All Stories

The game is rigged; the goalposts move (and we still have to pretend it’s fair)

By Tommy Felts / February 24, 2025

Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. JQ Sirls is an author and illustrator, as well as co-founder and CEO of Storytailor — an AI-infused storytelling platform that turns children’s emotions and challenges into adventures filled with imagination and wonder. His company was named one of Startland News’ Kansas City…

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How Trump’s win on DEI means fewer fresh foods for KC’s east side; USDA rakes back critical grant for farmers market

By Tommy Felts / February 22, 2025

An ambitious plan to create greater food security through urban farming won’t be entirely uprooted by efforts to dry up federal funding for projects linked to equity and access, said Alana Henry — but its harvest likely will yield dramatically less. “Doing right by people is always the right answer,” said Henry, executive director of…

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‘Black-owned dining passport’ launches in response to Trump’s attacks on diversity

By Tommy Felts / February 21, 2025

A new effort encouraging support for local, Black-owned businesses — many in Kansas City’s historically redlined neighborhoods — is a timely reminder of the purchasing power in each diner’s hands, said Brandon Calloway. Kansas City G.I.F.T. on Friday launched the first edition of its “Savor The Flavor” Black-Owned Dining Passport, which features 13 restaurants. Diners…

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As ICE threat scares customers, Kansas City businesses urged to ‘protect people working for you’

By Tommy Felts / February 21, 2025

Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. [divide] After a highly publicized raid on a Mexican restaurant in Liberty, Missouri, earlier this month, immigration advocates and attorneys are…

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In Good Company: This ‘hidden gem’ offers escape from club chaos, KC’s corporate nightlife

By Tommy Felts / February 21, 2025

A new East Crossroads venue on McGee offers no clues of what’s inside. The black facade out front features no marquee. No neon lights. It’s the first indication that In Good Company is something different from neighboring Power & Light District hot spots. The goal: Good people. Good drinks. Good vibes. “It’s not a club.…

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Protein-packed pallets: Sam’s Club deal pushes SimplyFUEL balls to record production (and Mitzi Dulan is rolling with it)

By Tommy Felts / February 21, 2025

Juggling more than 50 million protein balls in 2024 is paying off for SimplyFUEL, Mitzi Dulan said, noting production quadrupled during the past year after adding retail giant Sam’s Club to its wholesale lineup. The founder and CEO is already riding that momentum in 2025, she said, teasing another big retailer launch in April. It’s…

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Kansas City HR tech startup earns $9M defense contract to help hire skilled workers for nuclear subs

By Tommy Felts / February 20, 2025

Meeting the U.S. Navy’s aggressive hiring goals requires collaboration across thousands of contractors in all 50 states at a time when America is already experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, said Ray Dick, co-founder of a talent assessment and hiring software platform developed specifically for manufacturing and skilled trades. His Kansas City, Missouri-based company, Piccadilly…

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Fifth & Emery rebrand puts local in control; Isaac Lee Collins’ next move: add handmade chocolate

By Tommy Felts / February 20, 2025

Taking his businesses independent is the cherry on top for Isaac Lee Collins, following more than a decade building his credentials as one of Kansas City’s most consistent and resilient entrepreneurs. A rebrand of Collins’ frozen yogurt ventures adds a further twist to his story. “After 10 years of being a franchisee of Yogurtini and…

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Building a movement: How empowering one small business can change their world (and ours)

By Tommy Felts / February 19, 2025

Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Brandon Calloway is CEO and Co-Founder of Generating Income For Tomorrow (G.I.F.T.), and now writes a weekly blog, The Equity Advocate. [divide] The racial wealth gap in America isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reality that has defined the lives and limited the…

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Why your engineering team needs a product manager, not a project manager

By Tommy Felts / February 19, 2025

Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Serial entrepreneur and three-peat exited founder Matt Watson is the host of Product Driven and co-founder of Full Scale, a global staffing company. Click here to subscribe to the free Product Driven newsletter.  [divide] Building scalable SaaS platforms requires more than just efficient engineering…

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