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.

Yuri Hernandez

My name is Yuritza, and I’m a 22-year-old nursing student and one of the owners of Frida’s Eagles Landing. My family introduced me to the Mexican restaurant business, giving me the opportunity to be part of something meaningful while continuing my education. Frida’s Eagles Landing was previously known as La Hacienda on Hudson Bridge. Read more>>

Lizzy Johnston

Growing up, my dad was a hobbyist photographer, always taking photos with his 35mm Minolta. I was fascinated with this camera as an object. It was heavy, made of all metal, with numbers, dials and knobs on it that I wanted to touch so badly. At the age of 8, my parents gave me a small, pocket-sized yellow Kodak camera that took 110 film. Read more>>

Dedra Thompson

I didn’t set out to build a career in leadership and talent development. Honestly, I kind of fell into it. In the early 2000s, I was hired into a corporate training role at Whole Foods Market. I was so green, and there was so much I didn’t know. Read more>>

Shatalya Logans

My journey has always been rooted in my love for music and my faith. After serving in the U.S. Army, I pursued my passion by studying recording arts and audio production, eventually working as an audio engineer while developing myself as an independent artist. Read more>>

Lovell Gates

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, I am an actor, stunt performer, stunt/fight coordinator and first tiem director. Best known for portraying Miles, the lead in the action-drama miniseries Winner Takes All, Various sketches with Funarios and for his role in the drama series Orders . Read more>>

Rob & Javan Malloy

Pops & Son Conversations began with something simple: a father and son having conversations that a lot of families either avoid or never get around to having. We come from two different generations, with different experiences, perspectives, and ways of looking at the world. Naturally, we don’t always agree. But somewhere in those disagreements, we recognized that there was something valuable in the conversations themselves. Read more>>

Brenden Adams

I’ve been playing music for almost all my life. In 2015 I graduated from SAE Atlanta, which is an Audio Engineering school here in Atlanta. Since then I started my own production company, B|A|M, worked with artists from all over the world and released some music myself with a couple different projects. Read more>>

Nicholas London

Four years ago, a simple instinct took hold: stop just observing the world and start capturing it. Picking up a camera turned that thought into an obsession, and I haven’t looked back. By 2022, that focus materialized as London Legacy Creations LLC. My objective was straightforward: deliver elite creative execution without sacrificing substance. Read more>>

Valeasia Walker

I have recently used the word sustainability to describe my work, although I mean it in a way that extends beyond the environment. I believe communities already have the skills, talents, and resources within their own boundaries to be successful and thrive. Sometimes, those resources simply haven’t been recognized, connected, or put to use in ways that allow everyone to benefit. Read more>>

Bria Grant

If you had told me years ago that I would become a full-time hairstylist and build a business of my own, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Becoming a hairstylist wasn’t something I had planned for my life, and honestly, I didn’t believe doing hair could be my only source of income. Read more>>

Nyemade Boiwu

Growing up as a minority in upstate New York shaped a lot of who I am today. I always stood out as one of the only Black faces in a room surrounded by people who didn’t look like me. I sometimes felt shy and self conscious as result but I didn’t let that hold me back. Read more>>

Anna Edwards

My journey started with a lifelong love of travel, exploration and creating meaningful experiences. When I founded Mouse Wife Adventures, my goal was to help families discover the world and create memories that would last a lifetime. What began as a passion for planning vacations has grown into something much bigger than I originally imagined. Read more>>

Jordan Stayton

My journey in the music industry began as an independent R&B artist performing under the name J Cameron. Like many independent artists, I entered the industry with a passion for music, a vision for my career, and the determination to build something of my own. Read more>>

Paul ‘Pablo’ Fant

I actually started out as an artist. I rapped. And one thing I ran into early is that every part of being an artist costs money, studio time, videos, all of it. I got into filmmaking to stay close to the music but also to have a way to earn. I started shooting videos for friends with no formal background. Read more>>

Dr. Keima Lattimore-Allen

My journey has been one of growth, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference in everything I do. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to build a career in commercial claims management, where I’ve spent more than 25 years developing my leadership skills, mentoring others, solving complex problems, and helping people navigate some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Read more>>

Jermyah Graves

My name is Jermyah Graves, founder of The Gravedigger Report. My journey has taken me from the football fields of Ohio to Iowa, USC, Albany State University, public service, and sports media. But to understand why I built this platform, you have to know about my older brother. Read more>>

