Business LNK

David Kamran, Administrative Director of Industry and Workforce Partnerships, Southeast Community College, joins Luke Peltz, Vice President for the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development in the AOI Podcast Studio on this edition of BusinessLNK. David and Luke talk about David's role with Southeast Community College (SCC), how higher education connects with employers and the workforce, what programs offered at SCC help bolster local workforce efforts and the best ways for businesses to get involved with not only the Lincoln campus, but also the Milford and Beatrice SCC campuses.To get in contact with David, his email is dkamran@southeast.edu.

Jenna Vitosh, CEO and Founder of Chloey Wealth and Founder of Arrive Business Center, joins Jason Ball, President & CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce in the AOI Podcast Studio. Jenna and Jason talk about how Jenna came to her journey as an entrepreneur, how Arrive Business Center helps women take important steps throughout their business careers and why their south Lincoln location continues to grow. Jenna and Jason also discuss 402 Days, an upcoming event held April 2-5, 2026 that focuses on celebrating women-owned small businesses--for more details, visit arrivebusinesscenter.org.

Penny Johnston, Director of Marketing at AOI and Nicole Sorba, Market Sales Director at AOI, join Jason Ball, President & CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about the history of AOI, how they have adapted to the needs of businesses and their office space over the past 40 years of operation and their respective career journeys that have led them to AOI. AOI celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2025 and continues to provide solutions for the built environment through construction, furniture and prefabricated interior construction projects.

Steve Maly, CEO & Founder of Maly Marketing, stops by the AOI Podcast Studio to talk with Jason Ball, President & CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Steve and Jason talk about the journey Steve has had as a business owner and why he started Maly Marketing, what projects they are working on in the Lincoln area and how they hope to grow in the year ahead. Maly Marketing and the Lincoln Chamber, along with Visit Lincoln, were able to start the Taste 27th project in Fall 2025, highlighting the different restaurants in the North 27th Street corridor of Lincoln, which features food and dining experiences from all over the world.

Cassie Smidt, Owner of STATUS HAYMARKET, joins Becca Fowler, Investor Relations Specialist at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about her journey as an entrepreneur and small business owner. STATUS HAYMARKET specializes in sustainable high-quality, luxury bags, accessories and more, located in Lincoln's Historic Haymarket District. Cassie and Becca talk about how and why she started STATUS HAYMARKET in August 2024, her lifelong love and interest in fashion and why her boutique isn't your average boutique.

On the second edition of the Lincoln Young Professional Group's "Yappin' with YPs", Mia Wilken, event and program director with Lincoln YPG and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, welcomes Brian Olson into the AOI Podcast Studio. Olson, Advisor and Coach with Leadership Resources, talks about business growth and the services Leadership Resources provides, his background and centrally, the unveiling of the Lincoln Young Professionals Group Strategic Plan. Mia and Brian discuss the process of getting the Strategic Plan together, a three-year blueprint for growth and sustainability for Lincoln YPG.For more details on Lincoln Young Professionals Group, head to lincolnypg.com. 

Ava Thomas, President of the Midwest Region of Lee Enterprises and President & Publisher of the Lincoln Journal Star, joins Jason Ball, President & CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about an exciting new holiday-themed event for 2025.Ava and Jason talk about an upcoming initiative launched by the Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Union Bank & Trust called "Community Claus", which will showcase local businesses and focus on supporting them during the busy upcoming holiday shopping season. The event kicks off on Saturday, December 6, which will also support local nonprofits in the Lincoln area.

This episode of Business LNK is the fourth in our Latino Connect series. Angenita Pierre-Louis, Membership Engagement Coordinator at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, welcomes Claudia Muñoz-Najar, Owner and Founder of Build Más, into the AOI Podcast Studio. Angenita and Claudia discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship and how Build Más was built from the ground up, being awarded a LaunchLNK grant in 2025 and how the business community can help entrepreneurs and new businesses gain strength in their early years.Este episodio de Business LNK es el cuatro de nuestra serie Latino Connect. Angenita Pierre-Louis, Coordinadora de Participación de Membresía de la Cámara de Comercio de Lincoln, da la bienvenida a Claudia Muñoz-Najar, propietaria y fundadora de Build Más, al estudio de podcast de AOI. Angenita y Claudia conversan sobre los desafíos del emprendimiento y cómo se construyó Build Más desde cero, la concesión de una subvención LaunchLNK en 2025 y cómo la comunidad empresarial puede ayudar a los emprendedores y a las nuevas empresas a fortalecerse en sus primeros años.

Rachel Barth, Director of Air Service Development & Strategic Marketing with the Lincoln Airport, joins Jason Ball, President & CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about how the Lincoln Airport looks to add new flights, including the recent announcement of Breeze Airways' addition of a Lincoln to Orlando flight, what strengths Lincoln has to offer as a prospective destination for air service and how the area around the airport (Lincoln Airpark) continues to attract new businesses to the community. Jason and Rachel also talk about the importance of the runways of the Lincoln Airport and how they support military operations and about the economic importance of air travel to Lincoln and the surrounding area.

