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.
Eram Uddin
My path to Illume Consulting and Design didn’t happen all at once — it really came out of a period of quiet questioning. Before Illume, I spent nearly two decades working in education and editorial consulting after studying History and Education and Curriculum Development. Read more>>
Jennifer Rygalski
My story: I was born in Washington, D.C., at Andrews Air Force Base to two incredible parents and spent most of my childhood growing up in Toledo, Ohio. I’m one of four siblings, and early in life our family experienced profound loss when my brother Jimmy passed away from a heart defect while we were very young. Read more>>
Nicole Aquilina
My story started like a lot of people’s do—I was just trying to make my way. I didn’t begin with a big business plan or a fancy background. I started with grit, a strong work ethic, and a deep belief that if I gave people quality and consistency, it would build into something bigger. Read more>>
Seth Chapman
I have a true passion for birds and birding, and for sharing my passion through the lens self-awareness, self-discovery, and wellness. My interest in birds dates back to my childhood. Read more>>
Michael Shafer
My story is deeply personal, because it starts with need. Growing up, I struggled with food insecurity. Especially in middle school and high school, there were seasons where I genuinely didn’t know where my next meal would come from. That kind of experience stays with you. Read more>>
Justin Brandt
Our journey began in Northern Michigan, specifically in Cadillac, where my father and uncle founded Joe’s Tree Service. As a child, I would help by sweeping the driveways and picking up sticks off the lawn, eager to contribute. We later moved a bit further north to the Torch Lake area, where my father established Torch Lake Tree Pro. Read more>>
Betsy & Jason Thomas
Betsy has always had a love for homes which Jason supported and encouraged through analyzing the numbers, and that really sparked our journey into property ownership. We purchased our first long-term rental back in 2012, but it wasn’t until 2016 that things progressed any further. That year, a co-worker of Jason’s mentioned short-term rentals in Boyne Falls, Michigan, which immediately caught our attention. Read more>>
Yemi Ogunleye
Wellness Homecare was established through a practical and experience driven journey that began in real estate. I started by purchasing houses in the city of Detroit, renovating them, and either flipping or renting them out. Over time, I bundled properties, carried out full renovations, and ensured the homes were safe, attractive, and genuinely liveable. Read more>>
Stephanie Maurer
I have always loved animals. I though I would be a vet tech but still wasn’t 100% sure. So instead I decided to attend dog grooming school in the mean time. I started my education at the Michigan School of Canine Cosmetology, in Lansing, in 2005. I officially started my career at Pet Smart grooming salon in Saginaw in 2006. Read more>>
Luke, Marissa Loviska, DePumpo
Our store began its life in 2003 with the name Bark’s 5th Avenue, under the tutelage of Deb Watson. Over the years, the business grew to include a bustling grooming salon, along with a curated variety of food, toys, and treats for dogs and cats. Barks was one of the first of it’s kind in West Michigan- a space dedicated to high-quality pet nutrition. Read more>>
Bill Lewinski
For over 20 years, I led large retail facilities and construction teams in corporate America, working on both sides of the table as the customer and the contractor. In February 2024, God had a different plan for my life, and I was unexpectedly downsized. That moment of uncertainty became a moment of purpose. Read more>>
Jay Durek
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to teach and help others. I genuinely enjoyed learning new things and supporting people in whatever way I could. I was raised around individuals who would give the shirt off their back without hesitation, and that environment strongly shaped my values and how I approach both life and my career. Read more>>
Amber Lauer
I was interested in sales my whole life. Beginning as a kid selling my paintings and drawings to the neighbors for $5 a piece 
I’ve always had a thing where I just loved to think of creative ways to make money, not realizing it was the just the beginning of my sales journey. I’ve been working in sales for the last 20 years. Read more>>
Jacob Britton
I started my career in the Michigan craft beer industry, working in sales and marketing, while also scratching my creative itch with side jobs as a videographer and content creator. On the outside, things looked like they were moving in the right direction. Internally, they weren’t. Over time, pressure from work, unresolved mental health struggles, and an unhealthy relationship with alcohol caught up to me. Read more>>
Kimberly Lavender
I could write a book about my journey so I will do my best to give the condensed version. As an abuse survivor, I decided to leave the corporate world and go to school (a lifelong dream of mine) for social work so that I could help others. Read more>>
Emma Kent
Unmask The Arts came to be when I decided to merge my two lifelong passions into one. I begun dancing when I was four years old at Flat River Dance Company. I knew from a young age that I wanted to become a professional dancer. Read more>>
Sarah Stanley
I’m Sarah Stanley — a self-taught, emerging, multidisciplinary artist. I’m the proud mom of a beautiful, blind, black cat and a tornado of a young, spotty pitbull. We all live in Ferndale with my partner, Ethan. I use acrylics, watercolors, inks, canvasses, and a recycled materials to create my artwork. I try to use these supplies to help evoke emotions and tell stories. Read more>>
Kersten Kimmerly Kiebler
I have always wanted to be an advocate for children following a difficult childhood and initially prepared for law school hoping to achieve a JD and MSW double degree. Read more>>
Felicia Miller
My journey into HR started with a genuine passion for helping people feel supported at work and helping organizations operate the right way. Over the years, I’ve grown into leadership roles where I’ve been responsible for everything from hiring and onboarding to compliance, employee relations, and building a strong workplace culture. Read more>>
Melissa Zeithammel
I was at a point in life where I was ready to step away from entrepreneurship. I was looking for a more consistent schedule while still remaining in a client-based, customer-service driven role. I’m a humanist by nature, so senior living made sense it offered structure without sacrificing meaningful human connection. Read more>>
Grace Miracle
Long before becoming a mother, I felt deeply drawn to birth work and the beauty, strength, and transformation of becoming a mother. After welcoming my first baby and experiencing pregnancy, labor, and delivery firsthand, that passion was solidified. Read more>>
Waylon Hanel
I got my first guitar was 15 years old as a Christmas present from my Mom and Dad (Heidi and Jason Hanel). I taught myself how to play and I have never had a lesson! I got my first show in my hometown of Millington Michigan at a local bar. Read more>>
Laura Wiesen
I am a life long cyclist who loves bikes of all kinds. I began riding ebikes after complications from multiple hip replacement surgeries impaired my ability to power my road bike by pedaling alone. Read more>>
Wally Petersen
As a kid, I always had a fascination with Africa. I’d regularly flip through my grandpa’s issues of National Geographic and avidly watch Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” on TV every Sunday night. Read more>>
Joseph Renshaw
I was born and raised in Michigan. I’m currently a full-time law enforcement officer serving in southern Michigan. After high school, I began a career in Automotive Refinish and Repair. While the work was steady over time I found myself feeling unfulfilled. My wife pushed me to chase my calling. Read more>>
Quazaa Mayberry
My journey began in the quiet, uncertain early days of 2020. While the world was shutting down, I found myself finding solace in the ritual of a morning cup of coffee. As an African American man watching my community disproportionately affected by both the pandemic and economic instability, I realized I wanted to build something that wasn’t just a product, but a symbol of resilience. Read more>>
iyla stebbins
My love for entertainment started before I even knew what it was. My uncle once sent a clip of me as a baby to America’s Funniest Home Videos, and while I do not remember that, I do remember every performance after. Read more>>
Robert (Rob) Schmansky
• I knew in high school I wanted to help people with their finances, in more of a counseling than sale-oriented career. What I didn’t know was how to achieve that goal, as most personal finance roles are still very much sales-oriented. • I loved sports – both playing and coaching. Read more>>
Ryan Corcoran
My journey to the to school leadership has been shaped by upbringing in a family of educators. Raised in a family where teaching and school leadership were part of daily conversations, I developed an early understanding of schools as formative communities—places where academic excellence, character, and care for the whole child intersect. This foundation naturally led you into education. Read more>>
Courtney Howe
