There are many motivational speakers but on this episode of Smart Companies Radio, you'll meet Dr. Willie Jollley, described simultaneously as a world-class, award-winning speaker, best-selling author and media personality. Discover how Dr. Jolley helped The Ford Motor Company rise from the brink of bankruptcy in 2006 and avoid a government buy-out. And learn how you the business owner can inspire leadership at every level with every employee on staff. To listen to more Smart Companies Radio, Su...
Sep 18, 2015•26 min
From Navy Pilot to entrepreneur, CEO Glen Dakan is reinventing the way you buy a car. On Smart Companies KC, Mary McKenna filling in for host Kelly Scanlon sits down with Glen to discuss Pure Pursuit Automotive, a boutique sports car dealership that calls the Kansas City Crossroads District home. Discover how Glen’s love of cars, tech, and his attention to customer service is creating a unique experience for car buyers here and across the country. To hear more shows listen to our archives. Learn...
Sep 11, 2015•29 min
Designers from New York to Los Angeles are falling in love with fashion design technology developed in “flyover country” On this episode of Smart Companies, host Kelly Scanlon will introduce you to Wardy, founded by CEO Chris Palmer is a technology startup focused on streamlining and connecting the fashion and film industries. Wardy Production Studio launched this spring and is quickly gaining traction with hundreds of veteran, costume design professionals in TV & film on both coasts. Brian ...
Sep 11, 2015•23 min
Boulevard Brewing Company’s founder, John McDonald joins Kelly Scanlon on the next episode of Smart Companies-KC. 1n 1989 McDonald put down his carpentry tools to build Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Company into Missouri’s 2nd largest brewery. Boulevard enjoys a strong reputation and an enviable market presence in its limited territory, which consists of distribution in 25 states, Washington D.C., and a small amount in some Nordic countries. Get the latest news on Ripple Glass, established in ...
Sep 04, 2015•28 min
The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council is every vigilant in our nation's capital, testifying in congress and sitting on committees to protect the rights of the nation's hundreds of thousands of small business owners. Karen Kerrigan, President and CEO of the SBEC is leading the council into its 20th year as a watchdog for small business owners in America. On this episode listen in as Karen and host Kelly Scanlon discuss a number of proposed laws under consideration that could adversely a...
Sep 04, 2015•29 min
The Cristo Rey Network comprises 30 Catholic, college preparatory high schools for underrepresented urban youth. Through rigorous academics, coupled with real world work experience, Cristo Rey students graduate high school prepared for success in college and in life. Joining host Kelly Scanlon on Smart Companies-KC is Ted Koppen, Director of the Corporate Work Study Program at Cristo Rey-Kansas City. Koppen explains how the private school operates, how it’s funded and how each and every student ...
Aug 28, 2015•26 min
As the song goes, “Cause every girl’s crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man” and Marine veteran, Brent Bustamante hopes the lyrics ring true for his new business. Luxe Neckwear. With just a few days remaining on his Kickstarter campaign, the much-decorated Sergeant Bustamante explains to host Kelly Scanlon how he tackled the stretches of boredom during his eight tours of duty in Afghanistan, resulting in his unique neckwear line that he is launching here in the states. To listen to more shows hosted b...
Aug 28, 2015•23 min
Drew Solomon, vice president of business and job development with the Economic Development Commission joins host Kelly Scanlon this week on Smart Companies KC. This week LaunchKC is announcing the finalists from the 500 entrepreneurs who applied for 10 $50,000 LaunchKC grants. For the past few months, LaunchKC has been looking for the best and brightest to compete to bring their business models to Kansas City. Each eventual grant recipient will receive a $50,000 grant and a network of support, i...
Aug 21, 2015•11 min
Did you know that fewer than 30 percent of your employees are truly engaged in the work they do? Your company could be running at less than one-third of its power, but there's something you can do to inject passion into your team. Nationally-recognized speaker, consultant and author, Mike Goldman joins Kelly Scanlon on this week’s Smart Companies Radio. Goldman has spent over 25 years consulting and coaching companies from the local entrepreneur to the Fortune 500. Discover how through the right...
Aug 21, 2015•28 min
Are you a Lover of great barbecue sauce but dietary restrictions have forced you to cross it off your list? Entrepreneur Brendon O’Neill, to the rescue. O’Neill who realized gluten was destroying his digestive system wasn’t ready or happy to end his love of barbecue and has developed KC Natural Sauces. KC Natural offers unique sauces for people who suffer from food allergies, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and for people who simply love good barbecue. KC Natural is available in stores acro...
