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.
Rigoberto Cortez Sr.
I was born and raised In Matamoros, Tamaulipas in a place where the eagerness to be successful is of many but the opportunities of work are very low. Here I met my wife, partner, and the mother of my 3 kids Maria Cortez. Growing up my parents weren’t around because of work but I was blessed to have older men around me as mentors who taught me and guided me to become who I am today. I grew up with only my mother and she was the one who worked her butt off to make sure all 11 of her kids survived. Read More>>
Blaison Comeaux
Basically I started out of high school working for different clubs as a promoter. I ended up forming my own promotion team. People would ask me and my team to host at different venues. Read More>>
Esra Babaturk
Absolutely not. I struggled to find a community in the industry and to find support in my own community amongst friends and peers. So it took a lot of patience, mostly with myself, to continue to grow as an individual and a professional through those challenges and preconceptions of where I belong in this community. Read More>>
Jaclyn Streit
I was asked by a friend to assist with the service program at an upscale restaurant here in Houston, while I lived in South Florida at the time. She had made financial promises to get me here and they didn’t quite work out leaving me in a difficult position. I had already subleased my place to another friend of mine and made the best of the situation while I was here for a summer. Read More>>
Melissa Mirabal
I have a event photographer and photoshoot photographer. When starting my photography business it was one of my best decisions that I’ve ever made. In the beginning it was supposed to be a hobby, yet the more I continued to do it, the more I fell in love with it. The more I continued to do it and fell in love the more it turned from my hobby to my business. With that I have learned about having a business. It can be a struggle in which you face every struggle every single day. Yet those struggles make not only me stronger and keep going, it makes my business stronger and continues on. Read More>>
Jennifer Hyland
Eight years ago, my youngest daughter stepped off the school bus, her face red and puffy and still in tears. Her words that day still echo in my mind: “I’m stupid, I’m dumb, and nobody likes me.” That was the day she realized she couldn’t read, and it shattered her self-esteem. For a once happy and outgoing child, this realization was devastating. It marked the beginning of a challenging journey—not just for her, but for our entire family. Read More>>
Carlos F Herrera
Continuing his entrepreneurial spirit, in 2021, Carlos took on a new challenge by acquiring a Which Wich sandwich store, also in The Woodlands. This venture allowed him to further connect with the local community, as he built strong relationships with residents and actively contributed to the area’s growth. His commitment to offering excellent service and fostering a community-oriented business atmosphere has been a hallmark of his work with Which Wich, helping the store thrive. Read More>>
Isaac Deville
growing up we (isaac and Wesley) worked every Saturday with our dad remodeling houses. so we got to be pretty handy with tools and knowlege of how to work. then in 2022 my grama needed a fince built, so we made a BDA and biult her a fence. after that we started doing work for others and now we have remodels a house, biult two others and now working on biulding a tree house. Read More>>
Luly Castillo
After three long yet short years at YES, my teachers encouraged me to apply for scholarships and universities. To my surprise, I was accepted to all 9 universities I had applied to and was awarded a full scholarship called NACME (National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering). I decided to pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree from Drexel University and officially became the first person from both sides of my family to attend an American university and the dream that my farmer grandparents always wished for but were never given the opportunity. Read More>>
Kenzo Vice
Although I’m the only musician/recording artist in my family, I was raised in a household full of music enthusiasts. I’d hear Michael Jackson, Shakira and Guns & Roses all in a matter of 20 minutes in my house if that helps paint the picture. My parents had countless cassettes and CDs of essentially any artist you can think of. I’d say the artist I was exposed to the most was Elvis Presley. I used to watch his ’68 Comeback Special and “That’s The Way It Is” documentary religiously. It doesn’t take long for his influence to make an appearance when I’m working. I’m very energetic and free, yet very critical of myself, no matter how great of a reaction I get from others. Read More>>
Indigo La’faith
When I researched I ran into Dr.Sebi, and YouTube channel called Spirit Science and down the rabbit hole I go to find out I’m an indigo child. But it was just a start. In college in 2017 I went to TXSU; Majoring in Art. I was doing reading in between classes just cause and people kept asking for reading and future in 2020 I moved to Colorado while I was getting big on tiktok making over 300k followers but recently moved back home. Read More>>
Diana Herrera
