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.
Kathlena The Allergy Chef
I’m Kathlena, The Allergy Chef, and I’m well known for my advocacy and commitment to helping people with food allergies, food intolerances, Celiac Disease, restricted diets, and special diets (Paleo, Vegan, GAPs, EOE, etc.). I personally manage more than 200 food allergies and food intolerances, and can’t drink most water. Read more>>
Abundanc3 Beats
My artist name is ABUNDANC3BEATS. I was born and raised in South Florida, but my family is from Kingston, Jamaica. My love for music started out as a kid. I started piano lessons around five or six years old. Like a lot of kids who start playing at that age, I didn’t care for it much. Read more>>
Gabriella Marie Martinez Tovar
My journey with the violin started when I was six years old, completely by chance. My mom was Christmas shopping at a mall in Miami when she came across a group of young violinists performing holiday music. She stopped in her tracks. Read more>>
Betty Greer
In 2022, at the age of 52, I left Scotland and moved to Türkiye to begin a new chapter of my life. While that move was significant, my real transformation had started years earlier. After growing up with the impact of a difficult childhood, I spent much of my adult life building a successful career in finance. Read more>>
Reni Papalexiou
I founded Sun Served Bespoke Picnics with the goal of creating thoughtfully curated experiences that encourage people to slow down, connect, and celebrate meaningful moments. What began as a luxury picnic company serving Sarasota and the surrounding Gulf Coast communities was inspired by my love of hospitality, design, and creating memorable experiences for others. Read more>>
Nicole Short
I fell in love with nutrition during my sophomore year of college when I took a Nutrition course that really sparked my curiosity in the field. As a student-athlete, I already had a genuine interest in how food impacts performance, but that class pushed me to want to learn more and further my education. . Read more>>
Epiphany Avatara
From a young age I knew I was passionate about three things; the arts, science, and entrepreneurship. From having full blown concerts and fashion shows in my living room, to selling candy at school, to submitting essays that were never assigned and written simply for the love of it… I’ve always been a very passionate and productive person. Read more>>
Yung Dzy
I was born in Venezuela and now live in Miami. Like a lot of immigrants, my story starts with leaving home and learning how to adapt to new environments while holding on to who you are. Music became the place where I could make sense of those experiences. What started as a passion slowly turned into a purpose. Read more>>
Davica Williams
My story really began in the fourth grade when a microphone was placed in my hand, and I was selected to serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for my elementary school’s Honors and Awards Program. At the time, I had no idea that moment would become the foundation of my life’s work. Read more>>
Kristin Tomasello
My journey has been shaped by both challenges and purpose. After facing significant health struggles in my own life and watching my family battle serious illnesses, I developed a deep appreciation for resilience, faith, creativity, and serving others. Those experiences inspired me to become a nurse, entrepreneur, author, and nonprofit founder. Art has always been a huge part of my life. Read more>>
jennifer baker
My name is Jennifer, I am the owner and creator of Key Z Crafts. It began in 2017 as a fun creative project making island inspired, unique gifts. Today, I am especially proud of my Island Body skin care line. My soaps, body butters, lotions and scrubs were made and inspired by my beautiful daughter Brittany. Read more>>
Barbara Pedreca
I’m a first-generation American from a Brazilian family. I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, but when I was three years old, my family moved back to Brazil, where I spent most of my childhood. From a very young age, I was always drawn to the arts. I loved dancing, singing, and performing whenever I had the chance. Read more>>
Joseph & Danielle Doyle
We are a husband-and-wife team dedicated to preserving one of the most important days in a couple’s life. Together, we bring a unique blend of creativity, organization, and professionalism to every wedding we photograph. From the first consultation to the final gallery delivery, our mission is simple: to provide an exceptional experience while capturing authentic moments that tell your love story. Read more>>
Dragana Dujovic
