Business association to follow style of Wichita group
By Michael Hooper
The Capital-Journal
About 20 business owners have formed the Topeka Independent Business Association.
Members voted Friday to elect a chairman and other officers. Mark Hood, a Topeka entrepreneur, was named president.
Ken Daniel, chairman and chief executive officer of Midway Wholesale, is chairman of TIBA. Other TIBA board members are Mark Wheeler, of Berlin-Wheeler; Rick Farrant, of Lake Perry Country Club; Marc Johnson, of Kennedy & Coe; Ping Enriquez, of Ad Veritas Inc.; Greg Fankhauser, president of Heritage Bank; Marvin Spees, of Capital City Oil; Matt Strathman, of Strathman Sales Co.; Ron Stryker, owner of Latta-Whitlow; Mark Kossler, of Fidelity State Bank; Pat Gideon, president of Silver Lake Bank; and Steve Wanamaker, of Charlton Manley Insurance.
Anthony Bush/The Capital-Journal
Mark Hood talks to a group of small-business owners Friday about starting the Topeka Independent Business Association during a meeting at Heritage Bank, 3024 S.W. Wanamaker. He says the organization has filed to be incorporated as a nonprofit.
TIBA is for independent businesses only, not publicly traded businesses, whereas the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce are dominated by big business, TIBA members said.
"There is nothing wrong with the Topeka chamber," Daniel said. "Our objectives are different. The chamber's small-business effort is directed to minorities and disadvantaged businesses. We welcome them, too. The Kansas chamber has a small-business division, but it hasn't done anything for years. This (small business) is all we do."
Hood said, "We want to be a stronger voice for the independents who weren't represented in the past."
Daniel said another reason for starting TIBA is the ability to offer affordable insurance to its members. Insurance is a big concern for small businesses, because with few employees, it is difficult to get affordable rates.
Hood and Daniel said TIBA was modeled after the Wichita Independent Business Association, which has more than 75 years of experience leading independent business in the Wichita area.
Daniel said the Wichita Independent Business Association has been an advocate for privately owned businesses and provides health insurance for small businesses with two to 50 employees, especially those with fewer than 10 employees.
"Small-business startups are extremely important to our economy, but our track record here in Kansas is miserable," Daniel said. "Wichita is the exception."
The tradition of entrepreneurship in Wichita has led to the creation of many national businesses, he said.
Hood said TIBA has filed articles of incorporation as a 501C6, a nonprofit organization. TIBA board members will meet again at noon Sept. 7 at Heritage Bank.
Doug Kinsinger, president and CEO of the Topeka chamber, said it has a long history of representing small businesses. He said 90 percent of its 1,400 members are small businesses and its board of directors includes members of small, medium and large businesses.
"I wish them the best of luck," he said of TIBA.
TIBA plans to belong to the Topeka chamber and the Kansas chamber and will work with them on issues affecting independent and small businesses.
Michael Hooper can be reached at (785) 295-1293 or michael.hooper@cjonline.com.