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.
Silvia Isaac
MadreTierra began in the summer of 2017. I had noticed the low-quality candles flooding the market, and it inspired me to dive deep into research on how to craft candles of true quality. Once I committed to creating my own, ideas began to pour in like rain. MadreTierra was born from a deep love for candles and the sacred act of lighting one. Read more>>
DeLisa Treshelle
I started as a little girl with big dreams, but the pain from my father wounds, especially from my father’s incarceration, blurred my vision for a time. It took years of healing and rediscovering my identity in God to see clearly again. Writing became my first outlet. While attending Baton Rouge Community College, I was mentored by Professor Nero, who was mentored by Maya Angelou. Read more>>
Wotsa Koutoglo
Lantsa Gifts was born out of a very personal moment. I (Wotsa Koutoglo, founder) lost my dear cousin unexpectedly, and before his passing, we had a conversation when he told me I have the gift of intentional giving (whether through time, knowledge, or resources) and that I should share it with the world. Read more>>
Clara Morgan
I’ve alway had a heart for helping others. It’s just a part of who I am – and I truly believe that counseling is both an art and a science – and I try to find that balance during each and every session. Read more>>
Lavani Kondadasula
Heritage Story is a South Asian–inspired home décor and gifting brand founded by friends-turned-co-founders Lavani and Uja. Rooted in craft and culture, the brand bridges timeless Indian artistry with a modern design language—creating pieces meant to be styled, gifted, and cherished through generations. Read more>>
Logan copas
I’m a police officer of 10 plus years. Most of my career I have worked patrol, SWAT, and on the training cadre. I specialize in firearms and Combatives. As a cop I truly see how evil people can be and how minutes can be a lifetime in a deadly encounter. So I wanted to help train the civilian market so I started Phalanx Training Group. Read more>>
Trisha Baughman
Time to Shine Performing Arts began its story in 2014 as a two-week performing arts summer camp for K–4th graders. That same year, I was hired by Keller ISD to help create the district’s elementary theatre program alongside five other educators. Read more>>
Carol Park
My journey guiding me to be a dietitian and therapist began with my own struggle with an eating disorder in the 70’s when there was little known about eating disorders. As part of my struggle, and simultaneously part of my healing, I majored in Nutrition at Baylor University. Read more>>
Dustin Barber
My wife and I grew up rving as kids. With our love for Rv’s, I was always buying Rv’s to repair, use and then sell. We started out by purchasing our first motorhome and decided to try renting it out to help pay for it. Read more>>
Grace Salmon
My husband and I got engaged in August of 2022. We’d dated through our last year of high school and through college, so this moment had been a long time coming and we were very excited to finally be planning our dream wedding. Read more>>
Valery Salazar Jimenez
My journey started with a growing interest in hospitality and events while working at different stadiums, wedding venues, and private events. After graduating with an Associate of Arts from Collin College, my passion for creativity and for crafting unique experiences led me to pursue a Bachelor’s in Event Design and Experience Management at the University of North Texas. Read more>>
Araceli Milan
My Journey with Heritage Janitorial Services. When I arrived in this country, my mother introduced me to residential cleaning. Before getting married, I cleaned homes and provided childcare, even living with families who needed assistance. Read more>>
Megan Clayton
My journey as a photographer began at home, capturing everyday moments with my family. What started as a simple way to document birthdays, gatherings, and candid smiles quickly became a passion for storytelling through images. I fell in love with the way a single photograph could preserve emotion, connection, and memory. Read more>>
Eartha Gatlin
I’m a writer, a self-published author of four books, and the owner of my home-based self-publishing company, Ahtrae Publishing LLC. Through my company, I not only write and publish my own work but also help other aspiring authors bring their stories to life. Read more>>
Tedra Weathered
I started doing taxes when I was eighteen years old for two years. The person I previously worked with contacted me stating they had made some changes and like me to come back I was twenty two almost twenty three, I was there for until i was twenty six years old. Read more>>
