North Kansas City News
August 2022
Welcome the North Kansas City Business Council's
Newest Members
Arita Damroze, a legal technology consultant for over twenty years, is the President of A.B. Sims, LLC, which provides technology consulting, training and support services to attorneys and other professionals. Over the years, they have helped hundreds of firms navigate the legal software maze to better serve their clients. Their products and services include installation, set-up, training and customization of billing, accounting, and case management software solutions and billing services. They test and use recommended products in their own office, helping to ensure any software solution selected is the right product for the job and is configured and delivered with patient, professional training, and ongoing support. Click here to learn more!
Iron District is a unique outdoor dining and retail destination created to help new business owners build their startups into thriving businesses and bring together people of all demographics from around the metro area to eat, drink, shop, and connect. Its unique design includes a variety of food vendors and retail shops housed in repurposed shipping containers set around a spacious courtyard area featuring picnic tables and fun games to enjoy with friends and family. Open Wednesday through Saturday, live music is featured every Friday and Saturday night, weather permitting from May through September. It’s a great place for a date night, group hangout or fun family-friendly outing and entertainment experience. Click here to learn more and plan a visit!
Sterling Luxury Coaches takes pride in designing, fabricating, and manufacturing one-of-a-kind luxury custom Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van Conversions. From big-screen TVs, beverage service stations, wood floors, customized ultra-comfortable seating, wheelchair accessibility, work-tables, or even a bathroom ... If you can imagine it, they can build it! Each van is built with the customer’s needs in mind. A few examples include tailgating conversions for cheering on your favorite team or celebrating with friends or colleagues, college team conversions to make a statement to a potential recruit, leisure conversions for legendary road trips, or custom office conversions that transform a van into a full mobile office where luxury meets productivity! Visit their Facebook page to learn more!
Full Circle Chemical Supply is a carpet cleaning supply and restoration company that offers a comprehensive selection of carefully chosen carpet cleaning and janitorial supplies, equipment, parts and accessories, along with extensive equipment maintenance services, for commercial and residential grade carpet cleaning and janitorial professionals throughout the metro area. In addition, they provide truckmounts, portable extractors, encapsulation machines, hard surface equipment, and carpet cleaning accessories. They strive to consistently provide superior customer service and their highly skilled technicians can take care of anything from a small hose repair to a major engine overhaul and work on all makes and models. Click here to learn more!
The Richey Agency is a Farmers® Insurance Agency located in downtown North Kansas City owned and operated by Jennifer Richey and Jon Richey. They offer Auto insurance, Home insurance, Business insurance, Motorcycle insurance, Recreational insurance, Renters insurance, Umbrella insurance, Term Life insurance, and Whole Life insurance. They use a straightforward and personalized process to help their customers become more knowledgeable about insurance so they can better understand the wide variety of insurance options available to them and identify the coverage that best fits their individual needs. Click here to learn more or make an appointment!
The Chiropractic Kinesiology Clinic believes there is no “one size fits all” approach to healing and they work to support and empower people in their own unique journey in health and wellness by offering natural solutions to optimize health and a wide range of services such as Chiropractic Plus Kinesiology, food inflammation testing (FIT), Acupuncture and much more. From the initial consultation through planning next steps and beginning the healing journey, they work with you to get to the root cause of your issue and restore your optimal health. Click here to learn more and get started today!
Quarterly Monthly Luncheon Pilot Program
The North Kansas City Business Council recently developed a new Quarterly Monthly Luncheon Pilot Program designed to:

  • Recognize and celebrate the achievements of its members and the North Kansas City business community

  • Provide valuable benefits and rewards to NKCBC members

  • Grow awareness and participation in the organization

Each quarter will feature events, activities, and information related to a specific topic, with the highlight being a special luncheon program offered the first month of the quarter. As part of the special monthly luncheon program, NKCBC members receive one complimentary luncheon registration to allow one of their representatives to attend free, along with one complimentary registration to invite and bring a non-member NKCBC guest free of charge!

