WATCH: Faces of KC entrepreneurship find strength in numbers, community resources
April 5, 2019 | Startland News Staff
A new video from KCSourceLink highlights the faces of Kansas City entrepreneurship — featuring makers, innovators, tech founders and social entrepreneurs — and their connection to the resource network and ecosystem infrastructure in Kansas City.
“It takes very special people to be able to put everything on the line,” says Reggie Gray, executive director of Black Privilege, a nonprofit movement rooted in a mobile app that connects black businesspeople and encourages spending within the black community. “Most of us will never make the big money, but it’s not always about the money — it’s about what fulfills us. It’s about being able to make a difference. Being able to build relationships.”
Gray is featured in the video alongside such well-known startup community members as Andy Kallenbach, founder of LendingStandard; Philip Hickman, founder of PlaBook; Kyle Smith, founder of Determination Incorporated; Jeff Rohr, founder of SquareOffs; and Matt Condon, founder of Bardavon Health Innovations — each sharing insights about the city and its support structure.
SquareOffs was named one of Startland’s Startups to Watch in 2019; Bardavon was one of the Startups to Watch in 2018.
“It’s not redefining Kansas City. It’s re-establishing who we are,” says Condon in the video. “We’re an entrepreneurial community. And we’re cowboys, and dreamers, and all the things that make that journey possible.”
The video was released to coincide with the publication of KCSourceLink’s We Create KC 2019 report. Click here to read more about the report’s findings.
Check out the video, which also includes commentary from Joe Vazquez, Vazquez Commercial Contracting; Marquita Miller, Five Star Tax & Business Solutions; Nick Ward-Bopp, Maker Village KC; CiCi Rojas, Tico Productions; Gigi Jones, Gigi’s Kale Chips; and Catina Taylor, Dreams KC.
Featured Business
2019 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Identity festival returns, bringing Asian-owned business, culture from the shadows to the pitch
A celebration of often-overlooked heritage and culture is scoring its biggest match yet: a showcase this weekend at CPKC Stadium — where intentional diversity and inclusivity have a home field advantage, said Jackie Nguyen. “It’s our first time partnering with such a big venue,” said Nguyen, founder of the annual AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian,…
Mr K finalists: Diversity is a strength, but the vibes defining these Top 10 businesses don’t stop there
Yes, 80 percent of the finalists for this year’s Small Business of the Year Award are ventures run by women, Karen Crnkovich acknowledged, but it’s not just their owners’ gender that put them in the top-tier of contenders for the coveted “Mr. K” honor. “There are eight really brilliant, smart ladies on the stage,” said…
Sober, safe travels: The only thing off the menu for these luxury bookings is alcohol
A Kansas City woman’s travel business is taking flight with plans to offer budding adventurers a world of rejuvenating vacationing, luxury, and wellness — all with an alcohol-free itinerary. “I’m blending my two passions together: sobriety and travel,” said Michelle Plante. “I wanted to create a space for women to get together, connect, and have…
Recipe for empathy: These students prepared hundreds of protein-packed, free meals for their food-insecure peers
High school students in the Kansas City area are doing their part to stamp out food insecurity one recipe at a time, Tamara Weber shared. Kids Feeding Kids — a sister program of Pete’s Garden, both founded by Weber — partners with high school FACS and CTE culinary classes to teach students about critical topics…