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.
victoria kayode
I started doing nails as a way to stay productive, and over time, with consistent practice and personal investment, I took a leap of faith and opened an Instagram page for my nail work on January 22, 2023. I have always had a love for beauty. I originally started with hair, then gradually moved into nails as a hobby. Read more>>
Brooke Cates
When I stepped away from the elementary classroom after 16 years in May 2024, the foundation was already established and thriving as a volunteer-led organization. Read more>>
Neelou Saleh
I started my first healing business in 2011 during a period of complete personal reinvention. I was newly divorced, a single mom to two children, recently bankrupt, and starting over with no safety net, no savings, no backup plan. Read more>>
The Dunham Farm
Five generations of Dunham family have made The Dunham Farm a success. Hard work is a staple of course but a love for animals is the lifeblood that gets you pumped up every day for that hard work on the farm. As a family of educators in public private and charter school scenarios helps the dream become a reality. Read more>>
Colleen Coppenger
I’m originally from New Orleans, but I was a dental hygienist in Tarrant County for 34 years. In April of 2009, I was visiting my sister and attending a dental conference there. She suggested we go to a new business nearby called Corks and Canvas, where you painted and could byob. While we were there, I overheard them talking about franchising. Read more>>
Chelsea Williams
My journey into this work began with a desire to be the person I needed when I was growing up. The little girl who was once deemed “spoiled rotten” was really a child longing to be seen, heard, and felt. Those unmet needs shaped my sensitivity to emotional safety, connection, and the quiet ways people learn to survive when they don’t feel fully understood. Read more>>
Brianna McGaughy
I grew up in a small town in Mississippi, where hard work and creativity were part of everyday life. My dad instilled a strong work ethic, while my mom, an artist, immersed my brother and me in creative projects and travel at an early age. Read more>>
Ilise Kohleriter
I originally planned to pursue a career as a therapist. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Early in my career, I worked in a variety of roles, including probation officer, hospital social worker, program planner, and therapist in a partial hospitalization program. Read more>>
Mark Hopkins
After dedicating 24 years to the nursing profession, I founded DignaCare at Home and its Affiliates to address a critical gap in personalized patient care. Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the struggles many patients face in navigating the complexities of healthcare, particularly in the comfort of their own homes. Read more>>
Ciarra True
I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in 2013, but initially followed my previous education into the marketing field. After realizing the corporate world wasn’t for me, I took a leap and opened a retail store. Unfortunately, just one month into COVID, the city shut us down and I was forced to close. Read more>>
Patti Rooks
I have been sewing for over 40 years. It has been mainly a side hobby when I had a little time. My husband and I were foster parents for over 14 years and in that time we adopted 19 children from the foster care system. With one bio daughter that gave us 20 kids and little time for hobbies. Read more>>
Kimberly Fryer
I’ve loved capturing life for as long as I can remember. When I was three years old, my grandfather handed me a camera, and I started photographing everything—my family, my pets, even the smallest details around the house. That’s when I realized I was obsessed with preserving moments. Read more>>
Dr RC Shields Sr
My story begins when my grandfather passed away. When I was 5 years old asked God to be my Father. At the time I didn’t know this was scriptural The truth is I grew up without a natural father. It seems people have opinions about fatherless children but by the grace of God I beat the odds. Read more>>
Nausheen Siddiqui
I’m Nausheen Siddiqui, an IT Service Management Product Manager at Toyota Motor North America. I’m also a mother of three and wife to a very committed (and very busy) entrepreneur. Life at home is a mix of strategy, chaos, and caffeine and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I earned my bachelor’s in Computer and Information Systems Engineering from NED University in Karachi, Pakistan. Read more>>
Rosa Sandoval
Elote100do began as a dream rooted in culture, family, and resilience. My husband Marco and I built it together in 2023 from the ground up, inspired by the sense of community and comfort that elote represents in Mexican culture. What started as a small idea quickly became something much bigger. Read more>>
Dr. Dandreon Christian Gray
I am a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and in 1986, my life shifted when my family moved to Arlington, Texas. As the oldest of three girls, responsibility found me early. I became the pillar of my family long before I understood what that meant, navigating childhood while holding together dynamics that were often fragile. Read more>>
Venessa Cooper
