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.
Naomi Lemons
My journey into juicing actually started after a disheartening breakup in 2022. My eating lifestyle was great before I met my partner. Once we got together, I started reverting into eating things he ate which caused me to gain my unwanted weight back. Read more>>
Flo Erickson
I’ve always had the creative side in me, but Houston is where I really started giving myself permission to be seen. When I moved here almost four years ago, the city welcomed me in such a beautiful way. Read more>>
Naudia Johnson
My journey into hairstyling started when I was around 13 years old. I would do my own hair, friends and family members. Even then, I loved doing hair and seeing how something as simple as a hairstyle could completely change the way someone felt about themselves. What began as a hobby eventually grew into a passion and, over time, a business. Read more>>
Heaven Saez
Well it started when I was younger I fell in love with drawing and just being able to be myself to freely express through color and creativity. I loved gel pens and would gather all my cousins up to give them tattoos lol !! Read more>>
Lacari Miller
I’ve always been passionate about beauty, fashion, and embracing my Southern belle roots. Even in college, it was important to me to always feel put together. Keeping my hair done, getting dressed up, and taking pride in my appearance wasn’t about perfection, it was something that genuinely made me feel confident and prepared for whatever the day brought. Read more>>
Adora Morin
I’ve always existed at the intersection of creativity, community, and science. Growing up, I was deeply involved in the arts. Creative expression was one of the first ways I learned to understand myself, tell stories, and connect with others. At the same time, I developed a strong interest in science and pursued that passion academically. Read more>>
Marxanndra Claudio
I’ve always been a foodie, even long before I became a food blogger. Growing up in the Philippines, my friends and I would use our lunch allowance to try different restaurants instead of eating in the school cafeteria. Exploring food was something I genuinely loved. Read more>>
Chris (Tracmuzik) Thomas
My journey in music started in 1998 with a passion for creating and understanding music on a deeper level. As a musician who plays by ear, I spent countless hours learning different instruments, studying production techniques, and developing my own sound. Early on, I was inspired by the producers I listened to and challenged myself to constantly improve my craft. Read more>>
Monica Roquemore
I started out as a kitchen beautician. From 8th grade and all through high school, there was not a day that my mom or stepdad came home and I was not doing someone’s hair. I was a braider first, so I braided a lot of guys hair. Then I went off to college and started doing people’s hair on campus and around the town. Read more>>
Jim Fulloon
I’ve always dabbled in woodworking since I was a little kid. Around 30 years ago I began working in the kitchen and bath industry making and installing kitchen cabinets…..which are nothing more than a box to put stuff in. I began to design organizational components to make lives easier, no more bending down, and adding much useable space inside the cabinets. Read more>>
Vivian Suchil
My journey into wellness and aesthetics started in critical care. As an ICU nurse, I spent years caring for some of the sickest patients, and when COVID hit, I experienced the emotional weight of losing so many lives. Read more>>
Tanijah & Justin Chavis
No Forks was born from a passion for creating memorable experiences and sharing something we genuinely love with our community. We traveled and lived in different places where açaí bowls were a staple, and everywhere we went, we found ourselves seeking them out. Read more>>
Reshma Maknojia
My passion for art began during my school years, where I actively participated in interschool and district level painting competitions. Painting and crafting like crocheting,jewelry beading sewing, embroidery played a significant role in shaping my creativity and artistic foundation from an early age. Read more>>
Melissa Osburg
My journey as an artist began during a season of anxiety and panic attacks. I was searching for something that would help quiet my mind, and painting became that outlet. What started as a way to cope gradually grew into a true passion. Read more>>
Susanne Sanders
Mill Creek Tallow started with a need for something better. My husband struggled with skin issues from an autoimmune disease and we were hesitant with conventional treatments due to the side effects. After much trial and error we came across tallow and were impressed by the results we were experiencing. We were invited to a small business event and our products did very well. Read more>>
Meek Williams
My journey into the beauty industry started with a passion for helping people feel confident and beautiful. Over the years, I discovered that working with locs was more than just hairstyling, it was a way to help people express themselves, embrace their natural beauty, and build confidence. I built Retwisted by Meek through hard work, consistency, and a genuine love for my craft. Read more>>
Aaron Travis
I started dancing at the age of 4, with tap as my very first style. Even then, I had the same personality I have today, always wanting to move, create, and be surrounded by people. As I continued training, my passion for dance opened countless doors. Read more>>
Ashley Hiatt
I started with a simple interest in helping people communicate their stories more clearly. I have always enjoyed the behind-the-scenes work that helps a message come together — organizing ideas, supporting conversations, refining content, and making sure the final product feels polished, natural, and meaningful. Read more>>
Rebecca Abel
My daughter is bold, loud, confident, and completely unapologetic about who she is. She takes up space fearlessly. Becoming her mother made me realize that if I wanted her to grow up believing she could be anything, I needed to model that courage myself. Starting Luna Bamboo Studio became part of that journey. Read more>>
Brittne Kittrell
My journey as an artist has been shaped by curiosity, community, and a commitment to continuous growth. I’ve come a long way from where I started, but one thing that has remained constant is my desire to learn. Read more>>
Jimmie Lene Read
I, like many, was born of pain and love. In a house with a mixture of alcoholism, rage, and the splitting of the mind. So often I wondered… how is it that there is such love and achievement and at the same time such anger, violence and madness? Freedom came with the graduation of high school. And I was ready to claim my true nature. Read more>>
Angelina Sarrat
My journey into wedding content creation wasn’t something I planned, it was something I felt drawn to over time. Before founding Fleurévermore Content Creation, I built my career in operations and client-focused roles, where serving high-value clients taught me that exceptional experiences are often shaped by the details others overlook. Read more>>
Noah Myers
Honestly, if you told me a few years ago I’d be where I am today, I wouldn’t have believed you. Growing up, I didn’t have a ton of resources or a blueprint for this life. Everything I had came down to the support of my parents and whatever knowledge they could pass along to me. Read more>>
Dr. Ieshia Paige
I’m originally from Valley, Alabama, where I was raised by a single mother as the oldest of five. Growing up in a low-income household, I experienced firsthand the challenges of instability—but also the power of community. Organizations, churches, and mentors consistently showed up for my family in times of need, and those experiences shaped my desire to give back from an early age. Read more>>
Mathew Maciel
Out of nearly 2000 entries, I was chosen as a contestant in the 2023 “You, God’s Music Showcase” singing competition judged by Dove Award winner Jordan Feliz, The Voice Season 9 winner Jordan Smith and Billboard-charting Christian contemporary artist Blanca. The competition had the judges review contestants leading up to the Top 5 that competed live at the Tobin Center in San Antonio, TX. Read more>>
Austin Brady
I come from a Romeo and Juliet family. My mom, tough as nails and the most loving warrior, grew up in a trailer park. My father, who grew up in a petite Christian Household, met my mom at a fast food restaurant called Hot and Now in 1992. Read more>>
Vikram Varanasi
Hello, my name is Vikram Varanasi, and I am the founder of HopeLink Initiative. I first heard about stem cells while sitting in biology class and I instantly became extremely interested. Read more>>
Jermo Dinero
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where I learned early that life would come with challenges. I attended Tinsley Elementary School, Fondren middle School, and later graduated from Westbury High School. Growing up in the hood taught me resilience, determination, and how to keep pushing forward no matter the circumstances. Read more>>
Aelish Lascoe
My journey to becoming a florist has been slow with many detours along the way. I started off in the wedding industry as a second shooter for an established wedding photographer in Houston. Slowly, I started taking on my own small weddings as the lead photographer. But as an early-to-bed introvert, I never felt I had the right personality to be a wedding photographer. Read more>>
Le’Asha Penn
My name is Le’Asha Penn. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and recently relocated to Houston, Texas. I am a wife and proud mother of two beautiful little girls, who inspire me every day to pursue my goals and create a meaningful legacy. My entrepreneurial journey began in 2019 when I launched Belle’Kouture, starting with handmade lip gloss. Read more>>
Selina Figueroa
A little over a year ago, I unexpectedly lost my job in the oil and gas industry. Overnight, the future I had carefully planned felt uncertain. I was anxious, overwhelmed, and struggling to find my footing. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t busy building a career, chasing goals, or filling my calendar. Read more>>
Amber Mole
My path to birth work began after spending six years in corporate accounting. While I valued the skills I gained in business and finance, I felt called to make a more direct impact in people’s lives. In 2023, I transitioned into the perinatal field and founded The Doula Cheerleader, LLC, where I provide birth and postpartum care, education, and advocacy throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. Read more>>
Jerome Bailey Jr.
I’m a storyteller by way of grief. My father died when I was a baby, and I was raised by a widowed single mother in Southwest Houston, on the non-suburban side of Missouri City. I always knew I was different as a kid, deeply observant and constantly trying to make sense of what I felt and what I saw around me. Read more>>
Timothy Robins
I grew up in Clear Lake, a suburb of Houston, thinking that I wanted to be an engineer or something like that. There were a lot of kids with parents who worked at NASA near me, so that seemed cool. But in highschool, I quickly realized that I wasn’t that great at math. Read more>>
SP Juice
I started making music as a kid, in middle school free-styling with my friends and eventually making songs on sound cloud with my friends once I reached high school. From there it was on and off through college until about 2018 when I decided to begin my mixtape series titled Juice For Breakfast. I worked on music and balanced school until I graduated. Read more>>
David McGuffin
I had been in merchant services for several years as an agent for a single company when I had a business colleague looking for processing for her high risk CBD business and the company I was boarding with did not do any high risk at all. I researched and found a couple of great companies that would fit those needs. This was back in 2020. Read more>>
Nadia Bussacchini
My journey as an artist began in Italy, deeply rooted in a family where creativity was our common language. Growing up alongside my brother, who is a renowned Italian artist, was a profound blessing. His work sparked the initial flame within me, igniting a powerful desire to express emotions through art. Read more>>
aerial lange
I make symbolic art through subjects such as medical/plant science, psychology, & spirituality. Using charcoal & pastel pencils mainly, but on occasion adding acrylic, ink pen, & watercolor. Exploring an intersection of these subjects feels like unchartered territory. Through these subjects I relate them back to life to make the viewer question themselves & the world around them. Read more>>
Yvonne Handy
I earned a degree in psychology because I was fascinated by people and wanted to help those who felt lost find their way. Life took me in a different direction than I originally planned, and I spent many years raising my son while building a career as a piano teacher and later as a coach. Read more>>
Kesiena Onyon
Pure Burst started in 2023 from the comfort of my home in Houston, Texas. What began as a passion for making homemade Zobo drink, a refreshing hibiscus-based Nigerian beverage quickly grew into something much bigger. At first, I simply shared my drinks with friends, family, and neighbors. The feedback was amazing. People loved the taste and kept encouraging me to do more with it. Read more>>
Dawnyell
I was born and raised in Houston. I graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts many moons ago. I dabbled in the corporate world trying to figure out where I fit in. But God has an awesome way of redirection. I call it my “Job” (long ‘o’) experience wherein in a matter of a few months, I lost pretty much everything. Read more>>
Lex R. Thomas
I am a multidisciplinary artist based in Lafayette, Louisiana. I primarily identify as a representational painter; however, my practice has expanded into immersive installation, performance, and mixed media. Through artmaking, I am interested in exploring inherited trauma, relational identity, and the ways internal perception and external events continually shape one another. Read more>>
Bridgett Garcia
Our journey began in 2023, although the idea started long before that. For years, my husband and I talked about creating a clothing line that represented something meaningful to us. After consistently dedicating ourselves to fitness for over two years, we realized that transforming our physical appearance was only part of the journey. Read more>>
Gabriella and Darnell Tims
Our entertainment business began in 2012 with a passion for music and creating unforgettable experiences through professional DJ services. As we continued working events and interacting with clients, we noticed many vendors expanding their offerings and creating additional revenue streams. This inspired us to ask ourselves: How can we enhance our services and provide even more value to our clients? Read more>>
Beats Rhymes & Poetry
Beats Rhymes & Poetry are currently in the middle of our 4th season. We have 2 multifaceted hosts that gel well on and off camera. Natoya Danielle and DJ Sharp, have definitely been keeping the good energy going the past few years. The fusion of the 3 main components of music brings everyone together. Read more>>
Catherine Jacobs
I’ve always had many different interests and a torn love between my hometown of Houston and the city where I went to college, Los Angeles. This has moved me back and forth between the two cities for the past decade as I have explored different career opportunities. Read more>>
Miral Shah
My story sits at the intersection of operational leadership and a deep belief in genuine human connection. Professionally, my background is in pharmacy operations, where I’ve spent years managing teams and workflows. While completing my MBA in Operational Management, I realized I wanted to channel that strategic expertise into something deeply community-focused. Read more>>
joseph perlman
I have been in private practice as a board certified plastic surgeon since 1984. My practice for the last 20 years has solely been cosmetic surgery. While treating my patients I became interested in bioidentical hormone therapy and anti-aging. My wife,Jeannie, and I have been taking bioidentical hormones since 2012 and peptide therapy for the last 6 years. Read more>>
Segura Nino
My name is Segura Nino. Thank you Voyage Houston for reaching out again and for your continued interest in my story. Since we last spoke, there have been several exciting milestones in my journey. I have graduated from esthetician school, continued growing my business, and am now preparing to open another salon location in South Houston. Read more>>
Magaly Benitez
I started this beautiful journey in 2020. Thanks to all of my returning customers and recommendations we have been getting booked for future months. Read more>>
