WHO ARE WE?

About Us

The Porter House KC, established in 2017, is an entrepreneurship support organization (ESO) committed to bridging the gap between underrepresented entrepreneurs and community-driven resources. We serve the Kansas City metropolitan area by providing access to mentorship, educational programming, small-dollar funding, and other essential support systems for early-stage, ‘main-street’ entrepreneurs. Our work addresses a critical need in our community. Following the 2020 global pandemic, we witnessed firsthand how women-owned, Black-owned, and other minority-owned businesses disproportionately faced closure or severe financial hardships. Despite being over-mentored, entrepreneurship in the urban core remains substantially underfunded. We recognize the considerable progress needed in the entrepreneurship sector to ensure economic mobility and opportunity in underrepresented communities.

At The Porter House KC, we focus on serving the “non-traditional” entrepreneur – those who may not have loan approval, viable funding resources, or formal business education. Our approach goes beyond the standard entrepreneurial journey; we aim to make a meaningful impact on entrepreneurs’ lives, their families, their potential employees, and the surrounding urban community. We deliver on our mission through our current Small Business Development Program and our 811 Retail Incubator, which provides equitable access to physical infrastructure and shared resources for growing businesses. In the past, we’ve also supported entrepreneurs through our then, 6-month Small Business Mentorship Program and previous, quarterly Small-Dollar Funding Initiatives.

Meet the team

Daniel Smith

CO-FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL

I am Dan Smith, Co-Founder of The Porter House KC and a Professor at the University of Kansas School of Business. With a passion for fostering economic mobility and community empowerment, I provide strategic leadership and direction for The Porter House KC, an organization dedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs. As a proud native of Kansas City, Missouri, I bring over 18 years of experience working across both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Throughout my career, I’ve founded, owned, and operated five businesses, including The Porter House KC. My work has been recognized with honors such as being named a Startland News Community Builder to Watch (2021) and one of the Kansas City Business Journal’s NextGen Leaders (2023). I’m also a proud member of the 45th class of the Civic Council’s Kansas City Tomorrow leadership program. At the heart of my mission is a commitment to building economic value and purpose in the community that raised me. I believe in the transformative power of entrepreneurship and strive to create pathways for others to do the same.

‘The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.’ Shaw

Charon Thompson

CO-FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL

As Co-Founder, I bring operational support and social media expertise to The Porter House KC, drawing on my rich entrepreneurial background. A Kansas City native with Massachusetts roots, I’m a Lincoln College Prep graduate who studied engineering at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, before spending 16 years with BNSF rail while simultaneously managing four businesses, including The Porter House KC. Deeply devoted to Kansas City, I channel my passion for the community into empowering local entrepreneurs. I take pride in equipping business owners and startups with essential tools and resources, helping them build efficient, sustainable operations that strengthen the city’s economic fabric.

Miranda Schultz

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

As Director of Operations, I assume the vital responsibility of overseeing and coordinating the behind-the-scenes aspects of the organization. Aptly described as the “herder of the cats,” I work closely with Co-Founder Dan Smith to manage the day-to-day operations, programmatic initiatives, and project directives. With a strong educational foundation in Psychology, Sociology, and Human Services, I remain dedicated to reconnecting and re-engaging with past program graduates (Alumni), emphasizing the importance of their continued involvement. With over eight years of experience in operational program management, my responsibilities encompass the seamless management of various aspects, including staff capacity, leasing arrangements for current and future entrepreneurs within the 811 Retail Incubator, and relationship management with educational partners. I thrive in the organized chaos of operations. Watching our entrepreneurs flourish in their spaces, our staff excel in their roles, and our community grow stronger through our work. When I’m not keeping all the moving parts in sync, you can find me on the volleyball and basketball courts (prior to breaking my ankle), going on long walks with my floof, Buddy, or trying a new local restaurant (big foodie).

James Bryant

Lead Facilitator

With over 20 years of seasoned expertise in business leadership, I bring a wealth of knowledge and financial acumen to my role as Lead Facilitator for the Small Business Development Program classes. Throughout my career, I’ve guided countless business ventures to success, and I’m passionate about sharing these insights with emerging entrepreneurs. As Lead Facilitator, I leverage my extensive experience to create impactful learning opportunities that truly cultivate growth. My strategic approach to curriculum development ensures participants receive practical, actionable knowledge they can immediately apply to their businesses. I’m deeply committed to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering an ecosystem where innovation thrives. My leadership philosophy centers on providing exceptional guidance while creating a supportive environment where businesses can flourish. Whether working with early-stage startups or established small businesses looking to scale deeper into the community, I ensure each participant receives personalized attention and targeted resources. At The Porter House KC and the 811 Retail Incubator, I’m dedicated to helping entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of business development with confidence and clarity. My greatest satisfaction comes from witnessing the transformation as business owners implement new strategies and achieve breakthrough results.

Take the Next Steps towards a Thriving Business.

For any questions, fill out our form, and we will be happy to hear from you!

816-265-1522

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