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Crossroads small biz owners to Royals: Come back with a better plan (and put it in writing)
It didn’t have to be this way, said Crossroads business owners, blaming Tuesday’s failed stadium sales tax initiative on what they viewed as a lack of transparency and legally binding agreements, too many last-minute deals and changes, and a disregard for community input. Most, however, hope the conversation isn’t entirely finished. Jackson County voters this The post Crossroads small biz owners to Royals: Come back with a better plan (and put it in writing) appeared first on Startland News.
These founders just earned Digital Sandbox KC funds; next comes proving their concepts
A trio of newly funded Digital Sandbox KC companies includes a closely-guarded startup launched by an exited Pipeline founder who also helped bring headline-grabbing sports tech to the forefront of the Kansas City innovation scene. Mission Hills, Kansas-based Chemniscient (pronounced kemʹniSH(Ə)nt) is currently operating confidentially and is not disclosing any product information to the public The post These founders just earned Digital Sandbox KC funds; next comes proving their concepts appeared first on Startland News.
Voters hand Royals, Chiefs a resounding defeat on sales tax that would’ve funded stadium projects
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 3/8th-cent sales tax extension would have helped build a new Kansas City Royals stadium downtown as well as fund renovations The post Voters hand Royals, Chiefs a resounding defeat on sales tax that would’ve funded stadium projects appeared first on Startland News.
Kelce Jam returning to KC in May with Lil Wayne, Diplo, 2Chainz (plus Takis and Uncrustables)
Travis Kelce’s celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl championships not only flexes the star tight end’s pull with top-tier artists, but showcases his ability to attract major brand deals. Kelce Jam returns Saturday, May 18 to Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas, with musical performances personally curated by the three-time Super Bowl The post Kelce Jam returning to KC in May with Lil Wayne, Diplo, 2Chainz (plus Takis and Uncrustables) appeared first on Startland News.
Voice of the Chiefs offers advice for startups: Stay hungry, humble and pointed toward your goal post
WICHITA, Kansas — Don’t settle for one winning season, Mitch Holthus — the longtime voice of the Kansas City Chiefs — told a group of startup founders, encouraging entrepreneurs to keep pushing forward before they find themselves hitting a professional plateau. “You celebrate milestones, but you don’t stay there,” said Holthus, comparing the average lifespan The post Voice of the Chiefs offers advice for startups: Stay hungry, humble and pointed toward your goal post appeared first on Startland News.
KC duo’s play to bring more college softball recruiters to Midwest goes into extra innings with new tech tool
A Kansas City softball dad’s desire for a legacy has grown from a single tournament into four dozen events in eight states and a million-dollar boost for the Kansas City region’s economy, shared Jeremy McDowell. Newly developed tech could bring even more eyes to the Midwest’s best emerging players. Top Gun Events — founded by The post KC duo’s play to bring more college softball recruiters to Midwest goes into extra innings with new tech tool appeared first on Startland News.
Why these Gen Z marketers want KC startups to channel the power of TikTok Shop
A Kansas City-built Gen Z ad agency is opening a TikTok Shop challenge this spring — scrolling through plans to elevate startups’ and small business’s social media brands and offer a chance to win $100,000 in services. TRNDSTTRS Media — ranked No. 3 in client revenue on TikTok — expects the challenge to run May The post Why these Gen Z marketers want KC startups to channel the power of TikTok Shop appeared first on Startland News.
Bardavon founder moves to board as company promotes new CEO from its C-suite
Matt Condon spent the past decade driving Bardavon Health Innovations from an idea to where it is today, the healthtech founder said, but the path forward requires another leader — one with a unique set of skills and abilities. Bardavon on Monday announced Condon’s move from the CEO role at the company to its board The post Bardavon founder moves to board as company promotes new CEO from its C-suite appeared first on Startland News.
Royals draft KC fashion designer: ‘You’ve got one chance; let’s knock it out of the park’
Whitney Manney has been called up to the big leagues, the Kansas City fashion designer shared, and she’s swinging for the fences with a hometown team collaboration. On Thursday’s opening day at Kauffman Stadium, the owner of the KC-based WHITNEYMANNEY label debuted a three-look streetwear collection in partnership with the Kansas City Royals. The cut The post Royals draft KC fashion designer: ‘You’ve got one chance; let’s knock it out of the park’ appeared first on Startland News.
