All Stories

ScaleUP! KC touts revenue success stories as latest small biz cohort opens applications

By Tommy Felts / July 19, 2023

Growth outcomes don’t always follow entrepreneurs’ graduation from ScaleUP! KC — sometimes they come before the game-changing, no-cost program is even complete, its leaders said. Rickey Leathers made significant strides in his business, Savvy Salon — co-owned with his wife, Lenora — while enrolled in the cohort, he said. “I successfully opened a second location…

Read More >

Modern-day stress triggers make life harder; getting healthy shouldn’t add to those burdens, says KC Wellness Club

By Tommy Felts / July 19, 2023

The shift to focusing on wellness instead of illness should be fun, said Heath Wessling, a former wellness expert at Cerner-turned-entrepreneur, who noted sustained growth or change is unlikely if a person is unhappy with the process. “We like to find ways to show you how it’s not a drag,” said Wessling, founder and owner…

Read More >

Give them a drink, get to the real: This craft KC podcast serves entrepreneur vulnerability 

By Tommy Felts / July 18, 2023

Two Kansas City entrepreneurs hope to amplify the voices of local change makers by getting them behind the microphone with a drink in their hand. The Behind the Bar with Ashley and Hailee podcast sees co-hosts and friends Ashley Kendrick and Hailee Bland Walsh welcome their fellow Kansas City entrepreneurs into Kendrick’s basement for a…

Read More >

A sneaky wink in each brutal piece: How one artist’s work paints his reality within a world of big, heavy events

By Tommy Felts / July 18, 2023

Emerging Kansas City contemporary artist Addison “A.L.” Parrish believes that to create a work of art, he must first observe and understand the world around him. “I feel like, as an artist, my main job isn’t necessarily painting,” Parrish said. “It’s seeing and being — not detached — but in a neutral state of observation.”…

Read More >

Meet Kauffman’s new CEO: Foundation taps former diplomat, higher ed official to lead

By Tommy Felts / July 18, 2023

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. A Kansas City native is poised to take leadership at one of the region’s most prominent nonprofit organizations tackling upward mobility and economic prosperity, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation announced Tuesday. Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace has been named Kauffman’s next president and…

Read More >

Negativity sells, but these producers want to give creatives love (and ownership of their art)

By Tommy Felts / July 15, 2023

A pair of childhood friends from Kansas City are on a mission to help small artists bring their creative visions to life, while spreading a message of love along the way. Marquis McIntosh and Kiandre “KP” Pugh — the duo behind Lovey Dovey — said that seven years of creating their own content has prepared…

Read More >

Full circle: Coffee shop and cocktail bar serve hometown hangout vibes thirsty locals won’t want to leave

By Tommy Felts / July 15, 2023

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro.  This percolating day-night hotspot might not feel like it belongs in Topeka, owners say, but the uncompromising space is what the neighborhood deserves  TOPEKA — Capitol City natives David Vincent…

Read More >

Made in KC’s trolley cafe gets a new driver: Iconic Kansas City brand set to reopen space in August

By Tommy Felts / July 13, 2023

The Made In KC Trolley in River Market — a full service cafe within a vintage, refurbished Kansas City streetcar — is winding down its run this weekend; next aboard the repurposed artifact of local history: Donutology. After being approached by Made In KC about the opportunity, Donutology will take over the trolley cafe July…

Read More >

GEWKC organizers announce return to Midtown; 2023 base camp set for Westport at Park 39

By Tommy Felts / July 13, 2023

The metro’s largest educational entrepreneurship event is expected to return to a familiar, but proven setting this fall. Organizers of Global Entrepreneurship Week – Kansas City announced today that main sessions for the 2023 event series will return to Plexpod. GEWKC rotates its location for each year’s massive block of programming with Plexpod Westport at…

Read More >

KC retailers: Swifties with cash outscored NFL Draft on economic impact for small businesses

By Tommy Felts / July 13, 2023

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour weekend felt like the perfect night to dress up like hipsters and support Kansas City retailers, local small businesses reported. “We saw crowds of Swifties stop by after brunch, even after breakfast time and shop,” said Rick Nunez, store manager at Westside Storey, a local boutique carrying casual streetwear, accessories, home…

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.