Ever dream of starting a church, opening a hot dog stand, or creating a line of natural nail products? Well according to some Wichitans, now’s the time.

With layoffs increasing and jobs disappearing many are making the leap from being replaced to being the boss. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Wichita, despite the bearish economy.

A former Youth Pastor in Garden City, Kent Wagner spent a couple years planning to open his own church. In December he made the move to Andover and is building a team to launch Epic Church (www.Epic4life.com) in September of 2009. While Wagner admits the timing isn’t perfect, he’s still finding people willing to give to those who have a good vision. As for Wagner’s vision for his church, he wants to be something different. “I’d like to be the Walgreens of Churches,” the lead Pastor asserts. “Instead of offering everything, I’d like to have well-located small churches that offer specific services.”

Two other young men in Wichita believe now is a good time to start a new restaurant in Wichita, specializing in comfort food. Let’s Be Frank is Wichita’s newest hot dog restaurant located across Grove from East High.

Brad Standing and Kody Allen went to High School together and worked at a warehouse where they made minimum wage. The two decided they would learn as they went and opened their own restaurant featuring 40 different variations of hot dogs. They believe that something different and fun that offers good value is in style, no matter the economy.

Then there’s Jessica White-Padgett, who decided she’d leave her position at Hawker Beechcraft to build a business she enjoyed. White-Padgett had acrylic nails removed years ago and could find no one to fix the damaged nail left behind. Six years ago, she started making her own natural nail products. Now with Namasté Body Products ready for clients, she’s opened Fresh Spa Market, specializing in Natural Nail Health.

Fresh Spa Market recently opened at 411 N. Woodlawn, and while it’s been slow at first, White-Padgett says her services are still inexpensive enough for people to go out and splurge without destroying the family budget.

These three examples may be the optimists in the crowd, refusing to let their dreams die during uncertain times. But almost every one I met who was unemployed had found a silver lining…Carolyn Marie who was laid off and is supporting herself making jewelry and crocheting may now have the chance to go back to school to become a paralegal. Tammi who’s still looking for a job, may instead just grow her Partylite Candle business because she doesn’t miss having to be in the office by 8 am. Michael’s voluntary layoff package allowed him to pay off his home and, with fewer monthly expenses, start his own consulting business. He may have put it best calling this a “perfect storm of circumstance.”

With the storm still brewing, the only thing that remains to be seen is where you will land. Your job may not change, but who you do business with might. After all, freshly natural nails, a good ol’ American hot dog, and a chance to get closer to God are now being brought to you, thanks to the unemployment line.