It's Women's History Month, and here at Visit Kansas City KS, we're gearing up to honor some incredible women who are making waves right here in our community. We're kicking off a unique series of interviews to spotlight these amazing women and hear their stories straight from the source. Think of it as a chance to peek behind the curtain and get to know the faces behind the success.
Each interview is like a window into their world – their passions, struggles, and dreams for the future. We'll cover everything from their career journeys to the causes they're passionate about, and trust us, you won't want to miss a single word.
Whether you're a long-time local or just passing through, we invite you to join us on this journey of empowerment and celebration. These women prove that incredible things happen when we lift each other up.
Elee Hampton
Owner, Quarantine Cookie
Q: In honor of Women's History Month, could you share a pivotal moment in your career that empowered you as a woman leader?
A: I’ve always aspired to have a leadership role in life. When I worked in NYC, I was the night shift lead pastry cook at the NoMad Hotel. It was such a fun role being able to train the new line cooks who began with the team. Along with working side by side with the sous chefs, I was taught good ways to be a leader. When I chose to leave that job, I received a thoughtful card from the other pastry cooks. It had lots of heartfelt notes thanking me for my mentorship and expressed gratefulness for teaching them a lot of thoughtfulness and technique. I’ve held onto this card ever since! It may be just a card for some, but this gesture solidified the idea of how much being a positive leader can truly effect others in a beneficial way.
Q: How do you celebrate and support the achievements of other women in your community/KCK?
A: Since I own a business, I pride myself in supporting women owned businesses in every way I can. This can include shopping at their stores, contracting their services, or promoting their goods. However, supporting these businesses shouldn’t necessarily be limited to purchasing power but also advertising them to gain a more marketable visibility. I believe that Kansas City is a big enough economy to support the various types of business that are established here. I am so lucky to have met so many strong, hardworking woman that truly inspire me to pursue more in my own business. In my own way, I celebrate these achievements as inspiration in my own pursuant of the next big thing! I enjoy recommending women owned small businesses to my own customers and clients. I also love getting the opportunity to work with other women led shops, markets, and collaborations within our community as this validates all of the effort I put in.
Q: As we celebrate Women's Day, could you highlight a woman who has been your mentor or role model in your journey?
A:It is amazing to admit something like this, but it's truly hard to pick a single woman to highlight. In this case, I choose the first one ever: My mother. She has played a huge role in who I am today. The passion I have for baking stemmed from my childhood memories of her and myself baking in the kitchen. My mom was always pushing me to stay true to my heart and to shoot for my dreams. She continues pushing me towards my goal of opening a bakery in the future.
Cheers to the fantastic women of KCK!
Read more here:
https://www.visitkansascityks.com/blog/post/celebrating-women-leaders-in-kck/