Success stories

Lifelong Entrepreneur Makes the City Pretty with High-end Salon in Lincoln, NE

Jason McLaughlin, owner of Iasan & Sebastian Studio Salon, has been an entrepreneur since he was 19 and started a clothing company in his hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah with his high school best...

From Combat to Coffee: Air Force Veteran Trades Boots for Beans

Mike Sutmaier is a firm believer in the power of coffee. As a self-described serial entrepreneur, he says, “one of my side businesses as a real estate company is you can break the ice by offering...

Small Town Restaurant Experiences Big Time Community Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Luis Salinas, co-owner of the Burrito House in Schuyler, Nebraska is quick to mention how important the community is to a small business’ success, especially during tough times like the COVID-19...

Nebraska Entrepreneur Turns Being "That Guy" Into A Successful Small Business

According to his friends, Alan Rust is “that guy.” He’s that guy you ask when you want to go to the best restaurant in the city, hoist a few in the best brewery in town, or hit the best bars for a...

Former Air Force Pilot Hits A Home Run With Play It Again Sports Franchise in Omaha

Rich Messina, owner of Omaha’s Play It Again Sports, didn’t start out thinking being a business owner would be part of his future after he retired from the military. He found, however, after attending...

Childhood Accident Transforms Adversity Into Passion For Helping Others

Rakesh Srivastava, owner and founder of Hastings, NE based Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics, is a textbook example of transforming childhood adversity into a career and a life-long passion for...

Omaha Entrepreneur’s Corporate Career Goes to the Dogs – And She Couldn’t Be Happier

What do a life-long love of animals, a degree in Zoology, and getting fired from a high-paying job after 30 years in the corporate world have in common? They all led to Eliza Burr creating Preferred...

Lincoln Business Owner Uses Paycheck Protection Program Loan to Provide for his Employee Family

Mike McFarland, President of Norland International, Inc. In Lincoln, NE, considers his employees as family. “Running a small business with 136 employees, I know every employee. If they are married, I...