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.
Crystal Travis
Despite personal challenges, including a difficult breakup and the loss of my dog, I remain focused on my culinary passion. I am currently working on a cookbook and collaborating on major projects. I recently completed my time at the Revolt Music Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, where I had the pleasure of working with Shanita Castle, the owner of Castle Catering. Read More>>
Sarah Bruney
Throughout my years in education, I have rooted myself in one central core value; kids are uniquely and beautifully made and deserve to learn in a fun, challenging, accepting and uniquely tailored learning environment. I have always admired educators who think outside the box and just “get it”. Shortly after I moved to Katy, Amanda and I quickly knew we shared the same values. We had similar goals and aspirations me to have a learning place and her to have a social communication play place. Read More>>
Christina Batson
I’m the co-founder of The Modern Halo, a business that reflects my deep passion for health, beauty, and entrepreneurship. My journey started as a nurse practitioner, but my love for creating meaningful ventures led me to become a serial entrepreneur. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of founding Jubilee Care Home Health and working with my family to bring Howdy Homemade Ice Cream to Katy. Read More>>
Emily Adams
Eight months later I got pregnant with our second child.I got flashbacks of my first birth and was scared of a similar experience. Throughout my second pregnancy I just went through the motions. I wished for an unmedicated birth and by the grace of God I was able to achieve it. After birth I found myself feeling more empowered and intune with my body and baby. Read More>>
Iq Food
After over a decade in photography as a side business plus a long time reviewing food for others, I decided to combine my talents and focus my efforts into something that was both more meaningful and impactful in the lives of myself and others. Read More>>
Alexis Shoope
Fast forward to February 2022, I left my corporate job and began to fully pursue my dream of working with people from all over through the virtual side of my business, to working one on one in a small private gym space with people here in Houston! My first year was completely on my own. In May 2023, I hired my first additional PT to come work with me. Fast forward to September 2024, I have two PTs and one admin working for me. I also just had my first baby and my business continues to run while I am at home on maternity leave typing this! Read More>>
Kristen Garro
Definitely not, As a mom and business owner I have had many challenges and obstacles to overcome. A big obstacle for me was in 2019 I started having panic attacks and severe anxiety related to past trauma, by 2021 I had to take a break from my business to work on my own mental health and wellbeing. Coming back from this challenge was extremely difficult, as I felt shame that I had to take a break, but the comeback is always greater than the setback and I used that to get back to this place. My experience is also a pivotal part of my work, because I know firsthand the importance of mental health and taking the time to care for our wellbeing. Read More>>
Mia Upshaw
Film has been a constant in my life from a young age. I started as a child actress around the age of five, and as I got older, my parents recognized how serious I was about it. They enrolled me in a special program at school, but my passion was always for acting on film. In my freshman year of high school, I joined the film club, fully intending to focus on acting. To my surprise, our first assignment was to create a film. There was only one group interested in making one, but I didn’t feel a connection with them, so I thought, “Why not make it myself?” Read More>>
Zaira Hernandez
The journey has been challenging, yet we’ve made significant progress over the past three years, emerging stronger and more resilient. My husband and I collaboratively manage our business on weekends, while his full-time role as a fiber tech engineer enables me to focus on raising our four children and driving our entrepreneurial venture forward, poised for continued growth and success. Read More>>
Saymond & Pedro Blaze
Being an independent small business is also a struggle, in the fact that we have to work on fan art in order to go to conventions and finding time to work on the manga itself. We find going to conventions extremely important to make ourselves known and making connections within the industry. Read More>>
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>>
