Why Betty Rae’s new owner traded a finance career for waffle cones; ice cream shop reopens Monday
Reopening Betty Rae’s Ice Cream could prove as risky for Alec Rodgers’ waistline as his wallet, the 23-year-old employee-turned-owner jokingly suggested — smiling as he looked across the River Market shop with a mix of nostalgia and youthful exuberance. His eyes lit up as he recalled the rich memory of discovering his own favorite flavor:…
Read MoreBack to Baltimore: Why Brandon Love is eager to show his hometown how KC transformed him — and his scented wax brand
Six years after moving to Kansas City to build his brand, Crumble Co., Brandon Love is changing directions — both in his business model and in his physical location, he said. “I miss my family,” Love shared, noting that he is moving home to Baltimore. “I think with COVID, I’ve realized the importance of connection.…
Read MoreOutside 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…
Read MoreWant the next $425M exit? Be ‘ruthless’ with your time (and cap table), BacklotCars co-founder says
In the years leading up to BacklotCars’ historic exit, Justin Davis steered clear of the startup social scene — detouring instead into deep collaboration with capital and automotive industry partners, he said. “As a startup, getting connected is great, but you have to be ruthless in your execution,” the BacklotCars co-founder told ACG Kansas City’s…
Read MoreHow one law firm’s effort to offer free legal counsel to minority-led enterprises began with passion in KC
Editor’s note: The following is the first in a two-part series looking at an initiative at one of the city’s largest law firms to provide pro bono legal representation to minority businesses. This piece, sponsored by Husch Blackwell, provides first-person narrative on how the initiative started. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s…
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