Collaboration destination: Showcase reveals who’s arrived (and who’s getting on board), small biz owners say
March 5, 2026 | Taylor Wilmore | Corporate, Minority-Led, News, Woman-led
Call it a rehearsal for World Cup, said Vicky Kulikov, drawing parallels between Wednesday’s small business showcase at Union Station and the opportunities ahead for Kansas City entrepreneurs hoping to shine a spotlight on their companies when international soccer fans arrive this summer.
Maliha Khan, founder and CEO of Khanect the Dots and Khancepts by KTD, discusses her ventures with attendees at the KC Chamber’s Small Business Candidates Showcase at Union Station; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Timing for this year’s KC Chamber Candidates Showcase — a key starting point for the three-month sprint that ends with the crowning of the Small Business of the Year or Mr. K Award winner — was accelerated because of anticipated activity gridlock once the 2026 FIFA World Cup crowds arrive in June, said Kulikov, small business director for the KC Chamber.
“The showcase helps build early momentum and excitement,” she continued. “It sets the tone for the rest of the Small Business Celebration by highlighting the incredible entrepreneurs we’ll continue to recognize as we move toward the Small Business Awards in late May.”
Wednesday’s event pulled together candidates for those awards in Union Station’s Grand Hall, where many small business owners exchanged ideas and highlighted their newest products and services ahead of the international influx of visitors expected in the coming years.
Organized by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the annual event opens access for participating entrepreneurs — serving as both a networking hub and an introduction to new audiences.
Finalists for the Small Business of the Year honor — from among Thursday’s showcase candidates — are expected to be announced April 2, with winners revealed May 27 at the Small Business Awards Luncheon. (The luncheon typically occurs in mid-June.)
“What I hope attendees walked away with is a deeper appreciation for the innovation and resilience of our small businesses in the metro,” Kulikov said. “I also hope they were able to connect with the amazing entrepreneurial support organizations in the small business ecosystem.”
Showcase participants are eligible for additional honors presented during the May celebration, including the Emerging Business Award, Legacy of Kansas City Award, Small Business Equity Award, Weida International Award, and the Luminary Arts and Creative Award.
Casie Murff, founder of The BeVel Barber Lounge, at the KC Chamber’s Small Business Candidates Showcase at Union Station; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Casie Murff smiles while demonstrating services from The BeVel Barber Lounge during the KC Chamber’s Small Business Candidates Showcase at Union Station; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Casie Murff, founder of The BeVel Barber Lounge, expressed gratitude for Wednesday’s gathering, noting the opportunity to expose his business to like-minded entrepreneurs and community members.
“It’s actually connected to a lot of different businesses around the city that we’ve since partnered with and also given us visibility throughout the city,” Murff said of past showcase events.
His barbershop continues to grow through partnerships, grants, and new media projects tied to its mission of helping barbers build long term careers.
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“Back in August, we won a grant through the BeyGOOD Foundation,” Murff said. “We also just did a partnership with Vine Street Brewing Co. We have a lot of barbershop brews that’s coming out here pretty soon.”
Murff’s lounge is also stepping into the fashion scene through a partnership with Kansas City Fashion Week, he added.
“KC Fashion Week, that’s one of the biggest regional fashion shows in the country,” Murff said. “The BeVel Barber Lounge is their partnering barber company, and we’re the only barber that’s back there for these male models.”
Founder Keisha Jordan walks a showcase visitor through product offerings from Complex Flavors; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Keisha Jordan, founder of Compex Flavors Home + Life, sees the coming year as a chance to evolve her brand as Kansas City prepares for global attention.
“I’m going to be expanding a lot of my home decor line,” Jordan said. “I’m going to be doing towels, pillows, cups, all luxury home goods. So it’s going to be more than just wallpaper. I’m very excited about that. I can’t wait.”
Relationships built through the chamber have helped elevate her business across the region, she added.
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“I’ve had so many people reach out to me, so much exposure,” she said. “As far as connections and growth, it’s just been an amazing experience this past year.”
Newer ventures also used the showcase to introduce fresh concepts and gather feedback from fellow entrepreneurs.
The team from Klā Sanctuary at the KC Chamber’s Small Business Candidates Showcase at Union Station; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Kathryn McCormick, co-founder of Klā Sanctuary, said the wellness studio has been gaining traction since opening in the West Bottoms eight months ago.
“This year has just been really special to bring a new concept into the West Bottoms, into the Kansas City area, and see how the community has really taken that in and benefited from that,” McCormick said.
The event also created an opportunity to share the sanctuary’s services with new audiences while meeting other founders navigating the early stages of business growth.
“That’s the beauty of this spontaneity and being a new business, and having a team that is so hungry to share what we’re doing and believe in what we’re doing so much,” McCormick said.
All candidates present at the showcase are eligible to take home the annual Honeywell (Kansas City National Security Campus) Fan Favorite Award, which is set be announced at 4 p.m. Friday, March 6 during a Facebook Live on the Chamber’s Facebook page.
Click here to vote In the Fan Favorite contest.
Check out a photo gallery from the event below by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu and Taylor Wilmore.
