Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherrie Ortiz.
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?
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. I’ve always loved Kansas City—its history, hidden gems, architecture, and the stories most people walk right past without ever knowing. I realized I could take that same passion for creating memorable experiences and turn it into something new.
So I started Just One Day Travel Tours.
What began as a handful of walking tours has grown into custom experiences for visitors, corporate groups, conventions, military reunions, family gatherings, and local organizations. I still lead many of the tours myself because that’s my favorite part—meeting people from all over the country and helping them see Kansas City through a local’s eyes.
Today, my goal is simple: I want people to leave saying, “I had no idea Kansas City had so much history and so many incredible stories.” Whether it’s someone’s first visit or they’ve lived here their whole life, I love helping people discover something new and fall a little more in love with this city.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting a business from scratch came with plenty of challenges. I knew how to create great experiences, but I had to relearn an entirely new set of skills—marketing, social media, SEO, website design, and figuring out how to get people to actually find my tours.
Then there’s the challenge of changing people’s perception. A lot of locals think tours are only for tourists, when in reality some of my biggest fans are people who have lived here their whole lives. Helping people see Kansas City in a completely different way has taken time.
There have also been the everyday challenges that come with tourism. Weather, seasonal demand, and building awareness all affect the business. There were times I questioned whether I was on the right path.
But every time I finish a tour and hear someone say, “I’ve lived here for 30 years and never knew that,” it reminds me why I do this. Those moments make all the hard work worth it, and they’ve motivated me to keep growing and finding new ways to share Kansas City’s stories.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I own Just One Day Travel Tours, where I create guided walking tours, bus tours, and custom group experiences that help people truly connect with Kansas City. I work with everyone from first-time visitors to convention groups, corporate teams, military reunions, and even lifelong locals who want to see their city in a new way.
I’m especially proud that many people tell me, “I’ve lived in Kansas City my whole life and never knew that.” To me, that’s the biggest compliment because it means I’ve helped someone see a familiar place with fresh eyes.
I also think my background makes me a little different. Before this, I spent nearly 40 years owning a bakery, where my job was creating memorable moments for people’s celebrations. Today, I’m still creating memories—just in a different way. Instead of cakes, I’m creating experiences people will remember long after the tour is over.
What really sets me apart is that I don’t see myself as just a tour guide. I’m an experience curator. Every tour is designed to spark curiosity, start conversations, and help people fall in love with Kansas City. I want guests to leave feeling like they’ve spent the day exploring the city with a friend who knows all the best stories.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think people are looking for more than just sightseeing—they want authentic experiences. They want to meet locals, hear real stories, and leave feeling like they truly connected with a place. I see that trend continuing to grow over the next five to ten years.
Technology and AI are also changing how people plan travel. Visitors can easily find lists of attractions or create their own itineraries in seconds. Because of that, I think tour operators have to offer something that can’t be found on a screen. It’s no longer enough to simply share facts. You have to create experiences, tell compelling stories, and make people feel something.
I’m also seeing more demand for customized and private experiences. Families, corporate groups, convention attendees, and organizations are looking for tours tailored to their interests rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. I think that kind of personalization will become even more important.
For me, that’s exciting. It pushes me to keep creating new experiences, uncover new stories, and find fresh ways to help people discover Kansas City. At the end of the day, history hasn’t changed—but the way we experience it certainly has.
Pricing:
- $38.00 for walking tours
- $30.00 Ages 8-18
Contact Info:
- Website: https://justonedaytraveltours.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justonedaytours/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Justonedaytraveltours
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-ortiz-77a097197/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@justonedaytraveltours
