News Stories

Mark and Marissa Gencarelli, Yoli Tortilleria

Yoli Tortilleria grinds success into perfect warm tortilla, opening retail experience in Westside

A new retail operation in Kansas City’s Westside neighborhood is a sign of massive growth, hot on the griddle for Yoli Tortilleria.  “There’s nothing, for me, better than once you put that warm tortilla in your hands and just experience it,” said Marissa Gencarelli, who co-owns and operates Yoli with her husband, Mark. “There’s a…

Keith Bradley, Made in KC

Made in KC moving Crossroads HQ, flagship retail store to revitalized Martini Corner

A new spin on Made in KC’s local-first, retail-cafe concept — complete with a drive-thru window and shuffleboard bar — will provide a vibrant and dynamic new experience for the Tower East neighborhood in Midtown, said Keith Bradley.   “It will be a very unique space, with nothing in the city that can be easily…

Victor Hwang, Right to Start, "The Start Show"

Right to Start: Economic justice, entrepreneurship aren’t privileges for a select few, Victor Hwang says

Everyone deserves an equal start, said Victor Hwang, launching an initiative to level the playing field for early stage entrepreneurs. “We’re a campaign to rebuild the American economy by fighting for entrepreneurial opportunity for all of us — regardless of background, race, place, genders, disabilities, or circumstances. We call them ‘starters,’” said Hwang, founder and…

Pivoting to freelance: Being a solopreneur doesn’t mean you have to work alone

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Chris Brown is the founder of Venture Legal where he represents startups, freelancers, and small businesses. This column — originally published by Venture Legal and part of a limited series on freelance entrepreneurism — is intended to be general in detail and does…

Greenfield Robotics

Weed-destroying bots: Kansas startup scales chemical-free farming with fleet of four-wheeled doers

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. CHENEY,…