Business Awards
Honoring KC Companies Achieving Excellence
One of our favorite things to do at the KC Chamber is give regional businesses the public kudos, recognition and encouragement that they deserve. We do this every year for amazing small businesses, companies that serve as role models in diversity and inclusion, and businesses that are going the extra mile to create a healthy workplace.
Small Business Celebration
The KC Chamber Small Business Celebration has been a business community mainstay for more than 30 years. It’s recognized as one of the largest Chamber small business celebrations in the United States. Our Celebration is a series of events where people and companies show support for the small business community within the Kansas City region, resulting in a highly competitive selection of Top 10 Small Businesses. One of these Top 10 companies is judged to be Small Business of the Year and receives the coveted Mr. K Award, named for Ewing Kauffman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, at the Small Business Awards Luncheon. To be named Small Business of the Year signifies that a company that has shown growth or sustainability of their business with strong employee relations and a record of giving back to the community.
Awards Presented
- The KC Chamber Mr. K Small Business of the Year
- The KC Chamber Emerging Business Award
- The KC Chamber Small Business Equity Award
- The KC Chamber Weida Award for International Small Business of the Year
- The KC Chamber Legacy of Kansas City Award
Small Business Celebration Events
- Virtual Candidates’ Showcase, Presented by American Century Investments.
- Top 10 CEO Reception featuring CEOs of the Top 10 Small Businesses, Presented by Bank Midwest.
- Small Business Awards Luncheon, Presented by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Read about the 2022 Small Business of the Year >>
Learn more about the 2022 Top 10 Small Businesses >>
2022 Small Business Award Winners
Chicken N Pickle
Crux KC
DEMDACO
KD Academy
Midwest Recovery Centers
Parrish & Sons Construction
Resolve
RK Contractors
SnapIT Solutions
Walz Tetrick
2022 Small Business of the Year and Mr. K Award
The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2022 Small Business of the Year is Chicken N Pickle! Founder Dave Johnson accepted the Mr. K Award at the Chamber’s Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, June 15 at the Marriott Muehlebach Tower.
This is the third time Chicken N Pickle was named a Top 10 Small Business, first in 2020 and again in 2021. They also took home the Entrepreneur Award in 2018.
2022 Small Business Equity Award: Parrish & Sons Construction
The Small Business Equity Award recognizes a small business who exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion in their workforce, business practices, and efforts in the community.
Parrish & Sons Construction is a general contractor that specializes in excavation, grading, underground storm, water utilities, hauling, and just recently aggregate crushing.
2022 Emerging Business Award: Bliss Books & Wine
This award recognizes a company that is less than three years old and demonstrates a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, perseverance, innovation and determination.
Bliss Books & Wine is an independently owned bookstore for wine enthusiasts and book lovers.
2022 International Small Business Award: KENZEN
This award will go to a small business that recognizes the importance of entering the international marketplace and succeeds in creating a global footprint for our region.
KENZEN’s continuous safety monitoring solutions harness the power of physiology data to predict and prevent heat injury, illness, and death from heat on worksites. When workers are safe, everyone benefits.
2022 Legacy of Kansas City Award: DEMDACO
The Legacy of Kansas City Award honors longevity of 15 years or more in business within the KC region, with a proven record of providing quality products and/or services in the greater Kansas City metro.
Pronounced dem-day-koh, and named for our founders Demi and Dave, we strive to “lift the spirit” in times of celebration, when comfort is needed or just to put a smile on someone’s face. Our hand-curated artisan gifts are chosen for their potential to help people nurture goodness in the lives of others, and celebrate family, friends and themselves.
Learn more about all of our 2021 award winning companies from the June, 2021 issue of GROW KC
Champions of Diversity
Each year at the POWER of Diversity Breakfast, the KC Chamber presents the Champion of Diversity Award and the new for 2021 Nonprofit Champion of Diversity Award, recognizing a regional business that has made an impactful commitment to embrace diversity in their workplace, diversity supplier partnerships, and the community. This Champion of Diversity business will be able to demonstrate their organizational practices are inclusive of all people. The 2022 Champion of Diversity is Commerce Bank, and the Nonprofit Champion of Diversity is GEHA.
