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.
Lindsay Scarlatelli
A few friends in college used to jokingly call me “paparazzi” because I’d carry a small digital camera everywhere (pre iPhone and terrific cell phone camera capabilities). I didn’t fully realize it then, but capturing moments, big or small, was always something I enjoyed. Fast forward, I could finally afford to purchase my first professional camera, a Canon 6D Mark ii, in the fall of 2018 when I moved to Dallas. Read more>>
Nicholas Shane
It has been a lot of trial and error and so much has changed in the past 10 years but I’m excited with what I’m capable of doing now and what’s to come! I’ll be doing more of custom either 1 of 1 drops or small drops of 12 made pieces from cut and sew to make it even more personable. Im also thankful for all the other aspiring brands and channels that are out and how they are transparent with their process cause it shows we all have at some point came across the same problems etc. just gotta take it one day at a time and learn from our mistakes. Read More>>
Anibal Anazgo
I am deeply grateful to this country that welcomed me with open arms, where I was fortunate to find the love of my life and build my family. Although I am not the only one, I do consider myself different: in Dallas, I stand out for my level of customer service that has not been seen before, along with my impeccable professionalism, a charisma that turns each visit into an unforgettable experience. My passion is not only to beautify, but also to connect and provide confidence to those who pass through my chair. Read More>>
Drew Taunton
The main obstacle I have been facing is just the process of kick starting my coaching profession. I have had a lot of help on the way but being 22 and marketing myself can be tough especially when everyone is older and has had years of experience. I would also say a challenge in the profession of coaching in general is having a lot of potential clients but then people never get back to you. Even though that has happened a few times it isn’t the total story. Read More>>
Nellie Wells
I never thought I would be able to bulk bake like this and I love the process of it all. Sourdough is best long fermented to make it the most digestible for our guts. I am beyond thankful for this hobby that turned into a business. I love sharing gut healthy bread, scones, cookies, and rolls with all of my family, friends, and customers. October was by far my craziest month as a small business owner with doing 7 events in one month! I had never been that exhausted but the hard work most definitely paid off. I was extra thankful in October for my fiance helping me with loading up and setting up at every single market! Read More>>
AJ Thompson
Throughout the beginning of my journey as an artist, I have taken part in student senior projects such as “The Shed,” directed by Josh Bradshaw, and my film that will be released in 2025, “The Secret Chamber of Eldorado.” I have found a true passion in three items while in Tulsa. Acting, Producing, and Writing. I have recently started performing stand-up comedy and hosted the “2024 TU Film Festival while acting as lead curator.” Read More>>
Caroline Dobbs
I’ve always seen my journey with social media as a work in progress. There is only so much you can learn unless you’ve gone through the trial and error process. It’s important to find out what works best for you and try not to compare yourself to others online. Everyone has to start somewhere, even the biggest influencers once had only 10 followers. Read More>>
Jenea Haynes
It was the Saturday after thanksgiving 2021. It was dark, and cold, and rainy that year, so it was hard to find people because they were all taking cover from the weather. But we gave out 25 meals that first year. And it felt so good to do something meaningful, but so bad because you still had to leave them there at the end of the night. We decided to do it again the next year, and take donations so we could make more food and impact more people, and it just continued to grow and flourish into what it is today. All because I had to Pass by Ira. Read More>>
Vanessa & Chelsiah
At Silk Foxx Beauty, we are proud to combine years of individual success into one thriving business. Formerly known as Vanessa’s Silk Waxing Studio and Chelsiah’s Foxxology Waxing Studio, we’ve now merged our expertise and passion for waxing into one powerhouse brand. Our services range from professional body and face waxing at our luxurious salon, to our high-quality product lines—Sweet Glaze and Bakery Babes—designed for both clients and beauty professionals. Read More>>
Dr. Ayana Daniels, D.C.
Divine Village is more than just a chiropractic practice. It’s a sanctuary, a haven of healing and hope. It’s a place where women and children can find the support and care they deserve. I’ve seen firsthand the struggles that women face, especially those whom have children with disabilities, pregnancy, and postpartum issues. The healthcare system can often be cold and impersonal, leaving patients feeling unheard and misunderstood. Read More>>
Grace Huang
Alongside promoting volunteer opportunities in the Bay Area, we wanted to reach high schoolers nationwide with a similar passion so we started promoting through social media. We found platforms like TikTok to be an effective way to reach like-minded students, and once we found a successful promotion strategy, we were able to build a large community of passionate students eager to contribute to our cause. Today, in 2024, we have 13 chapters across the U.S. and we are so thrilled they decided to join us on our mission to provide accessible art education. Read More>>
Chloe Jackson
After high school, when I stopped taking photographs, I became a store manager of a large retail company (bareMinerals). I learned many trivial things during my time in this role that’ve helped me become the business owener that I am today. Things like inventory management, customer service, professional marketing techniques/strategies, the power of running sales, CRM, etc. Without my time in this role, I would still be the girl who loved taking photos who was missing many opportunities for growth because of my lack of knowledge. I also had a lot of fun in this role because of the people and the product. Read More>>
Dr. April Willis
What do we do? We’ve created an affordable, all-in-one resource hub tailored to the most common roadblocks nonprofits face—topics like fund development, board management, marketing, and more. We provide resources including guidance documents, templates, research, and listicles along with exclusive member-only webinars every month, and even publishing opportunities! Our goal is to teach the organization to fish by providing all of the tried and true resources our consultants use with our nonprofit clients- but instead of us doing the work for the organization, we equip them with the tools they need to be successful. Read More>>
Lance Lynch
I started taking pictures when we learned that we were expecting a (now 9-year-old) little girl… Since we didn’t have any discretionary income to pay photographers, I felt compelled to learn so that I could capture as much of her childhood as I could. I developed an eye and skill for it quickly, but haven’t had the flexibility to offer services to the public until the past year or so. Read More>>
Frida Cossio
The idea of starting my own page had been on my mind since 2020, but I couldn’t decide whether to focus on fashion, travel, or something else. Ultimately, I chose to follow my passion for food. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to write food reviews for the Fort Worth edition of *PaperCity Magazine*, which sparked my love for discovering trendy restaurants and bars across Dallas-Fort Worth with my boyfriend and friends. Read More>>
Rebecca Avant
The beginning was tough because I had no business history to speak of, and that meant no loans to get started. I raked up money the best I could, maxed out credit cards, and started getting really creative. Leased a very small, rough, but charming spot on a great street, and used every leftover can of paint to bring it to life. I even hand painted my own sign. We painted old furniture for displays and used old wood to build tables. I splurged on a counter from an old doll shop. Read More>>
Diane Lee
And on the subject of Christmas, the best time of the year. We all know many retailers sell Christmas decor from mass production lines, which use lesser quality materials due to costings. I provide fellow Christmas fans like myself with quality products that I personally handcrafted myself based on the client’s theme and specifications. Every Christmas creation I deliver is crafted by hand tied, hand wired, and stitched. I do my best to use the least amount of glue as much as possible to give the final product a very clean look. Read More>>
