Minority-Led Stories
Thai Orchid expansion blossoms; new restaurant coming to emerging foodie destination
It’s time to bring Thai Orchid’s homecooking, well … home, said second-generation owner Jonathan Rojjanasrirat, teasing the October opening of a new Shawnee location for his family-owned, street food-inspired restaurant in a thriving entertainment district. “We live in Shawnee. We’ve always loved the energy in the downtown area. With so many great spots, it’s become…
Keystone Angels takes wing with emerging leader; next up: saving startups from the valley of death
A familiar face in Kansas City’s business ecosystem is stepping into a leadership role aimed at tackling one of the biggest challenges facing local startup founders: access to early-stage funding. In February, Regina Sosa Valdovinos launched into a newly-developed director position at Keystone Angels, an angel investment network focused on connecting founders with investors across…
Five-alarm to market: Vegan ice cream maker proves her treats can take the heat of competition
Fresh off a 24-hour shift at the fire station, Zoe Mays — founder of Scream Queens — rode a wave of adrenaline to victory at last week’s Food Biz Con pitch competition. Mays — a poet-turned-firefighter/paramedic-turned-entrepreneur — took home $5,000 for her vegan ice cream pop-up business, which she founded in 2024 after her girlfriend…
World Cup prep is writing KC’s history today, leaders say; here’s what they hope will be remembered after the games
Twelve years later, Graham Zusi still gets choked up talking about the emotions he felt after the U.S. soccer team triumphed over Ghana in the FIFA World Cup, and he saw scenes of hometown fans celebrating in the Power and Light District in downtown Kansas City. “For Matt Besler and I — two Kansas City…
Collaboration destination: Showcase reveals who’s arrived (and who’s getting on board), small biz owners say
Call it a rehearsal for World Cup, said Vicky Kulikov, drawing parallels between Wednesday’s small business showcase at Union Station and the opportunities ahead for Kansas City entrepreneurs hoping to shine a spotlight on their companies when international soccer fans arrive this summer. Timing for this year’s KC Chamber Candidates Showcase — a key starting…
