own it

Event brings entrepreneurs together for ‘real talk’ about business ownership

A daylong event will bring together entrepreneurs to talk about the good, the bad and the ugly of owning a business.

“Own it! The good, the bad and the ugly every entrepreneur needs to know” will feature four panels of entrepreneurs and other speakers, along with networking time. The event will take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Plexpod Westport Commons, 300 W. 39th St., Kansas City, Mo. Tickets are $50 and include breakfast and lunch catered by Central Exchange. Register here.

The event is hosted by Affinity Worldwide and Cultivate Experience Leadership Club. Sponsors include Thinking Bigger Business Media, Rivet, Think Realty and Central Exchange.

“Becky and I have built a successful business with national and international reach. This has, of course, been rewarding, but not without its challenges along the way,” said Mike Wrenn, founder of Affinity Worldwide. “Our philosophy is to share what we have learned with up-and-comers.”

Speakers include Courtney Thomas, CEO of Central Exchange; Tyler Van Winkle, partner at Rivet and CMIO of Affinity Worldwide; Rob Reiman, executive director of Giving Grove; and Crosby Kemper III, executive director of the Kansas City Public Library and chairman of the Show-Me Institute.

Panels

Real Talk, No Nonsense // Moderator: Katie Bean, Managing Director & Editor of Thinking Bigger

Panelists: Jill Minton, Owner of t.Loft; Kevin Oldham, CEO of Diffactory; Ajamu Webster, CEO and Founder of DuBois Consultants

Marriage & Business Mix — Saying “I do” to a Business Partnership // Moderator: Tyler Van Winkle, Partner at Rivet & CMIO of Affinity Worldwide

Panelists: Joey & April Kramer, co-founders of Apple Pie Painting; Michael & Michelle Hendricks, CEO and CFO of Applied Path; and Becky Cole, CFO of Affinity Worldwide & Mike Wrenn, Founder of Affinity Worldwide

Women Entrepreneurs — Shattering Ceilings // Moderator: Kelly Scanlon

Panelists: Adrienne B. Haynes, Managing Partner of SEED Law; Neelima Parasker, President and CEO of SnapIT Solutions; Erica Brune, President of Lever1

Leveraging Opportunity — Regardless of Age or Experience // Moderator: Mike Wrenn, Founder of Affinity Worldwide

Panelists: Greg Finkle, Co-Founder of Finkle + Williams Architecture; Matthew Marcus, Director of Engagement for Kansas City Startup Foundation; Adam Arredondo, CEO of Kansas City Startup Foundation; & Jeff Shackelford, Executive Director of Digital Sandbox KC