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.
Tymeka Y. Whiteside
The first 90 minutes of my day are dedicated to centering my spirit, aligning my priorities, and preparing myself to move with purpose. My day begins in stillness and gratitude through prayer, where I invite God’s presence to lead and guide every step ahead. I thank Him for a new day and seek His wisdom for the tasks and interactions ahead of me. Read more>>
Cassandra Faulkwell
I started in the floral industry in 1991 in Santa Maria, CA working for the talented William Tomasini at A Little Something Florist at the age of 19. I have always had a creative side weather it be painting, decorating, cakes, but best of all Flowers. Read more>>
Samantha Melting and Brian Borders
We’ve known each other for almost 20 years. Over that time, we’ve been colleagues, friends, and mentors to one another. We first met in corporate America, where we spent years leading big teams, building strategies, and solving problems at scale. We worked hard, learned a lot, and built a deep respect for each other’s strengths. But life has a way of reshaping what matters. Read more>>
Darsweil Rogers
My firm is CFP Innovation We are a team of business executives and academics leveraging research in behaviors, Emotional Intelligence, systems thinking and strategy to assist our clients. For my background, after college at Howard University I was recruited to work on Wall Street. I spent the majority of my career working for JP Morgan Chase. Read more>>
Randall Sprinkle
I started playing guitar when I was 12 years old. I had always been fascinated with the instrument. I was the youngest of 5 and I was exposed to a lot of different music through my older siblings. In my early 20s I played in a rock and roll cover band that had some regional success and we got to tour Canada twice. Read more>>
Mallori Jackson
My love for food started when I was a little girl. Food has always been in my family, in my blood, and in my life for as long as I can remember. My mom introduced me to different vegetables and cuisines at a young age, and my grandma kept those Southern traditions alive. Read more>>
Conrad Shadel
I grew up in Pennsylvania, and some of my best memories are trapping with my dad and grandfather. My dad has been in this industry for decades and really paved the way for me—he’s been both my mentor and inspiration. That said, wildlife control wasn’t my original plan. I originally worked in advertising, and served in the Army. Read more>>
Mary Carreno
I moved to NC from Erie, PA in 1995 after earning my Master’s degree in special education. I taught the self contained high school curriculum (Extended Content Standards) for 30 years in Wake County until I retired in July 2025. Read more>>
Shae Bojorquez
After getting my Bachelors Degree in 2019 and having my son in 2020, I realized I really wanted to be in an industry that had a more flexible schedule. I always valued jobs that helped others in some way, and I have always loved being creative. I was inspired to start cosmetology school in early 2021 when my son was only 4 months old. Read more>>
Dionne Evans
I have been working in the fitness industry since I was 16 years old, teaching aerobics at a gym in Wilson, NC. After graduating from ECU with a BS in exercise & sports science, I moved to Dallas, TX. While in Dallas, I continued to build my career in the fitness industry. After living in Dallas for almost six years, I returned to Greenville. Read more>>
Cheri Crabtree
My story is built upon growth, resilience and a passion for being a light to others. It begins at the early age of 12 in Durham, NC when dance became my first true love. Back then, I never imagined how the art form would be such an architect of my life. Read more>>
Cortez Ferrell
My journey in real estate began with a genuine desire to help people build better lives through ownership and opportunity. Originally from Ohio, I moved to North Carolina in 2011 and quickly developed a passion for real estate — not just for the homes themselves, but for the lives they represent. Read more>>
Ruby Castellanos
I started CATALYSTA to solve a problem I saw up close. Growing up in South Texas, I watched my family and so many others in my community, who had so much grit and passion, struggle to build their businesses. A lot of the time, the information they needed just wasn’t available in Spanish, and they were left to figure out everything on their own. Read more>>
Destiny Newby
Growing up in church, everyone in my immediate family could play an instrument. So music always felt like it was something I was supposed to do. We always had a piano in our home. My brother joined the marching band and when I got of age I did the same. I didn’t start rapping until high school. Read more>>
Teddy Devereux
5 Points Gallery is an artist-run collective in the heart of downtown Durham at 109 E. Chapel Hill Street. Founded in 2019 by artists who wanted to keep a gallery presence at the historic 5 Points intersection, we are home to ten local artists creating paintings, fused glass, sculpture, mixed media, drawings, and furniture. Read more>>
Kelly Turley Carolyn Davenport
We were both teachers in Guilford County with Master’s Degrees in School Administration, but more importantly, we are best friends with a shared dream: to create something for kids that reached beyond the classroom. One night, sitting at Kelly’s dining room table (where many of our best ideas have been born), we started tossing around names. Read more>>
Dar Mayweather
I never set out thinking I would one day become a professional speaker. My journey started in higher education, where I was responsible for training resident assistants (RAs) during my very first professional role. I poured myself into leading a program that would challenge them to think deeper, reflect harder, and do their role more intentionally. Read more>>
Lorie Ritschel
Dr. Kathryn Byars and I opened the Triangle Area Psychology Clinic (TAP) in October 2018, and Dr. Chris Sheppard joined us as a third owner in 2020. We shared a vision of working in a clinic that relied strongly on evidence-based treatments, giving back to the community, and training the next generation of psychologists. Read more>>
Donna Smith
I was always told by friends and family that I should become a Hairstylist since I enjoyed playing in and styling their hair. As I have a very diverse family dynamic, I was able to play in and style many different types of hair. Read more>>
Jordan Lacenski
I’ve always been drawn to stories and the way brands connect with people. Early in my career, I worked in brand management and marketing leadership, and over time that grew into consulting and fractional CMO work through my own company. I loved helping businesses sharpen their voice, build a clear identity, and show up authentically. But something was missing for me personally. Read more>>
Mercedes Harris and Carla White
Carla and Mercedes are a mother/daughter duo. Mercedes has been in hospitality for quite a while and has always had the dream of opening her own venue. Carla has always been a supportive mother with a knack for innovation and trying new things. With those two things at the forefront, they decided to open Contemporary House. Read more>>
Wilnie Angibeau-Hunter
We started cooking for friends and coworkers during the winter of 2020 and received amazing feedback. That experience really motivated us to take things to the next level and make it official—so the food truck was our next big step together. Later, we had the opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar location at RCCC, which was an incredible experience for about three years. Read more>>
Keshi Satterwhite
I became a homeowner as a single mom because I wanted something simple for my kids: a safe backyard where they could play. When the first big rain came, that dream quickly turned into a challenge. My yard flooded, stormwater rushed into neighbors’ spaces, and standing water made it hard for my children to enjoy the outdoors. Read more>>
Giuseppe Brown
We, Peyton Carlson and Giuseppe Brown started Strength Scaling here in Raleigh because we saw a problem in the fitness industry. Too many gyms, trainers, and wellness businesses were getting overcharged by big marketing companies that ran generic ads and delivered little in return. As two young guys passionate about fitness and business, we wanted to build something different. Read more>>
Shane Bragg
I started Green Go Cleaning Co. with a simple idea for providing excellent cleaning services using small batch hand made cleaning products. What started with a few vacuums and a vision has grown into a team of dedicated housekeepers and a full line of eco-friendly products. Read more>>
Ryan Fox
I’ve always been drawn to art. I earned my degree in drawing and painting from the University of Michigan, though during my last two years I shifted my focus to photography. I didn’t bother changing my major, but photography became my primary pursuit. Along the way, I took one watercolor class—ironically taught by an oil painter—and discovered I enjoyed the medium. Read more>>
Dick Kauffman
The road is never smooth, but with good folks surrounding you anything is possible. It has been rewarding to bring on new franchisees and be part of their growth and success. I find that my experience both at IBM and Fantastic Sams is an asset that I can share with others following a similar route. Read more>>
Dina Weberg
I was born and raised in Kazakhstan, and from an early age I carried a sensitivity to energy, space, and people. I could sense things others didn’t always see—future events, past lives. I began dancing very young, and dance quickly became my greatest passion and love. What I didn’t realize back then was that these gifts—my sensitivity and my love to dance—would one day merge and become my life’s path. Read more>>