Sydney Duckworth

My journey with photography has been such a beautiful combination of creativity, passion, hard work, and a whole lot of learning along the way! I’ve always had a love for capturing moments and finding beauty in the little things, but what started as a creative outlet eventually grew into something so much bigger than I ever could have imagined. When I first started Loveleigh Co. Read more>>

KMakesBeats

I got my start in production in 2011. I began producing music as K. Tha Producer alongside my sister who was only 13 at the time as a production team known as Splitting Image Productions. We produced music for our sister who was 15 at the time and wanted to become a singer. Read more>>

Maggie Miller

My art career started back in early 2000, after struggling through a very difficult health and personal journey. I walked into a hobby lobby and spontaneously signed up for a painting class at the last minute. Read more>>

Christian Seymore

My name is Christian Seymore. I am from the beautiful Savannah Georgia. I love Savannah so much that I currently close there! A growing city called Pooler Georgia! Art has always been something that I enjoyed as a little girl. I’ve always found myself reading fun stories. I even began to imagine my own simple stories throughout my childhood. Read more>>

Cordell Latham

Hello VoyageATL!! My name is Cordell Latham & I am the founder & CEO of the events & media company ‘Echoline.’ My goal when I founded Echoline was to provide a platform for the underground musical talent in Atlanta that was being overlooked. We started doing interviews with local artists as well as recording performance content for them as supplemental promotion. Read more>>

Kenna Goodwin

Kenna’s modeling journey started in a way I think many moms can relate to. When I first gave birth to her, I remember looking at her and thinking she was the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. Like any proud mom, I took a million pictures of her! Read more>>

Sean Crim

My relationship with art began before I could walk. I started painting within my first year of life here in Georgia, and art has remained a constant throughout my life. It has always provided a space to express myself authentically, explore deeper emotions, and better understand the subconscious. Read more>>

Nihya Henley-Brown

I’ve been into art since I was a little girl old enough to color . My love for art morphed into my passion for nails . I started doing nails when I was 16 . It started as a hobby but with lots of support from my mom and friends , I finally pursued doing nails professionally at the age of 19 . Read more>>

Noah Estrella

I’m from Canton, Georgia. I’ve been playing music for fifteen years. I started out playing in dive bars and small local venues in north Georgia. There was not a lot of things to do up there back in the day so I’d take trips to Atlanta to play music with people. Read more>>

John Chan

I started in historic roofing as a summer job for a small new roofing company in Columbus, OH, where I’m originally from. After graduating from UCLA in 1989 with a degree in Economics/Business, I started full time at the roofing company as the Treasurer and Purchasing Agent. Read more>>

Marcel Williams

My love for business and entrepreneurship started as a child cutting grass and washing cars in the neighborhood saving up for video games and Pokemon cards. Read more>>

Tiffany Stewart

I think the most interesting part of my story now is that BirthWrite has outgrown the story I originally told about it. When I started the company, writing was at the center of everything. I knew how to take someone’s vision, find the story inside of it, and communicate it in a way that made people pay attention. Read more>>

Montra McKenzie

I founded The Investors Academy, Inc. in 2017, inspired by my own experience of going to federal prison. That experience gave me a purpose for coming home: to provide resources and opportunities to individuals who needed support rebuilding their lives. I wanted to use my experience to help others move forward. Read more>>

Suzanne Shaw

When I first moved to Atlanta after college (Go Gators!), I went looking for the city’s creative heartbeat. I could find football games, tailgates, and plenty of sports-driven community spirit, but I kept wondering: Where were the artists? The musicians? The makers, performers, and cultural provocateurs who bring a city to life? Read more>>

ReAnna Aurelien

My journey into content creation started pretty organically. I’ve always enjoyed documenting my life, exploring new places, putting outfits together, and sharing my experiences with others. What started as simply sharing moments from my life gradually grew into a community of people who enjoy following along with my experiences. Read more>>

Jasmine Miller

The back story on where Jazzy Scented Candles LLC started. For a final exam in in business class we had to come up with a business and present it to the class. Jazzy Scented Candles was created with the idea of aromatherapy being at the fore front. Read more>>

Yewande Adetola

My journey with Wandé’s Kitchen started with my love for cooking and sharing the taste of authentic Nigerian food with others. As a Nigerian living in the United States, food has always been a way for me to stay connected to my culture and bring people together. Read more>>

