Woman-led Stories

LaRonda LaNear, We Got It Covered

We Got It Covered: LaRonda LaNear feeds her soul (and yours) in a world catered to men

LaRonda LaNear was tired of the working world’s status quo.  “I’ve always hated authority and it’s always been men in power, telling me what to do — and it never made sense,” she joked, shedding light on a real problem that robbed her of joy nearly every shift at every job she held.  “I took that…

Lisa Peña, Urban Hikes KC

Outside routine: KCK native’s Urban Hikes reveal unseen Kansas City hidden in plain sight

Traditional paths aren’t for Lisa Peña — and her latest business venture (or adventure) is proof, aiming to show Kansas Citians on both sides of the state line an unfiltered version of two cities they might think they already know.  “It really perpetuates getting to know your city more,” Peña, founder of Urban Hikes KC, said…

Mitzi Dulan, simplyFUEL protein balls

Play ball! Dietician brings protein-packed treats from her kitchen to the big leagues (and she has the World Series ring to prove it)

As simplyFUEL launches on the shelves of local Costco stores this week, the Kansas City-rolled brand of energy balls is offering customers more than a healthy option for snacking.  The woman-led company instead symbolizes a commitment to nutrition that helped fuel the Kansas City Royals through a historic World Series run and scored a health…

Christle Reed, author of "Hugs from the Sky"

Kids share burden of a sudden loss, children’s author says; New book explores healing as KC grapples with COVID deaths, violence

More than two decades after 11-year-old Christle Reed’s father died, she still vividly remembers the day of his funeral; what she was wearing; falling asleep on the way to the gravesite; how the cemetery smelled; and understanding that her life had forever changed, she shared. “We overlook kids sometimes. I think a lot of adults…

Brett Krug and Dominique Davison, PlanIT Impact

New CEO deepening PlanIT Impact’s mission to help design a carbon-neutral built environment

A startup veteran and architecture industry expert is now leading day-to-day operations for one of Kansas City’s Top Venture Capital-Backed firms, shaping the company’s expanded footprint under a new presidential administration as its founder shifts to a more focused role. Brett Krug, who began work today as CEO of the building analytics software platform PlanIT…