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.
Matthew Murphy
In 2013 my wife and I lived in Philadelphia where I started working in the cigar and bar industry. The idea for both Quaint and Fireside came about when my family moved to Olathe in 2017. Olathe was a great place to live but lacked things to do. Read more>>
Marcia Taylor-Trump
In May 2016 I retired from teaching with 40 years of experience, my last teaching position was in Garden City, KS. My husband and I decided to move back to Howard, KS which for both of us was home, my mother is still living in Howard. Read more>>
Andy Kroesen
The mission of the Peace Pavilion is simple but powerful: “Engaging the pursuit of peace by promoting peaceful learning, living, and action.” Everything we do flows from that commitment. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the primary program of PeacePathways, the Peace Pavilion is an interactive children’s museum uniquely designed to explore peace education in practical, hands-on ways. Read more>>
Jacqueline Faltermeier
My husband, Adi, and I both are born and raised in the Kansas City Metro Area. I went to SMS and he went to Olathe South. Upon meeting, we wanted to start something bigger than us that people from around the world could enjoy. With both of us being big foodies and loving to explore cuisines from around the world, food was the obvious choice. Read more>>
Emma Bannavong
I had always been creative growing up. I started college like most people not knowing what they want to do so I decided majoring in business would be safe bet. A graphic design course was recommended to me from one of my advisors and I instantly found my passion. I dove into my school projects not knowing what work outside of college would look like. Read more>>
Devin Lingenfelter
My flower shop started with a simple realization that, no matter where I am, flowers have a way of drawing my attention. I love how a single arrangement can change the energy of a room, and I eventually realized that my eye for design was something I wanted to share with our community. Read more>>
Julie Twenter
Pose & Play Yoga is more than a program — it’s my way of nurturing, guiding, and positively impacting children’s lives through movement, mindfulness, and play. Every class allows me to pour love, connection, and encouragement into young hearts and minds. What once felt like a loss has become a beautiful gift. I didn’t just find my purpose — I created it. Read more>>
Rob Moreno
I am Robert Moreno, the proud owner and CEO of All Washed Up Cleaning Services, LLC, born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. A graduate of Kansas State University, I have always been passionate about fostering diversity and inclusion within his community and workplace. Read more>>
Jennifer Hope
For most of my adult life, I worked in healthcare, and about five years ago, I made the decision to care for people in a different way—by helping them create meaningful, joyful travel experiences. Read more>>
Sarabeth De Cunha
I saw my first live birth in 2015 in a small village clinic in Indonesia. Witnessing the beautiful design for childbirth enthralled me, and I knew I wanted to work with women in some capacity one day. After attending births as a doula starting in 2019, I began my formal midwifery training in 2021. Read more>>
Courtney Younglove
I obtained my undergraduate degree in women’s studies before entering medical school. After completing a residency in obstetrics & gynecology, I began practicing in Overland Park. About ten years into practice, I began exploring the field of obesity medicine. Most of my patients were asking me about weight and I didn’t know how to help them. Read more>>
Tyler Batliner
HAGS Clothing started during a moment when everything in my life slowed down at once. I already knew I had a tumor in my leg, but while playing soccer with my friends at Mizzou, I fractured the golf ball–sized tumor and also had my patellar tendon repaired due to ongoing issues from Osgood-Schlatter. Read more>>
matt bryde
I was born to a couple hippies with hearts of gold whose faith and creativity inspire me to this day. The artist vibe flowed heavy and strong as the incense and patchouli that filled the air. My greatest childhood achievement was being as ornery as the day is long. An accomplishment I am still very proud of to this day. Read more>>
Tina Burch
I moved to the Kansas City area from Louisiana after spending 12 years mastering the art of permanent makeup. In 2012, I opened Let’s Face It with nothing more than my experience, my passion, and a deep desire to help women feel beautiful and confident. What started as a one‑woman studio has grown into something I could have never imagined. Read more>>
Jennifer Reed
I have always loved history and geography. The stories of our collective past run the gambit of emotions from heartbreaking tragedy to awe inspiring triumph. When I got to college, I wasn’t sure what I could do with a history degree other than teach. So that is what I started with, a teaching degree in secondary education. Read more>>
Jasmine Powell
My love for photography has always been prevalent. In high school, my journalism teacher let me take home the school camera and I fell in love. I’d spend the rest of my life with a camera after that. Photography has always been an outlet for me, no matter what I’m shooting. Portraits, Cocktails, Events, Landscape, you name it. Read more>>
Justyce Dority
I’ve always had an eye for photography. Even in high school, I took a photography class and realized how much I loved capturing moments. After graduation, I went to college, though not for photography. Life took some unexpected turns, and I ended up leaving college and moving north of Kansas City. That move changed everything. Read more>>
Dayna Lee
I’m Dayna Lee. I am a visionary entrepreneur who redirected my passion for leadership into the business Earthbound Elements For Earthwork LLC®. Earthbound Elements is the bridge for Earthwork as an intuitive psychic experience with ‘Dayna Lee + The Spirit Guides’. I collaborated with my spirit team to service others on their own journey through Spirit. I went through a profound spiritual awakening and transformation. Read more>>
Doug Knott
Junior’s Jigs LLC started very simply: at a tying bench, making jigs for myself and a few friends who loved to fish as much as I did. Fishing has always been more than a hobby for me—it’s how I decompress, connect with my kids, and stay grounded. Read more>>
Erica Thomas
My journey in beauty began with a genuine love for hair and helping people feel confident in themselves. What started as a passion quickly turned into a purpose as I realized how transformative hair care can be—not just physically, but emotionally. Read more>>
Holly Chesnut
When I first picked up a camera, I didn’t have a perfectly mapped-out plan. I just had a desire to create, to notice beauty, and to preserve the moments that feel like they slip through our fingers too quickly. In the beginning, I said yes to everything. Families, couples, newborns, seniors — each session taught me something new. Read more>>
Ms. Royce Martin
I am an author, motivational speaker, umpire, and former caregiver of my mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, a human resources professional whose life embodies resilience and transformation. A survivor of childhood abuse, I have turned personal pain into purposeful advocacy—empowering others to overcome adversity and reclaim their lives. Read more>>
Jill Rasa
My journey began over 20 years ago at Mizzou, where a single lecture on cellular nutrition sparked a shift from pre-med to Dietetics. I spent the first chapter of my career as a clinical dietitian, primarily in the NICU. Seeing how nutrients functioned as medicine for the most vulnerable patients solidified my belief in the power of nutrition. Read more>>
Diane Galbrecht Partee
I was born and raised right here in Olathe, Kansas. After high school, I spent four years at Benedictine College in Atchison, earning my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. In 2002, I was accepted to the Illinois College of Optometry. During my time there, I worked as a technician at the Illinois Eye Institute, which gave me valuable hands-on experience early in my training. Read more>>
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>>
