Woman-led Stories

Small Biz to Watch: El Café Cubano brews rich simplicity inspired by ancestors’ appetite for the American dream

Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing five Kansas City small businesses this week through the newsroom’s first-ever Small Biz to Watch series, presented by Bank of America. The following highlights one of the 2025 honorees, curated by editors from Kansas City’s wide array of hard-working entrepreneurs and business owners. Selection criteria is based on factors…

Tiger 21 expands its invite-only peer network in KC as number of ultra-wealthy leaders rises

A prestigious — and relatively new-to-Kansas City — resource for high-net-worth C-suite leaders and successful entrepreneurs and founders is expanding: Tiger 21, a premier peer membership organization for ultra-wealth creators and preservers, is adding a second group. The launch is being orchestrated by Heidi Lehmann, a seasoned investor, board member and five-time startup founder leading…

Small Biz to Watch: Someday Sunday opens the door to me-time without guilt (or toxins)

Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing five Kansas City small businesses this week through the newsroom’s first-ever Small Biz to Watch series, presented by Bank of America. The following highlights one of the 2025 honorees, curated by editors from Kansas City’s wide array of hard-working entrepreneurs and business owners. Selection criteria is based on factors…

Independence day: Flipping from side-hustle to full-time requires grind behind glory 

Founders found freedom in the journey (but they’re grateful for what they didn’t know was ahead) Jason Taylor walked away from big tech for good in January — leaving behind a dream résumé that included a long engineering career at Microsoft, then Google, for the freedom to pursue what had once been just a passion…

Marma launches sister brand to fit weight loss support with women’s health needs

Weight loss support wasn’t originally in the plans for Marma — the only OB-GYN and registered dietician-approved nutrition platform for women during their reproductive years — shared co-founder Meredith McAllister.  But with the rise of GLP-1 medications, she and co-founder Victoria Weber saw the opportunity for a nourishing, evidence-based approach to weight loss support. In…