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.
Susan Whigham
After surgery in 2022, the return to my previous career was no longer in the cards. At this point I decided I would pursue art full time. I started participating in local art festivals and shows in 2023. January 1, of this year, I opened up a small studio and gallery on the McKinney Square in the Historic District. I still do the dirty work of canvas prep, varnishing and framing at my home studio but I paint in the window of my new space Wednesday through Sunday. I tell folks, if you see me painting in the window at 115 W Virginia St, McKinney, come on in and say Hi. Read more>>
Saanvi Chiliveru And Lattika Adloor
Our biggest challenge at the beginning of Shade Seekers’ creation was finding a solution for the urban heat island effect around the globe. Since cities across the world face the UHI effect from big cities in the United States like NYC, Chicago, Seattle, and Dallas to London, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Lagos, Hong Kong, and more, this was a big problem to tackle all at once. We decided the first step towards success would be to find solutions for the urban heat island effect in Dallas, TX and create a scalable model for other cities to adopt! As a result, we could combat the rising urban temperatures in our community first and expand our knowledge before implementing solutions in other cities across the world. We decided to tackle the big problem of the UHI effect through small actionable steps towards success! Read more>>
Felicia Starks
Of course, entrepreneurship isn’t all smooth sailing. There were learning curves, slow seasons, and the challenge of wearing every hat in my business. But every obstacle pushed me to expand, refine my skills, and step fully into my purpose. That same mindset led me to financial services, where I now help others build wealth and protect their futures. Read more>>
Lane Bricker
I had always known a few chords on guitar, being taught the basics by my dad at a young age, I grabbed the guitar and played a song. My buddy asked “You can sing?”, I said “I guess a little”. He and his roommates invited me to play a couple of songs with them at a function called “Java Jam” that was coming up in a few weeks at one of the residence halls. I declined because I had major stage fright at the time. The day of the event came, and he asked me again, and I gave in. I nervously sang “You Look So Good in Love” by George Strait, and had the best time I had ever had, and knew music was something I wanted to pursue from then on! Read more>>
Bennie Hicks
My name is Bennie Hicks I’m currently the president of a mens nonprofit organization called SDS Gents Support Determines Success. We started this organization back in 2012 when the owner of Swing Dance Studio Tommy Smith asked if I would take over the men that came to make sure all the ladies would get a dance on 2nd Saturday’s. I told him my vision and asked that I meet with men to men and told about my vision of it’s more than a dance and that we have the opportunity to give back to the community in some kind of matter. We came up with a project of giving box fans to seniors in the low income area of Ft Worth. We rented Swing Dance Studio as a way to getting proceeds to purchase the fans which we purchased over 100 box fans and purchased a small window unit for a older lady that had no type of cooling in her home. Read more>>
David Duff
I started back with company back in 1997 as a Re-order sales representative. Soon after I wrote all the sales presentations, product descriptions and took over training for the department. As my department expanded I was awarded 10% ownership of the company and then a few later an additional 20%. In 2008 I bought the company. The first thing I did was to bring all production that was subbed out to other companies, back to us so we can have control. This meant buying equipment, software and more trained staff . Read more>>
Andrew Lewis
I started coaching golf full time in 2009 at Castle Hills in Lewisville. In the beginning most of my success was more luck than skill but over time I became a more skilled coach and continued to have good fortune as I started coaching some of the best junior players in the world. Today I am one of the most sought out coaches in the North Texas area seeing clients from all over the state. I recently won the 2024 North Texas PGA Coach of the Year – an honor that was my primary goal when I started coaching in 2009. Read more>>
Javier Herrera
It all started with a gift from a close family friend my freshman year of high school. My very first camera, a 1982 Nikon FE with a 50mm lens. I absolutely fell in love with photography and would carry that ol gal to school. I used that camera for everything and my parents were gracious enough to help pay for film and processing. There was no internet back then so I had to get really familiar with the library. I looked at a lot of Avedons work as well as Henri Cartier Bresson. After high school I moved to Lubbock to go to school and one of my jobs was working for a company called Party Time Photos. I’d go to events like Sorority and Frat parties and just take photos all night long, then turn in the film that night. It wasn’t glamorous but it paid the bills and I got to meet a lot of people! haha Read more>>
Molly Kruse
In turn, I started playing with different art mediums in the evenings. I started paying attention to the artists on Instagram, having fun choosing a new favorite artist to obsess over every 6 months or so. I started going to printmaking classes and taking online art courses through various channels. I started honing my brand, building my website, and researching taxes and LLCs. Somewhere in there I had a baby and decided to stay home with him. It’s been quite a journey. Read more>>
