The Tulseys

Sharon Braun Hutton
- Letterpress of Tulsa

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Sharon Braun Hutton Answers:

Printmaking is an exciting, publicly accessible art form. Its strength is mass production - saying something many times, bringing the freedom of the press to the people. We bought our press, Beatrice (2800 pounds, 130 years old), at an auction featured on the History Channel. From that early publicity, we attracted a number of retired elderly printers who come into our shop, excited to see their past livelihoods enduring. I love meeting every old printer who swings by but I especially loved talking to Alice, a rare woman printer who had a thriving career here in Tulsa. So many, Alice included, have brought us their old type, books, and equipment, thrilled their tools of the trade will be used again. These exchanges alone have made it all worthwhile.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Sharon Braun Hutton Answers:

From the challenge of helping develop DVDs at MGM in 1995, to the drama of setting up several creative teams, I’ve never let the downs define my next up. After leaving a suit-and-tie corporate position and being unemployed for a year, I kept hearing the word “overqualified.” I decided it was time to open my own design shop and take my love of fonts and the art of printmaking to the streets of the 918.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Sharon Braun Hutton Answers:

My Dad called me his little entrepreneur when I was ten, shoveling people’s sidewalks for a dollar. I had to go look that word up in the dictionary! I have carried the same drive and determination with me through all the years. After being on the top of new media technology, I am now embracing old craftsmanship and machinery from 1885. One of our slogans is “Old School is the New Cool.” People are loving the return to paper and texture.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Sharon Braun Hutton Answers:

While preparing for opening weekend we spent the night toiling away on signage for our front window display. It was up for a couple days, then one evening before heading home I stood out front, proudly taking at all in, until I realized that “Letterpress” was spelled “Lettepress.” We spent the whole night fixing it. There is no spell check with antique wood type!

 

 

 

Steve Cluck
- Louis & Cluck

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Steve Cluck Answers:

I Heart Tulsa. I have lived here my entire life. I truly love our community, our rich history, our array of talented musicians and artists, our beautiful art deco buildings, our unpredictable weather, etc. My love of Tulsa inspired me to create a line of products celebrating all things uniquely Oklahoman. I have created original phrases including "Don't Hate the 918" and "I Speak Okie" that have become unofficial slogans for our community. I am proud to be someone who champions Oklahoma and I am honored that the public has embraced my output for the past seven years and counting.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Steve Cluck Answers:

As an artist, I am willing to follow my intuition. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it is always interesting. I like to view the "failed" part of a painting, or piece of clothing, or marketing plan as an intregal part of the creative process. Henry Ford said "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently."

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Steve Cluck Answers:

Thinking outside-of-the-box is the only way to go. I look at my clothing line, Louis & Cluck, my partner Zuri and I made a conscious decision from day one to create clothing that looks like nothing else being made in Oklahoma. We were the first to use American Apparel blanks. We were the first to use environmentally safe inks. We use a DIY screen printing process that veers from the processes used by industrial screen printers. Our aesthetic has been adopted by many others since, but we were the first to create that look that has inspired so many others to come later. I think Louis & Cluck initially was well received because we were so different.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Steve Cluck Answers:

I have been determined to win the dance contest at Club Majestic for several years. But I always come in second place. I have no dance training, so I always go for attempting to win votes via costumes (I once competed in a Santa suit) or ridiculous stage antics. I really thought the Santa suit would get the job done.

 

 

 

Nikki Halgren
- Gleeful Peacock Mercantile / Gleeful Peacock, Inc.

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Nikki Halgren Answers:

The end goal of all my endeavors is be a positive force in whatever area I am working. The business, Gleeful Peacock, has been alive since 2009. It is a line of hand painted jewelry and accessories. The goal for the product line and business is to encourage women to live colorfully, live out loud and to be happy. It came about when I found myself believing that because I was not a perfect size or in my early 20's, that I should try to blend in and somehow disappear. The line was my way of encouraging women off all ages and sizes to be proud of themselves and to dare to stand out. Gleeful Peacock Mercantile came about when Gleeful Peacock, Inc. needed to be moved out of the home and find a studio to meet the demands of the incoming orders. When I found my current space, I instantly had wheels turning in my head. I saw potential to have a small and quaint retail space that could serve as a place to promote and share all the work from other business owners that I love and respect. I envisioned a workspace that could easily be converted to class space to teach, collaborate and mentor young artists & small business owners. This gives me an opportunity to have a mentoring program for young creatives that show them that being creative is a life skill and can actually be an awesome way to make a living. The shop currently carries the work of 6 young artists that are experiencing their first opportunities to show their work to the public and to sell it. I work closely with these artists on pricing, packaging, and displaying so that they are gaining knowledge they can use to turn these amazing talents into careers.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Nikki Halgren Answers:

I have lots and lots of ideas; big, fun, and exciting ideas! I have had to come to an understanding with myself that when you have lots of ideas and actually try to implement them, that some of them just won't work out. This has been a process to understand and come to terms with. The older I get, the more I realize it's an odds game and not personal failure if they don't all work out. This is not to say that I don't have failures. I do. I have them in every aspect of my life. But I just try to learn the most I can from them, admit to my weaknesses and keep working. My biggest failures were when I was not following my natural talents and I was trying to fit into the corporate world. I lost myself, my vision and my excitement. I now realize that the more excited I am about an idea or project, the better chance I have at success.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Nikki Halgren Answers:

My mom always encouraged me to creatively solve problems. When I was in high school, I needed to earn money for a big event I was involved with. I didn't want to ask people to sponsor me. So instead I wrote up a flyer and went door to door offering to pick up people's old junk. From the collected items, I had a huge garage sale over two weekends and earned enough to pay for the event. Right then I learned that there will always be more than one way to get done what you want to accomplish.

 

Every young artist I work with will hear the same "shpiel" from me. I tell them that if they are creative enough to make a product or a piece of art, then they can run a business. The key is to have the creativity that you use in making your product or business idea and then spread that creativity all the way across your business. I utilize my creativity to solve problems, network, market my business, plan events and to help others. Sometimes we think that we have to follow a set out plan or mold on the business side. The truth is that being creative is a huge asset and should be used in every aspect you can use it in. If you can implement creativity and fun into your business, then you have a great chance of success. I have done everything from having a gum ball machine that dispenses coupons to hidden positive messages in the products I make. I think that by putting more of my ideas and energy into my business, I have a more excitement; which to me equals a higher chance of success.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Nikki Halgren Answers:

I pretty much do things on a daily basis that I look at and wonder, "What am I thinking?" I post silly pictures of myself and say things that other business owners may never admit to. Sometimes, all I have to do to get a laugh is go back and read my Facebook posts. I strongly believe that by being more transparent and showing my weaknesses, strengths and failures, helps show others that we are all flawed but that we still go after our dreams.

 

 

 

Carmen Skelton
- Klondike 5

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Carmen Skelton Answers:

We would like to encourage everyone to play an instrument. Fans come and say what wonderful music we make and how talented we are. Our response is, "Do you play an instrument? You should think about starting to play an instrument; playing is so much fun". Most times the reply is "I could never", or "I am way too old to start learning how to play an instrument.". Our favorite response is "By the time you sixty your will be awesome." Practice seems to be the key to everything and it is no different with music. The difference between practicing when you were a child and now is the time span. Instead of practicing an hour everyday we practice with other people less but for longer time frames. In time you become a better player. Most of the members of our band learned from other musician's at festivals by watching and playing by ear. With more musicians floating around Tulsa we will have more people to jam with, learn from and in the long run help recognize Tulsa for great music.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Carmen Skelton Answers:

The better equipment one buys, the better product one can produce. Amplifying our instruments with quality pickups or investing in a quality condenser microphone (country stars in the 30's and 40's used this type of microphone) has become top priority. This helps the band produce a clean sound which is nice to listen to. Too many times in the beginning we played our hearts out only to have poor quality come through the speakers.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Carmen Skelton Answers:

Iron on patches. Who doesn't love to craft? We supply the art work the fan supplies their favorite shirt (usually the one they have on). K5 has the iron at most shows. Another out-of-the-box idea that just comes naturally with the instruments we play is to play intimate unplugged acoustic show closer that fans love to crowd around and sing along to folk songs.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Carmen Skelton Answers:

Way way way back. We played a biker bar (not Soundpony) out in Skiatook, OK. This once run down dive was fixed up by our dear friend trying to bring music to the region. We played every Friday and at the time we were thinking "Wow what a gig!" Well, even though the venue changed; the crowd was still the same. One man loved us and always requested Neil Young by screaming for "NEAL YOOUUUUNNG" at the top of his lungs. The other regulars did not appreciate our appearance every Friday (keep in mind we were still green in performing). Half way through our set we were figuring out which song was next or something of that type delay; there was a gap in entertainment and a patron of the bar turned the jukebox on! Then we asked him to turn if off! We were too young to understand the hint. Looking back we can just guess how it looked to the locals. Young kids learning how to perform when all you want is a beer and music you like after a hard day of work.

 

 

 

Kenneth Tracy
- Choregus Productions

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Kenneth Tracy Answers:

Choregus Productions was founded six years ago with the mission of presenting performing arts which otherwise would not appear on Tulsa stages and to engage the community with visiting artists.

 

Since 2006, Choregus has presented 46 national and international contemporary dance companies, musical artists, and dramatic presentations. Most of the performances have been the first Oklahoma appearances by these artists and more than twenty-five percent are from outside the United States. Choregus Productions has provided the Tulsa area the opportunity to see performances that otherwise would require a trip to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, or London. The Choregus Dance Series is considered by agents to be one of the five top such series in the country.

 

Last year over 5,000 Tulsa area students had the opportunity to engage with visiting artists by attending educational performances or participating in master classes and workshops. In November, Choregus will receive the Oklahoma Governor's Award for Arts in Education in recognition of its community engagement efforts.

 

In brief, Choregus Productions has enhanced the cultural landscape of our community and made it a more attractive place for businesses to be located and for citizens to reside.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Kenneth Tracy Answers:

Perhaps the greatest lesson I have learned since founding Choregus Productions is the importance of allowing others to help. In the beginning I believed I could do everything, but quickly learned that many important details were not being taken care of.

 

When our first performance a number of backstage technical issues developed, I learned the necessity of having a tech director for each performance to make sure all these problems were taken care of in advance.

 

We early on discovered that, although we provided free educational performances, schools often did not have funds to bus students to the performances, so we began to solicit donations to help pay for bus transportation for students. Our patrons have responded generously.

 

We discovered that other arts organizations are eager for us to succeed and anxious to help. So we now partner with other organizations in marketing, sharing of resources, and even, on occasion, joint presentations.

 

I have also learned the importance of seeking the wisdom of others. There are many wise leaders in our community who have much valuable experience and insight into what we are attempting to do. We are expanding our Board of Directors to take advantage of these talents in a formal manner and at the same time being more pro-active in working with other individuals and organizations to utilize their experiences.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Kenneth Tracy Answers:

I believe our verry existence is an "out-of-the-box" experience. When we began there was no organization in the state that presented world-class contemporary dance companies on a regular basis. There were numerous cutting-edge music groups that crossed over from classical to jazz to rock to whatever that simply were not playing Tulsa. The were many established vocal and choral groups that were outside the focus of existing organizations. So our "out-of-the-box" experience was we said, "Why Not," and created a new cultural experience for the Tulsa community.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Kenneth Tracy Answers:

When Choregus Productions presented its first contemporary dance company, I did not realize it was necessary to reserve the theater the day before the company arrived to pre-hang the lights. When I discovered my mistake I tried to reserve the venue for the extra day but was told another group was in the theatre. So the company arrives with no lights pre-hung and a performance scheduled that evening. The artistic director and lighting director for the company and the crew at the performing arts center rolled up their sleeves, did the hang, the focus and the tech rehearsal in record time. The performce was flawless. I learned an important lesson about my job and also about how professional others can be. The artistic director and lighting director have been close friends ever since, but it could have been a real disaster.

 

 

 

Luke Crouch
- Tulsa Web Devs

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Luke Crouch Answers:

Tulsa Web Devs hosts events where creative technology professionals make web sites and apps that benefit Tulsa. From Tulsa Transit's bus routes & schedules to Tulsa Library's Beryl Ford collection to Tulsa Health Department's restaurant inspections and even OU's spatial science data - we try to make our local information relevant and accessible to everyone.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Luke Crouch Answers:

We failed to promote our Spring hackathon and we had very few attendees. We still made some great things, but we didn't reach as many people as we would have liked. We're doing much better with our Fall hackathon - we will have attendees coming from Oklahoma City too!

