The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Café Corazón as the 2026 Small Business of the Year! Owners Dulcinea Herrera, Miel Herrera, and Curtis Herrera accepted the award on May 27 at the Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon at the Loews Kansas City Hotel.

Founded in 2019, Café Corazón has grown from a single storefront into a thriving multi-location business that blends specialty coffee, hospitality, arts programming, cultural placemaking, and community impact. Recognized as Kansas City’s first Latin and Indigenous coffee company, Café Corazón has become a gathering space where culture, commerce, and community intersect.

Over the past seven years, the family-owned business has expanded to three locations, launched wholesale operations, acquired a new roasting and distribution facility, and introduced an expanding line of ethically sourced products, including coffee, yerba mate, canned beverages, and specialty offerings. Café Corazón maintains direct ethical sourcing relationships with coffee farms across Latin America and is actively positioning Kansas City as a hub for globally sourced specialty coffee and beverage exports.

Under the leadership of the Herrera family, Café Corazón has intentionally built a business model centered on inclusion, entrepreneurship, and cultural connection. The company’s multilingual staff speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and American Sign Language, helping create a welcoming environment for customers and employees alike. Café Corazón was recognized by the KC Chamber in 2025 with the Spirit of Inclusion Award and continues to invest deeply in Kansas City through nonprofit partnerships, free community events, local artist collaborations, and mentorship opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs and creatives.

“We’re incredibly honored to receive this recognition,” said Dulcinea Herrera. “Café Corazón was built to create space for people to feel seen, connected, and celebrated. This award reflects the passion of our team, the support of Kansas City, and our belief that businesses can succeed while also investing deeply in people and community.”

The KC Chamber also presented five specialty awards at the luncheon. Those winners include:

• Emerging Small Business of the Year: Fifth & Emery Frozen Yogurt & Chocolate
  • Legacy of Kansas City Award: encompas
  • Weida Award for International Small Business of the Year: Gray Ram Tactical, LLC
  • Spirit of Inclusion Small Business Award: MADE MOBB
  • Luminary Arts & Creative Small Business Award: IT-RA ICONS

The KC Chamber Small Business Celebration has been a mainstay of the business community for nearly 40 years and is recognized as one of the largest Chamber small-business celebrations in the United States. The Small Business of the Year receives the coveted Mr. K Award, named for entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Kauffman. Winners are selected for their business growth and sustainability, strong employee relations, community involvement, and commitment to creating welcoming cultures of belonging for all.