Entrepreneurs have fascinating, dynamic stories. They are all different. What is similar is their Entrepreneur Factor. Their "E-Factor." Experience their candid stories with us.
May 4, 2026
Science Fiction does a better job explaining where we are going than any Historian or Economist. -Clint Stevens, Founder/CEO
Clint Stevens, the founder and CEO of Phy-Cy.X Seciruty Group where IT and Operational Technology meet. It's at this convergent point where they solve problems for business all over the world.
He served our country in the Air Force for 24 years and we are indebted to him for his service.
And while it is his entrepreneurial courage to solve problems for profit that make up his day-to-day life it is his service to our country that makes this conversation with him so interesting.
All of us have to contend with information. There's good information. There's bad information. There's purely falsified information with the intention of confusing. It sure is confusing.
This is easier said than done, but don't let things confuse you. You're probably not gonna figure them out. Have a principal centered value system that loves and respects humanity and work at that every day.
We thank Clint Stevens for his service to our country and I think him even more for showing people how to take action and help people through his entrepreneurial ventures.
April 21, 2026
More than anything, you have to be someone that people can count on. -- Rick Sems, CEO
Rick leads through action. He spent his career leading teams and developing people so they can understand how to take care of customers needs.
It takes vision, but it also just takes hard work and when you put the two together, every day, you have compounding.
That positive compounding is what Rick uses to drive the success of Equity Bank.
April 13, 2026
The Chief Operating Officer, Julie Huber and Senior Vice President of Retail Banking, Jonathan Roop work every day on delivering the ease of experience for the customer.
When people interface with a financial institution, be it in person or online they want it to be simple and intuitive.
Julie Huber, the COO of Equity Bank has been working on this since there was just one Equity Bank office. In 2026. They're all over 85 spread out across the middle of the USA. The ease of doing business from the customers per perspective is more important today than ever.
Jonathan Roop has spent his career in banking. With over two decades of experience, he thinks about that personal exchange with a customer every day.
Through the leadership of Julie and Jon, the high value on customer attention and delivering in the moment is what defines Equity Bank's value proposition to each and every customer.
Delivering great service is common sense. Julie and Jon have made sure that delivering a valuable experience is common sense at Equity Bank.
April 8, 2026
"I had a health double-bogey and it taught me [like golf], you have to stay in the moment." -Cary Cozby, PGA Director of Golf
We confess how this beautiful, frustrating game we call golf so perfectly parallels life itself. It's about the grit you build when you simply refuse to quit, the discipline of staying fully in the moment, and learning to embrace every emotion that comes with it.
You might love golf. You might hate golf. Some days you'll love it and hate it in the very same round. That's the magic — this game captures the full spectrum of human emotion like almost nothing else.
Golf is historical. It's generational. It's something you can share with your family across a lifetime. There are incredible triumphs and painful tribulations. But in the end, if you just keep showing up every single day with that hopeful, joyful desire to get a little bit better… while taking that peaceful walk in the shared experience of humanity…
Golf doesn't just mimic life. In many ways, it is life.
So don't forget to play every day
March 30, 2026
Take me out to the ball game!
We are celebrating America's past time with the General Manager of the Wichita WindSurge. Matt has dedicated his career to Major league baseball, and we are grateful that he leads the SURGE!
It's an incredibly entertaining and beautiful atmosphere at Equity Bank Park and Matt and his team do everything from taking the tickets, lighting the lights and balancing the budget budgets.
Running the Major league affiliate squad in Wichita is an incredibly entrepreneurial undertaking. Matt and his team are impressive with all that they do to create an entertaining day at the park and bringing tremendous value to the city of Wichita.
Play ball!
March 30, 2026
"The Iranian objective is to cause so much damage that the US will not attack again. - former Ambassador David J. Dunford
The Arab-Israeli conflict confuses people. It is complex. We need to understand the confict and the Region so that we can add constructive questions to conversations instead of hyperbole that ends up in a side choosing battle and humanity loses.
Ambassador David J Dunford has spent the majority of his life trying to impart positive change in the Midle East. As the former Ambassador the the Sultan of Oman, he has stood on the south peninsula of the Straits of Hormuz, witnessing speedboats shuttling across with various contriband. And as the Deputy Director of US Trade in the Office of the President he recounts the significants worldwide challenges that come up when confilct over Oil shuts down ships.
In order to improve a situation you must better understand it.
Professor Dunford expresses his thoughts and gives incredible insight to the last 100 plus years of the Arab-Israeli Conflict.
March 27, 2026
It takes a lot of energy to do what Warren does. Pun Intended.
As the voice of education for the Oil and Gas industry in the state of Kansas, Warren spends his days in front of audiences of all ages to help them understand the importance of reliable and inexpensive energy. People do not thrive without it.
World conflicts have exacerbated this issue. It affects us all. Supporting solutions for Energy benefits society.
The state of Kansas is home too many Entrepreneur's in the oil and gas industry, and they provide thousands of jobs and sustainable reliable energy so that people can continue to help each other and improve each other's lives.
February 21, 2026
I've talked to many people who do difficult things at the highest level and entrepreneurs who don't quit and Brad Elliott is an entrepreneur who does not quit. He founded Equity Bank in 2001 in 2015. Equity Bank became publicly traded and remains Wichita, Kansas only publicly traded institution.
Equity has grown organically as well as through many acquisitions. In our conversation, Brad shares the motivation behind each institution's desire to merge with Equity Bank.
Brad has created a culture of being entrepreneurial while working at a bank, helping our customers every day in their personal and their professional lives so that they have the financial resources to meet whatever their challenges are.
As chairman Brad still lives his life with the attitude of "the right thing to do is the right thing to do."
January 15, 2026
"Shared commitment and accountability — we make a plan so they are actively engaged in re-joining society." -- Dan Clifford, Executive Director, Second Light
Homelessness is a complex problem. Wichita, KS has assembled the team to confront and solve it. And it takes everyone to get it done. The solution involves private, public, non-profit, the business community and each citizen to take action.
The Leadership that created the Multi-Agency Center (MAC) put to use Federal funds and those funds must be deployed in 2026. The rebrand to Second Light in 2025 shifts the focus from purely logistical to an organization that creates hope and renewal. To continue this worthy ideal, Wichita needs to secure funding into perpetuity.
On March 3rd, 2026 Wichita has a special election that, when passed, will create the funding needed from a temporary Sales Tax.
The quality of life in Wichita will continue to improve and lead in the region through efforts like this.
Wichita has a strong foundation. This effort is a multiplier. Let's take action.
secondlightwichita.org
December 31, 2025
"I want to demystify city government." -- Mayor Lily Wu
Lily is all for Wichita.
She leads every day through her actions.
From the beginning, she told our community of Wichitans "I will focus on public safety, grow and strengthen our economy, restore trust in City Hall and build a united community!"
We reflect on specific examples of each one of her initiatives. She addresses these on a daily basis.
Leadership is also about helping others lead. She is asking for your help.
Let's all be for Wichita.
Brandon has been working with entrepreneurs his entire professional career. An entrepreneur is not easily defined. They come from any background. Their path to success develops outside of traditional paradigms. This is why their stories are so intriguing. This is why we are all fascinated by their stories. what is consistent with all entrepreneurs is the unshakable belief in their desired goal and the will to just get it done.