines of Credit & State Grants

Brandon Athy is a commercial lending professional, serving the Greater Omaha area, with SAC Federal Credit

Union. Before joining the SAC Federal Credit Union team, Brandon was a Branch Manager with US Bank in Omaha, and a Business Banker for Farmers State Bank in Marion, IA. Brandon received his bachelor’s degree in Business/Finance from Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA and is currently finishing his MBA. At present time, Brandon is a member of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce President’s Club and the Bellevue Rotary Club.

Marisol U. Rodriguez is the Technology Commercialization program director at the Nebraska Business Devel‐

opment Center. Marisol consider herself as a successful woman intrapreneur: Growing customer base, develop‐ing and implementing marketing plans, building professional networks and creating partnerships, adding value to stakeholders, managing budgets, etc., are some of her accomplishment during her professional career. Recently, she has expanded her knowledge in the grant government, technology transfer, and technology commercializa‐tion arenas. Marisol is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council and Certified as Technology Consultant by the Association of Small Business Development Centers.

Launch Your Selling Skills– Preliminary Steps for Entrepreneurs

Pamela Peterson has more than twenty‐five years of diversified experience in sales and marketing at the national and global

level with a proven track record of success. Her industry expertise includes professional service firms and industrial and durable goods manufacturers ranging in size from start‐ups to Fortune 100 corporations including Accenture and Tyco. She has significant experience managing complex marketing and sales initiatives across highly matrixed organizations with multiple stakeholders. Equally conversant in the sales and marketing disciplines she specializes in defining and executing go‐to‐market strategy, identify‐ing and capitalizing on new product and market opportunities, building brand equity and creating viable sales enablement tools. In addition, Pam teaches courses in sales, marketing and management at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Keith Fix Serial entrepreneur and marketing connoisseur, Keith managed to raise six‐figures from private inves‐

tors to start his 3rd company, blabfeed, while still in college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Keith graduated in December 2012. His work as a budding small business enthusiast across various tech ventures has been highlighted in Entrepreneur Magazine, Bloomberg Businessweek, articles on Yahoo, Omaha World Herald and more. blabfeed, a Perfecta Media LLC, specializes in the procurement, installation, integration and design of digital sign‐age solutions. The firm also assists clients in identifying digital out of home marketing opportunities. Since 2012, blabfeed has experienced 1551% revenue growth and made a national footprint with clients .

Websites & E‐Commerce: Build Your Own Website or Hire a Developer, & E‐Commerce

Dr. Deepak Khazanchi is Professor of Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis, Associate Dean for Aca‐

demic Affairs, and Community Engagement and Internationalization Officer in the College of Information Science & Technology (IS&T) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Prior to becoming Associate Dean, he served as chair of the Information Systems & Quantitative Analysis department in the College of IS&T. He is also an affili‐ated faculty in UNO’s International Studies & Programs. Dr. Khazanchi’s current research interests are focused in the areas of virtual project management, mutual knowledge, project management best practices, B2B assurance services and risk analysis in extended enterprise environments, and the application of philosophy of science in the Information Systems discipline. Dr. Khazanchi has been engaged in collaborative interactions with the busi‐

ness community through various R&D projects and service to the IT profession and community at the regional, national and inter‐national levels. Dr. Khazanchi is leading the Morning Breakout Sessions on Technology, Websites and E‐Commerce with Rachel Ostrander and Cassi Tucker; two of Dr. Khazanchi’s students.


10:15 AM —10:45 AM Breakout Session 2 #OWNITOMAHA!

Essentials for Sales Results for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners: Next Steps

Pamela Peterson has more than twenty‐five years of diversified experience in sales and marketing at the national and global level

with a proven track record of success. Her industry expertise includes professional service firms and industrial and durable goods manufacturers ranging in size from start‐ups to Fortune 100 corporations including Accenture and Tyco. She has significant experi‐ence managing complex marketing and sales initiatives across highly matrixed organizations with multiple stakeholders. Equally con‐versant in the sales and marketing disciplines she specializes in defining and executing go‐to‐market strategy, identifying and capital‐izing on new product and market opportunities, building brand equity and creating viable sales enablement tools. In addition, Pam teaches courses in sales, marketing and management at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Keith Fix is a serial entrepreneur and marketing connoisseur, Keith managed to raise six‐figures from private

