Hidden Gems: Local Businesses & Creatives You Should Know

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.

Aerial Ellis

I’m a Memphis girl at heart, and my journey has always been shaped by faith, curiosity, and a deep love for helping people grow. Things really took root at Tennessee State University, where my interest in communication and culture opened the door to launching my first business immediately upon graduating. Read more>>

Shamieka Corbett

I AmMiekaCreations was born from a passion for craftsmanship and a desire to bring unique and custom jewelry to people of all ages and genders. Founder and designer, Shamieka Corbett, who also holds the title of both mother and wife, was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. During the challenging times of the pandemic, Shamieka turned to jewelry making as a creative outlet. Read more>>

Bernard Ayala

“I started my journey in photography as a creative outlet while working in retail management, where I learned leadership, operations, and how to take care of customers at every level of an organization. Over time, that creative passion grew into a commitment to build a photography company that could blend artistry with a highly professional, organized experience for clients. Read more>>

Allison Majors

A lifelong fan of entertainment, consumer of all media, and full time ‘idea person’, I found myself attending the University of Georgia studying Special Education, not fully feeling like this was the path that was meant for me, but not sure where I WAS meant to be. Read more>>

Lamar Clay

My thought process behind starting my own business goes back to childhood. I always imagined myself running some type of operation—big or small. I loved the idea of everyone playing a role to get something done. That always intrigued me… and it still does. On top of that, both of my parents were entrepreneurs. Read more>>

LaShaun Dodds

My career in dance begin in a dance program provided at my elementary school on the South Side of Chicago. From there I continued training in dance and choreography throughout my academic years while studying in business and working in the non profit sector. Read more>>

Stephen Mark

I started off drawing my own comic book when I was a young teenager. That progressed into writing poetry and doing some songwriting, before breaking into short stories and eventually completing my first novel. Read more>>

Courtney Lee

Cocoa Cosas was born from my love of collecting meaningful souvenirs. I’ve never been a “trinket” person, so whenever I traveled, I’d look for something with character; usually a unique piece of clothing from a local consignment shop. On one trip, when I couldn’t find anything I loved, I wandered into a nearby antique store. Read more>>

Derrick Mayo

I started my clothing brand over 5 years ago. What lead me to following this dream was a coworker of mine told me I couldn’t do it and that I would be working for the company a long time just like everyone else. When I started BlakMagik it was about uplifting black culture. Read more>>

A.M.N Productions

A.M.N Productions, LLC is a family owned music production company that was started by brother and sister ZeNi Maj0R and ARiA LoNdoN in 2023. ARiA got into music at a very early age. She always had a very high interest in playing the piano and she poured her heart into learning everything she could about it. Read more>>

Lizzy Jackson

In 2014 I started a fashion blog to document my outfits which quickly morphed into a personal styling business. My side hustle was perfect because it allowed me to do something I loved while also being there for my brand-new baby at the time. Read more>>

Melanie Milton

I’ve worked in Fashion for most of my adult life, in sourcing and development so thrifting and antiquing have always been a big part of my life. Seeing that the fashion industry has been responsible for so much of the congestion in the land fills. Read more>>

Michelle Gonzalez

Growing up in the Bronx, I was surrounded by spiritual practices, Botanicas, and the belief that energy, intuition, and faith could guide us through anything. Over the years, my own personal experiences with healing, self-discovery, and manifestation inspired me to learn more about crystals, grounding, and the power of positivity. Read more>>

Felica Morgan

I suddenly found myself a single mom, carrying the weight of all the usual worries about my kids. I thought I had checked every box to make sure their transition was as smooth as possible. What I didn’t realize was that I, too, was part of their concern. As they grew older, my children wanted to make sure I was celebrated—especially on holidays. Read more>>

Rose Wambsganss

Origins and Influence I was raised in a small town in Colorado, where my childhood was shaped by seemingly contrasting pursuits—racing quarter midgets and stock cars, dedicating myself to ballet practice, and immersing fully in the world of art. These eclectic experiences cultivated a perspective unlike most, allowing me to approach life through a lens of curiosity and layered meaning. Read more>>

Staisha Hamilton

I grew up in Western New York in a matriarchal home. My grandmother was strong, stern, and no-nonsense. My mother embodied some of those same qualities; however, hers were more pronounced. This made for interesting dialogue within my home. Read more>>

Denika LaShae

It is often said that if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. I’ve fallen into this trap many times, and, to be honest, things have rarely unfolded as I envisioned. Over the past two decades, I have pursued various career and entrepreneurial endeavors that didn’t reach their full potential, leaving me feeling lost, bewildered, and at times, even cursed. Read more>>

Desirée Jones

My love for beauty and skincare started long before I knew it would become my career. Since high school, I was the girl doing my makeup in the bathroom before classes started, sharing skincare advice online, and experimenting with anything beauty-related that made me feel creative. Read more>>

Courtney Sutton

Although I haven’t yet established a formal business, I began dancing professionally in the summer of 2020 and haven’t stopped since. As I continued to perform and develop my craft, I realized that I needed to improve my skills and push myself further. I’ve always believed that talent isn’t something you’re simply born with; rather, it’s a pursued interest that requires dedication and consistent practice. Read more>>

Chloe Simone

I was born in Atlanta, and raised in a home where creativity lived in everything. My grandmother baked, sewed, arranged flowers, made wreaths and gift baskets, taught piano—she showed me early that art always has a place in this world. I grew up extremely shy, the girl who barely spoke and even staged a mini revolt to avoid dance class. Read more>>

Isa Valdés

I spent my whole life searching for my “thing.” I took the steps that many people in life take, but I looked around and everyone around me had a skill, talent or that thing that really seemed to set them apart. What set me apart? Read more>>

Ochuware Akpene

I have always had a love for the arts for as long as I can remember. My mom owned a bakery growing up; it wasn’t her main source of income, but it was her passion, her baby, and I remember dragging my sleeping bag next to her chair as she sketched out her newest cake design, and I would always ask to help. Read more>>

Jessica Thill

Thanks so much for your interest! I’m Jessica Thill, a photographer and content strategist based in Atlanta. I specialize in event photography, portraits, and brand storytelling, with a focus on yoga and wellness retreats. My story began in journalism, where I learned to observe closely, listen deeply, and honor the truth in every story. Read more>>

Christina ward

I am a proud Atlanta native, Hapeville, specifically. I was born at Georgia Baptist and spent my childhood in a tiny home on Stewart Avenue, which is now known as Metropolitan Parkway. My city’s rich and culturally fraught history makes me, after all of these years, proud to be an ATLien. Read more>>

Maria Benavides Fernandez

I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and creation, and I’ve been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. Growing up, I was very close to my grandmothers and my grandfather, who were all creatives in their own way. Read more>>

Mickey Mellen

Ali, my business partner, and I worked together at a church here in Marietta for a few years in the 2006-2009 kind of area. In 2009 we both left the church separately to start our own independent businesses, but we quickly found that we needed each other’s help while we worked. Read more>>

Kathryn Kyker

Where I am today: A retired social worker who’s written a memoir chronicling her career as a regional hospital’s first ER social work manager. My memoir details the innovation of that position, the personal cost of the work, and the period of self-reflection essential to my healing. I came to Athens Dec. 1983 with my husband who was an artist. Read more>>

Lauren Hodge

My journey into aesthetics and entrepreneurship has been anything but traditional. I’m a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, and my career actually began in chronic pain management and orthopedics. For years, I specialized in ultrasound-guided joint injections, which taught me precision, anatomy, and the importance of truly listening to patients. Read more>>

Gillian Shaw

The Brand Behind The Name: My name is Gillian Shaw, and I’m the founder of Gill’s Deals Experience — a styling brand born from passion, purpose, and personal growth. I was born in Laurel, Maryland and raised in Durham, North Carolina, where my love for fashion and creativity first took shape. Read more>>

Ashley Warren

My story started with a broken heart. After a painful breakup, everything in my life felt exposed. My confidence, my direction, my sense of stability all shifted at once. I was healing emotionally, but I also realized I needed more than healing. I needed power. I needed ownership over my life. I needed to become someone who would never feel financially or emotionally dependent again. Read more>>

