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.

David Elmer

I was inspired to start painting after viewing the works of Cincinnati local artist, Priya Rama, who paints what she sees in her migraines. Her colors are astonishing and the imagery is literally cerebral. I asked Priya to do a custom piece for my home and we struck up a friendship. Read more>>

Kristy Steele

I started Save Our Families from a very personal place. After losing my mother, Nita, to an overdose in 2017, I knew I wanted to build something that could reach families dealing with similar experiences. Read more>>

Dawn Austin

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, though for many years I pursued it alongside a more traditional career. Professionally, I built a career in benefits and retirement administration, where I developed skills in operations, compliance, problem-solving, and project management. At the same time, creativity remained a constant thread in my life. Read more>>

Bruce Stebner

Bruce Stebner has been called a Renaissance Man. Drolly claiming to be born with crayons in hand, his first memories are drawing on rolls of paper spread across the length of the living room floor. By the age of 13, he dreamed of becoming a studio potter. Read more>>

Ben Marthey

Music has always been a part of my life, but for most of my adult years it has existed alongside a career in healthcare. I’m a Registered Nurse First Assistant in cardiac surgery, and while I found purpose in helping patients, I also felt a growing need for a creative outlet. Read more>>

Antonette Russell

Being buillied takes a really big toll on your mental. And I vowed to myself to never let it happen again. And since I am an adult I make the rules. Now we have Beauty’s Desire Boutique Read more>>

EMMANUEL BONILLA

My name is Emmanuel Bonilla, founder of Manny Fresh Studio LLC. My journey into photography and videography began in 2014 with a simple passion for capturing meaningful moments and telling stories through images. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a business built on creativity, hard work, and genuine connections with people. Read more>>

Candacia McBride

I went through a personal experience where I had a mental breakdown after escaping abuse and I prayed. I didn’t pray often because I had a lot of questions behind it. That same night I went to sleep and was shown three numbers. I seen them in the dream and when I woke up, I looked them up. Read more>>

Candice Quick

My journey started with a love of cooking and hospitality and a desire to create experiences that make people feel cared for. I spent years working in the hospitality industry, learning not only how to cook but how to connect with people through food. Six years ago, my husband encouraged me to take a leap of faith and launch Mise 33. Read more>>

Devin Brautigam

I started From Above Aerial in 2018. Back then, it was just for fun. I traveled around and snapped photos of people’s hometowns, sunsets and everything freelance. It wasn’t until about 2020 when we started doing full production including weddings. Shortly after that, I won a few accolades that helped me get out there. Read more>>

Tamika Williams

I’ve always been a creative at heart. My undergraduate degree is in Visual Communication Technology with a concentration in Graphic Design, so when I discovered cake decorating, it immediately captured my attention. I was drawn to the artistic side of it—the ability to transform an idea into something both beautiful and edible. Read more>>

Rick H. Jones

I’ve been in the arts my entire life. Mom started me by enrolling me in Saturday morning art classes at age 8 at the Dayton Art Institute. I graduated from Wright State University then earned a MFA in painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art Hoffberger School studying under Grace Hartigan. From there I taught college art for six years. Read more>>

Brie Shortt (White)

I guess the idea of art in my life started young. I can remember my grandfather sitting down and showing me how to draw horses and dogs, and my grandmother always sewing, flower arranging, and teaching me crochet. The ever so inspiring Art, Music, and English teachers of middle and high school years. Music. Read more>>

Dena Wireman

Krave Creamery was born from a passion for creating experiences and bringing people together. In 2020, I purchased and renovated a historic building in downtown Wapakoneta with the vision of adding something unique to our community. After months of planning, construction, and learning the ins and outs of the ice cream business, Krave Creamery opened its doors in October 2021. Read more>>

Walter Martin

I have been doing photography for about 9 years. Before, I was trying to get into the local film industry and I ended up having to put that on hold because I would frequently be working for free on film sets and I needed to find a stable job to help pay for bills. Read more>>

Dr.Dinesh Sunar

I was born in a small village in Khotang, Nepal, where life was filled with challenges and limited opportunities. My childhood was marked by poverty, family struggles, and social discrimination. My parents separated when I was young, and many times I felt alone. Despite these hardships, I never stopped believing that my life could have a greater purpose. Read more>>

Samantha Quallich

My name is Samantha and I am the owner/photographer at Q Photography LLC. This Spring marks my fifth year running my photography company. I am also a school teacher full time and am a mother to three beautiful, energetic boys. I started photography as a hobby and slowly had people starting to ask to take portraits for them. Read more>>

