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
White Castle invented sliders (and the playbook for fast food); then the Kansas-fried chain vanished from its home state
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. For more stories like this one, subscribe to A People’s History of Kansas City on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. The White Castle chain began in 1921…
New book from KC heavy hitters: Keep your pitch firmly in the feels; avoid being forgotten before you leave the room
Editor’s note: The following contains an excerpt from “Go Big or Go Home,” a new book by Diana Kander, Kansas City serial entrepreneur, and Tucker Trotter, CEO of Overland Park-based Dimensional Innovations (DI). Click here to learn more about “Go Big or Go Home,” available March 28. The secret to a winning pitch isn’t necessarily…
DevStride founder finds himself ‘locking arms with frontline customers’ in bid to catch their mistakes early
Implementing and monitoring complex software cycles is a tedious process, Phil Reynolds said, which is why he and his team are working to drive better project management principles and improve outcomes through their software solution. “We are really trying to transform the way that teams go about implementing and managing agile software development cycles. Our…
Deep Rooted plants new store at busy Troost shopping hub; Here’s how the streetwear brand is growing
A Kansas City streetwear brand is extending its roots on the city’s east side, said owner Donnell Jamison. Deep Rooted — which Jamison launched in 2018 out of the trunk of his car — has a new home in the shopping center at Troost Avenue and Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard. “We just want to be that…