Hidden Gems: Local Businesses & Creatives You Should Know

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.

Alina Bivol

My story is one of courage, reinvention, and believing it’s never too late to follow a new path. I began my career in Moldova, where I studied law and worked in the legal field. Read more>>

Derwin Bradley

I have been an artist all my life, but when my brother came home on leave from Germany, he showed me a case file of an investigation into Neo-Nazis and Klan members in the US Army. Read more>>

Chris + Natalie Young

Resplendency began out of a desire to encourage people and help them grow in their relationship with God. My husband, Chris, and I have been serving in ministry for more than 20 years, and throughout that journey, we have seen how much people need encouragement, prayer, biblical teaching, and a reminder that they are not walking through life alone. Read more>>

Abigail Salinas

My name is Abigail, and I’m the owner of Chunk & Crumb Co., a small homemade cookie business I started from my love of baking and my desire to build a better future for my son. Last October, I moved from Virginia to Florida, and in April, I welcomed my son, Elijah, into the world. Just six days before giving birth, I lost his father. Read more>>

Herman Ogletree III

I moved to Orlando from Birmingham, Alabama back in 2016 starting my own moving business. I managed to that going for 2 years until finally closing down shop in 2018 when I began to work for Universal Orlando. In 2 years I would realize this would be a great blessing due to COVID. Read more>>

Rebecca Moore

I honestly don’t think 21-years-ago Rebecca could have pictured what this career would become. My love for doing hair started when I was just 14 years old. A close family friend who was a hairstylist let me spend my Saturdays helping out at her little salon. I answered phones, booked appointments, swept floors, and mostly just watched her do what she loved. Read more>>

Ryan and Dominique Christian

UNi began as an idea in 2015 as movement intended to unite the city in response to some recent events of gun violence. God was dealing with my heart and then he revealed this verse of Psalm to me. ‘Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.’ – Psalm 133. Read more>>

Stephany Berriel

My name is Stephany Berriel. I’m 40 years old, originally from Brazil, a wife, a mom of three, and the owner and licensed esthetician behind Aguas Beauty Studio in Groveland, Florida. For 12 years, I was a stay-at-home mom, and being a mother was one of the most meaningful roles of my life. Read more>>

Antonio Combs

Drink Vibe Water started with a simple idea: I wanted to create a beverage that people could feel good about drinking without sacrificing taste or lifestyle. I started paying closer attention to what was in the beverages people consumed every day. I noticed more conversations about sugar, artificial ingredients, and the importance of understanding nutrition labels. Read more>>

Mariafernanda Bello Garcia

My journey has been defined by perseverance, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to helping others. Originally from Venezuela, I arrived in the United States carrying not only my personal dreams but also the determination to build a meaningful life and create a better future for myself and my family. Read more>>

Noreen Coup

The Winter Garden Art Association (WGAA) was founded in 2013 by local residents Mary Keating and Elizabeth McKinney, who brought together a group of community members dedicated to fostering the visual arts in Winter Garden, Florida. Read more>>

Jennifer

My woodworking journey actually started with a project meant to test my limits—I wanted to make over my linen closet and see what I was truly capable of doing on my own. Before that, my background was entirely in hospitality and culinary education. Read more>>

Kaylene Padayachy

I started tattooing in 2019. It wasn’t something I had always planned on doing. At the time, I was still trying to figure out what direction I wanted to take in life. Art had always been a big part of who I was, so when I was introduced to tattooing, I decided to give it a try. Read more>>

Juliemar CH

Growing up I loved watching shows on Food Network related to cooking and baking. Shows like Cupcake Wars, Chopped, Barefoot Contessa and Cake Boss always peaked my interest. During the summer when school was out, my sister and I would stay inside, as strictly instructed by my parents, and watch these shows all day. It was truly a core memory and one that I cherish. Read more>>

Yoshii Morales

My story started when I was little. My father was really into horror, so I grew up in a home where all things spooky were welcomed and celebrated. As I got older, I found myself drawn more and more to alternative fashion, horror movies, and everything a little outside the norm. Read more>>

Shantel Sargeant

My journey with Heavenly Treats & Tings began with something as simple as making cakes for family celebrations. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about starting a business. I just enjoyed being creative and adding my own special touch to birthdays and family gatherings. Believe it or not, I started out using boxed cake mixes and focusing mainly on decorating. Read more>>

Gabrielle Davis

I’m a wife, mom, a disciple of Jesus, creative at heart and a communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in journalism, writing, marketing and corporate communications. I love spending time with family and friends, serving in my church and community, and expressing myself through writing. Read more>>

gabriela burlamaqui

I am Gabriela Burlamaqui. I am 23 years old, a self-taught Brazilian artist, and my story begins in a beach house in Praia dos Carneiros – Pernambuco that no longer exists. My grandma Helena was always involved with the arts. She’s very crafty. When I was little, we decorated our beach house together. Read more>>

