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.
Doug Phillips
23 years ago, near Grand Rapids Michigan, founder and design director of Conscious Clothing, Rose Phillips started producing organic clothing for her children from a lack of any being commercially available. Read more>>
Hannah Zamora
Our story really started in 2020, right at the beginning of the lockdowns. We saw so many restaurants and small businesses struggling to reach their customers. Not because their food or service wasn’t good, but because their marketing just wasn’t keeping up with the times. At first, the idea was simple: help restaurants get online, reach their audience, and keep their doors open. Read more>>
Angela Sauers
I started doing wedding flowers out of my barn over 20 years ago. Slowly moved into wedding decor along with the flowers, then began planning and styling as well. Now after years of primarily focusing on weddings I decided to pivot on giving shop life a go again and designing upscale arrangements for everyday and other occasions. Read more>>
Kelly Eddy
I have always been crafty and tried my hand at many creative ventures, in fact it has become a little joke between my husband and I. For the 30 years we’ve been married, I’ve been saying I would find a way to make money with my projects and crafts. Read more>>
Aaron Cohen
I started in Holland as an engineer out of college. I went to school for Mechanical Engineering and worked as an engineer in total for about 10 years. There came a point when I knew I would significantly regret never trying to do something on my own, even if I failed at doing whatever it was. Read more>>
Abbey Weathers
I started working at my first nonprofit when I was 18 years old, fresh out of high school. I had taken a gap year to figure out what I wanted to do long-term. Little did I know, I found that direction right away in the nonprofit realm. Read more>>
Rob Corba
I’ve loved costumes and performing since I was a child, inspired by a show where stories sprang from a trunk of costumes. By nine, I had discovered magic and balloon twisting, and a few years later, I found my way into clowning through online communities and workshops with legendary performers. Read more>>
Craig Gray
Craig Gray knows what it feels like to be on the receiving end of fear. Bullied and assaulted as a kid, he saw firsthand how people can be taken advantage of, lied to, or physically hurt simply because they didn’t know how to tap into their own innate ability to protect themselves. Read more>>
Mike Wesling
My family has been vacationing in Michigan for generations. As a kid, I always looked forward to our annual summer trips with grandparents, cousins, and everyone together under one roof. Those weeks created some of my favorite core memories. Fast forward to 2007. I was newly married, and my wife Melissa and I joined my family on one of those Michigan vacations. Read more>>
Nilajah Johnson
My journey began 24 years ago, though it still feels like yesterday. At the time, I was working as a Makeup Artist at a pamper party when two women walked in talking about an event where they had experienced something that I had never heard of before: yoga. The moment I heard that word, my entire being froze and rose to attention. Read more>>
Michael Teed
I was a member of a HVAC-R union. I didn’t like one telling me who to vote for and being lad off. I always want to start my own company and be responsible for my actions and work ethic. Read more>>
Barbara Robertson
I’m Barbara Robertson, an artist and art therapist, now in private practice seeing individual clients, from children and teens through adults of all ages. Read more>>
Aaron Atsaphanthong
Starting out of the garage of Aaron’s house, they went to work quickly with a small 16 foot box truck. Gaining traction and recognition, the satisfied customers and reviews started flowing in! All 5 stars! Through determination, grit and doing the right thing, the two were able to grow their team to 18 team members and 5 Moving Trucks by 2023. Read more>>
Lindsey Lawrence
Born out of resilience and creativity, Finny Lou & Co officially opened its doors in 2021—but its roots run deeper. What started as a stay-at-home mom’s way to support her family during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has blossomed into one of Michigan’s most charming and heartfelt small businesses. Read more>>
Johanne Edwards
I have always been drawn to science and problem solving. From a young age, I pursued discovery — winning awards in science fairs and traveling with the “Five Talents” student group, where I was exposed to world-class laboratories and pioneering scientists. Among them was Dr. Read more>>
Lisa M. Noble
I started my career as a website designer and developer, building digital experiences for corporate companies and agencies. The more I worked, the more I realized I wasn’t just coding websites—I was shaping how people experienced a brand. That lightbulb moment showed me that the skills I had gained through my degree and corporate work could be used for more than designing ‘pretty sites’. Read more>>
Adam Bugala
My martial arts journey began in 2009 when my parents enrolled me in Tang Soo Do classes to help me learn to better manage my anger and overcome struggles with sensory processing. Read more>>
Crystal Angel
