Being an entrepreneur means living the American Dream. According to HubSpot, 92% of entrepreneurs don’t regret starting their own business. Fortunately, Oklahoma is rich with small business resources such as Incubators, Networking opportunities, and partners like the SBDC, The Verge, and I2E.

Oklahoma provides some of the best resources such as the Tom Love innovation Hub which has a fabrication lab to support prototypes, OCAST provides see capital, Incubators that include on site advisement are worth their weight in gold, and of course the list of business coaches and mentors are abundant in our state, most of which do not charge a fee.

Utilizing resources in the beginning stages of the business allows owners to focus on growth. Being connected to other entrepreneurs and listening to their stories helps with connection and finding best practices. Seek networking opportunities and keep innovating! The American dream is alive and well in Oklahoma!

ATTEND

James Denton, Partner Emeritus/Wealth Management Advisor 
Arledge

JAMES S. DENTON, CPA/PFS, CGMA

Partner Emeritus/Wealth Management Advisor (formerly Managing Shareholder/President/CEO)

Arledge & Associates, P.C. (Certified Public Accountants) Edmond, Oklahoma (405) 348-0615, (405) 823-0793, jim.denton@arledge.cpa

Background, Education and Career:

Jim is originally from Ponca City, Oklahoma and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1976. While in high school, he served as high school orchestra president. He was selected all-state orchestra member his last two years and worked in school leadership positions. Throughout secondary school, he also led activities (volunteer organizations, camp counseling) related to working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. He had a high interest in serving this group as his youngest brother was born with Down’s Syndrome.

Jim obtained a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 1980 from the University of Central Oklahoma. While at UCO, he was on the Dean’s Honor Roll, a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, Chi Alpha (music leader), Baptist Student Union, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (music fraternity), Tunesmiths, Men’s Glee Club (president), Symphony (4-year scholarship), Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Kappa Delta Pi (Education) and Alpha Chi (scholastic). He taught public school (music) in the Pond Creek-Hunter, Oklahoma School District before returning to UCO in 1982. At Pond Creek-Hunter Schools, Jim served as high school band director, elementary music teacher and junior class sponsor responsible for directing the class play.

In 1982, Jim redirected his career and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1984. While working on his accounting degree, he taught part-time music at Oklahoma Christian Schools and was a leader in the UCO Accounting Club. While in school he worked procuring accounting clients for his own bookkeeping practice. At UCO, he also led accounting informal study groups to assist other students and worked various temporary assignments during and between school terms.

Arledge & Associates, PC – May 1984 through present:

Jim has been with the firm since 1984 - he was employed during the firm’s first year of business. Having obtained the CPA in 1986, he stepped forward from being a tax preparer to lead the firm’s audit department starting in 1986 when the firm took on some of its first governmental engagements. He was admitted as a firm shareholder in 1989. Under his direction, the firm’s audit department grew from one not-for-profit client in the mid-1980s to an audit and consulting base of over 17,000 hours through 2007. Upon the firm founder’s retirement in January 2008, Jim was tapped to serve as the firm’s managing partner/President and CEO. The firm experienced significant growth during the next 10 years and doubled its revenues and team members during that time. As a result of the firm’s growth and community involvement, the firm was one of three finalists in 2015 for the Edmond Chamber’s Small Business of the Year. Also, the firm was selected as one of the Metro 50–the top 50 growing businesses in the Oklahoma City Area. The firm currently has over 500 clients, over 40 employees and has $5 million in annual revenue. Having obtained FINRA, NASSA and insurance licensing, he now leads the firm’s wealth management business.

Service to the Profession:

Oklahoma Society of CPAs. Jim served as a OSCPA Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee member (1989–2014) and the Chairman from 1994 through 1997. He then served on OSCPA Liaison with Educational Institutions committee (2014 – 2016). In 2017, he received a 30-year membership recognition. He served as member, Vice Chair and ultimately Chair of the Educational Foundation (2016-2020). Also served as Director at Large of OSCPA and is periodically called on for live state-wide television appearances. Jim received the OSCPA’s Silver Pen Award in 2021 for his 2020 OSCPA FOCUS article entitled Ethics Takes Practice. He presents regularly at conferences and CPE sessions. In 2022, he was recognized as an OSCPA Pathfinder. In 2023, he received the OSCPA’s Gold Pen Award for his 2022 OSCPA FOCUS article entitled The Ethics Lessons of Better Call Saul. He is a frequent conference presenter; various state-wide television appearances on short notice; Day of Service participant. Member since 1986.

JAMES S. DENTON, CPA/PFS, CGMA

Service to the Profession (Cont’d):

American Institute of CPAs. Jim earned the Certificate of Educational Achievement in Governmental Accounting and Auditing. Member of Tax Section, PFP/PFS Section and holds the PFS and CGMA designations. Member since 1986.

