Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Reporter, Startland News
Nikki brings to Startland News both community journalism and entrepreneurship experience and she loves being able to tell the inspiring stories of fellow creatives and risk-takers.
Before joining Startland News, she worked for over 10 years writing and editing for daily newspapers in Lawrence, Topeka, Duluth, Minnesota, and Park Hills, Missouri. She took a short hiatus from journalism to pursue her dream of becoming a pastry chef and starting her own baking business.
Recent Stories by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
How a KC-brewed probiotic is saving lives in the Philippines by eating toxins in human waste
A cross-culture collaboration between a Crossroads-based probiotics company and a global nonprofit could help ferment a more healthful world beyond poverty, said Matt Wood, describing a new use for the business’ simple, probiotic brew — similar to a kombucha — in stopping disease transmission via unsanitary communal toilets.
Emerging biz of the year put its own twist on Kansas City sweets; now it’s scaling up
Breaking away from the Yogurtini brand as a franchisee — and branching out on his own — took a leap of faith for Isaac Lee Collins, the owner of Fifth & Emery Frozen Yogurt and Chocolate said.
Out-of-the-box business: How Ling Vong’s food truck got more than she bargained for with Labubus
Ling Vong’s decision to sell Labubus alongside her Vietnamese street food wasn’t random, the owner of Dragon Wagon KC and KC Monsters shared. It was a strategy rooted in serving culture, creating experiences, and building community, she said.
Good data can light the path: Kauffman celebrates impact of 30 years of entrepreneur research
Necessity is driving a burst of entrepreneurial activity — especially among immigrant, Latino and Black communities, according to new data released this week by the Kauffman Foundation, reflecting mixed news for the state of American entrepreneurship as the influential Kansas City nonprofit celebrated 30 years of research.
No height limit for entrepreneurship: Kansas nonprofit boosts children’s business literacy
“We look at every child as a leader right now,” said Leah Ellis, founder of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs, “and ask them what they want to see happening in their community today, rather than kicking the can down the road until they're older or taller.”
This 45-year-old Missouri brand became an unexpected TikTok star (and earned its team $1M in bonuses)
Social media turned a Smithville, Missouri-based, family-owned business into an overnight sensation; now the tight-knit team behind the viral odor eliminator is trying to preserve the scent of success.
Host cities steer into World Cup headwinds: ‘We didn’t work 10 years for this to be a flop,’ KC tourism leader says
Whether visitors come from across the country or around the globe, Kansas City is prepared to land the plane when the World Cup arrives this summer, said Kathy Nelson, acknowledging geopolitical strife and President Trump’s visa policy are making the U.S. a less attractive destination for international travelers.
Archia boosts safe AI adoption for companies struggling to link the tech to solutions they really need
“Think of it as an agent operating system,” Gharib Gharibi explained. “We built it from the ground up to make sure that security and privacy is baked in and not added after the fact to the system.”
Oak Park Mall wants local makers shut out by Painted Tree’s closure to find new home alongside national retailers
“We know shoppers love discovering local makers,” said Oak Park’s Karla Rocker Engel, “and at the same time, much of our traffic is driven by well‑known national brands. Our goal is to bridge that gap by giving local businesses the opportunity to tap into that built‑in audience and benefit from the incredible foot traffic our...
‘This is a different type of founder’: LaunchKC reveals latest social venture cohort
Kansas City’s startup community has helped Trina Nudson feel seen and understood as an emerging entrepreneur, the Be Aligned founder shared. A spot in this year’s Social Venture Studio cohort could help her dig even deeper into the business realities of the unknown, she said. “I’m an attorney, and if you turn to a fellow…