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.
Kathleen Hylen
In 2005, I had just returned from serving with the Peace Corps in Moldova, where I taught English to high school students. Shortly after coming home, a friend whose mother worked at ELS Language Centers (ELS), encouraged me to apply for an open Center Director (CD) position in Santa Monica. That opportunity launched my career with ELS. Read more>>
Paul Mata
It all started back in 2021 with an idea. I build Texas barbecue smoker pits from backyard units up to large commercial smokers that measure up to 27′ feet long. The idea was to build smoker pits and supply barbecue businesses with the tools they need to scale their businesses. Read more>>
Matthew Bramow
I have been in the mortgage industry for 11 years. 3.5 years ago I moved to Texas and started completely over and have turned this business into a success in that amount of time. I didn’t know anyone here so I had to grass roots it and it has been fun to see where we have come from to where we are going. Read more>>
Pastor Lou McElroy
After graduating from Prairie View A&M, with a B.B.A., I immediately went to work at the General Motors Corporation as an Account Executive. After several years in corporate America, I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and my Savior. Read more>>
Shonda Heuermann
Hello All, We would like to take a moment to introduce ourselves to everyone. I am Ray Heuermann and my wife is Shonda Heuermann are the owners of A-1 Welding. In 2013, we started our own business to help our community with all their welding and fabricating needs. We enjoy every moment of it. In 2014, we decided to homeschool our two daughters. Read more>>
Tony Curry
I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, in a broken home with very little, but I found inspiration in martial arts legends like Royce Gracie and Fedor Emelianenko. I always dreamed of training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but there was nowhere to train in Fairbanks. Read more>>
Desiré Pierce
I started as an instructor working part-time at Mathnasium. I fell in love with the business and dreamed of becoming an owner some day. I worked many roles at Mathnasium over the years, including working for the corporate offices in Los Angeles for 5 years. Opportunity opened up to become a franchisee, and now I have owned my own center for nearly 2 years. Read more>>
Matthew Handy
I grew up in San Diego ca. I started abusing substances very young and I fell into addiction pretty quickly. I am the oldest of 10 kids and I was kicked out very young because I was doing drugs in my parents home and making a lot of terrible choices. Read more>>
gaven Burton
My love for being fly and fashion started off at home. I had a mom that made it a point for us to wear play clothes for outside and we didn’t mess up our new clothes or nice stuff. My dad was in the Army (thank you to all that served), and instilled cleanliness and being sharp. Read more>>
Coach Jean’ Austin
Coach Jean’ Austin is an award-winning mentor and business consultant, cancer survivor, and founder of Austin Business Strategies (ABS) and the BANKREADY®️ Model, a business development system that has helped secure over $1.5 billion in contracts for small and minority-owned firms. Prior to this I spent time in the Houston medical center. Read more>>
Armourie
Hello, I Armourie, a multi-platform host who creates experiences through curated conversations. Ever since I was a young girl, I was intrigued by mass communications and the way storytelling connects people. I always wanted to create safe spaces where people felt seen and heard. After graduation, I attended Southern University, where I majored in Mass Communications with a concentration in broadcast. Read more>>
Anum Malik
Well first and foremost, I would like to extend my gratitude for this feature, thank you for having me! What began as a creative outlet during lockdown has blossomed into a thriving business. Before becoming a makeup artist, I built my career in corporate marketing, later pursuing an MBA while also planning my wedding. Read more>>
Elexiaa Niko Morgan
She had a dream over came obstacles young mom at 15 now at 32 she’s a single mother of 3 and is finally living her dream out being a triple treat in the Music entertainment & fashion industry Elexia Niko is Jot your average rapper , Rap / song writer , DIY trend clothes designer and now add Music video creative director who still works in corporate 8 to 5 as a Commercial Lender and from 8:30 pm to 2:am She’s in the studio rapping her music and creating Million dollar catchy hooks , creating content and so much more Read more>>
Aliza Bracewell
If you would’ve asked me a year ago, I would’ve said I got to where I was at right now off of a whim. As I look back today after working hard for as long as I have, which in total has really only been one year. I’d say I got to where I’m at right now from always seeing the vision. Read more>>
Danny Childress
I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home by parents who loved me deeply and cared about my relationship with God. But at a young age, pornography entered my life and became the foothold the enemy used to twist my thoughts. Shame and secrecy marked my early years. From ages 10–13, I began sneaking cigarettes, quietly building a rebellion in the shadows. Read more>>
Erik Tee
My career in radio/media began in 1987 in Meridian, Mississippi. I initially started off calling every radio station in the city and inquiring about how to get on the radio. This started my love for music but also the community that I lived in regardless of what city I landed in. Read more>>
Lynn Peverill