TiffanyAnn Storey
I began my journey as a restaurant photographer in 2019. A few years later I attended an open mic and met an incredible photographer who, in the beginning, allowed me to piggy back off her shoots and eventually I began photographing artists at open mics on my own as I developed my skill set. Read more>>
Leslie Hassler
When I started my first business, I believed success was simple: work harder, serve everyone, and out-hustle any problem that came my way. And for a while, that worked—until it didn’t. I remember sitting in a ballroom in New York, surrounded by more than a hundred other firm owners. Read more>>
Eshell Holland
I’ll start by saying my journey has been rough from being kicked out my mom’s house at 17 years old, being forced to grow up in a world i wasn’t quite Ready for. Read more>>
Chassity and Sheridan Bee
BeeCaptured actually started as my husband’s idea. He wanted to build something that I could eventually take over, so I could be home more with our son. I’m a coach, and a lot of people don’t realize just how demanding that job is. Between the long practices, late games, and early mornings, I often spend more time with my team than with my own family. Read more>>
Abigail Scallan
I’m the fourth child in a family of ten, so I think that my desire to figure out why people think, feel, behave, live, and love the way that they do started really early. Read more>>
Tee James
I spent 24 years in government in law enforcement, working across all security levels in counseling and case management. My role was to support the social rehabilitation of offenders — which meant understanding people, building trust, navigating complex personalities, and helping individuals rebuild confidence and direction in their lives. Read more>>
Kimaya Darak
I’m a passionate artist, software engineer, art educator, and women entrepreneur. Originally from India, currently Frisco is my new home. Like every other person, I followed conventional career path of education. After completing my engineering, I started working as software engineer in private company. But some where I was missing my drawings, colors. From my childhood, I was fond of colors, patterns and drawing. Read more>>
Carrie Campbell
Horses have been the one constant throughout my entire life. I have a corporate background in the insurance industry, specifically property reinsurance underwriting, and horses were consistently woven into my free time and extracurriculars. I also have a long history of volunteering with therapeutic riding centers. Read more>>
Kaushal Shah
My journey started back in India, where I earned my dental degree. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to take my passion for dentistry beyond borders and challenge myself on a global scale. Pursuing advanced education in the United States became my dream — but it wasn’t easy. I came from a modest background and had very limited funds. Read more>>
Randi Skinner
Entrepreneurship has always been in my blood. I’m a third-generation entrepreneur, so I grew up watching what it meant to build something from the ground up—seeing both the risk and the reward that come with creating your own path. I went to school for entrepreneurship, knowing early on that I wanted to chart my own course, but my journey started in sales and project management. Read more>>
Anya Darnell
When I was 13, I used all my saved birthday and holiday money to buy a used Canon Camera from Ebay. The moment I held it in my hands, I knew I was going to love the art of photography. I spent all my high school and college years teaching myself the ins and outs, dos and don’ts, and I loved every minute of it. Read more>>
Anthony Asberry
You want the real story? It starts and ends where I’ve always belonged: the gym. Since day one, I had that drive for sports. Basketball and football, those were just the things that kept me in the gym, putting in the work. Even at Northeastern State University, I was playing those intramural games. The weight room; that wasn’t a chore. Read more>>
Lorenzo Emanuel
I started my music career very young, playing drums and percussions live on stage in my hometown near Rome, Italy. At age 16 I discovered the world of music for media, especially for Film, and I’ve delved into that medium ever since, making it my career and my primary means of creative expression. Read more>>
Tamika Brunetti
My journey to where I am today really kicked off back in 2018. At that time, I had just left a job I’d been with for 13 years. And once I stepped away, I had this big realization: I didn’t have a personal brand outside of that employer. Everything about who I was professionally was tied up in that company’s identity. Read more>>
Demetri Sheffield
