How did you get started in the business? – After dental school, I was an associate dentist for approximately seven years.  I decided to go out on my own so that could offer my services in a more family-oriented practice and to give back more to my community.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? -  Having a successful practice and seeing fearful patients relax and actually enjoy coming to see me!

Tell me a little about your family. – I am married to Sabrina and we have four wonderful children.  Cole is a senior and Bailey is a sophomore at ESHS.  Cazzie is a 3rd grader and Lawson is in Kindergarten at Spring Ridge Elementary School.  We also have two standard poodles, Soho and Sphinx, and they pretty much run the house.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – My wonderful father passing away in 1996 taught me to live life each day and never take anything for granted, and meeting my beautiful wife, Sabrina, has blessed me with four amazing children!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I love to go to the family farm, any type of yard work, golf, playing paintball with my oldest son, watching high school Marching Band, and watching my kids play soccer.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? -  I love to do crossword puzzles.  It keeps the mind sharp.

What are you the most proud of? – My kids and their accomplishments!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Don’t ever be afraid to admit that you don’t know something and always keep an open mind!

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Passionate

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Healing

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Farming.  I grew up a farmer’s son, and it is very rewarding to create an abundance for others.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

What is your favorite movie? – The Shawshank Redemption

What is your favorite TV show? – The Men Who Built America

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Charleston’s

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – My Dad because I miss him terribly and he is famous to me, and also Steve Martin because I love to laugh!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can contact me by phone at 3D Dental office, (402) 614-0322, 24 hours a day, on our website at www.3DDentalOmaha.com, or just stop in at 17853 Pierce Plaza!

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Facing challenges within my marketing company is what gets me going every day!  So I say, give me a challenge and let me smash it!

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – In 2009 I won first place in the Nebraska best business idea contest…since then my most important achievement professionally would easily be my clients’ success!  I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I help them reach their goals!

Tell me a little about your family. – My daughter Courtney (12) and I are the only family members who live in the great state of Nebraska, but we usually visit the rest of the family in Wyoming during the summer so we can go hiking and camping–with a real tent!  If I don’t wake up to my excited dog Daizey Bear, I am blessed to hear Courtney’s voice singing throughout the house.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Besides the joys and multiple turning points that just comes naturally by being a parent….I would say owning my own company has been a big turning point for me.  This has taught me a lot of life lessons that I can share with my daughter, so she grows up focused, strong and sincere.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – Most people don’t know that I grow rhubarb and make a killer rhubarb cake!  I also love to play a game of cribbage over tea/coffee and conversation, if there are any takers!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – From Kindergarten 101:”Treat others how you want to be treated!”  Best philosophy ever to live by both personally & professionally!

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I’ve been painting canvas off and on for 20 years to escape and create other beautiful worlds.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – If I could instantly be anything else, I would be a corporate psychologist to help workers be more productive personally and professionally.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The Art of War

What is your favorite TV show? – Hands down, best and favorite TV show is Big Bang Theory….Bazinga!

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Charleston’s to meet up with the girls, but I recently stumbled into Spencer’s Steakhouse downtown and voila…fantastic!

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Drew Barrymore because she has been through it all and still came out on top…not to mention the most impressive thing: she learns a new word from the dictionary every day and utilizes it!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?  – By phone at (402) 201-6674, by email at lexiray1@gmail.com or you can visit my website at www.bamevolutions.com.

How did you get started in the business? – Before coming to work for Sadoff Iron & Metal Company in December of 2011, I worked for a locally owned and operated auto salvage yard in the Lincoln area for five years.  I liked this job, and would still not mind working there, but there was no further room for advancement and Sadoff was looking to expand their coverage of buyers in the Lincoln and Omaha area.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I think the biggest challenge I have faced professionally was trying to maintain customer friendships during my move from my previous company to Sadoff.  On the other hand, it is nice to continue to serve existing customers of mine as well as ones that I knew and was unable to help before.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I think that my most exciting achievement is having my resume of excellent jobs, including my current job, without having a college degree.

Tell me a little about your family. – I have lived in Staplehurst, Nebraska my entire life, which is a little town just northwest of Lincoln.  I am the youngest of eight children and have over thirty nieces and nephews.  This certainly makes for eventful holidays when we are all able to gather in one of our homes.  Having a large family is something that I have always liked, and has helped me to be able to work with people of any character.

