The KC Current is the newest sports team in town, but they have made some big waves during their first few seasons. Dani Welniak, VP of Communications, talks to Sari about the process of building team loyalty and maintaining it. The team is also building its own stadium, which broke ground last year. This is the first purpose-built women’s soccer stadium in the world. Leadership is hoping it will set a blueprint for other professional women’s teams across the globe. 

The new stadium is scheduled to top off at the end of June 2023. Be sure to follow their Instagram @kccurrent to find updates and information regarding the topping off ceremony. The completed stadium is set to open in March 2024, just in time for next season. You can find the team’s schedule for the remainder of the season at https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/schedule. 

Music by Victoria Ball

Logo designed by Alex Cohn

You can follow Sari on Instagram at @kcbysari

When Danielle Lehman started the Open Belly podcast, it was her goal to share stories of immigrant restaurant owners and diverse foods within Kansas City. Danielle uses the same passion at her marketing firm, Super Crunch Studio, previously Boxer and Mutt. Danielle uses a “no nonsense” approach with her clients - full transparency and understanding of how her team can help you. Super Crunch Studio represents some awesome businesses: King G’s, Jim’s Alley Bar, Chingu, SMOAK, GoodVets, duoFIT and so many more. 

Super Crunch Studio can be found on Instagram at @supercrunchstudio and online at https://www.supercrunchstudio.com. Danielle can be found on Instagram at @danileh. While she no longer debuts new episodes, you can still find Open Belly on all podcast platforms. 

Music by Victoria Ball

Logo designed by Alex Cohn

You can follow Sari on Instagram at @kcbysari 

Kansas City has dozens if not hundreds of cookie makers. Each baker has to find the thing that makes them unique. Ali Madden from The Heartland Cookie Co has found her groove in offering cookies of eccentric shapes. Deeming herself as the cookie “Peen Queen,” Ali says there is no theme she cannot peen. 

In this episode, Ali talks to Sari about making penis shaped cookies and how she doesn’t take herself or baking too seriously. She prides herself in making cookies that represent her values. Due to the nature of her cookie shapes, Ali has dealt with online backlash, but she still has plenty of loyal customers. To place an order for your customer penis-shaped cookies, visit https://www.theheartlandpartyco.com or her Instagram, @theheartlandcookieco. 

You can vote for Kansas City Confidential for best local podcast, here at https://vote.kansascitymag.com/city-life/best-local-podcast 

Music by Victoria Ball

Logo designed by Alex Cohn 

You can follow Sari on Instagram at @kcbysari 

Small, intimate and damn delicious, is how customers would describe Drastic Measures. This cocktail bar in Shawnee has done more than pour drinks - they pour back into the community that supports them. Their unique recipes and amazing service has earned them a nomination for a James Beard Award for Most Outstanding Bar. Drastic Measures first made headlines for hosting the first Hanukkah pop-up bar, Drastic Menches, partnering with Jewish Family Services and donating a percentage to the nonprofit. 

OwnerJay Sanders shares with Sari why he feels a responsibility to use his platform to raise awareness for human rights. Jay has been transparent on his own social media about his mental health journey. Jay urges everyone, especially business owners, to be transparent in their journey because they never know who it could help. While juggling Drastic Measures, Jay and his team are opening a second craft cocktail bar, Wild Child, set to open in June 2023. You can follow each bar on Instagram at @drasticmeasures.kc and @wild.child.kc to see the latest cocktails they are stirring up. You can follow Jay on Instagram at @jay.drinker. 

Music by Victoria Ball

Logo designed by Alex Cohn

You can follow Sari on Instagram at @kcbysari 

Having an organized space is proven to help with mental organization. Emily Aull, owner of Aull Organized, is helping individuals get organized one space at a time. As a child, Emily preferred to organize her Barbie house rather than play with the dolls. She later utilized her skill during her career as a teacher. It wasn’t until the pandemic when Emily’s friends encouraged her to turn her skill into a business. It was then she realized that if her home was needing an organization makeover, others needed it too. 

Aull Organized isn’t just focused on making rooms tidy as possible, but also beautiful. They create systems that are functional, sustainable and match the style and design of your home. Emily’s services aren’t just for homes. She has worked with small businesses as well. Need some help getting organized? Inquire at https://www.aullorganized.com or follow on Instagram at @aullorganized. 

Music by Victoria Ball

Logo designed by Alex Cohn

You can follow Sari on Instagram at @kcbysari 

Like most businesses, the original idea came from a light bulb moment. For Stephanie and Tim, that moment came while putting a puzzle together with their three year old daughter and she mentioned wanting a Kansas City puzzle. After doing some research, they were surprised by the lack of inventory, so they decided to do it themselves and create Kansas City Puzzle Company.