The way I got started. It’s from me being a sneaker collector. Read more>>
Alayna Wong
I am a professional ballet dancer currently based in Dallas. On the side, I run a small business selling crocheted stuffed animals under the name ‘Jeté & Crochet’ – jeté is a ballet step and rhymes with crochet. Read more>>
Chris Cloutier
My brother, Patrick, and I began our journey 14 years ago by seizing an opportunity to purchase a local, struggling shop called Lonestar Auto Repair. My brother knew how to fix cars, and I thought I knew how to run a business since I had done so previously with several internet companies. I can admit that I was WRONG. Read more>>
Lorena Cooper
I began my creative journey designing handcrafted accessories, starting with basketball-style statement earrings. As a former dance mom, I expanded into custom shirts and apparel to help support my daughter’s school and competitive dance team expenses. My passion for art, design, and creating meaningful pieces has always been at the core of everything I do. Read more>>
Vanessa O Ogbonna
AdaLine Events & Nexus began with a passion for bringing people together and creating unforgettable moments. What started as a love for organizing small gatherings for family and friends quickly grew into a vision a brand that would combine excellent event planning, elegant décor, and seamless coordination with authentic African culture and hospitality. Read more>>
Henry Coke
Always The Alibi (also abbreviated as ATA) is an Alternative Rock band based out of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The group’s current line-up consists of vocalist/guitarist Henry Coke, lead guitarist Matt Wilson, bassist Nick Di Biasio, and drummer Richard Muenckler. Always The Alibi has released two EPs and eight singles. Read more>>
Brinn Bailey
At 21, I left the cult my parents raised me in. I had to create a new belief system for myself. I had to unlearn and relearn who I was and who I wanted to be. The experience radicalized me. I realized that I needed to be an active part in the ongoing Black Liberation movement. Read more>>
Vesta Schneider
I combine personal relocation experience with real estate expertise to support clients through one of life’s biggest transitions. Voted Best McKinney Realtor 2025 by local community / McKinney Chamber of Commerce. My real estate journey began about 20 years ago as a real estate investor. I wanted to raise my kids and work from home; this was a perfect fit. Read more>>
Solange maria Mariel
I was 17 years old when I came to this country. My mother came to the US with big dreams for both my brother and I. The American Dream of better opportunities and education. She was an educator, a widow with two children back home and had the vision of the American Dream when she visited Disney World years before. Read more>>
Melissa McFadden
Melissa McFadden completed grooming school at formally known, Texas Allbreed Grooming School in 2010. With now 15 years of experience she has worked in many different environments including big box stores, vet clinics, family owned salons, and boarding & daycare facilities. She previously owned the Mobile Grooming Salon, Styled By Melissa, which serviced North Texas areas like, Allen, Frisco & McKinney. Read more>>
Alyssa Fernandez
I grew up in a family of bakers here in Texas. My Tía Paty was actually a dentist in Mexico, but when she came to Laredo, she opened a bakery instead. So I was surrounded by baking my whole life and definitely had a sweet tooth growing up. Read more>>
Brooklynn Bolton
I grew up in a loving and supportive Christian home with my Mom, Dad, younger Brother, Nana, and Papa all in the same house in Little Elm Texas. I was encouraged in anything I wished to pursue as a kid, and art was my favorite subject in school. When in college, I would often take art classes more than once. Read more>>
Alyssa Ceballos
I realized very early on that planning events was my calling. Even as a very little kid, I loved creating experiences that brought people together. If there was a birthday party, I wanted to design the theme and oversee every detail. If there was a fundraiser, I jumped at the chance to help make it happen. Read more>>
Holly Griffith
Birdy’s was born from a creative surge and a meditative practice of rolling and shaping the dough. I had worked in the service industry in coffee for over 10 years. I loved that world, but started to feel like something was missing or lacking. Read more>>
Nawana and Terrell Walton
Teafusion was born in 2017 out of what felt like an ordinary head cold — but God had bigger plans. My husband, Terrell, made me some ginger tea, but I didn’t want it the regular way. Read more>>
Myles Mays
