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.

Carina Jimenez

I have always done sports growing up but my favorite is trail running. Around 2018 I was increasing my milage with my runs but I wasn’t stretching enough, which led me to injured my calf to the point it hurt to walk. Read more>>

Frederick Huff

My journey really started with a dream of playing professional football. That dream came to an end after an injury, which forced me to step back and rethink my path. At the time, I was planning to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy, but when Clark Atlanta University discontinued their program, I pivoted into Health Education—and that decision ended up shaping my entire career. Read more>>

Lacey Taylor

Upon retirement from Active Duty Army, the only plan I had was to go to college. I originally started on the pre-dental biology track, then quickly changed my major upon completion of my Psychology 1101 class. Read more>>

DeAnna Butler- Toombs

Hello everyone. I started my business because I was tired of busting my butt for companies that didn’t even care about my well being or the welfare of my family. And I was tired of catching the bus and train for two and a half hours to get to and from jobs that didn’t care about me. I was working two jobs at the time. Read more>>

Jadon Relaford

It started from a kid, with an undeniable love for all animals. At the age of 6 I was introduced to horses at a school fair. Later in life one of my uncles saw my passion for them and started taking me out west to Oklahoma and encouraged my riding out there. I also rode in Texas as well. Read more>>

Everett McKoy

Based in Fairburn, Georgia, Metro Selfies proudly serves clients throughout the greater Metro Atlanta area. The company was originally founded in 2016 after my wife attended an event and was inspired by the photobooth experience she encountered. Recognizing its potential as a business, she launched Metro Selfies with a vision of bringing fun, engaging and memorable experiences to special events. Read more>>

Desmond Jenkins

I spent over 20 years working in telecommunications, installing and repairing internet, TV, and phone services in homes and businesses. During that time, I saw something over and over again. Technology was advancing quickly, but many older adults were being left behind. The moment that changed everything for me was with my grandmother. Read more>>

Emma Adler

I started taking myself seriously as an artist during the 2020 lockdown. I was a full-time art student in New York and saw the transition from physical to digital artwork. I had already begun my video portfolio, which mostly manifests on YouTube, about three years before the pandemic sparked a huge monetary boom for video and NFT art. Read more>>

Lynn Muraya

I’m Lynn Muraya, born and raised in Kenya and I believe that influences how I see and navigate the world. I’ve always been a keen observer. I pay attention to spaces, energy, and how people conduct themselves, even the smallest details. Even now living in the United States, that foundation means everything to me. Read more>>

Joey & Paige Morris

Joey and I (Paige) met almost 10 years ago at one of his seminars. I was a professional obedience dog trainer in New Orleans, wanting to expand my knowledge into the field of protection dogs. At that time, Joey was actively importing and supplying K9s to the Military and Police Departments. We shared a deep love for dogs and immediately hit it off. Read more>>

Ziad Awwad

I opened my coffee shop in Ypsilanti with a simple vision: Create a space where quality coffee meets community. I’ve always had a passion for crafting great espresso and drinks made with care, but I also saw something missing nearby. Within three and a half miles, there wasn’t a single coffee shop where people could gather, relax, and feel at home. Read more>>

Jonathan Schechter

Hospitality is the meaning of life- to be kind, selfless, & gracious to strangers is humanity’s path to world peace. I learned this at an early age from a mother who is a compassionate social activist, and the epitome of benevolence. Read more>>

Jerry King Jr

I started Royal Property Inspections in 2019 with a clear purpose—to help people make confident, informed decisions about one of the biggest investments of their lives. Early on, I recognized that many buyers and property owners didn’t fully understand the true condition of a property until it was too late. Read more>>

Carrie Deem

In high school, students often find themselves writing in compliance with assignments, assessments, and other academic pursuits. But to write creatively because they enjoy it is another skill set altogether. Read more>>

DEXTER FRANK

Hoops On Wheels started with a simple but important goal, as a father, I wanted to create something meaningful for my sons. I didn’t just want to tell them about hard work, responsibility, and ownership, I wanted them to experience it firsthand. Like many parents, I saw how easy it is for kids to grow up without understanding how business really works. Read more>>

Zariel Hunt

I grew up in a home that valued the power of storytelling. My imagination often took me to worlds that didn’t exist, and my dad’s bedtime stories only fed that spark. My mom brought me to the library for story-time, and while I was a stubborn four-year-old at first, I eventually fell in love with that space. Read more>>

Ryan Durham

Since childhood, I have always aspired to be an entrepreneur, even though I wasn’t sure which industry I would pursue. At the age of 15, I became a junior firefighter, a role that carried into adulthood. I went on to serve as a firefighter in Fulton County for seven years, an experience that shaped my discipline, leadership, and commitment to serving others. Read more>>

Eugene Kim

I started selling body jewelry on Etsy as a side project. Over five years it grew into something much bigger than I expected — 179,000 orders and over 40,000 five-star reviews. I was one of the top body jewelry sellers on the platform. Then Etsy suspended my shop without warning. No clear explanation, no appeals process that led anywhere. Five years of work, gone overnight. Read more>>

Susan Mungai

My name is Suzie Mungai, and at the heart of everything I do is a deep passion for food, science, and innovation. I am the CEO and founder of Saffron & Sands by Suzi, a brand dedicated to creating all-in-one, one-of-a-kind global spice blends that are pure, thoughtfully crafted, and designed to transform everyday cooking into an extraordinary experience. Read more>>

Zabrina Horton

My journey has been a bold pivot—from entertainment to impact, but still rooted in the same thing: creating unforgettable moments. I went from building buzz for celebrities to creating joy for seniors—and somehow, it all makes perfect sense. Read more>>

Benjamin Wills

Almost 20 years ago my wife and I got married and shortly thereafter moved into an under resourced neighborhood on the west side of Atlanta. We had committed to a one year program that’s mission was to ‘Love God. Love People. Read more>>

Joshua Brown

I grew up in Moultrie, Georgia, raised by my grandparents, Curtis and Ella Mae Molden, from birth. My family dynamic was complicated—my relationship with my dad was present but distant at times, and my mom struggled with drug abuse, which made home life challenging. From as early as I can remember, I was drawn to music and art. Read more>>

Shane Matias

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, a place known to appreciate and celebrate individuality. Growing up, I had always been drawn to the uniqueness of everyone around me. No two people carried themselves the same; everyone had their own sense of style and identity.I have lived in New York my whole life, with a brief move to Cape Coral, Florida, for middle school. Read more>>

Saray Banuelas

I was always interested in art since I was little. Growing up it was always just a little hobby that any kid had, but once I got to high school I started to embrace that hobby into a potential career path. Read more>>

Michael Chapman

Everything really started back in college at Georgia State. I didn’t have much knowledge about entrepreneurship until I took a class about it my third year in school. After taking that class I knew that i wanted to have my own business one day, but I had no clue what I wanted it to be in. Read more>>

Brianna Antillano

Growing up I always knew I wanted to be in the beauty industry, but didn’t really know when to start. I got married in 2016 and became a SAHM but something was missing. I met my nail tech at the time along with other nail techs and they inspired me to peruse manicurist school . Read more>>

Phillip and Kelly Lanier

A few years ago, we began creating unique knickknacks, signs, and other handcrafted items, and the enthusiastic feedback we received inspired us to launch our own business. In 2024, we invested in a laser engraver and started using our CNC router regularly, which allowed us to expand our capabilities and product range. Read more>>

Fatou Diallo

A few years ago, our journey began with something deeply personal. My sister experienced a health scare that affected her eyesight. After weeks of uncertainty, medical tests, and searching for answers, she was advised to completely stop using her cosmetic products and switch to baby-safe alternatives. That moment became a turning point. Read more>>

Jahlil Michael Ballard Campbell

I’ve (Jahlil Michael Ballard Campbell) been in the field of music all my life but since the age of nine I’ve been rapping and writing lyrics. In the early 2000’s I started a company called the 80 Babiez Movement then eventually switched the name to LAD (Living The American Dream) Society. Since starting this company I’ve been releasing music on a consistent basis. Read more>>

