Haines Eason

Freelance Kansas

Haines Eason is the founder of startup content marketing agency Freelance Kansas. Previously he worked as the managing editor overseeing a large long-form content marketing team for an international corporation and as a communications professional in higher education. His work and photography have appeared in publications like The Guardian, Eater and KANSAS! Magazine among others. Freelance Kansas seeks to support the innovators and do-gooders who are working to make this world safer and more equitable for all.

Recent Stories by Haines Eason

How reactivating history can drive economic growth more sustainably than a new build

Editor’s note: The following is part of an ongoing feature series exploring impacts of initiatives within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City through a paid partnership with EDCKC. Hotel owners wanted charm that can’t be built in today’s economy; Kansas City history booked them the bones to do it A one-of-a-kind, limestone-clad building at 906…

‘Economic eviction notice’: Property owners decry tax spike as ‘death sentence for small business’

Critic of tax office says Jackson County is betting most property owners hit with inflated bills are too intimidated to appeal State lawmakers could be Jackson County business owners’ last hope, said Ian Davis, testifying Wednesday in the Missouri state capitol about spiking property tax assessments that have seen entrepreneurs hit with increases of up…

On the map and in the mirror: 1 Million Cups contrasts international eship visitors with KC startup scene

The fail-fast mindset and high risk tolerance many American entrepreneurs employ in their quests to build unicorn startups are arguably foreign concepts to business builders on the other side of the globe, said Lucy-Llonna Larbi. Her experiences in Germany reflect a slower, security-first focus, she said, expressing admiration for the American approach. “We think that…

Tiger 21 expands its invite-only peer network in KC as number of ultra-wealthy leaders rises

A prestigious — and relatively new-to-Kansas City — resource for high-net-worth C-suite leaders and successful entrepreneurs and founders is expanding: Tiger 21, a premier peer membership organization for ultra-wealth creators and preservers, is adding a second group. The launch is being orchestrated by Heidi Lehmann, a seasoned investor, board member and five-time startup founder leading…

Independence day: Flipping from side-hustle to full-time requires grind behind glory 

Founders found freedom in the journey (but they’re grateful for what they didn’t know was ahead) Jason Taylor walked away from big tech for good in January — leaving behind a dream résumé that included a long engineering career at Microsoft, then Google, for the freedom to pursue what had once been just a passion…

This keychain could stop an opioid overdose; carry the antidote — not the burden of guilt

ST. LOUIS — Easy access to life-saving naloxone (better known by the brand name Narcan) could’ve prevented the fatal overdose of Danielle Wilder’s close friend in college, the tragedy-prompted entrepreneur said. Her friend was in possession of naloxone — a fast-acting medicine that can reverse the deadly impacts of an opioid overdose when delivered near-immediately…

Landlord’s solution to Kansas housing crisis: 3D print his own home inventory 

TOPEKA — Regularly confronted with a lack of supply in the housing market — and the subsequent higher prices — landlord and general capital investor Chris Stemler faced a multi-dimensional challenge. “I thought to myself, ‘How do I help solve an inventory problem?’ the Topeka-based Trident Homes founder said.  “I know I’ve got renters who…

This AI scans for auto damage in 30 seconds; Here’s how it’s gaining instant trust, KC tech industry veteran says

A growing number of automotive-sales and related businesses are turning to Click-Ins, an AI-assisted startup on a rapidly upward trajectory, to solve a long-standing problem: how to inspect vehicles quickly, accurately and consistently without relying solely on human judgment.  But the value isn’t in replacing humans in the workforce, said Josh Parsons, a 20-year auto…

Advocates want a startup-boosting Missouri angel investor tax credit (but they’ll have to beat legislature’s ticking clock)

With about a week left in Missouri’s legislative session, business advocates at NEXT Missouri are making a final push for lawmakers to pass a bill creating a state angel investor tax credit — legislation its backers say could catalyze early-stage business growth and keep entrepreneurial talent and essential startup capital rooted in the state. Jason…

Innovation index: Cross-newsroom startup data partnership puts Kansas City on the map

Finding relevant, actionable information on innovation happening in one’s own backyard can be tough, said Christopher Wink, announcing Kansas City’s inclusion within a new resource for navigating innovation communities. “Every metro region, every state has some website or page — ‘This is where you start if you’re going to join the KC tech community or…