Austin Barnes
Executive Editor, Startland News
Austin is a growth-focused business strategist with deep roots in media and storytelling. As executive editor, he leads Startland’s revenue generation, partnership strategy, and market expansion— aligning mission-driven journalism with scalable business models.
With over a decade of experience spanning media, brand development, and strategic communications, Austin has helped grow Startland’s reach beyond Kansas City, launching new monetization efforts and driving engagement with more than 700,000 readers each year. His work bridges entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable growth —positioning Startland as a national model for community-centered media.
Recent Stories by Austin Barnes
Innovation unplugged: KC company’s ultra-cold tech could preserve vaccines, save lives
Despite playing a critical, specific role in the fight against COVID-19, one North Kansas City tech startup could be a shot in the arm of healthcare beyond the ongoing pandemic, said Edward Collins. “When COVID came about and affected so many people around me — I wanted to make a difference or at least do something…
Demand for Wag-N-Bag rolls back, co-founders say; portable game wagon just needs a second push
It’s back to the crowdfunding starting line for Kansas City-tossed Wag-N-Bag, as the yard game startup rolls out an expanded product and launches its second attempt at a critical campaign. “It’s going to get us to the next level,” Brad Hull, co-founder, said of the company’s recently launched Kickstarter campaign, which aims to secure $10,000…
KC designer’s new deck of cards celebrates Black icons who refused to play the hands they were dealt
Learning and celebrating Black history should be in the cards for more than just the month of February, Kearra Johnson said, unveiling a new design project that’s set to hit metro store shelves soon. “I really just want to create fun ways to get serious conversations started for the younger generation,” explained Johnson, founder of…
No promo codes needed: How two Brits and their KC startup are adding instant discounts to your shopping cart
When restaurants and retailers shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many of their customer loyalty programs did too, leaving frequent shoppers empty handed, explained Jordan Williams. “I had a $200 Southwest Airlines voucher and 6000-plus Chipotle restaurant points expire,” Williams said, detailing a pandemic-presented problem that finds its solution in his newly-launched startup: Veeper. The platform…
Why one KC-area brewer is closed Super Bowl Sunday (but won’t be sitting on the sidelines)
Watching the Kansas City Chiefs defend their championship title Sunday will certainly look different than it did when the hometown team earned it in 2020, John Kennebeck said. And for local business owners, such a change presents yet another opportunity to call plays on pandemic pivots. COVID-19 has “exponentially” altered plans at 3 Halves Brewing…
No ‘playing it safe’: Husband-wife team tackles Super Bowl demand with hometown-inspired tees
A family-owned side hustle is getting a major boost thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs second rush to a Super Bowl victory — and it couldn’t have come at a better time, explained Kendra’h Simmons. “Now everyone is in a tizzy,” said Simmons, who co-founded KreativeMindsKC in 2019 alongside her husband, Reggie, describing ways excitement for…
Limited run, limited risk: Sura Eats chef tests appetite for expansion with Korean noodle bar
One of Crossroads-cooked Parlor’s longest serving tenants is getting an extra helping of success, launching a limited-run concept just feet away from its original counter. Keeyoung Kim, chef and owner of Sura Eats, plans to formally open Sura Noodle Bar Thursday — the result of a growing hunger for his Korean cuisine and a strong partnership…
Love Hate actually: Valentine’s pop-up bar stirs emotions for romantics (and those who see the humor in them)
They’re just a couple of bar owners and friends, standing in front of a thirsty (and isolated) community, asking them to support local businesses — and have a little fun in the process, explained Erica Schulte, one of the minds behind a new Lee’s Summit pop-up bar that promises to put a creative spin on Valentine’s…
How Epigraph visualizes AR changing the way you see the world during (and years after) COVID
There’s no way around it, Jasper Mullarney said: Augmented reality is the future — and it’s going to impact the way users of everything from iPhones to laptops engage with technology. “We see a shift from the dominant screen being in your hands to on your face,” Mullarney, co-founder of the visualization technology startup, said of…
She put down her soda and started walking 10 years ago — 80 pounds later, Ginger McCune’s wellness center is running on impact
Life is best lived loud — not sitting on the sidelines, wishing you could experience it, explained Ginger McCune. “If you have a car and it takes premium gas — and you fill it full of regular gas, what’s it gonna do? It’s gonna go for a little bit and then it’s gonna spit and spurt and…