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.
Allen Brooks
When I was 8, my mom brought home an old Commodore 64 and said ‘apparently this can play games, and if you can make it work, it’s yours.’ So I set to work learning about video games, computers and leading to a lifetime of love for the art form. Read more>>
Joseph Dotson
When I was 4 years old, I watched way too much Television. I didn’t want to get bullied entering grade school, so I started practicing Tae Kwan Do. But after 7 years of practice, it felt like they weren’t teaching anything new. With the gnat-like attention span of a child, I was bored. When we moved away, I quit. Read more>>
Walker Perkovich
Our sister restaurant, Lefty’s Main Street Grille, opened in 2004. 622 North opened in 2010. Both are family owned and operated. My little brother, George, runs Lefty’s, and I have run 622 North since 2013. Our family being from California, both restaurants started with Californian influence. 622 North has evolved over the years to provide an eclectic menu with influence from around the world. Read more>>
Sergio Kehl
Our Story: From Partners to ‘Cuates’ It all started when the three of us were working together in Mexican restaurants. As partners, we quickly became Cuates (twins/close friends). Together, we fell deeply in love with the food, the vibrant spices, and the rich aromas of authentic cooking. Read more>>
Corrie Miracle
Hey! I’m Corrie and the baker behind the cottage, home bakery, Mixing Bowl Cookie Co. I’m a small, one-woman owned bakery based in Woodbridge, Virginia with a focus on custom designed sugar cookies, cake pops, macarons and cookie cakes! What brought me to Woodbridge? Read more>>
James Kroll
I’ve always wanted to build something from the ground up, it was just a matter of what it was going to be. I graduated from William and Mary with a Bachelors in International Relations, and a Minor in Russian Post-Soviet Studies, so, of course, a coffee business was the next logical step. Read more>>
Jason Hess
Before my business I oversaw government contracts in the shipyard and was not satisfied in the direction my life was going. I stumbled upon mushroom cultivation as a hobby and realized I had a knack for it, and nobody in my area was growing gourmet mushrooms in any sort of serious capacity. Read more>> Read more>>
Gerson Diaz
We are a company that started in early 2023. We began as a two-person team, taking on small jobs. Today, we have grown into two teams of four people each. Read more>>
Belen Ramos
Mental and health and women’s wellness are close to my heart. Having my own personal journey to menopause, I curated a massage therapy shop catering to women. Read more>>
Colleen Casares
My husband and I have four children, ranging in ages from 15-3. We are also an active duty military family, so we have spent a lot of time in play places over the years. When we saw that Catalillies was being sold it just felt right for us to step up. Read more>>
Baladi Bread
At first, I was a software engineer, and I was always looking for a side hustle. One day, I came up with the idea of making hawawshi as a wholesale street food product. Hawawshi is seasoned ground beef mixed with onions and peppers, stuffed inside baladi bread. Read more>>
Shannon Andes
My name is Shannon Andes. I’ve always been passionate about food and combining international cuisines in ways that are familiar. I went to culinary school in Washington DC at The Art Institute. Worked in italian for about 10 years and opened a sandwich shop on VCU’s campus in RVA back in 2013. Read more>>
Malika Ali Muhammad
I graduated from Kean University with a B.A. in Communications and Minors in Political Science and Africana Studies. Read more>>
Kim Koletas
I’ve always been creative and dreamed of having my own business, but for years it remained a “someday” dream. In 2020, when I found myself out of work during the pandemic, I finally decided to take the leap. Years earlier, I had taken a stained glass class at a small community center and completely fallen in love with the art form. Read more>>
Allison B. Young
Gathered: Storied Botanicals was a school project at the beginning. I returned to school after burning out from work as a floral designer doing wedding flowers, and earned my MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Read more>>
Scotti Quam
I grew up in the fire service. My father was a Fire Lieutenant with the Milwaukee Fire Department—a hazmat specialist and Honor Guard founder. I learned early what it means to carry a job that never fully comes home with you, and what it costs a family when it does. That foundation shaped more than I realized at the time. Read more>>
Maishia Johnson
MaiDlynn’s Chic Boutique was born from both passion and necessity. In 2020, I noticed a gap in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia fashion industry for professional women who wanted clothing that was stylish, comfortable, and versatile enough to transition from the office to after-work events. Read more>>
Alejandra Zamora
My journey in the construction industry began in 2008 when I joined a commercial millwork company as an Administrative Assistant. I later advanced to the role of Estimator Assistant, supporting architects and assisting with project estimates. This experience provided a strong foundation in the construction industry and taught me the value of teamwork, planning, and attention to detail. Read more>>
Rocio Iglesias
For over 17 years, we have been dedicated to creating a warm, family-oriented environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. Our journey began in 2009 as a small home daycare with just five enrolled students. In fact, that’s where our name, Hi Five Daycare, came from—a celebration of those first five children and the dream of creating a nurturing place for families. Read more>>
Ben Krist
I was always into art. I started getting tattooed at a very young age, most of which I did on myself. Growing up around people who were in and out of jail, I learned how to make a machine when I was 13 years old. That was when I started unofficially tattooing. Read more>>
Riccardo Rinaldi
I grew up in Montecatini Terme, Italy (20 min from Florence), where my love for food and wine began at home. My father grew our produce and made olive oil and wine, teaching me that great hospitality starts with respecting ingredients, tradition, and the people around the table. Read more>>
Kochi Rashid
My best friend Julius and I were known for hosting epic barbecues for hangry people. All our friends would come enjoy themselves as we cooked all day and fed them well. Making people happy and having memorable experience is what we love to do so we decided to share that passion with the world. Read more>>
Chase Walters
I first experienced massage at five years old when my godmother massaged my hand, demonstrating techniques she learned at the Virginia School of Massage. I was so stoked when she finished and my affinity for massage stayed with me. Read more>>
Susan Jamieson
I am the founder and principal designer of Bridget Beari Designs, an award-winning interior design firm I have owned and operated for the past 35 years. We specialize primarily in luxury residential design projects along the East Coast, from New York to Florida, while also serving clients internationally, including projects in Costa Rica and Mexico. Read more>>
LaShawn Payton
Faith that walks on water, which is sometimes hard for others to believe is how this all started. Over ten years writing the Vision and preparing to one day have a program where children can learn and thrive. This was a dream turned to reality. Putting my faith to action and watching God move on my behalf and stepping out on faith. Read more>>
Peter Davis
My father-in-law bought two tomato plants for our young family to grow on our apartment patio when he visited us in Los Angeles in 2006 and I was hooked. I grew up helping my dad with building and yard projects and had always enjoyed working outdoors, so this was a logical next step. Read more>>
Daniel Lavinder
After serving many years in the US Coast Guard, I decided to use my CPA license to start an accounting firm, Guardian Solutions CPA. Guardian Solutions began in 2022 after trying to find some part time tax prep jobs that didn’t work out. During that first year I completed a few 1040 returns and I was able to better understand the services we would offer. Read more>>
Sarah Bowlin
My husband and I have always loved ‘the thrill of the hunt’- second hand stores, markets, and antiques-so this is a dream come true. A business opportunity to help others and LOVE what we do- together! As a community, employer, FAMILY- WE are ALL in this life together- making a difference day by day, sometimes just a SMILE makes the difference. Read more>>
ELSIE THEODORE
My journey into the financial services industry wasn’t a straight path—it was built on resilience, determination, and a vision for a better future for my daughter and myself. I became a mother at just 16 years old. Raised in a hardworking immigrant family, I learned early the value of sacrifice, perseverance, and doing whatever it takes to create opportunities. Read more>>
Desiray Miquelarena
When I was 11 years old my grandmother bought me a tiny little blue film camera that I carried EVERYWHERE. I still remember the excitement waiting for the prints to be ready for pickup. Soon I had a whole shoe box full of wonderful memories. In high school, I took Photography and print making and loved the dark room. Read more>>
Ineka Waller
I’m the founder of WellnessWithWaller, a holistic wellness brand rooted in trauma informed healing, nervous system support, and creating intentional spaces for people to reconnect with themselves. My background is in mental health counseling and crisis stabilization, and for years I worked in high intensity environments supporting individuals through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Read more>>
Will Hall
I’ve always been drawn to helping people and solving problems, which is ultimately what led me into the payments and financial services industry. Early in my career, I saw firsthand how many business owners were frustrated by confusing pricing, poor service, long-term contracts, and a lack of transparency from their providers. Read more>>
Maureen Bartosh
We moved from Phoenix AZ to Fredericksburg, VA in 2002. My husband commuted to DC everyday via the VRE train. There wasn’t a place for the commuters to get coffee/breakfast on their way. Remember this was early 2000’s 🙂 In 2006 a building near the train station went up for rent. My husband encouraged me to check it out. Read more>>
