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.

Stephen Butts Ii

We raise strawberries in the spring, various produce in the spring and summer and pumpkins in the fall. Very labor intensive work. We also raise different varieties of grasses at the nursery. I am also a full time fireman for the Town of Fuquay-Varina. I have three sons, 18 year old twins and a 13 year-old. They have grown up on the farm and hopefully have learned valuable lessons that will help them in life. As you can see it is a very busy life. Read More>>

Phoebe Guice

I received a concentration in metalsmithing and jewelry design; alongside metals class, I took classes in fibers, welding, photography, and printmaking. After graduating, I moved to Grenville, SC and started painting again and began posting on my Instagram @pguiceart. Painting was a way for me to explore my creative passions outside the teaching environment. I started getting more followers and grew my client base through social media. I began creating and selling portraits of people and their pets. In August of 2021, I moved to Raleigh, NC for an art teaching position at St. Timothy’s Episcopal School. I continue accepting new commissions and exploring in my daily practice of art and painting. Read More>>

April Lee

Becoming a new mother inspired a vision to spread love and joy to others through the experience of crafting and connection to people. Since launching, Latched By Lee has been featured in numerous events, workshops, and initiatives throughout Charlotte. Such as vending at Craft Fests, being a member of the Creative Entrepreneur Initiative by Charlotte is Creative, teaching crafting classes, being featured on Creative Mornings a segment on WBTV’s QC life morning show and being a spotlight artist at an art auction for The Center for Community Transitions fundraiser at the Mint Museum in uptown Charlotte where 100% of my art designs were sold. Latched By Lee LLC, is dedicated to growing the art community and creating welcoming spaces for people to express themselves freely. Read More>>

Bjay Sutton

After high school, I initially started working in the hair industry while pursuing a nursing degree. However, I realized my true passion lay in hair, so I decided to leave nursing school and attend cosmetology school. I earned my license in 2016 and began working in a salon. A little later, I moved to Raleigh, NC, where I expanded my career by traveling to Atlanta to do hair for clients. Along the way, I launched my own hair care line, Queen Products, which is now available in stores. You can find more at www.queenproducts.net. Read More>>

T’zai Rivera-lopez

So after the name I than continued to work my regular normal job until I was comfortable enough to step away and take my career seriously because I have sooo much skill in acrylics and nail art. So I left my job to go into nail school ClawsbyVee Nail Academy and it changed my life and my career. I would’ve never thought I would be a licensed Male nail Tech. And now I am located right in Fayetteville, Nc at LaRosée Nail Bar 916 Brighton Rd with the best techs that give home based quality but salon speed. Salon name is “Lopez”. Read More>>

Christen Pischke

The Christened Collection started as a creative outlet for me. My remote desk job did not vibe well with my free-spirited nature and I was a new parent looking for connection and community. I started to list my personal clothes on resale apps, and it quickly grew into sourcing all clothing sizes for my own website! Read More>>

Dareece Darden

I won a hair scholarship to a major hair show in Chicago. I participated in various fashion shows and styled shoots for fun. I have met a lot of awesome clients over the years and have truly loved doing their hair and connecting with them. It’s been a mix of ups and downs, which is true for any job. I’m thankful for it all because it led me to where I am today and I love where I’m at!! I enjoy working for myself and only accepting work that I am truly passionate about. Read More>>

Dax Trail

Once my spouse’s health stabilized, I dove in headfirst. I spent countless hours honing my drawing skills, building both physical and digital portfolios, and persistently reaching out to tattoo artists to let me shadow them. After about a year of practice—on fake skin and even on myself—I finally got my license and started tattooing friends. Word spread, and friends started referring their friends. Little by little, I improved, built my AMAZING client base, and gained the confidence I needed. Read More>>

Abby Leigh

Yes and no. There are always bumps in the road no matter what the journey may be. I had a lot of growing to do. Mainly in advocating for myself. School doesn’t teach you how to ask for a pay raise or how to be your own voice. That comes with experience and age. No one tells you how hard it is to look someone in the eye and say, “This is not good enough for me. I need to go seek more for myself.” Read More>>

