Napkin Stories Blog

Discussion for entrepreneurs of all sizes and industry.

Five Traits of Managers Who Keep Happy Employees

June 15, 2017

People spend most of their time at work, so it’s important that managers do all they can to make that time enjoyable, fulfilling and well-spent. Here are the top five traits of managers who keep happy employees.
Read more

Ten Ways to Avoid Temptation and Improve Self-Discipline

June 8, 2017

No matter what your goals are, it takes a great deal of self-discipline, control and knowing how to avoid temptation. By fine tuning the skill, you can not only improve your personal life, but also your work life.
Read more

Tips For Settling Into a New Home

June 1, 2017

Settling into a new home can feel nothing less than overwhelming. Make sure you write down these easy steps so you can stay organized by checking them off as you go.

May 25, 2017

Developing assertiveness in the workplace doesn’t refer to a harsh and abrasive personality, but rather, it’s a way to convey what you’re thinking in a positive and healthy manner.

May 18, 2017

Small businesses and entrepreneurs should look forward to new ways of automating their work. Here are six global technology trends to start adopting now.

May 11, 2017

If you have limited funds, you can still obtain tangible results if you put your money in the right places. Here are four ways to get big marketing results on a small budget.

May 4, 2017

Buying a home is one of the most serious, and exciting, investments you’ll make. But, like anything else, there are things to consider before you take the plunge and make such a big purchase.

April 27, 2017

Giving a presentation in front of a group of people can be one of the most nerve wracking experiences. Remember these easy steps in order to give a presentation that's effective, interactive and unforgettable.

Live a Little: Your Personal Guide to Personal Loans

April 13, 2017

Have you ever dreamt of traveling the world? Maybe moving across the pond? Many people don’t have the funds to accomplish certain life goals, but there is a way that it can be done.

Tips on How to Use Webinars Properly

April 6, 2017

Though technology has made the delivery of webinars possible in real time, there’s a lot of human effort (and a little know-how) when it comes to creating and delivering solid content.

Five Ways Your Company Can Attract Millennial Employees

March 30, 2017

Millennials are flooding into the workforce, with more than one in three American workers being of the Millennial generation, according to Forbes.

Remote Employees: Hiring and Sustaining a Team That Will Thrive

March 23, 2017

Times are changing when it comes to the workforce, and there’s no better time than now to hire remote employees.

Five Things All College Students Should Know About Finances

March 16, 2017

Buying learning the basics of finances early on, young adults can be set up to succeed when it comes to credit cards, loans, retirement and more.

What You Need to Know Before Getting an Auto Loan

March 9, 2017

Buying a car is expensive, so it’s important that you get the right car, the best deal and the most affordable loan.

Ten Ways to Improve Company Culture

March 2, 2017

Company culture always has room for improvement, and it should never become a stagnant idea that’s left on the back burner.

Three Bad Habits Preventing Your Ideas from Becoming Great Business Ventures

February 23, 2017

All successful businesses have started out with one thing—a simple idea. One of two things can happen after a great idea has been established.

Three Reasons Your Employees Should be on Social Media

February 16, 2017

Tweeting an office joke, Instagramming a meeting, Facebooking a photo of employees hanging out together—these can all be frowned upon in the workforce, depending on the type of company, but why?

Finances: Things to Consider Before Saying "I Do"
February 9, 2017

Perhaps you’re engaged and thinking about the future with your significant other. You’re both filled with high expectations, enthusiasm, and a desire to work hard toward a common goal—but, not everything always goes according to plan.

You Just Got Married... Now What?

February 2, 2017

There’s a lot to think about before and after you tie the knot. Homes, cars, children...But, finances can be especially difficult to manage amongst two people with two different styles of saving and budgeting.

Five Quick Tips for Time Management

January 26, 2017

Our lives are busy. We scurry from task to task, meeting to meeting and our feelings of success are largely dependent on how busy our days are. Is this really beneficial in the long run when it comes to our stress levels?

Creating Workspaces That Work

January 19, 2017

Gone are the days of the office cubicles and fluorescent lighting. With people spending so much time at work, it’s almost a no-brainer to create a comfortable space where creativity can flow freely.

How to Avoid Video Marketing Mistakes

January 12, 2017

Videos can be a powerful tool to add to your company’s marketing strategy. They’re engaging, effective and gaining popularity everyday. However, as demand increases, so does competition which means your videos have to be top notch.

January 5, 2017

Waking up early, putting on real clothes, commuting to the office... It’s not for everyone. In fact, according to Business 2 Community, one in every five people are estimated to be working from home at least one day a week.

5 Tips to Help Balance Work and Play
December 29, 2016

Sometimes it’s hard to remember to live a life that’s balanced between work and play. With entrepreneurs always planning the future of their business and its next steps, time is generally devoted to thinking about new ideas and achieving another goal.

December 22, 2016

If your website has a blog, chances are you’re tracking the results it generates in hopes of obtaining high quality traffic. By using old blog content, you can do just that by way of historical optimization.

December 16, 2016

A business mentor is someone who offers their wisdom to someone who is less experienced. Business mentors spread their knowledge and experience by equipping mentee’s with counsel, advice, professional contacts and cultural know-how.

December 8, 2016

As you move into the new year and close out the old, it’s time to look back on your biggest accomplishments in 2016 and remember what you’re most proud of. Out of over 500 responses we received, most participants said they were proud of their career.

December 1, 2016

No matter where you are on the financial ladder, making a conscious effort to keep track of those pennies and nickels can be beneficial. Here are a few simple money saving steps that can make quite a difference over time.

November 23, 2016

Promoting your business online is essential for brand awareness, growing your company, and pleasing your customers. Here are 5 ways you can utilize internet marketing for free.