Jack Mitchell, Morning Show host of LNK Today with Jack and Friends on KLIN radio (1400 AM / 99.3 FM), joins Jason Ball, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President & CEO in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about how Jack got into radio initially after a career that started as an attorney, why his program has been successful as it approaches nearly 20 years on the air and how his role as a morning show host in a talk format might be a little different from his peers regionally and across the country. Jason joins Jack on KLIN radio every other Tuesday morning at 8:10 a.m. to discuss what's going on at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and its affiliated organizations.

David Cary, Director of Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning and Development Services, joins Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jason Ball in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about the recent consolidation of two City of Lincoln departments--the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Department and Building and Safety Department into the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning and Development Services Department. Jason and David discuss why that makes sense, how it will help business and the community at-large, and what the timeline looks like for the project to be fully implemented.

Kathy Anderson, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, is joined by Scott Henderson, Managing Director of NMotion, in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about the startup community in Lincoln and how entrepreneurs are supported through NMotion, how businesses can continue to support local efforts and entrepreneurs and why this work is important to growing communities.

Kathy Andersen, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, welcomes Stephanie Ledbetter, Founder and CEO of Modern HR Collaborative, into the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about the current landscape of working in HR. Stephanie talks about her background in HR and why it was time to start Modern HR, the need to have more personal relationships at the heart of HR work and why it's important for businesses of all sizes to adopt an evolving look at HR practices when it comes to their workplaces.

James Bowen, President of Five Nines Technology Group, joins Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jason Ball in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about their growth as a company and as Chamber members since their founding. James and Jason also talk about evolving technology and how cyber threats continue to be a real, escalating problem for businesses and individuals alike, plus to promote Five Nines' upcoming "Cyber Seniors™ Coffee & Cybersecurity event in Lincoln on Saturday, October 4 from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. at their offices, located at 5617 Thompson Creek Boulevard. For more information on the October 4, head to the Five Nines Facebook page.

This episode of Business LNK is the third in our Latino Connect series. Angenita Pierre-Louis, Membership Engagement Coordinator at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, welcomes Marcela Willeke, Owner and Founder of Coffee is our Religion, into the AOI Podcast Studio. Angenita and Marcela talk about why Marcela wanted to share her love of coffee from growing up in Colombia, the challenges the coffee production industry is facing and the challenges of entrepreneurship.Este episodio de Business LNK es el tercero de nuestra serie Latino Connect. Angenita Pierre-Louis, Coordinadora de Participación de Membresía de la Cámara de Comercio de Lincoln, da la bienvenida a Marcela Willeke, propietaria y fundadora de Coffee is our Religion, al estudio de podcast de AOI. Angenita y Marcela hablan sobre por qué Marcela quiso compartir su pasión por el café, fruto de su infancia en Colombia, los desafíos que enfrenta la industria cafetera y los retos del emprendimiento.

Todd Bingham, President & CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, joins Jason Ball, President & CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, in the AOI Podcast Studio to chat about his previous experience as CEO of the Utah Manufacturer's Association, finding the strengths that Nebraska can utilize to their advantage to recruit and retain businesses and what he has experienced in his time thus far with the state chamber. Bingham has over 30 years as a registered lobbyist as a key advocate for business and industry and also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Manufacturers.

On this first edition of the Lincoln Young Professional Group's "Yappin' with YPs", Mia Wilken, event and program director with Lincoln YPG and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, welcomes Kelly Ross into the AOI Podcast Studio. Ross, founder and executive director of ECHO Collective, talks about her "why" for starting ECHO Collective, her experience being nominated for a Young Lincoln Leader Award and winning one in 2024, and what advice she would give to young professionals who are looking to find their passion when it comes to their work.The nominations for YPG's Young Lincoln Leader Awards continue until August 31, 2025, with the awards ceremony to be held on October 9. To nominate a Lincoln Young Professional, visit https://www.lincolnypg.com/YLLA-Nomination.

Claudia Muñoz-Nájar, Owner and Founder of Build Más, joins Kathy Andersen, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development , in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about Build Más, a 2025 LaunchLNK recipient. Build Más is a bilingual platform to help Hispanic-owned small business contractors create accurate, professional and profitable estimates to help them maximize their profitability. Kathy and Claudia talk about the journey of entrepreneurship, where Build Más is hoping to grow and what else is coming up for the company.For more details on LPED's LaunchLNK program, visit https://launch-lnk.lpages.co/launchlnk/.

Tracy Edgerton, President of the Lincoln Community Foundation, joins Allison Hatch, Director of Workforce Development for the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development , in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about the mission of the Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF), how they continue to partner with organizations and groups in Lincoln and the mission of Prosper Lincoln, now in its third phase, which focuses on improving early childhood, housing and connections throughout the Lincoln community.

Bill Udell, Chief Operating Officer at Don't Panic Labs, joins Jason Ball, President & CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about the mission of Don't Panic Labs to help innovation and entrepreneurship, the continued growth of DPL as they recently moved into a new space in Lincoln's Telegraph District, and a bit about their history as they are celebrating their 15-year anniversary in 2025.Bill and Jason also talk about DPL's Pathways program, which Jason discussed with DPL's Doug Durham in a previous episode in February 2023.