Profiles

Andy Stoll: Entrepreneurial ecosystem answers aren’t inside the Kauffman Foundation

By Tommy Felts / November 28, 2017

Editor’s note: This content was sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation but independently produced by Startland News.  Acting in a Bollywood film. Pie making on Armenian television. Cooking on a dude ranch in Australia. Sewing in a dress factory in Bangkok. Farming maize in Zambia. Each revealed a lesson and mission for Andy Stoll.…

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Roy Scott, Healthy Hip Hop, H3

Bitten by Disney sharks, Roy Scott beats the odds with Healthy Hip Hop

By Tommy Felts / November 21, 2017

When a potentially life-altering business deal suddenly vanished, Roy Scott didn’t get mad — he got funded. “Disney thought they were going to snuff us out, but all they did was put gasoline on this fire,” said Scott, founder of Kansas City-based H3 Enterprises (Healthy Hip Hop). Rewind. Starting his company with a live performance-based…

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Jeff Colyer

Governor-in-waiting talks startup funding, Amazon and why entrepreneurism is bigger than KC

By Tommy Felts / November 20, 2017

The strongest person in the room isn’t necessarily the loudest, Jeff Colyer said. “Kansans are used to being overlooked,” he said. “My role as lieutenant governor was to be a little quieter. You give your best advice. And when decisions are made, you’re going to work to support them.” Soon, however, he’ll be the state’s…

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Jordan Williams, Keefe Cravat

KCultivator Q&A: ‘Fashionpreneur’ Jordan Williams on starting with nothing but his smile

By Tommy Felts / November 14, 2017

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Check out our features on Plexpod founder Gerald Smith, innovation coach Diana Kander, Victor & Penny’s Erin McGrane, SEED Law’s Adrienne Haynes, Code Koalas’ Robert Manigold, Prep-KC CEO Susan Wally and community builder Donald Carter. Jordan…

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KC yogis plan festival, find heartbeat in the heartland

By Tommy Felts / November 3, 2017

In addition to a buzzing startup scene, entrepreneurial ecosystems require a community to thrive. Three Kansas City yogis have joined forces to cultivate a space for Midwesterners to “just be” and align their mind, body and spirit. Founders of this summer’s Heartland Yoga Festival — Lauren Leduc, Angela Cronk and Brooke Roberts — believe Kansas Citians deserve…

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