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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 The post Combating fight or flight: KC nonprofit deploys horses for veterans struggling to get back in the civilian saddle appeared first on Startland News.
PBS docuseries puts KC creator at the intersection food and ‘transformational travel’
Food travel is about more than getting the most exotic or expensive social media-worthy photo of a meal to share for superficial clout, said Jim Kane, emphasizing the transformation power of connection when someone truly allows themselves to use food as a lens for understanding culture. “Before the pandemic, there were a lot of checklists The post PBS docuseries puts KC creator at the intersection food and ‘transformational travel’ appeared first on Startland News.
A misstep ended their ‘Squid Game’ run together; the business of their friendship keeps moving
While not everything on reality TV is 100 percent … well, real, the bond between “Squid Game: The Challenge” competitors Stephen Lomas and Chase Higgins is anything but scripted, the Kansas City duo said. Longtime friends and business partners — the two previously co-founded Let’s Get Moving, a social media savvy moving company that gained The post A misstep ended their ‘Squid Game’ run together; the business of their friendship keeps moving appeared first on Startland News.
How Kauffman Scholars’ 20-year run reflected the value of representation for Black, Brown students
Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News. The legacy of Kauffman Scholars — an initiative of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation that sunset earlier in 2023 after 20 years — can be seen in the decades of students impacted and the passion fueling the effort from within, according to a The post How Kauffman Scholars’ 20-year run reflected the value of representation for Black, Brown students appeared first on Startland News.
This hands-on video production workshop at DeLaSalle will put careers in focus
A new partnership between a Kansas City video production company and a charter school serving teens along the Troost corridor is expected to give DeLaSalle High School students a stronger entry point into an emerging industry, said Jasmine Nastasi. “It’s a way to help with recruiting, to streamline the process, and to have an official The post This hands-on video production workshop at DeLaSalle will put careers in focus appeared first on Startland News.
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 The post Ford Fund Fellowship ranks KC alongside Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas; opening applications to local entrepreneurs appeared first on Startland News.
Russell Stover chocolates — a KC tradition for 100 years — still bring holiday cheer
Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. The iconic Kansas City-based company is still growing, and attributes its success to the warmth and comfort people feel when they The post Russell Stover chocolates — a KC tradition for 100 years — still bring holiday cheer appeared first on Startland News.
O Christmas weed: Missouri dispensaries ring in first holiday season with legal marijuana
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. Since Missouri began recreational-use cannabis sales in February, the industry has averaged $117.8 million The post O Christmas weed: Missouri dispensaries ring in first holiday season with legal marijuana appeared first on Startland News.
KC tattoo culture inked on ‘Maker Nation Challenge,’ paying homage to legendary Grimm family
A new streaming TV series left its mark on a legendary Kansas City tattoo artist after the first of two challenge episodes featuring local entrepreneurs and creatives debuted — showcasing KC’s top tattoo talent tussling without drawing blood. “It was the best party I’ve been to all year. I had such a great experience,” said The post KC tattoo culture inked on ‘Maker Nation Challenge,’ paying homage to legendary Grimm family appeared first on Startland News.
If support for LGBT employees doesn’t seem obvious, this new chamber leader would like a word
Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ community shouldn’t have to face its battles alone, said Tracey DeMarea, emphasizing the impact of allyship and the growing need for stronger support from the region’s business community — regardless of whether a company considers itself LGBT-owned. “Equity isn’t just an issue for businesses that know they have LGBT leadership or employees,” The post If support for LGBT employees doesn’t seem obvious, this new chamber leader would like a word appeared first on Startland News.
Veteran brewer pulling double shift with purchase of neighboring Crossroads taphouse, brewery
Purchasing a nearby brewery in the Crossroads Arts District will help Pat Mitchell boost beer production and distribution in Missouri and Kansas, as well as expand a community of support for U.S. military veterans and especially former service members who’ve become entrepreneurs. Mitchell, founder and owner of Red Sash Brewing, and longtime family friend Ryan The post Veteran brewer pulling double shift with purchase of neighboring Crossroads taphouse, brewery appeared first on Startland News.
Anchor Island pours into coffee shop’s potential with unique investment round
A crowd-funded investment opportunity through HoneyComb Credit would allow customers to help a Troost Avenue coffee shop enhance its kitchen equipment and expand the Anchor Island Coffee brand’s popular menu. Franchising and a liquor license could also be on the horizon. “We need support for the vision that we have, the product we serve, and The post Anchor Island pours into coffee shop’s potential with unique investment round appeared first on Startland News.
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 The post Health tech entrepreneur opening spa on the Plaza; Here’s how its ‘accessible luxury’ comes served with collaboration appeared first on Startland News.
Ingredients in your burrito bowl could be grown by agbots; Chipotle’s $50M venture fund wraps investment in Kansas robotics startup
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. A minority investment from Chipotle Mexican Grill’s $50 million Cultivate Next venture fund is expected to help bring a Kansas tech company’s autonomous weeding robots into the fold as the The post Ingredients in your burrito bowl could be grown by agbots; Chipotle’s $50M venture fund wraps investment in Kansas robotics startup appeared first on Startland News.
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 The post New news: This KC shop makes the sold-out hats for Kelces’ popular podcast; now you can find even more merch in store appeared first on Startland News.
EDCKC boasts right team at the right time, CEO says as agency rebuilds its reputation
With 18 months of foundational work now laid, Tracey Lewis said, the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City is well on its way to rebuilding the trust, respect, and effective communication needed to execute the agency’s economic development goals. That takes repairing bridges between the City of KCMO and the EDCKC, he said, as well The post EDCKC boasts right team at the right time, CEO says as agency rebuilds its reputation appeared first on Startland News.
We rode Kansas City’s new Ferris wheel for the best view of the skyline; Here’s what we saw
Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. Although it’s been visible from the ground for months, the 150-foot KC Wheel is now open to ride for a panoramic, The post We rode Kansas City’s new Ferris wheel for the best view of the skyline; Here’s what we saw appeared first on Startland News.
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 The post CAPS Network expanding into rural Kansas schools with $951K education grant appeared first on Startland News.
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 The post Former sports executive teams with startup veteran to simplify visa process for foreign athletes appeared first on Startland News.
Cheese, chips, and cheers: Deez Nachos joins Parlor with its first fixed location
Dwight Tiller II is taking his family’s loaded nacho business from wheels to brick-and-mortar with its new spot — parked on the first floor of Parlor, Kansas City’s first modern food hall. Previously at the Crossroads-based Parlor as the former co-owner and head chef of KC Mac and Co., Tiller now is taking Deez Nachos The post Cheese, chips, and cheers: Deez Nachos joins Parlor with its first fixed location appeared first on Startland News.
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