Thinking Bigger Business Media is proud to announce the honorees of the 16th annual 25 Under 25® Awards—a group that represents the best of Kansas City’s small business community.
The awards are presented to 25 local businesses with fewer than 25 employees. An independent panel of judges consisting of area business leaders chooses the winning companies. Nearly 1,500 nominations were submitted. This year’s honorees include:
- Artistic Concrete Surfaces LLC
- BioStar Lighting
- Brown Button Estate Sale Services
- Certified Radon
- DuBois Consultants Inc.
- ER Marketing
- Fortiviti
- Generator Studio
- Hartline Construction
- Hitch Fit
- International Express Trucking Inc.
- J. Rieger & Co.
- Kansas City Bier Company
- Lever1
- MindLift
- Plasterkraft LLC
- SafeDefend
- Sage Communications
- SARIN Energy Solutions
- Sphere3
- STRATA Architecture + Preservation
- Superior Disposal Service
- Towner Communications
- Treadwell
- Worldwide Innovations & Technologies
“Small businesses are a powerful, but often overlooked force in Kansas City,” said Kelly Scanlon, CEO of Thinking Bigger Business Media and the creator of 25 Under 25®.
“Together, these companies employ thousands upon thousands of people, deliver innovative products and services, and help support our government, schools, nonprofits and other public resources. Of course, most of our winners are too humble and too busy to brag about their contributions. But it’s a story that needs to be told. The 25 Under 25® Awards are proud to celebrate the important service of small businesses.”
Each year, Thinking Bigger Business also presents the Entrepreneurial Legacy Award to one of the city’s most enduring business leaders, someone who has made a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial community. This year’s honoree will be Bob Regnier, the president and CEO of Bank of Blue Valley.
This is the 16th year for 25 Under 25®. This year’s honorees will be recognized during the annual 25 Under 25® Gala on Saturday, March 4, at the Downtown Marriott’s Muehlebach Hotel. This year’s theme is “Think Bigger. Take Flight.” Tickets for the gala will go on sale Jan. 1 at www.25under25.com.
To be considered for 25 Under 25®, companies must meet three requirements:
- Have fewer than 25 full-time (or full-time equivalent) employees
- Operate a for-profit business for three or more years
- Be located in the Greater Kansas City area
Companies are judged on their financial stability, ability to overcome adversity and challenges, community involvement, distinguishing or defining characteristics and company vision.
