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.
July 20, 2026
Why not work so hard to see where this takes you? -Noel Torres
Noel has championship pedigree. His trophy case is full of the belts, medals and championships to prove it.
What makes him a champion at life is how he approaches it every day— with discipline.
He has a squad of young athletes that are excelling at the highest level of wrestling on a national stage. The only way you can achieve that is to apply that discipline every day. The focus is exceptional.
It's one thing to individually succeed, it is another standard to coach and train others to do it and to win at it.
July 16, 2026
Changing became less scary than staying the same. - Ben Hutton
Ascending to leadership as the second generation of a successful family-founded company is no small feat. Very few thriving, closely held family businesses survive the transition to the next generation—let alone continue on a strong growth trajectory. Ben Hutton did exactly that. He stepped into the role of CEO at Hutton Construction.
To the outside world, it looked like a picture-perfect success story. Internally, Ben was quietly suffering. One night at 3 a.m., he sent his father a raw, honest email laying out all the challenges and internal turmoil he was facing. That single message changed the trajectory of the company.
Ben refused to simply follow the status quo. Instead, he authentically articulated what needed to change so he could lead in a way that played to his unique strengths and abilities. It was difficult. There was doubt. There was friction. But that honesty and courage set the stage for the transformational journey that turned Hutton Construction into The Hutton Companies—the organization Ben proudly leads today.
This is his account of how they became the Hutton companies.
July 6, 2026
"The Governor's job is a CEO job." -Philip Sarnecki
"Failures, if we appraoch them correctly, are our greatest teachers." -Philip Sarnecki
Philip learned his work ethic as a young person. When you don't grow up with a lot, and you do grow up with love, you are taught the valuable lesson of how to work.
Phillip Sarnecki has led throughout his life. A resilient work ethic is the strong foundation from which all human beings can launch.
He's running for governor as an outsider. What that means is, he hasn't spent his career making promises to other people with money that comes from Kansas taxpayers. An entrepreneur, a CEO is uniquely capable of running a 25+ billion dollar budget because they have become successful through accountability.
Those in government do not have accountability because they are spending someone else's money.
Philip is running for Governor to give more opportunity to Kansans.
June 29, 2026
Amanda took a risk as an Entrepreneur early in her career. Through sheer grit and determination --and a hell of a product idea-- she was successful. Nothing fails like success. That iswhy Entrepreneurs jump right back in with both feet. This time, Amanda invented a product. Applying all the knowledge from her previous entrepreneurial ventures, including strong relationships professionally, and in manufacturing, she took this invention and scaled it only to have a potential customer steal her intellectual property. Patent Protection only goes so far. The bigger company, with more resources can be unethical and just take your idea if they believe they can drown you and legal costs. It's a calculated risk.
Amanda Seema wasn't willing to lay down with her trade secret.
And she is fighting.
June 23, 2026
"If you don't have Accountability, you are going to have a big mess on you hands." -Greg Kossover
Greg Kossover is a self-made Entrepreneur/Businessman and former CEO of multiple succesful companies.
Equity Bank's customers are fortunate to have access to his remarkable breath of knowledge and judgement.
The work he's done for the growth of Equity Bank--taking it public-- give him incredible insight on how to continue to grow Value for Customers' Businesses and the Financial health of Equity Bank.
June 12, 2026
"This is still an upward mobility story." -Jeremy Hill
Jeremy Hill, regional economist for the Kansas City Federal Reserve, breaks down Missouri and Kansas's economy, the drivers behind persistent inflation, and why high oil prices are keeping costs elevated across the board. He explains how energy costs ripple through everything we buy and what needs to happen for inflation to finally stabilize. Hill also shares how the Federal Reserve operates with districts across the country, how each one votes differently to maintain the integrity of the Federal Reserve, and its core role in stabilizing prices while aiming for maximum employment.
May 31, 2026
When you immigrate to the United States from a former communist country, your point of view about opportunity is different.
Kristof's first visit to the US was to New York and he thought it was all like that. As a Top high school decathlete in Poland, he had the chance to come to the United States and he chose Wichita USA.
As an outstanding athlete for the Wichita State Shockers, he soon wanted to apply his dedication and capabilities to the business world. Many of us in the US take for granted our opportunities. Chief Credit Officer of Equity Bank, Kristof Slupkowski shares in our conversation how difficult it is to legally immigrate so that you can take advantage of the wonderful opportunities in the land of the free. He is an outstanding disciplined human being, and I am grateful to share his story.
May 13, 2026
Anytime I am mentoring, with a group of young people or students, I give them my number and ask them to use it. I encourage that. And its up to them. -- Gene Camarena, Founder/CEO La Raza Inc.
Gene and his wife Yolanda have changed so many lives because they believe in education and they chose to be entrepreneurs
They have validated their success by giving of their time, their talents and their treasures to young people. They give and they keep giving with one caveat, you must participate in their generosity. Gene knows how difficult it is to be an entrepreneur and it get started and that's one of the main reasons why he continues to be accessible and open and honest about that path. As an incredibly successful franchisees in restaurants and hotels, Gene will tell you directly that the most fun is sharing that success with the next generation to grow more opportunities for those in the Latino community and with any young person willing to take a risk and continue to take action. Gene's leadership is meaningful effective and never boastful.
I thank him for what he has done and continues to do every day for the benefit of others.
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.
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.