Woman-led Stories
‘We’re not waiting for anybody else to build it for us’: KC previews amped-up small biz energy ahead of World Cup
As host cities across North America prepare to welcome the world in 2026, Kansas City entrepreneurs are already getting in formation — with a choreographed assist from backers at the City of Entrepreneurs initiative. That REP URS spirit was on full display Wednesday during an Open Doors! Spotlight event at DISTRKCT, offering a closer look…
Mr K winner sipped deeply with community; now it’s savoring Small Business of the Year accolades
Built at the crossroads of coffee and cultural placemaking, the KC Chamber’s just-announced Small Business of the Year has brewed more than a thriving family business — it’s a story steeped in creating space for the region’s Latin and Indigenous communities alongside incoming FIFA World Cup visitors.
Out-of-the-box business: How Ling Vong’s food truck got more than she bargained for with Labubus
Ling Vong’s decision to sell Labubus alongside her Vietnamese street food wasn’t random, the owner of Dragon Wagon KC and KC Monsters shared. It was a strategy rooted in serving culture, creating experiences, and building community, she said.
KC-built startup brokers $18M funding round as benefitbay pushes market trends to the norm
A just-announced $18 million Series A round for benefitbay is more than just investor or market validation, said Brandy Thompson; it’s a signal that the solution she built in Kansas City is no longer part of a niche conversation with consultants and employers — too often requiring lengthy explanations about why the model matters.
Good data can light the path: Kauffman celebrates impact of 30 years of entrepreneur research
Necessity is driving a burst of entrepreneurial activity — especially among immigrant, Latino and Black communities, according to new data released this week by the Kauffman Foundation, reflecting mixed news for the state of American entrepreneurship as the influential Kansas City nonprofit celebrated 30 years of research.
