KHS graduate Mike Astrachan builds on family history to open his own business downtown

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After watching his family business deteriorate, Mike Astrachan of Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Kennett, knew that one day he would create a business to replace the one his family lost.

"Having grown up in a family that had a business on a square and seen the downtown area decline, I've wondered why downtown Kansas City shouldn't thrive once again as it has in the past, said Astrachan, president of Astrachan Communications, Inc.

Astrachan graduated from Kennett High School in 1984 and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia from 1984 to 1988, earning a degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism with a major in advertising. He was also a member of the Beta Tyeta Pi fraternity.

After graduating, Astrachan moved to Kansas City where he started Astrachan Communications, Inc., six years ago with 10 clients. The business was based out of his own home in Brookside.

With a family history of having a downtown business, when his own business grew too large, Astrachan began looking at locations in downtown Kansas City.

"I wanted to be a catalyst for technology in this area of the city and bring marketing and technology solutions to downtown," said Astrachan. "My company is not a traditional advertising agency but a business solutions provider with an emphasis on interactive marketing and business application development."

Astrachan's company provides three basic services in web site development and search engine optimization, giving clients the tools to update their own web sites as well as building intranet and extranet services and traditional marketing, such as print products.

"We always strive to provide solutions that are user-friendly and we have worked hard to establish long-term relationships and doing what's in the best interest of our clients and their business," he said.

Today, the company has more than 100 clients and 13 full-time employees. It grossed more than $500,000 in sales last year.

Astrachan said he learned many important aspects of being an entrepreneur from his father, Jack Astrachan of Kennett, including networking.

"My dad loved interacting with people, and that comes very naturally to me," said Astrachan. "I am very interested in what people are doing and I like going to events to find out what's going on in the city."

Astrachan is involved in the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas City Direct Marketing Association and the Rotary Club.