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.

Craig Henderson

I grew up in Bedstuy, Brooklyn NY surrounded by creativity, music, and people who believed in me. I was encouraged to try, fail, and try again. That freedom shaped how I see life today. Not every child gets that support. I knew early on I wanted to help create it for others. Read more>>

Jazzmin Bethea

My journey with Full Court Press began long before I ever typed the first chapter. It started in real life — in the middle of pain, perseverance, faith, motherhood, and basketball. I’ve always been passionate about uplifting others, especially through sports and mentorship. Read more>>

Lela D

From a young age, beauty has been an integral part of my life, nurtured by my mother’s commitment to our hair appointments every Saturday at our beloved salon. Those weekends weren’t just about looking good; they ignited a spark within me. Read more>>

Arman Sayyar

Growing up in restaurants, i always had a passion for food and people. I started as a cashier at Krystal’s, then moved into the kitchen slowly getting the hang of front and back of house. Little by little I started getting into fast casual restaurants, then fine dining and really enjoyed the day to day operations of a restaurant. Read more>>

Kyle Kahn

My journey has never been about building a single company; it’s been about mastering the architecture of human experience. Eighteen years ago, I founded Kyle Kahn Event Management with a vision to redefine large-scale production—moving beyond just ‘events’ to creating immersive, world-class moments that stay with people forever. Read more>>

Tonia Morris

As an HR executive, I had a front-row seat to one of the most significant shifts in the workplace — the changing faces and expectations of the workforce. I began noticing differences in communication styles, work preferences, leadership expectations, and even definitions of success. That curiosity sparked a deeper interest in understanding generational dynamics. Read more>>

Narell Hunt

My journey began in 2017 when I first moved to Georgia from New York. I didn’t have a plan. In fact, my brother came and got my daughter and I in a caravan he rented. We packed what we could fit in the van and drove down. Read more>>

Bre Collins

My name is Bre Collins, and my journey is about rebuilding and purpose. I spent several years incarcerated, and during that time I made a decision to change my life. I earned my GED and committed to creating a better future for myself and my son. Read more>>

Chaya Goldberg

Mitzvah House started very grassroots, planning holiday events and children’s programs so families could celebrate Jewish life with pride and joy. As we listened to people’s needs, it naturally expanded into more practical support, especially our volunteer-powered kitchen preparing and delivering home-cooked meals to families going through difficult moments like illness, job loss, or new babies. Read more>>

Kimberly Arnold

Since I was a little girl, I was always the one with the Polaroid or disposable camera in my hand, capturing moments and memories. I didn’t know it then, but that little girl was already discovering her passion. As I grew older, that love for photography never left. Read more>>

Nick Britt

After having worked in restaurants, both separate and together, in both the kitchen and up front, we decided to focus our attention on ingredients and flavor beyond anything else, and a cocktail bar fits the social and creative requirements with incredible ease. Read more>>

Robert Stallworth

The backbone of Stallworth Senior Health Group LLC is its dedicated and passionate founder, where a deep understanding of the senior health market guides every aspect of the business. Read more>>

Sasha Coleman

Founded in 2023 by Sasha Coleman, The SC Agency was created for women building brands with purpose and vision. SCA is more than a digital marketing agency, it’s a strategic partner and creative home where women feel supported, understood, and empowered to grow boldly. Read more>>

Luis J Ruiz

Let me start by saying I’m 42 years old. I was born in Mexico and moved to the United States at a young age. Growing up, I often felt like the black sheep of the family. Life didn’t always come easy, but little by little, things began to change for the better. The first major turning point in my life was meeting my wife. Read more>>

Adesola Oshikanlu

As a little child, I was close to an uncle of mine, who at the time planned and decorated some of the most beautiful and elaborate events in the 90s. Read more>>

Deborah Long

My business was born from one of the most difficult seasons of my life — my battle with breast cancer. During that time, I experienced an overwhelming amount of generosity. So many people donated toward my wedding, and their kindness gave me something priceless: confidence, hope, and a positive focus when I needed it most. Read more>>

Krystal

My story may seem a little bland. I began baking as a hobby; I baked all the time for family and colleagues. One afternoon at work, one of my colleagues pulled me aside and suggested that I make a business from my baking. At first I laughed it off, but shortly after that conversation, I began to receive requests and to my surprise referrals. Read more>>

harold sellers

After six years in the U.S. Navy, I found myself in Charleston, South Carolina, where I met two people who changed the course of my career—Jim Rocco and Guy Davidson. They hired me as a camera operator and assistant editor at WCSC-TV, which became my first real step into professional media production. Read more>>

