Cafe Cà Phê

1717 Washington Street, Kansas City, MO

Jackie Ngyuen is a first-generation Vietnamese-American entrepreneur who founded this traveling Vietnamese coffee shop in the West Bottoms. Not only is Cafe Cà Phê the first of its kind in town, but it’s also a space that brings a friendly coffee shop experience to its customers in the neighborhood. 

With a passion for authentic coffee from Vietnam, colorful branding, and a laid-back vibe, Jackie’s team is serving up classics like Vietnamese Iced Coffee and a matcha latte with Vietnamese espresso. 

Part of Cafe Cà Phê’s mission is to restore cafe culture to real-world community relationships. After all, a local neighborhood coffee spot is the one where the barista knows your name, and then sits down with you to sip on a latte, chatting about cool local finds. 

Follow Cafe Cà Phê on Instagram to find out where their next local pop up venue. Want to help the shop land a physical storefront in KC? Support Jackie’s GoFundMe campaign.

Gigi’s Vegan + Wellness Cafe

1103 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO

If there was ever a local, female-owned business that prioritized a positive impact on the community, it’s Gigi’s Vegan + Wellness Cafe. This neighborhood gathering place promotes health, organic cuisine, plant-based foods and the environment, all in one setting. 

Gigi is an inspiring figure in health and wellness who believes that everyone has the potential to be his or her own doctor. In line with treating ourselves well, Gigi’s Vegan + Wellness Cafe is big on sustainability and zero waste, using eco-friendly to-go packaging, reducing waste footprints and avoiding plastics when possible. 

An incredible health-conscious menu of cold-pressed juices, wellness shots and meals draws foodies from the neighborhood, and all items can be ordered gluten-free. The staff is also glad to accommodate customers with any food allergies or special diets. 

Join Gigi’s weekly donation-based meditation and yoga classes, and get involved by staying posted on the cafe’s participation at community events like the Midwest Soul Vegfest.

Bodyscape Boudoir

1427 W. 9th Street, Suite 401, Kansas City, MO

Jessica Elizabeth is one of the top boudoir photographers in KC and runs Bodyscape Boudoir in the West Bottoms, a studio that empowers women through liberating and thrilling photo shoots. 

So, what is boudoir photography? Fair question. Jessica describes it as a celebration of a woman’s body. For Jessica, her boudoir photography offers a way to promote female body positivity and to make all women feel that their bodies are beautiful. Through the boudoir photography experience, women can love themselves in ways they never thought would be possible.

Interested in learning more? Book a consultation with Jessica or join her Facebook group.

MADI Apparel

1659 Summit Street, Kansas City, MO

MADI Apparel is a boutique in the Westside area of KC run by Hayley Besheer Santell that makes and sells ethically-crafted clothing while also helping women in need. For every purchase made, the store donates a pair of new underwear to a victim of domestic violence. The idea for the store came to Hayley after she discovered the single most-needed clothing product in shelters was underwear.

Hayley designs the brand’s products, which are made in a small-batch sewing shop in Kansas City Crossroads, often by local female seamstresses trained by Hayley herself. You can stop by MADI Apparel’s KC boutique to learn more about the company’s mission or shop online.