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 South East Dallas’s gems below.
Tre’Mont Davis
It all started out when my cousin passed away due to gun violence. His name is Brandon Ratcliff and he made sure I keep a straight head on my shoulder to prevent me from doing things that could either get me hurt or locked away. He was well known around the DFW and even out of the state. I was hurt when he passed away so I wanted to keep Gamebreaker going. Read more>>
Vonetta Watson
“When purpose meets passion, a liberation of self is birthed.” – Vonetta Watson I vividly remember a conversation with my father about the direction of my life and career. During this conversation, he said, “Vonetta, you are an educator, a teacher at heart!” he said it with such conviction, and although I heard his words, it would be four years before I realized what he meant. Read more>>
Shenica Alexander
Who at 14 knew that their career would be in fashion? Me! My 1st retail job, I was stuck in a room full of fur coats in a luxury clothing store to wrap Christmas presents for the customers. By the end of my 4-hour shift, I had sold 4 fur coats! I continued throughout high school working at every retail store open in the mall just to gain understand on how this business worked. Read more>>
Cory Johnson
I’ve never considered myself an artist. Growing up, I’ve always been able to draw moderately, but I hadn’t picked up a sketchbook since middle school and I certainly never used a paintbrush before. In recent years, I’ve always wanted a business to call mine but had yet to find the right niche.Two years ago, I was going down the “rabbit hole” of YouTube (watching random videos), when I came across a shoe customization video. Read more>>
Rachel Carey
My journey to heal began about 11 years ago. I’d experienced so many hardships that I lost my way. Growing up “in church” was just that, a routine, a ritual, something I did not really understand or take seriously; however, it did lay a foundation of having faith in something bigger than myself. When I was 14 years old, I was sexually molested by a 44-year old pastor who had been our family pastor for over 20 years. Read more>>
Cory Johnson
I’ve never considered myself an artist. Growing up, I’ve always been able to draw moderately, but I hadn’t picked up a sketchbook since middle school and I certainly never used a paintbrush before. In recent years, I’ve always wanted a business to call mine but had yet to find the right niche. Two years ago, I was going down the “rabbit hole” of YouTube (watching random videos), when I came across a shoe customization video. I became infatuated with the art and I knew I found the right business for me. Read more>>
Robert Royal
I have always had a love for music growing up as a kid. It’s safe to say that my Stepdad, Ronald Johnson, had a HUGE impact with my love for music. My Dad had an extensive record collection that he kept in the “Music Room” of our home that was filled with posters of artists, a small sofa, a record player, headphones and speaker system. I would find myself going thru those records and listening to them as a kid. Read more>>
Stephanie Mendez
One boring day at home two years ago, I just randomly suggested to my little sister (Desarae) that we do the “RUN” vine. I put a quick idea together on how we were going to do it, we grabbed the iPad and my brother as a prop and started recording. At first, the video was just going to be posted on Instagram but after a few minutes, I suggested uploading it on YouTube. Read more>>
Dajai Monae
Dajai Monae is a Dallas activist that advocates for equality, justice and humanity for the people. Bringing awareness to bias and unfair actions towards ethnic group or unjustified circumstances. “My platform is to create unity and equality by bringing awareness to racial injustices, deemed and seen as normal, due to the recent instilling of some, that injustice is acceptable. Read more>>
Mackenzie Adams
My love for the beauty industry started when I was about twelve or thirteen and the new Urban Decay Naked palette had just been released. Being the only palette I owned and using it everyday, my new passion for makeup would soon pave my way into the beauty industry. When I was in High School, I had spent a lot of time trying to learn and develop techniques to improve myself since I was self-taught. Read more>>
Dee Walton
I started singing at the age of 6 at a little country church in Royse City, Texas. I grew up as what the church community calls a “church boy.” At the age of 10, my grandmother saw the potential of myself and three of my cousins. We then became the “Anointed Voices of BibleWay.” We learned our first gospel song as a quartet group by Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s called “I’m Gonna Make It.” Read more>>
Cardavion Willie
My name is Cardavion Willie. I am a Junior at the Illustrious Prairie View A&M University. I started selling mink eyelashes my sophomore year in college. I know people may wonder “why sell lashes?”, An old friend of mine, Keaera just inspired me to pursue that path in life. At first, I wasn’t sure whether I would be successful considering the business. Read more>>
Misty Vicious
I’m MistyVicious and I’m a Cosplayer and Streamer. My passions are Cosplay, Perler Cosplay, Streaming, Perler/Pixel Art, Crafting, Photography, Photo Wizardry, and Gaming, all with a focus on positivity and acceptance. I started Cosplaying when I learned that cosplay meant I could make my costumes at any time during the year instead of just on Halloween! Halloween. Read more>>
Nicole Mosley
Born Nicole Mosley in Dallas, Texas; “Heaven” began her modeling career in the curvy model arena. Breaking through as a plus-size model was challenging when I first started, but it has been a great platform to show that true beauty comes in many shapes, sizes, and shades of skin tone. Read more>>
Anna and Benson Phillips
My husband of 27 years and our four boys ages 15-23 love being in the outdoors and have spent a lot of time vacationing in cabins. Our story started about seven years ago when stayed in a luxury log cabin while on vacation in southeast Oklahoma and had such an enjoyable time. Read more>>
