Guest Authors
Marshall Dougherty: Just launch already! (Stop polishing the cannonball and love your product)
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Marshall Dougherty is a longtime developer of leaders and teams through his military and investment careers. Knocking down your enemy’s castle in the 15th Century was hard work — nearly impossible, actually. That all changed in the 1450s, however, when a French engineer…
UMKC experts: Self-disruption challenges a modern fashion industry in flux
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Regnier Institute. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the authors’ alone. When thinking of the fashion industry, the first thing that (rightfully) comes to most people’s minds is the final garment on the shelf. However, there are a tremendous number of challenges…
UMKC’s Mendes: Avoiding ‘The C Word’? Your startup’s vision could pay the price
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Regnier Institute. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Dr. Tony Mendes is a teaching professor with UMKC’s Henry W. Bloch School of Management, and a managing director for UMKC’s Regnier Institute. You’ve probably met at least one person in…
Zach Pettet: Henry Bloch gave KC a legacy to believe in; now it’s our turn to make him proud
Editor’s note: Zach Anderson Pettet is vice president of FinTech strategy at nbkc bank and managing director of Fountain City FinTech. Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Henry Bloch made an immeasurable impact on Kansas City. The H&R Block co-founder’s April 23 death shook many of us; though we knew it was…
The lurking threat against entrepreneurs — and how to level the playing field
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Brad Wilders is a partner at Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP in Kansas City. A Wisconsin inventor designed a device to remove surgical fluid from operating tables. He won the prize many entrepreneurs seek: His device was patented and sold to a sophisticated company…








