All Stories

Jessie Jacob, CoreBuild, The Culture Lab

Jessie Jacob: Investing in founders’ mental strength for scale

By Tommy Felts / January 11, 2019

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary about mental health and workplace culture are the author’s alone. We hear plenty of talk about the importance of mental health, as well as investing in culture for founders, but not a whole lot about people doing something about it. Perhaps they don’t know how or aren’t…

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Shark-Off

Beach-loving couple hopes to dissolve fear of sharks with Shark OFF repellent bracelets

By Tommy Felts / January 10, 2019

Saving limbs, lives, and long-villainized, cartilaginous creatures of the sea — it’s the mission behind a first-of-its-kind Overland Park startup, Shark OFF, said Shea and Geoff Geist. “You’re more likely to get killed by a cow. You’re more likely to die falling out of bed,” said Geoff Geist, half of the husband-wife duo who founded…

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Mollie Beck, Continue Good

LA transplant encourages online shoppers to Continue Good after the sale

By Tommy Felts / January 10, 2019

Online apparel store Continue Good inspires each customer to complete a small act of kindness, said Mollie Beck, noting the organization’s donations to KC-based anti-trafficking nonprofit Exodus Cry turn the small deeds into a more tangible impact. “I love inspiring people to continue to do good to others, but I wanted to just do more…

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Jeremy and Kelsha James, With A Good Purpose, Clean Slate Mobile Shower Unit

Fund Me, KC: Clean Slate hopes to give homeless fresh start with mobile shower unit

By Tommy Felts / January 8, 2019

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like those behind Clean Slate Mobile Shower Unit — to share their crowdfunding stories to gain additional support. Who are you and what is your organization? My name is Kelsha James I am…

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WiGo

WiGo trips isolated travel in its tracks, connecting like-minded journeys through years-in-the-works app

By Tommy Felts / January 7, 2019

WiGo Trips takes the isolation out of globetrotting, said Jaqui McCarthy, connecting people on a “LinkedIn for travellers” social networking app set to launch Saturday. Soon to be available on iOS and Android, WiGo is expected to feature a marketplace through which users can display and discuss travel plans, CEO and co-founder McCarthy said. Selected…

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Gianina Jennings and Trenton Lee, Trenton’s Luxe Couture

Daytime TV exposure weaves new challenge for once-bullied teen wig designer: a startup reality check

By Tommy Felts / January 3, 2019

Fifteen-year-old Trenton Lee found his purpose on the brink of suicide, he recalled, glossing through the pages of a portfolio chronicling the first months of his newly launched Kansas City wig business — a path that ultimately led him to a couch alongside TV and radio personality Steve Harvey. “I was just at the lowest…

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Joel Johnson, Mixtape

Target deals new verse to KC-born Mixtape card game; players could pick founder’s next tune

By Tommy Felts / January 2, 2019

Mixtape allows players of the KC-made card game to “hide behind the song,” connecting without fear of vulnerability, said creator Joel Johnson. That appeal recently helped push the cross-generational, multi-genre product onto Target shelves across the country. Players draw cards with such scenario questions as, “What song or band changed the way you think about…

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GenU

Fund Me, KC: GenU looks in the mirror to remove student mental health stigmas

By Tommy Felts / December 28, 2018

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like those working on behalf of the mental health support site GenU — to share their crowdfunding stories to gain additional support. Who are you and what is your organization? Risa Stein, PhD…

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Jeff Shackelford, Digital Sandbox

KCultivator Q&A: Jeff Shackelford loves livable KC, dreams of mopeds, relaxation in Hawaii

By Tommy Felts / December 27, 2018

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by WeWork Corrigan Station, a modern twist on Kansas City office space. Untapped potential and a community support system unmatched by most metropolitan cities amplify Jeff Shackelford’s ambition and maximize his…

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Chris Brown Venture Legal

Chris Brown: 37 lessons from five years of being my own boss

By Tommy Felts / December 27, 2018

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Chris Brown is the founder of Venture Legal where he represents startups, freelancers, and small businesses. This column (originally published by Venture Legal) is intended to be general in detail and does not constitute legal advice. Five years ago I took a huge…

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