‘Startup Weekend changed my life’: 3-day competition returns with potential $150K investment prize
COLUMBIA, Missouri — Organizers of Missouri Startup Weekend — a team-based competition that takes a glimmer of a startup idea to a fleshed-out business in three days — are upping the ante in an attempt to give Show-Me State entrepreneurs a platform to spark success. “Aspiring founders can find people who can help them build The post ‘Startup Weekend changed my life’: 3-day competition returns with potential $150K investment prize appeared first on Startland News.
It’s easy for small biz to get lost in the shuffle; How ECJC offers a lifeline to Main Street, startup entrepreneurs
The Enterprise Center in Johnson County is on a mission to prove the Kansas City metro remains a place where small businesses can grow and thrive, shared CEO Jeff Shackelford. ECJC — which is home to the Women’s Business Center, the Mid-America Angels and the Women’s Capital Connection angel investment networks, as well as the The post It’s easy for small biz to get lost in the shuffle; How ECJC offers a lifeline to Main Street, startup entrepreneurs appeared first on Startland News.
Advocate knocks mayor for Troost renaming delay; calls slave owner tie KC’s ‘dirty laundry, reeking from the basement’
Kansas City can no longer whitewash its history to pretend Benoist Troost — an early KC doctor, slave owner and the namesake for Troost Avenue — was anything other than a monster, said Chris Goode, pointing blame at Mayor Quinton Lucas for a stalled effort to change the east side corridor’s controversial name. “There’s no The post Advocate knocks mayor for Troost renaming delay; calls slave owner tie KC’s ‘dirty laundry, reeking from the basement’ appeared first on Startland News.
C3KC organizers: Want to bring real social change to Kansas City? Let’s talk about it
The sold-out C3KC — a one-day conference that returns Tuesday, April 2 to Union Station — reflects the Junior League of Kansas City’s mission to bring together leaders for collaborative change in action, shared Ericka Duker. The Junior League — which aims to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and The post C3KC organizers: Want to bring real social change to Kansas City? Let’s talk about it appeared first on Startland News.
Passing the keys, passion: How a new wave of small biz owners plan to preserve beloved local brands
Some have been customers; some employees. Now they’re the new owners of popular local restaurants and retail shops. As founders step aside, fresh sets of entrepreneurs step up in hopes of carrying on the goodwill and loyal following these brands have built up, some for decades. John McClelland and his brother-in-law, Johnathan Griffiths, work together The post Passing the keys, passion: How a new wave of small biz owners plan to preserve beloved local brands appeared first on Startland News.
Topping expectations: These brothers helped expand Pizza Tascio to 8 locations; now they’re taking over
Erik Borger hired all three Lombardino brothers in their teens, starting them out as dishwashers at his restaurants in St. Joseph, Missouri. They quickly took on other positions — front of house, staff scheduling, food and beverage orders and deliveries, and hiring and firing workers. If an employee didn’t show up for a shift, they The post Topping expectations: These brothers helped expand Pizza Tascio to 8 locations; now they’re taking over appeared first on Startland News.
Nell Hill’s founder returns to retail with ‘this little secret’ — a micro shop with an old-fashioned, in-store experience
Mary Carol Garrity’s last home furnishings store was 18,000 square feet. Her new one? A “petit bazaar” at just 400. Garrity is teaming up with longtime friend, Rebecca Wood, on diebolt’s in Midtown’s Gillham House Antiques & Furnishings. The shop, which is scheduled for an April 19 soft opening, is expected to offer a “fun The post Nell Hill’s founder returns to retail with ‘this little secret’ — a micro shop with an old-fashioned, in-store experience appeared first on Startland News.
Urban designer behind Royals’ Crossroads ballpark pioneered the modern MLB stadium (and he has the bats to prove it)
It’s difficult to find a Major League Baseball stadium that Earl Santee hasn’t influenced with his philosophy of community-oriented design. Called the “Godfather of ballparks,” Santee — the recently named CEO of Populous and literal architect of the proposed Kansas City Royals ballpark district in the East Crossroads — either designed or renovated two dozen The post Urban designer behind Royals’ Crossroads ballpark pioneered the modern MLB stadium (and he has the bats to prove it) appeared first on Startland News.
Royals change stadium plan to keep Oak Street open to traffic, but fate of businesses is uncertain
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 Royals’ original plan was to place the team’s corporate offices and entertainment venues on Oak Street, which would close the The post Royals change stadium plan to keep Oak Street open to traffic, but fate of businesses is uncertain appeared first on Startland News.
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