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.

Hannah Haynes

In March 2022, I officially opened IronBody Studios—a boutique fitness studio in Madison Heights, MI. Every corner of the studio was designed with intention and love, from the warm biophilic aesthetic to the layout that encourages community connection. I designed it myself in collaboration with my life partner, Kevin Hoard, and it became everything I had dreamed of creating: a safe, welcoming space where people could focus on their strength, health, and personal growth Read more>>

Latricia Horstman

certain things that have affected us over the years created temporary hardships.Being shut down for months due to Covid was hard. But we were able to follow the guidelines and open back up as soon as we were able. I also delivered twin boys over two months early in 2022, and the time that I had to miss work due to being hospitalized, and for maternity also was a challenging experience, but again nothing we couldn’t overcome as a team Read more>>

Eric Wilterdink

I am originally from the Grand Rapids area but spent 8 years in the Marines. The last place I was stationed was in Maryland and I started tattooing there when I got out. My wife and I had our daughter and son there and decided to move back to Michigan to be closer to family. After we moved back I opened Lighthouse Tattoo Company in March of 2021. Our original location was in Wyoming but we relocated just over a year ago to our current location in Grandville. Read more>>

Nick & Hannah Swartz

No road is totally smooth — we’ve hit bumps and rough patches along the way, but we’ve taken them as an opportunity to learn, adapt and learn from the community we serve. Finding the right balance between honoring the original charm and introducing our own flare has taken time and plenty of feedback, but we have enjoyed the ride. We’ve had so many returning customers tell us they appreciate how we’ve kept original feel alive while bringing new ideas and dishes to the table. Read more>>

Liz Wilcox

I started an RV travel blog and within 3 years has created over a dozen digital products and a steady enough income to sell the whole site to some of my early subscribers. As my travel blog grew, I couldn’t believe how many of my blogging buddies weren’t seeing success like mine. That’s when I knew I needed to sell that blog and go all in on teaching email marketing. Read more>>

Miranda Howard

I honestly feel at the beginning of my journey still. I don’t love the idea that as a creative, you have to market yourself and create content. I think social media is a great tool, but I am still trying to discover the best way to find opportunities and put myself out there. Recently I turned a corner and feel a lot more confident in my photography, and I trust the opportunities will follow with time, but I think that can be dejecting for an artist. Read more>>

Ryan Entrekin

As I became better and better at reading schematics my circuits got more complex. The real draw to my pedals however is that I hand wire and hand paint each pedal individually. There are no fancy computer templates or decals…it’s all by spray paint and brush. This went on for about 3 or 4 years, then I moved to flint and moved my workshop into the basement and it flooded and ruined a lot of my stuff so I became disheartened and stopped working for awhile. The fire to build still burns, I just need a better place to build! Now I play all my pedals myself and enjoy writing songs, getting ready to start performing again as Charmin Diggs. Read more>>

Martha Brown

I was raised in a small, close family. I am the oldest of four. My mother is Korean, and when she first came to the United States, she wasn’t fluent in English. Watching her trying to navigate a new country without any family, with three small children, was difficult. There were times she struggled with communicating, and people weren’t always willing to help. She didn’t let that stop her. My mom persevered and took night classes to learn how to read, write, and speak English. There were a lot of times when I had to be the “interpreter” for my mom. I think that pushed me to want to learn so I could be more helpful to my mom. Read more>>

Ashley Tremblay

My eyes opened to what the world of dance was and what it truly could be for me in 2003 when I met Richard Kim. Him and a former teacher (Tania) introduced dance in a way that I never experienced it before. Their teaching inspired me to follow their footsteps. My dance training continued as a student under Richards first years of opening Studio Dance Arts, Canada little did I know It would soon develop into a love for teaching. Read more>>

Michelle Littleton

I am a licensed esthetician that specializes in custom facials, lash extensions, lash lifts & tints, brow waxing & tinting, as well as facial waxing. I offer makeup services upon special requests. I started off by being known for how natural my lash extension application is & speed! I am proud of the brand I am building & the client relationships I have built over these years. My attention to detail, professional & expertise has set me apart in the industry. Read more>>