Past Award Winners
Past Mr. K Award Winners
This award goes to a company that has shown growth or sustainability of their business with strong employee relations and a record of giving back to the community.
- Chicken N Pickle - 2022
- Charlie Hustle - 2021
- Pro Athlete - 2020
- TREKK Design Group - 2019
- Lead Bank - 2018
- Alpha Energy & Electric - 2017
- k12itc - 2016
- BNIM - 2015
- Bishop McCann - 2014
- Copaken Brooks - 2013
- Boulevard Brewing Company - 2012
- SFP - 2011
- Athletic Rehabilitation Center (now ARC Physical Therapy⌿) - 2010
- Kansas City Internal Medicine - 2009
- SunlightenTM (formerly Sunlight Saunas™) - 2008
- ViraCor - 2007
- Hoefer Wysocki Architects - 2006
- S&M NuTec, LLC - 2005
- LaserCycle InkCycle, Inc. - 2004
- Datacore Marketing - 2003
- Strickland Construction - 2002
- CommuniTech.Net - 2001
- SKC Communication Products Inc. - 2000
- Missouri Bank & Trust Company of Kansas City - 1999
- Marketing Associates International - 1998
- Gould Evans Affiliates - 1997
- Worth Harley-Davidson - 1996
- Robert D. O’Byrne & Associates Inc. (now CBIZ) - 1995
- Phelps Tool & Die Co., Inc. - 1994
- Bagel & Bagel Inc. (now Einstein Bros. Bagels) - 1993
- OTR Express Inc. - 1992
- Big Bob’s Used Carpet Shops of America Inc. (now Big Bob's Outlet) - 1991
- PB&J Corporation - 1990
- Kansas City Valve & Fitting Co. - 1989
- Cerner Corporation - 1988
- Nicholson Kovac - 1987
- Blankinship Distributors Inc. - 1987
Past Small Business Award Winners
In addition to the Small Business of the Year Award, the KC Chamber now presents four additional awards for small business excellence. These awards are announced at the conclusion of the Small Business Celebration, the KC Chamber’s Small Business Awards Luncheon, each May.
Criteria for each award:
Legacy of Kansas City Award: This award is directed towards honoring longevity, quality products and/or services, and community service in small businesses more than 15 years old in the Kansas City region.
Small Business Equity Award: The Small Business Equity Award recognizes a small business who exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion in their workforce, business practices, and efforts in the community.
Emerging Small Business of the Year Award: This award recognizes a company that is less than three years old and demonstrates a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, perseverance, innovation and determination.
Paul Weida Award for International Small Business of the Year: This award will go to a small business that recognizes the importance of entering the international marketplace and succeeds in creating a global footprint for our region. (first awarded in 2016)
2022
- Legacy of KC Award - DEMDACO
- Small Business Equity Award - Parrish & Sons Construction
- Emerging Small Business Award - Bliss Books & Wine
- Weida International Business Award - KENZEN
2021
- Legacy of KC Award - Sunlighten
- Small Business Equity Award - The Next Paige Agency
- Emerging Small Business Award - The Market Base
- Weida International Business Award - Sunlighten
2020
- Legacy of KC Award - BNIM
- Diverse Small Business Award - CHERRY Co.
- Emerging Small Business Award - BMG Advisors
- Weida International Business Award - UltraTech Aerospace
2019
- Legacy of KC Award - The Roasterie
- Diverse - Weave Gotcha Covered
- Emerging Small Business Award - Üdo
- Weida Internaitonal Business Award - DataLocker
2018
- Legacy of KC Award – The Robert E. Miller Group
- Diverse – Veracity Consulting
- Entrepreneur – Chicken N’ Pickle
- International – Orbis Biosciences
2017
- Legacy of KC Award – Andrews McMeel Universal
- Diverse Small Business Award – Webb Technology Group
- Entrepreneur - J. Rieger Co.
- International - Alpha Energy & Electric
2016
- Legacy of KC Award – Newmark Grubb Zimmer
- Diverse Small Business Award – DuBois Consultants, Inc.
