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.
Jacob Moeckler
I graduated from Purdue University with a degree in industrial engineering in 2020, the year the world shut down. I had accepted a spot in a selective leadership development program at a Fortune 500 company. Thousands of people applied for ten openings, and the program included a year of international experience. That opportunity disappeared when COVID changed everything. Read more>>
Brooklyn Banks
I launched my career as an interior decorator after graduating in 2020. After moving to Charlotte, I experienced significant burnout, but I trusted that this challenge was prompting a God-led strategic shift. I transitioned into design and staging for a top realtor, who then tasked me with managing her social media. Read more>>
Victoria Johnston
My path into this career is far from traditional, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite parts of my story. I was eight months pregnant with my first daughter, Presley, when I was recruited to join Edward Jones. Two days after delivering her—still in the hospital—I completed the first of my three interviews. Read more>>
Khalil Nasir
I began training Brazillian Jiu Jitsu in 2001 during a difficult time in our country . After 9/11, many Muslims-including people in my own community-were being wrongfully targeted and attacked. I wanted to learn how to protect myself and stand confidently in a world that suddenly felt unstable. Read more>>
Lisa Waters
What began as a casual scroll through animal adoption ads — sparked by a listing for a tortoise, of all things — quickly spiraled into something much bigger. We stumbled upon goat adoption ads. That was the moment our daughter unleashed her ultimate superpower: relentless pleading. And just like that, our little farm adventure kicked off. Goats arrived first. Then chickens. Then ducks. Read more>>
Betty Smith
I was a stay at home Mom with two children and a husband that was a teacher and coach. We had one car which he took most days and sometimes I felt out of connection with the world. I decided to take a course at the local community college and choose the NC Real Estate course that when passed. Read more>>
Reagan Roberts
There’s this quiet truth no one warns you about: most businesses don’t begin with a master plan. They start when life backs you into a corner and you either move forward or get swallowed by whatever isn’t working. MEGC was exactly that. It wasn’t born in a boardroom. It wasn’t a pre-seed investor start-up. Read more>>
Haywood Sumner
I grew up around music, coming from a family that traveled nationally is known internationally to sing and play. I always knew that I’d be doing something related to music but I never fully knew what. I played drums which led to me experimenting with other instruments and I settled on bass while in high school. Read more>>
Hannah Corrao
Hi there! I’m Hannah Corrao. My husband and I live in High Point, NC with our sweet fur baby. For the past two years, I’ve had the joy of working as a full-time photographer—something I’ve been passionate about since childhood. I grew up running around with a camera in hand, capturing everything from my younger siblings to insects and sunsets. Read more>>
Sarah Lütz
As long as I can remember, I wanted to be an artist. I would write and illustrate stories, make comics and sell drawings of my classmate’s pets. I won a Christmas card contest for my drawing in elementary school and that made me feel like a “real” artist for the first time. I followed in my dad’s footsteps in our family business as a carpenter. Read more>>
Dennnis Bucher
I bought a 9 acre farm in 2017. I have a small collection of vehicles that I wanted to store in one spot so I built a 40 x 60 building. When the country was shut down by the virus and most venues were closed, I was asked by a group if they could use my building for their monthly breakfast meeting. Read more>>
Q & Tanya Randle
Creating safe spaces for people to connect, learn from one another and grow together, is what motivates our business focus. As city slickers from New Jersey, 5 years ago we couldn’t have imagined we’d be where we are today; owning a 14+ acre Arts and Agricultural farm and gardens in a small town in North Carolina! The journey was truly divinely led. Read more>>
Travis Owens
I grew up in a pottery making family in northern Moore County, about an hour and half from Raleigh. Our family – the Owen/Owens family have been documented potters in this community since the mid 1800’s. I learned to make pots by watching my parents, Vernon and Pam Owens. I was always interested in the process and felt a connection to what we do. Read more>>
Phillip Jones III
