Storytailor
The eSports industry is blowing up, Brandon Williams said. And Kansas City gaming enthusiasts need places to join the party. “It’s a stereotype, but overall, gamers mostly are introverts,” said Williams, co-owner of E-Sports Bar KC in Shawnee. “It’s good to get out of the house and into a setting where there are other people…
With long hours and potent job stresses, entrepreneurs often are more mindful of their business’s health than their own, said Joe Mays. The former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker teamed with his wife, Toyia, to open a coworking spa space within their holistic wellness venture, The Laya Center. Targeting individual and small-team innovators, the duo hopes…
There’s more than one way to slice Burnt Finger BBQ’s signature sausage log, Megan Day said. For the Bacon Explosion Pizza, that’s julienned — with barbecue sauce and pickles. “The taste that comes through from the Bacon Explosion is the star of that pizza,” added Mike Burr, general manager for Minsky’s Pizza, which has partnered…
Mapping expert Brian McClendon is plotting a route to the Kansas State Capitol. The former Google and Uber executive on Monday launched his candidacy for Kansas secretary of state, a role that would task him with administering state elections and voter registration. Currently, a research professor at the University of Kansas, McClendon co-founded the tech…
Would-be entrepreneurs who are returning from incarceration shouldn’t feel excluded from Kansas City’s startup ecosystem, Kyle J. Smith said. Be the Boss, a support group launching next month under Smith’s leadership, aims to provide a welcoming environment free from the stigma associated with a criminal history, he said. “When we’re being honest about the elephant…
When he arrived in New York City this week to accept one of four WeWork Community Giver awards, Wesley Hamilton was shaking with pain, he said. “My body was hurting so bad, I knew something great was going to happen,” said Hamilton, a Kansas City adaptive athlete and founder of the nonprofit Disabled But Not…
Editor’s note: Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com. Who are you? Brandon Presley, founder of SlickRinse What’s your product? SlickRinse is a new contact lens case that helps you take better…
Kansas City apparently isn’t the prime location for Amazon’s HQ2, but area development leaders say the lessons learned from pursuing the online retail giant’s second headquarters not only united the metro, but better prepared it for future bids. “I understand that some Kansas Citians may be disappointed by the Amazon announcement,” Mayor Sly James said…
It’s nearly gala time for the Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship and its alumni, as the program prepares to award top honors next week. Eight fellows from the 2017 Pipeline class are set to compete in an Aug. 25 pitch competition, which will culminate with one participant being crowned Innovator of the Year during a sold-out “The…
Ben Jackson and his team were so determined to meet their fundraising goal they didn’t notice they crushed it. “One day, we looked up and realized that we were already substantially oversubscribed,” said Jackson, co-founder of Bungii. “We’re super excited and thankful for it. … Our team attacked that goal hard.” Bungii — which created…