Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, join a boutique gym started by a local fitness champ or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention. We’re proud to highlight inspiring creatives and entrepreneurs each week in Hidden Gems series. Check out some of our latest local gem features below.
Dr. Jayson Milner
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I attended the University of Florida beginning in 1998, where I graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science. Following my undergraduate studies, I pursued a Doctor of Chiropractic degree at the National University of Health Sciences in Illinois, graduating in 2006. Read More>>
Nancy Amar
I’m Nancy Amar, though the kids have affectionately call me Miss Mancy, and I can’t tell you how much that warms my heart—despite the occasional confusion it causes! I’ve always had a passion for working with children, particularly those on the Autism Spectrum. To me, they’re not just students; they’ are my spiritual guides, teaching me profound lessons through their genuine presence and delightful honesty. Read More>>
Randy Joseph
One of the struggles of being a aidiot engineer for me is that much of the job involves using complex technology, which is constantly advancing. You have to stay up to date with the latest tools and techniques to produce high-quality songs. Because music is subjective, capturing a sound that pleases the creator within a limited amount of time can be challenging, especially since most people don’t like to listen to their own voice. Read More>>
Karla Martinez
My journey into football equipment management started unexpectedly. I was never interested in football before, but that all changed when my dad took me to a college football game during my freshman year of high school. I was immediately captivated by the atmosphere and became completely sold on the sport. As the season went on, I taught myself the game and began asking my high school coaches daily if they needed help with the team. By the time spring rolled around, they needed an equipment manager, and I jumped at the opportunity. From that moment on, it’s been equipment management for me. Read More>>
Danielle Vardakas
In 1993, I started practicing asana ( postural yoga) as a cross train for the Jr Ballet Company that I performed with as a child, Around the same time I started looking into alternative spirituality because I felt like there was more to that connection that I had learned previously. During my teen years at The Philadelphia Creative and Performing Arts High School., I wrote book reports on the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, The Bhagavad Gita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika and other classic and modern texts on Yoga and Buddhist Meditation. Read More>>
Occolt Station
The two hosts, OCCO & MOMENT, started with just one camera, a cheap microphone, and a will to dominate at all times. Before dedicating their lives to this project the two were stuck in dead end careers. OCCO was a mortician’s assistant, while MOMENT was a reptilian analyst at a community college. Drawing influence from the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Louis Theroux, WorldStar HipHop, NoCapOnGod, late night “Friends” re-runs while editing, and Hannah Gadsby, to create a modern, visionary, classical approach. Read More>>
Jesica Croci
There I began to study to be a paralegal, but what I liked most was immigration. In Argentina I always read articles about immigration in the United States because I wanted to find the opportunity to obtain residency in this country. So, when I began to study paralegal, I discovered that I not only liked immigration, but that I loved it. Read More>>
Noely Tovar
Currently, I’m working on Legends of the Iron Scarab, a video game inspired by a Dungeons & Dragons campaign with my friends. My influences are varied, from the shows such as RWBY or Winx Club to beloved dark fantasies like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Haunted Mansion, and Coraline. In every character I create, I try to include something of myself, aiming to inspire others through their unique journeys and struggles. Read More>>
Maria Bhairosingh
My journey has been a mix of purpose, community, and creativity. I started in the hospitality industry approximately 10 years ago where I have transitioned from event coordination to management & leadership roles. I have always had a passion for building connections and creating meaningful experiences. That passion led me to launch ZÜ Bar, a concept that grew out of a desire to build a welcoming space where people could unwind, connect, and celebrate culture. Read More>>
Shantel Davis
I learned how to sew at the age of 13 when I took Home Economics. As soon as I started to learn how to sew, I immediately fell in love with it, So it became a passion. During my High School years I sketched all of the clothes that I want to do. When I was 17 I made my own costume for a talent show that I was in. I cut and sewed the outfit. I also made a dress without using a pattern. I can still do that up to this day. So I decided to hone my skills. I have taken sewing classes here and there. I enrolled in Miami Dade Community College and Parsons of Fashion Design. I graduated with an Associates Degree. I am currently studying Business Management at Florida Technical College so I can learn how to manage my own business. Read More>>
