Austin Barnes

Recent Articles by Austin Barnes

GUILDit feeds starving artists with tools to monetize their crafts

August 12, 2016

If good entrepreneurs are money-motivated, great ones know that it’s going to take more than that to be successful. In contrast, artists oftentimes develop a “love-hate relationship” with money. As anyone who has seen a “starving artists” moving van can attest, an artist’s passion doesn’t always lead to food on the table. For artists whose…

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Kansas City streetcar app update arrives with roaring ridership

August 12, 2016

Has the popularity of the Kansas City Royals found its match with the Kansas City streetcar? No — probably not. But if you live in or around the City of Fountains, you probably know that its new downtown streetcar is quite popular. Since opening day, the streetcar has carried a total more than 645,000 passengers…

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Fund me, KC: Pawns and Pints launching board game bar in Crossroads

August 11, 2016

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Pawns and Pints co-founder Edward Schmalz — to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Back Pawns and Pints’ Kickstarter here. Who are you? My name is Edward…

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Political tech vet to lead KCK innovation efforts

August 11, 2016

A political tech vet is leading new innovation efforts in Kansas City, Kan. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas on Monday welcomed Alan Howze on board as their first chief knowledge officer to oversee the government’s IT Department, the 311 service center and mapping group. A former Virginia gubernatorial director and…

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Events Preview: GUILDit, Second Fridays

August 11, 2016

There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW   GUILDit  When: August 11 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Where: Uptown Arts Bar GUILDit is a gathering that helps craft…

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A ‘Doodle’ in the rough: Ben Kittrell unearths a global business

August 11, 2016

What initially began as a desire to help his friends build websites has now blossomed into a startup with a booming international presence for Doodlekit co-founder Ben Kittrell. And it took gaining thousands of users a month to give Kittrell a wake-up call that it was time to refocus on a business he often let…

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overtime pay

5 considerations for startups grappling with new overtime rules

August 10, 2016

Editor’s note: This column was co-written by EBCFO founder Dan Schmidt and Mark Opara, a general business and corporate law attorney at Seigfreid Bingham. The authors’ opinions are theirs alone.   Low pay, long hours, and maybe some future benefits — it’s the startup way! In early stage companies, it’s a tradeoff of current pain…

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Rebecca Dove, Pennez

Pennez wants to turn the page on youth illiteracy with AI app

August 9, 2016

If you’re reading this, congratulations, you’re literate. Statistically, this is something to be proud of as 773.5 million people are illiterate around the world. It also means that you’re more likely to have a higher-paying job and be able to more fully participate in society. Rebecca Dove, a former elementary school teacher, saw first-hand that…

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‘A relentless pursuit of perfection’ earns Niall national nod

August 9, 2016

Kansas City watching-making startup Niall recently topped a list of leading American-made watches. A publication that features social impact brands,The Good Trade dished a cornucopia of commendations to Niall, a two-year-old startup that’s surged in popularity and snagged headlines around the nation. The online media group made note of CEO Michael Wilson’s tireless pursuit of excellence with…

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Fund Me, KC: FireBoard’s thermometer cooks up smarter chefs

August 9, 2016

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Fireboard founder Ted Conrad — to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Back FireBoard’s Kickstarter here. Who are you? Ted Conrad, founder of FireBoard What does FireBoard…

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