People Under 30 Shaping Wichita

They’re out there starting businesses, climbing the corporate ladder, and carrying on family legacies. Before even hitting their thirties, these savvy young Wichitans are showing initiative and inspiration beyond their years.

The world of marketing has changed over the years, due especially to social media. Jaylee Hennessy, founder and owner of Hennessy Social, is well aware of today’s marketing shift and the need for businesses to adapt their marketing approach in order to be recognized. After building experience working for other businesses, Jaylee decided it was time to step out on her own in 2022. 

“It really came from my love of content creation and seeing an opportunity to help businesses and influencers better show who they are online.” — Jaylee Hennessy

Taci Klein is part of Jaylee’s team at Hennessy Social. For almost two years now, Taci has added her own unique talents and creativity to the marketing team while also studying full time to finish her degree. Between Jaylee’s past experiences and Taci’s fresh perspective, clients are getting the best of the best. 

“I’ve learned that social media isn’t just about posting content,” said Klein, “It’s about creating connections, highlighting the people behind a business and helping a community feel more connected,”

With over 300 content shoots and so much more, Hennessy Social is making waves in Wichita. It doesn’t matter how young you are or even if you’re still in college, if you have a passion and skills, don’t be afraid to step out and make something happen, just like Jaylee and Taci. 

One of the most interesting things about this current job market is the variety of roles and uses one can get out of a college degree. For Peyton Wilson, shifting from his goal of studying law to pursuing a field in economics and finance became a way for him to explore his enjoyment of programming and coding. 

From the beginning, regardless of his pursuits, Wilson’s goal has always been: “Learn as much as you can.” Through all his roles and hobbies, Wilson has always striven to gain knowledge and experience while remaining humble. This mindset carried him through his time at Washburn College, where he earned his degree in economics and data analytics, all the way into his current role at Koch Industries, which he calls “the best job he’s ever had.”

“Learn as much as you can.” — Peyton Wilson

Wilson’s current role at Koch as a market risk manager allows him to dive deep into his combined interests in financial markets and programming. The days in which he’s able to engage in these interests are the ones he enjoys the most. Many college students and young adults who are just beginning their career likely feel anxiety about switching fields — yet Wilson is a good example of someone who found success while taking the risk. He allowed himself to pursue what he was truly excited about, which can be a rarity. 

Wilson’s message of learning to lean into what you love could resonate and inspire professionals in every field.

Many children grow up with fairly typical, and maybe generic, ideas for what they want to be when they grow up. Hillard Cozine, director of operations for Cozine Memorial Group, had a completely different picture for his career. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father before him, he is wholly dedicated to his four-generation family business. 

After obtaining his bachelor’s in finance from Kansas State University, his funeral service education at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and, most recently, his master’s in management from Harvard University, Cozine found himself eager and ready to take his place in this storied business. 

“The older I get, the more I realize that leadership has more to do with listening, being dependable, admitting mistakes, and caring for others around you.” — Hillard Cozine

His current role as director of operations is all encompassing, explains Cozine: “No two days look the same. On any given day, I may be helping a family, working on our cemetery operations, supporting marketing efforts, improving internal systems, or helping move a project forward. The mix of hands-on service work and behind-the scenes business responsibilities keeps things both challenging and meaningful.” Cozine recognizes how fortunate he is to be able to work in a role he loves, contributing alongside family he admires and looks up to. 

Cozine has come to learn over the years how important and often heavy the business of funeral service can be: “The older I get, the more I realize that leadership has more to do with listening, being dependable, admitting mistakes, and caring for others around you.”

When your career goes in a different direction than you initially planned, you have two choices: One, you can complain, gripe, and spend your time wishing for something else. Two, you can embrace every opportunity that comes your way and use it as personal and professional development. This is how Taylor Jameson has settled into her own role as a transportation and logistics operation assistant at Cargill. 

“I’m grateful to work in an environment where I can build all my business skills from a broader spectrum, while gaining years of experience along the way.” — Taylor Jameson

In pursuit of her goals, Jameson attended George Mason University to play basketball and to study business marketing and sports management. She finished her master’s in human resources management at Wichita State University. “I originally planned to go the HR route out of college,” said Jameson. “But that wasn’t as easy as I expected … yet I’m grateful to work in an environment where I can build all my business skills from a broader spectrum, while gaining years of experience along the way.” 

In addition to her full-time role at Cargill, Jameson is also a certified KCAC basketball official. This in itself is a commitment, as KCAC-level officials are required to undergo extensive training and qualifications to referee at the collegiate level. 

Jameson draws inspiration from her mother, Susan, who continually instills the confidence in her daughter that she’s capable of anything she sets her mind to. With that inspiration, Jameson’s message to her younger self is: “Stop under-qualifying yourself for blessings God specifically put only your name on.”