Channa Steinmetz
Recent Articles by Channa Steinmetz
Back to Baltimore: Why Brandon Love is eager to show his hometown how KC transformed him — and his scented wax brand
Six years after moving to Kansas City to build his brand, Crumble Co., Brandon Love is changing directions — both in his business model and in his physical location, he said. “I miss my family,” Love shared, noting that he is moving home to Baltimore. “I think with COVID, I’ve realized the importance of connection….
Retirement in the palm of your hand: Blooom launching mobile app after passing $5B in assets managed
If you’re not a lottery winner, selling a business or inheriting a considerable amount of money — the only way to become financially independent and have the ability to stop working is to save … and invest, said Chris Costello. “That’s what life looks like today,” the founder and CEO of Blooom noted. “… and…
Putting rival energy drinks to bed: Superfood Shot launches three new flavors after doubling Amazon sales
With sales at an all-time high for Life Equals — the maker of Balance The Superfood Shot — expanding into other areas of wellness was a natural next step, Kyle FitzGerald said, emphasizing a new blend that rivals less healthy energy drinks. “We knew we were ready for product innovation,” said FitzGerald, who co-founded the…
Kids share burden of a sudden loss, children’s author says; New book explores healing as KC grapples with COVID deaths, violence
More than two decades after 11-year-old Christle Reed’s father died, she still vividly remembers the day of his funeral; what she was wearing; falling asleep on the way to the gravesite; how the cemetery smelled; and understanding that her life had forever changed, she shared. “We overlook kids sometimes. I think a lot of adults…
Sneak Peek: See how Bar K’s new site builds on its KC pedigree with indoor dog park, doggy daycare
When Bar K’s second location opens in the fall, the popular play place for dogs will be ready if another frigid winter is in the forecast, said co-founder Leib Dodell, teasing details of a new 10,000-square-foot indoor dog park at the St. Louis site. “Dogs love being outdoors, and humans generally like being outdoors —…
Black and bookish: Founder hopes to turn pop-up page, eyeing coffee and book shop on KC’s east side
Jahna Riley loves the atmosphere of coffee shops. Connecting with others over coffee and a good book is a personal joy, she said, noting one glaring exception in most shops: inclusivity. “Kansas City has an amazing coffee scene, but it’s not necessarily one where I see my culture reflected in it,” Riley shared. “I want…
Why one KC woodworker says he won’t let ‘anything short of the best’ ship out his River Market door
Matt Castilleja’s River Market furniture business ships sculptural and elemental pieces from coast-to-coast — often surprising high-end customers and design fans with the craftsman’s firmly planted Kansas City roots, said Castilleja. “People would think we were some New York boutique or based in someplace like Spain or Italy — more established design communities,” the owner…
Black & Veatch spinout gives Atonix Digital the startup space to scale on its own
A newly independent Atonix Digital is leaning into growth opportunities after being spun out of its corporate home at Black & Veatch earlier this year. “The benefit to Black & Veatch is: they get to stay on their core business model. The benefit to Atonix Digital is: we get to be more nimble, pursue new…
‘Rise Up, Get Started’ shifts to matching grant program for formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs
Rather than continue as an entrepreneurship competition for formerly incarcerated people, “Rise Up, Get Started” is pivoting to a matching grant program that supports more individuals seeking a new path through small business, said Kyle J. Benson-Smith. “I was inspired by hearing the stories of second chance entrepreneurs from folks who were starting successful businesses…
KCK trainer launches lifestyle, fitness app that pays users cashback for burning calories
Investing in your health just got a lot more literal with Deposit The Work — an app that pays users when they burn calories — explained Jasper Sanders. “I was trying to come up with a way for people to stay with fitness,” said Sanders, the app’s Kansas City, Kansas-based founder. “A lot of people…