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.
Amos A Gregory Jr
I was born in Houston, Texas during the 80s. Growing up in a large city, I developed a sense of independence and a desire to make my own path. The traditional education system didn’t quite fit my ambitions, and I made the difficult decision to drop out of highschool. Seeking a chance to serve my country I enlisted in the United States Air Force the next summer. The discipline and skills I gained during my time in the Air Force opened my eyes to new possibilities. After serving 2 terms, living a little and growing a lot I started my own business fueled by a desire to create something unique and impactful. Read more>>
Jennifer Rivas
I was active and would work out about twice a day at the gym (for some excessive reasons), but my mental, emotional, and spiritual health was far from healthy. Around the fall, I reconnected with a girl I had known in high school. We would go on runs and work out together at the gym. She shared how God was impacting her life in a positive way, and I would just listen. I didn’t have much faith or devotion at that time in my life, but I was always encouraged by her testimonies all meanwhile we were moving our bodies. Read more>>
Whitney Osborne
Eventually, I told my husband that I wanted to take a formal course and had found a local flower school. He had been watching me work and encouraged me to go for it, with one caveat—if I was going to invest in the class, I should seriously consider turning it into something more. I shrugged off the idea. I had a full-time job, one child at the time, and had never seen myself as the entrepreneurial type. I simply wanted to learn more about design for the joy of it. So, I called my aunt, and we signed up for the class together. Read more>>
Dr. Khayla Williams
Now, as the owner of Muse Chiropractic, I get to combine my love for movement, rehabilitation, and holistic care while serving the creative community that shaped me. Having attended The High School for the Performing & Visual Arts and playing trombone with incredible musicians like Solange Knowles, I understand the unique physical demands artists and performers face. My mission with Muse Chiropractic is to provide specialized care that helps creatives, musicians, and performers feel and function at their best, allowing them to continue sharing their gifts with the world for years to come. Read more>>
Elise Bynum
Minks By Elise began after I became a stay at home mom and just scolling social media, I came across one lash video that drew me in so much so I watched it 5 times before going through others and almost instantly fell in love with the art of applying lash extensions. I then proceeded to become a certified lash technician in which laid the foundation for Minks By Elise. I still to this day find lashing to be my peace. Read more>>
Cecilia Crear
I graduated from Willowridge High School and attended Prairie View A&M University majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology. I figured I was good at math so why not pick a major where I could make lots of money? As a junior at Prairie View A&M, I received an internship opportunity at 3M in Minneapolis, Minnesota and I was excited to see what this major would look like in real life. I arrived and quickly observed that the environment was very sterile, certainly not what I thought it was going to be, and it didn’t take me long to come to the realization that this was not my path- I needed to have a connection with people. Read more>>
Jose Vazquez
For over 10 years, I have dedicated myself to advising culturally based Greek organizations at the University of Houston – Downtown. I’ve worked closely with diverse organizations, helping them develop sustainable leadership structures, foster inclusivity, and create meaningful programming. My passion for empowering students has allowed me to witness the growth of countless leaders who go on to impact their communities in remarkable ways. Read more>>
Nigel Henry
I began my journey as an artist at the age of three. My earliest introduction to drawing came from a daycare provider who had three children, all a few years older than me. Naturally, I gravitated toward her oldest son, Michael, and his siblings, who were all passionate about anime and video games. They were also talented artists, and it was through them that I was first introduced to the world of anime, with shows like Rurouni Kenshin, Yu Yu Hakusho, Dragon Ball Z, and Inuyasha sparking my imagination. Inspired by their talent, I quickly took up drawing and have been doing so ever since. Read more>>
Ian McBride
I realized there was a value in a promoter who didn’t just fill spots on a roster but curate a show with a cohesive sonic experience. I wanted to make it more accessible for emerging bands and artists to talk face to face with a promoter, creating a bill that would have more appeal to the audience, and finding the right venue for the scene. Initially, the issue was aligning availability between multiple entities, dealing with drop outs, or just getting out of the spam filter. Thankfully, this proved easier the longer you keep at it, and the relationships built helped foster better business & collaborations for the future. After two years of work, I am proud of how far it has come and the reputation Open Toad has built. Read more>>
