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.

Erin Rae

I’m originally from Kansas and got my start in radio 12 years ago as an intern at KPRS. From there, I worked in college radio at K-State, eventually making my way to Atlanta and earning a middays position at Hot 107.9. Today, I’m part of the team at V-103, where I’ve continued to grow my career across radio, television, podcasting, and red-carpet coverage. Read more>>

Maddie Westbrook

I have been obsessed with taking pictures and preserving memories for as long as I can remember! I got my first camera as a Christmas gift around 10 years old and I can still remember how excited I was. Read more>>

Onella Piyatilake

Music has always been a large part of my life. I began performing at age 6 and it was clear early on that music was more than a hobby. I was so fortunate to grow up with parents who encouraged my passion for music and introduced me to Jazz at a young age. Read more>>

Julie Resh

Harmony Theatre began in 2023 after the closure of another theatre company that served the Roswell and Marietta areas of greater Atlanta. At our inception, we brought a board with us that had worked together for over ten years and produced over 20 high-caliber shows. We have continued this tradition at our current location, Mt. Zion UMC in Marietta, Georgia. Read more>>

Steve & Sandy Schoettle Owners

SANDY: When you get two creative people around a fire pit, especially during tougher times like the 2008 ‘Great Recession,’ amazing things can happen. Our kids were both in college and we were seeking a new creative outlet—something that felt meaningful and productive for both of us. Read more>>

NINA-SIMONE JONES

I started practicing on my barbie dolls as a kid, but when applying for high school — because I think only in NYC we do that, my mom found a CTE school with a cosmetology program. Read more>>

Ken Forbes

My name is Ken Forbes, and I was born and raised on the east side of Detroit, Michigan. Creativity has always been a major part of my life. From a young age, I developed a passion for writing, video editing, and videography. Read more>>

Jolanda Malone

For over fifteen years, I built a career in insurance as a claims adjuster. It was steady, structured work, and I gave it my all. Read more>>

Georgette Jackson

My story is one of unimaginable loss, unshakable faith, and God’s sustaining grace. As a young mother, I experienced the heartbreaking loss of my infant son, BJ, when he was only two months old. Years later, I faced another devastating loss when my daughter Dee passed away at the age of 33 after a courageous battle with illness. Read more>>

Roshelle Walters Rodney

My name is Roshelle Rodney, and I am the owner of Roe Refined Rooms, an interior styling and event décor business based in Gwinnett County, Georgia. I’ve always had a passion for transforming spaces and creating beautiful environments that make people feel comfortable, inspired, and proud of their homes. Before starting my business, I spent many years working in healthcare and administrative roles. Read more>>

JADE DARRIES

I started my journey in music at about 11-12 years old, learning how to DJ on the virtual DJ computer program and as soon as I figured out how to mix music,it felt limiting, I needed more control over the music, I needed to create music and that’s when I started learning to use the Fruity Loops DAW(Digital Audio Workspace), slowly figuring out rhythms and song structure, working my way up into writing songs and learning how to engineer,mix and master my own music. Read more>>

Jessie Vassie

Hey this is Jessie V. I started this creative thinking In Kansas City Missouri I was in a group called the KCMO Bucks! This was a group of me and my three siblings! We were a known youth group around our city for crashing the stage. We are from the hard core inter city where everything happens! Read more>>

Candice Sabiduria

I started my modeling career in Atlanta before new opportunities took me to Los Angeles, New York, South Africa, and London. Along the way, I worked with brands I used to pray for like H&M, Fenty Beauty, Hard Rock Cafe, and Nike Jordan, appeared on more than 10 billboards, and was featured in international editorials. Read more>>

Larry Johnson

Hello! I’m Larry J., originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, by way of Vidalia, Georgia, and I’ve been living in Atlanta for a little over a year. Professionally, I’m a Financial Risk Operations Officer and a content creator. My corporate career began in 2016 after attending Florida A&M University. Read more>>

Kaiah Michelle

I was born in Maryland and raised on the east side of Georgia. Growing up, my mom would take me to auditions, and we made it a tradition to get annual family and individual photos taken. Because of that, modeling and acting were always a part of my life in some way. Read more>>

Maserati Bud

My name is Evay Christopher. I’m speaking on behalf as management for Maserati Bud. He has a single he is currently promoting and doing a promo run. You can Google his name. A lot of controversy but his music is grade A! I will be completing this questionnaire on his behalf. Read more>>

Eiza Gantus

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. A big reason for that is my dad, who has worked in the live entertainment industry as a stage manager for more than 30 years. Read more>>

Indira F.