investors to start his 3rd company, blabfeed, while still in college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Keith graduated in December 2012. His work as a budding small business enthusiast across various tech ventures has been highlighted in Entrepreneur Magazine, Bloomberg Businessweek, articles on Yahoo, Omaha World Herald and more. blabfeed, a Perfecta Media LLC, specializes in the procurement, installation, integration and design of digital sign‐age solutions. The firm also assists clients in identifying digital out of home marketing opportunities. Since 2012, blabfeed has experienced 1551% revenue growth and made a national footprint with clients .

Do Business with the City, State & Federal Government: Bids, Contracts & Certification

Rissa M. Conner is the Corporate Purchasing & Inventory Control Manager in the Material Management

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 Manager of Corporate Purchasing and Contracts.

Jean Turner is a Buyer at the Metropolitan Utilities District, (M.U.D.), and Supply Chain Procurement in Omaha,

Nebraska. Her responsibilities include seeking and securing small businesses, women and minority owned businesses for Procurement and Supplier Chain contracts since 2010. Jean has been with M.U.D. since 1979, hav‐ing worked her way up to a key Buyer position. Prior to M.U.D., Jean worked for Nebraska Furniture Mart at a Purchasing Administrator for ten years. She is a Graduate from Bellevue University with a Masters in Business Management, and a Graduate from the Institute for Supply Management and Project Management for Procurement Certification. She is a member of the NAPM (Nebr. Assoc. of Purchasing Management), ISM Nebr. Inc. (Institute for Supply Management) Member, GPMSDC (Great Plains Minority Suppliers Devel. Council), MMSDC (Midwest Minor‐ity Suppliers Devel. Council), Corp. Partner Position‐Executive Advisory Committee, ESB and the United Way 2010 (Exec. Committee).

Social Media & Technology: Includes using Apps & Website Integration

Dr. Deepak Khazanchi is Professor of Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis, Associate Dean for

Academic Affairs, and Community Engagement and Internationalization Officer in the College of Information Sci‐ence & Technology (IS&T) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Prior to becoming Associate Dean, he served as chair of the Information Systems & Quantitative Analysis department in the College of IS&T. He is also an affiliated faculty in UNO’s International Studies & Programs. Dr. Khazanchi’s current research interests are focused in the areas of virtual project management, mutual knowledge, project management best practices, B2B assurance services and risk analysis in extended enterprise environments, and the application of philosophy of science in the Information Systems discipline. Dr. Khazanchi has been engaged in collaborative interactions with the business community through various R&D projects and service to the IT profession and community at the regional, national and international levels. Dr. Khazanchi is leading the Morning Break‐out Sessions on Technology, Websites and E‐Commerce with Rachel Ostrander and Cassi Tucker; two of Dr. Khazanchi’s stu‐dents.


#OWNITOMAHA! Breakout Session 3 11:00 AM —11:30 AM

Money, Money, Money: Is Your Business Fundable?

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 con‐struction, manufacturing and services business industries. Areas of specific focus include depreciation and cost seg‐regation issues. Deyna also serves clients through IRS audit consulting and representation. Deyna is a Creighton University Graduate with Highest Distinction recognition and supports several community organizations, including Literacy Center for the Midlands, Past Board Treasurer, and the Junior League of Omaha.

Josh Weiss joined the Lutz Firm in 2002 and serves as an Audit Partner. He provides assurance, accounting and

consulting services to privately held companies. Josh has substantial experience serving the construction industry, is a member of the Lutz business valuation team, and is accredited in business valuation. Prior to joining Lutz, he worked at a national accounting firm. Josh supports many local organizations including Construction Financial Man‐agement Association Nebraska Chapter, Member of the Board of Directors; Active Member of the Associated Gen‐eral Contractors, Nebraska Chapter, Dundee Presbyterian, Board of Trustees, and At Ease USA, Board of Directors.

