News

KC duo’s play to bring more college softball recruiters to Midwest goes into extra innings with new tech tool 

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2024

A Kansas City softball dad’s desire for a legacy has grown from a single tournament into four dozen events in eight states and a million-dollar boost for the Kansas City region’s economy, shared Jeremy McDowell. Newly developed tech could bring even more eyes to the Midwest’s best emerging players. Top Gun Events — founded by…

BlackBizFest aims to make Black-owned businesses top of mind for all KC consumers

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2024

Anticipation is growing for this spring’s debut BlackBizFest, said Marsha Willis, teasing a week-long celebration that puts Black excellence and entrepreneurship on full display. Among the standout elements of the May 13-19 festival: the Kansas City Black Expo and Black Business Ball & Honors. “We want people to put on their tourist hats, go participate,…

Why these Gen Z marketers want KC startups to channel the power of TikTok Shop

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2024

A Kansas City-built Gen Z ad agency is opening a TikTok Shop challenge this spring — scrolling through plans to elevate startups’ and small business’s social media brands and offer a chance to win $100,000 in services.  TRNDSTTRS Media —  ranked No. 3 in client revenue on TikTok — expects the challenge to run May…

Bardavon founder moves to board as company promotes new CEO from its C-suite

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2024

Matt Condon spent the past decade driving Bardavon Health Innovations from an idea to where it is today, the healthtech founder said, but the path forward requires another leader — one with a unique set of skills and abilities. Bardavon on Monday announced Condon’s move from the CEO role at the company to its board…

Royals draft KC fashion designer: ‘You’ve got one chance; let’s knock it out of the park’

By Tommy Felts / March 29, 2024

Whitney Manney has been called up to the big leagues, the Kansas City fashion designer shared, and she’s swinging for the fences with a hometown team collaboration. On Thursday’s opening day at Kauffman Stadium, the owner of the KC-based WHITNEYMANNEY label debuted a three-look streetwear collection in partnership with the Kansas City Royals. The cut…