It is a half hour drive from Lee’s Summit to Restoration House. Windy roads over country hills, until I reached a small ranch style home positioned just east of Harrisonville. Next door sits two non-descript buildings. The first is reminiscent of a church but is...

Colonial Kitchen Colonial Gardens proves once again they are more than a garden center. Their newest farm to table restaurant is another example of staying true to their mission of inspiring the community through food. By working with farmers who are committed to...

Kirt Mosier is an internationally known and critically acclaimed composer and conductor. Mosier is the Artistic Director for the Kansas City Youth Symphony, as well as, the co-conductor of the Lee’s Summit Symphony Orchestra. National Composition Award winner on two...

In 2016, while on a long road trip, Sarah Boehnlein came up with The TruKC concept. One thing she learned after getting transferred to Kansas City in 2002 was that people tended to stay close to home, in their little part of town. Wouldn’t it be a great idea if there...

Featured Writer: Kirby Asplund The Asplund Group, LLC Summit Video Services and the Work of Chad Godfrey There is a shelf in the studio of Summit Video Services lined with golden statuettes of a man holding high a five-pointed star. This is the Hanley Award for...

By: Rick McDowell Lee’s Summit Economic Dev. Council Manufacturers are having a difficult time finding workers due to an increase in technology, which is changing the skills required for jobs. That is according to a 2018 skills gap study from Deloitte Insights and the...

By: Brian Crouse Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry It's like any engineering problem. Just start with the end user. In the case of workforce, that's employers. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is working to bridge the divide between industry and...

Featured Writer: John Beaudoin KC Communication & Media Matters For many homebrewers, trial-and-error are just part of the beer-making process. Some batches finish just as you'd hoped while others might miss a flavor or fermentation mark. No problem, you drink 'em...

Featured Writer: Kirby Asplund The Asplund Group, LLC The FIRST Robotics Competition On the first Saturday of each new year, robotics teams around the world eagerly await the release of the new FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) – a challenge that will dominate a great...

There are few, if any, industries that the technology boom hasn’t touched, but, of course, some businesses are affected more than others. Architecture is an interesting industry that was traditionally very manual. Manual drawings with physical overlays to rework...

In the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, we witness every day how providing access to learning changes lives. By: Dr. David Buck, LSR-7 Superintendent Quality education supports the success of all students. It makes our community stronger too. Quality education...

The Leadership Lee’s Summit program was created by the Chamber in 1991 in an effort to provide development opportunities for future leaders in Lee’s Summit. Since then, the program has graduated more than 600 participants. Leadership is a 9-month program beginning in...

Springtime is officially here and our local member restaurants want to invite you to enjoy the outdoors with patio seating. There are options all around Lee’s Summit, most with happy hour specials any day of the week and sunny spots to get fresh air. Stuey McBrew's:...

What is Mathnasium? Think of a gymnasium where you exercise your body. Mathnasium is where you exercise your math skills. Mathnasium is a math tutoring franchise that has been around since 2002. It started in Los Angeles where a well known math teacher decided he...

Springtime is the perfect time to prepare for the coming months of enjoying the outdoors – including your own outdoor space! Ambitious weekend warriors may be able to tackle projects on their own, but depending on the project you may or may not have the needed...

We are celebrating the 2021 graduation season and having a little fun with this special section to highlight individual members with Chamber Member Superlative Awards. Our Chamber is blessed with an array of talented people and lively personalities and we know it's...

The year 2020 has undoubtedly been a year to remember. With little warning the COVID pandemic hit our community like a wrecking ball requiring major changes in everyday life, forcing new practices for the way we do business, altering education models, disrupting...

By: Jane Monroe, Embrace the Grape Embrace the Grape is a beverage catering company which has been in business since 2009. We cater the bar for private and public events all over the Kansas City Metro area. Every year the company has grown. 2019 was a breathtaking...

By: Tammy Garrison, Unwind Fiber Arts, LLC On March 8, 2020, I sat at the table in the center of Unwind Fiber Arts with a cup of coffee and my laptop, reviewing sales reports with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. The last two weeks had been the best for Unwind...

By: Jordan Straits When I asked Bethany Neal, Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Technology, what Stroud’s Express has experienced through the pandemic she responded emphatically: “It’s been wild!” This response is probably to be expected when you consider that...

    Advertisement     Survey Says Lee's Summit Chamber Members, what from 2020 are you most tired of? "My favorite part of owning a coffee shop is hearing the laughter and seeing the smiles on our customer's faces. I’m tired of not being able to...