Korey Young is a SBA Lender Relations Specialist at the Nebraska District Office. A native of Creighton, Neb., Ko‐rey comes to the SBA from Isabelle Court in Austin, Texas, where he worked as financial director/managing part‐ner. Prior to that, he served for five years as an area business specialist in Norfolk, Nebraska, with the Department of Agriculture, with direct responsibility for overseeing loan guarantee programs for small businesses within a 36‐county area in the Cornhusker State. Young has experience in small business lending, first with US Bank in Blair and Washington County Bank , where he was responsible for more than $10 million in commercial loans. While there, he served as the president of the Blair Area Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club, and on the board of directors

for the Gateway Economic Development Corporation.

Email Marketing Strategies & Social Media: Getting the Results You Want

Paige Cahill is the Constant Contact Regional Development Director for Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska &

Oklahoma. Paige is an email marketing and social media expert, small business & non‐profit advocate, advisor, en‐trepreneur, professional speaker and trainer. Paige’s expertise and knowledge has been acquired from her entrepre‐neurial expertise and 20 plus years in education, training, consulting, technology plus marketing industry. Paige speaks to over 10,000 small businesses and non‐profits annually regarding traditional and non‐traditional marketing strategies. Paige’s passion is to help small businesses and non‐profits “thrive and survive” in any economy. As a Re‐

gional Development Director for Constant Contact, Paige’s mission is to “coach and connect” small business and non‐profits to best marketing practices, strategies, tips, tools and real‐world examples to help “Rev Up Your Relationships, Referrals, Revenues and Re‐sults.

Intellectual Property Issues: Patents & Licensing Rights

Jason Nickla, JD LLM is the Director of Intellectual Property at the University of Nebraska Medical Center

(UNMC) and its technology transfer entity, UNeMed Corporation. As a registered patent attorney, Jason works with inventors and outside counsel to analyze and protect UNMC inventions. Jason also drafts and negotiates various contracts relating to intellectual property, including licenses, sponsored research agreements, material transfer agreements, and confidential disclosure agreements. In addition to his work at UNMC, Jason supports local and international technology transfer efforts by being a Con‐

sultant on the Innovation Philippines project for the International Intellectual Property Institute, a Washington D.C.‐based think tank, an Adjunct Professor teaching Intellectual Property Law in the MBA program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and recently began working with the World Intellectual Property Organization’ technology and innovation support centers. Prior to arriving at UNMC, Jason worked at two intellectual property specialty law firms in Chicago where he drafted and prosecuted patent applications, conducted prior art searches on inventions, and provided patentability and freedom‐to‐operate opinions. Fur‐ther, he conducted prior art searches and drafted written opinions on PCT patent applications on behalf of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.


11:45 AM—12:15 PM Midwest Women Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories

Main Room #OWNITOMAHA!

Interviewed by Melissa Gasnick Cloeter, President of Own It Ventures. In 2007, Ms. Cloeter launched her entrepreneurial

path by creating WINC: The Women’s Initiative Network & Connection, LLC, a Workforce Diversity & Marketing consulting com‐pany. She designed programs to guide women and management with Work‐Life‐Career issues. Melissa’s career includes Sales, Management and Business Development for Fortune 500 Companies in the Consumer Goods Industries and privately owned busi‐nesses. In 2010, Ms. Cloeter was named as one of the Best 50 Women in Business in New Jersey by NJBIZ. She is a frequent speaker for organizations and women's groups including College of NJ‐School of Business, Warren County Community College, The 2010 NJ Governor’s Conference for Women, The Women of AT&T, Fox Rothschild Women’s Initiative Group, The Women’s Fund of New Jersey, Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter, Bergen County Women in Business, and the United Way‐ Women’s Leadership Counsel of NJ. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Omaha, a mom, and a college football fanatic.

Sara Hanlon is CEO and Co‐creator of Blogglebeans, a website and app where grandparents and kids can play and share. Sara has more than a decade of online sales, marketing and product development experience. Hanlon oversees the business strat‐egy for the company as well as day‐to‐day operations, strategic partnerships, and cus‐tomer acquisition. She lives in Omaha with her husband and 4‐year‐old twin girls.

