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.
Yoori Koo
It’s definitely been a huge learning curve. I’m finding that the key is to find your niche and also your style. I am not a contractor per se, but more a designer who executes. So getting clear about that and being clear in my communication has been very helpful. Being a female it sometimes feels a little intimidating being in a field that’s male dominated, e.g. going to the lumber yard, meeting metal fabricator. So that took a little getting used to. Read more>>
Julianna Chung
Starting this business has been an exciting journey. Like any new venture, there are challenges, from financial planning to expanding my client base. My focus is on providing exceptional service while adapting to the evolving market, making sure I bring my best to my clients. Cheers to learning something new each day. Read more>>
James Sun
With over decades-long passion for serving Hospitality industry, James has already captured the hearts (and taste buds!) of Austinites and beyond. His restaurants, known for their in-house, made-from-scratch dishes, offer a fresh take on refreshingly modern, yet authentic Italian cuisine. Read more>>
Elpida Sarnacchiaro
Our Story began with Chef Benito, who was a Chef in NYC Little Italy Mulberry Street. He opened his restaurant Benito’s in 1968, it was one of the very few restaurants in Little Italy. Being a very small restaurant, the only person working outside of the kitchen was Salvatore. Known as a “family owned joint”, Benito’s quickly earned a reputation. Chef Benito and Salvatore made an outstanding team: the food and the service were both sensations in their own rights. Year after year, business went up, to the point that evenings at Benito’s had turned into a tradition for many people, who celebrated the entire Benito’s menu. Authentic, delicious, warm, welcoming – they were doing everything right. Read more>>
Meredith Pardue
I have faced–and continue to face–a range of challenges that have shaped both my work and my approach as an artist. One of the greatest is maintaining the integrity of my vision while navigating the commercial side of the art world. Balancing creative freedom with the expectations of galleries, collectors, and large-scale projects is an ongoing negotiation. I want my work to remain authentic while also reaching the right audience. Read more>>
Brenda Lee Gauthier
My relationship with healing began long before I ever considered it as a profession. Growing up in an alcoholic household, I navigated the complex waters of family dysfunction from an early age. Depression, self-hatred, and shame became familiar companions, and my relationships often reflected the internal turbulence I carried. I sought validation through external achievements – high-profile jobs, relationships, anything that might make me feel worthy. The entertainment industry, with its emphasis on image and success, initially seemed like the perfect place to prove my worth. Read more>>
Ann Flemings
But this was the mid-80s, and even McDonald’s jobs were hard to come by. My first gig was hand-painting billboards for an outdoor sign company. This involved climbing up warehouse-high scaffolding and Not – Looking – Down. Did I mention I’m afraid of heights? It was nerve-wracking. Read more>>
Shonda Harris
Transitioning from magazine publishing to filmmaking, I poured my heart and soul into my first movie, “A Better Lyfe.” The film delved into the tragic story of my best friend’s daughter and her disabled uncle, both of whom were murdered. Despite the gravity of the crime, the incident received minimal news coverage, prompting me to create a film to shed light on their story. My debut film was a heartfelt endeavor, and although it was my first foray into filmmaking, it resonated deeply with a sold-out audience during SXSW in Austin, Texas. Read more>>
Olivia Dunn
Being self-taught means that there is no specific blueprint I can follow to reach my goals. A lot of it is trial and error and every single day I’m learning something new. It takes a lot of time and that is one of the things I’ve struggled with the most—having all these ideas but not being able to execute them all quickly. But also there is such beauty in that because it allows me to filter and focus on what truly matters to me. Each day I’m laying one brick at a time and I know that eventually it will all come together and that it is going to be a great moment because I know I’ll have worked so hard for it. Read more>>
Sarah Stewart
My journey into the fitness and exercise science world started when I was getting my degree at Texas Tech. I then went to do my internship at a performance center in Sarasota Florida which transcended my understanding of the human body into an even greater excitement for the field. After that, I landed my first professional job at an incredible gym in Austin! I grew rapidly and still have clients from back then (2000). Read more>>
Brio Cooney
