INDEPENDENCE, Kan. — The Innovative Business Resource Center (IBRC) was selected
to participate in the Rural ACCEL-KS program in partnership with Groover Labs in
Wichita, helping expand innovation and entrepreneurship support opportunities in
Southeast Kansas.
Through the program, IBRC was able to award two $5,000 Rural Innovation Grants to
local entrepreneurs working to develop and validate innovative product ideas with
commercial potential.
The two awardees included Crystal Wonser of Independence, Kansas, creator of
“DeadWind Gum,” an innovative scent-control chewing gum designed for hunters, and
Tim Haynes of Haynes Design Solutions, developer of an adjustable construction
framing jig intended to improve accuracy and effi ciency for DIY builders and
contractors.
The Rural ACCEL-KS initiative is designed to help entrepreneurs in rural communities
move ideas from concept to commercialization by supporting early-stage research,
development, testing, and market validation activities.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Groover Labs and bring Rural ACCEL-
KS resources to entrepreneurs in our region,” said Jim Correll of IBRC. “Programs like
this help rural innovators take practical ideas and begin turning them into viable
businesses. We saw strong creativity and determination from both awardees, and these
grants are helping accelerate progress that may not have happened otherwise.”
Wonser’s project, DeadWind Gum, addresses what she identifi ed as an overlooked
challenge in the hunting industry: breath odor as part of scent control. Her product
combines natural ingredients with outdoor-inspired fl avors and unique packaging
designed specifi cally for hunters. Since receiving the award, Wonser has been
interviewing manufacturers and working toward fi nalizing a production partnership.
“This $5,000 has helped us take something we saw as a gap in the industry and start
turning it into a real product,” Wonser said.
Haynes’ project focuses on developing an adjustable framing jig that assists with joist
hanger placement and construction alignment for multiple lumber sizes. Grant funding
has helped accelerate prototype development, tooling purchases, and plans for initial
product testing and commercialization through home and garden shows.
“The ACCEL grant award has allowed me to buy materials and tooling to advance more
quickly through R&D of my device, and to plan for hitting the market next year,” Haynes
said.
Both projects remain in active development and are expected to continue prototype
refi nement, market testing, and early commercialization efforts through 2026.
Haynes is using the prototyping capabilities of the maker space at Life Skills Academy
(LSA), powered by IBRC, to develop and refi ne his working model. the LSA maker space
has tools that can help both of these entrepreneurs as they move through the
development, production and marketing phases of their products.
Groover Labs, based in Wichita, serves as a statewide innovation hub supporting
startups, inventors, and entrepreneurs across Kansas through programming,
mentorship, and collaborative partnerships.
For more information about IBRC and entrepreneurship programs in Southeast Kansas,
contact:
Innovative Business Resource Center (IBRC)
Jim Correll, Executive Director
620-252-5349
www.ibrcenter.org
Life Skills Academy and Maker Space
115 W Myrtle
Laura Schaid, Director
620-205-9288
www.ibrcenter.org/Life-Skills-Academy