From an early age, I worked tirelessly toward this goal. However, in high school, I came face-to-face with the reality of my immigration status. My dream began to feel out of reach, but everything changed with the enactment of DACA. It gave me a renewed sense of hope and the opportunity to keep moving forward. Read More>>
Bryan Harley-Kennedy
For years, cooking remained a beloved hobby. I dabbled in competitions, earning third place in a Taste of Home competition and proudly seeing my recipe featured on the front page. In 2016, I took the leap into veganism, inspired by a close friend who challenged me to explore plant-based cooking. It was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of food and its impact on health, the environment, and compassion. Read More>>
Andrea Escobar Garcia
My story is quite simple. I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and I can say that I had a very nice and peaceful childhood. It was there that my love for photography began. Back then, film photography was my dad’s second favorite hobby, and he knew a lot about it. Since my sister and I were unique in our interests, he noticed my passion for taking photos from a young age. We formed a bond where he would teach me everything he knew, and he would lend me his cameras so I could practice taking pictures of my mom, my sister, and the trips we would go on. Read More>>
Roshyn Lewis
At 17, I met my husband, and we’ve been together ever since. Over the years, we faced significant challenges, including his battle with addiction, which brought a great deal of chaos into our lives. Despite those struggles, I never gave up on him because I knew the man I had fallen in love with—the man who stood by me during my lowest moments, encouraging me when I felt like giving up on life. I leaned on my faith in God and the belief that he could overcome his struggles. Read More>>
Lone Mori
Whole time I was having fun being creative, little did I know I was preparing for a prosperous future being an artist. When I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said an engineer or lawyer like other kids, not knowing what my true passion was. It wasn’t until the end of middle school when I realized making music is what I wanted to do. After coming to this realization, I spent my whole high school career studying and practicing the art of writing music, making beats, and recording songs. It wasn’t until I graduated high school when I came up with the “Lone Mori” persona and sound. Read More>>
Avery Feliciano
A big challenge was that it demanded all of my attention and time, this caused a lot of tension between me and my mom but thankfully now that has been worked through and healed. It’s understandable the worry that my mom had because her child was getting home at super late hours/ the next day, and having to do it again the next day. the tattoo scene also being male-dominated, was very hard. I was often not acknowledged/ treated the same, knowing if I was perceived as male I would get treated normally. It most definitely at times feels like a boys club. For that reason, I believe people like me and women have to work a bit harder in this community. Read More>>
Alexis Flores
There are ups and downs with managing your own business. In graphic design you have to be consistent, and not only stand out from other designers but also have versatility in style of work. Sometimes clients want something simple, and sometimes they want something complex and I have to be able to work on both sides of the creative spectrum. There are months where there isn’t a lot of work, but you have to be patient and still work on personal projects because you never know who is watching online. I have learned that no matter how small your business or instagram account is, people are always watching and looking for creative gems in the city. Read More>>
Vancie Vega
The Houston community shaped me as an entertainer. It was there I was introduced via telephone to Norbert Aleman of Las Vegas’ An Evening At LaCage. I auditioned for the role of Madonna and landed the part making me there first Madonna impersonator in Las Vegas circa 1990. Read More>>
Allison Hartley
Food is life! And my life has been shaped, figuratively and literally, by food. Today I run Sweet & Savory Girl but my beginnings were basic and familial. Family gatherings showcased my Aunt Helen’s talents, the oven roasting and stovetop burners busy at work. The kitchen was frenetic, but I was at ease and in perfect peace. Oh, and the smells, if I close my eyes, I can still smell chicken roasting and chocolate ricotta cake baking. Read More>>
Rae Amarullah
Ray was at the time a name more associated with men. However, it was a good nickname for all. Remember that this was the 90s. So I went with the spelling Rae. Keep in mind the progress women have experienced. So at the time, people would call in and ask for Ray. I would say this is Rae. They would say, no I need to speak to your boss Ray. I would say this IS Rae, and I’ll be approving your loan. Haha. Put them back on their heels; a bit of a negotiation strategy ever since. Read More>>
Aaron Sneed
