Profiles

Jim David, Blue Collar Press, Sean Ingram and Burton Parker, MerchTable

Merchtable powers a chorus of online stores for emerging bands, artists

By Tommy Felts / April 11, 2018

Lawrence-based Merchtable plays the tune of an accidental tech company, said co-founder Burton Parker, but it’s proven to be a song of success. Operating 200 online merch stores for such varied artists as singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, comedian Maria Bamford, avant-garde metal band Neurosis, and a host of podcast, DJ, dance and EDM clients, the business…

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Roller Warriors skate over 1970s-era stereotypes with message of empowerment

By Tommy Felts / April 10, 2018

Kansas City Roller Warriors are in the business of self-expression, strengthening team bonds and legitimizing their sport, skaters say. The player-owned roller derby league operates as a limited liability company, but essentially functions as a non-profit, organizers said. Having grown from grassroots origins in 2004 to now a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby…

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John Coler

KCultivator Q&A: John Coler champions making a quick impact, packs of dolphins

By Tommy Felts / April 6, 2018

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today Startland takes a closer look at startup ecosystem champion John Coler. Check out our features on Made in KC’s Tyler Enders, Hispanic business builder Pedro Zamora, ‘fashionpreneur’ Jordan Williams, Plexpod founder Gerald Smith, innovation coach Diana…

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Backed by $4M round, Hilary’s Eat Well expanding organic food line, hiring 10-15 workers

By Tommy Felts / April 5, 2018

Hilary’s Eat Well is growing its plant-based food line, company leaders said. The move to diversify the company’s offerings — as well as to more efficiently produce larger quantities of its free-from (dairy- and gluten-free) products — comes as the Lawrence-based operation moves its storage to an off-site facility, freeing up manufacturing space, said Lydia…

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8-year-old Raytown entrepreneur strings together jewelry business

By Tommy Felts / April 5, 2018

Raelynn Heath’s bling is inspiring, her mother said. The 8-year-old entrepreneur has spent half her life developing a brand built on crafting original jewelry and repairing broken pieces, she said. “We take a little bit of the old and the new and the practical,” said Regina Lastiee-Heath. Young Raelynn markets her jewelry on Facebook and…

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