Hidden Gems: Local Businesses & Creatives You Should Know

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.

Andrea Sherman

I’m a working mom of three with a full-time career, and much of my life revolves around supporting my kids—whether that’s coaching their sports teams or keeping up with their many activities. Read more>>

Erika Piland

Like many college students, I changed majors a few times. However, once I took an undergraduate law course, I knew I was hooked. I asked my professor to recommend books on legal practice so I could explore the possibility further. After reading those, I knew I was heading to law school. Read more>>

Eric Castle

I started in 2021 after a friend’s suggestion to formalize my animal care experience. With 8 years on the Marion Area Humane Society board and as a long-time animal welfare advocate, I launched in-home pet sitting Your Pet’s Companion (YourPetsCompanion.com). Today, I have over 5 years of professional experience, more than 10 clients and growing, providing compassionate, customized care to pets in central Ohio. Read more>>

Vivien Schapera

I was born in Cape Town, South Africa and when I met my husband, Neil, he told me that he wanted to emigrate to the USA. This seemed like a fine idea to me, the only problem was that it is not that easy to get a green card. Read more>>

Ziba Jadidalsalam

Before Routine Med Spa became a name, it was a vision—one rooted in family, resilience, and quiet determination. In 2011, Ziba and her family arrived in the United States carrying more than luggage—they carried ambition, hope, and the kind of dream that demands courage. It was her mother, Feri, who first brought that dream to life. Read more>>

Amber Baker

The journey to starting Stretch + Thrive began when I made the decision later in life to return to school for physical therapy. I’ve always been fascinated by the body and its ability to do extraordinary things. During my time working in outpatient physical therapy, I gained invaluable experience and truly enjoyed helping people become the best version of themselves physically. Read more>>

Kelley Brown

Hank a yarn boutique will celebrate 15 years as a Local yarn shop this June! It was orignally founded by 5 owners who shared a passion for quality yarn, and knitting and desired to provide a place to not only find beautiful fibers but also be able to take classes to learn how to knit, with a special focus on sweaters. Read more>> 

Dwayne Hunter

I want to take you back to when I was five years old. That was the moment my life changed forever. I lost my mother to gun violence. She was only nineteen years old. Nineteen. She had me when she was just fourteen, and even though her time here was short, her impact on my life has lasted forever. Read more>>

Bart Gabbard

I got into this business the same way a lot of people do, but I stayed in it for very different reasons. I started as a homebrewer after an old friend bought me a kit. What started as curiosity turned into a love and an obsession pretty quickly, and that eventually became a career. Before beer, I was a hospitality professional. Read more>>

Chase Cooper

We started the same way many great ideas begin: two brothers in a kitchen making spaghetti one saturday night laughing about one of my brother, Nate’s, many business ideas. One thing led to another and since we both had been talking about buying a golf simulator for ourselves.., it hit us! Read more>>

Christine Evans

We are a 3rd generation, family owned and operated vineyard in the countryside of Fairfield County in Amanda, Ohio. Our story began as our uncle started a vineyard three years before retiring in hopes of starting a tasting room. 6 months after he retired and moved onto the property to wait for his home and tasting room to be completed, he tragically passed away. Read more>>

Jeffery Chaddock

I was adopted as a baby – 6 months of age. I grew up in Belpre Ohio, of modest means. I am gay, dyslexic, and colorblind, so my whole life I have felt different. In Boy Scouts, I quickly discovered capitalism…. Read more>>

Luke Tull

I’ve been drawn to technology for as long as I can remember. Around age 10, I took apart my first computer just to figure out how it worked—and I’ve been hooked ever since. Growing up, I spent a lot of time gaming and eventually started building my own computers, which turned into a deeper curiosity about software, systems, and how everything connects. Read more>>

Michael Swanson

I started A-Wing Visuals two days after I graduated college — no clients, no studio, no safety net. Just a camera and a belief that great video could change how businesses grow. For the first six years I ran everything solo — sales, shooting, editing, client calls, invoicing. Read more>>

IZZY SCHACHNER

During the 1990s, Jay Leitson worked at his family’s restaurant, and while the business was successful, Leitson found himself wondering what it would be like to try something different. He craved a fresh concept that no one else had attempted. His mind buzzed with ideas, but one stood out: making the salad the star of the menu. Read more>>

Ross Miller

I started customizing cars over 30 years ago. I changed the sound system in my mother’s car before I could even drive. I joined the Navy and was trained in electronics. Read more>>

