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.
Jonathan Marc Stein
My biggest obstacle that I am still trying to overcome happened in October 2022. My father went back to Ohio to check on some rental properties he managed and was shot and murdered by one of his tenants. This was the most devastating thing that has ever happened to me. I could not work for months and had no creative ideas to speak of. Eventually I utilized my grief and decided to dedicate a piece in his honor and came up with The DAN/IEL; a convertible leather trench coat named after him with his image in mind. Read more>>
Alejandro Delgado
What started as private journal entries turned into full poems, and eventually, full books. My first poetry book took me three and a half months to finish. It was 120 pages of raw emotion, vulnerability, and healing. From there, my second book took six months. My third book—my most personal and transformative one—took two years. Right now, I’m writing my first novel, and it’s been four years in the making. It’s a slow, powerful process, and I wouldn’t change it for anything. Read more>>
Samantha Fozio
My mom was a teacher in the district for 30 years and I had just recently graduated high school when we began our small business adventure. We saw a need in our town for a place that offered unique, thoughtful gifts – somewhere you could always find something special for any occasion. With the support of our amazing community, what started humbly has grown into the shop we are so proud of today. Every step of the way, our customers have been the center of it all, and we are incredibly grateful to be part of so many celebrations, big and small. Read more>>
Alaina Puff
I began my journey toward becoming a school psychologist over a decade ago, fueled by an unwavering passion to help children reach their fullest potential. I’ve always felt deeply called to be of service—to contribute to something greater and make the world a better place. While that calling hasn’t changed, my path has taught me one of the most important lessons: you can’t truly serve others until you’ve learned to pour into yourself. Read more>>
Nyla Williams
It’s no secret that international experiences are my favorite. But it does not stop there. I am a foodie. I love trying food from all cuisines. Since I just moved to Cleveland, I have been exploring all the food spots. I also enjoy art classes, yoga classes, dance classes, cooking classes, and language learning. I speak Spanish and French. I am a beginner in Portuguese, Akan, and Arabic. I am willing to try anything at least once before forming an opinion. Last but certainly not least, I am a servant of my community. I am a part of school and church groups that focus on community service. I share all of my experiences on Instagram and TikTok (@adventureswnyla). Read more>>
Evan Rogers
I grew up on a lot of 80’s and 90’s rock. My dad is also in a band called White Liger, and that’s their sort of sound too. I also went to school for theatre, so it goes without saying that I love to sing and play onstage. But when the pandemic hit, the future of live performance was called into question a little bit. That’s sort of what called me to start THEFIRSTBOURNE. – I wanted to create and express myself in a more accessible way and I ended up falling in love with it. I started releasing songs, and eventually two EP’s and an album, playing local shows with some good friends and just trying to get better. I’m working on new material again and it’s seriously such a rewarding thing. Read more>>
Rick Rollenhagen
I started carving stone several years after I finished art school. . I took a stone sculpture class at an art center in St Petersburg, Florida, where I’m originally from. Through this class, I developed an intense love for carving stone. Today, I have my studio practice and exhibit in Cleveland, Ohio, and I teach stone carving at the Cleveland Institute of Art Read more>>
Sara Kelly
As a teen and young adult, I had the opportunity to attend the National Leadership Conference in Michigan, a four-year summer program with participants from all over the country, which taught me how to strive for a more balanced life and always aim for my own best self. During those summer conferences, I was exposed to and grew close with individuals of all different backgrounds, and took part in various new experiences, one of which was yoga. Growing up as a dancer, I loved the music-driven movement aspects, but also the mental and emotional benefits I saw. Read more>>
Brittany Lauer, LISW-S
I started my own private therapy practice in 2022. This is not something I ever thought I would do and yet I can’t imagine doing anything else. I was at a social event and the parents were complaining about their jobs, but they said they were stuck because of the benefits, etc. Someone looked at me when I wasn’t chiming in, and said, “You love your job, don’t you?” I do! I am so fortunate to work in a field that comes naturally to me. I’ve never been good at talking about the weather in social settings. I always jump right into getting to know someone below the surface. Now I get to do that for my job! Read more>>
Abby Vice
I’ve been drawn to the piano since I was a little kid. I never truly latched on to reading music or lessons – I hated being told what to play. My mom let me quit lessons, and that’s when I really started jammin’. In high school, I would skip lunch almost every day (because I didn’t really know who to sit with), and sneak into a little closet across from the band room that had an upright piano in it. I’d figure out how to play songs by Dr. Dre, Weezer, Bone Thugs, N Harmony, The Righteous Brothers- the list goes on. One day, I was feeling sad, and so began the never-ending writing of My Classical Song. Read more>>
Lisa Warren
