2020 Small Business Celebration Candidates' Showcase Day 1 Fan Favorite: KJO Media

KJO Media is our first Honeywell Fan Favorite from the Small Business Celebration Virtual Candidates’ Showcase. Their presentation to the judges that day received the most votes from viewers watching online. This doesn’t affect the official judging for the Mr. K and specialty awards, but it does mean we get to learn more about KJO.

This full-service video production and creative powerhouse specializes in strategic storytelling through video, animation, photography, and visual media. KJO was founded in 2003 – in president and executive producer T.J. Kilian’s basement. Kilian had worked in video production since he was 14 and knew that‘s where his future was.  “I knew I wanted to create the type of company I would want to work at-- a collaborative, creative environment where people who love video as much as I did would thrive.”

If the first few years of starting a new business aren’t exciting and challenging enough, Kilian added something else to the mix: he and his wife welcomed their first child in 2005. He says once he became a dad “it was pedal to the metal. Creating something lasting for this new family became my sole mission.”

KJO Media Skyline
KJO Media Office Set

With a new baby and a new(ish) business, Kilian soon found his company growing, slowly but steadily. New clients were trickling in, but more importantly he says they were coming back. That meant it was time to hire a larger team. “We have put together a team of people that are talented and driven to produce video content that makes people feel something,” said Kilian. “Creating the best possible end product is personal for them.” Not only did he hire a larger staff, but Kilian moved KJO to a larger space in Corporate Woods.  

As KJO grew, their clients included Black & Veatch, CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Burns & McDonnell, and FreightQuote to name a few. But they also started working with nonprofit organizations across KC, and that quickly became their wheelhouse. “Our nonprofits are heroes that provide real value and services to our community,” said Kilian. “All of us have bought into a culture of caring, largely focused on working with [them]. We just want to do our part to help make our community stronger and better.” Nonprofit clients include Visit KC, HCA, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Rockhurst High School, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and more.

KJO Media Outdoor Set
KJO Media Group Photo, August, 2020

Like all small businesses, COVID has created challenges for KJO. As a video production company, it has fundamentally changed how they do their work. They’ve had to use new, safer ways of gathering video. They’ve also had to figure out how to create content even if they can’t shoot the video they want. COVID has been disruptor but it has also forced the KJO team to adapt.

It wasn’t just the shooting techniques that had to pivot. From a business perspective, Kilian says things looked more dire than they did during the financial crash of 2008. “COVID was one of the first times I’d looked at our situation and wasn’t sure what the future looked like, at least for a short time,” he explained. “Instead of waiting to see how things would go, we all came together to implement an organization-wide, new-business effort that led us to capture additional market share. Now, even with the economic uncertainty, this is a very promising time in our company’s history.”

These days KJO is no longer at Corporate Woods. They’ve moved to Westwood, right next to Woodside Racquet Club. “Our collection of stray tennis balls is something to behold,” Kilian says.

No matter which side of the state line KJO is located, Kilian knows the company is in the right spot. “KC is a special place. It’s such a cool, innovative city that strives to continuously be better. Its business community is growing and building all the time, while also making its companies better places to spend a career.”

Our next Honeywell Fan Favorite will be announced Wednesday, September 2.

We will announce the Top 10 Small Businesses on Friday, September 4. Keep an eye on the Chamber’s social media platforms for that announcement!