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
Shop small: Five ways to wear (and wash with) KC pride from Westside Storey’s historic corner
Editor’s note: Startland News perused Westside Storey’s 1920s-era corner shop as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide that identifies locally made goods and supports the call to shop small. Click here to read the multi-day gift guide as it develops. What began eight years ago as a boutique antique shop quickly evolved into…
Shop small: Five finds at Made in KC to help creators survive a ‘make or break’ holiday season
Editor’s note: Startland News explored the Made in KC Marketplace in Lee’s Summit as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide that identifies locally made goods and supports the call to shop small. Click here to read the multi-day gift guide as it develops. A trip to Made in KC means a majority of…
Shop small: Five designer gifts at Kindred celebrating KC’s fashionpreneurs, winning vibes
Editor’s note: Startland News shopped Kindred’s Oak Park Mall store as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide that identifies locally made goods and supports the call to shop small. Click here to read the multi-day gift guide as it develops. Local designers always have a spot on the rack within the Kindred Shops. …
Shop small: Five buys at Westport’s Mid Coast Modern to help support KC makers
Editor’s note: Startland News explored Mid Coast Modern’s Westport storefront as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide that identifies locally made goods and supports the call to shop small. Click here to read the multi-day gift guide as it develops. Westport streets aren’t filled with as much cheer in 2020, Matt Bramlette said, entering…
Only made in KC: Sandlot Goods revives iconic ‘KC hat’ with 25-step, felt-to-field production
The classic, Baldwin-style KC hat is back in the game — boasting a newly drafted team of makers and a modern twist on its otherwise traditional look, Sandlot Goods announced. “With most major hat manufacturers moving their production overseas, there is a space and a need for a classic, American-made ball cap,” said Chad Hickman, founder…
InnovaPrep CEO honored as an ‘inspiration’ among Pipeline fellows
COVID-19 couldn’t stop the steady flow of innovation through the Pipeline Entrepreneurs Fellowship. The organization crowned a series of winners through its (virtual) Innovator Awards on Thursday — a testament to its commitment to entrepreneurs weathering unprecedented times, said David Alburty. “Pipeline has been absolutely mission-critical in my evolution as a scaling CEO,” Alburty, CEO of…
Designer Whitney Manney using JOANN grant to reshape the fabric of KC’s fashion scene
Kansas City is legit — and it’s full of talented creatives who national eyes should be watching, said Whitney Manney. “I think COVID has shown us you can show up and show out from anywhere in this world,” added Manney, a local fashion designer, maker, and founder of the WHITNEYMANNEY (WM) fashion label, in announcement…
How a no-touch copper tool built in Lenexa could be a tipping point for safe contact amid COVID
Editor’s note: The following is part of a three-part series spotlighting U.S. military veterans who also are Kansas City entrepreneurs. Innovation is at an all-time high as COVID-19 continues to create new market categories, said Shawn Tipping, noting the pandemic has raised new awareness about the thin barriers between health and sickness. “We’ve never had…
Miracle holiday pop-up bars returning to Crossroads, Plaza and a new JoCo location
Guests wanting to drink in holiday nostalgia will need to be on the nice list this year, Rockhill Restaurant Group said, announcing the return of two popular holiday pop-up bars and the addition of a third location. The Cocktail Kingdom-crafted Miracle holiday pop-ups are expected to return on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. The sites include…
Mowd founder pivots beyond mowing lawns to tech startup; offering landscapers an online payment platform
The grass isn’t necessarily greener on the tech side of entrepreneurship, mused Tate Hayes, but revenue and market opportunity grow wild. “[Small businesses and startups] come with their own difficulties and maybe even simplicities,” said Hayes, founder of Mowd, comparing his newly launched startup to his previous venture — Kansas City-based Hayes Lawncare. “[As a…