My journey with The Luxe Mom Collective started after becoming a mother for the first time. Like so many women, I noticed there was this unspoken belief that once you become a mom, you somehow have to lose yourself in the process. I wanted to challenge that narrative. Read more>>

Chad Dishner

Your story is compelling. Here’s a polished version that keeps your voice while improving flow, grammar, and readability: — # The Story Behind Dish’s Bagels I am a single dad to my son and daughter, and they are the most important part of my life. Anyone who knows me knows that family means everything to me. Read more>>

Mark Leibert

My creative life started early, surrounded by paintings made by family members. I remember sitting in the kitchen and drawing yet another picture of Kikaida*. Like many people, I was shaped by art programs like those at my school, Iolani. I became more serious about painting in college, where I was exposed to a wider network of artists, materials, and forms. Read more>>

Paul Bacardi Smith

My start as a professional oil painter started in 2023. I went through the cliché story of losing my job and being dumped in a span of three weeks. I was ok with the breaking up part but the fact that my livelihood and means to support myself was in jeopardy. Read more>>

Chanel Dutton

My travel journey began in 2019 when I took my first solo trip. At the time, the idea of navigating a new destination alone felt intimidating, but that experience completely changed my perspective. With each trip, I gained more confidence, became more comfortable stepping outside my comfort zone, and learned how to navigate the world on my own terms. Read more>>

Alex Balmer

Hey, I’m Alex. My story isn’t tied to one place. I’ve moved around my whole life between Alabama and Illinois, and because of that, I had to figure out who I was without relying on a set environment. Music And creativity were the first things that allowed me to unwind and process things in a way that helped me think and feel at ease. Read more>>

Kamivilleside

My musical journey ignited in late 2019, during the pandemic, when I discovered a profound passion. Despite initial doubts, I invested in my own studio, driven by a desire to create music that offers solace and peace, especially to those experiencing isolation. This art form is undeniably my true calling, a passion I am profoundly grateful to have found. Read more>>

Brandy Gunsolus

In a town that knows the value of family, fun, and finding something memorable to do together, The Splatter Place has become one of North Augusta’s most colorful answers to the question: “What should we do today?” What began as a fresh idea built around glow-in-the-dark splatter painting has grown into a lively family entertainment destination where art, action, laughter, and celebration all share the same room. Read more>>

Jamel Morris-Barclay

I started as a kid who loved to sing, dance, make noise, and listen to music. It grew into isolating instruments of a song in my head to focus and mimic them. My big sister then put a guitar in my hand in freshman year of high school. She taught me the basics she was learning in college and I took off running with that. Read more>>

Reuna Oliver

Well I’ve always caught on to things pretty quickly as a child. I’ve always been creative. And my love and passion for music has always kept me grounded, for as long as I can remember. As I blossomed into adulthood, I began to turn my hobbies and my passion into a career. Read more>>

Hank Stewart

My journey started in 1991. I was a manager at UPS for the third shift. I came home that morning around seven o’clock, played around the house, washed and folded clothes, did the dishes, took a shower, and went to sleep. I woke up around five in the evening, preparing to get ready to go back to work because I had an early meeting. Read more>>

Aye Rozayy

Honestly the story starts from when I was born. I literally came out the womb beating on my highchair and playing with drum sticks. Both of my parents are musicians, my mom was always singing around the house and my dad plays bass for different bands, so I was always around instruments and hearing different music. Read more>>

Kelsey Moravec

My love for this industry started long before beauty school. Growing up, I was the girl flipping through magazines, completely mesmerized — studying every look, every detail. I would dream about being the one behind those pages, doing the hair and makeup, traveling the world, making people feel as beautiful as they looked. Read more>>

