Meet the winners of KC’s first grants for micro-businesses; $55K awarded to women of color

A newly launched collaboration between entrepreneur support efforts announced Thursday its first batch of grant winners — positioning four Kansas City micro-businesses for greater success amid a near-universally challenging start for the year.

“The first quarter of the year is hard for most businesses, and extremely hard for small businesses. This year was no different for Bliss,” said La’Nesha Frazier, owner and co-founder of Bliss Books and Wine, one of the funding winners. “This grant is a lifeline for us; allowing us to stabilize and catch up on our expenses and meet our goal to hire additional employees.”

The Micro-Business Grant Program is one of several new programs available to entrepreneurs in Kansas City, Missouri, as part of The Kansas City Small Business (KC SMB) Capital Programs — an initiative built through collaboration between the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC) and KC BizCare.

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“We’re excited to contribute to the growth of small businesses in Kansas City,” said Tracey Lewis, president and CEO of the EDCKC. “The four businesses selected by the committee showcase the creativity and innovation that are found throughout our city. This program is one of many initiatives to provide gap funding and educational resources for emerging businesses in our community.”

Dr. Karen Boyd, Patrice’s Culinary Collective; photo courtesy of EDCKC

The four grant recipients include: 

• The Next Paige (Elaina Paige Thomas), $25,000 — Full-service talent management agency, media resource center and event space. 
• Patrice’s Culinary Collective (Dr. Karen Boyd), $10,000 — PCC’s mission is bringing together people through food, offering culinary teaching services and a wide variety of bakery, meal, and appetizer products and catering services. 
• Bliss Books and Wine (La’Nesha Frazier), $10,000 — Independently owned bookstore and community gathering place bridging the gap between social drinking and introverted reading. 
• Mattie’s Foods (Arvelisha Woods) $10,000 — Vegan manufacturing company specializing in high quality plant-based retail products and catering. 

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Nia Richardson, KC BizCare, Arvelisha Woods, Mattie’s Foods, Tracey Lewis, EDCKC, India Monique, Mattie’s Foods, and Regina Sosa, EDCKC, right; photo courtesy of EDCKC

The four inaugural grant recipients were chosen by a selection committee of five representatives from various entrepreneurial support organizations, financial institutions, and business leaders. Applications were scored on evaluation criteria and selection committee members collaborated to narrow down the top four businesses. 

Applications for the second phase of the Micro-Business Grant Program are expected to open Summer 2024.

Interested companies must be Kansas City, Missouri-based businesses operating prior to January 1, 2023, with 10 employees or less.

“Collaborating with the KC SMB Capital Programs was an immensely rewarding experience,” said Elaina Paige Thomas, owner of The Next Paige. “Their efficiency and provision of essential resources greatly contributed to the success of my business. The application process was thorough yet approachable, and I am immensely thankful for their support in fostering the growth of The Next Paige within the Kansas City Creative Community.

“This grant will make an immediate impact on Kansas City’s talent by offering a secure environment for further education, enhancement, and networking opportunities,” she continued. 

Elaina Paige Thomas, The Next Paige, and Tracey Lewis, EDCKC; photo courtesy of EDCKC

Along with funding, grant recipients will also receive technical assistance focused on collateral and business assessments, business plan development or reconstruction, feasibility, and financial structuring — utilizing the foundations of the Kauffman FastTrac program. Additionally, they will set SMART goals and a Tactical Improvement Plan with a focus on expense and repayment accountability plans. This work includes 10 hours of technical assistance with program partner, Entrepreneur Business Basics. 

The Micro-Business Grants effort is just the start for the EDCKC-KC Bizcare collaboration, organizers said.

For example, applications for small business development accounts and loan application preparation programs are now open.

Click here to learn more about available resources through The Kansas City Small Business (KC SMB) Capital Programs.