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
This gumbo hits The Spot: How Prospect KC’s own students cooked up a prize-winning competition entry
Gumbo Fest brought two victories for Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant and the Prospect KC. Not only did the weekend event earlier this month raise money to support the Prospect KC’s mission — empowering individuals and communities through increased food access, nutrition education and culinary job training — the Prospect KC’s culinary students also took home the…
Money in the tank: Health tech startup lands Pure Pitch Rally’s biggest catch of the day
The support of Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community — and the “land sharks” at this year’s Pure Pitch Rally — means the world to MedCurate founder and CEO Ashley McClellan, she shared. “They have just wrapped their arms around me as I’ve transitioned from corporate America to the entrepreneurship space,” she continued. “I’m very grateful for…
Not excited about these 3 Downtown KC projects? ‘You need to have your pulse checked’
It’s never been a better time for businesses in Downtown Kansas City, shared Mike Klamm. “A lot of us are Kansas City natives, and if you’re not excited about where we are right now, I do think you need to have your pulse checked,” said Klamm, chair of the Downtown Council board and senior vice…
Why Bay Area investors are shifting their gaze from tech to on-the-ground ag innovations
Agriculture innovation is at a capital-fueled crossroads, said Josh Svaty, describing a growing appetite from well-funded West Coast investors who are hungry for high-yield Midwest solutions. Climate change — and the challenges it poses across industries — is seeding much of that interest, explained the Kansas farmer, former politician, and investor; speaking to Startland News before…
Time for this mob to Roo Up with UMKC streetwear collection: Here’s where to find it off-campus
MADE MOBB’s latest collaboration — an eight-piece streetwear collection with UMKC — is yet another full circle moment for co-founder Vu Radley, he shared. The Crossroads-based apparel brand is planning a limited-edition drop Friday, featuring Radley’s alma mater and its iconic Roos. “It’s one of those things that just makes sense,” explained MADE MOBB co-founder,…
How one KC startup studio helps feel-good ventures grow impact while actually making money
Running a social venture comes with an inherent challenge for founders, shared Jacqueline Erickson Russell, emphasizing they must balance purpose and profit. Social Venture Studio — powered by LaunchKC — offers support along that journey, added Erickson Russell, the founder and CEO of Social Impact Advising Group and consultant for the Kansas City-based program. “Complex…
This hard swap plays easy: How one KC producer juggles community, breaking the club music cookie cutter
Tyler Jordan’s new spin on DJing: amplify fellow artists and unite people through music, he shared. Jordan — who produces electronic music and DJs under the name Oblivinatti (a mashup of his favorite video game growing up, The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, and his interest in conspiracy theories) — is evolving his sound production business Vibration…
Art and technology too often butt heads, festival planners say; River Market event paints a reality where they coexist
The River Market Art Festival is back after a 20-year hiatus — with a nod to the past and an eye toward the future, shared The AI Hub’s Taylor Burris and James Spikes, startup founders who are hosting the event in partnership with the River Market Community Association. The revival of the art festival —…
Apple co-founder tells Kansas crowd: The real threat from AI is misinformation
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. WICHITA, Kansas — Artificial intelligence won’t replace humans, shared Apple co-founder and tech giant Steve Wozniak, but the rapidly advancing technology should come with a warning label. AI is just…
Industrial tech leaders fuel ‘fire of innovation’ with startup mentality, partnerships
Getting foundational industries — like construction, manufacturing, and energy — to innovate isn’t easy, shared corporate leaders from three regional heavy hitters. “Everybody loves change,” joked Dustin Burns, vice president of innovation at McCownGordon. “They’re just asking for more change to be dumped on them all the time.” “In my experience, a lot of clients…