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.
Sarah Bohn
After years as a stay-at-home mom, I started a business in my basement with a single hand press and a simple idea: create custom products while giving my clients the kind of personal service that can be hard to find. Read more>>
Heather Baxter
Elevate Couples Counseling really grew out of a shared belief between the two of us that couples deserve a different kind of therapy experience, one that is specialized, intentional, and designed specifically around the complexity of relationships. Read more>>
Zephren Turner
Artform Signs is a custom sign studio in Roanoke, Virginia, run by husband-and-wife team Zephren and Page Turner. We make signs, murals, dimensional lettering, public-facing art, and restorations for the businesses and places that give our community its character. We came to this work from the art world, but we have always loved that a sign has a job to do. Read more>>
Lindsey Anderson
Honestly, I’ve been this way all my life. I used to walk around with a notebook, writing down all my dreams and the different ways I wanted to help people. I wanted to open a homeless shelter, have a farm for abandoned animals, and build a state-of-the-art school for teens ages 12 to 18 from underserved communities. I’m still working toward that last one. Read more>>
Clay Stanley
My number one obsession in life has always been movies. Since I was 4 years old, my father would take my brother and I to the local library in Front Royal, VA to check out a book and a couple of movies. This collection however, contained almost no modern films at all. Read more>>
Laurelyn Flowers
My name is Laurelyn Flowers, Owner of No Bad Cats, LLC, and my mission is to bring hope and help to cat guardians who are struggling with their beloved cat’s behaviors. The first cat with whom I ever fell truly in love was Sophie. Sleek and black, she not only looked heartbreakingly elegant and sophisticated, but she also had an incredible sense of humor. Read more>>
Stephanie Christensen
Listening to stories is honestly one of the reasons I love what I do. I grew up listening to my dad tell stories about growing up on a horse ranch in Arizona. And I grew up in horse country in Virginia, so between the two, I think I was just destined to love horses. Read more>>
Mohamed AbouElsoud
My journey has always been at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and visual communication. I started my career in Egypt after studying computer science, but I quickly realized that what fascinated me most was using technology to tell stories and make information easier for people to understand. Read more>>
Marie Vogt
Well, I’m originally from New York, and while I’m not old enough to say I was a trailblazer in architecture, I did grow up at a time when women entering the profession wasn’t quite mainstream yet. I actually remember finding a book in my grammar school library called Yes, You Too Can Become an Architect! Read more>>
Amanda Parker
When I was ten I started drawing Disney Characters from books and movie covers. I grew up in Michigan, and in high school I had a teacher who saw my talent. One day she said “Go sit in back, by Mike – he thinks he’s the best artist in here.” After that, Mike taught me pointillism and I really loved drawing with ink. Read more>>
Alisha Bennett
I’ve always been someone who creates, builds, and figures things out as I go. UnbornDeath started as an extension of that. I wanted to create apparel that felt bold, unapologetic, a little vulgar, and very much not designed to please everyone. Read more>>
Courtney Slate
I’ve always been a creative person, but I don’t think I ever imagined I’d eventually be running my own design studio. I earned my BFA in Graphic Design and spent years working as a designer while slowly building my freelance business on the side. Read more>>
Lena Manning
District Flow yoga really grew out of my belief in the power of yoga to help people navigate the stresses of everyday life. I had seen firsthand what it could do for friends and family—not just physically, but in creating connection, confidence, and a sense of community—and I wanted to create a space where yoga felt welcoming and accessible to everyone. Read more>>
Micaela McMullan
Purcell Parkrun is part of the larger global Parkrun organization, a nonprofit founded in the United Kingdom to build community through movement. Every Saturday at 9 a.m., volunteers around the world come together in local parks to organize a free, 5K event that welcomes everyone, regardless of pace or experience. Walking is not only welcome, but encouraged. Read more>>
Mike Groome