Aug 14, 2015•28 min
Discover how to spend more time working on your business and less time working in it. One of most inspirational CEO’s in the United States according to Esquire Magazine, Reggie Chandra sits down with host Kelly Scanlon on this episode of Smart Companies Radio. Chandra is President and CEO of Rhythm Engineering considered by many to be one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. Rhythm Engineering Solutions operates in 156 cities in 31 states and positively impacts 3,000,000 motori...
Aug 14, 2015•31 min
Most wine lovers are familiar with European varietals such as Cabernet, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Riesling or Pinot Noir, but these wines come from only one of the world’s many grape species. With its climatic diversity, North America is home to a large number of indigenous grape species whose wine-making potential is untapped. On this episode of Smart Companies KC discover why Vox Vineyards celebrates the remarkable diversity and how they are raising awareness of our native grapes. Vox Vineyards s...
Aug 10, 2015•26 min
Most wine lovers are familiar with European varietals such as Cabernet, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Riesling or Pinot Noir, but these wines come from only one of the world’s many grape species. With its climatic diversity, North America is home to a large number of indigenous grape species whose wine-making potential is untapped. On this episode of Smart Companies KC discover why Vox Vineyards celebrates the remarkable diversity and how they are raising awareness of our native grapes. Vox Vineyards s...
Aug 07, 2015•26 min
Is your company ready to deal with a crisis? Kelly’s guest this week on Smart Companies is David Johnson, CEO and Co-founder of Strategic Vision. Johnson brings over 25 years of public relations and marketing expertise to the fore and has been described by the media as a PR guru. Politically, he worked with the Bob Dole Presidential Campaign and has overseen numerous state and local races throughout the country. He has been quoted in such publications as PR Week, CBS MarketWatch, Wall Street Jou...
Aug 07, 2015•27 min
Joining host Kelly Scanlon on Smart Companies KC is Jon Stephens. He is the Founder & President, Rockhill Strategic and is a 15-plus year veteran of the advertising and marketing industry. He served as the director of marketing and public relations with the Cordish Company, and later the president of the Kansas City Power & Light District. He has served on many local boards focused on civic improvement and helped lead the bi-state, bipartisan bid for KC to host the 2016 Republican Nation...
Jul 31, 2015•29 min
The Obama Administration and Congress have been at odds for months over a major overhaul of U.S. Corporate tax laws. Everyone seems to agree that something should be done but how will small business owners benefit? Raymond J. Keating who serves as chief economist with the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council), a nonpartisan, nonprofit small-business advocacy group, says corporate tax reform alone won't get the job done and instead insists it has to be comprehensive across t...
Jul 31, 2015•28 min
Did you know that 30 percent of all Google searches, about 300 million per month are employment related, and that 97 percent of all new jobs created are part-time? How do you find quality applcants to fill those part-time openings? Entrepreneur and founder of HipHire.com Brian Kearns, sits down with host Kelly Scanlon this week on Smart Companies KC to explain how HipHire.com is an online Software as a Service company that confidently connects businesses with quality part time people to intervie...
Jul 27, 2015•25 min
Entrepreneur and founder of HipHire.com Brian Kearns, sits down with host Kelly Scanlon this week on Smart Companies KC. HipHire is an online Software as a Service company that confidently connects businesses with quality part time people to interview. Think Match.com for part-time jobs. Find out why Kearns is passionate about connecting employers and workers who share a vision of the ideal workplace culture. And learn how and why HipHire is not just another staffing company or temp agency. To h...
Jul 24, 2015•25 min
Are you a start-up or small business looking to raise capital? In order to do so, you must have a business plan that investors will love. Cheree Warrick, author of Creating Business Plans that Actually Get Financed, will be our guest. During our interview, she’ll reveal: Shocking statistics about how much money is actually out there 6 parts to an investable business plan Biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when writing business plans Why banks and angel investors say NO to great business ideas H...
Jul 24, 2015•31 min
"A successful life is a balance of health, wealth and happiness." This is one of Forbes Riley's personal mottos. Riley, the CEO and creator of the SpinGym fitness system visits Kansas City to teach what she calls the invaluable power of mastering the perfect pitch for your product, service, and business as well as for yourself. The 2010 National Fitness Hall of Fame inductee is an award-winning TV host, author, spokesperson and motivational speaker. She sits down to talk with host Mary McKenna a...
