Today we’d like to introduce you to Danica Leporte.
Hi Danica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In January 2022, my family and I moved from the Southwest, where I was born and raised, to Overland Park, Kansas. I grew up outdoors, spending summers camping, at the lake, and hiking through the woods. So when I had the opportunity to work for a large glamping company in Scottsdale, Arizona, I was excited to begin creating ways for others to enjoy nature-inspired celebrations.
In 2021, my husband’s job gave us the opportunity to leave the desert and step into a new season for our family. After prayerful consideration, we felt led to move closer to his family, closer to the natural beauty of the Midwest, and closer to a community deeply connected to faith.
Once we arrived, we quickly noticed there was space in the Kansas City market to build something similar to the company in Arizona. Under the Stars KC was born out of that opportunity, allowing us to create nature-inspired spaces to celebrate. What started as creating unique and elevated celebrations 4 years ago has now become about creating intentional spaces where people can slow down, connect, and truly be present with one another. Today, we bring teepee rentals, luxury picnics, and outdoor glamping experiences directly to homes and venues, designing spaces that feel both beautiful and meaningful, all centered around time spent together under the stars.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The Kansas City market is unique. We have found that people genuinely want to help you connect and grow. In the beginning, we worked hard to build meaningful relationships. As the owner, I attended anything that had “networking” in the title and spent that first year finding a niche community that would support both my business and my heart for connection.
The wedding industry was a natural place to plug in. We were offering something the Midwest wedding community hadn’t seen yet, and it allowed us to create a new kind of elevated, experience-based gathering that brides and their friends were drawn to.
We also found invaluable women’s groups that encouraged growth and created space to connect with the right people. Those early opportunities led to branding photos, supportive mentorships, and a like-minded business community that helped pave the road to feeling seen in the Kansas City market.
Networking, along with taking business courses through Johnson County Community College, helped me push the large ball of business ownership into motion. It wasn’t always smooth, but each step built the foundation not just for a business, but for a community-centered brand.
We’ve been impressed with Under the Stars KC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Under the Stars KC is Kansas City’s award-winning mobile glamping, slumber party, and luxury picnic provider, but what we truly specialize in is creating spaces for connection. What started as a way to bring unique and elevated celebrations to families has grown into something more intentional. We design experiences that invite people to slow down, be present, and enjoy time together in a way that feels both beautiful and meaningful.
We are known for our teepee slumber parties and luxury picnic setups, all thoughtfully styled with high-quality materials, cozy details, and themes that feel elevated but still approachable. From a young girl celebrating a birthday with her closest friends to a bride gathering with her bridesmaids, each setup is designed to feel special without feeling overdone.
One of the things that sets us apart is that everything we offer is mobile and customizable. We bring the experience directly to your home or venue and tailor each event to fit the space and the people gathering there. We’ve also built our inventory, like our custom picnic tables and large event domes, to allow for flexibility across indoor and outdoor settings, making it easy to create something unique in any environment.
What I’m most proud of is how the brand has evolved. While the setups are beautiful, the heart behind Under the Stars KC is creating an environment where people feel comfortable, connected, and cared for. It’s about giving families and friends a reason to gather, celebrate, and make memories that last beyond the event itself.
At the end of the day, we’re not just setting up parties. We’re helping create moments that bring people together, and that’s what continues to shape everything we do.
What are your plans for the future?
As I’ve grown in this business, my vision has continued to expand beyond events and into creating spaces where people can truly connect. One of the things I’m most excited about moving forward is Camp Connect, a Fall weekend retreat designed for women who are craving rest, community, and time to step away from the noise of everyday life.
Camp Connect brings together many of the elements that inspired Under the Stars KC in the first place: nature, thoughtful design, and meaningful connection, but in a more intentional way. It’s a weekend retreat where women can gather, slow down, and be refreshed, whether that’s through conversation and teachings, time outdoors, or simply having the space to stop and breathe.
While Under the Stars KC continues to grow and serve families in Kansas City, Camp Connect is our opportunity to create something deeper. It reflects where my heart is heading, creating not just beautiful setups but environments where people feel seen, supported, and reconnected to what matters most. This yearly retreat has been life-changing for our business and for our campers. We are proud of the community Camp Connect is building.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue to serve families through Under the Stars KC while also growing Camp Connect into a place women return to year after year for rest, renewal, and connection.
Pricing:
- Slumber Party rental start at $470
- Luxury Picnics start at $380
- Glamping Experiences start at $550
- Dome rentals start at $600
- Camp Connect $800
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.underthestarskc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underthestarskc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/underthestarskc/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/underthestarskc/
- Other: https://www.hawleyfarmglamping.com/camp-connect
