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.
Jeff Mundinger
I was able to get my creative start in the confines of my small Missouri town of Warrensburg, Missouri. Read more>>
Dan Smith
The band Bound & Determined was started by Dan Smith almost 10 years ago as an acoustic duo playing local venues around the Kansas City area. After about a year we put together a full band. Read more>>
Jack Cunningham
Our son and Karen went on a weekend getaway to St Lois and researched things to do while on their visit. Candle Fusion in St Charles was one of the activities. They made candles and sprays with their own custom scent. Karen enjoyed it so much that we went together so that I could experience it. Read more>>
Ashley Granville
Like many people in helping professions, my journey started with my own lived experiences. My maternal grandparents instilled the values of education, community, and most importantly family; regardless of blood. Throughout my adolescent years I observed helping professionals in my home and observed my mother partnering with birth families, as my family provided care for foster children. Read more>>
Dupont (Mikkel Harding)
One day, when I was very bored, I snuck into my sister’s room and picked up my dad’s old Spanish guitar from the corner. He came in and saw me struggling, and right off the bat he taught me three chords: D, A7, and G. Read more>>
Nikki Brooks
It all started with a young, teen only child who loved collaborating with others and finding ways to add value to my community through extracurricular activities and volunteer work. My first experience on the radio was 13 years ago as a guest on KPRS, where I joined members of an organization called Y4C to offer advice to local teen listeners. Read more>>
Sydney Galamba
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been fascinated by the beauty industry. I loved everything about makeup, skincare, and the confidence that beauty can bring to someone. Even then, I knew I wanted to make people feel good about themselves. Read more>>
Stella Hankins
I was born in Russia and immigrated to the United States with my family when I was young. Creativity was always how I processed the world, but for a long time I struggled with addiction. Getting sober completely changed the direction of my life, and this year I celebrated nine years of sobriety. Read more>>
Ashley Wallace
I started cosplaying in 2007. I was 15 years old and attending my first anime convention. The friend I was attending with told me we HAD TO COSPLAY. He made it sound like it was a requirement to get into the event. So I begged my grandma to help make me a costume. Read more>>
Nicholaus Young
I started as a tattoo artist over 15 years ago, specializing in cover-ups and reworks. Over time, I recognized the need for an apprenticeship that wasn’t exploitative. So, I founded Learn to Ink – a structured, state-compliant tattoo and piercing program right here in Kansas City. Read more>>
Tyler Minor
My Name Is Tyler Grey Minor Born August 27th 1991, From Lawrence, Kansas. To be honest I started making music originally when i was 12 years old with friends leaving Deerfield Elementary School when we were walking home or riding the school bus, or local transit bus. Read more>>
Cameron & Tameisha Martin
Voted Kansas City’s favorite, Love Is Key is a corporate catering company and food truck that specializes in chicken & waffles, desserts, gourmet soul food & more! Love Is Key is where flavor meets love by merging bold southern flavors with a Midwest feel of comfort. Read more>>
Sara Rude-McCune
I started as a physics major, but the difficulties of higher math and gifted kid burnout caught up with me. A friend in college was making webcomics at the time, I didn’t realize that was a thing you could DO. They were printing books and going to conventions…. it seemed glamorous for a budding artist like me. Read more>>
Colin Grover
I started skateboarding in 1983 and never stopped. I always loved the artwork on the boards. Everything about skateboarding is my life. The culture, music, lifestyle and art. Originally I wanted to start my own board company featuring my own art but I realized it was too much pressure on myself so I decided to showcase different artists from around the world. Read more>>
Mike Reese
I used to be an assistant manager at Hyvee then heard of an opportunity at the Ford plant. After almost 3 years at the claycomo ford plant I didnt feel content. I fell into the DJ/KJ opportunity by happenstance. Read more>>
Ryan Tarry
I developed an interest in the human body during college while studying kinesiology at K-State, and knew I wanted to turn that interest into a career that allowed me to help people. I decided to shadow a couple chiropractors in the area and found that the practice style and ability to help people understand their bodies and find healing was something that appealed to me. Read more>>
Kendal Hackett
I’ve always been someone who enjoys helping people solve problems. During the day, I work as a Pricing Analyst, where I get to combine strategy, data, and relationship building. But I wanted something that allowed me to make an even more personal impact on people’s lives, which is what led me into real estate. Read more>>
Kay Pee
The Laos House started as a pop-up during AANHPI Month in 2022 with one goal: to proudly represent Laos by sharing our food, culture, and traditions. We showed up to every event we could, introducing people to flavors that many had never experienced before. Read more>>
Saniyah Owens
My story with baking really began during COVID. Being home so much gave me a lot of time to explore different interests, and I found myself spending more time than ever on TikTok and Instagram. At some point, cakes and desserts started becoming something I constantly saw while scrolling, and I was fascinated by how beautiful and creative they were. Read more>>
Essence Mallory
I am an Editorial Braid Artist with a degree in Fashion Studies with an emphasis on marketing from Kansas State University. My journey with hair began my freshman year of college. Prior to that I had the privilege of having a mom as a hairstylist my entire life so I never had to worry about my hair. Read more>>
Tony Johnson
