Hope gives you power: How a LinkedIn Live duo is dismantling negativity on social media
Success was no surprise for motivational speaker Les Brown, whose daily Facebook and LinkedIn Live show reaches more than a million weekly views — with help from a colorful Kansas City personality known for her social media prowess. “How people... Read more
KC performer appointed UN Young Leader, extending Battery Tour’s energy worldwide, says AY Young
Singer-songwriter-street performer AY Young has a new stage for his unique message, announcing Friday the Kansas City artist’s appointment as one of the United Nations’ 17 Young Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals. “I’ll be honest, I was l... Read more
Meet the No Coast winners: Homebase founder, Garmin lead 2020 KC tech honors
Tech is a team sport — a reality undefeated by COVID-19, the KC Tech Council said Wednesday, capping a two-day virtual No Coast ceremony that recognized the interconnectedness of Kansas City’s tech community with entrepreneurship, corporate inno... Read more
‘Labor of love’: Leslie Scott’s decade-long mission to pair donors, nonprofits launches
A years-long project to help non-profits connect with donors is now a reality — thanks in large part to a government-issued economic stimulus check. “Because of my stimulus payment, I was able to actually pay a friend who’s a WordPress develope... Read more
Anything guys can do, girls and women just might be doing better, Deb North said. “Our whole goal is to support girls in this process and build them up and be their cheerleaders,” North, founder of Yes! Athletics, explained of the social enterp... Read more
Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. This report was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. Inclusion is about fulfilling untapped potential, said Sameeksha Desai, d... Read more
To be blunt: Meowijuana sees record sales as COVID sparks deeper bonds for pets, owners
Consumer sensibilities are much higher in the 2020s than they were in 2005, Chris Glissman laughed, recalling his garage-baked idea for a stoner-inspired line of catnip. “You can guess what I was doing at the time,” he chuckled, looking back on... Read more
SafetyCulture deepens its COVID response with $29M acquisition of ‘micro-learning’ app
An Australian startup with a significant presence in Kansas City has acquired a mobile training app to boost COVID-era education for businesses through free “micro-learning” resources. “We’re experiencing the biggest workplace shake-up since eco... Read more
What Duh Fog: Couple offers dual take on inclusivity with COVID-prompted venture
The threat of COVID-19 exposed gaps in access to effective and proactive cleaning services for small businesses hoping to reopen amid the pandemic, said Eruvial Montes-Boyle. “We wanted to help people and businesses feel safe in their homes or s... Read more
Destination exit: Less talk, more acceleration drove quiet BacklotCars to $425M deal
In the half-decade run-up to BacklotCars’ historic $425 million exit, the Kansas City startup remained largely under the radar, Justin Davis acknowledged, noting the intentional move became less about strategy and more focused on team values. “L... Read more