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
Community Builders to Watch: Dan Smith and Charon Thompson grow an equitable future for KC by focusing on the now
Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing six Kansas City changemakers from five local organizations in its inaugural Community Builders to Watch list. The following highlights two of the 2021 honorees, selected from more than 100 initial nominees by a panel of judges. Click here to view the full list of Community Builders to Watch —…
Why underserved founders shouldn’t patiently ‘wait their turn’; Pipeline Pathfinder applications close Nov. 9
Editor’s note: Pipeline is a financial supporter of Startland News. Pipeline’s new Pathfinder program is accepting applications through Nov. 9. Click here to apply. Proof points long used to indicate a startup’s readiness to scale or raise capital favor white, male-led companies, said Melissa Vincent, stressing traditional markers like even a founder’s ability to dedicate…
Startup’s tech hits Hallmark shelves with video greeting cards; partnership ‘worth the wait’
Kansas City creative giant Hallmark’s newly announced line of video greeting cards is more than a one-of-a-kind product innovation — it’s the outcome of an extended startup partnership that was years in the making, Laura Steward said. “In 2015, we won a Launch KC grant,” recalled Steward, founder and CEO of Kearney, Missouri-based VideoFizz, describing the…
Why this KC couple will be lifting a celebratory ‘Dirty Sunrise’ when GEWKC drops anchor
The married duo behind Anchor Island Coffee already knew they’d have to defy expectations for their tropical-themed breakfast spot to succeed on Troost. And then came COVID. “Just two weeks after we opened in March 2020, we closed,” said Mike Hastings, who owns the shop with husband Armando Vasquez. “By May, we were able to…