Charity D’Amato

I founded studio Chartreuse after spending the early part of my career working in both corporate and creative environments, including NBC News and Nickelodeon. Those experiences gave me a strong foundation in visual communication, storytelling, and the power of design to connect with people. Read more>>

Gregg W. Mello

Hello there! Professionally, I throw people for a loop, and use my pen name, G. Wayne Mello, but just call me Gregg! I grew up in the coastal town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts where I attended the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and earned my Bachelors in Illustration. Read more>>

Lisa Boyle

The Chocolate Cafe started as a franchise of the South Bend Chocolate Company. We had gotten to know the owner while we lived in South Bend, Indiana from 1997-2000. My husband and I worked on a 2-hour morning TV show and Mark Tarner was a frequent guest of ours on our show. Read more>>

Renèe Roth

From a Festival Discovery to a Thriving Henna Business Sometimes the things that change our lives begin with a simple moment. For me, that moment happened in the summer of 2019 at the Chagrin Falls Art Festival. While walking through the festival, I decided to get my very first henna design. Read more>>

Cole Kaluger

This band started as something our guitarist, Cole, had always wanted to put together. While in music school, he had been writing music on his own while playing in cover bands, performing at school, and working as a musician for hire. When he was out, the focus shifted towards starting an original band, which inevitably became what we are today. Read more>>

Megan Weidle

Growing up I was inspired by two people: Jane goodall and Steve Irwin. With my intense love of nature and animals I was specifically drawn to them and the work they did. This got me into national geographic and the world wildlife fund at the ripe age of 7 years old. Read more>>

Kristen Cox

I’ve loved drawing since I was little, so it was my plan early on to become an illustrator. Creating art for other people has always brought me a lot of happiness, and I have always enjoyed the challenge of drawing or conveying an idea through pictures. Read more>>

destiny sampson

Pretty Intoxicologist started unexpectedly in 2022. At the time, I was heavily into hosting events, and creating memorable girls’ nights and parties for my friends and family. It all began as a joke between my old friends, who would always tell me how good I was at creating experiences, mixing drinks, and bringing people together. Read more>>

Christy Kyte

When I was a sophomore in high school, I broke my collarbone playing rugby. I kept going to games to support my team, and my friend lent me his camera to take a few photos of team. From that, I fell in love with photography, leading me to buy my own equipment and start Christy Kyte Photography in 2024. Read more>>

Amanda Krieg

It took me 39 years to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was a newly divorced single mom working in operations for a major auto manufacturer and was in a disagreement with the accounting manager about how a transaction should be processed. Read more>>

Ryan Taylor

Growing up, I dabbled in a lot of art mediums such as drawing, painting and fiction writing. Creativity was always a part of my upbringing. Fast forward to high school and I took two semesters of film and digital photography. These classes really opened up what using a camera could offer. Read more>>

DAVID WILLIAMS

I was born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where my love for cooking began at the age of 14 under the guidance of my grandfather. Those early lessons taught me that food is more than a meal—it brings people together and tells a story. Read more>>

Constance Sales

I actually never wanted to have a private practice and be a therapist! Someone who knows me very well suggested this years ago and I always pushed back. A few years ago I was offered the opportunity to be a therapist with a small mental health agency in my community. Read more>>

Ebony Donley

My story started as a child. I loved reading and learning new things. I grew up in a print rich environment and spent a lot of time at the library. I come from a family of readers and reading was modeled in my home and the homes of my family members. Read more>>

Carly Gavlak

Ravine’s Edge began with a simple desire to slow down, heal and build something meaningful as a family with nature being the core. What started as a few maple trees, a small hobby, and a love for the outdoors has grown into a working farm centered around faith, family, and stewardship of the land. Read more>>

Brittany Nicole

I’ve always been fascinated with makeup and fashion from a young age. I knew by the time I was in 8th grade I wanted to go into the beauty industry. After watching the show “Face Off” with Ve Neil as a judge and YouTube content creation started to pick up, I knew that’s exactly what I wanted to do. Read more>>

Abigail Hemminger

I opened Salon Front & Center in 2012 in an 800 sq ft second floor studio in downtown Berea,OH. At this time I was a creative director of marketing and education, and an international educator traveling the world teaching advanced education for haircare and hair color companies. Read more>>

