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.
Emily Edwards
My journey in photo and video work began in high school through different clubs and class projects. This interest led me to film school, where I dove deeper into the craft. I thoroughly enjoyed my studies, but in many ways, I viewed it all as a degree, a skill set, that eventually became a career. Even with growing passion, it didn’t yet feel like an extension of who I was. It felt like a means to an end. Read more>>
Sacha Shannon
We opened doors in 2021, in Princeton Texas. Started off in a small corner of an office with a printer/plotter and a laminator. We mostly serviced dealerships in the metroplex doing smaller jobs at the beginning, but through the years we stayed consistent with our service and quality and eventually opened the doors to larger volume jobs with dealerships. Read more>>
Jeremy Lane
My name is Jeremy Lane, I am the founder and lead officiant for Lane Ceremonies – the preferred wedding officiant organization in North Texas. Read more>>
Phoebe Zackary
Like so many photographers, it’s hard to remember exactly when I started! I remember planning ‘photoshoots’ for my friends in junior high, wrangling everyone together into different outfits and poses, and then taking and editing all the photos on the Mini iPad I got for my 6th grade graduation. Not my best work! Read more>>
Courtney King
“You have such a way with people… maybe it’s okay if school isn’t your thing. Focus on that!” – My Mom That was how my mom often encouraged me when my ADHD and dyslexia turned late nights of homework into adolescent tears of despair. Read more>>
Ramona Cadenhead
I married my high school sweetheart right after graduation — I was 16, he was 18 — and we’ve been building a life together ever since. We raised three kids, and now we’re blessed with three grandkids. It hasn’t always been easy; we’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way, but we’ve always worked hard and done our best to keep moving forward. Read more>>
Kishla Hackler
I have been with Granbury live off and on for about 20 years. I’ve ran my own production company there and when the Thomas‘s purchased Granbury live, I work there as an assistant. And then about seven years ago, took over as general manager. Read more>>
Tommy Hodge
I grew up in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina and began playing piano at the age of 8 years old. Read more>>
Cheryl Herreid
I am probably the least likely candidate for pastor you might meet. I didn’t grow up in the church, and I experienced a difficult, volatile home life growing up. Never did I think my life would end up where I am today, but this is the transformative power of the love of Jesus Christ. Read more>>
Sha Metcalf
Shurretta Metcalf is a proud mother of two boys, one of whom is on the autism spectrum, and she uses her platform to bring awareness and advocacy to both autism and domestic violence. Read more>>
John Thomas
I was addicted to drugs and had overdosed multiple times. I realized I needed help and started reading the Bible every night. I woke up one day completely different, no desire for drugs and aware of God’s love and His presence. I started going to church and helping anyone I could. Read more>>
Mark Gary
When I started my company, I was working for a temp agency. I was a single father and could barely take care of the bills alone on my pay. I just happen to step out in Faith started making some business cards and passing them out. My first helper was my neighbor Matthew Manganelli and he still helps us out a lot. Read more>>
Alison Dolce
When we (Dr. Alison Dolce and Dr. Andrea Lowden) first began working together as epileptologists, we quickly realized we shared not only a deep passion for caring for individuals with seizures and rare neurological disorders, but also a vision for transforming how that care is delivered. Too often, families faced fragmented systems—bouncing between different clinics for diagnosis, testing, and treatment. Read more>>
Ty’kie Singleton
My journey to becoming The Paralegal & Notary Mom is deeply personal and rooted in resilience, purpose, and a desire to create impact. I didn’t come from a traditional legal background or a picture-perfect career path — I started as a young mom determined to build a better future for myself and my son. Read more>>
Arné Oyewo
My love for fashion started early — as a toddler playing dress-up in my mama’s closet and binge-watching shows like Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model. At 13, while spending the summer at my Grandaddy’s house, I attempted to sew for the first time. Read more>>
Jade Perry
It all started in San Antonio, where two college students—Jade and Branden—met, fell in love, and began a journey that would later blend family, faith, and creativity into something truly unforgettable. Over the last ten years, one of our greatest joys has always been bringing people together. Read more>>
Chloe Lauck
Growing up, I was always extremely artistic. I drew constantly, so much that I have a permanent callous now on one of my fingers. I was always stained with ink and loved getting inspired by all kinds of art. Read more>>
Nicole Shomali
I grew up as a military brat whose role model has always been my strong and loving mother. She showed such determination in the face of many challenges. Read more>>
Marion Carol
What brought me to baking sourdough, was the end of a long journey of working to clean up my families diet. In 2016, my husband was diagnosed with a malignant cancerous tumor in his leg. It was a very sobering year, and through that ordeal, we began to focus more and more on the quality of the foods we were eating. Read more>>
Estefania Castro
First and foremost i would like to say thank you for this opportunity i am so grateful. I actually did the cosmetology program in high school but i felt as if i didn’t learn much. So i didnt move forward with it at the time. Once i graduated i thought i wanted to be a massage therapist. Read more>>
