All Stories

Speaking up at work? Don’t let lack of mental clarity derail your argument (Holistic Hustle)

By Tommy Felts / October 3, 2022

Kharissa Parker is a news producer, writer, certified health coach, and columnist for Startland News. For more of her self-care tips on how to keep your cup full, visit kparker.co. Editor’s note: This commentary on mental clarity continues Parker-Forte’s series on the 7 Pillars of Self-Care, following spiritual alignment and emotional intelligence. Sometimes you might…

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NFL Draft wants diverse vendors for ‘largest event in the history of our city’; Here’s how to apply

By Tommy Felts / September 30, 2022

When the NFL Draft comes to Kansas City in April, diverse local businesses will share center stage with the next generation of football players. The NFL Business Connect program is an initiative that seeks to link up to 100 local, diverse businesses with large event experience to contracting opportunities related to the 2023 NFL Draft,…

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KC seamstress reaffirms gender identities, provides confidence through compression garments  

By Tommy Felts / September 30, 2022

Every individual deserves to express how they feel on the inside through their outer appearance, Laura Treas shared; and clothing has the power to make that transition.  “Fashion can appear to be so shallow, but we know that isn’t the case. Our undergarments give someone the look and silhouette on the outside that they feel…

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These brothers brought artisan Mexican designs to the streets of KC; now Pancho’s Blanket is opening a Crossroads shop

By Tommy Felts / September 30, 2022

A handmade Mexican garment company led by brothers Jonathan and Joseph Garvey is quickly making the leap from First Friday pop up to Crossroads storefront — announcing the debut of a permanent home for the shop next week. Pancho’s Blanket — which partners with artisans in Tlaxcala, Mexico, to design and make wool jackets, blankets,…

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KC inventor’s untimely death leaves legacy of fearlessness, unfinished vision

By Tommy Felts / September 29, 2022

Paul Francis pioneered fitness tech for NASA, commercialized it with Bowflex, then raised $4 million on Kickstarter: How the OYO founder’s unexpected death this month cut his storied entrepreneurial journey short — but left a lasting impression on the people who worked alongside him. Former colleagues are remembering the late Paul Francis as a uniquely…

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Pitches and peaches: Hy-Vee awards $30K piece of the $50K prize pie to family-run cobbler company

By Tommy Felts / September 29, 2022

Denisha Jones sweetened Hy-Vee’s OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit and pitch competition this week with her ready-to-bake cobblers. Her pitch (and peaches) secured the $30,000 grand prize.  “Every time Thanksgiving comes around, I always crave my grandmother’s cobbler. During the pandemic, I was unsuccessful in finding a cobbler as good as my grandmother’s, so I went…

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Meet six newly funded startups Digital Sandbox KC is making more fundable tomorrow

By Tommy Felts / September 28, 2022

Newly awarded funds are expected to help six more companies scale their fledgling startups past the proof-of-concept stage, said Jill Meyer, touting Digital Sandbox KC’s track record of making startups and their products more fundable once they’re built. “Digital Sandbox KC is one of the Kansas City metro’s rare early-stage funds and provides vital support…

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Karen Fenaroli, Pure Pitch Rally 2020; photo by Mikaela Wendel Photography

Coming soon: 8 new tech startups set for ‘lucky No. 7’ Pure Pitch Rally spot-cash event

By Tommy Felts / September 27, 2022

From nutrition to logistics, local entrepreneurs continue innovating solutions that could result in Kansas City’s next unicorn, said Karen Fenaroli. Eight such potentially game-changing tech startups are expected to showcase their ideas next month, she announced Tuesday. The seventh annual Pure Pitch Rally is set to return Oct. 17 at the Burns & McDonnell Global…

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New VP, investments among strategic scale-up efforts at Overland Park healthcare startup

By Tommy Felts / September 27, 2022

ModRN Health has dramatically accelerated over the past year, said CaRessa Hutchinson, detailing moves that include more patients, new funding and the addition of an on-call expert in fast-growing startups. With more than 80 clinicians (nurses and doctors) on its team, the Overland Park-based virtual primary care solutions company is now providing family healthcare, plan…

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Best in the US: ‘Market days are work days,’ but all are welcome at OP’s award-winning farmers’ market

By Tommy Felts / September 27, 2022

More than 7,000 farmers’ markets across the United States competed for the title of “America’s Favorite Market” — but voters ultimately picked Overland Park’s community of vendors and entrepreneurs as the cream of the crop. “The Overland Park Farmers’ Market is the heart of this vibrant and diverse neighborhood where all are welcome,” said Kristina…

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