Profiles

Jeff Shackelford, Digital Sandbox

Changing lanes: Shackelford leaving Digital Sandbox to head Mid-America Angels, Fountain Innovation Fund

By Tommy Felts / July 11, 2019

Two hats are better than one, joked Jeff Shackelford, announcing he’s accepted a new role with the Enterprise Center in Johnson County.  “I’m on the same highway but I’m kind of changing lanes,” Shackelford said as he takes the wheel as senior vice president of investment capital and financial operations at the ECJC — where…

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Thee Outpost

Explore inside: Thee Outpost offers fresh brew of Thou Mayest, Collective Ex coffee-creative collaboration (Photos)

By Tommy Felts / July 11, 2019

The way is open and a new era has begun for Kansas City’s dreamers, doers, makers, and caffeinated creators.  “I’m really pulling that curtain back [and letting] makers do what they do,” explained Johnny Dawbarn, founder of Collective Ex — a collaborative of artisans, designers and creatives at 519 E. 18th St., now open to…

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Brandon Love and Michelle Bolser, Alchemy Bath Co. Crumble

Bath boon: Crumble molds new product line, adding Alchemy Bath Co into its aromatic recipe

By Tommy Felts / July 10, 2019

Like freshly poured wax, the latest product from Crumble Co. founder Brandon Love has cured in Kansas City — scented this time with collaboration as the company melts into a merger with Alchemy Bath Co., he explained.  “We came to them and were like, ‘Hey, can we order bath bombs from you?’ … We were…

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Lauren Lawrence, Stenovate, photo by Mikaela Wendel Photography

Stenovate lands first big investor; founder credits ‘stepping stones’ of KC startup resources

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2019

Hold your head high, be eager, and embrace the startup community that surrounds you, Lauren Lawrence said as the first outside investor calls on her Kansas City-filed tech startup, Stenovate.  “The first person to really take a risk on you as an outside investor who’s not your mom and dad … they’re always a significant…

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Keystone Kevin McGinnis

KCultivator Q&A: Kevin McGinnis talks Keystone innovation, best steaks in KC, the word he hates most

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2019

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. Years before his tenure as a Sprint executive-turned-startup leader, Kevin McGinnis was…

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