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.

Malaika Avi

I’m Malaika Avi, an R&B and soul singer-songwriter and guitarist based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. I grew up in Killeen, Texas, and my love for music started in church, where I learned to sing and discovered what it feels like to move a room with your voice. Read more>>

JaMeyah (Lowkeey) Moore

My journey in the entertainment industry began in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2016. Although I’m originally from Corsicana, Texas, Fort Worth played a major role in the beginning of my career and helped shape the person and professional I am today. I started out as a promoter, building relationships, organizing events, and creating opportunities for artists and other creatives. Read more>>

Alma Juarez

My story begins in Fracción Sánchez, a small ranchito on the outskirts of Santa María del Río, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. I was born in a humble home with adobe walls, surrounded by family, culture, and traditions that continue to shape who I am today. Read more>>

Olivia Henry

My start definitely wasn’t conventional. I’ve had a love for photography since I was 15 and in high school I was doing whatever would work, honestly! If someone had a job that required a camera, I was your gal LOL! I was taking senior photos, family photos and even shooting a few weddings. Read more>>

Nayokia lyons

If you had told the younger version of me that this would be my life today, I probably wouldn’t have believed you! My journey has been filled with unexpected turns, beautiful blessings, heartbreak, and so many lessons that have shaped me into the woman I am today. I’m originally from Houston, Texas, and graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a degree in Civil Engineering. Read more>>

Krystal Messer

I’m originally from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, but I’ve called Dallas home for the past 16 years. My professional background is in revenue cycle management and credentialing. After having my second child, I wanted to be more intentional about spending those early years with her while also finding a sense of community for myself. Read more>>

Kimberley-Anne Jones

1984 I was very overweight and in a very unhealthy relationship. I made the decision to change my life forever. I bravely stepped inside the doors of a gym. The owner convinced me to “Steal money from the housekeeping and buy a membership”. It was the best thing I ever did. Within 10 months I entered and won my first bodybuilding show. Read more>>

Franck MUHEL

Franck Muhel’s performances are renowned for their dynamic creative energy that inspires and electrifies audiences all over the world. As principal dancer with Eddie Torres, the Mambo King, and featured soloist, Franck has performed and choreographed with internationally acclaimed orchestras: The Mambo Legends Orchestra, Eddie Torres Mambo Kings Orchestra, Mitch Frohman Latin Jazz Quartet, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Eddie Montalvo Band, Bobby Sanabria and more. Read more>>

Olga Dolgova-Parga

My journey into chiropractic care started long before I ever considered becoming a chiropractor. I began my career as a personal trainer, where I developed a passion for understanding how the human body moves, functions, and adapts. Read more>>

Roderick ‘Scooby’ B

My journey has been a combination of ambition, creativity, perseverance, and a willingness to explore different opportunities. I’ve always believed that you don’t have to limit yourself to one passion or one career path to be successful. For me, it’s always been about finding ways to grow, challenge myself, and create opportunities not only for myself but also for the people around me. Read more>>

Mz Pac Muzic

I started freestyle rapping when I was about 16 or 17. It was fun for me and I enjoyed doing it but found that I loved to write full songs with hooks and verses more than anything. I’ve been writing music for almost 8 years and can’t see myself doing anything other than music. Read more>>

Sonia Rodriguez

I’m a 17-year-old aspiring filmmaker. I came from Rowlett, Texas in a middle class household. Ever since I was I kid I was in love with creating characters and stories, exploring different fantasies through all types of media. Read more>>

Erica Ashfield

Wild Wonder Collective exists because of one little girl: my daughter, Finley. I never originally set out to build a school serving hundreds of children. I was simply a mom trying to find a place where my own child could thrive. Read more>>

Andy Doan

My photography journey started in high school, shooting sports and portraits for my school’s yearbook. I’ve always had a passion for music, so after graduating, I started offering free shoots to smaller artists to build my portfolio and get my foot in the door. Read more>>

Jiayi Zhang

My journey began with a deep love for visual storytelling, leading me to pursue a B.F.A. in Illustration at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and later an M.F.A. at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta. Over the years, I’ve focused on bridging the gap between artistic expression and commercial impact. Read more>>

Yasmin Elzomor

It’s been quite the journey. At 21, I had a spontaneous spiritual awakening that led me to question myself and the world around me. At the time, I was juggling multiple jobs and making good money, but I was just going through the motions of life in the matrix we live in, and I was deeply unhappy. Read more>>

