03/01/18

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Kansas Small Business Development Center statewide network has announced the 2018 Kansas SBDC Small Business Awards recognizing existing, emerging, and exporting Businesses of the Year. Each of the eight Kansas SBDC regional centers have selected one emerging and one existing business for the award. Two exporting businesses were selected as well.

In total, 17 Kansas small businesses will be recognized at a ceremony in Topeka on Tuesday, March 13. The businesses were selected from more than 2,400 businesses that received Kansas SBDC one-on-one business advising services in 2017.

"The selected businesses were chosen through careful consideration by our Kansas SBDC regional directors and advisors," said Greg Panichello, Kansas SBDC state director. “Collectively, the Kansas SBDC team believes these 17 small businesses are excellent examples of small businesses that have learned to adapt and succeed in challenging times."

WIBW-TV Anchor and Reporter Melissa Brunner will emcee the event.

The businesses, listed with their locations and owners:

Existing Businesses of the Year

Radius Brewing Company LLC, Emporia; Justin Bays, Jeremy Johns and Chad Swift

KYVZ Radio, Atwood; Joe Vyzourek

KC Restoration LLC, Olathe; Bill and LeAnn Luemmen

KEA Advisors, Lawrence; Keith Ely

La Harpe Telephone Company Inc., La Harpe; Harry and Joyce Lee and Carol Higginbotham

T & B Towing LLC, Liberal; Ty Rader

Overstock Art LLC, Wichita; David Sasson

The Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise, Alma; Lori Daniel

Emerging Businesses of the Year

Bella Rose Boutique and Tanning Salon LLC, Burlington; Lindsey Beyer

Lost Creek Supply, Kensington; Kaid Bauman

Angel Competition Bikinis LLC, Mission; Karah and Lauren Beeves

HMC Performance Coatings, Tonganoxie; Shawn and Amie Bristol

Root Coffeehouse, Pittsburg; Lindsey and Trent King

Advantage Marketing, Wichita; Cori Kohlmeier and Amy Hoefer

Sugar Creek Country Store LLC, St. Marys; Dan Hohman

Exporting Business of the Year

Double D Family Mat Shop Inc., Park; Dale and Dena Goetz

NorthWind Technical Services LLC, Sabetha; Marlene and Mike Bosworth

About Kansas SBDC:

The Kansas SBDC is a statewide advising, consulting, and training service for small businesses (typically less than 500 employees) funded by federal, state, and local partners. Funding allows the Kansas SBDC to provide advising and training (i.e. financial analysis, marketing, and management) to businesses across the state at low or no cost. Kansas SBDC is an accredited member of America’s SBDC, the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States.

To learn more, visit http://www.kansassbdc.net or call 877-625-7232.

For more information on the Kansas SBDC, contact Lisa Roberts, 785-296-6514, lsroberts@ksbdc.net.