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.
Allison G. Daniels
Having spent 38 years as a Lead Paralegal Specialist, Allison honed her skills in organization, leadership, and navigating complex systems. These experiences not only equipped her with the tools to excel in high-pressure environments but also fostered a deep sense of discipline and integrity that would later become instrumental in her pastoral and creative pursuits. Her career as a legal professional was marked by excellence, mentorship, and a commitment to justice, setting the foundation for her future endeavors. Read More>>
Julián Gonzalez-diaz
Any struggles I’ve had have been internally, trying to figure out what direction to take my work. It makes me wish in a way there was more competition between visual artists. I feel like it would make my work stronger if I was in some sort of rivalry with another painter. There should be visual artist beef, just for the sport of course. I don’t know what that would look like, but maybe that’ll happen soon. Read More>>
Sarah Atkinson
ust a month later, God opened another door for me. I began working for a photography company at my local hospital on the Mother-baby unit. God gave me the miraculous opportunity to photograph newborns that were only 1-2 days old. I also got to photograph many families as part of that process. Immediately I fell in love with the content of the job. After working there, I knew I wanted to pursue photography a lot more seriously. Read More>>
Josh “flyguy” Floyd
Absolutely! My journey has been one of passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others. Growing up, I was immersed in sports, playing both basketball and football. Those experiences not only shaped me but also opened doors, leading me to play Division 1 college basketball at Savannah State University, where I majored in Business Management. Sports instilled in me discipline, teamwork, and the mindset to dream big. Read More>>
Jwilbur Smith
We enjoy working with our clients to concept a decor plan that will set the tone for their event or celebration. We work with as many aspects as needed to create the look and overall feel, and bring that to life on the day of with linens, floral, stage decor, accent lighting, custom accents such as bars, hi boy tables and more! From simple to extraordinary, we enjoy being the go-to for making it happen! Read More>>
Rhyan Burton
The road hasn’t been smooth, and one of the toughest parts has been pushing through even when I didn’t know what the outcome would be. As the first entrepreneur in my family, I had to learn everything on my own—how to run a business, make smart financial decisions, and navigate challenges. When I first started, the class I took only taught me the basics like classic lash extensions. I had to teach myself how to style map, create other sets, and really perfect my craft. There were moments of doubt, mistakes, and feeling unsure, but I reminded myself that nothing worth having comes easy. Those struggles taught me resilience and made every milestone that much more rewarding. I’ve learned to trust the process and keep going, even when the path feels uncertain. Read More>>
Yvonne And Brianna Ozenne
A smooth road… Absolutely Not! We literally built this page by trial and error. Figuring out the algorithms, ebbs and flows of social media is a challenge in itself. But the biggest obstacle is figuring out how to be consistent on an ever-changing platform. We have literally grown with these spaces, and they change all the time. Once we found our tribe in each space, we learned daily what to and not to do. At one point we had to shut down our Instagram page and start totally from scratch. Read More>>
Richard Horne Jr
After leaving prison, I met my amazing wife, and together we’ve raised one son and six beautiful daughters. They’ve been my biggest blessings and the greatest reminder of why I needed to change. My experiences—both the struggles and the lessons—led me to start a mentorship program, called Guiding God’s Children. Through this program, I aim to show kids that there are better ways to express themselves, use their talents, and pursue their gifts. I want them to know they don’t have to turn to the streets, sale themselves short in life or go down the lonely path I once walked. My goal is to be a living example that no matter how dark things may seem, there’s always hope and a way forward. Read More>>
Quincy Casimir
In doing so, I have attempted to join this modeling organization called Infinite Appeal, where they shape new-coming models into actual models and from this I built and befriended a strong network of people with like-minded interests. In my journey as a model, I have met many people with many talents ( photographers, videographers, fellow models, creative directors, etc. ) and seen that there was a lack of community in the industry. Read More>>
Paul Posey
The biggest struggle was my own mental health. From 2009 to 2016 I struggled getting help, I told the VA I had issues, but they weren’t addressed at the level I felt they needed to be. I went through a divorce and isolation from my family, struggling with relationships, until day I snapped. So in 2016 I sought help outside of the VA to help me find myself and I did. from October to Jan 2023 was a struggle. Read More>>
Ariyl Onstott
