Dan Smith

Wallpapered with flyness: She’s adding urban culture to home decor; why this founder is still searching for her tribe in KC

Chicago transplant Keisha Jordan is bringing urban opulence to Kansas City through Complex Flavors Home + Life — just in time for the Kansas City cultural renaissance, she said.  Complex Flavors is a home decor brand, offering wallpaper lines that celebrate “city girl” energies, Jordan said, noting urban opulence is the fuel that sits at…

PHKC earns more state funding for 811 Retail Incubator; MTC boosting small biz

Another round of financial support from the Missouri Technology Corporation proves state economic development leaders understand that innovation also runs along main street, said Dan Smith. The Porter House KC — which just opened its 811 Retail Incubator in late July — is among seven entities just awarded a total of $1.8 million in Physical Infrastructure…

Resilience pays off as retail incubator opens doors; Meet the first featured founders at PHKC

Launching a retail incubator in Midtown Kansas City — a physical space targeted for overlooked and under-resourced entrepreneurs — The Porter House KC faced many of the same challenges as emerging small businesses, said Miranda Schultz, but ultimately the effort made it to opening day. “It’s been nice to go through our own trial and…

AI Hub’s art incubator is leaving River Market, taking over top floor of renovated PHKC space

The AI Hub is moving into The Porter House KC’s new 811 Retail Incubator, James Spikes shared, and he’s excited about the connections and opportunities it will bring. After more than a year headquartered in the River Market, the AI Hub’s one-stop art incubator — launched by Spikes and his wife, Taylor Burris — will…

PHKC planning to open its retail incubator in mid-May; here’s a first look inside the east side space

A new space for entrepreneurs to test-run their retail businesses is envisioned as a 12- to 16-month stepping stone to their own permanent storefronts or locations, said Dan Smith, and the resource could be open as soon as this spring. “We’re preparing entrepreneurs to open their own brick and mortars on the east side,” said…