Dr. Tyffani Monford

Monford Consulting & Psychological Services, LLC started after one of my bosses told me that the work I did deserved to go beyond the service area provided by that agency. He encouraged me to begin to develop my own contracts for speaking, consulting, program development, and psychological testing (the last only done in Ohio). Read more>>

Shilpi Sharma

My story really began long before The Future Crafters or Thrive Nexus existed — it started with a quiet but persistent observation I carried with me throughout my 20+ year career. I began on the technical side as a developer and eventually moved through consulting, financial services, enterprise technology, product leadership, and large-scale transformation roles. Read more>>

Ashley Medina

My name is Ashley, but most people know me as Ashley Jelisa. I’m a 27-year-old creative artist from the Bronx, and my journey really came to life in 2019—the same year I became a mom to my beautiful son. I’ve always loved painting and creating, but tattooing is what truly opened the door to my entrepreneurial era. Read more>>

Wesley Chenoweth

I was born in Liberia, West Africa, and my earliest memories are of a country filled with culture, family, and a sense of freedom. That all changed when the civil war broke out. I was only four years old when my parents made the decision to leave everything behind and bring us to the United States. Read more>>

Panayotta Roberts

I started my career at the laboratory bench as a microbiologist. I loved the science, but what really grabbed me was everything that makes the science work: the documentation, the processes, and the small gaps that can create big problems. That naturally pulled me into operations and informatics, and that’s where my experience became unique: I bridge two worlds. Read more>>

Dejsha Watson

I’m Dejsha Watson Hill, a 26-year-old hairstylist with 11 years of experience and 6 years of licensing. I moved to Atlanta on my own at the age of 21 and started working commission jobs to save up for my own place. Eventually, I transitioned to booth rent. Working in Atlanta has been a journey filled with blessings, challenges, and surprises. Read more>>

Trent Mongero

In 2006, we moved our family just north of Atlanta, to Gainesville, Georgia. I took a job as head baseball coach of North Hall HS. It was also at this time that I was paid by Sterling Publishing to author a series of comprehensive baseball books called ‘Winning Baseball.’ each book was developmentally appropriate for specific ages (From T-Ball to Professional). Read more>>

Amy Taylor

I got sober in 2012 after battling addiction throughout college at the University of Kansas. At that point, I could not tell the truth. I could not make it through a day without substances. I could not even look at myself in the mirror. Treatment changed the trajectory of my life. Read more>>

Jina Moreno

I actually grew up around photography. My family shot weddings, so cameras were always around, but I didn’t pick one up seriously until my daughter was born in 2012. I was handed down a Canon 20D DLSR and a 50mm 1.4, started taking photos of her, and realized how much I loved capturing those real, in-between moments. Read more>> 

Jon Graham

For 16 years, I worked as a video producer for a non-profit. Then, for the first time ever, I received a meaningful year-end bonus—and decided to use it on a cruise. At age 52, I stepped onto my very first ship… and I was instantly hooked. For the first time in my life, I actually vacationed. Read more>>

Vershā Patrick

In 2019, I needed a healthier way to lower my high blood pressure without the aid of more pills. Through much study and research of the benefits of the hibiscus flower, I soon became my own patient and created my Hibiscus Dream Tea. Read more>>

Saira Padilla

My Story My name is Saira Padilla, but most people know me as “Sai,” a nickname taken from the first three letters of my my first name. I began my entrepreneurial journey in the most humble way: selling Colombian fajas. Read more>>

SOLANGE GARCIA

Our journey began in Venezuela, driven by a simple love for design, storytelling, and celebrating life’s special moments. I, Solange, come from a communications and creative background, while my partner, Gilka, brings her strength in administration, operations, and leadership. Together, we built La Tarjetería—a small business that quickly became a beloved part of our community. Read more>>

Victoria Bocancea

I started Paint & Tea Company during a really tender season of my life. I was a new mom trying to juggle everything, Painting had always been a place where I could breathe, reset, and talk to God, and I realized I needed that space again. What began as me simply searching for a moment of calm turned into something I never expected. Read more>>