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.
Janae Wason
Definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. At times I wanted to move back home because I was in such an unfamiliar setting. At times I wanted to just quit business and go back working full time for someone else. Then I had to remember what was my reasoning for moving and changes careers so abruptly at the age of 25. What honestly kept me going is the potential that others constantly saw in me. Read more>>
Inara Ali
My parents are my biggest inspiration. I’ve learned so much just by watching them work and being part of their journey. One of my favorite early memories was when I was just 8 years old—I learned how to use rulers to scale out a drawing to help my family design their truck stop. I still remember how exciting it was to hand that drawing to the architect—and even more amazing when we built the real thing based on it! That’s the moment I fell in love with design and building. Read more>>
Luigi Paez
I recently retired from my job in the oilfield, so I am 100% focused on Luigi Photography and looking at expanding the portfolio to include corporate and commercial photoshoots. Also, I have started Luigi Films, another “Luigi” brand that I hope will bring quality and affordability to video making. Read more>>
Greg Armstrong
A Christian woman, she wanted all of us to know what it feels like to know you’re leaving this world and being elevated into the arms of God. She wrote notes to each of her loved ones about her feelings and how to deal with death. She asked that after she died, I distribute them. I did, but I also assimilated them and wrote a book that was published in 2017 about her journey. It is called Heavenly Bound and can be purchased on Amazon. Within 2 years, I also published another book, “Tips and Secrets to be a Successful Business Owner” after volunteering to work with prison inmates (see more info in another section of this interview) and teaching them about Second Chances in life. This book is also available on Amazon. Read more>>
Blake Miller
My first real gig in Houston was a Saturday morning boot camp class at Level One Fitness. Thankfully, I’ve now been their DJ for 4+ years. Through hearing me at the class, people contacted me to do private events. The private events lead me to buy my own speakers, create an Instagram, and tryout for club gigs. Now, I have many of Houston’s favorite clubs/lounges, artists, and two countries outside the U.S. on my resume. Read more>>
Committeemen
We had a really hard time finding a bass player in the beginning. Eventually, we recorded a demo with just the two of us, hoping that if it turned out well, we might attract someone who fit. Luckily, that worked, and we found a great guitar player named Rich Giraldi and a bass player named Chris Spurgin. We recorded our first EP with Alvaro Rodriguez at Geodesic Sound in Seaside. We loved working with Alvaro, his studio is incredible and he’s made a really great space for bands to unwind and feel comfortable to get the best out of them. We are still very proud of that first EP, which blended garage rock and post-punk. Read more>>
Cristian Guzman
That’s when I started the space city collective instagram account early 2020 then in September me and my brother (business partner ) decided to open a store . Our first location we co leased with a smoke shop and I put hundreds of my personal shoes in the store to get things rolling , We were there for a year or less that’s when we decided to move and open on 45 south and Fuqua . We were at Fuqua for about 3 years until we recently moved to the pearland own center where we currently are . Read more>>
Ian Wilson
We put it on hold for a little bit until October of 2024 we said you know what let’s just start. A lot of those places we had seen when you look at their story they started out of a home or an apartment with a product they loved and believed in and then along the way figured out how to get to where they are at why not us. Leke was 100% on board and agreed for us to use his apartment and here we are months later we have a commercial kitchen and we putting out flavors weekly things seem to be moving in a great direction and all because we decided to say why not us. Read more>>
Steven Bikusa
From there I would move on to work with record labels, booking agencies, managing artist, and other various roles within the music business. Today I still have an active hand within the music business through my entertainment entity by the name of “World Of Karaoke”. I am a media buyer/seller as well so my expertise stays within the music business. I’ve lived in 6 different states for more than a year and California was my longest stint in my adulthood. Currently I live in Houston Texas and have aspirations of buying a home and land here. I also have aspirations of creating an ecosystem in Africa for my family. Read more>>
Arika Carr
I began my journey as a single mom, decorating my children’s birthday parties, which naturally led to family and friends hiring me for their events. Eager to grow, I attempted to start an event planning business, but I lacked the necessary business knowledge to push it forward. After COVID-19, I decided to invest in myself and relaunched my event planning business with renewed determination. Today, I proudly serve as the first female police chief in Fort Bend County while running my event planning business part time. I’m currently working to build and expand this business so I can eventually transition to working full time in it. Read more>>
Jonathan Davis
I recently separated from the Navy in October 2024. I was active duty for 11 years. I started cutting hair while serving because I wanted to learn how to cut my own, but my peers had other plans. They challenged me to cut their heads as well and I fell in love with the craft. I have been cutting hair for almost ten years now. Once I separated from the military I moved here to Texas from Virginia. I’m currently in barber school at Mystros barber academy to be licensed in the state of Texas and start my barber career full time. I’m married with three kids who I wanted to provide a comfortable lifestyle for. Read more>>
Nancy Perez
I specialize in modern blondes—think dimensional, lived-in, low-maintenance looks that still feel high-end. Whether it’s a soft brightening session or a full transformation, I love creating custom blonde tones that suit each guest’s lifestyle and vibe. I also work with brunettes, vivids, extensions, and Brazilian blowouts, but blonding is where I really get to be creative. Read more>>
Allura Abyss
Being a burlesque dancer is a bit like being something from a bygone era, something that isn’t really of this time, but it’s also about making that work in quickly changing times. People have some misconceptions about it, but at the end of the day it’s an art and art can mean anything. One thing most in burlesque will say is that it inspires confidence in yourself; physically, creatively. It’s an amazing vehicle for body autonomy. Read more>>
Fatima Alikhan
Over time, I started to notice a gap in the industry—there were plenty of charter companies, but few that truly focused on the finer details that make private flying feel exceptional. That’s when I decided to create Flight Selective in 2020. I wanted to build a brand that offers more than just private jet charters. We also provide luxury travel products and training guides for flight attendants who want to level up their service and move into the private sector. Everything I offer through Flight Selective is based on real experience, high standards, and a genuine passion for creating unforgettable travel moments. Read more>>
Erikka Ellerbee
I launched my business, EverythingBeauty, to represent my love for all things beauty-related—makeup, lashes, brows, skincare, and more. I started small, booking one client at a time, but stayed consistent. Even when I was only booked once a month, I poured my heart into it. As I kept growing and stepping out of my comfort zone, I started getting booked more regularly. Read more>>
Shayla Martin
Around the age of 13, I decided that I wanted to take dancing seriously. That’s when I became a student at Project Move Dance Studio. There I learned jazz, ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop. This is where my journey of performing, choreographing, instructing, and promoting dance started. I have performed at countless churches, events, and recitals. I have been on a company team, a majorette team, and a drill team. I also choreographed for artists for their videos all through my high school years. Around 2018, I entered the world of street dance and club culture/social dance culture. Read more>>
Asia Montgomery
From a young age, creativity was in my DNA. One of my earliest memories is sitting on the stairs playing with these little glass angels — I gave each one a name, and I’d build elaborate stories around them. That imagination sparked my initial dream of becoming a teacher. As a PK, I was always in church — singing in the choir or performing with our dance group — which also gave me a love for being on stage and using my voice. And when it came to the school plays, I would always audition and more times than not, landed the lead singing role. Read more>>
Keyaira Chiplin
My journey into entrepreneurship and ministry began with a personal transformation. I was raised in the church and always knew right from wrong, but like many, I strayed while searching for identity, love, and control. I found confidence in my sexuality, my body, and my boldness—but deep down, I was disconnected from purpose. Everything began to shift when I chose abstinence, not just from sex, but from anything that distracted me from who God called me to be. That decision led me into deep healing, clarity, and a desire to help others do the same. Read more>>
Elvia Reyes Morales
Along the way, I met Nina Munguia, a client at the time, who reached out for help getting started in photography and shooting in manual mode. Our shared passion led to a strong friendship. We’ve continued learning and growing together—taking classes, supporting each other’s businesses, and even teaming up for events or sessions when one of us isn’t available. I’m so grateful for the friendships, growth, and experiences this journey has brought me. Read more>>
Jamie Beckham
During college, I also discovered my love for content creation. I started a fashion and lifestyle blog, which led me into the world of digital content. That passion grew, and in 2020, I took the leap and left my full-time job to pursue my business full-time. Fast forward to 2024, I started seeing wedding content creators pop up on my Instagram feed, and it just clicked—this was the dream job I never knew existed! It was everything I loved—capturing content, storytelling, and being part of one of the most special days in someone’s life—all rolled into one. Read more>>
Angela Lazzaretto
One of the biggest challenges early on was finding the right manufacturing partner. We spoke with over 30 labs across the U.S. and Canada. Some pushed generic formulas, others didn’t quite understand the level of quality we were looking for, and a few flat-out told us our expectations were too high. Read more>>
Sean Jones Jr
I started with a relatively common story—chasing the dream of becoming a professional athlete for as long as I could remember. But in 2019, I made a pivotal decision to follow the deeper calling I had always felt in my heart: to inspire others by documenting life through my own lens. I dropped out of college and moved to Los Angeles with only $800 shortly after, and that’s where the real journey began. Read more>>
Jamie Taylor
It wasn’t until my second year at Eastfield Community College that I found the answer. I knew I was good at math and that I could draw. A quick Google search and I found Architecture and Interior Design. To confirm, I was working in the print center at Office Max when I wrote a few printer setting notes for a customer. While reading my notes, she said, “You’re meant to be in the arts, in engineering or something.” I replied, “I’m actually interested in Architecture.” She looked in shock and said, “Keep these notes you’ve written as a reminder that whenever you feel like quitting or giving up, look at this paper and remember you are meant to do this.” And she walked off. Read more>>
Taylor Wise
One of my pieces ranked in the top three Google results for the word “art.” One of my paintings of the San Antonio Riverwalk was later stolen from a gallery show and still hasn’t been found. That strange, unforgettable season showed me that marketing isn’t about tricks; it’s about clarity, connection, and showing up where people are already looking. Read more>>
Paula Carper
I grew up in the heart of Cajun country, where food, faith, and family were everything. During my teens, I began noticing how sugar and processed foods negatively impacted my dance and athletic performance. That early awareness sparked something big when my Aunt Violet, who was my dance instructor, helped me and my twin sister make small changes that made a huge difference…AND just like that, my passion for nutrition was born. Read more>>
Trung Nguyen
There, I started my apprenticeship—washing hair and folding towels ‘til my hands cracked, on minimum wage; working 50-60 hours a week without any overtime. Although most wouldn’t have toughed it out; I continued to strive forward honing my skills and learning the trade. I steadily built my clientele until I was producing well over 6 figures in the salon, being one of the youngest there. After some time and consideration and felt like it was time for the next step in my career. I decided to move on to be a National Color Educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems. Currently, I run a successful salon suite in Sugar Land servicing my wonderful clients. Read more>>
Ty Tran
The road hasn’t been entirely smooth, but every challenge has taught me something valuable. One of the biggest struggles was rebuilding my business after a period of transition. There were times when I had to put everything on hold and start over from scratch, which tested my patience and determination. Read more>>
Charles Jackson
One of my first ceremonies took place at a venue here in Houston, Texas, called The Bougainvilleas. After the ceremony, the owner, Badra Andrews and the wedding coordinator and planner for the venue, Rasha Shammaa approached me and said, “Oh my gosh, where have you been?!” At the time, I didn’t quite understand what they meant. But as they continued, they told me how much they appreciated my charisma, attention to detail, and, most importantly, the way I centered every word on the power of love. They had never heard anything quite like it. Read more>>
John
COVID ruined the business enterprise. Houston itself is a terrible place for animals, so much neglect. These were my main issues. Luckily I made great friends here and had many contacts still in the corporate world I have been able to raise funds for the non-profit – pay the bills, keep the lights on, get food and treats and vet care for the rescues. Read more>>
