Hidden Gems: Local Businesses & Creatives You Should Know

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.

Hannah Antonson

I launched my business, Organize for Health, because I wanted to combine my passion for health and wellness with my natural organizational skills. My journey into home organizing is deeply tied to my previous role as a certified health coach and personal trainer. Through working with a diverse range of clients, I learned that wellness is a personal, evolving journey—there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. What fascinated me most was the science of behavior change and how so many factors, from mindset to environment, influence our ability to reach our goals. Read More>>

Britt Walker

The best part of working for myself is I get to hone in on the things that I really enjoy in the beauty industry and only offer the services that I personally am passionate about and enjoy. I offer Eyelash Extensions. Lash lifts, Brow, and Lash Tinting, & all kinds of Facial services and Spray Tans. I pride myself in using mostly organic products in this industry and being as holistic as possible. I pride myself on offering my clients, a sacred, relaxing, extremely safe space to be open and be themselves to feel cared for and cherished, and most importantly heard. I consider myself to be a healer/therapist and truly feel blessed to wake up every day getting to do what I love & pamper the good people of Austin! Read More>>

Nancy Tkac

Starting my business has undoubtedly been challenging. My guiding principle has been to take things one day at a time, as each day brings its own unique twists and turns. One valuable lesson I’ve learned is to avoid putting loose ice in an ice chest during the Texas summer. You may laugh but during one of our events, we ended up with a large block of ice because half the ice melted and then refroze when the ice chest was finally placed in the shade. Funny not funny but one of those challenging things we experience that helps us learn and continue growing! Read More>>

Cailey McLain

After realizing I wanted to attend law school, career services at Southwestern began helping me find locations to intern at. I worked at several law offices in the Georgetown/Austin/Bryan/College Station areas, as well as interned for local Congressmen, Senators, and State Representatives. I graduated from Southwestern in December of 2014, and then spent the next 9 months working a legislative session at the State Capitol. Read More>>

Andrew Lowes

After many MANY iterations of a business plan I was able to lock in 3 investors. The rest would be simple right? It would take another year, 74 locations scouted, countless trips to Austin from Houston (where we lived at the time), and many rejections by potential landlords before we actually had a signed lease agreement. It turns out not everyone in America knows what a Ninja Gym Business is or looks like; and as a startup with no business credit established, we had to pony up a large cash deposit just to discuss a lease agreement. Over the year we were overlooked time and time again by potential landlords. Thankfully, in that time I received mentoring from retired business professionals both in Houston and in Austin, by way of SCORE small business development program and some friends from the ninja gym where I trained in Houston. Read More>>

Jade Kurian & Paul Adrian

It was the perfect storm. In 2008, newspapers were folding, television stations merging, newsrooms shrinking. Getting a story together was hard enough. But broadcast journalists were also struggling to deliver the news to the public. It was difficult to transfer large video files back to the station quickly. It took several products, all stitched together, to edit the story and then get the information on the air. HD News Correspondent Jade Kurian and her husband KDFW-TV Investigative Reporter Paul Adrian decided it was time to rewrite the script. Read More>>

Amanda Perez

As a kid, I was obsessed with fake tattoos and would cover myself and my friends with them, even drawing big Sharpie leg sleeves on myself. Drawing and painting became my closest companions. Thanks to my older brothers and their influence, I also had a serious video game hobby, which led me to create a huge collection of silly fan art for games like Mortal Kombat and Dragon Ball. Over the years, my art evolved but mostly remained a hobby. I didn’t have a specific direction—I just drew things that made me happy. As I got older, I started creating more self-portraits and art that expressed emotions I struggled to share with others. Read More>>

Eddie Chan

It hasn’t been smooth at all. Going from a full time job with a set pay check to not knowing how much you will earn each month is stressful. Covid really hit us for inventory and sales. But we’ve managed to stay strong and continue to serve the Austin community Read More>>

Laila Bazahm

It’s safe to say the road hasn’t always been smooth, but every challenge has been a valuable learning experience. When I decided to pursue my passion for cooking, I enrolled at the Basque Culinary Center in San Sebastián, Spain. Going back to school was both exciting and intimidating, especially since I was older than most of my peers, having previously worked in banking. Adjusting to a completely different career path and immersing myself in an intensive culinary education came with its own set of challenges. Read More>>

Mithila Patki

The journey was interesting. Full of learning experiences! As a foreign trained dentist my path to practicing clinical dentistry was not very easy. From getting my dental license to getting funded for the start-up, the construction itself and then to get functional and running- everything had its own ups and downs. I was blessed to have found some amazing mentors and wonderful friends on my way who guided me. And of course, my family- my husband, parents, and kids- who always supported me throughout. But to sum it up it is a beautiful journey. And it only continues towards a better tomorrow! Read More>>

Jordan Varat

My name is Jordan Varat, and creativity has always been at the core of who I am. From a young age, I was encouraged to explore various mediums, and I quickly became intrigued by abstract art and sculpture. I had the unique opportunity to experiment with ceramics and 3-dimensional materials like plaster and wire, which laid the foundation for my love of hands-on, tactile creation. As I grew older, my interests expanded, and I began to explore textiles, which led me to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising at Texas Christian University (TCU). There, I delved into studies like apparel construction, fashion illustration, and textile testing. Read More>>

Drea Kelly

I was born and raised in Arizona by my amazing mother and moved here to Texas in 2012 to help out a friend, for what I thought was going to be, a short stay working for a foster and adoption agency on a ranch in Gonzales, Texas. Shortly after arriving I met my husband Tazz who was mentoring a teen at the ranch. Within 3 months we were engaged and 4 months after that we were married! When you know, you know ◡̈ We now have three kids ages 8, 6 and 4 who are the light of our world. I was a doula most of my adult life, amongst many other endeavors such as working for our church Mosaic here in Austin as the director of events and communications for 8 years. Read More>>

Heather Seeger

I graduated undergrad with a degree in communications and media. During this time, I learned I loved working with my hands (developing film) and analyzing stories (ads or movies). I also discovered a new interest in graphic design—a profession I never knew existed. In the first decade of my career, I worked for a marketing firm, a production company, started a handmade business, freelanced, and went to grad school to earn a master’s in graphic design. During this time, I paid attention to what sparked joy in me. That included telling stories, working with my hands, and teaching. This conclusion led me into the next decade. Read More>>

Cinthia Fuentes

My name is Cinthia Fuentes and I am the founder of COSÍ CHURROS I’m a mother of three and have always been passionate about cooking and baking. However, I never thought that my passion would turn into a business until I decided to take the risk and start my own churro company. It all started with a small wooden cart that my boyfriend helped me build. I started selling churros on the street, and although it was a challenge, I loved the freedom of being my own boss and sharing my passion with the community. Read More>>

Jaime Telfeyan

My story began in a family where mental health challenges were ever-present. Growing up in that environment, I gained a deep understanding of the complexities of mental health, the importance of empathy, and the profound need for support. At the same time, I witnessed the heavy toll it takes when loved ones don’t recognize or address their struggles, leaving others to bear the emotional weight and fallout. These early experiences, coupled with a desire to understand and make sense of my family’s dynamics, inspired me to pursue a degree in psychology. It became a space where I could transform personal insights into professional expertise. Read More>>

Matthew Trabold

The first time I ever picked up a camera was when I was 10 years old in the Galápagos Islands. I am the youngest of three children and my parents always enjoyed taking us on trips to see the world. My grandmother was born in Germany, so we would venture over to Europe and explore there a lot when I was young. It wasn’t until later during my freshman year of high school that my passion for photography began to grow. My mom felt that I had a special talent and she found me a mentor here in Austin to teach me outside of school. Read More>>

Jessica Healey

A theatre kid from Fort Worth, Texas, I’m now a singer-songwriter and jazz vocalist based in Austin. Art and perfomance have always been my greatest passions, from singing to writing, dancing, acting, and playing guitar. I studied acting at Texas State University but was pretty disillusioned by a mid-pandemic graduation, so I took up a remote sales job for more stability. A couple of years later, just as I was beginning to perform at local open mics and jam sessions, I was laid off. It felt like a sign, so I decided to go all in and pursue music full-time. Read More>>

Stephen Nava

I started my event rental company with one simple goal: to help families and friends make every party, gathering, and celebration truly unforgettable. I’ve always loved a good party—sharing laughs, snapping pictures, and making memories with the people I care about. That’s the feeling I want to bring to everyone. Through what we offer, my hope is to help spread the love, joy, and fun that make every event special. Read More>>

Kathryn Alexander

I am a strength coach and personal trainer, and I have been working with clients for 19 years. I’m not certain why, but I when I was little, I always wanted to go to the gym. Maybe because my older sister went, maybe because we lived in a little town with not much to do. I remember my mom doing home workout videos, which I really admire. My dad was always working on our land, throwing hay bales, doing all the physical work for us. Read More>>

Jenna Edge

As a marketing graduate from Texas State University, I dove headfirst into my professional career at a startup in San Antonio. In this dynamic environment, it was all hands on deck, and there were no boundaries to what I could work on. My thirst for knowledge kicked into high gear, and I cut my teeth helping build the company from the ground up. After a few years, I met my now-husband, who lived in Austin, and decided it was time for a change. I began job hunting online and landed a Marketing Manager position at Ash Creek Homes. After a couple of interviews, I was thrilled to accept the job and make the move to Austin. Read More>>

Kim F. Anthony

I grew up in California, surrounded by love, faith, and a profound sense of purpose. My mother, a dedicated teacher, and my father, a probation officer, lived out their values through service to others. My father devoted his free time to prison ministry, feeding the homeless, and supporting underserved communities, while my mother often joined him in prayer and community outreach. Helping others wasn’t just something my parents did—it was a way of life in our home. Looking back, I see how much that environment shaped me, embedding compassion and service into the fabric of who I am. Read More>>

Jennifer Jimenez

In 2020, my partner Jonathan and I decided it was time to buy a home and build a family. We found our perfect place, a condo unit that was a live/work studio. Our initial idea was to open an Architecture & Design studio due to our career backgrounds, but with the long and demanding hours of work, we decided that wasn’t quite it. After our first daughter was born in 2022, we decided to rethink our business plan. We were seeking inspiration everywhere. Read More>>

Andre Levesque

Born into an Air Force family, I had the unique opportunity to grow up in various places around the world before my family settled in South Austin. I attended Bailey Middle School and Bowie High School, and during my sophomore year, with a family move to North Austin on the horizon, I chose to enroll at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in Denton. My academic journey then took me to the University of Texas at Austin, where I studied mechanical engineering, followed by medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Read More>>

Cierrah Herrera

I’ve always had a passion for photography. I took a photography class in high school and carried that photography journey after graduating high school. I then started taking photos for just family and friends. But once I started growing my own little family with my husband James and then became a mom to my son Theodore and daughter Mia I had decided to take a pause on photography. Now that my kiddos are a little older and I have a little more free time for myself I decided to put some focus back into photography and it was the best decision I’ve ever made! Read More>>

Carl Manners

I started Mbodi as a deeply personal project inspired by my older brother, who struggled with anger issues. I wanted to create something meaningful—an experience where he could light a candle, reflect on his emotions, and release them as he blew out the flame. It was about more than a product; it was about crafting a ritual for emotional acceptance. Read More>>

Lana Obrien

My husband and I bough our property outside of Fredericksburg in 1988 and built our home here and began starting our little farm. We wanted to produce products that were totally natural. We kept working and expanding until my husband passed away in January 2022. I’ve been running the farm alone since that time. I produce a line of jams and jellies from my own orchards. Peach jams are featured but there are over twenty verities of jams and jellies. Other than peach one of the best sellers is Apple Butter made using my grandmother’s recipe. Read More>>

Summer Britt

I was about 3 months post partum with my daughter and I was feeling very isolated. I wanted to get out at meet some other moms and find a way to actually finish a workout. I found FIT4MOM New Braunfels, went to a class, and absolutely loved it. I had to go back to work shortly after and was really struggling with trying to work a 9am-5pm remote job plus selling real estate while also being a full time mom to my baby and my toddler. I needed something more flexible and something my kids could be included in, so I decided to quit my corporate job and open FIT4MOM Hays County.  Read More>>