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.
Briana Olmos
Brilicious started from a place I never expected — it started as a way to cope with a big transition in my life. After relocating to Central Texas from El Paso, I was navigating a lot of changes and needed something that gave me purpose, creativity, and a sense of connection. That’s when this little idea began to grow. Read More>>
Scott Hall
My journey really started with a simple realization: Texas wine has an incredible story to tell, but it’s a story that many people, even lifelong Texans, are still just beginning to discover. I’ve always had a deep passion for regional travel, history, and the art of storytelling. Read More>>
Heath Fewell
My path has been a blend of creativity and curiosity. I began exploring photography in 2018 and quickly found myself drawn to the process of creating something from an idea and bringing it to life. What started as a hobby gradually turned into opportunities to work with individuals, small businesses, and brands, allowing me to develop my skills and gain experience through real-world projects. Read More>>
Jennifer ‘Suki’ Otsuki
My path has been anything but linear, but food has been the common thread throughout it all. I spent years working in restaurants, eventually serving in leadership roles as an Executive Chef for concepts including House of Blues, Meddlesome Moth, and Mudhen Meat & Greens. Read More>>
Kate Meehan
When I was around 5, my mother was working the spotlight for a local community theatre production of Cabaret. I went with her one night, and we packed a picnic and climbed into this dark, scary audience space that had been boarded up with only a little notch cut out for us and her massive spotlight. Read More>>
Esmeralda Miranda
I moved to Texas 2 years ago & for a while I was a stay at home mom. I always had a dream of starting my own business giving me the flexibility to be present for my family & also fulfill my entrepreneurial heart. I have always had a passion for coffee & really enjoyed making it for myself & others. Read More>>
Sami Garrett
I’ve always been drawn to areas where there isn’t a black and white or a ‘right’ way to do something and instead moving with what feels good. Which makes a lot of sense for where I am today. Today, I’m a mom and lover of aliveness in life. Read More>>
Justin Trubiana
LEONA Botanical Café & Bar is a culinary destination from the teams behind DEE DEE and Veracruz All Natural. It features an outdoor botanical garden, a main cafe and bar, a pavilion, and three separate restaurants: DEE DEE, Veracruz All Natural, and coming soon, Bun Bun Burger. With a focus on sustainability and botanical elements. Read More>>
Melissa Hedrick
A Bushel ‘n’ A Peck Cottage Foods & Gifts began in 2017 with a simple dream and a new season of life. After our youngest child started school, I decided to turn my love for creating and gifting into a small business. So I made the jump from stay at home mom to business owner overnight. Read More>>
Anastasia Antonova
I grew up in Russia and moved to the United States when I was 18. Shortly after, I settled in New York City, where I spent the next 12 years building my career in creative industries. I worked as a graphic designer, photographer, and high-end retoucher, collaborating with brands such as Mercedes, Nike, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Laura Mercier and many others. Read More>>
Tina Rich
I started hand modeling seven years ago for a jewelry company out of Atlanta and after that I was booked again as a hand model for a curtain company out of Dallas. From there I was booked as a hand model for a perfume company out of Florida. Read More>>
Giuliano Almeda
Originally, I began making music under a band called Carved Away. This project didn’t end up working out for long, so I started making music on my own under Leda And The Swan. To this day the project consists of only me, alongside some help from others for the visual aspects of the project. Read More>>
Marlaina Mathisen
My journey with pottery began long before I ever sat down at a pottery wheel. When I was seven or eight years old, I spent much of my time exploring the woods, valleys, and creeks near my home in Illinois. One day, while digging in a creek bed, I discovered a deposit of wild clay. Read More>>
Dušica Mihajlović
Ten years ago, I worked as a freelancer for an American company researching Instagram influencers who deal with whole foods, organic, vegan, vegetarian, paleo…nutrition. The company produces vegan cosmetics, so it needed influencers who could advertise their products. Read More>>
Rica Greenwood
I was born in a developing country and immigrated to the United States with my family. My parents worked incredibly hard to create opportunities for us, and their sacrifices shaped the way I approach both life and business today. They taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and taking responsibility for your future. Read More>>
Narges Trb
I’ve always loved art and creativity. I started painting many years ago and continued developing my skills while raising my family. Over time, I discovered my passion for textured and 3D artwork and began creating original pieces for homes and businesses. Today, I run NTA FineArt, where I create handmade textured paintings, share tutorials, and connect with art lovers through social media and online sales. Read More>>
