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.
Monica Valadez
I started creating art in early 2020 as a way to cope with PTSD and express things I didn’t always have the words for. What began as a personal healing outlet slowly became a way for me to reconnect with myself, my healing, my creativity and eventually my hometown. Read more>>
Darius Hester
I started painting, lawn work, and doing small house repairs at home in high school. Which are things that I retained during the years. After I left college, I started working for a plumbing company for about 2 years, which is where I learned everything from. From water lines, sewer lines, to gas lines. Read more>>
Richard Leviton
I started making homes safe for children, part time. That was 37 years ago. I have made a baby company grow up. We started working out of a Chevy Tahoe with signs on it. Once we got that all lettered up the phone began to ring. Read more>>
Brandon Washington
From childhood, I have always had a heart for serving others. As a young person, I organized my first food pantry in Houston’s Sunnyside community. At the time, I may not have known to call it philanthropy. I simply knew that I wanted to help people. My passion became even more personal after Tropical Storm Allison devastated Houston in 2001. Read more>>
Sushmitha Pidatala
Arjuna started as a simple idea. I wanted to build something that went beyond selling home décor. I saw an opportunity to bring the beauty, craftsmanship, and nostalgia of South Asian design into the modern home in a way that felt fresh. Read more>>
Lacee Jacobs
I didn’t set out to build my own firm — I got here by spending over a decade in the industry first. I worked at global and local brokerage firms, then in-house with a developer, which gave me a front-row seat to how owners actually think about retail, from feasibility all the way through execution. Read more>>
Marcus Watson
“My story really begins in Wilmington, North Carolina, where creativity became the place, I could breathe. Music, film, and photography gave me a way to feel things deeply and make sense of the world around me. I learned early how to find beauty in small moments, how to capture emotion, how to turn what I was feeling into something visual. Read more>>
Jissa George
My name is Jissa George, and I am a Houston-area high school student. For the past three years, I have volunteered with ENGin, an international nonprofit that connects English-speaking volunteers with Ukrainians for weekly one-on-one conversations to improve English skills. I first became involved with ENGin after a friend referred me to the program. Read more>>
Lisa Urban
I have been making art my entire life. I had a grandmother who gave me art supplies at a young age and pushed me creatively, which led to my initial love of art. From there I had some amazing teachers in elementary and high school that continued to encourage me, which led to my decision to go to art school for college. Read more>>
Jesus Anibal Perez Apodaca
My trajectory as a photographer isn’t a traditional one; it began at the intersection of human behavior and philosophy. Holding degrees in both psychology and philosophy, I spent years developing a deep practice focused on understanding human nature, emotional depth, and how people navigate their environments. Photography entered my life not as a separate career, but as a visual extension of that work. Read more>>
Andrea Vazquez-Aguirre
My artistic journey began in Mexico City with training at the National Conservatory of Dance (Escuela Nacional de Danza Clásica y Contemporánea) and grant support as a scholar under the National Fund for the Arts. Read more>>
Bibiana Carbajal
I was raised by hardworking parents who taught me early on that if I wanted something in life, I would have to work for it because no one would hand anything to me. Watching how hard my parents worked to provide for our family instilled a strong work ethic in me from a young age. Read more>>
Sophia Ali
As I got close to graduating residency, I realized I didn’t want to work 8 to 5 seeing 20-plus patients for 10 or 15 minutes each, then going home to finish all the notes, labs, prescriptions, and research I couldn’t fit in between visits. I wanted to practice medicine on my own terms, not the way insurance companies and large institutions wanted me to practice. Read more>>
Madi Cook
I started taking pictures when I was ten years old. My parents gave me a small red camera, and I immediately became obsessed with it. I would spend hours running around my neighborhood with my friends, photographing anything that caught my eye. I didn’t know then that I was building the foundation for what would eventually become my career—I just knew I loved creating. Read more>>
Hakim Taliaferro
This work called out to me before I was even born. My late father was a well known artist in the St. Petersburg, Florida. I can remember the first time I went to his house when I was around 9 or 10 years old and seeing his art canvas set up, paint brushes and airbrush set up right by the kitchen. Read more>>
Harmony Ayewah
It all started in 2017, Lagos, Nigeria. My mom would always spend time getting ready for church and doing her makeup but it never quite came out right. Read more>>
Danny Sanchez
I was born and raised in Orange County, California before relocating with my family to Texas at the age of 7. From a young age, I developed a fascination with design and art—an interest deeply inspired by my grandmother, a talented seamstress who worked for a production company. Read more>>
