The January 1st Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Three national quick-serve chains plan to open in a retail building at 15601 Whiting Circle. That’s the southwest corner of 156th & State Street. Wetzel’s Pretzel’s will take suite 115. The soft-pretzel chain has more than 400 stores globally with the closest existing ones in Minnesota. Planet Smoothie is opening in suite 125. The Arizona-based chain has more than 100 stores with an existing one in Lincoln. Coldstone, which has six existing Omaha locations, will open in suite 120. The retail center is already home to Papa Johns and Jimmy John’s restaurants as well as a liquor store and physical therapy practice.

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill plans to build a quick-serve restaurant at 1130 North 203rd Street. That’s southeast of 204th & Veterans Drive just north of Metropolitan Community College’s Elkhorn campus. Opening is anticipated is this summer, according to Dean Hodges, Omaha-area franchisee. Kansas City-based Hawaiian Bros has locations in 14 states. Existing Nebraska shops are at in Miracle Hills and at Interstate 80 & Highway 370.

The former Burger King at 11325 West Dodge Road will become Taqueria El Rey’s second restaurant. The owners of Taqueria El Ray purchased the 3,800 sq. ft. building earlier this year and will remodel it. Taqueria El Ray’s current location is in the historic South Omaha Main Street Business District at 5201 South 24th Street. The business also operates several food trucks.

ACX Cinema 12+ has transformed its former lounge area into Backlot Sports+ Bar, a full-service sports bar with a 16-foot LG Miraclass 4K LEDscreen and 16 additional televisions. Backlot Sports+ Bar features food from the neighboring Backlot Pizza + Kitchen, offering guests full menu service and bar specials. The space is also designed to host private events from birthday parties to corporate gatherings. The theater, restaurant and sports bar are all located at 6200 South 205th Street.

Steel has gone vertical at the future Prestige Flower Child, a health-conscious restaurant chain, under construction at 120 Regency Parkway on the north side of Regency Shopping Center. The building is going up in the parking lot northeast of Bonefish Grill and Borsheim’s. The 5,002 sq. ft., one-story building will include a commercial kitchen and covered outdoor patio dining.

Supermercado Nuestra Familia will hold a ribbon cutting this Saturday – January 3rd – for its latest grocery at 2323 L Street. Owned by SpartanNash, Supermercado has four existing stores in Omaha and one in Topeka, Kan. The store specializes in Hispanic food and produce. The 13,857 sq. ft. building was previously a Walgreen’s store and is much smaller than other Supermercado Nuestra Familia locations.

Krush Ultra Lounge, formerly Throwback Arcade Lounge, is listed for sale at 1402 Howard Street in the Old Market. The bar surrendered its liquor license on April 14 following a settlement with the City of Omaha, ending an appeal after multiple police incidents, including fights and a shooting in September 2024.

Brow & Lash opened last week at 3510 North 167th Circle, Suite 401. That’s just southeast of 168th & West Maple Road. Locally owned by Sravanthi Tatikonda, Brow & Lash offers professional eyebrow, wax, facial and lash services. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays. The business closes at 5 p.m. on weekends.

Learn more about Anderson Convenience market at www.Anderson1952.com

Clase Código Brings a New Standard of Flavor to West Omaha

By Chris Corey

Clase Código took over the former Oakview Mall Applebee’s at 3350 South 143rd Plaza, transforming it into a modern Mexican kitchen built around flavor, consistency and hospitality.

It’s only been operating for a few weeks, yet it opened with a high Google rating and has held a steady 4.9 stars. The building might have the same Applebee’s structure, but the subtle exterior changes – white paint, black trim and understated-yet-elegant design – make it anything but. It looks like its own thing, which is exactly what they’re aiming for.

Part of that comes from director of operations Rudy Núñez, who has spent his life inside restaurants. He grew up in kitchens alongside his father in Cambria, Calif., learning fundamental skills at an early age before working his way through the industry ranks. He’s gone from dishwasher to line cook, bartender and general manager. It’s a career that’s taken him from Colorado to North Dakota when he was invited to help launch Clase Código.

The restaurant is backed by investor Juan Perez, a longtime restaurateur with successful operations in Fargo, N.D. and other parts of the country. Perez partnered with his good friend from Jalisco, Mexico, Alejandro Jaime, who serves as the Clase Código general manager. Manning the kitchen is chef Francisco who everyone just calls “Poncho.” He oversees the food program and is primed to grow with the restaurant as it looks toward eventual expansion.