At the age of 5 I was exposed to music by watching Brad (Scarface) Jordan write lyrics, because at the time use to keep me as my mom will to work.he was like family,I knew then I wanted to be an artist. Later I begin to write my own music and freestyle on school bus. I was naturally a leader so I will assemble groups with my friends and will organize songs etc . .Looking up to CEO’s J Prince and Master P inspired me to want to be an entrepreneur so at 15 years old I begged my mom to create a record company for me FLIPPED BOY Records and at this time I met my sister TNT and been rapping together for over 25 years to now business partner as I retired from being an Artist …rest is history. Read More>>
John Chambliss
As with many companies my fire department performs random drug tests. I was called in for a random test and with no concern I went and took the test. To my surprise I failed, I popped a false positive for meth!!!! My chief called me in and we began investigating, come to find out a pre workout I was taking at the time had an ingredient called DMHA which is the base molecule for meth! So we found the culprit thank goodness. Over come with anger and confusion I began researching the supplement world. I then learned supplements were not FDA tested, this means companies could put what we ingredients they wanted into their products. Read More>>
Paola Pardo
We also offer a charm bar, I love it so much because you get to DIY your necklace or bracelet and personalize it with your favorite charms that best represent you! What sets us apart is our dedication to crafting timeless, handcrafted pieces that blend elegance with modern trends. We focus on delivering unique designs that inspire confidence and individuality in every wearer! Follow us on instagram @ailemaimperialjewelry for updates on our upcoming events! We have so much planned for 2025! Read More>>
Aisha Danian
At the age of 32, I made a bold decision to transition into a completely different field. I enrolled in commercial driving school and obtained my CDL, ultimately working over-the-road as a truck driver. After 10 months, I found a local driving position, but my desire for further growth remained. I had always been passionate about real estate, though I didn’t have any family or close friends in the industry. I recognized that real estate offered not only the potential for financial freedom but also the opportunity to help others, which had always been a core value for me. Read More>>
Samantha Wong
Psychology has always captivated me—its ability to unravel the complexities of the mind and human behavior feels endlessly intriguing. I’ve spent much of my life observing how people navigate their surroundings and overcome challenges with resilience. When I began my undergraduate studies, I initially set out to double major in psychology and nursing. However, it didn’t take long to realize that nursing wasn’t my calling. This left me at a crossroads, grappling with uncertainty and the often discouraging opinions about the career prospects for psychology majors. Read More>>
Jamesa Santiago
I am a serial entrepreneur. I make music . I am an artist I Paint. I am a graphic designer. I create content for YouTube, and social media sites like instagram, TikTok etc. I stream on apps like tagged and TikTok. I do work as a brand ambassador and influencer. I am a proud owner of a small business which specializes in minimalist and luxury based wellness products. I am proud for finding what I’m passionate about and just going for it. Im different because I do so many things and everything I do is really who I am. It’s all an extension of my mind and spirit. Read More>>
Carrie Speed
What I’ve learned is this: joy isn’t something we have to chase—it’s something we can cultivate daily. It’s a choice. And while life will always have its challenges, we can navigate them with intention, grace, and a little bit of humor. (Because really, who couldn’t use a good laugh along the way?) Read More>>
Jillian Ferry & Anh Lee
It’s like when Steve Jobs once said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.” Today, looking back, the seeds for DME were planted back in 2014 when Jillian and I met in our Executive Human Resource Development Master’s program at the University of Houston. At the time, Jillian worked in talent development and recruitment at Rice University, and I worked in learning and development at a prominent global medical device company. For that entire year, we spent 3 nights a week learning literally side by side – we sat right next to each other. Our conversations focused on how we were leading and facilitating learning and change strategies in our organizations. Read More>>
Roxanne Flett
It hasn’t always been a smooth road and there have been struggles along the way. A pivotal moment came when COVID-19 hit, and as a home stager, my business came to an abrupt halt. With restrictions preventing me from entering clients’ homes, it felt like everything I had worked for was suddenly at risk. However, instead of letting the situation overwhelm me, I found a new way to channel my energy. I realized that my love for interior design and creativity could still thrive, just in a different form. Read More>>
Tray Williams
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but as a true entrepreneur, when is it ever truly smooth? The struggles come and go, and one harsh reality is that you’ll rarely be paid your full worth—unless you’re working directly for a company. Many parents in today’s economy simply don’t have the resources, so you often find yourself cutting deals to accommodate them. While it’s rewarding to help, it does make sustaining the business a constant challenge. Read More>>
