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.
Joy Harris-Bird
My story started with a love for words and a deep belief in the power of storytelling. As a little girl, I was always writing. I would fill up journals with poems, short stories, and scripts long before I knew what a script was. But even back then, I noticed something. I didn’t always see people who looked like me in the stories we were told. And that planted a seed. Read more>>
Earnest Eastland
Growing up in the historic neighborhood of Acreage Homes, “Acres Homes”, a community located within the inner-city limits of Houston, Texas has allowed me to adapt, adjust and manifest to various of life’s concepts and situations. Which has positioned me to incorporate the message of life’s concept “You will never enjoy tomorrow joys if you never embrace today’s trials and tribulations”. Adhering to this concept is how I believe I have been able to inspire mentors, peers, as well the youth and young adults of today. Read more>>
Nimisha Patel
Optometry came into my life almost by accident—through a process of elimination—but it ended up being the best decision I ever made. After graduating high school in just three years, I started college at the University of Houston and immediately joined the Pre-Optometry Professional Society. That group opened doors for me—I was able to connect with practicing optometrists and learn about their day-to-day experiences, the business side of running a practice, and the personal and financial realities of the profession. Read more>>
Falguni Patel
When I became pregnant with my first child, I truly understood the awe-inspiring capacity of a woman’s body. Pregnancy and birth were nothing short of miraculous. Before that, I had been casually practicing photography—taking photos of friends and their children—but it was during my pregnancy that I became more serious about developing my skills. I started taking classes to learn how to shoot in manual mode and truly understand the craft. At the time, I didn’t even own a professional camera, but I built a simple website and listed my services on Craigslist. To my surprise, the response was incredibly positive, which gave me the confidence to invest in professional equipment and seriously consider photography as a business. Read more>>
Angela Black
At the time, I was working as a hostess at a restaurant near Westpark. One afternoon, Sean and his then business partner came in for lunch. They were looking to hire a front desk and Sean asked if I was open to a new opportunity and ended up interviewing with them shortly after. It’s now a funny story, mostly because his business partner was a little embarrassed by how forward Sean had been. But that’s Sean in a nutshell, he’s always saying, “What’s the big deal?” He’s bold, unafraid, and rarely hesitates to act on instinct. He’s become a big source of inspiration for me. Read more>>
Melissa Stewart
My fitness journey began around 2009, when I first became intrigued, and eventually fell in love, with the world of fitness. I had friends in the industry who were training for various competitions, and I was amazed by the dramatic transformations they achieved simply through changes in diet and training. Read more>>
Jewel Philip
Definitely not; it still isn’t. Some struggles currently are low income and not having necessary funds to purchase certain items at the moment for services. At one point, I was not allowed to do nail services out of my house, as I do live with my parents currently—simply because there was no space available, and I also, again going back to funding, did not have funds to rent or purchase my own space. Read more>>
Abisola Nwanze
I received my very first order in July 2018. That moment marked the birth of 9jafoodpot. I found myself drawn deeper into the world of cooking. taking classes, learning, and growing. It was unfamiliar territory at first, but I leaned into it with curiosity and commitment. Learning hasn’t stopped since then, and for every experience both big and small, I remain deeply grateful. Read more>>
Kahlia Cheng
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In the beginning, we had no idea how to run a food truck we learned everything through trial and error. Booking events was tough, and we spent a lot of time just trying to get noticed. One of our biggest challenges came from local ordinances in Conroe that only allowed food trucks to operate for two hours at a time, which made it nearly impossible to grow. At 17, I took that issue to City Hall and helped change the law a huge win for us and other small food truck owners. Every step has come with obstacles, but those challenges have made our journey even more meaningful. Read more>>
Nikita Amadi
Hey! I’m so grateful to be here! Thank you, Voyage Houston, for the opportunity. I’m a Nigerian-American artist raised in Houston, Texas, and music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started singing/playing drums at just three years old, and by eighteen, I made the decision to pursue music professionally. Read more>>
Kofoworola Oke
I started asking myself, “If I can pour so much energy and passion into someone else’s multi-million dollar vision, why not my own?” My driving desire was to create a business where people felt genuinely safe, could relax, and simply have fun, without the immense financial stress often associated with event planning. It was then that the opportunity arose for Vibes on Vibes Event Center to be reborn right here in Katy, Texas, under my new management. It was a leap of faith, but one I felt compelled to take, seeing the immense potential to infuse this established space with fresh energy, my core values, and a renewed commitment to the community. Read more>>
Jhen Gibbs
I grew up in the Caribbean surrounded by entrepreneurs who taught me—by example—what it meant to lead, build, and give back. I wasn’t the kid selling snacks at school, as much as I wanted to , I was Busy with ballet, swimming, tennis, service clubs, and other extracurricular activities; I was the one stepping up to speak, serve, organize, and lead. I “worked” in my parents’ business and treated it like it was mine, paying attention to every detail and thinking through how to improve the experience. That mindset of ownership and service stuck with me. Read more>>
Jillian Felice
At the time, everyone was doing makeup tutorials, so I gave it a try, but my heart wasn’t in it. Once I started talking about fashion, thrifting, and storytelling, something clicked. My audience grew, and I finally found a community that resonated with the way I saw beauty, creativity, and life. That was the beginning of something I never imagined would become such a defining part of my journey. Read more>>
Tra-Viecia Stewart
Like many passionate visionaries, I initially believed I had to start big a fully equipped center, staff, and all the bells and whistles. But reality didn’t quite match that dream. I didn’t have the resources at the time, and that gap between vision and means was discouraging. On top of that, I made the bold decision to move to a new city where I had no roots, no network, and no name recognition. I had to start from scratch rebuilding my brand, reintroducing myself, and proving my purpose all over again. It was humbling, it was hard, and at times, it felt like I was standing still. But through it all, I held on to the mission, knowing that every step no matter how small was leading me closer to the impact I was born to make. Read more>>
