For Immediate Release
Aug. 16, 2022
Contact: Kara Brooks
(816) 381-2600 | kara@cruxkc.com
Crux KC Receives Ranking No. 2678 Among America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2022 – Today, Inc. revealed Crux KC is No. 2678 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent businesses.
“We’re thrilled to be named among the fastest-growing small businesses in the country,” said Crux Founder & CEO Melea McRae. “The past three years have been challenging to business leaders everywhere, and to be honored alongside so many other incredible small businesses who’ve experienced explosive growth and succeeded despite the odds is humbling and a testament to our incredible team, clients and partners.”
The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 have not only been successful, but have also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages and the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Among the top 500, the average median three-year revenue growth rate soared to 2,144%. Together, those companies added more than 68,394 jobs over the past three years.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region and other criteria, can be found at inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, which will be available on Aug. 23.
“The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today.”
Crux merges executive-level marketing and business strategy to provide a simple, smart and affordable outsourced marketing solution. In a year of lightning growth — and at the milestone of its five-year anniversary in 2021 — Crux KC more than doubled its headcount and office space, increased topline revenue by nearly 70%, scored several award wins, added key leaders to catapult the organization to its next stage of growth, and integrated new verticals and operational capabilities into its offerings.
The Crux team started off 2021 with 15 full-time employees, a number which more than doubled by the end of 2021 to accommodate its fast growth trajectory. Fuel was added to fire with an investment from former Mobank CEO Grant Burcham in late spring, which enabled Crux to bring more talent in the door and to build out its employee benefits offerings. Added talent in the last year includes President & CCO Ethan Whitehill, Senior VP of Accounts Lea Ann Hodson, VP of Strategy & Analytics Ryan LeCluyse and VP of HR & Talent Development Katie Ragan, as well as a fractional CFO, a fractional Chief Wellness Officer, and several creative, social media, digital and account services professionals. In parallel with team growth, Crux expanded its technology stack to bring marketing automation and AI to clients.
In 2019 Crux was awarded WBE status. Crux was named one of Kansas City Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in 2021, a Champion of Business in 2022 and a Greater KC Chamber of Commerce Top 10 Small Business in 2021 and 2022.
“Landing on the Inc. 5000 isn’t just another award or accolade for us—it’s proof that we’re resilient and that we provide value to the clients and employees who trust in the Crux model,” McRae added. “We can’t wait to see what’s next!”
—
About Crux KC
Founded in 2016, Crux KC is Kansas City’s “un-agency,” combining the leadership of a fractional CMO with a marketing-department-as-a-service model to provide simple, smart and affordable full-funnel marketing solutions for clients. Because when you’re a business leader looking for growth, you’d rather just get to the point. Crux is your in-house marketing team—outsourced. Everything you need, nothing you don’t.
About Inc. and the Inc. 5000
Methodology
Companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2018 to 2021. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2018. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of Dec. 31, 2021. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2018 is $100,000; the minimum for 2021 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places. The top 500 companies on the Inc. 5000 are featured in Inc. magazine’s September issue. The entire Inc. 5000 can be found at inc.com/inc5000.
About Inc.
The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit inc.com.