Z.W. Taylor

I’ve always had my nose in a book. I was the kid that loved to read and always ended up staying up way too late doing so (sorry mom). Paired with that, I always loved to write. Read more>>

Michelle LeBoeuf Taylor

I grew up in the beautiful coastal town of York, Maine, where I spent much of my childhood dancing. I absolutely loved growing up in a small town, especially one right by the beach. Read more>>

Shawn Gales

Here’s a version that sounds more like you telling your story, not a résumé in paragraph form. I grounded it in your actual education and acting background, including Philander Smith, your work with Uhuru Academy and Baba Amin Ojuok, Ghana, and your film/TV experience. I come from a small town in rural Louisiana, and my story definitely wasn’t a straight line. Read more>>

Colin Gosselin

I have always built and created things my whole life. As grew older I found that producing music is where my passion lies. When i am interested in something then i dive headfirst and learn as much as i can, started with DJing that then led to Engineering for artists all while i was sharpening my production tools. Read more>>

Marisol Jacinto

My beauty career started with my love for makeup as a young girl. I spent my time playing with eyeshadows and recreating looks from different beauty influencers on YouTube. I learned the importance of skin care when creating the perfect base. I remember being 18 and doing homecoming and prom makeup for the girls I went to high school with. Read more>>

Kaci Roberson

My story has taken a few different turns over the years, but one thing has always stayed the same: I have a true passion for self-expression and making people feel special for exactly who they are. Before becoming a Yard Card Queen, I worked in healthcare and later became a hairstylist, which I still do part-time today. Read more>>

Griffin Kibens

CRTR CLB really started from a desire to bring people together. As a creator myself, I recognized how much talent existed here in Dallas, but also how disconnected the creative community could feel at times. There were so many people doing incredible things, but not always enough opportunities to connect, collaborate, learn from one another, or turn those relationships into something bigger. Read more>>

Cheryl R. Dunbar

My story began due to a life changing situation – a blindside divorce. A short while after my divorce, I was out shopping one day and a lemon print skirt caught my eye and spoke to me in a peculiar way. I walked over to a full- length mirror, put the skirt up to my waist and a flood of emotions came over me. Read more>>

Joshua Wester-Cummings

My journey to starting The Joshua Project Initiative began with a desire to walk in my purpose and make a meaningful impact on the next generation. I was raised by a single mother with no father figure in my life. I had to learn to become a man through trial and error. Read more>>

Nzinga ‘zee’ Darnell

My ministry journey began in 2019, when I gained a platform that reached many people and received thousands of views. However, after attending ministry school in 2023, I recognized a different direction and purpose for my life. That season connected me with my mentor, Dr. Cindy Trimm, whose wisdom and guidance have helped transform me tremendously. Read more>>

Ashley Ferguson

I was a full time fisheries biologist, building artificial reefs for the State of Louisiana. I began preserving flowers on the side and the business grew quickly, so I made the very difficult decision to leave my career. Roots has grown each year and we now do workshops and have a retail space in addition to flower preservation. Read more>>

Hannah Harrison

I think a part of me always knew I would end up in the beauty industry. Growing up, I was constantly experimenting with new makeup looks, trying different hairstyles, and finding any excuse to be creative. What I didn’t know then was just how much this career would end up shaping my life. In 2016, I took a leap and enrolled in cosmetology school. Read more>>

Frankey Smith

I grew up a nerd. My dad is a big-time nerd, and I would attend events like Comic-Con with him, and I would watch him chat and debate with his peers about the latest releases in the space. I always found it interesting, but it never seemed like a place for me. Read more>>

Tarek Hasan

It all started back when I was in my home country Syria, I spent years trying to leave where I was and follow my dreams so I finally made it to Prague, Czech Republic after my parents sold the house and moved to a smaller one. Here I’m able to create and express my art freely. Read more>>

Lisa Burkhardt Worley

My Jewish father died two months before I was born from a massive heart attack, and my mother never recovered from that, so my childhood was difficult. However, I was determined to make it in the world, so I attended college at a small liberal arts institution, Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas. Read more>>

Eboni Brown

I am a nurse by profession, and for 13 years, nursing was my primary career. Before becoming a business owner, I worked part-time at Painting with a Twist while continuing to work as a nurse. For about three and a half years, I balanced both roles, learning the business from the inside out while maintaining my nursing career. Read more>>

Thomas Tsavdaridis

My journey in the fragrance industry began over 25 years ago, driven by my passion for beauty, creativity, and the power of scent. This experience led me to create MONREALE PARFUMS, a brand inspired by art, elegance, and individuality. My vision is to create distinctive fragrances that evoke emotions, express personality, and leave lasting memories. Read more>>

Tamara Genwright

As a highly respected Author, Speaker, and Coach, Tamara brings decades of experience in the finance industry, including Vice President roles at Bank of America, Synergy Bank, Charter One Bank (now Citizens Bank) and National City Bank (now PNC Bank). But despite her corporate success, Tamara saw a harsh truth: the modern financial system was designed to keep everyday people broke, burdened, and misinformed. Read more>>

Kelly warr

Life has a way of taking us in directions we never quite expected. When I was first featured in VoyageDallas in June 2020, I was beginning a new chapter in my nursing career. Read more>>

Sterling Nelsen

I began working in mental health back in 2016, I had recently graduated college and was beginning prep for my first bodybuilding competition. Over the years I went back to school and continued being in the gym community which allowed me to market myself appropriately and effectively within the Dfw community as gained my license and begun working private practice. Read more>>

Paige Swanson

My path to founding Sauna Therapy brought together my background in marketing and patient engagement with my work as a licensed professional counselor. Before building the practice, I worked in growth strategy and pharmaceutical clinical-trial recruitment and retention. Those experiences taught me how much communication, trust, and the experience of seeking care matter—not just the services themselves. Read more>>

Brandon McKeever

My name is Brandon McKeever, I grew up in midlothian Texas, once a small suburb just outside the big cities. I’m a tattoo artist/studio owner of Manifest Tattoo in Waxahachie. I grew up playing music in the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene, a bunch of my friends were in legendary rock local bands and hip hop groups. Read more>>

Paul Michael O’Connor

I’ve always been drawn to visual storytelling, and over time that interest grew from photography into cinematography and filmmaking. What started as learning how to create strong images eventually became a much broader interest in how every part of a film works together — performance, lighting, sound, editing, music and, most importantly, story. Read more>>

Kristany Jackson

Hi, I’m Kristany, the creative behind Hype Decks. Hype Decks started with a simple idea. I was at my old house looking at my plain walls and wanted something different to decorate them with. I thought about putting up a skateboard but wanted to make it unique, so I came up with the idea of a sparkly, rhinestone-covered skateboard. Read more>>

Sarah Adam

I started RSA Designs in 2020, and over the years it has grown into a business where I help people bring their ideas to life through custom apparel, in-house DTF printing, banners, yard signs, decals, and more. From school spirit to birthdays, graduations, and military send-offs, I love creating something that has a personal meaning for the customer. Read more>>

Koffi Ettiegne

Originally from Ivory Coast, I moved to Texas in 2013. I got a bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship and Masters in Data Analytics. Concurrently, I built a couple of businesses as a way for me to finance my music since I am an independent artist. Music has always played an important part in my life: listening to music during a workout, while studying… Read more>>

Vincent Obi

I’ve dreamed of being an artist for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I imagined myself becoming the first astronaut who was also an artist. I have no idea why that felt so special to me back then, lol, but I was convinced it was going to be something amazing. Read more>>

Lakedrick King

My journey into real estate started with the discipline, vision, and relentless work ethic forged on the gridiron. Growing up in Duncanville, competing at the highest level was woven into the culture. That foundation carried me to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where playing SEC football taught me how to operate under pressure, master preparation, and execute when the stakes are highest. Read more>>

Hunter Rutledge

My creative journey started with a camera and a curiosity about the people and places around me. What began as an interest in photography quickly grew into a business, opening doors I never could have anticipated. From portraits and fashion editorials to having my work published in outlets like The New York Times, I’ve been fortunate to build a career around something I genuinely love. Read more>>

Cristina Estrella Riggs

Here I am! A millennial helping shape the next generation. We live in a fast-paced world where technology increasingly separates us from the natural world, a disconnect that’s easy to feel in an urban environment like Dallas. I believe it’s time to slow down and reconnect. Working with our hands through sculpture, ceramics, and other art forms brings us back to the physical world. Read more>>

Roslyn Harrell

My journey has been shaped by a passion for people, a commitment to excellence, and a belief that the details matter. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with respected brands, including Chanel and Coca-Cola, while also supporting guest experience initiatives for several Wisconsin sports teams. Read more>>

Carly Knuppel and Michael Ellis

Our Story — Peace Rocks & Lapidary When asked how we got started, Michael probably summed it up best when he said, ‘I met this girl, and she liked rocks!’ And that’s pretty much how our adventure began! I’ve loved rocks for as long as I can remember. Read more>>

Gary Wilkerson

For me, WhenWeLove wasn’t born from a strategic plan. It was born from lived experience. Years ago, after a devastating business failure, my family came dangerously close to experiencing homelessness ourselves. I learned firsthand how quickly life can unravel and how a financial crisis can push good people to the edge. But our journey didn’t end there. Read more>>

Deborah Colleen Rose

My path has never been a straight line. I’ve always been curious about people, what shapes them, what they believe, and why they make the choices they make. My professional background has included private investigation, writing, speaking, intuitive work, and education. One of the most important chapters in my journey was serving as the Director of Education for NAMI Texas. Read more>>

Cherish Green

My love for fashion started long before I ever imagined owning a handbag brand. Growing up, I didn’t always have access to the latest trends or expensive things, so I learned early on how to make the most of what I had. Read more>>

Susan Simmons

My pathway to Heartisans began while I was in college – a decade before Heartisans was founded. Though I wasn’t a theology or ministry major, I found myseslf in an internship at First Baptist Church-Longview, where I met Julee Rachels, who eventually became the founder of Heartisans Marketplace. Read more>>

Theresa Ibekwe

Creativity has always been a part of who I am. Long before TingsByTess became a business, I was the person who loved making things with my hands, whether that meant creating wreaths alongside children with special needs in high school, scrapbooking, putting together collages, or finding new ways to turn ordinary materials into something beautiful and meaningful. Read more>>

Katrina Latham

My name is Katrina Latham, I go by Kat. I grew up in Tuscumbia, Alabama and lived in the surrounding area for 41 years. I was a single mom working 4 jobs when my daughter TJ was accepted into college in Chicago. My son Thorne had moved to their dad’s and I had a tough decision to make. Read more>>

Agbai Iroha

I was born in Lagos, Nigeria. My parents were from the same village, Nkporo Ancient Kingdom in Ohafia Local Government, Abia State Nigeria. My family and I migrated to New Jersey in 2000 after my dad won the Visa Lottery. Aged 4 years old and the last born of 4 children, I didn’t know what God had in store for me and my family. Read more>>

Jaleel Kindred

My name is Jaleel Kindred, and I’m the founder of Less Fortunate Club. I started the business in my hometown of Portland, Oregon, in early 2016. Growing up, I’ve always had a strong love and passion for art, fashion, music, and media. Read more>>

Nissa-Lynn Parson

I’ve had a passion for interior decorating for as long as I can remember. My mom always made our home beautiful, even on a tight budget, and she taught me that you don’t have to spend a lot to create a beautiful space. I also learned early on that our surroundings can have a huge impact on our mood, confidence, productivity, and happiness. Read more>>

Stevie G

STEVIE G. Wardrobe Stylist | Fashion Creative | Cultural Influencer | GNC Advocate Where Fashion Meets Identity, Artistry, and the Power of Self-Expression Stevie G. is a visionary wardrobe stylist, fashion creative, and advocate whose distinctive approach to style challenges convention and celebrates individuality. Read more>>

Zenai Jethroe

I’m originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, and relocated to Dallas, Texas in 2018. Moving to Texas was a big transition, but it introduced me to volleyball, which quickly became a huge part of my life. I started playing club volleyball and worked hard to develop my skills while getting exposure to college coaches. Read more>>

Chris Statzer

I have always had a passion for sports and for entertainment. On the sports side of things, I was a HUGE baseball fan. Read more>>

Toyosi Ayanwola

ajikeworld is the way I confirmed to myself that my creative practice could go further than just personal projects. I’ve always been interested in design, fashion, and more broadly all things beautiful– but I never thought about doing something about it outside of a hobby until about 2 years ago. ajikeworld actually started as an interior design and art curation studio. Read more>>

Chisato Fujii

I was born in Toyama, Japan, and I come from a medical family, so no one in my family expected that I would end up becoming a dancer. My mom actually used to think ballet was something only people from noble families did. There was a cute pink building in our neighborhood with drawings of dancers on the walls. Read more>>