Startups Stories
Masked by fashion: Rightfully Sewn’s latest launch moves needle toward inclusivity, sustainability
Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of stories about Kansas City fashion companies putting their own creative spin on the often-utilitarian face mask. Inspiration comes from everywhere, said Jennifer Lapka, unveiling her company’s launch of fashion masks, Dieynaba Dresses and hijabs/scarfs. “I love history and looking at historical fashion books about…
More than a virtual grocery store, Pantry Goods is keeping food (and soil) ‘alive’
Whole foods have never been so affordable, Marcelle Clements said, as Pantry Goods sews seeds of sustainability in Kansas City and consumers reap a harvest full of benefits. “I’ve always had one foot in this farming, sustainable world,” said Clements, founder of Pantry Goods, discussing her passion for the project — a virtual grocery store, stocked…
Better the next day: Halal street food thrives to-go with a simple recipe — optimism, good food and hungry neighbors
While countless local restaurants have struggled through pandemic-served challenges, business has been nothing short of amazing for Brookside Pakastani staple Chai Shai, said Aasma Tufail. “I cook simple food — and people love it so much. I am so blessed, business has been better than before,” said Tufail, who owns the restaurant alongside son, Kashif,…
A place to belong: Business model built to shatter intimidation lifted City Gym through COVID’s heaviest season yet
Ahead-of-the-curve thinking helped keep City Gym strong in the early days of COVID-19 when the weight of the pandemic dropped on people-focused industries. “We lost a fair amount of members — maybe they couldn’t financially afford it anymore, maybe they didn’t feel safe,” said Hailee Bland Walsh, founder and owner of City Gym in Waldo….
Timing ‘couldn’t be better’ for scaling Innara Health’s solution for preemies, CEO says
One of Kansas City’s most under the radar startups is scaling up amid COVID-19 — thanks in part to a share of $250 thousand in non-dilutive funding from a Los Angeles-based accelerator and FDA sponsored pediatric device consortia. “When COVID hit, one of the things I took from that was, ‘When you’re not selling, your process better…