My life has been defined by one word – serendipity. I grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia and went to WVU for journalism. When I graduated, the economy was not doing well. I took the first job I could find – as an automotive photographer, taking pictures at the place where I bought my first car. That place happened to be in Indianapolis, Indiana. Read more>>
Zach Green
I’m the founder, owner, and one of the expert head trainers at Purest Canines Dog Training. My path into dog training wasn’t exactly traditional. I majored in Psychology at the University of Mary Washington and spent several years building and operating multiple businesses. While I found success as an entrepreneur, I always felt like something was missing. Read more>>
Daniel Azar
The Inside Scoop is a locally owned mobile ice cream parlor serving Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area. I founded the business in 2015 with a fairly simple idea: bring the experience of a real ice cream shop directly to where people are already gathering. Rather than operating like a traditional ice cream truck, The Inside Scoop is designed primarily around catered events. Read more>>
Lauren Barkan
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent) at the age of 16, 1 month before my junior prom. I was a typical teenager with a typical teenager diet, consisting of candy, soda, and other junk food. One of the first medical professionals I met was a Registered Dietitian. Read more>>
The Pin Up Groomer
Hailing from the West Coast, CoCo, former pin up model, comes to the wonderful Hampton Roads bringing with her a passion and love of animals. As a lifelong pet owner, she understands the value of pet care, and strives to provide the highest level of customer service. Read more>>
Omar Alsamraay
My name is Omar Alsamraay, I started barbering at 15 years old in Iraq, and when I moved to Harrisonburg at 20, I continued pursuing my passion by working at Kentell’s Barbershop. Read more>>
Madre Luna’s LLC
My story is simple, I am a Curandera (healer) and a medium in my culture they call us Espiritista, I have always had my gift of communication to the spirit world since I was a child, and it was developed by the elders I was blessed to have in my life, my grandmother, aunts and of course spirit. Read more>>
Robin Jackson
My mother is the reason I am the person I am today. I grew up in a family surrounded by love from my aunts and uncles to my grandparents. So, when my parents divorced, I still felt a strong sense of belonging. My mother did not let her divorce define her at a time when divorce was frowned upon. Read more>>
Bridget Goldsmith
I’ve been a creative for most of my professional life, more than 18 years at this point, which is a little wild to say out loud! I started as a graphic designer and, over the years, worked my way into creative leadership, leading multidisciplinary teams and working with brands and organizations across corporate, government, nonprofit, and event spaces. Read more>>
Carrie Smith
Soundstart Pediatric Therapy Center started out in 2015 as an in-home pediatric speech therapy private practice in Winchester, VA when my family moved to the area. We opened our brick and mortar location in 2016 and the following year we added occupational therapy services along with our first sensory gym to the practice. Read more>>
Lindsay Wozniak
I’ve always loved being creative, especially through design, photography, and storytelling. I studied Advertising Design and photography at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, where I discovered just how much I enjoyed bringing ideas to life. Read more>>
Shelley Blankinship
After a surprising cancer diagnosis when my kids were small, I began a health journey that forever changed our family. Realizing that so many things in my environment were not only harmful and carcinogenic, they were also LEGAL… and they were abundant in my pantry, medicine cabinet and cleaning closet. Things like… Read more>>
Dr. Lynsey Johnson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
I am a Nurse Practitioner who personally has struggled with PCOS/ PMOS as a young woman. It was very difficult to find doctors who knew how to diagnosis it much less treat it. I quickly realized this was still the case decades later. This inspired me to found PCOS Sisters Telehealth Clinic & Wellness Center in 2022 in Atlanta, GA and the state of FL. Read more>>
Karen Partamian
I always knew that I wanted to be a Speech language pathologist from the young age of 14. I was the Babysitter/Nanny for a family in New York that had children on the autism spectrum. I saw hours and hours on end of therapy services, including speech therapy within the home. Read more>>
Charlotte Huger
