Spotlight: Blake Coffee
Empowering Local Businesses in Kansas City
Driving innovation and community growth, Blake Coffee is committed to transforming how Kansas City’s local businesses connect with their customers. As the co-founder of Whir, Blake helps Kansas City’s small businesses thrive by connecting them with customers through proximity-based marketing and innovative analytics tools.
The Journey Back to Kansas City
Although Blake was born in Kansas City, he spent most of his childhood in northern Iowa. He attended the University of Iowa, studying enterprise leadership, and began his professional journey as a software development project manager at SelectQuote in Overland Park. (Perfect time to give a shoutout to the OP Chamber – connect with their team if you’re looking to plug into Overland Park, KS!) His return to KC just a couple of years ago marked the beginning of an exciting chapter—one that combines his entrepreneurial spirit with KC’s dynamic small business community.
Whir: A Platform for Local Business Growth
Whir is more than just a community platform—it’s a tool designed to drive foot traffic and optimize in-person offerings for local businesses. By leveraging proximity-based marketing and advanced analytics, Whir empowers business owners to promote deals and specials effectively, boosting sales while enhancing community engagement.
Blake and his co-founder, Lucas Kern, launched Whir in the fall of 2023 with a vision to support local establishments and foster a stronger sense of community. Their work is creating a potentially powerful ripple effect, helping Kansas City’s small businesses grow and connect with their customers in innovative ways.
Building Community in Kansas City
Blake has quickly immersed himself in Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting events like the Back2KC annual gathering, Keystone Innovation District’s frequent speaking engagements and New2KC meetups. He values the city’s spirit of collaboration and is excited about meeting others who share his passion for growth and innovation.
What Blake Loves About KC
- Welcoming community: KC’s inclusive and supportive nature has been a pleasant surprise for Blake.
- Small business support: The robust network of resources and encouragement for small businesses has exceeded his expectations.
- Hidden gems: Blake raves about the incredible hand-rolled sushi he’s discovered in the city!
Looking Ahead
Blake’s goals in Kansas City include expanding his professional network and scaling Whir within the city’s thriving small business ecosystem. He’s confident KC is the ideal place to kickstart his entrepreneurial journey. Let’s rally alongside him in support!
How to Connect
Check out Whir on the App Store and Google Play to see how it’s empowering local businesses. Blake is always happy to connect on LinkedIn and welcomes introductions to any local businesses looking to optimize their in-person offerings.
Stay tuned for next week’s New2KC Spotlight as we feature Ken Lynch.
Together, these stories celebrate great people driving KC’s transformation into a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
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