Speaking Startup: A new face at a familiar KC entrepreneurship group

In January, Melissa Vincent took over as executive director of the Kansas City-based organization, which runs a yearlong entrepreneurial fellowship for Midwestern startup founders and a maintains a nationwide network of alumni and supporters. Two months into her tenure, Vincent visited with us about her vision for the organization and — as a recent transplant to Kansas City — her assessment of the city's startup landscape. After that, we caught up with Kristen Brown, founder of Columbia-based ad agency Hoot Design Co. Brown talked with us about her belief in the power of brand advocates and her plans as Hoot Design Co. enters its second decade in business.