José Augusto Moser Cury

The story of Parques Incríveis began in 2020, when my wife, Mariana, and I returned to Brazil after a special trip to Orlando and New York to celebrate our first year and a half of marriage. During that trip, we visited Disney, Universal, and some of the major attractions in Orlando. Read more>>

Jasmine Jackson

Jasmine Paints, a Florida-based artist, is known for her mixed media art that mainly focuses on African American people, culture and nature. Her goal is to highlight the beauty, resilience and poise in the roots of Black culture. She uses acrylic paint, but often embellishes her canvas with mixed media such as hair, glass, artificial flowers, wood and jewelry. Read more>>

Cortanie Evans

Cortanie has been a lover of theater and the arts her whole life. She’s been a performer since her first musical in Junior High right up to performing as a couple face characters at the Walt Disney World Resort parks. She’s been a licensed Cosmetologist for 24 years. She has taught at and owned beauty salons and even a Beauty School. Read more>>

Imogen Wilson

I started applying for a job at Walt Disney World in Florida a couple of years ago, I sent in 3 applications, 3 years in a row. The first time I got through to the final interview and put on a waitlist for the year, then they dropped the waitlist. Read more>>

Sakeisha Hylick

If you had asked me years ago where my life was headed, I probably would have given you a very polished answer: earn my degree, become a pharmacist, build a successful career, raise a family, and live a good life. What I did not know was that some of my greatest growth would come from the moments that did not go according to plan. Read more>>

Zoia Mitrofanova

Today I’m a UGC creator behind @zoiactivelife, making content for brands in fitness, wellness, skincare, and lifestyle. I’ve worked with brands like BOOST, Corkcicle, NOW, Born Bathing, Harlo, and many others, and my rule is simple: I only share what I would genuinely use myself. That’s what makes the content feel real, and that’s what brands come to me for. Read more>>

Yirina Tritsch

Life is a comedy that I write every day. My journey into the arts was not a straight path. I originally studied law in Colombia, but I eventually realized that my true passion was storytelling and performance. Read more>>

Mayra Alves

My name is Mayra, and I am the founder and creator behind Family Trip Orlando (@familytrip_orlando). My journey began when my family and I moved to the Orlando area, where I developed a passion for exploring everything the region has to offer—from the iconic Disney and Universal theme parks to local hidden gems. Read more>>

Jody Dentley

About 10 years ago after going through one of the hardest times in my life, i decided i want to make silly, unserious videos Lol. I had ideas and wanted to create them. Not realizing that was my form or sense of humor at the time. And now years later I’m continuing to enjoy and thrive from it. Read more>>

Jenny Lek

My name is Jenny Lek. I’ve been a video editor since I was 12 years old in 2013. At that time, little did I know that video editing would be passion and future career. In middle school, it was the trend to make video edits with your friends. The app Video Star was very popular at the time. Read more>>

Crainiac (Band)

Since I’m the one filling this out, I can only really tell it from my perspective—but Crainiac has always been a collaborative project. Crainiac started with a simple dream: to be in a real rock band. Before Crainiac, I’d spent years as a vocalist, including twice being selected nationally for the Great American Songbook Foundation’s Songbook Academy and eventually performing solo around Miami. Read more>>

Alexis C Austriaco

Love is Mehndi Henna Artistry is an ever evolving henna company that first started its roots in St.Louis Missouri. We are branching to different locations throughout the United States and can travel ANYWHERE! We have our first branch off of the company to Orlando Florida where we offer beautiful bridal mehndi designs with love and care. Read more>>

Kristopher Childs

My journey has always been rooted in mathematics, education, and a belief that children deserve powerful learning experiences. I began my career as a mathematics teacher, and from the beginning, I became deeply interested in more than whether children could get the right answer. I wanted to understand what helped them build confidence, make sense of mathematics, and see themselves as capable thinkers. Read more>>

Charlotte Langley

I grew up on Prince Edward Island, where seafood wasn’t a trend, it was simply what we ate and how our communities lived. That connection to the ocean and the people who work it has shaped everything I’ve done since. Read more>>

Cameron and Ramiqa Hopewell

Working with children has been a part of my life since I was 16, when I began volunteering at a childcare center. I went on to spend 10 years teaching across kindergarten through 12th grade, including four years in Washington, D.C. That journey eventually brought me back to early childhood education, where I joined my parents at the childcare center they owned. Read more>>