My journey started in healthcare, working as a rehab trainer at the Detroit Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, until I was laid off during the pandemic in 2020. In the midst of uncertainty and worry about what was next, I decided to see that moment as an opportunity to pivot and take control of the next chapter of my life. Read more>>
Lisa Ziemelis
I grew up in a really musical family, so music has been part of me for as long as I can remember. I began studying piano at age 7 and clarinet at age 11, played in school bands and church groups, and pretty quickly knew music was going to be a lifelong thing for me. Read more>>
Marija Ujkic Brown
In 2020, the world was shutting down. but I was opening the doors to my very first restaurant. For me, it was more than just a business opening—it was the start of a new chapter. Not only was I opening the doors to my future as a entrepreneur , I was also beginning my life as a proud U.S. citizen. Read more>>
Brittany Hicks
To understand my journey of becoming the owner of The Mitten Cafe & Bakeshop in my small town of Newport, you have to start with my unique family. I was blessed to be born in a large family forged in faith. My parents, Tom and Barb Boggs, were open to having kids-lots of them. I am actually the oldest daughter of their eleven children. Read more>>
Betsy Styles
I came out of the womb craving “doing hair” It all began with getting baby dolls, getting into my moms makeup, doing pretend haircuts on my dad, constantly brushing his and my moms hair while watching movies. Then they got me my first at home play salon. The i found scissors and cut my own fringe along with my dolls and barbies. Read more>>
Elijah Miller
It’s August of 2000. I’m in Atlanta. It’s warm. It looks and feels like the 70s, though today I know it was not. There’s a tall building to the left of me. We’re in a pool. My mom is next to me. A young girl swims over. We lock eyes. She asks my mom if she can teach me how to swim. Read more>>
Kyra O’Guinn
I am a wife and mom of two, a real Detroit girlie. Born and bred from the westside of Detroit. I went to Cass and received my Bachelor’s from Wayne State. After receiving my Bachelor’s degree I spent 3 years post grad looking for a job in my career field of communications. Read more>>
Ebay Merlin
I have always been involved in music. I’m told (although I have no memory of it) that I showed interest in piano as early as 18 months old, and started playing at age 4. I actually learned to read music before I learned to read English! I wrote my first composition at age 9, titled Drifting through the Window for solo piano. Read more>>
Erik Youngquist
I knew I always wanted to be in retail. I loved The Andy Griffith show and I would wear my mother‘s apron and sweep our front porch and wave to the neighbors as if they were my customers.. I began my retail journey back in 1982 when I was attending school in Kalamazoo. I was hired as a night manager of a convenience store. Read more>>
JJ Jackson
Music and drawing were my first inspirations as a dandelion-headed kid growing up in rural Northern Michigan (NoMI). I spent my time mostly drawing Ninja Turtles, playing kitchen concerts on the pots and pans, or walking around in the Huron National Forest, pretending I was a National Geographic photographer. That was actually the first job I ever pictured myself doing. Read more>>
Eric Webster
I’ve spent a lifetime in business. Many years in the hospitality industry where I worked, managed and ultimately owned my own restaurant. In 1989, we relocated to Grand Rapids, and I began a 30+ year career in residential real estate. Having always had curiosity for spiritual and metaphysical things, I became an ordained Coptic Minister in 2012. Read more>>
Mark Powers
My career has always been rooted in transformation. Early on, I worked inside businesses that were spending money on marketing but not seeing results. Campaigns were disconnected from revenue, teams were busy but not productive, and growth felt unpredictable. I saw the same pattern again and again, activity without alignment. That experience shaped my approach. Read more>>
Andrew Widner
The Spirit of Kalamazoo opened in September of 2011 by Andrew and Kathleen Widner. This marked the completion of a one year planning process that was aided by the Small Business Development & Technology Center (SBDTC) at WMU and also the Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. Incubator program. “We were impressed with the improvements we witnessed in Downtown Kalamazoo over the past 20 years. Read more>>
Samantha and Jason Lobdell
Jason and I started Knightwing Media back in September of 2016 in Ann Arbor. Before that, we both worked in zoology for about five years, mostly with big cats and wolves, which took us all over the U.S. and even to South Africa. Photography was always something we loved, but it was more of a side passion at that time. Read more>>
Jonathan Sherman
My journey started 19 years ago when I became a father. It was an unexpected turn of events in my life and once I saw my son in the hospital it changed my whole life. Fast forward a few years later, when my son was three years old I took my son mother to court to fight for custody. Read more>>
Elisha Lieto
I began working in the social work field in 2001 and then transitioned into a substance abuse counselor with a focus on this as well as trauma specialist. I now work with all cooocurring mental health disorders. Read more>>
Clara Gruber
