September 2026

A newsletter about and for the Members of THE CHAMBER THAT HAS IT ALL!

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MEMBER NEWS

Your go-to place for highlights, announcements, milestones, and noteworthy news that have been shared with The Chamber.

Woodard Cleaning and Restoration

Receives a Rosie Award

Woodard recently received a Rosie Award in recognition of its commitment to employee health and well-being. The award honors organizations that provide innovative, affordable healthcare benefits. Woodard's custom self-insured health plan helps support team members through wellness-focused care and improved access to services.

Senior Concierge

Great Day St. Louis

We are excited to share that SeniorConcierge was recently featured on KMOV’s Great Day St. Louis. The segment shines a spotlight on the services from SeniorConcierge designed to help St. Louis seniors live confidently and comfortably in their own homes.

The Magic House

New Strategic Plan Focused on the Power of Play

Congratulations to The Magic House on the launch of its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, Play Together! This exciting new chapter focuses on expanding access to play-based learning, strengthening community partnerships, and championing the important role play has in children’s development. Through Play Together, The Magic House is continuing its commitment to helping more children and families learn, connect, and thrive through play.

Helios Sound Health Services

Dr. Robert Cristel - Facial Plastic Surgeon

Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Robert Cristel. Dr. Cristel is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist now seeing patients at Helios Sound Health Services in Kirkwood at 1001 S Kirkwood Road-Suite 320. He specializes in facial plastic & reconstructive surgery, facelifts, rhinoplasty, skin cancer reconstruction and comprehensive ear, nose & throat concerns.

St Louis Roofing and Siding

Earns a Spot on The Good Contractors List!

Congratulations to St. Louis Roofing & Siding on being added to The Good Contractors List! This recognition reflects their commitment to quality, integrity, and trusted service. As a vetted contractor on the list, their customers also receive the added confidence of The Good Contractors List’s $25,000 guarantee when registering a qualifying project. Way to go, St. Louis Roofing & Siding!

Emerson & Co

St. Louis Small Business Recognition "BEST OF THE BEST"

Congratulations to Emerson & Co, LLC for winning the #2 spot in the top 5 list of Best Payroll Providers in St. Louis! More than 60,000 individuals voted to help find the best companies. See all of the “BEST OF THE BEST" in the annual Book of Lists in the 2026-2027 Business Owners' Guide, published by St. Louis Small Business Inc.

Anew Travel

Talitha Park Celebrates Anniversary

Talitha Park is celebrating more than 9 years in the travel industry and 2 years with Anew Travel, where she's proudly been part of the team since day one! She is incredibly grateful for the support of this community that has allowed her to continue growing her travel business. Whether your next travel dream is near or far,she would love to help bring it to life.

Fairway Automotive

Sada Kruse Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary!

Congratulations to Sada Kruse on celebrating her first year with Fairway Automotive! In just one year, Sada has quickly become a familiar face for Fairway Automotive throughout the community, representing the company with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to get involved. We can’t wait to see what the years ahead bring for Sada and her continued growth with the Fairway Automotive team!

Best Conflict Solutions

Rain Yadak Joins the Best Team!

Please welcome Rain Yadak, our new Practice Manager at Best Conflict Solutions, LLC! Rain brings a sharp eye for detail and genuine care for our clients, and will help keep operations running smoothly behind the scenes. We're excited to have this energy on the team, give Rain a warm welcome next time you're in touch!

Canterbury Enterprises

Charlie Celebrates 20 Wonderful Years!

Congratulations to Charlie on an incredible 20 years with Canterbury Enterprises! For two decades, Charlie has been part of an organization dedicated to creating opportunities, encouraging independence, and supporting adults with disabilities. He shares that one of the best parts of his 20 years has been the opportunity to work alongside so many wonderful people. Congratulations, Charlie, on this very special milestone!

Centered Soul Collective

Beth Geolat -A Published Author

Beth Geolat is celebrating becoming a first-time published author with Illuminate: A Daily Journal for Reflection & Growth. The journal grew from prompts Beth used herself while navigating overwhelm and burnout, bringing that journey full circle by turning something that helped her into something she can now share with others. Congratulations Beth!

Savi Guru's

Launches Savi Tools

Congratulations to Savi Gurus on the Launch of Savi Tools! Savi Gurus is celebrating the launch of Savi Tools, a new free mobile app created to help freelancers and newly self-employed individuals stay organized from day one. The app tracks business mileage and captures expenses and receipts throughout the year, making recordkeeping easier along the way. Congratulations to the Savi Gurus team on bringing this new resource to life!

We are excited to celebrate these Member Business Anniversaries

Life Bridge

Five years ago, LifeBridge opened its doors with a simple mission: walk alongside our neighbors as they build stability, independence, and long-term financial health. We celebrate with every participant in the program and our supporters who help make this work possible. Thank you for 5 amazing years of community, growth, and partnership.

Hello Juice

Congratulations to Hello Juice & Smoothie on celebrating 8 years in business! We’re excited to celebrate this milestone and eight years of serving up fresh, healthy favorites to our community. Cheers to many more years of success!

