Do You Know These Scaling Businesses? ScaleUP! Kansas City Announces Cohort 14
ScaleUP! Kansas City has announced its 14th cohort of 20 local companies who will get the coaching, perspective and connections to scale, create new jobs, open new locations and strengthen the regional economy.
The program, now in its ninth year, is open to any industry and any growth-minded entrepreneur in the greater Kansas City bi-state region.
“It’s amazing to see what the hundreds of ScaleUP! Kansas City alums have accomplished, and I am so excited to see what’s in store for this next cohort of business leaders,” says Jill Hathaway, program coordinator for ScaleUP! Kansas City and regional director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. “This transformative program gives these top-tier business owners the training, confidence and the network they need to scale the region’s next multimillion-dollar businesses, and I’m glad we could elevate 20 more entrepreneurs who will embolden our communities.”
Like the business owners from the previous 13 ScaleUP! KC cohorts, these newest scaling entrepreneurs lead small businesses across the Kansas City region and represent diverse industries, including distilling, insulation, hospitality, retail, food, brewing, marketing, trucking, printing, accounting, fitness, roofing, design and more.
ScaleUP! KC is funded by the Missouri SBDC at UMKC, a program of the UMKC Innovation Center, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. UMKC Innovation Center staff provide coaching and administrative support.
“ScaleUP! KC gives business owners the chance to work on their business and not just in it,” Hathaway says. “This program arms some of the region’s standout business owners with the perspective to clear obstacles and the chance to rethink their approach so they can overcome what’s prevented them from scaling in the past.”
Including this newest cohort, 234 Kansas City-area business owners have participated in this selective program. ScaleUP! KC helps them create the processes, strategies and long-term plans to not only grow but also to scale their businesses and be prepared for shifts and opportunities. Awards, revenue increases and business growth are common headline-grabbing results of the entrepreneurs who complete ScaleUP! KC.
Announcing Cohort 14
The 14th ScaleUP! Kansas City cohort includes:
Brent Anderson – Friction Beer, Shawnee, Kansas
Friction Beer is a production brewery and taproom located in a historic former hardware store in downtown Shawnee, Kansas.
Diana Brauer – KS Spray Foam Insulation LLC, McLouth, Kansas
KS Spray Foam Insulation evaluates environmental issues in commercial and residential building envelopes. The company installs insulation, coatings, thermal barriers, fireproofing and sound-deadening.
Eric Flanagan – Flanagan Consulting LLC, Kansas City, Missouri
Flanagan Consulting is the owner/operator of King G Bar and Deli and Jim’s Alley Bar, which are located in Kansas City’s East Crossroads, as well as Hank’s Garage and Grill (coming fall 2024).
Rachelle Hofstetter – Plato’s Closet, Belton, Missouri
Plato’s Closet is a sustainable, gently used clothing store that sells current-trend clothing for teens and young adults.
Katie Holland – Post Coffee Company, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Post Coffee Company is a coffee retail and wholesale company that has serviced the community for 10 years.
Kamia Kindle – SPG Web & Marketing LLC, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
SPG offers services in custom graphics, fell website design and development, print design, application design, social media marketing and more.
Blake Lappan – Spot On/NoDwell Inc., Kansas City, Missouri
Spot On is a yard management and short-haul trucking company based in Kansas City with an average coverage area of around 300 miles.
Nashaunda Law – Life Changes Home Care LLC, Raytown, Missouri
Life Changes Home Care offers clients an opportunity to maintain their own independence with assistance while staying in the comforts of home.
Alex Lindsey – West Bottoms Whiskey Co., Kansas City, Missouri
West Bottoms Whiskey Co. blends, finishes, distills and ages spirits to create the perfect American whiskey.
Eric Martens – Border Brewing Company, Kansas City, Missouri
Border Brewing Company, founded in 2015, is a craft brewery in Kansas City’s East Crossroads, known for unique brews and a welcoming taproom.
Kathryn McDaniel – MEDiAHEAD, Kansas City, Missouri
MEDiAHEAD manufactures print, labels and packaging and creates fully customizable cloud-based marketing portals that manage marketing materials.
Jeff McLaughlin – Corporate CopyPrint, Independence, Missouri
Corporate CopyPrint is a local small business celebrating 30 years in business and offers printing, signage and graphic design.
Joey Mendez – ULAH LLC, Westwood, Kansas
ULAH is a locally owned clothing, gift and accessories store offering a fun, social shopping experience with personal stylists and community events.
Holli Nicholson – Nicholson Business Services, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Nicholson Business Services provides accounting solutions to small businesses.
Michael Pizzato – MVP Fitness, Kansas City, Missouri
MVP Fitness bridges the gap from physical therapy to personal training.
Jason Provo – Blackhole Bakery, Kansas City, Missouri
Blackhole Bakery is KC’s premier retail/wholesale bakery specializing in breakfast pastry and mochi donuts.
TJ Roberts – Kinship Café, Kansas City, Kansas
Kinship Café is a Black-owned coffee shop in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas, that provides a unique experience to the specialty coffee industry.
LaTanya Scott – Blue Chip Roofing & Waterproofing LLC, Grandview, Missouri
Blue Chip Roofing & Waterproofing LLC is a union contractor that specializes in commercial and industrial roofing and waterproofing.
Debra Smith – Spirit Life Apparel & Screenprinting, Merriam, Kansas
Spirit Life Apparel & Screenprinting does quality, in-house production of custom screenprinting, embroidery, sublimation and promotional items.
Chentell Stiritz – Convivial Production Inc./Verdant, Kansas City, Missouri
Convivial is a ceramic design and manufacturing company. Convivial creates handmade wares in the home, table and garden categories.