Núñez said the goal was to turn a common expectation of Mexican restaurants around. “A couple decades ago, Mexican restaurants were known for big portions and good flavor,” Núñez said. “Nowadays, it’s big portions, less flavor. We’re the opposite.”

Cocktails spring from the same line of thought: fresh-squeezed juices and pre-batched efficiency that rely on a stringent focus on quality ingredients without shortcuts or compromise.

The menu is rooted in Mexican cuisine, yet the team intends to be careful not to fall into routine or rigid definitions of authenticity. Their focus is flavor. It’s an approach that acknowledges Mexican traditions while still adapting to where the restaurant resides and the people it serves.

This section is brought to you by All Makes and Allsteel. For more than a century, All Makes has remained family-owned and committed to supplying businesses with workplace solutions, specifically furniture and technology. To learn more, visit one of our showrooms in Omaha, Lincoln, Des Moines, Columbus, Kearney, or North Platte.

Drury Hotels Company has released initial renderings and details for the planned Drury Plaza Hotel to be built southeast of 10th & Harney Street in the Old Market. The renderings are part of a Tax Increment Financing application to be considered by the Omaha Planning Board.

Last month, Grow Omaha reported that St. Louis-based Drury Hotels purchased a 1.5-ace parcel between the Brickline building and Embassy Suites’ Old Market hotel. The site is on the western edge of the Mercantile District, a redevelopment of the northern portion of ConAgra’s corporate campus near Heartland of America Park.

Drury earlier had purchased a surface parking lot on the northwest corner of 10th & Harney Street, upon which it originally planned to build. The hospitality company apparently lost interest in that site, because it came with several deed restrictions. Drury has not announced what it plans to do with that original site, which sits along the future streetcar line.

Now that Drury is committed to the southeast corner of 10th & Farnam Street, the company can start construction and eventually open its Omaha hotel much earlier than anticipated.

According to the available documentation filed with the City of Omaha, the Drury Plaza Hotel will be 8 stories tall and have 201 rooms. The exterior closely matches the façade of the 379-unit Brickline apartment building that was completed immediately to the north in 2023.

The Drury will have 166 on-site parking spaces split between a parking structure and surface parking lot on the south side of the building. Plans indicate there could be a future restaurant concept attached to the east side of the building.

The total investment is estimated to be $47 million. Drury is seeking $4.5 million in Tax Increment Financing. According to application documents, the TIF commission has not yet approved the TIF application. Review of the application will be laid over to the Planning Board’s February meeting.

The developer anticipates construction to start in August 2026 and be completed by February 2028.

The Old Market project will be Drury’s first hotel in the Omaha area. The company opened its first Nebraska hotel last month in Lincoln.

Simplifi is a locally owned group of home technology experts, who are passionate about creating the perfect luxury lifestyle for our clients. We start by listening to our clients’ expectations. We educate our clients on important trends. We work seamlessly with the design and build team, providing smart home control, audio/video systems, private cinema, lighting control & design, motorized window treatments, WiFi/networks, surveillance and more. Simplifi enhances the aesthetic integration of technology in your home. And most importantly, we stand behind our work! Learn more HERE!

Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

Work is underway on The Rows at Field Club, an $11.1 million project consisting of 31 luxury rental townhouses adjacent to the Field Club Trail in Midtown. Located near 40th & Pacific Street, the site is also the entrance to the new Midtown Medical Center Bikeway connection. Sullivan Development Co., led by Charlie Sullivan, has a 50-year ground lease with the University of Nebraska, which owns the property. There will be one-, two- and three-bedroom units, each including an attached garage. Each building will have three or four townhomes. Completion is expected in Summer 2026.

Another restaurant is coming to the South Omaha Main Street Business District. The former Home Café at 5110 South 24th Street will be transformed into the Packer’s Building Café, according to a recent building permit. The 1,800 sq. ft. building was sold this past fall and will receive extensive renovations including exterior updates to bring it more in line with the design of neighboring buildings.

Early construction has started on a 15,000 sq. ft. retail building at 19010 Q Street. The 1.475-acre site is just west of an existing Maverik convenience store, according to a City of Omaha building permit, one of the businesses will be Bubbles Laundry.