Making a living as an artist is not an easy road. It’s been fun, but being nimble and adaptive to the market is crucial. I remember selling plasma a few times back in the early days just to make ends meet. That was definitely a low point! Another time my husband asked if I just wanted to just quit and get a 9-5 job, but there’s just no way I could do that. Another time while in Kenya shooting for my non-profit I had all of my photography equipment stolen. That was a huge blow and insurance only covered about 10% of the loss. Fortunately I was downloading my images every night so I only lost one day of work. Read more>>
Donnie And Riley Poston
We treat landscape design like interior design. Attention to details. We design landscapes that flow with the property, connect with the soul of the land. We work closely with our clients to include elements they desire. How will they use the space? We also stay in touch with all of our clients. We let them know how to prepare for weather events, check in to see how the landscape is doing. We are always available if they have any questions. Each element of our designs has a purpose. From soil to treetops, we know what is going on. Read more>>
Jessi Mendoza
The road has definitely been challenging. Building a platform for the podcast, getting the word out, and shaping the show into what I truly want it to be has taken a lot of trial and error. Beyond the technical and creative hurdles, there’s also the personal challenge of staying true to my voice while navigating the noise of expectations. But every struggle has reinforced why I started—because showing up, even when it’s hard, is always worth it. Read more>>
Erik Wofford
I was fortunate enough to work with some iconic Austin artists in the beginning of their careers, such as Explosions in the Sky, The Black Angels, Voxtrot. Later on, some of the highlights were The Black Pumas, Bill Callahan, Adam Torres and Molly Burch. In 2019, I decided to build a new studio behind my home further north in East Austin since the area around the old studio was getting developed into a hotel and mixed use high rises. The newer space has a lot of the old school analog charm of the old studio, but with a more controlled environment. Now I have the security to do what I love and spend more time with my family. Read more>>
Amber Prosceno
Today, I specialize in working with post-op clients recovering from cosmetic and medical surgeries, as well as individuals with abnormal lymph node issues, long COVID, autoimmune conditions, stress and anxiety, grief, and those on weight loss and wellness journeys. Helping my clients regain their health and well-being has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. Read more>>
Starla Halfmann
The last day of my job was the day before my 33rd birthday and the first day of my career as an artist was on my birthday as a gift to myself and as a step of faith in the right direction. Two months later Anthropologie discovered me on Pinterest and then a month after that the company I had worked for closed its doors for good. I’ve been full-time for the past 12 years. I’ve had many ups and downs and struggles but it’s taught me so much about faith and relying on the Holy Spirit versus my own logic. Read more>>
Amy Closson
Cupprimo bakes everything fresh each morning and offers three sizes of cupcakes, six & eight inch two-layer cakes, fresh morning quiche and a full array of drinks including a full coffee bar, Nitro, frappes, Italian sodas, and smoothies. As always, they offer all the milk alternatives at no extra cost. All milks treated equally at Cupprimo! Read more>>
Peter Epstein
I’m a photographer/videographer that does not put labels on my profession. I am not a “Portrait Photographer or Wedding Photographer, just a dude with a camera who likes to create. I really do enjoy shooting people though, capturing a feeling portrayed through peoples body language, composition, lighting etc. I think I’d be most known for my music/concert photography/videography and shooting people. Marketing for products is what really pays the bills but my passion is mostly centered around human beings. Read more>>
Lauren Lindberg
What started as a passion became something deeper during a tough season of depression in high school. Filmmaking saved my life when I joined a youth filmmaking program in the Bay Area. A few days a week, I’d go into Oakland, CA to collaborate with peers just as obsessed with storytelling as I was. We made documentaries about mental health, identity, sexuality, disability, and community violence, topics that felt taboo but needed to be explored. I saw firsthand how storytelling could shift perspectives and spark change. Read more>>
Michael Beltran
My company, Flash Marketing Agency, began in 2021 in a small apartment bedroom in Austin, Texas. My Co-founder, Zac Perkins and I are longtime friends who always wanted to start a business together, like most young people plan with their friends. We always shared a love for social media, so diving into marketing and content creation made a lot of sense. Eventually, we got tired of talking about this idea and decided to dive in and give it a shot. Read more>>
Chris Haydostian