Eight years in, Cooper Tax Services has grown into a trusted tax firm serving clients nationwide across the U.S. What started with helping family members and close friends has turned into a brand I’m genuinely proud of. It definitely took plenty of late nights, hard work, resilience, and a lot of praying — and most of all, faith. Read more>>
Jeannette Olazagasti, MD, MS
Viva Dermatology was created out of a desire to remove barriers to high-quality skin care and to make the experience more transparent, personal, and accessible. As a board-certified dermatologist, I saw firsthand how often patients delayed or avoided care, not because they didn’t need it, but because they were unsure about costs, insurance coverage, or how complicated the process would be. Read more>>
Uare Edeki
Street Suya started from a very personal place. Growing up, suya wasn’t just food to me—it was comfort, culture, and connection. It represented community, late nights around a grill, and a sense of home. When I moved to Dallas, I realized how much I missed that feeling and how little of it was truly represented in a way that felt authentic. Read more>>
Jessica Spitzer
Cedar Creek Cleans was built from the ground up — quite literally. I left an abusive marriage with only a few boxes, no vehicle, and a determination to start over. I moved several states away, knowing no one, but committed to building a safe, stable life through honest work and perseverance. Read more>>
Louisa Harvey
I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2003, my three children and I made a significant move to Arlington, Texas. This transition marked the beginning of a new chapter in our lives and helped shape the path that led me to where I am today. I started Pure Hearts from a deeply personal place. Read more>>
Kayla Michelis
This journey began quietly, in the middle of everyday life. As a homeschooling, homesteading mom, I found myself longing for a slower, more intentional way of living—one rooted in caring deeply for my family and being mindful of what we put on our bodies. I started learning about traditional skincare, natural/herbal ingredients, and the beauty of simplicity. Read more>>
Edgar Sculark
I am the 3rd child to the late L.A. and Evie Sculark and was born and raised in Parchman, Mississippi. L.A. Sculark was one of the first African Americans to be employed at the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Edgar was the first African American child born to an African American couple while living on the penitentiary property. Read more>>
Tracy Matheson
April 10, 2017 Is the day the world as we knew it, changed forever. It is the day we learned that our precious daughter, Molly Jane, was dead. We did not know how or why she died. We learned the next day that her death was ruled a homicide. We also learned that she had been raped. Read more>>
Amber Smith
My journey into insurance is rooted in a long career built on relationships, trust, and helping people make confident decisions. With 25 years of experience in real estate and insurance, I naturally transitioned into insurance full time after years of seeing firsthand how important the right coverage is when life changes happen. Read more>>
Eva Melendez
My journey with sewing began over 13 years ago, but the story of Rave Ratz truly started in 2022 at Nocturnal Wonderland in Southern California. If you’re a raver, you already know the kind of moment that is. Read more>>
Matthew Sokol, MD, IFMCP
Ivalo MD began with a husband and wife whose personal journeys converged into a shared purpose. Matthew Sokol, MD, IFCP, is a medical doctor with over 20 years of experience and a data-driven approach to patient care. He has built a reputation for using proven methods to deliver measurable results and lasting change. Read more>>
John Kelty
Sure. Read more>>
Jenn Blowers
After 18 years in the beauty industry, I found myself repeatedly outgrowing every space I worked in. In 2018, while searching for a new location, I reached out to several professional product representatives, hoping to find a space rooted in culture, professionalism, and growth. Read more>>
Jennifer Miller, LCSW-S
From very early on, I was immersed in the world of social work. My granny was a civil rights activist, and she didn’t just talk about justice, she lived it. Even as a kid, I was right there with her at NAACP meetings, walking neighborhoods handing out political action flyers, and helping with voter registration drives. Read more>>
Danyela Miller
In 2019, I embarked on a journey to explore my passion for interior design by accepting pro bono projects for family and friends. These initial projects became a testament to my talent and dedication, as they received high praise and generated valuable word-of-mouth recommendations throughout my network. Read more>>
Dewone Bennett
I often describe my story as one of resilience, purpose, and service. I grew up navigating experiences that exposed me early to hardship, trauma, and responsibility, and those seasons shaped how I understand people, pain, and perseverance. Those experiences did not just influence my life story; they became the foundation of the work I do today. Read more>>
Dominique Jones
I’m originally from South Louisiana, but in 2005, Hurricane Katrina transplanted me to Houston, TX. I always say that the storm turned my world “right side up.” I was 21 years old and thought I had it all figured out, but I was overwhelmed by life and headed down the wrong career path! Read more>>