Tom Gaudreau

We’re a husband-and-wife team who have spent more than 15 years as dance parents. Competition weekends taught us a frustrating lesson: traditional dance bags with built-in racks help you get organized, but once the rack is up and the costumes are out, you’re stuck. Read more>>

Sarah Bearden

I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where outdoor living is simply a way of life. We spend so much of our time outside, whether we’re gathering with family, entertaining friends, or just enjoying the fresh air. When I moved to Georgia, I wanted to bring that same appreciation for outdoor living here and help people make the most of their own backyards. Read more>>

Dr. Jen Riley

My career started like most college students; I attended University in an effort to change my socioeconomic status and become “successful”. My mom gave me three choices, and the second two did not count. So college it was. Read more>>

Kristina Dixon

I was born in Mississippi and raised in Columbus, Georgia. I’m a Spelman College alumna with a background in economics, and my professional experience includes Walmart, Uber and Blavity. Today, I’m the founder and Managing Partner of GreenLink Partners. I started GreenLink because I saw a need for founders and organizations to work better together. Read more>>

Macy Davis

First and foremost, thank you so much for taking the time to interview me today. My name is Macy Davis, and I’m a licensed cosmetologist here in Alpharetta, Georgia—though I’m originally from Washington, D.C. I’ve been in Georgia for five years now, which is also how long I’ve been doing hair, and I officially got licensed two years ago. Read more>>

Andrew Worthy

My name is Andrew Worthy. I ’m originally from Uptown Philadelphia, and I moved to the Atlanta area in 2014. I’m an independent recording artist, producer, audio engineer, filmmaker, and the founder of House of W Productions LLC. Music is at the center of what I do, but I’ve never wanted to limit myself to just one part of the creative process. Read more>>

Susie Mickler

What started as something to do for friends and family, grew into SchmooPies in 2021. My background is in market development for financial services and I’ve always loved finding new ways to cultivate client relationships. As you hear so often, I started the business just to make a little extra money on the side and it grew from there. Read more>>

Maritza Walton

I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York, and today I’m a wife, mother of three, and entrepreneur based in Bloomfield, New Jersey. My professional background is in finance, including more than 20 years in mortgage underwriting. That experience taught me how to evaluate risk, pay attention to details, and understand the numbers and skills that continue to serve me as a business owner. Read more>>

Kierstin Taylor

Hi, I’m Kierstin Taylor. I’m a native of Macon, Ga & owner of KD Kier Designs. I have a Bachelors degree in Graphic Communication & a Minor in Packaging. I studied at Pittsburgh State University in Pittsburg, KS. I’ve been a graphic designer for 5+ years now & I’ve come so far as an entrepreneur in my industry. Read more>>

Jason Hoard

I began playing bluegrass music at age 10. My dad brought home and Mandolin and would take me around to music festivals to jam with other bands in the parking lot and campgrounds. So I would watch other players and learn what they were doing. Then at age 10, he decided I was good enough to play in our family band. Read more>>

Justina Chi

I was born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, and my journey has taken me through music, basketball, education, legal services, and film and television production. Each chapter gave me skills that I now bring into my work as a producer and entrepreneur. Read more>>

Erin Elise Enyinda

My journey started when I was a little girl growing up in Alhambra and Altadena, California. I remember sitting in front of the mirror at my grandmother’s house, pretending to be a television host and interviewing people. I also loved writing short stories, and whenever my grandmother took us to department stores, I was always drawn to the fashion. Read more>>

Elizabeth Kenney

Before I ever launched Elizabeth Hunt Interiors, I worked as a resident design architect inside a well-known commercial construction firm. I learned how a project moves from an idea to a set of plans, through the realities of the job site, and finally into a place people can use. Read more>>

Mindy Cintron

My journey in real estate began while I was still in college, working alongside my mom, Mary Lou, who was already a successful Realtor. I started as her administrative assistant, helping with contracts and closings, and quickly fell in love with the business. I eventually earned my real estate license and began hosting open houses, working with clients, and learning the industry firsthand. Read more>>

Lucio Bastien

My journey has been one of perseverance, determination, and a passion for helping others achieve financial success. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), I’ve spent years building my career in accounting and finance, gaining valuable experience and developing a strong understanding of the financial challenges individuals and businesses face. Read more>>

