These two Small Biz of the Year finalists are among the half-dozen KC firms honored as Inc.’s ‘Best Workplaces’

A workplace in the era of talent shortages and a hyper-competitive jobs market is only as good as its ability to meet employees’ nuanced needs, said Melea McRae, a top founder whose marketing company was among six Kansas City firms selected for Inc. magazine’s Best Workplaces list.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade in February passes by Crux’s offices on McGee Street, near Crown Center, with Crux team members in the front row seats; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

“Through our un-agency business model, we’ve built a results-oriented culture that embodies our values, where everyone feels welcomed and valued, placing an emphasis on flexibility and well-being while delivering for our clients,” said McRae, CEO of Crux, noting her team was deeply honored to make the list for 2023.

Crux and fellow “Best Workplace” honoree Crema, a digital product agency in the Crossroads Arts District, also are both finalists for the “Mr K” Award, the Small Business of the Year recognition presented annually by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to learn more about the Top 10 finalists for Small Business of the Year.

Inc.’s popular Best Workplaces report is featured in the national publication’s May/June issue, which hits stands May 16, as well as being prominently featured online. The list measures and elevates workplace practices that boost company culture, place and space — whether operating in a physical or virtual facility.

Click here to explore the Inc. Best Workplaces list and its 591 honorees. 

The full list of Kansas City companies in the just-released feature:

• 27Global (Steve Roatch), Leawood — IT consulting company serving forward-thinking clients across the U.S., including financial services, software development, manufacturing, and more.

• Chief of Staff Kansas City (Casey Wright), Kansas City, Missouri — Kansas City recruiters who focus on finding the right job and culture fit for both our candidates and clients.

• Crema (George Brooks, Dan Linhart), Kansas City, Missouri — Design consultancy helping companies build the custom software they need to compete in today’s market.

• CrowdPharm (Mike Myers, Steve Bernstein), Kansas City, Missouri — Full-service advertising and marketing agency offering a proprietary global network of vetted on-demand health care talent.

• Crux (Melea McRae), Kansas City, Missouri — Combining business acumen with executive-level marketing strategy, offering a simpler, affordable outsourced marketing solution for organizations of all sizes.

• Text In Church (Tyler Smith), Parkville, Missouri — The premier email, texting, and cloud-based phone system software for churches, enabling members to nurture authentic relationships with their communities.

Each company that was nominated took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, which included topics such as management effectiveness, perks, fostering employee growth and overall company culture, according to Inc. The organizations’ benefits were also audited to determine overall score and ranking.

“Being named to Best Workplaces is an honor that only a small fraction of companies have been able to claim,” said Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Proving to the world that you’re a magnet for talent and have a culture that keeps teams engaged, productive, and proud to come to work is a truly remarkable achievement.” 

An in-house marketing team outsourced, Crux believes cultivating a healthy work culture is essential for producing results that exceed the needs of their clients, McRae detailed in a press release. This achievement is made possible with its multifaceted team and culture fueled by collaboration, inclusivity and work-life balance, she said.

Click here to learn more about Crux and its un-agency business model.

Crema team members pose for a photo at the KC Chamber’s 2023 Small Business Top 10 Reception; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

During a reception Friday for the KC Chamber’s Top 10 Small Business of the Year finalists,  company leaders took turns sharing glimpses of their businesses with the audience, and many underscored how employee relations and retention had contributed to their success.

“We set out to build the company that we wanted to work for,” Crema’s Brooks shared at the event. “We’re in the business of people; we just happen to design and build technology. … People want to be seen, heard, and known, and so for us, that’s a big initiative.”

Crema emphasizes that focus on its people — both employees and clients — with what Brooks called a “results-based culture.”

“I don’t care when or where you work, as long as your team and your client are supported,” Brooks said. “I don’t care about butts in seats; I care about people serving other people.”

Click here to explore Crema and its transformational innovation projects.