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.
Ande Hampton
An important part of my professional career was dedicated to teaching upper elementary students, New Teacher Development, Family and Community Engagement, and Leadership Development in Houston’s Independent School District. In my years of teaching, I earned 2 Teacher of the Year awards during my 4 years of teaching. Read More>>
Paulina Morales
It all began with a life-changing moment when we were unexpectedly invited to a stranger’s wedding while shopping. Before you knew it, within a few months we were pitching dessert table ideas to the venue we attended that night! My love for baking and creativity, which had grown since childhood, found its outlet when I designed my first dessert table for my quinceañera at 15. Encouraged by my parents boldness and talent for building relationships, we launched Dessert Bar B&P. Creating an opportunity for myself an immigrant to have a job opportunity, and that now have created job opportunities for others. Read More>>
Per Werner
Like any small business, we face our share of challenges. Many of these revolve around how to establish ourselves in a new market while staying competitive in both pricing and service. What sets us apart in the mobile bar industry is our craft approach, which is truly unique. Unlike most, we don’t rely on store-bought mixes. Every drink we serve is carefully crafted and customized in-house. From hand-squeezing fresh lime and lemon juice to creating our own signature mixes, we ensure that every detail is made from scratch, delivering a premium, one-of-a-kind experience for our clients. Read More>>
Leila Wolfe
I am excited to continue to grow my gym based on my passion to help people get strong and healthy. In addition to my passion for helping people on their fitness journey, I am a huge animal lover and have been doing rescue work my whole life. In early 2024, I legitimized my cat rescue efforts by starting my non-profit, Clutch City Kitties. My cat rescue focuses on TNR (trap-neuter-release) work to help with the overpopulation of street cats and improve their quality of life. I am very grateful to be able to help people and animals through both of my small businesses. Read More>>
Carrington Hinton-france
At The Facialholic Bar, we’re rewriting the narrative on skincare. Our mission is to educate and empower by highlighting that melanated skin needs sunscreen just as much as any other. We offer a vibrant and welcoming space for everyone—whether you’re battling hyperpigmentation, premature aging, cystic acne, or sun damage. Read More>>
Shakeyla Randall
As a mother of three, I continually guide my children in faith, spirituality, and personal growth. When my oldest started elementary school, their love for reading expanded, turning a family-based initiative into a publication opportunity across various channels. Read More>>
Lissette Garza
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges was finding the confidence to actually start my business after years of hesitation. Even once I took the plunge, balancing family life and business has been a constant struggle, especially with three little ones at home. Learning how to wear multiple hats—being a photographer, a business owner, and a mom—wasn’t easy. There were moments of self-doubt, especially in the early days when I compared myself to more established photographers. But over time, I’ve learned to embrace my unique style and trust the process. Read More>>
Luisa Babarczy, Alejandra Bravo
South to North was founded by Luisa Babarczy and Alejandra Bravo, two Colombians who have lived in Houston for over 24 years. Luisa is originally from Bogotá, and Alejandra is from Medellín. They proudly consider themselves both very Colombian and very Texan. Although they both attended The University of Texas at Austin, their paths didn’t cross until 2019, when they met at the Latin American Fashion Summit in Cartagena, Colombia. Read More>>
Elizabeth Juarez
Their poignant remark, “You’re never home, or too tired to spend quality time,” served as a catalyst. I then ventured into lashing, underestimating its demands. The profession required immense patience and dedication, evolving from a side hustle to a full-time endeavor as I assumed the role of my own boss. Currently, I am broadening my expertise through education in waxing, haircutting, and barbering, aiming to expand my brand and showcase my potential globally. Read More>>
Joshua Hunt
When I turned 12 is when music grew deeper for me instead of listening music with words, I started listening to instrumentals from works like J.Dilla, and jazz music from guys like Mile Davis and Bill Evans. Kanye West was my biggest influence on my start of being a producer, the way he flipped samples always kept me intrigued, so when I turned 18, I brought Fl Studio and been following the journey ever since. Read More>>
Ana Treviño
I am currently working on my brand. Rethinking what I like and what I want to do with Girasol Marketing. In 2023, I had a very successful year. I couldn’t handle my several clients and full time job. My boyfriend, Josue Barrera joined Girasol Marketing and helped me with the financial side and advising. He has a masters in Finance and fills in what I lack in my business. I also hired Liliana Salas very part time as a Content Creator and she really helped me with an account. This year business hasn’t been as grand, but I’m hoping to find more clarity and get back out there stronger that before. Read More>>