 

We've also failed to decentralize the leadership and responsibility of the group so that we still have a single point-of-failure in our activities.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Luke Crouch Answers:

It's fairly technical, but when I worked on OttoZen I needed to calculate the distance between traffic accidents and commuter route points. Rather than implement a complex Haversine formula, I simply compared a small set of the latitude and longitude decimal places. It's easy and I've used it a couple times since then as well.

 

 

 

Judi Grove
- Turn Tulsa Pink

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Judi Grove Answers:

Through Turn Tulsa Pink we have brought to light ten amazing local charities that help women, children and their families deal with cancer. Our fundraising efforts on behalf of those charities have allowed them to do more for the people they serve. In addition, we've been able to help several individuals that fall through the cracks between poverty and the non insured. You don't have to be poor to have needs when you or someone in your family faces a crisis with cancer of any type. We are the ALL inclusive pink - for Passion and Power when the community comes together to help one another. One of our greatest accomplishments is provide college scholarship funding for young adults either affected by cancer personally, or cancer in an immediate family member, through our Putting for Pink Golf Tournament each spring. Four young people received $2,500 each in our initial year, and hopefully we'll provide more in May, 2013.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Judi Grove Answers:

Over the last year of existence, we have faced many challenges. Finding committed people who share our vision, helping people understand that the color pink doesn't have to represent just one type of cancer, and spreading the word that we are here to help. But as a non profit, we know we must prove ourselves to be worthy of trust and build the integrity of our organization.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Judi Grove Answers:

We ENCOURAGE every committee member, and every business, school or church who want to do something for Turn Tulsa Pink to think out of the box. Turn Tulsa Pink started as a dream with me in a pink wig and tutu pulling a wagon through downtown Tulsa.... it doesn't get more out of the box than that. But I'm continually suprised with the genious of Tulsans! From turning Coffee Pots Pink (Blue Sky Delivery) for businesses to show their support, to the YWCA coloring the pool water pink, to people spraying their grass pink - we love it! And seeing Tulsans wear pink tutus is definitely a show of support!

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Judi Grove Answers:

Just recently the Sapulpa Cheer Squad, Dance Team and Color Guard held a fundraiser for Breast Impressions (one of our ten local charities) and presented the check at their High School Football Pink Out game. At half time, when we went to the field to accept the check we were SHOCKED and laughed so hard, we're still laughing because the announcer said I was accepting a check for "Breast Implants". At first we thought we heard him wrong... and the Cheer Squad leader shook her head to let him know that wasn't right... but he thought she couldn't hear him.... so he repeated it again. The crowd went hysterical! The moment we left the field she ran up to the booth and corrected him severly! He apologized to the crowd and corrected himself. People are still laughing about it!

 

 

 

Bill Solomon
- Vacuworx Global, Founder of Eagle Gift Foundation and Tulsa Pipeline Expo

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Bill Solomon Answers:

Without a doubt Oklahoma, especially Tulsa, has a rich heritage in the oil and gas industry. Years ago Tulsa was the home to the IPE, International Petroleum Exposition.

This rich heritage is alive and well and spread out across many companies and generations still involved in this industry, but now it's in energy or engineering and in services and skilled trades. It still flows through the veins of the welding pioneers with fabrication and machining. We have brought Oklahoma companies together to stand tall and proud of our rich heritage and show off our talents and to make ourselves known that we are alive and well and ready to help the world.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Bill Solomon Answers:

We started with just a handful of companies. I shared the vision of where this opportunity was headed. We lost a few of these participants around the idea, and would like to have them back. We continue to build on the backs of hardworking companies and strive to help each know what is available in Oklahoma, to utilize each other resources first before looking elsewhere and to help Oklahoma companies grow locally, nationally and internationally.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Bill Solomon Answers:

We took on the old IPE building with the Golden Driller as our host. We believed if we made a way possible, Tulsa would respond positively.

What a huge step but one which has proved very successful. We are preparing for our 5th year and it continues to grow and make everyone proud.

The money raised for local charities is very heart warming. This is under the umbrella of the Eagle Gift Foundation, 501c3, where we have a first class dinner, auction and show. ALL the proceeds go to charity.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Bill Solomon Answers:

We were looking for ideas for the center pieces of the tables. I was reviewing old pictures from Tulsa's past and kept noticing the oil derricks. I took some ideas to my fab shop and out came our first try. Well, it was a good effort but needed some 'marketing' - some improvements. These were installed and put on the tables. They were such a hit everyone was asking about them. I seized the moment and auctioned them off. We raised some needed funds then and they are a mainstay for our tables today and utilized for a host of charities to raise money.

 

 

 

Justin Snyder
- changeclothing, inc.

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Justin Snyder Answers:

"Change" is what we do, it's in our name. By partnering with various charities in the area, we're able to increase funding, build awareness, and provide tangible change to those most in need. As the founder, this concept would thrive in places like Austin, Los Angeles, or New York; however it's been my vision to keep this company centrally located in Oklahoma to help stimulate Oklahoma's job market and overall economy, while taking care of those who chose to call Tulsa home.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Justin Snyder Answers:

What a perfect question to propose. My longstanding motto has been "I work to afford the ability to fail in order to succeed." I've been working on this project for 15 years now so one could label this a "failure to launch." Conceptually, changeclothing was ahead of it's time in the beginning, so in ways I failed miserably with my elevator pitch to potential investors or collaborator's. I went back to the drawing board, revamped the business model and came up with a different approach. I made a list of the most influential people in my life that I held great admiration for due to fighting through failure and realizing great successes. I took each person to a one on one luncheon where I passionately pitched my ideas, then carefully listened to and meticulously detailed their reactions and suggestions. I'm a huge fan of diversification, and what greater way to solve an issue or dilemma than provide diversified solutions from trusted business men and women.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Justin Snyder Answers:

Entrepreneur is defined as a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk. Anytime we as humans see the term "risk" one can assume something different or "out-of-the-box" is at play. Entrepreneur and out-of-the-box are synonymous. My "out-of-the-box" moment came while caring for my terminally ill father back in 1996. That lesson was case in point that what doesn't kill us, only make us stronger. To add to that, it drove home that those who best adapt to adversity and "change" were often the most successful. Dealing with a losing battle to cancer put me in a place I'd never been my entire life. I'd finally met a problem head on that I couldn't and ultimately wouldn't solve. It was during that moment the light went off and changeclothing was born. Life is constantly changing. Clothing is constantly changing, from clothing trends, styles, look & feel, as well as the very necessity to have clothing is a constant. Why not create a consumer conscious do good clothing company that changes as we change, while giving back in the process. The out-of-the-box concept has become a never-ending win-win-win cycle, meant to give back and help others every day.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Justin Snyder Answers:

There are many things that make me laugh about the business struggles associated with being driven, passionate and unwilling to waiver on the path toward success. While I was in chiropractic college, a young man called me up and stated he was interested in buying my domain name changeclothing.com He rudely informed me it was just sitting there "doing nothing." So I said, "well sir, I've got big plans for it but I guess everything's for sale at the right price, however I doubt you'd pay what I feel it's worth." He asked how much, and I told him $1,000,000. You can imagine his response, but it's mine to keep and quite frankly I think I'd be selling myself short even at that price. That was a funny phone call. I'm a kid at heart and my naivety or some would call total unpreparedness at times has made me laugh. I'm definitely not the smartest person in the room, so it's important to find humor in all we do, including in our mistakes.

 

 

 

Amy J. Campbell
- The Red Checker, LLC

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Amy J. Campbell Answers:

Food and beverage (F&B), industrial equipment manufacturing and industrial maintenance services sector are our primary business sectors. We empower manufacturers and service providers to provide goods, services and training that create jobs, keep people safely working and enable production of top-quality products.

 

Locally, F&B manufacturer's like Maria Rae's Salsa based in Enid, Old Hammett Chili, Sweet Tooth Vanilla Wafers and Cheatwood’s honey based in Sapulpa, want to grow their presence in the Tulsa market and surrounding areas as well as compete nationally with larger brands. We’ve assisted them with growing distribution to Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and the remainder of Oklahoma through our association with Wal-Mart corporately and they are making strategic decisions about the next phase growth and adding jobs.

 

Equipment manufacturer’s and services providers in the industrial space (Oil & gas, maintenance services, training providers, safety devices for high voltage switchgear and power generation, manufacturers who produce predictive technologies such as infrared thermography devices, ultrasonic guns, vibration equipment and oil analysis) find their unique value propositions in concert with TRCs inbound lead generation and business development strategies are a successful combination. Manufacturers leverage our strong connections with industry publishers, conference hosts and the specialized skills in social media required to engage in this space. We are providing valuable strategies to grow American manufacturing and The Red Checker is all about manufacturing and job creation for Oklahomans and others across the nation (New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, Arizona, Wisconsin and Texas.)

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Amy J. Campbell Answers:

I made the (rookie) mistake of allowing a singular client to consume 110% of my time instead of taking on several smaller projects at a time. I remember thinking it was risky, that if something happened and they changed their minds or went a different direction that it would hurt - but I did it anyway. They quickly became a time consuming monster and I didn’t do any business development activities because I simply didn’t have the time. When they eventually did internalize the position, I was left without any pipeline, and that was financially painful and very stressful.

 

I am now very clear that no one client can ever be more than 40% and even then, depending on what the rest of TRCs pipeline looks like, I may make a decision to engage in more business development to ensure that there’s something on the horizon in the event that a project comes to completion earlier than expected or a client decides to internalize the position again.

 

I have also made the mistake of hiring an employee too early, when I thought I was going to be able to support that overhead, but then had to let them go on to other opportunities. I agonized over that decision because I knew that they were a quality individual, hard working and skilled, but in the early days, I could not keep the roller-coaster steady enough to ensure financial stability for her, and my business processes were unclear, which was completely unfair to her. I now realize that if I want to grow and add staff, I will need far greater stability through a stronger pipeline and processes.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Amy J. Campbell Answers:

After completing the Kaufman Foundation’s Fast Track - New Venture Entrepreneur’s course, I was still employed at an engineering firm, but had started a “hobby-job” writing resumes in the evenings and on weekends. Fast Track grads were often invited to different workshops or to hear speakers give their experiences and expertise on topics. One such event was a one-day EntreLeadership seminar by Dave Ramsey. That morning, I was doubting that I had the courage to be a single mother AND entrepreneur and was considering just getting back to work in a corporate marketing position. It was becoming more and more illogical as the savings were dwindling and to make matters worse, the people I spent the most time with, were consistently unsupportive, having never pursued any type of entrepreneurial dream. I was beginning to wonder if I was unbelievably crazy for even thinking that a niche marketer (in manufacturing no less), could build a business, be profitable and be the mom I wanted to be to my only child. I really didn't walk into this workshop thinking I was going to get anything at all from it. I had no expectations at all and was pretty resigned to giving up at that point.

 

I attended the full day event but really had only gone due to the guilt of having already paid for the ticket. At that event I head Dave say, “if you KNOW that what you are doing, you were ALWAYS meant to do, and you DON’T do it, you’ll always have that WHAT IF.” That really resonated with me and immediately following that revelation, I realized I was waiting on someone else (or enough people) to tell me they believed I could do it. But, the ONLY person who really needed to believe it – was ME! I needed to believe in myself more than everyone else did.

 

I didn't study business in college, and I probably started with a huge deficit in that area, however, I think that both the experience in Fast Track and EntreLeadership are the foundational reasons I am successfully where I am as an entrepreneur. Both provided the information and encouragement I needed, to believe in my dream, at the right time, to embrace entrepreneurship and the challenges that come with it.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Amy J. Campbell Answers:

In third quarter 2011, most marketing budgets were spent for the year and though I had already sent out about 12 proposals for inclusion in 2012 budgets, I literally didn’t get any feedback. I was trying to think of creative ways to make sure that TRC was on their minds and to also know how effective my messaging was or where I might be counting on work in 2012.

 

So, on December 30th, I sent out W-9’s to everyone I wanted to do work with, along with a note stating I thought they might need it, as I saw us doing business together in 2012. On January 2nd, 2012 my phone rang all day long and every single one became a client. I still think it was a terribly bold thing to do, but in my feelings of desperation, I threw caution to the wind and just did it. I still laugh that I did it now, especially looking back, I can see that could have been a flaming disaster!

