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.

Bakhtavar (Becca) Desai

I came to Ohio in 2003 with my family and since then we have been in Fairfield. I worked as a public accountant for some years, until i decided to give up my career to become a caregiver to my aging parents and be a full time mom to my three kids. Read more>>

Braisha Owens- Mount

I was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and creativity has always been the foundation of who I am. I spent my childhood immersed in the arts, attending performing arts schools from middle school through high school, where I developed a strong background in visual art. Read more>>

Denise Williams

It all started with my grandmother. She was always in the community helping underprivileged children bringing them home from being outside them and fed them.. They didn’t fit well with me. I was a young woman, and I didn’t feel compelled to help doing those things. But my grandmother says you will help so when grandmother spoke, you would do it. Read more>>

Khadijah Scott

I started HighND officially in 2020 but I have been making wigs since end of 2018. Originally it was just a way for me to eliminate my monthly hair expense but still look good but very quickly women became infatuated with how natural my wigs were. Read more>>

Joshua Price

I have always loved spicy food, and I have also always been a fan of various sauces. When I was a young child, I tasted a family friend’s homemade pepper mustard, and really enjoyed it. It was a taste that I hadn’t had before, and couldn’t forget. Read more>>

Jim Fogarty

In 2001, after a short festival run and an Ohio college tour for my directorial debut feature, and helping secure a State Senate victory for then unknown, Tim Ryan, I founded 2 Ticks & The Dog Productions Inc. and began producing content full time as a visual artist and content creator. Read more>>

Will Trotti

This story could be fascinating to some, I hope it is a light to those that need it. I hope that my story is something of a perspective that will assist others in this life. I was born in 1984 on a frigid blizzard like day in Chicago, to an alcoholic mother. she was actually married to another man that was not my father. Read more>>

LaCole Wynn

I had just lost my job and was worried about how I’d afford gifts for my loved ones with the holidays just around the corner. I was roaming through the craft store when my creative spark said “make candles!” Upon making candles for my mom, dad, grandma and siblings, friends began to ask if I could make candles for their loved ones as well. Read more>>

Ben Gage

If I was asked to share my story, I think I could distill it down to a single word ‘noticing’. If I was then nudged to expand on that single word, I would happily crack it open. For me I think that paying attention to things is a beautiful way to experience life. Read more>>

Nicole Gillota-Brichacek

I grew up baking and cooking with my Grandmothers. After high school, Culinary school felt like the natural next step. I spent three years at Hocking College and graduated with my Culinary & Hotel Restaurant Degrees and a certificate in Classical & Production Baking. I moved to Cleveland Ohio from our rural family farm and bopped around in restaurants either serving or working the line. Read more>>

Ann Walden

CASA originated in 1977 with Judge David Soukup who had the idea to have trained volunteers advocate in court for the best interest of abused and neglected children. CASA of Portage County was launched by Portage County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Patricia Smith in 2021. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Read more>>

ELLYN BRODERICK

I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember–drawing, coloring, singing, dancing, acting, but growing up I was more focused on performing arts versus fine arts. When drawing or coloring as a kid I would spend so long just staring at a blank piece of paper, hesitating to start for fear of making a mistake. Read more>>

Melissa Arey

I have always had a passion for creating and an eye for detail. Working as a graphic designer while earning two degrees from the University of Cincinnati, I started my career by designing all kinds of marketing materials for both small and large businesses. Read more>>

Katie Carey

I started out farming and gardening right after college, and I completely fell in love with it. I became obsessed with learning everything I could about growing food and gardening organically, eventually becoming both a Master Gardener and a Master Urban Farmer. Then COVID hit, and suddenly everyone wanted to start a garden—which makes perfect sense in hindsight. Read more>>

Tyla Regan

Growing up, I struggled with insecurities about my appearance. As I got older, I made the decision to turn that pain into purpose. As a plus-size model, I’ve faced countless rejections, but every ‘no’ motivated me to keep going until I earned my first ‘yes.’ Those experiences shaped my resilience and gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of representation. Read more>>

Christi Capozzi

About 9 or 10 years ago, after 6 friends and family members passed away in about 8 months, I found myself in a space where depression was running every part of my life. I was drowning in every way you could imagine. I was desperate for a change and tried something new. Read more>>

Kyle Caplinger

Kyle Caplinger was born on June 10, 1994, in Zanesville, Ohio. Long before he became known as Kappy Tano DF, he was simply a young boy trying to understand a world that often felt chaotic and unpredictable. His earliest years were marked by instability. His father was absent for much of his childhood and wasn’t consistently involved until Kyle was around ten years old. Read more>>

Makayla Boyd

I got into filmmaking in high school after taking a video production class my freshman year. I had always loved writing, and that class showed me how to bring my stories to life on screen. I also got into photography at this time as well. Read more>>

Ashanti McKenney

Started out at a young age being involved in dance, karate, drill team because of my grandma getting me involved in things with her temple she was apart of. Later on joined a singing group and started attending church right after a major oratorical and immediately got involved with T. A. Read more>>

Anna Harouvis

I always joke that being Greek – American I was cooking at birth. Traditionally I was being taught family recipes as early as I could see the counter. Countless weekends spent with my yiayia ( grandmother) teaching me the importance of quality and patience. Read more>>

Tatiana Glozshteyn

My journey has been one of learning, resilience, and a deep passion for helping people live healthier lives. I was born and raised in Russia, where my interest in healthy living began many years ago. After moving to the United States, I started a completely new chapter of my life. Read more>>

Quincy Big Heff Taylor

I started my journey in the music business with the 2nd Generation Ohio Playaz. Started working with Dj Whoo Kid, Mick Boogie, and Dj G Spot. Started doing promotions for Koch Records and I interned for Bone Thugs before that. Read more>>

Amyia Glover

My journey with Nature’s Pleasantries began from a very personal place. I struggled with eczema for years and found that conventional medicine wasn’t giving me the relief I was looking for. That experience led me to explore natural remedies, where I discovered the incredible healing power of herbs and plant-based ingredients. It opened my eyes to a whole new approach to wellness rooted in nature. Read more>>

Judy De Angelis

Music has been a constant part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would rummage through my dad’s record collection and was rarely seen without a pair of headphones. No one in my family was a musician, so finding my path into music wasn’t easy. Read more>>

Sarah (Ladi’ Prowler) Holley

I started wanting to model @ a very young age I love Marilyn Monroe Tyra Banks Dorothy Dandridge my mother was very photogenic. In 2016 I had a conversation with my sister that branched & launched the biggest idea in my head start a free model walk coaching etiquette classes etc. Read more>>

Tim Anderson Jr

After being incarcerated for a shooting in 2014 related to drugs, I came home from prison with the intention of helping the youth in the inner city to steer clear of the penitentiary and worse, the cemetery. Read more>>

Aphrodite Varis

I started with The Fairytale Foundation when I was 14 and a Freshman in High school. My enthusiasm quickly allowed me to become a manager. Me and a fellow volunteer, Elizabeth Kibbey, ran the company when Stephanie went to study abroad, responding to booking emails, creating new costumes and wigs. Read More>>

Jh’ayona Stennies

My journey has always been rooted in service, leadership, and a desire to create opportunities for others. I began my career in healthcare and became a Registered Nurse, where I developed a passion for education, patient advocacy, and helping people navigate critical moments in their lives. Read More>>