We opened on Fathers Day in 2024 with great support from our local community. As Southern Steer Butcher is a new, modern butcher experience, we’re passionate about great food and great experiences for our guests. By and large, the biggest challenge is exposure however we believe that supporting local will bring locals. As such we have sponsored every PTO in LTISD with give back nights, the twelvethirtyone organization, Lake Travis Football, Lake Travis Women’s Lacrosse, and numerous others. Read more>>
Karly Noyola
Eventually, I decided to move closer to home and pursue my dream of opening my own studio. With zero experience in business ownership, I took a leap of faith and sought out the guidance of a business director. Little did I know, this person would become my most patient teacher, guiding me through the ins and outs of running a business and truly changing the course of my life. Fast forward to now—I’m just a couple months shy of my 5-year anniversary of opening my own studio. Read more>>
Kenzie Perez
Once I had a grip on my personal business, I opened Fresh Cosmetic Studio. I had to navigate so many obstacles, and the first 2 years of business ownership were extremely difficult for me. I had to learn to believe in myself and trust my intuition after suffering an “ego death”. Coming out on the other side, I appreciate all the hardships I’ve experienced. I have learned a lot about myself while owning a small business. I like to use my platform and experience to help guide other women owned (& small) businesses any way that I can, and I’m happy to give any advice that I have. Being open and honest about the high’s and low’s of business ownership is extremely important to me. Read more>>
Honey (Nataly) Hernandez
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped me into the business owner I am today. One of the biggest struggles was starting my business with zero clientele and no experience in running a business. I knew how to provide great services, but learning the business side, marketing, finances, client retention was a whole new world. It was a lot of trial and error, but I stayed committed, kept learning, and figured it out along the way. Read more>>
Gretchen Upshaw
Operating ghost tours in New Orleans, Savannah, Charleston, and many of the other “known” haunted cities in the U.S. taught me the importance of knowing your audience, capturing their attention, and creating an unforgettable experience. The challenge with offering ghost tours in Georgetown is less tourism, but the opportunity to educate our locals and give everyone something fun to do while learning about their hometown is rewarding. Read more>>
Anita Lane
Anita began her professional coaching journey in 2009, but in many ways she’s acted as a coach throughout her life. She has always been the safe, wise and kind person to go to for support, compassion, and understanding. She values authenticity and is willing to share her own life struggles, setbacks, heartache and personal breakthroughs because she knows there’s a depth of understanding that comes with having survived some of life’s most challenging experiences. Read more>>
Sianni Dean
Cranky Granny’s offers a variety of fresh baked cinnamon rolls and delicious frozen drinks. My favorite item off of our menu is actually our caramel frozen coffees made with real ice cream and freshly brewed expresso. Dough , glaze and toppings are made in house in small batch in table top mixes just like you may have at home. One of the things that set us apart is we bake our rolls throughout the day compared to a traditional bakery that may bake in the morning and you just come and choose what you want and leave. A fresh tray of cinnamon rolls are coming out the oven just about every 10 minutes . We make every roll to order . It’s like having a bake shop and fast casual restaurant combined. Read more>>
Michael StClair
It was really in middle school, when I began playing the guitar, that I truly learned to love music. I enjoyed the freedom of teaching myself, and on guitar, you can discover one pattern that unlocks a ton of new possibilities. Because of this, you can begin creating your own music more quickly than with other instruments. It’s very exciting. Soon, I found a similar excitement on the trombone and ended up attending college to study that instrument. During college I picked up piano to teach myself jazz harmony and began gigging as much on upright bass as trombone. Throughout college, I also explored composition and arranging. Read more>>
Sherri Arrington
Round Rock Market Days was created 14 years ago when someone asked me “why doesn’t Round Rock have a market days”? I met with the City and it became a dream come true! We have a monthly market in downtown Historic Round Rock on the first Saturday of each month; March – December. Each market has live music and wonderful local artisans showcasing their wares- I truly believe in keeping it local and giving customers an opportunity to find that one of a kind; special gift for someone – and many times they find something for themselves! I love supporting local – and this is such a great way to support our community. We showcase local nonprofits; community fundraising and so much more! Read more>>
