 Kansas City Small Business Monthly 25 UNDER 25 AWARD HONOREES Published: February 2003 
Transportation Logistics Systems, Inc. Kansas City, MO Owner: Melody Warren
Getting freight successfully transported from one point to another is just part of the job for Transportation Logistics Systems, Inc. The company also ensures that the freight is handled efficiently and at the best price. Founded by Melody Warren in 1992, Transportation Logistics Systems has grown from a home-based business with a customer base of two clients to more than 100. The company began as a transportation brokerage company and has evolved into a third-party logistics provider and freight forwarder. Warren started in the trucking business after graduating from high school, and she readily admits that she lacked some business management skills. "Fortunately, I surrounded myself with people smarter than me and, lo and behold, 10 years later, we are still around," she said. On a daily basis, Transportation Logistics is called upon to ship loads ranging from a single small box to an entire shipment of manufactured goods. The company handles both in-bound and out-bound shipments for companies throughout the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico and overseas. Transportation Logistics won a Cornerstone Award from the Economic Development Corporation for the renovation of the company’s new headquarters, an 80-year-old building located in South Kansas City. And while being a woman in a male-dominated industry has presented challenges, Warren has persevered. She has received several awards, including being a finalist for Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award. She is also a mentor in the HEMP program. "My mantra is always to support the entrepreneurs around me," she said.
About the 25 Under 25 Awards Program As part of its 10-year anniversary celebration in 2002, Kansas City Small Business Monthly launched the annual 25 Under 25 Awards to recognize 25 outstanding Kansas City area businesses with under 25 employees. Until the 25 Under 25 Awards, no formal recognition program existed in the Kansas City area that specifically targeted the smallest of businesses, those with under 25 employees. Yet this segment of business comprises the largest number of companies both locally and nationally, with roughly 83 percent of Kansas City area and 86 percent of businesses nationwide employing 19 or fewer employees. Awards Criteria and Application/Selection Process Nominated companies must meet the following criteria:
Nominations are accepted from the business community from September 1 to November 1 each year. Qualified nominees complete an application and provide additional support materials that are reviewed by a panel of third-party judges from the business community. The panel of judges reviews the applicants and selects the final 25 honorees according to the following
The 25 finalists are announced in mid-December, and events are scheduled throughout the following February to honor the finalists. Honorees are profiled in a special 25 Under 25 supplement in the February issue of Kansas City Small Business Monthly and invited to be guests on the "Eye on Small Business" radio show. In addition, sponsor Commerce Bank hosts a luncheon for the honorees. The events culminate in an awards dinner and gala held on a Saturday night in late February, featuring a networking reception, Wall of Fame, video salutes from Kansas City business leaders, catered sit-down dinner and awards presentation |
