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 Arlington’s gems below.
Ezekiel Ajeigbe
It all started back when I was around the age of 7 or 8. I was watching Keenan Thompson on the TV screen and was quite curious as to how a young black kid was able to be on television. In that very moment, I was inspired and thought to myself, “If he can do it, then so can I!” I was born and raised in the DFW area to two loving Nigerian parents. Growing up as a child of immigrants who came to America for a better life, my career options were limited, so any career in entertainment was out of the question. Read more>>
Cynthia Diggs
I am a woman that has faced many challenges in life. I battled low self-esteem at a time in my life not really realizing who I was. I felt I did not fit in with the other girls and that was hard. I worked to develop my own brand years later after doing an in-depth self-discovery, Accepting my calling into ministry was truly the first roadblock I overcame. I truly did not feel I had much to offer. God showed me through His word how He could use the “Least likely” to reach His people. Read more>>
Michelle Saldaña
Boss mama was founded in 2019 when my son Elliott was two years old. When he was born, my boyfriend and I were recent college graduates, and therefore weren’t financially stable enough for me to stay home with him. So when he was just three months old, I started my first year of teaching. Although I loved it, I dreamed of being able to stay home with my son and to experience all of the beautiful moments of his childhood. Fast forward to May of 2019. Read more>>
Jordan Reed
I started producing at age 12 with my older brother on an in-browser workstation called Audiotool. He would make beats for his high school rap group and I would copy off of him. At the time, it was nothing more than something to alleviate after-school boredom, as I was too intelligent for my own good and would never have to study or do homework to pass. When I was 15, I got a copy of FL 12, in a very legal way absolutely, and my summer was dedicated to nothing else. Read more>>
Lindsay Irby and Hannah Clark
Hannah and I started our story at a venue in Wimberley, Texas that we worked at together. We found a love and passion for event planning while working for a unique venue that provided all-inclusive services. As we continued to work at this venue, we began to be treated in a poor manner unfortunately and did not feel appreciated for our services and creativity that we brought to their venue. We sat down one day and decided to start a company of our own, Hunny Moon Events. Read more>>
Anitra Pierre-Johnson
I started cooking for others when I was 26. I was never the person to be in the kitchen cooking or to even learn the process. I grew up in New Orleans, LA where you were taught to cook at an early age. I didn’t take interest in it until I moved to TX in 1999. I used to cook in the weekends and sell plates. We call them Supper plates. In 2014, I created six wings sauces and now we have ten that we started selling March of this year. Read more>>
Lisset Velasquez
Growing up, my older sister Tanya gave me the nickname ‘Girlie’. I never thought how much of a girly girl I was until I was about eight years old. My mom gave me money to get a pedicure and I came out of the salon with a fresh set of acrylic on my fingernails. Fast forward 13 years later and I’m a broke college kid. I’m enrolled because I kept telling myself “You don’t know exactly what you want to study but hey, at least you’re here. Read more>>
