Opinion

Bobby Burch: ‘The mountains are calling, and I must go’ — farewell and thank you

By Tommy Felts / June 29, 2018

Editor’s Note: Startland News co-founder and editor-in-chief Bobby Burch will depart the storytelling organization at the end of July. Tommy Felts will assume leadership of Startland effective immediately. It was three-and-a-half years ago when Kansas City Startup Foundation CEO Adam Arredondo approached me with a “what if” scheme to start a publication focused on entrepreneurship.…

CAPS leader Corey Mohn: Remaking education starts with experiential learning

By Tommy Felts / June 26, 2018

The Center for Advanced Professional Studies model was a solution to a single school district’s senioritis problem. Blue Valley Schools created CAPS and launched a small cohort of early-adopter students into this new program in 2009. Taking the chance that students would be responsible, professional and innovative when given freedom, CAPS connected students directly to…

Entrepreneur who left KC: Lack of funding, competitive pay drove me away

By Tommy Felts / June 18, 2018

Editor’s note: Jacob McDaniel is an entrepreneur and former resident of Kansas City. This letter was penned by McDaniel in response to Zach Pettet’s op-ed on Kansas City being an underground tech hub. Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. While I don’t personally know a ton about FinTech, I do know a…

Frank Keck: How intentional is your workplace culture?

By Tommy Felts / June 11, 2018

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary about workplace culture are the author’s alone. How do you build an organization that performs at a high level and attracts your industry’s top talent? Is there a proven way to help strengthen your business, increase productivity and prepare for growth? Does teamwork have something to do…

Kyle J Smith: Creating hope in a dark place; a reflection on the passing of Kate Spade

By Tommy Felts / June 8, 2018

Editor’s note: Kyle J Smith, an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder in Kansas City, reflects on fashion designer Kate Spade, 55, who died Tuesday of suicide. Born Katherine Brosnahan in Kansas City, Missouri, she went on to build a widely successful business and brand that carried her name. My heart broke when I heard about Kate Spade’s…