Current Topics

CHARLIE HUSTLE WINS 2021 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Jun 25, 2021

Category:

Small Business Celebration · Business Awards · KC Chamber

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2021 Small Business of the Year is Charlie Hustle! Founder and CEO Chase McAnulty accepted the Mr. K Award at the Chamber’s Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon, Thursday June 24 at the Downtown Marriott. Read Article

Member Spotlight: Lead Bank - Where are they now?

Oct 19, 2020

Category:

Member News · Small Business Celebration · Business Awards · Case Study

When Lead Bank President & CEO Josh Rowland talks about the role his bank is playing to help people during this global pandemic, it’s clear he understands why banks are so important right now. “Banking is really an essential service and we have a job to do. We have a job to make sure people are getting access to their money. And the ways they have to manage their business.” Read Article

Pro Athlete, Inc. Wins 2020 Small Business of the Year

Oct 15, 2020

Category:

Small Business Celebration · Business Awards · Small Business

It’s a home run for Pro Athlete, Inc. The eCommerce business was named the KC Chamber’s 2020 Small Business of the Year at the Chamber’s first-ever virtual Small Business Award Event. CEO Andrew Dowis was virtually presented with the Mr. K Award, named after Kansas City’s legendary entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ewing Marion Kauffman. “This is a huge honor,” said CEO Andrew Dowis accepting the award. Read Article

Member Spotlight: Traders Insurance

Oct 13, 2020

Category:

Member News · Small Business Celebration · Business Awards · Case Study

To hear an insurance agency say “we love claims!” might make you a little skeptical. But when you hear the team at Traders Insurance say why they love claims, you can understand why the 46-year-old agency is a 2020 Top Ten Small Business. “We love claims,” said CEO Mark Concannon. “We don’t like the real trauma accidents cause, but we welcome the opportunity to deliver on our promise. It’s our opportunity to shine. We service thousands of claims every month and we constantly look for ways to achieve better, faster resolution of claims.” Read Article

Member Spotlight: Prairie Elder Care

Oct 08, 2020

Category:

Member News · Small Business Celebration · Business Awards · Case Study

When an elementary school teacher and an RN set out to combine their skills and talents in 2012, they wanted to do something that would help others. Sisters-in-law Mandy Shoemaker and Michala Gibson purchased Elder Care and Transitions Consulting LLC in 2013, a geriatric care management company. As they helped people navigate care for elderly, Mandy and Michala realized there was a need for dementia care that provided something different. They knew they could be different. In 2014, they founded Prairie Elder Care. Read Article

Member Spotlight: Pro Athlete

Oct 08, 2020

Category:

Member News · Small Business Celebration · Business Awards · Case Study

For a company that prides itself on its office culture, physical workspace, and unique employee perks such as an in-house trainer, chef, and even a hair stylist, 2020 Top 10 Small Business Pro Athlete spent a lot of time reflecting on their core values when COVID hit. Founded in a shopping center in 1987, Pro Athlete has evolved into an eCommerce giant that now operates from its own facility in Parkville. Pro Athlete has become a go-to retailer in the area for baseball bats and gloves. Read Article

Member Spotlight: Signal Theory

Oct 06, 2020

Category:

Member News · Small Business Celebration · Business Awards · Case Study

For advertising and marketing firm Signal Theory, the name isn’t just a name. It’s how this Top 10 Small Business approaches their work – through signals. Read Article

Member Spotlight: Messenger Coffee

Oct 05, 2020

Category:

Member News · Small Business Celebration · Business Awards · Case Study

For Messenger Coffee Co., it’s all about the two Rs: respect and relationships. Both have guided this small business since it was founded in 2013 by three small coffee shop owners who wanted to change the future of coffee and pastry in Kansas City and beyond. Read Article

Member Spotlight: McLain's Bakery

Sep 30, 2020

Category:

Member News · Small Business Celebration · Business Awards · Case Study

Greater Kansas City has no shortage of delicious bakeries and coffee houses, but one name has been around longer than most: McLain’s. This expanding bakery was founded 75 years ago and is one of the KC Chamber’s 2020 Top 10 Small Businesses. A big reason for McLain’s longevity and success? A healthy respect for the tradition of the past while embracing the future. Read Article

Member Spotlight: Chicken N Pickle

Sep 22, 2020

Category:

Member News · Small Business Celebration · Business Awards

It began as an idea over cold beer and jerk chicken in the Grand Cayman Islands and evolved into a pickleball court in North Kansas City. Now, it’s a growing small business with multiple locations across the country. Chicken N Pickle is our latest Top 10 Small Business to step into the Member Spotlight. Read Article