Woman-led Stories

Kansas State University, Manhattan

Spark MHK hopes to ignite innovation in an ecosystem often dominated by students, soldiers

MANHATTAN — An entrepreneur’s potential is anything but bite size in the Little Apple, Sarah Siders said.  “I’m really excited to be able to do this,” Siders, executive director of Spark MHK, said in announcement of the recent launch of the Manhattan-based entrepreneurial support organization — which aims to ignite activity within the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem…

Vegan chili dog at Dead Beet Eats

Dead Beet Eats: Life is hard enough — feed your soul with a big, beautiful chili dog

COVID hasn’t handed Katherine Willis many lemons, she said, but the vegan chef behind Dead Beet Eats has been given plenty of tomatoes in 2020 — and an opportunity to turn salsa into ketchup. “It’s been a really hard year and I like to think that what we’re doing is really lighthearted and it’s really…

KC Can Compost

KC Can Compost: Let’s make a natural process natural again — prioritizing people, the soil

It might be cool now, but Kansas Citians should expect warmer days ahead, said Kristin Chamberlain, highlighting ways the environment is changing rapidly and offering a simple solution that could help curb its effects — while also transforming lives. “There’s ample opportunity to compost,” said Chamberlain, executive director of KC Can Compost — the social enterprise…

Anita Koul, Kufukaa

Masked by fashion: COVID pivot pushes brand to local production, beyond mere ‘talk’ on social media

Editor’s note: The following is the second in a series of stories about Kansas City fashion companies putting their own creative spin on the often-utilitarian face mask. Blessings are all around, Anita Koul said, sifting through memories of a year that’s been so far defined by wild hardships and tragic losses.  “We have to take…

Dieynaba Diop modeling the Dieynaba Dress for Rightfully Sewn

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…