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.
Nigel Clouse
Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I began studying at the Historic Arts Depot in Union City, Indiana when I was eight years old and continued developing my skills throughout high school. My interest in art eventually led me to study digital design and spend about a decade working professionally in commercial art. Read more>>
Alex Kessler
I started wanting to be a filmmaker at the end of my high school years. I attended Oakland Community College for their cinematic arts program. Having to work to work full time as well as attend school took a long time to finish. The next summer I began my search for work as a filmmaker. Read more>>
Lacey Impellizeri
My love for stories started pretty much from birth. At night, after my dad went to work, my mom and I would crawl up on the big chair in the living room and read an entire wicker basket filled with story books. Read more>>
Armonie Barber
I’ve always loved food, traveling, and trying new restaurants and cuisines. During COVID, I decided to spend more time in the kitchen and really work on my cooking skills. I started with simple pasta dishes, and as my confidence grew, I challenged myself with seafood, premium steaks, and more complex recipes. The more I cooked, the more I realized how much I truly enjoyed it. Read more>>
Zeshawn Khan
Hello! My name is Zeshawn, and I’m an avid board gamer, fantasy reader, and content creator. I’ve been playing board games and reading for as long as I can remember, and for the past few years I’ve had the privilege of sharing those passions with people online through BoardandShield. What started as a hobby quickly grew into something much bigger. Read more>>
Maya James
My artistic pursuits align with my commitment to community engagement and social justice. My work is based on strategic social practice initiatives and community practice artwork, and I currently run a business for Black Artists called “A Black Artist’s Path”, with our residency in Mackinac Island launching in 2027 and the application launching July 27th, 2026. Read more>>
Michael Jon Watt
I was born in Los Angeles, and was raised in Northern Michigan. I studied graphic design and moved around a bit. In 2008 I was working as a freelance designer in Los Angeles and wanted to buy a home. Read more>>
Jason ‘Eastside Jayneato’ Nieto
I started writing rhymes and making songs early ..wanted to be an entertainer ..or a basketball player ..I grew up in a small town called Adrian Michigan..making MixTapes and songs with local rappers and producers and Djs..lots of ups and downs and dead ends to hurdle..until my Music made it to Detroit..and local rap legend DICE,who was formally with ESHAM..heard my music and messages and reached out to me..after that I went on to make songs appeared at the African music festival in Detroit..and met MC BREED and did a song with him..after that I started my own label and kept putting out music til this day Read more>>
Alex George
I’ve never fit inside one box, and for a long time I thought that meant something was wrong with me. By day, I worked in corporate technology and procurement. Read more>>
Aisha Thomas
I am a native Detroiter, and my career has always been rooted in real estate, community development and creating opportunities through property ownership. I began my real estate career in 2001 after earning my undergraduate degree from Wayne State University. Read more>>
Jennifer Wilson
People often ask how Celestial Farms wedding venue began, but for me, it wasn’t one defining moment—it was something that happened naturally. It was a series of life events, and a commitment to creating something beautiful and meaningful. The property was originally our family’s horse farm, a place that held years of memories and family traditions. Read more>>
Blake Jones
I’ve been interested in tattoos for my entire life. I never expected it to be something I would ever be able to do as a career. When I was 18 years old I decided it was time to take my love of the craft seriously, and put all of my time and effort into being the best artist I could be. Read more>>
Luke Durling
My name is Luke Durling. I’m a writer /poet from Hudson MI and I have cerebral palsy (more specifically kernicterus). I’ve got a BA in Creative Writing from Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI, an MFA in Creative Writing from Miami University in Oxford, OH, and have published two poetry collections- “Flipbook of Myself “in 2023 and “The Maple Tree Epiphanies” in 2025. Read more>>
Hailey Cremeans
I’ve always been hyper-independent. I started working at 14 years old at a catering business my friend’s mom owned. I bought my own first car, got my license right when I turned 16. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a job. I knew that going to traditional college wasn’t for me, but I didn’t know what *was* for me. Read more>>
Curtis Dunkerley
I didn’t really realize it until now but ever since a kid, I was being bred to be in the realm of story. To be in service of narrative ideas, mine or others. Read more>>
Alayna Sky
People often ask me who Alayna Sky is, and the answer has grown with every season of my life. I wear many hats. I am WJZZ media personnel and a brand ambassador, an actress, a model, a public relations specialist, a mentor, and a scholar. Read more>>
James Rees
From my earliest memories, I have viewed the world through the lens of an artist. Growing up in the shadow of the mountains of Utah, I was almost always found with a pencil in my hand, drawing. Creating art wasn’t simply something I enjoyed—it was how I made sense of the world. Creativity was woven into my family life. Read more>>
Beatrice Mwansa
I was born in Kalulushi, Zambia, and later moved to the United States, where I continued my education and built a new life. My journey between these two countries has shaped who I am. Zambia gave me my roots, culture, strength, and identity, while the United States gave me opportunities to grow, learn, and challenge myself. Read more>>
Rachel O’Connor
I became a massage therapist in 2013, but I didn’t start out knowing exactly what kind of therapist I wanted to be. Like a lot of massage therapists, I began with traditional hands-on massage and worked in a few different settings before opening my own practice. Over time, the physical demands of massage started taking a toll on my body. Read more>>
Heather Hurd
I’m Heather, the heart and hands behind The Kneady Homesteader and Kneading To Heal. For years, my kitchen has been the heartbeat of my home… a place where bread rises, jars seal, and meals are stretched. What began as a homesteading journey to nourish my family has grown into a mission to help others find peace, purpose, and preparedness through simple, faith-filled living. Read more>>
