business

There was a time when Peri Widener thought she might make a career as a pianist.

Instead, she took her communications degree from Wichita State University and spent nearly 40 years with Boeing, retiring in 2017 as vice president and general manager for Global Services.

And she learned that her background in music and communications — plus a minor in business — was a strength in the international business world.

When Bob Daniels started telling people he wanted to start a shrimp farm in Sumner County, the response was what you might expect.

"'You're going to sell bait, huh?'" he said laughing while recalling one comment. "In fact, when we started looking to grow the shrimp and look for some financing … the local banker said, 'Well, you're never going to sell this.'

"Now, it turns out, I can't grow it fast enough to sell what people were willing to buy."

This week on The Range, we travel to Wilmore, Kansas, population 37, where an unusual attraction can make even adults feel like kids again.

Plus, you've heard it before, likely any time aviation takes a hit: Diversify Wichita's economy. But what does that really mean?

Wichita Eagle employment reporter Megan Stringer recently looked into that very question. We talk to her about what a diversified economy could look like in Wichita.

With so many people working from home during the pandemic, it raises the question: Will we ever go back to the office?

This week on The Range, after a steady drumbeat of bad business news, we're focusing on the sunnier side of things, including what's keeping one local economist optimistic.