While the South formed me in so many ways, I feel most at home out West. My dad’s from California, my mom’s from Texas, and I was born in Texas, so I think there is just something formative there for me. I love to travel and read. My love of reading has absolutely helped shape me into who I am today. In the past three years, I’ve grown to love pilates and try to attend multiple classes a week, as I believe I show up best when I feel healthy. Through my own health journey, advocating for wellness and healthy living has become a key part of who I am. I feel very fulfilled when I am sharing info people find useful, connecting with humans, and inspiring them to become their best selves. Read More>>
Emil Thomas
In 2016 right after completing his degree, Emil and seven of his graduating classmates from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana arrived in Marietta, Georgia to lay the foundation that is Marietta’s Theatre in the Square. From their first production of a Gender-Swapp Hamlet to their award winning production of Nambi E. Kelley’s and Richard Wright’s Native Son, this group of artist worked day and night to bring back a theatre that was lost in the 2008 recession. Read More>>
Tamiko Drummond
Lotus Consulting & Marketing, LLC, has grown steadily over the years because we put people first. Whether it’s helping a small business owner amplify their reach or consulting with large organizations on leadership development and diversity strategies, my goal is always to turn unspoken dreams into tangible realities. I take immense pride in empowering others to see their potential and create legacies that outlast them. Read More>>
George Acquah
Music has always been a part of my life! Growing up playing in a Band & taking chorus inspired me the most to make music. My music influences growing up were Cash Money, Ruff Ryders, & Roc A Fella. Growing up, my favorite rappers were Lil Wayne, BIG, Naughty by Nature, Jay Z, & Redman. I am a fan of all genres, so artists like MJ, Babyface, Dru Hill, & Jagged Edge also inspired me. Currently, I am working on my 4th album ReFocus 4 which will be released on all digital platforms this June. It is an amazing feeling to be able to express ourselves through art. Music is the Universal Language so it’s only to speak it fluently. Read More>>
Kevin Nwogu
Fast forward to today, what began as a solo endeavor has blossomed into a thriving 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serving both high school and college students across the state of Georgia from schools such as UGA, Georgia Tech, Spelman, and Morehouse. We’ve raised over $60,000, created valuable community partnerships, and assembled a dedicated team of 15+ executive team volunteers and board members. This journey has been a testament to the power of community and the unwavering support of God. Read More>>
Madison Crews
Ever since then, I knew that was my path. I applied for the KSU Owl Network, which is an organization responsible for all of our ESPN+ broadcast for Kennesaw State Athletics. I started out working in behind the scenes behind the camera and working in the control room. I was the audio operator and I even worked a few games as the graphics operation for ESPN+ games. I was then given the opportunity to be in front on the camera for KSU. I have been the sideline reporter for Volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball for KSU. I have done play-by-play for Lacrosse and soccer at KSU as well. I’m forever grateful to Kennesaw State for giving me those opportunities and for opening so many doors. Read More>>
Kenedra Campbell
Today, I believe that even if a talent doesn’t come naturally, that doesn’t mean that you can’t take the time to learn and develop those same skills and techniques. Which is why I am currently enrolled at UMGC, to learn and develop the skills and techniques that I will use to better myself as an artist/designer and to better my business, as well. Now that I am able to nurture my talents as well as invest in myself, there is no limit to my creativity. The possibilities are endless and I am very excited to share my art with the world and to see where following my dream takes me. Read More>>
Aj Swain
The life I had growing I would say was the worst though my mom worked hard for everything and everyone around her. Traits I seemed to pick up later. Which I didn’t realize was a great toll on her till later on. But it open my eyes to work even harder because at this time my mother already had 4 kids and a lot of stress. Meanwhile I’m 21 still no kids which gives me no excuses in my eyes. So the same way she worked for my ENTIRE family. I want to be the one to give her that break. So yeah that’s where I’m coming from… Read More>>
The Rack
The RACK was established in late 2019 in Atlanta, Ga. Formed by four members who were involved in other projects, but sought to create a sound that allowed them to showcase their edgier side. The band consists of bass, drums, guitar, and the wide ranging vocal styles of a female front. Read More>>
Martin Dawe
Most of the studio’s work is on a commissioned basis. Clients contact us with their sculptural needs, from the very specific to a loose concept. We also enter many public art competitions. Our training is in representational sculpture, with a concentration on the figure, though we also work in abstract genres. Our primary medium is clay, and the staff includes mold makers, so many molds are sent to a bronze foundry for casting. Read More>>
Sara Collins
Since its founding, Ready, Set, Success! has hosted numerous impactful events. These include professional branding workshops with business leaders, a LinkedIn webinar to enhance students’ online professional presence, and donation drives providing over 700 holiday gifts to Detroit Public Schools across two years. Sara and her team have also visited local high schools to host student success panels, sharing college experiences and advice. Additionally, the organization’s annual New Year’s event at COTS Women and Children’s Shelter has provided meals for over 200 families, spreading love and community care during the holiday season over two years. Read More>>
Preston Gates
I advertise several different delivery features; perhaps you are in a 10-mile radius I offer to drop off your order with specific instructions given, i have a next day option and a standard delivery option. I strive to create a memorable customer experience by greeting my customers and capturing their shopping experience at pop ups. By visiting my store (www.martys-threads.shop) and becoming a memeber you will receive 10% off your order. Read More>>
Marty Hill
The Sweet Science Fitness Boxing Club brand was established in 2009 to teach and instruct the REAL sport of boxing to men, women and children! We offer group cardio boxing classes for those seeking boxing fitness, kids boxing program that teaches self defense, self discipline and self confidence and our personal boxing lessons that will give you the 1 on 1 Real Rocky boxing experiencse! Our motto is gain the Fitness of a Fighter without the Fight! Read More>>
Cierra Wilson
Before getting pregnant, I was thriving—working multiple jobs, living in my own apartment, and driving my own car. But once I became pregnant, things slowly spiraled downhill. My lease was up for my apartment, and my car broke down. I found myself bouncing between friends’ and family members’ homes for two years and living in hotels. It felt like my life had hit rock bottom, and there were many nights I cried myself to sleep, unsure of how I’d rebuild. Read More>>
Brittney Gibson
Well my children are the inspiration behind the brand. Most products I was using for my kids hair just wasn’t working . So as a mom you we try to come up with solutions to help our babies. I want to grow their hair and keep it healthy with natural products. So I came up with my own brand and our rosemary and mint collection is the bomb and it’s kids friendly. So that’s how I got start and I’ve been growing since then. Read More>>
Charles Nicolosi
My grandmother began gifting me quilts about 15 years ago. One day the idea struck me. Maybe I could try quilting. I literally started with Quilting for Dummies. I joined a local quilt guild and by experimenting I eventually decided quilting was not for me. I did a lot of online research and eventually found some things I wanted to try, including sewing and quilting acrylic painted canvases. My quilt guild’s biennial quilt show (in 2019) was approaching. I decided to make a number of experimental acrylic pieces to see if they would sell in the boutique shop. They did sell! Read More>>
Dr. Faye Borja
My culture has played a role in shaping my ideas about human development and behavior. As a therapist, I felt the need to contribute from a multicultural perspective in counseling to bridge the gap between the immigrant mindset and American values. I wanted minorities to feel like they can go further in their lives and to know they deserve opportunities for growth in all areas. Moving to Atlanta in 2009 from my hometown of Columbus, GA gave me the chance to serve a much larger community. The combination of life experiences, education, and interpersonal relationships shaped my career path. Read More>>
Jay Vinson
Over the years it has not been a smooth road at all; but at the same time I have grown so much personally and business-wise. There have been laughable moments, inspirational moments and moments of sadness. But, overall after connecting with the right individuals I begin to have a clear purpose of what I am truly called to do on this earth. Read More>>
Urmi Hossain
After graduation, I secured a full-time job in finance, and every step of my career since then has been fueled by learning and growth. One thing I’ve never stopped doing upon graduation is pursuing knowledge and professional development. I completed my CFA designation in 2023 and my CAIA designation in 2024. Throughout this journey, I’ve been lucky to have had mentors and friends who supported me and helped guide my career trajectory. Read More>>
Yuan Butler
When I was younger, I aspired to create paintings that resonated deeply and “hit home.” I relied heavily on intuition, keeping my work raw and “naïve.” But over time, I began to question that approach. Why does art need to be gut-wrenching to be meaningful? Eventually, I let my subconscious mind take the lead, allowing my imagination to draw inspiration from my immediate surroundings. I gave myself the freedom to move forward, let my stories evolve, and grow into a more authentic version of myself. Read More>>
Tianna Rivers
After college, I took a seasonal assistant job with The Home Depot Backyard and later an internship with the Atlanta Dream. These roles gave me hands-on experience in community programs and partnership activations, further fueling my passion for creating impactful connections between sports organizations and their communities. Although it was a little discouraging not landing a full-time role right out of college, those experiences prepared me for my first full-time opportunity with the Celtics organization. Read More>>
