News

Fifth & Emery rebrand puts local in control; Isaac Lee Collins’ next move: add handmade chocolate

By Tommy Felts / February 20, 2025

Taking his businesses independent is the cherry on top for Isaac Lee Collins, following more than a decade building his credentials as one of Kansas City’s most consistent and resilient entrepreneurs. A rebrand of Collins’ frozen yogurt ventures adds a further twist to his story. “After 10 years of being a franchisee of Yogurtini and…

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Prospect KC earns $10K grant from Jacques Pépin Foundation as Gumbo Fest set to return

By Tommy Felts / February 19, 2025

A newly announced grant will be pivotal to advance The Prospect KC’s mission to empower lives, disrupt poverty, and cultivate community through culinary education, said chef and founder Shanita McAfee-Bryant. The $10,000 grant from The Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) is one of 16 recently awarded to organizations that use culinary arts to enhance lives and…

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She made kitchens her classroom; now this young foodie has her own Olathe bakeshop

By Tommy Felts / February 19, 2025

Oreo cheesecake cookies. Take-and-bake cinnamon rolls. Pina Colado sodas. After seven years as an home-based business in Olathe, Cake Loft now has a storefront and even more attention-grabbing offerings. Owner Chrissy Zemencik’s line includes cakes, cupcakes, decorated sugar cookies, and macarons, as well as gourmet cookies — apple pie, cherry pie, lemon blueberry, brown butter…

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Meet KCSourceLink’s trio of ‘navigators’ now embedded in KC business support hubs

By Tommy Felts / February 19, 2025

A new initiative from KCSourceLink that places three experienced business leaders in strategic locations across Kansas City will help aspiring entrepreneurs better connect with the resources and answers they need to start and grow businesses and side hustles, said Becca Castro. “KCSourceLink is making it easier than ever for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners…

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NXTUS launches bracket-style pitch competition for Kansas startups with $20K in prizes

By Tommy Felts / February 18, 2025

A new, high-energy pitch competition is expected to help startup founders collide with angel investors and innovation leaders from across Kansas — all set against the excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this spring. The Gamechangers & Champions bracket bash is set for March 21 in downtown Wichita — a one-day bracket-style experience organized…

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