NORTH KANSAS CITY HIGH SCHOOL CAREER PATHWAYS
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Together,
We Can
Do More
GOING NORTH NEWSLETTER 2ND QUARTER 2021 ISSUE 167 405 E 19TH AVENUE, NKC, MO 64116 816-472-7700 WWW.NKCBUSINESSCOUNCIL.COM
NORTH KANSAS CITY HIGH SCHOOL CAREER PATHWAYS
The entire North Kansas Courses throughout the four years will be custom-
City School District is tak- ized to support these various alternatives, integrat-
ing a big leap forward be- ing the traditional study fields of language, math-
ginning in the fall of 2021. ematics and science.
They are launching what
is called the Career Path- You can see more details about how this program
ways Work-Based Learning will be implemented at North Kansas City High
Continuum. The Freshman School by going to this link: sites.google.com/view/
class at all four district high schools (North Kansas northtowntrue/home?authuser=0
City, Winnetonka, Oak Park and Staley) will be the
first to engage with this new curriculum approach.
Help from the Business Community
Over the next three years, the new Freshman class is Vital for Success
will be added until all four grade levels have transi- North Kansas City High School will need your
tioned. The Class of 2025 will be the first graduating help. There are many ways to help, most of them
class engaged with this concept. with minimum effort on your part, and often with a
Four broad career pathways have been defined. surprising sense of enrichment while doing it. The
Each eighth-grade student enrolling for high school North Kansas City Business Council will be very
will need to determine which career pathway holds active as a partner with North Kansas City High
the most interest. They are not being asked to School, informing you of the opportunities. As an
choose a career; just identify an interest. example, we offered a webinar with three alterna-
tive dates in March to explain more about this pro-
There are four “Schools” of pathways. Each has a gram and how you can help.
wide range of possible careers.
It is not your money that is needed. It is time and
exposure to your business and the professionals in
School of Business, Leadership & Entrepreneurship
your business that is needed. You can help add that
• Entrepreneurship
important “learn by doing” component of educa-
• Business
tion. Opportunities can range from a short video
School of Design, Innovation & Technology that could be used as a “class visit” or “plant tour”
• Technology (includes Manufacturing) to in-person versions of those same opportunities
• Construction and Engineering to job-shadowing and internships. Another way is
• Creative Design to challenge a team of students with a project that
is important for your business, but one you haven’t
School of Health & Wellness
had the resources to work on. Another way to help
• Health
is to offer real-life examples to teachers illuminating
• Wellness
how classroom instruction or a project is actually
School of Human Services used in a career. Or share job descriptions so stu-
• Public Services dents, teachers and parents can have a better idea of
• Environmental Science and Sustainability skills and education needed for different careers.
PROFILES OF TWO
NORTH KANSAS CITY ENTREPRENEURS
The two profiles in this newsletter, Andrew Potter (RoKC Climbing Gym) and Adam
Roberts (Screenland Armour Theatre), are from a much younger generation than the
two profiles in the previous newsletter. Both are in their 30s and have made a big
impact on the entertainment offerings of North Kansas City.
warehouse spaces. They rec- for a career in the climbing
Andrew Potter ognized North Kansas City industry.”
Creator & Owner as an up-and-coming area
of RoKC Climbing Gym and wanted to get in on the He says he “derives the
ground floor. most personal satisfaction
from watching our senior
Andrew says, “I
RoKC offers rock climbing staff grow as leaders to the
fell in love with
(day passes and member- point that they are capable
rock climbing when
ships), yoga and fitness of making important deci-
I was a kid. Grow-
classes, personal training, sions and managing facili-
ing up all over the
and instructional climbing ties effectively with very
world led to some
courses. little guidance.”
pretty incredible
climbing experi-
But the RoKC story didn’t Andrew credits his mili-
ences. It stayed
end with just the North tary experience for learn-
with me and once
Andrew Potter, owner Kansas City facility. RoKC ing to be resilient, because
I decided I didn’t
of RoKC Climbing Gym has since opened two more as an entrepreneur you
want to be in the
facilities: RoKC Underground off 31st will ALWAYS be facing new challenges.
military for my entire career, I knew
and Southwest Trafficway and RoKC Pre-pandemic, RoKC/North Kansas
creating something like RoKC could be
Olathe in Olathe, KS. City had approximately 40 employees.
my exit plan.”
