KC Chamber’s Superstars celebration empowers everyday small business heroes
March 1, 2024 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program.
The Blueprint KC has come a long way, said Sheraz Pompey, emphasizing the meaningful impact of being showcased as one of the KC Chamber’s Small Business Superstars.
Victoria Campbell Osborne, The Scented Webb; Rickey Leathers, Savvy Salon KC; Vicky Kulikov, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; and Jannae Gammage, Foresight; at the KC Chamber’s Small Business Superstars reception; photos by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
“I’ve come through a lot of hurdles with managing time and finances,” Pompey, co-owner and designer of the Grandview boutique, explained Thursday evening at a celebration event for the 2024 Superstars. “It’s amazing being recognized because of all that I went through: us opening during COVID, coming out of it, still having a business today. It’s amazing. So for me, it’s a humbling experience.”
The Blueprint KC is one of about 2,000 Small Business Superstars — all for-profit businesses with fewer than 250 employees, headquartered in Greater Kansas City — honored this year in the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s initiative for emerging, Main Street, and startup ventures.
Check out photos from the event below.
“I think it’s empowerment for me,“ said Kenyata Gant, owner of Pink Lipps Cosmetics, about the importance of being recognized as a Superstar, especially as a woman. “No hate, no woman left behind, pull them up, encourage them in everything every day.”
About 500 entrepreneurs attended a reception — complete with networking, remarks from Chamber executives, several local vendors, a DJ, and a 360-degree photo booth — Thursday night at Town Pavilion in downtown Kansas City.
“It’s really important to set aside time just for celebrating small businesses,” noted Vicky Kulikov, small business director for the KC Chamber and lead coordinator of the Superstars program, now in its fourth year. “Nothing else is expected of these business owners, other than to let them know that we as an organization know they’re doing great work and the small business community is here to support them in whatever way we can.”
Small Business Superstars in the 2024 class are now eligible to become Chamber members if they currently aren’t, and able to apply for the 2024 Small Business of the Year “Mr. K” Award or one the Chamber’s specialty awards, such as emerging business or the first-time Luminary Arts and Creative Small Business Award.
RELATED: KC Chamber adds honor for artists, creatives to its awards lineup
Award applications are open now through March 20, culminating with the Chamber’s 2024 Small Business Celebration in June, where winners are announced.
Click here to learn more about the 2023 Small Business Celebration winners.
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
End-of-life care platform wins top UMKC prize in young startup’s first-ever pitch competition
Serving as someone’s informal caregiver is a rewarding experience, but the pressure of being fully responsible for taking care of a loved one can take a toll on a person physically and mentally, acknowledged Nicole Staab and Rachel Blankenship. Through their startup, Rings of Care KC, they are providing support and resources for informal caregivers…
Brewkery closing its North KC kombucha taproom as ‘Lucky Elixir’ production heats up
Five years after opening its popular North Kansas City hot spot, the Brewkery — home of Lucky Elixir Kombucha — is moving and closing its taproom, co-founder Amy Goldman shared. With its lease about to end and rent increasing substantially, Goldman said, the move makes sense for the growing kombucha business. Although it’s bittersweet to…
Variety entertainer’s magic trick: Knowing whether his audience wants a clown (or Ruby in drag)
Dennis Porter’s success as a performer is scripted by the North Kansas City native’s talent at reading a room — adapting his jokes and wide variety of entertainment styles to fit the audience. If he’s doing it right, one of Porter’s characters brings a healthy grin to their happy faces, he said. “I am over-blessed…
NFL Draft boosts small biz bottom lines: Here’s how to prepare for the tax impact of a sudden revenue bump
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Jamil Khan is chief strategy and small business officer for H&R Block, which was founded in Kansas City and boasts its headquarters in downtown KC. H&R Block is a financial supporter of Startland News. As Kansas City welcomes nearly 300,000 people for the…