Corporate Stories

Kisha Bausby, JE Dunn

Built to last, bought with intention: How JE Dunn set supplier diversity as a cornerstone

Editor’s note: The following story was sponsored by KC Rising, a regional initiative to help Kansas City grow faster and more intentionally, as part of a campaign to promote its CEO-to-CEO Challenge on supplier diversity.  Approaching supplier diversity for the long haul means defining the work — without limiting it, said Jason Banks, describing how Kansas City-based construction icon JE…

Philip Gaskin, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, speaking at the 2021 Small Business Celebration; photo courtesy of Rivas Photography/the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

Kauffman anchors $100M fund to boost minority-led ventures, access to capital

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News. A $100 million fund is expected to help close the wealth gap and better fund BIPOC-led ventures — thanks in part to Kansas City’s own Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.  Joining forces with Living Cities, the Kauffman Foundation has committed $10 million to…

Mitch Case, More Than A Meal, talks with Deb North, Yes! Athletics, during the Chamber's Small Business Showcase at Union Station

Three-way tie: Public vote mixes ‘Fan Favorite’ small business honors between meals and more

A trio of Kansas City small businesses is sharing the Honeywell Fan Favorite Award this week after wowing the public during the Chamber’s recent candidate showcase at Union Station. “The rules can be bent,” said Eric Wollerman, president of Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technologies, announcing the three-way tie in the lead-up to the Greater Kansas…

Kiffany Bosserman, owner of Cottontale and Cookies and Creamery, speaks with Shakia Webb, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, during the Chamber's Small Business Showcase at Union Station

Entrepreneurs pack Union Station as Chamber showcases diversity of KC’s small biz scene

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. A diverse cross-section of Kansas City small business owners filled the Grand Hall at Union Station with energy and enthusiasm Thursday, Vicky Kulikov said, noting a significant…

Imagine Downtown KC South Loop reimagination

KC’s own $160M ‘urban oasis’ park: Private funders greenlit to put a 5.5-acre lid over I-670

Private backers have put up critical funding needed to begin reimagining the South Loop Link — bringing the long-dreamed about project closer to reality than ever before.  Civic leaders from across the region gathered Friday to announce a verbal commitment from funders and local property owners — including Lowes’ Hotel & Co. — who will finance the engineering…