The program was introduced in July with the focus on "NKC Women in Business". In advance of American Business Women's Day recognized on September 22nd and National Business
Women's Week celebrated the last full week in October, we have been celebrating and recognizing the North Kansas City Business Council women business owners, entrepreneurs, female leaders, and working women making an impact across all sectors of the North Kansas City business community!

The July special luncheon program, sponsored by Meierotto Jewelers, featured stories and insights from the following NKCBC women business leaders who have been highly successful in their businesses and careers:



  • Julie Edlund, CEO of Life Unlimited (Family, Community & Civic Organizations)



The 4th Quarter Monthly Luncheon Pilot Program will focus on "Manufacturing in NKC". Look for more details coming soon!
Learn More About A Few Of Our Many
NKCBC Member Women in Business
More NKCBC Member Women in Business!
Lois Gutierrez, Owner
3 and Me Boutique (Retail)

Arita Damroze, President
A.B. Sims, LLC (Computers & Telecommunications)

Roxanne Strub, Owner
Above & Beyond Catering (Food & Beverage)

Michelle Lohmeyer, Director of Sales
Aloft/Element & Diamond Conference Center (Lodging & Travel)

Shannon Shelton, Office Manager
Arkema (Manufacturing, Production, & Wholesale)

Rose Brown, Owner
BJ Management Company (Professional Services)

Traci McKown, Co-Owner
Blue Oak Technology Solutions (IT & Telecommunications)

Andrea Wehner, Attorney
Sheryl Danner, EDNPA Representative
BurnettDriskill (Legal)

Dr. Kate Masterson, Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
Dr. Katrina Waymar, Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
Chiropractic Kinesiology Clinic (Health Care)

Xue Wood, Community Development Director
Lisa Tull, Council Member
Amie Clark, Council Member
Ana Pellumbi, Council Member
City of North Kansas City (Government)

Kristin Linder, Co-Owner
Lauren Cone, Co-Owner
Donut King (Food & Beverage)

Jeanette Prenger, Founder & CEO
ECCO Select (Business Services)

Amy Jalbert, Owner
Exhibit Associates (Advertising & Media)

Sandra Ferguson, Owner/Attorney
Ferguson & Ferguson (Legal)

Kristie Stuewe, President/CEO
Michelle D. Freed, Senior Vice President
Stephanie Harris, Vice President/Loan Officer
First Missouri Bank (Finance)

Heather May, Co-Owner
Flex Fitness Gym (Health Care)

Julie Sola, General Manager
Harrah's Kansas City (Arts & Entertainment | Restaurant | Lodging & Travel)

Julie Yoakum, President & Chief Merchandising Officer
Helzberg Diamonds (Retail)

Ora Reynolds, President
Hunt Midwest Enterprises (Real Estate Development)

Kristie Stuewe, President/CEO
First Missouri Bank (Financial Services)

Ruby Lane, Owner
KC Blueprint (Business Services)

Annette Small, Chief Executive Officer
Midwest Aortic & Vascular Institute, P.C. (Health & Wellness)

BJ McCullick, Attorney
Clare Murphy Shaw, Attorney
Aly Englander, Attorney
McCrummen Immigration Law Group, LLC (Legal)
Jenny McDowell, Owner
Mid-America Contractors (Construction)

Stephanie Perry, Manager
Mosquito Joes (Services & Repairs)

Dr. Caitlyn Hall, Doctor of Dental Surgery
NKC Dental (Health & Wellness)

Donna Kirschner, Co-Owner
NKC Iron & Metal, LLC (Industrial Services)

Marissa Shelton, Owner
NKC Nutrition (Food & Beverage)

Lori Mangan, Director
NKC Public Library (Family, Community, & Civic Organization)

Kerrie Jenkins, Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
North Kansas City Hospital (Health Care)

Tammy Henderson, Executive Director of Community Relations and Governmental Affairs
North Kansas City Schools (Education)

