Woman-led Stories

Kansas City ESO icon Maria Meyers championed for bringing SourceLink to the world stage

A decades-long effort to grow inclusive entrepreneurial communities by strengthening access to critical resources began as a grassroots movement in Kansas City, said Maria Meyers, whose work recently earned her global recognition — and a rare honor in recent years for an American recipient. Meyers, the founder of SourceLink — a first-of-its-kind platform boasting more…

How this startup founder earned $200K in unrestricted, trust-based funding to transform KC’s relationship to food

Long-term community change comes one meal at a time, acknowledged one of Attane Health’s biggest supporters, reflecting on the Kansas City startup’s growth from the “spark of an idea to a full-fledged solution” — ultimately earning its founder a game-changing funding boost. The St. Louis-based Missouri Foundation for Health this month announced its inaugural Spark Prize…

Complex risks bring community kudos for creative entrepreneur honored by KC Chamber

Keisha Jordan didn’t know what saying “yes” to a job in Kansas City would unlock when she first relocated in 2020, she said, reflecting on a full-circle moment Tuesday after winning a top arts honor from the KC Chamber during its celebration of small business and entrepreneurs. “I trusted God, trusted the universe, and it’s…

Founder’s resolve earns KC mental health practice ‘Small Business of the Year’ title

Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Kansas City’s newest Small Business of the Year is on a years-long journey to create safe, inclusive spaces for its clients and team, the resilient entrepreneur behind…

Dozer debut: Indoor sandbox concept revives zero-screens play for JoCo children

A giant sandbox playroom in Johnson County evokes a simpler era, said Justin Finn, whose immersive entertainment concept for children opens Tuesday in Leawood. “No screens,” explained Finn. “I like to say it’s how we grew up as kids. Imagination, the wheels turning.” Dozer — launched this week as the first of multiple locations alongside co-founder…