Niquia Cain
With a competitive market and shifting consumer needs, companies must regularly reevaluate their strategies. Niching down a product or service is a way of responding to these changes. By honing in on our specific market or audience, we can offer businesses a way to stand out in a crowded space, offering tailored solutions that resonate more deeply with those they serve. It’s about understanding that broad appeal may not always be the most effective way to grow; sometimes, focusing on a smaller, more targeted group allows for stronger connections and better results. Read More>>
Subha Sundaram
So, we decided to create a project that would address this gap—something that would focus on both the economic recovery of students and their health. That’s when SHER (Student Health Economic Recovery) came to life. We wanted to design solutions that would make healthcare more accessible for students, reduce the financial strain on families, and promote wellness programs that actually worked for students’ unique needs. Read More>>
Latasha Mccord
From decorating my maternal grandmother’s table for the holidays to providing insight – all shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today. Additionally, this early experience allowed me to develop a strong understanding of client needs and translate their vision into tangible designs. As I actively sought out opportunities to expand my knowledge while simultaneously transitioning into other professional fields (e.g., marketing education, & federal government), I remained zealous and eager to hone in on my skills in several areas such as creativity, emerging trends, and project management. Read More>>
Sydney Dinkins
What began as a small venture quickly gained momentum. Selling my jewelry at Spelman College’s Market Fridays—a vibrant space for student entrepreneurs—was a pivotal moment. It provided me with the platform to showcase my work, connect with my peers, and build a loyal customer base. Since then, I’ve completed over 200 sales transactions and expanded Eunoia beyond commerce, integrating it into the art world. Read More>>
Karen Taylor
Starting Invictus Smart Performance has been incredibly rewarding, but not without challenges. One major hurdle has been educating runners on the value of out-of-network, cash-based care over traditional insurance. While insurance offers convenience, it often limits care quality. Our model allows for personalized, one-on-one attention, 3D gait analysis, and a proactive wellness approach that traditional models simply can’t provide. Read More>>
Kelly Nelson
Kelly’s work is deeply informed by her training in behavioral psychology techniques, strategy-based experience design, and event engineering—a rare combination of skills that allows her to craft events that resonate emotionally and intellectually with her audiences. Each production she undertakes is intentional and impactful, designed to create unforgettable moments that linger long after the show concludes. Read More>>
Alexandria Dierkes-whitson
During this time, I also earned my Master Herbalism and Naturopathy degree. I had always been drawn to holistic healing and wellness, and I wanted to not only heal myself but also help others on their health journeys. This passion led me to launch my second business, Dakoda Herbals, where I create and share herbal remedies, educational content, and products like our signature teas and hangover strips. Read More>>
Jerel Jackson
Growing up in high school I was always pushed to get bigger the wrong way. I was told by some of my coaches in high school to eat, eat, eat and eventually started to gain unnecessary weight and not muscle. ” Don’t get me wrong I admired my coaches for seeing the potential in me. But physically what I was doing was very unhealthy to my body. Read More>>
Kim Gettenberg
Growing up as the black sheep shaped my values of authenticity and resilience. I knew I didn’t want to work with numbers and wanted to create my own path forward in the design industry. After obtaining my degree in psychology, I realized that I wanted to pair my love of design with my passion for understanding people, creating spaces that identified culture and human experience. After spending 10 years in the design industry between New York and Naples, FL, I moved to Atlanta to get my MFA degree at Savannah College of Art and Design. Read More>>
Mattison Lewis
Then COVID hit. I had just spent the previous year recovering from an on-set accident, my engagement to my fiance ended, and the industry was frozen. But instead of accepting defeat, I used the time to virtually re-enroll at NYU and finish my degree. While there, I was blessed to meet some amazing filmmakers and mentors who helped me reignite my career as a production coordinator, working for companies such as WBD/Turner Sports, Netflix, and Paramount right out of graduation. Read More>>
Kimberly Minor
I started photography as a way to hold onto precious memories when my daughter was born with a rare genetic condition. Doctors told us she might not live past her first birthday, and I became obsessed with capturing every moment, every detail. Photography became a lifeline, a way to freeze time in case I lost it. Thankfully, my daughter is now 8 years old, defying all odds, and continues to inspire me every day. Read More>>
