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.
Clint McCallum
I decided to become an Acupuncturist after I had a traumatic car accident and lost my left arm. In 2008 I transferred from halfway done with Chiropractic college to starting a Masters Program in Chinese Medicine. Read more>>
Guero G The Artist
My journey really started after I got out of TDC and finally got my hands on a computer. I didn’t have formal training — just a vision, a lot of trial and error, and the kind of determination that doesn’t come from comfort. I started teaching myself graphic design and built everything from scratch. Read more>>
Amber Maldonado
I grew up watching Say Yes to the Dress, so when I applied to become a bridal stylist, I honestly thought it was a long shot! But as a woman who adores fashion, I had to give it a try anyway. Along with being the opportunity of a lifetime, the timing was also just right. Read more>>
Masayuki Koyama
I got into kendo when I was in high school. My family has a tradition of practicing kendo, so I was automatically enrolled in the kendo club. Doing kendo in high school, to be honest with you, I didn’t like it. You ended up doing more choirs like washing the senpais’ hakama and keikogi, keeping up with everyone’s bogu, and keeping dojo clean. Read more>>
Michelle Lopez
Started lashing since 2012 freshly graduating high school/cosmetology program. Dabbled in everything from waxing, barbering, hair & makeup but devoted to lashes in 2016 shortly after my daughter was born. Freelanced my own studio in Oak Ridge, The Woodlands until 2021 and am now home based in the Humble area. Read more>>
Armando Aguilera
Everything started during my senior year of high school, right before graduation. My friends and I went to Hermann Park to take our graduation photos, and one of my friends let me borrow his camera. At the time, I didn’t know anything about camera settings or photography techniques, but I remember how much I enjoyed the experience. Read more>>
Joel Kapat
I am a multifaceted creative with a passion for music, branding, and interior design. My love for art has been a driving force throughout my journey. I recorded my first song in 2012, and since then, I’ve released three albums. My debut album, *Trente Ans* (French for “30 years”), was released in 2015. Read more>>
Heather Failla
I graduated from Lamar University in 1993 with an associates degree in Interior Design. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a job in the industry after college due to a recession so I went to work for a doctor. I’ve accidentally been in healthcare ever since. Read more>>
Katelyn Wallace
Cactus Glow Studio began from a simple childhood memory that never really left me. When I was younger, I’d travel with my mom and always look for souvenirs with my name on them—but I could never find one. My name isn’t unusual, yet it was never there, and it always left me a little disappointed. Read more>>
Shagdrick Hill
Houston native. Joined the Navy at 17. Became a father at 20, which forced me to grow up fast. My life completely changed. I later got married and spent 15 years building a family. As a proud girl dad of two daughters, everything I did was driven by them. I began my career in corporate America but quickly found myself unfulfilled and eventually unemployed. Read more>>
Jennifer Holsomback
Ever since I was a young adolescent, my mom has always encouraged me to do a simple skin care routine and to apply spf. I grew up watching her take care of her skin but I didn’t take interest in skincare until I was an adult battling hormonal acne post pregnancy. Read more>>
Dulce Martinez
Mon Petit Learning Center started as a shared dream between my sisters and me. We wanted to create a space where children could feel loved, inspired, and free to explore the world around them, a place that truly honored their voices and individuality. In 2014, that dream became Mon Petit Learning Center. Read more>>
Joshua Crutchfield
Eight years ago, Houston Northeast Church (formerly known as Northeast Houston Baptist Church) heard reports that the area around U.S. 59 and the Grand Parkway was set to explode with population growth. With this information in hand, they recruited a young pastor and his family to go out from their congregation, along with several families, to start a new church in the flourishing community. Read more>>
Jagdeep Chadha
I’m from Connecticut, and Syracuse, NY, I grew up in an Indian immigrant household during the 80’s and 90’s. Early on I had the stereotypical pressures of getting into a career in medicine, or engineering. However, during my undergraduate years I took a keen interest in psychology and ancient philosophy. Read more>>
Captain Noe Frausto
I have been boating/fishing since I was 5 years old. Being on the water has been a passion of mine all of my life. This love for the natural habitat of the Texas Coast was passed on to me from my late Father and Mother who loved the beach and all of the Texas Coast. Read more>>
Carla Hill
My last 8-5 job was at the age of 23. I made a list of everything I loved doing, then set out to find a way to be paid to do all those things. I started a skin care company in 1986, before the internet – and we used infomercials and grew the company to 24 million our 2nd year in business. Read more>>
