Woman-led

Comeback KC Ventures fellows

Comeback KC Ventures adds 9 more fellows to accelerate rapid-response health innovations

By Tommy Felts / May 12, 2022

A global pandemic exposed both new challenges and the potential for disruptive solutions — putting Kansas City entrepreneurs at the forefront of rapid-fire change in the wake of an ongoing health crisis, said organizers of Comeback KC Ventures. Nine additional Kansas City tech startups are joining the fellowship program, its leaders said Wednesday, expanding upon…

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Kisha Bausby, JE Dunn

Built to last, bought with intention: How JE Dunn set supplier diversity as a cornerstone

By Tommy Felts / May 10, 2022

Editor’s note: The following story was sponsored by KC Rising, a regional initiative to help Kansas City grow faster and more intentionally, as part of a campaign to promote its CEO-to-CEO Challenge on supplier diversity.  Approaching supplier diversity for the long haul means defining the work — without limiting it, said Jason Banks, describing how Kansas City-based construction icon JE…

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Desmond Carr, Alysha Daicy and Tim McCoy, Rally Gin, Decoy Beverage Co.

Rally Gin pours into KC as childhood friends mix spirit of resilience with Black-owned, woman-owned brand

By Tommy Felts / May 10, 2022

After launching in the Los Angeles market, Rally Gin is coming home — distilling a pandemic dream into Kansas City reality.  “We have so much pride in being Kansas City natives and are thrilled to share Rally Gin with the town,” said Alysha Daicy, co-founder.  A launch event honoring Rally’s expansion into the Midwest is planned…

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Jaclyn Heupel, Heavy Head; photo by Rhodana Snider

It’s wheels up for KC flight attendant-turned headwear designer: Heavy Head takes flight

By Tommy Felts / May 7, 2022

Jaclyn Heupel had a gut feeling early in the pandemic that she would eventually get furloughed from her job as a flight attendant with American Airlines. Brainstorming ideas for a side gig to help her pass the time led Heupel to a sewing machine and fabric. Watching YouTube videos brought experimentation with materials. She settled…

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