Construction is well underway on an H&H Kia dealership on 9.77 acres between Walgreens and Core Bank southeast of 180th & Burke Street in Village Pointe West. The Kia dealership will include sales and service with enough space for 600 cars on site. Construction should be completed at the end of 2026. Kia has a current dealership in Papillion northeast of Highways 50 & 370. The site will also be home to a 900 sq. ft. Hyper Energy Bar drive-thru building.

Westside High School is undertaking two expansion projects on its campus at 8701 Pacific Street. The boys and girls locker rooms are going through a complete renovation, including updated showers, water closets, lavatories and floor drains. Next to the school’s main entrance, the building is being extended to the east to accommodate an expanded cafeteria.

Grow Omaha Snippets are brought to you by Baird Holm LLP, the Exclusive Legal Partner of Grow Omaha. Baird Holm’s dedicated team of real estate lawyers has extensive experience in all aspects of real estate law, including purchases, sales, construction, zoning and land use, leasing, and dispute resolution. Click HERE for more information.

Grow Omaha Media experienced a 138 percent increase audience size in 2025. The Grow Omaha website attracted 991,693 users and 2.94 million page-views. The Grow Omaha Weekly Market Report ended 2025 with 24,798 subscribers. The biggest stories covered in 2025 included the streetcar, Eppley Airfield expansion, Mutual of Omaha tower, UNMC growth, CHI Health Center addition, Dillard’s move to the Westroads, Bellevue Bay Water Park and Crossroads redevelopment.

Yesterday marked the end of an era as legendary investor Warren Buffett served his last day as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. The 95-year-old, “Oracle of Omaha,” will remain as chairman of the board and still plans to come to his office in the Blackstone District as much as he ever did. Buffett’s longtime right-hand-man Greg Abel is now CEO of the $1 trillion conglomerate. Buffett is worth more than $150 billion despite already giving away Berkshire stock currently valued at $208 billion.

OrthoNebraska will hold a ribbon cutting Tuesday, January 6, for its recently completed expansion project at 3415 South 205th Street. The 28,000 sq. ft. addition includes four operating rooms and four treatment rooms, allowing more outpatient procedures like carpal tunnel surgeries and common injections to be done quickly. The treatment rooms are equipped similarly to the operating rooms. Most patients can now get in and out in about an hour.

Union Pacific Corporation will release fourth quarter 2025 financial and operating results on Tuesday, January 27 at 6:45 a.m. CST. The company’s management team will host a conference call and live webcast at 7:45 a.m.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. will release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 earnings on Thursday, February 5 after the market close. The company will hold a conference call to discuss the 2025 results and 2026 outlook on the same day, beginning at 4 p.m. CST.

Po’Boy Mega Alley, a north Omaha convenience store, is making improvements to provide additional services. Located at 6011 North 30th Street near Metropolitan Community College’s Fort Campus, the building is undergoing renovations to add a kitchen and dining area. The expansion is funded by a State of Nebraska economic development grant totaling more than $150,000.

Grow Omaha Business News is brought to you by Thompson, Dreessen & Dorner, Inc. (TD2). Since 1967, TD2 has partnered with municipalities, developers, architects and builders to shape the places where people live, work and connect. TD2 provides comprehensive services in civil, structural and geotechnical engineering as well as land surveying, materials testing and construction observation — all with a focus on client service and community impact. Discover how TD2 is engineering Omaha’s future HERE.

Recent funding awarded under the Nebraska Convention Center Financing Assistance Act will provide $294,602 to 40 North Omaha organizations including nonprofits like Girls Inc. of Omaha, Omaha CARES and the MAYS Foundation. Chosen projects showcase important historical aspects, help to reduce street and gang violence or assist with small business and entrepreneurship growth in North Omaha.

Omaha native Darya Kaboli-Nejad has launched The Soraya Foundation, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for former collegiate student-athletes to continue on after their athletic careers to higher education—whether that’s law school, med school, graduate programs or PhDs.

This Christmas, Open Door Mission served around 900 meals and gave away more than 800 gifts. More than 350 donors chose to “Adopt a Guest” and give gifts for the men, women and children living on the Open Door Mission campus.