When I was growing up in Lawrence, KS, my Mom and I went to garage sales, thrift stores, antique malls and even pawn shops in sketchy neighborhoods to find deals. While most kids waited for summer vacation just to get out of school, I was excited knowing we’d take day trips looking for antiques! I’ve had many collections over the years. Read more>>
Vincent Galicia
My story has never been about pizza—it has always been about perseverance. I’ve always believed that if you’re going to chase a dream, you have to be willing to sacrifice for it. For years I built a career through my construction company, while also spending over two decades in music and photography. Creating has always been part of who I am. Read more>>
Leah Hooks
My father being a Pastor started my journey. At the age of 17 I became a Praise and Worship Leader, currently holding a Minister of Music position. I have performed background vocals for Stage Plays, Concerts, and Church affiliated services for over 20 years. However now I am the lead vocalist for an all female trio called SheGroove. Read more>>
Ed and Ysante McDowell
Our journey has been built on faith, perseverance, and a passion for serving others. Like many entrepreneurs, we started with a vision and a willingness to work hard, even when resources were limited. We saw an opportunity to create something meaningful that would bring people together through great food and quality products. Read more>>
Jill Cockson
I have spent nearly my entire adult life in hospitality. I started bartending in college and, upon graduation, realized there was more opportunity for me in hospitality than with my liberal arts degree. When I was fifteen, a car accident left me with two, permanently paralyzed feet. So, bartending has always been a strategy game of efficiency for me. Read more>>
Kolika Simmons
I was a chef for 13 years, and – like every good chef – I had a burnout plan. This is what we call it when we know we physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or financially be in the culinary industry anymore. Most chefs have this plan. Read more>>
Erik Reid
I started my career working at a design agency, where I spent about six years learning the ins and outs of branding, packaging, and working with a range of clients. It was a great foundation and gave me exposure to everything from concept development to production work. Read more>>
Deborah Jones
My career path has been so far from a straight line that it’s a stretch to call it a line at all. It’s been more like a scribble, with each curve driven by an opportunity to learn something new, help people, or tackle a challenge. Basically, I’ve collected experiences that looked more like random puzzle pieces than a career plan. Read more>>
Bret Miller
Grew up in Southern California as a huge Los Angeles Lakers fan. I had always wondered why the Lakers, being in CA, were called the Lakers. Once I found out why they are called the Lakers, I thought there were other teams with similar stories. Read more>>
The Girls & The Grape
Cassandra and I first met at a wine tasting, shortly after I expressed interest in becoming an Ambassador for one of our former winery partners. Read more>>
Peige Turner
I accidentally stumbled into my profession; American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL). I was planning on being a marine biologist, but that fell through. One afternoon after graduating high school I was watching TV and saw a sign language interpreter and thought, ‘that looks fun, I know some of my ABCs!’. Read more>>
Bill Bartelt
I was born in Chicago but I’ve lived in Kansas City for nearly 20 years. I’m a musician and student of the Blues. I’ve been the host for several weekly jam nights over the years, including one geared toward young musicians. Read more>>
Cheri Regis
In terms of my creative journey, I really didn’t start anything. I just learned how to draw through my mom and her drawing class that she had to take during her undergrad. Today, thanks to her and my own art classes, I’ve never looked back! Read more>>
Jon Fulton Adams
I grew up as an Evangelical minister’s kid in the Midwest, which means my early life was spent in drafty churches surrounded by various shades of oatmeal. In that world, ‘modesty’ was the highest compliment and beige was apparently the only color that was pleasing to the “Almighty”. Read more>>
Shauna Hollinger
I created my first online course after I started getting a lot of questions about how I grew my audience on Instagram. Building that course opened the door to creating digital products, building the systems behind them, and eventually helping coaches and course creators launch and automate their offers through my done-for-you service, Effortless Launch. Read more>>
Sarah Roos
I was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. My Dad was a conductor for the Burlington Northern Railroad and my mom was a stay at home mom. We moved to Kansas City when I was in 6th grade. I went to Park Hill schools and graduated in 1991. I attended Northeast Missouri State University where I met my husband Mike Roos. Read more>>
Ciarra Bendure Sydnie Atherton
Sydnie and I met as friends a couple years ago. In January 2026 I decided to make a big career change and reached out to Sydnie who had been with this cleaning company for a few months to see if that company was hiring. She gave me the contact info and within days I made my career change. Read more>>
Zachary Phillips
I am a veteran of the KC music scene as I was born and raised here. My 2 brothers and I formed The Gadjits in 1994 when we were in grade school. Our unique Ska/Punk sound was quickly noticed by our literal music heroes Rancid. The Gadjits went on to tour all of North America and release records on Hellcat/Epitaph records till 2000. Read more>>
Bri Hull
Since I was a little girl, I’ve been extremely creative. I’ve always loved to write, tell stories, and understand why people like what they like and are the way they are. Read More>>
Elizabeth Lang
My path to business ownership started with realizing I was on the wrong career path. After college, I accepted what I thought was my dream job in the nonprofit sector. While I loved the mission, I quickly realized the role wasn’t the right fit for my strengths or the life I envisioned for myself long term. Read More>>
