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.
Rachael Landers // Growing Heart
After a year (2023) of so much bad news in my personal life between 2 major surgeries, losing an ovary, receiving an endometriosis diagnosis, being in a car wreck with injuries shattering my dominant foot, then being laid off, I started 2024 feeling like I had no purpose. Read more>>
Mikaela Lindsey
Upon graduating high school with my degree I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I started working out when I was 13 and did my first bodybuilding show at age 16. My early teen years were plagued by an eating disorder. I did classical ballet at the time and my naturally muscular frame wasn’t the stereotypical ballerina shape. Read more>>
Angela Arnold
I didn’t set out to start an agency. I started by trying to understand why marketing so often felt loud, expensive, and unreliable, especially for businesses doing genuinely good work. My background is in strategy and performance marketing, and early in my career I kept seeing the same pattern. Companies were being sold tactics instead of systems. Read more>>
Jefferis Peterson
I went to college become an art major in the lates 1970’s, but it was a time of ‘self-expression’ and ‘self-realization,’ rather than teaching. I had a great instructor in high school, but not in college, so I dropped art as a major. I became a Christian in college and became a religion major. Read more>>
Richa Agarwal
I started my business by creating small, handcrafted goodie bags and selling them to friends and neighbors. What began as a simple passion quickly grew into something much bigger. As people began to trust my creativity, I was given the opportunity to bring full event décor dreams to life, transforming celebrations into memorable experiences. Read more>>
Katie Wiechnicki
We are four women, two nurses and two dietitians, with hearts for public health. We have worked together and independently in various health care sectors; most recently we worked as part of a hospital outpatient diabetes education team in Austin, Texas. However, in a post-Covid financial crisis, the increasingly for-profit hospital system made major cuts, including the entire diabetes and education program. Read more>>
Etgar Oak
I started tattooing over two decades ago and built my career through years of hands-on experience, constant learning, and working in different countries. I worked in many studios in Europe, traveled extensively, and tattooed a wide range of clients, which shaped not only my style but also my approach to the craft and to people. Read more>>
Ryan Buck
I moved to Austin in 2019 with the intention of building something meaningful. I joined an interior architecture firm as an associate designer where I was immersed in fast-paced, design-driven work that sharpened both my technical foundation and my design intuition. Read more>>
Candice Williams
My sophomore year of college the Enron scandal imploded and I was intrigued by the investigations and formations of the PCAOB and SOX act, etc. Once I declared my Accounting major and took my first audit class, I realized there was a huge demand for audit professionals. Read more>>
Carla Birnberg
We live in a culture that rewards urgency, streaks, and optimization. Do it every day. Don’t miss. Start over if you do. Over time, I kept noticing how often that model quietly failed people. Not because they didn’t care or weren’t disciplined enough, but because life is unpredictable and most systems don’t account for that. Read more>>
Don Jenkins
Ethel’s Helping Hand began as a way to honor my great-grandmother, Ethel, whose generosity shaped my childhood. One of my strongest memories is her gathering me and my cousins and turning whatever food she had into a meal so no one went without. Giving to others wasn’t something she talked about—it was how she lived. That example stayed with me into adulthood. Read more>>
Karen Montalvo
I began my beautiful journey in this industry in 2010 at Paul Mitchell – The School – in Austin and instantly fell in love with every aspect. Color theory, hair cutting, the transformations, the relationships you build – all of it! Read more>>
Alana Webre
I come from a long line of chefs and artists and it seems inevitable that I would just eventually combine the two and get creative with food. My fraternal family side has restaurant owners and chefs back several generations, which continued with my parents, my brother, myself and my cousins, while my mother’s side contains multi-generational professional visual artists. Read more>>
Lyndsey Anderson
I grew up a small-town Texas kid who did really well in school, but I did not have much guidance on what to do with it. In college, I studied advertising, but never did an internship. I did’t understand how important it was, and I lacked the confidence to believe that I could actually break into that world. Read more>>
Christian Soriano
After a 14 year career in corporate America in the Logistics field, I decided to pursue my passion of helping people through fitness, as a metric driven individual in my past life, I saw a need/opportunity to translate that to the fitness industry to hold people accountable and for them to see results, so was Forge Strength Austin born. Read more>>