Stephanie Healy founded Vente, Inc. in 1999 to develop highly segmented, permission‐based marketing databases for companies wanting to reach qualified prospects. As CEO and Co‐Founder of Vente, Inc., Ms. Healy aggressively built a high margin business with over $18 million dollars in annual revenue and employing over 75 people. In 2005, she successfully negotiated the sale of Vente to Experian’s Marketing Services Division. Prior to starting Vente, Healy profitably managed the online division for Omaha Steaks. She built OmahaSteaks.com into a multi‐million dollar business. As an experienced di‐rect marketer, Healy has a wide range of experience leading both B2C and B2B compa‐nies. She is a native of Omaha, Nebraska and was Inducted into the “Hall of Fame” for Nebraska’s Distinguished Entrepreneurs by the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2008. Ms. Healy was voted one of the Omaha’s 40 Under 40 by the Midlands Business Journal and named Emerging Entrepreneur of 2002 by Ernst & Young for the Nebraska/Iowa region. She has also been featured as a leading entrepre‐neur in publications like The Wall Street Journal, Direct, DM News and Target magazine.

Abby Jordan is Founder eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato. eCreamery is the World's Sweetest Personalized Gourmet online ice cream parlor where you rule the scoop! Cus‐tomers can design their own gourmet ice cream or gelato from over 60 flavors & 50 mix‐ins and your order is shippable! Your custom creation can be shipped directly to your doorstep, and you can choose the flavor name and packaging! Abby will share how they have grown their business to include 70% of their overall sales is through E‐Commerce. Abby, and her business partner Becky App, have been seen on the famous Shark Tank, The View, & other National Media.


12:15—1:00 PM LUNCH #OWNITOMAHA!

Sponsored by Spirit World. Owned by Laurie Hellbush Wolford

and has the best chicken salad in town! Thank You, Spirit World

PROCUREMENT‐CERTIFICATION AREA

Interested in doing business with the City, State or Federal gov‐

ernment? Visit the Procurement‐Certification area during lunch.

Meet with representatives from the Small Business Administra‐

tion, Nebraska Business Development Center, the , Omaha Public

Power District and Metropolitan Utilities District.

WOMEN INVESTING IN NEBRASKA

Giving back is often a mission for many women business owners

and entrepreneurs. Meet with the women from W.I.N. and learn

how to help other women in Nebraska while networking with a

great group of women.

NETWORK WITH THE EXHIBITORS

Visit the organizations who helped to make this day happen.

1:00—1:30 PM AFTERNOON KEYNOTE #OWNITOMAHA!

Dr. Joel Bessmer, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Dr. Joel Bessmer is the founding physician and Medical Director of Members.MD,

a company that pairs patients with concierge health care providers in Omaha,

NE. Dr. Bessmer opened his concierge clinic in 2009 to provide unprecedented

care and significantly improve the quality of his patient’s lives. Dr. Bessmer has

been named one of the "Best Doctors in America" annually since 2001. Last year,

he also received Concierge Medicine Today’s “Top Doc” honor naming him one of

the top 15 concierge physicians in the country.

A native of Plainview, Neb., Dr. Bessmer received his undergraduate degree from

Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney) in 1988 and

his medical degree from UNMC in 1993. He completed his residency in internal

medicine at UNMC, where he was chief resident. Dr. Bessmer joined the UNMC

faculty in 1997, serving as associate professor of internal medicine, associate director of the internal medicine

residency program, co‐director of the UNMC medicine/pediatrics residency program, and medical director for

UNMC Physicians Turner Park Clinic and Baker Place Clinic.


CONGRATULATIONS, OWN IT OMAHA!

BARTHOLOMEW GASNICK INVESTMENT GROUP

17117 Oak Dr Omaha, NE 68130 (402) 932-3344

#OWNITOMAHA! What do Investors look for in a business?

Sponsored by Lutz Accounting Firm 1:45 PM—2:45 PM

Stephen George is the Founder and Managing Partner of Panorama Point Partners, Ltd., an Omaha‐based, unconventional investment partnership focused solely on pri‐vate markets and unlocking proprietary opportunities via a network of entrepreneurs and families. Stephen is the former Co‐Founder, Chief Investment Officer, Managing Partner of Capricorn Investment Group, LLC, a private family‐focused investment firm with $5 billion in capital; and is currently, a non‐operational Partner and Senior Advi‐sor. He co‐led investment strategy, asset allocation, chaired investment committee, and Capricorn management since early 2002.

