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.
Giacomo Forbes
That salon was like an international academy. It had 35 of the best hairdressers from around the world. One of them worked with Paul Mitchell and soon invited me to tour as his assistant. Paul himself noticed my skills and put me on stage at shows, wrapping perms and setting hair with his then-revolutionary Freeze and Shine spray. I was barely out of my teens, already traveling and learning the craft in ways I could only have dreamed. Read more>>
Matt Gibson
I grew up in a loving Cuban and Mexican family in Dallas, but in high school I drifted into partying, which eventually led to a ten-year battle with opiate addiction and homelessness. In June 2017, I found recovery and everything changed. Since then, my passion has been helping others find the same freedom. Read more>>
Lucy Evans
My story with Adelyne’s Boutique & Gifts started with a leap of faith and a chance encounter. In March 2024, I became the owner after stepping into a little shop owned by a former teacher ready for a new chapter. I’ve always believed that shopping should be more than just getting new things- it should be an experience where people feel welcome and happy. Read more>>
James Guerra
JG Consulting was founded and started on a whim. My previous employer suddenly imploded forcing the company and its employees to pursue other career opportunities. I decided during that difficult time that I no longer wanted to work for another organization or person, and I wanted to be in control of my own professional destiny. Read more>>
Pree Poonati
After working in Corporate America from 2007 – 2013, I felt that something was off. I’ve been consistently unhappy in all areas of my life and I needed to change or, I was not going to end up well. After thorough reflection, I noticed I became obsessed with self-growth. Read more>>
Mike Capello
Hello, my name is Henry Michael Capello, but I go by Mike and here’s a quick summary of my journey that lead me to owning Chisholm Trail Bar B.-Q. I was born and raised in Lockhart Texas and came from a very poor part of town. Read more>>
Alyssa Quitugua
My journey really started with my mom. She owns a CPR company called Life First CPR, and I began working alongside her as an instructor, helping teach classes all over Central Texas. That experience showed me early on the power of serving the community and helping others. Later, my mom expanded into the holistic world with her business, Phoenix Botanicals. Read more>>
Wadner Estrada Cortez
My journey began in 2017, long before the inception of WePop Marketing. At that time, I was a commission based sales position promoting construction specializing in ADUs. Like many small business owners, I needed a professional website to attract clients. However, the high costs quoted by web designers, ranging from $3,500 to $4,500, were beyond my budget. Read more>>
Cs S
Established in 2007, East Village, Manhattan, New York City. “When I was 14 years old my mom kneeled down next to me as I was sewing together a pair of pants and said “Why don’t you become a fashion designer?”. It sounded very fabulous and it was the first time she spoke of my professional future. Read more>>
Jenny Stone
I am a native of Austin and started my career over 20 years ago launching an event planning business. While I loved creating memorable experiences, I realized my true passion was always in the behind-the-scenes organizing—bringing systems, functionality and calmness to my client’s lives and homes. Read more>>
James Hush
We started started as a way to repurpose storage space in the back of my partner’s clothing and housewares store, Golden Hour. The plan originally was to sell a mix of antique and vintage items, including books. As I was painting a shelf in our shared back alley, some folks walked by and said “How exciting! Read more>>
Jesse Arter
I got into natural and healthier building materials in 2001 when I started working for a small business called Environmental Home Center, which eventually grew and became Ecohaus. Here I became a technical product nerd, because we were using materials that weren’t in the mainstream, and people were always wanting to know what the ingredients were that made up the product. Read more>>
Jose Canales
After a career spent in advertising, I started my own design agency in 2014. In the early years, we focused on building CPG and outdoor brands through the discipline of design, primarily packaging and apparel. Read more>>
Billy Wilkinson
Billy Wilkinson is a growth-driven executive, entrepreneur, Execupreneur ™ and investor whose career spans financial services, executive leadership, marketing innovation, and strategic acquisitions. As CEO of Threshold, Billy leads a fast-scaling digital marketing firm specializing in industry specific sectors—including student housing, multifamily, senior living, and financial institutions—where he’s spearheaded acquisitions and acquihires, completed cross-border acquisitions, and consistently driven strong EBITDA performance. Read more>>
Heather Sutherlin
A few years ago, I was living in France where my husband and I were renovating a petite chateau into a bed and breakfast. We had guests visit from all over the world and I soon found myself giving tours of the French countryside, Paris, and beyond. Read more>>
James Stone
I started out in computing at National Semiconductor in Silicon Valley as a dispatch operator for the very first price scanners in grocery stores. From there I started home school in electronics at the Cleveland Institute of Electronics. That got me a job as a technician at Osborne Computers, employee 62. Osborne was the very first handheld microcomputer before Apple and IBM. Read more>>