The 2020 roller coaster of shutdowns and stay-at-home orders were a blessing for local insurance agency owner Jason Langston, but not how you might think. During the first days of 2020 Jason and wife, Linda, were about to get tragic news about their youngest son,...

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background in education? My wife (Jennifer) and I have three daughters who attend LSR7. Jennifer ran a horse boarding/lesson/training business for about 15 years prior to our move here. I was born in St. Louis and...

Entrepreneurial powerhouse, Emily Crawford, is changing the game one invention, website and company at a time. Despite an over all eventless year thanks to the Covid Pandemic, Crawford has had an exceptionally eventful year. We reached out to her to catch up on her...

As a Lee’s Summit resident you may not be familiar with the company Polytainers, but more than likely you have come across their products. Maybe even daily. You make your grocery list and head to the nearest supermarket, or perhaps an online shopping cart these days,...

By: Jordan Straits What does it take to bring a multi-million dollar mixed-used development to fruition? Often development projects seem to spring up overnight, but the details to get to that point might be more than you realize. During a tour of the nearly completed...

By: Emmanuel Ngomsi, Ph.D., All World Languages and Cultures, LLC. The intersection of people from different cultural backgrounds and experiences coming harmoniously together for a uniformity of purpose is Diversity and Inclusion. Trust me, it is not easy! Workplaces...

THE BASICS Name: Hilary Tichota Title: Community Relations Coordinator How long have you been with Paths Elder Law? Almost 6 years Describe yourself in one word: Creative GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS Can you describe the Paths Pen to Pal program for readers? The Paths Pen...

By: Jennifer Craig, ReDiscover We are living in unprecedented times. Within the last few months the world as we know it has changed and we continue to face many unknowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently the YouGov COVID-19 Tracker reported levels of depression...

By: Jordan Straits When it comes to Jacob Wiemann caring for people is in his blood. It doesn’t take long for people to recognize his caring nature, just look at his credentials: a Lee’s Summit Firefighter for over 15-years, a paramedic, a registered nurse for...

By: Jordan Straits Anyone driving down Third Street on February 9th or the days that followed was met with a sobering scene. At 611 SW Third Street, where there used to sit a 12,000 square foot building, was now only charred remains roped off in yellow caution tape....

  It’s spring time in Lee’s Summit – time for kids to dust off their cleats and jump into spring and summer sports. As parents we have a lot to think about in preparation of spring sports. We are tasked with choosing the right team or league, purchasing gear and...

  Despite the difficult times we are faced with in our community and around the world, our Chamber members are banding together and serving each other when it really counts. We have been touched by so many stories of service, giving and selflessness that it has...

By: John Beaudoin Most people don’t know what they’re going to do for a living at 11 years old. Daniel Henks didn’t, either. But he did know one thing: it was a heck of a lot better to get paid for mowing yards than doing it for free. Henks, at 41, has owned Earth...

  When a cancer diagnosis comes to a child, in a lot of ways, childhood stops. Vacations, family time, crafts, and campfires are replaced with doctor visits, chemo, isolation and restrictions. With children’s safety and medical needs in the forefront, Camp...

  By: Kari Simpson, Digital Marketing Inc. Navigating these uncertain times is a learning process as most of us haven’t experienced anything like the mandatory stay at home order issued for Kansas City and surrounding areas. Going on walks to see playgrounds...

  Summit Lakes Middle School (SLMS) opened in the fall of 2000 with 481 students and 33 teachers. A team representing the school community created the school’s name, including the word “Summit” representing the name of the city Lee’s Summit and “Lakes” due to the...

  Our Lee’s Summit Chamber is filled with so many great leaders. A number of young professionals are showcasing their leadership and making a big impact on the business community. Influencing all generations of work in a variety of industries, we want to...

  A new year is upon us and with it, a new sense of excitement. Lee’s Summit is poised to make large strides in 2020 and the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council is proud to be a part of the progress. This year, we are welcoming a new development to our...

By Matt Baird Breaking Down the Details The 2020 election year kicks off in April with a number of items to vote on. One ballot initiative that will have a major impact on Lee’s Summit will be a no-tax increase bond proposal from the Lee's Summit R7 school district...

Eyecare Associates Share 120 Years Combined Experience More than 33 years ago, brothers Doug and Mark Herriott graduated from optometry school. They knew they wanted to help people see better and lead healthier lives, so they came together and started a joint practice...

By: John Beaudoin As we look forward to celebrating Veterans Day on November 11, we took inventory of the veterans in our community and realized we are blessed with several right here in the downtown area. These five men, now taking on the role of business owner, sat...

