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.
Emily Montgomery
It has certainly not been a smooth road. There were many tears shed and for the first two years I struggled with fear that I had made a bad decision. I had to build my referral network and become confident in my products. I had a business mentor that encouraged me to put my energy into my faith that things will work out instead of wasting precious energy & time into fear. I got my mindset right…and put the hard work in to build my business. Read more>>
Yvonne Faulkner
Art has been my voice for as long as I can remember. As a quiet, introspective child, I often felt words were too small to carry what I felt. Painting became my language—a way to express what lived beneath the surface. Through color, texture, and movement, I learned to communicate emotions that could not be spoken. Read more>>
Amy Henry
Right in the heart of Peaster, Texas, The Rock Gym stands as a lasting symbol of the community’s heritage and resilience. The building represents a time when structures were made with care and designed to serve the community for many years. Over the decades, The Rock Gym has played different roles in the life of Peaster. Read more>>
Christi Slider
I have always been fascinated with photography and the moments and beauty captured by photography. I started photography as a child capturing friends, family, and myself on film. While in college, I continued that love for photography taking photography classes and being the unofficial photographer for my gymnastics team and class events. Read more>>
Wendy Hutchinson
When I was seven years old, I attended my cousin’s funeral. She had a heart attack at fifteen, and the family’s grief was intense. Attending her funeral was the first time I felt the intensity of the emotions of every person in the church. Read more>>
Bevy Boyer
I graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in guitar performance. In my senior year, I was honored to receive the Utah State University Guitar Player of the Year Award. Read more>>
Jaymin and Yash Shah and Ghanekar
Moksha started from two personal stories of childhood friends that ended up converging. Yash: After losing a close friend, I went through a period where I was searching for something to help me process everything I was feeling. I tried meditation apps, but they felt impossible to use for me. Read more>>
Marianna Zimmerman
I always say my journey into design wasn’t a straight line, it was something that grew naturally over time. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York & later spent many years in Massachusetts before eventually settling in Dallas nearly a decade ago. Read more>>
Kelli Smith
My mother put me in piano lessons when I was 3 years old. From there my love of music grew exponentially. I was not the most talented or the most disciplined, but I made up for it with heart. I continued piano through high school and into choirs and eventually attended Austin College and achieved a bachelors with a double major in music and religion. Read more>>
Jahmal Rivers
Well my entire life I have always been a HUGE fan of comedy funny, and told I should be somewhere on the microphone. I served in the military for 5 years. Places, including Korea, Killeen Tx, Germany, Georgia. So, I have been all over and seen and met all different types of cultures/people. Through the process of that I gained a lot of stories. Read more>>
Avery Bibbs
I was a high school senior during 2020 and one of the lucky few that got to have a graduation. It was the best news we had all semester and I planned to make it count. Before then, I was never one to get my nails done until it wasn’t available to me. Read more>>
Karen Rebolledo
My journey in the world of esthetics began at a very young age. It was born from an early awakening—a deep passion for skin care that I didn’t yet know could become a profession, much less a business. Long before I understood its potential, I fell in love with every detail… every change… every result I was able to achieve within myself. Read more>>
A’sa Fernandez Evans
I didn’t always want to be a therapist or even a social worker. In fact, I started off as a biology major, seeking a career as a physical therapist. Ironically, my everyday conversations—and my curiosity—kept circling back to the complexities of social systems and their impact, from a systemic level down to individual lives. Read more>>
Brittney Coke
My journey started in 2017 with a simple passion and a blog—Classify Beauty. I’ve always been someone who loves fashion, style, and beauty, and for me, those things have never just been about appearance—they’re a form of artistic expression. Read more>>
Tenisha & Rickie Tinsley & Hildreth
Six years ago, what started as a simple idea turned into something much bigger than we ever imagined. Rickie and I saw a need in our community—people were planning beautiful events but struggling to find affordable, reliable rentals that truly brought their vision to life. Tables and chairs were easy to find, but statement pieces, quality service, and dependability were not. Read more>>
Linda Buj
Linda and Vivian, co-owners of “LV Skin Aesthetics.” Celebrated a remarkable 2 years in business launching the first in Frisco’s, hottest treatment in aesthetics that snatches profiles with no downtime, no needles, and no pain. Giving you a tightening and lift immediate effect. Read more>>
Carlotta Stiggers
Kingdom Graphics was built from a shared vision, strong faith, and a desire to create something of our own. Urich went to school for graphic design and always dreamed of owning his own business. In 2019, he officially began branding and building Kingdom Graphics from the ground up. Read more>>
David Glubochansky
Basketball has always been a big part of my life. I grew up playing the game from AAU through middle school and high school, and I was always interested not just in playing, but also in the media and storytelling side of the sport. I started The Players Tribe in 2021 while I was still in high school. Read more>>
Josilyne Thomas
Josilyne Thomas: A Story of Faith, Family, and Restoration My name is Josilyne Thomas, and at my core, I’m a woman of faith, a wife, and a mother of five. Everything I do flows from those roles and the journey God has taken me on. My story is one of restoration. Read more>>
Sabrina Miller
Well my family and I moved here from Florida. While living in Florida my friend ran a successful online boutique that I helped with and realized how much I loved it and all that goes with it and when I moved I wasn’t able to help anymore. So that is where I got the idea to then start my own boutique! Read more>>
Parneet Kaur
Our Story – Curry Pizza House Frisco The love for bold flavors and unique combinations inspired us to bring Curry Pizza House from the Bay Area to Dallas. About eight years ago, we moved from California and truly missed enjoying the one-of-a-kind taste of curry pizza. As we explored new career paths, we asked ourselves—why not bring something we genuinely love to a new community? Read more>>
Marcus Johnson
I founded Flow Forward Media in April 2023 at 23 years old with my best friend, during my final season as a starting center fielder at Oklahoma Christian University. With my baseball eligibility ending, I knew I needed to build something new. The turning point came unexpectedly. Read more>>
Kendall Plemons
I started playing trumpet in elementary school, which was really my first introduction to learning and creating music. In high school, I had a friend who started rapping and that’s when I got into producing beats. Through that, I was introduced to a recording studio, which later offered me a job. Read more>>
Christine Schut
As the founder of Phoenix Ledger Solutions LLC, our team was built on both experience and purpose. We started this business because we are passionate about helping individuals and small business owners gain clarity and confidence in their financials. There is nothing more rewarding than watching someone have that “aha” moment—when they truly understand their numbers and feel empowered to make informed decisions. Read more>>
Anitra Brooks
I’m a young entrepreneur, mom of two, and the owner of Luxe Wealth. My story didn’t start from a place of abundance — I grew up with very little, which is what shaped my mindset early on. I knew I wanted more for myself and for my future family, so I’ve always been driven to create my own opportunities. Read more>>
Rhianna Israni
Today I’m based in Texas and photograph weddings for couples who are drawn to imagery that feels refined, timeless, and honest. My approach blends an editorial eye with a documentary heart — creating photographs that feel elevated without ever feeling forced. Read more>>
Chasity Anderson
Hi my name is Chasity I am a family nurse practitioner with the focus of holistic health. I treat the whole person body, mind, and soul. I knew I wanted to be doctor since I was a little girl. I knew I was put here to heal people. Read more>>
Lynn Molnar
My journey into the heart of the human-canine bond began in 2007 with a single dog: Hero. A Golden Retriever with an unwavering spirit, Hero wasn’t just a pet; he was my greatest inspiration. When he began to struggle with arthritis and Cushing’s Disease, my role shifted from companion to caregiver. Read more>>
Stacey Sauer
Brand Properties Group was built on a foundation of experience, consistency, and a true commitment to putting clients first. Our team is led by Stacey Sauer, team lead and listing agent for Brand Properties Group, who didn’t start her career in real estate. Stacey began as a teacher, where she developed strong interpersonal skills and the ability to guide and support others. Read more>>
Preet Jandir
From a young age, I was deeply passionate about makeup and hair. I always knew that one day, I wanted to build a meaningful and lasting career in the beauty industry. My professional journey, however, began in the medical field. While working in healthcare job, I decided to pursue my passion on the side. Read more>>
Maria Crystal Retana
From a young age, I always felt drawn to creativity and celebration. In fact, during my senior year of high school, I was gifted a journal where I wrote down three dreams: becoming a wedding planner, a florist, and a teacher. I even mapped out the classes I would need, the timelines, and the steps to get there. Read more>>
Isabella Tuite
Grateful 8 Studios started as a simple idea: to build a creative home. Not just for our team, but for other DFW artists from every facet and level of experience in the creative industry. Read more>>
Morgan Young
I began my career in health and human services, which shaped my perspective on people, stability, and the impact of environment on everyday life. As I grew in that space, I developed a strong interest in business and systems, which naturally led me to real estate. I was drawn to the way real estate intersects with quality of life and long-term opportunity. Read more>>
Lisa Dean
At the time, I was balancing a full-time career as a trial paralegal while attending school in the evenings—leaving little room for wedding planning. With no family nearby to assist and a fiancé who was (understandably) ready to begin our next chapter, waiting simply wasn’t an option. Read more>>
Calista Irene
I’ve always been creative, and loved art where I was hands on making something. I also have always loved celebrations and going all out for others. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces knowing they are loved and worth being celebrated is something that makes me so happy. Read more>>
Rose Ramos
My story of how I started as a hair stylist started in high school. I was enrolled in the cosmetology program at McKinney high school for 2 years and graduated with my cosmetology license. I’ve always had a passion for all things beauty and knew this is what I wanted to do for a living. Read more>>
Rebecca Frierson
My path into interior design did not start in a design studio. It started in a classroom. I was a teacher before I had my children, and I truly loved it. I have always been someone who enjoys learning and growing, and teaching gave me a way to pour that into others. Read more>>
Jouelle Young
I started doing hair when I was about 10 years old fast-forward to my adult life. I went to cosmetology school at the age of 26 graduated 27 and started my professional hair journey then I moved to Dallas in 2020. I didn’t know a lot of people, but I built my clientele within two weeks of living here. Read more>>
Lakisha Otis
My name is Lakisha Otis and I am the Founder of Obtaining New Ground, a mission driven nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the long term stability and self sufficiency of teenage and young mothers through structured education, workforce development, and community based support systems. Read more>>
Alexis Dominique
Becoming who I am today has been a layered journey of faith, creativity, and courage — one that began with a young girl who simply wanted to inspire others while finding her own voice. When I first started showing up online, I wasn’t as bold about my faith as I am today. Read more>>
Tyler Solona
Originally, I was a life-long musician, who cared about very little else. I sang in a band and in choirs, played multiple instruments, wrote new music all the time. It was my whole world. But, in 2019, I was hit by an SUV while riding a motorcycle to one of my college classes (music business, it was my favorite. Read more>>
Khadijah Johnson
I’ve always cared about helping children and families, but I kept seeing how hard it was for parents to actually get support when they needed it, especially with Medicaid. That’s what led me to open Texas Care Stop 6 here in East Fort Worth. From the beginning, the goal was simple. Make it easier for families to get help. Read more>>
Leah Blakely
Totally Twisted Karaoke is owned by business partners Leah Blakely and Robert McDonald. We started TTK because as fans of karaoke ourselves, we were disappointed at how most karaoke shows operated. Read more>>
Joshua Sanchez
I started my entrepreneur path when I was 20 years old. I had just bought a mechanical bull from facebook, in hopes to make some extra income. For about a year I would go to an event every weekend to make a couple bucks. It was going well but I was tired of having to sacrifice every weekend. Read more>>
Cyndi Gallego
I didn’t grow up hearing people talk about mental health. In my world, the eldest daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, crying was viewed as a sign of weakness. I was often scolded for crying because it meant I was drawing attention to myself away from other things that mattered more. Read more>>
Elizabeth Charkalis
My name is Elizabeth Charkalis, and I am a 22-year-old creative self-starter based in Dallas, Texas. Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but my journey as an entrepreneur truly began in college when I started my own small jewelry business called No Rain, No Flowers. Read more>>
Christian Burks
I am a born and raised Texan from the Flower Mound area. I graduated from high school from Liberty Christian, graduated college from SMU, and now running businesses and raising my family where my parents did the same. I have two siblings, both older, we all work in the same family wealth management firm, Burks Wealth Management. Read more>>
Nick Gikas
I started voice acting in 2018 while still living in Detroit, Michigan. It began with websites like Casting Call Club and ModDB where I found work on smaller animations and video game mods. Over time I gained commercial clients and worked on numerous other projects, and I eventually moved to Fort Worth to pursue voiceover further. Read more>>
Elizabeth Garza
I remember being 11 years old and my brother said to me, ‘One day you will run my company’. He was a master electrician for as long as I can remember and as a kid, I did not take it seriously one bit and laughed it off. I started working at the age of 16 at a restaurant and quickly moved up into management roles. Read more>>
Sierra Hartman
As a kid, I goofed around in the back yard with out Belgian Malinois teaching him to search for toys, climb ladders and crawl under or jump over broom sticks. I knew then I wanted to find a career working with animals. I trained horses for several years out of high school until going to school for my associated in Animal Science. Read more>>
Adrian Villalta
My story really begins at one of the lowest points in my life. Around 2019–2020, I had convinced myself that I didn’t want to be here anymore. I attempted suicide by overdose and later confessed to my dad what I had done. Read more>>
Estela Ayala
I began my teaching journey right out of college teaching English in the Paris Suburbs. That’s right! Paris, France. I taught English and Spanish there, both in the public and private sector. Because life happens, I had to make an unexpected pivot and return to the United States, so I again, ended up in the classroom. Read more>>
Adil Mukhi
I got started pretty simply. I was curious about medicine, but I didn’t really know where to begin. Like a lot of students, I found that opportunities, mentorship, and clear guidance weren’t always easy to access, especially early on. That curiosity turned into action. I started getting involved in health advocacy, research, and youth leadership spaces across Canada. Read more>>
Davion Moryé
I was born in Oklahoma, but Texas is really where I was raised and shaped. Growing up, I moved around quite a bit because my dad was in the military, so adapting to new environments became second nature early on. That constant change gave me a wide perspective on people, culture, and resilience. Read more>>
Quajesius Moore
My name is Quajesius Moore… And I didn’t just hear about God… I was raised in Him. I grew up in a two-parent household where my mom and dad taught us the ways of the Lord from the very beginning. Church wasn’t optional… it was a lifestyle. Prayer wasn’t random… it was daily. Jesus wasn’t just a name… He was the center of everything. Read more>>
Santoshi Madhuri Ponnam
Around the age of five, I’d watch dancers perform Kuchipudi on the television. My dad would watch me imitate those steps and found a dance teacher for me. My dad and mom was the reason I discovered this passion, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I joined a dance class nearby and would diligently practice and improve everyday. Read more>>
Kara ‘Mini on the Boardz’ Tavers
My journey into music started when I was really young. When I was around nine years old, my stepbrother and I formed a little group together. He would rap and I would sing, and eventually we started writing our own songs. As we got older, he kind of grew out of it, but I realized I still really loved music and wanted to keep going. Read more>>
Agatha Weisz
I grew up in Mexico City surrounded by dogs, cats and horses. For years I struggled with the norm for training animals. Read more>>