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.
Margaret Kilanski
Memberships: The Heart of ETGMS Memberships are essential to keeping the East Texas Gem & Mineral Society’s commitments alive. Like many nonprofits, we face ongoing challenges in covering the costs required to sustain our educational programs, community outreach, and organizational responsibilities. Our members are the foundation that makes this work possible and the reason we can continue sharing the wonders of the earth sciences with our community. Read more>>
Anita Lane
Sure. I began my career in community organizing – building coalitions and writing grants to fund housing and economic development projects in Detroit. I worked with incredible organizations and the work ultimately attracted a lot of television and print media. That’s when I realized the power of earned media to help an organization achieve its goals. Read more>>
Nikki Farese
Originally from Minnesota, I attended the University of Colorado at Boulder before traveling extensively for school and work, eventually settling in Texas with my husband and our three children. A lifelong athlete, I discovered the integrative side of wellness in 2006 through yoga – a practice that became a steady anchor through career transitions, injuries, relocations, pregnancies, and life’s inevitable challenges. Read more>>
Kristy Mankin
I’m an art teacher who believes that making art should be for everyone! I teach small group lessons to kids online, on an educational hub called Outschool. This hasn’t always been my job though– I spent the first great fifteen years teaching art in public school. After I got married and we started making future plans, I made the switch to teaching private lessons. Read more>>
Mary Lent
I’m transitioning from a 24-year military career in logistics and aircraft maintenance. Until this assignment, we’d moved every 3-4 years. While community service was always an important part of our life, it was always in a temporary kind of way. Read more>>
Vaishnavi Radhakrishnaram
I’ve always loved painting, a passion that began when I was just six years old. It was my hobby throughout school, and my art teacher encouraged me to explore different styles of painting and pencil drawing. However, I truly discovered my deep passion for art after my second pregnancy in 2021, during the COVID lockdown. It was a particularly challenging time in my life. Read more>>
Jared Tye
I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be in real estate, but once I got into it, it just clicked. I’ve always liked business, negotiation, and the idea of helping people make big moves with confidence. Real estate felt like the perfect mix of strategy and people. Read more>>
W. Hearrell
I was born in humble beginnings in Sherman, TX. My father was a Minister and my mother a school teacher. Above all, they put a heavy emphasis on education and hard work ethic. I attended Austin College where I received a Bachelor’s in History & English. With these degrees– all I could do was teach. Read more>>
Jenna Beard
I started injecting 5 years ago for just a little fun side gig. Little did I know I’d have a whole actual business and now own a salon/spa suites business. Years ago as a baby nurse, I felt stuck. I would go to work at the hospital and just be so unhappy every single shift. Read more>>
Jas Gill
If you put a paintbrush on a canvas—during an earthquake—the result might look a bit like my journey to get here. I grew up in a small town in west Fort Worth, TX—Benbrook—a type of place where a cowboy hat and ‘Howdy’ could go a long way. Except I didn’t have a hat like that. Read more>>
John Johnson
I graduated Full Sail University in 2012 with my associates degree in Record Engineering, 2013 I landed an internship at Starstruck Studios in Nashville Tennessee under Reba McEntire. Hand the privilege to learn from her amazing production team and sit in on sessions with artists like. Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and Alabama. Read more>>
Braden Lane
I didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a florist. I grew up working. I grew up in the floral industry. Since I was a kid, flowers, deliveries, early mornings, and holiday chaos were just part of life. My family worked in the business, so I saw firsthand both the beauty and the grind behind it. It wasn’t glamorous, it was work. Hard work. Read more>>
Maria Gamell
I began my journey in Dallas as the first female Superintendent hired in Cedar Hill ISD’s over 120 year history. As a veteran educator committed to student success, I have been honored to serve this great city. I am clear in my conviction that public education remains one of our last great equalizers to provide access to the American dream. Read more>>
Amy Mayorga
As a child, I was always drawn to organized, beautiful spaces and anything related to the home (HGTV was — and still is — my favorite thing to watch). I just never imagined that passion could become my career. Read more>>
Inga Fredrickson