BriAnna Garza
In October of 2021, I started Shooters Shoot LLC on my front porch in Phoenix, AZ as a T-shirt brand. I had been in general player development as a college and private-sector coach for a few years, and I knew I had a knack for teaching shooting. Read More>>
Anya Molyviatis
I was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and grew up between Switzerland, Greece, and later the United States. My path to becoming a weaver was anything but direct. Before discovering textiles, I was deeply interested in architecture, design, and the ways our environments shape how we feel. Read More>>
Samrity Dhawan & Anjeli Agarwal
Samrity Dhawan | Lotus Volunteer · ~8–9 years with SAIVA My name is Samrity, and I have been a volunteer with SAIVA — the South Asians’ International Volunteer Association — for about eight or nine years now. Honestly, I feel so blessed to be part of this family. Read More>>
MJ Sutton
KTS started as a marketing agency, providing web design and SEO services. From there, customers had asked about photography and videographer services. It was definitely a fun transition as we dedicated more and more time to that side of the craft, which eventually became everything we did. We found a strong audience in the alt modeling, boudoir, and themed genres. Read More>>
César Núñez
I am an architect, entrepreneur, and creator of places. My journey began with a passion for design and a fascination with how the built environment shapes the way people live, interact, and experience the world. Early in my career, I worked on residential and development projects throughout Mexico, gaining experience in architectural design, planning, and construction. Read More>>
Tania Maria Gutierrez
Honestly, my journey has been a little chaotic—but in a good way. I grew up in Mexico being completely obsessed with animals. Then life happened. I moved to Texas, struggled a lot with school and confidence, and had many moments where I questioned if I was actually smart enough for this field. Read More>>
Danelle Vanderzyden
My background is in accounting and business management, and I have worked in many different industries over the past 25 years, with each role helping to provide the knowledge and experience needed to start my Christian bookstore. Read More>>
David Trejo
I was born and raised in Mexico, where my love for art began at an early age. As a kid, I was captivated by cartoons, Disney books, and comic illustrations. I was the student who was constantly getting in trouble for drawing in class instead of taking notes. Looking back, those sketches were the first signs that creativity would become a lifelong passion. Read More>>
Angelica De Castiglioni
I started my journey in the heart of Milan, Italy, but New York became the place where I truly found my rhythm back in 2009. My career path has been a blend of creative passion and analytical rigor, starting in the fast-paced world of fashion after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology, then diving into data-driven strategy with my M.S. from NYU. Read More>>
Evan VanDoren
I spent nine years as a band director at Cedar Park High School before going full-time as a composer and arranger. It wasn’t a dramatic leap. I’d been writing music on the side for years, building a client base while still teaching. At some point, the math shifted, and the music became the job. Read More>>
Chris LaRocque
When I first started, there was no thought of this becoming a business, just more a backyard family farm. We simply wanted to eat healthier and grow more of our own food naturally. Chickens were an easy sell to my wife and quail weren’t too much of a jump, but I definitely fetched some odd looks when I suggested meat rabbits. Read More>>
Monica Mohnot
I was born in Kolkata, India, and have been based in the United States since 2001. My early life was shaped by a strong awareness of cultural displacement and shifting identities, which continues to inform my work. I trained as a painter, completing my BFA at Texas State University and my MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Read More>>
Ricardo Acevedo
Ricardo Acevedo • Writer/Poet, Photo/film Based Visual Artist, Avant Musician Ricardo Acevedo is a multidisciplinary, mestizo, artist, writer, photographer, and director whose career spans over four decades. Read More>>
Alexandra Malaga Verano
What began as a hobby in June 2019 after the birth of my first son, Cristobal, has grown into a passion project that balances my love for handmade jewelry with my primary role as a mother. Seeking economic independence while staying home, I began sourcing unique handmade jewelry from Venezuela, specializing in a technique called soutache. Read More>>
Santiago Dietche
I was born and raised in Austin and have played music here since around age 15. My dad is a pianist so I always grew up around music, but could never pick up the piano myself. Singing and guitar were always my favorite instruments as a kid and that continued into forming my first band in High School. Read More>>
Frank Herbertson
I moved to Austin in the late 80s when the city was still relatively small and ‘weird’. After a decade in the US military, mostly serving in Wiesbaden and doing little more than drinking bier and guarding pretzel stands, I decided to take advantage of the GI Bill and enroll at the University of Texas at Austin. Read More>>
