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.

Jonathan Yates

It was writing that led me into standup comedy, as it had done for so many other endeavors. Writing is my passion; and has, many times, been my profession. I was working on a script that had a comedy scene. I wanted to try out the jokes before a live audience. At that time, November 2021, I was living in Chapel Hill, NC. Read more>>

Darius Chambers

I’m Darius Chambers, a podcast host, producer, entrepreneur, and creative from Akron, Ohio. I’ve always been passionate about giving people a voice and creating conversations that matter. That passion led me to build Black Legacy Productions and launch the What The Shit?! Read more>>

Mariano Longo

Mariano Longo grew up in NE Ohio and worked locally in the in the music business before moving to Las Vegas for a 30+ year career as a Pianist / Arranger / Conductor. He worked with many of the national touring artists appearing in showrooms and concert stages in Las Vegas and on their tours worldwide. Read more>>

Tom Nicoli

I grew up in the Boston area, and if you had asked me years ago what I’d be doing today, hypnosis and performance & mindset coaching probably wouldn’t have been on the list. Before entering the profession of hypnotism, I was a dental technician specializing in crown and bridge work and implantology. Music was also a huge part of my life—and still is. Read more>>

Blair Everett

I’ve always been drawn to work that brings people together and creates meaningful opportunities for others to make a difference. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about building programs, strengthening organizations, and finding ways to turn big ideas into lasting impact. Read more>>

Tiffany Mushrush

Geauga Fresh Farmers’ Market was started in 2002 by a grassroots group of local community members who all shared the same goal to provide local produce, meat, eggs and other local goods to their community. In our 24th season, the market has seen highs and lows, but the support of our local community has never waivered. Read more>>

Jamila Bowens

My love for yoga started just about 4 years ago after I lost my grandmother to stage 4 pancreatic cancer . Not only did I find myself in a dark place but I was truly lost and broken she was everything to me and my family and I just thought I couldn’t do it without her. Read more>>

Rebecca Loomis

My story with the arts starts as a child doing crafts with my Mom and sister. My mom stayed home with us and always enjoyed facilitating craft time! We did all sorts of projects together, and she also shared two of her best skills- sewing and playing the piano. Read more>>

David Caver

Hailing from Elyria Ohio , David “DC” Caver has shaped the local music scene since 1978. Founded DC N COMPANY DJ SERVICE IN 1993- one of Lorain County’s most recognized DJs. Now operating DCNCOMPANYRADIO.COM as the urban specialist with LIVE BROADCASTS shout-out segment,exclusive interview and hot topics Read more>>

Annie Gabriel

My crochet journey began with a chance encounter during my childhood. I must have been elementary school-aged when I first encountered the mesmerizing art of crochet. One sunny afternoon, while playing in the park, I noticed an older woman sitting on a bench with a hook and yarn in her hands. Read more>>

Logan Pride

My journey has been one of faith, perseverance, and purpose. I grew up in Twinsburg, Ohio, where I learned the value of hard work, leadership, and serving others. Throughout my life, I challenged myself to step outside my comfort zone, whether that was through academics, community involvement, mentoring youth, or pursuing opportunities that would allow me to make a positive impact. Read more>>

Judy Schneider

I joined the Dayton Liederkranz Turner, Dayton’s German Club’s Choir, in 1984 so my husband and I could go on a trip in 1985 to help Dayton’s Sister City, Augsburg, Germany celebrate its 2,000 birthday! They had chartered a plane, and active club members had first dibs on seats. Read more>>

Christopher Giancola

Mount Granita started in 2020 during the height of lockdown, when my partner and I were college students looking to create something meaningful during an uncertain time. The idea was inspired by my Sicilian heritage and memories of my great-grandmother making simple homemade granita. Read more>>

Diane Schneider

I started baking and decorating cakes in 1990. I had small children and wanted to make some extra money out of my home to avoid any kind of daycare. I also worked part time at night in restaurants and for caterers while gradually building a small cake following through many various celebrations. I gave away and donated many cakes thru schools and churches. Read more>>

Charlotte LaVictoire

All of my life I have been an artist. Nothing phased me or kept me from trying to capture images on paper, or making things of beauty for gifts or decoration. When I was 8 years old, my mom enrolled me at a local art gallery for art lessons where I studied under Lucia Ferrari. Her training gave discipline and focus to my artistic desires. Read more>>

SIDNEY WEST

I have always been an active person. My journey into fitness began as early as grade school and continued throughout high school. Athletics came naturally to me, and I knew from a young age that whatever path I chose in life, it would involve movement and helping others stay active. I will give you the very abbreviated version! Read more>>

Beth Price

I have been involved with music since I was three years old, when I started my first piano lessons. I later studied harp and continued through college, ultimately graduating with a B.S. in Harp Performance. A few years later, I learned about music therapy and found that the idea of using music clinically to help others deeply resonated with me. Read more>>

