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
She’s using tech to rewrite the blueprint handed to girls; here’s what Maliha Khan told those who said ‘You can’t’
“I can have the career, I can have the married life, I can have the kids,” the founder and CEO of Khanect the Dots said. “And more importantly, I feel like it's not just about me. I'm a walking representation of that for other girls, not just my own.”
Two solopreneurs smelled opportunity; now they’re helping KC craft custom scents together
Class is already in session for couples and crowds of curious Kansas Citians eager to sniff out new ways to connect memories with first-of-their-kind experiences. It’s all part of a custom fragrance-making workshop crafted by two serial entrepreneurs who already know about creating signature styles. Through expert guidance, premium ingredients and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere,…
Pro Athlete douses firehouse boredom, donating pickleball sets to KC’s 52 fire stations
When Kansas City firefighters finally get a few moments to put down the hoses and shed their gear, said Andrew Dowis, they deserve the sports equipment needed to decompress and blow off some steam.
Costs keep rising, business owners tell Davids, pointing to ‘reckless’ US tariff policies, Iran war
“When tariffs hit local favorites like toy stores and craft shops, it’s Kansas families who end up paying the price at the register,” Sharice Davids said after meeting with small business owners in Prairie Village. “Some of what we've been working on in my office is trying to address the reckless tariff policies.”
Work is a Joke: Toss the business cards and grab a mic; new comedy event says your job ain’t that serious
Comedy can be a more powerful connection tool than networking, said Jessie Jacob, emphasizing the contrast between a well-placed joke when meeting another professional and a standard question like “So what do you do?”
Taking note: After sharing 20,000+ letters, the writing is clear; everyone’s carrying a burden
Kasim Hardaway developed Take What You Need, a public, interactive installation of 40 different letters that he wrote — labeled with phrases like “to the one who doubts their own worth” or “to the one who needs to let go” — inviting passersby to choose the letter that speaks best to them at that moment...
Royals sketch Crown Center concept for neighbors ahead of city planners’ vote; critics want it on the ballot
Questions remain about the Kansas City Royals’ plan to build a $3 billion baseball district at Crown Center after a community engagement meeting on rezoning parts of the neighborhood descended into shouting over project financing details and who ultimately would foot the bill.
Benditt Like Balm Box: World Cup isn’t over for this KC entrepreneur; she’s competing for $20K
Liz Benditt hasn’t earned a trophy for surviving cancer six times, but her rebound did inspire the Kansas City area mom to launch Balm Box — thoughtful support boxes for cancer recovery. Now Benditt’s nearly 20-year entrepreneur journey is taking her to Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final. But first, she must take the pitch Friday.
Sports leaders who tied their legacies to World Cup: KC businesses, fans impressed the world
Kansas City seized its moment in the international spotlight, said Clark Hunt, sweeping aside what he called past concerns about FIFA World Cup economic impact and visitor projections to laud work on the ground by local officials, entrepreneurs and fans.
American dream at 250: Why these immigrant entrepreneurs say the payoff is a country where everyone fits on the front porch
Any journey into the world of business can be as lonely as it is grueling, said Isaac Tapia and Rico Alvarez, and that’s before building in the complexities of navigating those challenges as an immigrant entrepreneur. The muralist duo feels blessed for the camaraderie they share. “With everything that’s happening right now at this very…