Elyse Jones

My journey as a fashion designer started as a friendly joke between friends that unexpectedly turned into a career I truly love. What began as a creative challenge quickly became a passion, inspiring me to pursue fashion design on my own terms. Read more>>

OMARI HITSON

I grew up taking things apart. Not to break them. To understand them. The first camera I ever bought was a Polaroid Highlander. Middle school, maybe $20 on Ebay. I disassembled it on my bedroom floor, put it back together, and sold it for more than I paid. Then I did it again with another camera, and another, trading up each time. Read more>>

Anita Stringfellow

Hi! Well, I worked 35 years at UPS as a part-timer, and it was a great job for our farm and for our family, and I am very thankful for it. When I retired in November of ’24, I was not sure what I wanted to do for the next chapter of my life. Read more>>

Nico Papafil

Our journey to opening Melted Wings Winery started long before we ever had a building, permits, or wine on the shelves. Growing up in a Greek family, wine was always part of bringing people together. Some of my earliest memories are of family gatherings where stories were shared, meals were enjoyed, and homemade wine was poured around the table. Read more>>

Chris Bianchi

I’m a musician, self-made entrepreneur, and father who’s built a career at the intersection of rock music and business. As the founder of CB Entertainment, I work across artist development, marketing, and live events while continuing to create and perform music myself. Read more>>

Cortney Clark

Since I was little, I have always been creative. I started painting my nails with my best friend at age 9. My grandma told me that if I stopped biting my nails, she would take me to the salon for a manicure. Little did I know that would spark my future career. Read more>>

Deaszia Anglen

My name is Deaszia Anglen, a serial entrepreneur proudly born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I am the mother of three amazing children—two sons and a daughter—who inspire me every day to pursue my dreams and build a legacy for my family. While attending college, I began making chocolate-covered treats as a hobby. Read more>>

Karen Ollis

This phase of my career finds me more contemplative than reactionary. Quality matters in the level of work I produce and in the type of projects I accept which allows me more time to create fine art photography and books about Water. My career was one of a winding path with detours and necessary shifts some for economical survival. How the path unfolded wasn’t planned. Read more>>

Andre Sims

I’m a musician. I started very young and I try to add to my craft and better it in as many ways possible. Always looking for new ways to grow and new avenues to take. Read more>>

Matthew Alec

Okay, sounds good. I’ve had a long journey in music. I started on the saxophone in 5th grade following the footsteps of my older brother. He had played the clarinet throughout grade school and had recently acquired a Bundy II alto saxophone so that he could play in our school’s jazz band. Read more>>

Jordano Costanzo

Where I came from, there really wasn’t much opportunity to do something big, and knowing that was intimidating. Throughout school, I had no idea what wanted to do for a career, and that whole “you need to go to college” thing really weighed on me. Read more>>

Stoney deGeyter

I got started in hospitality somewhat by accident. I had a secondary building on my property that I originally used as the office for my digital marketing agency. After selling the company, the building sat mostly unused. I decided to renovate it by separating the upstairs and downstairs into two independent living spaces. Read more>>

Chawnte Fletcher

My story is one of faith, perseverance, family, and growth. Like many people, my journey has not been a straight path. In January 2018, my family experienced a life-changing tragedy when my younger sister, Angel, was shot in the face by her boyfriend on her birthday. She survived, but the incident left her disabled and paralyzed. Read more>>

Adam Smith

We have always butchered our own animals for meat. Our freezers were always full. But we still bought deli meats from the grocery. We have a kid that would eat a pound of store bought deli meat in one sitting. If you have ever looked at an ingredient label for store bought deli meats, you would understand why we started making our own. Read more>>

Danaea Benton

My name is Danaea Benton I am a former pro basketball player. That launched my own positive sportwear line gear initially towards girls in basketball. Now my apparel reached both boys and girls beyond basketball. I also launched Naetivate Basketball Training and have trained over 150 kids. Read more>>

Simba Maswela

The Story Behind Drill4Life In the summer of 2011, a chance meeting between Stacey and 1 began a journey that would ultimately change lives in rural Zimbabwe. I met Stacey after responding to a carpet-cleaning advertisement. Read more>>

Elisa Vietri

I’ve always loved the thrill of the hunt and the stories behind old things. eleven years ago, I turned that passion into reality and opened Moonstruck CLE in Cleveland’s Little Italy. I started as a curated vintage shop for unique clothing and home decor, but over the last decade, we’ve grown into a true neighborhood staple. Read more>>