The July 17th Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Construction is progressing on a future Hawaiian Bros Island Grill restaurant, which is going into the former Boston Market building at 704 North 114th Street in Miracle Hills. Hawaiian Bros’ first Nebraska location opened a year and a half ago near Interstate 80 & Highway 370 in Gretna. The Kansas City-based restaurant chain has 65 locations in 12 states.

Stella’s Ice Cream is now open at 4002 North 203rd Street in Elkhorn near Jimmy John’s and Little Caesars. The Idaho-based chain offers ice cream, baked goods, floats and gluten- and dairy-free options. A grand opening event is set for July 19.

A pho noodle restaurant is planned for a retail bay in the Whispering Ridge shopping center along West Maple Road. The restaurant will be located at 17205 Evans Street in a 2,000 sq. ft. space, according to a building permit for initial build out.

Nékter Juice Bar opened its first Nebraska location yesterday in the former Phoenix Pool and Spa space at 1405 South 204th Street. Shannon and Jeff Salem are the local franchisees. California-based Nékter is an award-winning juice bar concept, offering juices, smoothies, açaí bowls and healthy snacks at more than 200 restaurants nationwide. The company was founded in 2020. The closest existing location is in Kansas City.

Tracks Lounge West opened for business yesterday at 18111 Q Street. This west Omaha location joins the original Tracks Lounge, which has been operating for 60 years at 1506 South 60th Street just east of Aksarben Village. The restaurant is famous for its fried chicken. The west location features custom millwork, pendant lighting and a racing-themed mural. Exterior updates include a new patio and horse silhouettes.

Tasty Ngon Kitchen & Bar opened last month at 2112 North 30th Street, Ste 201, in the Highlander district. The locally owned, Asian fusion restaurant serves dishes like pho, spicy beef noodles, chicken wings, fried rice specials, seafood, crispy egg noodles and more.

Godfather’s Pizza will hold a grand reopening celebration Sunday, July 20th for its remodeled store at 108th & West Maple Road. The updated restaurant combines a bold look with nostalgic décor and modern amenities. A revamped party room can accommodate up to 70 guests. During the grand reopening event, Godfather’s will have free give-aways and discounted menu items for dine-in orders.

Hamro Brands, an Asian grocery store operated by Dedan Tamang, moved to 6225 Ames Avenue. The building had long been underutilized or vacant before Hamro Brands opened in March of this year. This week, the Omaha City Council approved a liquor license for the establishment. The store sells fresh, frozen and packaged food, seafood, clothing and household items.

Omaha Headshot Company has relocated to its own dedicated space at 14440 F Street near Pizza Hut and Señor Tequila after seven years in the shared Studio 108 near 108th & Q. Founded in 2006 as Lane Photographics, the business rebranded in 2019 to specialize in headshot and commercial photography.

Club Pilates will open its fifth Omaha-area location this fall at 18870 Oakmont Drive, Suite 10. That’s just east of the Gretna Hy-Vee store in a newly built retail strip that is also home to Bisou Nail Spa and Aspen Creek Veterinary Clinic. Club Pilates offers low-impact, full-body Reformer Pilates workouts designed for all fitness levels. Leading up to the grand opening, the club will host community pop-up events throughout Gretna.

Village Needleworks, which has operated for the past 18 years at 8709 Shamrock Road in Countryside Village, is moving a few doors to the west. The new address at the end of July will be 8721 Shamrock Road. Village Needleworks’ management says it’s “the only dedicated needlepoint shop in Nebraska offering hand-painted canvases, fine threads, custom finishing, and expert guidance.”

Bernie’s Original Pizza Parlor at 13522 Cottner Street has permanently closed as of July 16 due to rising rent and revenue challenges, according to a statement on the restaurant’s Facebook page. The family-owned pizzeria reopened in 2019 near its original 136th & Q location, which operated from 1970 to 2015 under the name Bernie’s Pizza.

Voodoo Taco has closed its location at 2502 Farnam Street in downtown. The local taco restaurant still operates locations in Aksarben Village (near 67th & Center Street), the Old Market (11th & Harney Street) and Gretna (Nebraska Crossing).

The “Restaurant & Retail Updates” section is sponsored by Anderson Convenience Market, featuring Quality AMOCO Fuels and serving Omaha since 1952, and proud to announce the return of Quality Amoco Fuels. Look for changes this Summer at Anderson Convenience Market – 8 Omaha area locations!

