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.
TieSha Carter 
I began making Jewelry shortly after I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and was home on short term disability. I needed something to occupy my time and help me cope in a healthy way. Something that could occupy my mind and distract me from my anxious thoughts. Read more>>
Tierre Tates 
My story has really been a journey of growing, surviving, serving, and continuing to become the woman I believe God has called me to be. I became a mother at the age of 23, and motherhood changed the way I looked at life. Raising my daughter has been one of my greatest responsibilities and greatest blessings. Read more>>
Okikioluwa Popoola
Well, it all started freshman year of college. I’m currently a senior at Morgan state University. I picked up a camera because I was injured from track, and the camera was a way for me to just pick up a new thing. From there on, I started with weddings, and last summer I came across a certain individual’s page. Read more>>
Wayne Reese 
Dancing and entertainment has been a part of my life since I can remember however, the story of uncle grandpa on one began in 2014. During that timeframe, I was known as Ty DaGeneral, a well-known Baltimore club Dancer, who was competing in the annual king of Baltimore dance competition. Read more>>
Aaron Hill
My life story in the form of a rap from my autobiographical children’s book called “We Are G.E.M.S.” (gifted, educated, mindful successful.) At age five my gifts were uncovered by my mother when for Christmas she bought me my first record player. 26 records one for every letter with songs that made me dance and learn my alphabets better. Read more>>
Kandice Johnson 
My journey into hair started long before KJ Beauty ever had a name. Back in middle school, I began experimenting on my own hair, not out of ambition, but out of necessity. I was tired of leaving salon chairs without the look I’d asked for, so I decided to figure it out myself. What started as trial and error quickly became something more. Read more>>
Michael McHenry
I was obsessed with guitars for as long as I can remember. Even before I actually had a guitar. I was immediately writing songs and sending them to record companies which garnered me more attention and interest than I expected. I was fortunate to get some songs recorded by other artists as well as writing songs for various TV commercials and radio shows. Read more>>
Kyra Vocci 
My career has really been a journey of growing into roles that combine people, operations, and purpose. I started my career in higher education after earning my degree in Business Management from Washington College, and I’ve spent about 18 years at Johns Hopkins University, where I have gradually moved into increasingly complex administrative and research administration roles. Read more>>
Clinita Atangwa 
My name is Clinita Atangwa and I’m a Founder, Public Health Advisor, and a Doctor of Public Health Student (DrPH). I became a business owner because I wanted to create something that reflected my belief in the power of movement and wellness. Read more>>
Dr. Shauna Moore Reynolds 
My journey into the counseling profession began nearly 30 years ago, and in many ways, it grew out of both my professional interests and my own life experiences. I have always been drawn to helping people navigate difficult seasons, understand themselves more deeply, and recognize that what they have been through does not have to define where they are going. Read more>>
Davon Moseley 
My story begins in a small town located in North Carolina, called Scotland Neck. The town is so small that there isn’t even a traffic light. However, despite the size of the town the people shared an abundance of love and care for one another. Read more>>
Claire Rush Blades 
Baywater Seafood started in 2020 with 3 childhood friends, Matt, Lee, and Bryan. They wanted to get their feet wet (literally) in aquaculture, but wanted to make a bigger splash than the typical Oyster farm. Read more>>
Navia Nicole 
I’ve always been a creative person. Even as a little girl, I was ambitious, imaginative, and always finding ways to create with whatever I had around me. I would direct my sisters in little fashion shows, have them dance and sing, put outfits together, do my younger sister’s makeup, draw, paint, and just come up with different ideas. Read more>>
Tierra Sheppard 
The Story Behind Agape Creative Designs For as long as I can remember, art has been a part of who I am. I discovered my love for drawing at a very young age, and as I grew older, that creativity grew into a dream of designing my own clothing and shoes. That dream became real in high school when I was a junior. Read more>>
christopher myers 
I was born and raised in baltimore. My grandfather was a photographer so I grew up with a lot of black and white prints and film around the house. When I got to high school I took a few classes and it was hooked. Then I went to the Maryland Institute College of Art and graduated with a bfa. Read more>>
Carlita Pitts 
I’m originally from Columbus, Ohio, and my fascination with travel and discovering new places started long before I ever thought about turning it into a business. As a kid, I loved maps and globes, watched travel shows on TV, and would request brochures from state tourism offices just to learn about different destinations. Read more>>
Iola Johnson
My name is Iola Johnson 💙. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and at 19 years old, I moved to Maryland in March 2017 in hopes of creating a better beginning for myself. My childhood was not easy. I grew up experiencing foster care, adoption, neglect, and different forms of abuse. Read more>>
Latisha Barnes 
My journey started with a desire to help people discover their purpose, grow spiritually, and become equipped to make a difference in their communities. Over the years, that passion developed into Kingdom Academy, a faith-based nonprofit organization focused on teaching, empowerment, outreach, and creating opportunities for others. Read more>>
Natallia Ivchankova
My story has never followed a straight line. I started as an artist with a passion for creativity and design, which led me into shoe design before eventually discovering my true calling in the beauty industry here in USA. It may seem like an unusual journey—from feet to brows—but every step taught me something about craftsmanship, precision, and creating work that makes people feel confident. Read more>>