Nazz and I met back in 2019, and by 2020 we’d started working together as partners, long before Pillar Wealth Partners ever existed. Over those five years, we built a real partnership: figuring out how we worked together, what kind of advisors we wanted to be, and what we thought was broken about the traditional wealth management model. Read more>>
Kisha Ferrell
I’ve always felt like I was meant to work for myself. I’ve always had that entrepreneurial drive and a desire to build something of my own. Before starting Kulture Beauty, I spent 10 years with the same employer, where I wore many hats and held several different roles. Read more>>
Lauren Kelly
Dance — and Music in Motion — have been part of my life for about as long as possible. My mom, Darlene Davenport, founded Music in Motion in Virginia Beach in 1986. Read more>>
Taurean McClary
I was a 1st class sheet metal mechanic for bay metals and fabrication who are contractors for various naval shipyards. I also brought and resold cars on the side. When my wife and I was traveling up and down the east coast to go purchase the cars and resell to keep income flowing as she was pregnant with my youngest daughter Tauriyah. Read more>>
Christian IRABIEN
My story starts on the border. I was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and grew up between Chihuahua and El Paso, Texas, in a family where food, work, and hospitality were always intertwined. Some of my earliest memories are in my grandparents’ restaurant; washing dishes, bussing tables, peeling shrimp, and watching the adults around me create a sense of community through food. Read more>>
Teshia & Mecca LeSane
We were inspired to open because Teshia (Co-owner) is a musician and vocalist. She has been in the arts community of RVA for close to 20 years. It was her dream and then a collective dream to open an Entertainment venue to focus on love, healing, the arts, and all people. It just so happened, Boogaloos was formerly the restaurant located at 210 W. Read more>>
Jaehyun Jeong
Have you ever experienced a dream or a persistent belief that there is something greater waiting for you in life? Jaehyun and Eunkyung Jeong, each raised in South Korea and enjoyed fulfilling lives there in their home country, had different aspirations for themselves and their future family. Read more>>
Jennifer Planiol
I remember the night before my first French class in 8th grade. I was so excited and all I could think was ‘I’m gonna be good at this.’ I really wanted to be able to speak another language, but French in particular. Turns out, I was right. I was good at it. It came easy to me and I enjoyed it. Read more>>
Marylee Marmer
The Brickhouse RVA is the brainchild of Marylee Marmer. Veteran in the wedding industry, In early 2022, while searching for a home base, 406 West Broad Street popped up on their radar. After touring the space, it became indisputable that the location was the perfect place to host private events. Read more>>
Pattie Zeller
Animal Connection was inspired by a Chesapeake Bay Retriever Ernie. When I found he had been diagnosed with cancer at age 8, the traditional vets told me to enjoy six months. That wasn’t good enough, so I tried a holistic vet who changed his diet from a mainstream dry food to a raw food diet supplemented with Chinese herbs. Read more>>
Faith Helmlinger
I’ve been dancing since I was two years old, so dance has always been a huge part of my life. My mom has been a dance instructor for as long as I can remember. When I was in preschool, she would even come to my school every week and teach creative movement classes. I truly grew up dancing alongside her. Read more>>
Kyle Spangler
From a young age, I’ve always loved ice cream. As a child, I even had a simple hand-churned ice cream maker that I loved using. It wasn’t until college, though, that I really began to appreciate premium grocery-store ice creams like Ben & Jerry’s and Häagen Dazs. That interest quickly turned into a passion. Read more>>
Christopher Trizzino
I’ve been coaching tennis for nearly 20 years, but my story really changed when I moved to Williamsburg, Virginia in 2020. I saw an opportunity to create something different, a high-performance tennis environment built around player development, relationships, and a culture where young athletes could truly grow. In 2020, I founded Trizzino Tennis Academy. Read more>>
John Kang
Our location was originally used for martial arts and community acupuncture. During the pandemic, it wasn’t worth continuing the acupuncture because of the cost of air filtration equipment, so we had these extra rooms, including one with huge windows facing a major street. At the same time, I had acquired a large collection of swords, much to the annoyance of my wife. Read more>>
Nyomi Roth
