Hidden Gems: Local Businesses & Creatives You Should Know

Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, join a boutique gym started by a local fitness champ or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention. We’re proud to highlight inspiring creatives and entrepreneurs each week in Hidden Gems series. Check out some of our latest local gem features below.

Will Farmer & Kat Bonfield

What sets us apart is our focus on blending cannabis culture with interior design. Our pieces are meant to be displayed, not hidden away—elegant enough to sit on your shelf and unique enough to start a conversation. We want people to feel proud of their smoking accessories and to see them as part of their lifestyle and personal style. Read more>>

Micah Cole

I am a voice actor, model and audio engineer. I have a reputation for producing high quality narrations with a fast turnaround. I specialize in vocal production – whether it’s commercial or creative, I love making people sound their best! On my website, you can see examples of both my work and other voice actors. I think my experience as a veteran sets me apart from others in this field. I approach my business with the same organization and passion I had in the military. Read more>>

Lynsey Sheely

There came a time that it was necessary for me to re-enter the workforce, keeping in mind that my number one priority was my son. Traditional jobs weren’t a fit. Long hours and a rigid schedules didn’t allow for the kind of presence I wanted as a parent. It was at this crossroads that an unexpected opportunity arose: an accounting position at my family’s trucking company. I knew absolutely nothing about bookkeeping. But if learning these things meant I could have more time with my son, I was all in. As I implemented upgraded financial systems at the trucking company, I saw something that surprised me: I enjoyed the work. More than that, I had a natural talent for it. I didn’t know it then, but this step would change my life. Read more>>

Jenn Reeves

That’s when I was introduced to an opportunity with a nationwide artificial turf installation company. I had zero experience with turf at the time, but I quickly realized I loved everything about it—communicating with customers, seeing the immediate transformation of their spaces, and knowing I was helping families get more enjoyment out of their homes. Read more>>

Taylor Mennel

When the pandemic hit in 2020, I decided to move back to Kansas to be closer to family and just feel a bit more grounded. That’s when I started my own interior design studio. I kicked things off by helping friends and friends of friends with their home renovations, and it just took off from there. Four years in, the studio’s growing, the projects keep getting better, and I feel really lucky. I definitely owe a lot of it to those early New York years, they gave me a solid foundation and a whole lot of hustle. Read more>>

Kyle Krum

My priorities changed after the pandemic. I put my handyman skills to work doing home repair and remodeling to get more time with my son before he started school. I then bought a house which needed some heavy repairs, again honing those handyman skills. After a couple years, I started really missing the culinary world. I had thoroughly enjoyed helping people out in their homes and seeing their reactions to my work. There was only one field I felt I could really shine in, and that was becoming a personal chef. I carried the personal chef career on for nearly three years before I decided to combine all my skills and start off on my own – That’s when Renaissance Chef KC was born! A year and a half strong now and I am so proud to be able to represent myself and incorporate all my interests into one business plan. Read more>>

Marty Augustine

My journey in sound started a long time ago behind the DJ decks. As a professional DJ, I spent many years spinning tracks on radio, making people dance in night clubs, and managing a thriving mobile entertainment business. My love for electronic dance music naturally led me to develop my own unique sound — one that merges classic electronic dance music elements with a fresh, creative flair. I transitioned from simply playing music to creating it. Read more>>

Cherokee Town

I got a call from her this past January as I’m recipe testing down in Billie’s Grocery for a cooking class. I opened my phone to a message form Anna that she was selling, and could not get me off her mind, and she wanted to sell Housewife to me. I was in shock. I wanted to keep the name the same, the staples of the restaurant the same because we shared similar values. Hospitality was the staple of Housewife, and the community was built around it. I also loved the name Housewife, because that’s how I got my start in food. A new wife, not knowing how to cook .. learning how to cook my family back to health at home. Read more>>

Gracie Patton

I started with full support of my family with a few bottles of yellow lemonade and pink lemonade. A few weeks later we added our famous Sweet Hibiscus Tea! From that connection with the Farmers Market we attended and were invited to many other pop up events through out the Kansas City area. We even had the opportunity to meet the Mayor of KCK who loves our drinks and is a customer! The drinks are a HIT! Everyone really loves the taste of a premium all natural beverage made with no sugar and sweeten with Agave! So that our local customers could purchase drinks at their convenience, we are now at 2 grocery stores shelves! Read more>>