Chelzeé Lentz
Chelzeé Lentz is a Texas-based mixed-media artist celebrated for her signature “dreamscapes”—evocative, layered works that blend symbolic imagery with spiritual resonance. Drawing inspiration from vivid dreams, the natural world, and inner transformation, her art creates immersive spaces that invite reflection, healing, and transcendence. Read more>>
Benita Sharpe
Meet Benita Sharpe, a dynamic individual hailing from the vibrant Chicagoland area of Illinois. With over 30 years of leadership experience at a Fortune 50 company, Benita has cultivated a successful career while nurturing her entrepreneurial spirit. Over 25 years ago, she embarked on a journey of launching a thriving home-based business, seamlessly blending her professional expertise with her innate desire to serve others. Read more>>
Carla Pellegrino
Carla Pellegrino, once Carla Madeira, was born in Rio de Janeiro to a Portuguese father and a second-generation Italian mother. As early as age 10, Pellegrino was cooking daily, helping run her mother’s catering business. At age 16, the chef moved to Liguria, Italy. Read more>>
Emily Preston
I got started in Real Estate in 2018, so going on 8 years now. I knew immediately that I needed to do something that most Realtors don’t/won’t do so I would do 2 to 3 open houses every wknd to get my leads. The first year and a half, I only took one wknd off. Read more>>
Katie Townend Doherty
Education has always been at the heart of my life. Growing up in Highland Park with a mother who was a teacher, I witnessed the profound and lasting influence an educator can have on a child. In college, I spent a summer studying economics and international relations at Georgetown University and interned with highly intelligent, inspiring professionals who pushed me to grow and think bigger. Read more>>
Ginger Comstock
I adopted 2 little terrier mix puppies after my Maltese Lilly passed away in 2021. I always love dogs in outfits. Dresses didn’t look good, so I ended up getting them bandanas for their birthdays, and thought I could make them cheaper. So I made up a pattern & made a few cute bandanas. Read more>>
Lillian Paris
I originally was a hairstylist at sport clips in plano and got promoted to manager and really enjoyed the business side of things so I realized I wanted to go into the corporate world. I finished my degree while working full time and then started looking for sales jobs. Read more>>
Steven Nguyen
I’m Dr. Steven Nguyen, founder of MDRN Dental Studio, where every detail reflects the values I’ve always lived by: hard work, continual learning, and genuine care. Born and raised in Plano, Texas, I grew up watching my parents rebuild their lives after immigrating to the U.S. following the Vietnam War. Read more>>
Evan Shepperd
It all goes back to when I first heard my Dad play drums. I was somewhere around the age of 8. They were set up in the common area of the duplex he and my step mom lived in (I’m sure the neighbors loved that) and he showed me a few basic beats and fills. I remember being mesmerized by it, totally consumed by it. Read more>>
Keelia Curtis
My husband and I both grew up in the city, but we felt called to move our family of six to the country to live a more sustainable and intentional life. We wanted to give our children the freedom to run, play, and explore, while learning at home in an environment rooted in curiosity and connection to nature. Read more>>
Lola Adey
My journey into AI didn’t start with a grand plan. It started with survival instinct and a bowl of Cold Stone’s Chocolate Devotion ice cream. It was late one night, around 10 p.m., and I was glued to my laptop doing what felt like homework just to stay relevant. Read more>>
DSA North Texas
Our chapter, DSA North Texas, was founded in 2016 as a part of the national Democratic Socialists of America, and our membership numbers have ebbed and flowed since, with our chapter growing very rapidly now! We organize around a range of local and national issues and aim to build a mass working class movement. Read more>>
Alexandra Rosado Román
My journey as a bombera began in 2018, when I encountered bomba not just as a dance form, but as a living archive of Afro-Puerto Rican memory and resistance. Coming from a very conservative Pentecostal household, I grew up distanced from our ancestral rhythms and embodied expressions. Read more>>
Becky Reed
I spent 28 years working in credit unions with the majority of that time being a COO, CIO and a CEO (twice). Credit Unions are different than banks, although they may look the same from a consumer perspective from the outside. Read more>>
Shelby Wilson
I started my photography business March of 2024. Although I’ve loved taking pictures since I was a little girl, mainly of animals and nature! Before I started offering sessions, I was very hesitant. I wondered if anyone would be drawn to my style of photography, or even want to book with me. Read more>>
Page Gorski
Welcome to Keepsake, where shopping is more than a passion—it’s practically in my DNA! My love for curating unique, high-quality finds from around the world goes way back, thanks to shopping adventures with my mom and early dreams of owning a boutique. Read more>>
SHI’KIA PACHECO
I was born in Corsicana, Texas, and raised in Dallas, where family and creativity have always been at the heart of who I am. My journey into podcasting began in 2021 alongside my husband, Joshua. Together, we created a space to share real conversations and connect with others through honest storytelling. Read more>>
Jenna Urben
I started The Urben Life in 2016, about a year after graduating from UT Dallas. My background is in emerging media and communication, with a focus on digital communities and social media. Before blogging, I worked in digital marketing, branding, and public relations. When the chance to begin freelance work came up, I jumped at it! Read more>>
