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.
Jerry Soll
I’ve had skin issues all my life and the products on the market didn’t provide the results I was looking for. So, through trial and error I perfected my own products that work for me and that didn’t include harsh chemicals and other toxins. I gave some to friends to try and soon after their friends wanted to try, and over the years I began to add more products to the skin care line. Now I’ve started offering my natural skincare products to the public. Read more>>
Akila Palaniswami
Business is tough, and the wedding industry is even tougher. Most wedding businesses are lifestyle businesses. That means a business is more dependent on the owner’s desires than on the market. So, studying the market is harder than in other business models. Pricing is tricky, and making sales becomes challenging. Read more>>
Barbie Gonzalez
Since I can remember I’ve always been drawn to media, fashion, and creativity. Being such a visual individual and my love for storytelling have naturally led me to pursue these passions, and I’ve always known I wanted to work in these fields. Music, has been such an important of my life, it taught me to understand and manage emotions. One of my many long-term goals is to pursue tour management and music production. Read more>>
CJ Breen
In the three years following my college graduation, I, CJ Breen, a proud resident of Dallas, Texas, skyrocketed to become one of the most prominent figures in the sports trading card industry. My groundbreaking achievements in the NIL space as well as introducing the first-ever pickleball trading card in history, coupled with securing multi-million dollar business ventures, speaks volumes of my entrepreneurial prowess. Notably, my creation of the critically acclaimed “Trading Card of the Year” in 2023, as voted by trading card hobby enthusiasts, further solidifies my impact in the field. Read more>>
Darren Knight
Then, almost half a decade later, one post went viral… then multiple posts started going viral. My content was picked up by major internet publications like Buzz Feed and Lad Bible to be seen by over 50 million eyes. In a matter of days, my community exploded, and brands began to take notice. What started as a passion project evolved into a full-fledged Digital Media Consulting LLC. Today, I partner with major food and lifestyle brands—producing content that blends authenticity with strategy—and help others tell their own stories online. Read more>>
Gregory Dow
After three generations of Dows running the gallery, and ninety years of being in business in here Fort Worth, we have never gotten totally caught up on orders. Today, our customers come to us for custom picture framing, restoration of antique or damaged oil paintings and works on paper, and to browse out ever-changing selection of vintage American and European paintings, including early Texas art. I’ve been working here fifty-one years – I’m the third generation – and I still very much look forward to coming to work every day. Just like my grandfather and my father did. It’s a privilege to serve the good people of Fort Worth and Dallas. Yes, I have many customers from Dallas and they are all very much appreciated! Read more>>
Cassie Clark-Ingram
I always knew I wanted to be an artist- and was fortunate to be able to have studied at the College for Creative Studies and graduated with High Honors receiving the Artistic of Excellence Award. With over 15 years in the creative industry, I tell stories that bridge the digital-physical divide. As the creative force behind some of the world’s most iconic automotive brands, including McLaren, Toyota, Lexus, Cadillac, and Mercedes-Benz. Read more>>
Dinorah Dozal-Carpenter
One of the biggest challenges was giving myself permission to start. I spent years pouring into others—leading, training, organizing—before realizing it was time to pour into my own vision. Stepping out in faith to launch The Unbothered Wife meant overcoming fear, perfectionism, and comparison. It meant trusting that what I carry—the creativity, the discernment, the experience—is enough, and that there’s room for my voice and my vision in this space. Read more>>
Nadia Blanton
I aspire to art direct films, photography, and music videos. Art direction, to me, is about creating a vision that brings all these different crafts together in a harmonious and impactful way. Over the years, my dedication to practicing art has sharpened my sensibilities in fashion, cinematography, and music, enabling me to integrate these elements into my work. My fascination with astronomy and women’s studies offers a perspective on strength, and beauty. While different themes of love, in all their complexity and depth, consistently inspire me. Read more>>
Heidi Barta
In 2017, I made the difficult decision to step away from the corporate world and embrace life as a stay-at-home mom. I loved every moment of being with my kids, but after about six months, I started craving a creative outlet—the kind of fulfillment I had always found in marketing. I didn’t want to return to a traditional 9-to-5, but I did want something that blended creativity with flexibility. That’s when HeidStyle was born. Read more>>
