Seventeen area small businesses will be able to take advantage of business lessons, mentorships and connections as part of the eighth cohort of ScaleUP! Kansas City.
ScaleUP! provides support for entrepreneurs running growth-oriented, second-stage businesses. It helps qualified small businesses with revenues of at least $200,000 to reach their expansion goals. It is funded through a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and administered by the University of Missouri-Kansas City Innovation Center.
The new cohort brings the total to 126 companies that have gone through the ScaleUP! KC program.
On Aug. 30, the new members will be introduced to the community at a reception. Register here by Aug. 27.
Eighth ScaleUP! KC cohort
The following entrepreneurs were selected for the current cohort:
Mollie Ahlers-Estes, Ahlers Building Maintenance Co. LLC, Lenexa
Ahlers Building Maintenance Co., founded in 2000, is a commercial janitorial service provider that offers janitorial cleaning, floor care, window washing and day-porter services.
Henrik Andersen, Scandinavian Co-Op LLC, Kansas City, Mo.
Scandinavian Co-Op is a specialty landscape contractor that installs hardscape projects such as detached garages, patios and driveways. It also solves erosion and drainage problems.
Angel Canady, Natural High Wellness Center, Leawood
Natural High Wellness Center and Spa is Kansas City’s premiere holistic day spa, offering an array of detoxifying and rejuvenating spa services and treatments, such as massage therapy, colon hydrotherapy, detox facials and body wraps.
Natural High Wellness Center in the news: Small Loans Present Big Opportunity
Kristen Christian, Bee Organized LLC, Overland Park
Bee Organized is a residential organizing company that provides unique, customized and sustainable organizing solutions, as well as concierge services and assistance and organizing support during major life transitions.
Brandon Dye, Dye Electric LLC, Kansas City, Mo.
Dye Electric is an energy and electrical company. The Dye Electric team has 30 years of combined experience with building and designing efficient and reliable electrical systems.
Drew Ford, Kakkuro Suite, Overland Park
Kakkuro Suite provides user-friendly business software for organizations to scale and grow their business. Kakkuro provides intuitive and customizable CRM, project management, inventory, accounting, reports and dashboard systems that can be set up as a suite or a la carte.
Aaron Fulk, Lillian James Creative, Mission
Lillian James Creative is a digital marketing agency that offers videography, photography, blogging, podcasts, design, social media, event promotion, SEO, reputation management, public relations, email, content, jingles, websites, paid online, social advertising and branding.
Kita Gandhi, B.I.C. Design Co., North Kansas City
B.I.C. Design Co. is a family-owned and -operated fire-protection engineering design firm. The company’s engineers are licensed in fire protection in eight states and have designed sprinkler systems for projects across the U.S. and worldwide.
B.I.C. Design Co. in the news: Big Projects Build Up Small Business
William Gibson, Down to Earth Services, Kansas City, Mo.
Down to Earth Services preserves and restores native plant communities. The company designs, builds and maintains landscapes, and works with native plants and sustainable solutions. In 2015, the company partnered with Green Thumb Gardens to create a wholesale/retail nursery supplying native plants.
Christopher Martin, ProcureIT Network LLC, Grain Valley
ProcureIT Network is a procurement consulting organization that helps companies that unknowingly overspend on software and IT services. ProcureIT Network Software Concierge Service balances the scale by providing critical training and pricing transparency to any organization acquiring technology.
ProcureIT Network in the news: Fast-growing area businesses land on Inc. 5000 list
Phillip Martin, CFM Distributors Inc., Kansas City, Mo.
CFM Distributors is an employee-owned, full-service wholesale distributor of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment and parts. The company partners with contractors and dealers to enhance business growth and development by providing best-in-class products, marketing, technical support, application assistance, training and the business resources to succeed.
Patricia McCreary, Margaret’s Place LLC, Kansas City, Mo.
Margaret’s Place provides a clean, safe, fun and secure environment for retired and disabled communities. The company enriches participants’ lives through preventative wellness or exciting adult daycare activities to enhance independence, community fellowship and prevent feelings of depression and isolation.
Laurie Miller, Ross Miller Cleaners, Kansas City, Mo.
Ross Miller Cleaners, established in 1928, is a fourth-generation family-owned and -operated, quality dry-cleaning business. The three current retail locations offer delivery service throughout Kansas City, plus alterations, preservation, tailoring and quality service.
Lisa Schmitz, Lisa Schmitz Interior Design, Kansas City, Mo.
Lisa Schmitz Interior Design includes a team of top Kansas City interior designers who believe in creating spaces that capture the desires of their clients. The firm’s projects cover everything from new builds to remodels that honor the integrity of their original structures.
Amy Slattery, Odimo, Kansas City, Mo.
Odimo is an architecture design and consulting practice. The company focuses on higher education, innovative affordable housing and quality commercial work in the urban core and in rural communities.
Shantelle Tomlin, Tomlin Academy, Kansas City, Mo.
Tomlin Academy, founded in 2008, is a preschool that serving the Kansas City metro that provides an opportunity to receive a diverse, rigorous and engaging education. The academy offers a program committed to growing innovative minds, preparing scholars for kindergarten and building relationships in the community.
Kirby Virden, Maxim Outdoor Signs, Overland Park
Maxim Outdoor Signs serves local Kansas City business owners and managers who need new or replacement signage for their business or nonprofit storefront or roadside signage. The company offers design, engineering, project management and permitting services, which give customers a no-hassle, turnkey buying experience.
Read more
Learn about some recent ScaleUP! KC companies:
