This last day of the year is also the last day for Plank Provisions in Omaha’s Old Market.
Plank Provisions is part of the Flagship Restaurant Group and will be replaced with another of their restaurants, Anthem. Anthem is a restaurant featuring Texas Asian fusion offerings.
I tried new items: the Faroe Island Salmon and the Fosters Bread Pudding.
The Faroe Island Salmon was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The pepper coulis was a nice counter balance to the salmon.
Goodbye Plank. You and the leaving staff will be missed. (Some of the staff will remain for Anthem.)
Deep purple background with golden text (Happy Holidays, Little Mountain Web Design) on left and image on the right (golden ribbon forming a tree with star decorations and star on top)
La Kesha Johnson with Omaha printing equipment in the background
La Kesha Johnson.
Please tell me a little bit about yourself and how you came to own your business.
I discovered that I was a creative person back when I was working in the corporate world. I worked at Bank of the West corporate building and as a creative person, that was something that was just like, no, I can’t do this.
So in 2019, I started to explore YouTube for business ideas. One morning, Youtube suggested a video of a guy screen printing T-shirts in his garage. I watched that video at least 20 times, and I was like,”Man, all I wear is T-shirts and hoodies!”
In late 2019, I bought my first piece of equipment: a heat press. Then a few months later, COVID happened and the bank sent us home to work. So from 2020 to 2023, I spent a lot of time just trying to teach myself the entirety of the screen printing process. Everything was closed, so I couldn’t take classes or anything. But in 2023, I decided it was time to invest in some in-person training with my mentor in Texas.
I ended up landing my first big order in August of 2023. So I decided to jump ship because at the time the bank was in the middle of a transition.
I ended up quitting the corporate job September 6, 2023.
What kind of things do you print?
I specialize in screen printing. T-shirts, hoodies, anything you can wear.
I also do what’s called digital printing. Some people may know that as DTF (Direct to Film). So that’s basically just me doing a transfer. I offer embroidery as well.
I also specialize in signage: tablecloths, backdrops, retractable banners.
So a lot of people tend to come to me to get both as a package in one place.
What kind of kind of companies have you worked with before?
I do a lot of nonprofit work. At least 50% of the jobs I get are from local nonprofits.
The other portion of my work comes from a combination of small businesses like coffee shops. I also get a lot from contractors.
What types of apparel have you printed?
The bulk of my work is T-shirts but I also do a lot of hoodies when it gets cold.
I do a lot of zip hoodies and jackets. I occasionally get hats.
Is there a question you wished I would have asked?
My most favorite thing about what I do has nothing to do with the printing.
I love when I get to meet people in person, walk into their establishment, and see
the excitement on their face. It makes me so happy to see people get so excited to see their new apparel!
Another one of my favorite parts about the process is doing the test print. That moment where I get to see that image coming together for the first time, it’s just so great, and I love it.
I get to give back. I get to directly see the impact that I’m making on these businesses and the people that get to wear this apparel. So, that makes me excited!
Call Imperial Custom Printing in Omaha at (402) 290-5538 today for your custom apparel printing needs!
Katie Bassett holds the Rising Star Award from NEBRASKAland Foundation for the Riverfront
This is OmahaNebraska.com with…
Katie Bassett. I’m the Vice President of Parks for MECA.
Please tell me a little bit about what you do at MECA and then about the Riverfront and the award.
Absolutely. I help support the teams that maintain the space, secure it, activate it, and really make the Riverfront the vibrant place that it is. I also oversaw the design and construction of the Riverfront from MECA. So really, I’m a facilitator and supporter of everyone who’s worked here.
That’s quite a job.
No, it’s been fun. We’re really honored to be curators of such a destination place in Omaha and a place where everyone feels welcome and everyone feels like they can come here and find something for them here, whether that is a playground or the performance space or an event that we’re putting on.
So many wonderful things to do down here and then across the city.
Yeah, definitely, definitely.
Is there a question you would have liked me to ask that I didn’t?
I would say we’re honored to get this award here. Just being kind of that place that people recognize for the state of Nebraska, a place that visitors come here and probably didn’t know that it was here but are surprised and impressed once they get here, and it’s something that they remember for the state of Nebraska and for the city of Omaha. We’re a beautiful park space with also a highly activated park space. We’re working on our end-of-year wrap up, and our events team put on over 700 free events this year. We’re seeing millions of visitors on an annual basis. So we’re happy to activate in the heart of downtown Omaha and are honored to receive this award.
Jennifer Creager, and I’m Vice President of the NEBRASKAland Foundation.
Tell us a little bit about the NEBRASKAland Foundation.
It was established in the ’60s by Governor Frank Morrison, and it was intended to promote all things about Nebraska. It was a precursor to the tourism efforts and really the Department of Economic Development. Our objective is to be a cheerleader for the state and amplify attractions and economic development projects that make Nebraska a better place.
There are so many wonderful places to visit in Nebraska and things to do and see, but they don’t get enough spotlights, so it’s wonderful that you do that.
Yeah, so the Omaha Riverfront is one of our five awards for the year. We purposely picked locations around the state. Last week we were in Kearney, we gave the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney an award, the Willie Cather Center in Red Cloud, we were there. I think tomorrow we’re giving the redeveloped riverfront in Norfolk an award, and then there’s a sculpture garden in Bartlett that will be our fifth.
So many places to put on your next trip.
Yeah, that’s right. And I think it’s a really nice complement to the Passport Program, which has been good at elevating small businesses. We haven’t done an award for about five years, so we felt like it was time to get back out there and make sure people are aware of all these really great opportunities in Nebraska.
If people want to learn more, where should they go?
NEBRASKAlandFoundation.org. We are getting ready to update the website because it’s very outdated. We want to put up pictures of all the award winners.