I began baking and cooking as a small child in the kitchen with my family. It is something that I was always naturally drawn to, and that just progressed as life went on. I decided to go to culinary school and then pastry school all while working in the industry. Read more>>
Thomas DuScheid
My journey in Tang Soo Do began on January 17, 1995, when I was a kid growing up in suburban Pittsburgh. At the time, the Power Rangers and Batman had me convinced I needed to become a karate kid, so my parents signed me up. What started as childhood excitement turned into a lifelong passion. Read more>>
Michelle McKenney
My journey has never been linear, but every chapter has shaped the woman, healer, and entrepreneur I am today. I started with a passion for service, purpose, and transformation—first answering the call as a U.S. Army veteran, where discipline, resilience, and leadership became the foundation of my life. Read more>>
April Tate
Ella & Lucy began with a simple desire: to create beautiful, holistic, handcrafted products that brought comfort, calm, and a little luxury into everyday life of my sister , that was suffering from a skin condition. What started as a personal passion to create wellness essentials quickly grew into something bigger — a way to share joy, creativity, and self-care with my community. Read more>>
Kiersten Nettles
Back in 2019 I started Photography as a Hobby to start photographing my twin daughters through their milestones. As I continued to photograph them I ventured out into learning more about editing, watching YouTube tutorials, learning photoshop and Lightroom and then just reading more to understand lighting techniques. Read more>>
Tiffany Borne Jones
I’ve always been drawn to structure, strategy, and the behind-the-scenes organization that keeps things running smoothly. My career began in healthcare more than 15 years ago, where I worked in project management, process improvement, operations leadership, and eventually served as a Chief of Staff. Read more>>
Christine Schneider
My name is Christine Schneider, and I’m a licensed clinical social worker, eating disorder therapist, and the owner of Greenlight Counseling Services, a therapy practice focused on fostering growth and change from the inside out. Growing up in Raleigh, I was always drawn to capturing memories through art, photography, and writing. Read more>>
Michelle Vann Horton
There are two key moments in my life that undoubtedly shaped my identity and have influenced who I’ve become. They taught me that I would never fit into everyone’s box. The first happened when I moved to Mexico as a child. Children in the neighborhood would yell “Wor-Wee-Shon!” at me. Read more>>
Ruthie Holloman
One of my earliest memories of being an entrepreneur was buying 10-cent Blow Pops from the local general store and selling them at school for a quarter. By middle school, I had upgraded to full-size candy bars for a dollar. I didn’t realize it then, but that was the start of my entrepreneurial journey. Read more>>
Anthony LaValle
Funny enough, I did not start out wanting to be a massage therapist at all. I was originally pursuing a game development career. After some miscommunication I ended up in a different, somewhat similar program that was not what I signed up for, so I pulled out and went back to what I knew best at the time, manual labor. Read more>>
Ashley Urbano Vondrachek
I always loved dogs and weddings! They were my two passions for as long as I can remember. I was working in a tech career for a decade and I truly was unhappy. After my soul dog, Ellie, passed away..I finally found it in me to leave that career and start this business. Read more>>
Victoria Veith
From the spark of an idea to the realization of a dream, the journey of Beaufort Barre and Fitness began with a moment of inspiration and a fierce determination to succeed. Read more>>
Kimberly Philpott
My journey to a career in music education started in elementary school. I had a wonderful teacher who took the time to get to know me and my musical interests starting from our very first lesson. By the time I reached high school, I was all in! Read more>>
Kerri Suddreth
Hi! I’m Kerri, an NC native and stylist of 10 years. After spending four years traveling the Pacific Northwest immersing myself in holistic health, herbal medicine, and the importance of how ingredients affect the body, I’m passionate about bringing that knowledge home to Albemarle. Read more>>
Troy Thomas
I began my filmmaking career at Shaw University, shooting music videos for local artists before eventually working with major names in the industry. Everything changed when I stopped and asked myself whether my work was truly adding value to my community. That question pushed me toward political and socially conscious media, where I discovered the deeper impact of intentional storytelling. Read more>>