Vincent McDaniel II and Lamonyka McDaniel
DaMacs Design, LLC was founded March 2024 as a reflection of who we are as a couple and a family. We believe there’s always a reason to celebrate, and we’re passionate about creating custom designs that enhance those special moments. Whether it’s a personalized shirt, gift, or something else, we love being part of your celebrations and take pride in bringing your vision to life or as we like to say: ‘Making Your Vision a Reality’. Read more>>
Tiffany Ruby
Early on, one of my biggest struggles was finding the right mentors and refining my technique. Tattooing isn’t just about artistic ability; it’s a craft that takes years of dedication, and I had to push myself constantly to improve. There were times when I doubted whether I was good enough or if I would ever make a name for myself. Read more>>
Warhog
Our adventure has been exciting and productive overall, but we’ve navigated some challenges as well. I think what’s important to note is that we started WARHOG with a clear vision of how we would operate as a band business. That allowed us to very easily look at unwanted results and consider different options. For example, releasing a full-length record versus splitting something up into EP’s, or opting to not make shirts because we thought it was a waste of time. Having a strategy-based plan has been extremely useful and our approach to playing shows and the way we develop new material has been successful if you look at how we’ve grown in terms of turnout, merch sales, and song streams. Read more>>
Lucas Sankey
One of my favorite passion projects was Modern Day Disney—a creative deep dive into nostalgia, where I reimagined Disney characters in a modern world. I wanted to give a nod to the stories that shaped me as a child and caused me to wonder and be creative! These portrait series performed so well on social media. While that project put me on the map online, my professional journey was evolving in its own direction. Bethel Music brought me onto their creative team; working with them was an incredible experience, traveling on tour, capturing raw, powerful moments, and shooting album covers for artists like Cory Asbury and Steffany Gretzinger are some of my most cherished memories and proudest work. Read more>>
Jaime Esposito
Rehearsal schedules always seem to be complex. Although Spectrum was formed in the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) area, I frequently call upon queer percussionists from other states to perform with me. Leading up to a recent performance, an out of town percussionist and first-time Ensemble performer missed our first and only live rehearsal due to flight delays. There was a lot of stress and scrambling as we tried to figure out travel logistics and schedule an emergency rehearsal before the show. Although we pulled it off, having snuck in a few rehearsal hours just before going on stage, my duo partner and I were stressed. The performance was spectacular, but the emotions leading up to the performance were not. Being this flexible in chaos is always a struggle. Read more>>
David Hill
So with my start in church, I then got into the corporate/wedding band scene which has been amazing too. It’s afforded me many opportunities to work with with word class musicians and travel the world. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to travel the world, meet amazing people. Now I’m still active in the ministry (I’m the music director at my church and serve as the Youth Pastor). In addition to serving in my church, working in the marketplace I spend time where I can teaching drum lessons. I have a great passion and desire to teach, help and equip as many people become the musicians they want to be. Read more>>
Chinyere Okpara
My journey has always been about strategy, resilience, and helping women navigate their careers with confidence. I built a career in corporate leadership, rising to Senior Vice President, where I led talent strategy for a 13,000-person organization. Throughout my time at companies like Goldman Sachs, Amazon, and Oracle, I saw a recurring pattern—high-achieving women weren’t always given the same access to leadership development, strategic visibility, or executive grooming. I knew this needed to change. Read more>>
Susann Eirosius
I worked both sites, meeting with clients in person at the FHC site & televisits at CHC following the pandemic in 2020. I remained at FHC until February 2023 & decided to branch out into private practice to allow more flexibility & independence on how I implemented counseling services. I opened The Unlearning Practice in 2023 & began building the practice utilizing marketing platforms. I have over 120+ active clients currently & several coaching clients that reside in other countries (Canada, New Zealand, Australia). Read more>>
Amber Thomas
At the age of 15, my older brother and his wife were expecting their first child together. We all lived together with my mom in Dallas at the time. I catered to my Sister in Law during her pregnancy and grew very close to her and the baby girl growing inside her belly. During her labor and birth, I naturally supported and comforted her. I had a very strong desire to observe the birth and delivery at the hospital. Initially, the hospital staff kicked me out of the room when it was time to deliver, but my sister in law insisted that I be allowed to stay. I was able to witness first-hand the birth of my niece Kenya, who was born “ with her face sunny side up to the sky weighing 9 pounds and 1oz on November 13th. Upon her birth, my niece and I were attached at the hip for years to come! Read more>>
Amanda Stretcher