Tami Carolan, Executive Director
North Kansas City YMCA (Family, Community, & Civic Organization)

Dr. Brandi Whitaker, Owner/Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
Northtown Chiropractic and Nutrition (Health Care)

Brandi Smithmier, Owner
Paul & Jack's Tavern (Restaurant | Food & Beverage | Arts & Entertainment)

Amanda Harris, Owner/Founder
PlantLyfe Oasis (Retail)

Michelle Radcliffe, Operations Manager
ProPrint Digital (Business Services)

Shannon Benay, Co-Founder, Co-Owner, Master Distiller
Restless Spirits (Food & Beverage | Arts & Entertainment)

Heather Brown, Co-Owner
Sail Away Wine (Food & Beverage | Restaurant)

Shannan Slavens, Owner
SRS Design (Architecture, Design & Engineering)

Julia Kruckow, Human Resources Manager
StandardAero (Aerospace/Manufacturing)

Winsor Barbee
Sterling Luxury Coaches
(Product Design | Manufacturing)

Henrietta Miller
Stor Safe Warehouse (Professional Services | Business Services)

Debbie Pettid, Founder/Co-Director
The Rabbit Hole (Arts & Entertainment)

Jennifer Richey, Agent
The Richey Agency (Insurance)

Wendy Wade, Chief Financial Officer
Tnemec Company, Inc. (Manufacturing, Production, & Wholesale)

Diane Ufferman, Co-Owner
Treasures of the Past Antique Mall (Retail)
CONGRATULATIONS!
NetWerx: Female Forward Networking
Thursday, September 1st
5:30 - 7:00 pm at iWerx
1520 Clay Street, North Kansas City, MO
Come out and join in their first female forward networking event!
This event is free and open to all women.

Text or email Heather for more information.
(660) 539-5494 | [email protected]
Laura Clark, Brand Marketing Director, Fashion & Seasons at Helzberg Diamonds, and her team, recently “brought some love” to North Kansas City with their new I AM LOVED mural on the north side of their building at 1805 Swift Street. They wanted to lean into their strong brand heritage of I AM LOVED, and celebrate the expression through community beautification activations!

For Helzberg Diamonds, I AM LOVED is not an advertising line or a promotion, it’s a philosophy. The words are not just something to believe – they are a way to act. So, Clark and her team came up with the idea of a large outdoor mural to express this idea in a way that truly makes those who see it feel love and inspire positivity.

Helzberg Diamonds is proud to be a company that stands for something as positive as “I Am Loved”. One of the biggest challenges for Clark and her team was ensuring they had the right activation in place to spread this beautiful and important message to the North Kansas City community. And, this is not just a one-time community beautification activation for them! They will soon be posting on Facebook and Instagram, asking people to nominate locations across the country that haven’t seen love in some time. They will then select a few locations to fix-up and apply the message I AM LOVED as a work of public art and inspiration for the selected communities.
Clark said partnering with artist, designer (and spray paint virtuoso), Jason Naylor was very exciting for their team! Jason’s work is dedicated to spreading positivity through art and he is known for his joyful color palettes and heart iconography, which made him a perfect fit for designing and painting their I AM LOVED mural!

The mural represents an exciting private-sector investment in public art in North Kansas City, and as such, was not part of the city’s Public Art Mural Program. However, Clark and her team worked closely with the City on approval of the creative they developed for the project, and, as a result, the mural not only reflects the Helzberg philosophy, but meets the goal of the City's Public Art Mural Program to enhance North Kansas City’s quality of life and contribute to a culturally rich community.
North Kansas City recently hosted Fox 4’s Zip Trip at Macken Park. The Zip Trip event featured Mayor DeLong, Police Chief Freeman, NKC High School’s cheer team and marching band, Macken and Dagg Parks, and multiple businesses and attractions around North Kansas City. Check it out!


Downtown Streetscape Construction Progress
The Downtown Streetscape Project is still in Phase 3 of the project. This phase includes the south side of Armour Road between Swift and Buchanan and the north side of Armour Road between Swift and Fayette. The contractor anticipates beginning Phase 4 around the second week of September.