Doreece Taylor
My path into behavioral work was shaped by years of experience in home, clinical, educational and community-based settings, where I worked closely with children, families, and care teams. Early in my career, I became interested in how systems, structure, and staff support, or the lack of them directly influenced behavior and outcomes. Read more>>
Jose Amador Meza Jr
My path to fitness and coaching was not straightforward, but the seeds were planted early. In 2018, at age 20, I began my professional journey as a special education co-teacher at IDEA Donna College Prep while still pursuing my BBA in Business Management full time. Read more>>
Tony Nava
I have been a life long collector and admirer of all things quality. Over the years I have acquired a lot of really interesting things, and it became obvious that I needed to share my passion with others. An opportunity in an historic building in Downtown Lockhart presented itself, and I decided to jump in to the retail vintage and antiques market. Read more>>
Robert Mills
I was born in Wichita Falls, TX and grew up there I was a very active child going up was always outside but as soon as I heard my mom’s whistle I knew to come home. In school I was very active in my school marching band in freshman year we made state! I was also active in fixing technology. Read more>>
Teodoro Ledesma
During college a criminal justice majjor with a focus on law school. I never thought I would be a coach of any kind. I had a job as a valet driver downtown Austin, Texas. There was a group of us who were fit and active. Most of us ex athletes. Read more>>
Jad Saber
Daring Eyes was born from both experience and ambition: a journey shaped by industry knowledge, personal vision, and the courage to take a leap. Before launching the brand, I began my career as an employee at Bella Contact Lenses in Lebanon. Read more>>
Jonathan Archer
I grew up in West Virginia, where working with your hands wasn’t a hobby—it was simply how things were made. From an early age, I was drawn to building, problem-solving, and understanding how things come together. That foundation eventually led me to formal training in architectural design and construction management, followed by a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Read more>>
Daniel Fitzgerald
The earliest recollection I have about being interested in Marketing and Advertising, goes back to my 8th grade teacher, Mr. Estep. His class focused on Marketing and Advertising, discussing creative ways companies design advertisements to capture attention to their products and services. Read more>>
Raechel Ritch
My interest in traditional medicine began from personal experience as a patient. My younger brother was ill as a child and we tried all the things, including Acupuncture. It was one of the modalities in which the whole family could get treated, not just him going to the doctor again. Read more>>
Shelbi Batchelor
My name is Shelbi Marie Batchelor. I am a small-town lifestyle + wedding photographer out of Buckholts Texas. I moved from New Richmond Ohio in 2016 to study nursing. I began my life as a stay at home mom after meeting my now husband shortly after moving. Read more>>
Desiree Laux
My story in design began in 2005, creating custom window treatments and learning the craft of how fabric, texture, and light can completely transform a room. While building that hands-on foundation, I pursued my passion more formally and earned my BS in Interior Design in 2009. Read more>>
Cori Hernandez and Michael Hernandez N/A
Cori: Hi! I’m Cori and this is my husband of 10 years, Michael. We are co-owners of our wedding videography business, Fervent Creative. I grew up just south of Los Angeles and had a passion for filmmaking since I was very young. In high school I shot all of the school events, dances, football games and even created mock commercials and music videos for fun. Read more>>
Laura Rodgers
Shred512 Fitness was founded by Blaine and Laura Rodgers—a husband-and-wife team united by a shared belief that fitness should be effective, approachable, and rooted in community. What began as a personal passion for movement and strength evolved into a bigger mission: to create a space where people of all fitness levels feel welcomed, supported, and challenged. Read more>>
Atlantis Frost
In August 2016, I moved from Chicago to Austin to begin a PhD in Physical Chemistry at the University of Texas, bringing my son, Lucien, with me. When the pandemic began and the university closed, I became concerned about my income, especially as a single mother. A staff member and friend suggested I reach out to Pinky Merchant for possible employment opportunities. Read more>>
Niki Vanhowten
I officially started my business on August 10, 2022, after working for a local wedding coordinating company. I loved the work—every part of wedding day—but I realized I wanted to grow more individually and build something of my own. My passion for weddings really began with my own. Read more>>
Michael Winfrey
