All Stories

Gold-plated: Serial entrepreneur mints new new venue in former bank — cashing in on built-in vault, history

By Tommy Felts / May 22, 2024

A refurbished events space in Lenexa not only deposits new life into a former structure along a busy Johnson County thoroughfare, said Steve Beaumont; the project near 95th Street and I-35 represents a fusion of history and innovation. “For 50 years, this corner has been a cornerstone of financial activity,” said Beaumont, the owner-developer behind…

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As TikTok legal fight plays out, Missouri creators and businesses brace for possible ban

By Tommy Felts / May 21, 2024

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. Like many others suffering from quarantine-induced boredom, Gabbie Wiggins first hopped on social…

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Why choose a Morgan Stanley financial advisor

By Tommy Felts / May 20, 2024

Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. The following is a paid thought leadership piece from Chris Malmgren, The Ferguson Smith Cohen Group at Morgan Stanley. You’ve worked hard to build a substantial nest egg and you need to make sure it will be managed right. Perhaps you’re thinking about…

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FAQ: How KC’s riverfront is going from a dumping ground to an entertainment district

By Tommy Felts / May 20, 2024

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 from The Kansas City Beacon, an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism…

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Founders want answers for investors after crowdfunding platform fueling emerging bars, restaurants unexpectedly shutters

By Tommy Felts / May 18, 2024

News this week that peer-to-peer business lending platform Mainvest would cease operations within a month “came out of left field,” said Jhy Coulter. “We got the email just like everyone else, and it was pretty surprising,” the owner of Orange By: Devoured and Devoured Pizza said, adding that she feels “sad because I felt like…

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Floraloom founder delivers creative passion that lasts beyond its entrepreneurial bloom

By Tommy Felts / May 18, 2024

Returning to the studio after having a baby girl in January, Colleen Robertson discovered a bucket of bird of paradise leaves that had lost their color but taken on a new, curvy shape.  Initially considering throwing them away, the Floraloom owner later found inspiration in their resemblance to currents — painting them blue to resemble…

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Make some noise: Massive riverfront development expected to anchor KC as a destination for prosperity

By Tommy Felts / May 18, 2024

A proposed Berkley Riverfront stadium-side mixed-use development is a game changer for Kansas City, Raven Jemison shared, and it’s is a big reason she chose the role of KC Current president. “Just a soccer club, just a stadium, that’s awesome — obviously, sports is a great platform for economic development — but when you talk…

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EDCKC celebrates leaders who transformed KCMO through equitable development projects

By Tommy Felts / May 16, 2024

Reshaping Kansas City doesn’t come without focused, intentional efforts by development advocates and officials, said Mayor Quinton Lucas, offering a toast to one of his city hall predecessors and her work to revitalize the heart of the city. “​​Many of us are blessed to remember Mayor Kay Barnes thinking about what downtown could be, and…

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Crowdfunding investment helps fan favorite food cart revive second-chance entrepreneur’s outlook

By Tommy Felts / May 16, 2024

After spending a decade in prison, owning her own catering business has given Stephanie Blaco a new purpose in life, she shared, and a new small business crowdfunding platform is giving her the opportunity — when others wouldn’t — to scale up. “That’s what I believe has kept me out of prison,” the Mixing Bowl…

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This KCK native started his own Black rodeo to celebrate cowboys left out of Western lore

By Tommy Felts / May 16, 2024

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. Ivan McClellan’s new photobook, “Eight Seconds,” documents the Black riders, ropers and rodeo queens encountered in dusty arenas around the United…

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