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
2024 Startups to Watch: Poshed On The Go dives deeper than skin level with on-demand tool for a better life
Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its ninth year, this feature recognizes founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest, most compelling news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2024’s companies….
2024 Startups to Watch: Invary secures core protections against the bad guys of the dark web
Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its ninth year, this feature recognizes founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest, most compelling news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2024’s companies….
Combating fight or flight: KC nonprofit deploys horses for veterans struggling to get back in the civilian saddle
Horses taught Patrick Benson to feel again after serving in the military, he shared. Now he extends that experience to his fellow combat veterans through a nonprofit based on a rural Johnson County farm. “Working with challenging horses that are struggling with their purpose, too; to find direction; we needed the same thing,” Benson explained…
Ford Fund Fellowship ranks KC alongside Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas; opening applications to local entrepreneurs
For the first time, Kansas City entrepreneurs have an opportunity to apply for the Watson Institute’s Ford Fund Fellowship, Milena Kirillova shared. The international venture and leadership development program — in its third year and supported by Ford Motor Company Fund — is a virtual, 16-week program designed to equip highly promising entrepreneurs and community…
Health tech entrepreneur opening spa on the Plaza; Here’s how its ‘accessible luxury’ comes served with collaboration
After 20 years as a hospital executive, Ashley McClellan has a new way to help people on their wellness journey, the budding Kansas City serial entrepreneur shared. In January, McClellan and her husband, Brett, plan to open Sojourn Spa in the Cascade Hotel on the Country Club Plaza. “From my perspective, we want our guests…
New news: This KC shop makes the sold-out hats for Kelces’ popular podcast; now you can find even more merch in store
Sandlot Goods is taking its new retail space in Leawood to new heights, shared Garret Prather, announcing an in-store exclusive: a partnership that allows Sandlot to locally carry gear from Travis and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast in its shop. Just in time for the last-minute holiday rush, the opportunity offers the perfect gifts for…
CAPS Network expanding into rural Kansas schools with $951K education grant
Nearly $1 million in federal funds is expected to help CAPS Network expand its profession-based learning into rural school districts, focusing on the state of Kansas, Corey Mohn shared. The $951,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education was announced earlier this week. “We are really excited about the impact this funding will help us…
Former sports executive teams with startup veteran to simplify visa process for foreign athletes
After 16 years handling immigration visas for the Kansas City Royals, Kyle Vena knew there must be a better way to streamline the daunting task of bringing athletes to the U.S. to play baseball — and keeping them, he shared. “When I left [the job] in the summer of 2022, I had this concept baked…
This ‘Tiny Town’ just opened on Spring Hill’s Main Street; here’s how it’s connecting kids growing up in KC’s urban sprawl
SPRING HILL, Kansas — Two sister companies on the edge of the Kansas City metro are now offering a scoop of ice cream with a drizzle of imagination on top. Three years ago, Dale and JoAnn Romano opened Pop’s Sweet Shop on Main Street in downtown Spring Hill, a nostalgic ice cream parlor that also…
He dreams of a pickle truck driving through your neighborhood; How word of mouth fuels Ritchie Cherry’s Good Ass Pickles
Ritchie Cherry has good friends to thank for his latest business venture, Good Ass Pickles, he shared. After trying his sweet and spicy garlic pickles during the pandemic, he said, they encouraged him to sell them — with one friend even buying him a case of jars to fill. “They all just started me off,…