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.
Latoya Martin
Through juicing and embracing a holistic lifestyle, I discovered the transformative power of nature and faith. This journey led me to found Sankofa Korner, a faith-based holistic juicery, with the mission to help others become whole—mentally, emotionally, and physically, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Our nutrient-rich juices and wellness programs are designed to support individuals in their own health journey. Read More>>
Cynthia Nowlin
I’ve always been passionate about creating generational wealth for my family. After exploring different paths, I decided to dive into real estate, seeing it as a key to long-term success. That’s when I took a bold step and purchased The Ranch, envisioning it as not only a business venture but also a lasting legacy. This decision marked the beginning of my journey in building wealth that will benefit generations to come, but also exploring the depths of entrepreneurship. Read More>>
Iris Martinez
I’m Iris, the owner of Vida y Vibra Bartending, based in Huntsville, TX. Vida y Vibra is a mobile bartending business. Vida y Vibra means “life and vibe”. Our mission is to bring all the life, energy, and good vibes to events through delicious cocktails and collaborate customer service. I grew up in Huntsville, TX. A town north of Houston, TX. I am Mexican American, a mom, career coach, and entrepreneur. I attended Sam Houston State University where I received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. I’m passionate about my community and driven to create meaningful experiences that impact others. Read More>>
Galiya Loustalot
My relationships with Pilates method started in 2011 in Dubai after we welcomed our first son. I immediately felt all the benefits that pilates can offer: strengthened my deep core muscles, improved my postures, increased flexibility, and above all, it helped me balance my emotions (as a brand new mother). After we relocated to Houston I kept practicing pilates and yoga. And in 2021 I got certified as a classical Pilates instructor. I taught mat and on equipment, group and individual sessions. Read More>>
Hayli Howard
A quote that I love by Crystal Sparks that I put on replay during moments of doubt or challenges is “You’ve got to be okay that there’s going to be people that don’t think you’re qualified. You’ve got to be OK that there’s some people that want to see you fail. You’re going to have to be OK that there’s going to be some people that never understand you, that never support you, that never cheer you on & you’re OK to do it without their applause. You’re OK to do it without the approval. I wasn’t doing this for you anyway.” Read More>>
Myasia Obazee
Styling hair in these last 12 years, has been amazing. No matter what amount of money I made or didn’t make, the lives being touched and changed is what has always given me Joy. From 2020-2022 it was a struggle being surrounded like the wrong people telling me to give up doing hair. That was a challenge because I began to loose hope. But I was reminded that God told me to pursue a career in this field because I realized I was a solution to every problem I saw in the hair industry. Though there are many stylist in this field, everyone is very different and I was able to make my mark here in Houston. Read More>>
Brenda Rengel
It’s been a path with ups and downs, but always enjoying my journey through music. It’s always important to enjoy what we do as a living. Since I’ve been doing music my whole life is part of me. Read More>>
Elvis Agim
The journey to building my brand, MOVERE, also came with its own set of struggles. When I first tried to trademark the brand name, it was already taken, which was a major setback. However, as fate would have it, the name became available just a month after I was told it wasn’t. That was just one of many obstacles I’ve faced along the way, but I’ve kept moving forward. Today, I can confidently say I’m in a much better position, both personally and professionally, and I’m excited for what’s to come. Read More>>
Daja Gay
I am a dedicated yoga instructor with a deep-rooted passion for holistic wellness, healing, networking and philanthropy! I blend my expertise in yoga with my B.S. in Psychology and my awareness of Reiki to create transformative experiences on the mat and out in the community thus creating my brand ENHERPWR! Read More>>
Catori Langley
I celebrated 5 years of Tori Talk in February of 2024 and it has been a blessing and a journey. I have grown my platform so much over these last 5 years to heights I never imagined in the beginning. I had the pleasure of expanding to my most recent venture Refined Taste a lifestyle and travel series that came about due to my love of travel and luxury. My first episodes were shot in Lake Como Italy and the responses to my content since then has been amazing. Read More>>
Jade Weird
The further I got into school I was introduced to new mediums, such as clay, where I absolutely fell in love with how versatile and forgiving this medium is. Not only did I learn how to create shapes and vessels with a pottery wheel, but I also learned how to carve and sculpt forms out of huge blocks of clay. I have explored other mediums too, such as limestone, copper wire, and lost-wax bronze casting which all come with their own unique challenges. I find myself wanting to always keep a block of limestone near just in case I feel compelled to hammer and chisel at something! Read More>>
Bernardo & Christopher Torres
My father has been in this industry for over 30 years. He would work with his father when he was younger and started his very own company over 20 years ago. He started off doing just fence work but throuout the years we started expanding our services. He has dedicated himself in doing all types of construction work. We service Houston and all of the surroundings of Houston. We now have about 5 websites. Read More>>
