Payroll Company Changes Name, Location
Paydata, an 11-year-old independent payroll-processing company, changed its name to Checkdate Solutions effective April 1. The name change also coincides with a headquarters move to 8050 Marshall Drive in Lenexa.

President and founder Drew Hiss said the name change reflects the company’s growth and desire to differentiate themselves from other companies that use “pay” in their names.

The company, which has experienced 600 percent revenue growth since 1997, serves more than 1,200 clients throughout the country.

Healthcare Company Changes Name
Hamele Healthcare Resources has changed its name to Hamele Marketing Communications (HMC) to better represent the expansion of the company’s marketing services beyond the healthcare field. HMC provides a range of services, including marketing planning, public relations, brand building, media planning and placement and Web site development. Christine Hamele, president and CEO, said the new name leverages the experience of their staff in addition to their expanded clientele. For information, call (913) 649-6533.

HR Consultancy to Serve KC, Springfield
Bill Dustin has formed Human Asset Management Group, LLC, to provide guidance for small businesses that can’t afford to have a human resources representative on staff. The company offers a full line of HR services, including compensation programs, recruitment and hiring, employment law application and negotiation of health and retirement plans. Call (816) 225-7106 for more information.

Physicians Make House Calls
A group of physicians has formed Mobile Physicians Medical Services to help improve the rapport between the health care industry and patients. The doctors in the group will visit patients at their homes, offices or hotels to provide non-life-threatening care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Among the health problems they will handle are nebulizer treatments for asthma, bronchitis, sore throats, ear infections, urinary tract infections, viral syndromes, gastroenteritis, skin infections, eye infections, muscle pains and small lacerations. They also provide preventative care, comprehensive medical exams, employment physicals, and care for travelers at hotels. Call (913) 791-2444 for information.

Olathe Company Helps Homeowners Prepare Homes for Sale
ReTouch Real Estate Enhancement is a new business that helps homeowners prepare their homes for sale. ReTouch starts with a room-by-room evaluation of the home, detailing recommendations along with price estimates. After the homeowner chooses which items to address, the company lays out a timeline and makes sure the work gets done. Services include in-home consultation, cleaning, clearing, reorganizing, decorating, landscaping and strategic renovation through approved contractors. Call (913) 568-9904 for information.

Bookstore Moves to Crossroads District
Bloomsday Books is moving to 1518 Walnut St. in the Crossroads district in Mid-March. The 10-year-old bookstore specializes in used and rare books. Bloomsday will emphasize art, architecture, interior design, travel/adventure, as well as its mainstay of contemporary literature, Irish studies and regional history. The new shop will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Call (816) 523-6712 for information.

Former Attorney Launches Design Business
Dale Walker turned a lifelong hobby into a career when she started Colorscapes of Liberty. The business focuses on an innovative style of décor that includes murals, faux finishes and a trompe l’oeil style of art. Her mission is to provide clients a home or business environment that will reflect their tastes, styles and interests at a reasonable cost while using high-quality materials to creative durable and innovative finishes.

Orthodontist Opens Office in Shawnee
Chad Bulleigh, DDS, has opened Bulleigh Orthodontics at 22046 W. 66th St. in the Monticello Village Shopping Center in western Shawnee. The practice specializes in orthodontics for children and adults. Bulleigh celebrated the opening with a ribbon cutting conducted by members of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce. For information, call (913) 962-7223.

Children’s Workshop Stimulates Children’s Imaginations
Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop is a traveling “Stuff-N-Fluff” workshop where children and parents can work together to create their own stuffed animals.  The traveling workshop can visit home birthday parties, baby showers and playgroups, as well as preschool and daycare centers, scouting troops, summer camps, children’s hospitals and boys and girls clubs. For information, call (913) 636-0506.

Operating Sooner Overhauls Training Programs
Kansas City-based Operating Sooner has revamped its training programs to focus more heavily on the way entrepreneurs use ACT! Software in their businesses. The new training programs are designed to help small businesses increase their sales and improve their marketing. In the past, the programs had focused more on the basic steps of using the software. President Becky Rawls-Riley said there still would be extensive interaction with the system during class, just with a different focus. For information, call (913) 397-8071.

Mills Chiropractic Opens in Olathe
After graduating as the valedictorian of his class at Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, Dr. Jere Mills has returned to the Kansas City area to open Mills Chiropractic & Wellness Center at 601 N. Mur-Len in Olathe. The center will focus on light force adjusting and a total body approach to healing. Mills and his staff also will offer injury rehabilitation to improve strength, flexibility, endurance, balance and agility. In addition, the center will give free lectures on health and wellness topics on Tuesday nights and provide free stress screenings. For information, call (913) 764-5906.

Michael’s Celebrates 100 Years
Michael’s Fine Clothing for Men, a specialty destination men’s retailer, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The store, which began as a pawn shop and appraisal business, sits on the same downtown corner and is still operated by the Novorr family. Through the years, Michael’s has expanded its space four times, turned down an offer to relocate to the Country Club Plaza and now serves the sons and grandsons of its original customers. To celebrate the milestone, Michael’s will be offering sales and discounts to customers throughout the year. For more information, go to www.michaelsclothing.com.