Matthew Kent Everett
I began piano lessons at seven, inspired by my older sister. I quickly fell in love with music and found joy in playing the piano. By twelve, I was competing in local and national piano contests. Entering high school, I was certain I wanted a career as a classical pianist. I pursued this passion in college, earning a degree in piano performance and winning top prizes in several important competitions, which provided publicity and performance opportunities. I continued my education, earning a Master’s degree from the University of Houston Moores School of Music, where I was studied with Abbey Simon, Ruth Tomfohrde, and composer Carlisle Floyd. Read More>>
Aline Senatore
What’s most fascinating is that my students can learn all of this from the comfort of their own homes, through online classes I’ve carefully developed to ensure the experience is effective, practical, and accessible. Every new student who joins my community brings fresh energy to my mission, inspiring me to keep refining my technique and expanding my reach. Seeing the real and transformative results they achieve is what motivates me every day. Read More>>
Cerise Mari
I was able to join the True Digital Marketing team in early 2024 and haven’t looked back since! Melinda & Shon welcomed me in and immediately started to share their knowledge and expertise in the industry. Both took me under their wing and have helped me increase my professional confidence in the industry. I’ve absolutely fallen in love with the digital marketing world and the feeling of knowing that I have helped someone begin or accelerate their own journey to success! Read More>>
Eduardo Sanchez Rijo
In early 2024, I took the leap and founded Alpherg Space, a startup dedicated to developing autonomous systems for both lunar and terrestrial applications. Since then, I’ve been actively networking, attending industry events, and seeking funding to bring my vision to life. My goal is to create innovative solutions that can revolutionize space exploration and benefit society here on Earth. I’m excited to apply my skills and knowledge to contribute to the advancement of space exploration and the development of sustainable technologies. Read More>>
Genesis Guerra
I became a notary approximately ten years ago, after transitioning from a career in the medical field. I chose to resign to become a stay-at-home mother and focus on family, as my spouse and I agreed that this would be the best decision for raising our children. Despite my commitment to family life, I have always sought to pursue my personal and professional aspirations, striving to achieve more while fulfilling my role as a mot Read More>>
Lanise Lindsey
Eventually people started to recognize my drive and the shape of my body, which led me to start helping people on their workout journey. I have such a passion for helping people that I realized it was apart of my purpose, whether it was through fitness or lifestyle. Later down the road I stepped out on faith, I packed up my U-Haul and drove all the way from North Dakota to pursue my fitness career here in Houston. God makes no mistakes, I was meant to be here in Houston doing exactly what I love to do and that’s helping people be in the best shape of their life. Read More>>
Felix Martinez
“Nothing is a smooth road; there are always bumps along the way. One of my biggest challenges has been pricing my services. It took me a while to learn how to price things appropriately, taking everything into account. Additionally, interacting with customers and being more social has been another area where I’ve faced some struggles.” Read More>>
Zachary Price
With a natural talent for helping others and a background in professional sports, I found my passion in real estate after encouragement from friends who believed in my ability to sell and connect with people. After completing my courses at Champions School of Real Estate and passing the exam within four months, I made the leap from my corporate job to pursue real estate full-time. Read More>>
Angelica Melecio
I’ve always loved wearing western apparel and supporting emerging western brands. But there were times when I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted, so I thought, “Why not create my own brand with a style that’s uniquely mine?” Over a Valentine’s Day dinner, I shared the idea with my wife, and she immediately agreed to join me on this wild adventure. We started with trucker hats and soon expanded into apparel, eventually offering so much more. Initially, we thought we’d only sell to family and close friends, never imagining how much we would grow. Read More>>
Ahmed Ali
In 2021, I moved to Houston, Texas, to pursue my MBA and simultaneously established Texas Beauty & Health Inc. My initial focus was on beauty and health products, which evolved into Texas Toy Treasure, a unique brand offering character-themed accessories and lifestyle products. This venture began with kiosks in Houston’s busiest locations and expanded to online platforms like Amazon and eBay, where I prioritize SEO and compliance with all regulations. Read More>>
