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🍷 Episode Summary
What if the next big idea didn’t come from Silicon Valley… but from right here in Wichita?

In this episode, we sit down with Tracy Hoover, founder of Groover Labs, to talk about what it really takes to build something from the ground up and why you might not have to leave home to do it. From her background in big tech to creating a space where founders, developers, and creatives can collide and collaborate, Tracy shares how Groover Labs is helping shape the future of innovation in Kansas.

We explore the realities of entrepreneurship, the power of being surrounded by other builders, and the idea that sometimes what a city needs most isn’t more talent… it’s a place for that talent to come together.

Because big ideas? They’re not limited by geography. They’re just waiting for the right environment to grow.

🥂 In This Episode

• Tracy’s journey from Hewlett-Packard and startup leadership to founding Groover Labs
• The moment she realized Wichita needed a physical hub for builders and founders
• What Groover Labs actually is (and why it’s so much more than coworking)
• The role of space, tools, and proximity in accelerating ideas
• Why startups don’t just need funding… they need structure and support
• Inside the ACCEL-KS program and how it’s helping founders across Kansas
• Real examples of builders creating, prototyping, and refining ideas at Groover
• The truth about Midwest talent and why people are choosing to stay
• How community fuels innovation in ways you can’t replicate alone
  
  

💡 Key Takeaways

You don’t have to leave to build something big.
The narrative that success only exists on the coasts is shifting and Wichita is part of that story.

Ideas need more than inspiration. They need infrastructure.
Groover Labs exists to give founders a place to actually build, not just brainstorm.

Funding helps, but guidance changes everything.
Programs like ACCEL-KS show that mentorship, structure, and feedback can be just as valuable as capital.

Community is the multiplier.
There’s something powerful about being surrounded by people who are also in the messy, in-progress stage of building.

🔥 Memorable Moments

• The realization that Wichita didn’t lack talent… it lacked a central place for that talent to connect
• Founders evolving from modifying products to creating original prototypes
• The idea that even founders who didn’t receive funding still gained clarity and direction
• The energy inside Groover Labs when multiple builders are working and collaborating at the same time
  
  

🔗 Resources + Links

• Groover Labs — learn more, explore membership, and get involved
• ACCEL-KS — supporting early-stage founders across Kansas
  
  

🍷 Join the Conversation

Have you ever felt like you had to leave your city to chase something bigger?

Or have you seen something incredible being built right where you are?

We’d love to hear your story. Come join the conversation with us.

⭐️ If You Loved This Episode…

Share it with a friend, tag us on social, or leave a review. It helps more people discover conversations like this one.

And as always…

So THIS Happened. 🍷✨

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Cheers to Episode 36! This week’s episode unexpectedly turned into a celebration of live performance, unforgettable nights out and the artists who shape the soundtrack of our lives.

Jen and Rachel recap an electric night at Broadway in Wichita’s production of STOMP, explore the glamour and chaos of showbiz in Rachel’s Hits Different song assignment, and share memories of legendary local musician Jenny Wood, whose influence on the Wichita music scene will never be forgotten.

From rhythm-filled stages to sequined showgirl energy to heartfelt reflections on the power of music and community, this episode is a reminder that the show must go on.

🎭 Broadway in Wichita: STOMP

Jen and Rachel dive into their experience seeing STOMP, the iconic percussion performance that transforms everyday objects into music. They talk about:

• The incredible creativity of the production
• Trash can choreography and inventive rhythms
• The humor and audience interaction that made the show unforgettable
• Jen’s longtime fascination with STOMP after seeing it referenced in her childhood dance studio

The result? A standing ovation and a renewed appreciation for the magic of live performance.

🎶 Hits Different: Life of a Showgirl

Rachel’s song assignment this week brings the glamour.

The two unpack “Life of a Showgirl” by Taylor Swift feat. Sabrina Carpenter, exploring themes of:

• Performance and persona
• The sparkle and chaos behind showbiz
• Why showgirl energy feels perfectly aligned with the spirit of this episode

And of course, the conversation leads to one important realization:

Sequins are forever.

