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.
Charles Pangle
I am an entrepreneur, visionary, and local artist carrying forward a family legacy that started in 1933. My grandfather opened Pangle’s Department Store in Pound, Virginia, and I was raised playing in the front display window of our store in Wise, where I even met my future wife as kids. Read more>>
Andrew Linn
BLDUS is an architecture practice founded by Jack Becker and Andrew Linn in 2013 in the District of Columbia. BLDUS works with natural materials to create a healthy architecture fit for the MidAtlantic climate. Known for its high-performance healthy houses built in DC’s back alleys and vulnerable historic districts, BLDUS is proving the economic and cultural viability of farm-to-shelter™ building components in the Nation’s capital. Read more>>
Kari Fotis
I was a special education teacher in York County, VA for about 20 years before I took an early retirement and went into private practice, opening Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center (HRDC) in the fall of 2020. When I graduated from William and Mary, one of my professors gave some important advice: anytime your school offers any specialized training in reading, raise your hand to go. Read more>>
Bassam Sebti
At the heart of Idea Lab Digital Marketing is a story of persistence, creativity, and passion. I built this agency after more than two decades of experience in digital communications, marketing, and storytelling—work that I am proud to say has earned recognition and awards for creativity and excellence. My journey started long before the launch of Idea Lab. Read more>>
Amanda Lewis
My Journey to Wonderfully Made Family Services My journey into counseling was not a straight or easy path. It developed gradually, one intentional step at a time. I began with a sincere desire to help people feel understood, supported, and empowered, but I also experienced seasons when I had to pause, reevaluate my direction, and see my purpose from a different perspective. Read more>>
Heather Kime
Big Walker Lookout was built by my grandparents, Stuart and Abigail (Abbie) Kime. It started out as a little roadside diner and while Stuart built, Abbie ran the restaurant and store. They expanded to a full service restaurant and gift shop. Stuart built the first 50′ of the observation tower himself and contracted the second 50′ to be completed. Read more>>
Chase Duncan
Bronzed Dolls was born from a very personal experience. After visiting other spray tanning businesses, I sometimes left feeling uncomfortable and judged rather than confident. Spray tanning is such a personal service, and I realized that if I had ever felt that way, there were probably many other people who had felt the same. That experience inspired me to create something different. Read more>>
Christina Cernera
Growing up I always loved to bake and that continued into adulthood. Any chance I got I would bake anything and everything. When Covid happened, I needed a creative outlet and wanted to try something new so I thought, I’ll try decorated sugar cookies. I watched a few videos, talked to some friends that did it and decorated my first cookie in August 2020. Read more>>
Tipa Potjanamart
Our story began simply: we were a group of friends who loved spending time together and cooking Thai food at home. One of us, Ornnit, was always the star of every gathering — she cooked the dishes everyone looked forward to. Read more>>
Jill Trischman-Marks
Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is really a story that starts with one person’s idea that gained momentum through the local community. In 2008, Helen Flamini founded an all-volunteer nonprofit whose early mission was to build community awareness about the benefits of a public botanical garden. There was no site yet, just an idea and a lot of advocacy. Read more>>
Melanie Bush
Born and raised in Germany, I grew up in a family that relied on traditional herbal remedies and natural healing practices passed down through generations. These early experiences inspired my passion for holistic wellness and eventually led to the creation of Appalachian Wild Market. In 2022, my family relocated from Germany to Abingdon, Virginia, following my husband’s military service. Read more>>
Tammy Nelson
I grew up understanding food from both ends of the table. My dad was a farmer, and my mom was a restaurateur, so I learned very early where food started, how it was prepared, and what it meant to serve it to people. Growing up in a place called Farmville, that connection always felt especially important to me. Read more>>
Amie Corbett
Interior design has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. At 10 years old, I was already rearranging my bedroom and convincing my very patient mother to let me hang wallpaper. As I grew older, that creativity evolved through designing my own homes and building two homes with my husband. Read more>>
Scott Klein
Playing hockey was one of my favorite things as a kid. My first year of travel hockey, I was scoring two goals a game. I was basically the star of my peewee team. Read more>>