Christopher & Adrian Vasquez
Our story began with a passion for entrepreneurship that my brother Adrian and I discovered early on. While still in high school, we started our first business, C&A Landscaping, building hardscapes and patios. That experience sparked our drive to create something of our own, and a few years later, at just 19 and 21, we launched Made Easy Moving with no financial backing—just our dreams, determination, and a commitment to succeed. As first-generation Americans, it’s been incredibly rewarding to see our vision take shape, earning over 75 five-star reviews on Google and Facebook. Read More>>
Nicole Leclair
It was Labor Weekend of 2015 that our founding board of directors decided that their current running community was no longer serving their running goals. In the following months they gathered like minded runners and discussed what they wanted and needed from a running club. From those discussions Katy’s only 501c3 non-profit running club was formed and officially launched in February of 2016. The first signup garnered just over 50 signups. Our club has continued to grow and expand since then and now has just under 500 members who love to run and serve their community. Read More>>
Renata Trebing
After Olivia was born, she started to have some gastrointestinal issues. The GI issues were affecting Olivia’s ability to sleep and be pain free, as well as affecting my mental and emotional stress levels too. It got so bad that we ended up seeking medical attention and our pediatrician told me that there was a possibility that Olivia was allergic to something that I was eating and then receiving that allergen through my breast milk. I found out that one of the most common allergens for infants is dairy. So I took dairy out of my diet to see if Olivia’s condition improved. Read More>>
Rachel Hollywood
I have worked with Stuff the Sleigh and toy donation groups locally the last couple years. Stuff the Sleigh holds a special place in my heart. They are an amazing local organization that helps children with cancer. Donating toys and gifts to these kiddos is the least I can do to spread a little bit of joy in their lives. Read More>>
Kouture Chambers
My biggest struggle has always been the fear of charging what I truly deserve. Especially when you see designers who may be more advanced. But then there are those clients who don’t even flinch at your pricing or peers who tell you, ‘You’re charging too low,’ and it confirms what you’ve known all along—you’re worth what you deserve. It’s always been me vs. me. Read More>>
Sheena Carmela Juliano
However, as much as I love calling Hawai’i home, being surrounded by miles of Pacific Ocean tends to cause one to think to themselves, “what else is out there?” Thus, my adventurous soul would often fly out of the islands in order to explore the world beyond the waters. I have been blessed to visit many countries and other states in the mainland (Continental U.S.) through the grace of God, the gift of long distance friendships, and the pure will to see what I have never seen before. Each visit outside of Hawai’i only expanded my worldview, my knowledge, and my appreciation of where I came from. Read More>>
Christi Gell
When COVID hit, we had to pivot for our 2020 and 2021 festival to doing online and smaller seasonal events. When we were able to have a larger festival again, we realized those smaller events provided ways to continue our mission of bringing music and the arts to the Houston community, so those have stayed as part of our programming. Read More>>
Elizabeth Boehm
My journey is a testament to resilience, leadership, and transformative growth. I began my career as a temporary employee, then navigated through the ranks of a multinational corporation, breaking barriers, and setting benchmarks. My ascent from the foundational rungs of the corporate ladder to executive heights showcases ambition plus a deep-seated commitment to personal and professional development. Read More>>
Ruthie Mcdonald
My name is Ruth (Ruthie) & I am the Baking Butterfly. I have loved baking since childhood and I had no idea this gift would allow me to reach people all over the world. Baking is my safe place and each item I create is made with so much love you can taste it. I am grateful for the blessing & I pray it keeps making room for me in places I haven’t even dreamed of yet. Being an entrepreneur is huge for me and I hope to leave an amazing legacy to my daughters. Read More>>
Lavera Johnson
You would no longer even need an instructors license to teach cosmetology as long as you held a cosmetology license. So i was basically handed my dream job. But i made a promise to myself that no matter what i would not slack on my business. It was my passion and my baby. I ended up leaving Paul Mitchell eventually. It was too much being a new mom, wife, and entrepreneur. Literally something had to give. Since then my business has soared and opened the door to even another business. M. Blue Construction. buying and flipping real estate Read More>>
Raul Sanchez
My 20 plus work years had been in Sales and Marketing. At my last corporate job, we did a lot of cooking events. The constant joke I would say, “if this doesn’t work out, I’m going into catering.” Be careful what you speak into existence. Getting laid off, I really didn’t want to jump back into the corporate mix again and I had always had a passion for cooking food. I started my first culinary endeavor, creating HOUsalsa. Read More>>
Hala Saadeh Rania Ahmad