Aberdeen Heights

Aberdeen Heights proudly celebrates 15 years of serving the Kirkwood community. Guided by Christian values, our mission is to provide quality senior living, healthcare, and support that enrich older adults' lives. We are grateful for our residents, families, team members, and partners who made this milestone possible.

Industrial Shelving

Industrial Shelving Systems is celebrating 65 years of helping customers solve storage and material handling challenges. What began with automotive parts storage has evolved into automotive, industrial, and warehouse automation. From racking to mezzanines to automated systems, they’re your one-stop shop for storage and material handling solutions.

Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures

Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures manufacturer of custom fabric and metal awnings, canopies, and architectural elements, is proud to announce its 85th anniversary. Since founding in 1941, the company has grown from a local fabricator into an industry-leading, 100% employee-owned, known for turning complex architectural visions into reality.

West Community Credit Union

For 90 years, we've been proud to serve our members and support the communities we call home. Thank you for being part of our story and helping us make a difference. Here's to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and building an even brighter future together.

Snarf's Sandwiches

Congratulations to Snarf's Sandwiches on their 30th Anniversary! Jimmy Seidel ("Snarf") decided to stop looking for the world’s finest sandwich... and set out to create it instead. In 1996, he opened the very first Snarf’s in Boulder, Colorado in what’s affectionately referred to as "The Shack". Now, 3 decades later, our family-owned business has grown to almost 60 locations in Colorado, Missouri and Texas.

NEW MEMBERS

Patty Upchurch - Patty's Cheesecakes

Luke Beattie - Fox's Finest/Fox's Holdings

Ashley Buehnerkemper - VitalSkin Dermatology

Hai Tang - Honey Nail Lounge

Tony Klote - Breakthrough T1D, MO. Chapter

Michelle Carr - Streamline Business Solutions

Laura Funke - Midwest Dental

Christine Sedlmayr - Zeis Group, LLC

Matt Willis - Dog Training Elite

Laura Blood - Kirkwood Wellness & Rehabilitation

CHAMBER-VERSERIES

Jacob Warren - Delta Dental - 1 year

Tanveer Zia - Fast Signs, Fenton/Valley Park - 1 year

Keri Lemmons - Drop the Ball STL - 1 year

Lauren Preston- Full Circle Placements - 1 year

Thomas Richter - The Graphics Company - 1 year

Jennifer Crompton - Crompton Pancoast, LLC - 1 year

Jim Struble - CommunityAmerica Credit Union - 1 year

Mallory Perryman - Waypost Paper - 2 years

Leah Spiros- Wrapped + Written - 2 years

Marsha Russo - Bumble Bee Blinds - 2 years

Megan Quillin - Mercy GoHealth Urgent Care - 2 years

Chelsea Ricketts - UMT Global - 2 years

Tony Russo - Russo Stone Design - 2 years

Gabe Young - Tribute Painting & Drywall - 3 years

Jennifer Bellm - Small Business Solutions, LLC - 3 years

April Collier - Holiday Inn SW, Rt 66 - 3 years

Carley Hartig - Jefferson Grill - 3 years

Kurt Eller - Taco Buddha - 3 years

JB Bauer - St. Louis Skeet & Trap Club - 3 years

Jamie Barker - Mercy GoHealth Urgent Care, Crestwood - 3 years

Richard Metz - Fairmont on Clayton - 3 years

Kayla Busby - Alloy Personal Training -3 years

Dr. Tim Luecke - St. Louis CAPS - 4 years

Wendy Sens - Fox Creek Veterinary Hospital - 4 years

Darrel Scott - St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, Inc. - 5 years

Adam Schmitz - Terra Nova Builds - 5 years

Nikki Weddle - The Nations Network - 5 years

Liz Gibbons - Mayor of Kirkwood - 6 years

Rick Stream - American Legion Post 156, Kirkwood - 7 years

Jon Schwendeman - Edward Jones - 9 years

Amy Suthers - Hope Ignites St. Louis - 9 years

Brad Jackson - Razorbacks Armory - 11 years

Dr. Jaclyn Scroggins - Junction Orthodontics - 12 years

Billy Gianino - Billy G's Restaurant - 13 years

MaryAnn Meyer - Garden View Care Center, Dougherty Ferry - 13 years

Jessica Dempsey - Central Bank - 16 years

Allison Winkler - Kirkwood Family Dental - 17 years

Kirk Hutchinson - Royal Banks, Kirkwood - 17 years

Bea Quinn - Aberdeen Heights Senior Living - 19 years

Emily Johnson - Magnoli Family Dental - 20 years

Scott Stream - DeWitt Insurance Agency - 21 years

Taylor Kuiper - Greentree Community Church - 22 years

Mark McClanahan - Mosby Building Arts Ltd. - 27 years

Cherie Middendorf - Royal Banks - Glendale - 27 years

Hardy Washington - State Farm Insurance - 29 years

LETTERS FROM OUR DIRECTORS

Kirk Faubel

Board Chair

We would like to Welcome Darrell Scott to the Chamber board of Directors filling a vacant seat. Darrell’s term will expire December 31, 2027. We appreciate Darrell taking on this role. Darrell was sworn in as the Chair of the Board in January of 2020 just before the world shut down 10 weeks later. He and the other board members were instrumental in keeping the Chamber moving in a world of unknowns.