Our paths crossed in an eating disorder treatment center, where we worked closely with individuals navigating some of the most challenging mental health battles. We quickly realized that we shared a deep belief in the power of growth and change. Later, we worked together in private practice, further refining our skills and supporting clients in healing not just from disordered eating, but from trauma, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. Read more>>
Sol Franco
In early 2022, a client presented me with an opportunity to open a salon together, and I eagerly accepted. However, after a few months, I realized that the partnership wasn’t the right fit for me. I made the bold decision to move forward on my own, giving myself the freedom to build my business exactly as I envisioned. I partnered with a former classmate, and together, we rented a suite with multiple rooms in Garland, TX, creating a space where we could both thrive. Read more>>
Rozelei Lawrence
I am a Transfomer. I transform your heart and mind to heal from the past and dare to see the beauty and love of self through your pain. I specialize in hearing your circumstances and what it showed of yourself and from there with an open mind saying this can’t be my life and I want change within. What I’m most proud of is the revealing of my very own journey of self helping myself and seeing a transformed me, defining the odds of the culture I was raised to believe I should become. I am unorthodox in my method yet results are guaranteed. Read more>>
Rodger Dority
In 2014, I took a break from music to focus on personal matters, but I returned in 2022. All of this was merely a prelude to the journey I’m on now. The passing of my father in June 2024 marked a pivotal moment in my music career. Up until that point, everything I had done felt insignificant. My father was my biggest supporter, attending every show he could—whether it was a sold-out SXSW set or a 2 a.m. Club Chrome gig in Fort Worth. His passing, combined with the birth of my daughter, has shaped my brand and brought me to where I am today. Read more>>
Jordyn Graham
So, I wanted to do my part and learn to teach others how to properly care for their hair, and I have been perfecting my craft for almost 4 years now. I recently became an independent stylist after leaving the salon that taught me what I know after 3 years of training. I’m also starting my cosmetology school journey with aspirations of becoming a vivid hair artist. I got here today by being confident in my abilities, staying true to myself and my clients, and not being afraid to take chances. You miss 100% of the chances you don’t take. Read more>>
Alexis Taylor
In 2020, when I was just 19 I experienced the loss of my father to stage 4 colon cancer. To cope with my grief and minor anxiety, I immediately started therapy. However, I could not continue the sessions because I felt emotionally detached and numb. Jumping ahead to 2021, I discovered a new hobby: bedazzling sandals, sunglasses, and sneakers. Even though I received only a few orders, this creative outlet still sparked some joy in my life. Read more>>
Sabreeyah Hackett
It was everything but smooth. When no one else believed or saw the vision I had, I did question myself. I questioned if leaving school was right. I questioned my capabilities. I even questioned God as to why my passion had to be connected to something so uncertain. Of course, it would be so much easier to take the route that society has paved for us. However, my mind, body, and soul called me to hair. I had a vision I could not shake. Listening to those around me kept me in school, pursing something I knew wasn’t truly me. Something that did not fulfill me like hair did. Unfortunately, this lead to thoughts of suicide and deep depression. Taking the leap, was to pursue my dreams of course, but to save myself. Read more>>
Sabreena Wadhwani
After graduation, I transitioned into a full-time realtor, and in 2018, I joined a top producing team. In this role, I was fortunate to be able to help 30-50 clients buy homes each year, which gave me the opportunity to assist hundreds of individuals, families, and investors in achieving their real estate goals. The experience was invaluable, but in 2024, I knew I was ready for the next step. That’s when I decided to open my brokerage here in Dallas. Starting my own brokerage had always been a dream of mind. In fact, when I first got into real estate, I created a fake business card with my name and title “Real Estate Broker/Owner”- so it felt surreal to reach that goal exactly 10 years later. Read more>>
Catherine White McIntosh
I guess I’ve always been a creative. Whether it was on the stage, in the dance studio, or in a choir. These days if I’m not in my studio you’ll find me in the kitchen or in the garden trying to create beauty for those around me. Read more>>
N’kole Bryant
Not at all, but then again what is. We all must understand that, “There are no such things as Stopping Stones, only Stepping Stones,” [A N’kole Original] especially in this world of business. My struggle along the way was not being recognized for my hard and good work. That stings a lot, no matter how many times they see your name on it, that does not matter because you have to realize that they know it’s you, they just refuse to acknowledge that it’s You. You can re-read that sentence again because that was a jewel. You have to teach yourself not to get caught up in that and just continue to do what you do. Read more>>
Felipe Valencia
