• SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 • Midlands Business Journal

Midlands Business JournalEstablished in 1975

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Zane D. Randall (1925-2006) Co-founder LeAnne M. Iwan (1932-1986) First News Editor

EDITOR & VICE PRESIDENT OF NEWS, Tiffany Brazda

The Midlands Business Journal (ISSN 0194-4525) is published weekly plus one by MBJ Inc. and is available for $2.00 per individual copy or $75 per year. Editorial offices are 1324 S. 119th St., Omaha, NE 68144. Periodical postage paid at Omaha NE POSTMASTER; Send address changes to Midlands Business Journal, 1324 S. 119th St., Omaha, NE 68144. All submis-sions to the Midlands Business Journal become the property of the Midlands Business Journal and will not be returned.

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OFFICE

by Gabriel ChristensenWhat once was a hobby, is now a full-

time business endeavor for avid crafter Lindsey DeVries, as she opened the doors of the Pinterest-inspired studio, The Mak-ery, in June 2015, which offers a variety of craft classes. A little over a year later, the business shows no signs of slowing.

“We’re looking into opening another location in West Omaha soon,” DeVries said. “We also hope to expand to the Lin-coln area in the future.”

Situated in the Bel Air Plaza off 120th and West Center Road, The Makery’s chosen location was selected for its up and coming surroundings, accessible parking and friendliness.

“It’s just very homey with a lot of ‘mom and pops’ businesses,” DeVries said. “Everything is handmade, homemade around here — perfect for The Makery.”

DeVries said the new location will allow The Makery to become more kid-ori-ented, as more craft days for kids will be placed on the calendar.

“Currently the main cliental is women between the ages of 30 to 50,” DeVries said. “We have a lot of moms that have kids and just want a night away to make something.”

DeVries said she hopes to connect more with local makers and have them teach some classes.

“We have different teachers who spe-cialize in different crafts who teach the classes,” DeVries said. “With the new store, I’ve hired a general manager and

will be looking into hiring more teachers or makers.”

As of now, the studio offers about 15 classes a month and schedules private parties around the classes. DeVries said future crafters can visit themakeryomaha.com to view available days and book a private party.

“Our most popular classes are our door hanger classes,” DeVries said. “Sometimes people will bring their phone in with an idea and we help facilitate their craft dreams.”

Vintage folk crafts, such as string art, felting and weaving are making a turn-around, DeVries noted.

The Makery offers a variety of crafting with items such as beads, yarn, buttons and other materials.

“We have an application in for a liquor license,” DeVries said. “But our place isn’t really comparable to paint and sip studios because we don’t do any paining — just crafting.”

The prices for a night at The Makery range from $26 to $44, depending on the type of project. The materials and clean up are included in the price.

DeVries said the most fulfilling aspect to her job is making clients feel empowered and proud of themselves for completing a piece.

“It’s the biggest compliment when someone is excited about their work and wants to hang it in their house or tell their friends,” DeVries said. “I want them to tell everyone about their experience.”

DeVries said Pinterest is a useful plat-form to search for new ideas and social media has made it very simple to market her business.

“It’s so easy to just throw something on Facebook or Instagram and people start sharing it,” DeVries said.

The Makery gives back to the commu-nity by using TAGG, a platform that allows consumers to donate 5 percent of their purchase to their choice of organization.

“It’s a very neat opportunity and I try to tell everyone about it,” DeVries said.

Passersby outside catch a glimpse into The Makery’s creative quarters as door hangers, photo boards, succulents and other crafts line the windows showcasing different arts.

“There’s so many cool ideas out there that I’m constantly searching for,” DeVries said. “Since I’ve decided to open The Makery, I’ve really challenged myself to learn new techniques and crafts.”

One-year-old craft studio The Makery plans to expand

Owner Lindsey DeVries … Poised to expand the craft studio to a second location while reaching a variety of clientele.

Business Minute The Midlands Business Journal's

Name: Cole G. Stichler.Age: 33.Title: President.Place of employment: Stichler Wealth

Management, LLC.H o m e t o w n :

Bennington, Neb.E d u c a t i o n :

Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Admin i s t r a t i on , with an emphasis in management and a minor in econom-ics from Nebraska Wesleyan Univer-si ty. Earned the Certified Financial Planner certification prerequisites from Kaplan University.

How I got into the business: I got into the financial services business as an intern with a local investment and insurance firm in their retirement plans division during my senior year at Nebraska Wesleyan.

Accomplishments or milestones: Earning the Certified Financial Planner certification.

First job: Laborer at Anderson Drywall while in high school.

Biggest career break: Getting hired at a local bank brokerage at the age of 23 to manage and develop financial planning relationships.

Cole G. Stichler, President, Stichler Wealth Management, LLC.

The toughest part of the job: Com-municating with my clients on a regular basis to help blur out the white noise that our national media is communicating to them 24/7.

The best advice I have received: To always keep your clients’ best interests ahead of your own.

About my family: My wife, Katie and I have been married for just over six years. Ka-tie is a high school counselor at Omaha Burke. We have two amazing little boys, Trevor and Brody. Trev-or just turned two years old over the summer and our youngest, Brody, was born this past April.

Something else I’d like to accomplish: I would like to someday write a book on my industry for the general public to read. A more educated general public on what to look for when you are looking for a financial advisor can only be a positive.

Book I finished reading recently: The Intelligent Investor, by Benjamin Graham.

Something about me not everyone knows: I was recruited out of high school to play four different sports at the colle-giate level (football, basketball, baseball and golf.) Ultimately choosing basketball and baseball.

How my business will change in the next decade: Technology will continue to drive my business to be more automated. However, the need for a human touch will not go away.

Mentor who has helped the most in my career: Art Hansen, who was a manager of mine early on in my career. He took a

leap of faith in hiring me at such a young age and I learned a great deal about the

business and also how to balance it well with my personal life.

Outside interests: Going on walks in our neighborhood with my family, playing golf and bas-ketball, and traveling to see family

and friends.Pet peeves: Slow Internet connec-

tion!Favorite vacation spot: Oceanside,

Calif.Other careers I would like to try:

Coaching sports either at the high school level or college level. I have many friends that do this for a living and I very much admire them for choosing this career path.

Favorite movie: The Big Short.Favorite cause or charity: Mosaic.Favorite app: CNBC.

(Editor’s note: To nominate an interesting businessman or wom-an for the Business Minute, please e-mail information about the person to news@mbj.com.

Cole G. Stichler, President,

Stichler Wealth Management,

LLC.

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