JACKIE HILL

I began taking private art lessons at age 8 and always liked the arts. I took lessons through high school and some classes in college. I majored in political science and speech and theatre and then went to law school at Mercer Univ. Read more>>

Harvey Robinson

Hi , I’m Harvey Robinson , and I’m a model and live in Shreveport,la. I got started like 3 years ago, when I did my first fashion show here, and I’ve been doing it ever since . Read more>>

Phoenix K

I started my journey as an artist in 2021 but my break out song “frequency “ that was my first official single . I was working as a home health aide in a complicated situation having no days off while also being a mother stressed out caring for my child and client. Read more>>

Patty Haupt

Why I Chose Aesthetics: My Passion & Purpose For me, aesthetics is far more than just surface-level beauty—it is a powerful tool for transformation, confidence, and self-care. I chose this field because I find immense joy in helping others look and feel like the absolute best versions of themselves. Read more>>

Vikee

When I started my blog Living La Vida Diva, I did NOT fit in. Most of the fashion bloggers I knew were young, tall, blond and skinny. I am none of those things. I eventually learned I’m not the only one that doesn’t ‘fit’ the fashion norm. I’ve slowly found my tribe. I believe fashion should reflect what you are feeling at the moment. Read more>>

Dani And Coco

Coco and Dani first met at Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain Georgia in the 11th grade. From there, they stayed connected after college while celebrating holidays and birthdays. One random day in 2020 during the height of COVID, they came up with an idea to share food and travel experiences through social media. Read more>>

ANDREW GUERRIER

I’m originally from Miami Florida born of Haitian immigrants. I moved to Atlanta in 2004 and had a career working in ministry from 2006-2022. I started out as a sports chaplain and an area director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Read more>>

Daniel Lu

Long before LUOPTIC MEDIA existed I was simply a curious kid fascinated by cameras, creativity, and the ability to freeze a moment in time. I spent years teaching myself photography, cinematography, editing, and storytelling. In 2017, I turned that passion into a business and founded LUOPTIC MEDIA. The early years were filled with uncertainty, long hours, and more lessons than victories. Read more>>

Destiny Powell

PRESSUAH TAKE OVER !!! PRESSUAH is an emerging Atlanta artist, creative director, and personality redefining what it means to build a brand independently. Raised around the fast-paced energy of Atlanta, PRESSUAH transformed pressure, ambition, and life experiences into a movement centered around music, culture, and self-expression. By creating some of the hottest music , streaming and content creation. Read more>>

Jan Levie

I founded Handy Entertainment because I believe events deserve to be about you, your guests, and connection. Everywhere I went, all the events looked and felt the same. I saw how disengaged attendees were at events and realized traditional entertainment frequently has NOTHING to do with business goals. Everyone talks about interactive event entertainment. Read more>>

Trisha Mitra

During COVID, my co-workers and I transitioned to working from home. At the time, I worked for a green construction company in Savannah. We all felt so distant from one another, and I tried to foster human connection the way I know best: creating art. I would draw and paint regularly, sending photos to my team to cheer them up. Read more>>

Pebels Montero Tavarez

My story is one of resilience and growth. As a mom and entrepreneur, I’ve learned that success doesn’t happen overnight—it comes from showing up every day, even when things feel uncertain. Read more>>

Brian Morales

As a child, I would steal my sister’s Barbies quite frequently, and I had a quite unique way of playing with them. I would line them up, cast them in a musical, and begin to change their clothes. By the time I was done arranging costumes for each of the characters, it was time to stop playing. Read more>>

Kaley Miller

My journey with art started when I was a little kid. I’ve always enjoyed anything that exercised my creative muscles. I was very crafty as a child and loved making things with my hands. I took art classes here and there growing up, and later took art as an elective in high school, where I began to really enjoy experimenting and exploring different creative processes. Read more>>

Noah White

I was born and raised in Modesto, California, a small city in the Central Valley. Growing up, there wasn’t much access to the industries and professions that I was interested in, especially modeling. Read more>>