Brad Burgess

Family is very important to me and I decided to move back to the area after I graduated school. I met my wife Amy, our awesomely talented massage therapist and craniosacral therapist. It’s been a long journey full of key experiences that culminated into us starting Keystone Chiropractic and Wellness. I have studied many different techniques that have made me very proficient at tailoring treatments for any individual coming in Read more>>

Amber Poupore

My journey really began at 18, when I made the life-changing decision to adopt a plant-based lifestyle. That shift not only transformed my health but became the foundation for my life’s work. After spending a few years in the pacific northwest being immersed in a different lifestyle, I wanted to continue learning and growing. I started working at Inn Season Café—one of the longest-standing vegetarian restaurants in the country—where I spent 11 years growing in every role from front of house to the kitchen, eventually leading events and catering. It was a deeply formative time that gave me a strong sense of purpose and the confidence to launch my own ventures. Read more>>

Delora Green

Wheww this road hasn’t been smooth. From trying to do it all on my own to overcoming perfectionism and burnout, I had to face myself before I could fully serve others. I’ve juggled being a wife, mother of four, creative, and entrepreneur while feeling the pressure of showing up perfectly. But the truth is God wasn’t asking for perfection, He was asking for obedience. That revelation freed me to rebuild my brand my way, rooted in grace, clarity, and confidence. Read more>>

Lisa Braidwood

I purchased the studio right at the beginning of COVID – so I really did not know what I was getting into. Our studio had to close for many months, so we held classes virtually out of our teachers’ homes initially and eventually virtually at the studio. We then were allowed to reopen at reduced capacity with special cleaning protocols. The road back to “normal” was long and filled with many obstacles but our Pure Barre community was strong and supportive, and I learned so much valuable skills during this challenging time. Read more>>

Rebecca

While my story as a business owner is relatively short, everyone’s story truly starts at the beginning because we are who we are as a result of all of our experiences and how we choose to respond to them. I’ve always been driven with a need to succeed. That, along with perseverance and discipline are all important pieces. I’m most proud of the courage, honesty, integrity, curiosity and love that I’ve shown for myself and others on my journey. Those qualities are what really got me to where I am today. Read more>>

Paige Suzanne

Going through cosmetology school was also not without its challenges! I was a very young, single mom with little support and I worked full time while attending school. I was incredibly burnt out and exhausted. I do feel like that speaks to my commitment to this career – I stuck it out and knew even in the hardest moments, that I was talented and I was meant to have a career in hair and makeup. Read more>>

Maggie Davis

It has been a bumpy road, but the scenic route has been worth getting rattled. I have evolved the most as a person during the turbulent times. For example, in 2023 I lost my mom and within a month of losing her, I had to have spinal surgery. Piercing isn’t one of those jobs where you can cry in the walk-in cooler like I was used to. You have to be on top of your game at all times when a client is trusting you to safely carry out a procedure. It was incredibly difficult at the time, but I came out the other side with an unshakeable faith in myself. Read more>>

Jessica Hicks

When she was diagnosed, we began to make lifestyle changes (at the advice of her doctor and mine). We learned the importance and impact of what we put IN and ON our bodies. Traditional beauty and home products affect our health and well-being (think face, body washes, lotions, laundry detergent, candles, air fresheners, everything!). We made the pivot to natural remedies and searched for chemical-free products. Products that give and build up instead of depleting and taking. As we introduced natural remedies to my mom, we saw her health change, and I believe these changes had a part in extending her life. And this is where my natural journey began. Read more>>

Jordan Taylor

In the past 14 years, I have been so much as an artist inside and outside the tattoo studio. These days, I am a woman wearing many hats. I am a mentor to an apprentice of my own passing down my industry knowledge. I am a muralist with work around the Tri-Cities area. I use my artistic skills to support charities helping my community and work with the Midland public arts foundation to bring accessible art to all in Midland. I’m a multi award-winning artist and a multi award-winning tattoo artist well accomplished a lot. I still have so much more. I am looking forward to doing for myself and for the wonderful city I live in. Read more>>

AJ Williams

One of the biggest struggles was learning how to trust myself again after years of people-pleasing, burnout, and shrinking my light to make others comfortable. I also had to face the fear of being seen, especially as a Black woman in wellness holding space for spiritual and intuitive work that isn’t always understood or accepted by the mainstream. There were moments of isolation, imposter syndrome, and questioning whether my voice and gifts even mattered. Read more>>

