Jordan Williams is a local designer that is delivering exciting style to us with his company, Keefe Cravat. Jordan is a homegrown entrepreneur with a few influences from outside KC as well. Check out this week's show to hear how he's built his business so far and where he's going in the future. Enjoy!Jordan on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan…

Swell Spark is the local company behind great experience based businesses like Breakout KC and Blade & Timber. Matt Baysinger, their CEO, grew up in the area and has grown the business nationally from KC.Matt on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbaysinger/By Scott Parman

Nicholas Segura sat down with me for this week's show. Our discussion is about his journey here in KC and how businesses are missing the opportunity in culture specific marketing. I learned a ton during our conversation, I hope you enjoy it as well!Nicholas on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholassegura/Segura Marketing: https://segura.marketing…

If you're a foodie or whiskey drinker in KC, you probably already know who Ryan Maybee is. If you don't, you probably should. I had the privilege to sit down with Ryan, the owner of multiple hospitality related businesses here in town to talk about his journey and why he's still here in KC, even after making a name for himself nationwide. Enjoy!Rya…

Welcome back to KC Greats! We kick off the third season learning about The Global Orphan Project. This non-profit is based here in KC and making great impact on the lives of orphans and children at risk of being orphaned in the U.S. and overseas. Enjoy!https://goproject.orghttps://www.facebook.com/theglobalorphanproject/?ref=br_rshttps://www.linked…

Notes Coming Soon!By Scott Parman

Major Baisden isn’t a KC native, but he’s settled in quite nicely! Since moving here for work almost 15 years ago, he’s accomplished a lot, and now he’s created a new entertainment option for us a new professional wrestling league. That sounds simple, but he’s taking that business in a unique direction. Check it out to see what he’s doing!Major on …

A few years ago, Shiv Gupta started a side project making BBQ rubs and spice blends in his basement. Now, it's a full grown business, possibly growing into something bigger. Take a listen to appreciate someone building a side project into a profitable business, just like any one of us could do.Midwest Best: http://www.midwestbest.net/ Planter’s See…

Josh Chrans is part of a unique group here in town called Kansas City Techno. Together, they promote their love for multiple styles of dance music here in KC. They bring national and international stars in their genre to Kansas City for their audience, as well as playing their own mixes locally. Don’t just succumb to believing the stereotypes, I th…

Wesley Hamilton works harder than you do. Harder than I do. Harder than just about anyone you'll meet. Plus, he does it with an infectious smile and a world-beater attitude. Don't miss this one!Wesley on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamweshamilton/Wesley's Foundation: http://www.disabledbutnotreally.org/Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamwes…

Louis Byrd has a story you need to hear, a project you need to pay attention to, and a perspective you can learn from. Take the time to listen to him on this episode; you’ll be better because of it.Louis on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisbyrd/Mellie Blue Branding: https://www.mellieblue.com/Mutual Musicians Foundation: http://www.mutualmusici…

Carol Espinosa visits with us this week to tell us about her journey from growing up in Rio to becoming an entrepreneur in love with Kansas City.Carol on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freedomcompanies/Freedom Companies: http://freedomcompaniesinc.com/Chai Shai: http://www.chaishaikc.com/Kick Comedy Theater: https://www.facebook.com/kickcomedy/KC …

Cam Awesome is exactly what his name says...Awesome! Cam has a unique boxing style that’s helped him deliver multiple national titles over the past several years. He has a great story as an athlete, but also as a super-confident, energetic, fun loving person. Cam is someone you have to know about!Cam’s Website: http://www.celebritysportsspeaker.com…

This week, Danny O’Neill from The Roasterie tells us how he started his business and why he stayed in Kansas City. Danny on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-o-neill-09256a8/The Roasterie: https://www.theroasterie.com/Aloha Chopsticks: https://www.alohachopstix.com/#/Phoenix Family: http://www.phoenixfamily.org/Church of the Resurrection: http:…

This week is a great show as Jake Jacobson gives us insight into how he spreads the word about Children’s Mercy around KC and the country.Children’s Mercy: http://www.childrensmercy.org/Ronald McDonald House: https://www.rmhckc.org/Hallmark: http://www.hallmark.com/KC Marathon: http://www.sportkc.org/marathon/Noah’s Bandage Project: https://noahsba…

This week's guest is major league! Marie Dispenza is the Director of Royals Charities. She explains how her organization functions independently and in concert with our Royals. Plus, she adds some great Hidden Gems!Marie on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marietdispenza/Royals Charities: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/royals-charities/Cafe Gra…

This week on KC Greats, John Pryor of Madison Flitch shares his unique story with us. From the tech industry to handmade furniture with great KC stories built into them. John is bringing a very interesting blend of traditional B-School background with today’s maker movement to create a great new business here in KC.John on LI: https://www.linkedin.…

This week's guest, Leddy Glenn-Ludwig, shares some insights on the world of special education teacher. She's making an impact in our schools every day, even opening her home as part of her work.Leddy on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leddy-glenn-ludwig-ma-ma-02a64673Donna's Dress Shop: http://www.donnasdressshop.com/Betty Rae's Ice Cream: http://b…

This week's guest, Christal Watson, tells us about her organization; the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce. Christal shares great information about the challenges that minority business owners face and what she's doing to lift them up.Christal on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christal-e-watson-84ba5334Heartland Black Chamber: http://www.heartla…

This week on KC Greats, I'm joined by Jonathan Tasler. Jonathan's company, Air Charter Team, plays a critical part of making our Presidential Election work. Join me to find out what that is!Jonathan on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-tasler-16456331Air Charter Team: http://www.aircharterteam.com/FB Photo Page: https://www.facebook.com/tasl…

Check out this week's guest, John Mulvihill, as we learn about his work and VML, one of our city's most influential company's. John gives us some great hidden gems as well, especially in our local art scene. Check them out below!VML: https://www.vml.com/VML Foundation: https://www.vml.com/who-we-are/cultureBarbershop Gallery (Anne Mulvihill): http:…

Erik Wullschleger of LiveKC joins me this week as my first repeat guest. So, it must not be too awful of an experience! Erik not only works on The Collective Funds, which we previously discussed on Episode 12, but also heads up efforts for LiveKC. Take a listen to figure out what it is, because I’ll bet you don’t already know!Erik on LI: https://ww…

This week's guest is So Yun, a dynamic business person who started her retail business, Ditto, from scratch 10 years ago in KC. She did it all as a single Mom and delivers great value to her cutomers!So on LI: http://bit.ly/2eO6rBWDitto: http://www.dittokansascity.com/Ditto FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/DittoKC/Vietnam Cafe: http://vietnamcafe.…

Check us out this week with John Kreicbergs. John is a lifelong KC guy with Propaganda 3, a digital production agency here in KC. John's worked on a ton of interesting projects and gives us a great view into the creative world here in KC.John on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkreicbergsPropaganda 3: https://propaganda3.com/Kung Fu Robot: http:…

Luke Wade delivers great downtown rec sports leagues for Kansas City residents with his business, KC Crew. They also organize events such as tailgate parties, pub crawls, and charitable events throughout the year. Luke also has many great recommendations, so check them out!Luke on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukeawadeKC Crew: https://kc-crew.co…

Great episode this week as I talk with the CEO of our local Goodwill organization, Stefany Williams.Stefany of LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanywilliamscpaGoodwil: http://www.mokangoodwill.org/Rumors FAQ page: http://www.mokangoodwill.org/faqs/rumorsPonak's: http://www.ponaksmexicankitchen.com/Tin Kitchen: http://www.tin-kitchen.com/Javits-Wa…

Shomari Benton is a new friend of mine who is a Kansas City attorney. He does a great job during this episode helping me understand some of the challenges with development our city faces.Shomari on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shomaribentonBenton, Lloyd, & Chung: http://blcfirm.com/Tie Library: http://info.umkc.edu/blochnews/students/umkc-tie-li…