ANTHONY MCCULLOUGH

My journey started because I refused to let anyone put me in a box. I never looked at music, design, and business as separate lanes they’re all part of the same ecosystem, and I wanted to control the whole board. Operating under the name AntTheVillain means you don’t ask for permission; you just rewrite the rules. Read more>>

Donisha Hill

My story starts with very humble beginnings, being born to very young parents in Southern California. San Diego to be exact. I was always a tall kid and around middle school I started to really develop and also gain weight. With that came jokes and comments about my size. Which lead me into believing I wasn’t “beautiful” in society eyes. Read more>>

Playboy 6ix

My name is Playboy 6ix. I’m an artist. Originally from California, I moved to Marietta, GA, while I was growing up. I’ve experienced some great things from both coasts that I put together in my music. I was raised around music all the way from my grandma’s to my parents’. Read more>>

Shawnelle Brown

Absolutely! We are Chef Adrian and Chef Shawnelle, the owners of A and S Catering Service. The name “A and S” comes directly from our names, with the “A” representing Adrian and the “S” representing Shawnelle. What started as a shared passion eventually became a business built on love, faith, resilience, and family. Read more>>

Stacie Smith Lumar

I grew up in the Detroit metro area, and for as long as I can remember, I have always loved reading, writing, and storytelling. As a kid, I was always creating books, writing plays, and using my imagination. I’ll never forget my 5th grade teacher, Ms. Weiss, telling my mom that one day I would be a journalist. Read more>>

Tess Smith

I’ve always had a love for horses, and it is a privilege that I have been able to continue that love into adulthood. I started my equestrian journey at the age of six and haven’t stopped since. My mom and I started taking riding lessons together when I was young, and a few years later she decided to open her own riding facility. Read more>>

Annie Thrasher

An autodidact, I boldly admit that I fail miserably at having an impressive formal education history to tick through right here. I didn’t even graduate high school on time, after skipping most of my junior and senior years to avoid the social confines of institutionalization. Read more>>

Chanel Houston

My story has been one of growth, resilience, and entrepreneurship. Throughout my career, I’ve built my professional experience in corporate learning and development as an Instructional Designer where I’ve had the opportunity to design training programs, support employee growth, and help organizations improve performance through education and development. Today, I’m in an exciting season of growth. Read more>>

Natalie Rameth

Okay so I was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and while it feels a bit silly starting at the very beginning, it’s undeniably a huge part of who I am. Read more>>

Ivan Thomas

I am an entrepreneur, publicist, published author and content creator born in Washington, D.C. and raised predominantly in the Chicago area. I attended Howard University (in Washington, D.C.), where I majored in Broadcast Journalism with a minor is Spanish. Read more>>

Jabulani dube

I’ve always been drawn to photography and creative work, but what started as an interest eventually turned into something much bigger. As I spent more time behind the camera, I developed a passion for architecture, design, and capturing spaces in a way that felt both artistic and authentic. That passion led me to start Quality Capture Visuals. Read more>>

Chanel Allen

Since moving here 9 years ago I’ve been in love with Atlanta’s cafe and coffee culture. I started Oohmami Matcha because I always dreamt of owning my own coffee shop at retirement. In 2024 my friends were like why wait start making it happen now. Read more>>

LeNecia Knighton

Most of my adult life I’ve been passionate about two things – small business ownership and fashion. In 2018, I decided it was finally time to become a business owner. Supporting small businesses has always been at the heart of what I do. Read more>>

Armina Feliciano

I started with digital photography when I was in high school just taking photos of my friends I’m sure like most of us do. I started doing paid work when I got to UGA in 2019 mostly doing grad sessions. I interned at a local men’s fashion boutique in Athens as their in house photographer. Read more>>

Laura clotfelter Kate hill

Our business was organically grown over our love of Mahjong. At first we played in a small group for a couple of months before we launched our first summer Mahjong event. We partnered with our original teachers and had an overwhelming response. That following spring we were constantly being asked by friends and acquaintances to learn mahjong. Read more>>

