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.
Akayla Irving
My artistic journey has not been without its challenges. I’ve encountered numerous obstacles, including artist block, burnout, and moments of discouragement. During these times, motivation waned, and I often felt that my work fell short of my vision, leading to significant creative blocks. However, I found a way to overcome these hurdles by stepping outside my usual routine and exploring new mediums, styles, and inspirations. This approach has revitalized my creativity and allowed me to continue evolving as an artist. Read More>>
Sevyn Waters
My story as a writer begins at around six or seven years old. At this age, my life mostly consisted of traveling with my parents around the country, sometimes beyond, while my mom played professional tennis tournaments. A lot of the time, I had to find ways to entertain myself. Sometimes I’d play on my Nintendo DS or watch movies on the portable DVD player. But the boredom always found me in the end. Read More>>
Caren Cruz
Building my own business has certainly been a challenging journey. There’s so much that goes into it, along with a lot of research. I’ve faced plenty of trial and error when working on new projects, but I’ve managed to learn and adapt from each one. A major challenge for me lately has been not quite meeting my fiscal goals at larger conventions. Sales can be unpredictable when vending, so it’s important to focus on other aspects like connecting with incredible artists and appreciating everyone who stops by my booth. I believe that ups and downs are a part of pursuing my dreams, but it’s key to stay resilient and appreciate the little wins. Read More>>
Kc Cresc
I started writing short stories & poems as far back as I can remember! I really fell into writing episodic formatted storytelling in college getting my major in [art], and in my spare time writing on Episode Interactive. I have a great love of reading passed down from mother to mother and just wanted to write dramas, comedies, and epics that they themselves could get lost into. Read More>>
Perry Clarke
No, because it take time to find your path and what working for you. Perseverance. Is my word , because whether it college , passion , and even work , I have put in the effort and time. It all about effort and time, once you understand that , the struggle you go through are nothing. Nothing that is good for you, comes easy. Read More>>
Lanell Gray
At Full Sail, I honed my technical abilities, mastering tools like Logic Pro and the Scarlett interface to record and edit vocals with precision. I expanded my expertise into areas like creating music for short films, TV, and video games, blending creativity with technical knowledge. Along the way, I’ve faced the challenges of interviews, public speaking, and navigating early career missteps, but each step has made me more confident in my abilities. Now, I’m focused on perfecting my craft and collaborating with artists and organizations to shape unique musical visions. I’m excited to continue building my presence in the industry and bringing new sounds to life. Read More>>
Demetra Moore
Over 17 years in corporate America, I’ve been committed to lifelong learning, completing 2000+ hours of professional development training. I’m proud to hold the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coach Federation and am currently pursuing my Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential, the highest level of achievement in coaching, for 2025. Read More>>
Pat Strawser
I started college at the University of Georgia in 1993, and set up an instrumental band with some guys I’d met through flyers I posted around campus. Around this time I got very interested in different keyboard and synthesizer instruments. Our band, Volaré, released two albums and gained a modest international, though underground, following, selling records as far away as Australia and Europe. After that group folded in 1997, I continued to play in various original bands in the area over the years, eventually expanding into the metro-Atlanta area, where I got involved in working with wedding and corporate bands, and gained a reputation for being a keyboard-player-for-hire.
Natasha Jenkins
Fast forward to this year 2024, I just lost my only sister at the age of 32 from Cervical Cancer. My sister left behind 3 beautiful children ages 12, 5 & 7. The intensity of grief had a surprising effect on me, Pushing me to harness my dream of starting my own beauty brand. I launched a line of vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free liquid matte lipsticks, chapsticks, Skincare and more, And with that, Clutch Co. was born. I named my signature red lip color “Shasha,” after her beloved mom,Sharon. Read More>>
Megan Mosholder
My career path has been diverse. As of 2023, I added an Instructional Design Graduate Certificate from Georgia State University to my educational background. My skills include professional artist, project manager, instructional designer, consultant, program manager and educator. I use all these skills to offer a range of consultancy services that can help businesses with their public art acquisition and art planning needs while providing organizations with proposed solutions for effectiveness and efficiency. Read More>>
Julie Mcdaniel
As he got older and I had another son, I began to get more creative with cakes, making things like a pirate ship and treasure chest. I branched out and began experimenting with fondant, gum paste, modeling chocolate, and other ingredients that would stretch my design abilities. I read books about decorating and then when online videos came along I began watching them. I have never been to culinary school or taken a cake decorating class, but am self-taught. I had a lot of trial and error, successes and failures that led me to where I am today. I love making wedding cakes, 3-D realistic cakes, and other custom cakes for special occasions. Read More>>
Lindsay Giedl
