Tag: Incorporated

Jamon Buford and Kyle J. Benson-Smith, Strong Start Make Readies, Determination, Incorporated

New focus will offer jobs to formerly incarcerated people on the path to second chance entrepreneurship, says nonprofit

By Tommy Felts / June 23, 2022

Kansas City-based Determination, Incorporated is refocusing its mission with a new social enterprise business that will directly place formerly incarcerated individuals into employment soon after they return home. Strong Start Make Readies is expected to provide jobs to people exiting incarceration as members of make ready crews at Kansas City area apartment complexes, single-family rental…

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Kyle Smith, Determination, Incorporated, Rise Up Get Started

Fund Me, KC: ‘Rise Up, Get Started’ competitions give spotlight to formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / November 7, 2018

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like startup community leader founder Kyle J. Smith’s Rise Up, Get Started campaign— to share their crowdfunding stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Who are you? I am Kyle J Smith, founder of…

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Kate Spade Kyle Smith

Kyle J Smith: Creating hope in a dark place; a reflection on the passing of Kate Spade

By Tommy Felts / June 8, 2018

Editor’s note: Kyle J Smith, an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder in Kansas City, reflects on fashion designer Kate Spade, 55, who died Tuesday of suicide. Born Katherine Brosnahan in Kansas City, Missouri, she went on to build a widely successful business and brand that carried her name. My heart broke when I heard about Kate Spade’s…

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