 

 

 

Bill Copeland
- Glacier Confection

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Bill Copeland Answers:

Prior to opening in downtown Tulsa, it was rare to find european style artisan truffle made with the highest quality cacao from around the world. Introducing this to our community was true joy. In addition, we adopted several charities within the city and made it our mission to support their causes. These range from our core mission, The Folds of Honor Foundation, (funds are raised to provide scholarships to children and families that have lost a family member in war.) The Veterans Administration Coming Home Program, for Oklahoma Vets returning from Tours of Duty in Afganistan and Iraq. Also the United Way, Susan B. Koman foundation and the Arts and Humanities in and around Tulsa. We involve our clients and listen to what they want us to produce and then we make products that they want, not what we believe they need. And last we provide a retail experience in an area of downtown that really did not have any in the past years.

 

We are glad we a so well accepted in the Tulsa community and proud to be involved in its rebirth!

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Bill Copeland Answers:

We have found that you really need to listen to your clients to truly understand what they need and in turn what the market needs are. In the past we have often ran with an idea only to find out later that we were the only ones with the real need, not our clients. It is also important to understand that businesses need cash-flow, good ideas are not enough, you need to be able to weather any storms, economic downturns and disasters. While you cannot prepare for everything, you can at least have a reserve to draw against for that rainy day.

 

In closing, the client is really why we exist and they are the most important person to us. Plain and simple, but in todays world it is hard to find a place where you can have a royal experience for an everyday purchase.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Bill Copeland Answers:

We make crazy chocolate. Not your normal is what we do. We have created flavors such as; Bubble Gum, Wild Raspberry Feta Cheese, Root Beer Float, Caramel Maple Bacon, Tart Apple Mango and Habenero. We even have a "Mystery Chocolate", our clients love not knowing what is in it and then trying to guess.

 

Out-of-the-Box experience I would like to share is a situation that occurred last Valentine's Day. We were swamped all day and stayed open 2 hours later than posted. As we took down the sign to close, locked the doors, turned off the lights and walked to our cars, I noticed a gentlemen sitting in his car about to leave. I approached him and asked if he had gotten his Valentine's Day Heart box, he said that he had not and arrived as we were closing. I asked him to wait a minute and then went back into the store and brought out a box that he could take home. He tried to pay, however I said not to worry about it and have a great day. Six months later, he came back to buy chocolate and shared with me that he was that guy in the care that night. He wanted to pay of the box and has been a client ever since. The lesson in this for us was that people are genuinely good and it is important to trust. And we do.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Bill Copeland Answers:

We were flying abroad and carrying chocolate, lots of it to share along the way. We gave it to ticket counter agents, Airline attentants, and anyone that was helping us along the way. This is something we like to do and it makes people smile and brings a bit of happiness to their day. On this particular flight we had landed and were walking off when several of the Attendants came up to us and handed us a bottle of Champagne wrapped in foil and tied with lace as a Thank you and send off to us for thinking of them. This put a nice little smile on our faces and reinforced that these experiences matter. We laugh every time we think about it.

 

 

 

Kacie Frazier
- Okies Rock Apparel

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Kacie Frazier Answers:

As born-and-raised Okies, the founders of OkiesRock Apparel want anyone and everyone to be able to wear their Okie pride right on their t-shirt. Not just for the young and uber-trendy, we wants every age and size to feel like the rock star that they are.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Kacie Frazier Answers:

We've made one of our goals as a small (but growing!) business to operate debt-free! In order to do that, we have had to learn to say "no" today, so we can say "yes" tomorrow. We've made a few mistakes this first year by committing to too many events or projects. We have learned very quickly that we won't be able to financially to physically sustain over-committing and continue our debt-free operational goals.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Kacie Frazier Answers:

We have gained tremendous success by creating Rockin' Okies Run Teams. We choose select events to join as teams for local 5K events. People have jumped in with both feet to join a community, support a cause, and set (and meet!) goals in their personal health and well-being. It has been so much fun to participate and raise money for Special Olympics, Leukemia/Lymphoma Foundation, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Tim Tebow Foundation, and Human Trafficking. And many more to come in the future!

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Kacie Frazier Answers:

Currently, our "warehouse" is in the basement of my 1930's, midtown house. We recently learned that we have BATS in living in our attic! I've had a difficult time going into the basement to fulfill orders out of fear of finding my new roommates! Next year, I would love no longer qualify as an "emerging" entrepreneur - maybe that will mean we've experienced enough growth to have a store front, or at least a location that is NOT in my bat-infested basement! :)

 

 

 

Angela Glidden
- Everything Events

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Angela Glidden Answers:

By starting Tulsa's only all inclusive event service, I believe I have enriched the community by offering the convenience of one stop shopping when it comes to events. We do not have to sub--contract anything, so that allows us to offer the best prices for the complete event experience.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Angela Glidden Answers:

My motto has always been "you have to live it to learn it". My generous nature sometimes has been my downfall. Staying around events where we were brought in to only perform one service, I would often find myself working for free by helping in areas where they should have hired someone. It has taught me to go over more details with our clients and suggest everything they will need for the perfect event.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Angela Glidden Answers:

Being the only out of the box event service is one of the things we take pride in. When someone hears event planner, the first thing most people think of is weddings but we do so much more than that. We have organized weddings, corporate events, murder mysteries, car shows, grand openings, rock concerts and so much more. The diversity it takes to organize such a variety of events is what makes us a cut above the rest.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Angela Glidden Answers:

Before I learned the value of a contract, I met with a bride who wanted to hire us to cater and bring in a candy buffet. I ran right out and ordered enough blue candy for 100 guests, she wound up eloping and I was stuck with a ridiculous amount of blue candy.

 

 

 

Erin Holder
- Mod Skin Nutrition, Ltd. Co.

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Erin Holder Answers:

I have been in the skin care industry for over a decade, and currently work independently seeing patients three days a week in my own practice and traveling the other two days for a medical skin health company. I am advanced national educator with this company and have the honor of traveling nation wide educating skin health professionals. This has given me the opportunity to consult with hundreds of practices, learning and observing from some of the leading dermatologists, aesthetic medicine physicians and experienced skincare clinicians in the industry. While traveling is nice, there is nothing like coming home, to Tulsa. I am excited I am able to bring back a wealth of information on how to treat my patient’s skin. The reason skin health is so important is it a reflection of our inside health. If you look good, you will feel better. If you feel good, you can accomplish more. It is about empowerment. Developing self-confidence. For example, if I have client with severe acne or pigment that is hindering their social skills, perhaps even causing anxiety, we can clear this issue, making the person look better therefore giving them the self-confidence they need to go to a job interview, on a date, or do public speaking. It is a pay it forward model. A confident woman can empower her husband and her kids, and the whole family is able to spread this to our community. Mod Skin Nutrition, Ltd. Co. was built on the concept of modern treatments and scientific ingredients to preserve, promote and protect the health of your skin. The ultimate vision is to improve people’s lives.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Erin Holder Answers:

I have been taught that it is not what happens to you, but how you handle the situation; the reaction to the action. I am Chickasaw Native American and our tribe’s slogan is "Unconquered and Unconquerable." From the first time I saw that slogan, it has been imprinted in my mind as empowerment. One of the failures I experienced was transitioning into the medical industry from aesthetics. When I first applied to graduate school, I was not accepted because I "didn't have enough experience." I was devastated and thought my future was ruined. But, with time and perseverance, I received more experience and this past fall I started my Doctorate of Nursing Practice. This was a tough transition of itself, traveling for work, seeing patients and now doctoral research every night... but you just do it! You keep going.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Erin Holder Answers:

My first degree was in art, so I like to think I am the creative type but I started company with almost zero money. The norm is to have capital to live off of and be able to support business, at least that is what my sister told me when I said I wanted to do this! I started my skin care clinic because Tulsa needed it. You can get a nice relaxing facial or chemical peel anywhere in town, but are they educating you on Why your skin is doing this and How to fix the problem, not just cover it up? I wanted to bring to Tulsa to best education, customer service and facial treatments available nation wide. The problem was I didn't have any money being right out of nursing school. But as I said before, you just do it. I took a leap, signed a contract on building, moved in all my equipment, spent my last money I had on advertising and hoped people would come. And they did! It was the "Field of Dreams" phenomenon. I would not suggest starting a company with no money; this is totally out of the box wrong thing to do! But somehow, with the help of my sister’s brilliance, boyfriend’s support and my families never ending love, we all made it happen. And I would do it all over again. It has taught me so much! I learned what is important and what is definitely NOT important in a budget. I had to be creative with marketing and social media. It was sink or swim. And we swam our hearts out!

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Erin Holder Answers:

Ah! This is my mom's favorite story. When I was a child, and still today, I always had a smile on my face. Always! To the point, it would get me in trouble because my teachers thought I was being mischievous. One time, in sixth grade between classes, I had left one class with a returned homework assignment and as I walked into my next class, I had rolled up the papers into a pseudo mega-phone and announced my presence with a very loud “Dot do dooooo!” I don’t know why I did this. Just to be funny I suppose. Unfortunately, it was the same time as the bell rang; making me “late” and the teacher gave me detention. That was not the first, or last time, or even the worst time my smile and laugh got me in trouble. Looking back now, I can laugh… so I guess I am still laughing. Or never quit ☺

 

 

 

Kayvon Olomi
- AppTank

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Kayvon Olomi Answers:

AppTank is a app development marketplace that connects clients with app development needs with professional developers. AppTank is looking to expand it services in providing a more in-depth set of tools for both developers and clients to fulfill their app development projects.

 

We are adding value to Tulsa by not only working on creating primary jobs in Tulsa, but assisting in bringing up the technology community in Tulsa. Especially when it comes to tech startups. We want to show entrepreneurs that it is possible here in Tulsa to have a startup and succeed. We want to do whatever it is we can to grow the entrepreneurial spirit in Tulsa.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Kayvon Olomi Answers:

Being an innovator, a friend and I filed a patent on a utility that we thought was amazing. Once we filed for the patent, we started networking and pushing the product. We were humbled to have the opportunity to talk with the senior executive for one of the largest companies that would use this utility. After waiting two years to hear back from the patent office, we were informed that our patent was declined. Our patent attorney then advised us that we could appeal but said nothing more.

 

A short time later (less than a year), we started receiving phone calls from friends asking if they saw a commercial with our utility being advertised in it and asking us if we struck it big? We sadly declined and thought it was odd that they were now using our utility. A few years passed and I started working with another patent attorney and informed them of my experience filing a patent.

 

Once I told them about my experience they were in shock that my patent attorney did not advised me to go ahead and appeal due to the fact that it is a common theme with the patent office to reject a patent and then later approve it after the appeal. Now knowing this information, I learned my lesson about not following through and exploiting every avenue possible. It cost us big.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Kayvon Olomi Answers:

Observing everything in life as an opportunity pays great dividends. Growing up I have always been knowing to start up side businesses to make a dollar. While attending college, we had the great ice storm hit Tulsa. While sitting at home during winter break and hearing about how it is going to take weeks for the city to come clean up all the debris out of peoples yards, I came up with the concept of starting a limb removal business with my friends which later became known as "Branching Out". It was a hit. In a little over 2 weeks, we generated thousands in revenue.

 

So thinking quick and striking the iron while it is hot is important in being successful and has made me stronger as an entrepreneur.

 

 

 

Christine Sharp-Crowe
- Indie Emporium, made:The Indie Emporium Shop, & weather&noise

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Christine Sharp-Crowe Answers:

Our entire business is based on community. We started Indie Emporium with the intent of showcasing handmade artists and crafters, giving them a venue to share and sell their products to an audience with an interest in the handmade aesthetic. As the handmade movement was spreading throughout the country with Etsy, Renegade, and other indie shows, we felt like Tulsa needed to be on the map, so we decided to jump in and go for it. As a result, shoppers come together at Indie Emporium each year and shop from numerous local handmade artists. Throughout the year, we work with handmade artists and crafters to teach classes, host events like Swap-O-Rama-Rama and the Etsy Craft Party, and lead demos and craft segments on local television. We are committed, along with other members of our local business crafter group make:Tulsa, to encourage other handmade artists, engage the community by teaching classes, and provide handmade, local and ethically made options for consumers.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Christine Sharp-Crowe Answers:

For our first year of Indie Emporium, we were in way over our heads. We had no clue how to work a generator for lighting (which we weren't able to start until about 20 minutes before the doors opened), no clue how to set up lights, were new to press, had no experience with volunteers, and had no idea how to run a show in general, and even let some random travelling head massager sales people set up on the day of the event.. After our first year, we took a lot of notes, got suggestions from our vendors, went back to the drawing board and worked hard to create an event that people would love to come to each year. Each year we have tried new things, new venues, new layouts, etc, and we continue to change and adapt the event to make it better and better.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Christine Sharp-Crowe Answers:

Our whole business has been out-of-the-box because we learned everything by trial and error. We didn't have a business plan when Christine decided to start her handmade business, or when we decided to start Indie Emporium, or when we opted to open a store. Everything was hard work and luck. We contacted building owners our first year and begged for space, we did all of our advertising through social media (still have yet to spend any money on advertising), and called on everyone we knew with a handmade business to participate.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Christine Sharp-Crowe Answers:

We spent MONTHS making yarn pom poms by hand and stringing them together as garland to create a festive and crafty atmosphere for our 2011 show. We made well over 1000 pom poms. When we were getting them ready to hang them, they were in a tangled mess. After hours of untangling and hanging garland it looked great, but Thom was worn out from untangling and climbing the ladder a zillion times before the show had even started. The next night, we were so tired, and so were our volunteers, so we offered the garland to a vendor who wanted it as long as she would go up and down the ladder to take it all down. From time to time, we still wish we had those many pom poms..