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Mazza Fires Up Midtown Crossing with Flame-Grilled Flavor and Family Roots

By Chris Corey

Mazza is the hot new Mediterranean restaurant in Midtown Crossing at 220 S 31st Avenue in the former Sofra Kitchen space.

Just three weeks into its debut, Mazza already shows the poise of a much older restaurant—and they’re still refining their menus. The cocktail menu is set to debut the first of August, and seafood options should soon be available on the regular menu. All of Mazza’s meats are halal, reflecting a thoughtful approach to tradition and sourcing.

The owner is Parvis “Harvey” Atamov. Born in Tajikistan, he was raised in a family where food was central to their identity. Before opening Mazza, Atamov earned a finance degree from Bellevue University and worked for a financial firm before the 2008 economic crash.

The volatility of that world made him reassess his goals. He leaned into entrepreneurship, launching a moving service, a commercial cleaning company, and eventually LUXE Automotive—which he’s run for over a decade. Still, a desire to build something more lasting took root—something grounded in culture, family, and hospitality. His dream of opening a restaurant had become too big to ignore.

“I was in finance,” Atamov said. “I had a really good life, but I always wanted to do something more meaningful, something that I could build—not just for myself, but for my community.”

Atamov’s connection with family and cooking runs deep. His dad made every meal feel like a memory—even if it was just dinner at home. His uncle gave him discipline and structure. The dual influence not only gave him technical know-how, but it emotionally rooted his culinary aspirations and shaped his approach to the menu.

“Some of my best memories with my dad were in the kitchen,” Atamov recalled. “We didn’t talk a lot, but when we cooked together, I felt close to him.”

Atamov’s uncle, Nursat Salimov, is also his chef. A classically trained chef from Tajikistan, Salimov brings 45 years of experience in Central Asian cuisine and restaurant operations. He came to Omaha with Atamov’s father to help bring Mazza to life.

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Omaha Ranks #3 on List of Best U.S. Cities for Work, Life and Mental Health Balance

Omaha ranked #3 on CoworkingCafe’s third annual ranking of the “Best U.S. Cities for Work, Life and Mental Health Balance,” which analyzed 100 major cities across metrics like work hours, remote flexibility, commute times, healthcare access, affordability, green space and more.

The top two cities were both in Minnesota as Minneapolis ranked number one and St. Paul came in second. Nebraska was well represented as both Omaha and Lincoln made the top 10. Here’s the complete list:

1. Minneapolis
2. St. Paul, Minn.
3. Omaha
4. Raleigh, N.C.
5. Boise, Idaho
6. Lincoln
7. Irvine, Calif.
8. Chesapeake, Va.
9. Lexington, Ky.
10. Madison, Wis.

Here’s what the CoworkingCafe report had to say about Omaha:

Continuing the streak of Midwestern cities, Omaha, NE, takes third spot after an impressive jump from last year’s ninth position. What’s fueling its momentum? A powerful combination of affordability and livability. With a 91.9 cost of living index and a median household income just over $72,700, Omaha offers residents more financial breathing room than many peer cities. The city also boasts one of the shortest average commute times in the top 10 at just 19.6 minutes, giving workers back valuable time each day.

While the share of remote workers remains modest at 13.6%, Omaha makes up for it with a well-rounded offering: decent green space (about 21 acres per 1,000 residents), strong recreational access and a relatively high recreational amenities score. While it trails others on mental health metrics, Omaha’s steady rise signals a city that’s becoming increasingly attractive for professionals seeking balance without breaking the bank.

The bullet points below indicate how Omaha performed in 2025:

• Omaha ranks #3 nationwide for work-life and mental health balance in 2025, up from #9 in 2024, with a total score of 77.2 out of 100 — one of the biggest year-over-year improvements

• Commute times are a major advantage, averaging just 19.6 minutes, making Omaha the 8th fastest city for getting to work

• Affordability is also a strength for Omaha, ranking #9 nationwide, supported by a median household income of $72,708 (up from $70,202 in 2024) and a cost-of-living index of 91.9 (#13 nationwide)

• Omaha ranks #24 nationally for overall mental health, with a score of 77/100, driven by: 13 recreational amenities per 10,000 residents (#17); Green space access of 20.9 acres per 1,000 residents (#30); A good air quality score of 50, an improvement from 58.4 last year (#31); An average workweek of 38.6 hours (#47); Health insurance coverage at 90.3% (#53); Remote work adoption stands at 13.6%, up from 11% in 2024

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

Premier Nebraska Volleyball’s future training facility is framed and partially enclosed in the Gretna Landing development northwest of 192nd & Highway 370. To build the facility, Premier Nebraska teamed up with League One Volleyball, a Los Angeles-based sports organization, which has a professional team in Omaha. The 66,000 sq. ft. facility will have 10 courts and clear height averages of 32 feet. The facility will allow LOVB Omaha’s pro athletes to train alongside youth players. Premier Nebraska is one of the highest ranked volleyball clubs in America.

