Minority-Led

Votes are in: ‘Fan favorite’ winners bake in support at KC Chamber showcase; Top 10 coming April 21

By Tommy Felts / April 7, 2023

Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Two Black- and women-owned ventures were named “fan favorites” Tuesday in a public vote that followed this week’s Small Business Showcase at Union Station. The honors are…

Palacana stand debuts at Kauffman Stadium; opening major league gate to more small businesses

By Tommy Felts / April 5, 2023

Being the first Kansas City-based Latino franchise to have a concession stand in Kauffman Stadium is a dream come true, shared Palacana owner and CEO Jose Luis Valdez. Palacana — which has six locations across the metro and an ice cream and paleta production facility in Roeland Park — is known for its fresh paletas,…

Route to Mr. K Award runs through Union Station: See which small businesses may have a ticket for Chamber’s top honor

By Tommy Felts / April 5, 2023

Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Being recognized as one of the KC Chamber’s 2023 award nominees hasn’t fully sunk in for Dr. Karen Patrice Boyd, she said Tuesday amid dozens of her…

Founder to founder: One day you’re eating cheap ramen, the next you’re KC’s big exit story; struggles define startups as much as success

By Tommy Felts / April 5, 2023

Even after building a startup into one of Kansas City’s biggest exit success stories, the entrepreneurs and leaders behind BacklotCars don’t sit around to talk about their grand achievements when they reunite, said Anders Ericson; they reminisce about how the tech company nearly went out of business along the way. “Everyone always wants to ask…

Blerdy for 30: KC comic creator’s documentary takes Black nerd culture from niche to your screen

By Tommy Felts / April 3, 2023

A recently launched Kansas City entertainment company hopes to become the digital epicenter of “Blerd” — shorthand for Black nerd — content, said Brandon Calloway. Now the founder of Blerd TV, Calloway debuted the Blerd YouTube channel in January, where more than 3,000 subscribers already have access to free content, he said. However, that represents…