Showcase showdown: KC Chamber rallies ‘Mr. K competitors, but small biz owners say it feels more like family

The husband-wife duo behind Kansas City-based Shark OFF appreciate the local entrepreneurial ecosystem so much that they actually list it as one of their startup’s co-founders, Geoff Geist shared.

“We would not exist if it weren’t for this community,” said Geist, the co-founder and COO of Shark OFF, which offers shark repellent bracelets that are meant to help beachgoers lose fear associated with venturing into the ocean. “We love the Kansas City entrepreneurial community. It’s just crazy vibrant.”

Geoff and Shea Geist, Shark OFF, at the KC Chamber’s Small Business Showcase in Union Station’s Grand Hall; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

So for the Shark OFF team, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Candidates Showcase is all about connecting to — and giving back to — that community, he said.

From the archives: Beach-loving couple hopes to dissolve fear of sharks with Shark OFF repellent bracelets

“This community has helped us so much,” continued Geist, who started his business in 2017 alongside co-founder Shea Geist. “We want to say, ‘Hey, what can I do for you? What did you come here for? We’ve met all these fantastic people, dude, let me hook you up. You gotta go talk to that person.’”

“That’s kind of the amazing part of it,” he added.

Shark OFF was one of 57 small businesses that showed off their goods and services Thursday at the Chamber’s annual showcase at Union Station.

“The goal of the showcase is really to let these small businesses shine and just give them visibility and exposure to the larger business community,” noted Vicky Kulikov, who serves as the small business director for the KC Chamber and lead coordinator of the Small Business Superstars program. “Hopefully they are making connections, and finding new clients and partnerships. It’s just all about the connections and relationships.”

Small Business Showcase attendees connect at the KC Chamber’s Small Business Showcase in Union Station’s Grand Hall; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Along with business leaders, nonprofits and community members, judges for the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year “Mr. K Award” socialized with and observed small business owners at Thursday’s showcase to help determine the Top 10 finalists for the coveted honor.

Finalists are set to be announced April 19 with the winner revealed in mid-June at the Small Business Celebration. 

RELATED: Chamber makes history with Mr. K winner, first Black woman-owned company to earn Small Biz of the Year

Other awards expected at the celebration — for which showcase participants also are eligible — include the Emerging Business Award, Legacy of Kansas City Award, Small Business Equity Award, Weida International Award, and the first-time Luminary Arts and Creative Award.

RELATED: KC Chamber adds honor for artists, creatives to its awards lineup; emphasizing arts’ impact on economy, culture

Check out an event photo gallery below from Startland News reporters Taylor Wilmore and Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, then keep reading.

The importance of connecting to the community was echoed throughout the event.

Just Play Sports Solutions — a workflow automation platform built for the needs of elite sports programs — was one of the small businesses participating in the showcase for the first time. 

“I think the Chamber has done a hell of a job with this event,” said Austin Barone, co-founder of Just Play and a former University of Kansas football player. “Every time I come in here, I’m just reminded of how awesome Kansas City is.”

“We’ve got a couple of people who are not from Kansas City — but have moved here for Just Play — and I think it’s been really rewarding to also see their excitement over having an event like this and to see how active people are in the community,” he added.

RELATED: Sports tech founder: Team’s years of work laid groundwork for Forbes 30 Under 30 honor

The Just Play Sports Solutions team — led by co-founder Austin Barone, third from left — at the KC Chamber’s Small Business Showcase in Union Station’s Grand Hall; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

It’s rewarding to showcase at the event the growth Just Play has seen over the past 10 years, Barone shared.

“Our company is really focused at a global scale,” he explained. “But we’ve had clients all over the Kansas City area. Our first client was Blue Valley High School. I just think it’s a really unique and special opportunity to come out here and connect with other individuals in the community.”

Corey McCartney, AGA Productions; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

For Corey McCartney and AGA Productions — which combines film and music production with a goal of producing high quality content through inspiration, voice, storytelling, and emotion — the showcase provides a way to connect with potential clients in the community. The AGA team had a camera and microphone set up, providing small businesses the opportunity to share more about what they do.

“I’m just trying to grow my business,” McCartney 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 to be announced at 4 p.m. April 16 in a Facebook Live on the Chamber’s Facebook page. Voting for the honor is open until noon April 16. 

Click here to vote for the Fan Favorite Award.