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
811 Retail’s impact sells itself, incubator leader says; counter space opens for 5 entrepreneurs
The 811 Retail Incubator’s first 18 months met every expectation, Dan Smith shared, including proving The Porter House KC’s core theory: combining below-market retail space with real-world education creates a “learn while you earn” environment. A handful of spots within Kansas City’s first retail incubator have now reopened at 811 E. 31st St. after it…
Bin believer: Teen thrifting founder finds value, sorted by aesthetic (not sizes)
Rags Restyled 4u is selling more than just thrifted clothes, its 19-year-old founder shared; it’s using apparel stitched with self expression to give clothes a second life. “The end goal is really just to have a brand that makes a difference and makes people feel safe and comfortable and like they can fully be themselves,”…
Foodpreneur boot camp deploys ‘business in a box’ concept to prep builders for industry reality
A boot camp for Kansas entrepreneurs getting into the food industry works through a menu of resources they’ll need to turn a profit, said Tiffany Helton, emphasizing the program takes stock of business realities that might not always seem glamorous. “We get into nitty gritty — like licensing, business plan, marketing, financials, employees, company culture,”…
Rescuing a dream: Why Lizz Whitacre sees a future for shelter pets in Pawlytics
Lizz Whitacre grew up allergic to pets; the Midwest founder wasn’t even allowed to have dogs or cats as a child. But that didn’t stop her from fostering a deep-seated need to save them all; her Nebraska-built startup is now wagging momentum in Kansas City to help mom-and-pop boutique animal shelters streamline operations to boost…
‘Feel through it’: Danny Soriano mixes Renaissance mindset with genre-hopping setlist
Music provides more than a safe place to escape, said Kansas City-based artist and entrepreneur Danny Soriano; it’s simultaneously the space between people, and a connection that can tie them together. “It’s really important for my music to spark conversations — or create an atmosphere where people feel safe enough at my concerts to start…
Techstars returning to KC for one-night-only meetup; teasing what’s next for the global accelerator
It’s easy to take for granted just how far the Kansas City entrepreneurial ecosystem has come, John Fein shared. Kansas City-based Firebrand Ventures is teaming up with the global startup accelerator Techstars for a Community Meetup 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Grand Cafe on the Plaza. The event is free but space…
J. Rieger earns role in new Jason Bourne thriller; chased with a shot of Monogram whiskey, neat
When Jason Bourne slides into his next literary adventure, the CIA asset-turned-runaway agent is expected to find himself barrel-bound in the East Bottoms, said Andy Rieger, teasing a new thriller in the Bourne series that adds an iconic Kansas City destination to the hero’s story. Rieger on Thursday revealed that J. Rieger & Co. Distillery…
2026 Startups to Watch: dScribe tracks early momentum with West Coast-Midwest funding combinator
Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 high-growth, scaling Kansas City companies to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch project. Now in its 11th 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 2026’s…
2026 Startups to Watch: Roz uncovers dynamic momentum amid audit of its own shifting opportunities
Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 high-growth, scaling Kansas City companies to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch project. Now in its 11th 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 2026’s…
2026 Startups to Watch: Resonus wants local government to hear you — not just the loudest voices
Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 high-growth, scaling Kansas City companies to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch project. Now in its 11th 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 2026’s…