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.
Siobhan O’Brien
My longtime friend, Loveta Wilen had a dream of creating a unique setting for small weddings and therefore opened the Annapolis Wedding Chapel in September of 2010. Loveta had been the General Manager at Paul’s on the South River in Riva, Maryland (a popular wedding venue and fine dining restaurant) for 25 years. I was a photographer on Loveta’s vendor list. Read more>>
Benjamin Atanga
I was born in Cameroon, West Africa, and my journey has been driven by a passion for helping people improve their lives. After moving to the United States, I explored different career paths before discovering my calling in the wellness industry. Read more>>
Kendra Browne, M.S., CCC-SLP
My story actually starts with music. I came out of high school knowing I loved it, but with no real clue what I was supposed to do with my life. I was a musician without a map. It was my mother who pointed me toward the path I’m on now. Read more>>
Renate Garrett
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but for years I balanced that dream while working at Lowe’s for 23 years and raising six children with my husband Jaheel. In 2014, I started Freakin’ Sweet Jars to help my son Tre through college. Also, I wanted to create something that brought people joy. Read more>>
Sherry Coombs
I decided to start this small business after my grand daughter introduced me to dirty drinks for the first time. Originally I had planned to start a small business making and selling wraps, chips and drinks. However, after realizing how popular dirty drinks were and trying one for myself I decided to go a different route. Read more>>
Emmanuel Lewis. ( Dj Ibis)
Music has always been a part of my life. Growing up in a Caribbean household with Trinidadian roots, music wasn’t just entertainment—it was the heartbeat of every family gathering, celebration, and community event. My passion for DJing started at a young age. Read more>>
Briana Martin
I started Fearless Hearts about two years ago from a very personal place. I’ve always been someone people naturally came to for support, especially when it came to mental health, life struggles, and just needing a safe space to vent. Over time, I realized how many people didn’t have access to judgment-free support, and I wanted to change that. Read more>>
Sandra Maye
BALTIMORE — Our Recipes Cafe & Catering The restaurant is on Sulphur Spring Road in Arbutus and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8a.m. to 4:40p.m. Located in the heart of Baltimore’s Arbutus neighborhood. Our Recipes Café is a nostalgic blend of coffee house vibes, neighborhood convene and Grandma’s home cooking. ‘We serve a southern cuisine with a modern twist. Read more>>
Jason Crosse
I’m originally from California, where I grew up surrounded by graphic design, art, and creativity. I eventually responded to the the itch to create, experience, and share stories through my lens. My specialty lies in videography, where I’m able to create experiences, evoke emotion, and tell stories that might otherwise go untold. I also enjoy photography, with a focus on street photography, portraits, and nature. Read more>>
Chandra Parker
My journey into esthetics began during a season of my life when I found myself at a crossroads. While I was successful in many ways, I didn’t feel fulfilled. I knew I wanted to build a career around something I genuinely loved—something that allowed me to make a meaningful impact while using my creativity, compassion, and desire to serve others. Read more>>
Kevin T. Robertson -KTR
My journey is living proof that your starting point does not determine your destination. Like many professional speakers, I started my career underpaid, overlooked, and saying ‘yes’ to almost every opportunity that came my way. I believed that if I worked hard enough and delivered a great presentation, the high-paying opportunities would naturally follow. They didn’t. Read more>>
Carole Shegogue
Just in Bloom Flowers started in 2022, but the dream began long before that. Ever since high school I have loved the creative and design aspects of working with flowers. There is something special about taking different flowers and creating something beautiful that brings joy to others. Read more>>
laura ames
It has been a journey as I never thought owning my own photography business is where I would be today! I was a preschool teacher for many years after graduating from Hood College in Frederick, Md with a Bachelor in Art and a study in photography. Read more>>
Shllene McKoy
I started doing hair professionally in 2016. My journey into the beauty industry started with a genuine passion for helping women feel confident and beautiful. What began as a love for hairstyling grew into a career through hard work, continuous learning, and a commitment to mastering my craft. Read more>>
Kim Listman
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like. I’ve always loved photography, from a young age to taking classes in high school and college and working in the dark room. Read more>>
Dr. Teniola Akinwuntan
Dr. Teniola Akinwuntan: Rehabilitation Visionary A Walkthrough of Integrated, Outcomes-Driven Population Health Leadership From Transformational Training to Global Health Initiatives: How THEESEEDS Institute and Women of Valor Are Redefining Public Health Management Through Measurable Results — Not Just Programs In public health, the distinction between activity and impact has never been more critical. Dr. Read more>>