Throughout my career, New York’s graffiti culture has been a major source of inspiration, especially its use of bold, oversized lettering. I’m always looking for ways to merge this aesthetic with contemporary design and art. Recently, I’ve been working on making my art more accessible, with plans to release pieces for sale and even organize an exhibition. I also moved to the U.S. to continue growing as an Art Director and Artist. Read more>>
Cristina Alecu
The road is never smooth and that’s ok. I think the struggles along the way are the only way to grow and learn. Besides personal struggles of trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be, there are definitely growing pains trying to navigate this industry. Whether that’s educating yourself to stay up to date on trends (which is absolutely necessary), learning to communicate effectively with people in your chair and your peers around you, or just learning the ins and outs of the business. It’s all a learning process. Read more>>
Brian McDonald
I have been an active duty Marine for the past 14 years. Fitness has been a large part of my life of those 14 years. In 2023, I was put in a position where I could help those around me with fitness, nutrition and losing weight. After two years of working with over 60 different people, I realized I had a passion for it. Which led me to invest in starting my business “Go Beyond Fitness”. My aim is to teach people how to lose weight, become more confident in themselves, and go beyond their limits! Read more>>
Hannah Nichols
I ended up walking out to preserve my mental wellbeing. I wasn’t sure where to go from here. Tattooing was what I wanted to do with my life and I wasn’t going to stop now, however I needed a healthy and flexible work environment I could thrive in. I couldn’t see myself at a shop again. That’s when I decided it was time to fulfill my dream of owning a private studio. I worked day and night and spent every ounce of money I had to get this studio up and running. I can proudly say I built Baby Bear Tattoos from nothing and it has turned into more than I could have ever imagined. I am so thankful for where I am today. Read more>>
Elisa Pena
As most small businesses, they are hard to start. It’s very scary in the beginning and hard to keep clear tunnel vision of your goals. Sometimes you don’t even know what your goals are until you have set backs. After the business took off and became steady, the biggest set back was learning to accept that some of the time things are going to be slower than others and I’ve learned to not panic and be okay with that! There’s seasons to this just like everything else. Read more>>
Ally Stuckless
Today, I’m proud to be the clinical director of three mental health clinics, where my team and I are focused on increasing access to resources in the community. But beyond the clinics, my true passion lies in encouraging others to heal, to live authentically, and to realize that they don’t have to face their struggles alone. Looking back at my own journey, it’s clear that healing is not linear. It’s messy, it’s complicated, and it takes time—but it’s also incredibly powerful. And I get to be a part of that for others every day. Read more>>
Haley Wacker
Running a business is anything but smooth. It’s so much more than just meeting clients and taking photos. One of the biggest challenges for me was the legal side—setting up my business, opening a business bank account, and making sure everything was done the right way. Honestly, that’s been the hardest part—understanding the business side of things. If it were up to me, I’d never make anyone sign a contract, but as a small business owner, there are things you have to do to protect yourself and your business, even if they aren’t the most fun. Read more>>
Sean Newberry
Like I said previously, I work in construction my previous jobs have just been a whole bunch of 9 to 5s but I specialize in modeling and I can do practically whatever type of modeling you would want me to do. I feel like I have the confidence and it looks to do anything 100% and be great at what I’m doing I’m most proud of being able to provide for my family it’s just me and my mom and my two dogs Read more>>
Shyanne Duckett
I managed to help over 80+ people my first year alone as a locator and found an amazing passion for helping people find places they can call home! After a year as a locator I knew it was time to expand my business so I became a full service Realtor! I’m in my first month and already have my name on an MLS listing. I’m so excited to get to work and help as many people as I can! Buying or selling a home is a major life decision and I hope I get the opportunity to hold your hand and guide you through the process! My dreams and goals are HUGE and my story is still being written! This is only the first time you’ve heard of me but I promise it isn’t the last!! Read more>>
Something From Nothing Productions
Following the completion of “Bearcats: We’re Still Here,” Brey and I committed fully to our shared dream of storytelling that fosters community. Something from Nothing Productions rapidly evolved into a hub for creativity and innovation, offering comprehensive services in video & film production, post-production, and content creation. Since our launch of SFN Productions in February 2024, we have successfully collaborated with over 50 filmmakers, brands, and organizations, contributing to a range of projects that span commercials to narrative films. Our commitment to authentic storytelling continues. Read more>>
Ashley Nicole
Today, through Ashley Nicole Consulting, I help other entrepreneurs—especially women—build brands that are authentic, profitable, and aligned with their purpose. I also lead Pretty In Praise, a faith-driven community, and The BE Hive, a networking hub for businesswomen. My mission is to empower women to step into their calling, whether that’s in business, faith, or personal growth. Read more>>
