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.
Joel Bennett
Since 1990, Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems (OWLS) has been a science-based consulting and training service in the area of Integral Organizational Wellness™. The workplace—large or small—plays an important role in the well-being of working adults as well as their families. Our Mission Read more>>
Zel Rivera
My career began in operations and brand execution across Asia Pacific, leading projects in complex environments where structure determined survival. I learned early that growth without infrastructure collapses under its own weight. When I eventually built Hey Maria in the United States while managing teams and projects in the Philippines, distance forced clarity. I couldn’t rely on proximity. I had to rely on systems. Read more>>
Uchenna Anene
My journey into building Yoneti started with a simple frustration. Shortly after COVID, around the time things were reopening, I went to get a haircut and found myself waiting much longer than expected. My barber almost always had one or two people ahead of me, even when I thought I had timed it right. Read more>>
Redwan Huda
I was born in Bangladesh and moved to the U.S. with big dreams and a strong work ethic. Professionally, I built a career in analytics and strategy, but entrepreneurship was always on my heart. Food, especially bold South Asian flavors, has always been part of who I am. Read more>>
Molly Jones
As Co-Chair of Empty Bowls McKinney, we are excited to being having our 15th annual event on April 23rd, 2026. Started as a very simple event, our mission remains the same. We raise money to purchase food for those in need. We work closely with 4 organizations in McKinney that work directly on food distribution. Read more>>
Brichard Humphrey
My journey into real estate really started with a desire to build something meaningful. I did not grow up in the industry or inherit a development company. I learned by being hands on, asking questions, making mistakes, and figuring out the process step by step. Read more>>
Alexa Torres
The decision to open our Pilates studio came from thoughtful reflection on the fitness and wellness space as a whole and the kind of experience we personally longed to see more of. In a growing industry, we saw an opportunity to build something deeply rooted in authenticity, connection, and intention. For us, Pilates is about more than movement, it’s about meaning. Read more>>
Ayana Rollins
I’ve been taking things apart since I could hold a screwdriver. I was that kid who wanted to know what was inside every toy, and by 4th grade I was already glued to a computer trying to figure out how it all worked. Starting IT Solutions by Ayana came from seeing how many people were getting left behind or stressed out by technology. Read more>>
Gage Dunmire
In the beginning it started as an idea on a road trip heading back home. We faced hardships in medical issues as my grandfather was a truck driver struggling with back issues and needing income before getting off the road to support his family. Read more>>
Eul Speed
Let’s start this journey at Langston University when my successful road all started. 2001 I graduate from Langston University as an All American Scholar and National Dean’s list 1999-2001. Right before I graduated I bought a lil pit bull (Shaaki RIP) and wanted to work her out but did not want to tie heavy object to her neck and potential hurt and damage her. Read more>>
David Patterson
I spent 12 years building my career at Dell Technologies, pouring myself into tech sales and leadership. Then COVID hit. Like so many others, I was part of a workforce reduction. What I thought would be a temporary setback turned into a year of closed doors. I chased every opportunity I could find in tech sales, but nothing materialized. It was humbling. Frustrating. Disorienting. Read more>>
Sarina Hall
Hi I’m Sarina, owner of Luminous Rose Waxing. I first started waxing in 2020 at EWC, it was there I learned how to wax efficiently but after being there for almost a year I decided it was time to move on. Read more>>
LS Collings
Acupuncturists look at the whole health map of body, mind, and spirit to see how all aspects of a person’s well-being are connected. This holistic approach is why, for many people, acupuncture can become a starting point for care that honors the whole person. My trust in acupuncture began with my own healing. At sixteen, I sprained my ankle playing basketball. Read more>>
Y Jacqueline Mayse
I started as a hands-on maker long before I ever called myself a marketer or strategist. I fell in love with soap and skincare formulation back in 2008, experimenting with ingredients, scents, and designs until I eventually turned that passion into a handmade artisan brand selling at local markets and boutiques in the DFW area. Read more>>
Jawan Johnson
I’m originally from Wilmington, Delaware. It’s a small city with a lot of heart, but growing up there, the path to major opportunities wasn’t always obvious. Even then, I knew I wanted more — not just for myself, but so I could eventually create opportunities for others. On 9/11/2016, I moved to Miami with only my clothes and a few bucks. Read more>>