 

 

 

Mark Sherwood
- 4E Fitness

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Mark Sherwood Answers:

As a 24 year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department, I know first hand how the concept of stress can negatively affect people's lives. I have a passion to help people achieve true peace through the daily renewal of their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual parts of their lives. With my unique and customized corporate and personal wellness plans, this true peace can be achieved. In turn, persons will perform better personally and professionally, corporations can save money on healthcare, and we all can positively affect the overall quality of life in Tulsa. Tulsa can and will be a beacon of hope for the State as each person becomes all they can be rather than being a slave to stress and the hecticness of life.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Mark Sherwood Answers:

I have experienced many hardships and troubles in my life. Some of the hardest lessons I have learned have stemmed from suicide contacting my immediate family. Rather than become depressed and feeling sorry for myself, I decided to step up and try to address the root cause of depression and negative views of life. This is done by taking individual responsibility and becoming ALL that we CAN be rather than focusing on all the CAN'Ts of life. Through addressing the concept of wellness in a proper way, I have learned to handle life in a much more constructive way. Though I am not perfect and still learning, my life experience teaches others how to be successful personally and professionally.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Mark Sherwood Answers:

It is really a unique analogy, but it fits nonetheless. As a professional speaker and performer of sorts, I realize I cannot please everybody. I just have to be me and communicate what I believe with passion. There will always be those who may not particularly like you (some for no reason). However, a person with true passion cannot quit. On a particular occasion, even with opponents in the crowd, I chose to step up and lovingly communicate my position with passion. This was very difficult because they had promised to leave if I spoke. Believe it or not, they did not. I earned their respect though not their agreement. This makes me stronger as an entrepeneur knowing resistance will inevitably occur, but by continuing ahead, strength will result.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Mark Sherwood Answers:

Once I was surprisely asked to speak at an event. I was not prepared because I was on vacation. However, the person insisted. I explained that I did not have the proper clothes to speak (I only had shorts). He insisted that I could manage something, and I agreed thinking I could find a nearby Walmart and find something to wear. Who would really know the difference right? I didn't know these people. Wouldn't you know this was a time before the "24 hour Walmart", so when I arrived the store was closed. To make a long story short, I decided to "cowboy up" (as they say in Oklahoma) and speak while wearing shorts. I am not sure everyone enjoyed it or just felt sorry for the poor OK boy who couldn't afford a pair of long pants.

 

 

 

Joe Davidson
- Oklahoma Joe's BBQ

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Joe Davidson Answers:

Oklahoma Joe's Bar-B-Cue is a uniquely Oklahoma style of barbecue. While Kansas City lays claim to Joe's, our family hand selected Tulsa to grow our business and family. Oklahoma Joe's started its roots right here at the Tulsa State Fair! Our commitment is simple, provide the best barbecue in the world and be a giving corporate partner to the people and community we live in.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Joe Davidson Answers:

It only took 10 years for us to become an overnight success! The greatest challenge for any entrepreneur is to give your dream time to succeed. Failure to be patient and give projects time to succeed have been a challenge. Also never start your business without being willing to sacrifice yourself and the time necessary to give your business every chance to work out.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Joe Davidson Answers:

There are many customers, experiences and mentors that have helped to shape Oklahoma Joe's. But we would not be in business today, if I hadn't held to the one solid belief that...

In all things, there has to be one that is the best.

Call it bull headed determination, drive, ambition, dreamer... But I have believed since the beginning of Oklahoma Joe's that we are the "Best in The World"! Someone has to be, so why can't it be Oklahoma Joe's?

This is a characteristic that should run deep in every entrepreneur. Before long, employees, customers and competitors will believe it too!

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Joe Davidson Answers:

Years ago when my son Ryker was in elementary school, I asked him if he was going to be in the barbecue business with me. He replied by saying, "I am much too intelligent to cook barbecue for the rest of my life". I am happy to say that after his secondary and college education he is gainfully involved with the barbecue business! This makes me grin...

 

 

 

Becky Dumond
- Simple Simon's Pizza/CheeZies Pizza

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Becky Dumond Answers:

One of the great rewards of running a company such as Simple Simon's Pizza and CheeZies Pizza, with over 200 locations in nine states, is helping people from all walks of life realize their dreams of owning their own business and becoming their own boss. Our owner/operators come to us from all walks of life, and with a wide range of economic, educational, and demographic backgrounds, but they all share a commitment to excellence and a determination to succeed. Helping those people along the way, by providing them with all the resources they require to become business and civic leaders in their communities for years to come, is inspirational and gratifying to us all.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Becky Dumond Answers:

My husband and I have been owners of the company since 1983, so you can imagine we have experienced our share of ups and downs in the pizza business along the way. Through it all, we've learned that relying on our faith, and on a simple yet effective business plan, will always see us through in the good times and the bad. In the end, you have to remain true to yourself and to your principles, and have faith that what you have accomplished during the good times will weather any storms that come your way.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Becky Dumond Answers:

One of the things that amazed us as owners of our first pizza store was how our customers became like family to us. We try to maintain that sense of family in our corporate office, and consequently in our relationships with our franchisees and our suppliers. We were recently ranked No. 6 among the "Top 40 Food Franchises" in the country by Franchise Business Review magazine, in terms of franchisee satisfaction with their parent companies. This distinction meant so much to us, and we take great pride in our personal relationships with our many owner/operators.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Becky Dumond Answers:

We'll never forget our first week as store owners in Sand Springs, when we accidentally burned all 28 pizzas at once for our first "All You Can Eat Buffet" night, with a packed dining room on hand. We thought we might never have another customer after that debut, but our store quickly become one of the top producing locations in the company. We learned quickly that when you are sincere and treat people with respect, they will reward you with their loyalty. It's a lesson we still live by!

 

 

 

Joseph Henretty
- Tulsa Pedicabs

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Joseph Henretty Answers:

Tulsa Pedicabs have provided "bicycle-taxi services" to the greater Tulsa area for the last 7 years.

 

They have contributed to the overall re-development of downtown.

 

Tulsa Pedicabs provide that vital link for out-of-town visitors to learn a little more about

 

Tulsa while enjoying a unique ride to their destination. The elderly enjoy a little more mobility

 

while enjoying a pedicab tour through downtown.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Joseph Henretty Answers:

At first we had a really rough time recruiting new drivers for the pedicabs.

 

We now take a more casual approach to retaining drivers and helping them

 

with better training and offering more incentives.

 

We have tried to take our marketing mistakes of the past and try to make more successful endeavors of them.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Joseph Henretty Answers:

My wife and I created "Pedicab Restaurant Tours of Downtown Tulsa"....Its a great way to promote downtown while

enjoyed the unique downtown restaurants. It really combines pedicabs, eating, sightseeing, and the amazing historical aspects of downtown. This was a way that our pedicabs could be out on the streets more often providing restaurant tours, when there were no concerts or events to work.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Joseph Henretty Answers:

When my wife and I first started Tulsa Pedicabs, we made up some brochures that were very embarrasing

looking back. We had a nice picture of the pedicab with our dog in it. We used that image on our promotional

materials before we realized exactly what we had done. So the first year or so everyone asked us about our

"pedicab service" for dogs. People thought because the image had a dog in the pedicab that the service

provided rides for dogs.

 

 

 

Bob Jack
- Manhattan Construction Company

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Bob Jack Answers:

As Division leader for Manhattan Construction we are proud of the work our team accomplished in the construction of the new Guthrie Green in the Brady District. This park is the best example of multiple way a green emphasis can be put into practical use. Geothermal Energy, Solar Energy, Bio Swales are just a few of the great points of a park that has changed the meaning of a portion of downtown Tulsa.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Bob Jack Answers:

Most people my level of the construction industry have the benefits of a 4-year college degree. I did not receive a 4 year degree, but that has never been an excuse. When you don't have the assets some of your peers have, you have to just work that much harder to make up for that minor inconvenience.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Bob Jack Answers:

In the construction business, thinking out-of-the-box is a daily experience. We never expect the normal and alway expect that we must always be thinking in ways that solve problems quickly and economically. Fast problem solving is an attribute that I strive to maintain and is essential to this business.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Bob Jack Answers:

In the construction business for over 42 years, there has been numerous stories that make me laugh. Free falling in a construction elevator on a Chicago High-Rise was probably the funnest. As a greeny, I had no idea it was a prank, scared the "pee" out of me, actually!

 

 

 

John Miggins
- Harvest Solar and Wind Power

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

John Miggins Answers:

We tend to think so. We strive every day to give fruition to peoples dreams of clean and renewable energy for a number of reasons. Energy savings, environmental benefits and security. our goal is to provide solutions for peoples needs in a renewable manner and by deploying technology and strategies that use less, provide the comforts we are accustomed to with renewable resources. We named our company Harvest so it embodies that all the energy we need is provided to us everyday from the sun and wind if we just harvest it.

 

Tulsa being one of the energy capitals we have to start looking beyond oil and natural gas to sustainable solutions for our energy needs. One by one we are helping the community to show a path towards a cleaner energy future and one that is more secure.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

John Miggins Answers:

We don't win them all and we certainly have customers what we cannot help either from an economic point of view

or the solution does not fit with their expectations. along the way we have learned what products work well and how to not over promise on solutions. being young and idealistic you realize that it is better to sometimes propose and advise and not all situations are ripe for a renewable solution. We had a customer who had stand alone cabin, only used on weekends and the sizing of the solar was too small to keep up with the loads he wanted to run constantly. better analysis up front of his needs would have provided a system that meets his expectations. we have learned to better understand what the customer expects and how they will use the system before proposing solutions. this situation was rectified with more solar but it could have been done ahead of time.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

John Miggins Answers:

We try and exercise the creativity in any situation, doing our own solar house we designed a passive solar heating solution that uses copper panels on the south facing roof that hide a baffle or maze for the air to channel up from the floor between the window framing (copper clad also) and through this maze to be blown across the house in central vent. this simple fan powered heating system is very reliable and provides up to 15 degrees of free heat from this set up. we look for natural solutions to any problem, to take the path of least resistance in energy and in other areas as well.

 

Another solution we put the panels on the peak of the roof with legs towards the north side thus getting the best solar exposure due to trees but allowing the homeowner to lower them and lock them down should a storm arise, this proved to be helpful on a couple of occasions.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

John Miggins Answers:

One particular customer wanted a solar system and had many many questions on their operation, manufacture, components, global issues on trade, warranty etc... very many questions coming at us rapid fire and in a manner to see how knowledgeable we really were. After much discussion we finally told him, it is pretty much magic, put the panels in the sun and they make power, i don't fully understand how it works but we trust the technology and others that mfg and warrant them. After a good laugh he had more peace of mind in this fact and that we would admit this as well.

 

We did a system for the boy scouts to take on the washington dc jamboree for their cooler, a light and dc power for their cell phones. this was very helpful to them and the Dads to stay in touch although it was supposed to be a weekend camping and get a way from technology.

 

 

 

Shelby Navarro
- 1Architecture

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Shelby Navarro Answers:

I think that our commitment to helping bring sustainability to our community with Oklahoma's first LEED Platinum certified project, promotion of sustainability through speaking events and teaching and our everyday decisions has added value to our community. We help clients live and work healthier, more efficiently and in a way that fit them. From light bulbs to the urban environment, we try and do our part to help Tulsans be a part of a city that helps set the standard.

