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.
Robert Boyle
My career involves 19th century American art primarily the Hudson River School, I worked as Assistant Director on a film for the Metropolitan Museum of Art a PBS backdrop for their landmark 1987 show, which this year I acquired the rights to remaster it into 4k. In 2002 I was in the PBS film Americas First River Bill Moyers on the Hudson showing his camera crew where the artists first painted. Read more>>
Porsha Paradise
I always say that the makeup life chose me. I was asked to be a model in a hair show. I saw how the makeup artist was making the models look. I snuck off to the bathroom to get myself together. When the salon owners saw me, they asked if I did makeup. I told them that I did not. Read more>>
Zara Abiera
I actually started out in a completely different field, I have a degree in pharmacy. Life has a funny way of doing it’s thing though. I moved here (the US) and I found myself in the wedding industry filming weddings instead. What started as me picking up a camera for fun and helping get other angles and perspectives, slowly turned into something much bigger. Read more>>
Annie Johnston
I grew up in Chapel Hill, NC in a neighborhood just down the street from the Southern Village community where my cafe is currently located. My first jobs in high school were in restaurants that were actually located in Southern Village, and this is when the seed of one day opening my own restaurant or cafe was planted. Read more>>
Jasmine Lim
When I was younger, my parents would always brew a large pot of Vietnamese coffee every morning and the bright aroma of coffee would fill the house. That daily ritual quickly became a comforting and familiar part of my life, and over time, I developed a love for coffee. Read more>>
Joseph Statton
Southern Smoke Craft Dispensary officially opened its doors on October 5th, 2024. This business was built with deep love, dedication, and relentless hard work. Before stepping into the world of entrepreneurship, I spent 10 years as a first responder. Read more>>
Madigan Kent
My story may have started when my mother, emigrating back to the United States from Europe, nearly miscarried me mid-flight. Or maybe even before that — in her own childhood home, where there was sexual abuse and alcoholism. Generations of pain shaped our family story — patterns rooted in war, poverty, and addiction. Read more>>
T.C. Barbour
From Stress Relief to Small Business: The Story of Barbour Lab Customs My woodworking journey began as a form of stress relief while I was working at State Employees’ Credit Union. It all started with a simple need — I wanted a stylish yet functional place to hang my suit jacket. That idea led to creating my first project: a North Carolina–shaped coat rack. Read more>>
Bonita Green
My story is fueled by a genuine passion for uplifting others and an unwavering drive to grow, both personally and professionally. I first dipped my toes into the world of customer service, working in consumer goods retail—where every day brought new people, challenges, and opportunities to make someone’s day a little brighter. Read more>>
Lawrence Darby
I began playing music at the age of 3 in South Carolina. My mother is a music educator so I’ve always been around it. I started out on Viola actually and studied that until I was 14. I would play drums in my local churches and began taking formal drum lessons at 8 years old. Read more>>
Varsha Chawla
After spending 17 years in the technology industry, most recently as a systems engineer, I decided to pursue my passion for wellness and holistic health to help people feel their best. Read more>>
Anna (Kit) Bolliger
After 30 years in corporate America, and having been harshly affected by the 2008 economic downfall, I chose to return to school and get my degree in Community Mental Health. While obtaining my Master’s Degree, I was exposed to a different type of therapy; equine assisted psychotherapy. I knew at this point that this was a method I wanted to incorporate in my practice. Read more>>
Melissa Campbell
What started as a simple craft night with a friend during COVID in 2022 has grown into something I never imagined. I began hand-painting earrings just for fun, but when friends and family started asking if I was selling them, things quickly took off from there. Since then, I’ve had the joy of fulfilling custom requests and recently began hosting earring painting classes. Read more>>
LaDonna Takyi Taylor
My journey began long before I ever picked up a camera— in the quiet way I’ve always noticed connection. For years, photography was something I did quietly, almost in secret. I loved capturing people I cared about, friends, family members, anyone who trusted me enough to document a moment that mattered; but I never saw it as something I could truly own. Read more>>
Kristen Timofeev
When I was in middle school, my dad bought me the Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce. Those four book got under my skin and I realized I wanted to tell stories. And so began many years of cringe worthy fanfiction until 2011 when my friend Michelle published her first book. Until then, I hadn’t heard anything about the indie publishing scene. Read more>>
Sierra Curry
I started my automotive interest when I was a kid. I first started sketching cars I would see while sitting on the steps of my home. Then riding along with my family in sports cars. My father owned a 90s mustang rox body. My uncle had one just the same. Read more>>
Trish Bass
I’m Trish, a mom, grandmother, and small business owner since 1997, born and raised in North Carolina. I, too, am a small business owner who gets the struggle of juggling multiple roles and making smart marketing choices. Since starting my entrepreneurial journey in 1997, I’ve seen the digital landscape transform. Forget sizing up Yellow Pages ads—Google is the modern directory. Read more>>
Anne Pembaur
My story has always been a blend of creativity, resilience, and heart. I spent over 20 years in the fashion industry as a technical designer and pattern maker, working for companies like Hanesbrands and Kontoor Brands. I loved the precision of fit and the craftsmanship behind every garment, but deep down, I dreamed of building something more personal — a space where design met emotion. Read more>>
Cameron Garvey
I’ve been cooking since I was a kid. Maybe like first grade. My grandma got me in the kitchen making polish food with her. Later in high school I went to a vocational school my junior and senior year for culinary. Through going to school there I was able to be apart of a program called CCAP (careers through culinary arts program). Read more>>
Nate Handley
I didn’t always want to be working in the legal field. But in 2008, after leaving the airline industry, I decided to go back to college and get my Paralegal Degree. Read more>>
Mona Nour
I started Nour Counseling because I wanted to create the kind of workplace I’d always longed for—one where people didn’t have to hide parts of themselves just to belong. For years, I worked in systems that preached inclusion but practiced something else entirely. Read more>>
Kara Pezzimenti
I think I was born a hairstylist. I started experimenting with every head of hair I could get my hands on before I was even in middle school, braiding Barbie dolls, creating upstyles and ponytail curls for the high school cheerleading team, and helping friends get ready for prom. Read more>>
Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld
How did Tomey-Zonneveld jump into publishing? She participated in programs provided through Meetup and discovered Living Poetry. This is a large poetry group based in the Triangle area comprised of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas. She would participate in and hold poetry workshops. Read more>>
Tanell Smith
My name is Tanell Smith, I am 23 years old and I’ve always known i would be a successful entrepreneur! Ive always been ambitious and I always had a passion to consistently create, but what really pushed me to start my own business was being stuck in survival mode for years and years, yearning for betterment. Read more>>
Jilian Allen
Back in 2020, my father-in-law, and owner of Aquarium Outfitters, Kurt Lund, stepped away and asked me to take a roll at the store. He opened Aquarium Outfitters, in Wake Forest, in 1990. Prior to that, he had a storefront in Raleigh called Coral Seas. Read more>>
Rui Sun
Turning Loss into Love: The Story Behind Dr. Milou, the Pet Wellness Brand Redefining Care From heartbreak to healing, founders Rui and Shuyi are shaping a new kind of pet care, one that blends science, design, and devotion. “Prevention,” they say, “is the purest form of love.” It began quietly, with love, loss, and a promise. Read more>>
Lashay Goldman
I started in customer service when I was just 15 years old. I then stated bar tending when I turned 21. I loved how much more personable bar tending was, and all the people I’ve gotten to know and love over the years. I worked for a man for 10 years. The best boss a person could have ever asked for. Read more>>
Elle Eddings
I’ve always been drawn to the idea of transformation — how a few intentional choices can completely change how something feels. I started out as a wardrobe stylist, helping people define their personal style, and that experience naturally evolved into a love for transforming spaces. I realized that the same principles applied: composition, balance, and a sense of confidence in the final look. Read more>>
Armoni Moore
I’ve always had a camera in my hand for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I used to make fun videos with my family and friends — we’d come up with random ideas and just start filming for the fun of it. That’s really where my love for storytelling began. Read more>>
Bernard Redfield
I opened Redfield Martial Arts in January of 2007, at 94 Technology Dr in Garner NC , we quickly outgrew the location and moved to 82 Technology Dr, where we remained until October of 2020 When we had to close do to Covid shutdowns. Read more>>
Assaad El Khoury
I actually started out as a software engineer — and getting into the convenience or restaurant business was never part of the plan. But life has a funny way of pushing you in directions you never expect. In 2007, we opened our first gas station. Back then, margins were shrinking fast and competition was everywhere. Read more>>
Azaria McCloud
My story started as a child being in love with films. They unlocked my imagination and gave me hope to be able to do the same thing one day. The characters from movies like Forest Gump, Sister Act and Matilda made me feel like I could conquer the world and most importantly that I mattered. That passion has stayed with me throughout my life. Read more>>
September Higgs
My Story Yes, my name is Dr. September Higgs — a wife of 12 beautiful years, a proud mother of three amazing children, and the Executive Director & CEO of Queen Fix Your Crown Women’s Empowerment, Inc. Before I ever imagined myself as a CEO or motivational speaker, I worked faithfully in the healthcare field for over 14 years, caring for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Read more>>
Jasmien & Lennart Winqvist
Our Story Begins … Disappointed by the inconvenience and ineffectiveness of existing collagen powder supplements, our founder thought to himself that there must be a way to improve such an important product. Born in a coastal region of Scandinavia and fascinated by the resilience of Arctic marine life, he recalled a traditional recipe made from wild fish and sea minerals. Read more>>
Sara Forcella
I was born and raised in Connecticut, but moved to North Carolina to pursue a graduate degree in Women’s and Gender Studies. My interest in this field was deeply personal—during my undergraduate years, a close friend experienced domestic violence, which inspired me to get involved in volunteer work and eventually pursue research and prevention efforts related to interpersonal violence. Read more>>
Ric Forbes
Back in 2018, I was in California, hooked on narcotics, and I ended up hurting my own feelings. I like to be honest with everyone, and I had to be honest with myself and immediately kick the addiction. The very next day, I enrolled in a private college at Laurus College in Santa Maria, CA. Read more>>
Artistry
I did always love real estate, sales and business too. Since society, and even my own family, seemed to view the arts as unfathomable, business was always going to be a necessary part of the world’s function. I already loved it anyway. By the time I was 18, once I tried to be in university, I found I was being stifled, taught by people who aren’t, and have never been, entrepreneurs themselves. So I dropped out and started my own company, having money from an internship turned job to help get me started. Read more>>
Joel Lewallen
Answering FAQs with 24/7 accuracy, Creating tickets directly in your support system, Managing inventory and availability just to name a few. We have grown specializing in SEO + AI. I personally wanted to incorporate Ai into my business transparency. A key item that helps develop trust. When we can pull back the curtain and show the customers what we are doing, show them how there money is being spent, they will naturally form a trust. A trust that will endure a relationship for years to come. Read more>>
Jocelyn Lievanos Jimenez
My name is Jocelyn Lievanos-Jimenez and I’m a 25 year old digital and traditional artist. I’ve always loved drawing as a kid, but I didn’t consider myself an artist. That changed in the summer of 2013, when I suddenly became very sick. While other kids were out enjoying their summer, I was stuck indoors with nothing but my thoughts. With nowhere else to turn, I picked up a pencil and started drawing. Read more>>
Hannah Cutts
Our story begins with a spark of childhood wonder, a moment when I met my hero, Barbie, at the local Target in High Point. That flutter of excitement, the tangible magic of meeting someone who seemed larger than life, stayed with me. It ignited a passion to create that same sense of wonder for others. Read more>>
Courtney Winter
I started Events by P3 to only do Event planning back in 2010. I had been volunteering to face paint for the community for a few events for years and I was asked to paint for a festival and get paid. I was ecstatic! Read more>>