My journey started when I was discovered by a photographer at a wedding in my hometown. He encouraged me to pursue modeling, and shortly after, I signed with a modeling agency and began building my portfolio professionally. That led me to compete in Miss Serbia, which opened many doors and gave me valuable experience in the fashion and beauty industry. Read more>>
Gabriela Pinango
My path was shaped by a profound reverence for the human body, deeply rooted in my childhood. Growing up, I watched my mother, a dedicated physician, and my grandfather in his laboratory. I was completely enamored by the craft of healing and formulation, witnessing firsthand the pure intention behind medicine and care. Read more>>
Katie Clinebell
Five years ago, when I moved to South Florida, I didn’t know a single person. As a naturally social person craving deeper connections with other ambitious, growth-minded people, I decided to take a chance and post on Instagram asking if anyone wanted to meet up at Square Grouper. That simple post changed everything. Read more>>
Harry Jean-Baptiste
I am a first-generation Haitian-American entrepreneur, real estate consultant, and community advocate based in Houston, Texas. My journey into real estate started long before I earned my license. Since I was 12 years old, I was fascinated by real estate and dreamed of becoming an agent. Read more>>
NICHOLAS MEDINA
I started in the hospitality industry when I was 15 years old. Over the years, I worked in countless restaurants and bars, gaining experience in nearly every position imaginable, dishwasher, busser, line cook, server, barback, bartender, and eventually manager. For most of my career, my experience was rooted in the restaurant world. That changed when I was given an opportunity to work with Mena Catering. Read more>>
Debora Ramírez
I started about 3 years ago, something that began as a hobby and I really think I became so passionate about it that I wanted to dedicate myself to it 100%. More and more brands and proposals started coming in, so I knew I was doing something right Read more>>
Karla Richey
I am Karla Chavez Richey, founder and publisher of Miami Kids Magazine. I was inspired to create the magazine when I was pregnant and searching for resources and support while most of my family and friends were back in Peru. Wanting to create a support system for parents like myself, I began developing Miami Kids Magazine. Read more>>
Evelyn Robaina
To talk about my story will take some time, but to do it briefly I can say that I am from Havana, Cuba. Studied classical ballet in the Cuban National Ballet School, and started my dance career as a ballet dancer. Read more>>
d’Shante Clarke
My husband, Adrian, and I are the co-founders of oak + SHADES, a luxury window treatment and interior solution company serving South Florida. While I built my career as a Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager in the medical device industry, we both developed a passion for transforming homes through thoughtful design and custom solutions. Read more>>
India Anderson
i’ve always loved helping people learn new things. what started as sharing hair tutorials online grew into a career in content creation, education, and entrepreneurship. along the way, i’ve built an online community, worked with brands, and launched my own business. today, i’m passionate about helping women feel more confident through hair, beauty, and self-improvement while continuing to grow and learn myself. Read more>>
Melissa Marino
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’ve learned that some of the most meaningful growth comes from the challenges we don’t choose. Five years ago, I moved to Florida and essentially started over. Building a life and career in a new place meant creating a client base, community, and support system from the ground up. Read more>>
Alejandro Rangel
My journey started with a simple passion for creating great burgers and bringing people together through food. What began as a small idea quickly turned into a mission to serve high-quality, handcrafted burgers with unique flavors and fresh ingredients. Over time, I invested countless hours learning, experimenting, and refining every detail of the menu and customer experience. Read more>>
Debbie Roppo
My work began long before I had language for it. As a little girl, I would sit quietly and somehow calm my own body. I didn’t know what meditation was. I only knew that something within me knew how to settle. Years later, life would bring me back to that knowing in a much bigger way. In 2013, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Read more>>
Cesar Santos
My story is one of internal struggle meeting external harmony. I was born in Cuba and spent my childhood during the Special Period of the 1990s. For the first twelve years of my life, we lived in extreme poverty. We had no running water, so we carried buckets from a well to a large tank on our second-floor balcony. Read more>>
Ksenia Shimonova
