News Stories
Rescuing a dream: Why Lizz Whitacre sees a future for shelter pets in Pawlytics
Lizz Whitacre grew up allergic to pets; the Midwest founder wasn’t even allowed to have dogs or cats as a child. But that didn’t stop her from fostering a deep-seated need to save them all; her Nebraska-built startup is now wagging momentum in Kansas City to help mom-and-pop boutique animal shelters streamline operations to boost…
Hawaiian Bros adds C-suite storyteller to shape how the brand scales its island-inspired restaurant concept
As Hawaiian Bros expands into new regions and scales its franchising program, the pineapple-topped, Kansas City-built brand is adding a scoop of marketing expertise to its executive leadership menu. Shannon Scott, who spent more than a decade as a marketing executive at Applebee’s before helping to lead the American Academy of Family Physicians, has been…
Serve good karma, get good karma: How Brian Roberts is keeping coffee shop’s flavor in Year 2
After a caffeinated burst of early word-of-mouth support, Brian Roberts’ new coffee and wine space near Tower East got a months-long jolt of good karma, he said — but as its newness cooled on the counter, the fledgling business began to lose its grip on thirsty customers. “It was really tough, getting people to realize…
‘Feel through it’: Danny Soriano mixes Renaissance mindset with genre-hopping setlist
Music provides more than a safe place to escape, said Kansas City-based artist and entrepreneur Danny Soriano; it’s simultaneously the space between people, and a connection that can tie them together. “It’s really important for my music to spark conversations — or create an atmosphere where people feel safe enough at my concerts to start…
Techstars returning to KC for one-night-only meetup; teasing what’s next for the global accelerator
It’s easy to take for granted just how far the Kansas City entrepreneurial ecosystem has come, John Fein shared. Kansas City-based Firebrand Ventures is teaming up with the global startup accelerator Techstars for a Community Meetup 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Grand Cafe on the Plaza. The event is free but space…
