Kauffman Foundation program aims to help local businesses

At the Meyer Music store in Overland Park, the keys to success aren't always black and white. That's why the owner goes to the Kauffman Foundation every Wednesday morning to make sure he's hitting all the right notes.

"I think the key to success in anything is continually looking at your customer, looking at your business and be willing to change and be flexible and adjust to changing times," said owner Mike Meyer.

A Kauffman Foundation program called One Million Cups aims to educate, connect and engage local entrepreneurs.

"It's all in the spirit of helping entrepreneurs grow or start their business," said Jordan Marsillo, a Kauffman Foundation program coordinator.

Many of the entrepreneurs are just starting out. Each week two of them speak to the rest of the group about what they're doing to find success.

"We thought if we put them in a room together, we have two startups share their ideas about what they're working on and have we as a community say, 'What can we do to help you?'" said Marsillo.

One Million Cups has proved so successful since its launch in 2012, it's now expanded to more than 90 other cities across the country.

For stores like Meyer Music, hearing how other businesses succeed is music to their ears.

"A lot of times in business you think you've got it all figured out, and then you get in a room with people like this and you realize, wow, I've got a lot of things I can continue to do," said Meyer.

The program is free to attend every Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Kauffman Foundation.

-------

Justin Wilfon can be reached at justin.wilfon@kshb.com.

Follow him on Twitter:

Follow @JustinWilfon

Connect on Facebook: