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.
Joshua Gomez
After more than a decade in that world, I felt the pull to build something of my own. That led to the creation of Power Fix Solutions, a company focused on bringing wellness and convenience into high-stress environments like law enforcement offices, government buildings, and now, luxury residential communities. We specialize in fully-managed micro markets that offer 24/7 access to healthier snacks, beverages, and essentials—making people’s day-to-day lives just a little easier. Read more>>
Raquel Dawson
My ride was t smooth at all! I never wore makeup lol I was a real tomboy so applying makeup to my Atlanta clients was very challenging because back in New Orleans we didn’t wear makeup like I was seeing in Atlanta m. Baby the girl were not playing lol. So it took me about 2 years to really feel confident in providing that service to my Atlanta clients! Because I had no clue what I was doing. If the service took 30 mins it was taking me a hour! The clients would say I don’t see anyone on my face and I would be looking like how lol Read more>>
Tori Augustus
So, I’m Tori Augustus. I’m living in a full circle moment, as I am a wife & mom of 2 raising my family in my birthplace of Atlanta, Georgia. I always tell people God is so intentional. He blessed me with two boys in the home, knowing that I would grow into my passion work with serving women through education & empowerment. I always attribute my understanding of the impact of women in community to my strong family ties. Being the oldest of 3 girls, our parents always emphasized that our relationship will be one of the most important relationships in our lives. Read more>>
Ifie Natasha Brandon
By 2011, I was sharing my thoughts and poems on Tumblr, later transitioning to WordPress while also performing spoken word poetry on local stages. In 2014, my passion for storytelling expanded into the realm of soul care. It started with a simple dinner party—just drinks, laughter, and deep conversation—which blossomed into something far greater. That night marked the beginning of a creative movement. Since then, I’ve collaborated with other creatives to curate intimate pop-up events designed to nurture connection, creativity, and possibility. Read more>>
Grace Waters
I really do wish I could say the road has been smooth, but that is not the case. While I have had a passion for what I do, I first had to convince myself that my passion was worth pursuing. Once I chose to step out on faith and begin functioning in my business, I found that opportunities have not always been present, and even though I have published several books, the market has not been as favorable as I desire. Even so, I have continued to work my passion. Once my family began to grow, I found myself torn between home life and my business, but despite all of the changes, Grace Waters, LLC persists. My passion is my purpose, and that drives me on days when it would seem easier to give up. Read more>>
Aaron Barfield
After school, I continued with my tax work and was offered a position working with a Liberty Tax office. My education and eagerness to sink my teeth in some of the more complex tax situations made me stand out to the franchise owner, and he offered me an opportunity fresh out of college to sit under him and become a franchise owner myself. I passed on this opportunity and looking back I am not sure I was fully ready, but even so our values didn’t completely align. Read more>>
Degnilda (Nina) Diaz
I never took a formal course; everything I’ve learned came from watching my mom, experimenting, and absorbing knowledge through online tutorials. When I moved to another country, one of the biggest challenges I faced was starting over. But that transition also gave me the push I needed to turn my hobby into a small business. Read more>>
Melissa Colon
We learn how to let go of fear and how to push ourselves beyond what we think we can do. We pride ourselves in having a studio that is filled with love, acceptance, and positive energy. We care more about being good people first and good dancers second. The trajectory of many lives have been changed because of this program. I have students dancing professionally in LA. I have students who have left gangs and gotten out of bad situations because dance became more important to them. I have students who have moved, traveled the world, and perused their dreams because dance taught them to not be afraid. It gave them confidence. Read more>>
Courtney Shearer
Now, almost 17 years later I can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s detailed and technical, yes, but also very rewarding. Starting your first job in a recession is not for the weak and definitely developed a level of grit I’m very thankful for today. I spent 3 years at that first company and then moved on to a cabinet design company where I worked for 8 years. I gained SO much cabinetry knowledge and experience here and it really paved the way for me to open my own Kitchen and Bath Design House – The Designery in 2019. Read more>>
Ashley Love
After my time there, I went on to work for a wedding company based out of Houston for several years. I was lucky enough to help build, sell and manage their venues while really getting comfortable with the back end of the business. There are so many moving parts to managing a wedding venue and I’m so grateful to have learned everything I did because the business side is totally different! Read more>>
Adeiza Usman
At the same time, I developed a deep passion for food and began working as a chef at South City Kitchen in Alpharetta. I’ve been working on incorporating Nigerian flavors into southern cuisine, which has been really meaningful for me. Read more>>
Queen Majeeda
I started writing as a teenager. At 15, I received a recording contract after submitting a song to a recording company in the US. I was living in Jamaica at the time. I was too young to sign it so my father signed it for me. However, I changed my mind and decided to wait until after high school. I recorded my debut album, Conscious which was distributed by Heartbeat Records in the US, and by Tuff Gong Records in the Caribbean. Read more>>
Nataly Villa
There’s never a smooth ride when you’re trying to progress and learn everyday. Growth comes with many obstacles and many lessons. It comes with a prayerful life and depth in faith and hope. I went through loss, and not just any loss but losing a son. I went through losing myself and rising again. I went through a lot of darkness and fighting my way through to find the light. Read more>>
Chad Ralston
In 2022, we became the Most Awarded Craft Whiskey Distillery since 2018 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (the most prestigious competition in the U.S.) and have since expanded into other markets across the country, including our recent launch in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In 2023, we launched Hunker Vodka in collaboration with Athens, Georgia’s Classic City Collective, with a portion of proceeds from each bottle sold benefitting Classic City’s mission of supporting UGA student-athletes through their comprehensive Name Image Likeness (NIL) program. Read more>>
Ayanna Muhammad
As a Wife and Mother, I wanted to have more time with my family, I wanted to be able to attend school functions and activities without wondering if I had enough PTO or travel to see my family without having to get approval – I wanted to be able to make my own schedule without question. Don’t get me wrong, a consistent paycheck is better than no paycheck but after a while, I started to think about my own personal goals and what I saw for myself but most importantly, the example I would be setting for my children. My husband (who has been in construction for 20 years) and I started to brainstorm and before we knew it we were up and running with our first client. Read more>>
