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.
Pennapa Wichian
I come from Bangkok. As a salaried employee seeking a change in my life, I decided to open a Thai restaurant in Grand Rapids—hoping that my ability to prepare authentic Thai cuisine would transform not only my own life but also the lives of others in this city. Read more>>
Skyline Event Center
Skyline Event Center is a small venue in Northeast Michigan, known primarily for listening room concerts, original and independent artists perform for a very enthusiastic audience and enjoy an opportunity to join in a wonderful community activity. Skyline is operated by a one hundred percent volunteer group of community minded people who believe that music and art are important to keeping a community together. Read more>>
Tonya Nicks
It all started as a child loving people, the earth and of course shopping. As I grew I knew I had a special gift of gab. Life threw me twists and turns i was an adult and forgot all about my dreams and aspirations in midts of just surviving. Fast forward to a day when there was a storage auction sign and it all began. Read more>>
Paige Talaski
When my husband and I were planning our wedding, we knew we wanted an intimate backyard wedding, but we also wanted something that would really make it stand out and feel special — not just like a typical backyard setup. While searching for ideas, we came across Sip Mobile Bar Rental. Read more>>
Omar Dari
Baba Dari Mediterranean Grill is more than just a restaurant to our family — it’s a continuation of a legacy that started decades ago in Ann Arbor. Originally known as Ali Baba’s, the restaurant was founded by family members who introduced authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food to the community long before Mediterranean cuisine became mainstream. Read more>>
Julie Taylor
We bought an old building in Vicksburg Michigan a few years ago. After awhile, I asked my husband if he could remove the two offices in the front space of the building to open it up as well as turn a smaller back room into a treatment room for my Raindrop sessions with essential oils. Read more>>
Lacey Ingersoll
Fitch Dance Company is more than just a business to me. It is a legacy. The studio was founded nearly 50 years ago by my grandparents, and I quite literally grew up inside its walls. Some of my earliest memories are of being in the studio, watching classes, taking lessons, and eventually stepping into leadership roles as I got older. Read more>>
Noemi Binagatan
My journey into photography began with a deep appreciation for meaningful moments—the quiet, in-between emotions that often go unnoticed, yet hold the most significance. What started as a creative outlet quickly evolved into a calling as I discovered the power of preserving not just how a moment looks, but how it feels. Read more>>
Tracy Park
For over 35 years, flowers have truly been my medium. I started in the floral industry at a young age and quickly realized I loved not just the creativity, but the emotion behind weddings and events. Read more>>
patti pacola
In 2016, fresh out of college, a county seat was open in an upcoming election. On a whim, I decided to give it a go. I had a job I loved, co-workers who were like family and nothing to lose running for an office but everything to gain if I won. To my surprise, I won. Read more>>
Marquel Martin
My love for dogs started when I was just a young girl. When I was 16 years old, I got my first job at a dog daycare center. I loved that I was able to earn an income while taking care of dogs. Read more>>
Dan Campbell
Moe’s Hardware was established at 162 S. Maple St. in Grant, MI by Elmo ‘Moe’ Campbell in 1950. Adjoined to the hardware sat a house in which Moe & his family resided. Char Campbell (Vittone), Moe’s wife stated “As soon as the kids could walk, they were helping out at the hardware”. Read more>>
Daphne MacKenzie
My journey started the day I took my kids to the mall and they asked if they could go in the pet store. I love looking at cute animals so in we went. We walked through the whole store and then came the ‘can we get a dog?’ questions! Having seen all the dogs I was confident in my response. Read more>>
Hannah Harris
I moved to Michigan in 2017 shortly after returning to the US from Ireland with a Masters degree in Ethnomusicology — I had worked at County Emmet Celtic Shop in Petoskey as a seasonal employee the summer before and the owner asked me back to train as the manager for the shop. Read more>>
David Gagnon
I started making wine in my home basement around 2006. I wanted to create a natural wine, without chemicals or additives. I researched how this type of wine was produced in Europe and fine winerys. I trialed 10-15 diferent Varietals, different yeast, oak and no oak, as well as aging time for 6 to 36 months. Read more>>
ANJALIE WASSINK
There wasn’t just one moment, it was a series of small realizations that kept getting louder until we couldn’t ignore them anymore. My husband had spent years in the industry, learning, growing, and pouring everything he had into his craft. He had been a winemaker for over 13 years, mastering his process, refining his palate, and building something truly special. Read more>>
Jeremiah Shipton
I Started this all many years ago with 15+ years as a professional driver and then moved into youth outreach for almost a decade. The move to start my own driving school made sense by merging the two main skills I have together. Read more>>
Jaia Honey
I started out just like a lot of people—an aspiring model here in Michigan, looking for gigs and trying to turn it into something real. At the time, I really believed I was getting my foot in the door. But I quickly ran into some pushback. Read more>>
Porta Schut
My journey started 10 years ago, when I went on a trip to Haiti, with a friend who was starting a ministry of her own, and my daughter. My daughter was asked to go to help take care of kids in an orphanage for 2 months, while the owner needed to do other work. My friend’s ministry was doing Women’s Ministry. Read more>>
Story CommunityGarden
My journey has been rooted in community, leadership, and creating spaces where people can grow. I started by building experience in operations, event planning, and management, where I learned how to organize systems, lead teams, and bring ideas to life. Over the years, I developed a passion for wellness, community engagement, and helping others access opportunities that improve their quality of life. Read more>>
Liz Tyrrell
This career path actually began with an epiphany more than 20 years ago, sitting alone on a park bench in San Francisco, staring into a fountain. I remember asking myself how I could possibly bring together everything I loved: my degree in cultural anthropology, my passion for travel, my desire to truly help people, preserve beautiful art, and my natural love of home décor. Read more>>
Joel Schoon-Tanis
I’ve been a self-employed artist since 1990. After working in an art gallery for about year out of college, I made the leap into full time painting. I call the first decade of my career the Tourist Town era. I was represented in galleries around the country in cities where tourists travelled. Read more>>
Lillian Swan
In the summer of 2024, we were watching our kids play on our old foam water mat. It had a giant hole in the middle from when someone had jumped on it from a dock causing a rip entirely through the foam. Other than falling apart, we had other frustrations with the product. Read more>>
Mercedes Scott
From Faith to Film: A Journey Rooted in Purpose I was born and raised in Detroit—a place that shaped my resilience, my voice, and my story. Growing up, life wasn’t always clear or easy, but one thing remained constant: a quiet, undeniable pull toward something greater. I felt it deep within me. Read more>>
Laura Sweet
I decided I wanted to be a travel agent and I acted on it 3 years ago in May 2023. I love to travel and I go to different places pretty often. I like sharing my travel experiences with my friends and others and try to encourage my friends to spread their wings and try new places! Read more>>
Taron Youngblood
You began TY Notary Services by spotting a need in Kent County and Grand Rapids. From those early days, with just ambition and precision, it grew into a trusted mobile notary service. Today, it stands as a reflection of my detailed-oriented approach and commitment to serving my community. Read more>>
Laura Raisch
My path wasn’t a straight line, but it’s always been rooted in a love for community and the arts. I’ve been connected to the arts from an early age—trained in ballet and theater—and that creative foundation has stayed with me throughout my life. Read more>>
