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.
Tawny Hanf
It hasn’t always been a smooth road but I’ve always looked at life through an optimistic lense so I know any set back was for a reason. I’ve moved and rebuilt my clientele multiple times but honestly that has been such a gift and has taught me so much and given me a lot of confidence in what I do. Your people will find you. Read more>>
Sarah Geers
Finding clients and marketing can feel like a hamster wheel you just want to get off of at times. Like many creatives, I go through highs and lows, experiencing self-doubt and feeling like what I do isn’t enough. There are so many talented artists and photographers in my area, so avoiding the comparison game can be difficult. I try to remember during those moments that I need to be kind to myself, because in truth, I’ve made a lot of clients happy the past four years and it’s something to be proud of! Read more>>
Camden Yacobucci
My name is Camden Yacobucci. To be honest I owe everything I have been blessed with to God. I never really know where I am going but does anyone really? I am an up-and-coming artist whose journey to music is a mix of persistence, versatility, and evolution. Coming from Akron, Ohio, I moved to Brooklyn, New York, to study Criminal Justice at St. Francis College. However, my passion for music was undeniable, and in 2018, I dropped out of college to pursue a career in music full-time. Read more>>
Christi Harman
Finding the right clients and marketing to generate leads has been our biggest struggle. Not everyone is familiar with the concept of dry hire mobile bartenders; in fact, some people don’t even realize it is an actual business. While social media has been helpful, generating buzz about our services can be challenging, especially when potential clients are not well-acquainted with what we offer. Read more>>
Xavier Bennett
From that, the first instrument I started playing was the violin when I was young, but only for a few years, and I even got into singing in choirs. When I started hanging out with my brothers as I got older, I started listening to hip-hop and I started to admire artists like JAY-Z, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Charles Hamilton, and many more artists who had a message to say to the world along with the production I was looking for. When I realized I wanted to make content in different ways I was in elementary school, where I got into doing magic tricks, photography, drawing, filming and editing videos, and I would write poems and lyrics. Read more>>
Oksana Buchovska
I sat down in car Cried. And said that there must be a way That’s how I found youga sculpt. I did it consistently for couple years. Felt better and better. And decided to open studio and help people. As all these types of exercises helping a lot. So 2 years ago I opened studio. And added more interesting classes. Such as flying aerial yoga. TRX suspension, bungee and kengooroo boots I tried my best that studio super cosy and comfortable. All my classes includes lots of stretching And we only do body weight or very little weight. As for me. I live 5 years pain free. And can even tumble on tumble track a little. I would say “ everything possible “ Read more>>
Rachel Kovach
In 2016, my mother passed away suddenly. I found myself in a dark place and knew that I needed to find something to occupy my time and ground me. I started teaching myself how to garden and my first raised garden bed was built in 2017. But that wasn’t the only new growth I saw that year. I branched out from stationery design and started focusing my side business efforts on small to medium sized business branding. I was seeing expansion in many ways, personally and professionally. Read more>>
Karly Otis
My now husband and I packed up our apartments, moved to Cincy, and started our adult lives together with not a single clue as to what we were doing with them. It took less than a year in corporate America to realize it was absolutely not for me and I turned back to that pipe dream with new inspiration to figure it the heck out. I joined local photography Facebook groups and put myself out there for any and all work- free, paid, whoever would let me take their photos. Read more>>
Cynthia Ratsavong
It starts with meeting my husband in 9th grade. We dated all through high school and when we graduated in 2001 his sister had asked me what my future plans are. I told her I wasn’t sure. That’s when she asked me if I wanted to go to school for nails and work with them. After graduating cosmetology school in 2002 I the. Went to work full time with my future in-laws. From 2002-2012 I trained and learned everything I know from daily operations of a nail salon to doing nails. In 2012 I then ventured off to begin my career on my own in the nail care industry. As of 2023 my husband joined me in the nail salon. We are. Ow a husband and wife team who focus completely on each client that walks through the door. We want to make sure each client leaves feeling pampered and enjoy their nails. Read more>>
Nicole “Nikki B” Hutchins