Kemi Samuel
Like most parents, I wanted my kids to grow up knowing and loving God. So, I started teaching them in a way that was engaging, fun, and easy to understand. I’d record our little Bible study sessions—just for keepsakes at first—but one day, I decided to post them on social media. I didn’t expect much, but to my surprise, people loved them! Parents started reaching out, asking for more videos, tips on teaching their own kids, and even resources they could use at home. Read more>>
Kate Jade
I sat upright in the hospital bed for days unable to keep food and drink down. I refused to allow myself to sleep—when the disturbances began. Family and friends visited and said a spirit of death dwelt on the floor of the hospital I was on. Patients wailed in adjacent rooms at all hours of the night. Medical and technological devices in my room glitched, making it nearly impossible to press a button to call for help. Read more>>
Jacky Thai
Unfortunately, due to life priorities, I had to step away from dance and focus on my career as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. When COVID shut things down, I began searching for a new direction—partly due to cabin fever—and connected with Offset Med. Through their clinical mentorship program, I discovered the possibility of integrating rehab exercises with dance. Read more>>
Helen Austen
Over time, I began to notice a recurring gap: the need for more functional and thoughtful interior design. I also felt a growing urge to tap into my own creativity and lifelong love of color and pattern. The pandemic became a turning point—it pushed me to finally complete the interior design program at the New York Institute of Art and Design. By the fall of 2020, I transitioned into full-service interior design. While the business of design differs greatly from organizing, I’ve truly loved this new chapter and remain grateful that I made the leap. Read more>>
Kelli Hutchins
At this point, everyone was only teaching online and we as a school had already been using Skype to teach lessons, as well as offering online classes to students all over the world. Since we already had our programs available online, it was a seamless shift we had to make compared to the other schools in the industry. My husband now is a professor at Texas A&M University which is the reason we relocated. We built a new home and planned to have my studio available in our home in 2021. I have been teaching local clients and online teachers and clients since we moved into our home in 2021. I travel to teach Pilates workshops to teachers internationally as well as local in the U.S. I really enjoy the opportunity to have such a wide range of clientele and opportunity to share what I love to do. Read more>>
Judy Tuttle-Wurth
Every story has its ups and downs, and mine is no exception. A significant turning point came in 2012 when my husband passed away. I left the salon where I had worked for 32 years to help run his business while also beginning to establish my own. Just as we started to gain momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, fundamentally altering the landscape for hair salons. The challenges brought on by the pandemic have been immense, and I often feel that the salon industry has yet to fully recover to the vibrancy and excitement it had during my early years. Despite these obstacles, I remain committed to my craft and to creating a welcoming space for clients, holding onto the hope that the industry will regain its former strength and vibrancy. Read more>>
Ana Pape
This journey wouldn’t be what it is without the support of my husband who has been one of my biggest cheerleaders from the very beginning. I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to work with some generous mentors, fellow creatives, and coaches along the way—people who not only helped me improve my photography and composition but also guided me in how to run a creative business. Their advice around marketing, pitching, and setting boundaries has been invaluable. Read more>>
Janae Wason
Definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. At times I wanted to move back home because I was in such an unfamiliar setting. At times I wanted to just quit business and go back working full time for someone else. Then I had to remember what was my reasoning for moving and changes careers so abruptly at the age of 25. What honestly kept me going is the potential that others constantly saw in me. Read more>>
Inara Ali
My parents are my biggest inspiration. I’ve learned so much just by watching them work and being part of their journey. One of my favorite early memories was when I was just 8 years old—I learned how to use rulers to scale out a drawing to help my family design their truck stop. I still remember how exciting it was to hand that drawing to the architect—and even more amazing when we built the real thing based on it! That’s the moment I fell in love with design and building. Read more>>
