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.
Tina Cruz
I was accepted into the Art and Technology graduate program at the University of Oklahoma, where I honed my skills and developed a passion for pushing the boundaries of traditional painting. I wanted to bring my physical paintings to life in virtual reality, so I began working with Unity, Maya, and coding to create what I call Immersive Paintings. Instead of simply viewing a painting on a wall, these works allow people to step inside them using a VR headset. The viewer becomes part of the painting—interacting with it, sitting within it, and experiencing art in an entirely new way. Read more>>
Burnadine
Burnadine is an Austin alt-rock group pushing the boundaries of what falls under the umbrella of rock music. Our first single, “Tension”, has received raving reviews from critics, and even radio play. We just put out our second single, “Dreambitch”. We are planning to release one more single at the end of this month and our album this summer. Read more>>
Michael Pollock
I worked in record stores and bookstores for years and spent my free time at cafes reading, drawing and chatting with a wide cast of and people pursuing higher ed. I eventually tired of being desperately poor and made the calculation that working in warehouses for the rest of my life was equally as terrifying as going back to school and being in debt for the rest of my life. Figuring it was a lateral move essentially, I made the wise financial decision to study printmaking at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). The major consisted of technical study of screenprint, relief, lithography and intaglio, intaglio being my favorite. Read more>>
Beth Coffey
Beth is married to Austin-based musician, Joe Jerkins. This talented duo promotes Texas culture through dance and music and can often be seen in commercials and music videos performing together, and on the cover of the Austin Monthly. Don’t miss her latest spotlight on NBC’s Today with Hoda & Jenna Show. Read more>>
Tye Harris
I think any small business owner can attest to the unique stresses that come with the job, especially if your business made it though covid, so we’re certainly not immune to that. Looking back, when we opened our doors in 2016, there was a fair amount of ignorance about running a successful business. That being said, I’m not sure we would have created what we have if it wasn’t for the initial naïveté. Read more>>
Luisa Nunez
After completing my studies, I moved to the U.S. to be with my now-husband, and through the challenges of cultural adjustment, I found clarity in my purpose. I started **Luisa Nunez: Fashion and Style LLC**, where I help clients discover and refine their personal style. My work is not just about clothes—it’s about confidence, empowerment, and feeling truly yourself in what you wear. Whether working with professionals, full-time mothers, or individuals looking to refresh their wardrobe, my goal is always the same: to make style effortless and fulfilling. Read more>>
Sahiba Bassi
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that organizing and mental health are deeply connected. Behind the clutter, there’s often a story—grief, depression, divorce, chronic illness, neurodivergence, or just the overwhelm of a busy life. My job isn’t just to tidy up; it’s to understand the “why” behind the disorganization and to support clients with compassion and practical systems. Read more>>
Kaelin Nguyen Rubenzer
My first professional experience working with people with disabilities came in high school, where I volunteered in the Life Skills program. I felt a deep connection with my peers in the program, but I was troubled by the systemic barriers they faced—limited educational opportunities, disengaged teachers, and, at times, unethical treatment. After graduating, I knew I wanted to contribute meaningfully to the disability field—not only for my friends in the Life Skills program but also for my own family members. Read more>>
Joaquin Rangel
That’s why I founded Joaquin in2 Inclusion. My goal was simple: to bridge the gap between families, educators, and resources so that inclusion isn’t just an idea—it’s a reality. We started by hosting Inclusive Learning Labs, where we train teachers to create supportive and accessible classrooms. From there, we expanded into parent advocacy, helping families understand their rights and work with schools to get the best possible education for their children. We’ve also written numerous articles to help educators and parents/guardians navigate the education system more effectively. Read more>>
Banks Cooney
Pilates has also been a deeply personal journey for me. It’s helped me build self-love through mindful movement. I love that it’s not focused on aesthetics, but rather on how you feel — on tuning into your body, your breath, and your intuition. That philosophy has become the foundation of the methodology we use at Haus of B Pilates. Read more>>
Fleetwood Jacobs
My story begins in 1977 on a hot summer’s day at Barton Springs in Austin’s Zilker Park. The air was humid, the water in the pool was stifling cold, and a drum circle infused the park with chaotic rhythm. Families, hippies, and topless women lounged on beach towels dotting the grassy hillside. As an 8-year-old, I fancied myself a swimming pool connoisseur—sure I’d swum in them all. But there was something different about this one. It was extreme, it was exciting, it was the most awesome place I had ever been. Read more>>
Janna Price
Life isn’t easy. Pursing a passion that is time consuming and costly can be difficult. However, I’ve never given up my dream of pursuing photography. As it functions now, photography is my side hustle, passion, and hobby. My ultimate goal would be to pursue photography full time as a freelance photographer, possibly even a wildlife photographer. Read more>>
Rich Wit A Blikk
That perspective shaped how I hear music. I don’t chase trends or try to fit a mold—I focus on the vibe, the emotion, the way a song can make you see something without needing a single visual. What started as me just playing around with sounds turned into something real, something people connected with. Read more>>
J.I. Mardones
People often think that filmmaking is a career with great advantages because you use to work with different groups of people practically all the time. However, sometimes it is not as nice as it seems. I can tell you about the few times when I did not receive any recognition, any mention, for my contribution in a project, or when other people tried to sabotage or steal my work or excluding me from important decisions. And that is how I began to learn the importance of having my own personal projects, parallel to the other projects I use to work on all the time. I know it may sounds like being individualistic, but I think you understand my point. Read more>>
Averi Segrest
Throughout this journey, I was fortunate to have the support of Sherri Arrington, the owner of Mainstreet Productions. Sherri played a pivotal role in my evolution from an inexperienced vendor to a successful one. I learned the ins and outs of the craft, not just from my own trials and errors but also under Sherri’s guidance. It wasn’t long before I was helping her as a show organizer, diving into social media strategies, and connecting with vendors to create engaging experiences at events. Read more>>
