News

Juaquan Herron, Scarlet Knight

Not all entrepreneurs wear capes: Chamber’s ‘Superstars’ campaign unmasks heroes of KC business scene

By Tommy Felts / March 22, 2021

A critical need is driving changes to one of Kansas City’s longest-running annual business events: support for every small business — no matter their scale or the neighborhoods in which they belong.   “This is a time like no other,” explained Vicky Kulikov, small business director for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, detailing changes to…

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James Ryan, Higher Love KC

Beyond brownies: Chef turns to creativity-infused edibles; bake shop’s high blunted by social media blackout 

By Tommy Felts / March 19, 2021

When James Ryan’s mother holds a piece of paper, it trembles lightly in her hands.  “Helping her is what got me going,” Ryan said, opening up about the experience of his mother, Linda San Juan, with a mild neurological condition, and ways it pushed him to find an entrepreneurial solution that could help ease her…

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Jake Seaton, Column

Paperboy to tech founder: How Jake Seaton returned to Kansas to help save the family business (and local news)

By Tommy Felts / March 19, 2021

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. MANHATTAN,…

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Checking out at home? Hotel Kansas City launches in-room remote working (and an exclusive KC bourbon)

By Tommy Felts / March 17, 2021

One of Kansas City’s newest luxury hotels is ringing the service bell on a mid-pandemic professional getaway option, unpacking a plan to fill empty rooms with remote workers looking for a break in their COVID-19-restricted routines. And maybe a sip or two of a “resurrected” Kansas City bourbon blend. Hyatt-owned Hotel Kansas City has unveiled…

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Roy Scott and Wes Smith, Healthy Hip Hop

One beat closer to becoming ‘Urban Disney’: Healthy Hip Hop wins $500K bid from Dallas school district

By Tommy Felts / March 17, 2021

More than 70,000 Texas students soon will be singing and dancing along to Healthy Hip Hop’s children’s music platform after the Kansas City startup finalized a $500,000 contract in the Lone Star State, said Roy Scott.  “It’s a huge deal for us,” the Healthy Hip Hop co-founder said of the Dallas Independent School District agreement.…

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