What is the best advice you have ever received? – Treat others as you would want them to treat you!  This is why I get such joy in helping others out, even if it means taking up my entire weekend or missing out on something that I want to do for myself.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Giving

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – I would have to say the only super power that I would want is to slow down time.  This would give us all more time to get to know each other, and keep everyone from always being in a hurry.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The last book I read that I really liked was “Seven Laws of Highest Prosperity” by Cecil O. Kemp, Jr.

What is your favorite movie? – My favorite movie changes all the time due to new movies coming out, but currently it is “Snitch” because it is action packed and shows how family is the most important thing in one’s life.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Lazlo’s

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Any President of the United States.  I think it would help to have a better perspective on their daily responsibilities and obligations.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By phone at (402) 217-2810, by email at zitekd@sadoff.com or you can visit the website at www.sadoff.com.

How did you get started in the business? – Nearly 19 years ago my seven year old son expressed a desire to learn “karate”. After researching several schools, we chose Tiger Rock Academy because they operated on an entirely different level of standards compared to the other martial arts and fitness options.  Two months after he began, we started training together as a family.  This was a great thing for us to do together.  What started off as a hobby evolved into not only a way of life, but a career and a passion for helping others.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Helping students and instructors develop life skills based on our Tenets of TaeKwonDo: Honor, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Courage, Community, Strength, Humility, and Knowledge.  Teaching, and seeing others develop from your influence, becomes the reward and an achievement in and of itself.

Tell me a little about your family. – I am married to my fantastic wife, Sandy, and have four step-children here in Omaha.  My son Andrew resides in South Carolina. Go Gamecocks!

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – The decision to leave a nearly twenty year career in banking/finance to pursue a career in martial arts, and leaving the relationships from all those years to be a part of something I totally enjoyed.  This is one of the differences between working towards a “job” and working towards a “business”.  With the opportunities that have been given to me to grow both personally and professionally, developing a true “business” is the model that fits my life and my family’s goals.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – Last year I achieved my 6th Degree Black Belt which is considered “Master” level within Tiger Rock Martial Arts.  I will be honored at Tiger Rock’s “World Championships” this year as part of achieving that goal and becoming one of only three people in Nebraska who are Master level or above within Tiger Rock.  Masters often keep achievements like this somewhat quiet in our daily lives because of the humility involved in our training, so when people do find out they are often interested to learn about what it really takes (which is quite a bit different than most movies!).

What are you the most proud of? – There is no doubt that would be my son Andrew. He is a 2009 graduate of the University of South Carolina, and works in management for BMW.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Work hard, always do the right thing, and treat people right.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The Joy of Living by Yongey Rinpoche.

What is your favorite movie? – Little Big Man

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Roja…I love great Mexican cuisine!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By email at mjbaluch@gmail.com or at Tiger Rock Academy, (402) 334-5425.

How did you get started in the business? – Growing up I enjoyed going on the road and selling tools with my parents, and later my grandfather opened our retail store which I was managing.  The opportunity arose for me to buy the company from him, and the rest is history.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest challenge I have faced has been the struggles of relocating an established business to a new area. We were formerly located at the Nebraska Crossing Mall in Gretna until December 2012, and since they are redeveloping that area we had to shut down until we could find a suitable location to re-open and re-establish our customer base.

Tell me a little about your family. – I have three wonderful children Devon, Jasmine and Brayden. I also have three siblings with two nephews, two nieces and one on the way. My mother and grandfather have been a huge part of helping me start and build a great family business.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Re-establishing my business in a new location!  Although it has been quite a challenge, it has been a good one and I am looking forward to seeing many new faces as well as the previous ones that I enjoyed see come through the doors to shop.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I enjoy spending time with my family and watching my children play sports or taking them fishing.  A nice motorcycle ride is always a treat as well!

What are you the most proud of? – My wonderful children, as well as the support that my family has showed me in everything I have done.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – You can accomplish anything that you set your mind to.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Friendly

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Since moving into our new location I have really enjoyed Mings.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?  -  You can contact me by phone at (402) 332-3317, or by email at bargainmartomaha@gmail.com.  Or just stop on into Bargain Mart Tools at 811 Tara Plaza in Papillion, NE!

