Posts by Tommy Felts
Crossroads boutique styles Y2K nostalgia with 2024 representation: ‘It heals my inner child’
Courtnie Ross wants to help customers of all kinds embrace their own personal style in her store — and be comfortable in the fit, the LoveStoned boutique owner said. “The core of what I feel like I’m meant to do in life is to help people feel good about themselves,” she said. With glittery sets,…
Read MoreKCK milkman reclaims his passion for painting; splattering pop art portraits of KC sports stars, celebrity icons
While his pieces don’t feature happy, little trees, David Alston’s pop culture-inspired portraits still reflect the influence of the iconic painter Bob Ross. About a decade ago, a chance viewing of the well-known artist’s PBS show “The Joy of Painting” — Alston’s youngest son accidentally left the TV on before leaving for school — inspired…
Read MoreInjuries pushed this dancer from the stage to his startup; ClassKid keeps his craft in the spotlight
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. TOPEKA — A career as a professional dancer only momentarily upstaged Austin Roberson’s childhood ambitions to become an inventor, the Kansas startup founder said. Roberson — the entrepreneur behind ClassKid,…
Read MoreUMKC pitch competition brings validating relief, cash prizes for emerging founders with big ideas
A popular UMKC pitch competition awarded more than $80,000 in cash prizes to student and full-time entrepreneurs Friday — validating new ideas and emerging ventures alike. “I never saw anything like this when I was in college,” said Dr. Brandy Archie, founder of AskSAMIE, who competed in a category especially for established startups at the University…
Read MoreShowcase showdown: KC Chamber rallies ‘Mr. K competitors, but small biz owners say it feels more like family
The husband-wife duo behind Kansas City-based Shark OFF appreciate the local entrepreneurial ecosystem so much that they actually list it as one of their startup’s co-founders, Geoff Geist shared. “We would not exist if it weren’t for this community,” said Geist, the co-founder and COO of Shark OFF, which offers shark repellent bracelets that are…
Read More