Lesli Bills
My journey in multifamily property management began in 2014 with Grassano Property Management, where I started as a part-time leasing agent. What began as an entry-level role quickly evolved as I discovered how much I enjoyed the industry. Over time, I moved into positions including marketing director and property manager, eventually becoming involved in new property acquisitions. Read more>>
Bernadette Vargas Rodriguez
I chose the name of my business for two reasons: for the beautiful products and my daughters who have been my silver linings in life! Finding a way to provide stability as a single mom was the reason I started my business. My Silver Linings provides a way to remember my Mexican roots, my love for my family, and serving others. My vision is to build My Silver Linings into a thriving business through collaborations with artisans, wholesalers, and other small businesses while focusing on quality products and serving others in need. Read more>>
Susie Otto
My love for music started when I was little. My dad passed down his passion for disco, and I was an MTV kid, dancing and singing along to Madonna and Whitney Houston in the living room. I grew up in band and orchestra, and in the early 2000s I was a raver, so DJing naturally became an extension of my creative expression. Read more>>
Rohini Agarwal
I founded Smilecloud Family Dental in 2024, the vision was simple: build a modern, patient-centric practice from the ground up. However, the process of assembling a founding team revealed a significant opportunity within the dental industry. Read more>>
Jazmyn Nobles
My path developed through a combination of curiosity and exposure to the real impact support systems can have in people’s lives. Early on I was drawn to work that involved helping others navigate challenges, but over time I realized I was especially interested in understanding behavior rather than just responding to it. Read more>>
Jennifer Soto
I’m a first-generation Latina immigrant, so my journey into chiropractic wasn’t just about choosing a career, it was about honoring sacrifice. Growing up, I watched my family work incredibly hard to create opportunities that didn’t exist for them. Education wasn’t just encouraged in our home, it was everything. From a young age, I knew that whatever I chose to do, I wanted it to matter. Read more>>
Teresa Nicholson
I started by working for someone else who was a great mentor. I discovered what genuinely lights me up! I wanted a deeper connection so I started doodletimetx. I’m not just sending puppies home but staying a part of their story. Read more>>
Diemb Lehmann
I started my personal yoga journey when I was 21, over 30 years ago. Through all the phases in my life I have been physically active, but yoga has been my constant, because of how it challenges my entire mind and body. Read more>>
Amanda Mecsey
Oak Cliff Pilates started because we didn’t feel connected to the traditional Pilates world. A lot of studios felt polished and exclusive in a way that didn’t reflect who we are or the community we live in. We wanted to create something that felt more like Dallas — diverse, urban, creative, and welcoming to people of all backgrounds. Read more>>
Dedrick Tillerson
My journey as an author began long before I ever put pen to paper. It started with a deep desire to see, be, and experience all that the world has to offer. I grew up in rural Kentucky, in a small town called Henderson. At 41, I can truly say I love my hometown. Read more>>
Jose Padilla
I have several years of experience working in the remodeling industry, learning the trade hands-on and gaining a deep understanding of each stage of the process, especially in bathroom remodels, tile work, and finishing details. Over time, I decided to start my own company in search of better opportunities and with the goal of doing the work the right way, with quality and responsibility. Read more>>
Brandon Kershner
When I look back at my journey, I see it as the steady gathering of tools. Not only in design, but in business. For me, those two have never been separate. Design decisions are informed by sourcing realities, manufacturing constraints, sales conversations, logistics, marketing strategy, and long term brand positioning. Read more>>
Brandon Foster
I was raised by my grandparents, and they had a big influence on how I approach life and business. They taught me discipline, accountability, and the importance of standing by your word. Those lessons stuck with me and still guide the way I operate today. I entered the frac sand and energy industry in 2014. Read more>>
Colin Moseley
I am Colin Moseley. I am the proud CEO of Imagery 7 Studios , a professional Wedding photography company, that my wife and I here in Texas. Originally we are from NY. My wife and I relocated to DFW ,Texas in 2024. Read more>>
Darshana Patel
Driven by my lifelong appreciation for education, I became certified in the Kumon Math and Reading program in 2003. Coming from a family of educators, with uncles who were professors in India, teaching was always a strong calling for me. A conversation with a friend sparked the idea of exploring Kumon, and I decided to pursue it. Read more>>
