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.
BreAnna Wiley
Following my undergraduate degree, I moved home for about 5 months where I kicked off my personal training brand and business (Get Fit Wit Bre Fitness). Once it was up and running, I decided to venture to a bigger city, in which I landed in Houston in December of 2015. I initially had plans to attend the University of Houston and major in Sports Administration. However, I did not attend UH, I was accepted into the Arkansas State University Sports Administration graduate program, graduating December of 2018 with honors. Read more>>
Karen Borne
In a bold move that underscored her commitment to innovation and growth, Karen founded Ruby Roo Saddles, LLC in 2019—an extension of her passion for saddle making tailored specifically for the pony market. With the same dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail that defined Borné Saddlery, Ruby Roo Saddles, LLC quickly established itself as a trusted name among pony enthusiasts worldwide. Read more>>
Pamela Anne Quiroz
And needless to say, without the help of others big projects and big dreams are not possible. You also have to be resilient and accept that things may be difficult. I think this is even more true when you attempt to do things that others define as “outside of the box”, something I am accustomed to hearing. Whether I was engaging in research on people who used personal ads in the 1990s to meet and mate, or couples massage and coffeemating in the 2000s, or restructuring an academic journal to realize its mission of being truly inclusive while retaining its excellence, this mindset has always served me well. Read more>>
Omar Virjee
Since high school, I have always had a keen interest in business and entrepreneurship. In high school I started a company called Front Line Fashions, where I first started by selling watches to my friends in school. I built the business to eventually having a E-Commerce store, multiple brands and sales customers across the globe. At that time in the early 2000’s E-Commerce was still relatively new. While in my final year of college I sold the business assets to another small business owner, to focus on my upcoming corporate career. Read more>>
Ryan Taylor
My name is Ryan Taylor, I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, husband to Erin, father to Chase, stepfather to Shepard, owner of east end barber, barber dyad instructor at edison middle school, and singer of liberty & justice. I would not have this fruitful, fulfilling life if it weren’t for the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous. Read more>>
Crystal Smiley
It’s never a smooth road! Lol! I think every day that you invest the time and effort into your craft, it’s always a struggle because you’re always learning something new every time. I think for me right now, and also in the past was still comparing myself to other local photographers, in a way, where you are questioning yourself and why you’re not in a certain position currently to everyone else. That could be a damaging mindset. I have to often tell myself, my path is different from everyone else, just because it’s not happening now like I want it to, doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. Read more>>
Stevie B
What sets Stevie apart is her unique approach to skincare. As the original holistic esthetician in the Houston Heights, she understands the importance of treating the skin as part of a holistic lifestyle. Working in tandem with Heights of Health, Houston’s premier Naturopathic Clinic, Stevie combines her expertise with the clinic’s wellness offerings to provide a comprehensive and harmonious approach to skincare. Read more>>
Lacey Humble
I had my daughter at 24 weeks she was in nicu for 3 months until I could bring her home. It lit the passion for preemie baby clothing, merchandise, and even a few inventions. Seeing your child in that condition makes you think outside of the box as a parent to comfort your child. Read more>>
Rita Joubran
Old Country Olive Oil is a premium extra virgin olive oil of the finest quality nature has to offer. It is early harvest, cold-pressed (within 4-6 hours), unrefined, and unfiltered. The olives are hand-picked and carefully selected from my family’s groves. Our olive oil is never mixed or blended. I, personally, oversee and participate in the entire process from first pick, to press, to bottling. No one touches an olive until I’m on the ground and it never leaves my sight until the oil is bottled and the bottles are inside a shipping container, and that container is sealed. Read more>>
Tyreq Miles
Im currently transitioning from cartoon abstract artwork to luxury home decor through acrylic paintings is an exciting evolution in my artistic journey. It offers me a chance to bring my creativity into the realm of upscale interior design, allowing me to explore new avenues for expression and refinement. Read more>>
Maribel Andres
Hello I started about 3-4 yrs ago. I started planning my family events and then from there things just got more views and I started to get more people telling me they would hire me for their events. Read more>>
Ashley Sherrell
As a child, I had a strong passion for fitness and spent a lot of time watching fitness programs on TV. I was always focused on improving my physical abilities, often counting how many push ups or jumping jacks I could do before going to bed. This passion led me to pursue a career in fitness, and I started working at 24 Hour Fitness 11 years ago. However, I felt limited in my role as a general manager and believed I could make a bigger impact by working directly with people. After having a dream about becoming a top personal trainer in Houston, I decided to pursue that dream and now I am proud to say that I am changing lives on a daily basis through my work as a personal trainer. Read more>>
Damaris Ryland
What most people see today is the confidence, the creativity, the consistency—but what they don’t always see is the behind-the-scenes journey of pushing through insecurity, finding my voice, and learning to believe in myself. I’ve battled self-doubt, perfectionism, and the fear of being seen, yet I kept showing up—one step at a time. Read more>>
TreSoRaw TV Network
I Started Off On YouTube March 2022 with 0 subscribers & 0 subscribers & I Built My Channel Up In Less 8 Months & By October 2022 I Had Over 1,000 Subscribers & Got Monetized & Continue To Be Be Consist & Builded Community. & Fast Forward 2 & Half Years Later July 2024 I Have Over 10,000 Subscribers & Counting Read more>>
Courtney Appel
