Olathe Chris Smith, co-founder and CEO at Olathe, Kan.-based Career Athletes, believes in "affinity ecosystems"—networks that give users a head start through an existing common bond or relationship. Smith, a former Missouri State University football player, began believing in this type of network during a leadership conference put on by his former employer, Eli Lilly. While waiting for the company's president to speak, the crowd sat silent—no one was … read more

Olathe Garmin co-founder Min Kao points to an early decision to provide insurance and other benefits to employees as one that helped his company build a strong corporate culture. "Even when advisors said 'no, don't do that til you're successful,' but we did," Kao (left) told the Kansas City Star in what the outlet called a rare interview. Kao, along with Gary Burrell, started Garmin in 1989. Today, the … read more