Profiles

Alec Rodgers Betty Rae's Ice Cream

Why Betty Rae’s new owner traded a finance career for waffle cones; ice cream shop reopens Monday

By Tommy Felts / March 11, 2021

Reopening Betty Rae’s Ice Cream could prove as risky for Alec Rodgers’ waistline as his wallet, the 23-year-old employee-turned-owner jokingly suggested — smiling as he looked across the River Market shop with a mix of nostalgia and youthful exuberance. His eyes lit up as he recalled the rich memory of discovering his own favorite flavor:…

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Back to Baltimore: Why Brandon Love is eager to show his hometown how KC transformed him — and his scented wax brand

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2021

Six years after moving to Kansas City to build his brand, Crumble Co., Brandon Love is changing directions — both in his business model and in his physical location, he said.  “I miss my family,” Love shared, noting that he is moving home to Baltimore. “I think with COVID, I’ve realized the importance of connection.…

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Chris Costello, Blooom

Retirement in the palm of your hand: Blooom launching mobile app after passing $5B in assets managed

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2021

If you’re not a lottery winner, selling a business or inheriting a considerable amount of money — the only way to become financially independent and have the ability to stop working is to save … and invest, said Chris Costello. “That’s what life looks like today,” the founder and CEO of Blooom noted. “… and…

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Mitzi Dulan, simplyFUEL protein balls

Play ball! Dietician brings protein-packed treats from her kitchen to the big leagues (and she has the World Series ring to prove it)

By Tommy Felts / March 5, 2021

As simplyFUEL launches on the shelves of local Costco stores this week, the Kansas City-rolled brand of energy balls is offering customers more than a healthy option for snacking.  The woman-led company instead symbolizes a commitment to nutrition that helped fuel the Kansas City Royals through a historic World Series run and scored a health…

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David Biga, Particle Space

AI-powered Particle Space detects product validation with Liberty Mutual integration

By Tommy Felts / March 5, 2021

A new partnership between Liberty Mutual Insurance and Kansas City-built Particle Space is expected to create an entirely new service, the proptech startup announced this week.  The collaboration sees Liberty Mutual provide tenants with easily-accessible quotes for renters insurance within Particle Space’s artificial intelligence-backed building and property management platform.  “It’s now even easier for property…

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