Molly Niemczyk

While living in Hawaii, a love for nature and yoga expanded within me. After a 200hr yoga teacher training, I began teaching in Kansas City. The passion continues to expand with each class I teach, each student that smiles with pride talking to me about how they conquered a pose they never thought possible, and each savasana I witness yogis floating away into a state of complete peace. Read more>>

Ciera

In November 2019, I left my full-time job and braided hair until I gave birth to a healthy baby in December. I didn’t return to braiding until March 2020, but by then, the world had changed. The COVID-19 pandemic forced salons to close from May to July 2020, and I had to figure out how to keep my business going without leaving my home. That’s when I pivoted to making and coloring wigs. I met with clients at QuikTrip to deliver their wigs, finding a new sense of independence and control over my life. Being able to stay home with my son while working, watching him play or nap, and still bring in an income gave me a deeper sense of balance and fulfillment. Read more>>

Bianca Sisillo-DeFries

As a teenager, I had a vision from God and at that time all I could see when I closed my eyes was what ended up being the building of Overland Park location, INSPIRED Play Cafe, but it was empty space with white walls and front windows. Many years later, after I began motherhood, I began getting more pieces to the puzzle. I began working with my friends, who then became my business consultants. I had vision to build a space where children could gather to be loved, to learn, and to grow. A vision where the world would be changed one community at a time. As I always say, this was only the beginning to something greater. Read more>>

Kareena And Marcus Cloe

As we attended events and spoke with the community we found that our pop up bookstore was really well liked and people would ask us where they could go and find our shop. At the time we didn’t have a physical location, we tried to use social media to announce where our bookstore would be so those who wanted to shop with us again had the opportunity. One day Kareena came across an add for booth space at Headquarters winery and Mercantile in Harrisonville. We met with the owner viewed the space and then the freedom literature Book Nook was born Read more>>

Marco Sepulveda

I participated mainly in tropical-style musicals, where I learned a lot and experienced on a broader scale what it meant to be a musician at its finest. Along with music, I studied aeronautical mechanics. After a long career in that field, I was presented with the opportunity to come to the United States, where I currently formed a Latin band called Golpe Latino in the state of Florida, in the city of Pensacola. We’ve been with the band for two years now and have had a wonderful reception, mainly from Latin people as well as Americans. Read more>>

Michael Brown

What sets me apart is passion—for the work, and for the people behind it. I’m results-driven, but I lead with heart. One of the things I’m most proud of is taking WingStand from a simple idea to a franchise-ready brand. Seeing one of our former managers become our very first franchisee—owning and running his own WingStand—has been incredibly rewarding. Helping someone grow from team member to business owner is the kind of impact I aim for. Read more>>

Anthony Lopez

My journey into the heating and cooling business (HVAC) started in a shop located in North Kansas City. At a young 18 years old, freshly graduated from North Kansas City high school with no direction as to where up,down,left or right was. While working at a BBQ restaurant I got a phone call from my father about a childhood friend who owned a local family operated heating and cooling company. There I began my journey learning from Scotty Baird owner of the shop and his lead Tyler Wilson who both would help me and begin to train and teach me the art of heating and cooling and that its more than just getting people heat and air conditioning. Read more>>

Angel Adams

At first, it was just conversations—on street corners, at kitchen tables, after events. Then came Sunday gatherings, then the land, then Freedom Fest. Piece by piece, we started building not just programs, but a way of living rooted in shared care, ownership, and trust. I learned by doing—by listening to elders, being humbled by mistakes, and following the wisdom that lives in our people. What started as a vision turned into an ecosystem. Read more>>

Darin McFadden

Leading up to the album release, he wrestled with self-doubt, wondering if the music was good enough, if people would like it, or if anyone would even listen. Those fears delayed the project multiple times. But on July 17, 2018, he finally chose courage over fear. He understood that while it might not be his best work, he could improve with each release. He just had to start.When the music finally dropped, he felt overwhelming peace, freedom, accomplishment, and confidence. That moment stuck with him. He wanted others to experience the same feeling. And so, 7SEVENTEEN was born. Read more>>

Zeb Vincent

Me being “hard headed” as I am, I loved it. I also played Football, Wrestled, & Boxed for Turner. Graduated in 2014, was working construction job after construction job. My First, Fight in the cage was in 2017. I fought as Amateur boosting a record of 6-3 (with two 205lb Championship Titles!) I turned Pro in 2022, and made my BKFC/Pro Debut that October or 2022. Read more>>

