Check Out Michaela Krueger’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaela Krueger.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From Farm Fields to European Flavors: How One Woman is Bringing a Taste of Love and Culture to Olathe

Olathe, KS – For Michaela Krueger, life has been a journey of unexpected turns, bold leaps, and a love story that shaped her dreams. Raised on a farm, Michaela learned early the values of hard work, grit, and community. But her ambitions carried her beyond the fields—first to the corporate world, where she carved out a career in the city, and later into her most important role: mom of two. It was on a trip to Croatia that fate intervened. In a small, sunlit café along the Adriatic coast, Michaela met the man who would change her life. Conversations over coffee blossomed into love, and soon, her now-husband made the life-changing decision to move to Kansas to build a future with her. Together, the couple stumbled upon an unassuming building in Olathe—the former Sam’s Tastee Treat, a place with nostalgic charm but in need of fresh life. Where others saw worn counters and faded walls, Michaela saw potential. With vision and determination, they renovated the space, blending European charm with Midwestern warmth.
The result is more than a café—it’s a gathering place that celebrates love, culture, and connection. From freshly brewed European-style coffee to pastries that echo the flavors of their travels, Michaela and her husband have created a hidden gem for the community.
“This is more than just coffee,” Michaela says. “It’s about bringing people together and sharing a little piece of the world with Olathe.”
A farm girl turned corporate leader, now an entrepreneur and community builder, Michaela embodies resilience, passion, and the belief that sometimes the sweetest things in life begin with a simple cup of coffee and this is reflected in their mantra “Dolce Far Niente” meaning “The sweetness of doing nothing.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A Journey of Sweat Equity and Determination is how I would describe the past 3.5 months. Starting a small business is never easy. For us, bringing Dolce Caffè to life in Olathe meant pouring every ounce of energy, love, and determination into a dream that often felt just out of reach. We fell in love with the idea of opening our own café after falling in love in a Cafe. When we discovered the old Tastee Treat building in Olathe, we knew it was the perfect spot. But the building’s age and condition quickly turned our vision into a long, uphill climb. Renovating a very old space meant facing challenge after challenge: outdated wiring, plumbing issues, structural surprises, and endless red tape. Every project seemed to reveal another layer of work that needed to be done. “It wasn’t just a remodel,” Michaela explains. “It was a complete transformation—one that demanded blood, sweat, and tears.” Instead of outsourcing everything, we rolled up our sleeves. Nights and weekends were spent sanding, painting, hauling, and scrubbing. What they couldn’t afford to pay for, they made up for with sweat equity. It wasn’t glamorous—it was exhausting. All of this came while balancing the demands of family life. With two kids at home and work obligations still pulling at our time, we had to learn to juggle parenting, late-night renovation projects, and the stress of building a business from the ground up.

“There were moments I wondered if we’d ever make it to opening day,” Michaela admits. “But we kept reminding ourselves of the bigger picture—what this space could become for our family and our community.”

Today, Dolce Caffè stands as proof of what determination and hard work can accomplish. The cozy European-inspired café isn’t just a place to grab coffee; it’s a labor of love, built by hand, by heart, and with a deep belief in creating something meaningful for Olathe.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a principal program manager in Supply Chain at Amazon. Specializing in linehaul operations, I focus on optimizing the movement of freight between facilities to ensure efficient and reliable service delivery. My core responsibilities include:

Strategic network planning and optimization of linehaul routes
Managing carrier relationships and capacity planning
Analyzing performance metrics and implementing improvements for cost efficiency and service quality
Leading cross-functional initiatives to enhance customer experience
Developing innovative solutions for complex transportation challenges

I am known for my ability to provide data-driven approach to problem-solving combined with strong stakeholder management skills. I am a very energetic leader that works really hard in ensuring customer satisfaction.

I am most proud of my 17 year career in retail, evolving with every promotion, company change, and role change. I have had the opportunity to work with amazing leaders, some of the best in the industry and refine my leadership, problem solving skills, and analytical way of approaching work.

My work ethic, will to win, drive to succeed, engrained in my DNA from childhood is what sets me apart. I am never settled, I am always looking ahead and for what is next.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
It will take more time and money than you think.
Budgets and timelines almost always stretch. Build in extra cushion for both, because unexpected challenges will come.

Be ready to get your hands dirty.
We thought we’d hire out more than we did, but in reality, sweat equity became the backbone of our journey. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and do the work yourself.

Don’t underestimate the mental and emotional toll.
Balancing kids, family, work, and a start-up business can feel overwhelming. There will be days when you wonder if it’s worth it. Take it one step at a time and give yourself grace.

Ask for help.
You don’t have to do it all alone. Whether it’s family, friends, or your community, lean on people who are willing to support you. Sometimes even small acts of help make the biggest difference.

Remember your “why.”
It’s easy to get lost in permits, bills, and renovations. But hold onto the reason you started — whether it’s family, passion, or a dream you believe in. That “why” will keep you moving forward when everything feels hard.

Celebrate small wins.
Opening the doors is a huge milestone, but so are the little victories — passing an inspection, finishing a renovation project, or your first happy customer. Don’t skip celebrating those moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dolcecaffeus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dolcecaffe.us/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dolce-Caffe-US/61576197721733/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dolce-caff%C3%A8-olathe