Woman-led

Hair and beauty emergency? On-demand app matches stylists with last-minute needs nearby

By Tommy Felts / August 23, 2022

Inspired by the need for a last-minute blowout at a hotel in Florida — as well as her life-changing experience with contract work — Ruth Shrauner turned to tech that she hopes will reshape the foundation of the beauty industry. The Shawnee-based founder and CEO plans to launch her app — Poshed On The Go…

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‘Credit score for startups’: Foresight founders aim to replace pitch decks with investability scores 

By Tommy Felts / August 23, 2022

Every founder deserves a fair opportunity to succeed, said Jannae Gammage, which is why she partnered with Charlotte Clark to launch a platform that would help entrepreneurs make value-driven decisions — while empowering investors to invest in them. A core idea behind the new startup: entrepreneurs believe tech over people. “I have been working side-by-side…

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Allyship means mistakes plus action: New project draws parallels between innovation, DEIB

By Tommy Felts / August 18, 2022

It’s time for coworkers to move beyond best intentions, said Ghadeer Garcia and Mark Logan, announcing the launch of a new project aimed at pushing allies in the workplace to action. The co-founders created the Ally Lab project through Idealect, an equity-centered social innovation company in Kansas City. The Ally Lab will offer knowledge and…

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Where’s the beef? Coming soon to this famed Kansas fried chicken spot? A sixth-generation cattle family’s prize-winning steaks

By Tommy Felts / August 17, 2022

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. This…

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Veteran podcast creator finds inspiration at the crossroads of hip-hop, health; now launching digital magazine

By Tommy Felts / August 17, 2022

Jessica Dalby might be the name and face of her business, but her brands are all about lifting up others, she said. “My mission statement is: everyone can shine and succeed together,” detailed the founder of Jessica Dalby Brand Media. Under the company’s umbrella are four brands: “Diggie A-2: The Progression of Hip-Hop” video/audio podcast,…

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