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.
Chloe Parrish
My story with music goes way back. From what my mother says. I’ve been singing since 4 years old. I believe my love of Disney movies helped with that! Around age 9 or 10, I ran into Alicia Keys and it was over from there. Besides music being the love of my life, I really started focusing on singing more after finding her. Read more>>
Benjamin Dutill
In February of 2022, I decided to create a YouTube channel for reviewing horror movies, but I came up with the conclusion that was not good enough and that I should take it to a whole new level. I wanted to interview actors from each sub-genre of horror, but I did not even know where to start. Read more>>
Noah Michael
I’ve been creating multimedia projects since I was a junior in high school. What started as curiosity with a camera and editing software grew into a passion for telling stories through photography, video, and graphic design. While I’ve recently been focused on building a career in the HVAC trade, I’ve continued creating on the side because it’s something I genuinely enjoy. Read more>>
India Stewart
Your Healing Touch LLC was founded in 2021 with a simple but meaningful mission: to improve people’s quality of life through safe, professional foot and nail care. After completing my training as a Licensed Medical Nail Technician (LMNT) and Certified Master Pedicurist (CMP), I recognized that many individuals—especially seniors, people living with diabetes, and those with mobility challenges—had limited access to specialized foot care. Read more>>
Josh Runnels (J.ARTiz)
I’m a Chicago native with roots on the city’s West Side, though I was raised in Oak Park. For more than 30 years, my family has attended church on Chicago’s South Side, and that’s where music first became part of my life. Read more>>
Dandelion Lakewood
I started writing folk songs after working for a sub prime mortgage company in Kansas City and getting to see how they were designing special sub-brands to target the elderly and minorities to change their stable fixed-rate mortgages into adjustable rate ones. We all know how that turned out, and I was laid off. Read more>>
Jeremiah Bundy
I was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado, where I still reside. I come from a rocky background that is full of alot of trauma. But, I never let those things define me. I carved my own path through music. I started playing bass at the age of 12 years old, and am completely self taught. Read more>>
Jessica Alcorn
was born and raised in Kansas City, and from a young age I knew my heart belonged to two creative worlds: performing and cosmetology. I grew up training in musical theatre at Miller Marley and MTKC, where I fell in love with storytelling, music, and connecting with audiences. At the same time, I was always fascinated by hair and makeup. Read more>>
Brittany Thompson
I could bore your audience with my life story, but I think I have more important things to address. Long story short, I spent over a decade climbing the sparkling tower to corporate marketing success, looked around, and realized I didn’t belong there. Actually, I realized a lot of people up there didn’t belong there. Read more>>
Ariyon Henderson
My journey into hairstyling started long before I ever imagined it would become my career. When I was a little girl, my dad was the first person to teach me how to braid. As I got older and wanted to learn more, my grandma stepped in and helped me perfect my technique. Read more>>
Natalie Canfield
I’ve been in the aesthetics industry for almost 10 years, and skincare has truly become my passion. I spent years working in a medical spa before taking a chance on myself and opening Será Skin. Starting my own business has been one of the most rewarding, and challenging, things I’ve ever done. Read more>>
Kimberley McDaniels
Like many people, my career has taken a few unexpected turns. Long before social media existed, I worked in legal, retail management, telecommunications, mortgage processing, and marketing. Each role taught me something different about communication, organization, and helping businesses connect with people. In 2000, I made the leap into becoming a full-time virtual assistant, back when most people had never even heard the term. Read more>>
Rex Pryor
Rex grew up in a small northwestern Missouri town of 180 people. These roots can be found in his lyrics and songs that he writes. He began playing guitar at the age of forty five. His brother, Benny, convinced him to purchase a guitar and teach himself how to play songs. Read more>>
Sherrie Ortiz
I like to say I’ve been creating memories for people my entire career. For nearly 40 years, I owned a bakery where I helped families celebrate life’s biggest moments through custom cakes. I loved hearing people’s stories and being a small part of their milestones. After selling my bakery, I wasn’t ready to slow down. Read more>>
Mya Gordon
I’ve been behind the camera since high school, and I’ve been in love with photography ever since. There’s something so special about capturing genuine moments and turning them into memories that last a lifetime. Before becoming a full-time photographer, I was a kindergarten teacher. I absolutely loved teaching, but after my daughter was born, I knew it was time for a new chapter. Read more>>
Phyllis Moraga
First let me say that I am not exactly sure if you have contacted me about my life as an antique dealer or my life as an artist, but because they are so melded together, I must tell you about both. I have been interested in old things and art for as long as I can remember. Read more>>
Paul Rudy
I’ve spent most of my life exploring what happens when we pay close attention. I began as a composer fascinated by sound itself—how it could move through space, shape emotion, and connect people in ways that words often couldn’t. Read more>>
Sarah Saunders
What if I told you that dance is for everybody? Yes even if you think you don’t have rhythm or if you think you have two left feet. I would love to share my story of how dance has saved me & how it maybe can help you or someone you know. I started dancing at age 4. Read more>>
Mollie Bailey & Sara Lucas
We started on two completely separate paths that happened to cross at exactly the right time. Mollie grew up in Minnesota, always the kid making things: crafts, drawing, painting, anything creative. That love led her to study graphic design at the University of Kansas, where she picked up visual communication, creative problem-solving, and a certificate in entrepreneurship along the way. Sara’s story starts familiar. Read more>>
Becky Wilson
I founded my public relations agency in 1997 and have since honed the focus to local and national business media relations and local and national business awards and recognition programs. I specialize in assisting clients with building their brand, gaining greater acclaim for their expertise, and enhancing their client base. Read more>>
