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.
Rick Wade
My story started in Michigan. I grew up in Buchanan, went to the University of Michigan, and eventually found my way into Detroit radio, DJ culture and music production. Read more>>
Albano Kurti 
I moved from Albania ten years ago and started my career in hair as an apprentice. I had a lot to learn, but I was determined to grow, develop my craft, and create something meaningful through hair. Over the years, I built my career step by step, constantly pushing myself creatively and professionally. Read more>>
Abby Orahoske 
I think I’ve always had that creative side in me, even when I was really young. When I was a kid, my dad and his friends were always working on different projects around our old house. I’d go around picking up whatever scraps they had left over and start hammering pieces together until I thought I made something. Read more>>
Mary Reusch 
From my childhood, I felt that art was my foremost interest in life. I finally got the chance to follow my dream when I re-entered college as a 27 year old mother. At that time, I needed to get a degree in Graphic Art so that I could support my family. Read more>>
Tamara Mechael 
I started professionally writing songs in the studio around 5th/6th grade in Eastpointe at The Disc Ltd. Recording Studio. My sister, Farrah, was recording original songs so they brought me in to write for her. We both grew up classically trained and singing at the Detroit Opera House along with at Catholic Church. Read more>>
Omar Al Hadithi
My story started in Iraq, where my passion for art, technology, and media began at an early age. I started with drawing and painting, and later expanded into sculpture, computer graphics, animation, and design. Read more>>
Robyn Gilleran 
My name is Robyn Gilleran, and I’m an actor, lifestyle model and stand-up comedian based in the Detroit area. My journey into entertainment has definitely not been a straight line. I wanted to study theater in college, but my parents, who apparently wanted me to be able to afford groceries, didn’t think that was a sustainable career choice. Read more>>
Priscilla Sauceda 
My journey to BabyTime Center has been a very personal one. I came to the United States from Mexico with dreams of building a life for my family, but like many immigrants, I had to learn how to navigate a new culture, a new language, and a completely different environment while finding my own place in it. Read more>>
Raiven McDaniel 
I’m Raiven, a creative and entrepreneur from Detroit, Michigan. I’ve always been drawn to fashion, storytelling, and the art of creating things that make people feel something. Growing up in Detroit shaped a lot of how I see the world. Read more>>
Zachary Poisson
Omega Construction was started in Detroit in 1949 and has been in Ann Arbor since 1993. We are a 4th generation family owned and operated company. We have always operated with the goal of offering the best possible quality of work and the best possible experience for the client that we can offer. Read more>>
Ryleigh Kryska 
I have always cared deeply about mental health. But over the years, I have come to understand that mental health does not exist in a vacuum. A person can be sitting in a therapist’s office talking about anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress, but what happens when they leave that office and go home to an empty refrigerator? Read more>>
Elan Bridges 
I sat alone in the NICU next to my newborn daughter’s isolette 17 years ago. After the horrific experience of my rushed emergency cesarean, followed by complete disregard by the unit staff, I was in a great deal of pain. The only thing that kept me going was seeing my baby’s face. Read more>>
Angela Nelson
Our Owner & Horticulturist, Angela Nelson, received her bachelor degree in horticulture science from Michigan State University and is also a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. She has over 30 years of experience in the green industry working and volunteering with plants, gardens, and landscaping. Read more>>
Robbie Best 
My life experiences have probably been the single most important influence on my artwork and my world view. I was born in Birmingham Alabama, grew up in Detroit and was greatly influenced by the rapidly changing and turbulent times of the 60’s. Read more>>
Séamus Hyman 
I started learning to make films in high school because my school offered a filmmaking class. I had always loved movies and wondered how they were made (in particular, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly). My best friend convinced me, so I decided to try it out! From there, I fell in love with the camera and decided to make a career of it. Read more>>
Jalen Melville 
I’m Jalen Melville, but my stage name is JayMel the Rage God. I have been doing music since I was 14 years old, back in highschool. Ever since I started making music I could never put it down. It’s has gotten to the point where it feel like a religious practice how much time and effort and energy i put into music. Read more>>
Sandra Ramocan
I was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, and I often say that my journey has not necessarily been a straight line, but every experience has prepared me for the work I am doing today. For more than 20 years, I have had the privilege of working with children, families, and survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and other forms of trauma. Read more>>
Michael Cousins 
DETROIT COUSIN started when I arrived back home from college in 2010. I noticed redevelopment was bubbling up yet there was so much self defeating talk about the city. I decided to add my two cents and create a blog highlighting all the community efforts underway — old and new. Read more>>
Lydia Michael
I was born and raised in Germany, and culture has shaped everything I do. My career in the U.S. started in digital media and marketing at the Detroit Jazz Festival. From there, I moved to an artist relations and management firm based in Detroit and Los Angeles, along with its independent record label. Read more>>
Carly Skerbeck Vertz 
Skerbeck Family Carnival has entertained generations of people throughout the United States since the late 1800’s. Based out of Escanaba, with a Michigan centered route, we travel creating joy, excitement, and a fun family experience. It’s no surprise we’re a family run business. Bill & CJ Skerbeck have instilled integrity, a strong work ethic, and partnership, into each of their children, Bob, Dustin & Carly. Read more>>
Jeff Breuhan 
Throughout high school, I worked with my dad who was a builder and a teacher. After getting experience in the trades, I wanted to give the electrical side a try. I joined the electrical union in traverse city and completed a five year apprenticeship through them while working for multiple different contractors in a variety of settings. Read more>>
Jen Bullen 
I sometimes joke that Rising Strong Wellness has grown up alongside me, because what I do now looks pretty different from what I thought I was building when I first started. My way into this work was really through my own body. I spent years working in healthcare and as a first responder, often on night shift, and I became very good at pushing through. Read more>>
Bernice Baran 
I grew up with a mom who was a baker, she catered European desserts for large Romanian weddings. I never really had any interest in baking as a kid but I did love watching my mom, it felt very therapeutic.  I went to nursing school and then while working as an RN, I slowly started baking and brought all my baked goods to coworkers. Read more>>
Kady Booth 
Growing up, I spent much of my life within local community theatres. Starting in youth programming and eventually spending 4 years on the Teenage Musicals Inc. Board of Directors, I was involved in the arts throughout my entire childhood. I eventually went on to pursue my degree in theatre at Oakland University, where I graduated in 2021. Read more>>
Allyson Paige Mrozek 
My story really began with cakes. I’ve always been drawn to art and making things with my hands, and baking became the place where those two parts of me could meet. I started by decorating cakes, but eventually I discovered cookies—and honestly, they changed my entire life. What captivated me about cookies was the canvas they gave me. Read more>>
Heather Emmons 
My story started in Bay City, MI. As a child, I was placed into the gifted & talented program in my elementary school. Even amongst my peers, I experienced a tremendous amount of bullying that went on for years. There was always something just a little bit different about me that was hard to put a finger on. Read more>>
Arina Nikolskaya 
My route into the bar industry was actually quite accidental. I have a PhD in linguistics, and my professional life started while I was still at university, when I joined the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee in the years leading up to the Games. Read more>>
Eugene Wilson V 
I grew up in the suburbs of Metro Detroit where my first creative obsession wasn’t film, it was music. I started playing drums for my church at seven years old, recorded and mixed for various local artist, produced a few albums, joined the Drumline and Symphony band at Michigan State and assumed that was the path. Read more>>
Tegest Walker 
Real estate has always been something I was drawn to, long before I ever considered it a career. Growing up, my grandfather and I would watch HGTV together, and I loved everything from the homes themselves to the design and décor. I even remember helping my parents choose different details for our own home. Read more>>
Brandy McCurrie 
My story really begins in Detroit, where I grew up surrounded by family, faith, music, community, and service. I come from a large, loving family, and some of my earliest memories involve watching my mother serve others. She was a seamstress and was very active in our community. Read more>>
Jovan Naves
I’ve always been pretty intentional about what I wanted, and I’ve never really been afraid to go after it. For me, it’s been a combination of hard work, dedication, learning as much as I could, and being willing to figure things out through trial and error. Read more>>
Brett Thorsen 
I am a second generation owner that started in the business at a very young age. My late father, Paul, started the business around 1978 after years of installing floors. I quickly became his shadow in life and enjoyed being around the business. Read more>>
Arielle Townsel 
My career began in the creative industry as a model, but I quickly found myself drawn behind the scenes into creative direction, branding, and strategy. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with brands and organizations across different industries, and each experience helped shape the way I approach my work today. I officially launched Holly K. Co. Read more>>
Kelsey Elliott 
I’ve been in the beauty industry for about 18 years, and what started as a love for doing hair has grown into a career I never could have completely mapped out when I began. Over the years, I’ve built a clientele, become a salon owner, and grown into an educator and mentor for other stylists. Read more>>
