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.
Claire Roberts
I’m one of those lucky people who genuinely loves what they do. Each day, I get to help men and women feel excited about how they show up in the world — because a thoughtful wardrobe isn’t just about looking good, it’s a powerful tool. I like to say: good clothes open doors. Read more>>
Lola & Yemi Olufolabi
We started Exotique because of our love of the arts and our belief that artisans should be paid fairly for their work. We were living in Chapel Hill at the time, but Yemi works at Duke. We saw a listing for a store for sell downtown. It was the store next door to where Exotique is located. Read more>>
Briana Jicha
I have loved jewelry for as long as I can remember. My Mom tells a story of me being distracted by my Grandmother’s jewelry during sessions of patty cake on her lap. Growing up jewelry from my Mom were gifts I could look forward to, but I also enjoyed the jewelry play kits that allowed me to create my own. Read more>>
Natasha Fields
The entrepreneurial journey began with a desire to create a better future for myself and children. As a young mother, I wanted to build something that would provide stability, create opportunities, and show my children that they could dream beyond their circumstances. The inspiration for the business came during conversations with my children’s father. Read more>>
Sean Stephens
My name is Sean Stephens, I go by the moniker, HARD FAQX. I would like to recognize this name as more than just a s stage name, and connect with it more as a persona, but not an alter ego. HARD FAQX is equated by two parts, the man and the mission. (Human Archetype Revered Design- Functional Application Quantifies Excellence. Read more>>
Jeremy Fisher
ProFish Media is husband and wife team, Jennifer and Jeremy Fisher. This September will mark 12 years since our first wedding which is really the beginning of our story. In short, a long time friend asked me to film her wedding. I had never filmed a wedding at this point nor ever considered it. Read more>>
Dr. Brittany Burns
My journey has been anything but linear, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve spent my career serving others in a variety of roles, including law enforcement, criminal justice, higher education, and now entrepreneurship. Today, I serve as a Clinical Instructor in forensic health while also leading Zoe Life Naturalz LLC, a business centered on career clarity and holistic wellness. Read more>>
Gavin Larsen
I was a professional ballet dancer for almost twenty years. Like nearly all professional dancers, I’d started taking classes very young and continued with more serious training in classical ballet all through my teens. I got my first job in a ballet company when I was 17, switched to a few different companies over the years, and retired from full-time performing at 35. Read more>>
Aarik Duncan
My story starts in Selma-Smithfield, NC — a small town with a big sound, at least in my household. From the time I was seven years old, I was playing drums for my dad, and that was it for me. Music wasn’t something I chose — it chose me. Growing up, my ears were wide open. Read more>>
Anthony Garcia-Copian
We began at Transfer Food Hall eight years ago. From there we opened a store at City Market for a year and we are now an online store with various stores and cafes selling our organic tea. Having cafes like Little Blue Bakehouse and stores like Mindful Merchant in Cary has helped us achieve a small and private clientele. Read more>>
LeVelle Moton
My journey started in Raleigh, where I learned early that hard work, faith, and perseverance would shape my future. Basketball became more than a game for me—it became an outlet and a vehicle to create opportunities. I played at North Carolina Central University, and that experience had a tremendous impact on my life, both on and off the court. Read more>>
Leah Landau
I grew up in Raleigh, NC, as a competitive dancer who loved to sing and perform in community theater. In college I was introduced to the industry of professional theater and realized I could turn my talents and training into a career. Read more>>
Gabrielle Hurt
I started doing my own hair when I was around 14(about 10 years ago), cutting, coloring and braiding. I didn’t have anyone who really knew how to do my hair growing up and so when I was able I really wanted to take care of my hair. Read more>>
Sara Holloway
I’ve always been really into crafting and visual art, in my high school art classes I was exposed many forms from sewing to pencil and paper to lino printing. From that I learned that crafting can be done by anyone. Read more>>
Luke Baldwin