Markel Smith

I was still involved in the music scene partly, so I returned back to music, working on sound design and mixing. When I started releasing tracks I noticed not a lot of people were listening. My patience was running thin rather quickly, so I took a break and started focusing on DJing. I was working at Amazon at the time, so most of my time was spent at work. I didn’t really have time to do sets like that, and I eventually gave up, putting all music aside. Read More>>

Michelle Richards

Next one of the managers of the Giggles in Wilmington decided she wanted to open her own center and we started on the Giggles in Jacksonville, NC. Around the same time the owners of the Cary location decided to open a second center in Raleigh, NC. In 2017 both of these locations opened. Next came the Greenville, SC location in which also opened in 2017 followed by a second Greenville, SC location in 2018. Read More>>

Jess Rein

When I was in High School, I always knew art would be my path in life. I didn’t know what it would be specifically until I started touring trade schools during my senior year. The first time I walked into the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill I knew that would be my place and those were my people. It instantly felt like a second home. During my time there, I flourished. Everything just happened to ‘click’ I was even rewarded with the “Director’s List” which was Aveda’s version of a Dean’s List. Read More>>

Becky Jorgenson

I studied piano and voice in college, then went on to get my Masters in professional counseling, concentrating specifically on using expressive arts as a way for individuals to process trauma, depression, anxiety, etc. In 2013, I started Mosaic Counseling Center with the primary purpose of “creating beauty from broken pieces”. I also teach piano and voice lessons at my private studio and love providing a place for my students to grow not only in music but also as individuals. My studio name is Psallontes Music Studio; “Psallontes” is a Greek word meaning “to make music with your entire heart.” Read More>>

Camilah Chavez

I was the kid who drew bubble letters of my friends’ names, those drawings were slipped into the front sleeves of dozens of binders each school year. By 8th grade, I drew room plans to help process my family’s move. Early on I instinctively understood that our surroundings have a powerful impact on how we feel about ourselves, even influencing our identities. Read More>>

Edla Prevette

Sure, I come from a line of educators so after I finished college I followed in my mother’s footsteps as a middle school science teacher. After about five years of teaching I realized that I was more interested in my students’ social and emotional well being than I was about them passing the state science test. I went back to school and continued working in the Wake County school system as a school counselor, trainer, and parent consultant before starting my private practice. Read More>>

Devana Smith

I started off on the retail side, but over time, I switched gears and moved more in to weddings and events. Creating one off arrangements still brings me joy, but I just love getting to create on a larger scale. Seeing a room come to life with flowers, and how they add such an impact to a space – that feeling never gets old! Read More>>

David Stanley

In 2012 I was just beginning my freelance art journey, while also attending college for graphic design. Before finishing my degree, I got an opportunity to become a full-time freelancer, providing in-game art and promotional art for mobile games. It was a tough decision, but I chose to drop out of college and pursue a life as an artist. Read More>>

I’mani Jiles

As time went on, I decided that I wanted to truly embrace the artistry of nails. I discovered my skill in art at the age of 5 years old, so I knew that bringing that talent to the nail industry would be successful. In 2020, I took my very first nail course and then used YouTube University plus plenty of self practice to advance. In 2022, Kolord Klawz LLC was established. After graduating nail technology school, I continued to gain clientele and expanded my business from Charleston, SC to Charlotte, NC currently. The opportunity to help others feel confident, or the potential to build a successful business, the nail industry offers numerous avenues for personal and professional growth! Nails became a lifelong passion for me! Read More>>

Camila Hargett

Now, as we step into our second year, I’m more motivated than ever to expand our impact. This year is about scaling our services, investing in our infrastructure, and continuing to build meaningful relationships with clients. One of our most exciting goal, is the acquisition of a dedicated building, which will serve as our headquarters. Read More>>

Cara Martin

Once our third child was born, I decided to take a year off to spend with them! It was the right choice and jumping back into the wedding scene went really well! I’ve always had faith that God would provide and He has always brought us such sweet people to work with. Read More>>

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>>