Jul 22, 2015•25 min
"A successful life is a balance of health, wealth and happiness." This is one of Forbes Riley's personal mottos. Riley, the CEO and creator of the SpinGym fitness system visits Kansas City to teach what she calls the invaluable power of mastering the perfect pitch for your product, service, and business as well as for yourself. The 2010 National Fitness Hall of Fame inductee is an award-winning TV host, author, spokesperson and motivational speaker. She sits down to talk with host Mary McKenna a...
Jul 17, 2015•24 min
Many people secretly yearn to be part of a movement that transforms families, communities and workplaces that are healthy, collaborative and empowering - but are afraid – or don't know how – to take the first step. National speaker, sought-after-management consultant and author Marty Stanley talks about taking that step in her new book, "From Type A to Type T: How to Be a Transformational Leader in a Bottom-Line World” which offers practical guidance to achieve personal and professional transfor...
Jul 17, 2015•27 min
Big changes and new opportunities are underway for The Lano Company, a Raymore, Missouri business that makes lanolin-based cosmetics. Miranda Coggins President of The Lano Company was featured on a recent episode of the CNBC reality show The Profit. The show’s star, serial entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis, invested $500,000 in the company for a 20 percent stake. In return, he’s pushing owners Miranda and Layne Coggins to make a series of changes in how Lano operates. That includes revamping Lano’s li...
Jul 16, 2015•29 min
Find out all about 1 Minute Candidate…What is it? And how can it help you the next time you’re in the voting booth. The man behind the 1 Minute Candidate explains how political candidates will be able to hammer their message home in 60 seconds minutes before you cast your vote. And you’ll hear more The Kansas City Startup Village (KCSV), an entrepreneur-led community helping to grow and support Kansas City entrepreneurs and the startup ecosystem since 2012. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
Jul 10, 2015•29 min
Big changes and new opportunities are underway for The Lano Company, a Raymore, Missouri business that makes lanolin-based cosmetics. Miranda Coggins President of The Lano Company was featured on a recent episode of the CNBC reality show The Profit. The show’s star, serial entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis, invested $500,000 in the company for a 20 percent stake. In return, he’s pushing owners Miranda and Layne Coggins to make a series of changes in how Lano operates. That includes revamping Lano’s li...
Jul 10, 2015•29 min
Spotlight Analyst Relations matches up-and-coming tech firms with the right industry analysts ensuring the relevant stories are being told and helps distinguish them from their competition. On this episode of Smart Companies KC, Mary McKenna talks with Spotlight's co-founder and managing partner Andrew Hsu. Discover how the right branding creates value for startup tech firms with the right analysts who play a vital role in market opinion and buying decisions. Hsu who co founded Spotlight with pa...
Jul 03, 2015•24 min
On this episode of Smart Companies Radio with host Kelly Scanlon you’ll meet the CEO and Co Founder of New Belgium Brewing. A dream of her husband, the original brewing company started in the basement of their home. Their goal was to be a $100 million company by 2010. New Belgium hit that a year and a half early and in 2013 the annual revenue was $190 million, making New Belgium the country's third-largest craft brewer. And discover how New Belgium has embraced the CEO's passion for the environm...
Jul 03, 2015•30 min
On this episode of Smart Companies KC you'll meet James C. Davis, president and CEO of DSS, a veteran-owned small business founded in 1993. The company is a distributor of safety, janitorial and food service supplies and is a leading service provider in janitorial cleaning and are third-party green seal certified housekeepers. DSS is located at 7800 East 24 Highway in Kansas City, Missouri. Customer care and satisfaction are the factors that help make DSS leaders in the industry. Kelly and James...
Jun 26, 2015•27 min
Host Kelly Scanlon visits with Clay Freeman, Founder of The Spice & Tea Exchange. Freeman opened The Spice & Tea Exchange in 2005 with the hopes of bringing the 18th century spice markets to life and features a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that offers more than 140 spices and over 30 exotic teas. He opened his first location in 2005 in St. Augustine, Florida (Formerly called Old Florida Spice Traders). Since then, The Spice & Tea Exchange has celebrated 40+ store openings in 24 ...
Jun 26, 2015•25 min
Amber Arnett-Bequeaith brings 20 plus years of leadership and marketing expertise to Full Moon Productions, serving as Vice-President since 2000. Full Moon Productions is a family entertainment venue that originated the haunt industry in 1975, becoming a national model for celebrating Halloween. Besides Full Moon Productions, Amber also helps oversee operations with Rumely Event Space, Group Real Estate Development, Inc., Authentic Boxing Club, West Bottoms Business District Association and West...
Jun 24, 2015•27 min
