Guest Authors Stories
Determined optimism: How small and mid-sized businesses are growing in 2026
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Kimberly Burris is a business banking senior relationship manager for Bank of America Kansas City. The 2025 Business Owner Report confirmed what we see every day from entrepreneurs across our communities: cautious yet determined optimism. Nearly three in four business owners expect revenue…
President Trump’s new AI executive order: What business leaders should know (and do next)
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Sam Mitchell is a partner at the Chicago office of Husch Blackwell, a leading law firm that provides unparalleled service and industry-specific solutions to clients nationwide. This article was originally published and distributed by Husch Blackwell, a partner of Startland News. On December…
10 years of local goods (and showing love on our made-in-KC sleeves)
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Keith Bradley is co-owner of Made in KC, a brick-and-mortar and online retailer of locally made goods with neighborhood, marketplace and cafe locations downtown, on the Country Club Plaza, in Lee’s Summit, Lenexa, and across the metro. “We do not love Kansas City because it…
EDCKC touts leaders building Kansas City’s workforce of tomorrow
Across the country, cities are competing not only for jobs, but for people. In Kansas City, the future of economic growth depends on how well we prepare our residents to thrive in a rapidly evolving labor market. Workforce development isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the engine behind community resilience, economic mobility, and shared prosperity. At the center of…
Five lessons from investing $5 million into 50 startups in five years
Seems just like yesterday I was returning to my home state to lead NMotion powered by gener8tor. But in reality it was five years ago. I know that because two years ago I wrote a reflection on my first three years back. For those not mathematically inclined: 2+3=5. In that time span, we have invested…