Listen: Madison Flitch founder carves a furniture firm with KC stories ingrained

February 10, 2017  |  Bobby Burch

Madison Flitch founder John Pryor works at his Crossroads Shop. Photo by Bobby Burch

Editor’s note: In partnership with the KC Greats podcast, hosted by Scott Parman, Startland News hopes to offer its audience more avenues to learn about entrepreneurs in Kansas City. Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone.


In this episode, Parman chats with Madison Flitch founder John Pryor, who shares the story of bootstrapping his custom furniture firm.

After escaping his corporate tech job in the Boston, John returned to his Kansas City roots to start a new entrepreneurial journey harvesting local trees for beautiful furniture with a local story.

Located in the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City, Madison Flitch gives a second life to local trees by harvesting them from the area and transforming them into pieces for a home or office. Founded in 2016, the firm’s collections focus on high design and the natural beauty of the wood to offer pieces that are meaningful and rare.

Learn more about Pryor’s journey with this podcast and check out our photo gallery below that. 



startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2017 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        From the pitch to the Plaza: KC Current flipping the switch on new retail shop in iconic shopping district

        By Tommy Felts | November 25, 2025

        Add team gear to the holiday shopping list this weekend. The Kansas City Current is kicking off a new permanent retail shop on the Country Club Plaza — just in time for the 2025 Plaza Lighting Ceremony. The Current Shop is set to open Wednesday, Nov. 26, in the former Starbucks building at 302 Nichols…

        Kauffman wraps three fast-paced rounds of capacity building: Meet the year’s final grantees

        By Tommy Felts | November 25, 2025

        A revised strategy to help nonprofit organizations strengthen their internal effectiveness and long-term stability — while still aligning with the Kauffman Foundation’s focus areas — next must showcase outcomes, said Allison Greenwood Bajracharya, announcing a final round of capacity building grant winners for 2025. Built with intentional versatility, capacity building grants are meant to meet…

        Five stocking stuffer gift ideas that brew support for women-owned KC businesses

        By Tommy Felts | November 24, 2025

        Editor’s note: The following holiday feature is presented by nbkc bank, where small businesses find big support Shopping with intention this season is just one way Kansas City gift-givers can squeeze local impact into each nook and cranny of those holiday stockings, said Melissa Eggleston, highlighting a sleigh-ful of women-owned businesses shoppers should bank on…

        Their brands survived legal bruises; here’s what still keeps these founders up at night

        By Tommy Felts | November 24, 2025

        A brand worth building is worth safeguarding, said Bo Nelson, joining a chorus of battle-tested entrepreneurs at GEWKC who encouraged emerging business owners to trademark their own peace of mind early by locking down intellectual property — like designs, names and unique processes — from the start. “If you do have something that you genuinely,…