Woman-led Stories

‘Well, S***’ sign-maker and ‘native Cole Camp girl’ revitalizes rural downtown’s small business scene

Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. COLE CAMP, Missouri — What started as a side…

Social venture’s pet grooming grads now empowered to earn microloans thanks to trio of KC backers

Graduates of Kansas City-based Pawsperity’s pet grooming training programs are now eligible to apply for RISE Microloans to launch or grow their businesses — an opportunity boosted by an economic equity initiative to provide microloans to fledgling entrepreneurs. The Plaza Rotary Club program, RISE Microloan (short for Rotary Investing & Supporting Equity), is offered through AltCap,…

KC housing tech startup builds momentum, refines business model in Nashville accelerator

As Shapree’ Marshall prepares her final pitch for Twendé 2024’s demo day in June, the Kansas City founder and Pipeline Pathfinder already is seeing results from the six-month Nashville-based program. Her startup, A Traveled Path Homes, was among 56 companies led by founders of color that were named to the Twendé cohort in January. The…

As TikTok legal fight plays out, Missouri creators and businesses brace for possible ban

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. Like many others suffering from quarantine-induced boredom, Gabbie Wiggins first hopped on social…

Founders want answers for investors after crowdfunding platform fueling emerging bars, restaurants unexpectedly shutters

News this week that peer-to-peer business lending platform Mainvest would cease operations within a month “came out of left field,” said Jhy Coulter. “We got the email just like everyone else, and it was pretty surprising,” the owner of Orange By: Devoured and Devoured Pizza said, adding that she feels “sad because I felt like…