Toni DeMaio
I was born psychic. I remember my birth and I have since discovered a very small percentage of the population have such memories. Read more>>
Andy Fajardo
My career started when I was around 11 years old, long before I ever thought of what I was doing as a career. Growing up, I was always interested in video games and wanted to create my own. I didn’t always have access to the newest games, and I remember going to stores and seeing the latest releases that my family simply couldn’t afford. Read more>>
LaToya Shields
Like many people who build careers around serving others, I did not grow up with a detailed plan to become a social worker, public administrator, maternal health subject matter expert, adjunct professor, or consultant. Read more>>
Lorena Hibbard
I’m originally from Colombia, I’m 38 years old, and most people who know me call me Lolo. I’ve lived in Houston, Texas, for the past 13 years. My journey to Houston began with something as simple and powerful as falling in love. Read more>>
Patrick Moore
I grew up listening to just about everything. Classical music was always at the center of my life, but I was also the kid who genuinely loved Enya and the wonderful Pure Moods CDs of the 1990s. Read more>>
Denise Gonsalez
I have yet to really put my story out there, so I’m excited to share it here with you all first. I’m a mom of two and a wife to an incredible man who has supported me through every change, idea, and career decision I’ve made. Read more>>
Godswill Muofhe
I founded Citizens of the Internet with the vision of creating more than just a clothing brand. I wanted to build a creative company where design meets production, a place where ideas don’t just stay ideas but become something people can hold, wear, and experience. Read more>>
Jamarcus South
Hello, my name is Jamarcus South. I am the owner and founder of JTS CLOTHING, which I started in 2017. Read more>>
Melody Locke
As a child, I was captivated by a plaque that read, “Flowers are like smiles from God,” a simple sentiment that has stayed with me throughout my life and continues to inform my art. Some people look at my art and think that it reminds them of X-rays. To me, they’re sacred traces of what remains when the familiar form of nature disappears. Read more>>
Rodney D. Butler
A few years after graduating from the Art Institute, Rodney decided to take a welding class. From there he started building BBQ pits in his spare time and using the scraps to build Sculptures creating a style of art he calls ‘Green Metal Art’. This style is where he takes scrap metal and other equipment parts deemed unusable and recycle them into art. Read more>>
Vanessa Flores
I have been a cosmetologist for about 5 years now but it wasn’t until 3 years ago I decided to leave my salon commission job to start my own salon/business. It was something I always wanted to do and thankfully have been thriving at. It was then that VeeHairRoom really started to glow and grow. Read more>>
Krystal Bolden
When I truly sit back and reflect on my journey, I see that my love of storytelling began in kindergarten with a teacher who saw potential in me before I fully recognized it in myself. I did not attend preschool, and when I entered kindergarten, I was behind many of my classmates in reading and writing. My teacher, Ms. Read more>>
Edgar Valdez
Working as an Occupational Therapist, I quickly recognized opportunities to move beyond traditional training approaches that often prioritize muscle growth over function, performance, and longevity. After treating more than 100 patients experiencing physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges through exercise, specialized equipment, and fine-motor conditioning, I was inspired to combine my knowledge of therapy with my passion for fitness and performance. Read more>>
Michael Smith Jr
The beginning for me as a barber starts when I was about nine years old. We were having a family dinner, and all the men and boys were getting cut in the laundry room like we always do every dinner. But that day my dad handed me the clippers and told me to cut my little cousins hair. Read more>>
Jacinda Lahrmann,MS, BSB
My journey has unfolded over many years and through several different seasons. I began my professional career in healthcare and medical operations, where I gained more than 26 years of experience serving patients, supporting providers, developing processes, training staff, and helping organizations function more effectively. Read more>>
Daniela Colburn Prado
My name is Daniela Colburn Prado, MEd, NCC, LPC. My last name is one last name, two separate words. I decided to take in my husband’s last name (Colburn) and keep my maiden name (Prado). As a Mexican-American, having two last names is one of the many things I feel proud of! Read more>>
Joshua Jackson
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I actually got my start before I was five years old. Someone would come into my daycare and offer music classes, and that early exposure sparked something in me. What started as a childhood experience became a gift and passion that continued to grow with me. Read more>>
Dr. Christopher Chance
My path started when I was a junior in High School living in Lexington, Kentucky and I needed community service hours to graduate. I frequented the Saturday Morning Dental Clinic at the University of Kentucky where the dental students organize and treat children who did not have dental insurance for free. Read more>>
Eniola Obisesan
My story is really a story of resilience, evolution, and refusing to put myself in a box. I’ve always known that I wanted a career where I could make a difference, which led me to medicine. Medical school has challenged me in ways I never expected, but it has also pushed me to grow into a more disciplined, compassionate, and confident person. Read more>>
Tarana Taylor
My journey in music began in my native Azerbaijan, where I started studying piano at a young age and eventually graduated from Baku Music Academy, magna cum laude, with a Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Teaching, as well as an MBA in Marketing and Public Relations. Throughout my career, I have always combined performing with teaching. Read more>>
Alysa Campos
Art consumes my entire life I don’t think there’s ever been anything else I wanted to do. When I was younger all I wanted to be was an artist. In college I received my BFA in Graphic Design. I graduated in the pandemic so jumping into the traditional work force was a bit of challenge. Read more>>
Guy Lance
Established in 2018, we’re a veteran-owned, Texas-based small business making handcrafted custom woodwork and heirlooms. Each creation is meticulously crafted with care, combining the timeless beauty of wood with the mesmerizing allure of vibrant resin. From custom pieces to intricate decor, our shop is dedicated to bringing your vision to life, adding a touch of artistry and elegance to your space. Read more>>
Valentin Voronov and Anna Pelypenko
We met in Los Angeles during dance tryouts and soon after moved to Toronto, where we began our journey together as a professional dance couple. Anna is originally from Kharkiv and was already living in Toronto, while Valentin is originally from Moscow and moved to Toronto to pursue his dance career. We officially began competing together in 2017. Read more>>
Brittany Cobb
I’ve always loved the hunt. Long before I built Flea Style, I was the kid wandering through antique malls and open-air flea markets in California, captivated by the stories hiding inside old things. I loved finding something unexpected—something with history, personality and a point of view. Read more>>
Marianna Suleymanova
Originally from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, I am a writer and literary translator. I am a contributing translator to ROAR (Russian Oppositional Arts Review) Magazine, an anti-war publication founded by Linor Goralik I immigrated to the Midwest as a high schooler with zero knowledge of English. My work focuses on rendering the voices of contemporary, anti-war Russian-language writers in English and is committed to amplifying dissident narratives. Read more>>
Jasmin Lafond
My journey began as a young girl who would braid anything she could get her hands on—from her dolls’ hair to the very grass in the yard. By middle school, I was experimenting with my own look and practicing on anyone who would let me. By high school, my passion had turned into a business. Read more>>
Tess Nyman
I moved from Dubai to Finland in 2019 after spending 8 years working in HR. I planned to continue my career in Finland, but COVID hit, the job market changed, and I quickly realized that most of the roles I was qualified for required Finnish, which I didn’t speak and didn’t want to go for cleaning or nursing. So I created my own opportunity. Read more>>
Moriah Roberts
I became a mom at a young age, and at the time, I honestly didn’t know what my purpose was or where life would take me. I knew I wanted to create a better future for myself and my family, so I went to trade school and became a dental assistant, a career I stayed in for five years. Read more>>
Nanki Malik
Growing up in Houston as an immigrant from India, my journey was shaped by trying to find where I belonged while dealing with deep self-doubt. As a young girl, I struggled with my body image, carried extra weight, and faced intense bullying. Read more>>
Michael Hayes
My story began before I even stepped into a classroom. I picked up a baseball at a very young age, and around six, I truly fell in love with the game. Winning a championship at that age was a moment I’ll never forget. Read more>>
Ernie Agbobock
My name is Ernie Agbobock. I’m a native Houstonian. I attended Elsik High School in Alief and graduated with my bachelors and Masters from Texas Southern University. I’m also a father of two, a brother, and an entrepreneur. I started my company Kote-It Customs, formerly known as Kote-It Arms, in 2020. Read more>>
Felix Preciado
My name is Felix Preciado to the art world I’m known as ZA_Art_Preciado. But to my grandparents I was known as Gordo. I said it all the time, but I grew up very poor living with my grandparents. Read more>>
Jazimane “JAZZY” Maryland
THEE JAZZY WAY started in July 2020 from my genuine love for beauty, creativity, and helping women feel confident. What began as a vision has grown into a brand that brings together everything I’m passionate about beauty products, makeup services, and custom creations. The journey has not always been easy. Read more>>
Nichole Thompson
I began my career as a traditional hairstylist, but life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After stepping away from the industry for five years to focus on my recovery, I returned knowing I wanted my work to have a deeper purpose. I initially pursued becoming a Redken Artist, to help other hairstylists refine their craft. Read more>>
Alli Ryan Winter
I grew up in Houston, where my love for theatre began at a very young age. From the moment I stepped on stage, I knew performing was what I wanted to do. Read more>>
