Storytailor
Six years after moving to Kansas City to build his brand, Crumble Co., Brandon Love is changing directions — both in his business model and in his physical location, he said. “I miss my family,” Love shared, noting that he is moving home to Baltimore. “I think with COVID, I’ve realized the importance of connection.…
Traditional paths aren’t for Lisa Peña — and her latest business venture (or adventure) is proof, aiming to show Kansas Citians on both sides of the state line an unfiltered version of two cities they might think they already know. “It really perpetuates getting to know your city more,” Peña, founder of Urban Hikes KC, said…
In the years leading up to BacklotCars’ historic exit, Justin Davis steered clear of the startup social scene — detouring instead into deep collaboration with capital and automotive industry partners, he said. “As a startup, getting connected is great, but you have to be ruthless in your execution,” the BacklotCars co-founder told ACG Kansas City’s…
Editor’s note: The following is the first in a two-part series looking at an initiative at one of the city’s largest law firms to provide pro bono legal representation to minority businesses. This piece, sponsored by Husch Blackwell, provides first-person narrative on how the initiative started. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s…
Retirement in the palm of your hand: Blooom launching mobile app after passing $5B in assets managed
If you’re not a lottery winner, selling a business or inheriting a considerable amount of money — the only way to become financially independent and have the ability to stop working is to save … and invest, said Chris Costello. “That’s what life looks like today,” the founder and CEO of Blooom noted. “… and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…