Starting The MedSpa on Mulberry came with its own set of challenges for Nurses Hala Saadeh and Rania Ahmad. One of the biggest struggles was selecting products that truly aligned with their core values of promoting genuine wellness and self-care. In an industry often filled with misleading advertising, they made it a priority to ensure that every product and treatment offered was backed by honesty and transparency. Their commitment to ethical practices is at the heart of their mission, ensuring clients trust the quality and integrity of the services they receive. Read More>>
Breana Jackson
It has been a challenge but I’m so grateful for those moments because it teaches structure. One of the hardest challenges is moving a well-established business to a completely new state/city/environment. It’s like starting from the beginning. A very humbling experience but once you get past that bumpy road, doors open that weren’t there or reachable before. Read More>>
Kamyra Ndango
It started in 2016 when I was inspired by some cool funky sweet slushy drinks in jars. I decided let me try to make some for me and my friends. Everyone loved them when I would post pictures online , & was questioned a lot if they were for sale . I made a batch a sold them quickly , it was a weekend hobby that turned into my full time job after 4 years . Before i opened the food truck, I would sell at festivals , parks , cater sweet 16s & mainly out of my home . It was such a popular hit in my home town of Omaha Nebraska , I couldn’t keep up . Read More>>
Dr. Ramon Carter
After serving 10yrs behind bars released in February 2007, Ramon received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Criminal Justice from Southern University at New Orleans (2015); a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ.(2017); and has acquired a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Christian Ministry in April of (2022) at Grand Canyon University as well. Read More>>
Chelsea Martinez
This sale I went to back in 2018 is called Just Between Friends (JBF), and though I didn’t know it at the time, it is a national company of franchisees, with over 150 sale locations across the country. To me, it was just my favorite place to shop for my kids. A local treasure. I kept shopping every sale (twice per year), and even started selling as a consignor once I had things to sell. One of the best parts of JBF is that all the items are from local families, and shopping at the sale sends money right back into the community I live in. Read More>>
Chris Bell Adrienne Taylor
In 2024, we expanded our services to meet the growing demand for comprehensive business support. Tailored WealthSaver® now offers management consulting services, designed to help businesses streamline operations, align strategy with financial goals, and enhance overall performance. From strategic forecasting to marketing alignment and operational efficiency, our consulting services are here to help businesses thrive in a competitive market. Read More>>
Jennie (trang) Luong
I was born in Vietnam and spent my early childhood there. At the age of 12, I flied to the United States alone, marking the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Long story short, I started as a hair and nail artist right out of high school, enjoying my work but never quite finding my true passion. Seeking stability, I attended trade school and became a dental assistant, gaining valuable experience over four years. Still, something was missing, so I pursued a dental hygienist degree. During this time, I discovered the art of lashing and found my calling. Read More>>
Italy Knapper
I started as a HCC student going to school for film. While going to the School I’ve had Access to Industry Level Equipment. This gave me the idea to put the equipment to use since I won’t have it once I graduate. I decided to create my Own Talk Show “Art Yap”. When coming up with this show I thought about what I would like to watch if I was the viewer. Read More>>
Alecia Jones
I have found that there are so many more kind, genuine and helpful people, than there are rude and conniving ones; the key is to have a spirit of discernment to determine which is which. The other side of that beauty is that now I get to help others from a different position of power, and I am and will continue to do just that. Read More>>
Alejandro Work Name Lowtire Culture
That was the beginning of understanding the visual management of images, illustrations, logos, everything that design and creation can teach you but this time being more free, so I started to see the networks and get different freelance artists who are basically pioneers in digital art, specifically illustration in this way was great because it was not about drawing anything but, in addition, some made cars, trucks and all that work, I began to see how the brands were interested and that illustration can also be something professional and serious in the market that was where I decided to start my personal brand. Read More>>
Jimmy Mounis
It was very hard since the beginning. But I always believed in me and The American Dream. I knew I will be successful. I was walking to 3 jobs everyday in the heat 🥵 🔥 100 deg . And I was planning my business at the same time . Read More>>
Jocelyne Guzman
2020 was when I realized I wanted to do it more professionally and start my Makeup Artist career. That’s when Tilaglams is born and continues to grow with every challenge and success, and I look forward to seeing where my passion takes me. Read More>>
Devin Williams
The road has not always been smooth. In the Industry it can be very easy to get lost in your insecurities. Blindly comparing yourself to other models, The fast paced of it all can be very hectic and a bit too much and even more if you’re and anxious person like myself. You’ll soon to realize that all models are meant to be different and unique in their/our on way. Read More>>
