Midlands Business Journal

08/18/2025

🚀✨ Midlands Momentum: Where Business Meets Brilliance! ✨🚀
This week’s Midlands Business Journal is PACKED with powerhouse stories, family legacies, inspiring leaders, and unstoppable growth across Nebraska & beyond 💼🌟
🎯 FEATURED STARS:�📦 Gratton Warehouse – 130+ years strong & entering a woman-owned future�🎙 Walnut Media – Local voices, booming in radio and digital 📻�🥥 Everbowl – Serving up health + hustle with tasty acai bowls�🍕 The Amazing Pizza Machine – Food + fun for all ages!�🛠 Quality Fence – From backyard dreams to big commercial builds
🏗 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY PROS:�🏢 West Development – Building assisted living & memory care facilities�🏬 Dillard’s at Westroads Mall – Remodeling & expanding�🏗 Brookfield Properties Retail Group – Revitalizing Omaha’s retail scene
🏆 IMPACT 250 COMPANIES LEADING THE WAY:�💳 FNBO – Fueling growth & financial dreams�🌳 WoodmenLife – Serving families for generations�🛡 SilverStone Group, a HUB International Company – Protecting what matters�🚚 Werner Enterprises – Keeping America moving�🏥 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska – Caring for our communities
💡 From century-old legacies to cutting-edge tech & AI, these businesses are proving that the Midlands is a place where community, creativity, and commerce thrive together.
📍 Grab your copy or read online at MBJ.com — and get ready to be inspired to take your own venture to the next level!


To read the full Midlands Business Journal, August 15, 2025 Issue, visit: https://www.mbj.com/eedition/page-01/page_2f61bd1b-f5ab-5ba6-9d04-2e8f471ccf17.html

08/06/2025

The 2nd annual Hustle Conference is happening this October! Headlining this year's event is Dr. Benjamin Hardy, an organizational psychologist and author of several bestsellers, including "10X Is Easier Than 2X." Secure your early bird pricing through August. Check out MBJ's kick-off announcement! Look for an exclusive interview with Dr. Hardy in the September 5th issue of MBJ. This is one conference you won't want to miss!
https://www.hustleconference.com

Building on the momentum of its successful inaugural year, the Hustle Entrepreneurship Conference is returning to Creighton University’s Heider College of Business Oct. 9 and 10 with a renewed focus

05/04/2025

5TIME!

05/02/2025

🎉✨ BIG NEWS from this week’s Midlands Business Journal! ✨🎉
We’re CELEBRATING 50 YEARS 🥂 as Nebraska’s trusted business authority! 🚀
🔹 Cover Feature → Congrats to Joe Hodges of LION'S GATE SECURITY SOLUTIONS, INC. 🛡️ named Nebraska’s Small Business Person of the Year! 🎖️
🔹 FAB 50 Spotlight → Megan Hunt 🌟, entrepreneur & state legislator, living boldly on her own terms! 🏛️💥
🔹 Blossoming Business → Lotus House of Yoga & Mary Clare Sweet 🧘‍♀️ marks 15 years of wellness & movement! 🌸💪
🔹 Center Sphere - The Network → Cheers to 15 years of building connections & community! 🎊🤝
🔹 Midlands Leaders → Spotlight on Cory Garlock, CFP® 💼 of The Garlock Group, blending financial wisdom with heart & purpose! 💡❤️
🔹 Event Buzz → Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce Emerald City Grand Giveaway 💚 dazzled with 500+ attendees & big prizes! 🍸🎉
🔹 Franchise Report → The Exercise Coach 🏋️‍♂️ expands fast with data-driven, time-efficient workouts! 🔥 - sponsored by FranNet
👉 Don’t miss these inspiring stories & local business headlines shaping Omaha & beyond! 💼🌍
📲 Subscribe today at MBJ.com (use code CELEBRATE50 for just $50/year)! 🎉📰