Omaha Community Foundation is accepting applications for the 2026 Community Interest Funds from January 1 to March 1. Local nonprofits and neighborhood groups can apply for funding through five resident-led grant programs:

• African American Unity Fund
• Futuro Latino Fund
• LGBTQIA2S+ Equality Fund
• Refugee Community Grant Fund
• Omaha Neighborhood Grants

Each program has unique eligibility requirements and priority areas. In 2025, these funds awarded $664,994 to 86 organizations.

It’s Time to Join a Higher Level of Business Banking! Frontier Bank Concierge banking services are designed for businesses that deserve expertise, efficiency and a partner that moves as fast as they do. We don’t just manage your finances; we help you master them. Our team of experts works with you to tailor a strategy that supports your growing business. From seamless cash flow solutions, to fraud protection and timely financial insights, it all starts with understanding your business and what it takes to make it run!

Cole Young, Contributing Writer

The Bluejays also improved to 3-0 in Big East play, defeating Butler 89-85 on Tuesday. Creighton was led by a career-high 23 points from Omaha native Jasen Green. Miami transfer Austin Swartz added 22 points. Creighton will travel to Newark, N.J. this Sunday, December 4, to take on 12-2 Seton Hall. That game will begin at 11 a.m. and will be streamed live on Peacock.

Omaha hockey won an exhibition against Manitoba at Baxter Arena on Tuesday, 4-1. This weekend, it’s back to business against another ranked opponent. The Mavericks travel to Ithaca, N.Y. to face No. 17 Cornell. Puck drop on both Friday and Saturday will be at 6 p.m.

Omaha men’s basketball will begin its conference schedule today at South Dakota State. The Mavericks finished their nonconference schedule with seven wins, the best mark since coach Chris Crutchfield took over the program in 2022. Today’s matchup against the Jackrabbits will tip off at 4:15 p.m.

Omaha women’s basketball has added two new faces to its roster following midseason tryouts. Lainey Maehl comes from Iowa Central Community College, where she started 46 games over two seasons and averaged 8.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Omaha native Reilly Palmer comes from College of Saint Mary (Neb.), where she shot 55.6 percent from the field in one semester with the Flames.

Upcoming Games

• Omaha men’s basketball at South Dakota State | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 4:15 p.m.
• Omaha Hockey at #17 Cornell | Friday, Jan. 2 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha women’s basketball vs. South Dakota State | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 4 p.m.
• Omaha Hockey at #17 Cornell | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha Lancers at Sioux Falls | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 6:05 p.m.
• Omaha men’s basketball vs. Kansas City | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha Kings at Wichita | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 7:05 p.m.
• Creighton men’s basketball at Seton Hall | Sunday, Jan. 4 | 11 a.m.
• Creighton women’s basketball vs. Butler | Sunday, Jan. 4 | 1 p.m.
• Omaha Kings at Wichita | Sunday, Jan. 4 | 5 p.m.
• Creighton men’s basketball at Villanova | Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 6:30 p.m.

Don’t know much about title insurance? That’s ok, we do and we’re here to help! TCN offers title insurance, settlement and 1031 exchange services for all property types and we absolutely love what we do. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned developer, a real estate agent, a lender, an attorney, or anyone with a real estate need, we’ve got you covered. Our team boasts more years of industry experience than we’d care to admit and we’d love to put it to good use on your next real estate transaction. Reach out any time. We’re only a click or call away and we would love to work with you!

From Poor Farm to Public Health at 42nd & Center

By Patrick Wyman

Long before the VA Medical Center and the Field Club of Omaha, the area around 42nd & Center Street was home to the Douglas County Poor Farm. On its grounds stood the Douglas County Hospital, a unique medical facility designed to care for patients suffering from tuberculosis.

The city acquired 160 acres in 1859 to establish the poor farm, which had previously been located farther east along St. Mary’s Avenue. Government-subsidized poor farms were common across the country, providing the poor with a place to live and work, along with food, clothing and medical care. The farm stretched from Pacific Street on the north to Center Street on the south, and from 36th Street on the east to approximately 46th Street on the west.

Tracks for the Omaha Belt Line ran through the center of the property. On the eastern end was the poor farm cemetery, often called a potter’s field. Constructed in 1888, the original hospital focused on treating tuberculosis, plagues and psychiatric patients. Over time, overcrowding and structural problems made a new facility necessary.