Savage The Dapper Barber
More recently, I launched Talk Savage: Beyond The Clipper, a podcast that will dive deep into what it means to be a barber and explore the industry from perspectives often left out. Through candid conversations, I aim to highlight the journeys of other professionals and uncover the layers that make up the barbering world. It’ll become a platform to share wisdom, connect with others, and discuss the challenges and triumphs in our line of work. Read More>>
Anna Stewart
Life hasn’t been a smooth road. I started my career in my early 20’s as a Crime Scene Investigator before the TV Show CSI was popular and being female in a male dominated field was challenging and stressful. While at a crime scene someone once asked me, “what is a pretty girl like you doing in a job like this?” and my response was, “someone has to speak for the victim”. At times I felt that due to my young age and gender I was not taken seriously nor respected by my peers. With age comes wisdom and I would have done many things differently had I known now what I knew then. Read More>>
Don Nechtman
Off-Stitch is a Miami-based fashion brand rebranded from Super Soles in 2023. We focus on creating affordable and sustainable clothing and accessories, all made in the USA with ethical production standards. What sets us apart is our dedication to delivering a top-tier customer experience. We prioritize connecting with our customers and creating a community that feels supported and valued. Read More>>
Matic
This broke me in ways that cannot be explained, loosing connection with childhood friends, seeing how the distance affected everything and everyone around me, the turmoil and stress that came due to just trying to make a living as far as my parents go, it was just hell. Read More>>
Marquez Scott
May of 2023 I launched my first drop and decided to name my brand after my nephew Majesty aka Maj who is now 3 years of age. Creating this brand i always thought about generational wealth. I always knew I wanted to keep the brand within my family and by doing this i could create a solid foundation for my nephew so that when he’s my age (23) he’ll be his own boss with his own clothing brand majstylez. Read More>>
Valeriia Krepel
My story began with a cherished dream — to bring beauty to people. In 2016, I made this dream a reality by opening my own beauty salon. Every day, each brushstroke or precise line of a brow was a step on my journey toward perfection. I wasn’t just walking the path; I was dancing along it, participating in makeup and brow competitions, developing myself, and refining my talent. Read More>>
Kennoshi Simms
NoshiCreative it’s not just a regular design business. We are more to that we do event planning and video promos and more. I’m also the chairman of my church media team and also work along with locals and national media groups. Also, I worked along with different businesses and international events. I also work at one of the best broadcasting station. Listen, I don’t mess around with my work. You get the best!!!! Lastly, I would like to say this Rev 3:7-8 says behold I set before you an open door which no one can shut. I humbly would like to say thank you to my mother, and my familyand my pastor and church family and also my ZNS family for everything and a very special thank you to Byron Hamilton and My Lovely Brother Read More>>
Jo Blanco
In 2013 I started production on my written, produced and directed, Zero Budget indie feature film. In Nov of 2018 I screened the premiere of Key Lime Voodoo, at the famed Tower Theatre in Miami. Soon after I signed a contract with an L.A. based film agent and we found a distributor to take on my film. Key Lime Voodoo, (KLV) can now be watched on multiple streaming platforms, including Amazon and Tubi. Presently I still work mostly as an event photographer/videographer/editor and manage 12 social media sites for my personal, business and KLV. Read More>>
Alvaro Mercado
Over the years, my passion evolved beyond simply creating. I found myself drawn to entrepreneurship, realizing the importance of building a team and aligning others with a shared vision. This approach led me to significant milestones and creative projects beyond the typical “day-to-day” work. Read More>>
Manuela Ceballos
As an experiential denim artist I share the vision of an artistic discipline to improve my personal style, where art manifests emotions, styles and times, where the spaces to share these practices summon visitors to know different visions of the world through unique pieces worked in different techniques that highlight specific moments of history represented by the vision of each artist. Read More>>
Camila Mesa
