THE MOMENT IS NOW.
SURROUNDING US IS THE CHANCE TO DO BETTER — TO RESET OUR AMBITION, REASSESS OUR PROGRESS AND PUSH THE TARGET FORWARD AS FAR AS WE DARE.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO DREAM WITH EYES FORWARD AND TO ACT WITH DETERMINATION AND RESOLVE. WITH A MINDSET FIXED ON THE IDEAL — A WICHITA THAT NEVER SURRENDERS TO STAGNATION OR COMPLACENCY, BUT SEES BARRIERS AND SETBACKS FOR WHAT THEY TRULY ARE: OPPORTUNITIES.
LOOK AROUND YOU. IT’S IN THE VACANT LOT. THE NEWEST TECHNOLOGY. THE LATEST HEADLINES AND THE INDOMITABLE STARTUP WITH A BIG IDEA AND A SMALL WINDOW.
WICHITA WILL NEVER FAIL FOR LACK OF OPPORTUNITY. AS LONG AS WE’RE WILLING TO GRAB IT AS IT COMES.
THE SEEKERS
Learn how the Wichitans featured in the video turned opportunity into progress.
NICO HERNÁNDEZ OLYMPIC BOXER
Nico Hernández is a true hometown hero. In the summer of 2016, he earned the Olympic bronze medal in men’s boxing. The victory also placed him as the first American to medal in the light-flyweight division since the Seoul Olympics in 1988.
Despite his massive success, Hernández is a humble role model in the community and still grateful for the opportunity he was given. “I came from nothing. I started boxing at 9 years old and weighed only 50 pounds,” Hernández recalls. “I put in a lot of work at the gym and it paid off.”
The Wichita gym where he trained burned down two years ago. But with the help of the community and volunteers, Hernández’s family was able to rebuild and reopen it in 2017. It’s since been named the Hernández Boxing Academy. “This gym changed my life,” he says. “It kept me out of trouble growing up and is like a second home.”
Following the Olympics, Hernández turned professional and has earned a record of 5-0 with 4 knockouts. He typically spends five days a week training in his namesake gym and enjoys giving pointers to young athletes. “I love the atmosphere,” he says. “Everyone is positive, has similar goals, and wants to make something of themselves.”
TORREY LATTIN &
STACY WARD-LATTIN OWNERS OF HOPPING GNOME BREWING COMPANY
Torrey and Stacy are married and co-owners of Wichita’s Hopping Gnome Brewing Company. They decided to pursue their dream of opening a local taproom after visiting unique breweries in the Ft. Collins, Colorado area. Following their trip, they discussed whether to move to Colorado or stay in Wichita and make it better. Inspired by the “buy local” movement that had taken root in Wichita, they decided to become part of it.
Torrey had been homebrewing for several years, winning gold medals both regionally and nationally before the couple became entrepreneurs. “I joked with my wife about opening a brewery, and to my surprise, she responded with ‘Let’s do it!’”
The Hopping Gnome Brewing Company opened in May of 2015 and has since become a favorite gathering spot for locals to explore seasonal flavors.
The camaraderie within the local brewery community has made their journey even more enjoyable. “The other owners welcomed us, even giving us advice about lessons they’d learned,” said Stacy. “We often tell customers to visit our competitors, and they do the same for us. We want everyone in Wichita to do well.”
ABEL RODRIGUEZ OWNER OF UNO MAS ICT AND UNO MAS FRESH MEX
After serving as a long-time sous chef at a local restaurant, Abel Rodriguez followed his passion for creating unique flavors and ventured out on his own to open Uno Mas, his first food truck. Rodriguez’s growing customer base allowed him to save up and start a brick and mortar restaurant, Uno Mas Fresh Mex, the following year.
Rodriguez’s success is hard-earned, as most days he works from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. “Everything I do is for my family’s future,” he says. Rodriguez believes opportunity presents itself to those looking for it and willing to put in the work. Uno Mas is often the first food truck to arrive at Wichita events because he’s determined to secure the best spot.
“Wichita has a lot of competition, but the community is supportive of local cuisines and local businesses,” says Rodriguez. “My long-term goal is to have two to three restaurants in the next five years and be in a position to just oversee all operations.”
LOGAN PAJUNEN OWNER OF STUDIO | SCHOOL
Logan Pajunen has wanted to be involved in a real estate project and create some kind of community for as long as he can remember. The ideal opportunity presented itself in the form of a vacant school.
Pajunen purchased the former Metro-Boulevard Alternative High School in July 2017 and, has since, opened it as a gallery and art collective. The converted school, now known as STUDIO | SCHOOL, includes a variety of spaces for artists to rent, as well as a woodworking shop that doubles as a sculpture studio.
“The timing was right,” notes Pajunen. “And my vision for this creative community crystallized when the opportunity made itself available.”
His vision included gathering a concentration of artists that were previously scattered around Wichita. “I knew there were creatives working alone in basements, suburbs or in spaces they couldn’t really afford,” remembers Pajunen. “My goal was to create a den of people moving, working and producing continually. It’s very rewarding to see that come to life.”
KEONNA CRUMP FERROLOY EMPLOYEE & aspiring ultrasound tech
Keonna Crump currently works the night shift at the Ferroloy foundry in Wichita but has her sights set on becoming an ultrasound technician. She’s determined to create the opportunity for herself.
“Now’s the time. I’m 32 years old, I’ve come too far and I’m done making excuses,” says Crump. “My dad has told me forever to pursue the medical field. He’ll be 70 years old next month, and I want to make him proud.”
She looks forward to successfully finishing school and having a rewarding job that brings her joy. “I don’t have any children of my own, but it would be exciting to perform sonograms and tell people whether they’re having a boy or a girl,” Crump says. “I’ll feel accomplished, and it’ll warm my heart to know I’m helping people.”
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See some of the alternate video endings by clicking the link below.
