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.
Lindsay Minor
Cowtown Clay was founded in 2019 because there were no ceramic companies located in Fort Worth that made lasting, heirloom quality keepsakes of children. My team quickly realized that this was not just a local need but also a national need so we started our mail order kits so people across the country could order our products. Read more>>
Michael Gonzalez
I’ve always been a creator and a problem solver. As a kid, I wasn’t content just playing with my G.I. Joe figures—I would take them apart, combine different pieces, and create entirely new characters. I was equally fascinated by electronics, often disassembling them just to understand how they worked and see if I could build something different. Read more>>
Mandy Popejoy
I am a cottage wedding and dessert artist. I started out because I could always bake well, but I had my first child and I wanted to make her a cute decorated cake for her 1st birthday. I took some classes at my local JR college and fell in love with it. Read more>>
Nathaniel Courtney
I started writing my own raps around the age of 12. I was so passionate even from an early age that my mother immediately bought me my first recording set up, and I haven’t stopped since. Music has always been, to me, the heartbeat of the world. Read more>>
Dramesha Spence
I was born and raised in Dallas and lived with my grandparents. I graduated from Kimball High School in 2008. At an early age, I experienced health complications that helped build and shape my character. I began making jewelry after a diagnosis of end stage kidney failure due to Lupus in 2022 and had to start doing peritoneal dialysis. Read more>>
Sailen Bhattarai
Food has always been more than just something to eat for me—it’s a way to connect with people, cultures, and memories. I’ve always loved cooking, watching cooking shows, traveling, and discovering how different cultures bring people together through food. Every trip inspires me to learn new flavors and techniques that I can recreate in my own kitchen. Read more>>
Tanya Bakari
For more than 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of leading teams across banking, financial services, healthcare, and retail. Throughout my career, I was often the leader organizations called when they needed someone to build something new, solve complex problems, develop people, or lead through change. While I enjoyed the work and the results, I discovered that what energized me most wasn’t the projects. Read more>>
Loli DiSanto
My journey to becoming an artist has been anything but conventional. I grew up in the Chicago area as a competitive figure skater before pursuing a career in medicine, earning degrees from Michigan State University and Midwestern University and practicing as a Physician Assistant for many years. After moving to Southwest Florida in 2013, I finally had the opportunity to explore my creative side. Read more>>
Maria Kostareva
I’ve wanted to be an artist since I was a child. I grew up in a small village next to a forest, and I started going to art school as a child. At fifteen, I even moved to another city to continue my education at an art college. Read more>>
Kourtney Mason
My name is Kourtney S. Mason, MBA and my story is really about learning to believe in myself before anyone else did and then using that journey to help others do the same. I grew up in an environment that wasn’t nurturing. I was a high performer, but instead of being celebrated, my accomplishments became expected. Read more>>
Katie Cheney
Growing up Italian, food has always been so much more than something we ate—it was how our family came together. No matter what was going on, we stopped to share meals around the table, tell stories, laugh, and sometimes talk for hours. Some of my favorite memories are the countless hours I spent in the kitchen with my grandma. Read more>>
Jewel Mills
Grew up in a single parent home with 8 other siblings where our mother tried her best to raise us without my father being in my life until my adult years. We had our basic necessities met but it was very still hard to survive. Read more>>
Shane Blackwell
A few years ago, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I sold my landscaping company because I wanted something I couldn’t get back, more time with my family. Becoming a stay-at-home dad gave me the opportunity to be present for the moments that matter most while figuring out what was next. Read more>>
Matthew Gunther
I first started writing film scripts in 2014. It took me until 2020 to realize it was something realistic for me and I got serious about it then. In 2022 I set in motion my first film project. Read more>>
Jesse Summerlin
I’ve always been in construction in some form or fashion. When I was 16 years old, I went out to the East Coast with a couple of my uncles and built a house with them. I have loved construction ever since. Born in Houston, I moved around a lot when I was younger because of my dad’s job. Read more>>
Mike Da Barber
I became a professional License Barber in 2003 I became a Barber because I learned that in the early 1900s Barbers where more then that they also completed tasks of Doctors like minors surgery and dental procedures but most importantly my goal was to impact the community .I love to encourage &inspire my clients & customers. Read more>>
Alex Magee