Amanda Crofoot (Flontek)
When I first moved to DC, I worked in those steady-but-not-exactly-thrilling contract roles—the kind that keep the lights on but don’t spark a whole lot of joy. So, of course, I always had a side thing going. Read more>>
Ellese Nickles
I’ve spent my entire career helping people reconnect with their bodies. I’m a Doctor of Physical Therapy with experience in outpatient orthopedics, sports medicine, early intervention, and women’s pelvic health. I’ve also been a fitness trainer and yoga instructor for over 15 years. Supporting movement, strength, and healing has always been my calling. But nothing shaped my professional path more than becoming a mother myself. Read more>>
Marissa Kerr
It all started once I got my life back. I truly started from rock bottom. I was in active addiction for a few years. Those few years were just enough to cause me to lose everything, including myself. Eventually, I had finally had enough. When you realize you’re just existing and not living, that does something to you. I could write a book. Read more>>
Rhonda James Woolard
I am a sexual abuse survivor. I have over 20 years of child welfare experience. I am the coauthor of A Catalyst Change and the author of A Time to Heal: 7 Steps to Healing and Forgiveness after Sexual Abuse and Assault. Read more>>
Alexis Green
Our mission is simple: to provide connection, comfort, and community through open conversation, shared stories, and compassionate support. Through online groups, guided journal prompts, social content, live talks, and in-person Walk & Talk events, Grief Speaks helps you slow down, breathe, and find your way through the waves — one moment at a time. Read more>>
Gabrielle Bourcier
Funding was another major hurdle. I built this brand entirely on my own, and lenders weren’t exactly lining up to support a brand-new concept. Fundraising was incredibly difficult, and I’m beyond grateful to my dad for believing in me and helping with a small personal loan when things were tight. That support meant the world. Read more>>
Andrea Carter
There have been several new beginnings and my path continues to hold lots of twists and turns. Customer service, well fitting garments and quality jewelry and accessories still address growing challenges as women try to express their unique styles while navigating mass produced and disposable big box fashion offerings. Read more>>
Pacer Fisher
Eventually in 2023 I began writing again and with persistent yet passionate drive from venue owners , fans , friends and family I started working on my brand new full length album ( Trust In Some Country ) in spring of 2024. I’m now continuing to perform primarily in the Appalachia region of KY , VA, NC and TN pushing new music off this album and enjoying the blessings of “ Never to Late too Make your Mark.” Read more>>
Leah Riddell
When I was (admittedly too young) an adolescent, I was obsessed with show ‘Talk Sex with Sue Johanson’, which would come on TV late night. I was inspired by her lack of judgement, and the wealth of knowledge that I was learning. Read more>>
Estefana Johnson
Born as a first generation Mexican-American daughter of immigrants, I never would have imagined a career in mental health. It was through happenstance when I discovered the store I was working was working for would be closing down that I was offered a job in a behavioral health hospital in exchange for a discount off a couch. Read more>>
Kayla Anderson
My story into entrepreneurship isn’t the typical “I always wanted to own a business” path — because I didn’t. I never imagined running my own company. I just knew I loved marketing, I was good at it, and I cared deeply about helping businesses in a genuine and practical way. In April 2024, I left a marketing agency role that pushed sales over substance. Read more>>
Fernando Bretos
I am a marine biologist and founder of Director of Cresta Coastal Network a non profit organization which assists coastal communities in the Caribbean and South Pacific adapt to climate change and a changing ocean. This work is meaningful to me because I am what I consider a double immigrant. Read more>>
Natori Arrindell
My journey has been anything but traditional — and honestly, that’s what makes it mine. I’m originally from Memphis, Tennessee, raised with Southern values and big-city ambition. I moved to Boston for college, became a mother, and later went to law school after realizing that my true calling wasn’t medicine like I once imagined — it was advocacy, protection, and building something bigger than myself. Read more>>
Sarah Spinelli