JW Abney
I’ve spent over 25 years in technology, cybersecurity, and business, but the story behind Deluxe Lens actually starts with my son. Jason Jr., then serving as Commissioner of Outreach for his high school’s Student Government Association, was responsible for securing a photo booth for the school’s Homecoming event. Read more>>
Daniel Corum
I moved to Maryland in February of 2001. Started building homes in the Canton neighborhood for a good friend of mine Matt Riemer. Learned all my building skills and costuming framing from him and Chris Chavis. Eventually starting out on my own and creating the Black Diamond Contracting name. Read more>>
Khadijah Turnquist Moore
Pawtastic Tummies Inc is a trademarked company that began Sept 11, 2020 started by myself all alone and on a mission to service dogs. I grew up in a household with dogs and they are all I remember playing with as a child later adulthood. Dogs really became apart of my life when my father was deployed in the military. Read more>>
Marcus Smoot
My name is Marcus Smoot. At home, I’m a quiet, introverted news buff that stays to himself, loves bacon & is passionate about reading and absorbing knowledge. Professionally, I am a Podcaster, Radio Personality and Activist nearing my 14th anniversary of doing this. I host a show, WRTR Real Talk Radio, with my cohost Lyric Bravado. Read more>>
Ashleigh Morrell
My story started as a first-generation Jamaican American, one of four girls, growing up in the DMV. My childhood was filled with curiosity, wonder, and an itch to discover—whether it was the world beyond my backyard or a world so small, I couldn’t see it. Read more>>
Janet Palmer
We moved here from Wisconsin in the spring of 2023, to be closer to our granddaughter. I had been very involved in music and theatre in Wisconsin, having retired in 2019 (38 years teaching general music and choir, and working with educational and community theatres in the area), and so I looked for places here where I could continue that involvement. Read more>>
Hiresh Rahimi
I came to the United States as a Kurdish refugee from Iran in the early 2000s. Like many immigrants starting over in a new country, I took on whatever work I could find to build a future. Read more>>
Chiantel Beaumont
Here is my bio from my website that gives a synopsis of my story: https://burningbenjamins.net/about When we moved to Maryland in 2013, I literally started from scratch. No one here knew who I was. I had two baby horses with me that would help me launch my career in this state through my work training and competing them. Read more>>
Elizabrth Navarro
My story began by helping my children with their art events and later promoting their work in the visual arts and tattoo industry. What started as family support became my introduction to the world behind tattooing — marketing, client communication, studio flow, setups, scheduling, and the client experience. Eventually, my daughter encouraged me to begin my tattoo apprenticeship. Read more>>
Sarah Rachael
I began taking photographs and capturing moments as far back as I can remember. I got a camera for Christmas one year as a little girl and I remember jumping up and down with excitement as I unwrapped this treasured gift. In a time before cell phones, I carried that camera around taking photos of whatever spoke to me. Read more>>
Lartrice Harrell -Robinson
BeCharmedByTrice started with one woman’s desire to create beauty in the middle of uncertainty. In March 2020, the world slowed down, but Lartrice Robinson’s creativity came alive. What began as making charm pieces for fun soon revealed itself as something deeper: a calling. Lartrice realized that every charm she made carried meaning, a reminder, a scripture, a moment of peace, or a spark of joy. Read more>>
Eddie MacIntosh
My tattoo career started under the mentorship of my good friend Chris Lowe. He owns Naked Art tattoos in Odenton, Maryland where I have been now for just shy of two decades. Chris and I met when he was looking for a band to play his shop parties and he ended up liking us. Read more>>
Lisa Pettway
I began my journey in cosmetology at the Learning Institute of Beauty Science in New York, where I earned my cosmetology license in 1996. After graduating, I worked as an assistant to a hair stylist in Manhattan who styled hair for entertainers and celebrities. That experience gave me a strong foundation in the beauty industry. Read more>>
Renée Wilson
I grew up on my family’s fourth-generation dairy farm in northern Maryland and developed a passion for connecting families with agriculture. As a ‘Farm Kid’ my childhood was filled with unique experiences. Some of my favorite memories included riding my black and white pony “Little Bit,” taking my cow to a studio for a Turkey Hill Commercial, and exhibiting animals at fairs. Read More>>
Tenaj Moody
Light to Life began with my own survival. I am a biracial Black and Puerto Rican woman and a survivor of domestic violence. Instead of being protected, I was punished for defending myself. At the same time, I was witnessing my mother’s incarceration, which was also rooted in her experience as a survivor. Read More>>