This week I had the privilege of speaking with two gentlemen who are pioneering a new concept in venture capital right here in our city. Alex Altomare and Erik Wullschleger are two of four partners who have founded The Collective Funds and talk about their projects and what it means to KC. Alex on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexaltomareErik on…

Kendell Hale on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendell-hale-46732461Coach Hale's site: http://www.kendellhale.com/UMKC Tennis Men's: http://bit.ly/2cZntNP Women's: http://bit.ly/2cPdRouUMKC main site: http://www.umkc.edu/Genesis School: http://www.genesisschool.org/Boys & Girls Club of KC: http://bgc-gkc.org/Hawg Jaw BBQ: http://hawgjaw.com/Rivers…

This week on KC Greats we talk to Mark Rowlands to find out exactly what he does with the Downtown Community Improvement District.Check out some of the links below for more information on the CIDs and the people and organizations Mark mentions in the show.Mark on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markprowlandsCIDs: http://www.downtownkc.org/community…

This week's guest is a very interesting KC native, Justin Ricklefs. Justin is doing great things with his blog and getting national attention for it, both for himself and for KC.Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-ricklefs-b477594Justin's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.ricklefs.7Justin's Twitter: https://twitter.com/jus…

This episode features Katie Boody, a schoolteacher turned educational entrepreneur. She and her organization are enabling others to make education better by empowering them to bring new ideas to their field.https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-boody-465a8a37http://theleanlab.org/index.htmlhttps://twitter.com/TheLeanLabhttps://twitter.com/eduhubkchttps…

https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-kirsch-31461349http://thegroomingproject.org/www.facebook.com/thegroomingproject/http://www.nelson-atkins.org/http://kcparks.org/park/loose-park/http://jcprd.com/parks_facilities/antioch_park.cfmhttp://www.westonirish.com/By Scott Parman

On this episode of KC Greats, I sit down with Jay Waldenmeyer, an entrepreneur here in Kansas City that's involved in several different businesses.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaywaldenmeyerhttp://www.kcbuilding.com/https://www.athletenetwork.com/https://www.pawparty.com/http://martincitybrewingcompany.com/http://www.boyshopegirlshope.org/kansascity…

On this episode of KC Greats, we're exploring Niall, a luxury goods company making world class watches here in Kansas City. Michael Wilson, the founder and CEO of Niall, tells us about their progress and vision for the future.http://www.niallluxury.com/https://twitter.com/NiallLuxuryUShttps://twitter.com/wilsonspeakinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mi…

This episode features two entrepreneurs bringing a fantastic new pet and owner experience to Kansas City. Listen to Leib Dodell and Dave Hensley tell us all about their progress on Bar K Dog Bar.https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bar-k-where-everybody-knows-your-dog-s-name-beer#/http://barkdogbar.com/https://www.facebook.com/barkdogbarhttps://twitt…

Today we're talking with Dre Taylor of Nile Valley Aquaponics and Males to Men. Please take time to check out the links for his projects below!http://nilevalleyaquaponics.com/https://www.facebook.com/NileValleyAquaponics/http://www.malestomen.com/https://www.facebook.com/malestomen/http://www.kcgreats.com/https://twitter.com/KCGreatshttps://www.fac…

On this episode of KC Greats, we talk to Teresa Hamilton, founder of Giving The Basics. GTB is a local non-profit that focuses on supplying human dignity items to those in need. Find show notes at www.kcgreats.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-hamilton-795b64bhttp://www.givingthebasics.org/https://twitter.com/GivingtheBasicshttps://www.facebook…

In the inaugural show of KC Greats, I talk to Matthew Marcus, a very active local entrepreneur. Mathew has been instrumental in tech growth in KC as a founder of the Kansas City Startup Village and the Kansas City Startup Foundation. Links mentioned in the show are found below, or at www.kcgreats.com.https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarcushttps://twi…