I interviewed for my first “professional” job in the middle of a divorce, while raising my two-year-old daughter on my own for the first time. I had no relevant job history, no degree, and very few references, but I showed up determined and willing to work hard. Somehow, that was enough. I was offered the job an hour after I left the building. Read more>>
Owen Eichler
I grew up in the small town of Pigeon, Michigan, alongside my brothers – Sean, Ethan, Jaden, and Dylan. Being the second youngest, I learned a lot from those older than me. From an early age, my interest in art and creativity was always encouraged. I spent much of my childhood drawing and painting, which naturally became an outlet for expression. Read more>>
Avery Lonske
I started my journey with the purchase of a 2004 Competition Orange Ford Mustang, this sparked a need and interest in keeping my vehicle in pristine condition. At the time I worked a full-time job for a home improvement store, noticing errors in management & customer interactions it brought the idea of creating my own business. Read more>>
Leslie & Derrick Henstock & Trumbly
Our path to becoming the proud owners of Essbe wasn’t linear, but in hindsight, every chapter prepared us for this one. My husband and I both began our careers as professional actors, spending years working on stage and screen and living in cities like New York and Chicago. Read more>>
Matty Lockhart
Floral design found me, and like a stray cat, I let it in and never let it go. Our story begins when I needed a job while attending Lake Superior State University for Marketing. I began as a delivery driver and quickly thereafter learned everything I could about flowers. It sparked my creativity in a new way that I loved. Read more>>
Bill Keith
I began volunteering at Trinity House in 1997 and joined the board of directors in 1999. I serve as the concert coordinator for the theatre. During the day I’m the Station Manager for 88.1 the Park, the student radio station for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. My wife Heidi and I live in Redford. Read more>>
Bernie Waruru
I was blessed when growing up that I got to travel in the USA, Europe and Africa- Kenya specifically. As a young Bernie, I did not see the value of that experience because it meant starting all over again when we moved to different countries. Childhood friends , new schools , new neighborhoods , I lost and gained new ones. Read more>>
Alese Copley
I started as therapist because I wanted to help people, I knew what it felt like to not understand your emotions, and to feel very alone. I knew I did not want others to feel this way; I wanted to re-instill hope in others. I would have never guessed that I would have ended up here when I was a child. Read more>>
Alison Rosenthal
My story began while I was attending Community Bible Church and participating in our women’s Bible study. As my faith deepened and I reflected on my own life, I couldn’t help but see the overwhelming goodness of God. It stirred a question in my heart: if the Lord could do such a transforming work in my life, couldn’t He do the same for others? Read more>>
Amara Clevenger
I’m a Michigan-native and an MSU graduate. I moved to Lansing for college, but loved the Eastside neighborhood so much, I bought a house here & stayed. After graduating, I started working at Apple while figuring out what to do next. It turns out the path I had started was the right one for me. Read more>>
kelly hansen
We opened as a home office in 2004, following our time working for larger interior design firms. In 2006, we purchased a vacant Victorian building on State Street in Downtown Howell. After a two-year restoration, we moved our offices into that space, where we remained for 16 years before relocating to our larger, current location in Brighton, Michigan. Read more>>
Stevie Baka
Arts & Scraps was founded in 1989 by Peg Upmeyer. Her vision was to make a community center where teachers and students could access the supplies they needed for their underfunded classrooms. Over the past 36 years Arts & Scraps has had a lot of growth as a creative reuse and STEAM education facilitators thanks to the community at large. Read more>>
Fernanda Pineda
It all started with my and my family’s passion for LEGO; we love that LEGO is about creating, building, imagining, exploring, and more. Two years ago we wanted to take this passion one step forward, and after a lot of research, we ran into this franchise, Bricks and Minifigs, that made the perfect fit for what we wanted to do: invest in something we love. Read more>>
Jessica Steele
I started my career in the construction world in a place a lot of people don’t expect — as a receptionist at a painting company. But I’ve always been someone who notices inefficiencies, so I began building systems and automating processes to make the office run smoother. Read more>>
