News

Biz class to barista: UMKC student’s mobile matcha cart hand-whisks crowds of thirsty fans

By Tommy Felts / November 10, 2025

Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. HerCafe, a matcha business founded by a University of Missouri-Kansas City student and her friend, has found success with its weekend…

Read More >

Tim Tebow to entrepreneurs: Embrace the heavy lift if you want to reap life’s real profits

By Tommy Felts / November 7, 2025

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Business should be about driving impact, not just scoring another win, said former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow — challenging Midwest entrepreneurs, community builders, and investors to consider outcomes that boost others, not just one’s personal pocketbook. “Probably everybody in this room has been super blessed with skill sets, resources, relationships, opportunities, companies,…

Read More >

Here’s how a Prospect renewal project invests in both those who built KC and the city’s future

By Tommy Felts / November 7, 2025

Economic development initiatives are measured not just in buildings, but in opportunity, said Melissa Patterson Hazley, lauding the use of the Central City Economic Development (CCED) Sales Tax Program to transform underutilized parcels in Kansas City into modern, energy-efficient housing that support long-term neighborhood vitality. “Projects like Prospect Summit represent the intentional work of making…

Read More >

Fusing talent, passion: Serial founder trades his Screamin Cow for offshore talent hiring platform 

By Tommy Felts / November 6, 2025

Brad Starnes’ itch to lean into a newly realized pain point at the end of 2024 led to the acquisition of his Screamin Cow Marketing Group and the launch of another passion project, the former UMKC Student Entrepreneur of the Year shared. With the move — which sees Screamin Cow transitioned to Builders of Authority…

Read More >

KC’s ‘Horn Doctor’ handcrafts jazz preservation, keeping soul, tradition alive on Vine Street 

By Tommy Felts / November 6, 2025

Across the historic intersection at Kansas City’s 12th and Vine streets, B.A.C. Musical Instruments operates as one of the few remaining American factories handcrafting professional brass instruments. “This is where all the musicians would hang out back in the day,” said founder Mike “Horn Doctor” Corrigan, gesturing toward the Paseo sunken garden beside his shop.…

Read More >