Bliss Books and Wine

KC GIFT pitch competition winner smiling on stage, celebrating innovation and teamwork.

Winning chemistry: KC GIFT pitch competition rewards joy on stage, work behind the scenes

Earning a $30,000 grand prize over the weekend closed out a six-week process for LaToya Ebony Sirls and other founders who were pushed to refine not just how they present, but how they build.

Meet the competition: AltCap Your Biz unveils finalists for pitch event, $60K in awards

A popular fall pitch competition for emerging entrepreneurs is returning to Union Station in November with AltCap today announcing 10 finalists for $60,000 in cash prizes — ranging from Kansas City’s first mobile matcha cart to specialty wellness retailers and a dog toy innovator. “The AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition is so much more than…

Meet the winners of KC’s first grants for micro-businesses; $55K awarded to women of color

A newly launched collaboration between entrepreneur support efforts announced Thursday its first batch of grant winners — positioning four Kansas City micro-businesses for greater success amid a near-universally challenging start for the year. “The first quarter of the year is hard for most businesses, and extremely hard for small businesses. This year was no different…

La’Nesha Frazier and La’Nae Robinson, Bliss Books and Wine; featured on BuyKC

Top emerging business finds its bliss as city uncorks bookstore’s ability to serve wine 

A city ordinance change is expected to move one of Kansas City’s only Black-owned bookstores closer to its chilled brick-and-mortar location — popping the cork on Bliss Books & Wine’s ability to serve its namesake beverage once the Midtown storefront opens. “People have been waiting a very long time for this storefront and have been working…

Mitch Case, More Than A Meal, talks with Deb North, Yes! Athletics, during the Chamber's Small Business Showcase at Union Station

Three-way tie: Public vote mixes ‘Fan Favorite’ small business honors between meals and more

A trio of Kansas City small businesses is sharing the Honeywell Fan Favorite Award this week after wowing the public during the Chamber’s recent candidate showcase at Union Station. “The rules can be bent,” said Eric Wollerman, president of Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technologies, announcing the three-way tie in the lead-up to the Greater Kansas…