Canyons Rock Climbing has always been about people first. In 2024, my husband Josh and I became the owners of Canyons after relocating to Texas with our son Judah. Stepping into this role felt less like acquiring a business and more like being invited into a story that was already deeply loved by its community. Read more>>
Wynita Harmon
Art+Ink Event Styling really started from my love of celebrating people and making moments feel special. I’ve always been creative, and I found myself being the one who cared about the details such as the setup, the colors, the overall feel of a space and what the experience feels like. Read more>>
Ashish Mathew
My name is Ashish Mathew. I was born and raised in Bangalore, India. After completing my undergraduate studies there, I moved to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Counseling. Read more>>
Reston Esquell
Our story really started in the trades – Coming from ‘blue collar’ I’ve been around construction for over 15 years, even before my time as a firefighter/paramedic. Construction was always there in the background, and eventually it became the main thing. Read more>>
Cesar Aranda
As with a lot of people who were born in the past 30 years, I was fortunate to grow up in an era where photography/motion pictures have been democratized and have become more accessible. Cameras, analog and digital, always fascinated me. I would spend so much time stealing my family’s camera and shoot whatever a 6-8 year old found fascinating. Read more>>
Cate Kim
I’m sharing my story not to highlight material success, but to celebrate a different kind of wealth: the consistent blooming of patience, endurance, resilience, and integrity. My journey has taught me that we all need one another to prosper, and we often find the deepest inspiration in the stories of others, especially during times of hardship. Read more>>
Sara Rose Salih
My path to this work is deeply personal. As a survivor of multiple sexual assaults in childhood, I spent many years carrying that experience in silence while building a life centered around creativity — art, writing, and music. Creating became a way to express what was hard to put into words and to reconnect with a sense of identity and strength. Read more>>
Lauren White
I was a Deaf Education teacher for 14 years, and teaching was a huge part of my life. Over the last several years, I went through some profound loss and life changes that caused me to slow down and reconnect with what truly brought me peace and joy. Read more>>
Jeancarlo Oblitas
I grew up in Peru with my two sisters, in a home that was always full of fun activities. Life was lived outdoors, walking to school, playing with neighbors, and just being surrounded by nature. My parents were entrepreneurs and owned drugstores; my mother actually ran her drugstore from a space in our home and my father owned another. Read more>>
James Bonds
Not many people can proclaim being born to serve people, but that’s exactly the destiny pre-ordained for Coach James Bonds. Read more>>
Joshua Shronce
My story really begins with curiosity, resilience, and a deep connection to both Texas and Nicaragua. I studied International Business and Finance at the University of Texas at Arlington while working full-time, and early on I learned how to operate in multiple worlds at once. I held corporate roles with companies like Microsoft and BlackBerry while simultaneously building experience in hospitality, sales, and operations. Read more>>
Chris Finegan
My name is Chris Finegan, and I’m the owner of DFW Garage & Gate Services. I didn’t start this company by accident — I started it with intention, discipline, and a vision to build something that lasts. My foundation in the industry began working alongside a close friend who had more than 20 years of experience in garage doors and gates. Read more>>
MICHELLE TAPPER
Briefly my story is that I am a domestic abuse survivor which started with my dad. I went thru years of counseling after my ex husband that was abusive. Now I give back and talk to women about red flags and help walk thru financial personal planning along the way. Read more>>
Ashanty Avila
I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be in the beauty industry. Like a lot of women, I was just trying to figure things out and build something that felt stable and mine. When I found esthetics, it honestly surprised me how much I loved it. It wasn’t just waxing or skincare, it was watching women sit up straighter after an appointment. Read more>>
Jim Mazziotti
“I started in real estate more than 34 years ago, at the age of 38, long before I ever imagined the journey it would take me on. Read more>>
Shelley Laine-Gorton
Shelley Laine-Gorton is a Texas-based entrepreneur and pet-care professional whose career bridges business leadership and creative artistry. Read more>>
Geonna Dean
I found out I was pregnant while working as a flight attendant for American Airlines, and I remember thinking, “Everything is about to change.” I loved traveling, but I knew in my heart that once my baby arrived, I didn’t want to miss the everyday moments. I wanted to be present. I wanted flexibility. However, I didn’t want to lose myself completely in motherhood. Read more>>