The Bylaws committee has been finalizing our updated bylaws and has had them reviewed by Weigl Law who has provided feedback for review prior to voting and implementation. As a board, we feel it is important to ensure we are following laws around being a not for profit and want to make sure we are being thorough in our approach. Along with updating these, the law firm also recommended that we have a written code of conduct for all members and volunteers which the Chamber staff is working to complete and you will see this coming soon as you volunteer for events.

Wishing you a wonderful end of summer and hope to see you all at Greentree!

-Kirk

Chris Ley

Executive Director

September has arrived!

The kids are back in school, summer vacations created great memories, and fall is starting to peek around the corner.

Around The Chamber, that means one thing: it’s time for a whole new season of connecting!

Maybe you spent the summer traveling. Maybe you enjoyed a few slower days. Or maybe your summer was anything but slow. Whatever your summer looked like, we hope it was a good one.

Now we’re ready for what’s next.

September brings plenty of chances to see familiar faces and make some new connections along the way. No homework. No pop quizzes. Just good people, good conversations, and plenty of reasons to get involved.

So, grab your calendar and see what’s coming up at The Chamber. We have some great things in store!

The school year may be getting started, but around here, connecting season is just heating up.

We’ll see you soon at THE CHAMBER THAT HAS IT ALL!

PS - BE A BRINGER!

-Chris

COMMITTEE CONVERSATIONS

Committee Conversations is a monthly feature highlighting the ideas, expertise, and impact of the Chamber’s committees and specialty groups. Each month, a different committee will share insights, updates, or perspectives connected to their mission and work within the Chamber and community.

YOU-niquely YOU

by your Women's Entrepreneurial Group Committee

The Women's Entrepreneurial Group (WEG) is the longest-running continual women's chamber group in our area, and after a decade, we're still thriving, growing, and breaking new ground.

We started roughly ten years ago in a library basement with a handful of passionate women. We bring together women in business to share ideas, learn from one another, network and build relationships in a supportive and positive environment.

When the pandemic hit, we pivoted to Zoom, keeping our community connected while helping local entrepreneurs restructure and survive.

Today, we meet every third Thursday of the month at the newly renovated Kirkwood Community Center, with women presenters, networking games, and a genuinely judgment-free space for professional growth.

Now we're reaching our biggest milestone yet: for the first time in our Chamber's history, we're hosting the inaugural Kirkwood - Des Peres Area Chamber Women's Summit powered by Servpro Team Chestnas. Themed "YOU-niquely YOU: Embrace Your Originality, Lead with Purpose," the event runs Friday, October 30, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, with registration opening at 8:30 AM.

The lineup includes opening speaker Dr. Natissia Small (CEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern MO), keynote speaker Deanna Rocco McClintock (Brand Strategist, Elevate Your Brand), and a Q&A panel with Dr. Feleccia Moore-Davis, Stacey Zerban-Roth, Shaunna Brandt, and Rachel McDougall.

Tickets are $40 for early bird registration (through September 30), $60 after, and include a continental breakfast, lunch, dessert, networking, a swag bag provided by Lorilee Realty, and so much more! Tickets can be purchased with the link below.

Join us to celebrate our shared history, come as you are and leave more confident in who you are, YOU-niquely you.

YOU-niquely You Women's Summit

MEMBER PERKS

Be A Bringer Initiative

STARTS TODAY!

Our Brand new Be A Bringer Initiative is your chance to introduce colleagues, clients, friends, and fellow business owners to everything the Chamber has to offer while earning rewards along the way.

From September through December, you'll receive points for every registered first-time guest you bring to eligible Chamber events, with prizes throughout the program and a chance to be named The Chamber's Best Bringer in January 2027.

Here's the Details and BE A BRINGER!

The Be A Bringer Program will run from September through December 2026. Chamber members will earn 10 points for every registered, first-time guest they bring to one of the following Chamber events:

First Friday Coffee
Leader’s Learning & Connecting (LLC)
Monthly Membership Luncheon
Women’s Entrepreneurial Group
Business After Hours
Young Professional Group (YPN)

At First Friday Coffee, Business After Hours, and Young Professional Group, members who bring a registered, first-time guest will also be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card to Teleo Coffee, Glendale Grind, or Hello Juice & Smoothie.

At the end of the program, we’ll tally the points and announce The Chamber’s Best Bringer at our January 2027 Membership Luncheon!

The Chamber’s Best Bringer will receive:

a $200 award
a complimentary January Member Luncheon
recognition at the January Luncheon
a special social media spotlight at their place of business.

Have questions or issues registering a guest? Please reach out to Taylor at the Chamber office for assistance.

Help us grow the Chamber one introduction at a time. Invite a colleague, client, friend, or fellow business owner to experience all the Chamber has to offer. You might even earn the title of The Chamber’s Best Bringer!

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