Joshua Goode
After completing my MFA at Boston University, I began creating tombs as part of my artistic practice. This was deeply personal—my sister has severe disabilities, and confronting her mortality made me think about remembrance, legacy, and the idea of immortality. I wanted to honor her life and memory in a meaningful way. Read more>>
David McLorren
I’ve always been passionate about music. I began my journey in the early 1990s in Virginia Beach, where I truly made my mark in the industry. Initially, I sang with a band, but later, I took up instrument learning and eventually ventured into the engineering side of music production and recording. Read more>>
Erik and Ronda Bauer
In 2021, Erik and I founded Heavenly Crust Pizza with a simple but powerful mission: to give back. From the very beginning, we committed to donating 50% of our profits to Christian charities and ministries. That vision started after a mission trip where Erik and I saw how businesses were being used as vehicles to raise money for ministry. Read more>>
Amber Reusch
Before starting Dots & Digits Accounting, I spent over a decade working in accounting, finance, and small business management — everything from city government and nonprofits to running my own creative ventures. One of those ventures was *Holistic Hemp Company*, which I co-founded in 2016. Read more>>
Daniell Garland-Booker
Thank you so much for allowing me to share my story. Service has always been at the heart of everything I do. I’m a United States Army veteran proudly having served from 1988 to 1996, including a tour in the Persian Gulf region during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Read more>>
Monique Wade
Today, I’m a 29 year old divorced, single mother of two children and I’m a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula who serves women and their families all over DFW. Years ago, I gave birth to my first child at the age of 21 and birthed my second child at 23 years old. Read more>>
Maritza Garcia
I graduated with a Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling, from Southern Methodist University, in 2016, and followed that with a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, from Capella University (2024). In 2022/23, I became a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) in North Carolina as well and a registered out-of-state mental health provider (LPC) in Florida. Read more>>
Dr. Shannon Davis-Wills
My journey into the world of mental health began with a simple desire. I wanted to help others. I didn’t know in what capacity at the time. Eventually, God lead me to my gift and calling of listening to others. Growing up, I saw how many in our community suffered silently, often carrying the weight of pain and loss without ever seeking help. Read more>>
Chey Dawn
Hello! My name is Chey Dawn and I’m a model, actress, photographer and music artist in DFW. I started modeling 9 years ago when my best friend first took my photos professionally. After that, I couldn’t get enough. Read more>>
Evan Risher
Outside of pastoring the greatest church in the world, Ramp Church Texas, I’ve been blessed to publish two books: “7 Church Leaders You Just Can’t Build With” and “The Shift Leaders Do.” Both focus on secondary leadership and leadership development, and they’ve opened doors for me to travel, teach, and pour into other leaders from various churches and ministries. That’s been one of the most fulfilling parts of what I do. Read more>>
Abdul Hakeem Mohammed
Our Story We’re a family that loves to travel, discover new places, and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and great company. What started as a passion for hosting people and sharing memorable treats naturally evolved into Dessert Avenue. We began by doing pop-up events around the DFW area for a couple of years, connecting with our community and refining our vision. Read more>>
Mike Speets
After earning my MBA from Rice University and spending over 12 years climbing the corporate ladder, I finally took a leap of faith to pursue something I’ve always been passionate about—sports, especially golf. My biggest inspiration is my hero and role model, my dad, Frans Speets. He built and ran his own successful business for more than 25 years. Read more>>
Robyn Purscell
I loved art and creating since I was a small child, took a painting and drawing class at 10yrs old and I was hooked. I was born with Cerebral Palsy which a neuromuscular condition. Art gave me an outlet to show how I can be creative and took me to a world of imagination. Read more>>
Alyssa Schuelke
I received my Esthetics license in 2018. I was a single mom and worked a full time job and did full time school for 8 months. I got a job at The Woodhouse Day Spa as their first hire right after graduating. I spent 2 years there before moving to Bowie during Covid. All through covid, I didn’t work. Read more>>
JR. Forasteros
The story of Game Nights with JR. is fundamentally an ethical one, rooted in a heartfelt critique of modern fragmentation. When I founded this community a year ago, I recognized that in a sprawling metroplex defined by digital screens, there was a profound, unmet need for physical, intentional community. Read more>>
Elle E. Evans
My passion for writing began early in life and I had the support of many high school English teachers to encourage me to submit short stories and poems to contests for publication. There is quite a bit of cringeworthy work out there that I wrote in those early years under my maiden name rather than my current pen name. Read more>>
Dawn Dillon
I have had a solo private practice providing psychotherapy since 2000, with a specialty in the treatment of eating disorders and originally starting in Parker County, Texas. After a move out of state in 2011, I returned to Fort Worth in 2015 and continued a private practice, reconnecting with TCU and local colleagues. Read more>>
