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.
Jennie Albano
When my daughter was a newborn, she was a champion eater…until she wasn’t. Suddenly, what was once easy and relaxing became frustrating and stressful for all of us. In those early months, I was also dealing with postpartum anxiety and OCD — something I didn’t really even have the words to describe accurately at the time. Read more>>
Ashleigh Hakes
It’s been quite a journey to get here. There are many pieces and my story is one that’s woven with ceremony, community, and a deep calling to live in harmony with the Earth. Read more>>
Silvia Edwards
Buenos Aires Café began as a dream to bring a piece of Argentina to Austin; not just the food, but the feeling of it. The sense of gathering, of warmth, of family. When we first opened, it was with the hope of creating a place where people could slow down, share a meal, and feel at home, even if they were far from it. Read more>>
Bryan Martinez
Hi, well I have been in sales for 10 years now. I have always wanted to open a business. I have been in the mortgages for about 7 years now. Initially I worked with a direct lender. So I worked with a lot of brokers and I just noticed a majority of them we not what they promised to be for their clients. Read more>>
Caitlin Mclean
When VoyageAustin reached out to feature me as one of their “Hidden Gems,” I was both honored and surprised. My immediate thought was, “You should really do a story on my mom instead!” She has always been my greatest role model, the one whose determination, resilience, and ability to break through barriers has inspired me since childhood. Read more>>
Luke Rizzo
I started loving aviation at the age of 3, watching air shows in California. At the age of 16 I took a helicopter tour over Austin with the former company, ATX Heli Tours, with a man named Kenny. Read more>>
Dani Haggard
I like to call it The Greatest Story Never Told. From the start, I stood out, born with a few rare skin conditions and later diagnosed with ADHD and OCD. My mind has always worked differently, and for a long time, I tried to fit in. Over time, I learned to embrace the way I think and create. Today, my younger self would be proud. Read more>>
Chelsie Kindred
I actually started out as a college nanny and was just looking for an extra source of income. I decided to take an eyelash extension course, and then COVID hit. During that time, I noticed the beauty industry was still thriving despite everything shutting down, so I decided to take it seriously. Read more>>
Jay Dover
About 20 years ago after graduating with a BBA in Finance, I began my first gig with Lincoln Financial Advisors helping public educators save and invest toward their retirement utilizing their 403(b) retirement plan (essentially an educator’s version of the 401(k)). Read more>>
Kelly Treybig
After growing up in Austin, Attending first Andrews and then Eanes elementary schools then graduating from Westlake High School in the 1982. I spent my entire adult life either teaching dance or volunteering for my children’s schools and organizations. Read more>>
andrew Namminga
Andrew Namminga is a no nonsense industrial designer, mechanical engineer, and car enthusiast. Upon graduating from CSULB with a B.S. in Industrial Design, he founded ANDESIGN in 2007 and hasn’t taken a day off since. His insatiable work ethic is contagious. He’s the first person to the office in the morning and the last to leave at night. Read more>>
Ana Cabezas
I was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I came to the United States as a teen. I obtained my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology at Texas A&M-Kingsville, and my Masters degree in Health Psychology at Texas State University-San Marcos. I started working as a counselor at Safe Alliance. During this time, I completed my hours to become a Registered Play Therapist. Read more>>
Vivian Yip
I built my business from a deep desire for financial independence and control over my time. In my early twenties, I became an “accidental landlord” after relocating for work. Real estate wasn’t a grand strategy back then—it was simply a way to hold on to my first home. Read more>>
Erica Volkmer
I began my career in the hospitality space, my love of experiences, travel, and storytelling helped refine my vision and approach to design. I’ve always believed that spaces should tell a story and be a reflection of a client’s journey or a brand’s essence. At the core of everything we do is the belief that interior design should bring JOY. Read more>>
Steph Douglass
Since launching my real estate career in 2017, I’ve been on a mission to make homeownership more accessible, achievable, and empowering for everyone. As a dedicated investor and broker, I’ve built a values-driven brokerage focused not just on closing deals—but on educating and supporting people at every step of their real estate journey. Read more>>
Sarah Dickson
I was working in a corporate roll right out of High School, chasing what I thought was my ‘American Dream’. I started off working for a company that didn’t see my value in the roll I was doing, which made it hard to go to work everyday. Read more>>
Kevin Taylor
My interest in the guitar began when I was seven years old, watching Elvis Presley on The Ed Sullivan Show. I was captivated — but growing up in a rural, isolated area, there were no teachers nearby, and my parents couldn’t afford a guitar. Still, that spark stayed with me. Read more>>
Latonya Matthews
I am a wife and mother of 10 kids and 29 grandkids. I started working at a grocery store in my neighborhood. My passion has always been bakery/deli, with bakery being my heart. I never imagined being a business owner; I was just glad to climb the ladder to management. I was content until one day I had a vision of being my own boss. Read more>>
Julia Stewart
I’ve always been considered an independent, creative person, so naturally I found my way into content creation and social media through freelancing. I started helping businesses with photography, copywriting, and managing their online presence, and from there it just kept growing. Since 2017, I’ve worked with a variety of clients across different industries, helping them create content that feels true to who they are. Read more>>
Melissa Kieffer
Before I ever became a money mindset coach, I was a traveling IT consultant earning six figures and flying across the country three weeks a month. On paper, life looked great, but everything changed when my dad was diagnosed with HCC cancer. I made a commitment to take him to his oncology appointments every month, and for two years that became our rhythm. Read more>>
Harold Uwe Kern
Mr. Kern became director of the School of Ballet San Antonio, the official school of Ballet San Antonio and the only professional school of the city, in August of 2025. Read more>>
Heather Mozingo
All Dogs Training Co. was founded and built from the ground up in 2022, by me. After professionally training show horses, managing high volume dog kennels, running a dog rescue, and competing in dog sports as a personal hobby, I saw the implications of unethical/ineffective dog training practices, and a severe lack of education. Read more>>
Alison Clem
I started in the restaurant industry at the age of 18 almost 27 years ago. I worked just about every position I could get my hands on from Front of House to Back of House and Bar. I moved to Austin in 2011 and started cooking BBQ with John Mueller and my late wife and I (LeAnn Mueller, John’s sister) opened la Barbecue in 2012. Read more>>
Tala Decaix
A challenge has been navigating the path to becoming a play therapist, which isn’t always clearly defined. The psychology field in general is broad and I was overwhelmed as I learned the differences in a masters of social work, masters in counseling, PhD degrees, etc. There were moments of self-doubt, juggling school, internships, and residencies, and wondering if I was doing the “right” thing, especially leaving a more comfortable, stable position in the corporate world. But those struggles taught me a lot—resilience, patience, and the internal reward of following the gifts you were given. Read more>>
Janet St. Paul
Our team is built on excellence, mentorship, and heart, offering guests an elevated experience that honors both craft and care. Everything we do is rooted in the belief that true beauty begins with intention, integrity, and the kindness that makes people feel at home the moment they walk through our doors. Read more>>
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>>