Chris Garcia
I have always been a creative person. I remember in 7th grade when I was first able to take electives, art class was the first class I chose. I recall painting a pretty cool looking bouquet of flowers for my mom. It actually looked pretty good. I’m no Rembrandt, but I definitely saw how I wanted it lit up in my mind. Read more>>
Debra Leigh
I’ve had a love for hairstyling for as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl, I knew there was something special about helping people feel beautiful. After an amazing and fulfilling career in the nonprofit sector, I made the life-changing decision to follow my lifelong dream of becoming a full-time professional cosmetologist. Read more>>
Via Villa
I’m a first-generation Latina and the oldest in my family, so responsibility and resilience have always shaped who I am. I became a nurse as a single mom, motivated by the desire to create a fulfilling life for my daughter. I spent six years in the operating room, where I built strong clinical skills and attention to detail. Read more>>
Melody Holland
Photography was not in my radar for a job or a career growing up, though my twin sister enjoyed it and photographed quite a bit growing up. Read more>>
Lauren Munson
I started in the beauty industry in 2015 as a lash artist. Lashes were my entry point, but over time I realized my real passion was brows. I was drawn to the precision, the structure, and the impact of corrective work, and I slowly shifted my focus in that direction. Read more>>
Carla Pineda
I came from working on the Corporate World for 10 years until one day i wasn’t :). While redoing my resume in the lobby of my apartment building, I noticed so many people taking their dogs, and then thought I could start helping people take their dogs out since I had the time. So I did. Read more>>
David Kile
My background in residential construction began in 1983 when I was about 15 years old. I worked as a helper learning brick and stone masonry, I helped install county water lines, installed septic systems, I worked with my uncles running underground electrical service in Lewisville, I’ve pulled concrete pouring slabs, drywall tape and bed, texture and paint built MANY miles of fences from T-post and barbed wire to residential wooden privacy fences. Read more>>
Jessica Hall
Dance has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started training at a young age and quickly fell in love with the discipline, artistry, and confidence that dance creates. What began as a passion soon became a purpose. Read more>>
THAD BONDURIS
I first came to the DFW Metroplex over 50 years ago, to attend UNT (NTSU), and have been a professional “working musician” in the North Texas area ever since. My work has always been divided between teaching music and performing, either with groups or a solo; as guitarist, vocalist, or bassist. I hold a Masters degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas. Read more>>
Chris Gomez
It all started when i was working in a restaurant in Amarillo Tx. I was barely making ends meet while living with my best friend, i got kicked out when he was married due to his improvements in doing his own family thing. I met a guy while on break at work introducing me to collage trade school. Read more>>
Grace Grubic
For most women bras are something they would rather not think about, but I always loved them. From my very first bra fitting, I loved the way they had the power to make me feel. When I had a cute bra on, my whole day seemed to go better. When I had an ugly bra on, I felt completely different. Read more>>
Kelaiah Conway
I’m a stay at home mom to 5 beautiful babies that I homeschool. I feel like as women we wear so many different hats and don’t always do a great job of pausing and realizing how incredible we are and how hard what we do is. I started sharing more of my life online to be an encouragement to other moms and women. Read more>>
Chance Demases
Our farm was started in 1919 in Fort Worth, TX and has operated contnuously ever since. We were in Arlington from 1941-1987 and have been in Boyd since 1987. I have worked on the farm full-time for the last 10 years or so. Read more>>
Emilee Garcia
I first had the idea of owning my own business years ago when I wasn’t quite sure what direction I wanted to take with my business degree. What I did know was that one day, I wanted to be my own boss. When I was given the opportunity to become the Marketing Director at a local childcare center, The Academy, everything clicked. Read more>>
Robin Ogg
The Spark: From Craft to Career My journey with FG Metalwork really started with a fascination for the transformation of raw materials. I’ve always been drawn to the industrial side of art—taking a cold sheet of steel and giving it character. I didn’t just want to build functional items; I wanted to create pieces that felt like they had a history. Read more>>
Jennifer Adesina, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Nuvo Integrative Psychiatry was created from a deeply personal turning point in my career. After years of practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner within the traditional medicine model, I began to feel that something was missing. Too often, medications were presented as the primary or only solution, and many patients were left without a deeper exploration of why they were struggling in the first place. Read more>>
