Channa Steinmetz
Recent Articles by Channa Steinmetz
‘Not an over-glorified hobby’: Comic book creator designs app to help vendors find conventions, sketch path to profitability
Juaquan Herron spent countless hours actively searching for comic conventions to share and sell his work — often feeling frustrated after learning about conventions too late, he recalled. “Especially starting out in the industry, I didn’t have many friends and wasn’t finding out about vending opportunities,” said Herron, who founded 2923 Comics and created the…
KC to DC: Students roll out legislation to ban secondhand smoke in vehicles; ‘Quit Kids Smoking’ nationwide
Editor’s note: Startland is the parent organization of Startland News, though this report was produced independently by Startland News’ non-profit newsroom. Click here to read more about Startland’s education and real-world learning work. Four teenagers from high schools across Kansas City have banded together in hopes of passing legislation to prohibit smoking products that contain…
Liberation through innovation: Why KC Girls Prep focuses on history, culture to empower students
Striving to create feminist, anti-racist leaders does not come with a checklist, said Tara Haskins — rather it takes creative thinking and the willingness to go beyond established norms. “To be anti-racist is to first acknowledge history and the stories we tell,” said Haskins, who serves as the founding school leader at KC Girls Preparatory…
Tangible ‘teleportation’: Shawnee Mission East grad re-envisions how humans communicate over distance
Serving as a caregiver to his late mother during her battle with cancer prepared Akshay Dinakar for the next step in his journey as an entrepreneur, he said. “I learned how to do everything — constantly be on call; be able to suit up faster than a fireman and drive to the hospital at a…
After historic church’s collapse, Unruh Furniture builds new showroom in one of the Plaza’s busiest hubs
The demolition of Westminster Congregational Church not only puts an end to its one-of-a-kind architecture, but also the century-long memories that come with the building, said Sam Unruh. “When I first stumbled across the old church, it had been vacant for seven or eight years and was in really bad shape,” recalled the founder of…
No-shame salon: How a dog grooming business helped its owner overcome life’s bites
Dogs don’t judge, said Amanda McIntyre as she sat in the grooming shop she built from scratch with a thrifty $5,000 and the experience of a life-changing business program. “I’ve been judged my whole life,” shared McIntyre, who founded Classy Canines after overcoming a turbulent battle with addiction. “But, when it comes to dogs, they…
Trio of trans ‘cooking witches’ brew vegan flavor in authenticity of collective ingredients, not mere imitation
Something wickedly delicious has made its way to Kansas City, said Olive Cooke, Kim Conyers, and Sylvia Metta. Combining their passions for cooking and community, the trio founded a pop-up business centered on plant-based comfort food. “A couple days before our first pop-up, it became so surreal that we were actually doing this; we even…
No glass ceiling over the glamp site: Women-led, Black-owned business opens luxury camping season
Kansas Citians no longer need to sacrifice a comfortable bed and running water to spend a night out in nature, said Tiffany Watts and Heather Shelton. Through glamping with Suite Tea, one can have the best of both worlds, the co-founders said. “Our primary mission is to create an elevated, special experience for our guests….
Meal donation app comes to KC: How the phone-eats-first foodie photo trend can help fight hunger
People are already taking photos of their food — why not donate to food banks at the same time, Andrew Glantz proposed. “GiftAMeal is a free mobile app; each time someone takes a photo of their order from one of our partner restaurants, we make a donation to a local food bank to help give…
Calling all developers, designers and entrepreneurs: KC Digital Drive launching AR/VR challenge March 30
KC Digital Drive is giving all those interested in the field of augmented reality or virtual reality a new opportunity to solve real world problems through innovative solutions, explained Aaron Deacon. “[KC Digital Drive’s Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Heartland Developer Challenge] is a series that goes from the early ideation phase to project…