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.
Benjamin Schrader
Benjamin Schrader is the General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Akron, where he brings a wealth of experience and a passion for hospitality to his role. With a remarkable career spanning over decades, Benjamin has excelled as a traveling culinarian and an Executive Chef, showcasing his culinary talents across the United Kingdom, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Read more>>
Timothy Trammell
Trammell’s Lawncare began its journey in 2020, rooted in a passion for landscaping and a commitment to quality service. As a family-owned and operated business, we recognized the need for reliable and professional lawn care in our community. With a strong work ethic and a dedication to customer satisfaction, we started offering a range of services, including mowing, edging, and landscaping. Read more>>
Alexandra Mathes
Mathes Marketing Co. Simply amplify. Following the footsteps of my late grandmother, Carol. her passion for entrepreneurship was always something I admired and aspired. A college graduate during the world’s pandemic, 2020, landed a dream job at a marketing agency just months after graduating. This experience gave me the hands-on learning and concepts of how to be successful. Read more>>
Vicki Gliha
For 23 years, I was the Transportation Director for public schools—what I lovingly called the ‘School Bus Boss.’ I made sure thousands of kids got to school safely every day, navigating routes across all kinds of neighborhoods. Read more>>
Myles Elliott
I was born here in Cincinnati, and when I was in high school, I took an interest in photography. Once I graduated, I actually put my camera down to join the Army, and 30 days before my ship date to boot camp, I got diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Since then I’ve been playing music and taking photos since. Read more>>
Christina Holloway
From a young age, I envisioned owning a shop, though I was uncertain about the type of shop but during visits to the hairdresser, I realized my passion was for the beauty industry to establish a salon. Read more>>
Jennifer Boyd
1840 Manor House, an upscale and unique venue located in Copley, Ohio. The property dates back to 1840 and was owned by the Miller family until it was purchased by the Boyd’s. The Boyd’s spent two years renovating the property, carefully preserving its original charm while adding new, updated, and modernized amenities. Great detail was taken to maintain the original beauty of the property. Read more>>
Julia Walters
Hello! My name is Julia Walters, proud owner of Ever After Entertainment! I’m a 21-year old entrepreneur, student, performer, educator, and LOVER of making magic for little ones and their families! I started Ever After Entertainment in January of 2025 (we celebrated our first birthday!) with a team of 5 performers from Wright State University’s BFA Musical Theatre and Acting programs. Read more>>
Chelsea Hagy
I knew I wanted to be a mental health counselor from my first day of undergrad. I have always been passionate about helping others, deep conversation, and meaningful moments. And the more I do this work, the more I love it. I have always looked at therapy as a sacred space. Read more>>
Keith Sturgeon
My introduction to pinstriping began about ten years ago in a garage, while a friend and I were customizing a motorcycle. Surrounded by tools, paint, and spare parts, I noticed his pinstriping brushes and asked about the technique. We started laying lines on leftover motorcycle parts, and in that moment, something clicked. I was hooked. Read more>>
Jenna Clark
In 2024 I was having some health issues which really sparked wanting to do what I love for a living. I have always been a very organized person and after helping a few family members I knew that there was definitely a need for all types of people. Read more>>
Justice Schricker
Resonance Theory is the brainchild of myself and my partner Jourdahn Williamson. After being in the scene for over 10 years and accumulating experience in the audio engineering and event curation industry, we decided to create our own LLC and purchased a high-fidelity Danley Sound Labs sound system. We work as an audio production company that also carefully crafts curated events. Read more>>
Jessica Lenzi-Bucco
I grew up without a father, and by the time I was 19, my life was forever changed when my mother died by suicide. Losing her at such a young age left me carrying an overwhelming amount of grief, trauma, and unanswered questions. Without the support or tools to process that pain, my mental health deteriorated rapidly. Read more>>
Dannielle Chapman
My journey began with a genuine love for hair and a deep desire to help people feel confident in themselves. What started as a creative passion quickly became a purpose. Read more>>
Samantha Ryai
When I was 16 I had the opportunity to attend cosmetology school while still completing high school. I was not really sure which career path I wanted to dedicate my studies too, so I decided to take this opportunity and have my cosmetology license as a backup plan. Read more>>
Brandon Ramsey
In about 2015 I wanted to apply to go to a culinary arts school but my loans weren’t paid off from a previous school. 5 years later covid happened and it had me thinking of professions that I could do anywhere in the world and thats not replaceable.( Also the movie Chef was a big inspiration)It brought me back to culinary. Read more>>
Benjamin Young
I began painting in December 2023, with no formal art background beyond an eighth-grade class. I did take some years of private school in adolescence at the Canton Art Institute. Mainly, I just ran across an old Crayola watercolor palette one day and decided to give it a try. Read more>>
Eric Peruci
I started tattooing over ten years ago in Brazil, where I built my foundation as an artist through dedication, discipline, and a constant desire to improve. From the beginning, tattooing was never just a job for me — it was a craft, a responsibility, and a way to tell stories through art. Read more>>
Troy Civic Theatre
Dr. Bruce Scranton and David Ross hatched the idea for a local theatre one summer evening in 1965. It had been discussed before by some of the founders of TCT, but it took Bruce and Dave to get things going. The first meeting drew an attendance of 65 interested people. Read more>>
Faith Krakowski
I’ve always loved taking photos, and while I was in college, I decided to turn that passion into a photography business. I officially became licensed in September of 2022 and began building my brand through a website and social media, focusing on weddings, portraits and events. Read more>>
Jennifer Alexander
After graduating from The Western Hills School of Beauty in 2009 as a licensed Advanced Esthetician I began my journey with a prominent Day Spa in Cincinnati. This early training allowed myself to master various treatments such as Microdermabrasion & Hydra Facial. , I have always been creative so I wanted to tap into that. Read more>>
Bill Robinson
After selling Hotel Millersburg, which I owned with my wife Shirley, we decided to relocate to Sandusky. We had been aware of Sandusky due to relatives who lived in the area, and due to my having managed extensive real estate in the area. Also, I personally enjoy living in a tourist area. Read more>>
Brittany Claus
Growing up my mom and I were very poor living in a trailer park when we sometimes had our gas on and sometimes not so before school my senior year I would have to go to my friends house to shower. Read more>>
Travis J. Winters
My name is Travis J. Winters. I am the owner of Younique Fashion and Image Consulting, Inc. which is based in Philadelphia, PA, where I currently reside. Read more>>
Dani Altieri Marinucci
For 25 years, I created realism and portrait art with meticulous detail. Now, I’m riding out on a completely different creative adventure with DAMFunArt – where gel plates, pareidolia, and pure fun have replaced my old rules. Read more>>
Jenny Pavlak
I started my photography business as a new mom with a camera, capturing the sweet, fleeting moments of friends welcoming their babies. Before photography, I was a teacher, but when I became a mother, I knew I was called to stay home and pour into my family during those early years. Read more>>
Sara Donnelly
I got into the chiropractic field with a desire to help people who are struggling. I believe emphatically in the body’s innate ability to heal and i see health through a holistic lens. Chiropractic philosophy aligns well with a holistic mindset. I worked for six years in larger, high volume clinics and had the opportunity to treat an incredibly diverse population of patients. Read more>>
Sierra Hairston
Chef Hairston is a Toledo native, and is a two-time culinary school graduate — graduating from the Columbus Culinary Institute at Bradford School in 2013 and attending Owens Community College for culinary arts in 2015. She said she wanted to attend both schools to sharpen her skills, but to also see the difference between the two programs. Read more>>
Jasmine Huertas
My story has never followed a straight line—it’s been built season by season, rooted in family, faith, and a deep desire to create something meaningful. Some readers may remember my husband and I from our work with Cusina Maya Cookware, where we shared the story of building a family-run business that honors his Guatemalan heritage and my Italian roots. Read more>>
Nikita Collier
I grew up watching my dad run his construction company. He used to take me to construction sites when he was building homes, and that is where entrepreneurship started for me. My dad has always been my hero, and he set the example I wanted to follow. I started my first business around eight years old selling homemade greeting cards. Read more>>
Martinus Sumbaji
I have been interested in the world of art, especially painting, since I was little, sometimes I am chosen to represent the school in drawing. Since graduating from high school, I started to get serious about painting, learning a lot on my own, while making money from art by painting photos or orders. Read more>>