Tivol Opens Appraisal Business
Tom Tivol, a graduate gemologist for 29 years, has opened Tom Tivol Jewelry and Gemstone Appraisals. The company will offer appraisal services for all types and qualities of jewelry and gemstones, including antique, estate and modern pieces.

All appraisals are by appointment only, and may be conducted in the company’s office or at a client’s home or place of business. The appraisal business caters to those who have purchased a piece of jewelry or gemstone or have inherited a piece and need an appraisal. Services include gemstone identification, treatment identification, quality analysis, condition analysis, pricing and repair/re-cutting analysis. For information, call (913) 381-4367.

Wellness Center Opens Downtown
The Jinsei Center for Integrative Health held its grand opening on April 1 at the Opera House lofts in downtown Kansas City. The 1,350-square-foot facility at 930 Broadway includes an herbal tonic and tea bar, a gallery featuring local artists, several treatment rooms, unique wellness programs, wireless Internet and a retail area containing a variety of health-related products. The programs can help patients stop smoking, lose weight or reduce stress. The center also offers hot stone massages, reflexology and Kobido facials. For information, call (816) 221-9449.

Book Covers Accounting Topics
Pam Newman, owner of RPPC, a small business consulting firm, will be releasing Out of the Red, a book that will introduce small business owners and entrepreneurs to accounting concepts that they can use in their overall business management and decision-making process. The book is an analysis of the management accounting concepts Newman believes every business owner must understand to run a successful business. The book also explains why it is important to partner with the right management accountant in addition to a tax accountant. Knowing your profit margin and break-even point are a couple of topics covered in the book. For information, call (816) 304-4398.

New Technical Writing Service Available
Jan Farr has launched Words by Farr, a company that specializes in technical communications and training development. The company assists in the development of software documentation, user guides, training courses, processes and procedures, proposals, presentations, white papers and other types of technical documentation. For information, call (913) 526-4473.

Church Holds Grand Opening on Easter
Easter Sunday marked the public grand opening of New Mercies Family Church at the Holiday Inn of Olathe. Opening day events included an Easter egg hunt, children’s classes, upbeat modern music and a chance to win two tickets to the Royals opening day game and a special message on how to make your marriage sweet. Located at 82 Monterey Lane in Olathe, the church values family wellness, reaching to the community with love, acceptance and forgiveness and intimacy with God through practical application of the Bible and worship. For information, call (913) 636-1349.

CPA Opens Offices in Blue Springs
Steven P. Thurmon has opened a certified public accountant company in Blue Springs at 2000 NW South Outer Road. He coaches his clients in handling and understanding the everyday accounting aspects of their businesses and in the preparation of their own monthly bookkeeping. He also is licensed to offer investments, annuities and life insurance. For information, call (816) 874-4779.

Business Financing Company Opens KC Office
Business Financing Network (BFN) has opened an office in Kansas City at 4321 NE Vivion Road, headed by Alan Kenyon. BFN obtains financing for business startups, purchases of existing companies, new franchises, real estate acquisitions, lines of credit, equipment and inventory and expansions. The company has relationships with lenders in almost every state. Its capital resources include conventional lending institutions, Small Business Administration preferred lenders, factoring houses, equipment leasing companies, venture capital funds and individual investors. The company provides initial no-cost consultations. For information, call (816) 452-1200.

Marketing Company Moves to River Market
Widick Marketing has moved to the downtown River Market area. The new office at 415 Delaware St. gives the company more room to expand their services. The phone, fax, e-mail and Web site address remain the same. For information, call (816) 753-2420.

Consulting Company Wins Statewide Recognition
OCCU-TEC, Inc., received an award and legislative resolution at a February event in Jefferson City. OCCU-TEC is a Kansas City consulting company that advises and trains clients about occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene and environmental protection.

At a client showcase hosted by the Missouri Small Business Development Center, OCCU-TEC and more than 20 other companies met with legislators to discuss their products and services and to receive recognition for their contributions to the economic development of the state.

OCCU-TEC owner Skuli Gudmundsson received advice from Larry Lee, SBDC business consultant, which helped him focus his business expansion on two ongoing programs: Outsource Safety Professional targets companies, functioning as an in-house safety professional on an outsource basis. Reclaim, the second program, is aimed at the public sector, targeting potential state, county and municipal government clients. For information, call (816) 231-5641.

S&M NuTec Establishes Scholarship, Acquires Pet Treat
S&M NuTec, its employees and The Roetheli Lil’ Red Foundation have established the Victoria Jo Stinnett Scholarship Fund, with initial contributions totaling $15,000. Victoria Jo is the infant who was removed from the womb of her mother, Bobbi Jo Stinnett, after she was murdered near Maryville, Mo. Bobbi Jo was a dog breeder, and the company’s Greenies dog treats were packaged at the Sheltered Workshop in Maryville for several years.

S&M NuTec also has acquired the assets of Pill Pockets Inc. Pill Pockets is a dog treat designed to conceal and deliver medicines for dogs, cats and other pets. The treats were introduced in early 2003 and have been sold in pet stores and veterinary clinics across the country. S&M NuTec has taken over manufacturing and inventory and will start filling orders immediately.

For more information, call (816) 221-8538.