Michael Zollicoffer
Again by the final savasana I was completely exhausted, out of breath, but felt incredibly energized. This I would discover was one of the positive benefits of the practice. I enjoyed both sessions so much that I became a regular. I attended 2-3 sessions a week for about a year or so and began to see more and more positive benefits. My flexibility was increasing, my balance was improving, and I was at least attempting to make better choices in what foods I consumed. I was not a full on yoga fanatic yet, I still used the studio mats and props, I did not attend yoga sessions anywhere else, and I did not know about any of the philosophy of yoga. For me, it was a great workout and a time to disconnect from the outside world. It was great until the world went wacky. Read more>>
Jessica Brewer
As time went on, I teamed up with my uncle, who I’ve always been close to, and we worked on different real estate ventures together. That partnership eventually led us to finding the perfect building for what would become Artis Event Center, which is named after my grandmother, Artis . From there, it all fell into place, and we kicked off an exciting new chapter with the opening of our brand new venue. Read more>>
William Holtby
Years later, that curiosity evolved into travel. I began collecting vintage and repurposed textiles—tablecloths in Texas, curtains in Morocco, table runners in Budapest, and an embroidered U.S. quilt top from before 1959. Each one held a history and story for where it came that I wanted to share with others. That’s how Endorpol began: a clothing brand dedicated to telling global stories through one-of-a-kind garments made from these materials. Read more>>
Whitney Hardy
From there different courses within the psychology major helped me hone in on what exactly I wanted to do with that particular degree. I knew that helping people was always something I leaned towards and counseling felt like a natural fit. During my sophomore year of college, I became a McNair scholar that encouraged students to pursue graduate school within their field. That program introduced me to the idea of pursuing my doctoral degree. I went on to complete my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Indiana University-Bloomington in Psychology and Counseling Psychology respectively. Read more>>
Frankie Molinelli
There were so many times I wanted to quit. So many days I questioned whether I was really making a difference. But through it all, my wife has been my anchor. Even while fighting for her own healing, she’s always believed in mine. She’s been behind this mission 100%, cheering me on when I had nothing left in the tank. That kind of love changes a man. Read more>>
Chrisette Dharma
Dr. Dharma’s journey to becoming “The Nagging Dr.” is not just a professional path; it is a deeply personal story of resilience and transformation. After facing a near-death experience in a riptide in Hawaii, which resulted in a broken foot, she emerged with a profound new outlook on life. This pivotal moment underscored for her the vital role that an active and healthy lifestyle plays in both recovery and well-being. It fueled her passion for wellness and strengthened her commitment to helping others embrace a vibrant, healthy life. Read more>>
Carly May Gravley
I’d been into writing since childhood, but could never find my niche. I tried everything from poetry to screenwriting and nothing felt quite right. When I started writing reviews to go with my concert photos in 2022, something clicked and I started writing for outlets like Consequence of Sound and the Dallas Observer, where I was actually on staff for a year. My concert reviews evolved into fully reported pieces on music and culture. These days, I consider fandom culture and history to be my niche and jokingly call myself a “fanthropologist.” Read more>>
Ashley Nicole
But like many entrepreneurs, I’ve had my fair share of detours. From navigating a pandemic that shut down my previous locations to reimagining how I do business altogether, I’ve learned that the key is staying obedient to the pivot—trusting that every setback is actually a setup. That mindset is what got me to where I am today, and 139 Olive is a product of that faith and resilience. It’s more than a venue—it’s a vision that came to life through a whole lot of prayer, hard work, and a deep desire to serve others well. Read more>>
Mariaanna Nieto Diaz
Starting Santitos has certainly been a journey with its fair share of challenges. Like any small business, it’s a tough road—navigating the delicate balance between building a community, gaining recognition in a competitive market, and building meaningful partnerships in the food service industry. While we’ve been perfecting our recipes for years, it’s the behind-the-scenes work of growing the brand, navigating the ups and downs and overcoming obstacles that has truly tested us. Ultimately, each challenge we face is a learning opportunity and we know that those experiences will play a role in shaping our future. Read more>>
Kimberly Ratcliff
