The Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Wichita State University honored local small business owners Mark Buckley and Geneva Nisly, owners of the Toy Depot Inc., and Sarah Leslie, owner of Leslie Coffee Co., at the 2021 Kansas Small Business Awards Ceremony Aug. 2.
Toy Depot Inc. was presented with the award for best existing business of the year. Located in Hutchison, Kansas, this vintage 1920s-style toy store sells original board games, action figures, trains, dolls and collectible items. Since they began working with the Kansas SBDC, Buckley and Nisly have had a two-fold increase in sales on their website and on eBay, as well as increased customers in the store through social media marketing.
Leslie Coffee Co. was presented with the award for best emerging business of the year. Leslie learned and honed her coffee-loving craft while living in New York and was excited to bring the unique culture back to Wichita. The Kansas SBDC helped her develop a business plan, set financial projections, find a location, prepare for a loan request and assisted with the opening process.
Congratulations to our winners.