Celebrating HEMP

sys-tek has plenty of reasons to celebrate the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentorship Program (HEMP).  sys-tek and HEMP have had a very close relationship since 1995.  Click here to find out why HEMP is so special to us.

As many of us know Barnett Helzberg’s 23-year mentoring relationship with Ewing Kauffman inspired the formation of the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program (HEMP) over 15 years ago. Mr. Kauffman entrepreneurial story provides more than just inspiration; it provides hope that the American Dream can be realized. sys-tek was selected for the HEMP program in 2005, which at the time sys-tek was on its deathbed with very little hope of keeping the 10 year old company alive. Owner, Gary Short, says he really did not know what else to do but kept getting up every morning and going to work. In steps the HEMP organization. Through the mentoring relationship of one of HEMP’s finest mentors, Ray Pittman; sys-tek reenergized and regained life through the support of the HEMP.

As many of you may recall, in 1995 the construction industry was booming. Every Architect, Engineer and Contractor had more work than they knew what to do with. However, sys-tek was in an industry that at that time had all but stopped due to the burst of the .com bubble.

Gary Short reflects back when the HEMP organization came to his office in August of 1995 to interview him and sys-tek as a candidate for the HEMP program. Gary recalls being totally honest with the group. After which, he figured, would be the last he would see of Ray given the state of affairs sys-tek was in. Needless to say, when a letter arrived the following month indicating that sys-tek was accepted into the program Gary thought that the letter was received in error. Gary recalls immediately calling the HEMP group to notify them of their mistake. To his amazement hey said they did not make a mistake and their view of sys-tek fit the model for the HEMP organization, whose mission is; to strengthen entrepreneurial leaders through excellence in mentoring. Through the mentoring relationship, small businesses grow and prosper, which in turn provides opportunities, and more importantly employment.

It is not news the challenges the construction industry has experienced during this recession. The construction industry remains in its greatest decline since the Great Depression. But for the past two year’s sys-tek has experienced a growth of 20% in 2010 and 30% in 2011. This growth can be contributed to the HEMP program for breathing life into a company that had all but expired in 1995. Gary Short is the first to admit, that if it was solely up to him, he would have destroyed the company. He is certain that without the help of the mentoring process and the support of the entire HEMP organization sys-tek would not be currently providing employment in two cities (Kansas City and Houston) for 18 people.

We hear it from the newsstands and every politician; small business is the backbone for the country and will be the catalyst for the country to move forward and provide employment to help pull us out of this recession. The HEMP organization has been sounding this mantra for over 15 years. This is not news to us.

Thank you, Barnett Helzberg, for sharing how your relationship with the Entrepreneurial Leader Mr. Kauffman benefited you and from that inspiration started the HEMP organization. Special thanks to Ray Pitman who is Gary Short’s Mentor and more importantly close Friend.