Nani Love

It can be difficult to provide the level of assistance clients need to achieve long-term housing stability, and at times, the lack of available resources can create uncertainty or even a sense of false hope for those who come to us seeking help. Despite these barriers, I remain committed to my mission through the development of lasting community partnerships and the rebuilding of new relationships with organizations, service providers, and community stakeholders. Read more>>

Nataki Salahuddin

My story begins in the Bay Area, where I was born and raised. I’ve always loved people their stories, their resilience, and the potential they sometimes need someone else to help them recognize. That thread has followed me through every chapter of my life, from working at Kaiser Permanente to hospitality, entrepreneurship, and my work today as a spiritual confidence and intimacy coach. Read more>>

Old Man Murphy as Keith Lakean Powell

The story of Keith Lakean Powell is a classic tale of independent grit, defined by a filmmaker who chose to bet on himself after facing constant rejection. The Backstory: Who is Keith Lakean Powell? Before becoming a prominent figure in the independent streaming landscape, Powell was an aspiring actor who constantly faced the harsh realities and gatekeeping of the traditional entertainment industry. Read more>>

Nija Walker

I’ve been involved in the music industry for 25 years now. My story with music really starts with my father, Samarai Celestial. He was a jazz drummer and spent the better part of his career playing in Sun Ra’s Arkestra. Growing up around him and his friends, music was part of my environment, and eventually, it became something I wanted to pursue for myself. Read more>>

Dr Subodh Verma

My journey has brought together science, medicine and surgery. I completed my PhD in cardiovascular pharmacology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada and earned my medical degree MD at the University of Calgary, Canada and trained in cardiac surgery at the University of Toronto, Canada. That combination of scientific and clinical training continues to shape the way I approach my work today. Read more>>

Annika Fu

Hi, My name is Annika Fu. I’m from China, and I’m currently pursuing an MFA in Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I’ve loved drawing for as long as I can remember. Like many children, I started by drawing spaceships and little houses with chimneys. Read more>>

Sherra Bell

When I worked in the creative staffing division of a large national firm, my division director once asked me to teach a coworker everything I knew about design in an afternoon. I obviously couldn’t, and packing thirty years into a few paragraphs isn’t much easier, so here’s the version with the best parts left in. Read more>>

Michelle Easley

My journey didn’t start in a boardroom or with a elaborate grand strategy. It started on an ordinary day when I was reading an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about a family about to be put out of an extended-stay hotel. As I read through the story, one detail caught my heart: I saw children standing in the background of the photograph accompanying the article. Read more>>

Monica Dart

I grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and set off for England when I was 18. I had no idea at the time just how much that decision would shape my life. I’ve always been curious about people and their stories, different cultures, and the world beyond what I knew growing up. Read more>>

Bryson Thurston

I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is lying on the floor drawing. In school, I was always getting in trouble for drawing instead of paying attention in class. One of my first jobs was as a cashier in a grocery store. I used to draw on leftover receipt paper. Read more>>

Dayna Rodgers

My journey to Daylie Dose began after I began to follow Dr. Sebi’s teachings. I noticed the difference in my health and shortly adopted it as a lifestyle. Years later after a moment that could have ended everything, Daylie Dose save my life. Surviving a car accident changed the way I saw my body, my health, and my time here. Healing became more than physical. Read more>>

Elizannette Blanco

My love for creating things started when I was a child. I’ve always had a vivid imagination and loved making my own costumes, props, and decorations. What started as something I did for fun has grown into a lifelong passion for bringing creative ideas to life. Read more>>

Santresa Hall

As many may know, as a little girl, I idolized Tia and Tamera Mowry after falling in love with their show, Sister, Sister. That’s how I learned what an actor was and what their job entailed. Since then, coming up, I watched TV differently than everyone else. Read more>>

Jasmine Hall

Meet Jasmine Marie | Master Permanent Makeup Artist & Educator ✨ Originally from Detroit, Michigan, I relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2020 to continue growing my passion and career in the beauty industry. As a permanent makeup artist, I have had the privilege of servicing over 2,000 clients and educating more than 500 students between Detroit and Charlotte. Read more>>

Adam Thomas Ziemba

Adam Ziemba is a child actor who began his acting journey at just four years old. He booked his very first audition for a Hartford Insurance AARP commercial, which is still airing today! Just two weeks later, he booked his first major feature film alongside Eric Dane and KJ Apa, launching an exciting journey in film and television. Read more>>

