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Home 2008 Success Stories & Impact

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KSBDC Success Stories


The KSBDC honored the 2008 Emerging and Existing Businesses of the Year during a ceremony on March 10, 2009 in Topeka. The 2008 emerging and existing businesses were selected by the KSBDC for their ability to grow, have vision, overcome major obstacles, and contribute to the Kansas economy. In addition, the businesses were honored for their civic contributions to the communities in which they operate.

2008 Emerging and Existing Businesses of the Year Video (run time 20 min.)


View the Kansas House and Senate resolutions recognizing the 2008 award recipients:

House

Senate

Ceremony Program (7.51MB PDF)

2008 KSBDC Emerging and Existing Businesses of the Year

Acorn Valley Custom Cabinetry
Owners, Bob Greif and Jim Houston, Thayer (below)

View on You Tube

PSU Success Story 2008


AVON Beauty Center
Owners, Elizabeth and George Demas, Overland Park (Elizabeth below)

View on You Tube

JCCC success story 08


Eagle Creek Vineyards
Owner, Jo Ann Kuhlmann, Olpe (below)
View on You Tube

ESU success story 08


EmbroidMe
Owners, Kim and Gavin Unruh, Dodge City (below)
View on You Tube

GCCC success story 08


Flower Cottage
Owners, Kathy and Robert Kuntz, Quinter (below)
View on You Tube

FHSU success story 08


The Furniture Look
Owner, Karen Dreiling, Hays (below)

View on You Tube

FHSU success story 08


Howard Pine's Garden Center & Greenhouses

Owner, Gerald Pine, Lawrence (below)
View on You Tube

KU success story 08


Local Burger
Owner, Hilary Brown, Lawrence (below)
View on You Tube

KU success story 08


Longford Water Company, LLC
Owners/managers, Wava and Kim Kramer, Longford (below)

View on You Tube

WSU success story 08


Morrill Collision Repair, Inc.
Owners, Melanie and Lonnie Teeter, Morrill (below)

View on You Tube

WU success story 08


MUSIC HOUSE school of music
Owners, Katrinka Riggs and Aaron Sizemore, Overland Park (below) View on You Tube

JCCC success story 08


New Boston Creative Group, LLC

Owners, Susan Religa, Kristin Brighton and Lisa Sisley, Manhattan (below)
View on You Tube

WU success story 08


Oakview Estates Assisted Living
Owners, Mark Scales and Jason Lahr, Frontenac, (Mark below)

View on You Tube

PSU success story 08


Oswalt Appraisals
Owner, Alan Oswalt, Garden City (below)
View on You Tube

GCCC success story 08


Pet Sitting Pal
Owner, Renee Flott, Emporia (below)

View on You Tube

ESU success story 08


ServiceMaster Clean in a Wink
Owner, Jerry Winkley, Wichita (below)

View on You Tube

WSU success story 08
Special Announcements

  • Follow news and events on the KSBDC Twitter at www.twitter.com and enter ID: KSBDC.

  • What our clients are saying about KSBDC consultants... "Our counselor was wonderful to work with. I probably wouldn't have taken a chance and started without her input." "Our counselor had the capability to tell us exactly what we needed to do or not do. She is appreciated!"

  • What our clients are saying about KSBDC services... "Thank you for providing an enduring foundation for making focused, yet wisely diverse business decisions which helped me thrive through various market ups and downs."

Frequent Questions

Q: When are the KSBDC businesses of the year announced?
A: The existing and emerging businesses of the year are notified in October. They attend a ceremony in March to receive official recognition from the KSBDC and their state legislators.

Q: How are the emerging businesses selcted?
A: The businesses must have been in business for at least two years and demonstrated growth and vision for the future.

Q: How are the existing businesses selected?
A: The businesses must have been in business for at least four years and demonstrated profitability and corporate citizenship.

Interesting Facts

  • The KSBDC was established in 1983. In 2008, the KSBDC celebrated 25 years of providing services to Kansas entrepreneurs.

  • Since its inception in 1983, the KSBDC has consulted with 86,222 clients and provided 6,237workshops with 92,888 attendees.

  • In 2008, KSBDC counseling helped new and existing businesses generate $83.2 million in new sales.

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