PORTLAND, Ore. & KANSAS CITY, Mo. - TelAve -- Nine months after purchasing Kansas City company ProfessionalChats, Ruby®, the premier provider of live virtual receptionist and chat services for small businesses, is moving into a new office location in Kansas City River Market's 3Y building. The company is marking the transition with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house celebration today, attended by Ruby customers, employees, executive leadership, and members of the local government and the business community.

The strategic acquisition of ProfessionalChats expands Ruby's service offerings to include 24/7 live chat—delivering on the company's mission of helping small business owners grow their company through human interactions. Additionally, it provides the company access to a highly-trained workforce and talent pool, as well as a footprint within a new geography. More than 100 employees will enjoy the new facilities, with another 100+ expected to join the Kansas City office over the next 12 months.

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"Our new office reflects our commitment to our core values and provides our Kansas City team members with a beautiful working environment. The space is designed to inspire our team to deliver Ruby's legendary service based on human connections that ultimately helps small businesses grow and thrive," said Ruby CEO Kate Winkler. "As we expand our service capabilities, our new location in River Market enables us to grow our team with more live virtual receptionists, chat specialists, and customer support specialists to support our exponentially growing customer base of small businesses across North America."

Ruby, this year named a Fastest Growing Company for a record-breaking 12th year, employs more than 600 people in four office locations, and has been certified as a "Great Place to Work" for four years in a row. In 2015, Ruby became one of the first companies in Oregon to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Ruby partnered with Somera Road, Inc. and AREA Real Estate Advisors on the design for the new location within the Class A office building. Ruby's 30,000 square foot office features a stunning breakroom, numerous conference and huddle rooms, a training room, sizable fitness room, TV lounge, wellness/lactation room, and a quiet room. In addition to competitive time off and healthcare benefits, Ruby also offers an annual wellness day off and stipend, the day off to celebrate each team member's "Rubyversary," and a five-week sabbatical after five years of employment. Ruby also invests in supporting the local community through its philanthropy program, Ruby Corps.

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At the celebration this afternoon, Ruby's Kansas City team and guests will participate in a live Ruby Corps event filling backpacks with school supplies for Synergy Services, a local nonprofit that provides supportive services to families in crisis in an effort to prevent violence.