Woman-led Stories
Fund Me, KC: She’s served a community need; now LaRonda LaNear needs help filling her kitchen
Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses or lend a helping hand to others. This is an opportunity for business owners and innovators — like LaRonda LaNear’s effort to launch a brick and mortar space for We Got It Covered Food Services — to…
New edition of a classic story: Made in KC founders lead ownership group buying Rainy Day Books; How they plan to expand its legacy with next chapter
When the owners of Kansas City-bound Rainy Day Books announced they were selling their popular bookstore in May, they looked for two qualities in its new owners: a commitment to uphold the customer experience and determination to grow the business, said Geoffrey Jennings. “It has been a six-month process to find people who could understand…
Marsha Willis joins Facebook accelerator to boost 30K-strong community of Black-owned businesses, supporters
Marsha Willis’ decade-long journey of supporting Kansas City-based, Black-owned businesses is headed to the next level — thanks to a funding infusion from Facebook and Willis’ own focused commitment to providing elevated experiences to the online community she’s built. “Our focus is to create a centralized place where we can share resources and education for…
10 finalists vying for ‘Fan Favorite’ in AltCap Your Biz competition; Here’s how to vote
AltCap’s marquee GEWKC competition for emerging entrepreneurs is returning in November, but fans of the businesses can cast votes now to determine a $2,500 “fan favorite” winner at the coming pitch event. Ten finalists for the AltCap Your Biz competition were announced this week. The live pitch day is set for Nov. 17 at iWerx…
Miss KC’s Parade of Hearts? You’re in luck: Popular citywide art returning in 2023, 2024
Kansas City’s “Parade of Hearts” is set to return in 2023 — and 2024 — after the wildly popular, city-spanning art installation, regional pride campaign and fundraiser placed more than 150 unique artist-created hearts throughout the metro. The publicly displayed art pieces quickly became destination points across the city with Kansas Citians and visitors embarking…