💚 Honoring Wichita Musician Jenny Wood

The episode also includes a heartfelt tribute to Jenny Wood, a beloved Wichita singer-songwriter who recently passed away.

Jen shares memories of:

• Seeing Jenny perform years ago in Wichita’s local music scene
• Jenny’s powerful song “I Am Not Scared” and the way she brought children on stage to sing it with her
• Interviewing Jenny in 2018 ahead of the release of her album Truth Has Legs
• Jenny’s album launch event at the Crown Uptown Theatre

Jenny wasn’t just a performer. She was an artist who lifted others up, especially young people, and helped shape the Wichita music community.

At the end of the episode, we share a video of Jenny performing live in Wichita.

Rest in peace, Jenny Wood. Your music lives on.

Jen and Rachel also catch up on what’s been happening around Wichita this week:

• A night of trivia with friends
• Coffee Breaks at Goldfinch Coffee
• Getting ready for the legendary Delano St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebrations

If you’re celebrating in Wichita this weekend… you just might spot them in green.

Next episode, Jen and Rachel will be recording Episode 37 at Groover Labs with guest Tracy. Expect more stories, more laughs and more local adventures.

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🥂 Cheers to unforgettable nights, live music an

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This week, we recorded from the upstairs loft at The Depot (shoutout to Jeff and those $10 Sunday pizzas 🙌) and welcomed Kiah and Bella of Roaming Spirits Bar for a conversation about building a business with boldness, heart and just the right amount of controlled chaos.

From homemade syrups to espresso martinis with tequila (yes, tequila), this episode is about more than cocktails. It’s about showing up, taking risks and choosing ambition on purpose.

We’re sipping blueberry lavender lemonade and a cinnamon espresso martini while talking about:

• Starting a mobile bartending business on a literal TikTok sign
• Moving states to chase a dream
• Being women-owned in the hospitality industry
• The momentum shift from 5 events in a year… to 4 in one month
• Why cost-effective doesn’t mean cookie-cutter
• The real value of investing in experience

This one is fun, inspiring and just a little bit unhinged in the best way.

💡 How Roaming Spirits Started

A cruise.
A conversation about hating their jobs.
A TikTok that said “start a mobile bartending business.”
A house that “just happened” to become available.

Bella packed up a U-Haul.
Kiah leaned into marketing.
They built their bar together.

And just like that… Roaming Spirits was born.

👯‍♀️ Women-Owned & Unapologetic

We talk about:

• What it’s like being women business owners in a male-dominated industry
• The difference between being the face of a bar… and owning it
• Community over competition
• Supporting other local women-owned businesses (Dress Gallery, Set Theory Marketing, Crumbs by Jaz, Vu Events and more)

Their approach is collaborative, transparent and rooted in lifting others up.

📈 The March Momentum
Last year: 5 total events.
This March alone: 4 bookings.

Including:

• A Vietnamese tea engagement ceremony
• A bridal event with Dress Gallery
• A branding re-launch with custom rose espresso martinis
• A storefront celebration for Set Theory Marketing

Momentum feels exciting… and a little overwhelming. But they’re embracing it.

🍹 What Makes Them Different
Roaming Spirits:

• Curates signature cocktails around the client
• Provides custom alcohol lists so clients aren’t overwhelmed
• Makes all syrups in-house
• Offers open bar packages with no hidden fees
• Allows clients to keep leftover alcohol

Their philosophy:

The cost of not investing in experience? A cookie-cutter event.And they are not here for cookie-cutter.

❤️ Real Talk Moments
We close with reflections on:

• Not apologizing for being loud
• Allowing yourself to ask questions instead of pretending to know everything
• Showing up for your business partner on hard days
• Building something that feels like alignment, not obligation

This episode is proof that ambition doesn’t have to be harsh. It can be spirited.

🎭 What’s Coming Up

• We’re seeing STOMP with Broadway in Wichita (March 4!)
• Tracy from Groover Labs joins us later this month
• And yes… we’re already planning a Roaming Spirits content day collab
  
  

📲 Connect with Roaming Spirits

Follow them on Instagram: @roaming.spiritsbar
Check out their website for bookings and upcoming merch.

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