Town and Story

Kian Parsa

Contributing Editor, Founder Stories

Kian Parsa is a contributing editor focusing on founder stories and new businesses. With a background in business and technology reporting for publications like 'Venture Weekly' and 'The Startup Scene,' Kian brings a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship. He believes that every new business has a powerful human story at its core. His work dives deep into the motivations, struggles, and breakthroughs of local founders, creating narrative-driven articles that are both inspiring and insightful. His celebrated 'First Draft' series has become essential reading for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region.

Expertise

EntrepreneurshipStartup CultureBusiness ProfilesNarrative Journalism

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Founder Stories
New in Town
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Latest Articles

The exterior of the new Cornerstone Services behavioral health center in Joliet, with people entering, representing community access to mental health resources.
New in Town

New Behavioral Health Center Opening in Our Community

On Monday at 2 p.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the opening of Cornerstone Services' new behavioral health center at 2705 McDonough St. in Joliet, bringing a critical new resource to the comm

Jul 15, 2026 · 3 min read

AI search interface showing a YouTube creator's content prioritized over a brand's official channel for a consumer query.
New in Town

AI Search Now Cites YouTubers Over Brands for Answers

In high-intent categories like consumer electronics and financial services, nearly one in two AI assistant responses now cite independent YouTube creators, often bypassing official brand channels enti

Jun 29, 2026 · 2 min read

Working parents struggling with childcare during summer, highlighting the financial and logistical burdens faced by families.
Local Features

Summer childcare challenges; new tax credit offers partial relief

During summer months, working mothers already spend nearly nine hours more per week on childcare than during the school year, a significant increase that often strains family resources and personal ti

Jun 29, 2026 · 3 min read

A modern Einstein Bros. Bagels store with a line of customers, symbolizing the brand's expansion and new store design.
New in Town

Einstein Bros. Bagels Plans 300 New Locations by 2030

Einstein Bros. Bagels aims to open 300 new locations by 2030, a rapid expansion fueled by a completely redesigned store model. This aggressive growth strategy targets substantial market share in the b

Jun 28, 2026 · 2 min read

Diverse group of people in their 40s looking at a house, symbolizing the rising average age of first-time homebuyers in America.
New in Town

First-time homebuyers now average 40 years old in America

At 40 years old, the typical first-time homebuyer in America is now older than ever before, a stark indicator of a shifting economic landscape, according to Nar Realtor .

Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read

Former Meta executive Sarah Wynn-Williams confronts a symbolic representation of Meta Platforms in a courtroom, alleging duress over a non-disparagement agreement.
Local Features

Meta Faces Lawsuit From Ex-Executive Over Alleged Duress

Meta Platforms is seeking $50,000 in damages for each alleged violation of a non-disparagement agreement by former executive Sarah Wynn-Williams, who is fighting back in federal court.

Jun 26, 2026 · 2 min read

Older adults participating in a study, holding placebo pills, showing improved memory and well-being.
New in Town

Open-label placebos boost memory in older adults

Older adults who took a placebo supplement for three weeks showed measurable improvements in memory, physical performance, and well-being, even when they knew the pills contained no active ingredients

Jun 25, 2026 · 3 min read

An office worker looking disengaged and uninspired at their desk, symbolizing the concept of rust-out due to under-stimulation.
New in Town

Rust-Out: Understanding Causes and Finding Solutions

By 2026, rust-out is projected to affect 1 in 3 bored workers, silently eroding their well-being and productivity.

Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read

Glossier's logo subtly displayed in a modern office, symbolizing the company's recent $45 million credit facility secured from Tiger Finance.
Founder Stories

Glossier secures $45 million credit facility from Tiger Finance

Beauty brand Glossier, which once raised just $1 million in a seed round, has now secured a $45 million revolving credit facility.

Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read

A determined individual focused on their work, symbolizing the power of sustainable self-discipline strategies backed by psychological research.
Local Features

Psychology Reveals Sustainable Self-Discipline Strategies

If you have ever felt your resolve crumble by midday, you are not alone.

Jun 21, 2026 · 3 min read

A visual representation of a business's reputation rapidly declining due to social media complaints, with stock prices falling.
Founder Stories

Unhappy Customers Now Quickly Damage Business Reputation

In the last 24 hours, social media complaints about Company X's new product surged by 300%, directly preceding a 5% dip in its stock price, according to Brandwatch.

Jun 21, 2026 · 3 min read

A sophisticated AI robot analyzing complex data streams on a holographic interface in a futuristic cityscape, symbolizing the dual nature of AI automation and security.
Local Features

AI Companies: Navigating Automation and Security Challenges

In November 2025, Anthropic disclosed 'the first reported AI-orchestrated cyber espionage campaign'.

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read

Anthropic AI's Claude 3 model logo under a digital shield with flashing red warning lights, symbolizing government scrutiny over safety concerns.
Founder Stories

Anthropic AI Faces Government Scrutiny Over Safety Concerns

On Friday evening, the Department of Commerce immediately suspended Anthropic's flagship Claude 3 model for all federal government use, citing 'unacceptable risks to national security and critical inf

Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read

A person calmly observing a digital landscape from a mountain peak, symbolizing a new, less demanding strategy for LinkedIn growth.
New in Town

Grow LinkedIn Followers by Posting Less: New Strategy Emerges

A LinkedIn user who cut their posting frequency by 50% saw their follower count jump by 30% in three months, according to a case study by Digital Growth Institute.

Jun 15, 2026 · 3 min read

Close-up of a person's face, conveying the speed and impact of first impressions formed in milliseconds.
Founder Stories

First Impressions: Why They Stick and Are Hard to Change

In as little as a tenth of a second, people form specific trait inferences from facial appearance.

Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read

A dad and a graduate happily receiving innovative startup tech gifts, symbolizing thoughtful and modern present-giving for 2026.
Founder Stories

Top Startup Gift Ideas for Dads and Grads in 2026

The Therabody SleepMask doesn't just block light; it actively vibrates to help users fall asleep, according to Esquire .

Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read

Overwhelmed server room with chaotic AI data streams and a stressed project manager viewing a depleting budget graph.
Local Features

AI bills surge, threatening project cancellations and rising costs

Uber's entire annual AI budget was gone by April 2026.

Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read

A visual comparison of Melinda French Gates' empathetic leadership style versus Elon Musk's more individualistic and confrontational approach.
Founder Stories

Melinda French Gates' leadership vision contrasts with Elon Musk

Speaking at the Forbes 30/50 Summit, Melinda French Gates presented a vision of leadership anchored in empathy and collaboration, implicitly challenging the 'move fast and break things' ethos often se

Jun 13, 2026 · 2 min read

Diverse group of young Gen Z entrepreneurs collaborating on business plans in a bright, modern co-working space, discussing innovative ideas.
Founder Stories

Gen Z Entrepreneurs Explore Purpose-Driven Small Business Ideas

At just 24, Kugan Suppiah invested in a Bang Cookies franchise and already plans a second location, showcasing how Gen Z finds entrepreneurial success and structure in established business models.

Jun 13, 2026 · 2 min read

Viggo Labs' 'Continental' AI system coordinating a fleet of drones and ground robots in a simulated urban combat scenario.
Local Features

Viggo Labs Debuts John Wick Inspired AI Agent Team

During a recent simulation, a multi-agent AI system called 'Continental' autonomously coordinated 12 drones and 3 ground robots.

Jun 13, 2026 · 3 min read