Robyn Holley
The only thing that has come easy is my natural eye for table decorating, but everything else has been a learning process. I wanted to create a concept like Holley Hostings years before I actually brought the business idea to fruition. I finally decided I would rather fall on my face and fail, than not pursue my passion. Of course, there have been challenges like over purchasing, canceled events, and running effective social media, but the rewards have been SO worth every struggle! Read more>>
Soledad Duffy
The road has felt smooth in the sense that this work has always felt organic to me—like something I was meant to do. That said, there have definitely been challenges. Building my own business while also being a healthcare provider requires wearing many hats, and learning to balance both has been a journey in itself. But it’s one that has been deeply gratifying. Honestly, I don’t think smooth roads are all that interesting. I believe growth happens when we step out of comfort. Whenever things start to feel too easy or familiar, I find myself seeking out new challenges—whether it’s learning something different or questioning what I think I know—because that’s how I continue to grow, both for myself and for my patients. Read more>>
Brittany James
I’m a luxury event planner and coordinator with a passion for turning my clients’ visions into unforgettable experiences—minus the stress. Whether it’s an intimate baby shower, an elegant birthday celebration, or a full-scale wedding, I specialize in creating seamless, stunning events that allow my clients to actually enjoy the moment. Read more>>
Grace Laird
Around the time I was considering turning this passion into a career, my sister-in-law, Ashley Moore of Moore House Interiors, texted me: “I made you an Instagram account! I want you to be my photographer!” And just like that, we were sitting around a cafe table after my first shoot looking at the results. That was nearly ten years ago. With Ashley’s trust and the opportunities she gave me, I was able to build my portfolio, refine my creative process and start taking on clients. And that’s how I got here, in a nutshell. I’m so incredibly thankful for the people who believed in me—even before I fully believed in myself. Read more>>
Tim Taylor
Pizzitola’s Heritage BBQ is the oldest continuous serving restaurant in the city of Houston. The second oldest restaurant in the city of Houston. We have been serving outstanding BBQ for 90 years, since 1935. I do not take my role lightly. I consider myself a caretaker of a legacy. In a city that erases much of its history, I find it important to not only maintain, but to grow this business. Read more>>
Ashlee Young
I interned for iHeartMedia (then ClearChannel) in college in Jacksonville, Fl. Then got hired as a part time board op, got hired in College Station, TX as a multi station PD and in 2018 got promoted to a Music Director / Middays position at 93.7 the Beat. From there, I gradually added more stations to my syndication and now am the National Music Director for HIp HOp and R&B for iHeartMedia and on 50+stations. Read more>>
Arin Thompson
My most cherished memories of being a little girl with my grandma was looking through photo albums with her. I loved seeing the memories and imagining the stories they represented. Fast forward to 2023, I was postpartum with my fifth baby and I decided now was the time to try out photography. Im a big believer in if. you have an interest in something you should follow it and see where it goes. I’ve followed several dreams of mine over the years and some have turned out amazing and some have fizzled out. You never know what you can accomplish or will enjoy until you try. Evervine Photography has been a gift and a dream come true. Read more>>
Noreen Shehryar
Having relocated from Dubai to the US, I am faced with the challenge of establishing a new client base, following my departure from my loyal and regular clients in Dubai. Recruiting exceptional hairstylist employees who share my commitment to excellence. Establishing a distinctive presence in a crowded marketplace where hair salons are plentiful. Selecting premium products for my clients. Updating my skills every 5 months to remain abreast of the latest cutting-edge styles and techniques. Read more>>
Ace Berry
By no Lu Texas Designer of the Year. Ace was Inducted into PFCI in 2019. 2020 Ace was cast on Reality show Full Bloom which is a floral competition on HBO max Ace was the runner up. In 2022 Ace was one of the featured Designers at Fleuramour in Bilzen Belgium. The latest project Ace is working on is “Urban Fiori” a concept that pulls floral art, retail life, and events all together! I recently won the innovation award at Chelsea and Bloom through the Royal horticulture SocietyAce is very excited to play a part in the future of this amazing industry. Read more>>
Cat Hursh
I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life: create videos and play basketball. By the age of four, I was making my own movies using an old family camcorder and editing them on our home computer. Around the same time, I picked up a basketball—and both passions quickly became places where I felt free to be myself. Read more>>
Christin Bratton
Fast forward a few degrees and simultaneous internships later, and I now work in environmental compliance with the federal government. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s important. I get my hands muddy and feel deeply about the impacts corporations have on our beautiful planet. I help make sure development projects are done in ways that respect environmental laws—basically keeping people accountable to the Earth, even when no one’s watching. Read more>>
Jenora Haynes
Currently, I am the Founder and Head Designer of Incassable Fashion, a luxury fashion company that strives to enhance leaders in the fashion industry and provide pieces that makes legendary statements. Incassable creates luxury couture pieces that amplify each of our customers wardrobes and makes lasting impressions to whomever lay their eyes upon them. After several years of experience diversifying my skillset in the fashion industry, I am blessed to join numerous talented designers and display works of art for my consumers to admire and look phenomenal as they walk into every important event in their life. Read more>>
Danmarie
While I gained essential technical skills there, it was through consistent practice, trial and error, and a lot of creative experimenting that I truly began to grow. Cakes didn’t come naturally to me at first—I had to play around with different techniques and materials, often failing, but always learning and having fun along the way. Over time, I found my rhythm, developed my own style, and built a deeper understanding of the craft. I’m still learning every day, but I’ve come a long way—and I continue to find joy in creating edible art that tells a story. Read more>>