Completed in 1932, the new hospital was designed by John Latenser & Sons Architects. Its southern façade facing Woolworth Avenue featured open-air sun porches and a staggered, stepped plan along the elevations. By this time, the poor farm had ceased operations, and the property had shrunk from 160 acres to just 40.

Although the new hospital was larger than the original, only two of the planned three wings were built due to the Great Depression. With 250 beds, one wing treated tuberculosis patients, while the other focused on psychiatric care. The hospital also included space for obstetrics and sick children. Upper floors served as sleeping quarters for physicians and medical residents, while operating rooms, a laboratory and an X-ray center intended for the third wing were accommodated elsewhere in the building.

By the time the original hospital was demolished in 1947, the role of the newer facility was already changing. Advancements in medical care had eliminated the need for a tuberculosis ward, and the open-air porches were enclosed to provide additional beds.

The hospital later became home to the Nebraska Psychiatric Unit, a partnership between the State of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. After a major expansion in 1960, the facility stopped providing hospital services in 1976 and was renamed the Douglas County Health Center.

Of the original 160 acres, the land is now divided among Douglas County Health, the Douglas County Youth Center, and the Nebraska Department of Health, as well as the VA Medical Center and the Field Club of Omaha. The tracks of the former Omaha Belt Line have been converted into the popular Field Club Trail, offering a visible link to the property’s past.

Today, little remains to suggest the land’s origins as a poor farm and tuberculosis hospital. Its purpose, however, has endured—evolving from sheltering the county’s most vulnerable residents to supporting modern public health services that meet the community’s needs.

Since 1917, Bankers Trust has been a leading financial institution for commercial and consumer banking services. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with $7.5 billion in assets, Bankers Trust is the state’s largest privately held community bank. Bankers Trust has operated a loan production office in Omaha since 2008 and opened its first full-service branch in 2025. Visit Bankers Trust at the corner of 192nd and Dodge to see how we can make a difference for all your personal and commercial banking needs.

Benson First Friday returns to kick off the New Year on the first Friday of every month starting January 2 at Benson Creative District at 2729 North 62nd Street. Benson First Friday hopes to bring more creative engagement with art, music and more community.

The Joslyn Museum will host Art-Tastic Saturdays on the first Saturday of every month starting January 3rd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This monthly event is free and will feature gallery activities, special presentations and creative exploration for all ages. For more information, visit Joslyn’s website.

The Cathedral Arts Project will open the Anthony Deon Art Exhibit at their Cultural Center on 3900 Webster Street on January 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. One of Nebraska’s most popular artists returns for an all-new exhibit of his latest compelling works filled with whimsical, surreal and deep meaning. Anthony Deon Brown is a local artist who began painting in Fremont and was inspired by visual experiences outside the home, cartoons, classical art and observing the world around him.

His hyper-surrealistic imagery in acrylics started with small canvases eventually leading to large-scale murals and putting his mark on buildings in Fremont and Omaha. Now, more of his work returns to the Cathedral Arts Project for all to enjoy. View some of Brown’s work here.

The Holland Performing Arts Center will feature Nebraska State Thespian Festival Thursday, January 8 and Saturday, January 10 at 8 p.m. both days. This festival aims to honor the talents of secondary theater students and teachers who excel both on and off the state. It will feature full-on production and shows, challenges, workshops by local and national teaching artists, college auditions, and more. Nebraska Thespians is a chapter of the Educational Theatre Association which sponsors the International Thespian Society. Tickets are on sale here.

The Omaha Symphony will perform Beethoven’s First, at the Witherspoon Hall, Joslyn Art Museum, on Sunday, January 11 at 2 p.m. It is a symphony of soloists starting with Wagner’s tender Siegfried Idyll; then Stravinsky takes to the Baroque with Dumbarton Oaks; and finally, Music Director of the Ann Arbor Symphony Earl Lee takes on Beethoven’s bold First Symphony, showcasing the composer’s brilliance from the very beginning.

Did you know the three parks that make up Omaha’s RiverFront put on more than 700 free events over the past year?

Did you know the Omaha metro area has nearly 70,000 remote workers, representing 13.5 percent of our total workforce?

Did you know CHI Health Center Omaha’s arena hosted 75 events in the past year attracting 737,445 attendees?

