All Stories

They’re not trying to die(t); how this mother-daughter influencer duo teaches spice of life after weight loss surgery

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2023

A support system after weight loss surgery is essential, shared Kiley Williams-Bowls and Linda Donaldson. After both underwent bariatric surgery, the Kansas City mother-daughter duo behind BariGirls have set out to help others who’ve experienced the procedure maintain healthy habits. “We discovered that there are hundreds of thousands of people that have had weight loss…

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Menswear in motion: Designer brings ‘specific’ eye, new runway show to KC fashion scene

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2023

A self-taught Kansas City fashion designer will bring his signature menswear line to a runway tailored just for men later this month, he shared, hosting an event that he characterized as a celebration of menswear. Mid-West Men’s Fashion Week (MWMFW) is set for March 24-26 at Audi Shawnee Mission in Merriam, according to Christian Shuster,…

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HERImpact awards $50K: Prize money expected to help pop-up scale into its own space

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2023

Editor’s note: 1863 Ventures is an advertiser with Startland News, though this report was produced independently by the nonprofit newsroom. Tirza Design allows consumers to support cause-based brands and survivors of human trafficking, exploitation, and other forms of abuse, detailed Nikkie Affholter, noting her venture also meets the need of bringing dignified employment to women who’ve escaped…

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City OKs plan to replace urban farm near Plexpod in Midtown with 100-unit Park 39 apartment project

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2023

Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by CityScene KC, an online news source focused on Greater Downtown Kansas City. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for the weekly CityScene KC email review. The City Plan Commission narrowly endorsed a planned apartment project that would replace the Cultivate KC urban farm in…

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Sandy Kemper, C2FO

Here’s how opening $100M in capital for entrepreneurs who need it most can boost the economy

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2023

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Alexander “Sandy” Kemper, founder and CEO of C2FO, a Kansas City-grown fintech company that provides businesses with flexible, on-demand access to working capital. C2FO is a financial supporter of Startland News. This piece originally was published here and details C2FO’s recent investment from…

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Sisters open Lao-Thai kitchen in KC’s Crossroads, but to taste their laab beef, you’ll have to order from the cloud

By Tommy Felts / March 8, 2023

A sister-led Lao and Thai food restaurant in the Crossroads hopes to deliver an authentic taste of southeast Asian culture to Kansas City. Among its first challenges: picking which family recipes win a spot on the menu. Nang Nang Lao-Thai opened in late February at the Crossroads Food Stop, a “cloud kitchen” with 10 local…

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Lenexa City Center

This startup designed roads that pay for themselves (and charge your electric vehicle while driving)

By Tommy Felts / March 8, 2023

Longtime Kansas City startup Integrated Roadways is earning recognition for the company’s plans to transform roads into “smart roads” by embedding digitally connected technology directly into the pavement — coming soon to Lenexa City Center. Called the smart pavement system, Integrated Roadways’ patented precast concrete pavement slabs provide Internet connection and sensing technology to vehicles driving…

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For one night only, KCI’s new terminal became the city’s premier event venue; Here’s how they pulled it off

By Tommy Felts / March 8, 2023

Transforming an airport terminal into a high-profile, elegant celebration and then back to an airport terminal within 48 hours is no easy feat, Whitney Butler said, but the women-led PlatinumXP team was up for the challenge. “We were creating within a venue that will never be able to be used as an event venue again.…

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WeCode KC founder earns women’s achievement honor; adds national STEM figure to her org’s leadership

By Tommy Felts / March 7, 2023

Only a few days into March, 2023 is already proving to be a big year for WeCode KC, noted co-founder and CEO Tammy Buckner. The organization — which operates with a mission is to give youth, especially those in the urban core, the opportunity to learn technology concepts and leadership skills and create a pipeline…

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‘Shark Tank’ sets stage for Bryght Labs’ new smart play product rollout amid MO funding uptick

By Tommy Felts / March 7, 2023

Fresh off a successful appearance on “Shark Tank,” Olathe-based connected gaming startup Bryght Labs hopes to capitalize on that exposure to build momentum, said founder and CEO Jeff Wigh. Wigh and co-founder Adam Roush were featured on an episode that aired in December, pitching their product ChessUp, a patented chess board that uses AI technology…

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