Founder’s resolve earns KC mental health practice ‘Small Business of the Year’ title

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.

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Kansas City’s newest Small Business of the Year is on a years-long journey to create safe, inclusive spaces for its clients and team, the resilient entrepreneur behind the venture said Tuesday.

“From Day 1, our mission has been clear: reimagining mental health to reduce barriers and improve care,” said Amber Reed, founder of Resolve Counseling & Wellness, accepting the coveted “Mr. K” award in front of a packed crowd of entrepreneurs, civic and nonprofit leaders, and Top 10 small business finalists.

Amber Reed, Resolve Counseling & Wellness, accepts the 2025 Small Business of the Year honor from Joe Reardon, president and CEO of the KC Chamber, and Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Expressing gratitude for the honor, Reed emphasized tough business decisions made along the way — some that set aside traditional customer buzz and anticipation in favor of getting help to people faster — “because Kansas City deserves better.”

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce announced Resolve’s win Tuesday during its Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. The event — notably supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which shares a namesake with the top honor — also revealed the winners of five speciality awards celebrating local small business owners and their ventures.

Resolve — a woman-owned mental health practice that’s grown into a multidisciplinary team offering trauma-informed therapy and wellness services to individuals, couples, and families — was announced as a finalist for the honor in mid-April. It was the small business’ third time to receive the Top 10 recognition.

RELATED: You can’t plan for this: ‘Mr K’ finalists wary of another ‘wrench into the face’ from Washington

Amber Reed, owner of Resolve Counseling and Wellness, center, celebrates with her team after being named to the Top 10 in the KC Chamber’s Small Business of the Year competition for the second consecutive year; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Founded in 2018, Resolve’s mission centers on helping people heal and grow while also creating a workplace where mental health professionals can thrive and bring their best to their clients, Reed said.

Amber Reed, Resolve Counseling & Wellness, smiles after being announced as winner of the Small Business of the Year award; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“When I started my company eight and a half years ago, I had no idea where it would take me or us,” she said. “I didn’t have a five-year expansion plan. I didn’t have desire to have three locations; none of it. I had two goals: create a great place to work and make Kansas City happier and healthier. That was it. That was a dream.”

Under her leadership, Resolve has expanded into multiple offices and significantly increased access to care by offering in-person and virtual services, a broad range of specialties, and a dedicated training program to support the next generation of clinicians.

“As Mr. Kauffman once said, ‘Hire people who are smarter than you, and you grow the capabilities of your company,'” Reed said, referencing iconic Kansas City entrepreneur Ewing Marion Kauffman for whom the Mr. K Award is named. “And that’s been my not-so-secret strategy from the beginning.”

“To the incredible people at those tables over there — my team — thank you,” Reed continued. “You are the most passionate, thoughtful and dedicated humans and therapists that I’ve ever met and Resolve is what it is because of you. You show up with heart and compassion and you change lives every single day.”

Amber Reed, Resolve Counseling & Wellness, speaks during a panel conversation with the finalists KC Chamber’s Small Business of the Year or “Mr. K” award; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Earning the Mr. K Award signifies that a company has shown growth or sustainability of their business with strong employee relations, a record of giving back to the community, and prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, presents the “Mr. K Award” at the 2025 KC Chamber Small Business Celebration; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Presenting the honor, Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, lauded Reed’s perseverance with Resolve and its efforts to make mental health services accessible, inclusive and responsive.

“This company has grown from a one woman practice into a thriving team that reflects the diversity of its clients … transforming how people access care and support and are truly seen when they are needed most,” she said. “Their focus on people and purpose perfectly reflects the intent behind this award and the legacy of Mr. K.”

The KC Chamber’s Small Business Celebration has been a business community mainstay for nearly 40 years and is recognized as one of the largest Chamber small business celebrations in the United States.

Click here to learn more about the other nine finalist businesses that were in the running for Small Business of the Year.

“Entrepreneurship and business ownership truly have the power to create real change for our communities,” said Burns-Wallace. “All the small businesses we’ve heard about today — across this room and in our communities — are catalysts for regional growth, upward mobility and economic prosperity for all.”

From the archives: Learn more about the Mr. K Award winners from 2024 (Walz Tetrick), 2023 (Parrish & Sons Construction), 2022 (Chicken N Pickle) and 2021 (Charlie Hustle).

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The KC Chamber also awarded specialty awards at the luncheon. Those awards and the winners include:

Emerging Small Business of the Year: Vine Street Brewing

A rising star in the Historic 18th & Vine District and brewing industry, the craft brewer serves as a steward of Kansas City’s rich cultural heritage.

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Legacy of Kansas City Award: Taliaferro & Browne

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

RELATED: Their engineering firm built a legacy in KC; why these KC Chamber winners are rebranding

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Weida Award for International Small Business of the Year: Bestway International

A full-service transportation and brokerage solution for thousands of clients worldwide.

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Small Business Equity Award: Café Corazón

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

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Luminary Arts & Creative Small Business Award: Complex Flavors Home + Life

A craft wallpaper and home décor company that offers patterns designed with intention — elevated yet accessible, expressive yet grounding — to spark sensory connection, creativity, and personal meaning.

RELATED: Complex risks bring community kudos for creative entrepreneur honored by KC Chamber

Startland News reporters Nikki Overfelt Chifalu and Taylor Wilmore contributed to this story.