Rellik The Clown
I started out as a Haunted House actor volunteering at a charity haunted house raising money for kids in a youth home. For several years we moved from different locations continuing to raise money for the youth home and other local charities. Read more>>
LuLu Parish
“I’ve always believed that growth is both messy and beautiful.” My name is LuLu Parish. I’m a fun-sized girl from the Southside of Houston, Tx. I’m a creative, storyteller, and the founder of Weird Little Flower Child, a brand that bloomed from my own journey of healing and self-expression. To me, creativity is a form of growth. Read more>>
David Anderson, III
I like to say my story started long before I was born at my great-grandmother’s restaurant, Momma Alice’s Café in 5th Ward, where she had the first jukebox in the neighborhood and planted seeds that would later blossom on the South Side of Chicago, in my uncle’s record store, George’s Music Room. Being at the intersection of culture, community, and commerce is in my DNA. Read more>>
Peg Gerrity
I was always sketching, painting, or sculpting as a kid. There’s honestly not a time in my life that I can remember NOT creating art. Heading off to college though, I mistakenly believed I could never make money as an artist, so I pursued my second passion, which was life-science/medicine. Read more>>
Leigh Ann Welty
From a young age, as a gymnast and dancer, I was aware of my body but not always in tune with it. As a teenager, I followed whatever the magazines, “experts,” or diet trends told me was right – fat-free foods, calorie counting, and over-exercising. Read more>>
Mary Duran, LCSW, LCDC
I grew up as the youngest in my family and had a very close relationship with my mom, who entered long-term recovery from alcohol and drug addiction when I was an infant. As the kiddo who was glued to my mom’s side, this led to me frequenting Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings with her. Read more>>
Russelle Avionn
Avionn Automotive really started as an idea that came from experience — and honestly, frustration. I began in the car business back in 2018, selling vehicles the traditional way, but I quickly saw how many people walked into dealerships feeling lost, pressured, or unsure of what was real and what was sales talk. Read more>>
Deanna Johnson
My name is Deanna Johnson, and I live in Humble, Texas, with my long-time partner, Trevor, and our spoiled (but very loved) Goldendoodle, Macy Jane. I also have an amazing 26 year old daughter Bailey. My entrepreneurial journey began in February 2003, when my husband and I launched All About Fun Moonwalk & Party Rental out of our home with just three used inflatables. Read more>>
Alexander Weber
I started my journey of becoming the best trainer I could for the people after being a pro athlete most of my life. After playing wide receiver for ole miss and briefly with the Miami dolphins I had to make a whole new identity with life after football, as I slowly seen my dreams of a long career in the league come to a swindle. Read more>>
Kailye Nay
Absolutely! My photography journey began in high school when I joined yearbook club. After moving to Houston my sophomore year, photography was more than just a creative outlet, it was a way to connect with my new classmates. Being tasked with capturing school activities and sporting events put me in a unique position to interact with all of the different extracurricular clubs, staff, and teachers. Read more>>
Brian Vogel
I’ve always loved photography. As a kid, I used to run around with 35mm point-and-shoots or those old 110 cartridge film cameras. After a week or so, we’d head to the store to pick up the developed photos, and it always felt like tangible magic, seeing those moments appear on paper for the first time. Read more>>
Natassia and Marc Horowitz
Natassia is a realtor and former screenwriter, and Marc is an entrepreneur and former energy trader. The idea of ilMio came on a birthday trip where Natassia was leaving behind her young daughters for the first time. Her cousin wanted to give her a gift and knowing the pain Natassia felt wanted to bring a piece of her girls close to her. Read more>>
Linda Griggs-Faust
Growing up, my love for art has always been present. When I became a mom, I would often paint around my house while my children napped. It was my little escape and creative outlet. As friends and family began to notice my work, they’d come up with their own creative ideas for me to work on. Read more>>
Erica Williams
My journey really began as a hobby back in 2010. I’ve always been drawn to interior design—watching HGTV for hours, flipping through design magazines, and finding inspiration in DIY projects. What started as simple curiosity became a true passion. I found so much joy in curating spaces—it felt like art to me, a way to bring creativity, comfort, and style together. Read more>>
Hina Chadha
In February of last year, we proudly opened our first Pet Evolution location in the wonderful Cypress area. Since then, it has been an incredible journey watching pets thrive and building lasting relationships with the families who trust us with their pets’ care. We are ecstatic to keep learning and growing within our community and continuing to provide exceptional service and healthy foods and treats. Read more>>
