Play ball! Dietician brings protein-packed treats from her kitchen to the big leagues (and she has the World Series ring to prove it)

Mitzi Dulan, simplyFUEL protein balls

As simplyFUEL launches on the shelves of local Costco stores this week, the Kansas City-rolled brand of energy balls is offering customers more than a healthy option for snacking.  The woman-led company instead symbolizes a commitment to nutrition that helped fuel the Kansas City Royals through a historic World Series run and scored a health…

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AI-powered Particle Space detects product validation with Liberty Mutual integration

David Biga, Particle Space

A new partnership between Liberty Mutual Insurance and Kansas City-built Particle Space is expected to create an entirely new service, the proptech startup announced this week.  The collaboration sees Liberty Mutual provide tenants with easily-accessible quotes for renters insurance within Particle Space’s artificial intelligence-backed building and property management platform.  “It’s now even easier for property…

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Doctors gave DJ Stewart 18 months to live; His response: Build a pro wrestling stable strong enough to celebrate LGBT, BIPOC athletes

DJ Stewart, Journey Pro

A new era has entered the ring as an entrepreneur fights to bring inclusivity to Kansas City’s legacy-rich professional wrestling community — in the midst of an all-out brawl in his own battle against Stage 4 brain cancer.  “Everyone is welcome at our shows,” said DJ Stewart, owner of Journey Pro KC, describing the wrestling and…

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Swap ping pong for plutonium: 6 tips for startup onboarding (as told through iconic movie quotes) 

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Stephanie Campbell is an operations and communications leader at LEANLAB Education in Kansas City. Just like it’s cheaper to retain an existing customer than it is to acquire a new one, it’s more cost-effective and time-efficient to retain an employee than hire someone…

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First-ever ‘Right to Start Act’ would ban non-competes, establish Missouri Office of Entrepreneurship

Missouri state Rep. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, being sworn into his fourth and final term in the state legislature, January 2021

Newly filed legislation in Missouri would give a boost to Show-Me State entrepreneurs — or at least spark a robust conversation about how policy can support new business and hiring growth, said Travis Fitzwater. “Missourians have a right to start a company and the state should be encouraging that behavior,” said state Rep. Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit,…

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