AIS Dance started in 2023 with three moms that were all former dancers and dance educators looking for an outlet to help their daughters progress in dance. The three of us decided to open up AIS Dance in League City, Texas that fall. We quickly grew to serve four competitive teams that competed locally. Those teams respectfully took home many awards including Best in Class and Platinum Overall. Currently, AIS Dance is serving seven teams with the expansion of three divisions: Recreational, Developmental, and Competitive. We hold auditions in May for our Developmental and Competition Teams. Read more>>
Alesasia
I started off by making my own makeup and selling it. Then I started taking pictures and videos of me putting on makeup. Then one day I did a video for fun of me just walking and added music to the video. And ever since then I made it my signature thing. Read more>>
MarSha Joseph
The waist beads led to bracelets and necklaces that I now make for men and women. Due to the fact that I use energy stones to customize each piece it just added an extra flare and level of creativity. My clients came back and told me stories of the energy that they felt with each piece. I began doing craft markets and other vendor events. Today my items are available online as well as in three different stores. My goal is to expand internationally. The best part of combining the beads with gemstones is that it goes hand in hand with my wellness fitness training. The beauty of the transformation that takes place both physically as well mentally is priceless. I am grateful to provide such a service that sparks so much joy and enthusiasm. Read more>>
Marthann Masterson
I entered my painting in an International Competition. 4,000 entries and 15 were selected to be in the exhibition in Sarasota Fl. Read more>>
Charmain Taylor
For the most part, it’s been a smooth road. The largest hiccup I have had is Covid- 19. That didn’t stop me though! I used Covid as a reason to increase wellness awareness. Read more>>
Bobbi Mason
I was swept into a tornado of decision making from planning a funeral, to figuring out financial obligations, and how to communicate with everyone in my extended family and community. In the midst of all of this, meals had to be made, groceries needed to be re-stocked, school was in session, laundry needed washing and my children needed to come home and totally melt down in a place where they felt some resemblance of normalcy and safety. Just as many other widowers with children would agree, we had to begin immediately to define a new set of rules for normalcy or, a “new normal.” Read more>>.
Kayla Alix
While working full-time, being a wife, and a mother; I always found time to volunteer and give back. However, when 9/11 happened, my husband Samuel, was activated by Air Force to serve during the Iraqi Enduring Freedom Campaign. I then had to resigned from my career in the Medical IT field and took a job with our children’s school district as a IT Technical Analyst to accommodate their school schedule. Read more>>
Thalia Vivens
Essentially, the thing that I absolutely loved did not harbor the same feelings toward me. My mental health took an undeniable tumble, and I stepped away in 2020. In 2022, however, I could no longer handle being away from dance. As a college student wondering what her life was supposed to be, I stepped back into a studio environment and found a definite answer. Having taken time away has made me grow more and more fond of what dance is and what the industry could be. Empowered by my identity rather than ashamed of it, I took to the internet and started a personal blog to express my experiences as a dancer and advocate for creating spaces for marginalized dancers alike. Read more>>
Lori Medrano
I started Helping Handler, my Virtual Assistant business, after a significant career shift. I had been working in the medical field for years, but when my workplace required everyone to get the COVID vaccine, I chose not to and had to look for new opportunities. While searching for a new path, I stumbled across a woman’s TikTok page about virtual assistants, and it immediately sparked my interest. Read more>>
Starrla Noble
I started my second career/life change in 2017 at 35. I was miserable in my corporate marketing job. MISERABLE. I had to break free and regain my creative soul again (and myself). I quit, cashed out my 401k and went to cosmetology school. Excited about starting this new chapter it felt like all hell broke loose in my life. After a year of 12 hour days, rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey made us homeless, graduating and getting licensed, I landed an apprenticeship at my dream salon. Read more>>
Charles Ivy
In January 2021, I was working as an Art Director and Account Executive for a company in California called Car Media Group. We were inundated with creative work for automobile dealerships across the USA. It was during this time that my close friend and boss, Haoie Luc, suggested we capitalize on the demand for creative services in the automotive sector. We quickly developed a business model focused on selling creative subscriptions. As a result, on April 26, 2021, EnvyInk, Inc. was officially established and filed with the state of Texas and the IRS. We successfully tapped into dealerships that needed quick, 24/7 turnaround times for their promotional materials to sell vehicles. Read more>>
Tailors Couture
The road has not been easy—nothing truly valuable ever is—but it has been incredibly rewarding. We’ve been fortunate to witness our dreams come to life as a result of hard work, determination, and the blessings of God. As believers, we trust that God has guided us on this journey, providing strength during the challenging moments and helping us overcome obstacles along the way. Read more>>
Jennifer
Meeting my business partner, Jacob Leoni, helped me grow the Houston Premium Apartment landing page and integrated it with representing my marketing portfolio for multi-family in Houston, TX to a total of over 400 million in total, the most expensive property we help market is the Museum Tower, which was just valued at 81 million as of late. He assisted in helping me expand the possibilities to market higher-end properties and help those in a higher price point find their dream space as well. In our side-by-side efforts, we assisted buildings in increasing their overall occupancy that we represented while at the same time, putting our clients first with a true personalized touch to each person’s individual needs. Read more>>
Mark Diehl
I was a shy, awkward nerd, obsessed with comic books, action figures, cartoons and drawing when I discovered punk rock. I was already into fairly mainstream metal such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, but the discovery of punk and more extreme metal, along with a newfound love of skateboarding, thrust me into a subculture in which tattoos played an important role. Read more>>
