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.
Antonio “True Spazz Dorsey
SpazzOutProductionzLLC is my Label and Brand. I built this from the ground up, with just a hope and a vision. What sets me apart from other is my authenticity, and willingness to help others who are just starting off. Regardless of their status or budget, We help artists find themselves in a sense. We also offer coaching and critiquing for artist, as well as artist development. I’m most proud of the originality of my brand, it’s organic, it’s fresh, and it’s real. Read more>>
Anna Russo Sieber
We have published 3 books created around exhibitions by John D Wilson, founder of the international Art Exposition in Chicago, Richard Hunts African collection “although he he is known for his sculptures globally, he also owned an extensive African Artifact collection”, and Jerry Catania, a talented glass artist, who worked with the likes of Chihuly. Read more>>
Autumn Coon
Hi, I’m Autumn — founder of Crow & Cauldron. My story really begins in 2018, after having my son. Motherhood changed everything — including my health. I began battling autoimmune disease, chronic pain, and fatigue, spending years searching for answers and trying to understand what my body was reacting to. At the same time, my son was experiencing severe asthma attacks and migraines every winter. Read more>>
Trudi Clark
When I was 18 I moved to Denver Colorado with just the clothes on my back and landed a job in a group home 2 weeks later. That’s when my love of people of all need and walk of life began! 4 years later I moved back to Michigan just in time for the big mental institutions to close. Read more>>
Takeisha Jefferson
My introduction to photography began with family photo albums. My great grandmother, grandmother, and mother kept photographs that documented our family across generations. Those albums were how I first learned about our history and the importance of legacy. My grandmother was a matriarch in our family and she was very intentional about connection, memory, and making sure our stories were remembered. Read more>>
Mark Middlercamp Carter Golden
The Story of the Rec Room is more of a journey than a Vision. A business that was never planned became one of the best decisions of my life. My background was in restaurant and business management. Flashback to 2008. I was a General Manager for one of larger chain restaurants whose claim to fame was its ‘Breakfast’. Read more>>
Tom Obertynski
I originally learned about ophthalmology through my mother, who was also an ophthalmologist.. She immigrated to the U.S. from Poland to pursue her dream of becoming an eye doctor. She was somewhat of a pioneer when she started in the field as few women were in it during the late 70’s. Read more>>
Denzell Dandridge
Denzell Dandridge, born Denzell Manning is an American Actor, Model, and Influencer. He was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1994 to parents Linda Moorlet, and Dezvon Dandridge. Denzell is the 8th of 9 children, known as the silly kid, he found himself always being the one to entertain everyone at a very young age. Read more>>
Bryanne Standifer-Barrett, MD MSCP
My journey to becoming a physician really began with where I come from. I grew up in Detroit in a single-parent household and was a first-generation college student. I completed my education through the Detroit Public Schools system, and from an early age I understood how important education and opportunity were for changing the trajectory of a family. Read more>>
Sophia Zheng
I still remember walking into my first Academic Games practice in 8th grade, surrounded by teammates who had been playing since elementary school. It felt late to be starting something everyone else already knew so well. Walking into a room full of experienced players was intimidating, so at first, my goal was simply to learn and try to keep up. Read more>>
Emma Ziraldo
My story begins in Linden, MI. I am an only child, both my parents raised me in a home where I was able to watch them be leaders in their careers, this allowed me to realize I not only have a passion for helping others, but I also had interest in entrepreneurship. I graduated in 2020 from Lake Fenton High School. Read more>>
Nikki Thompson Frazier
I started Sweet Encounter Bakery in 2015 out of my home kitchen. What began as a personal mission quickly became a business. Both of my daughters have food allergies, and I was determined to create exceptionally delicious gluten-free and nut-free desserts that never felt like a compromise. I didn’t want “good for gluten-free.” I wanted extraordinary. Read more>>
Sierra Habowski
My name is Sierra and my journey with flowers began in 2022 when I started growing cut flowers in the backyard of our 1-acre lot in Kawkawlin, MI. What started as a simple garden quickly became a deep passion. Before growing flowers, my world revolved around (and still does) caring for others. Read more>>
Rebekah Spencer
If you would have asked me years ago if I planned to own multiple health stores, I would have said no way. That was never the goal. My journey started with curiosity—and honestly, a bit of frustration with the traditional “take a pill and move on” approach to health. Read more>>
William Demray
A little more than 50 years ago, shortly after graduating from the University of Detroit dental school – and putting push pins in a map of southeast Michigan – I decided to purchase an historic home in downtown Northville to turn into a family dental practice where I have been practicing general dentistry ever since. Read more>>
Lane Silvers
In the past year I have done quite a bit of reflecting on all the paths, decisions, and jobs that have landed me in the position I maintain today. I’m not sure if it is because I hit a new growth phase in adulthood or maybe it has been a rogue planet that has come into retrograde. Read more>>
Sarah Okuyama
I own and run the bed and breakfast called The Burnt Toast Inn. Like many things that I have been involved in I did not start out with a so called ‘Business Plan’ but instead the Bed and Breakfast just evolved or I just fell into the role. I bought the house at 415 West William as a fixer upper. Read more>>
Jordan (Jordo) Ceresnie
For as long as I can remember, I’ve valued relationships. Even as a kid, I was often the person friends or family members felt comfortable opening up to about their lives and their struggles. While I didn’t always know I wanted to become a therapist, I’ve always been someone who feels at ease connecting with others. Read more>>
Alley Fenton
I got into the world of photography when I was just a kid–I remember saving up for 2 years to buy my first camera, and following my brother’s baseball team around taking photos. That’s how I learned to use my camera and unintentionally began marketing as I sent photos to all the baseball player’s parents. Read more>>
Nina Bella
Growing up I was a studio competition dancer since I was 3 and was BIG in competing, it was the only thing I wanted to do. When I graduated high school, I obviously still wanted to dance, so I ended up on my college dance team and did that until I graduated with my bachelors in Communications. Read more>>
Dr. Ban Al-Karaghouli
My journey has really been shaped by two things: my love of medicine and my desire to create a life that allowed me to be present for my family. As a physician and a mother of four, I was always searching for a better balance between meaningful work and being available for my children. Read more>>
Megan Alexander
In the spring of 2022, I took over Carter’s Compost from the boy who started the operation 10 year prior. Carter’s Compost is a compost collection and delivery service that hauls food scraps from your kitchen or business to local composting sites for processing. Read more>>
VIRA GOLDMAN
I am originally from Ukraine, where I worked in the legal field for close to 15 years. My professional background has always been connected with law, public administration, and working with official documents. In early 2024, I earned my PhD in Public Management and Administration, which was an important milestone in my academic and professional journey. Read more>>
Mike Bailey
Mike Bailey By Caleb Jackson Contributing Writer Mar 22, 2022 “The story of my life is, I’ve always been going up when the trends are going down,” Mike Bailey remarked when reminiscing about his business ventures of days gone by. “It seems like I’ve never been quite positioned properly to catch the wave,” he added. Read more>>
Todd Hastings
I enjoy the company of people, but nothing brings me greater joy than the companionship of dogs. Being with them feels like stepping back into the mind of my five-year-old self—playful, endlessly curious, and always ready for the next adventure. I often describe my childhood as “unsupervised.” With little guidance or structure, I learned my lessons at the school of hard knocks. Read more>>
Julie Bird
I spent most of my career (15 years) at my alma mater, Michigan State University, as a major gift development officer, securing 6 and 7 figure commitments from private donors to the University. I met my current business partner and his wife there as I worked with them on their philanthropic giving. Read more>>
Dr. Robert Moore
Throughout 33 years of practice I have found that most of my patients are overweight. Being overweight limits the body’s ability to heal. I have searched for a weight loss program that was: safe, effective, easy to implement for the patient and the doctor and affordable. A good friend of mine in North Carolina, Dr. Read more>>
Austin Carter
When I first started the business it actually wasn’t called Go to Cleaning Services, it was called College Cleaners. I was just a college kid trying to make some extra money. I started the whole thing out of the hatchback of my Chevy Cruze, barely fitting a power washer, hoses, and buckets in my trunk. Read more>>
Christina Mingo
My journey into the wine industry began with a personal appreciation for wine that developed more than 20 years ago through travel and visits to wineries and vineyards across the country. Experiencing different wine regions sparked a curiosity about the craft and the artistry behind winemaking. Read more>>
Jess Evans
I started Polie Party Co in January 2024 after noticing a gap in our community for more personalized and affordable party experiences for kids. In Northern Michigan, especially during the winter months, the options for birthday parties can feel pretty limited. Places like Great Wolf Lodge can be very expensive, and other venues like bowling alleys or arcades can feel a bit chaotic and impersonal. Read more>>
Leonardo Gianola
I have been performing solo, acoustic country/delta blues music primarily from the ’20’s and ’30s’s for over the last 20 years. My main focus is to perform my country blues narrative with songs in public libraries in southeastern Michigan where I tell the story of the blues from its beginning up to the mid ’30’s. Read more>>
Terry Yoder
As a young boy, I always wanted to be a missionary pilot. As the college years approached, I researched what it would take to become a missionary pilot, and made the decision to attend the relatively new aviation training program at Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, NE. Read more>>
Jacobi Williams
Before I started my massage therapy practice I was a professional dancer. In 2019 I had an unfortunate injury and my dance career came to an end. Following a long recovery process I was left feeling lost and directionless until my friend Allie suggested I check out the massage school they went to. A week later I was enrolled and beginning my massage journey. Read more>>
Anton Holloway – Koffee Noir Productions LLC.
Koffee Noir Productions LLC was born out of a shared vision among a small but determined group of diverse filmmakers across Metro Detroit who felt that the stories we grew up with—the voices, struggles, humor, and beauty of our communities—were rarely represented on screen in an honest or compelling way. Read more>>
Jennifer Wilkins
Black Lotus Oracle was born from a season of choosing clarity over chaos. My path into this work began during my sobriety journey—a time when I learned how to sit with myself without numbing, bypassing, or running. In that stillness, everything I had been avoiding began to speak: intuition sharpened, patterns revealed themselves, and ancestral wisdom surfaced with undeniable clarity. Read more>>