After serving in the Marine Corps with Bravo Company 1st Battalion 1st Marines, I wanted to do something to honor not only my Marine Corps brothers but our military brothers & sisters as well. After a few challenges when I ETS’d (Expiration of Term of Service) from the Marines, I decided it was time to pursue my college degree. Read more>>
Cassandra Collins
I am 33 years old and own and operate Wise Tails Academy in Bee Caves, TX. I moved out to the hill country when I was 11 years old and lived in the heart of 78704 for 5 years in my early 20s. I spent 2 years in Australia and New Zealand in my mid 20s before deciding Texas was truly my forever home. Read more>>
Janine Jones
Southern Sky Jewelry & Hats as a brick and mortar store opened in September 2025 but the origin of the business began long before that. As a jeweler, I began learning the craft and making jewelry at 17 years of age. Read more>>
Opal Z
I’ve been in the beauty industry for about twenty years, but the path here wasn’t linear—it was intentional. I started in my early twenties at the front desk, working my way through different med spas and earning my laser technician certification along the way. Read more>>
Amber Waldron
When we were first married in the 1990s, my husband and I discussed how having our own businesses could contribute to a more flexible lifestyle. My husband, being a photo enthusiast, owned quite a bit of camera equipment. I remember looking at our wedding photos and thinking how much we loved them, how they made me feel. Read more>>
Justin Bradish
I always knew I wanted to help people. After I graduated Parker my wife and I moved to San Angelo. We knew we wanted to raise a family in a small town, so after a few years, and a short year in Florida later, we saw Cameron Chiropractic Clinic was for sale. Read more>>
Victoria Sobiech
It began when my mom and I went to Paris, France in February 2022. We drank cafe cremes everywhere we went. The one and only time we got a one to go- which is not a typical French thing to do, I saw a man making crepes and I thought to myself I could do that. Read more>>
Micaela Fernandez
I come from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I arrived with nothing but courage, a dream, and a baby in my arms at just 19 years old. From a very young age, I knew I wanted more—I dreamed of building my own business, something that was truly mine. Photography was always part of who I was. Read more>>
Thao Nguyen
I found my way into photography almost by chance. I picked up a camera in high school and began by documenting my friends and family during sporting events and then expanded into photographing more general, everyday moments like hanging out with friends and various extracurricular activities. That interest led me to study photojournalism at Syracuse University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science. Read more>>
Zabrina Garcia
My journey started in Tampa Florida where I was born and raised , I was always had love and passion for everything beauty ever since middle school going into high school that’s when i started to begin my makeup journey. Read more>>
Sabine Nauman
I was born and raised in Heilbronn Germany…moved to Frederick, Maryland at the age of 27 .. I am now 66 My only daughter and her Family moved to Dripping Springs 4 years ago , I relocated from Maryland September 2024 to Austin Texas . I have been a hairstylist for 32 years 10 of them I had my own business in Maryland… Read more>>
Tamara Chhay
I started working in the insurance industry as a medical coder and biller in 2012, then transitioned to a large national employee benefits brokerage in 2014 as an account coordinator/account manager. I decided to pursue my own agency in 2019 and wanted to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for our clients. Read more>>
Sally Mazinani-Arnold
Hi thank you for the interview. My husband and I started Enchanted Slumbers, November of 2022, we are family owned sleepover tent company that sets up beautiful custom children’s sleepover tents for all occasions. Read more>>
Robin Cervantes
Ive always been into nutrition and fitness. I was a professional dancer and personal trainer in NYC in my 20’s and felt I lived the the example of what I taught to my clients. Eat clean, exercise often, rest, repeat. Then in my late 20’s at the height of my dance career, I started to fall apart. Read more>>
Sandra Lott
Our restaurant started as our small office for our Water Softener business, and we decided that we wanted to bring something fun & exciting to our area as we see the direction our area was heading in. Read more>>
Jennifer Carter
I built my career inside mission-driven organizations, spending more than two decades leading workforce development, people strategy, and organizational change at scale. On paper, it was success. In reality, I kept watching talented, capable leaders burn themselves out trying to contort into roles that no longer fit. That tension pushed me to build something of my own. Read more>>
Cody Roberts
We were a part of a group of families and educators that wanted to build the perfect nature based preschool. We were all leaving a failing nature school in Dripping Springs but had an idea of what would make it work. Luckily, we found a beautiful 15 acre property and decided to take the plunge. Read more>>
