Four Kansas City entrepreneurs have been named American Small Business Champions by SCORE, the national organization that provides free business mentoring.
The national competition’s local winners include:
- Sally Barchman, State Line Animal Hospital of Leawood
- Martha Childers, Childers Counseling Service of Kansas City, Missouri
- Beth Dowell, Tall Grass Toffee of Lenexa
- Heidi Faith, stillbirthday of Kearney
They will each receive a $1,000 gift card from Sam’s Club, a contest sponsor. They’ll also get free SCORE coaching for a year and a free trip to Dallas for an elite training event.
Childers Counseling Service, Tall Grass Toffee, stillbirthday and State Line Animal Hospital are among 102 small businesses that are being recognized.
“SCORE is very pleased to honor the hard work and accomplishments of these 102 small business owners,” said Ken Yancey, the organization’s CEO. “They come from all across the United States, and provide diverse products and services for their clients, but all share in their dedication to making their dreams a reality. It is our pleasure to provide the mentoring, tools and resources that will help them continue to grow their businesses and enhance the communities they serve.”
Kansas City’s honorees have the potential to win even more. Three other “grand prizes,” each worth $25,000, will be presented this summer. Judges will award those prizes based on how well each American Small Business Champion uses his or her Sam’s Club gift card and SCORE training, and on how well they promote the contest in the media and social media.
“At Sam’s Club, we proudly support and celebrate the unique experience of the small business owner,” said Tracey D. Brown, senior vice president of operations and chief experience officer at Sam’s Club. “We are inspired daily by their ability to navigate challenges and triumphs on the road to success. And now, hopefully, the rest of the nation will be, too, as they get to know some of the nation’s most promising small business owners.”