Since we have opened we have always been a place where people could come to relax and have a drink. Our slogan started as “Where craft meets comfort!”. We started off focusing on craft beer and burgers, but have evolved to a place that has options for everyone. Read more>>
Phocus SMF
I’ve always had a love and appreciation for music, i knew i wanted to be a rapper and young age but most people told me i should do something more productive so my goals kinda switched for me in my development years. I was still in band in middle and high school and even college so my passion never really truly died. Read more>>
Octavia Burney
My story has been shaped by resilience, faith, and a deep desire to help others. As a burn survivor, I experienced firsthand how trauma can affect not only the body but also the mind and spirit. That experience gave me a unique perspective on healing and planted the seed for the work I do today. Read more>>
Kendra Leonard
I always tell people that I lived life backwards- pregnant at 20, a widow at 30, and wondering what’s in store for 40, but here is where I am now… Read more>>
Sonya Boyd
Hi, I’m Sonya and I’m the founder of Nineteen72 Home and Co. This all started during COVID when I found myself needing a creative outlet. What started with making t-shirts, handmade wood signs, and custom mugs quickly became a passion for creating products that bring warmth and personality into everyday spaces. Read more>>
Melvin Breeden
My story is really a story of purpose—purpose that has revealed itself over time, often before I was fully aware of it. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been driven by the idea of impact. Early in my career, I genuinely believed I was going to change the world by myself. That mindset led to frustration, disappointment, and more than a few missteps. Read more>>
Kristin Lozoya
I am a talented painter, and I am really good with kids. I have joked with friends and family, ‘in my next life I will be good at something financially lucrative!’ All jokes aside, my story is not a terribly unique one. Read more>>
Sean O’Malley
My love for film started early. Disney movies as a kid, then comedies like Airplane!, Wayne’s World, and Napoleon Dynamite. But what really sparked my creative side was the rise of YouTube and early creators like Smosh, Nigahiga, and Rooster Teeth. I was borrowing my dad’s camcorder, making stupid little videos, editing Halo 3 montages. Read more>>
Alicia Sapp
Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio I’ve always been surrounded by culinary arts and the food industry. My father was a chef for over 40 years so my passion for food runs deep but my love for baking I believe stems from my grandmother. Read more>>
Ann Koonce
I began my streaming journey in 2016 with a simple goal: to share my love of gaming and connect with people who enjoyed the same experiences I did. What started as a hobby quickly became something much more meaningful. Read more>>
Omari Martin
In 2021, I was working at Target and realized I wasn’t making enough money to save or invest in opportunities that could improve my future. I started looking into different side hustles through podcasts and YouTube, but nothing really caught my attention. One day while scrolling Instagram, I came across a custom tufted rug and almost bought it. Read more>>
REYNALDO Barrera
Aquí tienes una versión más completa y con un tono apropiado para una revista: My journey as an artist began long before I became a tattoo artist. I was born in Cuba and attended the School of Fine Arts in Camagüey, where I was formally trained in painting, sculpture, and the visual arts. Read more>>
Ashton Gelzinis
Ashton learned to bake the old way, standing beside her mom and grandmothers, watching their hands move through flour and dough. To keep them close, every piece of kitchen equipment bears one of their names. Frankie and Jeffie are the mixers, Chuck and Pete are the ovens, and Doughlaine is the starter, named for her mom, who passed in 2024. Read more>>
Cyril Jolly
Almost a decade ago now I came across my first Santa Suit, but truth be told growing up near New York City and traveling with my family to see the Radio City Hall Christmas Spectacular is where my dream to be Santa Claus began. I started by specializing as a Santa for children and adults with disabilities. Read more>>
Ysue Bujiang
I started practicing drawing at a young age because my stick figures didn’t look as good as other kids stick figures. Eventually it became a skill I used to impress my friends and to pass the time. I discovered i was quite good at drawing and continued to draw sporadically through high-school without any real serious thought to it. Read more>>
Karoll Kuri
Meraki Creative Agency started from something very personal for me—it grew out of my creativity and my desire to help people bring their vision to life. I’ve always been drawn to branding, storytelling, design, and creating experiences that make people feel something. Read more>>
Ralph Cole
My journey started in the barracks room when I was in the Army at my first duty station. I needed some extra money so I decided to start cutting my battle buddies being they needed hair cuts anyway. Read more>>
Tom Letecheur
I’m originally from Belgium, and I grew up around racket sports — tennis especially, which became my career. Over the last eight years or so, I watched padel explode across Europe. Read more>>
Rhea Bharadwaj
It truly started when I got my first speaking role in a production of Legally Blonde and performed “Let It Go” during a Disney cabaret during my senior year of high school. I had just moved states for the first time and was adjusting to an entirely new environment, but instead of staying comfortable, I decided to challenge myself. Read more>>
Danielle Bailey
My journey into hair started in 2016 while I was a student at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Although I attended UNC Pembroke for school, I’m a Chapel Hill native, born and raised. Hair wasn’t necessarily my passion growing up, I was simply good at it. Read more>>
Elijah Rosario
I grew up in church, and that’s where I began playing drums at six years old. Around the age of 12 or 13, I started singing more and more. Music has always been part of my world. Read more>>
Steve “BowTie” Bryant
Previously I was selling cars and my friend recommended karaoke as a form of stress relief. We had fun at karaoke and started going weekly. After only a few months the host asked me if I could cover for him when he went out of town. Read more>>
Patsy Lupton
Hi, I am Patsy Lupton, the proud owner of Publicity Wax Studio! Publicity was born from the idea that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy their self-care in a environment where they feel safe and judgment free. In 2014, I graduated from Ogle Hair, Skin and Nails in San Antonio, Texas with my Esthetics license. Read more>>
Tiffany Shurland
I was raised in a home where cooking was an expression of love, culture, and togetherness. Both of my grandmothers poured their heart and soul into the kitchen, and my parents are exceptional cooks as well. From an early age, I found myself alongside them—learning, observing, and absorbing the rhythms of home cooking that would later shape my own culinary journey. Read more>>
Etornam Djentuh
Of course, I started cutting hair during the COVID pandemic. It was something I decided to start, due to my love of watching transformation haircut videos in my free time. After graduating from Roseville high school in 2019, it was tough for me finding something that was “my calling” that I could make into a career. Read more>>
Darius Lassiter
My name is Darius Lassiter, professionally known as DeeMoney. I’m a music producer from Raleigh ‘North Carolina who discovered a passion for making beats at a 13. What started as a hobby quickly became something I wanted to pursue seriously, so I spent countless hours teaching myself, experimenting with different sounds, and developing my own style. Like many producers, my journey wasn’t an overnight success. Read more>>
Allison Mathews Allen
My path into clinical trial engagement actually began with a dissertation question that, at first glance, had nothing to do with research recruitment. As a sociologist, I was studying how Black gay men navigate stigma in religious spaces that were often either predominantly Black but not gay affirming, or gay affirming but not Black affirming. Read more>>
Christina & Ashley Westbrook & McGee
Hey there! We are a mother/daughter duo and we own Southern Junk. We have always dreamed of having a home decor and gift shop but just never could seem to make it happen. Read more>>
Ryan Gehsmann
I began playing lacrosse in 2004 for TYLA, the Triad Youth Lacrosse Association. As I grew to love the game my lacrosse path took me from Kernodle Middle School to Western Guilford (4 year varsity starter and 2 year captain) to the University of South Carolina (club lacrosse), then back to Greensboro. Read more>>
Adam Lee Decker
Early Life and Background Adam Lee Decker is a gifted musician and performer known for his powerful vocals, captivating stage presence, and ability to seamlessly move across genres. Born and raised in Cortland, NY, Adam’s love for music was sparked early on by his family, where music played an integral role in daily life. Read More>>
Callie Cullum
After a few years in the corporate world, I knew that it wasn’t for me. I didn’t feel good in my body and could tell my mental health was suffering from long hours and long commutes. Read More>>