Oriana Rasane

I’m from South Africa, and I never believed I was blessed with extraordinary talent, because I certainly didn’t see it. Where I come from, dreaming big isn’t encouraged. Being practical is seen as the logical path to success. My parents were never married, but they gave me the little they could. My journey started when I longed for something more. Read more>>

Megan Tayco

I was adopted at a very young age from Vegas , and was raised in California for 6 years before I moved to Marietta, Ga. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been granted in life , but I hope in the future i can return to the west coast. I went to Harrison Highschool in Kennesaw, GA and I graduated in 2017. Read more>>

Adrienne Gilliam

I’ve always been a curious person. I can see something and think to myself, “I bet I could do that,” and most of the time, I’ll give it a try, figure it out, and move on to the next thing. I took four years of woodshop in high school, so I’ve always known I was pretty handy, but I never really considered myself crafty. Read more>>

Samantha Aucoin

I think I’ve always been a storyteller. I just couldn’t decide whether I wanted to tell stories through someone else’s words or my own. I grew up in a small town called Beeton, Ontario, where a career in entertainment felt pretty far away from everyday life. But I was always drawn to performing. Read more>>

Chase Michael

I was born in and grew up near Dover, New Hampshire. Fun fact- that’s actually where the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were first created. From a very young age I knew I had a love for music. And not just any ordinary love- I knew in the back of my head that it was in my blood. Read more>>

Jessica Able

I feel like my story started a long time ago. I’ve always been a helper, a sharer. and I guess inevitably a teacher. In some ways, I feel like I’ve been running from that idea of being a teacher because teachers they respected weren’t compensated as I feel like they should’ve been. Read more>>

Aaron Amavi

I started photography about four years ago, beginning with my iPhone 11 and mainly taking pictures of nature. Over time, I started working with subjects, using my friends for certain pictures I wanted to capture. I would take random pictures on my phone throughout the day, then go home and spend hours editing in Adobe Lightroom, really getting a feel for editing and color grading. Read more>>

Kween Pickle

Even as a child, I’ve always been a creative; from writing suspenseful sagas to making random short films/ vlogs with cousins and friends. I discovered that capturing moments and creating worlds have always been an outlet for me. Read more>>

Shameka Burrowes

My journey has been a combination of personal growth, motherhood, healing, and learning how to turn my experiences into something meaningful for others. Becoming a mother made me intentional about breaking generational behaviors I felt were holding us back as a community. Read more>>

Chris Hunt

I grew up in Mississippi, surrounded by great athletes in basketball, football and baseball. What I started to notice is that despite the talent, and interest from Division 1 programs, most athletes never made it beyond JUCO. I realized the difference wasn’t the talent, but the mental toughness it takes to make the jump up. Read more>>

Lena Vann

I grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and much of my journey has been shaped by learning to navigate unfamiliar spaces and create opportunities for myself. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t always have a blueprint for what certain opportunities would look like, but I learned to ask questions, advocate for myself, and embrace leadership. Read more>>

Kaleb Knowles

Kaleb Knowles is a full time Artist from Atlanta Georgia who is currently based out of the volunteer state of Tennessee. During his time in service, he found the alleviating works of Art Therapy and used it as a source of healing from a Traumatic Brain Injury he suffered. Read more>>

Deborah Liss-Green

I trained as an actor in New York City, where I grew up. My undergraduate degree is in English, with a theatre minor and my MFA is in theatre. Honestly, I never thought about teaching. After graduate school, I toured with The Shoestring Players, a New Jersey based theatre for youth company. Read more>>

Mikhail Chery

I had humble beginnings, for sure. I didn’t plan on being a creative. There wasn’t a person in my family who was a creative until me, my brother, and my cousin. I felt that I had zero creative juice in my body growing up, so I went to a magnet STEM high school. Read more>>

Sabri Haidar

My journey started with nothing more than creativity running through a kid’s mind. From picking up a laptop to eventually picking up a camera, I could’ve never imagined where it would take me. Now, looking back on six years of hard work, it’s incredible to see how far that creativity has taken me. Read more>>

Ariia Bowers

I’m an experiential producer, creator, and the founder of Signature 404, and it all began as ten-year-old girl on her bedroom floor, smudging oil pastels and writing short stories, building whole worlds just to share them. Film and writing became my first loves, and I’ve been world-building ever since. Read more>>

