Kayla Oney said in an interview this week that she has enjoyed her time as the executive director of Emporia Main Street but, she said, it’s time to move closer to her family.
Oney will serve as Emporia Main Street director until March 6. After that, she moves to Wamego to work as the director for marketing and events for the Colombian Theatre. She said she is moving to be near family.
“I am grateful personally for the opportunity to work in such a cohesive community and for such an organization that really is a grass-roots effort and that the volunteers are a backbone,” Oney said of her tenure with Emporia Main Street. “And the board of directors are a backbone and also all of those people that give their time and energy. ... I see that continuing.”
Q What do you see in Emporia Main Street’s future?
A I think that Emporia Main Street has been an integral part of the success of downtown. ... I think partnerships in the community have been built and will contribute to the success of the organization. We all have our own separate goals, mission and vision. In the big picture scheme of things, we all want Emporia to be successful.
Everybody who wants to be a part of it can make it what they want and make it their own. I am fully 150 percent confident that will continue.
Q What would you say your top five accomplishments were in your tenure at Emporia Main Street?
A 1. Successful incorporation and utilization of Trusler loan fund, Incentives Without Walls loan fund and Network Kansas loan fund as a project incentive for small business owners.
2. Successful addition of fall promotion event — Harvest Festival.
3. Coordination and facilitation of the Community Initiated Development process.
4. Continued creation of major partnerships with other organizations.
5. Growth of constituency through online social networking presence (MySpace & Facebook).
Q What major changes have you seen?
A There have been no real changes, as far as Main Street goes. Main Street is a focused approach to downtown development through the four committees — organization, promotion, design and business enhancement. This continues to work effectively in Emporia, as it is a true grassroots effort and it allows the volunteers of the organization to make the program work for Emporia. The organization has really focused on and supported entrepreneurial development in the last few years, which I believe is the key to growth and development for downtown Emporia.
The benefit of the Trusler Revolving Loan Fund, Incentives Without Walls, Network Kansas funding resources, and the “Start Your Own Business” course at Flint Hills Technical College has grown exponentially, giving entrepreneurs the support they really need. Focusing on “growing our own” and then supporting them is very important in Emporia. We have also taken a look at the entrepreneurial spirit and how that can be nurtured to succeed.
Q What is your favorite aspect of the job?
A It’s hard to choose my favorite aspect of the job, as there is always something different going on and that’s the best part. I have enjoyed everything, including visiting with business owners, networking with other communities on best practices, pulling weeds, radio call-ins, working with committees and volunteers, interviews, event planning, picking up trash, hanging Christmas lights, pulling barriers at 3 a.m., writing newsletters, dressing up as a cheerful elf, etc. I do appreciate people who live with great passion and there are many of those people involved with Main Street that I will miss working with.
Q What were your challenges?
A Every job has its challenges, but I would say finding enough time in the day to get everything done that you would like to accomplish can be a challenge. That is why Main Street is so great, because the grassroots approach is committed and allows change and success to happen incrementally.
Q What advice do you have for the next person coming on?
A I would say take every opportunity to create and build relationships. — it’s a small world after all.
native_emporia (anonymous) says...
Good luck to Kayla in Wamego. You have done a great job for Emporia and we thank you.
January 28, 2009 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Emporia_Spartan (anonymous) says...
Thanks for the great work, Kayla. You have big shoes to fill. You will be missed, but we wish you the best in Wamego. Working with the Columbian Theatre will be a wonderful opportunity for you. Best of luck!! ESU and Emporia are proud of you!
January 28, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )