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.
Leila Mizell
I discovered my love for makeup as a teenager. Like many young girls, I didn’t always feel beautiful. I was awkward, wore thick glasses, and spent hours studying beauty magazines, teaching myself how to recreate the looks I admired. What started as curiosity quickly became a gift. Read more>>
La’Sean West
Son of legendary “OG Chi” larry hoovers right hand man still to today. I have a long history with the music business being that slim thug is like a uncle to me. Im into managing artist also film. Counseling is also apart of my background, im extremely aware of substance abuse.. i am a former artist myself, i also have 3 daughters. Read more>>
Jessica Rodriguez
When I became a stay-at-home mom to my three kids, I found myself in a completely new season of life. While I loved being home with them, I also realized how much I craved connection with other women who were navigating the same joys and challenges of motherhood. That’s what inspired me to create my social media page. Read more>>
Kennedy Nabors
# Kennedy Nabors Is Redefining What a Modern Multidimensional Career Looks Like Kennedy Nabors isn’t interested in choosing just one lane. As a nursing student, content creator, traveler, and creative strategist, she’s building a career that reflects the reality of a new generation—one where purpose, creativity, and ambition can exist in the same space. Read more>>
Sweetie Shumaker
I actually started out writing rap, hip-hop, and R&B music. But over time, I kept feeling God pulling me toward gospel music. At first, I resisted it. I would write one gospel song here and there, almost just to get it out of my system so I could go back to writing the music I was used to. Read more>>
Iris Rosado
El Tripletanga started in 2022 with a dream, a passion for Puerto Rican food, and a small kitchen at home. As partners in life and business, we wanted to share the authentic flavors we grew up with and create something that represented our culture. We began by selling homemade Puerto Rican dishes to family, friends, and our local community, one order at a time. Read more>>
Grant Jibril Neal-Vidal
Jibril | Artist Biography Grant Jibril Neal is a multidisciplinary artist whose work bridges fine art, public art, wearable art, performance, and design—creating experiences that celebrate culture, community, and the enduring power of storytelling. For Jibril, art has never been something he simply creates—it is the way he experiences, interprets, and celebrates life. Read more>>
Kimberly Holland
I never imagined I’d become an entrepreneur. I have always worked in education, but five years ago, life threw me a curveball. I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and what followed was a journey of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation, multiple reconstruction surgeries, and more time recovering than I ever could have imagined. Throughout that process, I realized something. Read more>>
Sahar Kohandel Robin Ogg
I’ve always believed the best businesses are built on genuine friendships, and that’s exactly how Smoked Velvet came to life. Robin and I had already been working together on events like Nitty Gritty Chopper City. Robin owns Filthy Gringos, and I own Helluva Party Productions, so collaborating just came naturally. We realized pretty quickly that we make a great team. Read more>>
Aaron Lewis
My journey as a videographer started with a passion for storytelling and creating visuals that make people feel something. What began as filming local events and experimenting with cameras quickly grew into a business built on consistency, creativity, and always improving my craft. Over the years, I’ve expanded from shooting music videos to weddings, commercial content, drone cinematography, and promotional videos. Read more>>
Jezabel Silverio
I come from a small town Dominican family and grew up in Raleigh NC where i went to college and completed nail school as well. I was a medical assistant for 2 years before i started doing nails in my parents garage. I bought all my supplies myself and started practicing on my sisters, my mom and friends. Read more>>
Brittany Morgan
The Cartier Effect, formerly known as Slayed by Brit and later HairbyBrit C, began when I was just 12-13 years old. What started as doing my classmates’ hair in the back of the classroom eventually grew into styling clients from my parents’ living room. Even at a young age, I knew hair wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was my passion. Read more>>
Halle J
I’ve loved makeup for as long as I can remember. I actually grew up in a salon because my mom is a cosmetologist, so I’ve been surrounded by the beauty industry my entire life. I started doing my own makeup around 14, collecting palettes one by one and teaching myself different techniques. Read more>>
Zakiya Shabazz
My name is Zakiya Amirah Shabazz, though I am professionally known as Amirah Amor. I am 32 years old and have been involved in the film industry since 2019. While I have worked in the industry for several years, I am now finally bringing my own stories to life as a filmmaker. My passion for storytelling began long before I ever stepped behind a camera. Read more>>
Alicia Richardson
I’ve always been a writer—long before I could actually write. When I was four, I spent hours on my black and white horse on springs, dreaming up adventures. Sleeping Beauty was my favorite movie, but lying still while a prince rescued me felt unbearably dull. So I rewrote the story. Read more>>
Fred B.
My mother instilled a relentless work ethic and a love of literacy in me from an early age. From second grade through middle school, while she cooked dinner, she’d have me read aloud — often from a shorthand dictation book, sounding out the translated text. If I stumbled or lost confidence, I had to start the paragraph over. Read more>>
Aidan Wolf
I began my dance career and inevitably found my love of dance at the age of three in Colorado. Read more>>
Ariel Anais (Owner and CEO of LebelleGiselle)
I loved doing hair as a young girl. My mom bought me a mannequin head in 7th grade where I practiced and I became a hairstylist all through high school and college. As I got older, I focused more on my career in information technology and didn’t have time to do hair full-time anymore. Read more>>
Omolola Taiwo
As a young LA native, I was immersed in a cultural world that enriched my quest for my life. From the transit between Baldwin Hills to North Hollywood and Mountain View, I saw a life with different meanings. With this vantage point, I learned that life is so much bigger than our daily views. Read more>>
ERIKA Bailey
My journey has been filled with growth, challenges, and a lot of learning. I originally launched The Balanced Boss Mom Podcast to create a space for women navigating entrepreneurship, motherhood, and personal growth. Read more>>
Mariia Mudra
I’ve always believed that beauty is about confidence not just appearance. I started my career back in New York City with a passion for hair and a desire to help women feel like the best version of themselves. What began with one client at a time gradually grew into my own salon and eventually into building my own brand. The journey definitely wasn’t easy. Read more>>
Sana Shaw
My story began in Ukraine, where I was born and raised. It continued in Russia, where I lived for many years, and then took me through several other countries before I finally settled in Houston, Texas, in 2016. Today, Houston is both my home and the place where I create. Art has always been at the center of my life. Read more>>
DJ Smoov
I’ve always been tied to music since I was younger. I played the several instruments, sang in choirs, and always loved different genres of music. When I joined the Army in 1991, I made playlists and sang in different groups. I had no aspirations of making it in the music business. Read more>>
Tiana Ratcliff
I started creating content simply because I loved sharing the things that made me feel confident — skincare, beauty, self-care, and the little routines that helped me become the best version of myself. What began as posting casually soon turned into a passion when I realized people connected with my honesty and real-life experiences. Read more>>
Tricia Symons
We’re a family of five from Huffman, Texas. In 2018, we lost our beloved Rhodesian Ridgeback, Pipa, to cancer at just three years old, a week after her diagnosis. It broke our hearts and it was devastating to watch the pain of my five and six-year-old children lose their beloved friend. Read more>>
Vivian Asamoah
My journey into medicine began far from Houston — it started with a deep curiosity about the human body and a calling to serve that took me across continents. I earned my Medical Doctorate from the University of Geneva in Switzerland, with early clinical exposure spanning Switzerland, Ghana, and South Africa. Read more>>
Tanu Jain
My path didn’t start in a boardroom. It started as a kid helping my parents run their business. My mom didn’t speak English and my dad worked in imports and exports, which meant I was doing things most kids never get the chance to do. Instead of playing in the garden, I was working with manufacturers, packers, and clients, handling pricing, paperwork, and negotiations. Read more>>
MICHAEL G. DAVIS
My journey has never really been about selling real estate—it has always been about creating opportunities for people. In 2008, my business partner, Larry W. Brooks, and I founded Brooks & Davis Real Estate Firm with a vision to build a company that put people, education, and integrity first. Like many entrepreneurs, our journey wasn’t easy. Read more>>
Aaron Davis
I grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and attended the University of North Texas before beginning my career in the financial services industry, working for companies like TD Ameritrade and Fidelity. While those roles helped me develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, I quickly realized finance wasn’t where my passion was. Read more>>
Robyn Petrosino
God gave me the idea, so I stopped overthinking and started working. I took the last of our income tax refund and went all-in on one single bounce house. That one bouncer bought us two, then eight, plus three full soft play sets. What started as a “let’s see if this works” side hustle has completely changed our lives. Read more>>
Walker Dearman
I have been interested in music since I was a kid. My dad played a bit of guitar and I began to play pretty young. Read more>>
Michael Rowlands
I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through art. I originally studied Pipe Organ Performance and spent several years as a church organist while working as an elementary music teacher. Although I loved the arts, photography gradually became the creative outlet that allowed me to connect with people in a deeper way. In 2023, I beat colorectal cancer. Read more>>
Krystal Moreno
My Brand ‘Dioza’ was created in 2022 with custom waist chains I was constricting just for fun. I’ve always loved styling my outfit with the finishing touches of jewelry, so I felt to urge to start something I didn’t really find in stores or online shopping. Read more>>
Damon Uherek
Damon Uherek & Gordon Tewart have been a competition BBQ cook off team since 2012, but during the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 they started cooking bbq meals for people that needed them during this time, that sparked the want to do this full time. So soon after Boot Shooters BBQ became a food truck and catering company. Read more>>
Ashley Arrington
Agape Global began from a place of faith, purpose, and a deep desire to serve. Before it became a nonprofit, it was first birthed through a ministry called *I AM AGAPE*—a space where individuals could grow spiritually while seeking God and experiencing His presence in a real and personal way. Read more>>
Tam Barclay
I moved to Canada from the UK in 2009. I managed to get exempt from taking the reals estate course by writing to the department about my experience as a realtor in the UK., I just challenged the exam to get my real estate licence and passed first time. Read more>>
Michael Brumfield
I got into designing clothes back in the early ’90s, mostly because I just wanted to wear things you couldn’t find on a normal rack. I’ve always been the type to walk away from the crowd. Reinviting myself over the years is what kept me going, but at the end of the day, I just enjoy doing my own thing and standing out a bit. Read more>>
Linda Owensby
Becoming a Texan as soon as we could we arrived the end of 2019 with lots of excitement and plans for the future. We moved from Washington State with our two adult children, a son in law and two grandchildren as there would not have been a move had we not all agreed to this mega change in life together. Read more>>
Tatiana Nuval
I’m a Filipina born and raised in South Texas, and I moved to Houston in 2024. By profession, I’m a registered nurse but I’ve always been passionate about creating meaningful experiences as such I would do for my own birthday. Read more>>
Amashoda Ajuzie
I started this business when my children were young, to supplement income. I found a passion in everything that I do. Seeing the joy in customers eyes as they received their orders gave me such job! I absolutely love what I do. Read more>>
Abryuh Sandles
I started off by just loving food and taking pictures. I love getting the right angles and being photogenic. Then it turned into taking pictures and videos of where I was going and people asking me “hey, where should I go for -“ after seeing me out at the lounges, club, and favorite food spots around Houston. Read more>>
Priscilla Rosas
My name is Priscilla Rosas, and I’m the founder and market coordinator of The Runway Market in Houston, Texas. My entrepreneurial journey actually began back in October 2020. At the time, I was a small business owner myself. Read more>>
Emerald Thompson
My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t traditional. I’m a mother of five, and like many women, I’ve faced my share of challenges, including becoming a young mom, navigating divorce, and overcoming difficult life circumstances. Those experiences taught me resilience and pushed me to create a better future not only for myself but for my children. Read more>>
Emily Black
Whisked Away truly began on a random Tuesday. In the summer of June 2025 I had decided to start making my own desserts from scratch because I had noticed how much I was spending at the grocery store on baked goods. What started as a small hobby quickly turned into a passion I experimented, learned and perfected over time. Read more>>
Alicia Martin
The Mommy Dash is more than a social media platform, it’s a community where moms come to laugh, learn, connect, and realize they’re never alone. Founded on the belief that motherhood is messy, beautiful, exhausting, and rewarding all at the same time, we show up every day as our authentic selves. Read more>>
Queen Esther Spivey
My journey began in 2015 when I decided to go from being relaxed to having natural hair (no chemicals) as I was on the journey to self care and self love. Read more>>
Giancarlo Holland
I believe music has always been with me, coursing through my very being and this was prominent when I was apart of my first masterwork choral series by Felix Mendelssohn-Elijah. Read more>>
Alexa Krebs
I didn’t come to fitness through inspiration — I came through necessity. Before any of this, I was in office jobs, banking and clerical work. Outside of work, my personal life was suffering but from the outside it probably looked functional. From the inside though, I was quietly disappearing. Read more>>
Gozie Coker Mosuro
I often say that Coker Creative and I grew up together. I founded the company in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2014 when I was 25 years old. What began as a dream, quickly became my identity. For many years, every major milestone in my adult life happened alongside the business. As Coker Creative grew, I grew. Before long, I wasn’t simply Gozie. Read more>>
Erica Rosa
Looking back, every chapter of my life has been connected by one common purpose: helping people. I spent nearly fifteen years working in healthcare, first supporting patients through breast reconstruction and later managing a private plastic surgery practice, where I discovered my passion for business, leadership, and aesthetics. Read more>>
Lynda Whitehead
I started archery in 2010 when a coworker put a basic compound bow in my hand. It was an instant obsession. Not long after, I walked into Bass Pro Shops wanting a bow but having no idea what I needed. An associate quickly set me up with a pink camo Diamond Edge compound bow and had me shooting almost immediately. Read more>>
Carrie Watkins
My path to becoming a nonprofit CEO was definitely not a traditional one, but looking back, I can see how each part of my life prepared me for the next. I studied speech communication in college, with an emphasis on public speaking. I was fascinated by communication…how people connect, how ideas are presented, and what makes someone listen, trust, or take action. Read more>>
Judyth Joines
Building Houston’s Future, One Home at a Time The Story Behind Olivo Remodeling’s Rise to Becoming One of Houston’s Premier Remodeling Companies Some of Houston’s most successful companies don’t begin with a business plan—they begin with people who share a vision. That is exactly how Olivo Remodeling, LLC was born. Read more>>
Tiffany Williams
I quit my job as a Consultant at McKinsey two years ago with a very specific vision: get to California, land one of those sexy jobs working with creators and experiential brands. After about a year, that chapter closed and I came back home to the suburbs to figure out the next move. Read more>>
Stacy Jacobs
My journey has always been fueled by a deep love for local business, strategic partnerships, and a healthy dose of what I like to call ‘professionally spicy’ energy. Read More>>
Carolyn Cecile’ Hines
I am Dr. Carolyn Cecile Hines, founder of Hines Charity for Theological Education (HCTE), named in honor of my father, Dr. Allen J. Hines, Founder and mother, Dr. Mary Hines Singletary, Dean of the C. H. Mason Bible College and Institute. Following in the footsteps of my parents, I have served in both church leadership and education in numerous capacities since my youth. Read More>>