Crews raised the tower crane last weekend over the future Mutual of Omaha headquarters building at 14th & Farnam Street. The shear tower core is now 39 stories tall on its way to 44 stories eventually. The tower will ultimately be 677 feet tall, making it the tallest building in Nebraska and several border states, including Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota and Wyoming. Completion is planned for the late 2026.

Spencer Management plans to renovate a commercial building on the northeast corner of 39th & Ames Avenue. Built in 1962, the 3,652 sq. ft. building had been used as a storage facility. Spencer management plans to use a portion of the building for an auto and equipment service shop. The site will also provide commercial space for emerging businesses to lease. The developer is seeking a $90,000 TIF loan to help fund the $845,000 project. Construction will begin this summer and be complete by summer 2026.

According to a building permit, a GolfTRK location will open in Elkhorn at 606 North 210th Street. The space is inside a recently completed commercial building just north of West Dodge Road. GolfTRK will occupy 3,100 sq. ft. GolfTRK offers a premier indoor golf facility with Trackman and Puttview bays, available only to paid members. Non-members are able to book golf lessons and custom club fittings. Based in Kansas City, GolfTRK currently has two locations in Overland Park and Lenexa, Kan.

Centris Federal Credit Union broke ground today on a full‐service branch on the northwest corner of 192nd & Highway 370 in Gretna. The site is part of Gretna Landing, a mixed-use development that includes retail buildings, an apartment complex, indoor sports facilities and a planned health center. The building is slated to open in late 2026. Centris has 14 existing branches in Omaha, Grand Island, North Platte and Council Bluffs.

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St. Louis-based Bunge Global SA has consummated its $8.2 billion merger with Viterra Ltd., a Dutch firm that has its U.S. and Mexico headquarters at 1331 Capitol Avenue in downtown Omaha, according to World-Grain. The combined companies are operating under the Bunge name. With the merger, Bunge now has 37,000 employees and a presence in 50 countries and owns/operates more than 300 grain storage facilities, 40 port terminals and 155 processing, refining and packaging facilities.

Omaha Steaks has opened its latest retail store at 6517 West 119th Street in Overland Park, Kan. The Omaha-based company has 40 retail outlets in 20 states but is best known for selling products directly to consumers online and through mail order.

Union Pacific Corporation will increase the quarterly dividend on the company’s common shares by 3 percent to $1.38 per share. The dividend is payable September 30, 2025, to shareholders of record August 29, 2025. Union Pacific has paid dividends on its common stock for 126 consecutive years.

Dayspring Bank plans to hold a ribbon cutting Tuesday, August 5 at 3:30 p.m. for its recently opened Gretna branch at 11910 Standing Stone Drive. Based in Gothenburg, Neb., Dayspring Bank was known as First State Bank until 2023. In addition to Gretna, the bank has locations in Gothenburg, Mullen, North Platte, Papillion, Ralston and Wallace, Nebraska.

Dolfin Partners, a New York-based, financial firm specializing in lease-backed financing for tenant improvements in commercial real estate, has closed $150 million in financing to support the construction and long-term occupancy of Applied Underwriters’ future headquarters in Omaha, according to a Dolfin press release. The approximately 270,000 sq. ft. building is under construction southwest of 144th & Pacific Street as part of the Heartwood Preserve development.

Union Pacific Corporation will release second quarter 2025 financial and operating results on Thursday, July 24th at 6:45 a.m. The company’s management team will host a conference call and live webcast at 7:45 a.m.

Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above the 50.0 growth neutral reading in July, marking the second time since July 2023 that the index has moved above growth neutral for two straight months, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. The region’s overall reading for July slipped to 50.6 from June’s 51.9.

Inflation picked up in June, a potential sign that companies are starting to pass tariff costs on to consumers, according to the Wall Street Journal. Consumer prices rose 2.7 percent in June from a year earlier, faster than May’s increase of 2.4 percent. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was 2.9 percent.

After two rate increases last year, the U.S. Postal Service just raised prices again, according to Fast Company. The price of a Forever stamp is now 78 cents, an increase of roughly 7 percent. Some other postal services also increase.