Josh Wyland
I started Jiu Jitsu Hub (JJH) based on my passion for Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling. This passion began when I was 8 years old and started wrestling. My passion for combat sports shifted more so to Jiu Jitsu after wrestling for 15 years, when I started to compete in Jiu Jitsu. I am a world-class Jiu Jitsu competitor and wrestler. Read more>>
Paul Wargo
After several years in the industry, I (Paul, the owner) started Dixie Tint Pros in 2021 as a subcontracting company for other automotive accessory shops that wanted to add window tint to their offerings. We opened our first retail location in Lakeway in August of 2022 and in Dripping Springs in 2023. The company has grown every year and now supports multiple employees. Read more>>
Stephen Breaux
I grew up in Louisiana, around family and grandparents; near swamps of Lafayette, and beaches in Pensacola; our family of 6 took camping trips, we built and launched model rockets, rode bikes, and enjoyed activities in and around the water. I was also influenced around the drawing table of my father who was an old-school mechanical and electrical engineer. Read more>>
Melissa Hargis-Villanueva
I think I always wanted to become an architect—I just didn’t know it at the time (I really wanted to be an actress for a hot minute!) But looking back, the signs were there. Read more>>
Jamie Duplichan
I have loved drawing, painting and sculpture for as long as I can remember. It calms me and gives me purpose. My favorite medium has always been pencil and graphite. All my projects begin there and then I build on it for painting or sculpture. It high school and several years from there I sold most of my art at fairs and festivals. Read more>>
Bobby Galvan
I got into studying film while attending University of Southern California back in 2012. I saved up doing my work study job and bought a camera, started taking photos for cash, and basically worked on – off doing photography and video production since then. I primarily did headshots in Los Angeles. Read more>>
John Henry Clark
I was born and raised in Houston and moved to central Texas in 1989. I have been a journalist for more than 30 years, working for various newspapers across Texas and now working for myself as a freelancer. Read more>>
Hayden Aldridge
My beginnings are owed to God, family, and friends introducing me to the world of history and the great outdoors at a very young age. I am a tenth generation Texan with family roots in the Texas Revolution and the formation of our Great State. I grew up with folks who had walked all paths of life; ranchers, outdoorsman, scientists, and craftsman. Read more>>
Becky Tamez
I’ve always believed that the best business growth for a lot of industries, doesn’t come from ads or cold outreach, it comes from people. Connecting and building real relationships. I’ve watched business owners spend hours networking…going to events, meeting great people, and then struggle to keep up with all the follow-ups and connections afterward. Read more>>
Nae Batiste
For a long time, I felt like a lost kid. I was not the child dreaming up big career plans or mapping out the future. I was carrying a lot internally, and it took time to grow into myself. As I got older and began doing the inner work, I started learning who I really was beneath everything I had been through. Read more>>
Amanda Bartlett
My story isn’t one of overnight success or a perfectly mapped plan. It’s been shaped by a deep pull toward service, a lot of grit, and a willingness to say yes before I felt ready. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to people and places where help was needed. Read more>>
Andrea Rye Gonzalez
After 23 years as a Secondary English educator, I made a deliberate decision to change careers. I still wanted to serve my community and help people in a meaningful way. Healthcare gave me that opportunity. I saw how confusing and overwhelming healthcare decisions can be. I also saw how many people were making choices without truly understanding their options. Read more>>
Danelle Land
My path to becoming a subconscious coach, author, and my development of the LAND™ Method was not something I consciously set out to do. It was shaped—layer by layer—through lived experience, long before I understood how deeply the nervous system, subconscious identity, and emotional regulation determine the course of a life. I grew up in an environment where emotional connection was inconsistent and unpredictable. Read more>>
Clarissa Hernandez
I started my career in the mortgage industry five years ago with a simple goal: to help families build stability and long-term wealth through homeownership. Early on, I learned that this business is about much more than rates and numbers—it’s about education, trust, and genuinely caring about the people you serve. Read more>>
Jada Smith
My affinity for the grandest moments of life began long before I stepped into a professional planning role. Growing up on the pageant stage and at the table of charity galas, I developed a lifelong reverence for the theater of formality and the grace of a perfectly executed evening. Read more>>