04/18/2025

🚨 This Week in the Midlands Business Journal 🚨
📅 April 18, 2025 Edition
📍 Celebrating 50 Years of Business Journalism
📰 COVER STORY
From Caregiving to Global Impact
Paul and Lori Hogan, co-founders of Home Instead Global, are honored for transforming a personal mission into a global franchise rooted in compassion and care. Their Nebraska-grown success story redefines aging and sets a new gold standard for senior care. 💼🌍
🌟 FAB 50: Renaissance Man
Meet Jeff Slobotski, tech trailblazer and community connector. From Silicon Prairie News to Big Omaha, Jeff continues to spark innovation and tell Omaha’s boldest stories. ⚡
🏆 NEBRASKALAND Honors Five
From agriculture giants Jerry & Bill Adams to community icons like Gov. Dave Heineman & Sally Ganem, this year's recipients embody the best of Nebraska grit and greatness. 🇺🇸🐂
🏗️ Architecture Week Spotlight
Firms like BVH Architecture and DLR Group are shaping the future—literally—with fresh takes on mentorship, youth outreach, and creating inclusive pathways into the design professions. ✏️🏙️
👥 Midlands Leaders Q&A
Sarah Schneider of Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture shares her path from high school drafting dreams to empowering the next generation through mentorship and design. 🎓📐
📈 Market Commentary by Harrison Financial Services
Is Wall Street still on Main Street’s side? Harrison Financial Services dives into the intersection of interest rates, tariffs, and political strategy.
🔗 Read the full issue 👉 www.MBJ.com
🗞️ Don’t miss out — your business advantage starts here!

04/16/2025

Back with our Ask an Attorney series👩🏽‍⚖️

🤝MBJ has partnered with McGrath North Mullin & Kratz's Sarah Moore to create an employer's guide to navigating the new landscape of immigration enforcement in the workplace.

⭐️Small businesses have been subject to reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act, but pending litigation and changes in enforcement policies have left business owners wondering... what’s next?🤔

🏆Sarah Moore champions McGrath North’s CTA efforts by staying current with the latest guidance and advising clients on their reporting requirements.

Visit mbj.com to read more about how you can protect and inform your workplace: https://www.mbj.com/industries/law/ask-an-attorney-employer-s-guide-keeping-up-with-the-corporate-transparency-act/article_fa0d6346-00ac-11f0-bced-334a3329f486.html

Visit mcgrathnorth.com to reach out to an attorney: https://www.mcgrathnorth.com/

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04/11/2025

🌟 Hot Off the Press: This Week's Midlands Business Journal! 🌟

We’re celebrating 50 years of championing local business journalism—and this week’s issue is packed with purpose, passion, and practical insights!

📰 Inside This Issue (April 11, 2025):
✅ Cover Story: Keeping It Clean – Discover how local businesses are playing a vital role in beautifying our communities in honor of Earth Day & Arbor Day 🌎🌳
✅ MBJ FAB 50: Meet powerhouse Sandy Spady, helping others shine through Power Up by Sandy 🌟
✅ Getting a Fresh Start: Local wealth management experts share game-changing tips for building your financial future 💰
✅ Midlands Leaders Q&A: Behind the scenes with Tammy Walter, Senior Property Manager at NAI FMA Realty, and mentor on and off the mountain biking trail 🚴‍♀️
✅ Ask an Attorney: Legal insights every professional should know—from real estate to risk management ⚖️
✅ Top 5 Things to Know: Omaha takes the #1 spot as the hottest housing market in the nation! 🔥🏡

🎉 PLUS: Help us mark our golden anniversary—share your MBJ story and be part of our 50-year legacy! Submit at www.mbj.com

📲 Subscribe now – Get Print + Digital for just $50/year with code CELEBRATE50

04/08/2025

🎉🚨IT’S OFFICIAL – IMPACT 250 HAS LAUNCHED!🚨 🎉
As Midlands Business Journal celebrates 50 incredible years, we’re proud to launch IMPACT 250 — honoring 250 local businesses and leaders who are redefining what it means to create community impact, innovation, and resilience.
🌟 Meet the first wave of IMPACT 250 standouts🌟:

🕊️For The Wild Birds: Connecting people to nature, this unique shop is more than birdseed — it’s a whole vibe of education, community, and purpose.

