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
Dead Beet Eats: Life is hard enough — feed your soul with a big, beautiful chili dog
COVID hasn’t handed Katherine Willis many lemons, she said, but the vegan chef behind Dead Beet Eats has been given plenty of tomatoes in 2020 — and an opportunity to turn salsa into ketchup. “It’s been a really hard year and I like to think that what we’re doing is really lighthearted and it’s really…
KC Can Compost: Let’s make a natural process natural again — prioritizing people, the soil
It might be cool now, but Kansas Citians should expect warmer days ahead, said Kristin Chamberlain, highlighting ways the environment is changing rapidly and offering a simple solution that could help curb its effects — while also transforming lives. “There’s ample opportunity to compost,” said Chamberlain, executive director of KC Can Compost — the social enterprise…
NMotion Accelerator targets KC startup founders for new venture studio backed by gener8tor; deadline extended to Nov. 2
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by the NMotion startup accelerator, but was independently produced by Startland News. Moving startups forward, faster, has long been the mission behind Lincoln, Nebraska-based NMotion Accelerator — but it’s just one perk of the program that’s generating next-level entrepreneurial growth as it debuts a new venture studio. “We’re focused on…
Stronger brew: Messenger blends coffee collective into its behind-the-scenes menu
As the smells of Ibis Bakery and roasting beans waft together at Messenger Coffee in the Crossroads, rising between floors of the spacious and vibrant corner cafe, the flavors haven’t changed since COVID-19 began — nor since the popular Kansas City roasterie joined a freshly launched coffee collective, said Isaac Hodges. It’s still steeped in…
KingFit prescription for growth: DiabetesCare startup becomes a pandemic must-have
WICHITA — A new partnership with a medical giant is adding even more fuel to a momentous 2020 for Kansas-grown KingFit, said Miguel Johns. The startup has entered an agreement with BioTel Care, the diabetes division of BioTelemetry — a $2 billion publicly-traded company, that aims to improve health outcomes through innovation. “This partnership opens doors…
Wiener Kitchen’s chef-driven, artisan eats: This time you’ll actually want to see how the sausage is made
The grill hasn’t gone cold for Overland Park-stuffed Wiener Kitchen, said Dave Derr, recalling his unexpectedly packed experience as a restauranteur amid a pandemic season squeezing many small businesses. “We’ve had more revenue at our store than pre-COVID, which is absolutely nuts,” he chuckled in near disbelief. Consumer habits rapidly changed during the onset of…
Masked by fashion: COVID pivot pushes brand to local production, beyond mere ‘talk’ on social media
Editor’s note: The following is the second in a series of stories about Kansas City fashion companies putting their own creative spin on the often-utilitarian face mask. Blessings are all around, Anita Koul said, sifting through memories of a year that’s been so far defined by wild hardships and tragic losses. “We have to take…
More than a virtual grocery store, Pantry Goods is keeping food (and soil) ‘alive’
Whole foods have never been so affordable, Marcelle Clements said, as Pantry Goods sews seeds of sustainability in Kansas City and consumers reap a harvest full of benefits. “I’ve always had one foot in this farming, sustainable world,” said Clements, founder of Pantry Goods, discussing her passion for the project — a virtual grocery store, stocked…
Better the next day: Halal street food thrives to-go with a simple recipe — optimism, good food and hungry neighbors
While countless local restaurants have struggled through pandemic-served challenges, business has been nothing short of amazing for Brookside Pakastani staple Chai Shai, said Aasma Tufail. “I cook simple food — and people love it so much. I am so blessed, business has been better than before,” said Tufail, who owns the restaurant alongside son, Kashif,…
A place to belong: Business model built to shatter intimidation lifted City Gym through COVID’s heaviest season yet
Ahead-of-the-curve thinking helped keep City Gym strong in the early days of COVID-19 when the weight of the pandemic dropped on people-focused industries. “We lost a fair amount of members — maybe they couldn’t financially afford it anymore, maybe they didn’t feel safe,” said Hailee Bland Walsh, founder and owner of City Gym in Waldo….