Wendy Guillies

Wendy Guillies, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman, ECJC: Stagnant US entrepreneurship is a diversity issue that throwing money at Big Business won’t fix

Women, people of color, and rural residents remain punished by systemic barriers to starting businesses, said Wendy Guillies in a nationwide call to action that unites powerful Kansas City entrepreneurism advocates.   “America’s economy is out of balance. We’ve got businesses that have become too entrenched and powerful, while people and communities across America are being…

Rhonda Dolan, Udo

Rhonda Dolan, on-demand personal assistant Udo honored as Chamber’s Entrepreneur of the Year

A lunchtime affair at the 2019 Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Awards quickly turned from celebratory mingling to shock and awe for Rhonda Dolan. “For [the Chamber] to recognize my efforts over the last year, which have been pretty intense, means a lot,” said Dolan, founder and CEO of Udo, reflecting on her…

Wendy Guillies, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman address leaves DC; Execs say the people (not politicians) will revive entrepreneurship

Everyone should have the opportunity to take a risk, achieve success, and give back to their communities through entrepreneurship, Wendy Guillies said. But it’s a collaborative process that begins at home, she noted. “The reality is we all have a part to play in creating a more prosperous national economy and that starts with growing…

Matt Condon, Bardavon Health Innovations, Matt Condon Kauffman

Startup leader hears calling in Kauffman legacy, selected to join Kauffman Foundation trustees

Money alone won’t truly satisfy an entrepreneur, nor will it build a stronger Kansas City, said Matt Condon — lessons learned from the late Ewing Kauffman. “Having a successful company isn’t good enough,” said Condon, a veteran startup leader who recently completed a year as chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “Impacting…

Techweek 100 list

Techweek 100 list released: Dozens of KC’s top cultivators, ambassadors and innovators

Techweek Kansas City on Friday released its Techweek 100 list of the premier leaders pushing innovation in Kansas City. The collection of cultivators, ambassadors and innovators is a who’s who of familiar names across the startup, entrepreneurship and tech communities. Released in the runup to Techweek KC’s Oct. 8-12 festivities, the list isn’t a ranking,…