Arris Gordon
Related Through Racks was born from both a dream and a loss. Growing up, some of my closest friends and I always talked about creating a clothing brand called Related Through Racks, but we never took that first step. After losing friends who meant the world to me, I graduated high school and spent time working in carpentry. Read more>>
Andrea Baquero
I began teaching when I was 13 years old, giving piano lessons to a neighbor. What started as a simple opportunity quickly became a lifelong vocation, and I never stopped teaching. Over the past three decades, my work has evolved far beyond piano instruction. Read more>>
Freshta Tori Jan
I was born in Afghanistan, where my family faced severe persecution as members of the Hazara ethnic minority. Growing up in a country scarred by decades of war and extremist violence, I witnessed firsthand how quickly fear and injustice can reshape lives. My mother was tortured, my childhood stolen, my school was shut down, and in an instant I had to leave my family behind. Read more>>
David Thomas
I was born and raised in the heart of hip hop the Bronx NY, with my heritage and roots stemming from Jamaica. I began dancing at the young age of 4, impersonating moves from the king of pop Michael Jackson. Read more>>
Kimari LaSalle
Creativity has been a part of who I am for as long as I can remember. Around the age of four or five, you could almost always find me with a pencil, paintbrush, or sketchbook in my hands. I loved drawing, painting, and creating fashion illustrations. I would spend hours sketching stylish outfits, glamorous heels, and anything that allowed my imagination to come to life. Read more>>
Shannon Finazzo
I started college as a fine arts student and eventually transferred to Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD), where I pivoted to graphic design. While I loved fine arts, graphic design offered a way to combine creativity with a practical career. After graduation, I built my career across higher education, agency, corporate, and freelance environments. At KCAD, I learned production and project management. Read more>>
Todd Weiss
Well, I joined the army at 18 and spent a little over 15 years serving this country. After I got out I dealt with substance abuse issues and alcoholism. I educated myself on what cannabis truly was and use that as my medicine. Read more>>
Autumn Endress
Our flower farm started on a cold, sleepless, winter night in 2022. We had been in our home for about 6 months and I was worn out from all the renovations we had been making throughout the Summer. By winter, we had moved all our renovations inside and I just couldn’t fall asleep. Read more>>
Annette Wright
Myself, and a group of friends met to discuss launching an Air Cargo Business to provide service between Michigan and countries in West Africa. We agreed to name the company Alafia Air. Although the plans were lofty the work required to raise capital proved to be very challenging. Read more>>
Rachel Follmar
I am coming up on the other side of a four year journey into the underworld, so to speak. Earth becomes our school for whatever we came to this earth to bring to humanity in this lifetime. As I provide music, education, remembrance, and guided reclamation of the feminine mysteries, I am schooled on it. Every day. Read more>>
Angelea Torralva
Last January my friends and I were doing “dry January” and I started to make myself really delicious and functional mocktails because I’ve always had a huge passion and interest in holistic health. I also have a background in the service industry and one of my favorite past jobs was a small vegetarian restaurant and juice bar called Gaia cafe. Read more>>
Marc Huntoon
My wife Elizabeth and I are semi-retired academic physicians, both hailing from small villages in Michigan. We worked at places like Mayo Clinic, Vanderbilt, and Virginia Commonwealth and were fortunate to be asked to lead programs, lecture around the country and all over the world. Read more>>
Eddie Leww
I mean, where do I even begin I started DJing around 2011 with a group called vice team the versatile image we used to throw events all over Metro Detroit area starting with 18 and up and then we evolved into doing all 21 up parties and clubs. Read more>>
Kimmie Horne
**Kimmie Horne – International Vocalist, Recording Artist, Curator, Cultural Ambassador, Producer & Community Leader** Internationally acclaimed vocalist, recording artist, curator, and entertainer **Kimmie Horne** is a dynamic force in music, arts, and cultural engagement\. A proud Detroit native, Kimmie has built an extraordinary career spanning more than three decades, captivating audiences throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and beyond\. Read more>>
Rebby Stewart
My name is Rebby, I’m an anishinaabek artist based in West Michigan. I’ve been drawn to art for as long as I can remember, as well as nature, I spent so much of my childhood outside. I especially loved birds and listening to them, so much so that my dream in the third grade was to be a birder. Read more>>
Shahrzad Mitchell
My name is Shahrzad Mitchell, and I came to the United States from Iran about 15 years ago. My professional background is in genetics, bioinformatics, healthcare, and data analytics, and for many years, I worked in the corporate world. But ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always had a passion for tea. Read more>>
BeaJai Ramsey
Hey ! My name is Bea and I’m the founder and owner of Beajjai Photography. We’re a photography company based in Detroit, Michigan. I’ve been shooting for 10 plus years, along with my late partner Eboni Parker aka singer 3xotic. We specialized in High fashion photography, product photography and content creation. When we first started as a company we photographed Children, Weddings, events, and etc. Read more>>
Hugh Anderson
Like many photographers, I started with a camera and a passion for creating images, but what really drew me in was working with people. Over the years I realized that the best photographs aren’t just technically good—they help people see themselves with confidence. That led me to build Hugh Anderson Photography in Bloomfield Hills, focusing on professional headshots and corporate event photography. Read more>>
Lulu Ogadinma
I’ve always been someone who loved saving money. Since my teen years, I would shop the clearance racks and store sales. I didn’t get serious with saving money and couponing until 2021 when I found out I was pregnant with my second child. At the time my first child was 13. Read more>>