My journey with concrete began by chance—I had a bag of cement at home and decided to experiment, blending it with different aggregates just to see what I could create. My first project was making a lamp from that cement and some empty wine bottles I had on hand, aiming to recycle them in a creative way. When COVID-19 hit and materials became scarce, I started working with smaller molds, repurposing discarded parts from medical machines and pill cases, along with earring parts I wasn’t using. It was natural to bring these materials together, and I started making jewelry pieces as gifts for friends, with no intention of turning it into a business. Read More>>
Riley Steinger
I have always been passionate about animals, particularly rescue dogs. I believe in second chances, knowing that every dog—regardless of their past—deserves a loving home. Nubs embodied this belief, showing that even with a tough start in life, there was so much joy and adventure to be had. Starting his social media ultimately was for my friends and family to see but grew into something bigger and the thought was why not share Nubs’ story and, in doing so, advocate for rescue dogs everywhere? Read More>>
Victoria Langford
I’d work with any medium—pencil, pen, pastel, watercolor—but fell in love with oil paint and took a weekly class in middle and high school. I liked painting realistic renders of popular things, like the Titanic from the movie, Harry Potter, Frodo….nerd alert! I didn’t think studying fine art would yield any sort of career, so I majored in Art History at the University of Michigan. However, over time I craved being the artist more than a curator for another’s art. Read More>>
Anthony Vadell
That’s the moment I realized, why don’t I jp on the YouTube train and start up what later became Big Flick Energy (BFE). I read somewhere once that everybody should have 3 hobbies: One to make money, one to stay in shape, and one to stay creative. I invest in stocks, play basketball, pickleball, and tennis, and then BFE helped me stay creative. It’s a beautiful thing when the hobby for creativity can flex into the hobby for making money, and that’s what BFE has recently become. Read More>>
Sammie Cruz
Life is never a smooth road. The bumps we encounter are lessons that guide us to where we’re meant to be. I firmly believe everything happens for a reason. Along with being a full-time content creator, I also work full-time in healthcare, and I’m currently in the process of starting my bachelor’s degree at FIU. Balancing all of this is no easy feat, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my dreams and goals. Read More>>
Bella Gambino
It has definitely not been a smooth road! We are still very early on in the journey but everything in podcasting and creating in the digital world has been totally new to us. We’ve ran into recording issues, audio issues, and spent countless hours teaching ourselves how to edit and put out this content. It has definitely been stressful at times but we’re learning so much in the process and it’s getting easier and easier! Read More>>
Elizabeth Schmehl
The Studio 2660, is the business name registered in Australia, and trades in Australia and internationally. Both names are related to each other as the American government agency didn’t recognise “the” in front of Studio 2660. Liz Schmehl’s Art is a registered business name in Australia, and am currently trademarking it in the USA and Australia and my artwork of both celebrity art style and my other artwork is covered by copyright laws in both countries. Where I am up today, is that my artwork is now available to people Read More>>
Nicolas Hernandez Cruz
My name is Nicolas Hernandez Cruz. I was born in Colombia and am an audiovisual producer, though in recent years I’ve focused my career more on post-production. My journey started when I was just 12 years old. I’d always loved cameras, playing around with them, and taking photos, but it wasn’t until a school assignment, where I had to make a video, that I realized my true passion for the audiovisual world. That assignment sparked something in me, and over the years, my interest only grew. Read More>>
Stephanie Salcedo
Hello, my name is Stephanie Salcedo. Owner and jewelry designer of OG Jewels Collective. A jewelry brand started in 2021 while sitting down fixing a bracelet that had broken for my step daughter and little did I know what fire that would ignite. For so long I heard of my husband mentioning making bracelets of some sort and I would think to myself how, where would we even start. Little did I know that his words sparked an interest in my head to run with a brand and create something, a legacy for our children. Read More>>
Bella Cendan
It has not been a smooth road, but I am very grateful for every bump and curve along the way. Apart from the mental battles of comparing myself to others my age who went directly into a stable full-time 9-5 job, I have built my business, my following, and my clientele from the ground up. This has taken time, patience, and perseverance, all of which has made me stronger, both professionally and personally. Read More>>
