Meet the Small Biz of the Year finalists: KC Chamber surprises Top 10 Mr K contenders

The Kansas City Chamber just unveiled its hotly anticipated Top 10 finalists for the 2024 Small Business of the Year honor — surprising leaders from a wide range of industries with their tickets to the next round of the city’s most prestigious business competition.

“This year, 60 candidates applied for awards, and we were awed by the talent and dedication of every one of these innovators,” said Joe Reardon, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “Year after year, it is abundantly clear that our region’s small business community is vibrant and so deserving of recognition.”

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 given the news Thursday during an unexpected reveal at UMB Bank, which sponsored the evening’s festivities.

Sherry and Ken Lumpkins, Blue Symphony, react to the Top 10 announcement at UMB Bank during a KC Chamber Small Business Celebration reveal event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“If we were part of the Top 10, I’d feel like queen for a day,” said Sherry Lumpkins, principal at Blue Symphony, moments before learning her company would advance. “The Chamber is very representative of Kansas City. They get who Kansas City is and being acknowledged by the Chamber would really make me feel like the city loves us.”

“We know we’ve worked hard,” she added. “We want to delight and excite our clients; this kind of validation would say ‘Hey, you are doing it right.'”

Joan Charbonneau, Perfect Promotions, reacts to the Top 10 announcement at UMB Bank during a KC Chamber Small Business Celebration reveal event; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Finalist companies include:

• Blue Symphony — A technology and marketing agency specializing in services ranging from custom web development and software to marketing and brand building.
• DMC Service, Inc. — A Kansas City based HVAC and plumbing service contractor on a mission to keep people comfortable, safe, and healthy.
• Overflow — A Certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Overflow helps changemakers create stories and experiences to get ideas adopted.
• Perfect Promotions — A merchandising agency that handles everything from small custom designed promotions to major product launches and everything in between.
• Quantum Resource Professionals — Offers a staffing model to meet the rising need for allied and nursing health professionals in the Midwest.
• SnapIT Solutions — Provides IT services, solutions and placements for companies of all sizes through a personalized, scalable model and low-risk alternative to sourcing talent while providing access to education, resources and training for underrepresented populations.
• Stellar Image Studios — A women-owned video production company here to ease all video needs so you can inspire viewers to take action.
• Taliaferro & Browne — An award-winning, multi-disciplinary professional services firm and trusted partners in civil and structural engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, survey, and inspection.
• The Next Paige Agency — A Kansas City talent agency that helps creatives pursue their dreams by providing resources, opportunities, and training.
• Walz Tetrick Advertising — An agency that helps ambitious brands outsmart the competition.

The Small Business of the Year winner is set to be announced June 13 at the Small Business Awards Luncheon, at the Westin Crown Center, 1 East Pershing Road, Kansas City. 

Click here to learn more about the 2023 Mr. K Award winner.

Check out a Startland News photo gallery from the KC Chamber reveal, then keep reading.

Leaders from Walz Tetrick Advertising pose with Vicky Kulikov, KC Chamber, the Top 10 announcement at UMB Bank during a KC Chamber Small Business Celebration reveal event; photo by Sherry and Ken Lumpkins, Blue Symphony, react to the Top 10 announcement at UMB Bank during a KC Chamber Small Business Celebration reveal event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“Small businesses are the engine that drives Kansas City’s economy, and we are ecstatic for this year’s Top 10,” said Reardon. “From recognizing our Small Business Superstars to the public showcase of award candidates, this celebration is an incredible opportunity to continue supporting our small businesses.”

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

In addition to Small Business of the Year, specialty awards also will be presented at the June event, 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

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

The KC Chamber Small Business Celebration is recognized as one of the largest small business celebrations in the country. The Small Business of the Year receives the coveted Mr. K Award, named for Ewing Kauffman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. 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.

The Awards Luncheon presenting sponsor is Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; the Small Business presenting sponsor is Evergy; Small Business CEO sponsor is Kansas City National Security Campus, managed by Honeywell FM&T; Small Business Superstars presenting sponsor is EAG Advertising and Marketing.

Startland News is the media sponsor.