If you had told Henry Shields that a bagel experiment in his kitchen would end up changing the course of his life, he may not have believed you—but that is exactly what happened. What started as a simple idea—testing whether Omaha had an appetite for handcrafted sourdough bagels—quickly grew into a thriving business that led Henry to leave his job at ConAgra and create his own bagel business. “Omaha is incredible for entrepreneurs,” says Shields. “If you create a good product, you're authentic, and you're consistent, Omaha will support you.” Thanks to a little curiosity, a lot of passion, and an overwhelming response from the Omaha community, his kitchen-born idea took off.Omaha Bagel Co. was born. Bagels on…

Omaha is a wonderful place to network, grow your sphere of influence, and meet and deepen connections. Here are some of the opportunities to network in the Omaha area for the week of February 10th-16th, 2025. Multiple Days Center Sphere, also known as “The Network”, has more than 50 groups meeting throughout the Omaha area on a weekly basis. Only one person from each industry is allowed in each group and all members can attend other groups or group activities. If you’re interested in a group, you can contact [email protected]. Monday, February 10th • Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Mid-America Council of Scouting America, 10 am-12 pm, 12401 West Maple Rd • Mi…

Last year, thanks to Nebraska Diaper Bank, over 3.4 million diapers were given out to help care for babies in Nebraska. Since its inception, Nebraska Diaper Bank has given out more than 9 million diapers! Tegan Reed, one of the co-founders of Nebraska Diaper Bank, said it all began as a small food pantry started by two local churches back in 2014. In those days, they “gave out diapers in addition to food.” By 2018, they were giving out 54,000 diapers along with food items. In 2022, Tegan realized it was time to purely focus on diaper need. The nonprofit decided to rebrand to fully encompass this new mission. Thus, Nebraska Diaper Bank was established...and 1.3 million diapers were given out that year alone. More Fo…

Drs. Young and Brown have owned and operated Young Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center for more than 17 years and are passionate about helping those in the Omaha metro improve their quality of life through natural means. The two locations: one at 10351 Portal Road, Suite 103 in La Vista, and one at 15530 Ida St., Suite 400 in Bennington, offer same-day appointments that can include x-rays or passive therapies to address immediate pain. Ongoing treatment can include adjustments or other therapies as well as rehab through exercise and myofascial work. The office is known for its welcoming environment and individualized treatment plans. Below is an interview with Dr. Peter Young: How long have you been in business and w…

Big Brothers of Omaha was founded in 1959 and merged with Big Sisters of Omaha to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands (BBBSM). In 2024, BBBSM officially combined with Big Brothers Big Sisters Lincoln. BBBSM serves 850+ youth in a 9-county service region in Nebraska and Iowa (Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Saunders, Lancaster, Seward, Washington, Pottawattamie, and Mills). BBBSM’s vision is for all youth to reach their full potential. Their mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Below is an interview with Emma Beebe, Marketing & Outreach Director for BBBSM. Who is the primary group that you serve with your organization? BBBSM primarily se…

Omaha is a wonderful place to network, grow your sphere of influence, and meet and deepen connections. Here are some of the opportunities to network in the Omaha area for the week of February 3rd-February 9th, 2025. Multiple Days Center Sphere, also known as “The Network”, has more than 50 groups meeting throughout the Omaha area on a weekly basis. Only one person from each industry is allowed in each group and all members can attend other groups or group activities. If you’re interested in a group, you can contact [email protected]. Monday, February 3rd • Millard Rotary, 12-1 pm, German American Society, 3717 S. 120th St. If you’re interested in visiting this group, contact Leigh Sittenauer at mill…

Pet sitting. While many might hear the term and think of it as a hobby or a job for kids, one innovative woman in Omaha is proving it’s so much more. Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates, led by Kristin Holzapfel, provides a fresh approach to the business of pet care—a supportive network of independent sitters built on trust, education, and collaboration. Featured on the Spotlight Omaha podcast, Kristin shared insights into her journey, philosophy, and vision for the future of pet care. From Solo to Network: A Journey of Growth Kristin’s story began in 2017, when she launched her own pet-sitting business, Pampered Pupperinos and Pals LLC. At that time, Kristin focused her services on dog walking, drop-ins, and overnight ca…

