Certification Awarded
Magic Touch Cleaning of Lee’s Summit (Class of 2007) has received Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CMIS) certification with honors after a comprehensive assessment of its management structure and operations. The International Sanitary Supply Association awards the certification after an on-site assessment by an independent and accredited assessor who evaluates quality, service delivery, human resources, health, safety and environmental stewardship, and management commitment.

Supplier Recognition
Jason Lofton, president of QTI, Inc. (Class of 2008) was recognized as Supplier of the Year in Class I (revenue up to $1 million) by the MidAmerica Minority Business Development Council at its annual recognition luncheon. QTI is a supplier to Kansas City Power & Light, AT&T and others.

Enterprising Women Award
Lea-Ann Germinder of Germinder & Associates of Kansas City (Class of 2008) was named a 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year award finalist by Enterprising Women magazine. The award recognizes women entrepreneurs who have mentored and given back to other women in business and have had a profound impact in their industry.



New Office & New Name
Brooke Credit has moved to larger space at 7400 College Blvd., Ste. 250, to provide room for expansion.  It formerly was located at 10950 Grandview Drive. The company now has 35 employees at its headquarters... Pending shareholder approval, the company will change its name to Aleritas Capital Corp.

Studio Opens Satellite Site
Gil Rumsey’s Studio has opened a second location at 33041 W. 83rd  St. in DeSoto. The new location provides custom framing in addition to Rumsey’s art and some antique paintings. Hours are Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. He will continue to operate his Overland Park location but wanted to be part of DeSoto’s downtown revitalization.

Enterprising Woman
Cheryl Smith, owner of Kansas City Home Care of Overland Park, was named 2008 Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprise Magazine for the category of women whose company has more than $1 million and up to $5 million in annual sales revenue. Award recipients must demonstrate that they have fast-growth businesses, they mentor or actively support other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship, and they stand out as leaders in their communities.

Yoga Studio Debuts
Ken and Cindy McClain have opened Studio on Main, a yoga and Pilates studio, at 123 Main St. on Independence Square. The company, which offers a variety of classes for preschool through adult, is the 12th company the McClains have opened in renovated space on the square. Information about Studio on Main is at www.studio-on-main.com.

Discount Store in Independence
Rick Saunders has opened Rick’s Picks at 14300 E. U.S. 40 Highway in Independence, Mo., selling highly discounted merchandise, including groceries, clothing, tools, electronics, health and beauty items, pet products, books, home decor items and appliances. Saunders said he will restock constantly so the merchandise will change daily. Within the store is Rick’s Pick-Me-Ups, a convenience store for quick purchases.
 
Online Restaurant Ordering Launched
Laura and Robert Wynn of Black Widow Enterprises have created an online menu search and order portal called GoFoodoogle.com. The service allows consumers to enter criteria into search boxes and view restaurant listings. Once a customer places an order, it is sent to the restaurant’s kitchen and GoFoodoogle.com is out of the process. Services provided by participating restaurants include delivery, office catering, fundraising programs, car side, take out and online reservation requests. There is no charge for consumers to use the Web site and no products are advertised. It is funded by restaurants who participate.

Second Pizza Restaurant
SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza has opened a new location at 1808 N.W. Chipman Road in Lee’s Summit. Dr. Richard Lozoff and Gail Lozoff opened the first location in Overland Park about three years ago and anticipate opening a third restaurant this year. The Lee’s Summit restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For information, call (816) 246-7746.

Contract for Iatan
Hoffman Cortes Contracting has been awarded the contract for six construction support buildings for Iatan’s construction operations at the Kansas City Power & Light complex off I-29 near Weston, Mo. Construction began in November and is expected to be completed in late spring. The project will total of 71,600 square feet, and is projected to cost $5.1 million.

Destination Dining
Husband and wife Jonathan Justus and Camille Eklof have opened a dinner-only restaurant in Smithville known as Justus Drugstore: A Restaurant.  Justus, a native of Smithville, is the executive chef and Eklof is general manager. The restaurant at 106 W. Main St. features locally grown ingredients with the farmers and producers who supply products listed on the menu. Hours are Tuesday-Thursday 5:30 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5:30 to 11 p.m. and Sunday 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Web Designer Recognized
7strategy, a Web design and development firm in Olathe, was named as one of the Top 10 Most Dependable Web Design Firms. Goldline Research is a list research and publishing company specializing in investigating the credibility and performance of companies. Companies must have no consumer complaints, lawsuits or disciplinary actions, and provide client references that are checked and scored based on a proprietary scoring system. More information is available at www.7strategy.com.

New Brookside Boutique
Katy Hamilton and Aimee Green have opened Shopgirls, a women’s boutique, at 6245 Brookside Plaza. The shop’s inventory includes clothing from designers such as Anak, Free People, Hazel, Scrapbook, Lucca and Glam Vintage Soul as well as jewelry and accessories. The shop’s Web site is www.twoshopgirls.com.

Insurance Brokerage Firm Changes
Bicknell Family Holding Co. has purchased an equity investment in Power Group Companies, a full-service insurance brokerage in Overland Park. Mark Avery will continue as president of Power Group and vice presidents Chip Power, David Power and Gary Davis will remain on the leadership team. No organizational changes are planned. The company will change its corporate name from Power Group Designs, Inc. to Power Group Company LLC.

Assets of Closed Company Bought
BHC Rhodes, an Overland Park civil engineering and surveying company, has bought the assets of Campbell Barber Lambeth & Associates PA, which was based in Merriam but closed in December. The assets include records for 50 years of engineering design and land surveying data for Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and Clay, Platte and Jackson counties in Missouri.

Agency Opens
Efrain Gonzalez has opened Brooke Insurance at 1020 Minnesota Ave. The agency is a franchise of Brooke Franchise Corporation. For information, call (913) 371-1144.