Startland’s 2017 Made in Kansas City Gift Guide: Miscellaneous

December 1, 2017  |  Startland News Staff

Startland News presents its annual Made in Kansas City Gift Guide. Check out selections from the Miscellaneous KC gifts category below. Have more ideas? Leave them for readers in the comments below. 

[divide]

 

Custom Caricature by Jasur – $50 and up

Twitter profile need a creative refresh? Local artist Jasur Rakhimov is well known in the Kansas City startup community for his on-the-spot caricatures and artistic renditions of events. He offers a variety of options, including individual portraits, group photos and events. Rakhimov attended a Startland News-hosted Innovation Exchange and produced this recap.

[divide]

Beer Paws Beer Biscuits for dogs – $5 and up

Finally, you can safely grab your pooch a pale ale. But instead of a buzz, Fido can nom a beer biscuit from Kansas City-based Beer Paws. The company uses recycled barley grain from craft beer makers, collaborating with a variety of Midwest breweries, including Kansas City Bier Company.

[divide]

The Fishing Caddy – $50 and up

As seen on ABC’s “Funderdome,” the Fishing Caddy features built-in rod holders, a tackle box, cup holder, live well for fish and turns into a seat for the angler on your list. Created by Kansas City entrepreneur Joe Pippins, the Fishing Caddy is manufactured in Carrollton, Missouri, and sold on Amazon, Etsy and via the company’s online store.

[divide]

 

Hammerpress cards – $5 and up

Add local flavor and flair with a creative gift card from Hammerpress. Made with hardy paper, the downtown design firm’s cards vary from classy to snarky to adorable. Pick up some of Hammerpress’ nifty wrapping paper for extra style points.

[divide]

Mayor Sly & the Magic Bow Tie by Aja James & Audrey Masoner – $19

In this colorful children’s book, Kansas City Mayor Sly James travels back in time to explore the City of Fountains thanks to an enchanted bow tie. Explore the area’s history and learn about some of James’ favorite stories and locales.  

[divide]

Mario Zucca’s map of Kansas City – $40

In remarkable detail, Mario Zucca’s map of Kansas City captures many the metro area’s districts, icons, shops and more in a 24 inch-by-36 inch print. Highlighting such areas as the Crossroads Arts District, Country Club Plaza, Brookside and many others, the intricately designed map stuck locally-viral success (and ire from those left out). Something new pops out each time you scrutinize it.

[divide]

OYO Personal Gym – $150

Weighing only two pounds, OYO Fitness’ personal gym folds to become about the size of a loaf of bread but offers up to 25 pounds of resistance for a variety of exercises. Created by Kansas City inventor Paul Francis, the product’s technology has been used by U.S. astronauts on the International Space Station.

[divide]

Tom’s Town: Kansas City and the Pendergast legend by William M. Redding – $30

Dive deep into the rise and fall of Kansas City’s most notorious mob boss, Tom Pendergast. The historical account comes recommended by Kansas City historian Monroe Dodd and Missouri Valley Special Collections manager Eli Paul. One critic finds that the book’s style  “manages to combine plain city desk prose with a great deal of humor, irony, and insight.”

[divide]

Check out these gift ideas
• Apparel and Accessories List
Kansas City Experiences List
• Edibles and Drinkables List
Kansas City Tech List

[adinserter block="4"]

2017 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    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. [divide] 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…

    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,”…

    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. [divide] SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A midlife career crisis took…

    LISTEN: Meet the partners behind Plug and Play Topeka’s growth (and impact)

    By Tommy Felts | October 10, 2025

    On a special episode of Startland News’ 12-part podcast series diving deeper into Plug and Play, we explore how the Topeka-based program and its partners work to turn bold ideas into Kansas success stories. Guests includes Bret Lanz from Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute; John G. Brown of StenCo; and Cole Ahlvers from NQV8…