Hutch Chamber News and Media

The Wool Market & DIY School Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Andrea Springer formed the LLC for the Wool Market & DIY School with her husband Steve Snook in 2016 based on the fact she had been knitting for over 50 years, and she had worked as an instructor at two previous yarn stores to pay for her yarn habit. She and her husband Steve started organizing retreats over a Friday through Sunday schedule and taking knitters to Airbnbs off the beaten path in Kansas. Full Circle was the theme of their retreats, and they encouraged attendees to bring a project they had yet to finish or something they wanted to...

Good Vibrations Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

"I love people, cars and music!", says Bill Meyer. He started Good Vibrations Auto Sound Inc in 1984 with confidence that he could provide the people of Hutchinson the car stereos and window tint they needed. Bill's entrepreneurial spirit drove him and the store to expand in several directions in the vehicle modification arena from remote starts, wheels, and tires, to truck accessories, lift kits and more. Good Vibrations has expanded service offerings to include commercial signage and vehicle wraps and most recently Home Audio equipment and installation. Bill’s son Mitch has worked in car audio since he...

The Rock Group Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Shane Iwashige started Rock Rentals in early 2013 after helping friends purchase and remodel two houses, which he then leased and managed for the owners. As they got started, Shane and his wife Dorcas extended an offer to several friends to assist with remodeling if they invested in rental properties. By the end of 2013 they were managing 13 units, and by the end of 2014 that number had grown close to fifty! What began as a side hustle became Shane’s full-time job. Just two years later, in 2016, Shane had obtained a real estate license and split the company’s rental...

Reflections Salon Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Kelly Alger graduated Sidney’s Hairdressing College in 1996 and began her cosmetology journey working at a couple of different salons. In June of 2002, she opened her own shop – Reflections Salon on West 2nd Avenue after Kelly remodeled an empty business location. In 2010, Kelly and her husband purchased the former Salt City Land & Title Building and remodeled it to accommodate two businesses with separate entrances for Reflections Salon and her husband’s barber shop. Kelly prides her salon on pampering their clients with a complete list of services and keeping their prices affordable for everyone...

The Phoenician Salon & Day Spa Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Jaimie McComas bought The Phoenician in 2005. The 1,800 sq. ft. space was located just south of 13th Street on Main Street at the time. She began with hair and nails services and 6 employees/booth renters. In 2010, she purchased the new location at 1303 North Main Street. The new 5,500 sq. ft. location had to be completely reroofed and remodeled. The added space allowed Jaimie and her staff to add massage, facial, eyelash extension, wig & extension services, in addition to a boutique offering of clothing, purses, and jewelry. Over the past 17 years The Phoenician has doubled in...

Dental Center - Dr. Travis Gillespie, DDS Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

The Dental Center began in Hutchinson at 200 E. 30th Ave in the late 1960’s. It was a well-established practice when Dr. Gillespie purchased in the Fall of 2016. During the past six years, Dr. Gillespie has expanded services provided, facility capacity, staff positions, and the patient base with steady, and often times tremendous growth. Though the bulk of their dentistry practice is routine – cleanings, fillings, and crowns, Dr. Gillespie has completed advanced training in many additional areas of dentistry. He believes their patients appreciate being able to get most of their dental needs taken...

Advanced Physical Therapy Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Advanced Physical Therapy began in Hutchinson as Preferred Physical Therapy in 2007 with 3 staff. Shane Katz saw a need in the community for Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy services, he and staff began reaching out to referral sources in the area about the unique services they could provide for their patients. They have relocated twice to accommodate patient and staffing growth. In 2014, their name changed to Advanced Physical Therapy and today is located at 2803 N Lorraine and have 16 employees. What makes Advanced Physical Therapy unique is they offer OT and PT services...

The Hickory Stik receives Small Business Award

Tuesday, November 01, 2022

Aaron Bruce and business partners chose to open a new barbeque restaurant in Hutchinson, as the partners were having success in McPherson with Woods BBQ. They found and renovated a building in downtown Hutchinson in 2017 and opened Hickory Stik with 9 employees. The shifts have grown in duration and has the number of employees to 15. Besides adding employees, they have added to their menu, a new smoker, and new fryers to keep up with their growth. According to Aaron, not all BBQ is the same. Hickory Stik creates their own seasonings for meats, and they...

State Farm Insurance - Deana Ackerman Agency Receives Small Business Award

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Deana Ackerman was hired by John O’Day in January of 1990, and was set up in an 800 s.f. incubator space in the Larkland Shopping Center. She participated in a very extensive agent training program provided by State Farm, in addition to having meet the monthly quotas. Deana continued to meet the monthly quotas and eventually outgrew that space and moved the office in 2000 to her current location at 2721 N Main St. Her agency originally started out providing property, casualty, life and health insurance; approximately 20 years ago they added additional life insurance options, annuities, and other products...

Technique Manufacturing Receives Small Business Award

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Technique Manufacturing began in 1990 with 6 employees. In 1994, Ted Robinson came to Technique to take a position with the plan to become the future owner. Ted’s early responsibilities included helping bridge the gap between sales and production to help with efficiency of the business. By 1996, Ted was a 50% shareholder and in 2019 took over as 100% owner, just before the pandemic began. They specialize in building custom commercial grade cabinets. When Ted came on, their business model was 75% work for Dillons and 25% general contractors. Ted has successfully worked to switch this...

Revive Chiropractic & Acupuncture Receives Small Business Award

Monday, July 25, 2022

Revive Chiropractic opened in August 2015 in the Mt. Vernon Building on East 30th. This location initially offered one adjustment room and one acupuncture room. One year later Revive expanded into two additional rooms to accommodate their fast-growing patient base. After three wonderful years, they moved to a larger location closer to Main Street. Their current space has two adjustment rooms, one Therapy room, and two acupuncture rooms. Alongside cupping, acupuncture, adjustments, therapeutic ultrasound electrical stimulation, and decompression therapy – they offer love, encouragement, and friendship. It's paramount that their patients leave feeling better not only...

The Traveling Bowl Receives Small Business Award

Thursday, June 02, 2022

Gina Emel grew up in Hutchinson, the daughter of Restaurateurs Jack and Mary Emel. Gina graduated from Trinity Catholic High School and earned her degree in Supply Chain Management from KU. She worked at American Eagle Distribution Center in the Lawrence area for 5 years. When her father, the late Jack Emel, got sick she moved back to Hutchinson. Gina never thought she would get into the restaurant business until she moved back to Hutchinson. She liked the idea of a food truck because she liked the idea of doing everything (preparing, cooking, and serving). A family friend had a...