Listen: From Brazil to Kansas City, furniture entrepreneur shares journey
March 28, 2017 | Startland Staff
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, host Scott Parman welcomes the founder of Freedom Companies Carol Espinosa.

Carol Espinosa
Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Espinosa attended the University of Kansas for Creative Writing. Her path unexpectedly led her to working at a local office furniture dealership. After seven years on the job, Espinosa eventually opened her own independent office furniture firm Freedom Companies.
Espinosa shares how she managed to break into an established industry as a newcomer as well as her trek to becoming an American citizen.
Learn more with the podcast below.

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