Minority-Led Stories
Quincy Lee’s imagination never stops working; thanks to a life-saving camera, neither does he
An introverted “creativepreneur,” Quincy Lee juggles video content creation, co-owning a digital marketing agency, designing his own apparel, and fatherhood — all while bringing bold ideas into focus. “I’ve always been an entrepreneur all my life,” Lee said, reflecting on the early days of his journey. “It started small, but it planted the seed for…
Blue collar Friday: Why a KC streetwear project in the works for a decade could sell out in one night
A just-dropped collaboration between two Crossroads makers stitch together neighborhood history and vintage streetwear, according to the creatives behind the SewKC and MADE MOBB brands. “We’re paying homage to the craftsmanship of the past but bringing it into this new age,” explained Jesse Phouanphet, co-owner of the popular Kansas City streetwear apparel company MADE MOBB. …
Ice Cream BAE founder turns to Laotian home-cooking, offering up Mama’s egg rolls from new Lenexa noodle spot
Lenexa Public Market will soon be home to a new kitchen serving a mix of authentic flavors from Laos and Thailand — an authentic-to-home concept from an entrepreneur known for bringing fresh culinary experiences to diners from North Kansas City to South Johnson County. Chef and owner Adison Sichampanakhone plans a January opening for Saap…
Startup: Holiday season gift card boom needn’t skip small biz; this discrete digital wallet-ready option keeps giving local
Gift cards are convenient — and the No. 1 most-requested present — Nicole Glass said, but there’s frequently just something impersonal and disconnected about them that makes many people feel bad about slipping one into a card or gift box. “It’s like, ‘I didn’t really know what you wanted. Here’s Starbucks,’” said Glass, president of…
Beadwork maker thankful for Native heritage, crafting pieces that honor her lineage (not just what will sell)
Komina Guevara’s hands are rarely still. Through intricate beadwork and crafting leather, her art tells a story deeply rooted in cultural heritage, family traditions, and personal evolution. As the creative force behind KomGue, Guevara is gaining recognition as a standout Kansas City maker — her work showcased at pop-ups and earning her the $1,500 second-place…
