Fund Me, KC: Good Bitter Best hopes to mix cocktails with community, pivots to add virtual bartender
September 22, 2020 | Startland News Staff
Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Jennifer Agnew’s Good Bitter Best campaign — to share their crowdfunding stories to gain a little help from their supporters.
Who are you?
I am Jennifer Agnew, public school art teacher by day, entrepreneur by night. I love the outdoors, working out, and connecting with friends. My mission is to grow my mind, body, and soul to love as the universe loves and to promote empowerment for myself and others.
What is Good Bitter Best?
We offer unique cocktail bitters, kits, and virtual classes. Some of our flavors include Cherry Cacao, Smoke, Strawberry Basil, and Apple Cinnamon. We also create flavor-infused sugar cubes and dehydrated fruit garnish to elevate your home bartender game.
Click here for the Good Bitter Best Kickstarter page.
What’s your ‘why’?
People connecting with people. In our social media-saturated age, it can feel more lonely than ever. My original goal was to host cocktail classes where folks would learn how to make delicious drinks in a party-like atmosphere. Because of COVID, we have made a pivot and will soon offer Virtual Bartender classes. This has very exciting implications as we could eventually employ bartenders from across the world to teach folks how to make cocktails from their region. During class, there would be built-in time for connection questions, so people are enjoying each other’s company as well as learning a new skill.
How much do you hope to raise with the crowdfunding campaign?
$8,000 (Kickstarter ends Oct. 8)
What do you plan to use the funds for?
I will use the funds to scale: buying ingredients in bulk to make large batches of bitters in order to sell to local shops, restaurants, and bars. If I reach my stretch goals of $10,000 to $15,000, I will also be able to offer Good BItter Best barware and merch including a to-go cocktail kit.
How are you differentiating your campaign?
My campaign offers awesome rewards! My favorite is working with backers to create a cocktail named after them, and at the top tier working with backers to create new bitters according to their favorite flavors!
Is there anything quirky with your campaign?
The to-go cocktail kit is pretty dope. It comes with a fanny pack and collapsible cups. Imagine going on a hike with your boo, then at the halfway point taking everything out of your fanny pack to have a freshly muddled cocktail? Pretty impressive.
Anything else readers should know about Good Bitter Best?
Our fall flavors will be up on our online shop soon! We have recently added curbside pick up and local delivery options. Check us out at GoodBitterBest.com and follow us @goodbitterbest on IG/FB!

2020 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Four KC area firms land spots in Inc. 500 fastest growing list, dozens in top 5000
Forty Kansas City area firms are featured on the annual Inc. 5000 list, which includes the nation’s fastest growing businesses. Among them, four local firms were included in the more exclusive Inc. 500 list, with Lever 1 nabbing a No. 44 ranking. In 2016, only one Kansas City company made the 500 list, ranked No.…
EyeVerify announces name change, new product offering in Asia
Nearly a year after being acquired by Ant Financial for more than $100 million, Kansas City-based EyeVerify wants its new vision reflected in a new name. The biometrics tech firm is changing its name from EyeVerify to Zoloz, EyeVerify CEO Toby Rush wrote in a recent company blog post. The company, which at this time…
Techstars Spotlight: Ampogee ‘gamifies’ manufacturing work
Measure. Assemble. Test. Repeat. The monotony of manufacturing jobs might make it difficult for workers to feel appreciated and recognize their impact. Ampogee’s solution: Game on. The Greensboro, North Carolina-based startup — which earned a spot on the inaugural Techstars KC cohort last month — has developed a software-as-a service platform, which “gamifies” employee performance.…
CityShape offers KC’s fitness-minded variety, exercise exploration
Variety is key to connecting a diverse fitness community, Shannon McGinley said. Her company, CityShape Fitness, aims to bridge the gaps by offering web-based monthly memberships that give users access to a range of gyms and studios across the metro. “It’s about building community in Kansas City, and connecting people to all the tools…



