New venture, new location

By Jonny Suchor. 

When opening a new location, this company found their perfect match for business growth and community development. 

Sidekick made a pivotal decision that would redefine their business. They chose St. Marys, Kansas, as the location for their new venture. This choice was driven by the area's rich talent pool and variety of local resources, making it an ideal environment.

Sidekick, specializing in customer acquisition services such as lead nurturing, web chat support and sales scheduling, quickly found its stride in St. Marys. "We offer a blend of great people, amazing technology and proven processes to help our clients focus on their business while we help them grow it," stated Pete Reilly, Sidekick general manager. This commitment has resulted in an estimated $30M in client revenue and has also seen Sidekick's team expand to over 70 employees. 

The strategic choice of launching Sidekick in St. Marys goes beyond just business logistics. According to Pete, the welcoming community has left a lasting impression on visiting clients. “When some of our clients come to meet us at our office, they are totally blown away by how friendly and welcoming the local residents are,” he shared. Sidekick has also been able to nurture a dedicated workforce of talented people who care for one another, which is extremely beneficial, particularly in a time when staffing and turnover are nationwide challenges. 

The company's location has also played a crucial role for recruiting opportunities being so close to Kansas State University. "There is so much flexibility and a wide variety of resources here, basically at our fingertips, due to our geographic location. We have everything we need from both a business and personal perspective," Pete noted. 

Jack Allston, executive director of the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation, praised Sidekick's rapid growth and contribution to the local economy. He shared, "With a rapidly expanding and dynamic workforce, they are a tremendous growth accelerator locally and beyond.”  

Learn more about Sidekick’s journey in St. Marys and why location matters when starting a business.