Tonita and Nikiya Bybee and Johnson

Savvy Girl Consulting was founded by two mothers, government contractors, entrepreneurs, and community advocates who share a passion for leadership, storytelling, and creating meaningful impact. Our journey has never followed a straight line, but every experience has helped shape who we are today. Throughout our careers, we have worked in professional environments that require strategic planning, relationship building, project management, communications, and problem-solving. Read More>>

Taylar Warren

Every report card I ever received said the same thing: ‘great student, but overly social.’ I’ve always had a love for communicating, so it made sense that I was on the Public Relations team in high school and ran the yearbook committee. That love followed me to the Missouri School of Journalism, where I majored in Strategic Communications. Read More>>

Kerri Carter

Founded in 2002 by Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna in Snohomish, Washington, Dream Dinners pioneered the ‘meal assembly’ franchise industry. The concept was born from Allen’s personal practice of prep-freezing meals to reclaim quality family dinner time. It quickly exploded into a national phenomenon. They began franchising in 2003 and the Cumming store was opened in February of 2004. Read More>>

DeShaun Williams

My story started with experience, failure, growth, and a clear lesson that I had to learn firsthand: vision is powerful, but vision without structure can only take you so far. Read More>>

Ange Kells

My entrepreneurial journey started long before I officially owned a business. I’ve always been someone who looks for solutions, especially when it comes to hair care. As a woman who understands the unique needs of textured hair and locs, I often found myself searching for products that truly nourished the hair and scalp without compromising quality or ingredients. Read More>>

jerris mcbride

I’m Jerris McBride, a traveling photographer who specializes in portraits and weddings. I first picked up a camera in 2017, and what started as curiosity quickly became my passion and purpose. A little backstory about me and how I became a photographer. I truly believe God gives each of us a gift and a purpose in life. Growing up, sports were everything to me. Read More>>

Brittany Wright

My story really started with my love for travel and creating. Before BeWrightBack, I had a travel blog called The Lupie Traveler, where I shared my experiences traveling while living with lupus. Travel has always been something that made me feel free, inspired, and connected to myself, even during difficult seasons. In 2018, that love for travel naturally grew into BeWrightBack. Read More>>

Neil Phillips

I was born in the Bronx to Jamaican parents and spent my early years between New York and Neptune, New Jersey, before Georgia became home. As a lifelong student athlete, basketball shaped my discipline and drive until my playing career came to an end at the University of West Georgia. That transition pushed me to find a new purpose. Joining Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Read More>>

Carolina Salgado

Over the years, I noticed that while so much attention is given to skincare and haircare, scalp health is often overlooked. That inspired me to create Gaia Head Spa in Alpharetta, a space focused on both relaxation and results. Read More>>

Nizzle Dandy

The Story of Nizzle Dandy – My Journey Into Music My name is Nizzle Dandy, and music has been a part of my life for longer than I even realized. If I had to trace it back to the beginning, I would say it started when I was still in primary school, around Grade 6 or Grade 7. Read More>>

Maxemilian White

My story is simple—I am still in the process of writing it. To say that I have a story makes it sound as though I have accomplished all of my goals and fully pursued every accolade. Read More>>

Rosa M Collins

My story begins with care. Long before I understood it as a craft, I knew that the smallest gesture — the way you make someone feel seen, safe, held — can change their whole day. Years in hospitality deepened that knowing, and I never lost it. It’s still the heart of everything I do. But the deeper roots go back further, to two women. Read More>>

Imani Brown

Around the time of my oldest son’s third birthday, my husband and I had been suffering financially. We didn’t have any money to take my son anywhere for his birthday or money to buy him any gifts. But because he was young and loved balloons, it wasn’t hard to impress him. Read More>>

Asia Royal

Hello, my name is Asia Royal, and I own a cookie business called A Royal Cookie. I began baking at the age of 12. My siblings and I were raised by our paternal grandparents in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Growing up, I wanted Jordans and my grandmother whom I call “Granny” would not buy them nor any other name brand shoes. Read More>>

Dj La Luna

I got my start as a college student at The University of South Florida. During a party my school dance team hosted on campus is where I informally met my first DJ mentor. Unbeknownst to me, our paths crossed again later in life and he put me through a crash course of DJ’ing 101. Read More>>

