- Home
- Departments
- Economic Development
- Businesses
- E-Community
- My Miami County Reads: 2021
My Miami County Reads: 2021
Who Owns the Ice House? Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur
Based on the life story of Pulitzer nominee Clifton Taulbert, the book offers a powerful and compelling story that captures the essence of an entrepreneurial mindset and the unlimited opportunities it can provide.
Drawing on the wisdom he gained from his Uncle Cleve, Who Owns the Ice House? chronicles Taulbert’s journey from his life in the Mississippi Delta at the height of legal segregation to being recognized by TIME Magazine as “one of our nation’s most outstanding emerging entrepreneurs.”
To kick off the initiative, the libraries in Louisburg, Paola, Osawatomie and Spring Hill each distributed free copies of the book. Readers were encouraged to read the book and pass it along to others.
Each library planed a series of activities and discussions to explore the book's themes of entrepreneurship. Connect with your library to learn about their resources they offer businesses every day!
Additional local resources for entrepreneurs include:
Events
Oct. 4, lesson at USD 368 Elementary Schools and available on Paola Free Library's Youtube channel
Little Inventors Capitalize on Community with STEM
Following the Oct. 4 presentation, students can stop by the Paola Free Library Oct. 5 from 4 to 5 p.m. for inspiration and workspace to create their dog toys.
Description: Presentation about community, inventions and the design process provided in elementary USD 368 classrooms during “Monday Mindset” and made available on our Paola Free Library Youtube channel for all youth. Student STEM project: handmade dog toy inventions may be turned back into the school or the Paola Free Library to be delivered to the Little Free Dog Library at the community dog park throughout the month of October. Pictures of students with their designs are welcomed. The Little Free Dog Library will be created by the Paola High School Shop class and decorated by local artists.
Oct. 5, Osawatomie Library, Facebook Recording
Building Your Business From the Ground Up
Description: A panel on starting and maintaining a successful small business. This panel featured local small businesses including Our Clique Photography.
Oct. 7, Zoom Recording
Lessons in Leadership with special guest, Clifton Taulbert, author of Who Owns the Ice House?
During his one-hour podcast, Randy Powell talked with Clifton Taulbert to dig deeper into the stories and help set the stage for the month's activities.
Oct. 12, Paola Free Library and Zoom Recording
Every House Needs a Good Foundation: Building Your Business
Description: This one-hour seminar discussed the 3 M’s of starting a business: Money – and what it takes to get a loan or other funding. Marketing – trends, costs, best practices. Management – legal structure basics such as an LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership; self-employment and payroll taxes; independent contractors vs. W-2 employees; insurance and risk management; financial management.
Bio: John Addessi is a Business Advisor, adjunct instructor and Certified Global Business Professional with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College. John teaches seminars and consults on topics such as financing, business plans, marketing, international trade, e-commerce and more. Prior to joining the Kansas SBDC at JCCC, John was a consultant with the Kansas SBDC at Washburn University. He received his bachelor’s degree in Russian and his MBA in general management from the University of Rhode Island. John has advised over 1600 business clients in the KC metro.
Oct. 13, Louisburg Library
Mystery Book Club
Description: You’ve read the book, now join the discussion.
Oct. 13, Louisburg Library
Guys Read
Description: Not just for guys this month! Join in the book talk.
Oct. 16, Louisburg Library
MAKE Your Way Festival
Description: Discover what you can create using your library’s Maker Tools. Some of those include: die cut machines; 3D printer, laser cutter; audio-visual equipment and more.
Oct. 18, Paola Free Library
Make-It Monday
Description: Learn about how our Maker tools can help local businesses with branding, marketing materials, prototypes and more.
Oct. 19, Louisburg High School
Intergenerational Book Discussion
Description: Our most popular program - A discussion between high school students and adults in the community. This year co-author Gary Schoeniger and facilitator and business coach Jim Correll led the discussion!
Oct. 19, Osawatomie High School Auditorium
Intergenerational Book Discussion
Description: Community members participated in a discussion with high school students about the entrepreneurial topics within Who Owns the Ice House?. Discussion questions were provided as a starting point.
Oct. 19, Paola High School Library
Intergenerational Book Discussion
Oct. 19, Louisburg United Methodist Church
Make It Your Mindset
Description: Author Gary Schoeniger and Business Coach & Facilitator Jim Correll. Shoeniger redefined entrepreneurship as a behavioral phenomenon rather than a business discipline using the eight life lessons found in the book. Jim Correll, who manages the Fab Lab ICC at Independence Community College, discussed how he is using the book and its companion course to teach the entrepreneurial mindset.
Oct. 20, Louisburg Middle School Library
YA Book Club—Peacebunny Island
Description: Eligible seventh and eighth grade students ate lunch while they discussed a companion piece to Who Owns the Icehouse? Peacebunny Island is the true story of an 8-year-old boy who wanted to help abandoned pet rabbits and start his own rabbit rehab. Soon his rescued rabbits became therapy animals to help children with special needs, veterans, senior citizens, and others. Caleb is now in high school and he owns and operates a private 22-acre island in the Mississippi National River Recreation Area in Minnesota for his rehabilitated rabbits.
Oct. 22, Louisburg Library
Homeschool Book Club—Peacebunny Island
Eligible homeschool students (6th—12th grade) ate lunch while they discussed a companion piece to Who Owns the Icehouse? Peacebunny Island is the true story of an 8-year-old boy who wanted to help abandoned pet rabbits and start his own rabbit rehab. Soon his rescued rabbits became therapy animals to help children with special needs, veterans, senior citizens, and others. Caleb is now in high school and he owns and operates a private 22-acre island in the Mississippi National River Recreation Area in Minnesota for his rehabilitated rabbits.
Oct. 25-30, Osawatomie Library
"Elementary" Entrepreneurs Expo
Description: Students age 7 to 18 displayed their business ideas at a science fair style event. Submissions were due by 2 p.m. October 23rd to the Osawatomie Library or the Osawatomie Library's email. Best overall concept as determined by a public vote won an entrepreneur book and 3D pen.
Oct. 25, Paola Free Library's Youtube Channel
Little Inventors Capitalize on Community with STEM
Description: Presentation about community, inventions and the design process provided in elementary USD 368 classrooms during “Monday Mindset” and made available on our Paola Free Library Youtube channel for all youth. Student STEM project: handmade dog toy inventions were turned back into the school or the Paola Free Library to be delivered to the Little Free Dog Library at the community dog park throughout the month of October.
Oct. 26, Louisburg City Hall
MAKE IT your Business
Description: Local hobbyists shared their experiences turning their hobbies into small side businesses from their homes.
Carl Fugate—electronics, soldering kits and metal fabrication; Karla Holiday—Hot off the Press clothing; and Lisa Moreau—Kruse Creations custom designed laser etching.
Oct. 26, Louisburg City Hall
Empower the Entrepreneur
Description: Local entrepreneurs shared how they established their businesses: David Alexander—Social:Managed; Janet Houchen—Pro31 Accounting; Jenn Kelly—Frankie’s Salon, Local Brew & Frankie’s Boutique; and Kevin Stoops—KRS Corporation
Janet McRae, Miami County Economic Development, provided tips on building a business.
Funding for this project
is provided by: