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.

Ebony Mcmillan

As I started my journey on life, living, and discovering myself. I wanted more, I wasn’t fulfilled. I didn’t know how to get it. I didn’t know where it was. Then I found out I didn’t have to go far. I just had to look on the inside. I have always been a creative. I did the legal paper work for my clothing over three years ago. However, I did not do anything with it. Then in 2023, I could not keep sitting on it. I had to bring into existence. His wax waiting on me. I became an author two years ago . After covid, I was given the opportunity to join other authors in a book about self love. This ignited something I was ready to let the world in on. Read More>>

Andy Hoffman

I went deep down the rabbit-hole, reading everything I could about personal finance. When I got out of the Coast Guard, I eventually made my way into the Financial Services industry doing everything from being a Financial Advisor, to selling annuities, consulting, recruiting Advisors and ending up the Chief Experience Officer for a boutique financial planning firm, before going out on my own. Read More>>

Sheena Aaron

Another challenge was the long hours required to develop the Style by Sheena brand. People often see the finished product but don’t realize the late nights spent working on content, building partnerships, and fine-tuning my message. Behind every post and collaboration was a lot of strategic thinking, which took a lot of energy and focus. Read More>>

Trajan Baker

An essential component to unlocking my creative journey was deciding to obtain a Masters degree in Architecture. In May of 2024, I completed my degree program with a new and exciting perspective on arts and culture and how they can be integrate into our lives through the built environment. My primary passion areas are Architecture, Art, and Audio design Read More>>

Christopher Weedon

Thank you for this opportunity! My journey began on the soccer field, spanning three different continents. Through my experiences as an athlete, I developed resilience and learned the importance of mental toughness, but also witnessed the often-overlooked mental health struggles many people face, including athletes and professionals alike. Read More>>

Dillon Drake

My journey with Designs by Dillon began as a side gig, fueled by my long-standing love for design and gardening. The first wedding I helped design was for a friend, and that experience was a turning point for me. It made me realize how much I wanted to focus on creating floral designs for weddings and events. With that newfound clarity, I filed for an LLC and launched an Instagram page to showcase my work. Read More>>

Kate Mcgunagle

I have always been a storyteller and a great believer in the power of narrative to create a more equitable and imaginative world. My impulse is to reach for visual art or words or a combination of both to meaningfully convey my perspectives on the world around me. This impulse began the moment I first touched a pen, and it’s been active in the background ever since, even as I’ve drifted in and out of education and other arts-adjacent industries. Read More>>

Rabia Davis- Ndiaye

It hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge taught me something valuable. Early on, finding the right balance between creating effective natural products and meeting industry standards was tough. Formulating products for my son’s sensitive skin took trial and error. As the business grew, learning the business side—marketing, finances, and managing demand—was a steep learning curve, but those challenges pushed me to keep improving. Read More>>

Crystal Waddell

To sum up my journey, I’ll share a childhood anecdote: despite enduring two skin grafts before theage of one, I refused to let casts stop me. Instead of crawling, I got up and walked. That’s my approach to every problem – there’s always a solution if you’re willing to stand up and find it. Read More>>

Holden Bierman

As an entrepreneur, I’ve always believed in the power of innovation and giving back. My journey has been about more than just building a successful brand—it’s about inspiring others, especially young entrepreneurs, to chase their dreams, no matter how big they are. Looking back, it’s been an incredible ride, one that I couldn’t have predicted in a million years, but I’m excited to see where it goes from here. Read More>>

Krystle Nickels

Now, four years later, I’ve been fortunate enough to be featured in home decor magazines and have the incredible opportunity to work with well-known brands that I’ve always admired. I feel so blessed to wake up each day and do what I absolutely love. My heart is full knowing that I get to connect with my amazing followers, sharing cozy new inspiration—from home decor and DIY projects to recipes and even my favorite cozy outfits. It’s a dream come true to be part of such a wonderful, supportive community. Read More>>

Deanna Scaldaferri

I can honestly say that it was one of THE best decisions of my entire life! It brings me absolute joy to help others through massage. The power of touch is tremendous. I feel so fulfilled each and every day knowing I am doing what resonates with my heart. It’s truly been such a beautiful personal and professional journey ever since….. Massage therapy opened up a whole new world for me, which led to energy work, and later evolved into life coaching and public speaking. Read More>>

Indre Buechler

I strongly believe in neuroplasticity and the importance of continuous learning. What began as a passionate hobby eventually grew into a successful business. The core values I hold—integrity, confidence, and the humility to keep learning—have been fundamental to my business philosophy. Providing exceptional customer service and understanding the unique needs of my photography niche but really of a customer, a person just like me, were crucial to my success. Being able to see people past their outer ap Read More>>

Dr. Lashonda Wofford

With this newfound perspective, I felt a calling to help others who face similar life disruptions. I knew that if I could recover from life’s setbacks, I could also guide others to do the same. That is when I decided to dedicate my life to empowering individuals to see that even after adversity, a meaningful and fulfilling life is possible. Through my work as a certified instructor , certified life recovery coach, mentor, and award winning author, I have committed to equipping people with the tools they need to not just survive but thrive after life has happened. Read More>>

Brian Jordan

I must say the road of entrepreneurship is not a recommended route for the weak. Many nights were sleepless, many days you lose before finally, you get a small win. But that small win feels like you’ve won the Super Bowl for your favorite team growing up. The time I’ve spent investing into my business has without a doubt been worth it. The joy, courage and confidence I see when a customer is wearing or repping some of our merchandise or their reaction to a project we’ve completed is priceless. Read More>>

Revivian “lady V Poetry” Freeman

Lady V Poetry started writing at the age of 4. Growing up on the farm and having a vivid imagination allowed her to produce stories of granger. At the age of 12 she started writing poetry as a way to release frustration and anger after the passing of her only grandparent Rev. William J. Frazier. Read More>>

Ave Epps

I started doing theatre in elementary school my dad was the one inspired me to get into theatre and I fell in love with it theatre help me understand who I am and that I’m valued theatre help me find my voice . My interest and in film and videography starts in 2019 since I’ve moved to a new city and landed a professional theatre job and started up my YouTube channel and a new podcast called no free refills Read More>>

Zelossie Whitted

But, I guess it’s always been apart of my life. Just like my work, growth, and connections in the TV/Film industry. Growing up, I was always creating something; a painting, a poem, a sculpture, a play, conceptualizing my ideas to reality. Drama, dance, and art were my hobbies up until I graduated high school. Television/Film are a deep love of mine and those hobbies fueled it. A year and a half ago I obtained my project management certification, where I now utilize these passions with my expertise in my current role as the Project Business Development Manager at QAV Global, a global production agency. Read More>>

Brianna Barrett

A year later we welcomed our son into the world. He struggled in the beginning. He was born with holes in both his lungs, and ended up with chest tubes, a ventilator, and death knocking on our door. We welcomed our baby boy into the world early for the sake of Mama. He was welcomed with open arms and a failing marriage between his parents. We were two stubborn, independent people who were more often than not trying to make the other person see their side. Somehow we persevered. Our son was healed, and despite the gloomy predictions, he just celebrated his sixteenth birthday. My husband and celebrated our 17th anniversary earlier this year. Read More>>

Danielle Schulz

I’ve found great joy building The Triangle Sessions since 2018. The Triangle Sessions is a corporate wellness company specializing in team building and virtual experiences. I’ve loved helping teams learn how to feel better about themselves AND one another. Enjoying one’s work on a daily basis greatly increases life satisfaction. I witnessed this first-hand in my dance career and love applying this mindset to the corporate world. Read More>>

Mya Banks

In some instances, my thought process was “I don’t think they would like me for this job”– sometimes thinking I may not be as up to par as I think that I am. At some point I had to get out of my head and thanks to my friend circle, I was able to take a moment and do just that. Try to stop overthinking and doubting that I’m not good enough and just know that I still have a lot to learn and there is still more than enough time to grow! Challenges and obstacles make you stronger that what you may think! Read More>>

Destiny Blue

I have been creating art for as long as I can remember. In high school, I began taking painting more seriously and participating in art classes every year. Fast forward to university, I minored in studio art to provide therapeutic art to clients. I am an artist but also a clinical social worker, working with children and adolescents. Painting has been my main source of healing since high school, a way to express myself and cope with stress. Today, I am an artist while pursuing other career goals and creating a family. I’ve painted commissions, participated in multiple group exhibitions, and sold goods at local art markets where I intend to immerse myself in the community and gain visibility in Charlotte NC. Read More>>

Jade Alexis

In recent years I have been leaning into ceramics because I feel confident in it, and it’s motivating to really grasp onto something and become proficient. I journal regularly, documenting emotions, thoughts, and motifs. There has been so much growth between my clay skills, and personal research that I sense I am ready to get back into material investigation where I can play with these ideas and focus on creating pieces of higher caliber. Read More>>

Shareon Blenman

Of course, take a little walk with me haha. My practice came into fruition midway through my undergraduate studies at university (around late 2018). Though it was only a fraction of what I’m doing now through my practice, I started making use of leftover materials from campus events—canvas panels, cheap paints, old crayons, etc. After a year of creating small works in the comfort of my dorm room, I applied to my first pop-up show and, surprisingly, got in. I called my friends, and we all piled into my 2004 Honda Accord Coupe for the 13-hour drive up to New York. It was so exciting to think that this was my very first step. Read More>>

Wendy Varner

I quickly learned the techniques to make simple earring designs. Now I have a small business selling polymer clay earrings and I love it. I taught myself how to mix custom colors and simple florals for earrings and intricate 3D florals for bridal bouquet keepsake earrings. There is always something new and exciting to explore and learn. I specialize in trendy yet chic polymer clay hoop earrings. Read More>>

Mary Elizabeth Marvin

My work is internationally recognized in both the fine art and commercial sectors. My paintings are highly coveted by both private and public collectors and have been exhibited in numerous museums and galleries. I’ve received several prestigious artist residencies, including ones at the Vermont Studio Center and the Burren College of Art in Ireland. Read More>>

Kate Kingsley

With the unwavering support of those closest to me, I dove in headfirst and founded Maple Meal Prep. It became more than just a business; it was a way to combine my love of food with a desire to make a meaningful impact on others’ lives. Being able to share my culinary journey and help people through my cooking has been the most fulfilling choice I’ve ever made. Maple Meal Prep isn’t just a passion—it’s my proudest accomplishment. Read More>>

Barbara Outterson

With my art, I have found that it has occasionally been put to the side, when things get particularly difficult. That has never been a choice, but a necessity. Now, however, I make my art a priority and have moved it to the forefront, because I know what it does for my heart, mind, and soul. It is my number one avenue to healing the trauma of the past. Using my hands to express the emotions that have molded me into who I am, is a priceless gift. Read More>>

Tish Oxner

It definitely has NOT been a smooth road. As things began to go back to normal and I went back to work, I had to find a balance. I was so used to doing just the bar business, I thought it would be an easy transition to add in my work, but not so much. I struggled with time management, trying to be in 2-3 places at once and so much more. At one point, I put a pause in the mobile bar service so that I could regain my footing. I couldn’t give my all to my clients and I knew I also needed to work. So one had to take a backseat. Now that I have found a balance, it’s been back to business as usual and I’m so thankful for those clients that waited for me to get things together. Read More>>

June Carter

From there, I moved into risk management and operations, eventually becoming a senior strategy consultant focused on change management and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Along the way, I realized that to make a real impact on company culture, I needed to sharpen my coaching skills, which led me to pursue coaching certifications. I’m passionate about building inclusive, high-performing teams and driving leadership transformation. So, during the pandemic, I decided it was finally time to leave my 30+ year corporate career behind and launch the business I had dreamed of back in my 20s. Read More>>

Cara Verwholt

My marketing career took me from Charlotte, to New York City, to Seattle, to San Francisco, and to Los Angeles. I was fortunate to have opportunities to work for massive brands like Amazon, The Walt Disney Company, and the National Football League. I have always embraced change, and I loved the idea of exploring new cities and work environments. However, as my two sons got older, I realized that it was getting harder to balance mom and work obligations. We needed stability. So in 2023, I made the difficult decision to leave a great job at the NFL, relocate from Los Angeles back to Charlotte, and take a hiatus from the working world. Read More>>

Richard Singleton Ii

Following a challenging divorce, I sought a fresh start by working overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, where I built the capital needed to reignite my music career. Inspired by the likes of Daft Punk, I ventured into creating music videos and connected with a few animators. This journey eventually led me to meet Noel Barrios from Magnetic Studios, marking a significant turning point. Together, we transitioned from music videos to creating animation, resulting in two fantasy shorts called ‘Broken Beat Forthbringers,’ prequels to our main series, ‘The Forthbringer.’ Now, we’re excited to focus on our new series, ‘Rule 56,’ which we’re aiming to make it our first major series to introduce Creative Theory World Film Productions. Read More>>

Ramesh Dahal

There is always a challenge when running a restaurant. We have to ensure that all ingredients are in good supply, and that the restaurant is always properly staffed while working around several different schedules. There are always many moving pieces, and they need to be kept track of, at all times. Read More>>

Jurne Smith

Movement has always been a home for me. Whether it was cheerleading, or tumbling, or dancing, I always felt at home when my body was able to be expressive. These weren’t things that I was taught initially, but was innate to who I was. I was a quiet child who was able to play well with others, but if you really wanted to know more about me, all you had to do was put me on stage or in front of a mirror and turn the music on. Dancing has always been part of my childhood because it was so deeply rooted in my culture, music surrounded everything that we did. Read More>>

Tonya Cross

My handcrafted fashion accessory brand Accented Glory came to be from a personal need! I was having a hard time finding “natural hair friendly’ hair accessory designs when I started wearing my hair natural (not chemically altered) in 2001. One of my friends suggested that I make my own, so I did! My need turn out to be the need of other natural hair women who asked me to make hair accessory designs for them. My hobby of creating things by hand eventually become a business. Read More>>

Brandon Johnston

Hi, my name is Brandon Johnston and I am the Owner of Soul 2 Sole Creations (DBA: S2S Creations). I am a Raleigh native but moved away roughly 10 years ago to the outskirts of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for school. Prior to that I had worked in running specialty retail since the age of 15 which primarily helped me with understanding how the retail world of footwear retail works and it helped educate me on the anatomy of shoes. Read More>>

Evelyn Malveau-sanders

Established in 2021, My husband and I wanted to start a family business; as we have always been fascinated with thrift stores for a long time. The ball started rolling when we sold a special edition Campbells Soup Polaroid Camera. We found it while helping my mother-in-law clean out old items from her home. After that? Major Nostalgia took off like a rocket! Read More>>