Honestly, my skincare journey started with my own acne. After years of trying different treatments and not seeing the results I wanted, I decided to take matters into my own hands and went to Christine Valmy esthetics school in New York. Read more>>
Kristen Threatt
GORILLA LEMONADE: FROM THE TRUNK TO 400+ LOCATIONS By Kristen Threatt & Brian Burkett, Co-Founders of Gorilla Lemonade When people ask about Gorilla Lemonade, one thing is certain: this story cannot be told without mentioning my business partner, Brian Burkett. Gorilla Lemonade was built through our collective vision, sacrifice, resilience, and faith. Every milestone we have reached was accomplished together. Read more>>
JD Matthews
My path to entrepreneurship wasn’t exactly planned. Before starting Matthews Media, I spent nearly 20 years in the corporate world in leadership roles including CEO, Vice President of Operations and Director of Finance. I learned a lot about building teams, solving problems and growing businesses, but I always had an interest in photography and creating content. Read more>>
Amy Martinez
That’s a tough question. How did I get started? I feel like I was always surrounded by music. My parents would always play music around the house. My dad would always put me to bed with the radio on literally. To the point that I got used to sleeping with music on. Read more>>
Laurie McLennan
Real estate has always been part of my story. My parents were real estate brokers, yet for many years I never imagined I would follow in their footsteps. Read more>>
Desiree Velazco
I’m originally from Venezuela and have always been passionate about design and creativity. I first studied architecture, which deeply influenced the way I see aesthetics, detail and design. I learned how to crochet through a tutorial, and about a year later I decided to launch VELVET by Desi. It came so naturally to me that I’ve always felt I inherited that talent from my grandmother. Read more>>
Alyssa Porcelain
After graduating college early in 2019 and starting a miserable corporate marketing job, I decided to get my MBA and start my own business. I began doing graphic and web design, but photography had always been my passion. As I dipped my toe into branding photography, I was invited to photograph families and fell in love with it. Read more>>
Aida Dominguez
When you manage hotels for 35 years, you get used to reviewing financial reports from the comfort of an office. But when I decided to move to Miami to be close to my children and launch my own short-term rental business, the market gave me a profound lesson in humility and passion. In the beginning, there was no large team behind me. Read more>>
Chris Collins
I am a Florida native, born and raised in Southwest Florida. I like to say that I, and my career, are the product of both my parents. My dad came here from England, and so soccer was pretty much a given in my life especially growing up in a state where we have the ability to play outside year-round. Read more>>
Evah, Rashi Peter, Pangeni
Growth Against Adversity started in our 7th grade English classroom, where we were reading Sue Park’s “A Long Walk To Water.” It gave us a glimpse of the hardships in South Sudan, and at that moment, our whole perspective shifted. While we were taking our education for granted, there were other children who didn’t even have access to clean drinking water. Read more>>
Suzanne Rogelstad
Isla & Saige was born from a shared dream between a mother and daughter who believed that beautiful clothing should be made differently. After years of watching the fashion industry move toward fast fashion, synthetic fabrics, and overseas production, we felt there was an opportunity to create something more meaningful—timeless pieces made with integrity. Read more>>
Star Galasyn
My name is Star Galasyn, and I started writing stories when I was a kid. It started with short stories about my childhood pet and my favorite singer, and then I would do assignments for school, like essays. Then, in middle school, I started writing poetry, thanks to the encouragement of my English teacher. Read more>>
Frank Prisinzano
It all started at the feet of my Sicilian and Neapolitan grandmothers Watching those matriarchs whip up the most amazing meals for my extended family, and the power they had over us to be present with them at the table, because of their rare gifts, and their constant insistence on following family traditions, forever marked me. Read more>>
Daniela Curtis
I was born in Lima, Peru, and at four years old, my family and I moved to Miami, Florida. I started running in 7th grade, and by 9th grade, I had a female coach who quickly became a mentor throughout my running career. Read more>>
YSAAC SAINTIL