After earning my degree, I pursued a marketing career in New York’s financial world. I worked on Wall Street and gained invaluable experience, but something always felt disconnected. I began to see the stark contrast between the fast-paced financial industry and the very real, very underrepresented needs of rural communities—especially Black-owned farms and ranches. In 2007, I made the decision to leave corporate America and return home to help run the ranch. Read more>>
Jamaal Muhammad
The podcast is a dating show where we have meaningful and intellectual conversations about the pros and cons of dating in the modern era. I come up with the questions on the spot to ask the guests and later on in the show I turn it over to the guests to see if they want to ask me any questions or need my advice on anything. Its a show where there a real topics and real conversations about dating nowadays nothing is scripted and the only thing that is planned is which guests is coming on which day and the time of the show other than that it is all natural. When I started my podcast I did not expect it to be as large as it is around the Denton/Dallas area but I am grateful that the show has had the success that it has had so far. Read more>>
Chandler Cooper
I started off making music with my friends in middle school, I found hiphop and fell in love with story telling. I was making little youtube videos with my friends at this point already and realized I could do both to make people hear my music. I really sought out to be a jack of all trades with everything being able to breathe life into my music. I wanted to show my creativity in the YouTube videos and express myself through songwriting. Read more>>
Vaishnavi Tatineni & Krishitha Pingeli
That got us thinking—if middle-class families were struggling with these expenses, what about those with low incomes? As we researched more, we realized the issues ran even deeper. Even with government insurance, coverage is often limited, and qualifying for it is incredibly difficult. The requirements are so specific that something as small as owning an old car could disqualify you. This leaves many people stuck in a gap—unable to afford private insurance but also ineligible for government assistance. After learning about these challenges, we knew we wanted to do something to help. That’s what led us to start Outreach4All, with the goal of increasing healthcare accessibility for underserved communities. Read more>>
Dipen Parekh
Additionally, navigating complex regulatory requirements and adapting to changing market trends were significant struggles. There were times when we felt overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. However, perseverance, hard work, and a willingness to learn from mistakes have helped us overcome these obstacles and continue growing. Read more>>
Alfredo Mondragon
The first bump in my road was coming into a country with a whole different language and learning to speak it. With no family members here to help me along the way, I learned by memorizing the more commonly everyday words. Coming into a country and living in a roof with many people was difficult. I was ready to become independent and create privacy for my partner and create a family. I began saving money for important things like purchasing a car because it was difficult transporting in a bus and being able to afford an apartment. But even as a beginning entrepreneur there is struggles along the road but it’s an opportunity to overcome a challenge, learn, and grow. Read more>>
Daphne Moriel De Cedeno
About a year ago, I took a leap of faith and co-founded my own consulting firm with two close friends. From the beginning, I felt that this path was divinely guided and protected. Just weeks into launching, we signed our first contract—and we’ve been in business ever since. Our firm partners with small businesses, solopreneurs, nonprofits, and higher education institutions, with a focus on curriculum development, strategic planning, and leadership development. Read more>>
Ian Gilliam
Then I made the decision to move to Dallas to live near my fiance and acquired one more client before I moved which made the move possible. Since I’ve been in Dallas we got married, I’ve had a few more off and on clients with some new ones coming up soon hopefully, I’ve grown my service offerings from basic audio only podcast editing to running YouTube channels, creating short form content, and providing professional video editing. I’m now looking to either partner with a social media manager or contract them to provide more services offerings to my clients and future prospects. Read more>>
Lauren Jenkins
Not at all. There were seasons of rejection, moments where doors closed, and times I completely doubted myself. I’ve been laid off, financially stretched, and mentally exhausted. But each challenge taught me something valuable. I’ve learned how to turn pressure into power and disappointment into drive. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s absolutely been worth it! Read more>>
Sarah Elizabeth Johnson Segrest
