KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Local business operators often seek a leg-up.
Now, Kansas City leaders have teamed up with DoorDash, generating its first class of graduates from its Business Accelerator Program for small businesses.
In April, DoorDash granted $50,000 to 10 metro merchants as part of a partnership, offering mentorship and guidance in marketing their business and adding dollars to their days.
The first 12-week session of the program held its commencement ceremony at Wah Gwan Restaurant at 68th Street and Troost Avenue.
Full dining rooms and online orders are what DoorDash’s program strives to deliver to these merchants.
Tanyech Yarborough, who co-owns Wah Gwan, describes her tasty restaurant as a delicious blend of Jamaican and Nigerian cuisine. Yarborough said in the 12 weeks she’s used the program, her delivery business has more than tripled.
“A lot of it was new customers. Now, those new customers have become return customers. People have also used reviews to say – I want to go into that restaurant,” Yarborough said.
“These businesses, they know their business. They know what they need money for. Let’s also give them ad credits they can use on the DoorDash platform to connect them with new customers and provide new resources to them that they’re getting from some business support organizations,” Esther Ladipo Hill, DoorDash’s social impact manager, said.
Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas said he believes DoorDash saw potential for growth in Kansas City small businesses, in part, because the World Cup is coming to our metro in 2026.
“Sometimes, it works really well. I think this is one of those times when it’s exceptional. We are giving people a boost on their already great business ideas, their great brands and great food,” Lucas said.
As these businesses get larger, they’re able to target new long range goals. Yarborough says she’s imagining adding a second location sometime in the near future.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
