Paul Cannon
reporting for Startland
Recent Articles by Paul Cannon
Faith and Freedom Hoops: Startup founder bringing Big 12 alternative to Hy-Vee Arena
As bright LED lights flickered on Mitch Case, he looked up at the empty seats in a quiet Hy-Vee arena. “We have reached out to over 60 kids this year,” Case, a sales engineer at Midwest Machinery and co-founder of Mommy Meals, said of preparations for the KC Hoops Shootout — a first run fundraiser…
Opening pitch: Sandlot Goods’ new workshop puts fresh spin on its best-selling wallet
As Sandlot Goods moves deeper into a new workspace off Southwest Boulevard, the six-year-old premier maker is stitching an aesthetic that holds true to its classic appeal but ventures away from hometown branding. “In the last year, we have been dialing back the overly Kansas City feel,” said Chad Hickman, owner of Sandlot Goods. “We…
ShareWaves harnesses 810 WHB sports radio to aid nonprofits, boost youth athletics in KC
When young people quit sports, it’s the beginning of a downward spiral with effects that ripple throughout lifetimes, said William Brandmeyer. The trend is avoidable, the leader of the ShareWaves Foundation said. “Young people are dropping out of sports before high school because there’s too much pressure. They aren’t having fun anymore,” said Brandmeyer, vice…
Emoji My City launches its hometown emoji keyboard with winks to iconic Kansas City
Kansas City scenes from the Kauffman Center to 18th and Vine. Winks to local trends and celebrities. A playful push puts whimsical KC in the mobile devices of hometown fans and visitors alike. And it comes courtesy of the team that helped rebrand Kansas City’s now-iconic logo in 2013. In the age of digital marketing,…
Play It Forward reunites South Kansas City-inspired brands, startup leaders
A bright and sunny pre-autumn day silhouetted the shadows of basketball fans lining up last weekend to enter Smith-Hale Middle School. As the smells from a food truck and sounds of laughter filled the parking lot, players inside readied themselves for a South Kansas City showcase. “We wanted to involve many entities that are directly…
Custom retro arcade gaming consoles take Hammerspace workshop down memory lane
When Hammerspace Community Workshop moved into its space off Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard in 2017, a small gaming console served as a showpiece for a room designed for creative and crafty children. Mimicking the look of a classic Nintendo GameBoy-turned-arcade game, the apparatus allowed kids — and adults alike — to play retro titles in an environment…
Bunker Labs KC returns to deploy connections to veterans transitioning to entrepreneurship
Military members typically make incredible connections with comrades abroad, but when they return to the U.S. as veterans they often struggle to establish a worthwhile network, said Joe Crane. That sense of isolation can inhibit would-be entrepreneurs from breaking into the startup world. “It’s tough for veterans to connect,” said Crane, Bunker Labs’ city leader…
Mid Coast Modern founder joins Westport bar scene with sudsy, eco-friendly concept
Matt Bramlette bathes in the wordplay of it all. His new venture in Kansas City’s quirky Westport entertainment district — known for its shops, restaurants and bars — floats a clean business prop: bars of soap with a low carbon footprint. Hence, “Soap Bar.” Just a few feet away from his popular retail storefront Mid…
Spray can inspiration: ‘Streets wear the brand’ for graffiti-influenced Clever Fools
It’s a brand already plastered across the Crossroads Arts District, skating with increasing reach into the broader Kansas City fashion scene, Clever Fools creator Alex Trinkle said. All courtesy of guerrilla marketing and effectively mysterious social media for the clothing line. “The streets actually wear the brand,” said Trinkle, echoing the brand’s motto. “As in…
Startup Hustle podcast breaks into Apple’s Top 100 with robust guest list of startup icons
The on-air formula is as simple as the Startup Hustle podcast’s name: Match innovative personalities with compelling startup topics, said Matt DeCoursey, as the guest list count for the popular podcast now soars past 150. “The people we have had on the show — like Sandy Kemper — people like him are really intriguing,” said…