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.
laura cresto
My name is Laura Cresto, and dogs have been my passion for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was a little girl, I was fascinated by dogs—not just because I loved them, but because I was amazed by how they think, communicate, and connect with people. As I got older, that passion turned into action. Read More>>
Emma Murray
My story is one that spans countries and continents, multiple careers, and chronic illness. I’m sure I can’t write everything here! I went to the University of Vermont, and graduated with a degree in elementary education in 2012. From there, I moved abroad to Thailand where I had my first teaching job in three kindergarten classrooms. Read More>>
Debora Rosental Aida Tejada
We are two interdisciplinary artists who, four years ago, embarked on a collaborative research journey exploring natural dyes derived from South Florida native plants. Read More>>
Valentina Mejia
Keen Fly was born from a passion for aviation, entrepreneurship, and creating unforgettable experiences. My husband, Cristiam, is a professional helicopter pilot, and together we saw an opportunity to build a company that would offer more than just helicopter rides, we wanted to create memorable moments in the sky. We started as a small, family-owned operation with a single aircraft and a big vision. Read More>>
raquel pupo
My journey into photography began over a decade ago with a simple desire to preserve meaningful moments. What started as a creative hobby quickly grew into a passion for storytelling and connecting with people. I was drawn to the way photographs have the power to freeze time and preserve memories that become more valuable with each passing year. Read More>>
Jared Murray
I went to school for computer science and health and wellness. I started out working at my family’s medical center leading the way in functional medicine, which was new at the time. Some considered it fringe. I lead the team developing technology to look at cellular health using frequency, as well as using frequency to support cellular health. Read More>>
Shira Hadar Tehila Bamshad
By Tess started from a love of fashion and a desire to create modest clothing that felt modern, elevated, and effortless. What began as a small passion project has grown into a nationally recognized brand carried by Nordstrom, serving women who want to feel confident, stylish, and comfortable in what they wear. Read More>>
Lyann Chang
Gifts and Knots is more than a jewelry business, it’s a reflection of our family’s journey. My husband and I started it in Florida after going through a difficult time with our daughter, who struggled with severe eczema for many years. That experience taught us the importance of hope and resilience, and inspired us to create meaningful handmade jewelry that celebrates life’s special bonds. Read More>>
Chad Tyne
FTL Free Workout is exactly what it sounds like. A few mornings a week, a couple hundred of us meet at Huizenga Park and First Baptist to train together, and it doesn’t cost anybody a dime. No gym, no membership, no catch. Anyone can walk up and jump in, whatever kind of shape they’re in. Read More>>
Valeria Gershanova
MEGAO Music was founded from a simple belief: talented artists deserve professional support, opportunities, and a platform to share their music with the world. My journey in the music industry began through a passion for music promotion, artist development, and discovering emerging talent. Read More>>
DJ Johnson
I am born and raised in New Orleans. I started Baldwin & Co. because I believed New Orleans needed more spaces where people could gather around ideas, books, and meaningful conversation. What began as an independent bookstore and coffee shop has grown into a cultural hub that hosts author talks, community discussions, literacy programs, and events featuring some of the country’s most influential voices. Read More>>
Lau Totherey
My name is Lau, also known as Lautotherey. I’m a TV host, content creator, and influencer based in Montreal. My story actually began long before social media. In elementary school, my classmates would often nominate me to host end-of-year shows and school events because I was naturally comfortable speaking in front of people. Read More>>
Charlotte, Jade, Bea, Charlie Funke, Dennis, Alves De Lima, Sender
Charlie Sender and Bea Alves De Lima learned about period poverty during a global studies and entrepreneurship class. Wanting to make a real change, they realized this problem was relevant in their own backyard, Miami. They built period pantries filled with menstrual products around the city of Miami. Read More>>
Juline Poittevin
I was born and raised in France, where my passion for creativity, art, and human connection first took shape. From a young age, I was drawn to artistic expression through dance, choreography, photography, and event creation. I didn’t follow a traditional path or business school route—instead, I built my career through experience, curiosity, and determination. Read More>>
Cynthia CrusanNoble
When I was six years old, I got tired of waiting for my mother to make the clothes she kept promising me, so I started making them myself—for my doll. My mother was an excellent seamstress, and because we didn’t have a lot of money, she often recreated beautiful designer-inspired clothing for special events. Read More>>
Tae Henry
My story begins on the South Side of Chicago, where I discovered my love for music at an early age singing in the church choir. Growing up as the youngest of five siblings, music became my outlet, my passion, and eventually my purpose. Read More>>
Valeria Serra
I came to the US when I was 17, 3 days to turn 18 I had my plans but there’s the famous quote “when you make plans God laughs” I became an immigrant starting from zero with my family, we didn’t know where to start but the goal was clear, to have success in what we love to do Me? Read More>>
Alfonso Villagran
At fourteen, i discovered painting as a way to channel my emotions and give thoughts form. While attending The British School, my passion deepened, leading me to formal training at the Peter Hammers Academy of Art and Design. Unlike many, i had the unwavering support of my family in pursuing an artistic career, a privilege i never took for granted. Read More>>
Joudeline Jeanlis
My name is Joudeline Jeanlis, and I am a proud Haitian-American, community leader, and aspiring healthcare professional. I was born in Haiti and immigrated to the United States, carrying with me a deep appreciation for my culture, resilience, and the importance of giving back to my community. My journey has been shaped by a passion for service and leadership. Read More>>
Jonathan King-Cretot
I’ve always been pulled toward the rest of the world. I grew up in Rochester, New York, studied International Studies and Economics, and spent time on an exchange program in Normandy, France — that’s where language and culture stopped being subjects to me and became the work I care about most. Read More>>
Alexandria Reid
The Bridge and Bloom Initiative was born from both personal experience and a passion for helping families navigate life’s challenges. As a mother of three, a Certified Peer Specialist, and someone who has faced my own share of obstacles, I saw firsthand how difficult it can be for families to find resources, support, and guidance when they need it most. Read More>>
Patrice ‘Q-Soul’ Pinkney
My Story: From Being Defined by My Size to Living Boldly in My Purpose People often ask me where my journey began. The truth is, it started long before I ever realized it. I was only five years old when I discovered my love for performing. Raised in a Christian home, the church became the first place where my gifts were nurtured. Read More>>
Tatiana Velasquez
My name is Tatiana, I am 22 years old and I own a business called Puppy Purrfection. I grew up going to my grandparents’ estate where I was always surrounded by animals, I helped my grandfather out and had experiences like milking cows, assisting pigs and cows in labor, feeding the animals, collecting chicken eggs, vaccinating cows and chickens and many other things. Read More>>
Dr. Lina Haji
I knew I wanted to be a psychologist at the tender age of nine. I had struggled with my own issues and was fortunate enough to be helped through that tough time with the care of mental health professionals. While in college, I took a forensic psychology course which was taught by a beautiful, intelligent, charismatic, professional and respected woman. Read More>>
Ian Koblick
Ocean exploration and marine education. Built, ran and lived in undersea habitats for weeks at a time. Including living on the edge of the continental shelf. I established and continue to operate the largest tropical marine education centers in the US. Over 7000 students stay for 3 to 5 day from over 35 States . Read More>>
Marvin D. Rouse
Thank you for having me… My story started in Indianapolis in 1976 and at the youthful age of 5 I discovered my passion for colors and drawing. My uncle Johnny one early morning during breakfast at my grandmother house sketched a race car out of nowhere and I was amazed and thought it was like magic. Read More>>
Nitty Torres
I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in 2016 while raising a four-year-old daughter and a newborn baby girl. At the time, my dream was to become a CPA and work for one of the Big Four accounting firms. Read More>>
Stefanos Spiliotis
I grew up in Greece, where my family runs Water Motion, a watersports equipment business based just outside Athens. From a young age I was around boats, jet skis, and the whole rhythm of a small import and distribution business, learning the practical side of sales and operations long before I ever sat in a business classroom. Read More>>
Brandi Woolington
My background is in Interior Design. I earned my international degree in London, England, in 2008 before moving to Naples, Florida, where I spent the next ten years building a successful career in design. I’ve always been passionate about creating beautiful spaces, but I also loved home fragrances and candles. Read More>>
Gabriela Nunez
I was born and raised in Brazil and moved to the United States 12 years ago on a volleyball scholarship. While I came from a supportive family and had many opportunities growing up, I arrived in the U.S. without a built-in network. Like many immigrants, I had to build my friendships, community, and professional connections from scratch. Read More>>
EDUARDO POTES
My journey in architecture started long before I earned my degree. While I was still a student, I was already involved in construction and design projects, spending countless hours on job sites, learning from builders, engineers, and architects. Those early experiences taught me that architecture is not only about creating beautiful spaces but also about understanding how ideas become reality. Read More>>
