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.
Shae Poole
My understanding of “home” is both personal and professional. As a mom to a wonderful daughter, I know that home is more than a place to live—it’s where stability is built, memories are made, and futures begin. That perspective shapes everything I do as a real estate professional. I grew up watching homeownership modeled within my own family. Read more>>
Ronnie Beatty
Growing up in Charleston, WV which is a small city compared to Atlanta, I quickly realized I had to work twice as hard if I wanted to be somebody and to get someplace where I could make a name for myself. I had big dreams, first it was to be a professional basketball player, then it was to become a rapper. Read more>>
ZAKIYA PRAWL
LBC Tresses was built from a lifelong connection to hair and beauty. I grew up in the salon, watching my mom work as a hairstylist and learning early on what it meant to care for hair with intention, precision, and pride. From a young age, I always knew I would be a hairstylist. Read more>>
Iris Elliott
I stared off with photography, taking photos through out the city of Atlanta. Shortly after I began taking portraits of local Atlanta artist. Eventually I got into photoshop creating collages. Making covers. Years later i’ll begin making music along with music videos. I’ll start getstonedoffart.com. A place for me to sell my art and express ideas. Read more>>
Denzel Phillips
Music has always been part of my lineage. It was passed down from my grandmother to my mother, and from the very beginning, my mom sang to me constantly—she jokes that it was the only way she could get me to stop crying. Growing up, my parents’ musical tastes shaped me in powerful ways. Read more>>
Iman Alamoudi
I started photography as a hobby several years ago, simply capturing moments with my phone. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a passion as I became more interested in storytelling, light, and emotion. Wanting to improve, I invested time in photography classes to understand both the technical and creative sides of the craft. Read more>>
Miki Boni
When I was just four, I can vividly remember sitting on the floor, leaning against a coffee table drawing portraits of our family. A native New Yorker, I began my career in the Village drawing street portraits. Read more>>
Teneica Isom
I began my career as a secretary with Knowles Enterprises tax company at the age of 18, primarily running errands. At the time, my first son was two years old, and I was pregnant with my second son. I knew then that I needed to create a way to maximize my income and build a better future for my family. Read more>>
Cyrus Waid
I was born February 6 1998 on the northside of Atlanta Georgia. My adoption was arranged 2 days before I was born and I was given to an incredibly loving, God centered family and was raised about an hour and a half up I-75 in Rome and Calhoun Georgia. Read more>>
Kamar Doe Wiz Lewis
I started my clothing line when it was discovered after I made a sweatshirt to wear for my performance at an event that were scouting new talent, Initially I wanted to be a rap artist so I came up with my stage name DOE WIZ and decided to create a character that signifies the meaning of my name. Read more>>
Tiyana Redding
I was born and raised in Albany, Georgia, where my entrepreneurial mindset began early. I graduated from Albany State University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, which laid the foundation for how I understand people, behavior, and decision-making skills that now guide my work as a stylist, brand strategist, and creative director. Read more>>
Trinity Jackson
I started out playing violin in elementary school, which sparked my lifelong love for music. That interest grew through video games, where I became fascinated by how sound and music shape emotion and immersion. Over time, I pursued both the technical and creative sides of audio, working across sound editorial and composition. Read more>>
Justin Edwards
As a kid, I always had a knack for drawing, but never took it seriously. In fact, it wasn’t until my senior year of undergraduate college that I was reintroduced to it – by one last class credit to graduate: Drawing 001. There, I revived my passion for drswing. Read more>>
Christian Luna Manilla
Through My Lens: The Story that started it all! By Christian Luna Photography didn’t start as a career for me — it started as a spark/a passion if you must . One tiny moment where curiosity and fear met creativity, and suddenly I was seeing the world through a frame that change my life forever,but I didn’t know it yet. Read more>>
Hailey Harris
Fitbyhails was established after suffering from a foot injury in the gym and a car accident that transpired immediately afterwards. While having a lot of down time, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about starting a Christian clothing brand that also emphasizes fitness. Read more>>
Troyia Monay
My journey started with a love for creativity, storytelling, and understanding how people connect with brands. I earned my degree in Public Relations from Florida A&M University, and early on I worked in traditional PR and marketing spaces, including agency work in New York and corporate retail environments. Read more>>
Jon Diggs
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor at Mainspring Counseling and Training Services. My office is in Midtown, Atlanta, GA. I have over 15 years of experience in private practice. Read more>>
Morgan Downey
In 2018, my mom—who had been battling lung cancer for nine years—became very ill and began to transition. I was in my senior year at Spelman college and I realized that at any moment my life could turn upside down. Read more>>
Valeria Bardi
I am an architectural designer based in New York, driven by design excellence rooted in cultural and social relevance. My fascination with design began early, shaped by a strong visual sensibility. As a teenager, I was drawn to magazines not for their written content, but for their editorial layouts—captivated by the way design can shape perception and narrative. Read more>>
Alexa & Edreys Wajed
Eat Off Art is a collaborative of artists, educators and entrepreneurs working to build a more empathetic community. We do this through creating and sharing our art, welcoming people into our studio and community space and investing in fellow entrepreneurs. Alexa and Edreys Wajed, the founders of Eat Off Art, are dynamic artists and creative change agents. Read more>>
Devika Rao
This is always an interesting question. If we are to say when it started, I was 12. I have known what I wanted to do since then — and it was to tell stories. I dreamed of a publication that would share real stories and create the whole teenager – covering arts, culture, music, sports, science…everything. Read more>>
Shatyrah Anderson
Pastriologi began in 2020 as a passion-driven dessert business built around creating comfort, joy, and memorable flavors. What started with a love for baking quickly turned into a successful venture, with rum cakes and cheesecakes becoming customer favorites and helping the brand grow a loyal following. Read more>>
Sylvia Huron
Recovery is a deeply personal journey—one that often demands resilience, courage, and unexpected sources of healing. For me, that source was fly fishing. What began as a simple pastime evolved into a lifeline and my role as Executive Director and co-founder of Reeling in Serenity, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals in active recovery from substance abuse. For years, I battled alcohol addiction. Read more>>
Iwoinakee Harris-Billups
Finding Answers Inside the Home, Inc. was born out of lived experience, loss, and a deep desire to turn pain into purpose. In August 2017, my oldest son, Quintas, was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Read more>>
Michael Myers
I’m originally from New York and spent time growing up in places like Philadelphia, New Jersey, Florida, and Arizona what lead me to move to Atlanta was the music scene, coming up I learned how to play guitar, drums and bass and at school and church. Read more>>
Sebastian Montero
My journey started in a very organic way. My dad and brother were helping two boys from Costa Rica who had just moved to Atlanta. They were new to the country, new to high school, and needed guidance to improve their soccer and adapt to a more competitive environment. Read more>>
Frank Caldwell
I grew up in a household with both parents, a sister, and a brother. My basic needs—food, shelter, and clothing—were always met. My parents did their best, raising me with the understanding and resources they had. Yet, I often felt alone, like the black sheep of the family. As a free spirit, I was curious and highly sensitive to the emotional energy around me. Read more>>
Kendra Hatton
I started my hair business from a genuine love for beauty and confidence. What began as a small idea—helping people feel good through quality hair—quickly turned into a passion project. In the early days, I was learning everything hands-on: sourcing hair, understanding what customers truly wanted, and building trust one client at a time. As the business grew, so did my vision. Read more>>
Kristen Jones
Moments by Marie was born from obedience, not ambition. What started as simply serving my church and capturing behind-the-scenes moments out of love quickly turned into purpose. I never set out to be a business owner, but as I remained faithful with what was in my hands, doors began to open that I couldn’t ignore. Read more>>
Yana Miriam
I started my content creation and acting career at 11 years old when I first started performing on stage and creating home movies. I quickly realized entertaining the masses was what I wanted to pursue in life and is what brought me joy. Today I create comedy sketches for social media, direct stage plays, and act in films around Atlanta. Read more>>
Winston Wilson
I was born in Jamaica and raised in New York, and my life has always been a blend of high-stakes business and soulful storytelling. After earning my degrees from St. John’s University and Kennesaw State University (New York and Georgia), I built a career in the payments industry that spans nearly thirty years. Read more>>
Barbara Careaga (aka Angela Barbara Mitchell) Mitchell
Bárbara Careaga was born in 1981 in Concepción, Chile. She studied at the Instituto de Humanidades Concepción Alfredo Silva Santiago and pursued violin studies with Américo Giusti at the Sociedad Bach Music Conservatory and the Antonio Vivaldi Music Academy. She won the Young Talents Competition and performed as a soloist with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Concepción. Read more>>
Yuriko Kuroiwa
My first encounter with the piano was when I was in the third grade of elementary school. My mother was a piano teacher, and I grew up in a home with a grand piano. Children regularly came to our house for lessons, and I also took piano lessons once a week at a studio near my home. Read more>>
Konstantin Taigildin
I began studying music at the age of six. My first experience was at a music school for exceptionally gifted children in Yoshkar-Ola, Mari El Republic, Russia, where I enrolled in the violin department. In my second year, I began taking composition as an elective in Sergei Nikolaevich Makov’s class, after which composing became my priority. Read more>>
Cedric (AMUN-RA) Huff
At 16, my consciousness shifted after reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X. That book awakened me to knowledge of self and solidified my mission: to create music that enlightens, uplifts, and awakens melanated people. By 21, I was introduced to the teachings of Dr. Malachi Z. York, which opened me to a higher level of esoteric, metaphysical, and cosmic understanding. Those teachings became the foundation of my art, philosophy, and life path. Read more>>
Genevieve LeDoux
I was born in California in the 1970s, which was a pretty magical time to be a feral child. We rode our bikes for miles, chased the wind, and stayed out until the streetlights came on. I was always the storyteller in the group. I vividly remember seeing Stand By Me for the first time and immediately identifying with Wil Wheaton’s character, Gordon Lachance. Read more>>
DeMarco 275
I am from Dayton Ohio, graduated from Grambling State University and fell upon an opportunity to follow my dream as a rap artist with my partner with Tall Entertainment. We traveled the country, was on BET, major magazines etc. After our group disbanded I went solo, then moved here to Atlanta GA in 2013. Read more>>
Shannon Ananda
I was raised in the presence of art. My dad was a full time tattoo artist and painter and kept me close to that entire world. I am from Atlanta, a city layered with rhythm, softness, and survival, and that environment shaped how I see and feel the world. Read more>>
Aisha Lumumba
I became interested in sewing as far back as I can remember. I started making doll clothes as far back as I can remember. My aunt who was a seamstress took me under her wing and taught me how to sew clothes. Slowly on our summer visits to her house she added new skills to my repertoire. Read more>>
Alysha McDonald
I didn’t wake up one day and accidentally end up in real estate, tax planning, and legal services — this was a very intentional journey built on experience, problem-solving, and a lot of court dates. Read more>>
Dasha Ware
Some stories don’t begin with a spotlight — they begin with a quiet decision, a risk, or a moment of faith that shifts your entire life. My story starts in 2005, standing in the hallways of Full Sail University with a deep love for music and a big vision to one day lead in this industry—having no idea that the next two decades would carry me into studios, across stages, into boardrooms and universities, and into the lives of hundreds of young creators. Read more>>
Simone Hopson
I’ve lived many lives inside one, and every version of me has pointed toward the same truth: I was born to create experiences and serve others! I am the oldest of five children, a role that shaped me early. Leadership, responsibility, and vision came naturally when you’re the one setting the tone. Read more>>
Elizabeth Spitdowski
I’ve enjoyed baking my whole life, and finally took the leap to turn it into a business in the fall of 2020 after some encouragement from my husband. Read more>>
Qu West
I formed the group Xplicit in 1995. We released one of the hottest singles from ATL called, “Voyage To Atlanta in 1996. I founded Qu West Photography in 2006, initially taking on small projects and learning through experience, trial, and persistence. Over time, my work expanded beyond photography into video, event coverage, sports, and community-focused storytelling. Read more>>
Ylexsis Dell
I’ve always been tapped into the spiritual realm, but thought it was normal. My dad is a faithful minister. Which influenced me to be very active in a separate church. My spiritual/ healing journey started in 2016 when my eldest brother passed. He was a huge inspiration to the community. Once he transitioned something in me shifted. Read more>>
Demi Lewis
XXX (Thirty) Collection was born during a pivotal season of my life. My thirties became an era of healing, growth, and transformation, where I began doing the real inner work and stepping more confidently into who I was always meant to be. The number thirty has always carried deep meaning for me. Read more>>
Ashlee Barrios
I’ve always been an artist since I can remember… No matter what job I worked I always introduced myself as an artist. If I met new people and hobbies were mentioned… art was always at the top of my list and I was loud about it. I tried all different types of art and tattooing just stuck. Read more>>
Ta’Neilé Simmons
I’m originally from Louisville, Kentucky. I grew up as a dancer, and after school I would rush home to watch America’s Next Top Model. That’s when I knew I wanted to pursue modeling. Early on, I was scouted by an agency that required money upfront, which was devastating at the time. But it became a turning point. Read more>>
Maria Agrapidou
My journey began in dentistry, a field I chose out of a deep interest in health, science, and helping people improve their quality of life. From the very start of my career, I understood that being a dentist was not only about clinical practice, but also about education, prevention, and communication. Read more>>
Dr. E. Harper
Dr. E. Harper born November 1975 is an Atlanta, Georgia native who is best known to many as Que. Que’s ambitions, talents, spiritual background, and his many life changing experiences makes him the superior man he is today. Read more>>
Brian Robertson
Brian Robertson, CEO of Marion Marketing Global, LLC founded in 2014, provides marketing solutions specifically for women and minority owned businesses, organizations and individuals aimed to expand their brand and grow their revenue. At that time there were little to none businesses serving this segment of our business eco-system. Read more>>
Patience Journey
How it all started for me was from a mustard seed. I’ve always had a vision of success and the ambition to reach it. My creativity originated from my passion on taking my ideas and visions then turning them into my reality. My dreams unfolded as I got older in the ages of 18. Read more>>
Terrance King
My story actually is just beginning but to go back I started my acting journey doing background/extras work, I’ve done over 40 productions in background, to name a few, Disney Descendants 4, Fight Night, Jackpot, BMF and various Tyler Perry productions. Read more>>
Tiffany Turcotte
Hi! I am Tiffany Turcotte, owner of Three Peaches Photography! I am a self taught family photographer who was gifted a camera for my 30th birthday. I quit my job to start a dream and I never looked back. Having a creative outlet has changed my life in ways I could never think of. Read more>>
Jamal Jones
My cooking journey was not planned at all. From a kid to now I wouldn’t expect myself to be cooking to be honest. What got me into cooking and wanting to share it with the world was my pure creativity. Ive always had a wild imagination and always brought what I thought to life. Read more>>
Walter “J.R.” Brooks
I started like a lot of people in music do—curious, self-taught, and obsessed with figuring out how great records were made. I wasn’t handed a shortcut or a major cosign early on. What I had was consistency, a deep love for the craft, and the willingness to spend countless hours learning production, engineering, songwriting, and the business side at the same time. Read more>>
Edward Rolle Jr.
Five years ago, I found myself in a situation that forced me to be still. While it was a challenging chapter, it became the unexpected birthplace of my imagination. I chose to turn that stillness into a catalyst for creativity, transforming a difficult moment into a vision for something greater. Read more>>
Taoran Jiang
Taoran Jiang is a UI/UX Designer and visual creator whose work focuses on crafting thoughtful, human-centered digital experiences that connect users, brands, and culture. She began her design journey in China, where she studied Interaction Design at Nanjing University of the Arts. Read more>>
Brianna Marcus
I’ve always had an eye for content creation before i was a teenager. I use to enjoy watching morning routines on Youtube by My Life As Ava who soon inspired me to start my first youtube channel with my sister Aniya. I could sit up and edit for hours without feeling bad lol. Read more>>
chika unigwe
I was born and raised in Nigeria and even as a child, I was a voracious reader. I read books I understood and some I wouldn’t understand for many years. I read inscriptions on passing trucks, I read newspapers and bread labels. Read more>>
Margarita Eberline
I started in marketing because I was obsessed with one thing: understanding what truly makes people take action. Early on, I realized most businesses weren’t struggling because they lacked effort; they were drowning in tactics with no strategy, guessing instead of growing, and outsourcing their voice to people who couldn’t care about the outcome, not really. So I built Marketing Boss to change that. Read more>>
Angelia Nalls
I love helping people. Read more>>
Emoni Bartley
I am a seamstress, I have always loved fashion. When I was younger my aunt made dresses for dolls and did conventions all over and it seemed like the coolest thing to me which pushed me to learn to sew at a young age. Read more>>
Ervens Oge
I was born in Miami, where life brought its share of challenges, but growing up with three brothers and a sister taught me resilience, teamwork, and how to enjoy the journey. Football was always a big part of my life. At 16, my family moved to Blackshear, GA, which was a major adjustment, but I adapted, built new relationships, and continued playing. Read more>>
Dylan White
I started creating music as a little boy by beat boxing during my spare time. Others thought I was making random noises, but my mother noticed it was rhythmic. She encouraged me to join the school band the moment I began middle school. I played the French Horn and Trumpet. Read more>>
Chrissia Baker
My journey began over 15 years ago in education, where I worked across classrooms, intervention spaces, and leadership roles supporting students with diverse academic and behavioral needs. Early on, I saw a consistent gap: schools were full of passionate educators, but many lacked clear, sustainable systems to support students who needed more than core instruction. Read more>>
Eliza Imran
She Runs ATL started the moment I realized women in Atlanta were craving more than what traditional networking spaces offered. As I moved through the city’s business and networking scene, I felt the absence of a genuine space where ambitious, business-minded women could connect in a meaningful way. I wanted community that felt intentional, supportive, and rooted in real growth; not surface-level networking. Read more>>
Tamara L Moore
Sixteen years ago, Scattering Resources was born from the compassionate heart and faith of my late grandmother, Philomene Homere. Her love for people, her commitment to service, and her deep concern for others shaped the foundation of this organization long before it had a name. Read more>>
De’Niaya Thomas
De’Niaya Thomas is a Writer, Producer, Director, and Assistant Director. My journey as storyteller began far before I even knew I wanted to pursue a career in entertainment. As child, I would write stories and make books and sell them around the neighborhood for about fifty cents. Later, I would go on to become a thespian and purse acting. Read more>>
Maris Woods
I grew up in Athens, GA and have always had a deep love for interior design. However, right after graduating high school, I moved up to Baltimore, Maryland to pursue a degree in Communications at Towson University. Read more>>
Fiona McDermott
My journey began with a simple but powerful goal: to build something that created opportunities for people while delivering meaningful, high-quality service. I started in event operations by doing the work hands-on—staffing events, coordinating logistics, and learning the realities of client service from the ground up. Those early experiences taught me discipline, adaptability, and the importance of treating people as partners, not just transactions. Read more>>
Tonya Byrd
I began my real estate career in 2008 in Texas, where I learned the fundamentals of guiding clients through one of life’s biggest decisions. In 2015, I moved to Georgia to be closer to family in nearby Tennessee and continued building my business in the South Metro Atlanta area, especially Peachtree City and the surrounding communities. Read more>>
Amy Asevedo
I started out as a stay-at-home mom and a bit of a gym rat. One day I wandered into a yoga class and was completely blown away. Something about the breath, the movement, the way I felt afterward – it just stuck with me. It was the first time I really felt connected to my body in a deeper way. Read more>>