Kisha Smiley
The path to entrepreneurship has had its’ ups and downs. Some moments can be discouraging when things don’t seem to work out the way you hoped. Navigating the aspect of rebranding, marketing and trying to create a social media presence has been my most difficult learning curve. I have to remind myself that everyone isn’t my ideal client or target audience. Going weeks without a sell can make you question yourself, but what’s a goal without adversity. Read More>>
Claire Faichney
I’ve always worked “side jobs,” as many nurses do, between urgent cares, the hospital, and an infusion/wellness studio. I started researching into vitamin supplementation and the benefits they offer. If you look into the research, it truly is amazing to learn how much vitamins and amino acids can affect such a vast number of health conditions and symptoms. I became so impassioned to help people in this way, that in 2023 I reached out to a company called Moxie and founded Bluebonnet Health and Wellness. Read More>>
Melissa Duarte
While I started drawing from Houston’s vibrant culture, my artwork truly evolved after the loss of my father in 2020. His passing due to cancer amidst the pandemic was an incredibly painful experience, but it also transformed how I see the world. I now look for beauty in the simplest things—nature, our differences as people, the unexpected harmony and color in everyday objects. This shift in perspective has been a key influence in my recent work. Read More>>
Johnathan Mark
Trill On Wheels is the country’s first Hip-Hop themed party bike tour, based in the historic Third Ward neighborhood, EADO, and expansion plans to Fourth Ward. The tour experience blends the artistry of Houston-born & bred entertainers with light fitness. While pedaling the 13-15 seater motorized party bikes throughout the tour routes, riders can fully immerse themselves in Houston culture while learning more about the communities that make our city shine. Read More>>
Charde’ Walker
Oh absolutely not. I mean, diamonds form under pressure right? I guess what I’m trying to say is- I had a plan, I was determined and dedicated however that did not stop life from life-ing along the way. I experienced racial profiling at certain jobs, I experienced mean supervisors, I was often underpaid, I experienced loss and so many health issues. Through it all, I had to keep telling myself, “someone, somewhere needs you to keep it together” so I did. Read More>>
Adventure (chris) Bro (smith)
I have been called many names online, have had many people call and try to report me to the authorities (game warden) without just cause, and I’ve also been passed up on tons of sponsorship opportunities solely because of the way I look. I don’t say any of this to seek pity but instead to shed light on my truth and reality. Those who have given me a chance are always satisfied with what I bring to the table and as more visibility is brought to what I am doing more doors will open and new opportunities will present themselves for the better. Read More>>
London Dior
The road absolutely hasn’t been smooth there have been some somber days and long nights , at one point due to low response rate I thought ,”what if this isn’t for me ?!” I still continued even after that I suffered from the incident with youthforia , that unfortunately was one of my first big breaks , I was event featured on the instagram just for the foundation incident to take place but even with that it aligned me with speaking with New York Times which was a huge accomplishment Read More>>
Lacrima Cosnean
I started my professional journey by working for a firm that flipped homes and built custom homes for clients. This role involved every aspect of the process—buying, renovating, building, and selling—which opened my eyes to the vast potential of real estate. It allowed me to combine my design skills with my passion for helping people create their dream homes. Read More>>
Nadirah Muhammad
Through my company, The SHE.E.O Impact, I’ve helped women business owners secure multiple seven figures in funding while also shifting their mindsets from scarcity to abundance. One client has secured over half a million dollars in funding this year alone. We don’t just help you secure the money; we help you unlock a mindset that takes your business to the next level. Read More>>
Paris Hill
My journey to becoming a full-time hairstylist has been challenging, but my family has played a crucial role in supporting me through the process. Starting in this field as a young girl, I dedicated myself to perfecting my craft. There were times when I felt discouraged and questioned whether I was on the right path, particularly during periods of slow progress or when I wasn’t attracting as many clients as I believed I deserved Read More>>
Nathalie Dave
At 19, I moved to Europe to pursue my university studies with just $150 and two suitcases. My mother, a strong and independent woman, always encouraged me to own “something” when the opportunity arose. However, my initial years as a student were challenging—I faced housing instability, sleeping on friends’ couches and living in cramped studios while struggling to make ends meet. Read More>>