How did you get started in the business? – I have always been a change agent and love innovation so when I started my new business, I knew innovation would be a large part of it, along with marketing to ‘her.’  I invited business owners to informative breakfasts and InnovateHer was off and running.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Running a business when the economy and especially the building industry crashed and burned.  It took a lot of innovation and a new look at how women influence housing.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? -  My personal mission statement is “Making a difference in the lives of others.” When that happens, I feel I have achieved what I set out to do.

Tell me a little about your family. – I am married and have four grown, married children and eight grandchildren who of course are the cutest, brightest and most entertaining of all grandchildren!

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?  – I have recreated my professional life three times and each one has taken me in a new direction.  A little scary, but a wonderful learning experience.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Spend time with my family, read or catch up on shows from my DVR.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I played the bassoon and cymbals in band…what was I thinking?!

What are you the most proud of? – My family.  All of my children are reaching their potential professionally while raising wonderful families centered around their deep faith in the Lord.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – My father always said, “You can’t make a poodle into a hunting dog.”  I have used that piece of advice with my family and professionally.  Finding a person’s strengths, and not forcing them to become something they are not, makes a huge difference.

What is the one goal you would most like to accomplish? – Start a foundation for young women centered around innovation and possibilities.

Which talent would you most like to have? – To perform on Broadway.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell.  The Purple Cow by Seth Godin is my favorite business book.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – J. Coco and Pitch

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Seth Godin.  He makes me think about marketing and life in a non-traditional way.  Also King David, an imperfect man that became a man after God’s own heart.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can contact me by phone at (402) 598-1438 or by email at linda@innovateher.com.

How did you get started in the business? – I became very interested in real estate and development and naively set out to become a developer.  When I realized how much money you need to have to be a developer, I settled on working for them instead.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I would have to say having to prove my value as a non-engineer in an engineering industry.  Let’s just say that working with engineers (in general) can be “challenging” and when you’re not an engineer you have to work a little harder to prove that you understand things like gravity, soils, streets, utilities, grading, etc.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I probably have two, the first is creating and leading E&A’s planning department from the ground up, and the second was being asked to be a shareholder at E&A.

Tell me a little about your family. – I have been married to my lovely wife and best friend Jenny for over 10 years.  We have 4 children:  Jacob (8), Identical Twin Daughters Samantha and Sara (4), and Nathan (3).

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Golf, golf, and more golf…I might have a problem!  Oh, and hanging out with my lovely family, obviously that should be #1!!  The first step is admitting you have a problem!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I was a published poet in high school.

What are you the most proud of? – I am most proud of receiving my master’s degree from UNL in Community and Regional Planning.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?  – Sometimes you just have to build a bridge and get over it.  Worry about what you CAN control.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Passionate!

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – The ability to absorb the power of other superhero’s, then I’d have them ALL!!!

Which talent would you most like to have? – To be able to play the guitar or drums.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – A successful rock star…for obvious reasons!!

What is your favorite movie? – Braveheart

What is your favorite TV show? – Suits

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Feta’s on 114th Street.  That should get me a free Gyro!!

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – I would have dinner with Eddie Murphy.  I’d have him bring along his brother Charlie, and maybe even Rick James!!  How much fun could you have in one night?!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – They can contact me at jthiellen@eacg.com or at www.eacg.com.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Having been in the family business for 26 years and my CLMC certification (Certified Lighting Management Consultant).

Tell us a little about your family. – I have a beautiful wife, who I’ve been married to for 23 years and three wonderful children, Tiffany, Kory and Allan.  They are 21, 18, and 13 respectively.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Spending time with my family and golfing.

What are you the most proud of? – My family and working for the family business.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?  – I’m not sure where I saw this the first time, but I try to live my life by this quote “Everything you do is based on the choices you make.  It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame.  You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period.”

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – I guess it’s not really one word, but I would like to be remembered as “Happy- go- lucky.”

