Office This will house Mindfire Academy

A year ago, a prominent Wichitan approached Office This developer Max Cole with an idea for a school to teach adults and children digital video, audio, Web design and game art (the art of making video games).

Cole thought it was a great idea but he wasn't interested in doing schools at the time.

His connection with Bethel House Training Institute , a school at Office This that teaches nursing assistants and other medical personnel, changed that.

So this summer, Cole — with help from the unnamed Wichitan — is opening Mindfire Academy in 50,000 square feet at Office This, 4031 E. Harry.

He's beginning to build the technology training rooms now.

"That's what everybody's interested in," Cole says.

He says there's so much to know.

Back when he was in school, Cole says, "We didn't even have Texas Instruments calculators, let alone all the things we do now."

Mindfire will open in June as a summer camp for adults and kids.

Five-day courses will cost just over $900. Two-week courses will cost between $1,600 and $1,800.

"It'll transition into 10-week courses and beyond," Cole says.

He's seeking accreditation from companies like Microsoft to teach skills on certain operating systems that could translate into jobs.

For kids, Cole thinks the courses can spur interest in math and science "and they won't even know it."

"It'll be a big, big winner," Cole says.

His own experience with education is part of what's inspiring Cole to have another school at Office This.

"I thought I'd get even with all the (teachers) who flunked me in years past."

Budding business

Sunflower Title is opening another new location. This one — the ninth — is at 1907 S. Hydraulic.

"This is not a big office," says president Richard Schodorf . "It just gives us more of a presence down south."

The company also opened a location at the Waterfront at 13th and Webb Road on Tuesday.

Sunflower has opened eight sites within the last 10 months.

"The market out there is phenomenal," Schodorf says.

"The unfortunate thing and the wonderful thing about a recession (is) you have as an employer an opportunity to hire wonderful people," he says. "We've been so excited about the people we've been able to attract."

He says the last four people he's hired have a total of 32 years of experience.

"We always tell other people, other businesses, you've got to think long term," Schodorf says. "If you're thinking about hiring people when the market turns around, they're not going to be there."

Open for business

Paul Cohlmia is opening his new Riverside Too today in the former Livingston's Cafe at 924 S. Woodlawn.

Riverside Too will feature the same menu as Cohlmia's Riverside Cafe on West 13th Street in Riverside.

"Everything's the same," Cohlmia says of his two restaurants.

The interior eventually will look the same as well. Cohlmia says he's already painted the new space the same, and within a month or two, he'll have old pictures of Wichita hanging on the walls like he does in his other cafe.

Hours are the same, too: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Bob Livingston and his wife still will own Livingston's Diner at 832 N. Webb Road and Jeanne's Cafe in Lincoln Heights Village at Douglas and Oliver.

You don't say

"I got C's in college, and I've got my own jet and my own boat. Don't tell me it's not about luck."

—Jack DeBoer , who spoke at the Wichita Independent Business Association's March luncheon Wednesday and downplayed the role of education and intelligence in business success

This story was originally published March 11, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Office This will house Mindfire Academy."