The Times They are a Changin’ – The most common job in Nebraska in 2024 was “fast food workers” with approximately 28,400 employees, according to Visual Capitalist. In 1998, Nebraska’s most common job was “general managers” with 27,800 employees.

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Habitat for Humanity of Omaha is partnering with Charles Schwab on July 19th to host “Rock the Block” beautification projects at 10 homes in the historically significant Kountze Park neighborhood in North Omaha. Kountze Park was the site of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition in 1898. Volunteers will assist with landscaping, yard cleanup and other exterior improvements.

Christian Heritage has named James Pruch as its new CEO. Pruch joined Christian Heritage in 2022 as program director and stepped into the role of marketing and development director in 2023. Since expanding to Omaha in 2002, Christian Heritage has provided critical support to foster children, and since 2008, has also served incarcerated individuals and their families.

Earlier this month, the Child Saving Institute announced the completion of their new entrance and the expanded Youth Shelter and Behavioral Health Center. The entrance is moving from Dodge to Douglas Street and will be open to the public starting July 21. The full capital project will be completed later this year.

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Cole Young, Contributing Writer

Assistant coach Vincenzo Candela is serving as interim head coach. He won his first match in his new role Saturday against Charlotte Independence, 2-1. In that match, Union Omaha defender Charlie Ostrem took the lead in the Golden Playmaker race with his league-best fifth assist this season. The Golden Playmaker award is given to the USL League One player who provides the most assists in the regular season.

Fourteen of the Owls’ final 19 matches will be at home, starting with a regular-season bout against South Georgia Tormenta FC on Friday night at 6 p.m. Then, it’s back to USL Cup group-stage play on Wednesday, July 23 at 7 p.m. against Texoma FC.

The Edmonton Oilers announced the addition of Peter Aubry, an associate coach for Omaha hockey, to their staff on July 11. He will serve as the Oilers’ goaltending coach. Aubry spent the last two seasons with the Mavericks and helped coach goaltender Simon Latkoczy become the first Maverick to win the NCHC Goaltender of the Year.

Two Creighton baseball players, Nolan Sailors and Garrett Langrell, were selected on Day Two of the MLB Draft on Monday. Sailors, a Ralston High School alumnus, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the fourth round, No. 128 overall. Langrell was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 16th round, No. 476 overall.

Greg McDermott recently clarified his timeline for retirement on CBS Sports’ Inside College Basketball Now podcast with Jon Rothstein. Coach McDermott stated that he would wrap up his career “sometime in the next two to three years” and wants to ensure the job is in a good situation when he passes it to head-coach-in-waiting Alan Huss.

The Omaha Storm Chasers begin a short road stint against the Buffalo Bisons tomorrow, July 18 at 5:35 p.m. The Storm Chasers will remain in New York State next week for a series against the Syracuse Mets.

Upcoming Games
• Omaha Storm Chasers at Buffalo | July 18 – 20 | 5:35 p.m. Friday
• Union Omaha vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC | Friday, July 18 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha Storm Chasers at Syracuse | July 22 – 27 | 5:35 p.m. Monday
• Union Omaha vs. Texoma FC | Wednesday, July 23 | 7 p.m.

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Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa) announced today an exciting new lineup of camps and classes for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, with opportunities available for all ages, abilities and experience levels. From the youngest students beginning their journey in the arts to experienced artists excited to hone their skills, classes and camps with Omaha Performing Arts open new worlds of creativity for learners of all ages. O-pa is thrilled to offer new classes this session, featuring expanded Hip Hop opportunities and welcoming babies as young as 3 months to the arts. Learn more and register: o-pa.org/classes

The Holland Center will be hosting the first Hip Hop Lab event of the season on July 18 at 7 p.m. The event, titled “One Mic: Culture Talk with Craig G, Lite Pole, and Tylynn Music” will feature Craig G – an original member of Marley Marl’s Juice Crew – discussing the art of MCing with Lite Pole and Tylynn Music.

Film Streams is showing two classic road pictures as part of their American Road Double Feature, on July 19 at 6:30 p.m. Catch a double bill of Easy Rider (1969) and Two-Lane Blacktop (1971). While you’re there, enjoy $2 off craft beer, one free refill on medium and large sodas, and one free refill on medium and large popcorns.