Athena Moulopoulos

My story didn’t start with a business plan—it started with a gap I kept seeing over and over again. I spent years in the hospitality industry, where I learned how to create experiences, build systems, and lead people—but I also saw firsthand how many people were running on empty. Long hours, high stress, poor nutrition, no real support. Read more>>

Katlin Hall

I am a Speaker, Learning and Development professional and an improvisation enthusiast. At a young age, I loved presenting and speaking in school. After graduating from Miami University Farmer School of Business, I began my career consulting on learning and development programs at CEB, now part of Gartner. Read more>>

Bethany MacLean

From Silence to Service: How the Mysteries of Life Guided My Journey. For as long as I can remember, I have been captivated by the ‘unseen’ side of existence. My original inspiration for this business didn’t come from a textbook or a boardroom; it came from a lifelong fascination with healing and the profound mysteries of life. Read more>>

Contrell Alford

My journey is rooted in resilience, growth, and a commitment to changing the narrative around both business and community. I was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, where I learned early on the value of hard work, faith, and perseverance. Like many, my path wasn’t linear—I’ve faced challenges, setbacks, and moments that tested me. But those experiences ultimately shaped my perspective and drive. Read more>>

Colleen Hess

I started my career in healthcare as a dental hygienist, where I spent years working closely with patients and developing a strong foundation in precision, attention to detail, and client care. While I loved building relationships and helping people feel confident in their smiles, I always felt pulled toward something more creative and entrepreneurial. That’s what led me to permanent makeup. Read more>>

Kenda Moss

As I began the process of healing from Childhood trauma a search for organizations that could help began. When I discovered that Eve Center had a program: HATCH–Healing Abuse Through Christ’s Help–I was hooked. Read more>>

Dr. Steven Crane

I’m a United States Marine Corps Veteran, and my transition out of the military was rough. I ended up homeless for a period of time, trying to figure life out while also fighting the VA for benefits I knew I had earned. What hit me early on was how confusing the system is. It is not simple. It is not intuitive. Read more>>

Carlton Seward

I started my career in the countertop industry as an installer, where I gained hands-on experience with fabrication, delivery, and installation standards. Read more>>

Megan Mitchell

I grew up with a mom who cherishes memories more than anything and always had a camera ready to snap photos whether it was family Christmas or us playing in the kiddie pool. When I was in elementary school I won my first digital camera from a raffle and took it everywhere with me. Read more>>

Jordan McBride

I grew up in Bellefontaine—back when it was lined with empty storefronts and a trip for great food or shopping meant driving over an hour. I couldn’t wait to leave after graduation, and I found my way to The Ohio State University. In 2013, I met my husband, and we quickly jumped into family life while living in Columbus. Read more>>

Nicole Wheeler

I started in the salon industry at 17, working the front desk while balancing school, sports, and life. I originally planned to pursue biomedical engineering, but everything shifted after attending a hair show in Dallas—I fell in love with the industry. That experience pushed me to take the leap into beauty school, and from there, I never looked back. Read more>>

Carol Borkoski

in 1991 I started working with the angels and knew it was time for me to end the business I was involved in. I started with meditation and supporting people to connect with their angels and share stories. Then started hand crafting angels and selling them all over the world. Another insight came the angels needed a voice. Read more>>

Kiki Avalos

Working in my dad’s restaurant was my very first job, so you could say that I’ve grown up in the hospitality industry. It wasn’t until I was pursuing my BFA that I began bartending but I’ve continued to do so for the past fourteen years. My service experience is varied and well balanced, ranging from fine dining restaurants to a karaoke night club. Read more>>

Yavonne Sarber

My journey into the restaurant industry started with a deep foundation in fine dining, where I had the opportunity to work with incredible teams at concepts like Handke’s Cuisine and Morton’s of Chicago. Those experiences shaped my standards early on—discipline, attention to detail, consistency, and an uncompromising commitment to the guest experience. Read more>>

Evie Schaffer

I have always been inlove with music, and the way it connects the listener. I picked up guitar in the summer of 2023, and within 3 months I started playing my own gigs. Throughout these 3 years, ive built a band, played New York City, and traveled all over the Midwest and East Coast. Read more>>

River Galentin

I found my love for photography when I was in middle school. Everything started with my great appreciation for nature, and I took photos of flowers and trees on my phone all of the time. A few years back, I was gifted my first camera, a Nikon D90, and that got me going. Read more>>

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>>