 

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Shelby Navarro Answers:

One lesson learned is that no matter how creative your industry is at the end of the day you're really a business person. Communications, accounting, speech, psychology, finance, management, marketing and human resources are all classes that I didn't have in school but get about twelve credits worth of each day. The challenge is to keep your passion rolling while developing and maintaining your bOne lesson learned is that no matter how creative your industry is at the end of the day you're really a business person. Communications, accounting, speech, psychology, finance, management, marketing and human resources are all classes that I didn't have in school but get about twelve credits worth of each day. The challenge is to keep your passion rolling while developing and maintaining your business side. That business side helps you stay in the game and as I found involves a lot of creativity in itself. Once you get those two on the same team, you are a much better entrepreneur and are able to grow. It is about balance, every Maverick has a Goose or the plane goes down.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Shelby Navarro Answers:

Wow, I think that choosing to take on a development project in the roles of architect, developer, marketer, partner and co-builder that was to be the first of its kind in Tulsa was an out of the box experience that made me stronger. What doesn't kill you usually makes you stronger and with this one at times it was close. I had to get two extra racks for all of the hats I had to wear. That experience let me see a project from every angle. We were able to share sustainability with Tulsans through educational teaching tours. It was stressful and fun but would I ever do it again? .... maybe.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Shelby Navarro Answers:

Thinking back to the start up times at my home studio with Doc (my awesome dog) sleeping on my desk in front of my keyboard while I was working in the wee hours coming up with a firm name and then a logo makes me smile. Thinking about how many names I went through (some in foreign language) before I found "the one" makes me laugh. Every decision is important and I still am up in the wee hours trying to make the right ones.

 

 

 

Traci Phillips
- Natural Evolution, Inc.

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Traci Phillips Answers:

Our efforts have made responsible recycling of electronics available in Tulsa, assisted in the continued education of our community concerning proper electronics recycling and kept millions of pounds of electronics out of our landfills.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Traci Phillips Answers:

I failed to plan for explosive growth early on. Over the years we have to had to scale back and then prepare better to grow with solid foundation to build on.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Traci Phillips Answers:

We approached the City of Albuquerque Solid Waste department based on a news article, developed a solution, proposed it, and 6 months later implemented it. Years later We brought together cooperation of small business, governement & a Fortune 500 company to work together. Having had this experience and many others like this has helped me understand that anything is possible.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Traci Phillips Answers:

There is an amazing phenomina that has taken us a while to overcome. For years everytime we cleared space it would get filled by an unexpected load of equipment. It wasn't all that funny at the time, but it is something that makes us ultra aware of every square foot.

 

 

 

Sam Sneller
- Green Country Permaculture, LLC.

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Sam Sneller Answers:

In our first month of business we received a contract from Langston University - Tulsa to consult with each school involved with the Urban Ag Connections grant, those schools being; McLain High School, Emerson Elementary, Discovery Elementary, Hawthorne Elementary, and Carver Middle School. Included in this contract, we were also to lead teacher trainings and teach weekly classes to students at each school about Permaculture. With older students at McLain and Carver we are specifically teaching entrepreneurship skills using urban agriculture as a model. Many of these students come from disenfranchised communities. The schools do not provide them with real world skills to create their own source of income, and through our program we may offer many opportunities to them where they can utilize resources that are accessible in their communities. Through this we are promoting local food security in areas that are considered "food deserts", and local economic security by promoting appropriate technology and local resourcing of materials. All of this will provide opportunities for community leaders, and enhance the sustainability and resilience of the greater Tulsa community.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Sam Sneller Answers:

One of my business' first opportunities was to host a workshop series at Chandler Park, orchestrating a hands-on bi-weekly workshop implementing a permaculture design for a community garden. Chandler Park was to do all advertising and material gathering, and we would be compensated for our work with revenue from patrons of the workshop. Despite the great idea and the solid collaboration, we could not get the number of people needed to attend our workshops. We had to put in many laborious hours ourselves just to stay on par with the curriculum to teach the following week. It was simply just eating up our time from other well-paying projects. We had to discontinue the series after 3 weeks, and not much to show for it. We had been so excited to be implementing this sustainable community garden in Tulsa, that we lost sight of logistics. The most vital logistic at that - there is no community centered around Chandler Park. What community will come to Chandler Park on a regular basis, care and cultivate the space? Even if we had a good turnout for the workshop series, it was doubtful any of those who attended would make it back over to Chandler Park on a regular basis just to help out in a garden. The entire project likely would have been in vain, representing terribly the mission we strive for in Tulsa. This experience offered us many insights in the community dynamics of Tulsa, and the logistics needed to reach people in Tulsa. Now we incorporate this experience when working in the public to maximize the potential in every way, which has led us to conduct many successful workshops since.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Sam Sneller Answers:

In our work with private clients, there is not always a large grant to draw upon or other secure financial resources. In order to mitigate this, but still provide our best services, we have offered free workshops as a means to achieve labor intensive projects such as implementing passive water catchment systems. This way, the labor hours go way down, the community is enriched with knowledge, the client gets a much lower price, and we may even get more clientele from workshop attendees. This is an all around win for everyone. As an entrepreneur, you often must stack the functions - in other words, giving something more purposes than one. This method has been extremely successful for us, and has become an integral way to maximize opportunity for our business.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Sam Sneller Answers:

As a high school student, I managed my own lawn service business. Many clients would say to me, "You are so good at this work.", followed by asking me, "Do you ever consider going into landscaping, or working in agriculture?". I had no idea what I wanted to do, and with certainty I would answer them, "Probably not.". I would never have predicted then what I may be doing now. I think if I knew what possibilities this line of work would offer me as an entrepreneur I would have had a much different answer! I was not aware, in my youth, of the need we would have for the "green economy" and now it is a no-brainer. This is a large reason why I try to promote this opportunity to youth of that age group. Many of the avenues followed in the past are no longer profitable or accessible for disadvantaged young people. I try and teach entrepreneurship on a tangible scale, to youth who otherwise do not have much opportunity - and the opportunity I do offer is endless as communities are hungry for change. We need change in our world, and young people are the bringers of change.

 

 

 

Brady Deaton
- idefi Music

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Brady Deaton Answers:

I am very excited about not only the impact idefi Music will have on the music industry in general but the impact it will have on Tulsa and the Tulsa economy as well. We project within the next five years idefi Music will create over 100 new, high paying positions in Tulsa.

 

These jobs will not only be exciting in their very nature but also develop a sector of Tulsa I feel has been undeserved, the music and entertainment industry.

 

Additional jobs will also be created via other companies in the area that we work with as well.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Brady Deaton Answers:

The idea for the idefi model actual came about from a past failure. I had started a small, home based record label and signed my first band. After investing thousands of dollars and endless hours into developing their careers the band called it quits. I was stuck with all of the bills and no way to recoup my money.

 

The model for idefi not only allows artists to "earn" their way into an arrangement no record label could ever match, it also protects us as a company, as we never invest money into the artist they have not first earned in sales.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Brady Deaton Answers:

When we started idefi our initial thought was to do a 50/50 split with the artist on each sale. We thought this would be a great deal considering the services we were able to offer the artist in return.

 

Soon though we had artists saying "iTunes only charges 30% so we can just go with them and make more money." Never mind iTunes offers no services but just sells their music it was the 30% that bothered them.

 

So I came up with the idea of variable percentage rates down to 25%. The artist still earn rewards points on each sale, which add up and allows them to receive record label support, but are now allowed to vary the percentage on the fly so they can either earn more money on each sale or more rewards points on each sale.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Brady Deaton Answers:

Almost any funny story for me would have to involve a show that I had worked on in the past. I was working as Director of Operations for the ORU Mabee Center and we had worked for months putting together the elaborate technical specification for the Pavarotti Farewell tour. These specifications actually included a 32' x 12' house on the stage!

 

By house I mean this place had it's own heating and cooling, hot and cold running water, cable, internet and working toilet with 400 gallon septic tank under the stage!

 

I don't think many people knew how elaborate the setup was and it's funny to think of the lengths we went to for one person and one night!

 

 

 

Jennifer Marriott
- Marpo Multimedia

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Jennifer Marriott Answers:

I am a free and open source (FOSS) advocate and trainer. I believe that small businesses benefit not only from the value of free and open source software monetarily but also, in terms of not being "locked in" to "locked out code", they are able to assist themselves by having the ability to customize software to their own needs. Improving the bottom line to small business, where the community economy starts, helps the entire community grow and prosper.

 

I am also a professional musician that promotes Keeping the Blues Alive as a unique American art form.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Jennifer Marriott Answers:

One of the best failures to ever happen in my experience turned out to be the best success I have accomplished. When I was approached to write the Official Joomla! Book I declined - multiple times. Eventually I came around to accept the challenge and took on the project. When I was approximately 80% done with the project, I had hit a wall and I was ready to throw in the towel and admit defeat - failure.

 

At that same time another person I had collaborated quite frequently on various Joomla! projects had been very quietly encouraging me and being very supportive. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and took the opportunity to ask for help in finishing the book. What I thought was going to be my biggest failure came my biggest accomplishment. Actually two accomplishments.- the book being published was a huge accomplishment, but the act of accepting that asking for help was not only OK but was the key to success, was a distinct moment of clarity for me.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Jennifer Marriott Answers:

Creativity has to be fed, I am constantly amazed at how the different ways I create such as music, code, and visual arts can all intertwine together. Each individual creative endeavor helps to feed creativity into the others. There are websites where the visual design has been inspired by song lyrics. Graphic art inspired by the beauty of how curly brackets look on a page. Creativity isn't one experience that makes you stronger, it is that you no matter what continue to create in what ever way you can at the given time to continue to feed your creative spirit.

 

Whether it is writing, recording or performing music, writing code, writing books or documentation, training and teaching, or creating graphics as long as I am doing something that gives something to someone else - I am happy.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Jennifer Marriott Answers:

My band was getting ready to do a show at a little place in Southwest Florida and the unthinkable happened - our drummer sat down at his ticket and his drum throne proceeded to go right through the floor of the club, landing him with his neck level to the floor while still sitting.

 

Upon pondering what to do, I quickly went into creative problem solving mode and grabbed the lid for the case of our rack, dragged him and the throne out of the hole in the floor and laid down the lid. The lid provided enough span across the floor braces that he could comfortably sit and play all night long.

 

We all laugh to this day about this story, and state.. We still started on time!

 

 

 

Stuart McDaniel
- GuRuStu Group

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Stuart McDaniel Answers:

When I first ventured out and rented office space, I chose a small office in south Tulsa. However, I’ve always been drawn to the architecture and history of downtown. As soon as I could, I moved to the downtown area and have been renting an office in the TransOk Building for the past four years. Recently, I decided to make downtown a permanent home for GuRuStu Group and purchased four adjoining buildings on 3rd Street in downtown’s East Village District. A couple of the buildings I purchased had been vacant for a while and you could say they were in distress. We are currently renovating and have plans to move into at least one of the buildings very soon. When construction is complete, we will have greatly improved the appearance of our 100 foot stretch of 3rd Street, located just west of 3rd and Kenosha. Since 3rd Street is a two-way street and a major entrance and exit point coming and leaving the downtown area, we are working to improve the appearance of these 4 buildings and hope to add value to downtown’s already growing East Village District.

I love downtown and I love Tulsa. Travel enough around this country and like me, you’ll soon realize we have something really special here in Tulsa, citizens who have an overwhelming sense of generosity. I truly believe Tulsa is “America’s most generous city”. This is why I so enjoy supporting the efforts of our area non-profits who work endlessly to make Tulsa an even better place to be. Please visit gurustugroup.com to view some of the work we have donated to many of Tulsa's non-profits: Turn Tulsa Pink, Mayfest, Tweet 4 Toys, Tulsa SPCA, to name a few. GuRuStu Group also partners with Tulsa Community Foundation through their 501 Technet Program to assist worthy non-profits in their branding, marketing, and web design needs.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Stuart McDaniel Answers:

At age 23, I sure don’t have all the answers and there have been times that I’ve found that I did things the hard way. One thing I’ve learned is that you have to ask the question to find out the answer. You’ll be surprised with how willing people are to help if you just ask.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Stuart McDaniel Answers:

I’m going to answer these last two questions with the same response.