I’m a multidisciplinary creative director, apparel designer, and video editor based out of Dallas, Texas. My journey has been built on bridging the gap between raw visual storytelling, physical fashion, and digital environments. I direct media projects and construct full apparel collections, taking ideas from raw conceptual design and editing all the way to live runway showcases like Emerge DFW and custom physical activations. Read more>>
Strugglebby Chris mcqueen
2012-2016 I was a homeless college drop out and was loitering in Lancaster tx area one day i was leaving were I kept my cloths I had 50c for a cigarette when I got close by the stack house I lost 25c on the way there I seen a gray Maserati with the door open and a dude sitting there I walked up on the car and asked the man for 25c Read more>>
Patrick Green
I’ve been a professional photographer for nearly two decades, but my journey really began as an athlete. I grew up playing hockey, football, and several other sports, and continued competing in college. I originally went to school to study graphic design and multimedia because I wanted to create commercials and films. Read more>>
Nkechi Fluker
Growing up as one of five first-generation Nigerian (Igbo) American children, my parents instilled in us three core values: faith in The Most High, family, and education. My father earned his doctorate, and both of my parents emphasized that education was not simply about earning degrees; it was about using the knowledge we gained to serve others with excellence. Read more>>
Craig Meinhart
I started writing when I was 13 and never stopped. Along with writing I’ve always had a deep love for music and movies, envisioning a life where I got to practice all three disciplines, which has led me to publishing several stories, recording albums and performing live with multiple bands, and writing and directing music videos, short films, and now my first feature. Read more>>
Joanne Oh
It all started back in 2019. I was suffering from severe back pain due to a disc issue and was desperately looking to buy a high-quality massage chair. To my frustration, I couldn’t find a single showroom in the DFW area that carried multiple reliable, global brands under one roof where I could just try them out. That was my ‘lightbulb’ moment. Read more>>
Rolanda Coleman
Hello, my name is Rolanda, and Im the founder of Sensual Scents Co. My journey as an entrepreneur began in 2017, starting as a creative outlet for me that gradually grew into something much more meaningful. I launched my candle business in 2017 with a passion for creating long lasting, good smelling, handcrafted candles that help people slow down, relax, and enjoy life’s quiet moments. Read more>>
Dakota Polivka
I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and when I look at what I’m creating now, I can trace so much of it back to my childhood. My parents nurtured my love for nature without ever really announcing that they were doing it. It was simply part of our family life. We spent years camping, gardening, riding bikes, and being outside together. Read more>>
Brandy Clark
My story has been a journey of faith, purpose, and following God’s leading, even when I had no idea where it would take me. Before becoming a full-time author and entrepreneur, I served eight years in the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence analyst and then spent more than a decade supporting Special Operations. Read more>>
Gail DeGuzman Susa
I started making cold processed soap out of the curiosity of making something more natural for my skin. As someone who has suffered from eczema, acne, and oily skin, I can testify that going natural is the way to go! Read more>>
Babs Banwo
While there are many artists emerging from the booming Dallas music industry, few possess the unique talent and versatility that Banwo brings. An uprising artist in the Afro-beats genre, his music is a special blend of sounds, styles, and influences — paired with an incredible passion for making music that’s set to make him one of the hottest artists to emerge in the months ahead. Read more>>
Marylee F
I kept going I stayed busy consistent and kept networking for all my platforms that’s what help me accomplish all I was able to do still begin a mom wife and aside my 8/5 regular job and providing artist with the most professional models and the most gorgeous women to make there music video on point with the baddies Read more>>
John Roberts
I was born and raised in Fort Worth. I studied Architecture at the University of Texas at Arlington, and I became a Registered Architect in 1987. I got my interest in photography when I was on the yearbook staff at R.L. Paschal High School. I have always been interested in the history of my city. Read more>>
Robbyn Miles
When I was age 4 my mother discovered my Artistry gift. She sat down next to me at our living room table and showed me how to be more creative while drawing. And her words to me were ‘practice makes perfect!’ Fasting forward in 5th grade I begin to take art classes and loved it. Read more>>
Maya Evans
BonitaBrand was established in 2018 & it grew into a lifestyle, journey & overall my whole world. I grew up being the quirky vibrant kid in a small town & when it came to fashion I loved taking risk & it stuck with me my whole upbringing which eventually would be the main reason I started this brand. Read more>>
Brooke Whatley
I have a background in the dealership and corporate world and a lifelong passion for motorcycles and vintage stuff. Prior to the beginning of 2026 I would attend events and sell my stuff on a much smaller scale along side my husband and his side business Dry County Moto. Read more>>
Jonathan Chang