Aaron Stephens
I don’t believe a smooth road exists, especially for artists. It’s the challenges and struggles that drive us to pour ourselves into our work, creating pieces that resonate and inspire others to do the same. Personally, I’ve faced my fair share of trials—whether it’s losing friends and bandmates due to the demands of the business, or navigating the shifting landscape of the music industry, particularly with the rise of social media. These challenges are part of the journey, and I’ve come to realize that there’s no real end to them. It’s through these struggles that we evolve as artists and continue to find new ways to connect with our audience. Read more>>
Liz Garton Scanlon
There was a nearly five year gap between publishing my first book and my second. Now I’m able to see that as the time and space I needed to really learn the form, but at the time it was frustrating and disheartening. And there have been countless rejections since then; that’s inherent in the work. The thing about making a career as an artist is it’s essentially a freelance gig — with all the wobbles and hustle and fear, and with none of the safety nets — forever. It’s worth it, but wow, it’s humbling. Read more>>
Cecile Gottlich
My career journey followed an unusual path that truly enriches my current design practice. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film from The University of Texas at Austin, I immersed myself in Hollywood’s storytelling world at Blumhouse Productions—the creative force behind groundbreaking films like “Get Out” and “Whiplash”—before working with industry-leading talent at The Gersh Agency. This background in visual narrative and character development now informs my unique approach to space and design, allowing me to see beyond surface aesthetics to the deeper stories spaces can tell. Read more>>
Hortencia Lopez
It all started, about ten years ago. This passion of mine started as a hobby. It took about three years of practice and learning before I started my business. I can specifically remember taking a course for photography, while not being very fluent in English, I still managed to be very observant and managed to get understanding. I’ve come a long way in my craft and love capturing the special moments. Moments, moments like weddings, fiestas, family gatherings, individual photos, maternity ,newborns that are only a couple of weeks in existence. Its a beautiful thing when you capture these moments. Read more>>
Alondra Gaddis
I was a teacher for 9 years and I felt that it was time to try something new. Vending was honestly, a really random decision. I was looking at franchises to start, and I was told I could keep a day job while doing vending (spoiler alert: you likely cannot because most places want you to fill Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm). But, it ended up being a great decision because when my mom passed away from cancer, my dad was in a deep slump and couldn’t find a job. Doing this gave me something priceless — I get to spend every day with my daddy. He helps me out and I couldn’t have done this without him. Who wouldn’t want their coworker to be their best friend? Read more>>
Lilia Rosas
I began working with Red Salmon Arts as a graduate student intern. I worked directly with raúlrsalinas, who was the original director of Red Salmon Arts. I briefly left the organization while working on my PhD. After his passing in 2008 I was invited back to serve as the administrator of the organization. In 2013 I transitioned to Executive Director. Read more>>
Ariana Lawrence
My journey to founding Ignite Tax Solutions began long before I realized it. Early in my career, I worked alongside CEOs at various startups, immersing myself in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship. These experiences put me in a unique position to gain firsthand knowledge about the finances and taxes involved in running a business. It was a steep learning curve, but it opened my eyes to a side of business that I had never been exposed to before. Read more>>
Betty Chowell
I worked in broadcasting for several years with Univision and Emmis Radio, which allowed me to get to know Austin and its surroundings in depth. Alongside this, I decided to open my own business, continuing to work closely with people, much like I had in dentistry. In the process, I discovered my passion for skincare, and after learning about the career of an Esthetician, I decided to take on a new challenge. I completed my studies and obtained my Esthetician License and complete my training as well as Professional Laser Hair Removal, ultimately opening my own studio. Read more>>
Kathie Tam
I’ve been an Austinite for over 30 years and pretty much know every part of town, and definitely all of the 40 Acres of UT Campus. My approach to photography is documentary and lifestyle, and creating natural looking images. I like to have fun at my photo sessions and making sure my clients enjoy their experience is one of my top priorities. Read more>>