First and foremost, all by the grace of Jesus. Baking has always been a hobby of mine, but never realized it’s been my calling instead. About a year ago, God brought to me the thought of The Good Portion. I, at the time, was not aware that it was his plan for me, but more of a thought for a devotional that was in discussion with a friend about. However, he stumbled me into it during a walk of faith this past year. There has been a fruitful harvest in the calling he has over my bakery and I. Everything I bake is made purely out of love, grace, and prayer. Read more>>
Abra Said
It definitely has not been smooth, the road has been full of struggles, both personal and professional. There have been years where it felt like it was never going to happen and there are still days of doubt or comparison. But I have learned those feelings and thoughts are part of the human experience. Especially when you are creating something different. You just can’t let yourself live in that space forever. You have to process it and then keep working to get yourself to the next level. There is always going to be something hard, but you the more you practice the better you get at navigating what comes your way. Read more>>
Savannah Carroll
In high school I decided to pursue my interest in cosmetology and esthetics and through that experience I realized I loved taking care of people and their wellness needs, rather than offering services that focused on changing them and possibly providing insecurities along the way. During the years I was in cosmetology school, I also endured an abusive relationship and what I began to search for for myself was a spa where I could address my skin’s needs while also getting the opportunity to fully unwind and escape. Read more>>
Brooke Potrzeba
One of the biggest hurdles was starting from scratch. When I founded Impact100 Cleveland, there was no existing framework in our city, no built-in membership, and no guaranteed funding. Fortunately, I was able to leverage the guidance and resources of Impact100 Global, which provided a strong foundation and invaluable insights from other chapters. However, every community is different, and we quickly realized that we needed to shape our chapter in a way that best served Greater Cleveland. Read more>>
Brooke Cowan
The owner was super busy with other things other than being a tattoo shop owner. I decided to leave there. Just to end up back at platinum koi. Went to New Orleans for a little while after my dad passed away for about two weeks. Life changing experience. While I was there I got a chance to get a breath of fresh air. I’ve always loved to travel so I’ve always traveled around. Huntsville has always been a place that I’ve gone back to because it being where I started. Getting started with tattooing was really rough. I remember not being able in the beginning , like in the first couple years, not being able to like pay my bills. Just kind of just all over the place, loving art, but just not knowing how it can make me money to be able to survive off of or to make a living. Read more>>
Charles Levert
Being a huge fan of science fiction and comics, I attended my first Wizard World, fandom and comic convention is 2015 in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. That is where I met Super Heroes To Kids In Ohio. I followed them and their mission to help children and families that are going through difficult adversities. I joined them in 2017 with the desire to turn my cosplay into “cause-play”. After a few years, I was ask to be a board member. After several years, I convinced my wife Debra, to join the organization. I found a way to use my superhero costumes to deliver youth and family messages at my church. Read more>>
Monique McGhee
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. Since COVID, it’s been one hardship after another, including the tragic loss of my son and countless other challenges. Losing loved ones really puts things into perspective. His memory gives me the strength and courage to keep moving forward, even on days when I feel like quitting. Read more>>
Loi Ly
Living in the U.S. hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced many challenges, especially with the cost of living. I have to take care of all my expenses on my own, so I’m currently looking for a job to support myself and to keep my passion for music alive. Sometimes, my English isn’t perfect, but I’m always trying to improve. No matter how hard things get, I won’t give up on my dream. Read more>>
Lauren Sanford
Without naming any names, I’ll just say everyone who is skilled in esthetics is skilled in owning a salon with employees. I decided to go out on my own because I could not keep working under people I did not trust. I wanted to make the decisions in my career; to charge a reasonable price and provide quality work while treating people with kindness and respect. I started my own business because I wanted a serene place to work with none of the drama or chaos and I have never looked back. For anyone in this industry who is in a toxic work situation (there are so so many) who’s afraid to go out on their own, make the jump it’ll be the best thing you ever do. Read more>>
Janasia Kantrel
One of the biggest challenges I have faced is my lack of professional experience since I am completely self-taught. There are still techniques I have not learned, which makes it difficult to execute certain designs. Because of this, I sometimes have to turn down client requests that are beyond my current skill set. Finances have also been a major hurdle. As a full-time undergraduate student and part-time worker, money is constantly being allocated to different expenses, making it difficult to invest in my business. In the beginning, turning a profit was especially hard, as every dollar I made often had to go right back into materials, equipment, or other necessities. Read more>>
Marshall Hull
Eventually after making a few different bands that had their own life span and moving to the Cincinnati, Oh area I made Marz Hall as a way to make my own music on my own terms. Marz Hall has branched out into what it has become today through all the trails and errors and most important still has the same love and passion it had when I started doing music. Music that I want to write and put out that I love, stories that I have been through and things I want to share with the world because it has helped me. I believe it can help others as well. Music has done that for me and I want to give back that same feeling. Read more>>
Allisa Alexander
We have learned so much along the way with so many different things. Learning new things and ways to run the business and grow as a whole. We have learned a lot and spent a lot to know where we are now and still continue to learn everyday and all through out the years ahead of us. Read more>>
Gabe Tesar
What sets us apart? Attention to detail, premium products, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. We don’t just wash cars; we treat every vehicle like our own, ensuring a flawless finish that lasts. Whether it’s a deep interior clean, a high-gloss exterior polish, or a protective ceramic coating, we offer services that keep your ride looking fresh and well-maintained. Read more>>
Emma Hite
It wasn’t until I started looking at colleges in high school that I realized there was no other option for me- art was the only path I would feel fulfilled and successful in. I had also grown up always trying anything I could get my hands on. Whether that be painting, print making, sculpture, welding, etc etc. you name it- I did it. I have really ran with that as well now that I am in my third year in college. I have never focused on one medium, but rather I am making sure I am well rounded in multiple areas to keep myself well informed and competent when it comes to working on different projects. Read more>>
Casey Monda
I spent my early career at Christie’s and Hindman before pursuing my MA at Case, teaching at CIA, and then starting my advisory practice in 2021. I never dreamed I would end up in Cleveland with a passion for the art collecting community here. Thanks to our world-class arts institutions like CMA and moCa, I think Clevelanders have an innate sense of and appreciation for great art but difficulty when it comes to buying art within a private collecting budget. We are not all living with Monet and Pollock! My goal is to show people that great art exists in many forms and at all price points. I’m here to help you find it! Read more>>
Meredith Florkey
We are asking the big question, “What if every child in the Miami Valley had a deep connection to nature?” By asking a question and activating all of our stakeholders, families, and partners in this question, we avoid having a dusty vision on the top of our letterhead and are able to wonder what our world would be like in that reality. Then we are able to create a trail map that helps us move together towards that vision. Read more>>
Samantha Willi
I was born and raised in the Cleveland area and attending Baldwin-Wallance for my undergad. I graduated from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana with Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Psychology. I knew that my goal was to return to the Cleveland area. Early in my career, I worked in community mental health and realized that many of the systems in place didn’t align with my values and the level of care that I wanted to provide. This experience pushed me to create something different and I started CLE Counseling and Wellness Center. My mission has and will always be making high-quality mental health services more accessible for everyone. Read more>>
Robin McCann Tamar Brecher
Building a business and literally building a brick and mortar always comes with struggles. During our initial build-out we dealt with several scenarios where we felt we were treated differently as women- which was eye opening. And of course, COVID hitting after we had only been open 18 months threw a huge curveball our way. We were forced to get a shoppable website up and working quickly, pivet our offerings as people were not attending milestone occasions that required gifts and deal with the reality of running a business and paying bills during a pandemic. But, we survived and learned a lot! Read more>>
Hanah Lynch
Yes and no. Makeup and hair styling is an art that takes alot of practice. I am fully self- taught, and in the beginning it wasn’t always easy. I received no’s, critiques, etc. as anyone would. I took those situations as learning experiences and always kept working towards my goal of being a full time hair and makeup artist. Theres still styles that get thrown my way that I’m not fully trained in, but that’s what makes it fun! You never know what styles someone will request! Read more>>
Aaron Carlson
Soon enough, what was meant to be an hour of practice one day would start to easily turn into an inspired songwriting session on my crappy laptop my mom bought me for school that could barely run Logic Pro. I had seemingly “forgot” I had a mental disorder with how immersed I would get into crafting a song. I would take these songs that I had made to different producers in the area who my oldest brother had connected me with and have them finish them for me, and before I knew it I seemed to start finishing those songs by myself and sending them out for mixing, closing the gap on the scary unknown that had led me to send out my songs in the first place through endless repetition with endless trial and error. Read more>>
Heather Hughes
