Woman-led

Female founders: Tips for infusing capital into your dreams 

By Tommy Felts / April 23, 2024

Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. The following is a paid thought leadership piece from Terri Roberts Munsell, McQueary Schumm Munsell Group at Morgan Stanley. Today, women own four out of every 10 businesses in the U.S.(*1) Why women choose entrepreneurship  There are a variety of reasons that women…

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Meet the Small Biz of the Year finalists: KC Chamber surprises Top 10 Mr K contenders

By Tommy Felts / April 19, 2024

The Kansas City Chamber just unveiled its hotly anticipated Top 10 finalists for the 2024 Small Business of the Year honor — surprising leaders from a wide range of industries with their tickets to the next round of the city’s most prestigious business competition. “This year, 60 candidates applied for awards, and we were awed…

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Growing movement by Black farmers seeds plan to honor land, ancestors while cultivating better health

By Tommy Felts / April 19, 2024

Dina Newman wanted to reclaim Black growers’ seat at the table — helping an overlooked community in Kansas City create their own healthy and affordable food systems to nourish themselves. “When I’m talking food system, I’m talking from a seed to plant,” said Newman, founder of Kansas City Black Urban Growers (KCBUGS). “When you look…

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Crossroads boutique styles Y2K nostalgia with 2024 representation: ‘It heals my inner child’

By Tommy Felts / April 16, 2024

Courtnie Ross wants to help customers of all kinds embrace their own personal style in her store — and be comfortable in the fit, the LoveStoned boutique owner said. “The core of what I feel like I’m meant to do in life is to help people feel good about themselves,” she said. With glittery sets,…

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UMKC pitch competition brings validating relief, cash prizes for emerging founders with big ideas

By Tommy Felts / April 13, 2024

A popular UMKC pitch competition awarded more than $80,000 in cash prizes to student and full-time entrepreneurs Friday — validating new ideas and emerging ventures alike.  “I never saw anything like this when I was in college,” said Dr. Brandy Archie, founder of AskSAMIE, who competed in a category especially for established startups at the University…

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