Sterling Jones

I’ve always had a love for music since I was a kid. I started playing the drums in church when I was five years old. Then I started teaching myself the piano and the bass over the years. I originally started producing music in my 7th grade music production class. I used to use GarageBand in the class. Read More>>

Chitton Scott

My journey as an Independent Bedroom Kandi Consultant began in an unexpected way. In 2017, I attended The Great Xscape Tour and had the opportunity to participate in a VIP experience with Kandi Burruss and her company, Bedroom Kandi. What started as a fun experience quickly turned into curiosity about the brand, its mission, and the products. Read More>>

Jenna Kim Jones

When I was 18 I moved to New York City to attend college and became really interested in working in television. After 5 internships in TV, I graduated and was really lucky to land a job at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. That’s where I found stand up comedy. Read More>>

Terence Cole

My story is one of persistence, growth, and entrepreneurship. I’m a 31-year-old single father, full-time student, and business owner who has spent the last 15 years building brands, creating opportunities, and helping businesses grow through marketing, events, and media production. I started by developing relationships within my community and learning how to connect people, businesses, and culture. Read More>>

Jacqueline Bell

Born and raised in New York, my love for hair began early. I was the kid who styled every doll in sight — and eventually my family, friends, and even myself. The beauty and fashion world always felt like home to me. Life took me on a different path first. I became a wife and mother, and my focus shifted to family. Read More>>

Danielle Hutchins

Danielle Hutchins is a master of blending melody and rhythm. Born in Tacoma, Washington, and raised in Augusta, Georgia, she is known for creating soulful compositions that resonate with audiences of varying backgrounds. Her music is a heartfelt expression that encourages others to pursue their highest goals and aspirations. Each song she crafts is a journey through her soul. Read More>>

Ray Katanna

My journey in Atlanta starts in 2021. During Covid my mom passed away and I moved to live with my then girlfriend at the time out in Texas. The goal was at the end of the year move to Atlanta together and build a foundation for us and our future however things took a turn. Read More>>

Alexis Ryan

I’ve always dreamed of being the next Oprah Winfrey or Wendy Williams. As a kid, I loved singing, dancing, acting, and storytelling, but what fascinated me most was how Oprah built an empire across television, magazines, film, and business. From a young age, I knew I wanted to create something similar, a multimedia platform that could tell stories and amplify voices. Read More>>

Tracy Savko

My path began long before Mystic Spirit Wisdom had a name. I have always felt a deep connection to the unseen, the natural world, and the wisdom carried through ritual, intuition, ancestry, and the cycles of life. For many years, that relationship was deeply personal. Read More>>

Brittini Pearson

My makeup journey started in high school, where I was the friend everyone called on for pageants and prom. It was never a chore it was just something I loved. My older sister was a makeup artist at MAC Cosmetics, and her influence was everything. Read More>>

Nicolas Speed

My story starts in high school. I was already creating a comic strip, and one day I thought it would be cool to put the characters on clothing. Back then, I would buy transfer paper from Walmart, print designs at home, cut them out by hand, and press them onto shirts and hoodies to sell at school. Read More>>

Over/Under

Over/Under started in a studio apartment in downtown Atlanta. Marlow and I had met through mutuals and connected over our passion for music. We were both learning how to mix on our own and one day decided we needed to meet up & mix together. Read More>>

Vladimir Koloff

I always have loved professional wrestling and wanted to become a wrestler. I briefly tried to begin training in 2012 but life got in the way. I officially began training in the Summer of 2014 and had my first match on September 20, 2014. Read More>>

Kelsey-Marie Pitse

After graduating college, I moved back to New York City in 2013 with dreams of becoming a news anchor. Instead, I found myself working behind the scenes in television production. Read More>>

Tiffany Garrett

I was born in Queens, NY, raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. Youngest of 4. From the age of 8, I dreamed of being an entrepreneur. My father was a big-time business owner who lived in New York my entire life, and I had it set to be just like him when I grew up. Read More>>

Arial Shelby

I am a small-town Black woman from Florence, Alabama, but my story is much bigger than the place where it began. I am the oldest of six children, two younger sisters and three younger brothers, and from an early age, I understood the importance of responsibility, leadership, and setting an example. Read More>>