When we purchased the building uptown in 2022; it was located next to a very busy coffee shop which was one of the reasons that I purchased the building; only to have that coffee shop close just a few months after we opened. Luckily for us we had already established a loyal client base so were ok; we did end up cutting back our days open from Tuesday to Saturday to Thursday to Saturday. We did this due to the lost of foot traffic after the coffee shop was closed. 2 coffee shops later and we now have another new coffee shop next to us that is thriving and we are excited for the possibilities that will bring to our business as well as the rest of the businesses Uptown. Read more>>
Rekira Luketic
In 2016, I opened my first studio space, which marked the beginning of my journey into self-employment. That studio started small and was a stepping stone that eventually led to the evolution of my brand. I began photographing weddings in 2018, and over time, I found myself drawn more and more to the connection and storytelling that came with that part of the industry. As my love for wedding photography grew, I eventually stepped away from studio portrait work and began offering my studio as a creative rental space for other photographers. Read more>>
Jimmy Alexander
Unrivaled started as a passion project for myself. I wanted to create music that I genuinely enjoy listening to. The band officially started in 2019 when I added Austin Pflum on drums and Paul Lipps on bass. We played various shows during that year, including opening for the Red Jumpsuit Apperatus and Eyes Set to Kill. Read more>>
Jeremy Bryner
Towards the end of my time in school I found I could really do something with my passion and eye for photography. I would be at some racing event a couple times a month learning more skills and making long term connections. Out of college it was a constant process of learning on my own how to start a real business with clients. Some of these content opportunities include John Force Racing, Lexus Racing USA, Race Across America, Brock’s Performance, Peak Auto, Blue Def, Forgeline Wheels, and many more. Read more>>
Loretta Thompson
I worked in Rescue for over 30 years and always had a love for animals since I was a little girl. I always took the more challenged dogs with behavior issues, fostered for many rescues in Ohio and a few out of state. In 2022 I was physically hit by a car and 3 of my dogs also got diagnosed with cancer that year. I knew I had a road ahead of me and could barely take care of myself much less a pack of 12 dogs. I didn’t know how I was going to care for any of them and I honestly didn’t want to live anymore thinking that I had failed them. Read more>>
Mayah Williams
I got involved with working on political campaigns during the 2020 Presidential election along side my reign as Miss Junior. As I got more involved in the community, I had the opportunity to meet so many different powerful leaders. I have met Mayor Benjamin, Judi Gaston, Michelle Kwan, Representative Gilda-Cobb Hunter, Representative Terry Alexander, Senator Ronnie Sabb, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Bernie Sanders, and even President Joe Biden. I had the opportunity to donate to the Obama Foundation and received an autograph thank you letter from Barack and Michelle Obama. I made it my business to enter into law school to learn more about politics and business law. Read more>>
Keith
Papa was born in 1917 and lived a life of selfless service until he passed away at 94. He was a servant leader in the truest sense—working tirelessly to support his family, uplift his community, and do good wherever he could. I spent so much of my life watching him work and wanting to help. He believed work was meant to be joyful, purposeful, and generous—and that left a permanent imprint on me. Read more>>
Casey Jennings
I started TikTok in 2018 as a viewer. In 2019 I started posting more often as an outlet for my creative side. I didn’t start growing as a creator until 2021, where I had several videos go viral where I was lip syncing to popular audios. I shifted my content to be more “lifestyle” vlogs and now I get to showcase my daily life on my channel. I love showcasing all of the amazing things that Cincinnati has to offer! Read more>>
Alexis Schuster
There were times that I thought I might lose everything. I relocated my business across states and had to rebuild my clientele from scratch. I was almost convinced to dissolve my business- almost handed it over to someone who wanted to take credit for what I’d created. I’ve trusted the wrong people, entered partnerships that didn’t align, and been stolen from- creatively, financially, and literally. But I’ve learned. I now know how to set boundaries, protect my work, and stay rooted in my values and true to myself. Read more>>
Courtney Coleman
The road has been anything but smooth. My move from Chicago was unexpected and sudden. A difficult transition. My first teaching job here was a bad fit. It was also my first time living without roommates. I was homesick and lonely. Honestly a little traumatized by events on either side of my move. That first year in Cincinnati is not one I care to repeat. But it has steadily gotten better. Being involved in a great church, the art scene here in Cincinnati through Essex Studios, and finding a teaching job I really enjoy have all helped. Read more>>
Kenzie Faith
My journey into sunless tanning really started with something deeply personal. My mom was diagnosed with skin cancer, and it completely shifted how I thought about sun exposure and how I cared for my skin. I had always loved that sun-kissed glow, but I realized the risks just weren’t worth it. In search of a safer alternative, I turned to sunless tanning — first self-tanner, then spray tans — and I was hooked. But, it wasn’t just about the tan; it felt incredible to protect my skin from UV exposure, while still achieving that fresh, radiant glow. That’s when I realized I could share that feeling and experience with others. Read more>>
Staysha Jones
