Startups

With 400 teams and counting, coaches and founders agree: Just Play Solutions is a ‘no-brainer’

By Tommy Felts / April 18, 2018

One of Kansas City’s fastest-growing sports-fitness startups, Just Play Solutions, posted a 225-percent revenue increase headed into 2018, its co-founder said. “That type of growth just doesn’t happen all the time,” said Austin Barone. Just Play’s mobile and web app platform specializes in workflow management for football, basketball and — most recently — lacrosse coaches.…

Read More >
Jennifer Lapka, Rightfully Sewn

Video: Rightfully Sewn threads ‘United Nations of Sewing’ concept into fabric of Crossroads

By Tommy Felts / April 17, 2018

A new studio space in the heart of Kansas City’s creative community will thread the needle for expanding capacity for Rightfully Sewn to help diverse, at-risk women, as well as support its nonprofit mission, said Jennifer Lapka. The program, which trains women to be seamstresses for local designers through a two-year experience, is set to…

Read More >
Clockwork Architecture

Clockwork founder Christian Arnold: When to explore new workspace for your startup

By Tommy Felts / April 17, 2018

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. If your startup is ready to graduate from your home office and the local coffee shop, you have a lot of considerations for that perfect workspace. Yes, real estate is typically the second highest business cost, but the right space has the power…

Read More >
The Self Boutique

Self-expression, happiness drive expansion of Selfie Boutique playground

By Tommy Felts / April 16, 2018

What started as a side project four months ago has grown into a huge, interactive exhibit dedicated to cultivating joy, said Alex Altomare, founder of the Selfie Boutique. “The mission is to bring people together and create happiness,” Altomare said. “The growth has been entirely driven by our supporters on all fronts, and we have…

Read More >
Lisa Bledsoe, Tea-Biotics Kombucha

Brewers ferment market opportunity, health benefits with kombucha startups

By Tommy Felts / April 14, 2018

Fermented foods represent more than just trendy, niche products, Kansas City’s kombucha startups say. They’re where gut health and market opportunity meet. “If it’s not local, it’s not fresh,” said Lisa Bledsoe, emphasizing the quality advantage Kansas City brewers have over national brands competing for cooler space at metro grocery stores. Bledsoe’s Tea-Biotics Kombucha has…

Read More >