Hughes Walker Group, LLC

11/19/2025

Meet the GEWKC 2025 Panelists for
“Build It Right: Aligning Your HR & Financial Strategy to Protect and Scale Your Business.” Presented by and

These three entrepreneurs are bringing real-world experience from different stages of the business life cycle:

🔹 — Karen’s Kakes
A solo entrepreneur preparing to hire, growing a bakery rooted in legacy, purpose, and 130+ flavors.

🔹 — Calibration Physical Therapy
A new employer building culture, structure, and a people-first workplace from day one.

🔹 — CoBuild, LLC/Central Bank of Kansas City
A former founder rebuilding and scaling his mission in a new chapter of impact.

Together, they’ll share honest stories about hiring, leadership, tough decisions, building systems, and aligning people + financial strategy for growth.

🎟️ Don’t miss this powerful conversation — register here:
jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://whova.com/portal/registration/jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/

📅 Wednesday, Nov 19
🕙 10:15 AM
📍 Union Station

2025-11-17, Kansas City , Missouri

11/18/2025

Tomorrow’s the day!
Join us for one of the most practical conversations at GEWKC — real stories, real challenges, and real strategies you can use right now.

🎟️ Register before the session: jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://whova.com/portal/registration/jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/

11/17/2025

We’re kicking off the week with a powerful lineup of entrepreneurs ready to share their real experiences with hiring, payroll, growth, and everything in between.

This GEWKC session will be honest, practical, and packed with insight.

Save your seat: jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://whova.com/portal/registration/jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/

11/16/2025

Meet , owner of Karen’s Kakes and one of our GEWKC 2025 panelists. Karen brings the perspective of a driven solo entrepreneur who has built a thriving bakery from the ground up.

Karen’s journey began in 2015 when she made the courageous choice to step away from corporate life and care for her family. Using the recipes and memories she shared with her grandmother—the true namesake of Karen’s Kakes—she launched her first product line: Cakes in a Jar. After being turned away by several local distributors, Karen turned to social media and made $5,000 in her first month.

In February 2022, she opened her first brick-and-mortar shop and sold out in only three hours. Today, now located at 6144 Raytown Trafficway in Raytown, MO, Karen offers more than 130+ flavors of cakes, cupcakes, and creative baked goods inspired by her grandmother’s legacy.

As a single mother of two, Karen has built her business with purpose, faith, and a commitment to honoring the woman who taught her the art of baking. Her journey reminds us that entrepreneurship is often born from necessity, fueled by passion, and strengthened by the people who shaped us.

🎟️ Don’t miss Karen’s story at GEWKC 2025 — register here:
jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://whova.com/portal/registration/jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/

11/15/2025

Join us at GEWKC 2025 as Tate shares what it means to lead, release, and rebuild with purpose.

Meet Tate Williams, one of our GEWKC 2025 panelists representing the Release & Rebuildphase of the business life cycle.

Tate founded CoBuild, LLCin 2018 with a powerful mission: to open doors into skilled trades for women and minorities through residential and light commercial general contracting. Under his leadership, CoBuild navigated the challenges of the pandemic, earned national recognition, and participated in programs such as the REDF Social Enterprise Accelerator (LA), LaunchKC’s Social Venture Studio, and EDCKC’s “Do The Right Thing” impact pitch.

In early 2025, Tate made the courageous and strategic decision to shutter the company — an experience many founders quietly face but rarely talk about. He has since stepped into a new role as Community Housing Banker at Central Bank of Kansas City, where his commitment to job creation, inclusion, and community impact continues at a broader scale.
As a father of six — including four adopted through foster care — Tate brings a deeply personal understanding of the tension between entrepreneurship, caregiving, and leadership. His journey shows that sometimes it’s not about the original vehicle, but the mission that endures.

Join us at GEWKC 2025as Tate shares what it means to lead, release, and rebuild with purpose.
📅 Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 10:15 AM | Union Station

Don’t miss this session — register here:
jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://whova.com/portal/registration/jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/

11/15/2025

Meet Smiley at GEWKC 2025! Traci is joining a panel this year to share her journey as a new employer and the founder of Calibration Physical Therapy.

Calibration PT was built to redefine how care is delivered—through evidence-based treatment, personalized support, and an environment where both patients and clinicians can thrive. Becoming an employer taught her the importance of structure, communication, and building a culture rooted in excellence and wellbeing.

We’re looking forward to Traci sharing what she’s learned and her connecting with other business owners on the same journey.

