Minority-Led

He wants to create 100 millionaires before he dies (but first Nassir Criss says he’ll have to leave KC)

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2022

Nassir Criss has been a risk-taker for as long as he can remember, he shared.  “When you start at the bottom, the only place you can go is up — so I’ve never been afraid to speak my mind or walk up to someone who I think may be interesting and say hello. I haven’t…

Sometimes self-care is more about shutting down than showing out (Holistic Hustle)

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2022

Kharissa Parker-Forte is a news producer, writer, certified health coach, and columnist for Startland News.  Read her “Holistic Hustle” columns for Startland News here. When I recently made the decision to dissolve my self care brand, Grace & Grind, it was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make. From the outside looking…

Overland Park startup wins four pilot projects through NXTUS health competition

By Tommy Felts / July 1, 2022

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. WICHITA…

Top emerging business finds its bliss as city uncorks bookstore’s ability to serve wine 

By Tommy Felts / June 29, 2022

A city ordinance change is expected to move one of Kansas City’s only Black-owned bookstores closer to its chilled brick-and-mortar location — popping the cork on Bliss Books & Wine’s ability to serve its namesake beverage once the Midtown storefront opens. “People have been waiting a very long time for this storefront and have been working…

Ulta, Venture Noire apply foundation with new beauty startup accelerator to ‘uplift minority founders’

By Tommy Felts / June 28, 2022

Ulta Beauty’s premier MUSE Accelerator is nothing short of life changing, said Emma Willis.  The national beauty retailer has partnered with Venture Noire to launch a 10-week, hybrid accelerator that supports Black, Indeginous and underrepresented founders of color as they prepare to break into and thrive in the beauty retail space, explained Willis, who serves…