Black & Veatch investing $50K in CAPS network, hoping to unite corporate champions amid lagging labor market

One of the earliest supporters of the Center for the Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) is stepping up again to set the tone for foundational corporate backing as the Johnson County-spun experiential learning effort scales across North America. CAPS announced Monday a $50,000 investment from Black & Veatch to further long-term employment solutions for the engineering…

‘Cyderes’ emerges from Fishtech, Herjavec merger; new cybersecurity powerhouse aims to reshape market

Editor’s note: Cyderes is a financial partner of Startland News, supporting Community Builders to Watch and Startland News Live. Security stakes are at an all-time high, said Robert Herjavec, star of ABC’s “Shark Tank” and CEO of the newly announced Cyderes — a rebranded cybersecurity leader with its sights set no lower than becoming the new…

Matt Brammlette, Mid Coast Modern, Bear Soap Co.

Business is a bear: Why Soap Bar closed its storefront to keep inventory flowing to Made in KC, refreshed retail spot

The shelving of Soap Bar in Westport wasn’t the end of a chapter — just a focused business shift, said Matt Bramlette, the Midtown maker behind Toilet Bombs and a variety of self-care products.  “We took the look and feel of Soap Bar and merged it with Mid Coast Modern. It was a total refresh,”…

The Next Paige Agency

Alchemy Sandbox awards 5 more grants: Lean into failure to make your business ‘worthy to win’

Success isn’t always immediate, Elaina Paige Thomas said, grateful for lessons learned through trial and error, as well as a firm belief that persistence pays off.  “What I originally thought my business needed was not seen as a necessity to my panel of judges,” said Thomas, founder of The Next Paige Agency, recalling an experience…

Benay Shannon, Restless Spirits Distilling Company

‘HERstory’ roundtable distills women entrepreneur’s restless spirits into June 4 celebration

When women are at the helm, there’s herstory to be made. A new Kansas City-based conference hopes to showcase it.  “The Sewing Labs proudly presents, Make’n HERstory, a celebration of women who use their creative muse to make a living and a life,” the nonprofit organization said, teasing its Saturday, June 4 conference experience.  The…