2016 Business Class: Everything Kitchens LLC (Top Honors)

For Emily Church, timing is everything.

Church launched Everything Kitchens LLC online in 2002 after the dot-com bubble burst, with only $500, some kitchen know-how and a little web design experience. The eldest of nine children – she grew up preparing a lot of meals – Church has built her small-appliance and cookware venture into a nationally recognized multimillion-dollar operation with 29 full-time employees, a 25,000-square-foot warehouse and a store in Brentwood Center.

Financial performance
In 2015, Everything Kitchens generated nearly $21.5 million in revenue, and Church expects double-digit growth this year.

“A fairly conservative projection for 2016 would be $25 million in sales,” she says.

Between 2013 and 2015, the company’s revenue climbed nearly 50 percent, and its profits jumped over 85 percent with Church carving a niche in an industry that features competitors such as Amazon, Wal-Mart and Target. In 2014, Everything Kitchens appeared on the Inc. 5000 list at No. 4,894 for its three-year revenue growth. That year, the company also ranked No. 564 on Internet Retailer’s Second 500 list, which honors fast-rising mid tier web dealers, landing at No. 7 in the Housewares/Home Furnishings category.

Innovation
Church says efforts to innovate in an increasingly web-focused world have the company competing with e-commerce heavyweights.

“I think the most significant reason is our Chef Perks program,” she says.

Established last year, Chef Perks offers free three-day shipping and reward points on all orders over $50. The move boosted sales during the Christmas shopping season, Church says, and improved 2016 online sales through mid-May by 40 percent.

Church says programs added to drive growth include Inspectlet, which allows Everything Kitchens to view heat maps and online sessions, and Wiser, which tracks competitors’ prices, helping the company negotiate with manufacturers.

The retailer also is building a cloud-based shipping system shipping orders from multiple sites, and reducing errors and wait times for customers.

Community Involvement
Everything Kitchens has supported several local charitable efforts including the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball, Habitat for Humanity’s Tool Belts & Bow Ties and Springfield Symphony’s Flavor & Flair. Globally, the retailer backs World Vision, an international humanitarian organization, and Healing Haiti, a Christian outreach program.

“When I was a kid I always wanted to be able to help orphans and those who needed a hand up. Starting a company enabled my employees and I to do that, which gives our work more meaning,” she says.