Thou Mayest closes Crossroads shop: How a gritty, COVID-proof cafe on casters could be coffee’s future
Bo Nelson might’ve already perfected the roasts at Thou Mayest, but he’s still percolating on what the coffee experience of the 21st Century will look, feel and taste like, he said. The roaster retailer closed its Crossroads coffee shop June 30... Read more
‘Thin Line Between Cupcake and Bitch’: Women find universal message in bestseller, KC author says
Joni Wickham’s blunt new book — “The Thin Line Between Cupcake and Bitch” — isn’t intended to spark controversy, the Kansas City author said of her collection of experiences forged as a woman in leadership and politics. “You wouldn’t beli... Read more
Wee works of art: Vintage-inspired maker layers nostalgia, whimsy into every intricate piece
Metro makers continue to benefit from the “Mahomes Magic” nearly a half-year after the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory. But it was the Miami-bound mantra of another Chief that helped sales skyrocket at Wee Woodworks — landing the intrica... Read more
Boddle’s new $350K investment comes with a catch: KC startup relocating to Tulsa
Pre-seed funding from Tulsa-based Atento Capital is expected to help accelerate Boddle’s gamified edtech platform amid an ongoing pandemic — but the infusion means the Kansas City startup will move south to work more closely with its new investo... Read more
Overland Park startup among half-dozen companies selected for KC’s new insurtech accelerator
A new insurtech accelerator is ready to launch virtually, Brush Creek Partners announced this week, revealing the first cohort for bcp tech. “Despite the challenges of COVID-19, bcp tech attracted an incredible group of applicants, all with uniq... Read more
Repairing weapons to crocheting dolls: Soldier deploys maker skills to craft Daya & Me
Armed with a crochet hook — one more tool than the standard-issue weapons cache of her fellow soldiers — Daya Johnson was in a battle against time. Typically less than nine months. “In the middle of Kuwait, I had a huge tough box that was full o... Read more
Withdrawing from professional partnerships that don’t align with his values — specifically the Black Lives Matter movement — will be a struggle, Wesley Hamilton admitted, but adaptive athletes already know the heavy lift of overcoming challenges... Read more
Pure Pitch Rally opens applications, plans for in-person fall event at new Loews hotel
The best way to create more opportunity — and equity — is to push forward, said Karen Fenaroli. Competition applications are open for the first major in-person startup event announced since COVID-19 shut down many Kansas City workplaces and brou... Read more
‘Beacon of light’ — Meet four new Digital Sandbox startups that could reshape KC tech
Digital Sandbox KC’s latest quartet of funded companies will help Kansas City build a better, more inclusive startup ecosystem, said Jill Meyer. “We’ve always been keenly aware of the inequities in the tech ecosystem, especially for entrepreneur... Read more
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Stephanie Smithmier is an expert in talent recruitment, serving as the director of the administrative division at Morgan Hunter in Kansas City. I’m a toe-dipper. A... Read more