Dr. Adrienne B. Haynes, Esq.
The first quarter of the year is a great time to get organized, make professional connections, and outline your company’s strategic plan and next steps. At SEED Law, we have relationships with small business resource partners across the region and state to help support aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. In March, there are two education opportunities available to owners in the Northeast who may be looking to start or scale their business this year.
The 2026 Food Business Conference will take place on March 4th and 5th at the Kansas State University–Olathe Campus (22201 W. Innovation Dr., Olathe, KS 66061). Whether you are currently running a food business or have an amazing idea for one, you’ll find the support you need at the 5th annual conference presented in partnership with the Ennovation Center, Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, Kansas State University, Kansas State University–Olathe Campus, KCSourceLink, MCPL Culinary Kitchens, Missouri SBDC at University of Missouri Kansas City, and Square One Small Business Services by MCPL.
This free, two-day conference provides valuable business education related to mobile food businesses, manufacturing, restaurants and agriculture. In addition to a business pitch competition, there will be opportunities to connect food entrepreneurs with support organizations, coaches and information.
SEED Law will be presenting Legal Considerations for Food & Beverage Entrepreneurs on Wednesday, March 4th. Launching a food business requires much more than a love of food. Whether you’re launching a food truck or stand, opening a café or restaurant, or you are a farmer and producer, there are several things to consider around the business of food. This workshop will cover the details of establishing your business legally, maintaining compliance, and protecting your brand.
To register, apply to pitch, and see the full schedule of events, please visit www.foodbizcon.com.
Another key resource for business owners across the state, technology startups, and venture investors is the Show-Me Network, an initiative of Missouri State University’s efactory and codefi. This new statewide network of regional and community connectors and training partners is designed to connect entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses with the resources, training, and funding they need – right in their own communities.
Through the Show Me Network, SEED Law will be offering legal technical assistance and monthly virtual business law workshops to entrepreneurs in Kansas City, Springfield, and to rural communities across the state. A national accounting firm, RubinBrown, will be offering accounting technical assistance and ongoing financial education. To access these free services and complementary resources funded by the Missouri Technical Assistance State Small Business Credit Initiative program, please visit https://showmenetwork.org.
The first business law workshop, Startup Law- Preparing to Open Your Business, will be hosted on Wednesday, March 11th from 12-1 pm on Zoom. Almost all business decisions have legal consequences. Understanding where the laws apply to your business operations can help you make confident decisions, protect your rights, minimize risk and save money. This workshop will offer an overview of business law hot topics, including choice of entity, managing contractual obligations, and compliance. Looking ahead, the next class, Contracts in Your Business, will take place on Wednesday, April 8th from 12-1 pm on Zoom.
There will be workshops offered each month from SEED Law, RubinBrown, Justine PETERSEN and other statewide resource partners. To register for free and see the full list of virtual and in person events, please visit https://showmenetwork.org/calendar/
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Thanks for reading!
My name is Dr. Adrienne B. Haynes and I’m an entrepreneur and attorney based here in Kansas City. My law firm, SEED Law, has been partnering with business owners across the Northeast and the city for almost 11 years. I loved living in the Northeast and I was fortunate to serve as an Entrepreneur in Residence for the Kauffman Foundation in 2017. Together with a dedicated group of Northeast residents and leaders, we explored a community designed innovation district pilot program. I was able to present this work during a TEDxUMKC Talk on Community Innovation Design in 2020.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be contributing articles and resources on small business and estate planning legal considerations. If you have questions, please reach out directly at adrienne@seed.legal.