Stephen has managed a substantial portfolio of alternative investments, with nearly $2 billion under manage‐ment, comprised of internal direct and external fund holdings. He is a graduate of Cornell University and a CFA charter holder, a member of Young Presidents Organization, the Board of Trustees at Brownell Talbot School, and on various Corporate Boards. He is a Nebraska native and lives in Omaha with his wife, Annika and their four children.

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 investors. 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.

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.

Karen has been instrumental in today happening. Thank You!

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 rec‐ognition and supports several community organizations, including Literacy Center for the Midlands, Past Board Treasurer, and the Junior League of Omaha.


Checklist from

Nebraska Angels

Management Team

Is your team experienced, driven, coachable, and willing to cede some control and decision‐making authority to outside investors?

Target Customer Do you have an identifiable market segment?

Is there a demonstrable and significant demand for your proposed solution?

Market Size Is the projected spending in your product category large and growing?

Can this be a $100 million market?

Competition Have you identified potential competitors?

Do you understand your company’s differentiation points? Will true barriers to entry help your company to maintain a competitive advantage?

Technology Have you proven the concept behind your product or technology?

Can this be confirmed with data or by objective experts? Have you built a comprehensive business plan to commercialize the technology?

Protected Intellectual Property Have you protected your intellectual property?

Have you performed an exhaustive search to be sure that you are not infringing on patents or trademarks held by others?

Sales Strategy Do you have a plan to achieve widespread market penetration for your products and services?

How will you do this as efficiently as possible? Will you create an internal, direct sales team, or will you rely on external channel partners?

Profit Potential Can you demonstrate how high margins (+15%) and consistent cash flow growth will be achieved?

Capital Needs Do you require between $50,000 to $500,000 to finance growth activities, including product development, recruiting key staff,

launching sales and marketing activity?

Financial Projections Have you developed reasonable financial projections – including an income statement, cash flow and balance sheet and supporting

spreadsheets – based on logical, realistic assumptions?

Exit Strategy Do you have a clear exit strategy that will enable angel investors to generate a return of at least ten times their initial investment?

Business Plan

Have you developed a comprehensive business plan that articulates key business strategies for how you will grow your venture?

Andrea “Andee” Hoig was the editor of what she would eventually upgrade into metroMagazine when she purchased the existing publication (at the time known as Metro Monthly) from her father in 1996 with the dream of transforming it into a vital component of the Omaha philanthropic community.

As publisher, she has also introduced “The Event Book,” a resource guide to charity events and nonprofit giving guide. She created AHL Publications Inc., expanding products and publications offered, and created the “Big Event,” an annual Academy Award‐style evening recognizing efforts of those involved in successful events. She started the weekly interview radio show “metroCONNECTIONS: Spirit of Omaha.”

Andee launched a Weekly Insider e‐newsletter for charity events, and is a weekly guest for metroMagazine’s Weekly Insider segment on KMTV’s “The Morning Blend” and appears weekly on 101.9 with Dave Wingert. In recent years Ms. Hoig has also launched a full featured website: SpiritofOmaha.com, which supports her company’s mission of promoting nonprofits and philanthropy.


MODERATOR: Julie DeWitt Julie DeWitt is the Director of Marketing for Koley Jessen law firm where she is responsible for branding, marketing, public relations, business development strategy, and community involvement. Within the Omaha community, she serves on the board of Maha Music Festival and on the steering committee of the Benson Mural Project. She is a past board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands and Inclusive Communities. Julie is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Omaha and received the Ten Outstanding Young Omahans award in 2005. In 2004 and 2005, she served as the first chair of the Young Professionals Council, now Greater Omaha Young Professionals. Julie has a degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.

Barbara Soderlin is one of seven reporters on The Omaha World‐Herald's Money desk.

She covers employment issues, technology and the food business, and moderates the

Money Talks business blog. Barbara studied English literature at Northwestern Univer‐

sity and is pursuing a master's degree in journalism at South Dakota State University.

She is a Chicago native and lives in Omaha with her husband, World‐Herald photogra‐

pher Ryan Soderlin, their two daughters and their rabbit, Sunny B.

#OWNITOMAHA! How to capture the Media’s attention?

