Nikki Overfelt Chifalu

1 week ago | startlandnews.com | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu

Brett Goodwin and Alan Tipton are feeling even more thankful right now for the large, dry basement at The Learning Tree — the independent toy store they own in Prairie Village — amid worries over tariffs on Chinese imports and how they’ll impact prices from toy manufacturers. The best they can do to prepare: stockpile merchandise earlier than usual for the holiday season and commit to larger orders, Goodwin and Tipton shared. On Wednesday, the toy store owners gave U.S. Rep.

1 week ago | startlandnews.com | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. TOPEKA — Although international educators are not new to the state’s capital city, Topeka welcomed about 50 teachers from the Philippines this past school year to address shortages within the local district.

2 weeks ago | startlandnews.com | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu

WESTON, Mo. — Almost a decade after launching KC Cattle Company — his veteran-owned and -operated waygu beef company — Patrick Montgomery is forging a new path to help fellow ranchers and farmers survive. He’s now digging his spurs into Valor Provisions, a direct-to-consumer online marketplace offering premium proteins from small, independent, veteran-owned ranches like his own.

2 weeks ago | startlandnews.com | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu

Editor’s note: The University of Kansas’ School of Business is a partner of Startland News. It’s a practical testing ground for KU students to flex their entrepreneurial muscles, Ryan Rains said, describing a business program built for could-be entrepreneurs who aren’t necessarily even business majors — and who, ultimately, might choose to abandon their concept ventures altogether.

2 weeks ago | startlandnews.com | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu

For women competing within today’s hiring landscape — an environment riddled with opportunities and challenges linked to artificial intelligence — it’s critical to master cutting-edge job application tools, said Erin Cole. “It’s about accessibility,” said Cole, chief development officer for Women’s Employment Network (WEN), a partner of the OneKC for Women alliance. “WEN is built on meeting a client where they’re at.