When Turner Schenzel first ventured into the handyman business, his vision was clear—to create a handyman service that prioritized trust, professionalism, and exceptional customer experience—while also creating a lasting legacy for his team. Five years later, as the owner of Ace Handyman Services, he’s delivering on that promise, one drywall repair and ceiling fan installation at a time. In a recent interview on the Spotlight Omaha podcast, Turner shared insights into what sets his business apart, the challenges of scaling operations, and why customer trust is at the heart of everything they do. "When in Doubt, Give Us a Call" The beauty of Ace Handyman Services, Turner explained, is its versatility. “Our team …

Imagine walking out of your office and straight into the gym with no commute and no excuses. This is the vision Cody and Nick Yurk had when they started CoWorkout, a coworking gym located in downtown Omaha. With the goal of making fitness easy and accessible for busy professionals, the owners combined strength training, cardio, and even rooftop yoga into a gym that works with your schedule. It’s where work meets workout and the team at CoWorkout loves helping their members crush their goals. Below is an interview with Cody Yurk, co-founder of CoWorkout. How long have you been in business, and what was the owner’s motivation for starting the business? We launched in 2024 with a big goal: to solve the age-old problem of …

Omaha is a wonderful place to network, grow your sphere of influence, and meet and deepen connections. Here are some of the opportunities to network in the Omaha area for the week of January 27th-February 2nd, 2025. Multiple Days • Center Sphere, also known as “The Network”, has more than 50 groups meeting throughout the Omaha area on a weekly basis. Only one person from each industry is allowed in each group and all members can attend other groups or group activities. If you’re interested in a group, you can contact [email protected]. Monday, January 27th • Millard Rotary, 12-1 pm, German American Society, 3717 S. 120th St. If you’re interested in visiting this group, contact Leigh Sittenauer at millardr…

Omaha is a wonderful place to network, grow your sphere of influence, and meet and deepen connections. Here are some of the opportunities to network in the Omaha area for the week of January 20th - January 26th, 2025. Multiple Days • Center Sphere, also known as “The Network”, has more than 50 groups meeting throughout the Omaha area on a weekly basis. Only one person from each industry is allowed in each group and all members can attend other groups or group activities. If you’re interested in a group, you can contact [email protected]. Monday, January 20th • NO MEETING of Millard Rotary, 12-1 pm, German American Society, 3717 S. 120th St. If you’re interested in visiting this group, contact Leigh Si…

Simply Sorted Omaha is a local, woman-owned company that helps people declutter and organize their homes. Owners Megan and Allison know how life can get – between work, family, and all the other demands on our time, it's easy for things to pile up and feel overwhelming. Simply Sorted understands that clutter can really weigh you down. That's why they're here to help you create a more peaceful and enjoyable home environment. They believe that everyone deserves a space that supports their well-being and allows them to thrive. Megan and Allison don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, they work closely with clients to understand their unique needs and challenges. Whether it's tackling that overflowing closet, cr…

When Curtis Norton was a kid in 1990, his parents opened Leapatrick’s Carpet Cleaning (the name came from a combination of his mom’s name, LeaAyn, and his dad’s name, Patrick). Curtis and his brother Sean worked for the company for most of their childhoods and into their 20s. LeaAyn and Patrick sold the company in 2017, but Curtis knew he wanted to keep the tradition alive and decided to open his own version of the company with his wife Bri in 2022. Leapatrick’s Carpet Cleaning specializes in all types of residential and commercial floor care from carpet cleaning to LVP/LVT to tile and grout and strip and wax on VCT tile. They are also experts at cleaning all types of furniture upholstery and have recently added hous…

Lumen Beer Company opened in June 2022 and is located in the Little Bohemia neighborhood at 1433 s. 13 th St. We offer a small menu of bar food including French fries, tots, soft pretzelbites, hot dogs, and cheese curds. We also occasionally feature food trucks and pop-ups. The brewery focuses on creating a mix of hoppy, sour, and high-gravity beers that have one thing in common: the brewers love to drink them and they think you will, too. Below is an interview with Dan Brouillette, owner of Lumen Beer Company. Why did you decide to open a brewery in Omaha? I travelled the country with my old job and visited breweries all over the place. I would take photos and notes of breweries that I liked and beer styles I enjoyed home…

Omaha is a wonderful place to network, grow your sphere of influence, and meet and deepen connections. Here are some of the opportunities to network in the Omaha area for the week of January 13th-January 19th, 2025. Multiple Days • Center Sphere, also known as “The Network”, has more than 50 groups meeting throughout the Omaha area on a weekly basis. Only one person from each industry is allowed in each group and all members can attend other groups or group activities. If you’re interested in a group, you can contact [email protected]. Monday, January 13th • Millard Rotary, 12-1 pm, German American Society, 3717 S. 120th St. The speaker is Jeff Barnes, Forts of the Northern Plains. If you’re interested in…

