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.
Carl White
When Halloween rolled around in 2019, I purchased a very inexpensive Santa Claus costume and greeted children at the door distributing candy dressed as Santa. Those photographs made it onto social media and before I knew it a couple of my close friends who had a desperate need for a Santa Claus at the last minute started urging me to to help them out. After initial denials, I finally said yes. When I arrived at a home and a three-year old that I’d never met before greeted me with an open armed hug, I was hooked. Read more>>
Lane Bickett
Being able to create art and photos that represents the artists music has given me joy and a career I am deeply passionate about. I started this career a year and a half ago and it has lead me to many opportunities and connections which I am deeply grateful for. My work has been published in articles, online publications. magazines, and has been featured in several art galleries in the Atlanta area. I believe my hard work, driven mindset, genuine, and friendly demeanor have given me the opportunities I have received. It is so important to treat everyone with respect and to be kind to everyone you meet. Love and kindess goes a long way. Read more>>
Sarai Wildheart
Over time, I evolved into an A&R and publicist at a top-tier music distribution company, while still running We Empower independently. What makes us different is our intention: we don’t chase trends—we build legacies. We support artists and brands holistically: from image consulting to event planning, from EPKs to empowerment coaching. It’s soulful work. Strategic work. And deeply personal. Read more>>
Halimah Washington
Growing up being the youngest of eight children, involved in lacrosse, cheerleading, softball, choir, Social Justice Academy, an ambassador to my school and even French Club president (even though I barely spoke any French!)… I was always deeply involved in my community. All of these experiences had one thing in common: people. I realized that everything I was drawn to was centered around connection and soft skills. Read more>>
Susannah VanDyke
Life is always full of unexpected challenges along the way—but that’s where we grow, right? My husband and I have definitely taken the winding road. We’ve been serial entrepreneurs, launching several creative businesses over the years, including a custom locket store, a desert photoshoot venue in California, a southern wedding venue in Kentucky, and even a leather bag company based out of Honduras. Read more>>
Gavin Guidry
This creative wilderness is where I’ve been able to thrive in my career, but it’s hard to find mentors, courses, case studies and previous examples to guide me. For me and creatives like me, we’ve had to learn on he job, learn by doing, learn from each other. I’ve found myself in roles where I didn’t fit, misprofiled in traditional structures, but I’ve also found myself embraced for creating unexpected solutions and valued for bringing order to creative chaos. Read more>>
Heather McKerrow Sandy
That pull only got louder after becoming a mother. I saw firsthand how depleted the system could leave both patients and providers — especially women. I started diving into regenerative medicine, peptides, hormone therapy, and lifestyle optimization. Eventually, I left the hospital and launched my first wellness venture, and from there, my work has continued to evolve. Read more>>
Andy Slagle
We’ve known each other since 2002 when Andy’s band at the time was recording at Sonica Studios where Balak was Assistant Engineer. Since then we would frequently create music together but it wasn’t until 2014 that we decided to adopt the moniker Omega Empire. We evolved from mainly doing instrumentals to eventually including our vocals. Read more>>
Kemi Peterside
Definitely not a smooth road but that’s what’s made the journey meaningful. Going back to school later in life, especially in such an intense program, came with its own set of challenges. I’ve had to balance being a full-time student with being a mom and a wife, and there were moments when I questioned if I could really do it all. Read more>>
AK Lawal
He granted me the opportunity to join his new business in distillery. In 2022 I innovated a name for my beverage I call Rozari rum. I got the name from my stage name. Rozari is “Razor” spelled backwards with an “i” It’s 40 percent alcohol, a lite dark rum mixed with peach & mango. I’m now a vendor serving drinks at festivals, pool parties and night clubs. I’m also a sponsor at club events. Our main club is on 3711 North decatur rd. Decatur Ga. 30032 called the Jah lounge where I do “Zari parties” every Friday night. I have been in business now since 2022. Read more>>
Bryan Ross
I would record with my cousins and other artists I’d met. I performed at Little Venus whenever I could and wrote A LOT of songs to perfect my craft. Even when I went to jail and prison, I still wrote and performed for other inmates. Now that I have been completely free and off probation, I’m able to pursue this career. I don’t care about being famous, I just want to make enough to support my family and still do what I love while using my story as a testimony to motivate people like me. But even if I had to be famous to do all that, I’m ready for EVERYTHING that comes with it. Read more>>
Gina Willis
