Woman-led

Christle Reed, author of "Hugs from the Sky"

Kids share burden of a sudden loss, children’s author says; New book explores healing as KC grapples with COVID deaths, violence

By Tommy Felts / March 2, 2021

More than two decades after 11-year-old Christle Reed’s father died, she still vividly remembers the day of his funeral; what she was wearing; falling asleep on the way to the gravesite; how the cemetery smelled; and understanding that her life had forever changed, she shared. “We overlook kids sometimes. I think a lot of adults…

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Brett Krug and Dominique Davison, PlanIT Impact

New CEO deepening PlanIT Impact’s mission to help design a carbon-neutral built environment

By Tommy Felts / March 1, 2021

A startup veteran and architecture industry expert is now leading day-to-day operations for one of Kansas City’s Top Venture Capital-Backed firms, shaping the company’s expanded footprint under a new presidential administration as its founder shifts to a more focused role. Brett Krug, who began work today as CEO of the building analytics software platform PlanIT…

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Jahna Riley, Aya Coffee + Books pop-up at Blip Roasters

Black and bookish: Founder hopes to turn pop-up page, eyeing coffee and book shop on KC’s east side

By Tommy Felts / February 25, 2021

Jahna Riley loves the atmosphere of coffee shops. Connecting with others over coffee and a good book is a personal joy, she said, noting one glaring exception in most shops: inclusivity.   “Kansas City has an amazing coffee scene, but it’s not necessarily one where I see my culture reflected in it,” Riley shared. “I want…

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Lindsay Lebahn, Plug and Play Animal Health and AgTech Accelerator

Plug and Play taps leader of Topeka young professionals to lead soon-to-launch accelerator

By Tommy Felts / February 23, 2021

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. TOPEKA…

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Jessica Washburn, Bliss Chocolatier

How one artisan chocolatier rewrote the recipe for her life — and molded a new, more approachable luxury chocolate

By Tommy Felts / February 19, 2021

A Blue Springs-dipped chocolate shop isn’t just selling show-stopping sweets, it’s unwrapping a community-coated adventure for a local mom — eight years in the making.  “I feel more a part of this community than I ever have before,” said Jessica Washburn, co-owner of Bliss Chocolatier, an artisan chocolate boutique dedicated to crafting a number of treats…

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