Small Business Team Spotlight

Small Business Month 2025 Honors the Heart of Our Communities

Each May, the U.S. celebrates Small Business Month—a nationwide recognition of the entrepreneurs and local business owners whose ideas, grit and determination drive our economy forward. At Country Club Bank, supporting small businesses isn’t just something we do—it’s part of who we are. From startups to family-owned shops to growing local enterprises, small businesses are the heartbeat of Kansas City’s economy, and we’re proud to stand alongside them.

This year, National Small Business Week is celebrated from May 4 to May 10 with events, awards and resources designed to inspire and empower small businesses across the country. But the celebration doesn't end there. Throughout the month, communities, organizations and leaders—locally and nationally—continue to share success stories and champion initiatives that help small businesses thrive.

And, Small Business Month 2025 gives CCB the perfect opportunity to shine a light on our own Small Business Banking Team and the work they do every day to support entrepreneurs. It’s also a chance for every CCB associate to discover how they can play a part in fueling small business success.

Small Business Team (L-R): Beka Demaranville, Heather Padelli and Nicholas Ohmes

Who is part of CCB’s Small Business Banking Team?

The Small Business Banking Team has three members: Beka Demaranville, Small Business Banking Associate; Heather Padelli, Small Business Banking Specialist; and Nicholas Ohmes, Small Business Banking Manager.

How do small business loans contribute to the overall health and growth of our local economy?

Small business lending fuels business startups and expansion. With the capital we provide, business owners can launch their businesses or expand operations, open new locations or hire more staff.

Providing access to capital stimulates local investment because it creates a ripple effect through the local economy as the business spends it on other products and services, supporting other area businesses. Additionally, those businesses pay employees, who spend dollars locally and pay local taxes. Most importantly, working with Country Club Bank’s new Community Development Officer has strengthened our ability to partner with small businesses in areas of our community that were historically underserved.

What types of small businesses does CCB typically work with, and how do the lending needs of small businesses differ from our larger commercial clients?

We support all types of small businesses, from multigenerational family businesses to local dentists and manufacturing companies. Our commitment to small businesses earned us the Best Small Business Lender (Gold) award in Ingram’s 2024 Best of Business Awards.

The lending needs of small businesses differ from those of larger commercial clients in several key ways, mainly due to differences in size, structure, resources and risk profiles. The loan amounts are typically under a million dollars, and the loans are often used for owner-occupied real estate, working capital, equipment, inventory or short-term cash flow needs.

As a small business-focused bank, we can provide lending solutions tailored to individual businesses, which may not be as common with larger regional or national lenders. Often, small businesses need quicker access to capital; having a dedicated Small Business Specialist they can turn to allows a quicker and more streamlined lending process.

Our team takes a consultative approach with all clients and prospects, offering a suite of business and personal banking solutions that can support the many different and unique needs a small business owner may require.

How do we educate or guide our small business clients through the lending process?

At Country Club Bank, we make the lending process simple and secure for our small business clients. We start with a one-on-one call or in-person meeting to review their financing needs and outline the required documentation. This allows us to recommend the most appropriate financing solutions, while also introducing additional cash management options that could benefit their business.

To protect sensitive financial information, we provide clients with a secure portal for document uploads, avoiding the risks of traditional email. This portal not only safeguards client data — a top priority for us — but also speeds up application review and decision-making.

From the first conversation to loan closing, our Small Business Team stays closely involved, guiding clients every step of the way.

What should associates in other departments know about spotting opportunities or referring potential small business clients to our team?

A small business client could be a sole proprietor, startup, family-owned business, service provider or growing local company. Key signs to watch for include plans to expand, dissatisfaction with their current bank or questions about banking products, payroll or accepting payments. Clients who bring in frequent or large business-like transactions are also worth noting. When an opportunity arises, the Small Business Banking Team is ready to help.

The Retail team has done a nice job spotting these opportunities and involving the Small Business Team quickly, leading to new business and, most importantly, an outstanding customer experience.