Kros Strain Brewing’s story begins with an engineer and a congressional aide who had day jobs but enjoyed their homebrewing more. They unlocked a passion that shines through each and every brew they serve. While Scott Strain and Bobby Kros began their brewing careers in separate states, their fates aligned when they were both hired at a local commercial brewery. With experience comes exploration and so these two set off to plan their own production facility that would feature innovative new styles and classic beers for palates of all kinds. Opened in 2017, Kros Strain Brewing has since become one of the preeminent breweries in Nebraska and the surrounding area. The Omaha brewery has two locations: the brewery located at 10…

Omaha is a wonderful place to network, grow your sphere of influence, and meet and deepen connections. Here are some of the opportunities to network in the Omaha area for the week of January 6th–January 12th, 2025. Multiple Days • Center Sphere, also known as “The Network”, has more than 50 groups meeting throughout the Omaha area on a weekly basis. Only one person from each industry is allowed in each group and all members can attend other groups or group activities. If you’re interested in a group, you can contact [email protected]. Monday, January 6th • Millard Rotary, 12-1 pm, German American Society, 3717 S. 120th St. The speaker is John Ewing, Douglas County Treasurer. If you’re interested in…

Omaha is a wonderful place to network, grow your sphere of influence, and meet and deepen connections. Here are some of the opportunities to network in the Omaha area for the week of December 16th-December 22nd, 2024. Rotary Groups You’re always welcome to visit a Rotary group in Omaha! These community service groups are perfect for those who want to meet others who want to make the world a better place. If you’d like to be a guest of our publisher Angela Chaney, text her at (402) 890-3406. She’ll be happy to host you or find a host for you at any of the groups. • Omaha Suburban Rotary: Thursdays from 12-1 pm at Legends Patio and Grill, 6920 Pacific St.• Rotary Club of Omaha West: Fridays, 12-1 at Charlie’s on the …

Omaha is a wonderful place to network, grow your sphere of influence, and meet and deepen connections. Here are some of the opportunities to network in the Omaha area for the week of December 9th-December 15th, 2024. Rotary Groups You’re always welcome to visit a Rotary group in Omaha! These community service groups are perfect for those who want to meet others who want to make the world a better place. If you’d like to be a guest of our publisher Angela Chaney, text her at (402) 890-3406. She’ll be happy to host you or find a host for you at any of the groups. • Omaha Suburban Rotary: Thursdays from 12-1 pm at Legends Patio and Grill, 6920 Pacific St.• Rotary Club of Omaha West: Fridays, 12-1 at Charlie’s on the L…

Zachary Brown has been an optometrist for 12 years and has worked in numerous settings including large medical practices and private clinics. He wanted to take the knowledge and experience he’d gained from those years of practice and start his own clinic that focuses on patient needs. He recently opened Walnut Creek Eyecare at 2063 Creek Side Dr. in Papillion and looks forward providing excellent care and a great product to his patients. Below is an interview with Dr. Brown: How has the business grown over the years? I hope to see great growth in the next 5 years. Some estimates show that 50% of the US population will be near-sighted by 2030. This provides optometrist a real area to make a difference. What do …

18039 R Plaza #108 Located on the southwest side of Omaha at 180th and Q St, Bearded Brewer Artisan Ales opened May of 2021. Though they do not serve food in their brewery, they do host several food trucks throughout the week and Tracks Lounge will be opening in 2025 to offer a nearby food solution. Below is an interview with Kirk Hearon, owner of Bearded Brewer. Why did you decide to open a brewery in Omaha? I was moved here for my job in 2015 and just saw such a growing market for craft beer and a community that really embraces local. Once I was in the west Omaha area, I saw a gap in the market and a need to bring a brewery to that area of town. What makes your brewery different from others in the O…

If you’re looking for a unique place to host events, network with other local business owners, or just relax and have fun with new and old friends, becoming a member at Apiary Social Club may be the perfect fit. Opened just this Spring, Apiary is located in the Heartwood Preserve and is already getting “buzz” as one of the most luxurious places in town to create unique experiences. Co-owner Charles Yin stated that the reasoning behind opening Apiary Social Club was to provide a new social experience for those who didn’t necessarily want to belong to a private club that was based on a specific activity—though he emphasizes that many of their members are also members at these types of clubs. He and his partners worke…