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.
Dylan Horsch
Hey, My name is Dylan Horsch, owner and body piercer at Golden Buffalo Body Arts. I appreciate Voyage KC for reaching out to find out more about Golden Buffalo Body Arts and myself. Read more>>
Makenna Gray
In 2019, my family was greatly blessed with purchasing Lake Paradise Resort. We camped there for many years and have always seen the potential that it held. Lake Paradise has slowly become the place of our dreams. We have continued to pour our hearts into creating the best campground in Missouri. There have been many wonderful weddings and celebrations held out at Lake Paradise. Read more>>
Cass Clark
My love for weddings started when I was a little girl. I have a large family, so I grew up being a flower girl three times and going to family member’s weddings almost every year. I was so drawn to the joy, beauty, hope, and indescribable magic that weddings bring. Read more>>
Gabe Uhl
My background is a little unconventional. I started in chemical engineering, then spent time in ministry, and eventually found my way into the trades. Even before that, I ran my own lawn care business through college, which was my first experience building something of my own. Read more>>
Levi Atkinson
I started my business in 2023, I had enough of being treated like a number at my first garage door employer. I had no idea what to do or how to do it, but very quickly, I learned the computer can make more money than the tools. I spent many hours building price books and writing ad copy. Read more>>
Derek Niemann
I started 3D printing with 1 printer in 2024 as a hobby. And fell in love with what all you can create, my first project I made was a mandalorian helmet and rifle for my friends birthday gift. Then decided I wanted to start my own business and came up with the name Cosplay Forge Creations LLC. Read more>>
Brian Kirmse
I was born and raised in Independence, MO and graduated from Raytown High School in 1987. I attended University of Missouri – Columbia where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Photojournalism in 1992. I worked at various newspapers and magazines before moving back to the Kansas City area where I worked at Custom Color Corporation. Read more>>
Kelsey Dueling
Our Story: Boost & Buckle Cleaning Company Boost & Buckle Cleaning Company wasn’t built from comfort it was built from resilience. Kelsey Marie Dueling and Kaiden Dueling began their journey like many young families full of hope, but faced with real challenges. Read more>>
Jonas and Haylie Buck
Bucks Mobile RV Services began as a simple prayer—for a business that would allow our family to travel, earn a living, and truly be together. After watching our two-year-old daughter light up with joy while riding mountain bikes in Arkansas, we knew we wanted a life filled with more of those moments—more memories, more time, and more freedom to be present as a family. Read more>>
Roy Hart, Jr.
I have worked in IT for 30 years and wanted to retire or at a minimum slow down. The opportunity came up to partner with Justin Hudson and invest in Birdies Indoor Golf. After discussing with Justin I couldn’t wait to join and help create a fun, family friendly environment for golfers of all skill levels. We call it the ‘House That Justin Built’. Read more>>
Tyler Heidebrecht
I grew up in Olathe, Kansas and have always had a strong connection to this community. From an early age, I was interested in how things were built and how they functioned, which led me to study Architectural Engineering at Kansas State University. Read more>>
Anne Dezort
My partner Adam and I started SOAP Refill Station in 2018 in Springfield, MO. By January 2020 we had expanded to Kansas City and opened our Waldo location after having many KC folk make the drive to SGF to refill. KC wanted this badly – so we decided to make the moves. Read more>>
Kalie Mais
I’ve been involved in managing small, rural businesses since my early twenties, so I’ve always understood what it really takes to run a business on your own day to day. A few years ago, I reached a point where I wanted to build something of my own and make an impact in my small community. Read more>>
Tricia Ebert
Yes — that makes it stronger. That is the real story. Here’s a version that sounds more personal and grounded: Mental health care is something I have dedicated my life to, but I was a patient first. My own experiences shaped my understanding of how important it is to feel seen, supported, and treated as a whole person, not a diagnosis. Read more>>
Allison Bowring
My husband started the business in 2013, after working with another flooring company in town. After graduating college when an entrepreneurship degree, he set out on his own. He ran the business for about 10 years while I worked in the corporate world. In 2021, I was working at a hospital and was ready to move on. Read more>>
Jordan Mock
I am on the Priestess Path this lifetime. I have spent the last 6 years doing shadow work, healing my bloodline, and alchemizing all my pain into love. I am here to trailblaze my own path, to show people a new way, to anchor in the 5D, and break generational curses. I’ve learned so much it is unreal. Read more>>
Smith
My story didn’t begin with a business plan it began with grief. After losing my parents and my husband’s parents, I found myself searching for a way to hold onto their memories in a way that felt meaningful and lasting. What started as a personal need to preserve and honor their legacy slowly turned into something bigger than I could have imagined. Read more>>
Brendan Whisenant
I’m Brendan Whisenant, a husband, father, and someone who’s built his life around hard work, second chances, and showing up for people. Today, I lead Strategic Partnerships at CDL Legal, working with carriers and partners across the country to help protect drivers and strengthen businesses in the transportation industry. Read more>>
robyn tholen
I started KC Kids Photo—formerly Lil’ Angels Photography—right after graduating when I was just 22 years old in St. Louis. That very first spring, I somehow managed to book about 20 schools. It was the beginning of something I never could have imagined would grow into what it is today, 26 years later. After about two years in St. Read more>>
William Baker
I was born in Atlanta in 1959 to a blue collar family. My father was a salvage man. My mother was a homemaker. My mother never went to school as a student. My father made it to the third grade. We were quite poor in those early days. My older brother was the first to go to high school. Read more>>
Jamie Blair
I’ve spent majority of my life wanting to be my own ‘Boss’. I originally thought that this could be accomplished in the corporate field. I learned that the autonomy and fulfillment that I was in search for was not in corporate at all. One night, while contemplating my life, my wants, my needs, and trajectory, I had an epiphany. Read more>>
Joseph Markley
Just after college I started working for a manged service provider in Kansas City. This gave me a good experience to see lots of different systems and how different companys use many different IT needs. I worked with this MSP for 2 years until we lost our biggest client about 80% of our income. Some of the employees jumped ship and found work elseware. Read more>>
Vincent Guerrero
Proud husband and Father of 4, two daughters in college, son in High school and youngest in 3rd grade. I was born and raised in Kansas City, KS the Argentine district to be exact. I am very proud of where I came from and also proud of the accomplishments thus far. I didn’t plan on a career in glass it kinda picked me. Read more>>
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>>
