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.
Jarvis Chaney
I understand that every kid won’t or can go to college but all deserve to be successful so we guide kids into entrepreneurship or trade schools as well as encourage them to be great. Jays impact was founded in 2018. We have kids that’s started their own business and we are currently mentoring them just as my mentor did for me before he passed. Everything for jays impact is free because that’s the way I received it . I also believe in giving back and have big heart for the homeless and less fortunate. I take my boys the last Friday of each month to feed the homeless the maintain our humbleness . Read more>>
Kerry Lee
Chinese dance has been part of my life for as long as I remember, because my mother Hwee-Eng Lee started teaching Chinese dance in Atlanta just after I was born and went on to found the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company in 1991. My relationship with the art form hasn’t always been simple though. Growing up if you told me that I would go on to co-direct Atlanta Chinese Dance Company with my mother and make a career of performing, teaching, and choreographing Chinese dance, I don’t think I would have believed you! Read more>>
Tyler Wallace
While year-end is typically a slow period for the industry, work usually picks back up in the new year. However, 2023 was different. Even before the Writers’ Strike officially began in May, the uncertainty surrounding it had already caused a slowdown. Productions were hesitant to start, and work became increasingly scarce. When the Writers’ Strike began in May 2023, followed by the SAG-AFTRA strike in July, the slowdown intensified. Although the Writers’ Strike ended in September and the actors’ strike in November, the impact on the industry was deep and lasting. Read more>>
Tolulope
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road like most journeys worth taking, it came with its fair share of struggles. One of the biggest challenges I have faced has been maintaining consistency. Balancing a 9-5 and being a content creator is something people talk about like it’s easy, but in reality, there’s no perfect balance, it’s a sacrifice. I had to learn to be okay with saying no to rest sometimes, pushing myself after work hours, and showing up even when I was exhausted, simply because I believed in the vision. Read more>>
Carlos Gutierrez
I was born in Durango, Mexico, and raised in Aguascalientes — a region that helped shape my curiosity and drive. My journey into technology started in elementary school, when I saw a computer for the first time. It was running Windows 95, and I remember being completely fascinated by what felt like magic at my fingertips. That early experience sparked something deep in me — a desire to understand how things work and how I could eventually build something of my own. Read more>>
Jen Burklow
It’s been really fun to see how my company has evolved over the years. When I started out I was doing a lot of custom painted wood signs in addition to candles. In 2017 I had reached the point where the candle side of my business had grown so much that I was ready to let the signs go and focus on candles entirely. Read more>>
Demetrius Noble
During this time I dropped my album “Sanity” after promoting this album I seen that while these states are dope we didn’t have much media coverage and drill wasn’t my lane. 2018 I moved to Atlanta to be get in the way of opportunity. Since moving here I have dropped a host of singles, dropped one album “Climate Change” and one EP “Anomaly”. Growing my fanbase from my prior two cities was only preparation for the next city. From performing open mics to entertain 60,000 people on fox 5 for the “Atlanta Look Up” July fourth festival amongst other things. I’m loading up to release an another EP Entitle “Red Letters” Summer 2025 please be on the look out. Read more>>
Kelly Trust
My mission is to help you reach your health and fitness related goals. After spending 5 years actively participating and helping others in bodybuilding, I have developed a wide range of knowledge of the sport. Beginning with utilizing the skills that my degree gave me, I continued to collect the proper formula for refining the physique of an athlete. From basic nutrition and weight-lifting guidance to full competition prep and intense physical therapy for injuries, I have a full scope of tips and tricks to share with my clients. Read more>>
Shamya Wilson
YaGraphix—“where we turn blank spaces into bold graphix”—is more than just a design brand; it’s a creative experience. I’m a graphic designer who specializes in advertising and branding for businesses. What I’m most known for is my bold, artistic, and uniquely creative design style. I don’t just create graphics—I create visuals that speak, stand out, and tell a story. Read more>>
Ebonie Vickers
Ga I never forgot a great friend of mine invited me to be apart of his podcast which is called Keeping It Real Fridays and sparked the light back in me that was dim, when I went on his show boy I was nervous but my ancestors spoke through me and I thank him for that. I started getting booked selling plates to different warehouses and I enjoyed it so much between working a full time job kids and my catering I keep a positive outlook that one day I will have my own restaurant or food truck. Read more>>
Vince Walch
In 2021, I relaunched Dirty Birds Lacrosse—an existing brand that had gone quiet during COVID. Through my connection with Coach Spotz and the Walton community, I saw an opportunity to revive the program and grow it into something special across the Atlanta Metro area. Like most small businesses, it started small. We hosted a few clinics, coached out of borrowed fields, and leaned into word-of-mouth to get our name out. What kept us going was our core mission: helping players fall in love with the game while building confidence on and off the field. Read more>>
Kimberly Hicks
I reached a glass ceiling I knew I would inevitably grow through. During that 10 year process I met someone who wanted to open a private salon, but knew nothing about grooming. We teamed up, I left said company, and at the end of 2018 we started our Spa Wags adventure in downtown Powder Springs! I took over the company solely in 2020, and it has been a blessing full of love, growth and lessons. The connections I’ve made with clients and their pets over the last 17 years has been a tremendous light in my life. I’m so grateful I was given a gift and opportunity to create a business around what I’m passionate about in a city I love. Read more>>
Alonah Robinson
I was depressed, out of shape, and hated my life and myself. Until one night i was doing uber ride-share. Out of nowhere a black BMW hit me so hard i completely lost control of my vehicle. When I realized i was alive i knew my life as i knew it was over. I was lucky to be alive. I was taking advantage of my life. I wasn’t using my abilities to the fullest possible potential. I was making excuses to continue to be miserable. After that day I left my toxic relationship, lost 60 pounds, and started heavily pursuing music and entertainment. Now i am proud to say I am happy. I love myself. I have found my identity and purpose. Life is beautiful and I will never let the negativity stop me from being the best version of myself ever again. Read more>>
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>>