Brittney Hayes

I began my journey as a makeup artist, driven by my fascination with the creativity and limitless possibilities of color in the beauty industry. Even before becoming a professional makeup artist, I knew that one of my long-term goals was to create my own cosmetics brand. Read more>>

Molly Davidson

A couple of years ago, I lived in South Korea with my husband. Before moving there, I spent a lot of time searching TikTok and YouTube for other Americans sharing what life was like there. I couldn’t find much from people living in the same area as us, so I decided to start sharing my own experience as an American military wife living in Korea. Read more>>

Alida Monroy

My journey with Cloud & Mist began with a passion for fashion, creativity, and the belief that children’s clothing could be so much more than what we traditionally see. I wanted to create a brand that celebrated individuality, encouraged self-expression, and gave children and teens the freedom to develop their own sense of style. Read more>>

Brandon Hughes

I’m an Oakland ‘boy.’ I discovered writing in 1st or 2nd grade. The class was assigned to write a story. So I wrote, and kept writing when it was time to line up for recess. Every day we had silent reading time. While others chose to read what someone else wrote, I chose to write so everyone else could read. Read more>>

Yanna Atlanta

My journey has been anything but traditional, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m Tiyanna Taplin, better known as Yanna Atlanta. I’m a Navy veteran, mother of three, and a creative who has managed to turn several of my passions into a career. I’ve never been someone who believed I had to fit into one box. Read more>>

India Lockett

I’m from Atlanta, Georgia, and although I didn’t grow up in the wealthiest family, my mom always did her best to make sure I enjoyed my childhood. But my freshman year of high school was a reality check for me. I had to miss out on a lot of things, including prom, because I couldn’t afford to go. Read more>>

Lawrence Pitts

My name is Lawrence Pitts, better known as JustCre8 Productions, and my creative journey started at a very young age. Around 7 or 8 years old, I was always drawing, building things with K’NEX, those colorful construction toys that let you build just about anything, and trying to figure out how things were made. Read more>>

Lex Tobyn

My creative career started unintentionally. I’ve always loved music and art, but I decide to get a degree in Crime Scene Investigation. However, after graduating and moving just north of Chicago, I really started shifting priorities and realized that being a CSI would not be good for me in the long run. Read more>>

Shani B.

My journey started when I was just 23 years old. I’ve always been a creative person with a big imagination, a passion for business, and a desire to create experiences that make people feel good about themselves. Read more>>

Demetric Sims Jr

My passion for veterinary medicine started at a young age, growing up in a family where I learned the importance of perseverance, compassion, and making the most of the opportunities in front of me. Over time, that passion grew into a desire to understand animal health, disease, and the connection between animal and human health. Read more>>

fabrizio bellanca

My story as an artist began in a home where art was part of everyday life. Both my parents, Marcella Chirico and Pietro Bellanca, were artists, so I grew up surrounded by creativity, experimentation, and different ways of looking at the world. Read more>>

Coach Danny B.

I’ve been skating since I was 3 years old, so skating has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s more than just something I do, it’s a passion that’s grown with me over the years. That love for skating is what led me to create DB Presents | A Skate Space. Read more>>

Tabitha Ovalle

My journey into entrepreneurship grew from years of working in the hospitality industry and developing a genuine passion for creating memorable experiences for others. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that hospitality is about so much more than serving food and good drinks. It’s about making people feel welcome, creating connections, and helping turn special occasions into lasting memories. Read more>>

Tiphiknee De Herrera

My journey as an artist began in high school in Oregon, where I developed a close relationship with my art teacher, who recognized my potential and encouraged me to push myself creatively. During my sophomore year, I was moved into an upperclassmen art class, an experience that challenged me to work harder, grow my skills, and take my art more seriously. Read more>>

Mercedes E. Smith

My story is really one of faith, resilience, and never giving up, no matter what life has thrown my way. I didn’t come from a perfect background, and I certainly wasn’t handed anything. Growing up, I faced challenges that forced me to become strong at an early age. Read more>>

DC

I always had a love for music. My mom is a big music head so I came up listening to a lot from her. At that time my homie’s older brother would produce on FL which eventually led me to downloading it onto my dad’s laptop at the time . Read more>>

