Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabe Hammes.
Hi Gabe, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is sitting in my grandma’s room, plucking away at her piano and just exploring what I could create. From there, creativity never really left. Being homeschooled gave me the freedom to try a lot of different things — music, videos, design — and that helped shape who I am.
As I got older, I kept jumping into whatever opportunities came my way. I toured with bands, worked a few marketing/media jobs, and learned a lot just by doing. During that time, I also spent two years taking care of my grandma full-time while working a 9–5 and finishing high school. It was a crazy season, but it taught me a lot about resilience and the value of people.
After she passed, something in me shifted. I realized how much I wanted to champion small businesses and local creatives here in my own city — the people who are building something meaningful but don’t always have the support. That’s where The Local GH came from. I started using the skills I had to help people tell their stories, and over time it grew into videography, coaching, and creating spaces where people can feel confident in their creativity.
My story isn’t perfect or traditional, but every step pushed me toward what I’m doing now — helping people show up with clarity, purpose, and heart.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road — but honestly, I don’t think I’d want it to be. Being a freelancer comes with a lot of challenges. There’s no guaranteed paycheck, no set routine, and no one laying out a clear path for you. You have to figure out pricing, systems, client relationships, the creative work itself — and you’re doing it mostly alone.
But even with all of that, there’s a freedom and joy that I wouldn’t trade for anything. The hard days taught me how to trust myself, how to keep going, and how to build something from nothing. And the good days remind me why I started in the first place. I get to wake up and create. I get to serve people. I get to build a life that’s not just about work, but about purpose.
Freelancing forces you to grow in ways you don’t expect. It pushes you to be resourceful, to rely on your creativity, and to stay rooted in who you are — even when things feel uncertain. And as tough as the journey can be, there’s something incredible about knowing that every step, every challenge, every win is part of a story you’re writing yourself.
That’s where the joy comes from. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s meaningful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I spend my time helping people communicate their story with clarity and confidence — whether that’s a business owner, a community leader, or a nonprofit. Over time, The Local GH has become the home for all of that, blending videography, marketing coaching, and creative training into one mission: helping people show up authentically.
Through video, I get to capture who someone is in a way that feels real and human. Through coaching, I walk people through simplifying their marketing, understanding their message, and building systems they can actually manage. And through workshops, I help teams and individuals use the tools they already have so they can create with confidence instead of feeling overwhelmed.
What I love most is seeing people grow. When a leader gains clarity, or a nonprofit finally shares their mission in a way that connects, or someone who felt stuck starts creating again — those moments remind me why I do this. They mean more than any single project.
And I think what sets my work apart is the approach. I focus on the person just as much as the end product. It’s never just about making content; it’s about championing people, meeting them where they are, and helping them build something sustainable, genuine, and full of heart.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t know if I’d call it luck as much as timing and grace. There have definitely been moments where things lined up in ways I couldn’t have planned — meeting the right people, getting opportunities I didn’t expect, or having doors open at just the right moment. And there have also been seasons that felt like the complete opposite, where everything was hard and nothing seemed to work.
Both have shaped me.
The “good luck” moments taught me to stay grateful and humble. The tough moments taught me resilience, patience, and how to keep showing up even when things don’t make sense. And honestly, running a creative business takes a mix of both — unexpected breaks and unexpected challenges.
But I don’t build my life or business on luck. I build it on consistency, faith, and showing up with what I have. When I look back, I see how the highs and lows have worked together to push me forward, grow me, and refine the way I create and serve people today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thelocalgh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelocalgh/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555872291543
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelocalgh
Image Credits
Gregory D Productions
thelocalgh films
