Josh Kunkel wins the Tulsa Chamber Small Business Award of Young Entrepreneur.

Tulsa, OK — September 4th, 2025 — The Tulsa Regional Chamber is proud to announce that Josh Kunkel has been named the 2025 Tulsa Small Business Awards recipient in the Young Entrepreneur category.

This prestigious recognition celebrates emerging business leaders whose innovation, dedication, and impact are driving growth across northeast Oklahoma.

The 2025 Tulsa Small Business Awards will take place on Thursday, September 25, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, honoring entrepreneurs and small business champions who fuel the region’s economy. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, and an evening of celebration hosted by legendary News on 6 (KOTV) Chief Meteorologist Travis Meyer.

Highlights of the evening include a toast from Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and a special appearance by Tulsa Regional Chamber President & CEO Mike Neal.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this award and to be recognized among so many inspiring leaders,” said Josh Kunkel. “Tulsa’s small business community is thriving, and I am proud to be part of its continued growth.”

The event underscores the importance of small businesses as the backbone of Tulsa’s economy, celebrating the entrepreneurs who create jobs, foster innovation, and strengthen the community.

Event Details:

What: 2025 Tulsa Small Business Awards
When: Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Where: WeStreet Ice Center, Tulsa, OK 74136
Hosted by: Tulsa Regional Chamber

About the Tulsa Regional Chamber

The Tulsa Regional Chamber is the principal business-driven leadership organization for northeast Oklahoma, working to advance economic development, public policy, and community growth. Through collaboration, innovation, and advocacy, the Chamber supports a thriving regional economy and vibrant quality of life.



Media Contact: 

Beth Kunkel

beth@method.group

(918-623-5001)



Method Group Designs The Avery Hotel, A Route 66 Boutique Landmark in Tulsa

A major new hospitality project is on the horizon for Tulsa — and Method Group is proud to be at the heart of its design.

Varia Hospitality Group, led by Tulsa’s own Kimberly Honea and Chicago-based Daniel Dolins, is transforming the historic 1948 Hawkes Dairy Building at 11th Street and Lewis Avenue into The Avery Hotel, a 100-room Hilton Tapestry Collection property. Named after Route 66’s “Father,” Cyrus Avery, the project will blend modern boutique luxury with a deep respect for Tulsa’s architectural heritage.

The $17.5 million development will feature:

  • Historic Hawkes Dairy Building restoration with retail, dining, and a hotel entrance

  • A 3,600-square-foot meeting room plus additional meeting spaces

  • A speakeasy in the basement and a rooftop bar with city views

  • A new five-story hotel connected via an enclosed glass walkway

  • A courtyard pool and lawn designed to engage the streetscape along Route 66

“We’ve intentionally pulled it back to be able to put the pool, maybe a DJ booth, out there so that it feels part of the street,” says Method Group co-founder Josh Kunkel. “It draws you in.”

Method Group’s extensive experience with historic preservation will ensure the Hawkes Dairy Building retains its architectural charm, including original glazed wall tiles and glass blocks. With funding assistance from state and federal historic tax credits — and a $1.5 million Route 66 Enhancement Fund grant from the City of Tulsa — this project is set to become a vibrant community anchor and a celebration of the city’s design legacy.

The Avery Hotel is projected to open in summer 2027.

Read the full story in the Tulsa World.

Transformation plans for former Tulsa Boys Home site move forward

Transformation plans for former Tulsa Boys Home/Laura Dester site move forward

Plans were refined Thursday for an $11 million, mixed-use project at the former Tulsa Boys Home site, which is being considered for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. A revised design by developer Amenome, LLC, and its team was approved by the Tulsa Development Authority for the area at 1427 E.

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Progress Made on Tulsa Boys Home Redevelopment

City Council clears way for development at former Laura Dester site

The City Council on Wednesday voted to abandon the city's ownership of the Laura Dester property so it can be transferred to the Tulsa Development Authority for redevelopment. An $11.6 million two-phase proposal from Amenome LLC calls for converting the five blighted buildings into mixed-income apartments, building a new three-story mixed-use structure and 14,000 square feet of new townhomes.

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KJRH News Story on Laura Dester Site Redevelopment

Negotiations underway for redevelopment of Laura Dester site

TULSA - The historic Laura Dester site now has a different future after a proposal was presented at the Tulsa Development Authority meeting Thursday. The TDA originally planned to demolish the site, which sits in the Pearl District, but after a last-minute proposal, the board approved moving forward with negotiations to redevelop the property.

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Team presents plan for Laura Dester site Redevelopment

Local developer proposes to transform shuttered Laura Dester site into $11 million residential diverse housing development

A local developer has submitted to the Tulsa Development Authority an $11 million, three-phase proposal for the former Laura Dester site that is set for demolition. Backing the project is Amenome LLC's Kevin Rice, who wants to convert the blighted five buildings into mixed-income apartments, build a new three-story, mixed-used structure and 14,000 square feet of new town homes and construct six to eight, 250-square-foot cottages.

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Method Small Business Spotlight

Small Business Spotlight: Method Architecture | Tulsa Small Business Connection

Method Architecture is a seven-person architecture and interior design firm specializing in experiential and place-based projects. Method's typical projects include historic preservation, urban and mixed-use, education, hospitality, and high-end residential projects. We spoke with founder and owner Josh Kunkel to learn more about him and his business.

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