Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Scheele.
Hi Eric, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For the first 11 years of my career, I was a chemistry teacher and golf coach at Shawnee Mission Northwest. I loved helping kids learn, improve and prepare for college, but after my wife was downsized with the VF Corporation and 2 very young kids at home, the piling bills motivated me get more creative and build something of my own. In 2003, that drive pushed me to take a leap into the unknown world of telecom and then, VOIP.
I founded Netphone2 soon to be co-founded TalkFree.com, an international VoIP company built before Skype made internet calling a household idea. We built custom calling solutions and reseller network across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, connecting people in ways the traditional phone industry could not. At its peak, TalkFree reached $21 million in annual revenue, and those years taught me everything about scaling systems, leading teams across borders, and solving problems through creativity and innovation.
After 11 years in telecom, I ventured to bring that entrepreneurial spirit home. I saw opportunity in my own backyard with Kansas City real estate. I launched KC Property Guys to provide homeowners a faster, more transparent way to sell, renovate, and rebuild. That quickly expanded into KC Pier as well, specializing in foundation repair, waterproofing, and radon mitigation. Together, our brands have grown into a low eight figure local operation built on trust, craftsmanship, and long term relationships.
Today, that foundation has evolved into KC Shark Tank, a new platform to invest in and mentor small, service-based businesses ready to scale. My goal is to give other entrepreneurs the tools, systems, and financial backing that once changed my own life.
Three careers later, I have learned that success has been accumulated learning from others on what to do and maybe more importantly, what not to do. It is about seeing what others may overlook or take for granted, having faith in the process, putting people first, and building structures and time tested systems of service whether chemical, digital, or concrete that stand the test of time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth run. Every stage of my career has carried its own set of challenges, each one shaping how I lead and build today.
During my years with TalkFree, the journey was filled with both rapid growth and intense internal struggles. We dealt with corporate share battles that often became distractions from the real mission. It was a lesson in how quickly success can invite conflict when alignment and communication begin to slip. Beyond the boardroom, the business itself faced major barriers to entry. Competing in international telecom markets meant going head to head with long established monopoly telcos, and the political interference in those regions could be relentless. Navigating that environment required patience, creativity, and a willingness to adapt to constant uncertainty.
When I transitioned to Kansas City to build KC Property Guys and KC Pier, I expected a smoother path, but entrepreneurship rarely works that way. Both companies endured rocky beginnings marked by poor partnerships and difficult financial starts. In time, those partnerships became solo entrepreneurships and the experiences became invaluable. They forced me to rebuild from the ground up with stronger structures, better financial oversight, and a clear focus on leadership and culture.
The lessons were tough but necessary. Every setback refined my approach to business and reminded me that progress is rarely linear. Growth comes from resilience, accountability, some prayers being answered and the determination to turn obstacles into opportunities.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love that KC Property Guys and KC Pier complement each other so naturally. Both companies were built with the same purpose, to solve real problems for homeowners in Kansas City through honesty, quality, and trust.
KC Property Guys specializes in residential home buying and renovation. Each year we complete around forty home projects, helping sellers who need quick and fair options while giving new life to homes that might otherwise sit vacant or deteriorate. Our work goes beyond transactions. It is about helping people move forward with confidence, whether they are facing financial challenges, inheritance situations, retiring, downsizing, or simply need an easier, simple process.
KC Pier focuses on the structural integrity of homes including foundation repair, waterproofing, and radon mitigation. Many of the properties we purchase through KC Property Guys eventually become KC Pier projects, so the two companies operate side by side. This creates a unique balance where we understand both the investment and the repair sides of the housing industry, allowing us to bring complete transparency to every project.
What I am most proud of is that both companies have earned their reputation the right way. We focus on education, presenting options, and doing work that lasts. Our team gives advice even when it may not benefit us directly because that honesty builds trust, and trust creates long term success.
What sets us apart is simple. Our values are not marketing phrases or slogans. They reflect who we are and how we operate every day. Doing business the right way comes naturally to me, and that spirit shows through in both companies as we continue to grow and serve Kansas City homeowners with pride.
What are your plans for the future?
As I move into my latter fifties, I am beginning to think more about balance, legacy, and how to give back to the next generation of entrepreneurs. My plan over the next few years is to slowly transition away from the day to day operations of KC Property Guys and KC Pier and focus more on mentoring and consulting through KC Shark Tank.
KC Shark Tank is a platform I created to invest in and guide small service based businesses, especially those right here in the Kansas City area. The target audience is made up of tradesmen and women, home service owners, and independent operators who have already proven their concept but are struggling to scale. These are good people with solid businesses that need capital, structure, and marketing systems to grow beyond the owner driven stage.
Through KC Shark Tank, my goal is to provide not only financial support but also the experience, systems, and operational framework that helped us build our own brands successfully. I want to help small business owners move from working in the business to working on the business, giving them the freedom to grow and enjoy what they have built.
I look forward to spending more time collaborating with young entrepreneurs who have the passion but may lack direction or resources. Watching them find success and stability will be as rewarding as building my own companies.
The future for me is less about expansion and more about impact. KC Shark Tank allows me to stay connected to the entrepreneurial world while helping others avoid the same mistakes I made and find their path faster. That, to me, is the most fulfilling chapter yet.
Pricing:
- NONE
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kcpier.com / www.kcpropertyguys.com / coming soon — www.kcsharktank.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcpier2/ // https://www.facebook.com/kcpropertyguys/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejscheele/
