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
Best new spot for your Super Bowl selfie? Sike Style, Tom’s Town run it back for fan-friendly Chiefs mural
A wall of red painted in the shadow of downtown is expected to serve as more than a backdrop for Kansas City Chiefs-inspired selfies, as the world champion football team heads back to the Super Bowl. “We hope that rallying around the Chiefs becomes a little point of pride for everybody and motivation to get…
‘You can’t fake that’: Bold flavors, artisan style keep Savory Addictions smoking through times of economic uncertainty
When raises dried up at work a decade ago, Craig Jones needed a new way to make up lost income. “It kind of happened by accident. It was never on purpose,” Jones said of the hobby he turned into a side hustle in 2011 and ways it’s since grown into a booming business — Savory Addictions…
Startup Road Trip: Transplants to Kansas see future of prosthetics in eco-friendly textile hemp
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. WICHITA…
A maker reality TV series is transforming Travis Kelce’s gift to KC into a ‘fan experience’ on Troost
While the Kansas City Chiefs run it back on the field — the impact of superstar tight end Travis Kelce continues to be felt through a new partnership with Make48. Kelce’s ongoing work with Operation Breakthrough will see the non-profit realize it’s Ignition Lab later this year, but it won’t open its doors without some…
Actress-entrepreneur finds sweet inspiration, resiliency in life’s unexpected ingredients
From the stage to the studio to a sweets shop on Main Street, the creative talents of Shawna Peña-Downing have never let her down, she said, crediting her resiliency to a STEAM-focused education. “I finally got a job after being laid off in June,” Peña-Downing, multiplatform artist, teacher, and entrepreneur, said of her reality amid…
2021 Startups to Watch: LaborChart constructs high-growth mindset built on value, resiliency
Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2021’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch — presented by sponsors Husch Blackwell and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. LaborChart wants to be among Kansas City’s top-tier tech…
2021 Startups to Watch: Scissors & Scotch clips pandemic with line ups and top line growth
Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2021’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch — presented by sponsors Husch Blackwell and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The slow and steady hum of clippers isn’t the…
2021 Startups to Watch: The Market Base launches on-demand into a new era of e-commerce
Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2021’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch — presented by sponsors Husch Blackwell and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. You don’t live through a year like 2020 and…
2021 Startups to Watch: SureShow turns no shows into cash flow amid virtual healthcare boon
Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2021’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch — presented by sponsors Husch Blackwell and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The stage is set, Dr. Shelley Cooper said, recalling…
2021 Startups to Watch: Replica spins out job creation as urban planning goes data dense
Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2021’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch — presented by sponsors Husch Blackwell and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Rapidly scaling Replica won’t slow down in 2021, Nick…