🍫 Brownie Bar Bakery: From scratch-made goodness to brownie nachos (yes, really), this sweet spot proves there’s no limit to dessert creativity.

💇🏽‍♀️ Curly Salon: Omaha’s first all-curly-hair salon, creating a safe, inclusive space where texture is celebrated and community is built.

☕️Karma Koffee: Brewing up way more than lattes. This shop thrives on giving back, creating connections, and boldly going off the beaten path with flavors and purpose.

PLUS, check out this week’s featured visionaries:

🏆 Nicole Bianchi – MBJ Fab 50 and bravery coach teaching us how small acts of courage build bold leadership.

🎤 Jon Tvrdik – Founder of WaveCX, where punk-rock creativity meets fintech brilliance.

🗣️Marcos E. Mora – Midlands Leader and cultural advocate making waves through education and empowerment.

🧠 EthicSpace 2025 – This game-changing conference reminds us that ethics still matters in business — and in life.

Make sure to check out our latest issue at mbj.com: https://loom.ly/adv0P18

From April 2025 to March 2026, we’ll highlight 250 of the region’s most inspiring businesses and stories. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something extraordinary.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their nominations! To submit your nomination, check out our submission form: https://loom.ly/aX91NOk

03/22/2025

This week's MBJ highlights remarkable business leadership across Nebraska and Southwest Iowa

📌 COVER STORY: Meet Kara Habrock, President and CEO of Roloff Construction, who transformed her father's company into a major infrastructure player. Her journey from reluctant IT helper to visionary leader culminated in transitioning the company to employee ownership—showcasing how family businesses can evolve while preserving their values.

📌 WOMEN BREAKING BARRIERS: Two special sections highlight women's increasing impact in traditionally male-dominated fields:
• "Building the Future" examines women reshaping the construction industry
• "The Purse Strings" explores how women are taking control of financial planning and wealth management, projected to control $30 trillion by 2030

📌 ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT: Our FAB 50 profile features Shannon Bingham, whose Seven Salon & Boutique success story demonstrates how determination and community focus build thriving businesses.

📌 BUSINESS BRIEFS:
• Werner Enterprises recognized with sustainability award
• New $45M development announced along Omaha's streetcar route
• Catalyst expands coworking space offerings
• Nebraska agriculture's $97.4B economic impact highlighted

📌 ARTS & BUSINESS: Omaha Performing Arts reveals their "biggest season yet" with economic impact extending beyond the stage.

View this weeks issue here: https://lnkd.in/g32f44iH

The Midlands Business Journal continues its tradition of quality business reporting as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

03/12/2025

We wanted to take a quick look back to Jan. 30th and congratulate five outstanding leaders on their induction into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame, presented by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business.

This year's honorees include Mike Boyle of Kawasaki in Lincoln; Paul and Lori
Hogan of Home Instead in Omaha; state Sen. John Stinner of Western States Bank in Gering and state Sen. Matt Williams of Flatwater Bank in Gothenburg.

What Nebraska leader would you want to see in the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame? 🤩

Read more in the Feb 28th edition of MBJ: https://loom.ly/QsNGvOc
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03/08/2025

Continuing its long-standing tradition of celebrating black artists during February, Nebraska Furniture Mart unveiled 11 local artists whose work will be displayed and sold through special exhibitions in its , , and locations. 100% of all profits go back to the artists and as of February 17th, 150 pieces had been sold.

How do you support and engage with local artists in your area? 🧑‍🎨🎨

Read more about the artists: Jada Messick, Shawnequa Linder, Patty Talbert, and Jevon Woods, in the February 21st edition of MBJ: https://loom.ly/wjWyVYA
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03/05/2025

At first glance, the general public may not appreciate what it took for Morrissey Engineering to achieve the complicated feat of implementing 42,000 square footage of air ducts, electrical accouterment, and mechanical engineering in The Josyln's new expansion project. However, this career-defining work of art brought them home a major !

From to , how are you impacting your ?🧑‍🔧👷
Read more in our Feb 12th issue of MBJ: https://loom.ly/EqynzBE
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