I originally bought the Canon T5i back in 2016 to start creating youtube videos during my freshman year of college, but unfortunately at the time i wasn’t good at speaking to the camera like it was a person haha. Read more>>
Eli Zablosky
I’m originally from East Dallas, near White Rock Lake, and moved to San Marcos after high school to study marketing at Texas State University. After graduating, I opened a few small businesses, including a coffee shop and the city’s first analog film lab in nearly 30 years. Read more>>
Amanda Coleman
Adam and I grew up in Oklahoma, met at OU and moved to Fort Worth, TX after we married. We have 3 amazing teens & have always dreamed of owning a cabin in the woods of SE OK where I grew up. Read more>>
Jaime Chambron
I am naturally a connector and community builder, always seeking ways to bring people together, foster deep relationships, and make an impact where I can. I did a lot of that while serving in different roles at Mockingbird Elementary for seven years. There is actually an award and a plaque now at MES in honor of what my partner, Kevin Buehler, and I did to encourage involvement and connection, which has been given to families year after year since we left. Read more>>
Claire Cadena
As a small pop-up coffee shop, we’re still learning every single day. Every market is a hustle. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. There have been days where it feels like an upward battle and organizers fail to communicate with us about markets or events and we show up with only a handful of people in attendance. As a pop-up we understand we have to make a name for ourselves without the legitimacy of a brick and mortar, but it’s a challenge that is not stopping us. We know we will get there. Read more>>
Shaneda Ford
Shortly afterwards, I became a Director, served in that position for 3 1/2 years before transitioning into a Family Home Childcare Provider. Royal Hearts Learning Center was established in 2017 and turns 8 this year! RHLC is State Regulated and maintains a 4 Star Texas Rising Star Accreditation status. I am working to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I proudly serve on several State and Local Boards along with being apart of National, State, and Local Associations. Read more>>
Heather Gill
Over time, my creative work expanded into education through Slate & Story Studio, where I design art appreciation and cultural learning resources for families and schools. Today, my focus bridges both worlds, curating visual stories for brands and culinary spaces while continuing to build meaningful educational tools that help others learn to see beauty for themselves. Read more>>
Jenny Sandoval
Since childhood, flowers have always felt like precious gems to me-full of infinite colors and life, My mother’s garden was my first classroom, where I learned that with care and good soils, beauty could flourish. Years later, while volunteering at a memory care facility in Mckinney, I witnessed the power of flowers in a profound way. Read more>>
Sarah Graham
I’ve probably been drawing since I could hold a pencil, and my mom is an artist, so she encouraged the interest as I grew up and gave me my first introduction to watercolor. Read more>>
Wendy Kay
I actually started my career in live television, which taught me a lot about logistics, timing, and how to keep calm when everything’s on fire. Eventually, I realized I wanted to create experiences people actually enjoyed being part of so I moved into weddings and launched Birds of a Feather Events back in 2010. It started small, like most things do. Read more>>
Kameron Day
I began pursuing a creative career the day I “quit” my office job. One day, I got tired of always wondering “what if”, and realized life didn’t have to be that way. I developed this deep passion for self-expression through artistry, after finding my own voice through producing music as a hobby (at first). Read more>>
LaSeante’ Thurman
I’m originally from the Chicagoland area and bring 17 years of diverse experience in the insurance industry. Academically, I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, a Master’s in Human Resources Management, and an MBA in Finance. I started my career at Travelers Insurance in auto claims and eventually expanded into property and inland marine lines. Read more>>
Debora Accettura
Vegas Concepts was founded in 1985 by my mother, who had a dream to bring the excitement and class of Las Vegas–style casino entertainment to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I grew up watching her transform empty rooms into glamorous casino nights filled with laughter, lights, and energy — and I fell in love with the art of creating experiences that bring people together. Read more>>
André D. Henderson, Sr.