Rocky Williams
For me, RAW KC Podcast has never just been a podcast. It has always been a purpose. When I first started RAW KC, I simply wanted to create a space where people could show up as their authentic selves. Read more>>
Joshua Crossno
I started making/posting content under the username “Coffin Creeper” during Covid, because it seemed like a fun hobby to pass the time. To my surprise people started liking the videos and photos that I posted and it all just took off from there. Read more>>
Lauren Stevens
I began drawing on copper while studying at the Kansas City Art Institute. I was immediately drawn to how etching combines chemical experimentation with traditional drawing and composition. I quickly shifted from working privately in sketchbooks to creating art in labs filled with acid baths, metal shears, and printing presses. Read more>>
Goldie Benz
My story really starts with a love of thread and fabric that goes back many years — I’ve always been drawn to creating one-of-a-kind pieces, starting with quilting and other cloth media as a creative outlet. That passion for handwork naturally evolved into custom embroidery, which felt like the perfect way to combine artistry with something more purposeful. Read more>>
Terri Otto
Otto Service is a family owned-and-operated auto repair facility that was built in 1977 with a home garage and a dream. My father-in-law, Alan, gets all the credit for laying the foundation of Otto Service. It was his passion, his dedication and his work ethic that made a dream a reality. Read more>>
Ashley Smith
I’m a clinical psychologist by training, with deep expertise in anxiety. I spent years in practice, working one-on-one with patients, helping them overcome anxiety and fear to live better lives. At some point, I realized that everyone, not just my patients, could benefit from some basic psychological skills, which led to me co-founding Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength. Read more>>
Heather DuFour
I definitely didn’t grow up thinking, ‘I want to be a mortgage lender.’ Truthfully, I probably didn’t even know what a mortgage lender was until I was 19 years old. Right out of high school, I started my career in banking at Capital Federal Savings Bank as a teller. From there, I worked my way up through several positions, including Administrative Assistant and Mortgage Assistant. Read more>>
Lane Coursen
Momento really grew out of three things that have always been important to me: dignity for seniors, a love of vintage treasures, and a desire to reduce waste while giving back to the community. Before starting Momento, I spent several years working for other estate sale companies throughout Central and Southern California. Read more>>
Heidi L Taylor
Heidi’s journey into the metaphysical world began with an unexpected and powerful awakening. In the summer of 1997, just two weeks before the tragic passing of Princess Diana, she began to hear a persistent message: “Diana is going to die.” When that premonition came true—and similar experiences followed over the next six months—Heidi realized something within her had shifted. Read more>>
Kathy Gaumer
I am a board-certified OB-GYN with over 35 years of experience, specializing in hormone optimization for both men and women, functional/longevity health management, and aesthetic medicine. Read more>>
Melissa Kempton
Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to become a teacher. My father did not graduate high school and education was not a priority for him however my mother was a kindergarten teacher and I wanted to one day follow in her footsteps. I would play school everyday even creating worksheets and quizzes for my younger sister. Read more>>
Wenny Grant
I wanted to share a bit about my background and the philosophy behind my practice as a Holistic Spa Therapist. I immigrated from Indonesia to Kansas City in 2010. Although my degree is in Business Management, I spent half of my life in the music industry. My personal wellness journey began in 2018 after a life-changing event. Read more>>
Chrystal Paasch
Creativity has always been a foundation of who I am. The mediums have simply changed over time. In high school, I thought I wanted to be a fashion designer. I was always drawn to clothes, jewelry, interiors, packaging — anything with a strong point of view. Read more>>
Ryan Mason
Danyael Mordechai Born Ryan Mason in Kansas City, Missouri, Danyael Mordechai was raised in the Squire Park neighborhood, where his love for music began almost as soon as he could remember. The first time he heard rap on the radio, something clicked. He became obsessed with the music, memorizing every lyric to the latest hits. Read more>>
George Baker
I’ll keep this part brief but I grew up one of those people who never really had it all I didn’t grow up from the best financial situation. Had an inconsistent father. Youngest of 5 siblings on my mom’s side. So the struggle was definitely real. We moved around a lot from nkc and Wyandotte county. Read more>>
Paul Berg
I started in photography in the 1980’s with a photography professor who studied under Ansel Adams in outdoor photography and I later pursued photography under the inspiration of Robert Mapplethorpe and Herb Ritts. In 1989 as my career was taking off in San Francisco and NYC, I joined the U.S. Read more>>
Will C
Seems I’ve always been the class clown. God knows I always wanted to be in the school or church plays, so it only made sense to end up being a comedian and an actor. A career that has spanned over 31+ years. Read more>>
Zack Hoskins
Started out as a young whippersnapper in Merriam, KS with my non-verbal autistic twin(Jake), and dysfunctional parents that eventually divorced when we were 6. Read more>>
Erin Samborski
As a former teacher in a dual-enrollment fashion program, I was trained in color theory in the early 2000s. Four years ago, a former student approached me about combining my background in color with her makeup business and bringing color analysis up to date with today’s trends. We began hosting pop-up events together, and the business continued to grow from there. Read more>>
Alex Kirkland
I first started writing stories in my youth. Silly little things, really: Zelda and car racing and ghost invasions. I didn’t start writing stories again until my early thirties, when I left my home of seven or so years, Colorado, and the hemp farm I was working on, back to my native Kansas City. Read more>>
Hailey Campbell
After seeing videos online of people in other states creating custom hand painted and burned hats, my friends and I started looking for someone local who offered a similar experience. We couldn’t find exactly what we were looking for, so I decided to try to learn how to do it myself. Read more>>
