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

Coverage Areas

Founder Stories
New in Town
Local Features

Latest Articles

Exterior of a new Trader Joe's store with shoppers, symbolizing community and accessibility.
New in Town

Trader Joe's Plans New Store Openings

Trader Joe's is slated to open new locations, signaling a robust expansion for specific retail sectors.

Aug 30, 2026 · 3 min read

A lively town square with people celebrating local events, featuring a giant cheddar cheese loaf replica as a quirky roadside attraction.
Local Features

Local Communities Gather for August 29th Events and Causes

This August 29th, a 32,000x scale replica of a Tillamook Medium Cheddar Baby Loaf will be unveiled as a roadside attraction at the Americana Motor Hotel.

Aug 29, 2026 · 2 min read

A lively town square showcasing unique local businesses, symbolizing community character and economic vitality.
Local Features

Supporting Local Businesses: Defining Town Character

For every $100 spent at a local business, roughly $68 stays within the local economy, a stark contrast to the less than $14 recirculated by chain stores, according to Pillur .

Aug 28, 2026 · 7 min read

Split image: a lively community arts center contrasted with a modern co-working space and struggling small businesses, illustrating uneven regional development.
New in Town

Region Sees New Business and Community Spaces Opening

In the historically underserved Northside district, a defunct textile factory has transformed into 'The Canvas,' a vibrant community arts center, offering free workshops, according to the Northside Co

Aug 26, 2026 · 5 min read

A newly opened Five Guys burger restaurant with customers enjoying the new location on a sunny day.
New in Town

Five Guys Burger Chain Opens New Abilene Location July 2

A brand new Wawa location on Ring Road in Elizabethtown faced an immediate operational challenge on July 20, when 1,500 gallons of fuel spilled just days after its opening, according to Wdrb .

Aug 11, 2026 · 3 min read

The newly unveiled PETAWAWA letter sign illuminated at dusk, with people enjoying the community space around it.
Local Features

Petawawa Unveils New PETAWAWA Sign to Boost Community Engagement

On August 7, 2026, the town of Petawawa unveiled a new PETAWAWA letter sign, a physical beacon in a landscape increasingly defined by digital connections and hyper-local activities.

Aug 9, 2026 · 3 min read

Excited customers receive gift cards and celebrate the grand opening of a new Winn-Dixie supermarket in Keystone Heights, Florida.
New in Town

Winn-Dixie Celebrates New Business Grand Opening in Florida

The first 100 customers arriving at the new Winn-Dixie in Keystone Heights on August 15 received a mystery gift card, valued between $10 and $100.

Aug 8, 2026 · 5 min read

Diverse group of people collaborating around a holographic display of economic data and innovation concepts in a vibrant cityscape.
New in Town

Regions See New Businesses & Innovation Initiatives

Local economies are seeing a visible boom in new business openings, alongside strategic workforce and innovation initiatives.

Aug 4, 2026 · 4 min read

A lively community celebration for the grand opening of new local businesses, featuring ribbon-cutting ceremonies and festive decorations.
New in Town

Local Area Welcomes New Businesses with Grand Celebrations

In September alone, 6,497 new restaurants and food businesses opened across the country, according to Fox Business .

Jul 30, 2026 · 5 min read

A lively street in Georgetown, Texas, featuring new businesses and historic architecture, symbolizing community growth and development.
New in Town

5 New Businesses to Explore in Our Community This Year

In Georgetown, Texas, a massive corporate land grab is reshaping the community.

Jul 21, 2026 · 4 min read

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