Alex Lorenzo

Since then, I’ve done many more weddings and events. As a senior in high school, I accepted an internship at Sporting KC (the soccer club). It was a great fit because it combined my lifelong love for soccer and my recent obsession with photography. After graduation, I stayed with the club and am currently the staff photographer. It’s been awesome working with the club, and I have learned so much operating with the creative team there. I feel very blessed to be working in that position. Read more>>

Casey Stump

I got my start in the automotive industry when I was a kid. I played with Hot Wheels then moved to Gran Turismo on the Playstation when I was older. I would flip through the Summit Racing and JC Whitney catalogues imagining what parts I would buy for a car I didn’t have and wasn’t old enough to drive. I joined the Air Force and left for basic training a couple weeks after I graduated high school(2007) and got stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.  Read more>>

Dania Kheder

Lioness Design was born through years of hard work, challenges, and growth. Like many creative entrepreneurs, I’ve faced obstacles, moments of doubt, and the ups and downs that come with starting something from the ground up. But those experiences became the fuel behind the brand. The lioness symbolizes strength, clarity, and pride—qualities I wanted to embody and pass on through my work. Read more>>

Michele Rakestraw

Not every child will be a competitive or olympic gymnast; however, every child can benefit from participating in gymnastics training. Gymnastics is the foundation of all sports because of its physical, cognitive, emotional, and social benefits. The skills, discipline, body awareness and self-esteem learned in gymnastics will enhance any activity a child may choose to participate in later in life. I want to help each individual child aspire to reach their goals and full potential in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere. Read more>>

Janie Faville

After eight years in the non-profit space, I transitioned to private practice and eventually opened Next Chapter Therapy in the Northland. Today, I specialize in perinatal mental health—including fertility challenges, birth trauma, pregnancy and infant loss, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. More broadly, I work with individuals navigating major identity shifts—whether that’s becoming a parent, coping with loss, or healing from experiences that still feel unresolved. Read more>>

Emily Carter

I knew it was my purpose but unfortunately school still wasn’t for me in that form. I started venturing out to look into the esthetician programs near me and once I walked into the one I chose-I could feel everything that made me who i am just click all into place. Like I could finally see where my journey was meant to go. This is where realized I can combine my love of skin healing and a form of therapy together as one. And after school I decided to go solo and start my own business to give people a relaxed environment to heal their skin + spirit. Read more>>

Ben

For nearly a decade, I lived the double life: tech guy by day, floor guy by night (and weekends, and holidays). But thanks to that steady IT paycheck, I was able to reinvest every dime the flooring business made into better tools, training, a growing team, and marketing. Eventually, in 2015, I hung up my corporate badge and went all-in on Kimminau Floors. Read more>>

Hannah Minor

So I took the leap and opened my own business, rooted in acceptance and welcoming energy for all. My goal has always been to build a practice that not only cares for the skin but also supports the nervous system as a whole. I do this by creating an intentional, calming environment through soothing aromatherapy, gentle sound therapy, and personalized playlists that promote relaxation instead of distraction. Every detail, from the scents in the room to the soundscapes you hear, is chosen to help you fully unwind, feel safe, and truly enjoy your time. Read more>>

Zay Jones

Unfortunately, a lot of people think this profession is just as easy as picking up a camera and clicking a button, but although art is subjective, it takes a certain type of art, eye and a certain mindset to be able to achieve an acquired end result. Some may label it as motivation or a pick me up but if you’re determined and goal-oriented, regardless of whatever obstacle, you’ll get it done. It’s been a lot of sleepless nights and quick turnarounds for clients, revisions, etc. Sometimes things may go wrong, and you have to re-shoot because files may be corrupted. I would say it’s definitely a battle of the mental, but it’s all worth it. Read more>>

Hope Steinle

Definitely not. From being a stay at home mom for 11 years to starting and running a business was overwhelming. As a business owner, you are wearing all the hats plus still have your family/home life to take care of. Luckily, I have a very supportive, hands on husband so we are able to split up tasks with the business and taking care of our 3 kids. It’s still a challenge but I’ve been leaning into more balance and listening to my body when I need rest. Read more>>

Jacqueline

The introduction of High School Senior sessions in 2020 ignited a particular passion. In 2021, I added studio headshots to my portfolio, even integrating this service into my role at a real estate brokerage until recently. For me, photography is about giving others the timeless gift of captured memories, a process I value from the initial shot to the final edit. There’s a unique satisfaction in hearing a hesitant client – someone who claims to dislike having their photo taken – ultimately express genuine love for their images. Read more>>