Now they have about 45 across all three
Andrew’s entrepreneurial journey locations after reopening.
He lived in a lot of places as a young
evolved further by co-founding a soft-
child until 1998 when the family moved
ware company three years ago, creating His advice for others who might want to
from Germany to Parkville where he
a product called Approach which is a be entrepreneurs: “If you aren’t willing
went to Park Hill South HS and then
Client Relationship Management and to go all in on something, then it may
University of Central Missouri, where
Point of Sale software focused on the not be the right venture. Find something
he was in ROTC. He was commissioned
fitness industry with clients in the US, that you are going to wake up and love
in 2009 and did three tours in Afghani-
Canada, Australia and Germany. doing every day. It is going to take a lot
stan, one as a Scout Sniper Platoon
of work and you won’t be motivated
Leader with the 82nd Airborne and two
Andrew’s role has changed significantly if it isn’t something you love. Don’t
with the 75th Ranger Regiment.
since the early days of RoKC/North confuse loving what you are doing with
Kansas City when he was there almost being easy.”
Andrew realized there was a need for
all the time hiring, training, guiding
more climbing facilities in Kansas City.
customer climbing experiences and
He was further inspired to do some-
supervising employees. Prior to that he
thing about that after climbing at gyms
invested many months of “sweat eq-
all over the country and seeing the sport
uity” doing a lot of the physical work to
beginning to
convert the former manufacturing space
grow. With
into a state-of-the-art climbing facility.
the help of
Now he has General Managers at each
his brother,
facility so he can use his time focusing
Frank, he
on the big picture and managing teams.
established RoKC/North Kansas City
The company has grown, from one to
at 1501 Howell in April of 2016. They
three locations. He says that “building
selected North Kansas City because of
the right systems and teams so that our
its great access to the Northland and
company can run as efficiently as pos-
Kansas City. They knew there might
sible isn’t always easy. Many people in
be possibilities with one of the large
Kansas City aren’t necessarily looking
to website and social media offerings. an idea; you plan and work it out to the
Adam Roberts They continue to find ways to improve best of your ability; then you go out and
North Kansas City and offer their growing customer base a look for capital and create the actual
Entrepreneur, Resident & unique experience with the utmost love product with a group of individuals
for cinema. you assemble. Then the release of that
City Councilman movie is the same as your opening day.”
As an emerging entrepreneur, Adam Having worked in movies for 10+ years
Adam confessed he didn’t have a comfortable before owning a business indirectly pre-
Roberts and moment, but he knew he had to step off pared him for taking on the Screenland
his business the ledge that was corporate America. Armour Theatre challenge.
partner And he knew he didn’t want to work
Brent Miller for someone else. He learned to take a
have been risk on himself and believe that what
in the news he had in his head would resonate with
numer- others. Successes and failures have both
ous times occurred in the past nine years. He said:
during the “Persevere. Adapt or die. Realize that
Covid-19 motivation must come from yourself,
pandemic not from others.”
