Minority-Led Stories

City’s KC BizCare experiment proves itself as a model to replicate, says new small biz official 

Editor’s note: KC BizCare is a financial supporter of Startland News. This story was produced through a paid partnership. Amanda Wheeler’s background in biology provides new insight and expertise within Kansas City’s growing small business culture, the KC BizCare official said — a community give-back hypothesis supported by Wheeler watching women in her family do…

Cherry enters the endorsement game, scoring NIL deals that also boost female college athletes

Partnering with college athletes is a natural elevation of sports apparel company Cherry Co., said Thalia Cherry. The KC-based brand signed agreements with 18 athletes for NIL (name, image, likeness) endorsement deals, shared Cherry, founder and CEO. “It’s a perfect alignment,” she continued. “We were already working with professional athletes in some capacity. So when…

Savvy duo builds their brand on embracing natural hair; Here’s how the salon chain is creating healthy space for stylists, clients alike

Savvy Salon KC — one of Kansas City’s only Black-owned salon chains — is all about creating a better experience for both the customer and the stylists, said founders Rickey and Lenora Leathers. The salon — which specializes in curly- and coily-textured hair and creating sustainable career opportunities for women of color — opened its…

Starting a business? ‘Never-give-up attitude’ matters more than you think, says Porter House co-founder

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. While there are lots of important skills and knowledge to have when starting a…