When I was a senior in high school, I slipped off to use my cell phone while at school (Shsh!) to make a call to offer to volunteer to design and host a website for Tulsa’s Buried Car (Miss Belvedere) for the Tulsa Rama event. After talking with the event organizers over the phone, I was asked when I could meet with them in person. I told them I could come after class was over. They immediately assumed I was in college and then asked me what time my class was over. I told them, “Well the bell rings at 3:30.” They laughed so hard about the school bell but told me they just had to meet me. So I got to sit down and talk with them about the website and after a while they slid over a huge stack of papers and told me to get to work. They didn’t want me to do the work for free and so they suggested I take a sponsorship level for my efforts on the website. That was the most profitable advice I’ve ever received. The exposure I gained from donating work to that event launched my career. And I have to admit; I really do think back to that day when I said, “Well the bell rings at 3:30” and laugh.

 

 

 

Daniel Mooney
- Moomat

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Daniel Mooney Answers:

I think that anytime someone tries to create something new in Tulsa it's a good thing. Moomat is something new; in Tulsa, and in technology. We're building something first-of-its-kind. We're doing it based in Tulsa, with Tulsa talent, and Tulsa funding. There's no reason nowadays that cutting edge technology can't come out of here. I moved back on that belief. I still believe it.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Daniel Mooney Answers:

Failures can certainly lead to successes, but you have to know when you're failing. And know in time to do something about it.

 

I was working next to a guy in Starbucks and he was working on a prototype for a video game. He was funding it himself. He was hoping to sell his idea/prototype to a game company and have it made. He had already put in months of work. Unfortunately, it was mostly on minor, trivial details. Stuff that didn't matter at his early stage of development. He must have had a hundred pages of documentation - stats, charts, descriptions, lists, etc. But, after several months, he didn't have anything to actually show or demo. He thought that he was making progress. Unfortunately, he wasn't. And he didn't know. I tried to help him out with making a proper demo, but he was soon out of money and had to give up. I'm not sure what the take-away is here, but I often think back to this guy when, as a startup, I wonder if we're putting in the effort where it's needed most.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Daniel Mooney Answers:

I think that hard work is more important than creativity.

 

Most of my professional experience has been in the video game industry. Working in that industry has had a big impact on me. "Crunch" is commonly known and is generally expected and accepted. It's not uncommon to work 14+ hour days, for weeks or months without a day off. You do everything that you can to make the game as good as it can be. You can choose to go home and not complete a feature and it never makes it into production, or you can stay late and finish, and make the game that much better. If someone is staying late to finish something, then you all stay late for support. You take pride in what you do; individually, and as a team. Everyone working towards a common goal: to make it as great as possible, and do whatever it takes to get there. Work was most rewarding at 2am on a Sunday night, exhausted, working with the rest of the team to make it the best that we could possibly make it, everyone supporting each other, everyone excited when someone finishes a new feature, or fixes a nasty bug. I loved that singular vision, closeness, dedication, drive, camaraderie, and work ethic. That has certainly made me stronger as an entrepreneur. Make sacrifices, do whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to make it happen... basically: work really hard. Ideas are the easy part.

 

 

 

Ryan Phillips
- Phillips360

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Ryan Phillips Answers:

Our endeavors have furthered the digital footprint we leave on Tulsa. Not only have we helped many Tulsa based small businesses grow and flourish through our web services adding value to our community, but we are always working on our 360° Virtual Tour portfolio of everything Tulsa. Whether it be donating our 360° Virtual Tours for a digital time capsule for generations to see how Tulsa has grown over the years, or donating our 360° Virtual Tours for worthy causes like the St. Jude Dreamhome giveaway.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Ryan Phillips Answers:

Being a small start-up business, we have learned many lessons on what works and what doesn't in our industry and for moving our company forward, but it is hard to attribute our so called "failures" to our success, because without our failures we wouldn't be where we are today. So in retrospect, we believe every one of our "failures" is just a stepping stone to success.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Ryan Phillips Answers:

As a small company that is going on 5 years in business, we have to be creative and have an "out-of-the-box" mindset to be able to compete with larger, better funded companies. We have learned that by giving back to Tulsa and our community through donations of our services is some of the best marketing we have.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Ryan Phillips Answers:

Not only growing as a person, but as an entrepreneur, there are many stories that when I look back, make me laugh. One in general is just how naive I was when I started this business. All of my hopes and dreams were ahead of me and I had no idea what I was up against. It takes growing as an entrepreneur to have the ability to look back and see where your flaws were and how to grow from them. So the list of laughable moments continues to perpetuate every year. Plus you can't take yourself too seriously to survive in business. It is these laughable moments that keeps you growing and learning from previous mistakes.

 

 

 

Burt Holmes
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Connie McFarland
- McFarland Architects, P.C.

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Connie McFarland Answers:

As an architect and owner of McFarland Architects, P.C., I have a direct impact on the built environment of my community when any building my firm designs is constructed. "Designs that Inspire Community" is our vision statement, and I have focused my Tulsa practice on not-for-profit organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Clarehouse (an end-of-life care facility), and the Eastern Oklahoma Community Food Bank as well as hospitals as Springer Clinic and the University of Oklahoma Wayman Tisdale Specialty Health Clinic and educational institutions such as Riverfield Country Day School and banking facilities for ARVEST. My firm is well known for its collaborative design process. Through it we solicit the input of all stakeholders - owners, employees, volunteers and service recipients when possible - to establish a sense of ownership and of shared purpose in each project. I also add value to my community by actively participating in fundraising events for many of the non-profits and educational institutionss for which I have designed buildings. I am an active participant on non-profit and professional boards as well. Currently, I serve on the Board of the Oklahoma Center for Healthcare Improvement and have been a past president of the Board of Resonance, a support center for women; the American Lung Association; Susan G. Komen for the Cure; and Leadership Tulsa. Professionally, I have actively served on the local, state and national levels of the American Institute of Architects.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Connie McFarland Answers:

One of the most recent causes of failure for architecture firms has been the downturn in the economy. The Great Recession has resulted in shrinking fees, the disappearance of numberous firms large and small and the postponement or downsizing of projects as owners have found that they can no longer borrow money easily for new construction, renovations or additions. At one time in 2009, the unemployment rate for architects was a record-setting 25% - higher than overall unemployment during the Great Depression. As I have seen fellow architects as well as engineer and other consultants that I have worked with in my profession close their businesses, I am even more grateful to the clients who continue to use our services and to the new clients who elect to do so. I know that I am blessed to still be in business after these past 5 years of the collapse of the credit systems in the United States. In November, 2012, I will have been in business 24 years, and I know I have been fortunate to have had the dedicated and talented employees that I have had through those years who have shared my vision and done their very best in spite of the economic downturn to serve the clients we have had in Tulsa, across Oklahoma and throughout the central region of the United States.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Connie McFarland Answers:

Creativity is one of the more important tools in the architect's tool box. Sometimes the lines, circles, and curves that we draw as architects can start to look the same, and that's when we need to jump-start our creativity to address our clients dreams. Recently, I decided to lead a "quality workshop" for my staff to get them thinking in new and different ways. The subject of the workshop was to discuss the concept of "quality" as it related to architectural services, but the lead in was something quite different. I began by showing a photograph of a seven foot tall cucumber plant that I was growing inside one of my metal tomato cages. It was the picture of health with its tall sturdy stem and bounty of leaves, but it had failed to bear one single cucumber. The discussion that followed was lively about what constituted quality in gardening and even better when it moved in to the realm of quality in buildings and architecture. My gardening problems was finally "solved" by my marketing administrator who revealed that what I was doing "just won't work". Cucumbers apparently bear best when they are allowed to spread out on the ground. This was definitely an out-of -the box (or cage) solution to my gardening problem as well as a lesson to us all to think about the needs of our clients (the cucumbers) rather than the tools at hand (the metal cage).

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Connie McFarland Answers:

Laughter is what makes the often high stress deadlines of an architectural firm survivable. With or without deadlines though, laughter is a common currency at our firm. One of the forever funny incidents that I will always remember is the day the squirrel appeared in our conference room. You wouldn't think a squirrel could get in the conference room of an office suite that was not located on the top floor of a multi-story office building, but somehow this one did. Needless to say, its discovery was accompanied by all sorts of gasps and screams and slamming of doors. As a girl from rural western Oklahoma, I was certain that calling an exterminator was unnecessary. So, armed with a tablecloth, I entered the conference room with every intention of quickly chasing it down, trapping it in the tablecloth, and disposing of it outside the building. As I ran around the conference room, slapping the tablecloth down on the floor, on the conference table, on the credenza, with accompanying expletives and orders to "come here!" I became aware of a chorus of laughter on the other side of the closed conference room door that increased in volume with each failed attempt of mine to corral the rodent. My efforts to catch the squirrel ultimately failed but I was succesful in making myself and my staff laugh and giving us an office escapade to remember.

 

 

 

Cheri Asher
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Christopher Cooley
- BBD II - The Deuce

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Christopher Cooley Answers:

We feel like we have created a unique place where everyone comes to be a part of the experience. People share their lives with us, and ours with them, and we are more like extended family. The value added to the Tulsa community is knowing that we are all in this thing called life together, and we are all willing to be there for one another. That is what diners are: they are the central meeting place in a local community. As for the future, we have some very exciting news to share, and it will further show our dedication to placing Tulsa in the future, and in bringing something extremely cool to the area. Not only are we creating jobs, we are creating culture, and that our community supports us in developing that culture together is extremely humbling. We are helping bring the diner culture back to the local community, and we thank our local community for supporting us, a nd sharing their lives with us!

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Christopher Cooley Answers:

As entrepreneurs, we fail daily, but its how you react that determines the next outcome. Whether it be doubt, lack of faith in your leadership or the day-to-day battles with being in small business, failing is where you are allowed to look at what needs improvement. Sometimes you forget to order a box of straws, or other times, you miss out on an opportunity to promote, but, again, it is what you do in response to failing that matters. We look at a failure as a chance to improve, better the business and create a better product for the community.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Christopher Cooley Answers:

We look forward to announcing our out-of-the-box experience soon. All we will say is this: we are very excited to share the news of our next endeavor! Innovation is where entrepreneurs succeed, and our next project is what has truly put us on the path to the entrepreneurial spirit. It is a game changer for us, and we really hope Tulsa enjoys what we are bringing to the city!

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Christopher Cooley Answers:

The story that makes me laugh the most is when my mentor first called me an entrepreneur. I just looked back and said, "I'm a what?" I never really thought of myself as anything like that because I love what I do, I enjoy diners and the service industry is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. People are fantastic, and being able to share your vision with others, and seeing that vision come to life is a feeling that is indescribable. Did I ever think we would be on this path... well... I look back and mostly laugh at myself for not being able to think dreams come true.

 

 

 

Mitch Dees
- SMOKE. on Cherry Street

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Mitch Dees Answers:

We started SMOKE first with a commitment to using fresh, quality local ingredients. So, not only did we bring over 40 new jobs to the community, we also continue to leverage everything we have to support Tulsa (and Oklahoma) based businesses that grow products and provide services that are essential to our operation. This is not always the most cost effective route, but we believe it is the best one. Additionally, by helping organize local events like this years largest St Patty's Day event yet, we are trying to do our part to continually De-fragment our neighborhoods and bring community together. Finally, we have a commitment to to helping as many Tulsa based charitable operations as possible. Right now we have the budget to give to 16 different charities that we strongly believe are making Tulsa significantly better each day.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Mitch Dees Answers:

Some of my biggest failures have been the result of trying to do to much to fast. This year I have launched a catering company, a retail company, a cupcakery, a marketing company, and now we are working on our first food truck & trailer. That was to much, to fast. What I've learned is that when you push that hard over time something suffers: either one of your businesses, your family, your friendships, your health, or even your soul - but something has to give. So, after seeing each of those areas pay prices in my life over the last year I have learned (hopefully for the most part) that it's OK to take things in stride and not be so aggressive on my various timelines.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Mitch Dees Answers:

Cupcakes. When entering into the casual - fine dining business I never dreamed there would be a connection to a cupcakery. But here's what happens - community minded entrepreneurs find themselves in constant conversation with other Tulsa entrepreneurs. Some of those businesses are doing great, others are struggling, and still others have a great product and branding but were unable to take off for whatever reason.

It wasn't your normal business meeting - we were just four people having a couple drinks together, telling stories and eating her delicious cupcakes. But, as Alter [Egos] Cupcakery was being re-born there in her breakfast nook my thinking began to change. I have more leverage to help other small Tulsa businesses grow (and restart) than I think.

 

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Mitch Dees Answers:

I have plenty. I always prefer to tell them in person :) , if that is agreeable.