I graduated in 2019, and becoming a licensed massage therapist has been one of the best decisions of my life. I started my career at Massage Envy, which helped me build confidence in my hands and my skills. Later, I worked as an independent contractor at a locally owned spa, where I got to see the business side of things. That experience lit a fire in me—I knew I was ready to create something of my own. Read more>>
Anthony Sarti
I’m bringing two other artists to sell direct to the trade and my originals if they like.. at High Point, I got picked up by Rosenstiels of London they’re 145 year-old company. I just signed the contract they’re gonna produce and sell and distribute my prints. That’s the power of being seen at the right shows, the high-level shows…. And now I’m also stretching canvases and framing them for my local artist friends. Read more>>
Mina Little
I’m proud to hold multiple respected industry designations that reflect my commitment to excellence in real estate. Including Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), Real Estate Investing (REI), and Military Relocation Professional (MRP). These certifications reflect my dedication, how I go the extra mile and to being the best resource for every kind of client —first-time homebuyers, military families and investors. Read more>>
Angelica Perez-Castro
I moved from Puerto Rico to Atlanta to immerse myself in the world of film. I didn’t know anyone in the industry, and I’m the first in my family to pursue a career like this, so film school felt like the clearest path forward. I attended SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and from day one, I told everyone I was a cinematographer. Throughout my time there, I learned by trial and error—experimenting with lighting, and gaining hands-on experience in writing, producing, editing, and more. Read more>>
Casey Burchfield
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a farmer. At the age of 16, I considered pursuing a career as a social studies teacher. When I turned 18, I became interested in studying kinesiology. However, by the time I was 25, I discovered my passion for the culinary world, which truly captured my heart. Although my journey has been winding, dedicating myself to becoming a chef has given my future a clearer direction. Read more>>
Lauren K. Watel
I’ve logged nearly 800 separate submissions–long stories, short stories, poems, prose poems, flash, lyric essays, personal essays, and critical essays, as well as several manuscripts, both poetry and fiction. Though I got hundreds of rejections, I also got a fair number of acceptances, including, at age nearly-58, my first book. BOOK of POTIONS is a collection of pieces I’m calling “potions” (potion = poem + fiction). So now I’m celebrating this accomplishment, along with many others, as evidence of the hard work I’ve done on myself to grow up. I finally decided to be brave, to stop waiting for things to happen to me and start making them happen for myself. Read more>>
Khyati Kore
Today, as a creative strategist and designer in marketing, I work across the consumer goods industry. My integrated approach was recently exemplified in my work with La Bella Concept, where I combined sociological insights to understand cultural perceptions of beauty products, design thinking to create emotionally resonant visuals, and brand strategy to ensure measurable market impact. Each project I take on draws from this complete toolkit: sociological understanding to decode consumer behavior, design expertise to craft compelling narratives, and business acumen to translate creativity into real results. Read more>>
Veronica Ilenre And Bethel Habte
Blossom Safe is rooted in friendship, years of hands-on nanny experience, and the insight of a Licensed Professional Counselor. What makes us unique is our commitment to truly thoughtful matchmaking. We don’t just send candidates to fill a position, we aim to find someone who genuinely fits. I was lucky enough to find my own “unicorn” nanny family and worked with them for years, and now we want to help other families and caregivers experience that same kind of magic. Read more>>
Scott Hamilton
The pandemic hit less than six months later, but I was able to continue to grow the practice through those rocky times. Since then, my practice has expanded, and I have several contractees working at my Understanding Minds practice. I also am the proud parent of an 18 year-old son with autism, which has helped me develop deeper empathy for what my clients are going through- I can wear my “parent hat” as well as my “professional hat.” When I am not working, you will find me playing keyboards and rhythm guitar with my 80’s New Wave cover band, 80HD. Read more>>
Lindsay Heigerick
After spending over ten years in college ministry across the country, we moved back to Atlanta to be closer to family and do life alongside them. We explored a few ministry opportunities in the area, but nothing felt like the right fit. One of the things we loved most about ministry was getting to work together while staying closely connected to our two boys — and we weren’t ready to give that up. Read more>>
Tianyu Wang