November 17, 2016

Creating a successful holiday marketing plan should be thoroughly planned and discussed with your team, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some tips to help point you in the right direction.

November 3, 2016

For new entrepreneurs and small business owners, the value of a great mentor is immeasurable. Mentoring also offers a chance to give back and share valuable knowledge.

October 27, 2016

You’ve told your prospects what you can do...now it’s time to prove that you’ve actually done it successfully. Here are five additional elements that will help boost conversions successfully.

October 20, 2016

As the first point of contact with many of your potential customers, your business website has a tall order to fill.Business website best practices start with the homepage. Whether your design is flashy or ultra-simple, including these five elements will help boost conversions.

October 17, 2016

When the Wichita Business Journal decided to create an event to recognize entrepreneurship in Wichita, they approached Equity Bank to help create the event and serve as title sponsor. Wichita Business Journal readers were invited to nominate...

October 6, 2016

Warby Parker began, as do many entrepreneurial ventures, with the desire to solve a problem. In this case, the problem was simple: eyeglasses are too expensive. The four then-students decided to found Warby Parker as a way...

September 29, 2016

Networking is an essential activity for entrepreneurs. Networking is often what sets a company apart from their competition. The ability to move quickly and adapt requires you...

September 22, 2016

Interns can be a great addition to your team, whether it’s for a specific project or a permanent addition to your company. You don’t have to have a full-fledged internship program to bring on interns. Here are three reasons...

August 18, 2016

For entrepreneurs, it’s not just about bringing a valued product or service to market, it’s about continually innovating to meet, and more importantly anticipate, consumer demand. The agility of a...

4 Keys to Effective Marketing

August 11, 2016

Marketing shouldn’t be complicated. In fact, your marketing strategy should be focused on simplicity and conciseness. Here are four keys to creating an effective marketing program. Know Your Target...

August 4, 2016

Local entrepreneurs and business leaders started a journey to improve the local entrepreneurial environment in Wichita a little less than two years ago. The e2e Accelerator is the result of...

July 28, 2016

If you ask entrepreneurs “what makes a good company” most will say the people behind it. Regardless of how great an idea is, it cannot be successful without a team...

July 21, 2016

Kansas has a long and proud history of entrepreneurship. Companies like Pizza Hut, Boeing and Koch Industries paved the way for local entrepreneurs. Now companies like High Touch and Excel...

July 14, 2016

Proposed transaction would add five Arkansas branches to Equity Bank network Equity Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQBK) (“Equity,” or “the Company”), parent company of Equity Bank has entered into a definitive merger...

July 7, 2016

When you’re an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get stuck in a routine. Summer is the perfect excuse (and time) to change things up. Here are five things every entrepreneur should...

June 30, 2016

A good business owner knows that without customers there is no business. To grow and maintain their business, entrepreneurs must ensure their customers are happy. But what does that mean?...

June 23, 2016

Every year, millions of consumers fall victim to cyber crime. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, in 2014, consumers lost more than $800 million from scams initiated through...

June 16, 2016

The Kansas City manufacturing industry is alive and well with more than 2,000 manufacturing companies located in the Kansas City area. These companies are responsible for an estimated 76,000 jobs,...

June 9, 2016

Like so many words, the word ‘entrepreneur’ has a very different meaning to different people. It’s a highly charged word that elicits an immediate reaction in many people that includes...

June 2, 2016

Whether you are still planning to launch your next business idea or planning the next growth stage of your successful small business, one question you are likely considering is ‘scalability.’...

May 24, 2016

Going someplace exciting this summer? You know the drill. Pack light, bring loads of sunscreen and of course, have the funds you need in tow. We want to protect you...

May 19, 2016

A recent survey of more than 500 midwesterners reveals a strong desire to convert passions for cooking, baking, brewing, farming, gardening and building into businesses. The survey, conducted online in...

May 12, 2016

FBI issues a warning about increasing ransomware attacks, along with tips for mitigating the risk to you and your company. The FBI has recently published information to warn businesses and...

May 5, 2016

A recent report on startup growth shows some exciting news; U.S. startups today are growing faster than they have in the past. In 2014 venture capital backed startups grew revenue...

April 28, 2016

It feels like entrepreneurs are getting younger and younger. Everyday we seem to be reading about another teenage kid who has created a digital product and service that is spreading...

April 21, 2016

Planning is always an important part of being successful in business. It’s no different when starting a business, having a plan is a critical element. It’s also important to understand...

April 14, 2016

At Equity Bank, we believe that inside every great company, there’s an entrepreneur driving it forward. Entrepreneurs come in many shapes and forms, but we often see similarities among them...

April 7, 2016

An important part of marketing a business is gaining positive press coverage. To do so, businesses often perform what the industry refers to as marketing stunts. When executed properly, these...

March 31, 2016

Oh, the highly anticipated and “ever-so-glorious” Silicon Valley. Where the masses flood in search of that next big idea to take them to the limit. Located in Northern California, Silicon...

March 24, 2016

Think back to high school or college when you were paired in groups and forced to work with people you barely knew. Maybe the first meetings went well, if they...

Characteristics of a Successful Entrepreneur

March 17, 2016

Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our great nation. They inspire and innovate, create jobs, build communities and influence markets. An entrepreneur believes anything is possible (within reason of course), and...

March 10, 2016

One of the most important aspects of running a successful business is having a well-defined understanding of your target audience. Unfortunately, many first-time entrepreneurs walk into their new startup blind,...

March 3, 2016

Equity Bank was excited to join the mass of local professionals gathered last week for a panel discussion about entrepreneurialism. Leading the discussion were panelists: Kylie Stupka, President or Youth...