The Porter House KC

PHKC awards $25K to Alchemy Sandbox winners; It’s amazing when someone understands your vision, founder says 

Year one challenges can be difficult for entrepreneurs to swallow, James Thomas noted, but he’s raising a cup to the first anniversary of Brain Freeze Mobile Daiquiri Shop with validation and a splash of funding. Two days after completing The Porter House KC’s fourth small business development cohort and competing in its finale competition, Thomas…

Pitch contest winners salute PHKC as fourth cohort wraps; $15K in prizes awarded to small businesses

A winning night at The Porter House KC’s pitch event this week expands opportunity for more than just the company taking home the biggest check, said Taylor Burris. AI Hub — led by Burris and her husband, James Spikes — earned first place and $8,000 in the competition, which also marked the completion of PHKC’s…

AI Hub builds creative space in River Market, giving artists access to business tech, tools

The Midwest needs more resources to help creatives start their own businesses and keep them thriving, said Taylor Burris and James Spikes, who designed a one-stop art incubator to give artists’ innovation a fresh canvas. The husband-and-wife team opened AI Hub — powered by IRIS Creative Projects Agency and with funding from The Porter House…

Grow with us: The Rolling Garden plants perennial vibes from its new North KC shop 

A houseplant oasis on wheels is putting down roots in the Iron District as the small business’ life cycle sprouts new opportunities for owners Tryce Nelson and Steven Morrill. “We’ve rolled all over Kansas City this past year — popping up at wineries, breweries, coffee shops, universities, events,” said Nelson, who co-founded The Rolling Garden…

Deep Rooted plants new store at busy Troost shopping hub; Here’s how the streetwear brand is growing

A Kansas City streetwear brand is extending its roots on the city’s east side, said owner Donnell Jamison. Deep Rooted — which Jamison launched in 2018 out of the trunk of his car — has a new home in the shopping center at Troost Avenue and Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard. “We just want to be that…