Startups Stories
Bippity, boppity boon for Disney pin collectors: Family uses tech expertise to build trinket trading platform
What might look like nothing more than tiny pieces of artwork pinned on a lanyard or to a jacket has become an unexpected livelihood for Jenn Nickols and her Kansas City-raised family of Disney fanatics. “We went to Disneyland and we discovered pin trading in the parks,” Nickols said of the unique hobby. Over the…
Rooted in growth: WallyGro launches à la carte plants after its ‘year of new products’
Fulfilling a long-awaited request from customers, WallyGro — a Kansas City company known for its innovative hanging planters — announced Friday it launched its first line of à la carte plants, said Callie England. “This past year the demand was: Could you supply us with more? Customers already trusted [WallyGro] because of our planters, so…
Expanded Techstars role means more eyes on KC, Lesa Mitchell says; accelerator returns in June
Lesa Mitchell’s promotion within Techstars — a Boulder, Colorado-based accelerator network with global reach — is a value-add for Kansas City, she said Monday. The outgoing managing director of Techstars’ local program also teased the popular accelerator’s summer return. “My new role simply means we have more Techstars staff in KC,” said Mitchell, Techstars’ newly announced…
Plaza plus Prairiefire: How a conversation over coffee tripled Messenger’s expansion plans
A new, slow-roasted Johnson County location for Messenger Coffee Co. is expected to anchor the Kansas City brand south of I-435 with sprawling windows, copious light, leafy plants, open baking and the familiar wafting scents of coffee and pastries. But for those whose thirst for the roaster’s expansion can’t wait until the new store’s spring…
KC Cajun chef brings plans for east side restaurant to a boil with help of $22K grant
Opening a restaurant doesn’t happen overnight; it takes planning, hours of hard work, a good team, and solid funding, said Esra England — the head chef and founder of KC Cajun. “I knew opening a restaurant was a strategic move, and everything needed to be calculated,” explained England, who increased his business’ sales by 500…
