News

ProfessionalChats founders on high growth: Don’t reinvent the wheel, just make it better

By Tommy Felts / September 13, 2018

Entrepreneurship isn’t like Shark Tank, said the co-founders of rapidly expanding Kansas City startup ProfessionalChats. “I think people get confused in the Kansas City entrepreneurship community and they think they need to have an original idea that nobody’s ever done before and they need funding,” said Scott Hansen, co-founder, and CEO. Outside funding doesn’t necessarily…

Serial entrepreneur hopes to cultivate ‘real talk’ with startups at day-long Own It event

By Tommy Felts / September 13, 2018

Business often isn’t pretty, said serial entrepreneur Mike Wrenn. And it’s time to expose some of the hard truths he and his wife, Becky Cole — as well as other business heavyweights — have learned through their careers, he said. “Becky and I have built a successful business with national and international reach,” said Wrenn, chairman…

Enjoy the college life experience? Homeroom invites you to KC’s new coliving concept

By Tommy Felts / September 12, 2018

Homeroom is a coliving experience that takes you back to your dorm room days, said Johnny Wolff. “I think everyone looks back with really fond memories of living with really good friends in college in a house. The coliving experience is about taking that shared roommate situation and kind of curating it at Homeroom,” said…

Second-shift startup: Wobblrs pins soccer-inspired game’s future to youth sports pivot

By Tommy Felts / September 11, 2018

Wobblrs, a soccer-specific tailgating game, is refocusing its niche on youth development, said Roberto Camacho. The game, which involves two self-righting pins for players to knock over by kicking a soccer ball, is proving to be a valuable exercise in aiming, as well as a basic introduction to soccer, said Camacho. “I had a few…

Nickel & Dime supplement club relocates to KC, aims to disprove industry stereotypes

By Tommy Felts / September 11, 2018

Startup nutrients like location, atmosphere and opportunity have proven the right dosage to lure another young company to Kansas City, said Ben Harris. “[Our move] allows us to ship two days domestically anywhere in the United States,” the co-founder of Nickel & Dime supplement club said. Launched by Harris and co-founder, Michael Giangregorio earlier this…