From the outside, KRe8 Spaces appears to be a creative studio and event space. In reality, it’s a powerful launchpad for creative possibilities in St. Louis.
This veteran- and minority-owned hub is home to a vibrant community of artists, entrepreneurs, and content creators who aren’t just looking for space, but support, guidance, and connection. Through accessible memberships, hands-on workshops, and high-energy signature events, the KRe8 Spaces has created an ecosystem where underrepresented creatives can build real careers and see their ideas come to life.
As an Honoree in the Customer Champions category of the 2025 CO—100 Awards, this company exemplifies what it means to put your customers first.
A creative hub designed around the community it serves
KRe8 Spaces’ entire business model is built around the needs of its core customers: creatives who are juggling “multiple jobs, family responsibilities, and financial limitations while trying to bring their creative dreams to life,” explained KRe8 Spaces CFO Christian Boyd.
To best serve their customers, KRe8 Spaces offers affordable memberships that provide access to its state-of-the-art studios, professional equipment, and essential business education. Signature events and showcases create visibility and connection, while the flexible membership model keeps costs accessible for customers who are rich in talent but limited in capital.
“What truly sets us apart is our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility,” said Boyd. “We intentionally center underrepresented creatives by removing financial and systemic barriers to entry, fostering an environment where innovation, culture, and entrepreneurship thrive.”
KRe8 Spaces even offers workshops and mentorship opportunities focused on essential skills such as digital marketing, financial literacy, and brand development to help its members build sustainable careers.
[Read more: Best Practices for an Inclusive Business Culture]
An authentic, supportive, and collaborative experience for every creative
KRe8’s customer service strategy is rooted in “personalization, flexibility, and true partnership.”
“We don’t just provide space,” explained Boyd. “We help bring visions to life.”
We intentionally center underrepresented creatives by removing financial and systemic barriers to entry, fostering an environment where innovation, culture, and entrepreneurship thrive.Christian Boyd, CFO of KRe8 Spaces
The team begins every partnership with discovery calls to understand each customer’s goals, then collaborates on how to execute their ideas.
“We hold one-on-one sit-downs to help creatives map out how to turn their skills into income,” Boyd said. “We offer guidance on branding, content strategy, and how to monetize the studio time included in their memberships.”
Boyd offered an example of what the business’s collaborative partnership looks like in practice: a local creative hosted a game night at KRe8 Spaces.
“Not only did we offer early access for setup, but our team helped arrange the layout, provided décor assistance, and even helped facilitate the flow of the night to ensure everything ran smoothly,” Boyd said. “We treated their event like our own, and it resulted in a packed house and glowing feedback.”
At KRe8 Spaces, customers aren’t just clients, Boyd explained. “They’re collaborators, and we’re committed to seeing them win every step of the way.”
[Read more: 7 Ways Small Businesses Develop Strong Community Partnerships]
Putting customer needs first
Customer feedback is a vital tool for growth and improvement at KRe8 Spaces. The team collects input via reviews, conversations, calls, emails, and surveys, then reviews it together to identify patterns and make concrete changes, from event flow and communication improvements to equipment upgrades.
That same mindset applies to complaints.
“We view customer complaints not as setbacks, but as opportunities to grow,” Boyd said. “We aim to turn negative experiences into positive ones by actively listening, offering fair solutions, and often going above and beyond to restore trust.”
[Read more: How to Turn a Negative Customer Experience Into a Positive One]
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