Oklahoma Accountancy Board – Case Investigator 2001 - 2021.

Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission - 2015 - 2019. Appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin upon recommendation by OSCPA.

Service to the Community:

Edmond Chamber of Commerce. Jim has served as the Chairman of the Board/executive committee (first five-year term) of a 5-Star Chamber. He serves on the Steering Committee for the Chamber’s Small Business Owners’ Alliance.

Oklahoma Venture Forum - Executive Committee member; Board Treasurer; Board member since 2015; Awards selection committee; Mentoring of entrepreneurs; Individual Member since 2012.

Edmond History Museum/Edmond Historical Society – Currently serves as Board Secretary of a local award-winning museum.

YMCA (Mitch Park & Rankin Branches) - Annual Campaign Champion; "Rookie of the Year" for the 2019 Campaign

Personal:

Married in 1981 to Cathie Smith (Denton). Cathie teaches piano (retired).

Daughter (Mary) Abigail, 1987. Edmond Memorial HS, Oklahoma State University – Bachelor of Music Education 2010 – Oklahoma University – Master in Conducting (Abby was hired as an Assistant Band instructor – Broken Arrow Public Schools Sapulpa Public Schools in 2022). Abby married Adam Bruce in 2011. Granddaughters – Elizabeth Avella Bruce (2015), Evelyn Juliet Bruce (2019).

Church – Crossings Community Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Register to attend the September 11, 2024 Power Lunch

John Nickel, Assistant Director
Cowboy Enterprises - Oklahoma State University

John Nickel is the Assistant Director of Cowboy Enterprises at The Innovation Foundation within Oklahoma State University (OSU), where he is dedicated to advancing emerging technologies both at OSU and across Oklahoma. Mr. Nickel oversees the Cowboy Innovation Accelerator at OSU, a program designed to move proof-of-concept technologies in the energy, aerospace and advanced mobility, agriculture, and One Health sectors toward venture-backable startup companies and licensable technologies of interest to industry. He also manages OSU’s National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps program for customer discovery and product market fit. Over the last two years, under his leadership, 12 Oklahoma teams have been awarded NSF’s $50,000 National I-Corps grants, which strategically helps teams build commercialization plans for gap funding opportunities. Additionally, Mr. Nickel currently oversees OSU’s Economic Development Agency’s University Center grant, which provides commercial grant assistance to companies in the Northeast region of Oklahoma. Prior to his role at OSU, Mr. Nickel worked with a research group that focused on extracting a chemical used in the pharmaceutical industry, derived from an invasive species in Oklahoma.

Register to attend September 11, 2024 Power Lunch

Matt Stansberry & Jerad Lovett 

Co-founders, Banded Together

Matt Stansberry and Jerad Lovett are the co-founders of Banded Together.

Matt is a purpose-led leader with experience as CEO and founder of a nationally recognized branding studio (Nominee Design), creative director for a full-service marketing agency (Saxum), and the co-founder of a guitar pedal startup (Westerlund Audio).

Jerad is an innovative and operational-minded CEO with experience across business functions. As the third generation, he turned his family’s business into a nine figure operation (4X growth). He then founded a startup, where he operated at every C-level position until it broke even.

Matt and Jerad believe Banded Together can change the way we give through community sourced generosity – the future of giving.

Banded Together gives donors an easy way to give directly to those in need. Nonprofit partners send qualified people-in-need to Banded Together. Banded Together onboards each new person into the software platform by collecting vital docs, their individual stories, and their personal details. Donors can view the stories and connect with each person via the platform, where digital community can surround each person as they work to get back on their feet.

These efforts will focus on the homeless community, followed by the ex-convict population and foster care children. As software, AI, LLM, and data is used to create efficiency amongst the nonprofits, the cost to the taxpayer will plummet. Nonprofit partners and governments around the country will begin to welcome in Banded Together to their cities as well. Let's empower the $500B donations a year to go further than ever imagined before.

Register to attend September 11, 2024 OVF Power Lunch

Pioneering Oklahoma's Digital Future
An interview with Annette White-Klososky

by Dennis Spielman

Annette White-Klososky’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in her upbringing in a family of newspaper owners, where she developed a strong foundation in business. After college, she pursued a career in public relations, marketing, and consulting, quickly becoming known for her versatility in helping startups with limited resources. For nearly 30 years, she has focused on guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in building businesses that combine strategic success with a solid organizational culture. Co-founding Future Point of View with her husband over two decades ago, White-Klososky has been at the forefront of digital strategy, helping companies navigate the evolving landscape of AI, digital transformation, and cyber risk. She extends her work into human capital digital analysis, ensuring organizations can execute their strategies effectively. White-Klososky’s contributions to Oklahoma’s innovation ecosystem are significant, including her involvement in AI advancements and her efforts to foster a thriving entrepreneurial community in the state.

