Top Networking Groups for Women Entrepreneurs in Kansas City
When you own your own business, networking is essential and I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how many groups there are in Kansas City that focus on women owned businesses. These are the three that I recommend to any woman who owns a business in Kansas City: The Foundership, Takes Heart, What She Said, Inc.
The Foundership: Connecting Female Founders in KC
The Foundership is an in-person networking and education group for female founders that was started in 2024 by Maggie Glenski. She is the founder of Wrinkle’s Content Studio, a mother of two, and a dear friend.
I met Maggie when my business was just getting started two years ago. She was one of the few people I knew who was in a similar situation as me - struggling to find the time to “do it all” with young children and decided to take the leap to start her own company. Lucky for me, Maggie knew a lot of other women who were in similar situations and invited me to their monthly coffees. Over the next two years, that group continued to grow and it expanded into The Foundership. I am so happy to say that I now know hundreds of women right here in KC that own their own businesses thanks to Maggie’s group and others.
Connect with The Foundership and Maggie Glenski
Sign up for The Foundership email list to learn about upcoming events and opportunities
Follow Maggie Glenski on LinkedIn for great content tips and tricks
Subscribe to the Wrinkle’s Content Studio weekly newsletter - I look forward to it every single week.
Takes Heart: An Online Directory of Women-Owned Businesses in KC
Photo: Matt Long, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Takes Heart was started in 2024 by Laura Crossley, artist, entrepreneur, and mother of two. She created this beautiful interactive heart that can still be found at Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City. My daughter and I wave to it every time we drive by.
The heart is 5-feet tall and was created for the Parade of Hearts in 2024 to celebrate women+ owned businesses. When you hold your phone up to the heart, it reveals business listings, entrepreneur resources, stories, and more.
I met Laura through an event (pictured above) that I helped plan with Takes Heart, United WE, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Since then, I’ve been following along and recently attended a Women’s History Month event - Moving Forward Together - that featured women-owned businesses, non-profits, and women-led organizations.
You Can Be A Part of the Heart
Add your business, event, or job on the Takes Heart website - once you’re added you’ll receive info on upcoming events and opportunities
Use the Takes Heart directory to find a women-owned business
What She Said: Referral platform and in-person networking for women-owned businesses in KC and beyond
What She Said was co-founded by Bryn Carter (new mom) and Emily Salberg (dog mom). They are working together to create a trusted referral platform for women+, their businesses, and their networks. They are currently focused on Kansas City, Denver, and Austin, but they are planning to expand to other cities soon.
Let me just tell you, their in-person events are fire! Their Visionaries Dinner (pictured above) was an event that moved me. It made me feel like I was exactly where I needed to be. And it was the first time I was at a “business function” that you could see, feel, taste, and smell was created by women for women. It was glorious!
I met Emily through Maggie’s coffee group, and it’s been so fun to watch her build this amazing community, both in-person and online.
Join the What She Said Community
Create a profile for you business through the app
This is the list that I share with any woman I meet who is starting their own business or has already created one. I know there are lots of other great communities and organizations out there and I’d love to hear about your favorites in the comments below.