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To make everyone happy.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Professional hockey player.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar

What is your favorite movie? – Slapshot

What is your favorite TV show? – The Voice

What is your favorite local restaurant? – I have two.  Charlies on the Lake and The Drover

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Wayne Gretzky and Warren Buffet

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Rick Swarbrick, Rswarbrick@superiorlight.com, 402-345-0800 x140, SuperiorLight.com

How did you get started in the business? – I was born into it!  I went to college with the idea of coming back and running the company and that is pretty much how the plan went. My dad retired completely from the business in 1994.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Being the Chair of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  I am also grateful to have a great brother-in-law as a partner.  We share so many values and goals as well as holding each other accountable.

Tell me a little about your family. – I have been married to my wife Lisa for 30 years, and we have 3 children.  Tyler is our oldest and is married to Darcy, who is a great daughter-in-law.  They currently live and work in Boulder, CO. Tony is a Missionary in Richmond, VA.  He works with inner city children as a part of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and his primary duty is to manage their rope course.  Our youngest child also happens to be the only girl.  Maddie is a sophomore at GI Senior High, and she enjoys volleyball and Show Choir.  She is her father’s daughter because she does not like the running part of high school track!

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – When I was named President of Lacy Construction Company in 1994.  Prior to this, I had managed different segments of the construction business, and then all of a sudden I was managing the entire company.

What are you the most proud of? – That my children all have a personal knowledge of the Lord.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Working on projects around the house. I also enjoy golf, hunting and boating.

What is the one goal you would most like to accomplish? – To shoot an even par on the golf course! It’s harder than it sounds!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – That I love woodworking projects.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Take time to get to know the Lord, you will never regret it.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To be able to travel long distances instantly.

Which talent would you most like to have? – To be able to play a musical instrument.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey

What is your favorite movie? – Top Gun, that movie has very cool planes and flight scenes.

What is your favorite TV show? – Ultimate Factories

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Pitch Pizzeria

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Ronald Reagan, he was a true leader, something we haven’t had for some time.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – The best method is by phone at (308) 384-2866.  You can also reach me by email at jerry@lacygc.com.

How did you get started in the business? – Since I was 6 years old I have always been around the clothing business, you could say I literally grew up in it.  I was asked to join the family business after graduation from college.  I graduated in May 1973 on a Saturday and was working full-time on the following Monday.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Two weeks after I started working a call came in requesting our store conduct a workshop on dress and appearance.  I was selected to do the workshop.  I did it, and realized if I was called to do more, I had a lot to learn in order to be proficient and know what I was talking about.  Through the years, my brother and I have attended numerous seminars and post-certification programs to become experts in our business.  When I first started we had manufacturers who wouldn’t sell us and retailers who didn’t want competitors.  We rolled up our sleeves and dug in.  Here we are 40 years later, thriving.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? -  Writing my book, “Dress Like The Big Fish”®, which is based on my workshops.    I had never written a book before, and it was like putting my toe in an ocean.  Currently, the book is out in paperback and an ebook, available in 31+ formats.

Tell me a little about your family. – My wife and I will be celebrating 39 years of marriage, and we have three wonderful children.  Our oldest, my daughter Ali and her husband, Mark, are both graduating residents this summer and fall.  Our special joy is Ali and Mark’s 2 year old daughter, Havah, who knows how wrap her grandparents around her finger.  My middle son, Brad, is an Industrial Engineer with an International Company in Chicago, and future daughter, Michelle just graduated with a Masters in Nursing.  They are getting married late summer.  Our youngest, Jon, is in Culinary Arts and Banquet here in Omaha.  My wife is a retired Foreign Language Teacher with Omaha Public Schools.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – When I do take time off, it is out of town with my family at our timeshare in Mexico, walking along the Sea of Cortez surf, watching the wildlife and sharing time together.

What are you the most proud of? – Being recognized as Outstanding Northwest Rotarian a few years back, as I was able to share this special honor with family and friends who were in attendance.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “Just do the best and be the best that you can.”

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Telepathy

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Screenwriter

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Blue Ocean Strategy

What is your favorite movie? – James Bond – You Only Live Twice

What is your favorite TV show? – Grey’s Anatomy

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Lo Sole Mio

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By phone at (402) 493-5160, email at belairfashions@belair.omhcoxmail.com, or visit our website at www.belairfashions.com.