Two years ago, my partner and I relocated from southwest Florida, in Naples, to Morganton, North Carolina. We were drawn by the natural beauty and the kindness of the people here. Shortly after settling into our new home in the foothills of the South Mountains, I began teaching yoga and meditation at Breathe Yoga & Wellness. Read more>>
Deanna Holt
I started my career in healthcare in 2005 as a CNA, which gave me a strong foundation in bedside care and patient compassion. I advanced my education steadily, becoming an LPN in 2006, earning my ADN in 2009, and then my BSN in 2011. In 2013, I joined the Army, which strengthened my leadership, discipline, and ability to perform under pressure. Read more>>
Bob Mackowski
Whew, it’s a long and winding road that got me here. Here goes… I grew up in Pennsylvania and went to college there, studying Radio & TV Communications. I took my first TV job in Waco, TX, of all the random places that I could’ve gone. Read more>>
Ansel Currin
My family has farmed tobacco and beef cows for three generations. I worked as a professional fireman for 8 years before I quit to pursue building a small buisness which was septic system installation and excavation with my brother. That small buisness has grown over the last five years. Read more>>
Crystal Wambeke-Barbera
I have always been an entrepreneur at heart. If there is something I gravitate to naturally, it is finding new opportunities to own a business. From opening an ice cream stand with my siblings outside our mom’s restaurant as kids to designing and selling jewelry at craft fairs in my early life, I’ve always had a knack for running my own business. Read more>>
Dana Dixon
My journey really starts with my parents, Barry and Derria Dixon, who built Dixon Social Interactive Services out of a desire to serve communities that are often overlooked. Growing up, I watched them dedicate themselves to helping individuals and families navigate mental health and substance use challenges with dignity, respect, and compassion. Read more>>
Steven Bunting
I think most people dream of working for themselves, Our story had a hard start. Myself and my wife have 2 sons, 1 that has gone a different way with his life for now and works in IT, the other has taken to the business and works as hard as I do. Everything we build we build for them. Read more>>
Andrew Lachlan
I grew up playing competitive sports and have always been interested in the various ways we recover and take better care of ourselves, generally. Throughout my own wellness and sobriety journey, I encountered and connected with various bathhouse cultures abroad. As an instant enthusiast, I became curious about what the American experience of a modern-day Nordic spa could look like. Read more>>
James B. Boggs
Love for music since extremely early age. Exposed to many genres by age 12. Sound Effects in movies and Story books and Records were a huge part of my youth. I called the radio station in second grade over the summer and won an album by singing the radio theme song. I started making mixed tapes at age of 13. Read more>>
Dr. Leslye Kornegay
I often say my story is one of Redshift moments those pivotal turning points where life asks you to expand, evolve, and lead with deeper purpose. I grew up watching strong, determined Black women like my mrther and grand mother lead with grace, grit, and conviction, and that foundation shaped everything that came after. Read more>>
Christina Wedding
I began my journey in the construction world many years ago, starting out in the field as a tool girl and later becoming a welding apprentice. When my children were young, I explored various roles in the construction industry, each one rewarding. Still, I felt there was more I could do—to truly make a difference in our communities. Read more>>
Kevin Taybron
I obtained 15yrs of facilities experience while working at Duke Energy formally known as Progress Energy/Carolina Power & Lights in the Real Estate Department. I commenced working at Duke Energy at the age of 24 as a Facilities Support Technician. I received a promotion after 2yrs as an Associate Facilities Property Administrator and two more promotions afterwards before leaving in 2014. Read more>>
Kimberly Battle
After spending 19 years in the accounting field, Kim began to make candy apples as a hobby. This hobby grew to selling them at local markets, which grew quite the following. When a layoff happened in July of 2019, Kim decided to take the leap of faith and open a storefront selling her amazing candy apples and other candied seasonal fruit. Read more>>
Kwesi Holloway
I started skateboarding at the age of 7. I got to where I am today through hard work , love for the sport, Blood , sweat ,tears and lots of dedication. Read more>>