Elizabeth Cornfeld
The road to building Scapes by Elizabeth has been anything but smooth. Navigating the fashion industry as a new brand comes with challenges, from securing reliable manufacturers to managing production delays. Balancing creativity with the business side was also a learning curve. At times, I doubted whether the demand for high-end scarves, inspired by peoples favorite places, would be enough. Yet each obstacle reinforced my belief in the brand. Customer feedback, especially seeing how my pieces connected with people, kept me motivated. Every challenge was a stepping stone to perfecting my craft and refining the brand. Read More>>
Jiahui Yu
After college, I got back to China and started writing video game music for an internet company – Bilibili, in 2022. Now I quit my job and seeking for media scoring and production on my graduate life in Frost School of Music, University of Miami. Luckily, now I got full scholarship and being as a teaching assistant for professor Carlos Rafael Rivera, who’s an amazing composer winning Grammy and Emmy Awards. Read More>>
Zoel Z
I was captivated by the mysteries of healing frequencies and vibrations, the way certain sounds could touch the soul and soothe the spirit. I knew there was a deeper connection between music and the human experience, something beyond the notes and rhythms, something sacred. This realization ignited a fire within me, a relentless curiosity to learn all I could about these frequencies and how to weave them into my compositions, to create music that heals, inspires, and uplifts. Read More>>
Javan Allison And Monique Cooper
Javan’s story has been recognized by WebMD, the National Asthma and Allergy Foundation, the Miami-Dade County School Board, the City of Miami Gardens, and more. Our mission is to continue spreading awareness in our community and support families facing similar adversities, just as Javan has. Read More>>
Ed Rosas
I’m originally from Queens, NY, and for as long as I can remember, art has been an integral part of my life. I was fortunate to have teachers and loved ones who supported and encouraged me to pursue my passion for art. After graduating from LaGuardia High School in New York City, I moved to Miami to continue my studies, eventually earning an MFA from Florida Atlantic University. Now, I live in Miami, where I run my own freelance illustration business and teach as an adjunct art professor at several universities. Read More>>
Suanay Hernandez
I’ve been obsessed with magazines for as long as I can remember—from Seventeen and CosmoGirl to Mad Magazine and vintage Playboys. I used to make collages and decorate my room with foldout posters. Creativity has always been a part of me, whether through photography, painting, writing, or videography. But breaking into the creative industry hasn’t been easy. Today, it often feels driven by money, connections, or followers. After facing countless rejections, including a final one from a popular food blog for a social media role, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Read More>>
Michael Valverde
I worked as a production assistant, met mentors who gave me a shot and acquired a crazy amount of credit card debt to buy film equipment. I was putting everything on the line to make it in this film world. It has not been successful; I have crashed and burned a few times, but we all need those. The jobs eventually got bigger, more equipment, and I can honestly say that I love what I do. I primarily work as a Cinematographer. I also do camera operating, and in the past couple of years, I have gotten into Gaffing. I started my film production company, Albacora Pictures Inc., back in 2013 and haven’t looked back Read More>>
Jameelah Bennett
I believe the best collaboration begins with a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges at hand. I prioritize listening and conducting a thorough needs analysis to ensure that any strategy or solution is aligned with the specific goals. I approach every project as a true partnership, appreciating when collaborators are equally invested and open to sharing ideas and insights. Read More>>
Athena Gardner
Women face unique challenges regarding wealth. We’re often conditioned to believe that we can achieve financial security through beauty or by marrying wealthy partners. However, hard work does not guarantee wealth, and even affluent women can experience financial deception and abuse. Statistics show that women typically earn less than men for similar roles, can lose an average of $1 million in their lifetimes due to caregiving responsibilities, and may face financial hardship after divorce. Read More>>
Jenny Huertas
My transition to real estate began in 2004 as a Mortgage Broker, followed by becoming a licensed Real Estate Agent in 2005. I excelled in sales centers, specializing in pre-construction projects. In 2006, I co-founded Condo Vultures Realty, Florida’s pioneering brokerage focused exclusively on buyer representation, leveraging our proprietary database of the South Florida condo market. Read More>>
