John Jared Hawks
reporting for Startland
Recent Articles by John Jared Hawks
Bath boon: Crumble molds new product line, adding Alchemy Bath Co into its aromatic recipe
Like freshly poured wax, the latest product from Crumble Co. founder Brandon Love has cured in Kansas City — scented this time with collaboration as the company melts into a merger with Alchemy Bath Co., he explained. “We came to them and were like, ‘Hey, can we order bath bombs from you?’ … We were…
Travois earns rare B-Corp status for longtime work to ‘fill the gaps’ caused by 200 years of broken promises to Indian Country
Obtaining one of the world’s top scores as a Certified B Corporation is just the beginning for Kansas City-cultivated Travois. “Part of why we are different is because [the product] we have and offer is really impactful,” Elizabeth Glynn, CEO, said in explanation of how Travois — a company that promotes housing and economic development…
Trust yourself and make your own everything: Hear the artist hustle of Amado Espinoza
Whether directing a contemporary indigenous stage performance, covering the Beatles classic Elanor Rigby with a pan flute and charango for TEDxKC or creating a diatonically-tuned bendy-straw, Amado Espinoza understands the importance of fully committing to a pursuit. “For me, being a professional musician means when you dedicate your entire life to music,” he said. A…
Take a seat: How do Bird’s new Cruisers fit into KCMO’s approach to disruptive innovation?
With a cushioned seat for two, the new Bird Cruiser’s potential arrival in Kansas City this summer would ride within KCMO’s approach to emerging technologies and disruptive business models. Featuring 20-inch wheels, the electric Cruisers travel uphill in areas like Kansas City’s downtown with ease, according to Bird, and are a new take on the…
nbkc launches Entrepreneur in Residence incubator: ‘I have a whole company behind me’
Less than a year after its inaugural Fountain City Fintech accelerator debuted, nbkc bank has launched a new incubator program designed to tackle common banking industry problems with start-up-style ideation, problem solving, and tenacity, said Megan Darnell. The goal: building new companies along the way, the nbkc program manager said. “Kansas City has every single…
Into the weeds: Your corner CBD store might’ve just lost its bank thanks to a slow-to-innovate industry
Banking as a mom-and-pop CBD shop can be treacherous, said Kyle Steppe. “Our first week in business, our bank shut us down and liquidated all of our assets,” said Steppe, who operates KC Hemp Co. with his wife, Heather. Their downtown Overland Park storefront is one of many independent, regional CBD sites suffering from the…
Nuts and bolts: Lenexa-forged Enduralock tech catches the eye of NASA, Shell
A Lenexa-based startup is gathering accolades faster than a SpaceX rocket’s methane-fueled full flow staged combustion cycle. “Investors definitely see something unique that is brewing here in Kansas City, so we are excited to represent the area,” said Diana Greenberg, COO and co-founder of Enduralock. Founded in 2014, Enduralock is one of 10 finalist tech…
Father turns grief over son’s loss into healthtech solution for speedier medical records transfers
Chris Jones’ quietly sunny disposition belies the hard knocks peppered throughout his past. Then again, the full-time consultant, masters candidate, and now startup founder sees all past experience as a catalyst for growth, he said. “Everything you’ve been through in life prepares you for this moment, now,” said Jones, founder of MatchRite Care. “So you…
Pride underfoot: Founder’s rainbow crosswalk movement met with resistance
KC PrideFest 2019 has come and gone, but one voice in Kansas City’s startup community is advocating for a year-around symbol of LGBTQ+ support. “I want something that’s going to be more permanent than a sticker on the streetcar,” said Brandon Love, referencing the recently unveiled KC streetcar that sports a wraparound rainbow design. “That’s…
Connecting for Good refurbishes The Surplus Exchange with merger championing digital inclusion
Two Kansas City nonprofits are melding their expertise into a spearhead against the digital divide. “This is just the beginning of what will be a long-term love affair between Connecting For Good, digital inclusion, environmental leadership, and the Greater Kansas City metro and regional area,” said Tom Esselman, CEO of Connecting for Good. The Kansas…