Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Lim.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The idea for Wanderlust Farms began long before we purchased the property. While working for Room 39, a farm-to-table restaurant in Midtown Kansas City, I discovered that my favorite part of the job was catering farm dinners and special outdoor events. There was something magical about bringing people together around great food in a beautiful setting.
At the same time, while raising four children and exploring my own entrepreneurial interests. I began teaching culinary classes for children, developed a passion for photography, and spent years dreaming about how I could combine my love of hospitality, education, food, and the outdoors into something more than a job- a career that I could dedicate the rest of my life to.
After Covid, my husband and I discovered this property along the Katy Trail in rural Missouri and immediately felt is was something special. Five years ago, we purchased what was essentially a blank canvas- just raw land with incredible potential. Since then, we’ve poured our hearts into transforming it into Wanderlust Farms, a unique glamping retreat surrounded by nature and centered around magical meaningful experiences.
Today guests can gather in our tiny house, teepees, and safari tents, enjoy campfires under the stars, paddle on the lake, fish from the dock, and spend time reconnecting with friends and family. While we currently rent the property to private groups, our vision has always been much bigger than lodging.
Looking ahead, I hope to expand Wanderlust Farms into a destination for culinary camps, children educational programs, wellness retreats, trail runs, cycling events, guided fishing experiences, and other specialty gatherings. One of our greatest assets is our fully stocked 30 acre lake, and I would love to share our passion for the outdoors by teaching people how to fish and enjoy nature in a way that feels approachable and fun.
Building Wanderlust Farms has been one of the most Challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. Every path, structure, and guest experience has been thoughtfully created from the ground up. What makes me most proud is seeing people make memories here- whether it’s family gatherings around the campfire, friends celebrating milestones, or simply finding a moment of peace away from the demands of everyday life. I love being apart of people’s happy moments.
At its heart, Wanderlust Farms is about connection to one another. I am excited to continue growing the property and creating experiences that inspire adventure, learning, and lasting memories for years to come.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. In fact, I often joke that nothing at Wanderlust Farms has been a smooth road.
When we purchased the property, it was essentially a blank slate. Every major improvement- from bringing water onto the property and upgrading and expanding the electrical system, building roads, infrastructure, and our tiny house- came with a steep learning curve. I spent most of my adult life in the restaurant and hospitality industry, so construction, excavations, utilities, and property development were all completely new to me.
Over the last five years, I’ve worn more hats than I ever imagined. I’ve learned how to frame walls, manage projects, coordinate contractors, troubleshoot equipment, and solve problems I didn’t even know existed when we started. I’ve redone projects that didn’t work the first time, only to find myself redoing them again the following year. I’ve made mistakes along the way- including accidentally shooting myself with a framing nail gun- and I’ve learned that setbacks come with lesson.
One of the biggest realities of owning a property like this is that the work is never truly finished. The grass is always growing, roads need maintenance, structures need repairs, and there is always a project waiting. Building Wanderlust Farmshas required resilience, patience, creativity, and a willingness to keep moving forward even when things don’t go according to plan.
At the same time, the challenges have been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey, I’ve learned more about infrastructure, construction, land management, and problem solving than I ever thought possible. More importantly I’ve been fortunate to share the experience with incredible people. My husband, children, mother, uncle, friends, and family members have all contributed their time, talents, and encouragement along the way. Wanderlust Farms truly would not exist without their support.
Looking back, I realize the struggles have made me stronger. They’ve taught me perseverance, adaptability, and confidence. There is something incredibly satisfying about standing back and seeing a project succeed after countless hours of hard work. While the road hasn’t been smooth, every challenge has helped shape Wanderlust Farms into what it is today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Honestly, I wear a lot of different hats, which is one of the reasons I love what I do. On any given day, I might be hosting guests, building a new project, taking photos for social media, planning an event, mowing a trail, trouble shooting a plumbing issue, or dreaming up the next experience for Wanderlust Farms.
At is’s core Wanderlust is a place where I get to combine many of my passions- hospitality, food, education, outdoor recreation, art and creating memorable experiences for people. What started as a dream has grown into a private glamping retreat along the Katy Trail, where friends and family, enjoy the outdoors, celebrate special occasions, and disconnect from the stress of everyday life.
What I do is create beautiful moments in time for people. I love setting the stage for the meaningful experiences and happy memories that define our lives.
I’ve always been drawn to creativity and connection. I spent more than 20 years in the restaurant industry taught culinary and musical theatre classes for children, and pursued photography and art throughout my life. I have a passion for education, entertaining and hospitality, and creating spaces where people feel inspired and welcome.
What I am most proud of is that I’ve created a a place that brings all of those passions together. Wanderlust Farms allows me to combine hospitality, art,food,education,nature, and adventure into one experience that I can share with others..
One of the most meaningful features on the property is our 1947 Grey hound Bus. My father, Thomas Estus Nicholas, was a professional musician and designer. The bus served as his tour vehicle for his progressive rock band durning the 1970s. Today it has become the mascot of Wanderlust Farms and a symbol of adventure, creativity, and family history. WE hope to eventually transform it into a unique gathering and entertaining space for guests.
I think what sets Wanderlust Farms apart is that it was created from a personal vision. Every space on the property has a story behind it, and everything we do is centered around helping people connect-with nature, with each other, and with the moments that matter most.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
success, to me, is creating a life that feels meaningful allows me to make a positive impact on others.
of course, running a business requires financial success, but that’s not what motivates me everyday. I feel most successful when I see people making memories together, children leaning new skills and gaining confidence in the world around them, or guest feeling refreshed and inspired after spending time at Wanderlust Farms.
I also define success as growth. Five years ago, I knew very little about construction, infrastructure, or property development. The fact that I’ve been willing to learn new skills, tackle difficult project, overcome setbacks, and keep moving forward is something I’m incredibly proud of.
Perhaps most importantly, success means building a life that reflects my values. I wanted to create something that combined all my passions into one place. The fact That Wanderlust allows me to share those passions with others while working along side my family makes me feel successful everyday.
At the end of my life, I don’t think I’ll measure success by how many guests I hosted or projects I completed. I’ll measure by the experiences I created, The people I connected with, and the memories that were made because of something I built.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wanderlustfarmskc.com
- Instagram: wanderlustfarmskc or hound47atwanderlustfarms
- Facebook: Wanderlust Farms KC
