All Stories

Small Business Big Voice

COVID is hurting small biz — but how to help? AltCap, KCBizCare launch listening tour to find best strategy

By Tommy Felts / November 12, 2020

To help Kansas City’s small business community, leaders first must know what entrepreneurs actually need, said Ruben Alonso, announcing the launch of a KCMO-backed, city-wide listening tour. “As we look to recover from the economic disruption caused by COVID-19, it is critical we hear from small businesses, the lifeblood of our communities so that we…

Read More >
Jackie Faltermeier and Adison Sichampanakhone, Ice Cream Bae

Ice Cream Bae serves up first storefront; menu of food concepts already sprinkled across KC

By Tommy Felts / November 12, 2020

A colorful mix of childhood cereals, Eastern Asian-inspired flavors and Instagrammable cones set Ice Cream Bae apart from other ice cream shops in Kansas City, said Adison Sichampanakhone and Jackie Faltermeier.  “We put extra attention into detail with every cone because customers are coming here for an experience, so it has to look perfect,” said…

Read More >
Whitney Manney; Todd Race Photography

Designer Whitney Manney using JOANN grant to reshape the fabric of KC’s fashion scene

By Tommy Felts / November 11, 2020

Kansas City is legit — and it’s full of talented creatives who national eyes should be watching, said Whitney Manney.  “I think COVID has shown us you can show up and show out from anywhere in this world,” added Manney, a local fashion designer, maker, and founder of the WHITNEYMANNEY (WM) fashion label, in announcement…

Read More >
CuRVE Shield, Micro Mini Metal

How a no-touch copper tool built in Lenexa could be a tipping point for safe contact amid COVID

By Tommy Felts / November 11, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is part of a three-part series spotlighting U.S. military veterans who also are Kansas City entrepreneurs. Innovation is at an all-time high as COVID-19 continues to create new market categories, said Shawn Tipping, noting the pandemic has raised new awareness about the thin barriers between health and sickness.  “We’ve never had…

Read More >

Miracle holiday pop-up bars returning to Crossroads, Plaza and a new JoCo location

By Tommy Felts / November 11, 2020

Guests wanting to drink in holiday nostalgia will need to be on the nice list this year, Rockhill Restaurant Group said, announcing the return of two popular holiday pop-up bars and the addition of a third location.  The Cocktail Kingdom-crafted Miracle holiday pop-ups are expected to return on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. The sites include…

Read More >
Luke Wade, KC Crew

KC Crew founder set to open ‘first-of-many’ game-centered bar, restaurant in STL metro

By Tommy Felts / November 10, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is part of a three-part series spotlighting U.S. military veterans who also are Kansas City entrepreneurs. This report features Luke Wade, a member of the Army National Guard who previously was deployed to Iraq. Luke Wade spent the past nine years connecting 70,000 Kansas Citians through KC Crew — a downtown-area…

Read More >
Tate Hayes, Mowd

Mowd founder pivots beyond mowing lawns to tech startup; offering landscapers an online payment platform

By Tommy Felts / November 10, 2020

The grass isn’t necessarily greener on the tech side of entrepreneurship, mused Tate Hayes, but revenue and market opportunity grow wild.  “[Small businesses and startups] come with their own difficulties and maybe even simplicities,” said Hayes, founder of Mowd, comparing his newly launched startup to his previous venture — Kansas City-based Hayes Lawncare.  “[As a…

Read More >
Tristan Mace, parkermace

New in KC: Serial entrepreneur, advisor Tristan Mace sees KC as next major tech ecosystem  

By Tommy Felts / November 9, 2020

Editor’s note: New in KC is an ongoing profile series that highlights newly relocated members of the Kansas City startup community, their reasons for a change of scenery, and what they’ve found so far in KC. Click here to read more New in KC profiles. While most 14-year-olds are worried about starting high school and…

Read More >
Colton Ropson and Alec Grawe, Luxee

Confidence for dudes, wrapped in a robe: Luxee launches subscription box for mens wellness 

By Tommy Felts / November 7, 2020

Look good, feel good, and crush it, said Colton Ropson, unboxing the purpose behind his newly launched men’s subscription startup — Luxee.  “We pretty much learn to shave and that’s it,” said Ropson, who co-founded the subscription box startup with his best friend, Alec Grawe. They duo described their perception of Midwest-raised men and those…

Read More >
2018 LaunchKC winners

Keystone Labs partners with LaunchKC to lead accelerator platform operations

By Tommy Felts / November 5, 2020

Six years after launching as a grants competition, the ever-evolving LaunchKC program will continue as an accelerator platform, newly led by the minds behind Keystone Labs — an outgrowth of the Keystone innovation district effort championed by Kevin McGinnis. Announced Thursday morning during a meeting of the Downtown Council of Kansas City, the move is expected…

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.