Prospect Business Association, a non-profit entrepreneurial support organization, presented their third annual business awards during their monthly meeting held Tues., Aug. 12 at Union Station in Kansas City Missouri.
The awards recognized business in three areas for their work during the organization’s 2024-25 year. The awards recognized individuals for their work on and growth in their businesses.
Rockstar Business Awards
Rockstar Business Awards were presented to PBA clients who came to the PBA for assistance starting their business and did the work to get their business from and idea to a reality in 2025.
“A lot of time, businesses get incorporated , then they stop. These individuals have kep going and keep developing their business,” said Maurice Gay, director of operations at PBA.
Rockstar Business Award winners were:
LayLa Owens – Cater 2 You… Food Your Way
Jasmine Jeffries – The Cleaning Fellows LLC
Toni Gates – Pink Lynn Creative LLC
James Samuels – Samuels EV Charging
Superstar Business Award
“This award is granted to business owners who have displayed outstanding effort in growth and scaling,” said Gay. “So, you’re an existing business, but you’re pushing your business to the next level.””
All of these awardees are first year PBA clients.
Superstar Business Award honorees were:
Rasheedah Villarreal – Social Emotional Yoga with Mrs. V
Alexander Ahlschlager – Profound Placement
Stacey Hardman – She’s KC Vegan
Keeynan Williams & John Mayes – U Toss We Haul
Teah Strickland – 2 Top Tier Trucking LLC
Allstar Award
“These are PBA’s most developed businesses over the year,” said Gay.
“These individuals knocked it out of the park and they went above and beyond and above and beyond their own personal goals.”
Allstar Award honorees were:
Karen Ellis – Karen’s Kakes
Denita Robinson – Denita Necole Art (DNA ART)
James Thomas – Brainfreeze Daiquiri
Legacy Award
“Our Legacy Award recognizes a business that is just that a legacy,” said Simone Curls, PBA chief executive officer. “It is one that has created wealth. It has carried on the tradition of its family. It is an award that we give to those entities that have sustained the test of time that continue regardless of what’s going on, how the climate is, what the community does.”
The Legacy Award honoree was Maceo Davis – Davis Auto Repair & Tow
Davis became a PBA client during COVID, when he approached them for assistance processing his PPE application.
“Ive never seen an employer who was so vested in their employees. He’s not only invested in his business, but he is truly vested in community, said Curls. “He continues to be one of those businesses that I’m in awe of and that I applaud.”
Prospect Business Association
The Prospect Business Association was founded in 2015 by Don Maxwell and Elbert Anderson.Originally started to support businesses along Kansas City’s Prospect Ave. and the urban core, the organization has grown to support all local small businesses through advocacy, networking, events, and initiatives that attract investment . PBA’s Business Development Services Program provides hands-on assistance and back-office support services needed to start, scale and sustain companies based on their unique needs.
Two Upcoming Events
PBA announced two upcoming events, they included:
All Access, Oct. 17, 10a.m. -3p.m., Kaufmann
This free event gives businesses an opportunity to meet business decision makers from some of the area’s major corporations. The day also includes a variety of informative workshops for small businesses.
2nd Annual Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Vendors and businesses needed to participate by decorating their car and bringing four big bags of candy. PBA will replenish participants beyond their four bags.
