2018 KCSourceLink All-Stars Win One for Entrepreneurship

2018 KCSourceLink All-Stars Win One for Entrepreneurship

If we could give each one of the thousands of entrepreneurs and hundreds of Resource Partners in our network an award, we would. But we’re still waiting on that magic trophy duplicator.

(That might be a while. But you don’t have to wait that long for your free KCSourceLink personalized action plan. No matter what the next step is for your business, we can connect you with the right resources to get you there.)

And we’ve been helping people get their business goals on track for 15 years. So on our 15th anniversary, here are 15 KCSourceLink All-Stars (technically 16, in no particular order) who you voted to recognize at E Day at the K.

But we especially want to thank our hundreds of resource partners for their continued support to make Kansas City the most entrepreneurial city in the nation. In some way or another, each has helped transform and grow small businesses in KC.

Enough blabbering. Here are your 2018 KCSourceLink All-Stars:

John Adessi of the Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College knows how to get the assist. No wonder he earned the Most Assists award, which recognizes the Resource Partner who has been selfless in supporting others in the network. The SBDC aims to boost economic prosperity in Kansas by helping entrepreneurs and small-business owners start and grow.

Adam Arredondo of the KC Startup Foundation snagged the Golden Glove award, which goes to the Resource Partner who fields requests from entrepreneurs and other Resource Partners with ease and agility. That’s the KC Startup Foundation’s claim to fame.

Kim Beer of SCORE snagged the Roberto Clemente Award for Sportsmanship, which recognizes the Resource Partner who’s been a real team player. SCORE offers mentorship services to give small-business owners invaluable advice and holds workshops to help more people take their businesses to the next level.

Nathan Kurtz of the Kauffman Foundation and Jill Hathaway of the Small Business and Technology Development Center at UMKC tied for the Manager of the Year award, which recognizes a Resource Partner who is incredibly motivational. The Kauffman Foundation helps support education and entrepreneurship in Kansas City. Jill Hathaway is a business coach who learned the ins and outs of business on her entrepreneurial journey and uses that experience to teach others how their ventures can thrive.

Stephanie Landis of the Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College took home the Cy Young Award, which recognizes a Resource Partner that is on target in solving problems.

Matthew Marcus of the KC Startup Foundation landed the Fanatical Fan award, which recognizes the most enthusiastic KCSourceLink Resource Partner. (Voters must have heard him loud and clear.) KC Startup Foundation helps build a vibrant startup ecosystem in KC.

Jill Meyer of ScaleUP! KC and Small Business and Technology Development Center at UMKC drew up a play to get to the top. It’s no surprise she also drew the Outstanding Coaching Award, which recognizes excellence in executing for entrepreneurs. ScaleUP! Kansas City is an intense four-month program for an elite group of entrepreneurs and teaches them the best way to grow their businesses (which, ahem, the program is accepting applications now).

Tina Peterson with the Sprint Accelerator earned the Slugger Award, which recognizes the Resource Partner that has done the most to promote KCSourceLink, KC’s first stop for entrepreneurial connections. The Sprint Accelerator offers programs that connect corporations with new ventures.

Eze Redwood of Twenty30CEO hit it out of the park with the Hank Aaron Award, which recognizes the Resource Partner that does the best job of referring clients throughout the KCSourceLink network. Check them out on Twitter and Facebook and catch an event that could change your business.

Melissa Roberts of the Enterprise Center in Johnson County took home the Silver Slugger award, which recognizes someone who is willing to go above, beyond and out-of-the park in service. The Enterprise Center connects entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow and scale.

Terri Turner with iWerx and EnCorps45 used her All-Star status to take home the Most Valuable Player award, which recognizes the Resource Partner who has been the most active in the KCSourceLink network. EnCorps 45 provides a slew of resources to entrepreneurs, and iWerx is a coworking area with 40 private offices and a collaborative space.

Rick Usher with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, went the distance and earned the Iron Man Award, which goes to the longest-tenured Resource Partner in the KCSourceLink network. He’s been by your side (and likely at most of your events) for years.

Elisa Waldman of the Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College clenched the Utility Infielder award, which goes to the Resource Partner that exhibits a great degree of flexibility and wears a lot of hats.

Sally Williams of the Small Business and Technology Development Center at UMKC crushed it and won the Homerun Derby award, which recognizes the Resource Partner that routinely hits it out of the park for both Resource Partners and entrepreneurs. The SBTDC provides small businesses and technology venture firms in the Kansas City region with the analysis, training and guidance they need to grow and develop.

Courtney Windholz of 1 Million Cups won the World Series Trophy, which recognizes Kansas City’s most successful supporter of entrepreneurs. 1 Million Cups is a free weekly program that enables entrepreneurs to network and present their business ideas to an audience and experts.

(Let’s go, KC!) A round of applause for all our All-Stars—and everyone who works behind the scenes to make sure entrepreneurs have a steady path of resources to follow, from inception to exit. Need a little coaching? Reach out for your personalized action plan. It’s fast and free.

And don’t forget to check out pics from our All-Star Celebration on Facebook. Tag yourself!

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