Robert Lewis
A resident of Austin for three years, I originally started my company back home in Dublin, Ireland. My work focuses on helping individuals facilitate, understand and identify who they learned to be so they live as they want to be – whether a leader trying to balance work-life demands or leadership skills, or an individual trying to navigate many of life’s difficult experiences and situations. Read more>>
Jaime Bigheart
Several times I drove by the space contemplating what it would cost, how much time it would take to renovate the space, and if I was ever capable of making all of this happen. I reached out to the leasing company and filled out an application because, “what could it hurt”, right? I sent over my financial information to the leasing agency to get the process started and they were concerned that I did not have enough start-up capital to lease and renovate the space. Read more>>
Crystal Mena
Growing up as a military brat came with its own set of challenges, but it also shaped me in ways I wouldn’t trade for anything. Constantly moving from place to place meant I had to adapt quickly; new schools, new friends, and new environments became the norm. While it wasn’t always easy, it gave me the ability to appreciate a vast array of cultures and backgrounds of people. I learned how to connect with others from all walks of life, which has been invaluable in everything I do. Read more>>
Rhea Rose
However, I had to grow immensely to get to where I am. I was very shy when I was young and insecure about my talents. A little over a decade into my career I became a single parent and was forced to come out of my shell. At that time, the max I made was $28,000 in a year. But then it was time to really become confident in my talent so I could take care of my family on my own. My biggest challenge has been believing in myself. There is nothing like a mother’s love for her kids to conquer that insecurity. Read more>>
Chris Levack
I design and create large scale, outdoor, functional interactive sculpture and architecture. My most well known and enjoyed works of public art are Iron Wave, an iconic, steel skate ramp at House Park, and Pollen Grain, a 14 ft diameter sphere made of steel rings in the Mueller redevelopment green belt. Of late, my best known works are the natural playscapes that I have created for Meanwhile Brewing, Jester King, Austin Beerworks, Fast Friends, and most recently the outdoor history classroom at Monument Hill in LaGrange. Each of these is custom designed for kids of all ages and adults to enjoy outdoor recreation, and make tactile connections with the environment thru natural materials. Read more>>
Adryan McGuire, Brandi Vasquez And Genesis Vasquez
In 2020, Genesis and Brandi recognized a gap in the music scene—there weren’t many spaces highlighting queer musicians in a dedicated way. So, they decided to take matters into their own hands by starting to book queer music events. Their aim was to create inclusive, empowering spaces for queer artists to perform and for queer audiences to feel seen and celebrated through music. This early stage was filled with learning, experimenting, and connecting with artists who were eager for such spaces. Read more>>
Tricia Won
Our sons were 12 and 8 years old when we opened Romantic Florals in our garage. I chose to specialize in weddings because we have a huge wedding industry in the Austin area and because it gave me more flexibility with my time. It was very important to me to have a great work/life balance. My family always comes first; they are the most important people in my life. Read more>>
Brittany Hatcher
Over the course of those four years, I stayed connected with my community by becoming an active member of Alpha Phi Omega (ΑΦΩ), a National Service Fraternity. A few years after graduating, I realized that I hadn’t taken the right path, with my true passion still remaining in service to others. With various members of my family in the mental health and social work fields already, I leveraged their insight and decided to become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). With my LMSW in-tow, I moved to Austin and started to put in the work to gain my final license as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which I am in the final stages of completing at this time. Read More>>
Shelly Crossland
I was born and raised here in Austin. From a young age, I was drawn to creativity, spending my free time writing and starring in plays, reading endless amounts of books, playing piano, violin, and singing, and dreaming of becoming a famous actress someday. In high school I fell in love with performing in musicals and plays, and once emphatically told my dad, “Singing is my therapy!” When it came time to choose a major and enter college, I fell victim to the classic trap of needing to be “realistic” with my career aspirations. I chose to major in Public Relations and Advertising because I heard I could use my love of writing, and also felt it was broad enough to be able to have good job prospects. Read More>>