My name is Ysaac Saintil, and my journey has been shaped by creativity, perseverance, and a desire to continuously improve my life and the lives of others. I’m 25 years old I consider myself a lifestyle artist A creative strategic artistic system stinker and raised in South Florida, where I learned early on the value of hard work and resilience. Read more>>
Gregorie Fravien
I have always been an artist. I remember watching reruns of Dragon ball z on VHS when I was younger. I didn’t take it too seriously until I got into art school, and was shown the actual amount of work it takes to make something beautiful. I fell in love with the process, and have been pursuing it every since. Read more>>
Christopher Wilson
In 2020, I left my hometown and traveled the US in pursuit of high-end video opportunities. I lived out of a mobile setup, chasing light and refining my craft from the desert of California to the Hamptons of New York. That journey eventually brought me to Charleston, where I had the opportunity to work with Megan Molten on a series of premium interior design projects. Read more>>
Rafael Antonio Rositto
Mayas Made in Honduras landed in Miami with a clear mission: put Honduran design on the global fashion map. While the brand first made waves with its signature Mayan-inspired jewelry, it has since blossomed into something much bigger. Read more>>
Andrea Laitano
My journey in the creative industry started 13 years ago when I began photographing my daughter as a baby. What started as a personal passion quickly grew into something much bigger. I fell in love with storytelling through images and eventually turned that passion into a career. Over the years, photography opened doors to new creative opportunities. Read more>>
Pam Hund
Hi! My name is Pam & I created a Wedding Venue on my families’ farm back in 2020. Tree House is a tree farm, growing tropical palms & fruit. The venue is nestled in the middle of the grove so that guests are immersed in the raw natural beauty of the farm. Read more>>
Meidi Karampour
Raised in Bushehr, Iran, I began my artistic education in an environment where figurative painting—particularly the nude—was largely inaccessible. Seeking rigorous training and artistic freedom, I relocated to the United States and transitioned from a career in architecture to painting. Read more>>
SARAH BEN3T a.k.a. AVALON
I am a lifelong performer with stage performance starting at the age of 3. Growing up in the dance world gave me discipline and respect for all forms of art. Using this mindset helped me skyrocket my professional career and I began touring the US at the age of 18 with Hoctor’s Dance Caravan. Read more>>
Audrina Anraí
Two years ago, in 2024, I was navigating a quiet crisis, dealing with the heavy aftermath of trauma and deep betrayal that easily could have made me close off from the world entirely. Read more>>
Michael Shockley
I was born and raised in Jupiter, FL. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in life, but there was definitely a medical influence on my life. My mother is a nurse practitioner in the field of internal medicine, and I had several family members, who were urologists. Read more>>
Demonie ‘Squidell’ Wilson
Demonie Wilson, also known as Squidell, hails from the vibrant and culturally rich region of St. Thomas, Jamaica. His trajectory in the music industry has been nothing short of extraordinary. Coming from a musical lineage, Demonie is the brother of international dancehall superstar Popcaan. Demonie’s involvement in the music industry spans over a decade, reflecting his profound passion for the art. Read more>>
Maria Alvarez
Decorating and planning events and parties has always been a passion of mine. As far back as I can remember, I was always coordinating , planning or desiging a prom or wedding or birthday party… for friends or family. As a former Miami Dade County Public Schools employee, I was always the ‘Go To’ person for any schools functions. Read more>>
Eddie Rodriguez
Twenty years ago, after a successful 25-year corporate career at BellSouth, I made a pivotal choice: I walked away to build a life centered on lifting others up. Today, that leap of faith has evolved into a global mission of empowerment. As an ordained InterFaith Minister, I have married over 1,000 couples worldwide, with my ceremonies featured on Bravo, MTV, and Lifetime. Read more>>
Joanna Wcisło
I did start about 19 years ago With passion for health and beauty. As cosmetologist i do focus on body like full mechanism which need all parts to function well. My therapies are based on regeneration,suplements, workout, Being beauty means mostly being health. As a model i did start very late cause i was about 33yo. Read more>>
Daniel Prim
Daniel Prim Latin Grammy-winning Drummer, Percussionist, and Educator Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Daniel Prim is a highly skilled drummer, percussionist, and educator with expertise in jazz, Afro-Venezuelan, and Latin music. His musical journey began early in life, shaped by a family environment where music was central to daily life. Read more>>