Amanda go by Love Raynor

I went from waitressing to working in corporate for over six years, then I went back to waitressing and bartending for more than ten years. I got tired of the nightlife. It wasn’t giving me purpose, and I knew the money was never going to be enough for what I wanted out of life. Read more>>

Zaria Robinson

I’m a local music creator and fashion model from Decatur, Georgia. Starting off at a young poet with a passion for music, I slowly combined the two and shared my new projects with friends starting a snowball effect that got me on stage performing with live bands(2022- present). From there, I used my love for fashion to encourage me to audition for fashion models calls. Read more>>

Jyot Singh

My story starts in Norcross, in the heart of Gwinnett County. Like so many first-generation families, mine came here looking for a fair shot. I watched my parents work tireless hours to make sure my sister and I had opportunities they never had. Read more>>

Dawn Piercy | ANEW Dawn

My name is Dawn Piercy, my artist name is ANEW Dawn. I am a singer-songwriter-composer-engineer- producer and CEO | Founder of Thunder’s Reign a Multimedia Publishing Company, and The Healing Storm, which is a music movement that uses Jazz-Fusion music to help reach those that are suffering, recovering, trauma, for Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention. Read more>>

Skylar Rains

I was always an artist, and I knew a normal career path wouldn’t be true to who I have always been. I’m originally from New Orleans, and that is where my love for the arts flourished. I always had a motto: “I’m doing this for my future self.” And my past selves have never let me down. Read more>>

Kevin Buford

My Story: From Football to Filmmaking, From Shooter to Storyteller My journey into media didn’t begin with a business plan. It began with a camera, a little curiosity, and a desire to see the world. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and later attended college at Wayne Stae in Detroit, Michigan, where I played football. Read more>>

Britney Reynolds

My journey with VeriHealth & Screening LLC began with a desire to become a business owner and to make a meaningful impact beyond traditional healthcare settings. As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), I understand the importance of professionalism, accuracy, confidentiality, and treating every individual with respect. Read more>>

Kyle Kinzie

Hockey has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up playing the game and, like a lot of young players, thought hockey would always be a major part of my life. At 19, that path changed overnight. I suffered a pulmonary embolism that put me in the ICU for two weeks. Read more>>

Keith Phelps

My relationship with music began long before I understood that it could become a career. I started playing drums at three years old, piano at seven, and producing music by the age of twelve. My father worked intermittently with local record labels, performed at several churches, and maintained relationships with musicians who toured with some of the biggest artists of the time. Read more>>

Seanondatrack

I grew up in Lake City, Florida, with a childhood dream of working on the railroad. Growing up, I was always fascinated by sounds, particularly locomotives, which eventually developed into a love for music, rhythm, and beatboxing. At the time, I never imagined that my fascination with sound would eventually lead me into the music industry. Read more>>

Sheila Sloan

The Glam-N-Fab Beauty Story: From a Passion for Custom Beauty to the Runways of Fashion Week My journey with Glam-N-Fab Beauty began with an opportunity that I never imagined would lead me into the world of fashion, beauty, and professional makeup artistry. I initially partnered with a marketing company with the goal of becoming an A&R representative for musicians. Read more>>

Fatimah Ray

People often ask me how I got into fitness, and my answer is always the same: I didn’t choose fitness, fitness chose me. My journey began at the age of three when my parents noticed that my sister and I were unusually fast. They enrolled us in track and field, and from that point forward, our lives were shaped by competition, discipline, and athletic excellence. Read more>>

Alison Chace

## How did you get to where you are today? I’ve always thought life was a comedy. Occasionally a thriller. And, depending on the casting director, a psychological horror film. At the moment, it’s a rather exhilarating production with an increasingly ambitious shooting schedule. Read more>>

Gabriella Alexis

I watched my first ballet performance when I was seven years old and immediately knew I had to spend my life onstage. I grew up in Michigan, where I studied classical ballet and piano and sewed my own clothes. Read more>>

Jaylynn Robinson

As a kid, I’ve always had an intense fascination with the performing arts. I even went to a performing arts high school! I was very confident in myself and all my gifts… until middle school, lol. Honestly, that’s where a lot of my insecurities and bad coping mechanisms started to develop. Read more>>

Morgan Sanders

My interest in photography started when I was around 12 or 13 years old. I’ve always loved art, and my mother played a big part in that. She would draw, paint, and add little designs to my backpacks, notebooks, and lunchboxes, which always made me happy showing me love and bringing me motivation . Read more>>