Storytailor

Recent Articles by Storytailor

KCMO forms small biz task force for entrepreneurs; underinvested businesses a key focus

May 12, 2023

Editor’s note: KC BizCare, the small business office of Kansas City, Missouri, is a partner of Startland News. A new task force committed to giving space for Kansas City small business owners to share their voices — on issues ranging from major events like the NFL Draft to everyday concerns on permits and zoning —…

Rescue florists give new life to leftover flowers; nonprofit just needs 6-inch stems and someone to surprise

May 11, 2023

Impact is growing again for an initiative that sends recycled floral arrangements — flowers otherwise headed for the trash after events — to homebound Kansas City seniors. Volunteer-run Unexpected Blooms recently celebrated its sixth birthday, after being forced to take a pause when the pandemic stalled many large gatherings from which they sourced flowers, shared…

Poio’s chef-owner lets go of his popular KCK restaurant: ‘I’m still learning how to relax’

May 11, 2023

Carlos Mortera struggled with the idea of not working all hours of the waking day, he shared, explaining that this subconscious guilt is sometimes known as “immigrant shame.”  “Being a first-generation [American], you see all the sacrifices your parents made to get you to this country. Because of their sacrifices, you feel like you should…

Chat GPT isn’t an AI superhero, founder says, but with the right context this new tech can save the day for businesses

May 11, 2023

An emerging Kansas City entrepreneur hopes to train businesses on how they can harness the power of Chat GPT to gain a competitive advantage, he said. Learning how to effectively utilize Chat GPT — an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI and recently introduced into the market — can benefit all companies by streamlining operations…

KC’s sports business icons joining the roster for Junior Achievement Hall of Fame

May 10, 2023

A Super Bowl win and the NFL Draft turned Kansas City into a sports haven, said Megan Sturges Stanfield, so it’s only fitting that the latest laureates to join Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame reflect not only a passion for athleticism and their hometown — but translating opportunity into entrepreneurial success. Among the new…

Wave of anti-trans bills in Midwest could turn founders (and their businesses) into political refugees fleeing MO, KS

May 10, 2023

At 50, Suzanne Wheeler never imagined her government would propose legislation to take her health care away, she shared. In April, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced a plan to issue emergency rules on transgender care. The regulations would make Missouri the first state to severely restrict transgender care for adults, in addition to children.…

Wild Way gets its big fika break: KC’s perkiest coffee camper parks a starring role on Peacock series

May 9, 2023

Seeing her coffee camper featured on the Peacock series “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” is a wild and surreal experience, Wild Way Coffee owner Christine Clutton shared. On top of offering a caffeine boost for the production crew of the series — which debuted at the end of April on NBC’s streaming platform…

KCK startup joins Tulsa Techstars, building toward expected $1.2M funding round

May 9, 2023

Another Kansas City startup is headed for entrepreneurial resources in Oklahoma with Foresight Reporting’s just-announced acceptance into The Build in Tulsa Techstars Accelerator. “We’re very excited to not only be embedded in the Tulsa entrepreneurial ecosystem, but also in its rich culture and history,” said Jannae Gammage, CEO and co-founder of Kansas City, Kansas-built Foresight.…

Combat to capital: Vetelligence founder secures NMotion investment, accelerator deployment

May 8, 2023

A Kansas City-based startup focused on guiding military service members into tech careers is among the latest companies selected for a top regional accelerator — strengthened by its founder’s own background as a veteran-turned-entrepreneur. Vetelligence — led by Zachary Oshinbanjo, who served nearly four years as an indirect infantryman and specialist in the U.S. Army…

Bird ridership soars during NFL Draft amid exclusive e-scooter partnership with KCMO

May 8, 2023

Daily rides in Kansas City increased by 724 percent during April’s NFL Draft weekend, Bird reported, following the three-day series of events that brought more than 300,000 fans to festival grounds at Union Station. “We’re thrilled to have partnered with Kansas City and the NFL to support the 2023 NFL Draft by providing efficient, affordable,…