For up-to-date information about the project, please visit the project website at www.nkc.org/downtown. If the project website does not answer all your questions, please contact the Community Development Department via email at [email protected] or phone at 816-274-6006.
NKC Schools will be starting a Career Mentorship Program for the 2022-2023 school year. This will provide the opportunity for juniors to connect with mentors eight times during the school year to learn about resume writing, college and career preparation, interviewing techniques, and simply how to prepare for life after high school. Preparation for the mentor is very limited as structured pre-set meeting agendas and activities are provided in the mentor's handbook.
Interested in becoming a mentor? Check out the following for more details and register today!



The deadline to apply as a new Career Mentor is Thursday, September 15th.
Thursday, August 25
11:30 am - 1:00 PM
iWerx
1520 Clay Street
This month, in addition to lunch and networking, you will have the opportunity to meet and learn more about two North Kansas City Business Council Members.

Gary Agness, Vice President of Synetic Technologies will be sharing highlights from their computer recycling business and discuss their involvement with a worldwide reforestation project.

Tami Carolan, Executive Director of the North Kansas City YMCA will highlight the many on-going community service programs the YMCA offers, in addition to their outstanding exercise and fitness facilities.
Registration ends at Noon on Tuesday, August 23rd!
Friday, September 9
7:30 - 9:00 am
Iron District
1599 Iron Street
Our host next month is Iron District. Iron District is a unique outdoor dining and retail destination created to help new business owners build their startups into thriving businesses and bring together people of all demographics from around the metro area to eat, drink, shop, and connect. Its unique design includes a variety of food vendors and retail shops housed in repurposed shipping containers set around a spacious courtyard area featuring picnic tables and fun games to enjoy with friends and family. Open Wednesday through Saturday, live music is featured every Friday and Saturday night, weather permitting from May through September. It’s a great place for a date night, group hangout or fun family-friendly outing and entertainment experience, and, of course, a Second Friday Coffee!

We look forward to seeing you there for coffee and conversation!
Global Entrepreneurship Week KC is officially accepting session proposals for this year's Global Entrepreneurship Week, celebrated here in Kansas City and in 170+ countries worldwide from Nov 14-20, 2022. iWerx North Kansas City will host this year's base camp. Check out what Startland News had to say https://www.startlandnews.com/2022/08/gew-north-kansas-city/.

Your opportunity to submit an event for this year's GEWKC ends at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 28. To learn more, visit www.gewkc.org. If you have any questions or want to know how you or your business can become involved in GEWKC, send us a message at [email protected].
8th Annual Dad & Daughter 5K
September 24th
8:30 AM
505 E. 18th Avenue
North Kansas City, MO
Happy "Membership" Anniversary to the following NKCBC Members ... Thank you for your support!
Upcoming Events & Activities
NKCBC
Calendar of Events

August 25
11:30 AM
Featured Speakers
Gary Agness
Vice President of Synetic Technologies
&
Tami Carolan
Executive Director of the North Kansas City YMCA
iWerx
1520 Clay Street

September 9
7:30 - 9:00 am
Hosted by the Iron District
1599 Iron Street

Visit the North Kansas City Business Council Events Calendar for more information and to register for NKCBC events and activities.
Have information you'd like to share? Call or send an email to Paula Brooks, North Kansas City Business Council Member Services and Events Coordinator.

(816) 538-3111
There is always something fun and entertaining going on in North Kansas City! Check out the RiverNorth Calendar of Events for all the details and sign up for their newsletter!
The North Kansas City Parks and Recreation Board is committed to providing the residents and business community of North Kansas City with the best possible environment for family recreation and leisure time enjoyment.
Click the image above for the North Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department full Summer 2022 catalog of programs for all ages.
Quote Notes

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity."

- Amelia Earhart-
Paula Brooks | (816) 472-7700 | 405 E. 19th Avenue | [email protected]