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New Businesses Surviving A Tough Year

Reported by: Mark Clegg
Email: clegg@nbcactionnews.com
Last Update: 10/06 11:10 pm
New Businesses Surviving A Tough Year
"Open" sign
"Open" sign
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Opening a new small business is a huge feat during ordinary times.  Experts break the process down into thirds.  Of all the new business startups, 1/3 eventually turn a profit, 1/3 break even, and 1/3 never leave move out of the red.  More than half eventually fail within the first year.

Given the economic downturn, the odds are even harder for small business starts in 2009.  NBC Action News began following three small businesses in January of this year:  MedExpress Labs, MLB Designs and WestChase Grille.

With the third quarter now closing, we returned to our three businesses for our third visit of the year to check up on their progress.

MedExpress Labs

MedExpress Labs Logo
MedExpress Labs Logo
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At Med Express Labs, on West 121st Street in Overland Park, owners David and Prudence Rexroat say business is strong.

“We've been pleased with our results so far,” David Rexroat said.  “We've continued to grow pretty much every month and we anticipate that that will continue to happen."

MedExpress Labs offers direct access lab testing.  It’s a form of proactive healthcare, where the patient is in charge. 









MLB Designs

MLB Designs logo
MLB Designs logo
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Marie Bertholet Smith runs MLB Designs on the Country Club Plaza.  Her three story home decor business occupies the old Talbots store on Wyandotte, across from Hall’s.  She offers home furnishings, accessories and interior design consultation.

“It gets better every day,” Smith says with a little relief.  “It really does."

Since our last visit, Marie established her design studio in the basement.  There are rows and rows of samples. 

Whether it is the right fabric, or a complete interior design plan, Marie and her team promise to come up with the perfect fit for each client.

WestChase Grille

WestChase Grille
WestChase Grille
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John Westerhaus and Chase Wilcox continue to develop a fine dining following as co-owners of WestChase Grille in Leawood.

“We've been doing great,” Westerhous said.  “Business grows from week to week and month to month.  Our lunches continue to get stronger.  Our dinner business continues to get stronger.”

Westerhous and Wilcox faced some big odds opening a new upscale restaurant just as the economy forced many to cut back.  However, just as our other new businesses owners found, they confidently rolled with the punches by listening to their customers’ wants and needs and not being afraid to make changes.

“We did a couple of big things,” Westerhous explains.  “We put more items on the menu that were a lower price point, and that has helped out a lot.  And we started running daily specials, probably 2 or 3 months ago on both food and drink.”
CONTINUED: The Changes
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