Latest Stories
Their engineering firm built a legacy in KC; why these KC Chamber winners are rebranding
A streamlined brand identity for one of the Midwest’s most influential engineering firms positions “T&B” as one of the secret weapons behind the evolution of Kansas City, the company announced, just moments after earning a top small business award from the KC Chamber. Taliaferro & Browne — the first minority-owned engineering firm to receive a…
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…
Prayer-built coffee shop brews holistic healing with fuel from Grandview father’s faith
GRANDVIEW, Mo. — Nate Thomas saw something others didn’t in the near-windowless former Masonic lodge and one-time Christian school in southern Jackson County, he said. The Missouri father-of-two envisioned a gathering place with handcrafted coffee and holistic care under one roof. “Through prayer and patience, the Lord blessed us with this huge space,” said Thomas,…
Meet your new (northern) neighbor: Tim Hortons arrives in KC with plans for 30 locations
A Canadian fast food cult favorite known for its “Timbits” is ramping up its area expansion with five locations scheduled to open by the end of 2025 — part of an aggressive, long-term move orchestrated by a single franchisee. The breakfast-famous Tim Hortons is expected to become a more prominent player across the Kansas City…
‘Volatile times’: C2FO targets capital access to businesses rattled by global tariff disruptions
Companies — especially small businesses with limited banking options — need liquidity during times of global economic uncertainty, said Sandy Kemper, detailing C2FO’s fruitful efforts to meet growing demand for fast capital amid unpredictable tariff-related disruptions. Kansas City-based C2FO funded $18 billion through its global working capital platform to businesses worldwide during the first quarter…
KC BizCare receives $20K grant to promote economic mobility ahead of 2026 World Cup
A sixth-month initiative to rapidly boost small businesses and entrepreneurs in Kansas City is expected to help KCMO leaders drive readiness for the massive influx of FIFA World Cup visitors in summer 2026. The National League of Cities (NLC) this week awarded Kansas City a $20,000 grant and expert guidance to promote economic mobility in…
Why a rival baseball icon joined the roster for this KC museum’s big league upgrade
Baseball hall of famer Reggie Jackson values the 18th and Vine district’s rich history, he said Wednesday, but the Yankees icon known as “Mr. October” by fans across the globe is even more excited about what the Kansas City cultural hub’s future holds. “If I can be a part of that, I’m absolutely thrilled to…
GEWKC submissions open: Organizers seek community-sourced ideas for fall event series
One of Kansas City’s largest interactive educational experiences for entrepreneurs is inviting community members to drive the conversation when Global Entrepreneurship Week returns in November. Festivities are set for Nov. 17-22 at Union Station in Kansas City. The GEWKC event series’ programming is crowd-sourced through submissions from community members and organized by KCSourceLink. Selected concepts…
Federal arts funding cuts hit AMERI’KANA festival in KC’s northeast; organizer says the show will go on
Creating space for healing and connection in Kansas City’s historic northeast is too critical to abandon, said Enrique Chi, whose nonprofit — and a popular music and arts festival — faces federal funding cuts targeting heritage-related initiatives that don’t align with the priorities of President Trump. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently rescinded $85,000…
