Latest Stories
Plexpod Westport closing Feb. 29; offices to remain but under new management, branding
The spacious classrooms-turned-offices retrofitted for large startup teams at a site once billed as the world’s largest coworking space never regained their pre-pandemic demand, said Gerald Smith, confirming the sudden closing of a Plexpod location that for years epitomized Kansas City innovation culture. “We so wanted Plexpod Westport to be the center of the universe…
NMotion invests $100K in AI storytelling startup’s next chapter; KC founder flexes momentum
A $100,000 investment by a leading regional accelerator is expected to expand the capabilities and reach of a Kansas City AI storytelling startup — establishing Overland Park-based Storytailor as a well-known brand for children worldwide, founder JQ Sirls said. The NMotion Accelerator on Wednesday announced six new companies selected for its cohort, which is powered…
Kansas City lands new HQ for Eastern Airlines; company invests $4.7M in site near airport
A cargo/charter airline’s move to consolidate its operations into a new Kansas City headquarters is expected to create 165 full-time jobs, company officials said Wednesday, announcing another win for the region connected to its investment in a new airport terminal. “Kansas City and its airport have a great legacy in our industry,” said Stephen Buscher,…
KC Chamber adds honor for artists, creatives to its awards lineup; emphasizing arts’ impact on economy, culture
A new award planned for the KC Chamber’s Small Business Celebration in June is expected to honor an entrepreneur who has put their artistic talent to work as a small business, said Vicky Kulikov. The first-time Luminary Arts and Creative Small Business Award is set to be announced alongside four other high-profile specialty small business…
Launching a business? Balance your passion with relentless planning, wealth advisor urges
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Patrick Cohen is senior vice president, financial advisor with The Ferguson Smith Cohen Group at Morgan Stanley in Kansas City. The day is here. You have decided to start a company and it is time to put in the work to initiate lift-off….
$60M investment for Urban Outfitters’ clothing rental sister brand expected to create 750 KC jobs
RAYMORE, Missouri — The opening of a 600,000-square-foot fulfillment center for Nuuly, a women’s clothing rental brand, is an exciting moment for the region, said Chris Gutierrez, buoyed by company officials’ plans to create 750 new jobs over the next five years. A press conference Tuesday celebrated the second local facility for URBN, which in…
KC gets its first pro pickleball team; Why a staunch tennis purist put down his racket for a paddle
Pickleball has given former professional tennis player Daryl Wyatt a new lease on life, he shared, and now he’s hoping to ace Kansas City’s serve into next-level pickleball. The Kansas City Stingers — one of six U.S. expansion teams — is joining the National Pickleball League in 2024, under the ownership group of partners Julie…
Free office space at nbkc bank awaits one Kansas City area small business
Editor’s note: The following is sponsored by nbkc bank, which has locations in Leawood and Overland Kark in Kansas, and Liberty and Kansas City in Missouri. Many small businesses struggle to find ample attractive office space at a low cost. Thanks to nbkc bank, one business will secure such space at the best rate possible…
KC gun violence ‘hurts all of us,’ shop owner along Chiefs parade route says
A shooting at the end of the Chiefs’ victory rally at Union Station brought a rolling celebration of citywide pride to an abrupt stop, said Kinley Strickland, taking fans and business owners from an all-time high to a low with which many are all-too familiar. “It’s just tragic that someone would take an opportunity where…
Chicken N Pickle serves a no-tech, backyard vibe; Here’s why it’s paying off with Texas, national expansion
North Kansas City-founded Chicken N Pickle now has 10 locations — with six more in the works — but the award-winning entertainment destination remains committed to fostering human connection through simple spaces where everyone can play, said Kelli Alldredge. And disconnect. “We don’t have computers on the property. You don’t order from an iPad,” said…