Cai Chen
My journey that has lead me to be the photographer I am today was more untraditional compared to most. I never intended to pursue anything in the creative field, but It started back in 2015 when someone stole my tablet. All my photos I’ve taken on my trip were gone. Read more>>
Diane Lee
I was always crafting, and I loved to decorate for Christmas as a child. I worked as a seasonal decorator for one of the well-known interior decorator companies in Dallas. Read more>>
Judith & William Biney
Hello – We are William and Judith Biney, the proud owners of Kidokinetics Mansfield. In 2023, we chose to bring Kidokinetics to Mansfield, Arlington, and surrounding areas because we believe every child deserves the chance to move, play, and build confidence in a fun, non-competitive environment. Read more>>
Regina Garza
Started in title in 2001 as a temp. Moved up quickly and became an escrow officer within a few years. Worked in REO for 12+ years before moving to Stewart Title in 2014. Within 2 years I was promoted to VP/ Branch Operations Manager at Stewart title Arlington. Working with builders, wholesalers, investors and real estate professionals across the entire State of Texas. Read more>>
Jennifer Arthur
I came to Children’s Cancer Fund carrying a very personal understanding of what a cancer battle looks like. My own family had walked through it, the uncertainty, the strength it demands, and the way it changes you long after the hardest days are over. But even with that history, I didn’t set out searching for this job or imagining myself in this role. Read more>>
Sapi Ya
Im from Thailand, I came to Fort Worth Texas when I was 1 year and a couple months old and have been here ever since with my family of 5 older sibling and a mother and father who worked day and night to provide a decent living for us. Read more>>
Carlo D’Angelo
My story starts with music, not law. During law school, I was a professional jazz singer—Frank Sinatra standards, the Great American Songbook. I worked weekends to help pay the bills, and one of my regular gigs was playing piano at an Italian restaurant. Read more>>
Stephanie Benson
I began teaching lessons in the summer of 1996, when I was only 12 years old. A hand-painted sign stood in our front yard on Glade Road in Euless, proudly announcing my new venture. Horses had always been my safe haven — the place I went to process my fears, worries, accomplishments, and the everyday highs and lows of being a young girl. Read more>>
Sally Zuraikat
Collin Care Counseling was born out of both professional passion and personal growth. Early in my career, I noticed how many high-functioning women and couples were quietly struggling. They were strong, capable, and holding everything together, yet internally anxious, disconnected, or overwhelmed. I connected deeply with that tension between appearing “fine” and not actually feeling fine. Building this practice wasn’t effortless. Read more>>
Kenya Whitaker
I started Intrinsic Foundation because of what I was seeing through my involvement in the community in North Dallas. I could see how much pressure families face when school is out and those daily meals are no longer built into the routine. For many households, that means stretching an already tight grocery budget. I knew consistent access to meals outside of school hours truly mattered. Read more>>
Yagnik Patel
My journey into dentistry began in India, where I completed my initial dental training. At that stage, I was drawn to the science of it—the precision, the mechanics, the problem-solving. But very quickly, I realized something deeper: dentistry isn’t about teeth. It’s about trust. Read more>>
Savanna Vasquez
I started my business because of my sister’s encouragement and my brother’s inspiration. While I was in college earning my associate’s degree, as a mom of three, my sister handed me her camera and asked me to take a few headshots of her. Read more>>
Fernanda Niemeier
My journey into entrepreneurship was very intentional. I earned my degree in International Business with a minor in Finance, and even during college I knew I wanted to build something of my own. I have always been driven by the desire to create, lead, and build systems that are both profitable and purposeful. Read more>>
Ali Hasoon
Hi, my name is Ali, and I am originally from Baghdad, Iraq. I came to Dallas, Texas when I was 13 years old. I attended high school in Richardson, Texas, and later studied at UTD, the University of Texas at Dallas. I studied photography, video production, and design, and graduated with a degree in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication. Read more>>
Ahyashah Ha Mahtarza
As far as I can remember, I have always taken an interest in the female reproductive system and in how a baby is formed in these organs. But on the flip side, I did not have an interest in working in a westernized hospital setting because I grew up around holistic centered care. Read more>>
Natalie Morse