I think any type of artist will tell you it’s a continual hustle. We are always trying to redefine our craft and artistry. The dance world is ever changing and honestly I am just trying to keep up with the trends while also promoting change in the industry. I find it hard to balance it all while also keeping my love for dance alive. Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in tendu’s and then the next I am so inspired by the work I am creating. I hope we all find balance one day! Read More>>
Karyna Perahudava
Currently I’m in the Bible School in Florida for a semester to learn, dig deeper into the Word of God and grow my relationship with the Lord. I recently started my YouTube channel and I really have on my heart to keep going and growing my blog, and potentially start a podcast. I love God and know that all I have and can do is because of Him and for His glory. I love people and actively serve in my church in worship and kids ministry. Read More>>
Louie Love
It all started with music. After Saturday morning cartoons, my dad would cook breakfast while my mom played her favorite albums. The four of us—“Mama, Papa, Sister, and me”—would listen, sing and clean the house. By afternoon, the place was spotless, and it was my dad’s turn at the record player. My sister and I would sit in his lap while he practiced his set list or studied a new song for the band he started with a couple of fellow soldiers. He encouraged us to sing along as mom made dinner. After that, it was movie night. Read More>>
Nigel Walwyn
Whether it’s developing award-winning television programs or inventing an authentic Caribbean experience in a bottle, my background and current experience in the industry puts me in an advantageous position to excel. My career transition required a comprehensive understanding of the beverage industry, including market trends, consumer preferences, and regulatory frameworks. I explored various aspects of the industry, such as crafting unique formulations first at home and later with our distillery partner, sourcing high-quality ingredients, developing branding/packaging strategies, and establishing relationships inside distribution channels. Read More>>
Sarayu Ayyalasomayajula
While my SPF journey has been mostly smooth, there were a few hardships I faced. After serving as an intern for 2 years, I decided to start an Atlanta chapter of the nonprofit. The process of organizing my own interns and procuring funds to support our comic distribution was tough and took time. Initially, for the first few months, we could only distribute virtual comics to the international organizations we partnered with. However, in time, we found solutions to the struggles we faced, receiving enough funding to print and ship our comics abroad. Now, as a national Co-Director, I use the lessons I learned as an intern and chapter head in all my endeavors, striving to continue towards our mission of health literacy. Read More>>
Anna Newbury
That debilitating fiend, that keeps one from ever starting or, for that matter, finishing something. The fiend that stops one in their tracks at the mere idea of failing or daring to succeed. Everyone has ideas of what success is, or should look like, and none of those perfect ideas are actually relevant to the journey one embarks upon when they begin to lay down a hand cobbled path of their own unique artistic journey. Read More>>
Meghan Osborne
My journey with soapmaking started young, watching an elder in my family carry on a craft that was as much about resilience as it was about cleanliness. Soap wasn’t just something we used—it was something we valued, something we knew how to create with care. Those early memories of making soap, of learning to respect each ingredient, are what ultimately led me to create Sapphire Moon Soapery. Read More>>
Le’roy Kester
I got into acting by being a background extra on notable movies and tv shows like Godzilla: king of monsters, Avengers: Endgame and Dynasty just to name a few. What began as a way to make extra income turned into me going all in after I completed my degree program. In the past year, I have been a principal on a few upcoming indie projects and my confidence on set has grown tremendously. I know I have a lot to offer with the talent God has given me. Read More>>
Jinjin Li
My journey in photography began as a serendipitous discovery. When I own my first camera, I quickly fell in love with the medium’s ability to capture emotion and freeze fleeting moments in time. The camera became my tool for self-expression and a way to make sense of my new environment, which felt both exciting and overwhelming. Read More>>
Ronnie Bolar
Dr. Ron” graduated from Life University, which is the premier institution and world leader in chiropractic education. He is certified in the Pierce RESULTS System, an advanced system of spinal analysis that utilizes specific, scientific and precise adjustments. Dr. Bolar also has a heart to serve families during the special time of pregnancy, and he is certified in the Webster Technique. This technique balances the pelvis and reduces stress on ligaments in the abdominal region for pregnant women. Read More>>
Jahah Berry
Demetrius plugged his cheap microphone into the boombox, popped a blank tape into one of the empty tape decks, and queued up the other tape with instrumentals in the second tape deck . He then pushed play and record simultaneously on the tape deck with the blank tape, and play on the tape deck with the instrumentals. Seconds later he started rhyming off the top of his head…rapping about everything around him and bragging about how incredible he was as an entertainer. After a few minutes, Demetrius stopped both tapes, rewound the the tape deck that had the blank tape and pressed play. Read More>>
Sonia Lackley
My passion comes from sitting in the kitchen watching & helping my grandmother prepare, prep & cook dinner every day & cook large Sunday dinners for our family. Not too mention I love food and I love to see the look on people’s faces when they taste my cooking. Cooking has taught me the importance of quality, love, and dedication in every dish I prepare. I just love decorating & setting up events for special occasions & this is what led me to wanting to start my own catering business. Read More>>
