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.
Olavio Bisneto
Growing up with two Brazilian immigrant parents who were business owners, I knew from a young age that I wanted to have something of my own. My goal has always been to offer a service at the lowest price possible to help those who need it. After serving eight years in the U.S. Read more>>
Julie Moise
I’ve loved photography for as long as I can remember. What started as a personal passion became a business where I focused on headshots and real estate photography. I enjoyed serving clients and building my skills, but I kept feeling pulled toward something more people-centered, something that created joy in the moment. Read more>>
Mariah Katherine
I was born November 15th in Illinois, I am a Scorpio child of the deep water. My true foundation is my family and the resilient spirit of East St. Louis. I am the legacy of my 2nd great grandfather, Theodore ‘Pop’ Myles, who poured into the community through boxing, track, and swimming to encourage a better tomorrow. Read more>>
Lorenzo Harrison
Lorenzo Harrison Enterprise was born out of lived experience long before it ever carried a formal name. Its foundation traces back to April 4, 2016, when I was a seventeen year old student in Blue Springs Missouri and made a decision that would permanently shape my purpose and direction. Read more>>
Don MacCuish
The Cove — Where Pirates Gather The Cove was created by Don MacCuish and his son Donny, who lead both the vision and daily operations as the owners/operators of this family-run restaurant and bar. Their goal has always been to bring a welcoming new gathering place to Platte City — one centered on great food, community connection, and genuine fellowship. Read more>>
Dr. Erin Dugan
From, a summer camp counselor in high school to a special education teacher, school district coordinator, director, assistant superintendent and now, a CEO — it has been a journey of passion, putting in the time and effort, a bit of luck, and lots of working to make an impact every day. Today, as the President & CEO of KidsTLC, Inc. Read more>>
Shannon Riordan
From a very young age, I’ve had an undeniable affinity for all things Disney®. When asked in Kindergarten what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was simple: Minnie Mouse. Read more>>
Marjie Siegfried-Stuber
I started my career after graduating from college with an English (writing concentration) degree in 1980. My first position was in marketing and public relations for a small Midwest college. That position included working with prospective students as well as directing a student dance troupe that toured about 15,000 miles every summer promoting the college in both public and private venues. Read more>>
Alexis Miceli
I developed my love for teaching and learning through a foundation instilled in me by my parents, who were both teachers. I began with a love for children and a belief that the earliest years deserve the same intention, respect, and beauty that we give to any other stage of life. Read more>>
Marcel Thom
Fitness is a lifestyle not an occasion. My goal is to transform both your mind & body in a fast, safe, and effective manner utilizing all of the tools in my arsenal that I’ve built over 2 decades to transform your body and mind! Read more>>
Paula Knight
My name is Paula Knight, CCST — Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist — and I’m the Founder of The Midwest Cigar Lounge Crawl® (MCLC), a three‑day celebratory weekend held annually in Kansas City since 2022. Read more>>
Charline Gray
I started my business from the ground up with hard work, determination, and a commitment to doing things the right way. With more than 23 years of experience in cleaning and management, I built The Cleaning Crew of KC one client at a time, focusing on quality, trust, and treating people with respect. Read more>>
Michael Smith
Michael Smith’s career reflects a consistent pattern: stepping into complex, high-stakes environments and using technology as a strategic lever to stabilize operations, unlock growth, and create long-term enterprise value. Read more>>
Karina Urena
The It Press LLC began with a love for creating and a passion for turning ideas into meaningful, custom pieces. I realized how much I enjoyed helping others bring their visions to life. From gifts and special events to small business needs, I loved creating designs that felt personal and intentional. As a family-owned business, The It Press was built on creativity, connection, and community. Read more>>
Kansas City Automotive Museum
About the Kansas City Automotive Museum The Kansas City Automotive Museum (KCAM) is a premier cultural destination dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history, innovation, and artistry of the automobile. With a strong emphasis on Kansas City and Midwest automotive heritage, the museum offers something for every level of enthusiast and historian. Read more>>
Dr. Jess Bohlke
They say, “Be who you needed.” That sentence has shaped every major decision in my life. When I was 20 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive, grade three ovarian cancer. It was absolutely devastating, and it forced me to confront questions most people do not face until much later in life. Read more>>
Delynia Jannell
I grew up in Wyandotte County in Kansas City, Kansas, as a pastor’s kid, so church was always a huge part of my life. I started singing in church when I was just two years old, and honestly, there’s never been a time when music wasn’t part of my world. Church is where I found my voice, my confidence, and my love for performing. Read more>>
Kelly Schnack
Charlie’s Dog Spa began the way many meaningful local businesses do — with love, necessity, and a refusal to accept “that’s just how it’s done.” The idea was born from my own dogs, Charlie and Jolie, and especially from Charlie, whose sensitivity to traditional grooming environments revealed a gap I couldn’t ignore. Read more>>
Charity Smith
I founded Legacy Massage in 2015, building the business through grit, perseverance, and a deep belief in the work—even through the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Originally from southern Utah, I found my way to Kansas City and quickly fell in love with the people and the strong sense of community, which made it feel like home. Read more>>
Gene Stewart
26 years ago I graduated from UMKC with a Bachelors in Business Administration. I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career but knew a degree could help in my journey. I quickly secured a job in IT Product Test with Accenture. Fast forward one year I found myself burnt out there. Read more>>
Heather Bourdon
My chiropractic practice grew naturally out of a lifelong connection to athletics and the functional fitness community, particularly CrossFit. From the beginning, I’ve chosen to keep my practice intentionally small, allowing me to provide highly individualized care while working closely with a dedicated chiropractic assistant. Read more>>
Amy Aaron
I began my journey in January 2008 as an aspiring network marketer with a big dream of owning my own business—but honestly, no clear picture of what that would look like. At the time, I was working as a 911 operator and was introduced to the health and wellness industry because I needed to get healthy. That decision changed my life. Read more>>
Savannah Dinges
After graduating high school, I was uncertain about the career path I wanted to pursue. With several friends enrolled in cosmetology school, I decided to explore the field and quickly developed a strong passion for the artistry and creativity of hair design. I graduated from Z Hair Academy in Lee’s Summit in January 2020 and began my career at Studio 39 Salon in Lakewood. Read more>>
ERIC COBBINS
As a child, I’ve always had a fascination with the limo business. But the bug didn’t really bite me until COVID, when I went to spend the week with my guy, former KC Chief WR Eddie Kennison! The last night that I was in town, he arranged for a limo/black car service to pick us up for dinner! Read more>>
Tiffany-Rose Scott
My journey into beauty is rooted in both passion and purpose. As an esthetics graduate, I’ve always believed that skincare and beauty are more than surface-level—they’re about confidence, healing, and how we see ourselves. Read more>>
Don, Leslie, and Gaelyn Nottberg
My wife, Leslie, and I opened the very first running/walking store in the Kansas City area in 1980 after having gone through very extensive and comprehensive education in Atlanta, GA. We are definitely an example of a small family business. Read more>>
