Tag: Alchemy Sandbox

CRWND as a KC pitch contest winner, Keliah Smith expands her product line (and comfort zone)

By Tommy Felts / November 30, 2023

Keliah Smith was nervous. She’d never been a fan of speaking in front of a crowd, but knew exposing her discomfort and weakness through the Alchemy Sandbox pitch competition was just part of the ongoing journey of an entrepreneur, she said. Avoiding that spotlight, Smith noted, already had kept her — and her business, CRWND…

Read More >

Alchemy Sandbox winners are walking away with more than their $5K prizes, founders say

By Tommy Felts / November 24, 2023

The latest round of Alchemy Sandbox competitors showcased the perseverance and resilience entrepreneurs need to be successful in the long run, said Charon Thompson, announcing five winners of the small business pitch competition. “Businesses that continue to do well stay ready so they don’t have to get ready,” said Thompson, co-founder of The Porter House,…

Read More >

PHKC awards $25K to Alchemy Sandbox winners; It’s amazing when someone understands your vision, founder says 

By Tommy Felts / June 28, 2023

Year one challenges can be difficult for entrepreneurs to swallow, James Thomas noted, but he’s raising a cup to the first anniversary of Brain Freeze Mobile Daiquiri Shop with validation and a splash of funding. Two days after completing The Porter House KC’s fourth small business development cohort and competing in its finale competition, Thomas…

Read More >

Grow with us: The Rolling Garden plants perennial vibes from its new North KC shop 

By Tommy Felts / April 11, 2023

A houseplant oasis on wheels is putting down roots in the Iron District as the small business’ life cycle sprouts new opportunities for owners Tryce Nelson and Steven Morrill. “We’ve rolled all over Kansas City this past year — popping up at wineries, breweries, coffee shops, universities, events,” said Nelson, who co-founded The Rolling Garden…

Read More >

Mobile plant shop, nonprofit for returning citizens among latest Alchemy Sandbox grant winners

By Tommy Felts / December 8, 2022

The Porter House KC closed out the first year of its Alchemy Sandbox program by awarding five more small business owners with up to $5,000 in grants. In total, PHKC Alchemy Sandbox awarded 20 businesses with grants in 2022.  “We started this journey with a simple idea: to deepen our commitment to supporting the small…

Read More >