Mayra Leal
As I committed to this inner work, I met incredible individuals in the wellness space who inspired me to keep growing. The more I healed, the more I felt called to personal development work. A few years ago, while working as a private flight attendant for an NFL owner, I had a vision to buy land and create a small wellness retreat space. I didn’t know how it would all come together, but I trusted my soul’s calling. Read More>>
Valeria Croatto
Valeria A. Croatto, is an accomplished Houstonian entrepreneur, artist and accounting, business professional, with a rich background of over 15 years within Houston’s Oil & Gas Industry. Born in Mendoza, Argentina, Valeria’s Italian and French heritage shines through every project she visions to accomplish. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian, she brings a unique perspective to her endeavors. Read More>>
Mandi Koger
When I first tried to apply for college, I faced rejection. Determined to make something of myself, I shifted gears and sought a good-paying job. Unfortunately, that path started with working at Starbucks for just $7.25 an hour. I kept applying for jobs, but every door seemed to close because I didn’t have the “experience” employers were looking for. Feeling stuck, I stumbled upon an opportunity with an energy company hiring door-to-door sales agents. Desperate for a change, I took a leap of faith. Read More>>
Raychill Dominguez
Growing up, I was always with a paper and pen. My mom made sure to always keep something in her purse for me to draw on at any given moment. Later to find out I was foreshadowing my own future, I would play pretend “tattoo shop” in elementary school on the playground. I would pretend to charge people in exchange for me drawing on them with markers. Fast forward 20-something years and here I am, doing what I love as a professional Tattoo Artist. I went through life’s ups and downs, went from graphic design to bartending, but 5 years ago I was finally able to quit my job in the service industry and focus solely on my career as a Tattoo Artist, the best decision I ever made. Read More>>
Mariah Krenek
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about the art of transformation. After graduating beauty school, I trained at a salon right away, eager to learn everything I could. Those early years shaped my love for this industry and my drive to help clients feel beautiful and confident. Now, 12 years later, I’m still just as in love with my career. There’s nothing better than seeing someone’s face light up after a fresh cut or color. As a mom of two daughters, I feel so fortunate to work in such an uplifting and rewarding field. Helping others feel happy and confident is truly the best part of what I do! Read More>>
Mahnoor Shoaib
My journey with The Muslim Women Book Club began as a passion project inspired by my love for art, literature, and creating meaningful spaces for women to connect. I envisioned the club as a “third place” for Muslim women—a sanctuary beyond work and home where we could celebrate our shared heritage, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and preserve our cultural narratives. Read More>>
Brinn Miracle
At age 10, I told my dad I’d design custom homes, undeterred by his claim that no one could afford them due to “complicated rooflines”. “I’ll just get rich clients,” I said, a testament to the drive and vision that has guided my life. Growing up surrounded by entrepreneurs—including my brother, grandparents, and in-laws—business was a constant topic at the dinner table. I dreamed of being part of a think tank, solving problems with creativity and strategy. Those early dreams shaped my love for design, psychology, and the art of business. Read More>>
Amanda Chacon
The year was 1998. Titanic dominated the box office, boy bands ruled the airwaves, and the internet was the Wild West of innovation. Four years earlier, my family had acquired our first computer, and I was instantly hooked. At just 14 years old, I fell in love with tinkering—upgrading hardware, teaching myself to code, and learning how software worked. By the time I graduated high school, I was confident: computer science was my future. Read More>>
Jennifer Spencer
Any photographer knows that newborn photography is a very touchy and intimate session. I am inches away from a newborn (usually only about 7 days old) when I am photographing them for about three hours. When Covid hit, I wasn’t sure if ANY family would ever hire a photographer – but especially a newborn photographer. Covid hit right after I built and opened my studio. I thought I made a huge mistake, but, luckily, no! After the initial lockdown ended, families booked me so much that I had a hard time keeping up with the amount of newborns that year. Read More>>
Cait Feltman
Since then, I’ve grown my craft and expanded into so much more. Weddings, engagements, and surprise proposals are still my core, but I’ve also had the honor of capturing countless senior portraits, families, branding sessions, newborns, and even the occasional event. Each type of shoot has its own rhythm, but the goal is always the same: to create something honest, timeless, and filled with personality. Read More>>
