Austin Barnes
Recent Articles by Austin Barnes
He wanted a dress shoe as comfortable as bare feet; How Joey Ahearn is reimagining wingtips to boots one step at a time
A newly unboxed, Kansas City-laced premium shoe company offers a single promise: to make often-uncomfortable men’s dress shoes healthy to wear — without stomping out fashion. “I grew up wearing Converse and Vans and socks and lacing really tight every day,” recalled Joey Ahearn, a physical therapy assistant, as well as founder and CEO of Free…
Why an interactive digital business card could replace LinkedIn for startup, small business leaders
People want to get their foot in the door, Jess Phillips said, laying out her plan for a newly launched social media platform that opens professional connections with an insightful twist: an interactive digital business card offering data on who visits and why. Free of the awkward sales pitches and forced conversations that often come…
How the relaunched Classic Cookie plans to craft KC’s best breakfast sandwich (without overcomplicating it)
A longtime Waldo restaurant and sweets shop is under new ownership, Chef Bryan Sparks announced, serving up a plan to fix the broken restaurant industry he thought he’d left behind. But a more immediate and daunting task awaits ahead of the Classic Cookie & Cafe’s relaunch in December: crafting the best breakfast sandwich in Kansas…
Shop small: Five holiday hacks for supporting KC makers without leaving home
Editor’s note: Startland News explored its 2021 archive of most-popular maker stories — as well as looking at the creatives behind its own T-shirt campaign — as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide. These items are all available online now. Featured stores, makers and products were not asked to pay to be included…
Minority-owned businesses across Kansas can now access KC-built support as EBB expands to 66 counties
One of the Kansas City-area’s highest impact entrepreneurship support organizations is expanding across the Sunflower State as it becomes a board-certified program of NetWork Kansas. Entrepreneur Business Basics (EBB) will soon reach into 66 counties in Kansas, Kira Cheree, founder, told Startland News, highlighting ways the expansion will directly impact minority-owned businesses. “For every innovator,…
This Brookside hotspot touts best chicken sandwich in KC, putting chef’s eye on fast casual food
The chicken sandwich wars of the 21st century aren’t limited to fast food restaurant chains, Chef Charles d’Ablaing declared, touting his local lineup of comfort food classics and laying claim to serving the best spicy chicken sandwich in all of Kansas City. “I did it as a special, just kind of, ‘Haha, funny,’” said d’Ablaing,…
It’s a Wonderful Life: Holiday pop-ups offer KC business owners a second chance, Canary owner says
Sophistication is on the menu as Canary Bar and Bistro unveils its first holiday pop-up, Silver Bell Supper Club, a nostalgic cocktail and culinary experience set to pour hope for a pandemic-fatigued Kansas City and inspired by a classic Christmas film. “We’re going for a chic Christmas vibe. White warm lights, hanging 3D snowflakes, Christmas…
Some mysteries at historic 9th & State might never be solved — and bar owner Heather Hamilton is OK with it
Feeling invincible is a thing of the past, Heather Hamilton said, revealing a diagnosis that stopped her in her tracks and poured a change of perspective for the West Bottoms bar owner. “Knowing that I’m gene-positive for Huntington’s disease has made me even more motivated to make a difference,” Hamilton said, noting the disease has…
Dogged by pandemic, one KC veterinarian diagnosed potential to expand without just mooving
Editor’s note: The following story is sponsored by Academy Bank, a Kansas City based community bank, and is part of a series of features spotlighting some of the bank’s startup and small business partners. When Dr. Aaron Stohs left Kansas State University in 2004, ready to practice veterinary medicine, his sights were set on a…
WATCH NOW: Kansas City Community Builders to Watch
Join Startland News for a celebratory broadcast that showcases the work of six local leaders with exceptional stories of community impact. This mid-day broadcast — streaming at 11:30 a.m. as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) — features a musical performance by Golden Groves. This edition of Startland News Reports is presented in partnership with Fishtech Group….