I was especially drawn to the limitless possibilities of creating imaginative worlds in 3D. As real-time rendering in game engines developed, I became fascinated with how it allowed artists to build photo-realistic environments that people could actually feel immersed in. That’s what I focused on during my time at SCAD—combining my artistic vision with technology to create rich, narrative-driven spaces. Read more>>
Davonte “Major” James
This early experience sparked my passion for storytelling and event coverage. I then began filming events at Savannah State University and eventually attended the school, where I worked with the Campus Activities Board—the team behind 90% of campus events. That’s when my interest shifted from just documenting events to being involved in bringing them to life. I developed a strong passion for live event production and began taking on roles in talent relations and stage management—making sure everyone had what they needed and ensuring everything ran according to plan.” Read more>>
Kristin Reyelt
I recently experienced a big artist/shop milestone in February of 2024 when I decided to design a collection for a self-produced immersive fantasy fashion show and event at Uhuburg Eagle Owl Castle in Helen, GA premiering April of 2026. Needless to say, I was super excited and immediately plunged into creative excitement, as I have been wanting to undertake a large, personal project to showcase and challenge this artistic style I have been developing over the last few years. I have been grateful to have been consistently receiving commissions but have been yearning to make a bigger impact as an artist and flesh out a world-building/storytelling concept that will eventually have greater reach being made into other immersive projects. Read more>>
Katherine Benkeser
My professional PT journey post getting my doctorate in Physical Therapy began with my background in early intervention, where I saw the profound impact that timely, in-home support can have on a child’s development and a family’s confidence. That foundation gave me a deep appreciation for working with babies and young children in their natural environments, where real-life carryover can happen. I have since worked in several types of EI settings; clinics, neuro-developmental centers, daycares, and schools. Read more>>
Stefano
After some time away from both real estate and traditional investing — including a brief period working in finance outside the industry — I realized I missed being in an investment seat. I had gained some hands-on experience in real estate through a small brokerage, working on both commercial and residential deals, and that foundation helped me pivot back into the industry in a more focused way. Read more>>
Hamilton Hardin
A Columbus Ohio native, Hamilton Hardin has become an emerging force in today’s music. As a Grammy award winning producer, multi-instrumentalist, composer for big band and orchestra, Hamilton combines vast musical influences in efforts to produce a fresh and relevant sound. Read more>>
Evan Oglesby
But my story didn’t end on the field. I knew I wanted to give back and create opportunities for the next generation, especially those who come from places like Toccoa. That passion led me to launch the Evan Oglesby Foundation, where we use sports, education, and career development to mentor kids—focusing not just on athletics, but on life skills, mental health, and leadership. Awarding scholarships to graduating seniors. Read more>>
Angela
My journey started with a simple but bold idea: that I could build something meaningful in an industry where very few women were at the helm, and trust was rapidly declining. I left a successful 20 year career managing meetings and events, to attempt to bring professionalism and expertise to the event staffing industry. I launched Titan Global Enterprises in 2015, bootstrapping from the ground up while also raising my son as a single mom. I didn’t have outside investors or a playbook—I had grit, a background in psychology, and a passion for leadership, hospitality, and safety. Read more>>
Arielle Deadwyler
I’ve worked in corporate and private salon environments. I gained so much confidence in hair cutting, hair color, and extension services while working with experienced stylists. It took years of practice and hands on experience to achieve the level of consistency required to make each client feel and look amazing. I was able to gather many skill sets to help me achieve the goal of being a successful salon owner. As of January 2025, Salon Amour has become a community leader in healthy and vibrant hair services. Read more>>
Anthony Beedles
Right now, Rich Already Farms is in the building phase. We’ve secured our land in Fayetteville, GA and are renovating a historic barn that will become the heart of our vineyard and event space. We’re also developing luxury container tiny homes and expanding our vineyard operation with muscadine grapes. At the same time, we’re building a wine brand that ties each bottle to a digital collectible using blockchain technology. Read more>>
Lauryn Little
My main hurdle has been learning how to manage wearing so many different hats, all of which are important. As much as I love creating new pieces, this all would fall apart if I didn’t also make time for managing finances, marketing, the website, etc. On top of that, I quit my corporate job in March, without a real plan for my income going forward. It was a necessary decision for me, but definitely added pressure to generating income through the business. It’s been a struggle, but I’ve learned and grown so much in this process that I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m also lucky to have a stellar support system in my family, my therapist, my mentor, and most importantly, my fiancé Evan (unpaid intern). I couldn’t do it without them. Read more>>