Today, I continue to create and take action with projects such as FutureLand 365 Radio and Podcast Show, which you can listen on WOVU 95.9 Friday’s at 1pm and YouTube @Futurelandcle. I am committed to pushing the boundaries of the gifts, talents, and skills God has given me. My goal is to be a positive force and leader in my community and industry as I continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of everyone I meet. Read more>>
Jessica Volciak
Unfortunately these jobs were not satisfying my need to help people — the way that I wanted to help them. Despite doing the best I could there was a lot of pressure. Insurance at the clinic always limited the quality treatment time I had with people due to ‘productivity’ standards. Then Covid hit the small practice I was working at and both jobs fell through as a new grad. Read more>>
Tatjana Brown
We opened up our wine shop in 2008, after a recent move to Westerville. We loved the small town feel and thought this would be a great fit, as there was really nothing else like it in the community at that time. Westerville has a rich history steeped in the roots of Prohibition so for many, many years there were no establishments that sold any alcohol in Uptown. We were the first retail space to sell alcohol and the third liquor license in the historically “dry” area. Read more>>
Marsalis Clay
Even while working as a machinist I still painted on the side. I’ve always had the thought that if I could learn the business aspect of painting, I could really do something special and different with my work career. So after maybe a year of listen to Nipsey I just locked in. Once I seen how busy I was getting I was like.. ok I can do this for a living. Between learning customer relations, marketing, content creating, money and etc. I had my work cut out for me. But I stayed determined and even stayed busy during Covid. It hasn’t all been sun shine and glory. Running a business a way of life and you to adhere to that or you won’t make it. You learn change is necessary to have success. I’m currently working on my 6th year of business and look forward to what this year has to offer. Read more>>
Bryce Pulley
My time there was not only amazing within itself, which is a whole other conversation but it helped me develop the skills that I utilize in my everyday job now working for the City. With EwB I continued to do some direct instruction to students but increasingly started taking more of a backend role in helping develop curriculum, manage & evaluate programs, network with local businesses and organizations, and more. Read more>>
Takii Smith
Hi , I’m Takii ! It’s a pleasure to be doing something like this. However since I was a kid I always like being in photos as I got older I looked at photography as art ! Creating different scenes and ideas in my head and wanting to have different people I could create those visuals with. I started shooting in 2019 and stopped shortly after. I didn’t know the ends and out about it reached out for help and couldn’t get any. Then I picked back up photography about 2 years ago and decided to shoot celebrities and learned more and I have to say it’s a great experience ! Read more>>
Christine Monroe-Beard
History of the Tavern! Ye Olde Trail Tavern is Ohio’s oldest tavern. It started in 1827 as a tavern built by Elijah Mills and was bought later by German immigrant Franz Martin Hafner. Hafner has immigrated to Baltimore from Kehl, Baden Wurtemburg Germany in the 1830’s with his parents and siblings. He apprenticed as a baker while in Baltimore and then moved to Cincinnati where he met William Neff. Neff was a pork producer and businessman in, what we now know as ‘Over the Rhine’ district in Cincinnati. Somewhere along the way Neff and Mills were introduced in Cinci where Mills also had dealings in pork production. Read more>>
Carlie Gabrelcik
Definitely not! College alone was really hard; its a lot of criticism of your work, and it can be really defeating. In a journalism class, you also don’t really have the freedom to edit or have an artistic style, so what you shot was what you delivered, with the exception of cropping a photo if needed. Leaving that environment and figuring out my artistic style behind photography has been a lot of work, but that part of it has also been so much fun! Looking back on my work over the last few years, I definitely have moments of thinking, “why the hell did I think that looked good?” but I’ve watched my work evolve with me and that is really satisfying and empowering. Read more>>
Nefertira McGibboney
I am Labor and Delivery Nurse. I joined this field after my own birth experience and because my grandma always told me to be the change I wish to see. I wanted to increase the diversity and equity in the healthcare field. I am most proud of the fact that I can safely do my job and the connections I make with the families I care for. What sets me apart from others is I see my patients and their families even when they are hesitant to say what they are thinking or ask the questions. I have a way of getting the information our and quelling that fair or clearing up the confusion. Read more>>
Kate