Jory Manning

When I was younger, I was always the ‘artsy’ (and to be honest, nerdy) kid. I was interested in pageants, but I never thought that I was that type of girl. Last fall, I reminisced about this to my mom, and weeks later, she sent me a Facebook post about the Miss Black Ohio America Pageant. Read more>>

Robin OMalley

My journey into modeling, acting, and radio began with a love for creativity, communication, and connecting with people. I graduated from Ohio Media School, which helped me develop my voice and confidence in broadcasting and opened the door to opportunities in radio. I began modeling in 2019, and from there, one opportunity led to another. Read more>>

Qiana Taylor

My journey started back in 2020 when my mother purchased a Cricut machine for me. I used that machine to launch my first business. Unfortunately, that business failed in 2023. I felt defeated at first, and then life took over — before I knew it, nearly three years had passed. Read more>>

Kelsey Allen

I started photography nine years ago when I became a mom. It began with a camera that cost just a couple hundred dollars, and was simply my way of making sure I had beautiful, high-quality photographs of my firstborn son throughout his childhood. As my skills grew, so did my passion for preserving life’s fleeting moments. Read more>>

William Harris

My story started with a genuine love for creativity and a desire to build something meaningful for myself and my family. Photography became the first outlet that allowed me to turn that creativity into something tangible. I began by learning everything I could, practicing consistently, and taking on opportunities that helped me grow both technically and professionally. Read more>>

Betsy Ramsey

Sure! My love for both writing and travel emerged during my childhood. I can vividly remember typing up a neighborhood newsletter on my grandmother’s old typewriter and poring through my parents’ travel magazines and guidebooks as they planned their next adventure. While I’ve always had a passion for both travel and creative pursuits, my early career did not take me in that direction. Read more>>

Liz Maffey

I began my baking adventure over twenty years ago, driven by the desire to create custom cakes and desserts for my children that I couldn’t afford from local shops. At that time, Michaels Craft Store offered a multi-week cake decorating course, so I convinced a friend to join me, and I instantly fell in love with the craft. Read more>>

Levi Thomas

I have been drawn to art as far back as I can remember. As a kid, obviously it was cartoons. Growing up excited to see what Tom Wilson’s ‘Ziggy’ was up to or why Garfield hated Mondays. I was an 80’s kid in every sense of the way. Read more>>

Jayah Gaines

I’ve always enjoyed watching streamers and content creators throughout different stages of my life. What drew me in the most was the storytelling and the ability to create entertaining, dramatic moments that kept people invested. Toward the end of 2024, I was watching a lot of GTA FiveM roleplay streams, and that inspired me to start streaming myself. Read more>>

Joshua Langenheim

When I opened the first StoneFruit Coffee, I didn’t have all the answers. In fact, I had more questions than anything else. But I’ve always believed that if you’re going to do something, you owe it to yourself and everyone around you to do it the right way. So I became a student. I learned everything I could about coffee, hospitality, leadership, and business. Read more>>

Kia Goodson

My story didn’t begin with a nonprofit or entrepreneurship. It began with God placing a purpose in my heart to serve others. I am first and foremost a daughter of God, and my greatest desire has always been to serve people well. Read more>>

S.R.D. Harris

I have always loved books, language, words and stories. Growing up, I would ride my bike to my local library with a goal to read every single book in there, lol;-). I can not remember a time when I did ‘not’ love books. Read more>>

Aleisha Erwin

My name is Aleisha Erwin, myself along with my husband are the owners of Erwin Farms & Corn Maze in Winchester Ohio. I also am the owner and operator of ” The Farmer’s Wife & Garden Barn.” We Have 4 Children. Read more>>

Ilana Reid

Growing up, creativity has always been a part of who I am. My grandmother Janice inspired my love for beauty, fashion, and self expression. She was always dressed beautifully with her makeup, lipstick, nails, and hair done, and she encouraged me to embrace my femininity, draw my own clothing designs, and never be afraid to be myself. Read more>>

Nav Singh

We opened in 2018 as a BBQ Smoke House but were suppose to get into the Pizza business, sometimes things go in a totally different direction in life and that is ok, we have been through many ups and downs and that’s all apart of life. Read more>>

Ibtisam Masto

My name is Ibtisam Masto, and I am the founder and chef behind Olive Tree Catering LLC, a Syrian catering company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was born and raised in Syria, where food was always at the heart of our family, our traditions, and our way of showing love. When the war forced my family to leave our home, we sought refuge in Lebanon. Read more>>

Summer Beckley

It all started back in 2020 while I was scrolling through social media. I kept seeing photos and videos of beautiful face painting designs, and I thought to myself, ‘I could do that!’ So I went on Amazon and ordered my very first face painting kit. When my kit arrived, I was so excited that I started painting right away. Read more>>

Meredith Kessler

I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where sports were simply a way of life. I played four varsity sports in high school and was fortunate to later be inducted into my high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Those early years taught me the value of hard work, resilience, teamwork, and showing up every day—lessons that have shaped every chapter of my life. Read more>>