All Stories

Their designs are so unique they’re one-of-one; ‘slow fashion’ duo turns thrift store finds into runway-worthy fits

By Tommy Felts / August 9, 2023

A Kansas City couple’s upcycled fashion brand is making waves, as thousands of social media followers — and some high-profile names — have taken note of the company’s repurposed “one-of-one” clothing pieces. The passion project of co-founders Jared Armstrong and Caylin Willis, Yvonne and Mitchel takes clothing materials from thrift stores and reimagines them into…

Read More >

New Kauffman CEO begins her ‘journey of impact’ with renewed focus on Kansas City

By Tommy Felts / August 8, 2023

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News. Work within Kansas City to inspire education and entrepreneurship has a ripple effect across the region, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace; and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is doubling down on its commitment to the Kansas City community under her new leadership. …

Read More >

This one-day competition builds more than apps, organizers say; Hack Midwest aims to reveal what humans are capable of creating  

By Tommy Felts / August 8, 2023

Kansas City’s largest app building competition is set to return in September — with more than 300 software engineers competing in teams for a piece of $22,500 in winnings. Hack Midwest, which began in 2012, brings together developers for a 24-hour “hackathon,” during which the teams race against the clock — and each other — to…

Read More >

Island vibes getaway: ‘Lei Away’ festival to showcase tropical flavors in landlocked KC

By Tommy Felts / August 5, 2023

Kansas Citians won’t have to leave the city to enjoy a tropical escape during Labor Day weekend. The freshly announced Lei Away festival is expected to bring the spirit of the islands to the plains. “We are highlighting all the wonderful things that are tropical-centric in Kansas City, which is ironic because it’s so landlocked,”…

Read More >

In second term, Mayor Q says he’ll help get City Hall out of entrepreneurs’ way as they build a more diverse economy

By Tommy Felts / August 5, 2023

Creating economic equity in Kansas City goes hand in hand with building a sustainable city, said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “We will not be the city that we need to be — we won’t have the workforce, the entrepreneurs that we need — if we’re not actually investing in equitable tools in any number of ways,”…

Read More >
Sandlot Goods hat; photo courtesy of Sandlot Goods

Sandlot Goods takes a swing at a brick and mortar; new JoCo storefront expected to be a home run with brand’s fans

By Tommy Felts / August 5, 2023

Sandlot Goods — Kansas City’s only local hat manufacturer — is hoping to score big with its first, dedicated, standalone retail space. The new location at Park Place in Leawood — 11530 Ash Street — is slated for a soft opening Aug. 15 and a grand opening Sept. 16, shared Garret Prather, Sandlot vice president…

Read More >

‘Oppenheimer’ actor says new Missouri tax incentives could bring investors, more film productions to KC

By Tommy Felts / August 4, 2023

David Dastmalchian’s screenplays for movies set in Kansas City now have a realistic chance to be filmed in and around his hometown, said the acclaimed actor, writer, and producer who grew up in Overland Park. Recently-signed legislation paves the way for increased film production in Missouri by reauthorizing — and strengthening — tax credit incentives…

Read More >

She witnessed short-staffed hospitals as a COVID patient; How her ‘Airbnb for health care workers’ could save lives like hers

By Tommy Felts / August 2, 2023

After her own hospitalization with COVID-19, Shapree’ Marshall set out to make sure local hospitals have adequate staffing to care for the community, she shared. In February 2022, Marshall — now a 2023 Pipeline Pathfinder cohort member — founded A Traveled Path Homes, which she describes as Airbnb for the medical industry. She plans to…

Read More >

Artists as activists: Meet the KC group whose creative approach to advocacy needs little interpretation

By Tommy Felts / August 2, 2023

A Kansas City nonprofit is training local artists on the intersection of art and public policy, hoping to create a generation of creatives ready to advocate for their communities. Heartland Arts KC aims to position Kansas City as a hub of local arts activism, said Logan Stacer, executive artistic director. “I want Kansas City to…

Read More >

Off to college (towns): Axe throwing, mini golf set for Manhattan, Lawrence as Swell Spark expands at home

By Tommy Felts / August 2, 2023

Swell Spark is once again expanding its locations, but this time Matt Baysinger and his team are scaling into smaller markets in the founder’s home state of Kansas.  Swell Spark — a Kansas City-based entertainment company that creates shared experiences through escape rooms, axe throwing and indoor mini golf — is set to open a…

Read More >
1MC-Digital-Attend-2460x318px-v1
Founders-Club-Banner-Ad-2

Join Founder's Club – Support Our Mission

Enjoy access to our email newsletter, members only Slack community, exclusive events and other member perks.