Marco Melendez
I’ve always been fascinated by video games and visual storytelling. As a kid, early 3D games like Star Fox and CGI movies like Toy Story completely blew my mind. They made me realize there was something magical about creating entire worlds from nothing, and at first, I thought my path would lead me into video game development. Read More>>
Rocco Petrarca
My story has never followed a straight line. It has always been more like a map made of different cities, cultures, risks, reinventions, and moments where I had to trust that the next step would make sense only after taking it. I grew up in Montescaglioso, a small town in Southern Italy, surrounded by family, tradition, and a very deep sense of roots. Read More>>
Aria Ryan
I started Boujee Acrylixs and Arii’s Kriiations because I was tired of seeing how poorly people can treat one another, especially in relationships. Having been through difficult experiences myself, I never let them change the way I love or show appreciation to others. I’ve always loved the feeling of being seen, valued, and appreciated. Read More>>
Blanca Diaz
I’ve always been drawn to creativity, beautiful spaces, and bringing ideas to life, so building Creative Canvas Studios felt like a natural fit. What started as a passion for photography, content, and design grew into creating a studio in Miami where photographers, brands, creators, and dreamers could walk in and instantly feel inspired. Over time, that passion turned into something bigger than just a space. Read More>>
Brandyss Howard
From a young age, I was always interested in photography and videography. I was one of those kids who would ask for cameras and digital equipment for birthdays and Christmas because I was intrigued by how important capturing moments were. I understood how vital documenting life was. Read More>>
Marcos Tzvetanov
Time Machine Gaming started out as a way to share my passion for retro gaming. I began my journey by simply posting my personal collection of video games which eventually lead to the growth of my page and the beginning of the community I’ve created. Read More>>
Maxine Cesar
I’ve always felt destined to accomplish many things in this lifetime, and I knew that my journey would lead to a recognition far greater than myself. However, I wasn’t quite sure how that destiny would unfold. In 2020, I began a transformation that I only recently became fully aware of. Read More>>
Robert Roest
I grew up in the Netherlands and have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. Painting was always less of a career choice and more of a way of understanding the world. Read More>>
Queca Gordillo
I was born in Madrid, Spain, into a family closely connected to the world of show business, so storytelling, music, performance, and the stage were part of my life from a very early age. I grew up dancing, singing, studying ballet, and playing piano — even though, after many years, I eventually left the piano behind. But the arts never really left me. Read More>>
Natalie Peacock
My journey in the beauty industry started when I went to beauty school at 18 years old in San Francisco. After graduating, I joined Di Pietro Todd Salon, where I trained as a colorist and built a strong foundation in both technical skills and client experience. Read More>>
Lauryn McGivery
I’m still a beginner in a lot of the things I do, but that’s what makes the journey exciting. My journey has been a mix of creativity, hard work, and learning new skills. I first got into cutting hair because I wanted to learn how to cut my hair. What started as something to save money and improve my appearance turned into a genuine passion. Read More>>
Carolyne Franca
My culinary journey began in Brazil, where food was always at the center of connection, family, celebration and I learned how to cook with my grandpa and my mom. Over the past 20+ years, I have built a career creating memorable dining experiences through private dining, catering, restaurant operations, and culinary consulting. Read More>>
Desiree Warren
My story began when I was just a child. Grew up in Fort Lauderdale FL in a single parent household primarily with my mom and younger brother, but I had my father and stepmother as well which I would go to their home on some weekends where most of my siblings lived. I have 6 brothers and 4 sisters. Read More>>
Matej Devčić
Before IM FIT became a business, fitness and hospitality were already a big part of our lives. My twin brother Ivan and I grew up in Croatia and spent almost 10 years working between those two worlds. We were always passionate about training, but hospitality was the environment that taught us discipline, communication, pressure, and the importance of how you present yourself. Read More>>
Evette Villanueva
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about beauty, creativity, and helping people feel confident in their own skin. I began my career over 13 years ago as a professional hair and makeup artist, working in everything from weddings and photoshoots to television, music videos, and major productions. Read more>>
Steph The Tax Lady
My journey started with a simple goal: helping people understand their finances and giving them access to services they could trust. Before building Community First Financial Solutions, I worked in healthcare and owned an in-home care business. When the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, I had to reinvent myself and take a leap of faith. Read more>>
