Channa Steinmetz
Recent Articles by Channa Steinmetz
How two hungry vegan sisters went from making queso to their own storefront on Holmes
Arvelisha Woods and India Monique just wanted to style hair and eat nachos, the duo said, breaking into laughter. “It all started with being hungry,” Monique recalled, with Woods emphasizing the “hungry.” The sisters behind Mattie’s Foods went on a fast in 2015 as part of their mission work. They took what they loved the…
Overland Park startup partners with Cosentino’s for time-saving automation in KC grocery stores
As a way to compete and thrive against major retailers like Walmart and Safeway, independent grocers are turning toward software that automates manual tasks — resulting in reduced errors and increased efficiency, John Epperson said. Such software exists because Epperson, co-founder of Overland Park-based Retail Software Solutions Group, saw a gap in the market and…
As seen on Troost (and Ellen): Plus-size thrift store owner uses momentum to inspire others
Alesha Bowman had plans March 15 to celebrate the two-year anniversary of her plus-size thrift store, UnLESHed+, by opening a new storefront on the historic Troost Avenue. But on March 14, a nationwide pandemic forced Bowman’s plans to be entirely reworked. “You just have to pivot,” Bowman said, noting that she used Facebook and Instagram…
Vine Online artist preview: A look inside Vine Street Studio’s first-ever virtual art show
Kay Hansley is a doula, seamstress, art teacher, dietary manager and artist. She pulls inspiration from all aspects of her life, she said, and isn’t scared to take risks. “We should never feel afraid to express ourselves and let people see the real us. This was my first time really being able to explain how…
Liquid barrier (plus fresh breath): Lenexa startup tests all-natural mouth rinse as COVID-killing solution
A couple’s curiosity in nutrition and health inspired TRI-OLOGY — a versatile liquid solution intended to combat oral diseases. Lab tests now are showing that same liquid solution to be capable of eradicating SAR-CoV-2, known as COVID-19, Janice King and Dale Winetroub said. “We’re not doing rocket science; we’re taking whole plants and when they…
Sky’s the limit — and answer — for Genesis Systems’ atmospheric water generators
Pulling water out of thin air — a concept too good to be true or too obvious to ignore? “The No. 1 problem we are going to face as a planet will be water,” said Erick Went, who serves as chief technology officer for Kansas City-based Genesis Systems. “I think we take that for granted…
GotDevKC helps small businesses break into tech talent silo, matching developers to needs
Larissa Uredi and Jenny Miller are playing matchmaker. Teaming up with KCSourceLink, UMKC Innovation Center, No-Where Consultants and the City of Kansas City Missouri, the duo worked with their teams to create a Kansas City business directory that pairs KC tech talent with startups and businesses in tech-need. They call it: GotDevKC. “We had identified…
Google’s $100K cash prize keeps Healthy Hip Hop dancing toward ‘Tik Tok for kids’ status
With a new cash infusion from the Google Black Founders Fund, Roy Scott said Healthy Hip Hop is ready to perfect the next generation of its youth entertainment and education tech, strengthen the company’s sales and marketing efforts and hire a C-suite level employee. “We found our niche in the tech space, and it’s how…
CARES Act grants 250 Kansans free tech training, equipment through SnapIT Solutions
With tech positions dominating the market for open and remote jobs, Kansas residents now can enroll in a free, government-funded certification course on IT, cybersecurity or IT project management through SnapIT Solutions, said Neelima Parasker. SnapIT — an Overland Park technology solutions and training company — received funds from the federal CARES Act grant, which…
NEER heads to the Pacific (virtually) for $200K, climate change solutions accelerator
An intensive, 10-month application process is paying off for NEER, as the Kansas City water management startup says aloha to a Hawaii-based accelerator and a significant funding infusion. Joining the ninth cohort of Elemental Excelerator in Honolulu is a boon for NEER, having just completed the gener8tor program in Wisconsin, said Elango Thevar, founder and…