News Stories

Ben Rao, Bridge Space, Lee's Summit

Coworking space adds an unexpected pandemic pivot: video production for-hire

COVID-19 initially brought community to an immediate halt at Bridge Space, Ben Rao said, as a significant portion of the Lee’s Summit workforce traded their office desks for empty nooks at home during the pandemic. “That community was the invisible energy that runs through Bridge Space,” Rao said of the coworking space he opened in…

Jordan Williams and Julian Taylor, Veeper

No promo codes needed: How two Brits and their KC startup are adding instant discounts to your shopping cart

When restaurants and retailers shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many of their customer loyalty programs did too, leaving frequent shoppers empty handed, explained Jordan Williams.  “I had a $200 Southwest Airlines voucher and 6000-plus Chipotle restaurant points expire,” Williams said, detailing a pandemic-presented problem that finds its solution in his newly-launched startup: Veeper.  The platform…

Joni Wickham and Sly James, No Filter Media

Don’t call it a political podcast: Why positivity is the only filter on KCMO power duo’s new project

A former mayor and his chief of staff have more to talk about than just politics — even after eight years in Kansas City’s highest office, said Joni Wickham, describing the wider-ranging theme of her new podcast with Sly James. “People’s initial knee-jerk reaction may be to assume that this is a podcast all about politics…

John Kennebeck and Rodney Beagle, 3 Halves Brewing Co

Why one KC-area brewer is closed Super Bowl Sunday (but won’t be sitting on the sidelines)

Watching the Kansas City Chiefs defend their championship title Sunday will certainly look different than it did when the hometown team earned it in 2020, John Kennebeck said. And for local business owners, such a change presents yet another opportunity to call plays on pandemic pivots. COVID-19 has “exponentially” altered plans at 3 Halves Brewing…

"Pistol Pete" Peter Davis

Pistol Pete worked nearly every job at Arrowhead Stadium — now he’s putting ‘6 on the Board’

Kansas City Chiefs fans can add a brand new song to their hype-up playlist in preparation for Sunday’s Super Bowl. Hometown rapper Pistol Pete dropped his ode to the Chiefs — “6 on the Board” — with the intention of exhilarating fans for the big game, he shared. “I’m really hoping people get behind this,”…