Hello, my name is Lynn Marie Peverill. I have always been an artist for as long as I can remember. I started with pen and ink renderings and small sculpture, then moved on to acrylic and oil painting and now full sized sized bronze monuments. Read more>>
Nguyet Nguyen
Hello, My name is Sophie Nguyen and I am a local residence here in this great blooming city of Fulshear. I have been working in the cosmetology field for over 20 years and experienced many ups and downs, both as an employee and a consumer of this industry. Read more>>
Kayanne McDermott-Awofeso
My father was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins lymphoma in 1999. The western medicine gave up on him after some series of chemotherapy. He later met a naturopathoc doctor who taught and educated mum on healthy eating, using food as medicine & the power of herbs. So my mum began to juice and make smoothies for my mum. Read more>>
Jeff Fitlow
After graduating from Texas Tech University in 1995 with a B.A. in Photocommunications, I returned to my hometown of Houston and began my career as a part-time photographer for the Houston Chronicle and Rice University. What started as a short-term opportunity quickly evolved into a deeply fulfilling 30-year journey at Rice, where I currently serve as the Senior University Photographer. Read more>>
Doug & Nichole Stewart
Locally Texas started out as simply a way to share what we loved with the rest of the world, but it has now become what we believe everyone in the world needs to know and see. Read more>>
SHAWNE HEBERT
I’m Shawne Hebert—an entrepreneur, wife, and proud mom of three daughters and two step-sons. Family is the heartbeat of my life, and I treasure every moment spent with them. Outside of work, you’ll often find me traveling, dancing, riding my Harley on the open road, or volunteering at the Houston Rodeo. How I Got Started My professional journey began long before entrepreneurship. Read more>>
Loreal Curtis
It’s definitely been a journey, but a meaningful one. I had always loved taking pictures, but it wasn’t until high school that I started turning it into something more. I began shooting graduation photos for seniors and later landed an internship with my local newspaper, where I shot and wrote for the sports column. Read more>>
Meera Dawson
I started my journey as a voice activation coach and sound healer when I learned how to use my own music to heal myself. I suffer from social anxiety and have difficulty with being seen and noticed. I found that making my own music and specifically singing to myself and listening to the music back was very healing for me. Read more>>
Ana Monterroso
This brand was created with a clear and powerful purpose: to share ONE IMPORTANT message with people at all stages of life. Whether it’s for everyday wear or for meaningful occasions like birthdays or milestone celebrations, each piece is designed to inspire and uplift. Read more>>
Teneka Winton
My journey into postpartum doula care and newborn support began with a deep, personal recognition: families deserve more compassionate, comprehensive care during one of the most vulnerable and transformative times of their lives. Becoming a mother changed everything for me. I experienced firsthand the emotional intensity, physical exhaustion, and identity shift that come with bringing a new life into the world. Read more>>
Stormy Courville
After working at a tax firm for 5 years, I wanted to find a lower stress environment, and hopefully a place where I could use my skills to their full capacity and continue to grow. I worked out an agreement with my prior employer to keep a good portion of the bookkeeping clients, many of whom I had worked with for years. Read more>>
Angela Waggoner
I always had a desire to help others. I believe it was the way my parents raised me. Due to life interruptions, I ended up on the client side of therapy during college and a few times since. It was at that time that I was exposed to the possibility of helping others through the difficult times that people had helped me navigate. Read more>>
Mario Jaramillo
I’ve always seen myself as both an artist and a problem solver. My journey started as a kid growing up in Houston, where hip-hop and dance gave me confidence, discipline, and a sense of community. I built a career as a professional Hip Hop Dancer—performing, competing, and traveling the world, even representing the U.S. as a cultural diplomat. Read more>>
Denise Case
Happily Ever After Bridal Salon – Where Every Bride Feels at Home I’m Denise Case, owner of Happily Ever After Bridal Salon in Tomball. We are located on Main & Poplar, in the heart of Tomball. This isn’t my first time owning a bridal shop—I had The Princess Bridal in Old Town Spring for 12 wonderful years. Read more>>
Clemmie St. Amand
I got started after Covid 19. I wanted to do something fresh and new for the community to come back out and enjoy life in a collaborative effort. People were dying and many were still afraid to come out and socialize. I knew that life was too short and that Covid taught us that we can be here today and gone tomorrow. We needed something to celebrate the fact that we still had life, and we deserved to live and celebrate ourselves and our goals and endeavors. We needed to commit to ourselves and vow to ourselves that we will continue to pursue our craft and dreams. This was the begging of “The Birthday Cake Wedding Foundation” Read more>>
Diana Gonzalez
Over the next 5–10 years, I believe the tax and bookkeeping industry will continue shifting toward virtual and cloud-based services, making financial management more accessible and efficient for everyone. But beyond technology, I see an opportunity to inspire others to take control of their future. Read more>>