Playing with Fire, a longtime local non-profit blues concert series, is back for its 21st year July 25 and 26, with Weekend No. 1 of the non-profit organization’s annual free concert series. And this time, organizers promise more groove, grit and global flair than a midnight jam at Muscle Shoals. For the first time in 21 years, Playing with Fire is moving the party indoors to the Slowdown in Omaha’s popular NoDo entertainment district. That will offer concertgoers access to air conditioning, improved sound quality and further promotes a community atmosphere that represents Playing with Fire’s ongoing mission to make live, world-class music accessible to everyone through a free, community-centered concert series.

Omaha Performing Arts has added five new events to the performance calendar:

Bluebird Improv comes to Scott Hall at the Holland Center on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $69.50 and go on sale Friday, July 18 at 10 a.m.

Rain – A Beatles Christmas Tribute comes to the Orpheum Theater on Monday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $47.50 and go on sale Friday, July 18 at 10 a.m.

A Magical Cirque Christmas – A Holiday Variety Show comes to the Orpheum Theater on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $38.50 and go on sale Friday, July 18 at 10 a.m.

American Midwest Ballet The Nutcracker comes to the Orpheum Theater on Friday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 7. Tickets start at $35 and are on sale now

American Midwest Ballet A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes to the Orpheum Theater on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19. Tickets start at $35 and are on sale now.

For tickets to any of the above events, go to ticketomaha.com.

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Did you know that 8.9 percent of Omaha’s labor force works in the finance sector?

Did you know Omaha’s elevation is 1,060 feet above sea level?

Did you know that Creighton University has a second campus in Phoenix? The 195,000 sq. ft. Phoenix campus focuses on healthcare education.

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Wednesday Night Workouts happening through July 30th: The Wednesday Night Workout Series invites the community to enjoy free outdoor fitness sessions led by licensed instructors from Genesis Health Clubs. Sponsored by Methodist Health System, each week features a different workout like Zumba, Mixxed Fit, PiYo or Barre. All fitness levels are welcome, and attendees are encouraged to bring a water bottle and a mat or blanket.

Millwork Markets: Summer Market Series happening July 18th: Join us for the Millwork Markets, Powered by Heirloom Fine Foods – a vibrant summer market series happening June through August at The Dock in Millwork Commons. Discover local homemade goods, fresh produce and other home-grown treasures!

Late Nights at the Zoo: Family Edition happening July 18th: When the sun goes down, the adventure heats up! Bring the whole family for an after-hours Zoo experience packed with kid-friendly activities, tasty treats, and their favorite habitats under the evening sky. Explore the Zoo with your whole crew select Friday nights this summer! Dance the night away with a DJ or Omaha Street Percussion, stop by a Zooventure station, see an Ambassador Animal presentation and so much more!

Bike Nights happening July 18th: Join others on select Fridays this summer for Bike Night at The Granary Green and Bushwackers! Enjoy great music, drink specials, hot food, outdoor seating and bikes-only parking. We’ve got bull riding, darts and pool inside Bushwackers to keep the fun rolling. It’s the perfect night to hang out with fellow bike lovers.

Jazz on the Green recurring weekly on Thursdays: The beloved Omaha tradition brings free summer concerts to Turner Park at Midtown Crossing. Bring your friends and family, your leashed pets, your lawn chairs, snacks and drinks (or enjoy dine-in or take-out from area eateries) and soak in the perfect combination of summer vibes and music from local and touring musicians!

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NP Dodge Real Estate has welcomed new residential sales associates including Ian McCain, LaShonda Maxfield and Megan Patterson.

The Omaha Inland Port Authority has hired a permanent leader. Garry Clark took over as director this week after nearly two decades of economic development work in Nebraska, Florida, Oklahoma, Washington State and Washington, D.C. He holds degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the former Dana College in Blair. The Omaha Inland Port Authority was created by the city to oversee a State of Nebraska effort aimed at driving economic development in portions of northeast Omaha near Eppley Airfield.

Core Bank has added Cesile Johnson as senior vice president, head of technology. She has more than 25 years of leadership experience in tech, financial services, supply chain, insurance and transportation. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a focus in Management Information Systems from Creighton University.

Fraser Stryker has welcomed attorney Amelia Prickett Wiesen to the firm’s business & corporate practice. She previously worked as vice president of compliance & transactions for a publicly traded renewable fuels company and as assistant general counsel at an industrial manufacturing business.

Jake Lindner will serve as interim director for the City of Omaha’s Parks, Recreation and Public Property Department. Mayor John Ewing named Lindner to the post on Thursday, immediately following the resignation of former director Matt Kalcevich. Lindner is a 13-year city employee, most recently serving as city parks maintenance supervisor.