This section is sponsored by Lockbox Storage, an affiliate of Omaha-based McGregor Interests Inc. We provide storage solutions for all of your storage needs. Our facilities have full-time managers and bright lighting to provide superior security for your belongings. In addition to space for rent, we also provide packing supplies, protection plans and locks along with complimentary handcarts and dollies. Visit LockBox Storage and let us help you with all your storage needs.

Farnam Winter Pop-Up happening January 2nd – 4th: Discover a handpicked medley of 15 locally owned shops at Omaha’s newest urban holiday destination. Shop handmade goods, artisan foods, boutique finds, curated gifts and more. Open weekends through January 11 at the corner of 33rd & Farnam Street.

The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show happening January 3rd: North America’s largest interactive comedy true-crime murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing! Solve a hilarious mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it! Each ticket includes our signature award-winning true-crime mystery dinner theatre show, along with a full plated dinner, waitstaff gratuity and plenty of surprises during the show.

Bright Nights happening on select dates through January 4th: Celebrate the holiday season at Bright Nights where twinkling lights and dazzling decor transform the garden into a winter wonderland. Make memories with the family as you cozy up by the firepits, roast some s’mores, play festive games in the Family Chill Zone, capture the moment in front of the 20′ tall poinsettia tree, enjoy the whistle of model garden trains and marvel as the shimmering displays showcase nature in a whole new light.

Zoolightful happening on select dates through January 11th: There’s no place like the #1 Zoo in the Nation for the holidays. Presented by Hy-Vee and Chesterman Coca-Cola, Zoolightful is an all-new holiday experience at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium filled with larger-than-life lanterns, dazzling lights and festive fun for everyone. Make it your new holiday tradition and create memories that will last a lifetime!

This section is sponsored by Eagle Mortgage, a locally owned, full-service mortgage company helping you with Conventional, VA, FHA and USDA loans in both Nebraska and Iowa. Learn how Eagle Mortgage helps people afford the home of their dreams by clicking HERE!

Mutual of Omaha has named Stacy Scholtz as Chief Operating Officer. After joining the company in 1991, Scholtz has held a variety of executive positions at the insurance and financial services company, including executive vice president of corporate operations. She most recently served as executive vice president of financial solutions. As COO, she will oversee business transformation and AI enablement efforts throughout the company, co-lead the company’s Retail Solutions strategic business unit and oversee corporate operations functions. Scholtz earned a bachelor’s degree from Creighton University and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota.

HDR has named Miloš Vasiljević as transportation program management director. Based in Arizona, Vasiljević will set the strategic vision for the Omaha-based architecture and engineering firm’s transportation program management practice, supporting clients and programs across all transportation markets.

Dan Fuller has retired as store director of Hy-Vee’s Papillion supermarket at 11650 South 73rd Street in Shadow Lake Towne Center. He started working for Hy-Vee in 1986.

The Greater Omaha Chamber is a catalyst and connector, advocating for businesses small and large. Learn, share and grow with more than 12,000 professionals from 3,000 member businesses across Greater Omaha. Click HERE to see our latest events.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

If you want to become a better leader in 2026, find a mentor. To select a mentor, consider an individual with proven leadership experience and a good reputation who you can trust. You want a mentor who will challenge you, but at the same time, you want to feel at ease when you are in his or her presence.

Have you heard of “microshifting?” It’s when employees work in short, non-linear blocks based on what they need to accomplish, when they tend to be most productive. According to Owl Labs’ 9th Annual State of the Hybrid Worker Report, 65 percent of U.S. workers are interested in microshifting.

Barriers are signs that progress is possible. That’s why The Economic Times this week highlighted a famous quote by legendary businessman Henry Ford: “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” Resistance turns into the force that creates momentum and fortified resolve.

SALES

When upselling an existing B2B client, here are a few questions that can come in handy: “How has our product/service lived up to your expectations?” “What improvements to your revenue have you seen with our product/service?” “Have you ever looked into our solution on X?”

Sales Statistic – Sixty-seven percent of a B2B buyer’s decision is now done digitally, according to Sirius Decisions.

If you’re a new sales leader, what are the first things you need to do to be successful? According to sales expert Jeb Blount, consider these recommendations: 1. Master the art of sales coaching; 2. Build and maintain pipeline discipline among your team members; 3. Be obsessed with recruiting A-players; Measure and understand all the important numbers; 5. Create a culture of accountability.