I then went to work for Anser Technologies which manufactured ion deposition printers, I worked on both the system design and the multiple paper feeding operations including a cut sheet feeder, multi sheet feeder and continuous roll feeder. I also took the unit to trade shows! Read more>>
Giuseppe Paternoster
Giuseppe is a Silver Pin Sommelier with a distinguished career in hospitality spanning nearly three decades. His journey began in 1996 in Gravina in Puglia, a town on the southeast coast of Italy, where he took on a side job in a small rotisserie, crafting traditional Italian pastries and panzerotti. Read more>>
Joshua Robinson
Our church was planted in 2014 as part of a family of churches across the Dallas–Fort Worth area. We were actually the third church in that family, which has now grown to six. Read more>>
Elizabeth Alzate
I’m originally from Colombia, and I’ve been living in Dallas for about 17 years now. My major in Colombia was International Business, but when I came here, I started working in a childcare center because I wanted to be close to my daughter. Read more>>
Berlanda Valliere
Honestly, my journey started pretty simply. I was always the one pulling out my phone to capture moments, little details, emotions, people just being themselves. My sister was actually the one who pushed me to take it more seriously; she encouraged me to get a camera. Once I did, everything changed. Shooting became my therapy. Read more>>
Anam Tharoo
My journey began in full-spectrum family medicine, where I was privileged to care for patients through every stage of life. Over time, my passion expanded to include aesthetics and wellness, two areas where I saw extraordinary potential to help women feel not only healthier, but truly confident in themselves. Read more>>
Nathan Ham
I like to think of real estate the same way I think of health—both are about healing what’s hurt or broken and strengthening what still has potential. I grew up with a hammer in my hand, or at least following my dad around with one. Read more>>
Greg Heitzman
I am a 35-year veteran of the radio industry, retired in May 2024. Even prior to retirement (2016), my wife and I purchased a company called Performing Ads Company. Performing Ads produced all of the live theatre playbills for theatre organizations in Fort Worth (exception is Bass Performance Hall). Read more>>
Kara Rosales
My journey to becoming an IBCLC started 18 years ago. My oldest and I struggled with breastfeeding, and he ended up being combo-fed my breastmilk, donor breastmilk, and formula. Breastfeeding has always been important to me after seeing my mother breastfeed my younger brother, so it was hard for me to come to terms with the fact that he needed to be supplemented. Read more>>
Carla Juarez Avila
I originally set out to pursue a career in the medical field. In high school, I had hoped to complete cosmetology school to help pay for college, but my academic workload made that impossible at the time. Read more>>
Brandall Binion
I am a photographer. Currently more a motorsports photographer but essentially a photographer because I will shoot anything that looks like a challenge. I have had a camera in my hands or had one close by since 1985… back when film ruled the day. Read more>>
Paige Schlehuber
When I was 18, just before starting my sophomore year at Texas Christian University, my sister, who attended Texas Tech, and I were looking for a small side project to make a little extra money while in college. We had recently gotten permanent jewelry done with our mom and, on a whim, decided to try it ourselves. Read more>>
Liza Slaughter
I started performing at a very young age. I did competitive dance, nutcracker, and musical theater all throughout my childhood. I was always performing whether it was a makeshift play at home with my brother and sister or up on the stage as a balleriena or a singing hippie in out local theater my mom directed. You could say performing runs in my blood. Read more>>
Yall Play Too Much
“Y’all Play Too Much” really started as an idea born from my love of entertainment, connection, and laughter. I’ve been in the entertainment and event industry for over 15 years, hosting shows, managing events, and building platforms for talent through my company, SwitchAlert Comedy. Read more>>
Veronica Torres Hazley
My path to success is defined by resilience, pivoting from a career in hospitality to becoming a wellness entrepreneur and advocate. After overcoming significant personal trauma, including being a teen mother and losing my father and son, and laater mother, I built my current enterprise by focusing on healing, community-building, and advocating for women of color. Read more>>
Cameron Wahl
My journey started with a craving—for a style of pizza I just couldn’t find anywhere. That curiosity led me to buy a pizza oven and dive headfirst into learning the craft. What began as a hobby quickly turned into a passion. I became obsessed with perfecting the process and found real joy in serving my creations to friends, family, and eventually customers. Read more>>
Roman Rose
It all started when I dropped out of college and pursed a rap career, my mentor who was like my older brother Troy Cannon inspired me to rap because he was doing it and whatever he was doing I wanted to do or be apart of. Read more>>
Marcella Richardson
It all started when I was about 10 years old and I was designing clothes and holding fashion events in my grandmothers garage… It was and continues to be amazing. Throughout the years I held and was involved in a numerous fashion groups, clubs and showcases. Read more>>
Stephanie Culver
There were times I worked through holidays and late nights just to keep the doors open and guests happy. I had to learn to troubleshoot everything from business operations to water leaks, website crashes, and team turnover. But each challenge forced me to get better, more efficient, and more creative. Read more>>
Katya Salazar
First of all my name is Katya Salazar I am 30yrs old, I am a mother of 3 beautiful kids, had a rough childhood, grew up without my mom and dad. Read more>>
Carla Belem
The origin story starts around 2007. I was actually planning my own wedding and discovered that the level of customer service in the industry 17 years ago was not exceptional and I saw an opportunity to build an organization that went above and beyond for clients. Read more>>