Chris and Andrea Whitaker

We are Chris and Andrea Whitaker, the dynamic duo known as cornheadmuffinbrain. We make weird art for not so weird people. Married for almost 13 years, we were both born and raised in Georgia. Being crafty and creative comes naturally for us, it’s kind of in our DNA. We both come from generations of makers, crafters, farmers, quilters, sewists and even the occasional moonshiner. Read more>>

Avery Sabile

I was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida and I have been playing golf since 5th grade. My high school did not have a women’s golf team, so I decided to join the men’s team working hard to play at the collegiate level. Read more>>

Drew McLeod

Ever since I was in middle school I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Before middle school I had many of the same aspirations as other kids of the 90’s, astronaut, professional chef, NBA player, etc. I remember two main influences that changed my trajectory. The first was when my computer teacher in 7th grade had us play a game called “Cashflow for Kids”. Read more>>

Vincent Everson

It started when I was 12, it was 1973, and I was in the backseat of my grandfather’s car, who worked for a brick laying company and sold products out of the back of his car to the local neighborhoods. Watching my grandfather drive around selling products to the locals gave me the idea to start a business. Read more>>

Sarah Nguyen

My journey into real estate wasn’t planned—it was redirected. I originally set my sights on becoming a dentist and worked tirelessly toward that goal. But somewhere along the way, I realized it wasn’t truly my passion. Walking away from something I had invested so much time and identity into left me feeling lost and uncertain. Read more>>

Raiye Harris

12 years ago, at 18, I was a freshman in college with a young mind that compared myself a lot. I thought I was fat, for whatever reason (although looking back now, I wouldn’t even want to get back down to the weight that I was then). Read more>>

Hekima Havard

I started in IT about 20 plus years ago. I started out when I first graduated highschool and came up with a antique site where you can purchase antiques and I would recieve a commission. Fast forward I started working for Mike Tyson ahead of his marketing, web development and street team. We came up with and launced Miketysonfanclub.com. At that time we ranked no. Read more>>

Alycia Wright

Created in 2016, Black homeschoolers needed a community where we could tap into our natural ways of being (language, clothing, hair, food, music, dance, history, kwanzaa principles, education, mothering, community). We often were the only Black faces when looking at homeschool coop spaces for our children. A group of 12 women came together under the leadership of Alycia Wright and formed Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative Read more>>

William Ellis

I have been creating children’s Toyboxes and Chairs for over 18 amazing years I have always had a passion for creating works of art out of wood, it gives me such joy to see children receive one of my handcrafted Toyboxes or chairs. Read more>>

Denay Shook

Everything started for me after the birth of my first child. I wanted to document our life with her authentically and have everything just be well documented. From there my desire to just be home during the early years of their life really inspired me to take my passion to the next level and start a business. Read more>>

Mary Peck and Leah Matthews

Holy Grail started over coffee in Atlanta in early 2024. We were talking about our goals for the year and ended up discussing how complicated skincare had become. It felt like every routine required more steps, more products, and more time. Our own routines had gotten overly complicated, and we realized we were probably not the only ones feeling that way. Read more>>

Olivia Amyette

I’ve always had a desire to build something meaningful, something that actually changes people’s lives. That really started to take shape during my time at Georgia Tech, where I was studying computer science. I was part of the Grand Challenges program, which pushed me to think beyond theory and focus on real world impact. Read more>>

Azariah Moss

Since the beginning when YouTube first started, I sat in front of my computer for hours watching beauty videos saying I want to do that. I can do that! When I turned 16, I was finally allowed to wear makeup and my mom took me to MAC. I probably still have some webcam videos of me making videos of me doing my makeup lol. Read more>>

ryan camesa

I grew up in Southern California, so it feels remiss to call myself a Southerner, but I call Atlanta home. I always describe it as my formative years. I take pride in the South, hopefully shifting the collective narrative on Southerners. I learned how to drive here. I learned how to survive as myself. Atlanta is where I learned how to write. Read more>>