The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin": Vol. 2025 #4: 10-23-24

                  VOLUME 2025      OCTOBER 23, 2024      NUMBER 4

President Greg McCune welcomed the membership and guests, then Sharon Fincham presented the reflection.  The flag salute followed.

Mike Fincham introduced Stephanie Pierce, Executive Director of INNOVATE 24.  Innovate -24 is a not-for-profit organization that provides support for entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses.  Prior to joining INNOVATE-24, Stephanie gained knowledge and expertise in economic development and technology commercialization at K-State Innovation Partners and has experience working in small business as well as starting her own entrepreneurial endeavors.  Stephanie earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration from Kansas State University.  She is from Larned, Kansas and came to Manhattan in 2004 to attend K-State.  She is married and has a five-year-old high energy boy.  She spoke on INNOVATE 24, regional startup activities, and the Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge.

Stephanie loved Manhattan and stayed on after graduation working for Anderson Knight architects.  She always was interested in entrepreneurial pursuits.  INNOVATE-24’s mission is to facilitate activities that create, attract, and grow innovative startups that bring jobs, new investment, and net new dollars into the region.  They want to help entrepreneurs find what they need along their journey.  Starting an entrepreneurial business is a long winding complicated road and INNOVATE-24 wants to help make that road as clear and concise as possible and provide assistance to them to find what they need at each stage of growth through education, mentoring, networking, and funding. 

There is also some funding in the community through four funding sources: Empower fund, Elevate community micro-loan fund, Entrepreneurship Community Partnership, Grow KS loan and equity programs.  The Micro-loan fund is locally supported by the city, the others are supported by state and federal funds.  INNOVATE-24 is a not-for-profit organization; their website is designed as a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs to have 24/7 access to the resources they might need to successfully start a business.  The best way to engage with INNOVATE-24 is through their website:

INNOVATE-24 Website

The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) is a statewide initiative to encourage young people, middle school through high school, to start thinking about an entrepreneurial mindset in classrooms and in clubs in connection with K-State Research and Extension.  It helps them think about how to put together a business plan, the financials, identify a product or service for their business.  The students are grouped by county in an organization where they come together to pick a business and have a display of their product or business and can talk knowledgeably about it.  The winners of the county competition come to KSU and enter the statewide competition.  There is some funding available, and they can really launch their business.  Mentors advise the students and judges are needed to judge the competition.  They are looking to host the next competition at the Manhattan Mall.  For more information on the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge: 

Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

Ashley Urban introduced Kendahl Goetzmann, Customer Relations Consultant with WTC.

President McCune wished Paul Dittmar an early Happy Birthday!  He also noted Ken Lewis was in attendance after missing several meetings.

Clyde Scott reminded the group that dues are overdue.

Bill Wisdom noted the Chili Crawl was a success and revenue from the fundraiser should be about the same as last year.  A list of volunteers was on the tables.  Additional Chili Crawl pictures are at the end of this article.

Chili Crawl Volunteers

The Thundering Cat’s big band will play at the College Hill Methodist Church at 3:00 pm on Sunday, 10/27.

October 31, Bewitching in Westloop; November 2, Winterize Optimist Park; November 3, Stanchion Setup; November 28, Tree Lot Opens - 10:00-12:00 & 2:00-6:00.

Adjourned with the Optimist Creed

Business Meeting

CHILI CRAWL PICTURES