In many ways, my journey into mental health began long before I ever considered becoming a therapist. From a young age, I was naturally curious about people. I wanted to understand their stories, what shaped them, and what they carried beneath the surface. Read more>>
Johnny Mo Morrison
I was born in Rockville, Maryland in the suburbs of Washington DC.. My father was in construction and that really wasn’t my thing. My godfather was a chef and owned his own Deli/restaurant. In high school I started working there in the summertime and realized that I really enjoyed it. Read more>>
Cyffa Leyenda
4 x charting Artist from Virginia Beach, Virginia graduated from Landstown high school later on signed to Alisha “M’Jestie” Brooks (Industry song-writer) as an A&R. After achieving the gold artist position started building his own social media presence online himself. After a few years of networking Opened up for artist like legendary female rapper Rah Riggah than opened for Megan the stallion. Read more>>
Chauncey Dickens
Back in 2019, my friend and co-worker Aaron Mayzing approached me about starting a podcast where we’d talk about the same nerdy stuff we had bonded over and discussed at work. I didn’t even know what a podcast was at the time, but because he was my guy, I said yes. Read more>>
Ben Miller
I would like to start by thanking you for the opportunity to do this interview A little background information, my name is Julius Benjamin Miller, but most know me as Ben. Read more>>
Meagan Mondragon
My journey to creating Mixies started behind a bar and a coffee counter. As a barista and bartender, I fell in love with the creativity of crafting drinks, experimenting with unexpected flavor combinations, and finding new ways to make something ordinary feel special. That passion never left me. Over time, I also became more intentional about what goes into what we consume. Read more>>
Sierra Desorme
Lil’ Rascals Pediatric Therapy really started as just a name and an idea. I created the LLC in 2025 with the hope that one day, when I move back to Florida, it would be an established clinic. At first, it was really just me writing ideas in a Word document on my computer. Read more>>
Lakshmikant Gupta
I’m a late-blooming artist. I was born in India to middle class parents. Ever since I was a child, I would pick up magazines and, using my school pencils and paper, draw the faces of people I found interesting. I continued doing this well into my teens. Read more>>
Glenda Badi
I always dreamed of having my own business once my kids were older. Before starting Little Lady Grill, I spent almost 18 years working in accounting, which was my last career before taking the leap into owning my own business. Read more>>
Christina Ball
My love of languages started early. As a child, I was fascinated listening to my grandparents speak Italian, and in middle school, French classes opened up an entirely new voice and culture to me. Studying abroad in Italy during college deepened that fascination, although at that point I was equally drawn to art and art history. Read more>>
Jason Arbusto
This is a long story, but in a nutshell. Cuban mother Italian father in New England. Went to boarding school in Virginia where I am now. Only place I’ve moved to twice. Went culinary school in new York at cia then moved to France for 8 years 2 weeks after graduating. Read more>>
Lori Whitmore
Savory Blends Tea Co. actually started during COVID in 2020. Like a lot of people during that time, I was thinking about what was next and came across an Essence Magazine article discussing different ways to start a small business. One of the ideas mentioned was a tea subscription box. Read more>>
Michael Timmons
I grew up in Temple, Texas, and from a very young age I was fascinated by space, computers, playing football, and the idea of someday building my own company. I was one of those kids who enjoyed figuring out how things worked and solving problems, which eventually led me to study aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Read more>>
Sable Grayson
My path to entrepreneurship was never planned. I earned my GED at 15 and started community college at 16, but eventually dropped out. If I am being completely honest, I was a bit of a crash out before all of this. I was often in trouble, dealing with trauma and mental health struggles, and trying to figure out where I belonged. Read more>>
Heather Mundy
I graduated from college with a business degree. After working in finance for a few years, I wanted a profession more directly tied to helping others. My mother-in-law was a speech-language pathologist for many years, and it brought her so much joy. That is what made me interested in speech-language pathology. I went back to school and got a master’s degree in the field. Read more>>
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>>