 

 

 

Adam Meyers
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Lori Walderich
- Top That! Pizza

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Lori Walderich Answers:

We have made Tulsa the home city of the world's very first "point to and create your own personal pizza" restaurant. Jeff and I created it from scratch, got it locally financed and set up our business right here. Since October of 2010, we have gone from developing and building our first "test" restaurant in South Tulsa to opening three additional Tulsa locations and expanding to Edmond, Texas, Colorado and one location in Abu Dhabi! We are opening our 10th location on October 14!

 

We've positively impacted the Tulsa community in these ways:

1. Being the FIRST in the world to provide Tulsa with a healthy pizza option for families by giving people the ability to determine for themselves exactly what goes on their personal pizza – for one price. (This had never been done before).

2. Created an average of 20 jobs per Tulsa-area location (4 locations = about 80 new jobs)

3. The cornerstone of our marketing is on community giving. We gave over $10,000 to area non-profits in our first year from our first restaurant location; now averaging that amount per location per year, putting us on track to donate more than $40,000 this year. Some of the areas of giving included: area churches, teams, youth groups, animal rescues, cancer benefits, scouting groups and schools.

4. Including local products in all of our Tulsa locations. These include: Head Country BBQ Sauce, 3 different Siegi's sausages, meats from Owasso's NSP Meats, Cookies from Barbee cookies and a recent partnership with a Tulsa-based, award-winning barbecue team for a limited time pizza.

5. Employing a "green" philosophy by striving to utilize the restaurant space of a closed restaurant, making it possible to reuse nearly 90% of the equipment and fixtures. We did this with two of our four Tulsa locations.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Lori Walderich Answers:

Early on, we were faced with the issue of changing the name of one of our signature pizzas due to a conflict with another brand. It was quite a blow! Upon the advice of Jeff, we turned lemons into lemonade by holding a new naming contest for the pizza via Twitter and Facebook. The brilliance of our audience paid off and we had a new pizza name within 24 hours that everyone loved. And, it was the first time we rewarded a customer with a nice, big gift certificate! Two years later, we have learned to roll with the challenges and know that they help us grow stronger.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Lori Walderich Answers:

Jeff and I have always owned our own businesses. In the case of Top That! Pizza, we were venturing into the restaurant industry with something that had never been done. The biggest thing to come out of this experience is to sit on the idea. Work out the scenarios a hundred times in your head. Run the idea by friends to see their reactions. Then, make the determination to dive into it head first, without fear of failure. In our case, we thought about it for so many years that we couldn't wait to get going!

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Lori Walderich Answers:

I remember one of the first Facebook posts on our page. Someone said, "you took Kramer's idea!" Not being a huge Seinfeld fan until recently, I had no idea what he meant. When I responded with "Huh?" he sent me a link to the Kramer scene where he's invented a restaurant that people can make their own pizzas... with their own hands. Jeff and I were rolling on the floor!

 

We still get that comparison to Kramer, but I quickly correct them by saying "yes, but we don't have cucumbers on our pizza line!"

 

 

 

Steve Antry
- Eagle Energy Company of Oklahoma, LLC

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Steve Antry Answers:

As a point of local trivia, my recurring use of the company name "Eagle" is my personal homage to my Tulsa high school alma matter, the Edison Eagles. But other than that shout out to a great high school, I like to think that I have helped created some "jobs with substance" for alot of local residents. I once estimated that either me, or one of the companies that I started, was the genisis for over 500 local jobs. A fact I am very proud of. With our recently announced sale to Midstates Petroleoum of Houston for $650 million in cash and stock, those Tulsa jobs will not only stay in Tulsa, they will increase as Midstates expands their presence here.

 

I am also active on the Board of Junior Achievement of Tulsa as a way to give back to the local business community. I am particularly proud to be from a third generation Oklahoma oil family, although I never worked for any of the family businesses. I love the close knit nature of the Tulsa Oil community and and very proud to be a part of it. If my father, Jack, were still alive, he would be proud to have have seen me nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year for 2011 by the accounting firm of Ernst and Young and prouder still when i was selected as a finalist for this same honor for 2012.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Steve Antry Answers:

Fortune favors the bold. One of my favorite expressions. If you havent had failures in the oil and gas business, you either haven't been in it long enough or you arent taking the necessary risks to give you exposure to high payoff rewards. My latest transaction represents a ten fold increase in value in less than three years, an unheard of growth rate in the upstream energy sector. The main thing I have learned from past failures is to be honest with the people who brought you to the dance. If thing didnt work out as planned, just take your medicine and move on. I have alway been amazed at the ability of people to give you another chance if you are just open and honest about your failures.

 

In other words, be honest about the dry holes and they might still be with you when the barn burners come in.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Steve Antry Answers:

More numerous to mention have been ccasions whereby I committed to a project and had absolutely no idea where the capital was going to come from to fund said project. In this last sucessfull venture, I tied up a major property but then had an onerous clock ticking in my head as I raced to complete the funding before the deal fell completely apart. 90 days later, after numerous trips to New York, Houston and Dallas, funding commitments were in hand and I could breath a sigh of relief.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Steve Antry Answers:

An amazing moment happened for me about a year ago. I was being interviewed for Eagle’s inclusion into the OIPA’s (Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association) upcoming coffee table book that highlights the major companies in the state at this moment in time. During the interview, I produced an older version of the book that was given to me by my father, who passed away 20 years ago, for Christmas in 1985 after I had just been laid off during the oil bust of the 80's. On the inside cover was a long forgotten inscription from him written on that day, that read: “Steve, when the sequel to this book is written 25 years from now, I have no doubt that your name will appear therein – I think you are a good oilman and I’m very proud of you. Love, Dad.” As I read that inscription aloud to the OIPA writer, 25 years and three months later, the OIPA writer and I had a nice happily tearful moment. I am certain my Dad enjoyed it.

 

 

 

Carey Baker
- Part-Time Pros

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Carey Baker Answers:

Since inception we have put over 1500 Tulsans to work in long-term part-time or full-time jobs. This is not only great for the families but also great for the community because it is putting money back into the community. We have also built a great internal team of 6 full-time and 3 part-time roles with Part-Time Pros.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Carey Baker Answers:

When you own your own business there is always the fear of failure so often you say yes to requests that are not within your scope of expertise. We have learned to partner with companies that need professionals and stopped trying to be everything to everyone.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Carey Baker Answers:

In today's job market the typical job seeker has to complete a cumbersome on-line application only to never hear back from the company again. We saw this as frustrating to the job seeker so we implemented a 48 hour call back policy. We contact every applicant within 48 hours of applying. In addition, we created a video resume that is a free service to any job seeker, it gives them a chance to have face time with our corporate hiring managers.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Carey Baker Answers:

We are on the news periodically and learned to never wear anything sleeveless or low cut. You get a barrage of comments if you do, none of which are very nice.

 

 

 

Garett Blackwood
- ValueMyStock.com, Inc.

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Garett Blackwood Answers:

My endeavors thus far have been Blue Label Bartending (bartending school and party services company) and ValueMyStock.com (stockMy first hope is that I am inspiring others to be creative and pursue their ideas. I believe that entrepreneurs create a more open-minded, creative, caring and successful community. Entrepreneurs do not always have the resources (time and money) to join formal causes, but every entrepreneur I know is active in improving their community. My first business, Blue Label Bartending, trains aspiring bartenders on professional and responsible service and also provides bartenders for private parties. Through Blue Label I am providing a unique service, improving the overall level of bar service in Tulsa and providing jobs. My second company, ValueMyStock.com, is based in Tulsa but pulls customers from all over the world. While this company does not have the local presence of Blue Label is does help bring revenue and attention to Tulsa.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Garett Blackwood Answers:

Most of my failures involve spending more money on my businesses than I can afford, which is probably a symptom of most entrepreneurs. I get so excited about growing my businesses that it is easy to get caught up in purchasing services that you think will help you grow. For example, my first full year in business with Blue Label Bartending I spent over $14,000 in advertising and served 76 private parties. In 2011, I spent less than $400 in advertising and served 278 private parties. I definitely learned how to market my business between 2008 and 2011! In ValueMyStock.com's infant stage I contracted the services of an expensive PR firm, but was still fleshing out core aspects of the business. Much of the money spent on PR was wasted as the business changed.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Garett Blackwood Answers:

Competing in the Spirit Award (now TCC Startup Cup) twice, once for each of my businesses. The coaching and friends I met through the process most definitely changed how I thought about my businesses and entrepreneurship. Participating in this contest was a huge time and energy commitment and was quite an out-of-the-box experience. It is easy to be hard-headed as a leader of a company you started from scratch, which leads to discounting the opinions of others. The structure of the Spirit Award process was such that I craved the opinions of the judges. Their experience strengthened my companies and made me a wiser entrepreneur.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Garett Blackwood Answers:

My first year of football was my 8th grade year. I was not too familiar with the rules of football but enjoyed practice and was pumped for our first game of the year, which was my first game ever. I was playing cornerback and a pass was thrown to a receiver I was covering. The pass was underthrown and I intercepted it, which was completely awesome! The only problem is that when I took off running I was going the wrong way! Our linebacker had to chase me down and tackle me. As soon as the play was over I realized what I had done. Unfortunately all of the fans and my teammates realized too. An embarrassing but hilarious mistake!

 

 

 

Dan Roberts
- Trak-1 Screening Intelligence

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Dan Roberts Answers:

Dan Roberts, a native Tulsan, has given to over 25,000 Tulsans the opportunity “to put a roof over their heads and food on their family table”, for over 16 years. Not merely a consumer of what others offer, Roberts is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, visionary, creator and builder.

 

Roberts founded Premier Staffing, one of the top 5 staffing solutions providers in Tulsa since 1996. Premier has employed over 25,000 individuals and served over 1500 organizations over the years. Early on recognized in the top five of the Fastest Growing Companies in Tulsa by Oklahoma Business Monthly Magazine, Premier has been named in the top three “Best of the Best” Staffing firms for the last two years in a row by Oklahoma Magazine.

 

In 2005, Roberts collaborated with his attorney-wife to purchase Trak-1 Technology, a then regional background screening firm. A company founded in Houston in 1996, the Roberts relocated headquarters and centralized operations in Tulsa. Roberts rebuilt the company and grew the Tulsa team from 5 to 50 while expanding operations and tripling revenues. Today, Trak-1 operates three platforms, is a recognized industry leader and one of the first 25 companies in the country to achieve accreditation by the National Association for Professional Background Screeners.

 

Always creating and building companies, Roberts retains a portion of profits for investing in new entrepreneurial endeavors. His current creative technology-related endeavors include Squiggle Group and One Seed Press. As he says regularly, “the best is yet to come”.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Dan Roberts Answers:

I spent a year of my time developing a worker’s compensation insurance captive that was designed to solve the problems of alternate employers who were struggling to obtain insurance coverages for what they do. I worked with senior-level representatives of Liberty Mutual and Wassau to design the program, gathered clients, secured capital and put together a system for it. In year one alone, we were slated to earn a million dollars.

 

Two weeks before the captive insurance program launch date, Bermuda unexpectedly passed an international tariff that prevented us from moving forward with the program in the final hour. Even though we measured everything, counted the cost and planned well, I learned that some things happen that are simply out of your control. This was one of them.

 

As with every good entrepreneur, I did not chalk this up to a lesson learned and throw it away in a trash can. I have continued to use what I learned about insurance programs, and have maintained the national contacts I made in the insurance industry, and have used those to our advantage as we have continued to pursue our other business endeavors.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Dan Roberts Answers:

My wife and I purchased a company out of Houston with 28 franchises and that many different personalities and corporate cultures. In a three year time period, we re-designed the entire company – from the bottom-up and the top-down. We bought back franchises, terminated franchisees, built software platforms, integrated data, established compliance processes, relocated operations, centralized functions and systematized every process. During this tremendous period of change, I had to draw on all of my past experiences – from my years of ministry to my childhood endeavors - to find creative solutions to ever-ending challenges and roadblocks. With a lot of long hours, hard work, dedicated team members and even some tears, we ended up taking the new company to places the original owners never dreamed the company could go. It was like playing a human-sized game of chess and after only 7 years of owning it, we have been able to say “check-mate”.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Dan Roberts Answers:

I used to get frustrated at my wife and business partner for being obsessive-compulsive about details, until I woke up one day to realize I was just as obsessive compulsive as she was in different areas. I had spent the first 10 years of our marriage honestly thinking it was all her! Now we can laugh at each other. We both realize this has made us stronger together – personally and professionally - over the years.

 

 

 

Clay Slaton
- EngATech Inc.