With no previous experience of owning a business, the couple turned to Google to get started. In their search, they found a print by artist Mario Zucca. Mario is the artist for all of the maps by Kansas City Puzzle Co. 

Their map series is focused on cities they feel don’t get enough shine. Each one of their puzzles partners with an artist to bring art and puzzling together. Their puzzles can be found in several states and numerous retailers.

Want to find the closest retailer to you? Visiting their website, https://www.kansascitypuzzlecompany.com to locate or shop direct. You can follow KCPC on social media to keep up with the latest news and new puzzle drops at @kansascitypuzzlecompany. 

PROMO CODE- KCCONFIDENTIAL for 20% off 

Music my Victoria Ball

Logo designed by Alex Cohn 

You can follow Sari on Instagram at @kcbysari 

The tenth element on the periodic table is neon. When Dylan and Olivia were coming up with ideas for business names, it was easy to land on Element Ten. Prior to his retirement, Dylan and Olivia’s father worked and bent neon for decades, showing them the ropes. Now, this sibling duo has taken their knowledge and love of the art to create signs for individuals and businesses. 

Some places around Kansas City you can find their neon signs include Chingu, Bubble Wrapp, Kinship Cafe, Fox Trot and Mclain’s in Waldo. Dylan and Olivia discuss the process that goes into making their signs, and explain why there is a longer turn-around time on their products. With each collaboration or restoration job, the team at Element Ten makes sure they are laser focused on each detail from start to finish.

You can follow Element Ten on Instagram at @element-ten to keep up with the latest sign creations. Interested in getting in touch with Dylan and Olivia? Visit their website, https://www.element-ten.com. 

Music by Victoria Ball

Logo designed by Alex Cohn 

You can follow Sari on Instagram at @kcbysari 

In 2022, Kansas Citians’ hearts were won over by the Parade of Hearts. These 5ft tall heart statues are strategically placed all over the metro, and the initiative has come back again in 2023 in a limited release. Each heart is designed by a local artist and paired with a sponsor. There were over 500 entries this year, and only 40 total designs chosen by the blind jury panel. Similar to 2022, the hearts will be placed on both sides of the State Line, allowing easy access for visitors. There’s now a revamped Parade of Hearts app, too! Heart visitors can use the app to find each one and learn more about the artist. Be sure to download the app, visit the website, https://theparadeofhearts.com or following on Instagram at @paradeofhearts to learn more information. 

Music by Victoria Ball

Logo designed by Alex Cohn 

You can follow Sari on Instagram at @kcbysari 

Warm pastrami paired with spicy brown mustard, pickles, Swiss cheese and horseradish makes for a classically delicious sandwich. Now put that combination between two pieces of Dutch crunch bread and you’ve got a real *chefs kiss* sandwich. Bay Boy KC serves all of their sandwiches on Dutch crunch bread making them stand out from other sandwich spots in town. In fact, it’s that extra pizzazz that has earned multiple nomination from various local publications for “Best Sandwich” in KC. 

Julian and Jake went from childhood friends to co-owners, sharing their love for food with others. They embrace the unintentional “if you know you know” vibes that Bay Boy has, and are proud to call it a hidden gem. Julian and Jake share with Sari the tough battles they faced during the pandemic, and how they are still keeping things fresh and saucy at the shop. 

You can find their menu and order online at https://www.bayboykc.com/ or follow them on Instagram at @bayboykc. 

Music by Victoria Ball

Logo designed by Alex Cohn 

You can follow Sari on Instagram at @kcbysari 

While fro-yo is known for its smooth consistency, there was nothing smooth about running a fro-yo business during the pandemic. Isaac Lee Collins, owner of the Kansas City division of Yogurtini, talks about the adjustments his team had to make as the pandemic unfolded.

Isaac became a business owner at age 23. He says he’s driven to make a difference through his entrepreneurial experience. In his first ten years of entrepreneurship, Isaac has owned 7 for profit businesses and 1 nonprofit spanning many industries.

Now he is using that experience to coach others. Isaac started the Streamlined Profit Academy, a training and coaching company helping entrepreneurs get past the “I’m stuck” phase. If you are needing assistance on the next steps as an entrepreneur, visit https://www.isaacleecollins.com/ or you can reach out via email and Instagram. 

Instagram: @isaacleecollins 

@yogurtiniplaza

@yogurtinioverlandpark

@yogurtinishoalcreekkc

Music by Victoria Ball

Logo designed by Alex Cohn

You can follow Sari on Instagram at @kcbysari