Hey there, my name is Natalie Morse. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Supervisor designation, a Registered Play Therapist (Play Therapy means age/ developmentally appropriate type of Therapy for kids!), and trained in EMDR (a modality used to treat trauma). Read more>>
Summer Lane Rushing (Emerson)
Summer Lane Rushing (Emerson) grew up in East TX out of Edgewood TX and the famous Van Zandt County. Although she grew up with an estranged and harmful childhood on her biological father’s side, S. Read more>>
Dr. Rachel Sims
My professional path into the mental health and somatic healing field has been both clinically driven and deeply shaped by an enduring curiosity about human behavior, nervous system regulation, and what truly creates sustainable transformation. From an early age, I was highly self-observant and internally motivated. Read more>>
April Pinto
My journey began over a decade ago with a camera and a deep passion for preserving real moments. Over the years, that passion evolved into a refined, full-service photography experience focused on timeless, editorial imagery and creating a calm, meaningful experience for every couple I serve. Read more>>
Del Boyer
The Snowy Churro Texas was built from a simple idea: take a classic favorite and make it unforgettable. What started as a vision to bring something unique and high-quality to Texas events quickly turned into a passion-driven business rooted in community, service, and consistency. Read more>>
Phyllis Song
My story started long before my first business. I grew up watching my mom work incredibly hard just to keep things together. Effort and responsibility were normal, but there was very little margin for error. I learned early that survival meant carrying weight quietly, and I carried that belief into adulthood. I sold Bibles door to door when I was 22, learning sales and self-reliance. Read more>>
Taylor Wiesner
My journey into this field started during college at Texas A&M, when I began babysitting for a family with a teenager with autism. I quickly fell in love with working with him. Read more>>
LaDawn Rhodes
I’ve loved photography for as long as I can remember. I always enjoyed taking photos with friends, and my bedroom walls were covered in photos. At some point after college, I was given my father’s camera and used it to start photographing my puppy, and that’s when I realized this was more than just a hobby. Read more>>
Victoria Garcia
I didn’t start The Lovely Lens with a big business plan or a clear roadmap. I started it with curiosity, a camera, and a deep pull toward people and their stories. In the beginning, photography was simply a creative outlet. Read more>>
John Painter
The Kitchen Studios was started by John Painter in 1990 as a home studio set up in the kitchen of one of his first homes in Dallas. Read more>>
Brian Farley
I was a custom home builder for the majority of my life. I started as a laborer, and worked my way up through the process of becoming a General Contractor. I specialize in high end homes and work directly with the clients. Working with clients for other building developers showed me that they don’t care for the clients. Read more>>
Timothy Godfrey
I started out in creative work to slow down and pay attention to the world around me. Photography began as a personal outlet, something I picked up while balancing work, family life, and later, returning to school. Over time, it became clear that what I enjoyed most was not just taking photos but connecting with people and telling their stories in an honest, meaningful way. Read more>>
Royce Walston
Our journey into wedding photography didn’t begin in ballrooms or at the altar — it began with storytelling. Royce actually started behind the camera photographing cycling races. There’s something powerful about capturing motion, grit, and raw emotion in real time. That early experience shaped how we see weddings today. A wedding day moves fast. It’s unscripted. It’s emotional. Read more>>
Mark Krotzer
I was born in 1979 and raised in Burkburnett, Texas, by my mother, who worked multiple jobs to support our family. I’m the father of two teenage daughters whom I co-parent with my ex-wife, and they keep me grounded and motivated. Read more>>
Claudia Villasana-Munoz
Catrina Curia began as a quiet dream many years ago, a vision that remained with me throughout my healthcare career. I was raised in underprivileged circumstances where resources were limited, yet my dreams were not. My parents, despite limited means, instilled in me a deep belief in education, perseverance, and hard work. Read more>>
Lisette Diaz
I’ve always been into watching behind-the-scenes of television & film and into cartoons & Anime. After accidentally getting cast in my 1st play junior year of high school, I changed career paths from veterinary science to Theatre. Read more>>
Darrius Adger
I attended Southern University on a scholarship for the Human Jukebox Marching Band, where I studied Visual Arts. During that time, I began working at a family-owned printing company in Baton Rouge as a graphic designer. What started as a design role quickly expanded. They wanted me to learn how to print as well, including shirts, business cards, flyers, and church programs. Read more>>