By Heather Thompson Walking into Lee’s Summit West High School on a Wednesday afternoon, I saw multiple students in uniform as I was scheduled to meet with Lieutenant Colonel Tim Lyon, USAF (Ret), the new Senior Aerospace and Science Instructor (SASI) for the Air...

By: John Beaudoin The year is 1956. There are less than 2,000 people in the City of Lee’s Summit and farmers and livestock likely outnumber the citizens. Between Jackson and Cass County, there are 400 dairies and a dire need for trained and educated veterinarians....

By: Carol Sours, Treo Marketing Once upon a time in marketing, if you hired a spokesperson to represent your brand, you sought an individual with some sort of celebrity status. You looked for someone with a fan-following and a platform from which to tout the benefits...

By Matt Baird Many new efforts have been generated over recent months with the Lee’s Summit Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee. Their purpose is to bridge the gap between the City of Lee’s Summit and Whiteman Air Force Base. Disseminating valuable information to...

Starting a business alone is hard work, but throw in family dynamics and it's a whole other ball game. A healthy business climate and ever-growing workforce has stayed constant in Lee's Summit, leading to the success of many businesses over the years, but also paving...

Colonial Gardens was founded in 1969 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For many years it was just known for nursery plants in south Blue Springs, a lot of flowers and seasonal plants within a greenhouse setting for your garden and home landscape,...

  By: John Beaudoin When Glen Watson of Polytainers and other local companies are in the hunt for talented, young students and future employees, they know they're in a target-rich environment right here in Lee's Summit. Watson, the Human Resources Business...

More than best friends "“ Candace Jennings and Kelly Olson are sisters, moms, and wives, all while running successful businesses. These sisters love food, especially when it comes to being creative and experimenting with new ingredients and recipes. Best of all, they...

What started as a replacement for Cole Younger Days and way to raise funds to renovate the historic depot in 1989 has since grown into the Chamber's largest fundraiser. Celebrating it's 30th anniversary this year, Oktoberfest has now grown into a festival spanning...

By Kevin Oldham, Diffactory Marketing can be overwhelming and confusing. These two feelings can disappear by having a simple roadmap that increases your confidence and sales. The Remarkable Marketing Roadmap will help you to reflect the business you've built, attract...

3 Ways You Can Counter the Negative Health Effects of Sitting By Rachelle Hochgraber, trUbalance Nutrition Did you know that 70 percent of all employees move only a maximum of one hour per day? An analysis of over 10 studies on sitting time found that those who sat...

By Clint Haynes, NextGen Wealth It's everybody's favorite time of the year; tax season. Sometimes we are pleasantly surprised and sometimes not so much. If you happen to be the former, then you might be wondering what some fiscally responsible ideas are for that tax...

By John Beaudoin Memories of grade school physical education may bring back recollections of kickball games on the playground, dodgeball in the gym, games of "steal the flag" or just good, old fashioned tag. And while many of those activities still exist, grade...

Owner/Photographer of Angi's Art, LLC THE BASICS How long have you been in business? Since 2004  How did you get started in the photography field? When? I got my degree in photography at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg Describe yourself in one word:...

The Rock Island Rail Corridor is a 17.7 mile out of service railroad corridor acquired by Jackson County in April of 2016 in partnership with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. There are three main components of the Rock Island Rail Corridor Project:...

The Air Race Classic (ARC) traces its roots to the 1929 Women's Air Derby, in which Amelia Earhart and 19 other daring female pilots raced from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio. That contest, aka the Powder Puff Derby, marked the beginning of women's air...

ONE MAN'S TRASH CAN MAKE FOR GREAT LOCALLY MADE TREASURES You've probably heard of Dave Eames and Ben Wine, or at least seen their works around town. They're responsible for many of the storefront signs, public art pieces and restored antique fixtures seen in downtown...

If you look around Lee's Summit, it doesn't take long to notice the deep creative roots sprawling out around the city. We see in it our business climate, our shopping centers, entertainment options and many other areas. We reached out to some of Lee's Summit's top...

By Nick Parker Podcasting was not in my original business plan. Grabbing a microphone was not the creative outlet I sought. I (and you can, too) blame my friend Jason's resistance to penning a regular column for Link 2 Lee's Summit. Well, Jason and maybe the fine...

Designing learning environments that inspire creativity is Hollis + Miller's passion, and so we find the most inspiration in the learners we serve. Working with students, teachers, administrators and community members to develop a vision for the design is a first...

