Recent News

It is the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce's pleasure to recognize our October Small Business of the Month, SugarTime Confections. Malynda’s story is proof that sometimes the sweetest things in life start with a leap of faith — and, in her case, a whole lot of cookies!SugarTime started in Malynda’s home in 2015 after she discovered her love for baking and decorating while making her daughter’s wedding cake, cupcakes, and 300 decorated sugar cookies. What started as a home-based business eventually grew into a Main Street storefront, where Malynda continued to dream up new treats and experiences for her customers.And she’s...

It is the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce's pleasure to recognize our September Small Business of the Month, Great Plains Family Medicine. At the heart of Great Plains Family Medicine is Dr. Andrea Herrera, a medical doctor who had a vision for practicing medicine a little differently.While working in a traditional hospital clinic, Dr. Herrera found that the pace of medicine often left very little time for what she believed mattered most—getting to know her patients, truly listening to them and building relationships. After being introduced to the direct primary care model, she realized there was another way to practice medicine...

It is the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce's pleasure to recognize our August Small Business of the Month, KG Medical, owned by Kristin Goetz.Sometimes the best business ideas come from asking a simple question: "How can we do this better?"After spending 15 years in emergency room trauma care, Kristin Goetz saw firsthand the growing shortage of healthcare providers, especially in rural communities. While she loved caring for patients, she wanted the opportunity to build lasting relationships instead of simply treating an emergency and moving on. Following changes in Kansas law that allowed nurse practitioners to practice independently, Kristin and her...

It is the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce’s pleasure to recognize Mike's Rent-To-Own as the July Small Business of the Month.Like so many great small business stories, this one began with a leap of faith.In 1981, Mike left a successful management career with Chrysler in St. Louis looking for something more than a good paycheck. He wanted a better quality of life for his family and believed in building something of his own. He moved to Hutchinson, opened a small Curtis Mathes franchise across from Dillons at 5th and Adams, and even lived upstairs while getting the business off the...

It is the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce’s pleasure to recognize Inland Ocean Vineyards as the June Small Business of the Month.When owner Dr. Jim Lairmore reflects on how he got started in the wine business, he often jokes that it was “a series of bad decisions.” Fortunately for Reno County, those decisions led to the creation of something truly remarkable.What began nearly 40 years ago as a hobby with a few grapevines in his backyard has grown into a thriving vineyard and winery with more than 1,200 vines spread across two acres. Today, Inland Ocean Vineyards produces nearly 3,500...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the May Small Business Award to Visionaries Eyecare owned by Dr. Steve Miller. Dr. Miller’s journey is a great example of building a business around both passion and purpose. After graduating from optometry school, he opened his first practice in Buhler in 2005 and spent the next decade building strong relationships with his patients and community. In 2016, he sold that practice and joined a larger vision group. But over time, it became clear that the corporate model of healthcare was not aligned with the kind of personalized care he believed...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the April Small Business Award to T & B Electric.Founded in 2018 by Travis Kinast and Blaine Barnes, T & B Electric was built on a simple but powerful idea—if you want greater opportunity, you create it. What started as a two-man team has quickly grown into a thriving company with 25 full-time employees, thanks to hard work, strong values, and a commitment to quality.From the beginning, Travis and Blaine have focused on intentional, steady growth—and it shows. In 2022, they purchased their first commercial building, quickly outgrew it, and...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the March Small Business Award to Critter Cleaners owned by Terri Foulk.In 1993, Terri Foulk agreed to help a friend launch a dog grooming business. What she thought would be a two-week favor turned into a 31-year journey. After managing the business for years, Terri officially purchased Critter Cleaners in 2006, turning what started as a simple act of helping into her life’s work.Since then, she has grown the business with care and intention. In 2015, Terri expanded into a new location on Sherman Avenue, doubling her space and adding...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the February Small Business Award to Weber Auto Glass owned and founded by David & Christena Weber.After working for two of the largest glass corporations in the country, the owners of Weber Auto Glass felt called to do something different. They took everything they had learned and opened a business rooted in faith, integrity, and personal service. Their goal was simple: bring back hands-on, relationship-driven customer care in an industry that has become increasingly automated.From day one, they committed to walking customers through the insurance process, especially those who may...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber is pleased to present the January Small Business Award to Leading Edge Technology Partners owned and founded by Gavin Lusk. Founded in 2004, the business began as a part-time, one-person operation while Gavin was between IT roles at Tyson Foods. Working in information technology had always been his calling, but at the time, he never imagined he was building something long-term. That quickly changed after securing his first client, Fee Insurance, followed by the City of South Hutchinson. What started as a temporary solution soon became a growing business with a clear purpose.As demand increased, so...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber is pleased to present the December Small Business Award to Carrie's Beer Garden, owned and ran by Carrie Thatcher.Carrie’s Beer Garden was born from a lifelong love of entrepreneurship, family, and the Kansas State Fair. Carrie grew up immersed in the energy of the fairgrounds, working a booth from the age of eight alongside her parents, Charles and Janice Griffin, who have been entrepreneurs for over 45 years. That early experience instilled in her a deep appreciation for hard work, creativity, and community.In 2021, Carrie turned that passion into Carrie’s Beer Garden, now one of the...

The Agri-Business of the Year Award is intended to honor the agri-businesses in Reno County and thank them for the important role they play in strengthening the local ag economy.  This year’s Agri-Business of the Year Award went to Bridgman Oil. The story of Bridgman Oil began in 1960, when Bud Bridgman became a commission agent for Standard Oil in Mount Hope, Kansas, delivering fuel and oil to local agricultural customers. In 1964, Standard Oil relocated Bud to Burrton, combining the Mount Hope and Burrton territories into one. In 1977, when Standard Oil transitioned from commission agents to jobbers, Bud purchased both...

The Farm Focus Family Award began in 1985 as part of National Farm City Week.  There have now been over 100 families in Reno County that have been recognized for their contributions to Reno County Agriculture. This year’s Farm Focus Family Award goes to the Royer family. Bill and Kelly Royer, along with their sons Alek and Koby, represent six generations of farming in Reno and Harvey counties, with roots that trace back to 1886.  The Royer family primarily raises wheat, soybeans, and oats, and maintains a small cow-calf operation. Bill has farmed full-time for 38 years, while also working part-time as a Senior Bank...

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber is pleased to present the November Small Business of the Month Award to Acoustic Contracting Inc., owned and founded by Larry Kucharo.Larry’s path to business ownership didn’t start with blueprints and tools — it started at Wichita State University, where he was studying business. But he soon realized he liked working with his hands a whole lot more than sitting behind a desk. So he enrolled in a carpentry apprenticeship program — and, in true Larry fashion, finished the four-year program in just two and a half years. That determination and drive have defined his entire...