WISDOM

“I will treat you all fair, but not the same.” – Unknown

Building Omaha is a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) & the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Together, we provide the highest level of trained electricians for residential, low-voltage, or commercial construction projects. Visit buildingomaha.org to learn more. Earn while you learn and apply for our Apprenticeship Program by clicking HERE!

This is the time of year when we fixate on a mythical elderly person who lives in a mythical location and is transported about the planet by a group of mythical animals who do things which we all know are impossible. And then, to add insult to injury, we lie to our kids about it.

Well, it seems that Mr. Market decided to join in on this gigantic fantasy and developed his own list of who’s naughty and nice. Let’s begin with the positive note and talk about who is on Mr. Market’s good side. This includes just about anything remotely related to the cryptic world of artificial intelligence, or in the vernacular, AI.

At the top of the list are the usual suspects: Nvidia, Oracle, AMD and Palantir. But also included are some companies that for me are quite a stretch, such as Tesla and Netflix. The Motley Fool bundled a bucket of these orphans together and claim that their combined return for 2025 was 123.7 percent.

At the top of Mr. Market’s not-totally-naughty-but-not-real-nice list, we find the hot shot Wall Street mavens, who manage the big cap mutual funds. Their portfolios include, but are not limited to, anything remotely related to AI.

According to Morning Star, the average return for this overrated group was 10.7 percent. But this is the average, and the standard deviation is ginormous. Translation; some did okay but a bunch got a lump of coal in their stocking.

Those at the top of Mr. Market’s extremely-naughty-and-not-even-close-to-nice list are the overhyped managers of the Ivy League universitys’ foundations. It seems that they have shunned Mr. Market and have wandered blindly into cryptocurrencies and private equity, The worst offender is Harvard’s Foundation, which snatched defeat from the hands of victory when they placed a ONE HALF BILLION DOLLAR bet (that’s bet with a B) on a Bitcoin ETF that is so generic it is available to the masses.

They bought when it peaked last spring and rode it down to its year end trough. They currently show a $200 million loss on their books. As we approach the Time Square ball drop, Yale, Princeton and MIT’s foundations are trailing a Plain Jane S&P 500 index fund by over 7 percent.

But the good news is, those good little boys and girls with 401(k)’s who managed their assets in a prudent way and have focused their attention on the virgin indexes have had an exceptionally good year. Both the S&P and the Nasdaq include many of the AI-related stocks in their top 10 holdings. Both are weighted by market cap, but the top 10 in the Nasdaq has a much higher influence on the index than they do in the S&P.

Consequently, the S&P turned in a stellar return of 17.1 percent but was left in the dust by the Nasdaq’s 22.8 percent performance.

As he shuttered the doors of the NYSE after the close of the last business day of 2025, Mr. Market proclaimed for all to hear, “Forget the needle and buy the haystack.”

Flawless Finish is a locally owned and fully insured janitorial company committed to providing high-quality, affordable cleaning services throughout the Omaha area. We take pride in delivering reliable, professional results tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Whether it’s a restaurant, office, or any other commercial space, our team works efficiently and thoroughly to maintain a spotless environment without breaking the budget. As a trusted name in the community, we prioritize customer satisfaction, consistent communication, and dependable service you can count on.

Learn more HERE!

Quantum Fiber in Omaha, Nebraska, is super-fast, reliable internet. We did away with data caps, bundles, and pricing gimmicks because you don’t want them. Instead, you get game-changing customer service, transparent pricing, and a powerful app for freedom, simplicity, and control over your internet. Quantum Fiber is what internet service looks like when it’s built for the world of you.

The Grow Omaha radio show broadcasts live every Saturday morning at 9:00, but now you can watch videos of each episode instead of just listening.

Grow Omaha’s brand-new website features video footage shot inside the radio studio during each week’s show!

Videos include News of the Week, Lightning Round, guest interviews, and “Grow Omaha Uncut,” a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during commercial breaks.

Support the Grow “O” Mission

Don’t keep this newsletter to yourself. Forward it to your friends, clients and co-workers. You want to know the real reason we produce this report? It’s to remind Omahans about the vibrant, prosperous and growing city they call home. The more Omaha residents believe in their city, the more successful we’ll all be. Spread the news!

Know of someone else who wants to receive this newsletter? Have them send their name and email address to news@growomaha.com!