News Stories

Matt Brammlette, Mid Coast Modern, Bear Soap Co.

Business is a bear: Why Soap Bar closed its storefront to keep inventory flowing to Made in KC, refreshed retail spot

The shelving of Soap Bar in Westport wasn’t the end of a chapter — just a focused business shift, said Matt Bramlette, the Midtown maker behind Toilet Bombs and a variety of self-care products.  “We took the look and feel of Soap Bar and merged it with Mid Coast Modern. It was a total refresh,”…

The Next Paige Agency

Alchemy Sandbox awards 5 more grants: Lean into failure to make your business ‘worthy to win’

Success isn’t always immediate, Elaina Paige Thomas said, grateful for lessons learned through trial and error, as well as a firm belief that persistence pays off.  “What I originally thought my business needed was not seen as a necessity to my panel of judges,” said Thomas, founder of The Next Paige Agency, recalling an experience…

Benay Shannon, Restless Spirits Distilling Company

‘HERstory’ roundtable distills women entrepreneur’s restless spirits into June 4 celebration

When women are at the helm, there’s herstory to be made. A new Kansas City-based conference hopes to showcase it.  “The Sewing Labs proudly presents, Make’n HERstory, a celebration of women who use their creative muse to make a living and a life,” the nonprofit organization said, teasing its Saturday, June 4 conference experience.  The…

Kansas City Assembly Plant; photo courtesy of Ford

Ford investing $95M, adding 1,100 new union jobs at KC plant to boost electric vehicle production

One of Kansas City’s biggest employers is driving further into its commitment to local jobs and strengthening its electric vehicle portfolio, adding a third shift at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant and bringing new focus to its evolving strategy. Ford announced Thursday it is investing $95 million and adding 1,100 new union jobs in Kansas…

Niki Baker

She was prepared for a ‘no’ but Niki Baker’s blind outreach scored her exclusive licensing with her alma mater

Faithful to her colors, Niki Baker’s fondness for Kansas State University is unwavering long after she left its campus behind to pursue an art career and a family, she said. Pouring her maker’s mission out on canvas and painting possibility, Baker is now one of the rare few to hold a piece of her alma…