Kaylee Price

It has not, I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression which can make me feel unmotivated to work on my craft some days. The easiest thing I ever did was not give up completely. Anyone who loves something can never let others decide that they are no good or that they cannot do it, it’s up to them to decide whether or not they will put in the work, and that’s something I’ve had to instill in myself this last year alone. Read more>>

YB Breezy

Music has always been a passion of mine. Ever since I was a kid, growing up in Motown it’s very second nature to have a love for music. I started writing raps and poetry as early as elementary school. Although I always had this dream to make music for a living, I was always told that dreams weren’t practical. I would get criticized for wanting to pursue music hearing things like “What’s your backup plan” or “Dreams don’t pay the bills”. I went through most of my life being discouraged about my dreams. At 18 after graduating high school I decided that I wanted to pursue music seriously. I dropped out of college despite how I thought it would look to all the people who thought I should have a “back up plan”.  Read more>>

Casey Robson

My biggest struggle was defining my design style, putting my values into words and having confidence in myself that I know what I’m doing. I still sometimes wonder if I know what I’m doing (I do, I think) which can be a struggle. However, after I complete a brand project I always remember that it began as just a blank, white page and is now filled with a great and cohesive brand identity. Remembering this, I am always so proud of my projects and the work I put into them. I have amazing clients and am lucky to be able to contribute to their wins. Read more>>

Kara Gonzalez

I was a teenager when I got my hands on a point and shoot digital camera and was immediately obsessed. I had big ideas that turned into bigger equipment and new skills. “I won’t know until I try” was how I approached new obstacles, and that led to opportunities and moments I don’t believe I would’ve had otherwise. Photography continues to be a considerable force in my life as I approach 36 this year. It has challenged me in ways I didn’t anticipate but am grateful for. Today I photograph with confidence and have built a beautiful little business with clients that have grown with me! Read more>>

Jeffrey Keefer

My journey in music began early in life. Encouraged by my mother, I started piano lessons as a child and studied with various teachers throughout my youth. Growing up in a pastor’s home, I often played piano for worship services, which helped shape both my musicianship and my passion for sharing music with others. Read more>>

Hannah Tiffin

Life took me in many directions but it always came back to flowers. I have worked in about 6 really great shops on both the East and the West Coast and here in the Midwest! I settled here in Midland where my family was originally from to raise my family. I opened my shop 6 years ago. It was a little one room shop in an old ware house tucked away in the old industrial part of town. I think we paid like 150.00 a month for it. The ceiling leaked, it was cold and there was very little about it that was suitable for our purpose but we made it work! We were so proud of it. Outside we had a cute little flower garden and for whatever reason, people loved it. Read more>>

Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross

Over time, I realized that many of the same tools we use to help organizations succeed could — and should — be applied to how families approach college admissions. That insight led to the development of our College Smarter™ Method, a revolutionary approach that helps students and families navigate the college journey with more strategy, less stress, and far greater long-term impact. Read more>>

Kai Lim

Halfway around the way in the US, David grew up with the same experience with his grandma. When we met in business school, we bonded over this shared tradition and started Reprise Health. Reprise gummies are crafted from ancient Asian superfoods like Ginseng, Turmeric and Reishi mushrooms and proudly sourced from KPC Herbs – a 5th generation family trusted by acupuncturists and herbalists for over 100 years. We’re on a mission to make traditional Eastern Herbal remedies accessible to the modern world – so that generations to come can benefit from this wisdom. Read more>>

Markesha Witherspoon

I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan a place that has shaped my values, my work, and my purpose. My journey into birth work and community organizing didn’t start in a hospital or a boardroom, it started beside my younger sister. She was a successful pageant queen, and I traveled with her across the states helping with appearances, service projects, and events. Watching her confidence grow and her impact expand showed me early on how powerful women and girls can be when they’re poured into. Read more>>

Angie

I’ve always been an artist with a love for photography. One of my favorite skin care companies reached out to me in 2022, asking to be an ambassador for their company. At the time I was so clueless to what that entailed. However, it opened up opportunities of learning about content creation, specifically UGC (making content for brands) on Instagram. Read more>>