Granger Hicks
Heartfelt Fashion, INC. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission of using fashion to increase confidence in at-risk youth and people with disabilities. It all began back in 2014 when we launched the Heartfelt Fashion Summer Camp, and it blasted off from there. For 10 years, we’ve been providing opportunities for youth and the community in fashion, as well as teaching youth development. Read more>>
Donnetta Davis
I have always worked in the medical field in some capacity. I initially started in veterinary medicine, working as a veterinary assistant under my uncle, who is a veterinarian and owner of multiple private practices. I worked with him throughout my teenage years, and have always had a desire to pursure the career of a veterinarian. Read more>>
Shivam Shobhit
Thali Safari started quite naturally. I’ve always enjoyed exploring new places, trying different foods, and sharing those experiences with friends and family. At some point, I realized I was constantly taking photos and videos of meals, cafés, trips, and hidden gems I discovered along the way, so I decided to create a page where I could document those experiences. Read more>>
Sinclaire DuPree
I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and entertainment. Growing up, I was involved in creative spaces and had an early interest in acting, media, and connecting with people. As I got older, that passion evolved into a love for music, content creation, and the ways culture shapes communities. While attending Spelman College, I began intentionally pursuing opportunities in the music and entertainment industry. Read more>>
Fiona Spratley
My name is Fiona, I was working in the Middle East as a hair stylist and when I was there I had this strong pull to look into holistic remedies when I started to face gut health issues. I was always exploring natural remedies before resorting to pharmaceuticals which then lead me to study as a holistic health coach. Read more>>
Carolina Moguel
I come from two immigrant parents. When I was 15, I started in the beauty industry selling cosmetics in Bayside. When I was in high school I was in a work based learning program so I could work and go to school at the time same. All at the same time, maintaining dual enrollment classes. Read more>>
Dee’Anna Bradford
My name is Dee’Anna Alyse and I was born in Fayetteville, NC and raised in NC and England (for two years). I come from a very focused family of doctors and educators but my mom and her father were who I knew to be the creatives. I grew up with my mom who was an english teacher by day and a singer by late afternoon. Read more>>
Ashlyn VanBuren
I got started in my underwater photography career after I graduated college in 2022 with a degree in environmental sustainability and moved to Hawai’i. That’s where I first picked up an underwater housing and fell absolutely in love with it. Read more>>
Lorena Whigham
I often say that one of the greatest privileges of my life was being born and raised in Brazil. While my beginnings were humble, they gave me something far more valuable than comfort: resilience, gratitude, faith, and the courage to dream beyond my circumstances. Growing up, I faced losses that shaped me deeply. Read more>>
Cici McMonigle
I’ve painted all throughout my life. It was always something I really enjoyed and wanted to do regardless of whether or not it became a full-time career, so I feel really lucky that I’ve been able to make it my job. I used to come home from work just to paint late into the night with no goals of selling work or exhibiting anywhere. Read more>>
Shanna Bierman
After spending more than 10 years as a women’s health nurse specializing in labor and delivery, my life changed dramatically in 2020 after I sustained a severe work injury while delivering a baby. The injury resulted in permanent nerve damage to my right, dominant arm and ultimately ended my bedside nursing career. Read more>>
Ashley Ray
I grew in a college town (University of Florida – Gainesville, Florida) and watching collegiate sports was a staple childhood memory for me. I was inspired by the Florida gymnastics team to do gymnastics. After getting a season-ending injury, I picked up a camera as a way to stay close with my teammates. Read more>>
Flor Pérez
My journey with Habla la Calma began from a personal need to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters. Like many people, I found myself caught in the constant pressure to be productive, busy, and always moving toward the next goal. Over time, I realized that this pace was taking me further away from a sense of peace, presence, and fulfillment. Read more>>