Lauren Mason
It definitely hasn’t been an easy road. I think when I first started out I was super passionate and determined to get to a certain level and now that I surpass that level, I deal with imposter syndrome a lot and just keeping my spirits high when going through different situations within business. Some of the struggles I’ve dealt with is time management and over working myself, also making sure I have the proper tools in place to make my business have a flow. Read More>>
Stefani Ducote
I grew up in a middle-class family, oldest of 3 girls with Dad working for an oilfield company and Mom managing our home. We were taught from a young age the value of hard work and rewards through our chore calendar on the refrigerator. We were always encouraged to DO OUR BEST…not BE THE BEST. And we were always encouraged to be curious. Dad was my GOOGLE…very patiently answering all of my “how” and “why” questions. These lessons have always guided me. Read More>>
Chiedozie Iroh
Competition is increasing more than ever, thanks to social media and NIL. Nowadays, I’m starting to see many young kids with social media accounts managed by their parents to get them early in the recruiting process. I predict in leagues like the NBA and NFL, you will see a lot of Jr’s from parents who were pro athletes or kids from more well-off families. Read More>>
Rodrigo Araya
All my life, I have thought that if you do things right, destiny will reward you, sooner or later, that is how every repair I did, I gave my maximum effort, and that is how each time, I began to get new clients who recommended me, at that time my English was bad, but still, my clients preferred me. Read More>>
Mow Rahman
Coming from a modest background, I’ve had to work for everything I have. As a daughter of immigrants—and an immigrant myself—I know firsthand that nothing is handed to you. My parents came to this country to give me a better life and education, and it would feel like a waste if I didn’t honor that by striving for success. I once worked a remote job where I cried every day because of the toxic environment, but it’s always those experiences that help shape you as cheesy as it sounds. Read More>>
Nakiyah Santos Nunez
Once it came to purchasing the truck and getting licensing for that I decided to choose a builder that custom built everything. Which made it easier . I’ found a-food truck mentor in the process that has been extremely helpful with assisting me in. Navigating all things in the food truck business. Misti B she’s the best Aside from that picking a location has been one of my struggles , location is key. However I’m mobile so I can move around. Read More>>
Jaycel Gripon
When COVID hit, things got chaotic, but we didn’t throw in the towel. We decided to work full-time jobs while also running the stores to keep them afloat. Then, in July 2023, we got super lucky when some influencers came by and helped us go viral, which brought in tons of customers. That really turned things around for us! Now we’re running four stores, and we’re about to open another one in Texas City. Read More>>
Tamekah Bost
My story starts in Philadelphia but for sake of this interview I will start in Houston. I relocated here a little over two years and hit the ground running. Starting over in a new city can be daunting, but I was motivated by passion grief and love my father passed shortly after moving and he was my high champion since opening my food truck I knew from that day on I had to succeed to honor him. So now the goal is to do just that. Read More>>
Michelle Cruz
Once I graduated with my associates I was very proud because I was one of the first in my generation to graduate college, I always felt a part of me wanting something of my own, ive always had a business mind set, I take so much pride in what I do now with happy paws, these fury babies bring me so much joy and motivation to keep pushing and not give up, I’ve always fantasized about having a home where I can have about 3 cats and 3 dogs, now I get to do that and make it a career. Being 28 years old right now looking back I would have never thought I would actually push myself and see where this business goes, I am definitely proud of where I am and hope for this business to expand and get introduced to more happy paws fur babies. Read More>>
Consuelo Rosas
Currently, I’m a full-time student at Sam Houston State University, majoring in Forensic Chemistry. Balancing school, a part-time job, and content creation is certainly not for the weak! While it can be challenging at times, I genuinely love what I do and am achieving things I never thought possible. Reflecting on my journey, I realize that I once had no clear direction for my life, yet here I am, doing so much more than I ever imagined. Read More>>
A. Briseidy Cabrera
I’ve always loved makeup, since I can remember I was always that sassy little girl with a lipstick in hand, never in million years did I think I could make my dream become my business, Im a first generation graduate and graduated as a medical assistant and my goal was to move up in the medical field, but just something about it wouldn’t make me completely happy and now I understand why! Read More>>
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>>