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Clay Slaton Answers:

We have had a mantra within EngATech from day one, which was “From Struggling, To Stable, To Successful, To Significant”. We sowed little seeds of significance in the beginning, but the harvest continues to come where we are able to be more and more significant within our sphere of influence. Some examples include:

 

-Creating our own program for the needy downtown

-Putting on free seminars for budding inventors and entrepreneurs

-Funding a missionary in Afghanistan

-Sponsoring forward-thinking non-profits like FabLab that will greatly increase ingenuity and entrepreneurialism in Tulsa

-Helping a start-up a church in downtown Tulsa, called Leaders Church

-Helping start and serving on the board of the Oklahoma Chapter of the worldwide organization of successful entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

-Donating time, talent and experience to put on free Professional Development Training in downtown Tulsa

-Advising and donating on multiple other impactful ministries in the Tulsa area, etc.

 

And at a time like this where all we hear on the news is “We need jobs” and “Don’t stifle the job-creators”, we have been blessed to grow, and are hiring for new positions right now and we plan on adding even more Tulsa jobs in the future.

 

So, besides our motto of “Helping others design better products faster”, we try to go beyond the first layer of significance and leave a lasting impact on the Tulsa community.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Clay Slaton Answers:

I jumped into entrepreneurialism from employment twelve years ago without much of a clue as to what I was doing. I raised no capital and secured no loans, and am still 100% debt free both personally and professionally. That sounds like a good path if you can do it. However, being too risk-averse and growing organically over the years ended up stifling exponential growth and limiting large opportunities that I could have capitalized on. By renting the use of other’s money as opportunities arose, I believe I could have reached my current level of revenue in half the time or less.

 

I have also had hiccups trying to take on new products and services that were just a bit outside of our core vision, which created distractions, time-sinks, loss of revenue and in some cases, loss of reputation. From this I have learned to weigh everything against your mission, vision and values.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Clay Slaton Answers:

We’ve won innovator of the year two years in a row for our unique approach to business, for both our products and service offerings. But, I think the experience that has made me and Engatech the strongest recently is my off-site “management”, which is extremely out-of-the-box for me, as a previously overly-involved, overly-cautious, overly-controlling, micro-manager. Even though I’m only seven minutes door to door, I spent the majority of my time at my home office. This put my team in a certain ‘sink or swim’ environment, and they all stepped up, not only swimming, but taking the company to new levels.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Clay Slaton Answers:

I laugh at the look on everyone’s face as they enter my office and see the life-like M16 prototype given to me by a client that I have setting up against the wall in my office.

 

 

 

Tony Carrera
- Pen & Ink Tattoo

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Tony Carrera Answers:

I like to think I've given people something to look at.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Tony Carrera Answers:

I don't take anything for granted. If I lose something, it was never mine to begin with. I don't look at something that didn't work out as a failure. I'm not meant to be everyone's muralist, tattooist or favorite person.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Tony Carrera Answers:

When I moved to Broken Arrow from Scottsdale, AZ. in 1990 was an out of the box experience for me. It's only been in the past five to ten years that I finally feel some what excepted for who I am here in Tulsa. And being different has made me stronger because it has made me the man I am today. It reminds me of a quote I read Bruce Lee was heard to say "Don't pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a hard one".

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Tony Carrera Answers:

I laugh at myself all the time and I try not to take my self to seriously. One thing I find funny was the day after I open my shop after months of working on it, the big snow storm came threw. I had to shut down for a week after only being open for a day.

 

 

 

Dominick Cooper
- Launch Academy

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Dominick Cooper Answers:

Through Launch Academy, I've not only been able to help students and future Tulsans be academically successful, but also be successful in life. With an emphasis on creativity, collaboration, technology literacy, goal-setting, and success-coaching, the curriculum has helped the children of Tulsa families realize their potential and pursue their dreams.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Dominick Cooper Answers:

I originally named the company "The DaVinci Element," referring to Leonardo DaVinci. I'm a major arts advocate and he had always been one of my inspirations. However, I didn't realize that many people would more likely associate the name with conspiracy theories - definitely not what I was going for. So, after hours of website design, logo design, marketing ideas, and the such, I had to scrap them and start afresh. Your name, logo, and all aspects of your company should be smooth, seamless, and provide clear imagery of what you're about.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Dominick Cooper Answers:

Education and Tutoring seems to be a very slow-moving machine. With not a lot of changes, I had the opportunity to totally revolutionize the playing field. Drawing from such inspiration as Game Mechanics, Business Motivation theories, Design Theory, and even Walt Disney World, I crafted a company, program, and style that is quite out-of-the-box.

 

 

 

Eric Kehmeier
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Chelsea McGuire
- Take Heart Tulsa

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Chelsea McGuire Answers:

Take Heart Tulsa provides excursions and adventures that showcase everything Tulsa has to offer. Tulsa is going through a revitalization and the city has many exciting activities and attractions to offer it’s single residents, but many Tulsa singles don’t know where to look for these activities and attractions. We have created a fun and easygoing environment where singles can meet other like-minded singles while exploring Tulsa and the surrounding areas. We plan excursions by partnering with other local businesses in Tulsa to promote local business. By creating this environment, we have introduced many area singles, not only to prospective dates, but also to local businesses and attractions they never knew existed. We would like to think that by creating and promoting a vibrant singles community in Tulsa, we are giving Tulsa residents a reason to stay and live in our beautiful city, instead of moving somewhere else. Tulsa isn’t boring and we can prove it!

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Chelsea McGuire Answers:

People come to Take Heart Tulsa excursions and events not only for fun and adventure, but also to meet new people. In a way, our customers are also our products. When I first kicked off our membership drive, it was a challenge to figure out how to get members. It was like the chicken or the egg scenario. Do I plan excursions that are open to non-members to generate new members, or do I generate new members and then hold members-only excursions once we had a good member base? I decided to start by holding excursions for non-members. But what I found was that non-members had a low pre-registration rate. Take Heart Tulsa requires pre-registration to most excursions. Remember, people are going on our excursions to meet other people, so low attendance means guests aren’t getting their money’s worth. Through the first trial I also learned that our current members have a high pre-registration rate. They were excited about the excursions we had to offer and they were ready to sign up for the excursions as soon as they were posted to the members-only calendar. Through trial and error I learned that I needed to generate new members and then hold excursions once I had a good member base. Then I would have excited members who will pre-register for the excursions they want to attend as soon as the upcoming excursions and events hit the members-only calendar.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Chelsea McGuire Answers:

One way I promote Take Heart Tulsa each year is by gathering a group of friends and event partners and going downtown on the morning of Valentine's Day. We hand out candy-filled plastic hearts to people as they head to work. A note is attached that says, "Happy Valentine's Day from Take Heart Tulsa." We get many hits on our website and it puts a smile on people's faces. It's going out and doing out-of-the-box things like this that remind me that I started Take Heart Tulsa to give people a chance to experience something a little different than their normal day to day.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Chelsea McGuire Answers:

While I was preparing for Take Heart Tulsa's kick-off event at Urban Campout, I was running around like a mad woman. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Cars broke down, booze went missing and I still hadn't had time to dress for the event. Luckily, Mike, my bartender from my events partners Blue Label Bartending, stepped in to save the day! He helped me finish the decor and made a liqueur store run to replace the missing alcohol. This gave me time to go to the bathroom and put myself together (sort of). When I emerged from the bathroom, ready to run through the venue for the finishing touches, I was wearing a dress, old flip-flops and a pink shower cap to keep my hair curlers in place. Mike and I started moving furniture and supplies when a strand of hair and a curler fell out of my cap and just sort of dangled there. I brushed it aside and kept working, like nothing had happened. At the end of the night he told me that from now on, when I email him I need to attach a picture of myself with a shower cap and one strand of hair dangling out of it with a curler at the end because that was how we was going to picture me from then on. The first events are the craziest, thanks for being my kick-off hero Mike!

 

 

 

Jason Sooter
- The Organic Bloom

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Jason Sooter Answers:

The Organic Bloom is a vibrant company with lots of growth opportunity. We currently employ over 20 full time employees. By the of 2012 we will have brought in around 4 million of revenue from outside of the Tulsa area. Revenue coming from all 50 states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. We recently purchased a building downtown we plan to renovate to add just one more brick in the rebuilding of downtown Tulsa. We purchase most of our materials from local vendors here in Tulsa.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Jason Sooter Answers:

We have "bootstrapped" the whole way. In our first full year of operation we grew from my wife and I to 43 employees. This growth came with many challenges that we have had to deal with along the way. November 2011 through May 2012 came with some "Growing Up" where we were able to analyze our business, scale back a bit to work on our base to become a more stable, profitable and capable organization. We currently have no outside funding and have worked at growing through well run operations and an innovative approach to our product and how we produce and sell it.

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Jason Sooter Answers:

On a daily basis our customers can choose from around 214,000 standard options. Building an e-commerce site that can support this with ease for the customer has been the key to our success.

 

Customers can choose a picture frame from 16 styles, 48 standard sizes, 53 standard colors. Custom sizes and colors are free of charge. They can expect to get this in few weeks. We have taken custom to a whole new level. Custom is what our generation wants and demands.

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Jason Sooter Answers:

Our production manager and I wrapped the desk of one of our team members in Zebra print wrapping paper like Jim wrapped Dwight's desk on "The Office"

 

Here is a picture:

 

http://cl.ly/image/2d1g0G2u2u3C

 

and here is video of Jim doing it to Dwight:

 

http://www.hulu.com/watch/48453

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Sarah Vespasian
- Prairie Hive

Q. Tulsa entrepreneurs are unique in the world. How have your endeavor(s) added value to our community and the future of Tulsa?

Sarah Vespasian Answers:

One of our main goals when we started Prairie Hive was to highlight the great design that we have in the Tulsa area, as well as the creative, unique people and places. In our quarterly magazine, our "Cool People, Cool House" feature takes readers on a home tour and tells the story of a local family. We work with local shops and organizations to highlight their products and events in both the online magazine and on our daily blog. Both are read not only by Tulsans, but by thousands of readers worldwide. We hope that this recognition can help draw attention to Tulsa by design professionals, media and other outlets that often overlook the Midwest as a whole.

Q. If you aren't failing, you aren't succeeding. Share with us some of your failures to better understand how you have taken the lessons learned and applied them to support getting to where you are today.

Sarah Vespasian Answers:

Our whole endeavor has been a trial and error process, from a group of designers trying to build a website to staging photoshoots to magazine layout. Where should I begin? We constantly struggle with tech issues, since none of us have much of a background in that area. Our first issue took us almost 48 straight hours just for formatting, uploading and adding the links (it now takes just a few hours). We are still struggling with figuring out the website on a day-to-day basis...we've been hacked, we are clueless about SEO and coordinating six busy women writing blog posts is an ongoing process. Slowly but surely, we get better month to month. We all joke that if Prairie Hive were our only job, we could be leaps and bounds ahead because we would have time to not only work out the kinks but explore all our ideas!

Q. Being creative is vital to an entrepreneurial endeavors success. Share an out-of-the-box experience that has made you stronger as an entrepreneur.

Sarah Vespasian Answers:

As I mentioned before, our whole experience has been out of the box! Online magazines are still a fairly new medium so there is little information out there about how to put them together. Basics like page formatting, uploading and other tech issues that we are all novices at are continuously changing, so we do our best to keep up (and we all have day jobs!).

 

Every photo shoot we do is still a learning experience (we have had 4 of them outdoors in 100+ degree temps!), but every time we pull off something beautiful we get more confident. We have moved furniture into a cow pasture, fanned swarms of flies off macarons, glitter bombed a local showroom, and made chocolate robots among other things. Most recently we set up Christmas brunch in September (to shoot for our December Issue). Somehow it always comes together!

Q. Tell us a story that involved you that either at the time or looking back makes you laugh

Sarah Vespasian Answers:

Here's one of my favorites: Our first ever entertaining photoshoot was an outdoor movie night. A tornado blew through town about an hour before we were scheduled to start setup and we were back and forth for several hours about whether to go ahead and do it. We pressed on, made it work and rushed through the shoot (tons of stories could be told involving kool-aid cocktails, tissue paper popcorn and making a yarn garland on-site).

Afterward, the photographers had quite a task on their hands editing out the "green" cast to the photos, a wrinkled tablecloth and more little mistakes that we had made along the way. When we look back, we can see them all...but it is still one of our top rated issues and blog posts, and the article has been shared online more than anything else we have done! After that, we put together an emergency photo shoot kit containing all the items we kept wishing we had that day.