Woman-led Stories

Getting Kansas City to the last mile of tech workforce development requires a bridge (and together we’re building it)

Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Kara Lowe is president and CEO of KC Tech Council. The greater Kansas City region faces a sizable workforce challenge; there currently are more tech-focused jobs in the region than local job candidates to fill the openings. At present, employers are seeking more…

1 Million Cups relocating back to Kauffman Foundation, renewing weekly meetup’s energy, sense of purpose

After more than six years connecting entrepreneurs in Midtown, 1 Million Cups Kansas City is returning to its roots — relocating the weekly event series April 9 to the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center where the now-coast-to-coast morning meetup series first percolated.  Changing the brew for the Wednesday entrepreneur pitch showcase came from the same voices…

Meet the winners: Pitch Black competition rewards founders’ vision with $60K in prizes

Founder Godfrey Riddle was overwhelmed with emotion Saturday, he said, after accepting the $30,000 grand prize at the Pitch Black Business Summit — a game-changing development for his sustainable, affordable housing venture, Civic Saint. “I’m feeling phenomenal. Shocked, relieved — just elated,” said Riddle, following the announcement of his win. “It’s crazy because when you…

This young baker tore up the instructions for starting a business (but kept all the best recipes)

Overland Park cookie shop gets a new baker behind the counter, adding a frosted twist to familiar favorites She learned to bake as a child by her grandmother’s side. So by middle school, Maddie Callicott was so proficient she not only held popular bake sales, she printed up business cards for her “You Take the…

Brick by brick: How used LEGOs are making innovation more tangible for KC kids in need

Solopreneur Rhonda Jolyean Hale believes that all children deserve access to play — no matter their circumstances. As the Kansas City ambassador for the Pass the Bricks initiative, she’s working to build that reality by giving new life to donated LEGO bricks. “We take gently used LEGO bricks — not the stuff the dog chews…