Heather Stackus
Hi there! I am a mental health therapist. I am licensed in 7 states (1 state currently pending). I own Heather Stackus Counseling and Consulting, LLC and have been in business since 2021. We work with young children, teens, college aged folks, adults, couples, families, and the LGBTQ+ community! Read more>>
Leela Spriggs 
During COVID, I used to be a background investigator. Work was kind of scarce. I decided to embark on a journey that I always wanted to do, which is to start my own business. I started doing keto and vegan baked goods because at the time my journey was weight loss. It grew from that to me deciding to approach stores, after about a month. Read more>>
Samuel Achirem Jr 
My journey into photography and videography wasn’t something I originally had mapped out. I moved to the DMV in 2020 while serving in the U.S. Air Force, and over time God blessed me with a camera so I started creating and I genuinely enjoyed it. What started as a creative outlet slowly became something bigger. Read more>>
Kevin Dodson
My name is Kevin Dodson, and since my childhood, I have been deeply passionate about anime, video games, and otaku culture. Growing up during the Toonami era, I was captivated by the initial televised expansion of anime, particularly through shows like Mobile Fighter G Gundam, Dragon Ball Z, and Sailor Moon. Read more>>
Patricia Barnes
My gift is writing. In the beginning, I started off as a blogger nine years ago. Today, I’m a book publisher and Amazon #1 best-seller strategist. Over the years, I learned about coauthoring and anthology book from scrolling on social media either on Facebook or Instagram. Read more>>
Aidan Ewald 
I grew up in Arnold, MD, in a household filled with music, which I look back on very fondly. My father is a very successful career musician, who I respect and look up to a great deal, and have been inspired by for as long as I can remember. Read more>>
Derek Williams 
As crazy as it is, when I was a kid, I told myself that I never wanted to be a rapper, due to the prejudice environment that I grew up in and because I just wanted to be different. I started writing poetry when I was thirteen. Read more>>
Truthofficial Foundation 
Truth Official Foundation began in October 2023, but its vision began much earlier. In 2021, Truth Official initially began as a clothing brand. At the time, we believed that selling apparel could be a way to share the Word of God and reach people. Read more>>
Sabrina Saremi 
How I Started in Photography I picked up a camera long before I ever considered photography a career. As an only child, I grew up with my dad constantly taking photos and videos of me, so being behind a camera was always a part of my life. Read more>>
Brandon Manchion 
2023, this all started with the purchase of a drone in hopes of rejuvenating my YouTube channel. Flying the drone quickly turned into an enjoyable hobby, which led to drone photography as a side job. I already had camera equipment from doing YouTube, so it quickly transformed into full real estate photography as a side job. Read more>>
Lauren Green 
SPL was established in 2017. I was inspired by my first daughter Amia. During that time the government just shutdown, which ended my NOAA contracts. So I became a housewife & mom of two with various side hustles. At that time Instagram was just created in the highlight of showcasing your talents, so I created @fashionstarters which was a custom apparel line for babies/toddlers. Read more>>
Holland Hook 
During the pandemic, I watched so many people around me have to cancel, postpone, or completely rethink their weddings because large gatherings simply weren’t possible. It made me start reflecting on two very different weddings I had attended for close friends from high school. Read more>>
Justin Myles 
I started dancing at the age of three. My mom was teaching recreational dance classes, so I was titter-tottering around the studio and always watching what she was doing. As soon as I was the accepted age to begin formally learning how to Tap dance, I did. Read more>>
Hannah and Haley Thapar and Knight 
We started brainstorming the idea for our business about two years ago. We both love coffee and have spent several years working in the service industry. We also wanted our faith to be a central part of our business and strive to make others feel better than when they arrived at our stand. Read more>>
Brianna Nolan 
My journey has always been a combination of science, creativity, wellness, and entrepreneurship. I’ve always been someone who wanted to understand how things work, create with my hands, and ultimately build something of my own. I started the BriOrganics from a genuine love for organic skincare and wellness. Read more>>
Tavair Dominque 
I grew up in Missouri and different forms of art showed up at different points in my life. Looking back, I think of myself as a closeted creative. I grew up in a hyper-conservative environment where creativity wasn’t really something I felt encouraged to pursue seriously. A lot of that part of me stayed quiet for a long time. Read more>>
Kaprece James 
I started Stella’s Girls, Inc. in 2016 because I kept seeing the same pattern—brilliant girls and young women with big dreams, but too few safe spaces, mentors, and resources to help them heal, lead, and fully step into their power. Read more>>
Constance Miller
My story has always been rooted in helping people. I’ve spent years working in the insurance industry, especially Medicare, where I’ve learned how important it is to listen, educate and make people feel like they have someone in their corner. Outside of my career, I’ve always had a creative and entrepreneurial side. Read more>>
Brittanee Brown
My journey in fitness started long before BFITBWELL Fitness Studio ever had a physical home. I graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in Exercise Science, and I’ve been working in the fitness industry for over a decade. What started with me teaching classes and helping women feel stronger and more confident eventually grew into something much bigger than I originally imagined. Read more>>