The Omaha Community Playhouse, the largest community-based theatre in the country, has ushered in a new artistic team. Vincent (VJ) Orduña, artistic director, and Brandon Box-Higdem, associate artistic director, officially began their roles July 1. They joined the organization this past May to allow for a smooth transition to roles held by outgoing co-artistic directors Susan Baer Collins and Alex Rodriguez.

Deborah Ward, executive director of Visit Omaha, will retire on July 31 after more than 18 years dedicated to growing the city’s tourism economy. Ward became executive director in 2020. Under her leadership, Omaha’s tourism industry grew into a $2 billion annual economic driver for the city supporting more than 15,000 local jobs. Earlier in her career, Ward was a news anchor and reporter for KMTV.

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LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

You’ve heard of “quiet quitting,” but have you heard of “quiet vacationing?” It’s when remote workers go on vacation without formally taking leave, pretending to still be online, according to the Wall Street Journal. Nearly four in 10 millennials secretly take time of work. Why? By secretly taking vacations, they don’t look like slackers.

Gen Z’s phone anxiety is so bad that 67 percent of under-34-year-olds are avoiding answering work calls altogether, according to Fortune. Gen Zers grew up crafting text messages, which can be edited before sending. Texting feels safer, so some young workers literally need to learn how to speak off the cuff while using the phone. To help these youngsters develop confidence, have them try voice notes, short audio recordings people send to each other in place of texts. Baby steps…

Laid off managers are fighting for a shrinking pool of jobs as companies are trimming their middle management ranks. According to CNBC, the number of managers dropped 6.1 percent between May 2022 and May 2025. Executive-level roles fell 4.6 percent.

Business Travel – You might not want to read this, but Travel + Leisure just reported on the dirtiest parts of a hotel room. Here’s what could be really nasty: decorative pillows on top of a bed; landline telephones; light switches; and remote controls.

SALES

When prospecting, sales pros often encounter gatekeepers. Many times, the gatekeeper IS the actual decision maker, according to Sales Gravy. They are just not going to let you know they fill that role. If in doubt, ask them the same questions you would if you knew you were talking with the decision maker.

Think of a first meeting as an audition, says sales author Anthony Iannarino. You’re trying out to join your prospective client’s team. You intend to create/sell a relationship once and then “own” that client until for the rest of your career.

WISDOM

“A leader without followers is just a man out taking a walk.” – John Boener

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In October of 1992, I attended a presentation by Warren Buffett. During the Q&A, a lady in the front row asked, “What should I be buying?” Without hesitation Buffett replied, “An Index fund.” Buffett has always maintained that individual investors could outperform the pros by avoiding the fees charged by Wall Street money managers.

A market index is designed to give investors insight into where the broader market is heading. When Jack Boggle invented the index fund back in 1975, part of his thinking was that the best way to boost investment returns was to reduce the cost of the fees associated with money managers and excessive trading.

This is all well and good for the investor, but the mavens of Wall Street can’t maintain their elaborate lifestyles living off the meager fees generated by index funds. So, in true Wall Street fashion, we are witnessing an explosion of new funds that bear the name index fund, but in reality, they are index funds in name only.

A correct index fund is widely distributed across all sectors of the market, contains 400 plus stocks and is weighted by market capitalization. The later attribute means that the most successful stocks have the greatest influence over the index’s direction. This description also meets the textbook criteria of a diversified portfolio.

According to Daniel Sotiroff, a senior analyst at Morningstar, 97 percent of stock index funds in 1995 were weighted by market cap. By the end of 2024, only 40 percent of index funds were cap weighed. Again, going back to 1995, the average index fund held 503 stocks, while today that number has shrunk to 85.

Peter Lynch, the legendary mutual fund guru from the 1990s, referred to the shrinking number of stocks in a portfolio as “deversifification,” the opposite of diversification. This means that rather than spreading your risk and exposure, you are concentrated it in a limited number of stocks. Thus, if you’re right, you’re a hero. If you’re wrong, you’re a zero.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, more and more investors get some kind of a psychological thrill from investing in concentrated index funds instead of the emotional downer that comes from owning a traditional, boring index fund. Buffett’s mentor, Ben Graham, defined this emotional approach to investment decision-making as “speculation.” And unlike many other pleasures, speculation isn’t illegal, immoral or even fattening.

For more on index funds, visit my podcast Wall Street for Dummies.

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!