Jasmine Tallon

Hi I am Jas! A licensed and certified in master cosmetologist with almost 20 years experience. I graduated from Beauty Schools of America in Miami, Fl in 2011 and went to work for a celebrity greek hairstylist in Madison Square, NY for 2 years. Read More>>

Adjai Howard

Hi I’m Adjai, a Georgia-based photographer, and my journey started with my granddad. He was the first person to introduce me to photography and inspire me to pick up a camera. What began as a way to learn from him quickly turned into a passion of my own. Read More>>

Erin McClellan

My story actually began in a classroom. I taught 9th grade English at a title one school, and thought I had landed myself in my dream career. In 2021, my husband and I bought a vacant midcentury fixer upper on 3.5 acres. I slowly began posting and sharing what we were doing. The more I shared, the more people were interested. Read More>>

Mia Nychole

My story began long before television or social media. It began with a young woman who knew she wanted more for herself and, eventually, for her daughter, even if she couldn’t yet see exactly how she would get there. When I moved to Atlanta at 17, I didn’t come with wealth, connections, or a blueprint for success. Read More>>

Karinna Barley

This year marks 18 years since I started hair school, meaning I’ve officially been in the industry for half of my life. I graduated from cosmetology school in 2009 and spent the first 12 years of my career working for a couple of well-known salons in the metro area. Read More>>

Gera robinson

Chef Gera Robinson is the Founder and Executive Chef of The Posh Kitchen, a luxury personal chef and catering company serving clients throughout the Philadelphia region, Atlanta, and beyond. Known for creating elevated dining experiences with a personal touch, Chef Gera has built her business on the belief that great food brings people together and creates lasting memories. Read More>>

Tara Massey

I attended the College of Charleston and earned a degree in Business Administration with the original goal of opening a vegan restaurant. During college, I interned and helped with the opening of a restaurant, which gave me valuable hands-on experience. Read More>>

Je’Nita Lane

I started out throwing my children a sweet 16 and 18th birthday party and booking their favorite artist. The event was heavily decorated and featured over-the-top production. Adults saw how nice the party was and wanted to attend. A few months later, I threw an adult party called Soul Sessions Albany Live. I booked Angie Stone to perform at the event. Read More>>

Hayley Sawyer

The journey to get here was slow, but organic. And when I decided to become a full time artist, it seemed like everything in my life had always pointed to this destiny all along. Art has always been an important part of my life; I studied art and interior design in school, and have created my own art for as long as I can remember. Read More>>

Chaz Anthony

My life has changed drastically since the last time I did an interview with you guys. And January 2024 I was shot five times while sitting in my car at a red light. Read More>>

Jordan Perry

My name is Jordan Perry, AKA ‘JP’ or ‘Jor.’ I was born and raised in New Castle County, Delaware, a place that played a major role in shaping my passion for music and the arts as a whole. I’ve always had an on-and-off relationship with songwriting, but music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Read More>>

Bryce Love

My journey into styling started long before I ever defined it as a career. Growing up, I was surrounded by fashion and image consulting through my grandmother’s company, Eye Candy Glam Studios INC, where I was constantly exposed to how clothing, presentation, and detail come together to create a full visual identity. Read More>>

Malory Wood

I worked in law for over 15 years (formally educated and certified). I have been doing freelance writing since I was 15 years old, when I was first published. It was always my first love. Read More>>

Shaunie Groover

The first time I ever cosplayed was around 2007/2008ish . I attended a boarding school and they had a little convention they’d put on and my roommate at the time dressed me up as Sakura from Naruto. I was hooked on the hobby ever since. I had always been crafty ever since I was little so I threw myself wholeheartedly into making my cosplays. Read More>>

Christine Brogdon

My journey has never been a straight line, it has been a story of faith, resilience, reinvention, and purpose. I started as a creative entrepreneur with a passion for helping people bring their visions to life through branding, marketing, and business strategy. Read More>>