Alexis Lamour

Instead of letting the setback define me, I transformed it into an opportunity. I reimagined A Touch of Lamour as a professional writing service, leaning into a passion that had always come naturally. Writing was always my forte, resumes, cover letters, power of attorney documents, credit dispute letters, and more. Because I love to write, running the business felt effortless. Read more>>

Kisha Poole

My story is built on experience, resilience, and faith. I spent decades in retail and wholesale working with major Fortune 500 brands, where I gained a strong foundation in merchandising, sales, and brand development. As a fashion designer and entrepreneur, I eventually took everything I learned in corporate America and turned it into my own opportunity. Read more>>

Rebekah Murphy

Like many mothers early in their motherhood journey, I found myself at home with a new baby, uncertain of who I was outside of being “mom” and how to care for myself while caring for someone else full time. Read more>>

Grace Walden

I grew up spending the summers and evenings after school at my grandmother (whom we called Binky)’s house. Binky loved beautiful things, whether it was art, poetry, nature, music, or household items. I must have inherited my eye for beauty from her. She also had many inexpensive film and digital cameras, because she loved to document life. Read more>>

Jeffrey Jacoby

I discovered a natural talent for massage when i took an adult education class for massage and the teacher told me I had amazing instincts. I decided to get licensed and got my degree a year later. Clients started responding to my bodywork right away and very soon it seemed I was booked with clients all the time. Read more>>

Alicia Holman

Twisted Moon Studios is the result of almost 15 years of day dreaming, late night learning, spilled paint, crumpled paper, broken crayons and the reminder that we live with what we create and that creation can be beautiful! Alicia, the owner of Twisted Moon Studios, began as a self taught artist. Read more>>

Sonya Jordan

I’ve been teaching Yoga in Monticello, GA since 2013. I opened my studio in 2018 and teach regular classes twice a week. I also work with private clients, lead workshops, teacher trainings and retreats. I organize a variety of events for my community, including art classes, meditation workshops, and fundraisers. Read more>>

Shanara Sanders

I’m originally from Chicago, and my creative life really started in church. From early on, I was drawn to singing, dancing, and anything that put me in front of a crowd. I became very comfortable performing and communicating with audiences, and that eventually expanded into spoken word. Read more>>

Jessica Hunt

I started shooting weddings as an intern for a photographer in high school, and I quickly fell in love with working with clients from behind the camera. From there, I pursued an art degree from Columbia College and launched my business full-time in January of 2015. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of traveling around the world to document more than 250 wedding celebrations. Read more>>

Jennifer Youman

My journey began over twenty years ago behind the chair as a Master Cosmetologist, working closely with women in deeply personal spaces. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I wasn’t just doing hair — I was witnessing patterns. I saw women carrying chronic stress, unresolved grief, relational strain, and autoimmune conditions that were often showing up physically through hair loss. Read more>>

Tara Argo

Right out of high school, I went into the car business simply as a way to take care of myself while I figured out where I was headed. I had grown up in absolute poverty, and suddenly I was surrounded by people who had built successful lives and businesses. It was the first time I could see what was possible. Read more>>

LATASHA TEASLEY

My journey has been shaped by resilience, love and purpose. Professionally, I serve as an Asst. Apartment Manager, a role that allows me to support families and create stable, welcoming communities. Alongside that, I am the founder of MaryJo’s Soul, a small but growing catering service rooted in comfort, culture, and connection. Read more>>

Andrea Vanderham

My name is Andrea, and I grew up on a farm in Alabama, where hard work wasn’t a choice — it was a way of life. Even then, I was strong-minded and fiercely independent, qualities that would later define me as an entrepreneur. Read more>>

Sierra Green

I started singing in the church at age of 6 or 7. From there I did talent shows in school , a couple theater plays . When Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 I moved to Oklahoma City and began singing at library’s and festivals. Read more>>

Ta’Mikel Moore

My name is Ta’Mikel Moore. I grew up in Georgia and started my entrepreneurial journey very young at around 13 years old, when I began cutting hair and learning the barber craft. That early experience taught me skill, creativity, patience, discipline, and how to interact with different people lessons that would shape my future work.  As I got older, my passion for haircare grew. Read more>>

Alan Baker

I was the kid with the motor that never shut off. I got tagged with ADHD early, and I was full of energy all the time. My mother made a decision that changed the entire direction of my life. Read more>>

Kennedy Homan

I’m a wedding and lifestyle photographer with a heart rooted deeply in nostalgia and connection. I’ve always been a super sentimental person—someone who holds tight to the little moments and the quiet details that make life feel full and real. That’s exactly what led me to pick up a camera in the first place. I didn’t want to just take photos—I wanted to keep feelings. Read more>>

Jocelyn Wallace

That realization is what led me to start The Never Alone Clubhouse. What began as a vision to create a safe, welcoming space for people to feel seen, supported, and not alone has grown into a recovery support center serving individuals, families, and communities. Our work now includes peer support, community partnerships, mobile outreach, and recovery navigation for people in some of their most vulnerable moments. Read more>>

Song Kim

Coming out of the pandemic, I noticed that many businesses in the industry chose to grow rapidly by taking shortcuts or bypassing certain procedures. However, I have chosen a different path. At I Care Home Service and Song Kim Insurance, we strictly adhere to Medicaid regulations and operate according to what I call “God’s Law”—a commitment to honesty, transparency, and doing things the right way, even if it means growing more slowly. Read more>>

M.C. Scobes

The experience landed me first place in the “Sound Engineering & Production” category during the 2025 Festival of Media Arts [Broadcast Education Association (BEA)] for my mini “Mashup Monday” series on the station’s social media, where I showcase the artists that performed during the yearly WOLF Radio event, WOLFstock, by taking their music and combining it with popular tracks. I now incorporate my DJ Scobes skills to improve my performances and have a better handle on studio sessions. Read more>>

Shanna Pothier

I grew up in inner-city Memphis, where safety was never guaranteed and resilience was learned early. As a teenager, I became a ward of the state. I was incredibly fortunate not to enter foster care; instead, a family friend opened her home to me when my parents were no longer willing to be parents. In that home, I found stability and inspiration. Read more>>

Feifan Zheng

I moved to the United States when I was 18 years old. I first attended Georgia Perimeter College, where I studied ESL for two years. After that, I transferred to Georgia Tech and earned my bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, focusing on supply chain and data analytics. In 2023, I founded Fried Rice Master in Kennesaw. Read more>>

Evelyn Williams

I entered the real estate industry with a clear focus on helping clients move strategically, not just complete transactions. Early on, I recognized that in a competitive market like Metro Atlanta, agents who understand both the numbers and the presentation of a home have a stronger advantage. Read more>>

Dr. Charles R. Rogers

My journey as a founder began long before I filed any paperwork. Colorectal cancer became personal for me when my Aunt Joann was misdiagnosed multiple times before finally being diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. She later passed away from the disease. Watching her navigate confusion, delayed answers, and ultimately loss changed the direction of my life. Read more>>

Simone Shanae

My story dates all the way back to 2017 and my origins in Charleston, South Carolina where I was born and raised. I had the privilege and opportunity to attend a high school that was half academics half arts. My art major was fashion design, where I’d sew 90 minutes a day. Read more>>

Persephonie Rose

“I didn’t start writing because I thought I’d be a famous author. I started writing because I was unbearably alone, and the only friend I had was a blank page.” – P. Rose My father was a con man and my mother was a nurse, so I learned early how to use lies to tell the truth. Read more>>

Bridget Walton

I’ve always loved to write. To create stories and to tell them, boisterously and with a lot of hand gestures, to my family. It was something I have always felt deep within me but never in a polished, refined way. Visual arts felt like a line running parallel to those stories, which eventually led to me getting a BFA in Graphic Design from UGA. Read more>>

Jonathan Pascual

I’m from Atlanta, born and raised. I’ve spent my entire career in coffee, starting with my first barista job at the Starbucks in downtown Decatur. Read more>>

Anthony Sanders

When I was younger, I started reading comic books around the age of 7 and it’s something that I continued doing through to adulthood. After reading so many and seeing so many different characters I decided to submit artwork to Marvel comics. After a rejection or two I started creating my own comic books at home. Read more>>

DESHAUN HOLDEN

DeShaun Holden is a former competitive gymnast, gymnastics coach, gym owner, and youth sports advocate based in the Peachtree Corners, Georgia area. He began his gymnastics career as a competitive athlete at the Gemini School of Gymnastics under coach Skip Zimmerman, later training at the Apollo School of Gymnastics and Orlando Metro, where he competed at the Class I level (equivalent to Level 10). Read more>>

Ahmet Bozer

I was born and raised in Turkey during a period when the world felt much less connected than it does today. To give you a sense of how different the environment was, even carrying a U.S. dollar bill could technically violate laws meant to protect the Turkish lira. Yet growing up in that environment felt, in many ways, sweet and innocent. Read more>>

