Latest Stories
‘Big Flour’ can’t recreate this stone-milled secret ingredient: the Kansas-grown artisan wheat in your favorite KC bakeries
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. NEW CAMBRIA, Kansas — Artisan flour sourced from a network of Kansas growers not only takes any batch of baking up a notch, said Ben Mantooth; it makes a better…
How a humble DIY upbringing sparked this streetwear designer’s minimalist aesthetic
Flaws are part of nature, says Clark Rooseveltte: Go forth and be creative (not normal) Clark Rooseveltte — already known across Kansas City as the man behind the mic (and the mixtape) — is inviting others into his world of creative living through Clvr World Goods and Supply, a lifestyle brand focused on streetwear and…
Matt Baysinger: Choir Bar revival is just one note in Swell Spark’s chorus of experiences planned for 2025
Developments from within Kansas City-based entertainment group Swell Spark are coming in a round this winter, said Matt Baysinger, starting with the crescendoing return of its Choir Bar group singalong experience after a five-year hiatus. “We want to create places where people can come together, relax, and try something a little different,” said Baysinger, whose…
Early success gave this young entrepreneur the credibility to bridge community, business gaps
At 21, Jonathan Pitallo is already an entrepreneur, real estate agent, and investor, he shared, but community engagement might be his biggest passion, he said. The Kansas City, Kansas, resident and Belton native founded Vive Promo and Print, is an agent at EXP Realty, and owns three properties, but he’s also an ambassador for the…
KC inventor rolls elevated litter box to market (and cats already are making the leap)
Amy Leiker can take criticism and feedback, the Lenexa-based LoftyLoo creator said, noting she couldn’t have survived a career in corporate marketing and health care without it. So when it comes to her elevated litter box invention, she’s quick to jump to its defense, but open to making the product even more user (and cat)…
I am Iron Man: Overland Park startup’s AI mouse brings voice-activated tech to your fingertips
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tony Stark talks to an artificial intelligence program within his Iron Man suit to get immediate access to information — as if he’s having a conversation with AI. Although Stark is a fictional character imbued with vast powers via such tech, Jerry Hsu said, users don’t have to be a…
Chef Dwight Tiller wants to disrupt the macaroni market; up first: he has the Muncheez
A new concept from a popular food truck-turned-food hall chef is more than just a cheesy transition between menus, Dwight Tiller said, it’s an evolution of his journey to bring higher quality and innovation to a culinary category often coated with forgettable flavors. Muncheez — a bold pivot from Tiller’s signature nachos to Kansas City’s mac-and-cheese…
Strang closes doors to Plaza food hall concept, citing slow foot traffic to its diverse, chef-driven menus
Despite a bustling holiday shopping season on the Country Club Plaza, a food hall in the iconic Kansas City shopping district failed to gain a foothold, said CEO Shawn Craft, announcing the closure of another Strang Hall location less than a month after shuttering its downtown space. Leaders behind Strang Chef Collective on the Plaza…
Well Played, KC: How an overseas Chiefs game inspired designs that brought Lindsey Hall off the bench
Her apparel brand’s timeless style echoes Ralph Lauren’s aesthetic, with a KC twist Kansas City’s fashion scene has gained a new player in Well Played KC, a lifestyle brand blending classic Americana style with local pride. Founded by Lindsey Hall, the business is gaining momentum with versatile, throwback-that-doesn’t-feel-dated apparel that resonates with on-the-go Kansas Citians. …
This top maker got his start with a social push; but the real influencers behind the Craft E brand: his wife and family
Enrique Hernandez, the creative force behind Craft E. Embroidery, proved that dedication and creativity can transform a hobby into a thriving business — earning him the title of Made in KC’s top maker for 2024. “It hasn’t really settled in yet,” Hernandez said about winning the award in mid-December. “But it feels good.” ICYMI: Made…
