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
How Travis Kelce, Operation Breakthrough plan to turn this old muffler shop into a coworking space, lab for teens
As organizers look to re-open the doors to Walt Disney’s historic Laugh-O-gram Studios, they’re introducing Kansas Citians to a new era along Troost — in-part ushered in by a Kansas City Chiefs star and one of the city’s highest impact non-profit organizations. Plans for Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab were on full display Thursday night, as Thank…
Q39 savors doubled sales as barbecue-craving Kansas City drives pandemic survival to-go
Kansas City’s restaurant scene will come roaring back in 2021, predicted Rob Magee, serving up a look back at Q39’s wildest year in business and offering his take on what’s made the fast-casual barbecue joint so popular with customers. “We’re going to get through this pandemic. Kansas City will rise right back up to the…
KC’s favorite BBQ: Interest in these 10 restaurants surged with curbside curiosity, Lelex Prime says
Editor’s note: The following report was produced with analytical support from Lelex Prime, a non-financial, content partner of Startland News. Kansas Citians had impressive appetites in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brendan Reilly said, downloading a massive haul of Lelex Prime-collected data that analyzed trends in one of the metro’s favorite categories — barbecue. …
Nine Zero One Igloo Bar: KC’s hottest new nightspot offers an escape on ice (but the clock is ticking)
The City of Fountains is frozen over atop The Fontaine Hotel, transformed into an aurora borealis-inspired vision of Scandinavian Iceland for a limited run pop-up — Nine Zero One Igloo Bar. “This project has been over a year in the making,” explained Jenna Phillips, the hotel’s associate director of sales and marketing, quick to add…
Sewing Labs stitches expanded identity as social media influencer with SINGER partnership
Editor’s note: This article is underwritten by Plexpod — a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes — but was independently produced by Startland News. The art of sewing might have been forgotten by some, but it surely isn’t lost, Eileen Bobowski said as the SINGER Corporation needles…
December sellout: Father-of-four’s Tin Pan cinnamon-swirled creations deliver the treat you’ve been dreaming about
It’s no easy task, but someone had to take it on, Dan Edwards said, mixing and pouring a picture of days spent in his home kitchen, baking up what could be the best cinnamon roll ever to rise in Kansas City. “I really couldn’t find a good cinnamon roll,” Edwards, founder of Tin Pan Cinnamon…
Linking tech to humanity: Hyprcubd integrates collaboration among IoT community
Editor’s note: This article is underwritten by Plexpod — a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes — but was independently produced by Startland News. Building a company that solves real-world problems for tech founders isn’t easy — but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done, Jess Phillips said. …
He came to KC for remote work and low-cost living; he stayed to found his own GovTech company
When remote work opportunities brought Austin Wilson to Kansas City in 2019, playing the role of founder wasn’t yet on his mind — until he met a community of starters willing to do anything it took to make their city in the image of innovation, he recalled. “There’s no better time for innovation than in a…
Book the office where Walt met Mickey? Plexpod helping make Disney dream a reality
Kansas City is getting its first glimpse inside the reimagined space where Walt Disney first encountered the inspiration for Mickey Mouse. Thank You Walt Disney, Inc. — in partnership with DigiSTORY KC and Plexpod — unveiled GouldEvans-designed renderings of its 10,000-square-foot Laugh-O-gram Studios rehab project Thursday night. “We will begin working on some facade improvements hopefully…
This milkman delivers community impact: Why Shatto added local makers’ products to its trucks
Shatto Milk is making good on its promise to connect local people to local products, Matt Shatto said, pouring details that revealed the true meaning behind the dairy startup’s push to expand its delivery service. “I was very frustrated with how people were bastardizing the use of the word ‘local,’” added Shatto, who co-founded the…