Sean Hale
I grew up in a musical family with my mom being a music educator in Arlington ISD. She also volunteered as a children’s choir director at First United Methodist Church in Arlington, so of course, I participated in the children’s choir program. As I grew up, I continued singing in choirs both at church and at school. Read more>>
Yemi Lekuti, PhD, LPC, CGP
My journey really kicked off when I was walking around my childhood home (I was probably supposed to be cleaning or something), and got distracted by a documentary of sorts about Sigmund Freud. I had a strong affinity for being curious about many things, but there was something about the field of psychology and the mind that captured my attention. Read more>>
MINERVA GOMEZ
I came to the USA when I was 9 years old and did not speak English. My parents migrate in 1975 and when we received our permanent resident card we migrate in 1978. I have 3 brother and 2 sisters. Our life was not easy we struggle and I knew I wanted a better life. Read more>>
Karunanithi Shanmugam
I have started my own corporation in 2020 Oct. in software product development and consulting services. Since I had more than 20 years experience in Software Area, I could involve directly with the client on many retail and telecom clients and provided the consulting service in Cloud computing and Application Modernization solutions. Read more>>
Haeley & Auston Arnold
Shred the Word Ministry began with a simple vision: to travel to skate parks across Texas and surrounding states, sharing the love of Christ by handing out Bibles and spreading the Good News. What started as a passion for combining faith and skateboarding quickly grew into something far greater than we imagined. Read more>>
Brandon McCrory
Honeyed Hands Tallow Co. really started in our kitchen, not as a business idea, but as a solution for our family. Our children struggled with eczema, and like many parents, we tried what felt like everything. Prescription creams, over-the-counter lotions, “natural” products from the store, some helped temporarily, but nothing truly nourished their skin long term. Read more>>
Kristina Rogers
In January of 2020, after more than 25 years working in HR, payroll, and recruiting for the military, agencies, and corporate America, I made the decision to finally bet on myself and start my own recruiting firm. Read more>>
Felicia Smith
Rise School was born from both my professional experience and my life as a mother. After years working as a teacher and dyslexia therapist, I saw how many children were capable and curious, yet the traditional system often failed to meet them where they were. Read more>>
Emann Victor
I am a young, queer, immigrant, asian artist. This is prevalent because my experiences shaped me into being extremely passionate about owning up to my personal qualities. I was born in Bacolod Philippines, to a family of seven. and I moved to the DFW when I was four. Read more>>
Elaine Ellison
My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t something I had mapped out years in advance. In fact, the moment that set everything in motion happened unexpectedly—at two o’clock in the morning in April of 2021. I woke up suddenly with a very clear sense that my next chapter was about to begin. Read more>>
Maxx Baig
The Inception: A Personal Void and a Technological Shift My name is Shoaib, and the concept for LaserLux Lab was born out of a very specific, lifelong frustration. Read more>>
Melanie Boyd
I’ve been a dental hygienist for over 14 years and have worked in both general dentistry and periodontics. Over time, I became very passionate about periodontal disease and the impact it has not only on oral health but on overall systemic health. As I treated more periodontal patients, I started to notice a challenge that many clinicians face. Read more>>
Shelly Rogers
A Divine Calling: The Journey of A2J Happy Tails K9 Training In July 2021, at the age of 55, I embarked on a journey that would transform my life and the lives of countless others. It began with a gentle whisper, a divine calling that stirred deep within me, guiding my heart toward a purpose yet to be fully understood. Read more>>
Tanisha ‘Joney’ Jones
’ve always been drawn to music and performance. Growing up, I loved artists such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Erykah Badu, The Cheetah Girls, and the whole 90s R&B and neo-soul world. Those influences stayed with me and eventually led me to study musical theatre in college, where I earned my associate’s degree and began to understand performance as both storytelling and emotional expression. Read more>>
Jose Antonio Calderon
The idea of having a traditional authentic restaurant came out some years ago, during the Pandemia, and we thought of having a new concept of a Mexican Restaurant where people can eat and drink and feel fascinated about the flavors and presentation of the dishes. Cielito Mexican Flavors is a concept of a Mexican Modern Cuisine Restaurant for authentic food and drinks. Read more>>
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>>
