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
Not too late for the ‘naughty’ list: Roll into 2022 with a year-round Kansas City bourbon ball
A nip of locally distilled Tom’s Town bourbon mingles with bittersweet chocolate and a bourbon pecan mash with each bite into “guilty pleasure” — one of dozens of “notoriously naughty” bourbon and rum balls made by Lisa Fitch. “A lot of people associate them with the holidays, like they do with divinity fudge,” explained Fitch, founder…
RIP to free chips and salsa: Why Don Chilitos just released the KC Tex-Mex staple’s secret family recipes
Don Chilitos might have served its last bit of CCQ sauce — but that doesn’t mean its final customers had to settle for a handful of chiclets as a memento on their way out the door, Barry Cowden said, explaining his decision to go public with dozens of recipes from the beloved restaurant in a newly…
Shelia Johnson wants a daytime TV slot; Her ‘Gangsta Goodies’ brand already has the recipe
Sacred is the kitchen of Shelia Johnson, an ambitious Kansas City matriarch-turned-food scene celebrity working to bring families and communities together one meal at a time. “It has always been the heart of the home. The root of who we are culturally,” Johnson said, recalling her childhood and time spent with her mother in the…
Cotton candy calling: Why a South KC sweets shop’s signature treat is still hand-spun with an air of nostalgia
Each ding of the oven generates more buzz for this whimsy-frosted bake shop and creamery in South Kansas City. But it’s the soft, sticky sweet treat that fills small tubs and lines the store’s shelves — (hand) spinning the entrepreneurial dreams of its owner into a sugar-rush of a reality. “I really hit the jackpot,”…
He wanted a dress shoe as comfortable as bare feet; How Joey Ahearn is reimagining wingtips to boots one step at a time
A newly unboxed, Kansas City-laced premium shoe company offers a single promise: to make often-uncomfortable men’s dress shoes healthy to wear — without stomping out fashion. “I grew up wearing Converse and Vans and socks and lacing really tight every day,” recalled Joey Ahearn, a physical therapy assistant, as well as founder and CEO of Free…
Why an interactive digital business card could replace LinkedIn for startup, small business leaders
People want to get their foot in the door, Jess Phillips said, laying out her plan for a newly launched social media platform that opens professional connections with an insightful twist: an interactive digital business card offering data on who visits and why. Free of the awkward sales pitches and forced conversations that often come…
How the relaunched Classic Cookie plans to craft KC’s best breakfast sandwich (without overcomplicating it)
A longtime Waldo restaurant and sweets shop is under new ownership, Chef Bryan Sparks announced, serving up a plan to fix the broken restaurant industry he thought he’d left behind. But a more immediate and daunting task awaits ahead of the Classic Cookie & Cafe’s relaunch in December: crafting the best breakfast sandwich in Kansas…
Shop small: Five holiday hacks for supporting KC makers without leaving home
Editor’s note: Startland News explored its 2021 archive of most-popular maker stories — as well as looking at the creatives behind its own T-shirt campaign — as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide. These items are all available online now. Featured stores, makers and products were not asked to pay to be included…
Minority-owned businesses across Kansas can now access KC-built support as EBB expands to 66 counties
One of the Kansas City-area’s highest impact entrepreneurship support organizations is expanding across the Sunflower State as it becomes a board-certified program of NetWork Kansas. Entrepreneur Business Basics (EBB) will soon reach into 66 counties in Kansas, Kira Cheree, founder, told Startland News, highlighting ways the expansion will directly impact minority-owned businesses. “For every innovator,…
This Brookside hotspot touts best chicken sandwich in KC, putting chef’s eye on fast casual food
The chicken sandwich wars of the 21st century aren’t limited to fast food restaurant chains, Chef Charles d’Ablaing declared, touting his local lineup of comfort food classics and laying claim to serving the best spicy chicken sandwich in all of Kansas City. “I did it as a special, just kind of, ‘Haha, funny,’” said d’Ablaing,…