Latest Stories
One of KC’s top small businesses markets explosive growth into new key investor: former Mobank CEO
On the heels of Crux KC doubling its square footage in January and growing its headcount 118 percent since June 2020, the marketing firm — one of the KC Chamber’s Top 10 Small Businesses — announced a significant investment this week by Grant Burcham, former Mobank CEO. “I’ve long valued Grant’s business acumen and insight as…
How restaurant fatigue, staffing shortages pushed one KC chef to reinvent ‘to-go’ as high-end eats at home
An ongoing health crisis forced many people to rethink aspects of their lives in 2020, said Bryan Sparks, but for members of the hospitality industry specifically, the sustained pressure of a lingering pandemic and its leftovers prompt even greater self-reflection. For the experienced Kansas City chef, that meant leaving his restaurant home this spring for…
KC grassroots effort taps $225K funding pipeline to expand DEI education for KC students, corporate training
A year after Black Lives Matter demonstrations opened minds across the nation, Jamie Grayson sees progress in Kansas City, the home of his own movement, designed to disrupt division by celebrating commonalities. Newly announced this week: three sizable grants for Grayson’s People of All Colors Succeed (POAC), a nonprofit organization committed to breaking systemic cycles of bullying and…
Explain it like I’m 5: Bellwethr hits best month of growth to date after simplifying lingo
Editor’s note: The following story is sponsored by Academy Bank, a Kansas City based community bank, and is part of a series of features spotlighting some of the bank’s startup and small business partners. The golden key to success is communication, said Matt Moody, but it can also be the biggest challenge. “Bellwethr’s software has been…
‘Give Black’ campaign hits nearly $100K in donations for Black-run businesses, orgs
Editor’s note: Give Black and Kansas City GIFT are non-financial partners of Startland, the parent organization of Startland News. This story was produced independently by Startland News’ non-profit newsroom. A campaign to boost eight Black-owned businesses and organizations in Kansas City during the week of Juneteenth surpassed its goal this month, but the work is…
Ford opens door to July 29 pitch competition, $50K in prizes for women entrepreneurs
The Ford Motor Company Fund is bringing a new pitch competition — and $50,000 in prizes — to Kansas City this summer as part of its effort to boost women social entrepreneurs. Announced during the final moments of last week’s HI-HERImpact virtual entrepreneurship summit for Kansas City, the planned July 29 competition is part of a national…
First foot forward: LA dreamer returns to KC to launch shoe brand with one-of-a-kind pop-up
Sky Jackson walked through Motion House Studios in the West Bottoms wearing a shirt and pants he had sewn together himself, as well as a pair of Scoops — Jackson’s premier footwear line inspired by the light-heartedness and joy of ice cream. “I have been wanting to make a shoe brand since I was a…
Why Blue Springs, KC are so hungry for Whataburger: You have the brand; We have the people
When Whataburger arrives later this year in Kansas City, the popular Texas-based restaurant chain is expected to bring more than its spicy ketchup and an iconic burger that takes two hands to hold. Company and city officials on Thursday emphasized a local hunger for both the 70-year-old brand and the 700 jobs it plans to…
How Shop Local KC’s new Main Street storefront crafts opportunity for makers, Midtown
Main Street isn’t just a bridge connecting the Country Club Plaza to downtown Kansas City, Katie Mabry van Dieren said, detailing how she hopes her new retail gift and flower shop in Midtown will shatter stereotypes — along with showcasing makers. “Midtown has really been divested,” Mabry van Dieren said Wednesday afternoon from the Shop Local…
‘What we’re doing matters’: On-demand marketing startup honored as top ‘emerging’ KC business
A never-give-up attitude and an appreciation for every opportunity that comes their way continues to fuel the founding duo behind Kansas City-built The Market Base. “We’re just glad to be recognized for our relentless pursuit,” Milad Ghasempour, co-founder and COO, said moments after the startup was named Emerging Business Award winner by the Greater Kansas…