Lu Chea Diggs

My journey of faith and relationship with God began through tragedy. At six years old, I lost my father. During that painful time, my grandmother witnessed to me about God’s unfailing love and introduced me to the power of prayer. I chose to believe in Jesus, even as a child. Read more>>

Karen Martinez

I arrived in the United States with one suitcase and many dreams that, at the time, felt like they had been left behind. Over time, I realized they were not lost dreams they were redirected dreams. God had written a different story for me. Read more>>

Jasmine Jones

My story starts in 2018, I was in school to become a nurse but I wasn’t as excited as before about my future in the nursing field. Read more>>

Cynthia Whittle

Our daughter got a miniature horse. His name is Sparky. I completely fell in love with this rollypolly little horse. After a short time our daughter saw what a change this little horse had in my life. You see over the past few years I tragically lost my mother in a car crash. Few years later our first son passed away in his sleep. Read more>>

Dan Kabanko

I’m Dan Kabanko, the founder and owner of Atlanta City Appliance Repair, Inc., a locally owned and operated appliance repair company based in Alpharetta, Georgia. My journey began with a simple passion for fixing things and a commitment to delivering honest, high-quality service. What started as a small, hands-on repair service has grown into a trusted business serving the greater North Atlanta area. Read more>>

Haley Casola

I’ve always been energized by bringing people together, especially people who might not otherwise find themselves in the same room. While my professional career has focused on strategy, operations, and economic development, the throughline of my story has really been community-building. A few years ago, I started something small and scrappy: a free “coffee shop” out of my apartment for young professionals in Atlanta. Read more>>

Tonya Davids

I became a mother at 18, and again at 20. As a young mom, I had to make the difficult decision to leave school so I could work and support my children. I started as a receptionist at an insurance company, and what began as a job turned into a 31-year career built on consistency, responsibility, and resilience. Read more>>

LauraBeth Tanner

A little about me: I spent many years as a musical theater actress in Atlanta, earning a degree in musical theater before completing a master’s degree in education. I went on to teach music and theater for over ten years. Read more>>

Sheryll Roberts

I am an overcomer of childhood sexual abuse. For years, my voice was silent. I believed that because of what happened to me, I didn’t matter that what I carried inside of me wouldn’t make a difference in this world. But one day, I made a decision to heal. And from that moment forward, everything changed. I found my voice again. Read more>>

Dr Josias Jean-Pierre

It all started with a vision at 13 years old. I saw through dreams that I will have national and international impact. Saw through dreams that I will be this powerful iconic voice for my generation. Before books were even manifested, I saw it manifesting. I always say if you see it before you see it, you will then see it. Read more>>

Kimberly Knight

I’m a Registered Nurse by background with over 20 years of experience in healthcare. I discovered my passion for nursing at the age of thirteen, driven by a desire to ensure others felt seen, heard, and experienced high-quality, person-centered care. This same desire has spilled over into my journey into personal finance and financial counseling. Read more>>

Lisa Handman

It all started with a music camp that offered the Harp. I have been playing the Harp ever since I was a child and took to it immediately. I even studied at a conservatory during high school, major did it in college and the rest is history. I have been performing all over the southeast for many years. Read more>>

Kevin Beasley

I’m a visual artist based in Atlanta Georgia. Most of my work centers around documenting subcultures of America (wrestling, demolition derbies, barbershop culture, etc.) and seeing the unique and beautiful people and corners of this country. Photo and video are my main avenues, but I’m also a growing motion graphics animator and have made works reflecting social commentary on emerging technology. Read more>>

Robin Barnes

My story began with a deep desire to help young girls see the beauty within themselves. I wanted girls to grow up confident, secure, and grounded in who they are, not defined by comparison or outside pressures, but by the truth that their worth already exists inside them. That belief became the foundation for BRIMI, which stands for Beauty Resides In My Image. Read more>>

Joydan Dawson

Absolutely. I’m originally from Woodbridge, Virginia, and my path really started to take shape when I attended Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. I majored in Communications with a concentration in Production, and I graduated in 2016 with my Bachelor of Arts. Read more>>

Dajour Ashwood

Breaking ground in Harlem NY, I was introduced to filmmaking in Junior High at an afterschool program. That program lead to me starring in an Documentary called ‘Harlem Diary,’ which won several awards in LA and aired on the Discovery Channel. Taking all that I learned from camera, editing and acting, I decided to create my own art. Read more>>