3:00 PM—3:45 PM

CUROIUS ABOUT THE ART IN THE ROOM? Thanks to Revolve, a company based in Omaha, Nebraska, founded by "recovering attorney" Jennifer Barry, that spe‐cializes in representing and promoting local artists by leasing their artwork in re‐volving exhibitions to local businesses. The artwork displayed today represents five of Revolve's Featured Omaha Artists: Watie White, Steve Joy, Susan Knight, Deborah Murphy, Tana Quincy and Mary Day.

Details on Revolve: jenniferbarry@revolvearts, or call: 402.990.1457, Coming in November: www.revolvearts.com

http://www.revolvearts.com

Stefanie Garcia, Whole Foods Market

Stefanie is Local Forager & Competitive Strategy Coordinator at Whole Foods. Previ‐ously, Stefanie managed the customer service department at a multimillion dollar natural and organic food retail store with a team of 85 customer service team mem‐bers, 15 floor Supervisors, and 4 Associate Team Leaders. She helps identify new prod‐ucts and growth opportunities for Whole Foods Market in the Midwest.

Interview by Melissa Gasnick Cloeter, President of Own It Ventures. In 2007, Ms. Cloeter launched her entrepreneurial

path by creating WINC: The Women’s Initiative Network & Connection, LLC, a Workforce Diversity & Marketing consulting com‐

pany. She designed programs to guide women and management with Work‐Life‐Career issues. Melissa’s career includes Sales,

Management and Business Development for Fortune 500 Companies in the Consumer Goods Industries and privately owned busi‐

nesses. Melissa has pitched many new products for distribution, and sat on the other side of the table, as a buyer.

Laurie Hellbush Wolford, Owner Spirit World a gourmet deli and specialty wine, beer and liquor store located in midtown 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!

Angela Lee was born in Western Nebraska and raised on a cattle ranch. She grew up

knowing how to work hard and the value of a dollar. She attended the University of

Nebraska‐Lincoln from 2000‐2004 and received a degree in journalism and went on to

establish Strictly Business Magazine in the Omaha market. In 2011, Angela invented

the SHOLDIT Clutch Wrap™ purse that within first year of launch has been featured by

the TODAY Show, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Time, Yahoo Finance, profiled by The

Associated Press as well as other national, regional, and local newscasts.

The world spins with people trying to prevent problems or if one must, create a solution. SHOLDIT has done

both. Introducing the world's one and only patent‐pending Clutch Wrap™ purse.

#OWNITOMAHA! Product Distribution, The Secrets to Success

3:00 PM—3:45 PM

Thank You

For the Gift Drawing

Whole Foods Market

SholdIt

Printing of the Program

Standard Printing Company

Omaha, Nebraska

(402) 342‐3688 • Fax (402) 342‐4380•


#OWNITOMAHA! Premium Membership Promotion

1/2 Price, Yearly Membership ($199)

Use Code OWNITOM27 or Sign Up at the OIV/OIO Table

Melissa Gasnick‐Cloeter [email protected]

(908)852‐4200 Office (908)399‐6192 Cell

www.ownitventures.com www.facebook.com/OWNITOMAHA

#OWNITOMAHA! @OWNITVENTURES Twitter

Special Recognition and Gratitude To:

Bartholomew Gasnick Investment Group Carpenter Paper

Center for Entrepreneurship and Market Capitalism, Bellevue University

Chelsea Friel Graphic Design Constant Contact

Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Koley Jessen Law Firm

Ladies Who Launch—Omaha Linseed Capital

Lutz Accounting Firm Metropolitan Utilities District

Nebraska Angels Nebraska Business Development Centers

Noah Witchell Photography Omaha Public Power District

Omaha World‐Herald The Reader

Revolve SAC Federal Credit Union

SholdIt Small Business Administration

Spirit World Standard Printing Company

University of Nebraska Medical Center

University of Nebraska Omaha, College of Business Administration

University of Nebraska Omaha, Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Franchising

University of Nebraska Omaha‐College of Information Science & Technology

Whole Foods Market Women Investing in Nebraska

Thank You to the Speakers, the University of Nebraska Omaha Faculty & Students,

The OWN IT OMAHA! Committee, Special Thank You to My Son, Family, Friends!


own it omaha sept 27 2013 program

Documents