Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Reporter, Startland News
Nikki brings to Startland News both community journalism and entrepreneurship experience and she loves being able to tell the inspiring stories of fellow creatives and risk-takers.
Before joining Startland News, she worked for over 10 years writing and editing for daily newspapers in Lawrence, Topeka, Duluth, Minnesota, and Park Hills, Missouri. She took a short hiatus from journalism to pursue her dream of becoming a pastry chef and starting her own baking business.
Recent Articles by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
R/Farm Distilling Co. goes against the grain to create opportunity in rural MO
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. The Rosier family has farmed on the same land…
The village is real; it’s me; it’s you: Family of support at the heart of successful women entrepreneurs
Wendy Doyle’s mother — herself an entrepreneur — instilled in her daughter a belief that women have a responsibility to boost their sisters in the world of business, the United WE leader said. “I watched her support other women owned businesses, women in need, and encourage women to run for elected office and even help…
Taste tested: This entrepreneur’s proven pairing puts KC red wine chocolate on the map
Wine and chocolate: a classic pairing that compelled chemist-turned-entrepreneur Shawn Hall to concoct what he believes is the perfect combination of two beloved tastes. Cocoavino — his velvety blend of Belgian dark chocolate and a complex red wine reduction that first debuted on the market in 2021 — recently skied to the national stage at…
How Kelly Clarkson’s well-timed Father’s Day gift boosted a KC entrepreneur’s nonprofit
Life’s recent whirlwind initially shocked James Hogue — the newly-minted “rad dad” who earned a shoutout (and a couple thousand dollars) on the Father’s Day edition of Kelly Clarkson’s hit daytime talk show. “My first thought was, ‘Is this really happening?’” the Kansas City dad and certified doula said. The founder of Fathers Assisting Mothers…
Wild Way closing: Coffee camper drips bittersweet blend of emotions as owner’s cup runs dry
Nearly six years after she began serving lattes in her popular Wild Way coffee camper, Christine Clutton is saying goodbye to the business at the end of the month, she confirmed. Wild Way Coffee — featured on the Peacock series “The Simple Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” and approved by KC-raised actor Jason Sudeikis —…
Juneteenth efforts confront ‘complex history’, generational trauma in KC communities
Celebrating Juneteenth in Prairie Village — a community that historically excluded people of color — is a sign of progress, said Dr. George Williams. Stand Up For Black Lives+ Prairie Village and the Johnson County NAACP recently organized a weekend Juneteenth event — the groups’ fourth annual commemoration of June 19, 1865, the day the…
Smokeware ceramicist wins Chamber’s new arts award: A breath of fresh air for once-waylaid artist
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Riley Brain strikes a delicate balance between artist and entrepreneur, the founder said Thursday after being named the KC Chamber’s first winner of the Luminary Art and…
Museums shouldn’t feel like artifacts, KC firm says; Here’s how Multistudio uses analog experiences to build buzz
Multistudio doesn’t exclusively design museums, but the Westport-based architecture firm — along with Kansas City itself — certainly is having a museum moment, shared Robert Riccardi. The firm’s local portfolio includes a growing number of new-era museums, including The Rabbit Hole, the Laugh-O-gram animation studio, and the Satchel Paige House. They’re not your traditional museums…
‘A piece of something bigger’: Makers help raise fabric of community with Union Station quilt project
A trio of Kansas City maker businesses wove together their talents this spring in support of a new, local health initiative — culminating in a towering expression of hope and healing at Union Station. Ampersand Design Studio, Tia Curtis Quilts, and Collective EX spent the past three weeks designing, fabricating, and displaying a colorful quilt…
Crack open ice cold nostalgia for summer; this flea market is selling a vintage party experience
A monthly pop-up flea market in the Crossroads Arts District taps into nostalgia — and a thirst for unexpected but inclusive finds, said Alex Uritis. “It’s one of my favorite things to do with my best friends,” explained the Goldie’s Flea Market founder. “You go, you get a giant, ice cold beer and you walk…