While I’m a relative newcomer to the triathlon scene, having just started competing this year, the initial spark came from a desire to test my physical limits and discover my true capabilities. However, if I’m being completely honest, there was a deeper, more personal motivation. For a long time, I prioritized the needs of others, sometimes to the point where I didn’t establish healthy boundaries. While caring for others is important, I reached a point where I felt a need to reclaim my self-respect and prevent others from taking my kindness for granted. I believe this resonates with many who are drawn to endurance sports – that element of overcoming personal challenges and proving their resilience. Read more>>
Chioma Amadi
Well, I started creating content for myself for a few years and then one of the videos I created got attention on Instagram from a specific business owner. That business owner requested me to start creating content for their business to really help promote their services. While I was doing that, a friend of mine inspired me to start a content creation business. I was a little hesitant to start so I prayed to God about it. After that, I decided to take it seriously. One day my church, RIG DFW, was announcing that they were taking testimonies and I decided to publicly share that I started a content creation business as my testimony. I received so much support from my church that day and I felt really encouraged. After that, I officially launched Moments By Chi on May 15th, 2024 on IG and received so much support from my friends and family. Read more>>
Ruba Abu-Amara
However, I absolutely loved the clients I did have the chance to work with. Every session was so fulfilling. I loved seeing the smiles of the parents and babies, and the whole atmosphere of the studio—parents laughing and playing with their kids—was so rewarding and uplifting. Those moments made it all worth it, and I’m so grateful for every opportunity to capture those memories. Even though the road hasn’t always been easy, the joy that comes from helping families preserve their precious moments keeps me going. Read more>>
Hannah Rigsby
I also dealt and still dealing with some health problems that I discovered that I had the same year I launched my business, back in 2022. So having to navigate my health, my small business and on top of being a wife and a stay at home mom does for sure have its every day challenges with myself. But I wouldn’t change anything!! If anything it’s proven how strong I really am and I’ve gained so much confidence in just that. Read more>>
Erin Lewis
The process has been arduous and fun and scary and exciting! God has provided relational connections, finances, and many other provisions as I’ve walked this journey. It was almost a year to the date of the ‘yes’ that I launched my personal styling business– Sparrow + Lily Styling Co. The heart of this business is to relieve stress, redeem time, and reignite confidence for busy working mom’s and women. If I can give women more time with their families, husbands, friends, or whatever it is they value most then my styling job is complete! Read more>>
Cynthia Akita
At the time, I hadn’t truly studied branding. I grew up in the era of business plans being all the rage—even if most were filled with overly optimistic projections and components I barely understood, haha. It wasn’t until I immersed myself in learning brand strategy that everything clicked. I discovered that strategy is a far more practical and realistic approach, especially for someone who wasn’t looking for investors. Read more>>
Kytarri Harris
Our salon starts with hourly and commission pay rates which helps new stylist grow a clientele without the burden of an overhead. I’m honored to be in a position to help others the way I needed the help. I have been in the industry for 11 years and I am glad to be a part of something so creative and lucrative. I’m proud of the ladies that come through the salon and put such an effort into helping themselves grow and also being a part of helping my Salon to continue to grow and thrive. We have created a successful steppingstone for them to continue learning, provide healthy hair services, to grow their career and flourish on their own, we hope to continue as well as to have a chain of salons one day. Read more>>
Cadie Maganga
We specialize in all types of braids such micro, box braid, feeding etc…natural hair care and sewing. My proud as a company is we are in 2-in-1 beauty supply and hair salon shop. Great customer and taking proud of clean. Labelle Beauty isn’t your typical beauty supply we only put the best products on our shelves and we also use our platform to give back to our community. When customers shop with us, they can be assured that their money is well spent. We offer elite customer service and have been servicing some clients for more than ten years. Read more>>
Meagan Rothschild
It definitely hasn’t all been a smooth road – but I don’t think it ever is when you’re working in a space that challenges the status quo. When I first started my private practice, I was so focused on providing high-quality nutrition therapy for eating disorders that I didn’t realize how much of a gap there was in practical kitchen skills for many. I was helping clients understand what to eat and why, but they were still struggling with how to bring that knowledge into their kitchens in a way that felt doable and supportive. Read more>>