In conjunction with my love for nature I was also a gear-head which led me to focus my college education and career in Engineering. I worked in the Aviation manufacturing for 14 years. Through that time, I had the opportunity to move and travel to some wonderful wine regions and became enthralled with wine and how it truly is a beautiful drink of nature. I ultimately pursued additional education in Enology learning the technical and scientific ropes of winemaking. I started volunteering anywhere I could to get hands on experience before making the leap to pursue winemaking full-time. Read more>>
Cole Carpenter
I started taking on small projects—everything from shooting events to making videos for friends—and slowly began to build a client base. I’ve tried to take my business full-time more than once, and I definitely fell on my face a couple of those times. But each time, I learned something new and came back stronger. What I’ve realized is that the more I want something, the harder I’m willing to work for it. Read more>>
Natown
I’m an overall artist, but for the most part, I’m a music producer and audio engineer, and I specialize in any genre that I attempt by working hard and caring about the artists I work with and the music I create. I’ve climbed to be one of the top producers in the city of Cincinnati, but I realized Cincinnati is one city out of thousands, and my thought process has always been that even though I’m from Cincinnati, it’s not cool to be stuck in Cincinnati. One of the things that sets me apart is that I’m not looking for gratification, because it’s always work to do with that mindset, and everything I do makes me proud because it’s a step further from where I could be and statistically where I should be. If there’s one thing that sets me apart, it is my ability to learn. That skill set is probably my crowning jewel because it assures me that as long as I attempt, I can do. Read more>>
Zack Weiner
I’ve been cooking since I was 15 years old. In high school, I attended a career tech school during my junior and senior years, and that experience solidified my passion for hospitality—I knew this was the industry I wanted to be part of for life. Over the next 15 years, I worked in every corner of the business, constantly learning, growing, and honing my craft. In 2021, I was fortunate enough to open Jollity with my best friend and business partner. Read more>>
Katie Agoston
One of the biggest challenges recently has been finding the right local retail partnerships to house Free Bird. It’s really a relationship selling your goods with a store because there’s a lot of factors going into it. Location is key, clientele is crucial, and straight up… how much money are you willing to sacrifice to get your stuff out there. I’ve had great opportunities where I just wasn’t willing to sell Free Bird for a 50% cut. My pride is too big to give someone else my ideas for half the cost. Read more>>
Likithasree Rajesh
We almost thought we will never publish a book. Then my dad’s friend Karthik, told my dad that, dont rely on them anymore and asked my dad to learn the steps to self publish a book on amazon and do it on our own. That strikes my dad to learn each and every step in self publishing a book. It took over 2 months for my dad to learn every steps starting from the size and trim of the book , design the cover of the book, editing, proof reading, organizing, format of the book like kindle edition, epub, buying the ISBN etc, to upload the book on different platforms like amazon, ingramspark and barnes and nobles. There were lot of softwares involved it. It was hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end. Today we published a book on Amazon. Read more>>
David Hebler
Growing up my family always had a variety of pets, from birds, fish, reptiles cats and dogs I’ve always had a love for animals and nature. I started my career in culinary arts and eventually became a Chef, and when I was not in the kitchen I spent my free time outside hanging out with my dogs. So when I discovered professional training I fell in love with working with the dogs and knew I had to become a trainer. It didn’t take long to realize just how rewarding this job is, the opportunity to change the relationship between a client and their dog for the better. Read more>>
Mia Klinger
Additionally, as volunteerism declines nationwide, engaging parents in the vital behind-the-scenes work of our organization has become more challenging. Yet, we firmly believe that a strong community is built on shared investment, and we continue to foster a culture where families see the value of contributing their time and talents. Through passion, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to our mission, Ballet Excel Ohio remains a pillar of youth dance education and performance, ensuring that young dancers have a stage to shine, now and for generations to come. Read more>>
Jacob Parker
Each show, I tried to improve production value, showcase better more exciting music that always seemed to turn more into progressive rock. I landed in a place somewhere around the style that I’m writing in currently. Some sort of mix between post-hardcore, alternative rock, and folk. My college’s composition department also really helped hone that sound, or at least to better conceptualize what I wanted to write. Now, I spend my time composing, recording and teaching others, and I’m in a place we’re I’m happy yet extremely excited to continue learning, improving, and making more music! Read more>>
Mya Tipton
