All Stories

Three Dog Bakery fetches exclusive deal with pet food distributor, its national pawprint

By Tommy Felts / November 29, 2022

A leading pet product distributor serving retailers across the nation has begun exclusive wholesale distribution of Three Dog Bakery’s packaged treats in all of its distribution centers. The wholesale deal means the company’s treats will be serviced by Phillips Pet Food & Supplies. It does not apply to fresh-baked treats from the popular local brand.…

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Snappy Workflow secures $105K prototype grant to pioneer life-saving energy tech from Midwest

By Tommy Felts / November 29, 2022

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 series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. KEARNEY,…

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Shop Small: 5 gifts made locally that don’t scream ‘Kansas City’ (KC Gift Guide)

By Tommy Felts / November 26, 2022

Editor’s note: This feature is the fifth in Startland News’ five-part holiday gift guide showcasing Kansas City makers and their products. Check out the featured maker below, then keep reading for five gift ideas to get started. It’s only fitting that Whitney Manney’s favorite Christmas gift memory comes packed with references to her future fashion…

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Troost restaurant teases key ingredient to KC’s best chicken and waffles

By Tommy Felts / November 25, 2022

Tameisha Martin was tired of watching dreams go to the grave, she shared.  “Ever since I could remember, my mother and my grandmother talked about wanting to open their own restaurant. They loved cooking for church and community events. … Unfortunately, my grandmother is gone now, so she didn’t get to see this dream come…

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How investments in Black businesses can help close KC’s racial wealth gap

By Tommy Felts / November 25, 2022

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by The Kansas City Beacon, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. When Denisha Jones launched her business, Sweet Peaches Cobblers, in August 2020, it was just…

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Shop Small: 5 gifts for the KC sports fans on your ‘nice’ list (KC Gift Guide)

By Tommy Felts / November 25, 2022

Editor’s note: This feature is the fourth in Startland News’ five-part holiday gift guide showcasing Kansas City makers and their products. Check out the featured maker below, then keep reading for five gift ideas to get started. Adam Worrel’s favorite Christmas gift as a child actually foreshadowed his life to come. One year, the Hewn…

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Shop Small: 5 gifts supporting creators of Color in KC (KC Gift Guide)

By Tommy Felts / November 23, 2022

Editor’s note: This feature is the third in Startland News’ five-part holiday gift guide showcasing Kansas City makers and their products. Check out the featured maker below, then keep reading for five gift ideas to get started. When she was 14, Kyana Bowers unwrapped a Christmas gift that ignited a lifetime love. The Kyana Laine…

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Initiative backed by Shopify funding expected to boost 500 Black-owned businesses in KC

By Tommy Felts / November 23, 2022

Editor’s note: KC BizCare is a financial supporter of Startland News. This story was produced independently by Startland News. KC BizCare announced a series of inclusive entrepreneurship initiatives Thursday, including a partnership with Operation HOPE that will provide 500 Black-owned businesses in Kansas City with resources to grow their businesses.   That partnership is part…

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Saile closes $1.35M round; set to double team in 2023 as mass production of ‘robots for salespeople’ under way 

By Tommy Felts / November 22, 2022

A Kansas City startup building an army of “Sailebots” — an artificial intelligence solution to a classic industry problem — impressed its new lead investor with its customized approach that avoids a “one size fits all” strategy.  “I’ve been in sales and marketing automation for 20 years,” said Lisa Calhoun, founder and managing partner at…

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Bored by your holiday spread? You butter believe these artisanal flavors will make taste buds give thanks

By Tommy Felts / November 22, 2022

Imagine a world with only vanilla ice cream or plain yogurt, Chris Buono challenged. “Of course, it’s inconceivable now because we have hundreds of different flavors of each of those,” said Buono, founder and CEO of Overland Park-based Buon-Riche Foods. “But I feel like that’s kind of where we are with butter and I just…

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