Hidden Gems: Local Businesses & Creatives You Should Know

Jesse Orlean

My name is Jesse Orlean. I am a born and raised Clevelander and currently live here. I spent the last 7 years of my life in Colorado, hiking, jumping off of cliffs, snowboarding, and exploring the unknown. While in Colorado, I discovered my deeply rooted passion for creativity, especially through the forms of photography, videography, and writing. I have covered events such as Winter X-Games in Aspen and Dew Tour at Copper Mountain, but the most gratifying setting for me has always been capturing moments of my own friends on the mountain in their natural element. I am a nature lover, I thoroughly enjoy getting out of my comfort zone, and I am a firm believer that there is too much to do and see in the world to be complacent. Read More>>

Dilyara Gabdrakhman

I’m a photographer specializing in capturing love stories, from intimate moments with couples to the beautiful connections within families. My heart is in capturing those real, emotional moments that tell a story—moments that feel timeless and genuine. While I love all types of photography, couples and families are at the center of what I do, and I’ve recently started expanding into weddings, where the joy and energy are just unmatched. Read More>>

Kara Zone

It’s not just the writing that’s difficult, I can explain to someone a hundred times how the process works, and there are still expectations that you’ll get a Stephen King level quality book with low pay and five weeks. The entire indie publishing industry changes frequently. There is research to do with data, cover designs, etc. Algorithms to track, and even more items that need to be constantly looked after. Read More>>

Ronna Thompson

I discovered wood flowers when planning our wedding in December 2020. I didn’t want traditional (live) flowers and silk flowers just didn’t stick out to me either. With wood flowers, I was able to hand paint them, arrange and design my entire wedding from wedding party, to centerpieces, and ceremony decor. From there it blossomed into a business slowly by creating the wedding flowers for family and friends. Fast forward to end of 2022, our youngest was born with a birth defect. His skull closed prematurely in the front, causing it to restrict his brain growth. This led to skull reconstruction surgery in 2023. So, after 8 years in banking I took the leap to quit my job and stay home! I worked on building my business in 2023 and in 2024, it is growing well! Read More>>

Natoshia Baer

When I was only six, my mother realized quickly that I had a love of reading. From that moment on, I would be curled up with a book every chance I had. When I was nine, I told my mother that I wanted to write a book, so the two of us would sit at her computer for hours every day as we created a fantasy story of a young adventurer. When I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I told everyone that I wanted to be an author. I briefly pushed those dreams aside until my husband urged me to write again when I was on bed rest during my pregnancy with our second child. After a few years, I finally wrote the words “The End” on my first book and haven’t stopped since then. Read More>>

Ashante Wright & Brittany Johnson

At first, we planned to launch a mobile bar. But after weeks of research, Brittany had a spark: “What if we started a virtual assistant company to fund our dream?” The idea resonated, and in April 2022, we began meeting at the library every Saturday to plan. Just a month later, we officially launched A2B Virtual Associates in May 2022. Read More>>

Stephanie Morris Nunn

Between 2006 to present, Stephanie has achieved numerous accolades, winning competitions while showcasing her line at esteemed events like The Nadira Art and Design Collection’s, Signature of an Artist Charity Gala (2023), The Cultural Gallery at The United Black Fund Annual Celebration (2024) Fashion Week Cleveland and The Great American Hat Show in New York. She has also presented her creations in Baltimore, MD, Washington, and Cincinnati, Ohio, among other locations. Stephanie’s notable achievements include winning the “International Designer of the Year” award from Linden New Day and Associates, earning her a trip to Paris and features in prestigious magazines. Read More>>

Jerrel Beamon

Stand up comedy is my main focus but I also produce/book shows and I do skits. I’m most proud of my stand up. That’s my life passion I’ve wanted to be a stand up comedian since I was 10 years old. When I’m performing stand up it’s the only time I feel like I’m outside my shell. What sets me apart on stage is my personality I like to uplift the room. Read More>>

