Woman-led

Callie England, WallyGro

Rooted in growth: WallyGro launches à la carte plants after its ‘year of new products’

By Tommy Felts / March 16, 2021

Fulfilling a long-awaited request from customers, WallyGro — a Kansas City company known for its innovative hanging planters — announced Friday it launched its first line of à la carte plants, said Callie England. “This past year the demand was: Could you supply us with more? Customers already trusted [WallyGro] because of our planters, so…

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Lesa Mitchell, Techstars Kansas City

Expanded Techstars role means more eyes on KC, Lesa Mitchell says; accelerator returns in June

By Tommy Felts / March 16, 2021

Lesa Mitchell’s promotion within Techstars — a Boulder, Colorado-based accelerator network with global reach — is a value-add for Kansas City, she said Monday. The outgoing managing director of Techstars’ local program also teased the popular accelerator’s summer return. “My new role simply means we have more Techstars staff in KC,” said Mitchell, Techstars’ newly announced…

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LaRonda LaNear, We Got It Covered

We Got It Covered: LaRonda LaNear feeds her soul (and yours) in a world catered to men

By Tommy Felts / March 11, 2021

LaRonda LaNear was tired of the working world’s status quo.  “I’ve always hated authority and it’s always been men in power, telling me what to do — and it never made sense,” she joked, shedding light on a real problem that robbed her of joy nearly every shift at every job she held.  “I took that…

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Lisa Peña, Urban Hikes KC

Outside routine: KCK native’s Urban Hikes reveal unseen Kansas City hidden in plain sight

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2021

Traditional paths aren’t for Lisa Peña — and her latest business venture (or adventure) is proof, aiming to show Kansas Citians on both sides of the state line an unfiltered version of two cities they might think they already know.  “It really perpetuates getting to know your city more,” Peña, founder of Urban Hikes KC, said…

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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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