KC Chamber honors MADE MOBB for wearing its values on the streetwear brand’s premium tees 

A streetwear brand known for turning Kansas City subculture into wearable storytelling earned mainstream recognition Wednesday for its commitment to community and belonging — values sewn proudly into the fabric of MADE MOBB’s workweek and frequent apparel drops.

Mark Launiu, Jesse Phouangphet, and Vu Radley, co-founders of MADE MOBB, at the KC Chamber’s 2026 Small Business Celebration Candidates Showcase at Union Station; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

The homegrown company received the 2026 Small Business Spirit of Inclusion Award — which honors organizations that make inclusion part of how they operate, hire, collaborate, and engage with the community — during the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Celebration luncheon.

“This award honors organizations that don’t just talk about inclusion but actively live those values every day,” said presenter Dan Smith, co-founder of The Porter House KC, while introducing the winner. “(MADE MOBB) built a business rooted in culture, creativity, and connection, creating spaces where people feel welcome, seen, and celebrated.”

The recognition came as both a surprise and a milestone, said Mark Launiu, who co-founded MADE MOBB alongside Vu Radley and Jesse Phouangphet. The popular streetwear company was named a finalist for the “Mr. K” or Small Business of the Year award earlier this spring, but the team didn’t know how far they’d go in the competition.

“It feels great,” Launiu said. “This was our first time being here in the KC Chamber Top 10, and I didn’t know what to expect, so this was really dope.”

Click here to read more about the KC Chamber’s top 10, including MADE MOBB, and here to read about the 2026 winner.

Members of the MADE MOBB crew share a laugh with the co-owners of Café Corazón — the winner of the 2026 Small Business of the Year award — after the KC Chamber’s Small Business Celebration; photo by Alex Villalobos-MCAnderson

A specialty award presented as part of the Small Business Celebration, MADE MOBB’s inclusion honor highlighted the company’s ability to turn community-centered values into a thriving business model while staying rooted in Kansas City culture.

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The brand’s growth has been fueled by collaborations that connect it directly to the city it represents. Through the years, MADE MOBB has partnered with a wide range of nonprofits, universities, sports teams, local governments, and businesses — from the KC Current, UMKC, and United Way to Vine Street Brewing, Café Cà Phê, and the ongoing City of Entrepreneurs initiative tied to the coming World Cup.

The company also recently expanded its footprint through a wholesale partnership with Scheels, bringing MADE MOBB apparel to stores across multiple states while keeping Kansas City at the center of its identity.

Vu Radley, co-founder of MADE MOBB, discusses his company’s deep Kansas City connection during a KC Chamber panel conversation at Union Station; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Wednesday’s on-stage award announcement felt like both a celebratory and reflective moment, said Radley. Asked on stage what advice he would give himself on Day 1, Radley kept it simple.

“You’re gonna fail, but just keep on going,” he said with a laugh. “You’ll figure it out.”

The business began as a creative outlet outside of regular jobs before growing into something much bigger, Radley recalled.

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“It started off as a passion project, something fun that we loved doing outside of our regular jobs,” he said. “It became something that Kansas City helped us build.”

Mark Launiu, co-founder of MADE MOBB, speaks during a panel conversation on entrepreneurship as part of Blueprint Weekend in January 2026 at MADE MOBB’s Southwest Boulevard storefront; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

That connection to Kansas City has remained central to the brand’s momentum. The founders make a point to reinvest in the culture behind it, showing up at neighborhood events,  collaborating with local institutions, and by creating a visual representation of hometown pride, they said.

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MADE MOBB is already preparing for the energy surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, recently releasing an exclusive World Cup-inspired collection as anticipation builds across the metro.

“I’m honestly excited for the World Cup,” said Launiu. “So many people are coming into town. It’s great for small businesses and we get to be at the forefront.”

“We’re loaded with events for the next two and a half months,” he continued. “Expect us to be heavy in the community.”