Minority-Led

How UMKC’s top student entrepreneur found shelter (and a path forward) as a founder

By Tommy Felts / December 5, 2025

Shapree Marshall’s path began with shared struggle, re-routed to survival — and ultimately made a stop Wednesday evening at H&R Block’s World Headquarters where the startup founder was honored as UMKC’s 2025 Student Entrepreneur of the Year. “My journey into entrepreneurship did not begin with a business plan or a class project,” said Marshall, founder…

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AI evolved faster than rules to protect people; this founder wants to code ethics back into the tech

By Tommy Felts / December 2, 2025

Amber Stewart sees what many overlook in artificial intelligence, she said: the human cost of unregulated technology that can manifest as anything from sexist and racist outcomes to outright theft from willing and unwilling members of the public. “I’m not afraid of the tech,” said Stewart, founder and CEO of GuardianSync. “I’m afraid of unfettered…

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A romantic hideaway (for you and a book): Entrepreneur’s heart for reading opens store on Independence Square

By Tommy Felts / December 2, 2025

America Fontenot didn’t plan to launch her new Independence bookstore on national Small Business Saturday — the busiest shopping weekend of the year — but renovation delays just kept pushing back the opening, she said. So while many small shops were offering Black Friday-adjacent deals to get customers in the front door, Fontenot’s The Littlest…

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‘I absolutely refuse to fail’: Sweet Peaches founder battles for national spot in frozen dessert aisles

By Tommy Felts / December 1, 2025

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. Denisha Jones is poised to turn America’s devotion to apple pie on its…

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Five gift ideas under one roof: Snag the KC-made best-sellers inside 811 Retail

By Tommy Felts / November 28, 2025

Editor’s note: The following holiday feature is presented by The Porter House KC — built to bridge the gap between underrepresented small business owners and access to community-driven entrepreneurial support, education, and resources. Nearly 18 months after opening its doors, the 811 Retail incubation space in Midtown has boosted sales for the entrepreneurs inside —…

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