North Kansas City entrepreneur,
resident and City Councilman, because
Adam Roberts. of their Adam and Brent grew up in the area,
resourceful loved North Kansas City and believed
efforts to keep the Screenland Armour in what it could become. The flounder- He states that this last year threw a ma-
Theatre alive. The movie theatre indus- ing Screenland Armour Theatre offered jor wrench into his constant creation of
try has been hit harder with restrictions the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. other businesses. But it gave him more
than any other industry. So far, they Since 2012 Adam has had four different time to grow and focus as an individual.
have been successful enough to survive businesses in the North Kansas City area All of that has allowed him to fall back
with creative programming, movie and purchased a home here. His com- in love with the original business almost
rentals, fund-raising, curbside parklet mitment to the community and small- a decade later and be more inspired than
outdoor service, outdoor movies and town charm led him to be a candidate he had been in a long time to deliver the
careful management of expenses. for City Council. With no opponents on best theatre to Kansas City.
the ballot in his ward, Adam will begin
serving on North Kansas City’s City More future businesses are likely with
Council in April 2021. Adam. But the first priority right now is
to keep this business as strong as pos-
Adam says that what gives him the sible and that his employees are still
most personal satisfaction is connect- employed. He plans to offer his entrepre-
ing with desires inspired by the com- neurial experience and passion to create a
munity around him and responding better, more equal, community in his new
with an event, a movie, merchandise or role as City Council representative. He
partnership. also hopes to create a feature film in 2021.
Adam has been a business owner in
North Kansas City since 2012 when he Adam did not have a formal education His advice for other would-be entre-
and Brent took over operations of the in business. He had a plethora of work preneurs: “Don’t hesitate. There are so
Screenland Armour Theatre. Since that experience and a strong work ethic. He many great avenues to be explored as
time they have exponentially grown that also claims “a mountain of interests both an entrepreneur and a human by
business. When they first took over the that I dive deep into that helps curate taking the leap. You can’t let a potential
theatre it was struggling to find its iden- my voice which eventually leads to our failure outweigh a potential success.
tity. Adam had been working a corpo- customers in one way or another”. And don’t get too caught up on your
rate job he said “pushing papers in a job own experience or education. Believe in
that I despised.” He had never worked A product of Park Hill High School, yourself, in your idea, and that confi-
in a movie theatre, but had experience Adam was raised with three siblings dence will take you far.”
in the restaurant and film industries by a single mother. He discovered his
separately. love of all things film at a young age.
At age 12 he wrote his first screenplay
His strategy with Screenland Armour with pencil and paper. From there he
was to create a unique voice – to cre- continued his education and curiosity
ate what he wanted a movie theatre to in film which would one day make him
be. For him, that was the nostalgia of a one of the youngest exhibitors in the
small theatre with arcade games, unique country. He credits his background in
programming and a retro atmosphere. film production with helping him be
They changed nearly everything in the a better businessperson. He says: “It’s
building from the wall colors and art actually all the same process: you have
NORTHLAND CAPS INTERNS
Three students Ellie McCroskie
Senior at Staley High School
from three different
I have lived in the Kansas City area ever since my
Northland High Schools parents brought me home in 2004. I was adopted
are serving as Interns through the Northland CAPS from China when
program for the North Kansas City Business Coun- I was 18 months.
cil this semester. One part of their duties is envi- Some of my favorite
able: Spend money provided by the North Kansas activities are pho-
City Business Council with Visa gift cards at North tography, baking,
Kansas City restaurants, interview owners, manag- traveling, painting,
ers and customers and post comments, photos and and hanging out
videos on social media in support of those restau- with my best friend.
rants. This is part of the “Our Hearts are Local” I plan on going to
marketing campaign by the North Kansas City Busi- Metropolitan Com-
ness Council in cooperation with the River North munity College un-
Business Alliance and the City of North Kansas City. der the A+ program
We are very fortunate to have these mature, intelli- (two years of free
gent young adults as our Interns this semester. Ellie McCroskie
community college).
