Tag: Keliah Smith

UMKC pitch challenge awards $95K+ for ‘entrepreneur state of mind’ in and outside the classroom

By Tommy Felts / April 26, 2025

Winning $15,000 in Friday’s pitch competition at UMKC’s Regnier Venture Creation Challenge felt like the culmination of years of hard work and development, said Iyshia Sims. “Oh my gosh, I’m just so proud of myself,” said Sims, founder of ‘Amir’acle Body Butters and More. “I felt really good after the pitch, I have pitched a…

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It’s sweet victory for Brown Suga; KC’s favorite cookie crew wins AltCap Your Biz (and a $25K treat)

By Tommy Felts / November 21, 2024

After winning the $25,000 grand prize at Wednesday’s AltCap Your Biz pitch competition, Brown Suga will get some cookie-shaped new wheels, shared founder Ebony Paul. Before opening a brick-and-mortar in Olathe, the cookie bakery launched in 2020 selling at pop-ups and community events. Adding a food truck will help Brown Suga continue to hit the…

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Resilience pays off as retail incubator opens doors; Meet the first featured founders at PHKC

By Tommy Felts / July 27, 2024

Launching a retail incubator in Midtown Kansas City — a physical space targeted for overlooked and under-resourced entrepreneurs — The Porter House KC faced many of the same challenges as emerging small businesses, said Miranda Schultz, but ultimately the effort made it to opening day. “It’s been nice to go through our own trial and…

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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…

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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,…

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