Aaron French
In high school, my brother and I alternated cooking dinner. I preferred when he didn’t cook—he always burnt or overcooked the food. I enjoyed making meals that looked beautiful and tasted good. I took culinary arts courses in Missouri, where I learned very basic skills. From there, I started working in the food industry. Read more>>
Kimberly Kennedy
My story begins in the military, where I served in multiple combat deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. Those years taught me discipline, adaptability, and how to stay calm in chaos — skills that shaped not only who I am but also how I practice. Read more>>
Jennifer Costea
I’ve always loved horses, but like so many people, life pulled me away from riding for years. Between raising my kids, navigating the challenges of motherhood, and managing my own anxiety, my focus was on everyone else. A big part of me felt like my time had passed with horses. It was something I did for a brief period of time when I was 13. Read more>>
Isabel Olvera
My story really began in 2019, when I started decorating events for my family and relatives. They would always tell me ‘You should start your own balloon business!’ but at that the time, I didn’t take it too seriously-it felt like something too far out of reach. Read more>>
Gail Hastings
The All Good, a new community hangout space and bar, will open on Friday, Sept. 26 in The Railyard district of Cedar Park, featuring a sprawling patio and an on-site food truck from award-winning smashburger concept JABS. Read more>>
marisa bain
I have always been a dancer, so having a career in professinal dance that turned in studio ownership, is literally me living my dream. Dance was always more than steps to me. Dance class and the instructors who trained me, taught me accountbility, respect, discilpine, work ethic, so many life skills are taught in the dance room. Read more>>
Evelin Martinez
Our Story; Evergreen Pro-Care began as a vision my husband and I shared to bring a fresh perspective to lawn care and landscape maintenance — one that values the environment just as much as appearances. In 2007, when my father bought acreage in the Hill Country after we moved from California. Read more>>
patrice Chatmon
I’m from Dallas, Tx. I grew up in South Dallas. It was rough so I was molded by my environment to be a little rough around the edges. It adds a sprinkle of additional spice to my personality so I’m cool with it. Read more>>
Anjuli Singhal
My journey has been a bit of a winding road. I started out doing a bunch of odd jobs before landing in the corporate world. I really enjoyed the fast pace and the relationships I built with buyers, but over time, the long hours and lack of fulfillment started to wear me down. Read more>>
Micah Henderson
I have been working in the Challenge Course, Aerial Adventure and Zip Line industry since 1998 as a trainer, inspector, designer, builder and business consultant. I was working with the previous owners of Zip Lost Pines in 2023 as they were on the path to selling the company. It became an opportunity for me and my business partner Rae Kish to purchase in 2025. Read more>>
Thomas Mckay
It’s hard to admit when something you once loved no longer fits — especially when it’s tied to your identity. After two decades in tech and years in the video game industry, I hit a wall. What once felt creative and full of possibility had turned into routine and metrics. I stopped feeling challenged, and burnout quietly crept in. Read more>>
Maggie Wills
With over three decades of experience as a corporate travel agent, I have facilitated countless hotel bookings for large corporations and military personnel, working primarily remotely. My expertise lies in understanding the core elements that define a memorable hotel experience: exceptional cleanliness and outstanding customer service. When I relocated to Gonzales, Texas, a friend asked whether I had ever managed a hotel. Read more>>
Matthias Gautreaux
I am more than a DJ Service, I offer DJing events and weddings yet I also offer (basically done for you) drum circles…where I supply all the drums and the lessons, or just the JAM! I also offer Sound Healing, Ecstatic Dance, and African DJEMBE drum roping. I’m also in a 10 piece reggae band and we can be ‘rented’ for an event, as well! Read more>>
Natasha Antonioni
My path to this work wasn’t linear—it rarely is when you’re following what genuinely calls to you. Ten years ago, I transitioned from a thriving career in the beauty industry into real estate, a shift that felt both natural and radical. Read more>>
Carol Pierce-Davis
In his inimitable fashion, Zach summed up his thoughts on the event, “Yeah, the only bad thing is that by the time we get back to New Braunfels, she will be a brat!” Out of the mouths of babes. He was right. It was time to go back to roots. Within weeks, the monthly psychology newsletter arrived in the mail. There it was! In the Wanted ads: a position available for a psychologist. In Austin! Read more>>
Ashley Wall
For years, I dreamed about writing a children’s book. I read with my two young children daily and as an educator, know how important reading is to growing minds—but it always felt like something for “someday.” In August 2022, with the encouragement and support of my husband, that someday became today. Read more>>
Lucas Miller
In 1993, about a year and half of graduating with a degree in zoology, I moved to Austin. My girlfriend (now wife) and I visited the town and loved the laid-back vibe. For me, the music scene was a big draw because I had had bands in college and still fantasized about making it as an alt-rocker. Read more>>
