DT | Google Presents: How They Built It - STUFF - 11:45 a.m.

**RESCHEDULED from 5/25**

Be inspired by our own Kansas City Entrepreneurs who share their personal stories of the rewards, struggles, re-direction and eventual success! 

Google's new entrepreneurs How They Built It series showcases how the United States was developed by people who followed their dreams to seek out and create a better way of life for their families. Today’s fast paced world helps fuel innovative ideas and provides individuals with opportunities to follow their dreams of starting a business! 

After almost 20 years in retail, S. Sloane Simmons and Casey Simmons are proud to own an award-winning store - STUFF -  that has stretched the boundaries of traditional galleries and retail stores, was chosen as one of the top stores in the country for selling handmade arts, is one of the top small businesses in Kansas City, has been honored for ethical practices, and is well known for investing in the local community.
 
The sister/co-owners continue to be humbled by these awards, because STUFF doesn’t strive for awards. They focus on operating an outstanding business, and enjoy running a business that is judged on merits beyond financial success.
 
STUFF has made a long term committments to two Kansas City charities: The Susan Henke Miller Cancer Research Fund held at the KU Endowment and utilized at the KU Cancer Center and AIDSWalk-Kansas City. In 2010, STUFF launched a program for local not-for-profit organizations to host fundraising events for their cause at STUFF. In the last 2 months of 2015 alone, 30 private shopping events took place in the store and extended the shopping day. This is all paired with STUFF's unwavering committment to every pre-school thru 12th grade school to donate an auction item for their individual fundraising efforts. STUFF believes good things come in small packages and local schools have benefited from these donations since STUFF opened its doors.
 
In addition, the Women's Employment Network (WEN) is an organization whose mission strikes a chord with Sloane and Casey both as women business owners and as employers of a staff mostly comprised of women. STUFF has worked with WEN on their annual luncheon and other fundraising efforts over the past six years.
 
Both Sloane and Casey have experience in serving on not-for-profit boards and their sub-committees. Community involvement has been a keystone in both of their lives and in the life of their business. They were honored in 2015 as "Volunteers of the Year" for KCUR, Kansas City's public radio station.
 
They are sisters, business partners, close friends and have been working together for close to 30 years — day in and day out. They share an unwavering dedication to all that is important in local business, local art and interpersonal relations.