Even before graduating high school from VanHorn of Kansas City, Mo. in 1988, Travis O'Guin was quite the entrepreneur. He spent the years  after graduation running a furniture service business with 32 locations across the country, getting into real estate, and...

Local dance studio owner Blake Piatczyc makes his professional dream a reality. By John Beaudoin If you know Blake Piatczyc, then you're just one degree from knowing Rihanna, Paula Abdul and Jennifer Lopez. That's because the young, energetic, dance-focused, Lee's...

Growing up playing ice hockey since he was three years old in Colorado, it is really no surprise that Brent Thiessen is passionate about what he does. Having been the President and General Manager of the Mavericks for nine seasons, Thiessen is looking forward to their...

It all started with a handmade sign propped up against a concrete block in downtown Lee's Summit. It read: "You Are Loved" From there, the #randomwordsofkindness movement sprouted into positive messages and encouraging signs in windows, on park benches and on light...

by Chad Godfrey As business owners and entrepreneurs, we all desire happy customers and more market share for our products, services, or non-profit. As you consider your business goals and marketing strategies for 2019, I'd like you to consider one approach you...

We have many fabulous leaders in our Lee's Summit community and within the Chamber membership. Two familiar faces were recently recognized by Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) during the annual Toast to Our Towns Gala. Recognized in different ways, Bob...

by John Beaudoin On Nov. 27, 2010, a small business revolution began in the United States. On that Saturday, Small Business Saturday was observed for the first time. The credit card company American Express (a company that heavily promotes small-business shopping)...

by Amber Monaco Bridge Space, Lee's Summit's first co-working space and entrepreneur incubator, is a haven for artists. We believe that entrepreneurship can take many forms and artists are not to be left out of that conversation. Art is more than something beautiful...

by Rebecca Silverman Blue is the color to wear this November. A simple color conveys a much bigger message for thousands of families in the KC Metro, showing the world what type 1 diabetes (T1D) looks like. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) community...

by Kelly Head Building and managing a successful enterprise in today's ever-changing business landscape can be a daunting prospect. However, with the right tools and support, a business dream can become a thriving reality. That's where Square One Small Business...

by John BeaudoinTo say that the last few years have been a roller coaster for Liz Little might be a bit of an understatement.Of course, Liz buckled up for the ride. And she wasn't navigating that bumpy sometimes daunting ride alone.The former co-owner of downtown...

by John BeaudoinA few years ago, Kevin and Debbie Eck, Mindi Woods and Keith Odehnal were all in vastly varying vocational parts of their lives. Kevin was living the corporate lifestyle; Debbie, an advertising representative for The Kansas City Star; Mindi a...

The Aircraft Electronics Association is celebrating its 10th year in Lee's Summit this summer after relocating its international headquarters to the city in July 2008. Founded in 1957, the international trade organization represents nearly 1,300 member avionics...

At just 18-years old while taking classes at UMKC, and needing a job, Nicolette Foster walked into McCormick & Schmick's Seafood and Steaks where she was hired as a line cook. It was her first role in the restaurant industry, and one that taught her the ins and...

by Donnie Rodgers, Jr.The Downtown Lee's Summit Farmers Market was planted at the corner of 2nd and Douglas in 1991 as part of the newly formed Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street's efforts to revitalize the heart of our community. At that time, downtown Lee's Summit...

by Heather ThompsonTiffany Crowther, owner of The Cooking Station, grew up in Tennessee, but her parents were originally from Kansas City and just after her high school graduation the family moved back here. Tiffany went on to Central Missouri State University in...

by Rick McDowell The Lee’s Summit EDC has undergone a strategic overhaul over the past three years. In 2016, the LSEDC staff reimagined the organization from the inside out with new structures, programs and initiatives. In 2017, we focused efforts on creating a...

by Jordan StraitsOne Good Meal has 130 clients, 11 delivery routes, nine board members, 10-15 daily volunteers, five days a week, and one passionate woman behind it all. One Good Meal Director, Roberta (full name Roberta McArthur, but she insists to work on a first...

by John Beaudoin Don Kahan has said that his “location became my vocation.” That's because the 50-plus-year resident and auto expert has literally lived over his dealership since the 1970s, just a few short years after moving to Lee’s Summit and opening up in 1965....

by Rick McDowellThe Lee's Summit Economic Development Council is best known for its mission of promoting and enhancing the City of Lee's Summit as a model community for economic innovation and growth. LSEDC typically makes headlines for its role in attracting new...