John and Tiffany Cassidy
Prairie Grove Farm is a first-generation family farm located in North Texas. What began as a family dream has grown into something we’re incredibly proud of—a place where our animals thrive, the land becomes healthier every year, and we can provide local families with pork they’re excited to serve at their table. Read more>>
Jonathan Cusolito
Cusolito Property Solutions: Building a Vision in Dallas Cusolito Property Solutions is a full-service construction management and general contracting company founded on the principles of transparency, high-stakes project delivery, and a deep-seated passion for solving the industry’s most complex challenges. The Origins: A Journey Through the Ranks The company was founded by Jonathan Cusolito, whose story is defined by a ‘boots on the ground’ evolution. Read more>>
Tira Bailem
I began my real estate journey in 2019 with a vision rooted in ownership and long-term wealth. My initial goal was to become an investor, and as I studied the market, contracts, and deal structure, I realized that understanding the agency side of real estate would be a powerful advantage. Read more>>
Poseidon Neptune
My story starts in a place I’m not proud of, but I don’t run from it anymore. For years I was living a double life: I was a drug dealer, and I was also a drug addict. I was on heroin for about seven years and cocaine for about four. Somewhere along the way, the thing I thought I controlled started controlling me. Read more>>
Sherry Walters
We opened in Nov 2017 with a primary focus on Animal Chiropractic and Wellness Care. We have evolved based on client and pet needs. We currently provide General Practice Veterinary Care with a focus on chiropractic, dentistry and aging wellness. Read more>>
Jennifer Smith
When I was younger, I struggled deeply with anxiety, depression, and a severe eating disorder. It wasn’t until I found a therapist I truly connected with and trusted that I began to find my way out of that darkness. Therapy didn’t just change my life—it saved my life. Read more>>
Madiha Ashraf
When I conceptualized Healing Grounds, as a first-generation American Muslim of Pakistani descent, I dreamed of opening a therapy practice, that was more than just a clinic—I wanted to build a gathering space for reflection, connection, and growth. The name Healing Grounds Counseling grew from that vision. I wanted a place for people to be able to grow, reflect, and connect in a safe space. Read more>>
Troy Billett
Troy Billett joined the McKinney Economic Development Corporation in May last year as the new Fund Manager for their Innovation Fund. The McKinney Innovation Fund provides $200k or $500k grants to compelling technology startups to spur economic development and innovation in this region. Read more>>
Zachary Montgomery
I knew early on that I wanted to practice law in Texas, but I also wanted to understand business from the inside before stepping fully into the legal world. Read more>>
Kevin Whitehurst
About the Artist “My artwork is a merging of introspection and gratification, as it allows me to tell a story using colors and images as emotions, and concepts that delight evolved human minds.” I’m Kevin Keith Whitehurst, the artist behind Kevin Whitehurst Studio — I create work that elevates expression and celebrates inspired living. Read more>>
Shane Abel
I started playing at 21. Guitar, piano, harmonica and singing. I started writing from day one. For a long time only my girlfriend and wife heard me play. In 2012 I started playing in mostly cover bands. In 2022 I started playing original music alone at open mics. I made a lot of good contacts in Dentons’s Songwriter Guild and in local bars. Read more>>
DonHardy Falcone
Today I’m an interior designer, published author, image consultant, and atleast additional 21 different professions. I started by fulfilling my childhood dreams of being an author and image consultant and from there my inner child has been leading the way Read more>>
Mrs. Oluwabunmi
I moved from Nigeria to the U.S. in 2018, carrying more than just luggage; I carried the flavors, traditions, and warmth of home. When I settled in Dallas, I realized there was a real gap for authentic Nigerian food prepared with care, intention, and consistency. Read more>>
Dr. ERICKA JOHNSON
Absolutely. My journey is one of purpose, perseverance, and faith. I started as a **substitute teacher—yes, a sub—**stepping into classrooms wherever I was needed, often without much notice or support. But even then, I knew I was called to do more than manage a classroom—I was called to transform them. Read more>>
Zania Karim
I joined Key Club at Carroll High School in 2023 because I wanted to be part of a school organization that had a strong sense of community and pride, not just because I liked volunteering. Read more>>
Christian Rocha
I grew up in Pleasant Grove, a neighborhood in Dallas, in a humble home that, at the time, many of my peers and classmates saw as a run-down house on one of the toughest streets in the area. To me, it was simply home. It was where I learned the value of hard work, humility, and resilience. Read more>>
Kali Rogers-Smith
Very long story short: I come from a creative family and was immersed in the arts at an early age. For reference, my mother was a fashion designer and my father is a long-time musician. Read more>>