“We truly believe, just like you have a human resource director, you’re going to have a digital resource director... because the organization will get things done using both,” said Annette White-Klososky. “We help organizations figure out how to use available technology and applications and make those decisions because most people in the C-suite don’t understand technology. They didn’t come up through the ranks with those types of tools. So they’ve learned their craft with different tools and resources.”

At the upcoming Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch, White-Klososky will discuss the state’s ambitious efforts to become a leader in AI innovation, particularly in the healthcare sector. She will share insights into Oklahoma’s AI strategy, developed by her firm, and highlight the exciting advancements already underway. White-Klososky will also cover how AI is integrated into various industries, from streamlining medical documentation to enhancing diagnostic processes, emphasizing the importance of fostering an innovative environment in Oklahoma. Attendees can expect to learn about current AI initiatives, future possibilities, and the potential for Oklahoma to become an epicenter of AI-driven growth.

“I think we are in a good place with our biotech. We are small enough to be innovative in what we’re doing, so I’m going to talk a little bit about what’s already in play and what we might see in the future,” said Annette White-Klososky.
According to White-Klososky, the state’s efforts to create a supportive environment for technological growth are already showing promising results. As Oklahoma continues to leverage AI in biotech, entrepreneurs in the state have the opportunity to establish cutting-edge innovation, contributing meaningfully to both the local economy and the broader industry.

“I’m excited to share what’s going on in our state, in our backyard,” said White-Klososky. “Oklahoma is poised to become an epicenter of AI innovation, and I believe this event is an opportunity to inspire and inform the community about the potential that lies ahead.”

Join Annette White-Klososky at the next Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, as she discusses AI innovations shaping Oklahoma’s future. The event will be open to members and guests in person at the Metro Tech Spring Lake Campus (1700 Springlake Drive in Oklahoma City) and via Zoom.

“You can learn a lot by just paying attention to what is happening in our state,” said White-Klososky. “I think it’s an opportunity for, and I know there’s a lot of things I probably don’t even know about that’s going on in our state, so I’m just as excited to be there where people are in the flow of innovation and new deals and entrepreneurs.”

Register to attend September 11, 2024 OVF Power Lunch

Gina Bertoletti
Moore Norman Technology Center

Fall is around the corner and OVF is in full swing! We begin with our annual membership kickoff. Please join us for an evening of networking and connection.

August 29^th at Cabin Boys Brewery

The first OVF power lunch is September 11th featuring Annette White-Klososky of FPOV as our main speaker and pitch presenter Jarad Lovett founder of Banded Together. Please register to attend.

If you haven’t renewed your membership, please consider doing so. Take advantage of an OVF sponsorship as a unique way to make your business known as well as support this dynamic organization.

Don’t forget, The Verge will host OVF events for those who can’t make it to Tulsa.

Thank you for your commitment to OVF. We look forward to seeing you!

OVF Power Lunch | OKC, OK

The Oklahoma Venture forum is honored to present the award for Economic Impact to Tulsa Remote.

The Oklahoma Venture Forum is proud to announce the 2024 Award for Economic Impact to Tulsa Remote. Tulsa Remote is a program that offers a $10,000 grant and other benefits to remote workers who move to and work from Tulsa.  

In 2018, Tulsa community leaders had a vision that saw Tulsa as a beacon to attract talent from diverse backgrounds and industries across the nation. Recognizing Tulsa's potential as a vibrant and welcoming community, they launched the Tulsa Remote program in November 2018, inviting full-time remote workers to live and work from the city for a year. 
 
Since the first movers arrived in early 2019, Tulsa Remote has grown exponentially, welcoming over 3,000 full-time remote workers to the community over the past five years. As they celebrate this anniversary, they’re also reflecting on the transformative impact Tulsa Remote has had on the city of Tulsa’s growth and diversity. 

Tulsa Remote is celebrating two significant milestones: five years of pioneering change in the remote workspace and the release of their 2023 economic impact report. This annual report highlights how their journey so far has shown steady economic growth, meeting their projections and reinforcing the value remote workers can have on a local economy. Among its findings, the report found: 

 As of December 2023, 2,819 Remoters have collectively generated $563.6 million in direct employment income, significantly contributing to Tulsa’s economic vitality.  

• The program’s influence continued to grow in 2023, with 2,252 participants who are currently in Tulsa contributing over $330 million in new labor income to the city.  
• More than 18% of the program alumni who plan to stay in Tulsa have ignited the local economy by starting their own businesses.  