Ashly Culver
I’m AshlyCBaby a singer songwriter from Atlanta. I got my start in music at a very early age. Both of my parents were in the music industry. My mom sang background for Celine Dion and my dad toured the world with Peabo Bryson. I got signed to a record label underneath def jam at 16 years old. Today I write my own music and act in movies. I’ve had my music featured in several films and I’ve had pop records of mine played all over the world. I love music and find it to be an outlet. I plan to continue to make music and share it with the world. Read more>>
Jamar Matthews
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have something to call my own. My late grandfather, Irvin Gadsden, had his own lawn care business. As a young boy, I watched him take pride in his work and ensure that every client he interacted with was satisfied and happy with the outcome. As I got older, I finally had the opportunity to work with him. Almost every Saturday morning during the summer, I was by his side cutting yards and speaking with customers. He was my idol and motivated me to become an entrepreneur myself. Read more>>
Ashanti Shanklin
I was curious to know why my friend’s class was always in the back of our high school down this one particular hallway. Honestly I thought she was in the special education classes until she told me about the Health Science Academy! The next semester I enrolled and I have been in healthcare ever since. I started as a CNA in high school, became a Medical Assistant, and for the past eight years I have been a nurse. This is all God! Fast forward to 2022 I came across a program my Pastor Dharius Daniels was offering. Now I had heard PD mention the different programs during Bible Study however I never knew how to join. Read more>>
Ani Reed
In my pursuit of making a meaningful impact in my community, I partnered with other visionaries to establish organizations and projects dedicated to supporting those in need or less fortunate. With an open mind and a deep understanding of diverse challenges, I continued on my path, committed to building a strong foundation that I’m proud of, attracts other individuals who may need my assistance and reflects my dedication to continuous improvement. At last, in 2020, after months of planning and years of learning, Ani Vision, LLC was born. Read more>>
Jeurys Santiago
Over time, my work began to resonate across cities—particularly in Massachusetts’ gateway communities—and now I’m excited to bring that same energy, vision, and heart to Atlanta. ATL has a thriving creative, entrepreneurial, and socially conscious ecosystem, and I see it as the perfect next step for expanding our movement. Minds With Purpose isn’t just a brand—it’s a bridge for communities to rise, heal, and thrive together. And Atlanta, to me, is fertile ground for that kind of purpose-driven impact. Read more>>
Dre Wells
I’ve been a musician my whole life. I started off producing then I transitioned into rapping. I released my first project in high school. After high school I joined the Army where I served 8 years total. With one being a deployment to Afghanistan. Throughout that time I’ve always gamed and created content. From creating content I started making and selling my own T-Shirts in 2013. I then started my own company 758 Entertainment LLc which was established in 2016. Since then I’ve consistently been working on a bit of everything. Read more>>
Sunni Little
I was born and raised in the heart of Edgewood, right here in Atlanta, Georgia, by a remarkable single mother who raised five of us with love, strength, and grace. I’ve got four incredible siblings who mean the world to me. Though our parents were divorced, they did a beautiful job co-parenting, and we mostly grew up surrounded by the warmth and care of our Mama, Grandmas, and a whole lot of loving Aunts. I give all the credit for my cooking skills to those strong Southern women—every recipe I know carries a bit of their spirit and soul. Read more>>
Sarah-Anne Wildgoose
NP Medical was a client for over 5 years, collaborating on tradeshow assets, slide decks, and brochures. Packaging projects blended my Industrial and Graphic Design skills. After working with Kochek for three years, I accepted their offer to take on a full-time Marketing and Design role, developing strategy and designing catalogs, brochures, logos, sell sheets, packaging, and more for their five divisions, while teaching for 23 years at the Rhode Island School of Design. Read more>>
Germani Hunt
With that mission in mind, I founded W.E.S. Logistics LLC, a last-mile delivery company built on the values of excellence, service, and community. W.E.S. stands for “We Exceed Standards,” but the name also honors my greatest inspiration—my son Wesley. The company is a reflection of my passion for people, and everything we do is grounded in a strong family-oriented culture. I’m incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my parents, my husband of 11 years, Jared, and our 7-year-old son, who all continue to inspire and motivate me daily. Read more>>
