The U.S. Small Business Administration will award another $18 million through the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program to help individual states promote small business exporting. “Last year, the SBA surpassed our record for trade finance, supporting $3.3 billion in export sales,” SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet said. “I believe we can do even more to help our small businesses reach the 95 percent of consumers who live outside our…

Two Missouri school districts are choosing to spend newly awarded grant money on SafeDefend protective systems, which were created here in the metro. Schools across the state competed against one another for grants that will be used to enhance school safety. Lone Jack C-6 School District and Middle Grove C-1 School District, which is located in mid-Missouri, each received $5,000 from the Missouri School Boards’ Association through its Missouri Center…

Kellen Jones whose name is ubiquitous in the world of private lending in the West and Southwest joins Think Realty host Matt Benson to talk private capital and explain how it’s done in the world of private lending. Jones has personally seen over $500 million dollars in private loans transactions and has a wealth of experience in lender relations, underwriting, marketing and originations. He serves as Executive Officer and Co-founder…

Steve and Nicole Pierce are continuing the family tradition that has been a part of Muehlebach Funeral Care since it was first established in 1954 by James Harrington.  Muehlebach Funeral Care was the first funeral home to sell prearranged funerals in the United States and continues to offer unique services such as its Senior and Aftercare program as a way to set them apart and serve Kansas City families for…

Maxwell Ivey, is a totally blind business owner, blogger, sometimes podcaster, and newly self published author. His primary business is helping people sell new and used amusement equipment and related items. He started his business after the early death of his father which lead to the closure of his family’s small traveling carnival. Smart Companies Host Kelly Scanlon discusses his new book, called, “Leading you out of the darkness into the light, a blind man’s…