- Entrepreneur - blooom
- International – Doodlekit
2015
- Legacy of KC Award – Curry Real Estate Services
- Diverse Small Business Award – Whitley Construction Company
- Entrepreneur – ClaimKit
2014
- Legacy of KC Award – Ace Imagewear
- Diverse Small Business Award – Alpha Energy and Electric
- Entrepreneur – Snow & Co.
2013
- Legacy of KC Award – IDD InStore Design Display
- Diverse Small Business Award – Technology Group Solutions
- Entrepreneur – Centric Projects
Business Award FAQs
What are the criteria for Small Business of the Year?
In order to be a Top 10 or Small Business Award candidate, you must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a for-profit business headquartered in the Greater Kansas City area
- Employ no more than 250 full-time equivalent employees
- Be committed to good business practices
- Have grown or sustained employee count and/or sales
- Have a good history of employee relations
- Must be a member of the KC Chamber by the time of application. For membership information, contact Membership at (816) 374-5403 or krekel@kcchamber.com.
How do I apply to be Small Business of the Year?
In order to be a part of this opportunity, you will need to prepare a few items for your award application:
- Your company history
- Description of your corporate culture
- Description of your company's participation in community service and employee engagement programs
- Description of how you differentiate your company from your competitors
- Description of where you see your company in 10 years and how you will achieve that goal
The online application is available now. To be able to start, stop, and restart the application without losing any work, you must enable cookies in your browser before beginning, and revisit the application on the same device and in the same browser where you started it. For questions regarding the Small Business Awards Application, call (816) 374-5458 or email kulikov@kcchamber.com
Why should I apply?
The exposure your company gains from participating in the Small Business Celebration is unequaled in the KC region including a complimentary exhibit table at the Candidates' Showcase event, features in various media outlets, and visibility in KC Chamber publications and website. The Top 10 Small Businesses also participate in a CEO panel discussion to share best practices and insights on successes, obstacles, and company achievements with KC leaders. Additionally, you'll become well connected with fellow nominees and Small Business Award alumni.
Overall, the small business awards process provides your company the opportunity for brand exposure, access to key business leaders, team camaraderie, and strategic planning. Be sure to give the application a look. Even if you don’t think you’d qualify for Small Business of the Year, you may find yourself in the running for one of our additional awards. The Candidates’ Showcase networking alone and Chamber connections you’ll make through the process can be most valuable.
What are the criteria for the additional small business awards?
Legacy of Kansas City Award: This award is directed towards honoring longevity, quality products and/or services, and community service in small businesses more than 15 years old in the Kansas City region.
Emerging Business Award: This award recognizes a company that is less than three years old and demonstrates a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, perseverance, innovation and determination.
Small Business Equity Award: This award recognizes a small business who exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion in their workforce, business practices, and efforts in the community.
Paul Weida International Small Business Award: This award will go to a small business that recognizes the importance of entering the international marketplace and succeeds in creating a global footprint for our region. (first awarded in 2016)
How would I apply for the additional awards?
If your business does not meet the criteria for Mr. K Small Business of the Year award, there are other ways for your business to be recognized throughout the region through the Small Business Celebration. The Emerging Business of the Year application is available to businesses less than three years old.
Resources for Small Businesses
The KC Chamber loves to help small businesses make important connections and find appropriate resources to help their companies grow. You can start by contacting Vicky Kulikov, Director of Small Business, at (816) 374-5458 or kulikov@kcchamber.com.
Member Discounts
Every little bit of savings helps and the KC Chamber offers discount programs that are ideal for small businesses. You’ll want to check out our discounts on cell phones, office products, payroll services, and certificate of origin processing. You can also learn how to offer a selection of health insurance plans while still controlling your costs. Review our cost saving benefits!
Small Business Priorities
Small businesses who align with the KC Chamber will find their voice amplified in Washington D.C., Jefferson City, Topeka, and KCMO City Hall. You can browse our Public Policy Agendas to learn more about the Chamber’s specific small business priorities.