Register to attend the 2024 OVF Awards Event

Ten-Nine Technologies was founded in 2014 with a dream of creating new materials for new economies. Today, Ten-Nine brings to market breakthrough materials for the energy and chemical industries across a broad range of applications, including energy storage. Ten-Nine’s proprietary nano additive, TENIX™, dramatically improves performance in cathodes - the primary driver of battery cost, performance, and greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a simple powder, produced sustainably and domestically, that can be dropped into manufacturing lines for all kinds of batteries from single-use alkaline cells to rechargeable EV packs. Ten-Nine is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and works with leading industry partners to transform energy storage with TENIX™.

We specialize in modernizing the patient referral process for specialty clinics. Our solution seamlessly automates the outdated and manual steps involved, without requiring any behavioral changes from the referring providers.

Our platform ensures a smooth transition by integrating effortlessly with existing workflows, ultimately enhancing efficiency and patient satisfaction.

Soaak Technologies, Inc. is a registered Delaware corporation with its headquarters in Tulsa, OK. Soaak is a health and wellness company dedicated to optimizing overall well-being through a comprehensive approach. Their innovative offerings include the Soaak App, which delivers clinically curated sound therapy and various digital resources. In addition to their digital health solutions, they operate Soaak Clinics providing specialized services like functional medicine and neurofeedback. With a global presence in over 130 countries, Soaak aims to revolutionize mental and emotional health by integrating cutting-edge technology with holistic healing practices. Soaak has delivered over 20 million minutes of sound therapy to date.

Sci-Lume Labs makes 100% recyclable Bylon, the truly circular apparel fiber to replace conventional fibers like nylon, polyester, and cotton. Bylon drops into the same manufacturing equipment used to make nylon and polyester, meaning it can scale quickly and compete at low price points. Bylon offers familiar performance versatility, combining the capability and tunability of synthetic fibers with the moisture properties and circularity of natural fibers. Bylon can be made from biobased feedstocks like agricultural waste, enabling industrial scale production without requiring land that would better be used to grow food. 

Register to attend the 2024 OVF Awards Event

The Importance of Storytelling in Business
An interview with OVF Awards Keynote Speaker, Matt Payne

by Dennis Spielman

In 2015, Matt Payne moved to Oklahoma with his wife, embarking on a journey of experimentation and reinvention. From adjunct professorship at Oklahoma City University to delving into photography and documentary filmmaking, Payne embraced each opportunity enthusiastically and determinedly. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found a soundstage business, aiming to propel Oklahoma’s film industry forward. Despite facing unfamiliar territory, Payne and his partners navigated the challenges, eventually expanding into a production company and creative agency within Prairie Surf. For Payne, the essence of his career lies in constant adaptation and storytelling.

“I think Oklahoma is an incredible place to be an entrepreneur, and it’s an incredible time to be an entrepreneur in Oklahoma,” said Matt Payne, CEO of Prairie Surf Creative. “We had the idea of turning a city building into a movie studio. Pretty quickly, we were able to get the city to believe in it. We were able to get the state to believe in this idea. We were able to get the entrepreneurial community; we were able to get the film community to all sort of rally around this idea. I don’t know that that happens in other cities. I don’t know that two entrepreneurs could come up with the idea that, ‘Hey, we’re going to take this 1.3 million square feet in downtown Oklahoma City and turn it into a movie studio and then actually have that happen in nine months.’”

As the keynote speaker for this year’s OVF Awards, Payne will delve into his background, emphasizing the crucial role of storytelling in business. He believes that in a world where everyone is vying for attention, it’s the emotional connection that a business creates that truly matters. His talk will guide entrepreneurs in reflecting on their journey, viewing themselves as the heroes driving their businesses forward, and reframing their narratives to highlight the obstacles overcome and the successes achieved. He will show how these stories can be leveraged to fuel future endeavors.

“The better our story, the better we tell our story, the more likely we are to have a successful business,” said Payne.

Join Matt Payne at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2024, to recognize the achievements of Oklahoma businesses. The OVF Venture of the Year, Most Promising New Venture, and the Award for Economic Impact are three of the most prestigious recognitions a company can receive. The event will be held at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr, Oklahoma City, OK). Register at ovf.org to attend.

“As an entrepreneur, as a business owner, you’re constantly in the trenches, constantly fighting, constantly dealing with a fire, looking for the next thing,” said Payne. “We rarely gather in our community and celebrate one another. And I think this event’s a great opportunity to celebrate individuals who have done a lot to celebrate our own successes because in celebrating ’em, we lay the groundwork to move on to more success.”

Register to attend the 2024 OVF Awards Event