OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) – Anyone who owns a business will tell you that running a business isn’t easy, and it’s even more difficult when you’re first starting out.
“Whenever you start a business it’s scary. You’re risking your salary to pursue just one passion,” said Kellee Mikuls, founder of Swishboom.
Kellee Mikuls is the co-founder of mobile childcare app Swishboom, one of the many startups featured at this year’s Startup Omaha Week.
The event is back after a 5-year hiatus due to COVID and dozens of businesses, both startups and established brands were ready for its grand return.
“We’re excited to bring it back and really try to capitalize on some of the momentum in the community. It’s great to see the number of people that are here in the space today and hopefully this will catalyze what’s happening in the community long-term,” said Laurel Oetkin with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
Startup Omaha Week will be full of events from workshops to dinners that give startup companies a chance to meet seasoned professionals who know all aspects of starting a business, something Mikuls said was critical of her success when she started it. own business.
“People are willing to give you advice and say hey. You know what’s normal when it’s hard. For us, as founders, it’s so important because it’s so easy to get discouraged. It’s so easy to want to give up and go back to the 9 to 5 because it’s safe, but what mentors do is really encourage you to push the envelope, be risky and be innovative,” Mikuls said.
Mikuls said Omaha’s startup community is one of a kind, and said events like Startup Omaha Week show that people in Omaha care more about collaboration than competition.
“It is not competitive. Everyone really roots for every start-up. If you can make it as a start-up, it means that Omaha is a place where you can succeed. So we really support all the other start-ups and do well because that means our start-up can do well too,” Mikuls said.
There will be many events taking place from Monday to Saturday this week and if you are interested you can find more information on their website.
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