Kevin Jordan

My career began when I was 15 years old. An undeniable passion for the “image” completely took over me. Light, composition, and the search for a perspective or angle beyond the ordinary became my obsession. From a young age, I found myself immersed in understanding the meaning behind the elements within an image; beyond what was simply beautiful or visually pleasing. Read More>>

CoCo Iman Starr

My journey started 9 years ago at a turnabout competition. I began first as just a j-setter in the community and then I became a male lead. I didn’t know it but those were just pit stops on the journey to becoming the drag Queen the city has come to know! Read More>>

Norman Wakefield

I started on the Maury Show, not being the father of a young girls baby it broke my heart. Maury turned around and gave me my own dating show cause I was the first person with the most fan mail. After that, I became a model and actor being on sets with the greatest celebrities. Read More>>

Lara Aqel

I’ve always been interested in the idea of belonging—to other people, to other places. My story is an immigrant story. I was born in Jordan and immigrated to the U.S. as a child. In many ways, I grew up between worlds. Read More>>

Kim Karelson

Art making is the first thing I can remember wanting to do . Drawing , painting, hand printing ,photography and textile art have always been central to my life . After earning a BFA from the University of Georgia , I returned to Atlanta and married a fellow art enthusiast,Mark Karelson . Read More>>

Nzyte

I came to Atlanta and just absorbed the culture, starting out as this anonymous observer of city life. Before stepping out as Nzyte (pronounced like insight), I spent time engineering for some dope artists, including working with Rico Wade. When he passed, it really hit me… there’s so much talent out there! and sometimes all that’s missing is that belief. Read More>>

Aida Alarcon

I have loved creating art for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was constantly drawing, writing stories, and sketching my favorite TV characters, which became one of my earliest creative outlets. As I got older, I began taking art more seriously in high school and eventually pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Digital Art. Read More>>

Rae Goodman

Rae Goodman is the founder and leader of 1 Little Meal, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on addressing community needs through programs that provide free meals, affordable housing initiatives, childcare services, and support for families and veterans. Read More>>

Jean Messeroux

I started my career as a high school teacher and assistant basketball coach. Being that close to young athletes every day made one thing obvious: the mental side of their lives was getting almost no attention. I watched students carry stress, identity pressure, and emotional weight with nowhere to put it, and I realized I was carrying my own weight too. Read More>>

Raquel Campbell

I moved to Atlanta from Savannah when I was 18, and Atlanta really became the city where I grew up, personally and professionally. I spent almost 18 years there, and hospitality became the foundation of my life. Read More>>

George Lewis

Anecessarie Film started out of a passion for producing short films and web series for our YouTube channel. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with a vibrant community of creatives and actors, helping showcase their talent both in front of and behind the camera. Together, our core objective has always been to bring diverse storytelling to the communities we serve. Read More>>

Sisi Anderson

I started my cosplay journey not too long ago, it was actually after I had my second baby! It was 2023 and I had just read Acotar. It reawakened my joy for reading, and shortly after I found bookish cosplays and dove in head first, and have immersed myself ever since! I love the magic and joy and community that can be found here! Read More>>

Kevin Van Voorn

My story really begins in 2018 when I made the decision to pivot to an e-bike as my primary mode of transportation here in Athens, Georgia. What started as a practical choice quickly became something much bigger, a genuine shift in how I saw my city, my community, and my own place in it. Read More>>

Edith Bell

In 2001, I want my 5-year old son to learn Mandarin Chinese. We found Chinese Cultural School of Atlanta. I was so passionate I became the room mom. There the journey began…soon I was involved in PTA, then School Board, assisting Principal for few years till to serve as a Principal. Read More>>

Stevelasher Simpson

My creative journey began in 2021 through anime-inspired painting. I loved bringing my favorite characters and stories to life on canvas, and that passion helped me connect with the anime community in a meaningful way. I used to make hand painted jackets for at least 50 ppl around the world. As time passed I wanted to change a little. Read more>>

Chardaye Sammons

I became a teen mom at the age of 15, and my journey through motherhood was not easy. I faced challenges that most teenagers never have to consider while still trying to figure out who I was. Despite the obstacles, becoming a mother gave me a reason to keep moving forward and fighting for a better future. Read more>>