Ray Deeb
Ray Deeb is a crooner who relishes singing songs by the likes of Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole and many other beautiful classics sung by various artists. Ray Deeb transforms all of his music into a unique and different style which will awaken new horizons for songs you loved in the past and currently enjoy. He has released three albums, the first self titled, “Ray Deeb”, the second album titled, “Ray Deeb : A Divine Christmas”, and his latest EP, “Ray Deeb : Loving Life”, released in 2023. All of his albums/EP’s are available on all streaming platforms. Read More>>
Will Cummings
My journey to where I am today has been anything but smooth. For years, I experienced homelessness and lacked a stable place to stay while pursuing my degree at Augusta University. During this challenging time, I reached out to various professionals in the city, hoping to find opportunities to break into the film industry. Unfortunately, I faced rejection as no one took the time to assess my knowledge or recognize my eagerness to learn. Read More>>
Michael Chappelle
To be honest, there have been small hiccups dealing with clients here and there but the learning curve has been really exciting and I seemed to catch on much faster than your typical photographer. I took my experience with graphic design and ability to bend light for video shoots and incorporated it into my photography and it has paid tremendous dividends. Read More>>
Allie Kinney
After college, I moved back to Atlanta and took on a role in salon management. In 2020, I had the privilege of being part of the team that helped open our new salon, Kith + Kin Salon, and it was an incredibly rewarding experience to contribute to building something from the ground up. From my early days in high school to now, the salon industry has been a perfect fit for my passion for people, creativity, and constant growth. Read More>>
Lyrika Holmes
When the Superintendent left, the focus for the elementary schools shifted back to orff, and Due to the shortage of music teachers then, I traveled to 5 schools per week, no longer able to fully provide the program support I had because I was no longer at my main school. I knew I wanted to provide harp lessons as a focal point and other instruments to students who did not have access due to availability in their community, high costs of purchasing instruments and lessons. So, this is when we first began the talks of having a nonprofit organization that did just that. At this same time we decided to relocate to Atlanta to not only further my music career and my husbands career interests, but to find a community of like minded people to build Artz for the Harp. Read More>>
Billyy Produced I
I always been in love with music ever since I was kid, I grew up wanting to be a rapper or producer. I didn’t take it serious until 2015 after I graduated high school I went to college SAE institute in Atlanta for a few months I failed a class I couldn’t complete my program. So after that semester the day after I just started producer & never looked back ever since. Read More>>
Melanie Storrusten
Most of my career was in addiction treatment, both in hospitals owned by publicly traded corporations, non-profit organizations, and venture capital startups-ups. When my latest program – which had been so wonderfully holistic and client-focused – got purchased by a large Fortune 500 hospital group that I had previously left due to a values mis-match, I knew I had to go. It was painful to see them begin to immediately dismantle the program I’d built, and begin to exploit and extract, not caring about clients or staff, only the bottom line. Read More>>
Sandrella Sims
She didn’t have a typical childhood path toward success. By the age of 14, Sandrella had already tapped into her entrepreneurial spirit, selling purses she crafted herself. She ran track, cheered, took college courses in high school and took every opportunity to defy the odds stacked against her. But perhaps the biggest test of her resolve came when she became pregnant at sixteen. Many would have seen this as the end of their dreams, but not Sandrella. Instead, it became the fuel for her fire, the spark that ignited her relentless drive to rise above her circumstances. Read More>>
Nameica Turk-Craig
I like to say I’m a country girl with a city girl’s grind. I grew up in Snow Hill, Alabama, a small town in Wilcox County—the poorest county in the state at the time. A place where many great people doing great things in this world came from. Despite the challenges of growing up there, I am incredibly proud of my roots. My hometown shaped me, but I always knew my future wasn’t confined to its borders. Read More>>
Tyler Schofer
With the line of work I do, word of mouth is extremely important in gaining traction for new clientele. Fortunately I have developed a reputation of professionalism and creating a fun learning environment for my clients. The road was not easy, and hours are very long some days, however the stress of finding clients has subsided for now. Every day is a new challenge. Being able to balance scheduling and teaching can take up much of my time. When I am not on the court, I am responding to clients and scheduling future lessons. Weekends are my time I have designated for myself, but many hours are still dedicated to filling in slots for the coming week. Read More>>
