Mr K finalist reveal: Meet the 10 contenders for KC Chamber’s Small Business of the Year

The KC Chamber just announced the 10 finalists for its prestigious 2025 Small Business of the Year honor — setting the stage for a two-month campaign for selected entrepreneurs that ends this summer with one company crowned the Mr. K Award winner.

Vicky Kulikov, small business director for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, embraces Karen Crnkovich, owner and president of DMC Service, Inc., at left, during the Top 10 reveal event at Walz Tetrick. DMC Service was one of four companies selected to advance in the competition for the second consecutive year, including Perfect Promotions, Resolve Counseling & Wellness, and Taliaferro & Browne; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“Small businesses remain the driving force of Kansas City’s economy, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this year’s Top 10,” said Joe Reardon, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “From showcasing award candidates in front of the community to honoring the Top 10, this celebration is all about lifting up the entrepreneurs who fuel our region.”

“With more than 70 impressive candidates this year, we were truly inspired by their passion, innovation, and impact,” he continued. “Time and again, our small business community proves just how vital and vibrant it is.”

The 10 businesses in the running for Small Business of the Year or the “Mr. K Award” — named for iconic Kansas City entrepreneur Ewing Marion Kauffman — were announced Friday morning on social media. Selected business owners were surprised with the news Thursday evening during a private reveal event at the Mission headquarters of Walz Tetrick, the 2024 Mr. K winner.

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To be named Small Business of the Year signifies that a company has shown growth or sustainability of their business with strong employee relations, a commitment to DEI initiatives, and a record of giving back to the community.

“These are businesses shaping the future of our city,” Chris Grossman, senior vice president, business banking team lead, UMB Bank, which sponsored the Chamber’s festivities Thursday and Friday’s announcement.

The Top 10 companies revealed Friday include:

• Café Corazón — Kansas City’s premier, family-owned Latin and indigenous coffee shop that serves ethically sourced coffee, food, and teas.

• Cenetric Network Services — An Olathe-based service provider that delivers industry-leading managed IT, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. 

• DMC Service, Inc. — A Kansas City-based HVAC and plumbing service contractor on a mission to keep people comfortable, safe, and healthy.

• Fresco Marketing — A multicultural, full-service agency that helps brands build authentic connections with diverse audiences through innovative storytelling and culturally resonant campaigns.

• Holland 1916 — The North Kansas City business is comprised of three segments: Holland Nameplate provides custom metal nameplates; Holland Interface Solutions provides custom touchscreens, keypads, and overlays; and Holland RFID provides durable RFID tags for hard-use asset tracking.

• IBC Carpentry and Traffic — A commercial carpentry construction and traffic control service company that focuses on building high-end trim carpentry and keeping the roads around your facility safe.

• Perfect Promotions — A merchandising agency that handles everything from small custom designed promotions to major product launches and everything in between.

• Resolve Counseling & Wellness — A mental health and therapy group practice in Kansas City, specializing in therapy services for adults, couples, teens and children.

• Taliaferro & Browne — An award-winning, multi-disciplinary professional services firm and trusted partners in civil and structural engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, survey, and inspection.

• Woodside Health Club — Kansas City’s premier luxury health club that serves the daily fitness and well-being needs of their members within a community of like-minded people.

Café Corazón

Cenetric Network Services

DMC Service, Inc.

Fresco Marketing

Holland 1916

IBC Carpentry

Perfect Promotions

Resolve Counseling & Wellness

Taliaferro & Browne

Woodside Health Club

During Thursday’s reveal party, finalist companies reflected on how meaningful joining the Top 10 would be for them along their journeys.

“We’ve worked so hard as a family,” said Dulcinea Herrera, who runs Café Corazón with her parents, Miel Castagna-Herrera and Curtis Herrera. “We didn’t have much. Like the tables — my dad built everything in there. Going from nothing to something, it would mean a lot to be recognized.”

“It was really hard when we first opened,” her mother, Castagna-Herrera, added. “At first people were like, ‘A Latin coffee shop? We don’t want you in our building.’ That happened for a whole year. And finally, we found a building. The owner said a car had been driven through it, and he was like ‘If you’ll fix it, we’ll let you in.’ And that’s how we opened our first location.”

“And then people caught on,” she continued. “Earning a spot on the Top 10 means we’ve been seen. And that people have enjoyed us, which means so much.”

Mother-daughter duo Miel Castagna-Herrera and Dulcinea Herrera exchange smiles after being named to the Top 10 in the KC Chamber’s Small Business of the Year competition; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Finalists were culled from dozens of applicants, many of which were on display during the KC Chamber’s recent small business showcase at Union Station.

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The Small Business of the Year winner is set to be announced June 17 at the Small Business Awards Luncheon, at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center, 2345 McGee St.

Click here to get tickets to the event, which is recognized as one of the largest small business celebrations in the country.

Kim Finley, president of Perfect Promotions, standing, and her team react to again being named to the Top 10 in the KC Chamber’s Small Business of the Year competition; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

One repeat finalist from the 2024 Mr. K campaign season — alongside DMC Service Inc., Resolve Counseling & Wellness, and Taliaferro & Browne — noted her own personal connection to the award’s namesake during Thursday’s reveal event — reflecting the prestigious recognition’s deep ties into the Kansas City business community.

“I used to work at Marion Laboratories here in Kansas City. I worked for Ewing Kauffman. So there’s a special place in my heart for his legacy,” said Kim Finley, president of Perfect Promotions, which advanced in the competition last year. “He always treated everybody — from the janitors to executives — the same. And he would always say, ‘Treat others the way you wish to be treated.’”

“So I personally have always brought that forward in our company, and honestly believe that if you do that, you’ll see how truly amazing things are returned to you,” she continued.

Vicky Kulikov, small business director for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, poses with Luis Padilla, owner of Fresco Marketing, during the Top 10 reveal event at Walz Tetrick; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

In addition to the Mr. K award, specialty awards also will be presented at the June luncheon, including:

• The KC Chamber Emerging Business Award
• The KC Chamber Small Business Equity Award
• The KC Chamber Weida Award for International Small Business of the Year
• The KC Chamber Legacy of Kansas City Award
• The KC Chamber Luminary Arts & Creative Small Business Award

“To the 73 remarkable businesses who applied this year for one of the six small business awards, congratulations; your innovation, determination, and dedication to our city are what make Kansas City such an exciting and forward-moving place to live, work and thrive together,” said UMB Bank’s Grossman.

Click here to read more about the winners from the 2024 Small Business Celebration.

Up next: The KC Chamber is planning a May 30 Virtual Top 10 CEO Panel, where the public can meet the Top 10 and learn from their experiences.

The team from Holland 1916 — winners of the 2025 KCNSC Small Business Celebration Fan Favorite — react after also being named to the Top 10 in the KC Chamber’s Small Business of the Year competition; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Earlier in April, the KC Chamber announced its 2025 Fan Favorite awardees: Holland 1916 and Alliance Workforce.

Sponsored by the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC) managed by Honeywell, the winners were selected by popular vote following the spring small business showcase event.

Click here to watch the KCNSC Small Business Celebration Fan Favorite announcement on Facebook.

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.