George Tutie

It wasn’t easy. Heck, it’s still a difficult journey. I made so many mistakes. I can’t tell you how many films I’ve done that I knew at the time were too good to be true and would never release and yet, I still did them. I’ve given performances that weren’t my best. I’ve beaten myself up over chances I didn’t take. But here I am. Still chipping away at this acting and filmmaking thing. Read More>>

Kit Yoon

When my then boyfriend (now my husband) was going through cancer treatments, I kept thinking that there’s got to be something natural that could help him with the side effects of chemotherapy. I remembered the early days in the garden with my grandmother who would plug leaves and vines, pull roots and twigs to make concoctions for us when we were sick. Read More>>

Taylor Halstead

After baking for Isabell for a few years, we welcomed our third child. Wanting to spend more time at home with my children due to rising childcare costs, I found myself in need of a career change. One day, while baking for Isabell, I realized that many dogs were consuming treats labeled as healthy but were far from it. Many dog parents, like us before, might not have been aware of what they were feeding their beloved pets or where to find better alternatives. This realization led to the creation of Izzy & Co. Dog Treats. Read More>>

Jizal Seikali

Additionally, navigating the complexities of building a tech platform as a non-technical founder presented its own set of obstacles. I had to surround myself with the right people and learn how to manage a growing team and a growing product, all while maintaining the quality and service DenTemp was built on. Read More>>

Alyssa Contreras

The journey to where I am now has been filled with growth and self-discovery. Initially, I hesitated to embrace pageantry, fearing it might contradict my commitment to strength and empowerment. Instead, I found it to be a platform that amplifies those very qualities. Competing for Miss Ohio next year is not just about winning a title—it’s about showcasing the multifaceted strength that women, including myself, possess. Read More>>

Sara Recker

I do not think a smooth road is a phrase for life in general or life as a small business. We opened our doors during the recession, lived through Covid and shutdowns and now a time of inflation and unknowns. I always say if we live though these struggles we can get through anything. I do believe the bumpy road struggles are the stories, the ones that you talk about for years to come. The ones that make your stronger and ready for anything that comes your way. Easy is not a part of the vocabulary, and that is ok, but it is awesome to have strength you need to overcome them. Read More>>

Tanya Stehler

With all the hustle and bustle, this was one of the scariest moments of my life. As my parents rushed me to the hospital, I remember sitting in the front seat as my mom clenched onto me tight, crying. Once we arrived at the hospital, it was even scarier. They had an entire medical team waiting for my arrival! They started hooking me up to monitors and poking me with needles. At eight years old, that was not something that I had experienced before. As I stayed in the hospital for the next 7 days, my mom stayed right by my side, sleeping in the chair next to me. My dad also spent hours at the hospital. When my biopsy results came back, my parents looked at me with fear in their eyes like no other. They had the fear of the unknown and possibly the fear of losing their baby girl. At this time, I learned I would need a kidney transplant someday. This was scary because you just didn’t hear of kidney transplants back then. Read More>>

Nadide Camur Óscar Salamanca

Currently CHDC is working together with LFMP in the creation of their first album. This multidisciplinary project brings artist from all different branches to tell stories that can help to grow the perspective of what the word LatinX means. CHDC is dedicated to cultivate a growth of Latin dancing education for all aspiring dancers as well as spread the understanding of how to create connection with inner-self through movement and music. Read More>>

Maia Rosenberg

Navigating a new city and new community also has its challenges, but I feel lucky to have found such good friends so quickly. I highly recommend finding a group of people who are all the same kind of nerd as you. Never before have I felt so welcome to be geeky about language. I was upset about leaving the wonderful community I’d built for myself in New York, but I’m so pleased to have found an equally supportive group of folks here. Read More>>

Brandy Frank

So many struggles and blessings along the way over the last three years. In the beginning the most challenging thing was wrestling to take the limits off God and go all in with this macramé business. I remember that day in 2021 as I was crying at my kitchen table trying to give up my unbelief for trust. Read More>>