For example, I’ve served since I was 15, and I know the effort I put in reflects on what I make. Realty is similar where the relationship and efforts I make reflects on how successful I may end up. That being said, my senior year, I ended up getting all my real estate certificates through Sinclair leading to me graduating in 2024, being able to take the OH Real Estate exam. Read more>>
Aaron Farrier
After three years in NASCAR, I realized the scene was just way too oversaturated with photographers. It felt like everyone was taking the same shots and competing for the same clients, and honestly, I’ve never been interested in taking a photo that just anyone can take. So, I set my sights on Hollywood. I felt like I had developed a shooting style that would translate well in the entertainment industry, so one client led to another, and before I knew it, I was a celebrity portrait photographer (I’m making it sound easy, it definitely wasn’t). Read more>>
Joseph Lamtman
The rawness and courage in my first video were inspired by Kwame Brown and his video. I also knew I wanted someone to be basically my co-host. Someone who had the same passion, interest, and desire to want to chase a dream in being able to talk about the things that mean the most to them. To hopefully help and inspired others. That person became Mike Antonace. Mike already knew my parents because he worked with my dad in the car business. Mike and I first met one night at my house in September of 2020. From the first night I met him I knew he was going to be my co-host, but most importantly someone who would become a great friend and brother. Read more>>
Tony Sangialosi
Like anything I do, I dive ALL the way in. I needed to learn everything about archery, hunting, the engineering of a bow etc. I first started with tuning my own bows from watching Youtube videos. From there I started building my own arrows, and really enjoyed how I could make an arrow fly so precise. My friends took notice and I started then building their arrows. Before I knew it, had people all over asking me to build there arrows, I was blown away. That’s where our Original Company “33OH Archery” was formed. Read more>>
Madison Oliver
When I was 16 I knew for sure that this is the career I wanted to pursue so I enrolled into a trade school in Cincinnati called Scarlet Oaks Career Campus. Being there I was taught the fundamentals of being a cosmetologist. I very much enjoyed being at the school because I was learning things I actually wanted to know about. 2 years later I graduated from the program and met all of the requirements to become a licensed cosmetologist. About 3 months after that I got an offer to become a member at a salon located in Dayton Ohio. I have been at the salon for a while now and I love it. I am now continuing to grow as a business owner and hopefully salon owner one day. Read more>>
Jacob Allen
I founded an art brand called ‘City of Infinite Happiness’ where I take architecture and nature photos and turn them into digital paintings and pixel art images. I use my art in photo books, posters, postcards, and stickers which I sell online and at local markets in my city. I started performing my music live under the name ‘Jane Museum’ at house shows, local venues, and anywhere that people want to hear me play. My goal is to reach the peak of self expression through bringing together everything beautiful about life on Earth into pristinely packaged art. I never want to lose the spark I found as a teenager to create art, it’s truly my purpose in life. Read more>>
Tellis Kennedy
Later in 2021, I decided to further my expertise by obtaining my real estate license with the goal of becoming a more knowledgeable and effective investor. As my journey continued, I found myself enjoying the process of helping others buy homes and began selling real estate in addition to managing my own rental properties. Read more>>
Vinnie Langdon
I started very young at the age of 13 ‘professionally.’ Of course I took acting classes since the age of 5 and in music, too. I don’t tell too many people but I did go to college to become a Broadway actor. I studied broadway musicals, dancing, singing, and acting with Solano Community College (Fairfield, CA)’s Acting Training Program. I put my time in. YEARS. So getting into character for a performance to me is a natural process. I made my own style and use my own tools to set me apart I suppose to snap into a character. I loved interviewing bands and shooting music videos and concerts for various artists for 15+ years but acting is in my blood and something I prefer over the hosting/VJ lifestyle. Read more>>
Blake Rosier
Of course the struggles have been hard but honestly I could never complain about getting to do what I love every single day. I get to wake up and play pretend with my friends everyday and make people laugh, hopefully. A lot of the reasons I do comedy started as a coping mechanism for losing my dad at a young age and I vowed to always take care of my mom. Being able to help her as much as I can doing what I love is the ultimate dream and I can’t thank her enough for being my biggest supporter and friend. Read more>>
Katrina Ledwell