Oyunaa Waskin
My journey as an artist began long before I ever thought of calling myself a professional artist. I was born and raised in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where drawing was something I naturally loved from a very young age. My first art teacher was my father. He taught and encouraged me from an early age, and my mother was always beside me, supporting my love for art. Read more>>
richard killblane
I come from a family of boxers. I enlisted in the Army and served in Special Forces. I then went to West Point and won the light middle weight boxing championship and competed in tae kwon do. After graduation I served in the infantry and Special Forces. Read more>>
Michael Hiles
Hello my name is michael hiles, i have been tattooing for over 19 years and have enjoyed art much longer. I am an artist/painter that just got very lucky with tattooing and I thank god every day. Read more>>
Dr. Carmel Wiseman
My work in fertility is both professional and deeply personal. I’m a Doctor of Chiropractic by training, originally focused on perinatal and pediatric care, and I became increasingly drawn to the question of what happens *before* pregnancy—how we can support people in building the healthiest possible foundation for conception, pregnancy, and family life. My own difficult fertility journey transformed that interest into a calling. Read more>>
Drew Wyatt
My story with tequila unknowingly began in 2013 during a trip to Atlanta, Georgia. At the time, I had no idea that a casual lunch, a simple question, and one incredibly generous gesture would eventually change the trajectory of my life and plant the seed for what would become K.I.M. — Keeping It Margarita. Read more>>
Christine Kovacs
Hello, I have been a horsewoman from the age of nine. I am a first generation American my family moved to the US after WWII from Transylvania. Our family name means Blacksmith, so my roots are tied to horses as far as my family remembers. Through my youth I breed, showed and trained horses. Read more>>
Anna Shore
The farm brewery started as a hobby 30 years ago. My husband (an engineer) and I (a chemist) enjoyed the science and art of brewing and in an era before there were so many options, brewing our own beer meant many more style choices. Read more>>
Daija Monroe
My name is Daija Monroe, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, entrepreneur, author, trainer, and mental health advocate from Richmond, Virginia. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia State University and later received my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University. Read more>>
Kimberly Jones
In October of 2021, I unexpectedly became a single parent to my (then) 5 year old son. I had recently graduated with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 1 year prior, and was beginning the process of residency to obtain my license as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Read more>>
Sylvia Chipman
I grew up in a legacy of divorce. My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all of my siblings have been divorced at least once. I married my high school sweetheart back in 1997 and just five years into our marriage, we found ourselves heading toward a divorce ourselves. Read more>>
Richard Myers
During Covid I received word there were a few families who were sequestered in their homes. Since I was in good health and I was a cook, I was asked to help by providing meals for those in need. I did this for about a month as most people I delivered food had recovered. Read more>>
Greg Goodson
My path into photography started under the wide skies of eastern Colorado, where I spent time photographing storms. That experience taught me to pay close attention to light, weather, distance, and timing—skills that still shape how I approach every assignment. I continued developing my eye through landscape and bird photography, two disciplines that reward patience, preparation, and careful observation. Read more>>
Meghan Osborn
I’m Megh. I am creative and passionate. My dad would call me a “jack of all trades”. My story of how I became an artist started by accident. Sure, as a child I liked to color and draw and paint. However, I never thought I was any “good” at it, and therefore never pursued it. Read more>>
Eric Proffit
As far back as I can remember I always had a passion for photography. I remember when my father gifted me a camera after he saw how much I loved using his. Read more>>
Jessy Woodke
I was a punk rocker who learned about the PELL grant in my mid-twenties. I used it to try and escape the drunk/punk pipeline. It worked! I took an ecology class early on and became infuriated when I learned what our society has done to the earth. I focused my energy on sustainable agriculture and horticulture degrees. Read more>>
Nikki Knight
I have been sensitive to the otherside since I was very young. I didn’t start using my abilities fully till I was in my early 20s working at an old shop in Pittsburg CA called Eye of Newt. I am a tarot reader and psychic medium. Read more>>