Today, when I sit at my laptop with my headphones on and my favorite music playing, working on a staging concept or a design board, I realize something: even though I work a lot, it doesn’t feel like work. It feels like joy. It feels like the life I was meant to live — creating homes that tell stories, and helping others fall in love with spaces the same way I always have. Read more>>
Miranda Murray
I knew from a young age I wanted to do hair because every Barbie or doll I owned ended up getting a haircut! When I graduated high school in 2002 I graduated with my cosmetology license as well. I worked in a salon for 10 years and absolutely loved it But one day my husband said let’s open your own salon! Read more>>
Charlette Stachnik
I came up with the idea to open a consignment shop 13 years ago. At the time I was a stay at home mom and I wanted to work/do something while the kids were at school but at the same time be available to my kids whenever they needed me. Read more>>
Greg Larsen
A journey in ministry is never without its wondrous and mysterious pathways. Having been born and raised in Grand Rapids, Pastor Greg made his way to St. Thomas Community Presbyterian Church by way of Palm Bay, Florida, Hudsonville, MI, and Fort Morgan, Colorado, before returning to ministry in Rochester, Michigan, at the oldest Congregational church in the state. Read more>>
Skylar Jones
I started Soul with Skylar as a food blog just to display dinners and food that I made. I kept getting asked if I was selling food because people were loving it so much. At first, I didn’t want to because I wanted to make sure I never compromised how I made something or the quality if I started making larger portions of food. Read more>>
Teneia Gravitt
I have been doing Hair far as 11 yrs old my mother was a cosmetologist as well I have been licensed cosmetologist sense 2010. Went to school at creative Hair school. I got my license and was able to start working at my cousins salon Hair Emmanuel. My mother also taught her how to do hair as well. Read more>>
Sunny Wilkinson
I am the daughter of a Methodist minister. I started singing as soon as I could walk. It was a natural that I sang in choirs all my life. After high school I joined a rock/folk band (Pastry) and sang in clubs. In college I sang with a Blood, Sweat, and Tears style band called Goldmyne. Read more>>
Giles Schlehuber
In the 60s, the Great Lakes Surf Association began, bringing friends together in Grand Haven, MI and going on to host competitions and events. In the 1990s and 2000s, an editor and small volunteer team produced several zines talking about the local events, waves, seasons, etc. Read more>>
Ashley Zamora
Our story began during a family dinner in Michoacán when my two-year-old son wanted to use a traditional clay plate like everyone else. When the plate inevitably broke, it sparked an idea: why not create traditional designs specifically made for little hands? This moment of inspiration led us to collaborate with local artisans in Mexico and develop partnerships with manufacturers worldwide. Read more>>
Chelsea Knight
I was drawn to the mental health field when I was really young. I was really curious about people’s internal experiences and how their environment’s affected the way they felt. I was a big feeler! I was not allowed to watch movies like All Dogs Go to Heaven or Matilda in my house because I would be an emotional wreck as a 6 year old. Read more>>
Kelly Stiglich
I’ve always felt like I was destined for this path. My love for movement started early — in 9th grade, I led aerobic classes for my gymnastics coach while she was on maternity leave, and for four years I led dance classes in PE. I had no formal training back then, just a love of movement, coordination, and creativity. Read more>>
Elizabeth Erickson
I’m a third-generation attorney and two-time Spartan, and today I also have the privilege of teaching at the University of Michigan. My path here didn’t begin behind a white picket fence. When I was just three years old, my father passed away, and my mother raised me and my two younger twin brothers on her own. Read more>>
Felicia Jaramillo
my name is Felicia! I am a parent of two teen boys, both of which have special learning needs. My youngest son is on the Autism Spectrum, he is 15 now! A few years ago we moved to Battle Creek and didn’t know anyone. We were having the worst time in the public schools! It can be really ostracizing for families with disabilities/different abilities! Read more>>
Chance Wymer
I like to think I have a unique story, I moved to northern Michigan almost 9 years ago to change my life. See I struggled with addiction, so I came up here to go to rehab, after that I found myself in Boyne City where I started learning the tile trade. Read more>>
Emily Kendziorski
I see branding as more than design or strategy—it’s the art of becoming. A personal brand is the bridge between who you’ve been and who you’re stepping into, and I’ve devoted my work to guiding others across that bridge professionally with clarity, creativity, and confidence. Read more>>
Martha Perkins
There are three friends that upcycle antique and quality furniture in our workshop/store that has two parts to the building. One is the workshop side where the work is completed and the other is the showroom of finished pieces. Read more>>
Radi Al-Mahayni
Everyone hits rock bottom in life at different times. Some when they are in there 40’s and realize they could have and should have done many things different, others with loss of family or a mentor mine was at 16 years old. Read more>>