In 2020 my husband and I lost our first pet together. We had a pet fox named Snow. He was a white red fox and we spent all of our time making this domesticated fox our priority. We would spend every minute of our free time caring for Snow, foxes are very bonded to their owners and we were very bonded to him as well. He passed away from complications of a surgery. It really devasted us with his passing. Shortly after his passing my husband had a friend who knew someone with a litter of puppies they were looking to home. As much as we knew a dog was not going replace the memory of our fox we thought maybe it would help ease our loss. Read more>>
Tracey Thomas
Because I deal with anxiety, OCD and PTSD my journey has been very difficult at times. I have been performing since the age of 16 and now at the age of 65 I still have terrible stage fright. For many years I used wine before shows to calm my nerves, that’s the only way I could get up there but now I don’t drink and I am 6 shows into playing with nothing to ease the fears so it has been very hard. While I don’t consider myself an alcoholic, I have learned that I did use a glass of wine or two to create a false sense of confidence, that has been hard to shake, but it has been very worth it. I talk about my struggles in my memoir, I think a lot of people can relate and I hope they get something out of it. Read more>>
Danna O’Connor
Like many independent artists, the COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge. However, instead of slowing down, the band pushed forward, using the time to craft their sophomore EP, Thru the Window. During this period, they also filmed a music video and dropped their breakout single, “Call My Name,” which quickly gained traction among fans. Read more>>
Manal Shteiwi
learned so much from my studies and my hands on work managing a fashion business, but when I had learned all that I could and grown as much as I could, I knew it was time for me to move forward and continue taking those scary but exciting steps towards my big dream. So I left behind a space I was comfortable and safe in so that I could get closer to making my dreams a reality. It is only by allowing ourselves to be uncomfortable and take risks that we truly grow. Read more>>
Kay Limbach
I was able to connect with our first school, thanks to a referral from a parent. Her child’s teacher was open to the idea of me volunteering weekly with her preschoolers and kindergarten students. I had my foot in the door, and today we support fifteen teachers in that school. Currently, we support students in three Cincinnati Public Schools with thirty-two Literacy Mentors committing one hour a week working with the same students in the same school. We lead story times once a month in a plant shop. Last year, we tutored twelve students over the summer and saw first hand how working with a tutor once or twice a week did help the students make reading gains while having fun at the same time. Read more>>
Eden Scharer
The pandemic in 2020 created a lot of uncertainty in the wedding and event industry, but 2021 was really the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life. People book wedding vendors pretty far in advance so by early 2020 I already had a mostly full calendar of weddings booked for 2021, and then when the pandemic hit, most of my couples who were supposed to get married in 2020 pushed their weddings back a year, so I ended up having a year of double the work in 2021! I shot 60 or so weddings that year, 9 of them were destination weddings, my life was just a whirlwind but it was amazing to have all of those experiences! Read more>>
Cat Wimer
I wanted to bring people an experience, not just shopping. I wanted everyone to feel like they were welcome and that it was a place that you could enjoy even if you didn’t end up buying anything. I would bring my love of “the hunt” for quirky items by finding products that you didn’t find often and also by housing small artists on consignment and giving them a safe space to get their art out into the world. I’m proud to say that I’ve accomplished that and finally feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be. Read more>>
JaCene Muziq
I am now branching out with my children’s educational character and channel to spread awareness of equality, education, love, kindness, and to give the spotlight to our children of all ages who have different success stories, and to acknowledge their accomplishments rather that be musically academic, or Sports jaja Wrld it’s going to be the next big thing though I’m switching it up. I will always be JaCene Muziq. No one can take that away from me. I am also a very experienced graphic designer. I do pretty much everything from massages to Graphics to Muziq to writing and I also love children. Read more>>
Jess Mossbruger
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—like any big change, there have been challenges along the way! When I left the classroom in September 2022, I knew I wanted to continue helping kids with literacy, but I had no idea how to build a business. I started tutoring in local libraries, but figuring out how to turn that into something bigger felt overwhelming. I had to learn everything from marketing and social media to business management, all while navigating life outside of the classroom. Read more>>
