Woman-led Stories
No time for risks or red flags: Why this fund backs ‘unbankable’ businesses in WYCO’s investment desert
This story is possible thanks to Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV), a business unit of NetWork Kansas supporting innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in the State of Kansas. A partnership between NetWork Kansas and the Wyandotte Economic Development Council is providing minority entrepreneurs in Wyandotte County with loans and technical assistance to get their business ideas off the ground….
Small businesses tackle NFL Draft opportunities with league coaching from the sidelines
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. The NFL’s business connect program aims to feature diverse, local businesses for major events. Next week’s NFL Draft is expected to…
Kin crafts flavor into hard seltzer market, targeting overlooked Black consumers looking for authentic social experiences
The founding trio of a new hard seltzer crafted in Kansas City hopes the drink will add much-needed inclusivity to the craft seltzer space. Kin Seltzer is a collaboration between Joshua Lewis and Kearra Johnson of UpDown Nightlife, and Eric Martens of Border Brewing Company. Currently, leading seltzer brands target their marketing predominantly to white…
KC mom’s goal for her daughters’ brewing coffee business: Making history, served Blakk
Germaneke Drone is steeping her daughters’ entrepreneurial vision with her own lived experience to turn the kids’ idea into the Kansas City-based, dairy-free mobile coffee cafe of their dreams, the Blakk Brew founder said. Growing up with a Vietnamese grandmother, Kai, 8, and Keanu, 6, were introduced to coffee and tea culture at an early…
Top 10 unfurled after banner year: KC Chamber narrows contenders for ‘Small Business of the Year’
A half-dozen fresh-faced ventures — plus a few high-profile returning businesses — round out the Top 10 finalists for the KC Chamber’s 2023 Small Business of the Year award, announced publicly Friday during a social media rollout. “Small businesses drive KC’s economy, and we couldn’t be more excited for this year’s Top 10, and the…
