Woman-led

Main Street is already harnessing AI to build wealth; adoption now key to region’s growth, heartland leaders say

By Tommy Felts / October 22, 2025

WICHITA, Kan. — Artificial intelligence is likely to be one of the most transformative technologies of the digital era, said Taylor Eubanks, noting that AI’s thoughtful deployment can be a tool for growth, not displacement.  “By engaging directly with entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofit leaders and local innovators, we can better support responsible AI adoption that…

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AlphaGraphics expansion boasts $1.4M investment, plans to create 16 new KC jobs

By Tommy Felts / October 21, 2025

A production crew known for eye-catching, colorful designs splashed across Kansas City — including its own East Crossroads headquarters — is expanding its physical and human footprint, marking a key investment in the metro’s growing creative and professional services sector, local leaders said.  AlphaGraphics on Tuesday announced an investment of more than $1.4 million and…

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KCultivator Q&A: Jessica Powell gets candid about ‘KC Nice’ (and how she’d spend $1M)

By Tommy Felts / October 13, 2025

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Let’s get real, Jessica Powell said with a wry smirk, explaining her vision for a Kansas City that works together — and stops cannibalizing its own.   “I’m a startup junkie,” the community champion and founder of Social…

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Pure Pitch Rally reveals competitors for its 10th crowd-funded, spot-cash pitch contest

By Tommy Felts / October 13, 2025

Eight emerging startups set to take the Pure Pitch Rally stage next month will become part of the Kansas City tech community’s evolving story, said Karen Fenaroli, touting a decade of impact that has seen millions in follow-on capital raised and thousands of jobs created across the region. “It is no longer just an event,”…

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Sisters brew backyard-style beers from a historic firehouse in Budweiser territory

By Tommy Felts / October 11, 2025

Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A midlife career crisis took Carol…

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