Zalia Oliva
In April 2024, my life changed in an instant when I was involved in a deadly car crash caused by a drunk driver. He was three times the legal limit, going at least 85mph in a residential area, and we caught air when hitting a curb and crashed into a cynderblock wall of someone’s house, then the car tipped and hit there house. Read more>>
Amber Lowe/Starr
My journey began long before I became known as Houston’s Millionaire Matchmaker. I grew up splitting my life between Houston and East Texas. My mother is from Houston, and my father was from East Texas, giving me the best of both worlds. Houston exposed me to opportunity, diversity, and big dreams, while East Texas taught me faith, family values, discipline, and hard work. Read more>>
Kishma George
My story is one of faith, resilience, purpose, and transformation. I am a woman who learned that even in life’s hardest moments, God can use pain as preparation for purpose. My journey has not been without challenges, disappointments, setbacks, or seasons of uncertainty, but through every obstacle, I discovered that adversity does not define you it develops you. I am the founder of K.I.S.H. Read more>>
Reuvane Malahk
Yes I began working in the entertainment industry when I was five doing plays as a young boy modeling and as I grew my talents grew I continue to work in playwriting stand-up comedy and stage plays when I was abroad in Frankfurt Germany opening for several different national acts like Millie Jackson Freddie Jackson Anita Baker just as a young teenager. Read more>>
Julian
I got into content creation during one of the hardest periods of my life. In 2024, I tore my Achilles, which left me unable to work for a while. I suddenly had a lot of uncertainty and needed to find a way to generate income while recovering. That’s when I discovered UGC. Read more>>
Carmelita Anderson
Hello my name is Carmelita Anderson. I also go by Carma as well. I started my voyage to my business in 2015. I started with makeup, artistry, and worked my way to photography. Now I am a certified makeup artist and cosmetologist. And I’ve turned a small hobby into a fulfilling career where I get to share my art to everyone. Read more>>
Lisa Brown
My name is Lisa Brown, and I am the founder/director of LRGS Paradise of Styles & LIAX Jewels Foundation. My journey with stage 2 cancer began in August 2024 and has profoundly reshaped my perspective. As someone who has personally navigated cancer treatments and diagnosis, I’ve witnessed firsthand the generosity of organizations providing support and the profound impact it has on one’s life. Read more>>
Cora Salvino
I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in the nearby suburb of Elmwood Park. Growing up, my childhood was suburban and didn’t have much in the way of artistic influence—my family didn’t have any particular connections to the arts. Despite that unassuming background, I found my own creative identity, driven by curiosity and an unexpected spark that ignited during my college years. Read more>>
robert silverman
I am the co-founder and president of the Good Charcoal. i found the world’s best charcoal in Namibia in Southwest Africa. I moved there during covid to make the charcoal and to bring the only chemical free and 100% fully sustainable charcoal to America. Read more>>
Asia Marvesia
Growing up, I remember begging my Mom to let me style her hair. I would sit and brush through and style her creating different styles unaware that those moments were shaping my future! Years later that childhood passion would blossom into a successful career as an Extension Hairstylist located in Houston Texas. I believe my hands are my gift. Read more>>
Ursela Knox
Becoming a Licensed Medical Social Worker and community advocate was never part of Ursela Knox’s original plan. Like many students entering college, her goal was centered on business ownership and entrepreneurship. She envisioned a future of building businesses and creating opportunities, not navigating hospitals, insurance systems, and healthcare advocacy. Read more>>
Mariah Greenleaf
Hello ! My name is Mariah Greenleaf and I am a beautiful proud black trans woman who’s went through many trials and tribulations. I’ve been through the upmost turmoil but my faith has always let me keep pushing forward. I’ve been through domestic violence, rape , mistreatment , discrimination, and success. Read more>>
Nancy Ofori
My creative life began long before I ever considered myself an artist. From the ages of five to eight, I lived with my grandmother, and those years remain some of my happiest memories. One of my aunts had an extraordinary gift for creating beauty out of everyday materials. If she could decorate it, build it, or transform it, she would. Read more>>
Carmela Hennesey
I am a quantum biology advocate with a focus on bioresonance therapy. My journey that led to quantum healing started as a holistic beauty and wellness hairstylist 20+ years ago! I had always been interested in the holistic wellness space due to my upbringing in the pacific islands. It was deeply rooted in my belief system and way of life. Read more>>
Cindy Galvan
Hi, my name is Cindy, owner of Sweet Dream Photography. Looking back, this photography journey began as a way to capture memories of my own family after my husband gifted me my very first camera. What started as taking photos for fun slowly grew into something I truly fell in love with. Over time, photographing clients became so much more than just taking pictures. Read more>>
Sarah Rasnick
My journey to wellness has been years in the making and is deeply connected to my family’s story. For much of my life, I trusted that if something was sold in a grocery store, it was probably safe, and if a doctor told me something, it was probably the only answer. That perspective began to change when my father was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Read more>>
DJ TNT
My journey as DJ TNT started nearly two decades ago with a huge passion for music and the following of my father DJ Teddyb footsteps in Bangor, Maine. Growing up, I was always fascinated by how music could connect people from different backgrounds and create unforgettable moments. Read more>>