🎟️ Register here:
jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://whova.com/portal/registration/jRY@jcyZK2DESDb7HCyp/

11/14/2025

Hughes Walker Group is proud to announce that we have been named a 2026 Small Business Superstar!

Being nominated as a Business Superstar for the second year in a row is more than an honor—it’s a reflection of resilience, redemption, and relentless faith. Superstars are for-profit businesses headquartered in Greater Kansas City, recognized through nominations by customers, clients, and community members. We’re proud to be recognized as a by the ! Small businesses keep Kansas City on the rise. Congratulations to our fellow Superstars!

05/25/2025

Today, I read a LinkedIn post by Mabry Haymore that highlighted needs of St. Louis residents.

So much devastation and need. Every state has economic disaster areas as highlighted by The Nation’s publication about the May 15 tornado that struck St. Louis - https://www.thenation.com/article/economy/st-louis-tornado-delmar-divide-recovery/. Keisha identifies ways anyone can assist the residents.

Here’s her list but I am sure there are more:

💲MAKE A CASH DONATION

• Action St. Louis
• Better Family Life
• St. Louis Community Foundation
• United Way of Greater St. Louis
• Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis
• Gateway Early Childhood Alliance Fund
• Heat Up St. Louis

🙏🏾MAKE A SUPPLY DONATION OR VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME

• 4theVille – 4144 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
• Action St. Louis – 4343 West Florissant Avenue
• Better Family Life – 5200 Cates Ave
• American Red Cross – 1.800.RED.CROSS
• Urban League Headquarters – 1408 Kingshighway Blvd
• United Way – 910 N 11th Street

‼️ITEMS NEEDED
• URGENT: FOOD
— Pop top canned goods: (soups, tuna, fruit, ravioli, mac n cheese)
— Individually wrapped snacks: (granola bars, pretzels, chips)
• URGENT: WATER
• Batteries (all sizes)
• Flashlights or any battery operated lighting
• Gauze
• Paper towels
• Diapers
— Urgent: 4T-5T Pull ups and adult diapers
• Toothbrushes/Toothpaste
• Reusable tote bags: medium & large

🗣️AMPLIFY SHELTERS, HOTSPOTS & MORE

—> SHELTERS:

• Friendly Temple Center @ 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
• The Recreational Center @ 1410 S. Tucker Blvd, MO 63104

—> FINANCIAL/LEGAL:

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese St. Louis
• United Way of Greater St. Louis 2-1-1

—> MEDICINE/MEDICAL:

• Healthcare Task Force 314
• Rx Outreach Relief Fund
• Saint Louis Crisis Nursery

—>HOTSPOTS, WIFI & CHARGING STATIONS:

• 4 the Ville @ 4144 MLK Drive
• O’Fallon Park YMCA @ 4343 W. Florissant Ave
• Refresh Community Church @ 829 N. Hanley Rd
• 12th & Park Recreation Center @ 1410 S. Tucker Blvd
• Open Lot @ Newstead & St. Louis Ave
• Command Center @ 716 N Kingshighway Blvd
• Fire Station 10 @ 4161 Kennerly
• Fire Station 12 @ 5214 W. Florissant
• North Patrol Division @ 4014 Union

St. Louis can either use the disaster as an opportunity to commit to the safety of all its residents, or it can continue a barbaric cycle of neglect.

03/08/2025

NOTE:
I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I DO NOT GIVE MY PERMISSION FOR FACEBOOK OR META TO USE ANY OF MY PERSONAL OR COMPANY DATA.

🤷🏻‍♀️

02/22/2025

🎉🎊 BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Isha "Ice" Williams and the amazing ICE Studios School of Dance! 🩰✨ Your inspiring story and dedication to empowering young ladies with vital life skills are truly remarkable! We are beyond thrilled to see you recognized as a Kelly Clarkson RAD Human! This achievement speaks volumes about your positive impact in the community! Keep shining and spreading that joy! 🌟💖 If you missed the television segment, take 10 minutes to watch the story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-HfrO6YaEE

02/06/2025

Hughes Walker Group is proud to be recognized as a by the ! Small businesses keep Kansas City, our state, and the country on the rise. Thank you to the HWG team and partners, our clients, and the community for supporting us.

We believe in paying it forward by remembering why we started - to impact business owners in our communities with knowledge of their financial situation, resiliency through numbers, business solutions, and contributing to local community organizations through our B1G1 Local business transactions!

Congratulations to our fellow !