I’m open to helping anyone with commitment and a goal, I’ll do the rest: My plan is to get more involved with the youth. I feel that it is super important that we learn to eat healthy, exercise and stay active at a young age. Especially with the new era of social media, and electronics it’s not as easy as it was when I was a kid. My goal is that any and everyone feels welcomed, I want to give individuals hope and help them become healthier. Read more>>
Finy Gelato
well. I had a few celebrity club bookings I attended as a celebrity fashion stylist making sure there were no wardrobe malfunctions. Cincinnati has not always been so kind to me on the business side but I stay humble and I do appreciate the ones who have been and who have supported me throughout this entire journey. I’m super excited to see what opportunities the year 2025 has in store for me. Read more>>
Sharon Dundee
I received my BFA from Youngstown State University (YSU), where I pursued two divergent paths – painting/art history and graphic design/desktop publishing – the latter became my main career focus for over 30 years. Additionally, I brought my career experience and inspiration to students at YSU as part of the adjunct faculty in design and typography. I continued my painting and collage practice behind the scenes over the years until 2020. When COVID hit, and the world was locked down, I saw it as an opportunity to immerse myself in my practice without distraction. Since then, and into retirement, I have turned my full attention to creating art and teaching. Read more>>
Jesse Fellows
The first step was securing a location. After speaking with several people, Crossroads Church caught the vision and generously offered us the use of their Multi-Purpose Room, allowing us to renovate it as needed. We began work on August 2, 2023—installing sound, lighting, and transforming the space. With our first show scheduled for the first Saturday of 2024, we had five months to bring everything together. Read more>>
Julia Kang
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to hair, makeup, and fashion. It’s always been more than just a passion—it’s a part of who I am. But growing up, my parents didn’t quite see it that way. They dreamed of me becoming a doctor or a lawyer, so I enrolled in community college to follow the path they wanted. I made it through one quarter before realizing I just couldn’t picture myself sitting at a desk, working in corporate, and feeling unfulfilled. Read more>>
Mari Conte
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. I had to figure out everything from sourcing materials to ensuring the quality of every piece I carry, all while managing the business side of things. including social media and booking events. Pop-up events and private parties are the cornerstone of my business. They allowed me to not only showcase my work but also form connections with my customers and other local businesses in the community. The smiles and stories shared make every effort worthwhile. Read more>>
Keith Wampler
I started playing music when I was in High School playing in local bands with friends from 2005 – 2009 which is when the band I was in started touring. I was getting to see the whole U.S. playing Metal music and I was instantly hooked. When I split with that band in 2011 I founded The Convalescence which has grown into more than I could have ever asked for over the past 14 years. Since then our music has reached the Billboard Charts, ITunes Charts, U.S. Radio Charts, and has reached several million streams across multiple platforms. The band has performed over 1,000 shows in 16 countries and is showing no signs of slowing down. Read more>>
Emily Collins
I started being involved in the agriculture industry as a young child. My passion for the industry only grew as I aged. I exhibited livestock and horses at the county fair, which is where I met my now husband, Kelton. We graduated high school after many years of showing livestock and growing our cattle business, and pursued degrees in agriculture/animal based fields at Morehead State University. When we moved back home to McArthur in 2020, we moved to his family farm and began operations here. We were blessed with beautiful twin daughters in 2022 and will be welcoming our 3rd farm hand, a son, in 2025. We strive to be involved in our community and offer trusted, local products and livestock right from our family farm. Read more>>
Brock Kaeferle
As a small business, one of the biggest struggles has been determining the best rentals to invest in without overextending the budget. The process of choosing items that will appeal to customers while staying within financial limits is no easy task. Each decision has to be strategic—investing in popular, high-demand rentals that make sense for the market and, most importantly, can fuel future growth. Read more>>
Hillary Hahn
The dog warden had been called but due to a high volume of calls that day, it would be quite a while before anyone was going to be able to come get her and give her the care she so obviously needed. We decided to go scoop her up and get her to Cincinnati Animal CARE so that she could start getting help and truly, the rest is history. Her story made national news! PETA even got involved! The shelter took pristine care of her and as soon as she was available to foster, we were first on the list! Her adoption was a no brainer and she, Cooper as we have named her, will be turning three this May! Read more>>
Amanda Ferrari
Through all of the ups and downs, I never lost my love for flowers. I completed the University of Vermont Master Gardeners program, the Floret workshop, and began growing from seed and learning about all-things-flowers ever since. It wasn’t until 2024 I went all-in. Michael built a flower (or flour) cart, which we roll-out with blooms and bread every Saturday and Sunday. We are thrilled to be entering our second season! Read more>>
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>>