I’m thinking of
studying to be an ultrasound tech and being a pho-
Beckett Hackney tographer as a side job. After my two years at MCC,
I will transfer to a university to get my bachelor’s
Junior at Park Hill South High School
degree. I’m hoping that after I get my certification,
to be an ultrasound tech, I can go straight into the
I love to spend time with my friends and family
work field, continue to get my bachelors, and save
as well as watching and playing sports. After high
my money to travel the world!
school I hope to
go to Kansas State
University and Simone Smith
graduate with Senior at Park Hill High School
some type of busi-
ness degree. Busi- I will be attending Mount St. Mary’s University
ness has always in- in Emmitsburg,
terested me. I have Maryland to
a part-time job as a achieve my goals
check-out clerk at of becoming an Art
the HyVee on 64th Director in Film or
St. It has been fun Journalism.
meeting people
and seeing how Born and raised
businesses work in Kansas City, I
and I am excited have two younger
to keep learning brothers. What is
Beckett Hackney throughout the rest important to me is
of the semester. honesty, commu-
nication, time and
track and field.
Simone Smith continued on page five
NORTHLAND CAPS INTERNS CONTINUED
I’ve been competing in track and field for six+ years look along with provide a basis for the rest of the
and will continue to participate in it while in college. art department.
My career plans are to obtain bachelor’s and mas- Since my end goal is to become an Art Director it is
ter’s degrees in Fine Arts. While in college I plan to rather difficult to obtain this title and make a good
try to get an internship to make money and work my consistent living. Therefore, as another way to make
way up to becoming an Art Director. money, I would have photography as my side job to
keep money flowing. Some things I think will help
Art Directors are the head/overseers of the Art me with the groundwork of becoming an Art Direc-
Department in a project/institution. They are tor are being skilled and have a good knowledge
responsible for the overall visual style and mes- of how to work the majority of the Adobe Creative
saging in the final product. They decide how the Cloud programs, along with being good at photogra-
characters, props, and environments are going to phy and videography.
WOMEN LEADERS IN BUSINESS
March was, among other things, “Women’s History Month.” Doing a little research we
determined there are at least 196 women in North Kansas City who are either the owners
of a business or have a key leadership role. This includes leaders at some of the North
Kansas City Business Council’s largest businesses and non-profit organizations.
• Recently-retired Marilyn Coughlin was Co-Owner and CEO of Mid-America Contractors.
• Julie Edlund is Executive Director of Life Unlimited.
• Mary Janiak is Co-Owner of Accent Controls.
• Carol Meierotto is Co-Founder and Partner at Meierotto Jewelers.
• Jeanette Prenger is Co-Founder, President and CEO of Ecco Select.
• Ora Reynolds is President & CEO of Hunt Midwest Enterprises (developer of Northgate Village).
• Judy Roetheli is Co-Owner of Key Companies (and Greenies before that).
• Recently-retired Peggy Schmitt was President and CEO of North Kansas City Hospital.
• Julie Sola is Senior VP and General Manager of Harrah’s Kansas City.
• Kristie Stuewe is President and CEO of First Missouri Bank.
• Kathy Warman is Owner of K Warman Architect + Design.
• Tina Weaver is Executive Director of the North Kansas City YMCA.
NORTH KANSAS CITY BUSINESS COUNCIL
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COMING EVENTS NEW MEMBERS
Donnelly Metals
Check nkcbusinesscouncil.com/ Ecco Select
events/calendar for details
Garney Construction
Monthly Membership Luncheons
Convergence Partners
(in-person) April 22, May 27 & Ultimate Services
June 24 Blue Oak Technology Solutions
Registration required Game of Scones (in The Iron District)
Members $22; Non-Members $30
Northland Coffee Connect (Zoom)
Every Wednesday morning ANNUAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY
8:00 a.m.
Though the deadline is rapidly ap-
First Friday Coffees (in-person) proaching, advertising opportuni-
April 2, May 7, June 4
ties still are available in the Business
Mickey Finn Scholarship Council’s 2021-22 business directory.
Golf Classic If you are interested in having an ad
Thursday, June 3, 12:30 p.m. in the directory for greater exposure
shotgun start
or as a way to show support for the
Registration required
opportunities for Hole North Kansas City Business Council,
Sponsorships for Members please contact Chris Teague at
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