Heena Chow
Sure, I would love to! We moved from Columbus, OH to Pearland, TX in 2016 for my husband’s job. While looking at homes with our realtor at the time, I realized I knew more about the homes, especially the way they were built, some materials used and any unique fixtures found in the homes. Read more>>
Vonida and Taylor Ouk and Vo
While working out at a local gym, we both started venting about our day jobs and learned that we were both accountants. In 2019, we actually wound up becoming coworkers at a private tax firm. While there, we considered branching out on our own, and in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, we started taking on our own clients. Read more>>
Jenny Bui
Jenny’s Bakery was founded July 3, 2004. We’ve been in business for over two decades. We are a small, locally owned business right of Nasa Rd 1., across from the Johnson Space Center. In 2009, we expanded to the Friendswood/Pearland area. Our original location is still fully operating and our second location is nestled in Downtown Friendswood! Read more>>
Angelia House
I knew one of my husband’s passions was to help individuals with financial literacy and one day open a Tax business so when he got deployed back in 2003 to Iraq, to keep us above waters and us back home living off just his income alone. Read more>>
Tifani Stephenson
I started in the tanning industry back in December of 2017, working at another salon. Over the years, I really dove into learning everything that I could – from the different products and equipment to the science behind how it all works together. Read more>>
Stan Matzke
In many ways my story starts the same as most with an interest in photography as a child. In many more ways it is quite unique I think. Nearing the end of a career as a software developer, I decided to revisit my childhood interest and bought a shiny new Nikon and a couple of lenses. Read more>>
Kelly Russo
My journey began behind the lens photographing adoptable dogs for local Houston rescues, which soon led to requests from pet owners wanting portraits of their own companions. In 2020, I took the leap and officially launched my pet photography business. Read more>>
Asia Mcclenon
I began my journey toward becoming a psychotherapist as a nursing major at Prairie View A&M University. Due to family circumstances, I changed my major and began exploring various therapeutic modalities and mental health services. Through this research, I developed a genuine interest in the field of psychotherapy and decided to pursue it as a career. Read more>>
Faith Adjei-Sarpong
My journey really started from a very personal place. I was born and raised right here in Houston, and living with sickle cell disease has shaped so much of who I am today. Read more>>
Dealla Saab
My love for dentistry began at a young age – I was one of the few kids who actually enjoyed going to the dentist. As I grew older, my passion for artistry and my desire to care for people naturally led me to pursue dentistry – a profession that perfectly blended both. Read more>>
LAURA TORRES
Our family’s story began with my grandmother, who launched her beauty career in her 50s and opened her own salon in 1992. After years of hardship as a widowed mother of six, she built something entirely her own—a place that became the foundation of our family’s legacy. Her oldest son, David, later joined her and has been a dedicated barber for over 25 years. Read more>>
Destiny Garcia
This is all began in 2019 at this point I was two years into college and I was still unsure of the career path I wanted to take. My counselor was pressuring me to choose a major because I was still undecided and I was pretty much finished with all core classes. Read more>>
Luz Castilla
The Music Journal began as a project between me, Luz Castilla, and Leydi Gonzales. We started it with the mission to highlight and uplift our community, especially local artists, musicians, and creatives. What began as a small idea has grown into a platform that brings people together through music, art, and storytelling. Read more>>
Mustafa Asif
There are lots of good stories about how opticians got started and the reasons why they dedicate their lives to the opticianry profession. This issues spotlight is shining on Mustafa Asif, an optician who started his career in a modest family optical business which has its roots originating in India. His early experiences, his move to the U.S. Read more>>
Dr. Jessica Kafrouni
I opened my private practice almost 10 years ago. Thankfully a close family friend. named Lanelle Hanagriff. was also a mental health therapist and helped me along the way. She got my business up and running and helped me learn the ins and outs of insurance billing. I enjoy helping people through all walks of life. Read more>>
Francisco Diaz
Mortgage lending has always been part of my family’s DNA. With over 35 years of family experience in the industry, I grew up surrounded by conversations about homeownership, financial opportunity, and helping families build stability through real estate. Read more>>