Started as an accountant out of college. Went to Bryant University in Rhode Island. Went to law school to avoid the CPA exam. Now working as a tax attorney for myself. Read more>>
James Duhon
James J. Duhon is an Emmy-winning and Emmy-nominated cinematographer and director with over two decades of experience in television, documentary, and feature film production. His work spans premium nonfiction, reality, and narrative projects across major networks and streamers. Read more>>
Rev Janet Ellis
It began walking away from my first marriage and running home to my mother in 1986! Read more>>
Nicole Littrell
I started in the medical field in 2002 right after high-school. I learned I quickly get too attached to patients and needed to care for them in another aspect. I then became a receptionist/nurse fill in and soon office manager. I enjoyed that side of it as well but still wanted something more. I then went to school for Esthetics. Read more>>
Elizabeth Ajose
I’m a self taught artist and I’ve felt since the moment I’ve been able to learn how to use a pencil, art has been my calling. My earliest memories of my creative side has been having my painting of a cat be apart of my grade schools art show. Read more>>
Janay Bookhart
My passion for photography started in middle school when my parents got me my first Polaroid. I took pictures of family and friends. My grandmother, Mattie, loved pictures and collecting them. I graduated with my B.S in Photography from the University of Central Florida in 2018. I recently received my MFA from the University of North Texas. Read more>>
Edgar Montelongo
Born December 3rd, 1994 in Fort Worth, Texas but raised in East Arlington, Texas, Omni The Alchemist (real name Edgar Medai Montelongo) Is a Hispanic Artist/Rapper who is better known by his spiritual themes lyrics, rapid lyrical delivery, high pitched style and chaotic flow. Read more>>
Asmaou Malone
In 2018 I decided to have a business, I called it Bougie Bags & More. To move forward with it, I applied for my sales tax permit with the states, from there I purchased my first inventory. I bought purses, sunglasses, bible covers, necklaces sets…. Later in I added authentic clothes, purses, shoes, jewelry from Senegal, West Africa. Read more>>
Rachel Baty
I’m Rachel Baty, the owner of ANNIE JACK. In the 7th grade I got my first real job and my first major crush. I was a tour guide for the Kingwood Parade of Homes and Brent Baty moved into town! Read more>>
DJuana Brisby
I’m from Dallas, but live in OKC now. I started out modeling and now I’m doing red carpets and making press on nails for celebs and regular clients as well. Life has not always been easy but I have prayed and pushed myself Read more>>
Dominique Webster
Growing up I never really had a love for art as much as you would think is needed for tattooing. Sit back and take and relive this journey with me. Back in 2010-11, Kansas City, MO. I came across a full tattoo setup. One coil machine, a power supply and a few inks. Read more>>
Dearan Roche
I come from an Irish family and grew up in a neighborhood, known as the Sunset district, with a lot of Irish immigrants and their children and grandchildren in San Francisco. I grew up playing Irish football so when I moved to Dallas, Irish football/ Dallas GAA helped me find a community in my new home. Read more>>
Inna Matveyuk
My name is Inna Matveyuk, I’m Certified Professional Midwife in Dallas/Fort Worth area. I’m a faith-led midwife with a heart for serving women through Christ-centered, holistic care. I was born and raised in Ukraine, and my dream of becoming a midwife started all the way back in 5th grade. Years later, that calling deepened through the births of my own five children. Read more>>
Colin Grafton
Hi! I’m Colin! I’ve always believed that if you’re willing to work hard enough, your life can take you places you never imagined. Growing up in the United States, figure skating became my passion at a young age. I dedicated countless hours to training, eventually representing Team USA and building a career that has taken me around the world. Read more>>
Brittney Taylor
My name is Brittney “Honei B” Taylor, and I am a queer Black writer, creator, and independent filmmaker. Earlier this year, I founded Honei B Makin’ Media Productions, a growing production company committed to centering authentic, multidimensional stories from queer creatives. The company was born from a deep frustration with the lack of meaningful representation I’ve searched for on screen. Read more>>
Professor Jonathan Sackier
I trained as a surgeon, after having my appendix out at age 11 and being so impressed with the chap who looked after me there was never going to be another option. Well, I would have snapped up playing James Bond but apparently a vertically-challenged kid from London wasn’t on the call sheet! Medicine has given me an extraordinary passport into people’s lives. Read more>>
Christine James
I am Christine James, a wife of forty-Seven years, a mother of four, and a grandmother of five. I am a lady who comes from a lot of emotional trauma, my story begin at 8 years old and my journey of faith of a woman started at 18 years old learning yo understanding the miraculous touch and healing of God. Read more>>
Ashley Morton
“How did you get started in the industry?” It’s a question I get asked all the time. My journey actually started long before I became a cosmetologist. I spent the first 17 years of my life performing; from ballet and modern dance (or “modern weirdness,” as my mom called it!) to dancing on 50-yard lines across the DFW area. Read more>>
