Taylor Wilmore
Reporter, Startland News
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
Recent Stories by Taylor Wilmore
Harvesting KCMO’s urban-to-rural development wins means taking down silos, EDCKC leader says
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. Kansas City’s growth isn’t just shaped by skyline-changing projects, said Heather Brown, describing a simple formula — and delicate balance — that keeps the region building upon its potential…
Peek inside: This new coworking space on Troost opens doors to belonging (and a rooftop view)
A search for new office space turned into a bigger opportunity to connect for founder Jeff Wagner, who launched Belong Space as a coworking community within a resurgent hub along Troost. Its mission is in the name. “It’s very difficult to find office space that’s in a qualified HUBZone neighborhood,” said Wagner, founder and CEO…
From ravioli to revenue: How Pasta La Fata became a fresh pasta powerhouse in mid-Missouri
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. COLUMBIA, Mo. — Michelle “Shelly” La Fata built Pasta La Fata with…
Chocolate maker (and coffee roaster) earns bean-to-bar accolades from his Grandview base
Kansas City has plenty of confectioners, but it’s rare to find true bean-to-bar work, Mike King said. That distinction makes Encore Coffee and Chocolate’s process both resourceful and extraordinary. “There’s only a few of us that are making our own chocolate,” said King, founder of Grandview-built Encore Coffee and Chocolate. “I consider myself a chocolate…
Plaza-based beauty influencer draws upon her own experience to launch signature brow line
Bella Jimenez built a real-life following in the local beauty industry, perfecting brows across Kansas City for eight years (four on the Country Club Plaza). But with that influence, she realized, came a responsibility to be authentic and honest about brands — ultimately creating her own line of brow products. “I wanted a professional line from…
KC Bier Co’s immersive biergarten set to open in Lenexa before thirsty World Cup visitors arrive
A popular Kansas City brewery officially broke ground Friday on a highly anticipated, border-hopping expansion that will bring one of the nation’s largest authentic Bavarian-style biergartens to Johnson County. “This project has been a long time coming,” said Camille Christie, Vice President of Development and Leasing at West Star Development, which is adding KC Bier…
Court clutter on trial: Olathe legal tech startup puts boxes of evidence one touch away
A Kansas-built innovation is reshaping courtroom outcomes with its one-touch trial prep platform that already has helped attorneys secure billions in verdicts with ease, said Jay Rutler. “I have a reputation for solving complicated problems,” added Rutler, founder and CEO of Litigen, and founder of ICON, a casino chip manufacturer. “A friend of mine, a…
Spiced side hustle gives this Kansas culinary teacher a kick (and a growing market)
Richard Wilks is bringing heat to Kansas’ food scene. A chef and community-builder at heart, Wilks created Burro, a line of chili and garlic crunch oils, sauces, and seasonings designed to fuel real connection around the table. His growing lineup can be spotted at the Overland Park Farmers Market, where loyal customers keep coming back…
Mental reps and truth bombs: How this AI ‘coach-in-your-pocket’ strength trains minds before life’s hardest workouts
Building mental resilience should feel as natural as going to the gym, said Craig Mason, noting his new venture flexes a “performance psychologist, coach in your pocket, 24/7.” The emphasis: training the mind before crises hit. “Myndset is really designed to be a mental strength training platform,” said Mason, founder of the Kansas City-based startup….
Meet the Lumi Award winners: Digital Health KC salutes pioneers leading innovation trends
A lot of smart investors are betting on artificial intelligence, said Dick Flanigan, telling a crowd gathered Thursday at Digital Health Day that even if AI doesn’t turn every startup that uses it into a multi-million-dollar company, the technology still will fundamentally reshape health care. “It’s transformational,” said Flanigan, CEO of Digital Health KC and…