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.

Franco Maior

I was born in Venezuela. Growing up, I was always drawn to music — I played a few instruments in high school and dreamed of pursuing it as a career, but my parents pushed college as the next step. I ended up studying Psychology for a couple of years, though I never finished, since the political tension back home made that impossible. Read more>>

Dani Mimosa

Wow don’t even know where to begin! Let’s go back to when I decided to leave my 9-5 in Oct 2023 to pursue hair. Over the years I worked my way from assisting to taking my own clients. I didn’t know then but that was going to open the doors to something way bigger than being a hairstylist. Read more>>

Shareva Manning

I was born an entrepreneur at a very young age I had very high ambition level. Always thriving and I carried big interest in learning new things. Over time there was trial and error to say the least. I managed to learn from each attempt and try again. Which brings me to where I am today. Stronger with more knowledge and wisdom yet still growing. Read more>>

Jenn Morrison

My career has taken a few different turns, but looking back, every experience has played a role in getting me where I am today. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Business Administration and spent years working in event planning and as an Executive Assistant supporting C-suite executives. Read more>>

Judith Perez

When I was about to turn 30, I had one thing on my mind I wanted a birthday photoshoot so badly. The only problem was that I couldn’t afford one. Instead of giving up on the idea, I decided to make it happen myself. I set up a simple backdrop, grabbed a few props, and used my phone to create my own photoshoot. Read more>>

Ashley Douglas

If there’s one thing my life has taught me, it’s that reinvention is always possible. My journey hasn’t been defined by a straight path, but by the courage to keep moving forward, even when life took unexpected turns. I’ve always been passionate about helping people feel confident and empowered, which inspired me to become a licensed cosmetologist and entrepreneur. Read more>>

Wagner Krohling

Princess Flock started with a simple idea: reconnect people with the food they eat and bring back the relationship between farmers and families. My name is Wagner Krohling. I immigrated to the United States in 2018 after spending more than 20 years working in sales and marketing for global companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Xerox, and Nestlé in Latin America. Read more>>

Geordy Dalmas

My name is Geordy P. Dalmas, and I’m a realtor based in Central Florida with Keller Williams Advantage Realty. My journey began with a passion for helping people achieve homeownership, especially first-time homebuyers and families in the Haitian community. Over the years, I worked hard to build my business through relationships, consistency, which has become one of my biggest sources of referrals and new clients. Read more>>

George Ashford

Our story began long before CB Bistro Jazz Club opened its doors. George has more than 40 years of experience in the food-service industry, beginning with restaurants and catering in Chicago. He opened his first restaurant, NN Smokehouse, and gained experience in fine dining, private clubs, restaurant consulting, and large-scale catering. Read more>>

Zé Monalisa Fartura

I was born and raised in Brazil and have always enjoyed connecting with people and learning new things. Over the years, I have worked in customer service, media, tourism, and content creation, developing strong communication and problem-solving skills. Today, I live in Orlando, where I work while continuing to grow professionally. Read more>>

Joelle Ebanks

Creativity has always been a big part of my life. I’m a mom of three little ones, and I’ve worked in interior design for nearly 20 years, with experience in commercial, multifamily, and residential design across the United States. I also had my own residential design studio, Island Home Interiors, where I specialized in Coastal Modern and Tropical-inspired interiors. Read more>>

Shanay Ulett

My Story: From Passion to Purpose My journey as an entrepreneur started back in 2023 with Pot of Creations, which initially launched as an Etsy shop specializing in custom bridal wear and matching bridesmaid shirts. While I loved the creative process, my true passion always pulled me back to jewelry—something I’ve felt deeply connected to since childhood. Read more>>

Natalie Cordone

Shawn and I met fourteen years ago while performing in the Tony Award winning musical *Baby* in Winter Park. We spent weeks singing together, making each other laugh backstage, and, thanks to the set design, even sharing a bed onstage every night. Somewhere along the way, we realized the chemistry we had as performers was something worth exploring beyond that production. Read more>>

Annie Muniz

I’ve always been passionate about creating meaningful experiences and celebrating life’s biggest moments. What started as helping friends and family plan special events quickly turned into a true passion for weddings. I realized I loved bringing ideas to life, solving problems behind the scenes, and making sure couples could be fully present on one of the most important days of their lives. Read more>>

Caitlin McClure O’Connor

Dance has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I began dancing at just two years old at my mother’s dance studio in New Hampshire, so in many ways, I truly grew up in a dance studio. Read more>>

Ashley Jones

My story. Well where do I begin? Well I suppose letting the reader know what it is I do in my business is a good place to start. I am a full-time working Actress. My career began as a child at 5 years old in Jacksonville, FL. But it started even before that. Read more>>

Veronica Bryant

I moved to Orlando when I was six years old. I started my education at Holden Street Elementary which is currently the site of the Orlando Police Department. I attended Jones High School for 7th and 8th grade, then transferred to Howard Jr. High for 9th grade. It was my first time experiencing with integration. Read more>>

Robert Cruz

Well, the answer will take us back in my history some. But, first, I did not become aware of the demonstration of service until I progressed through the ranks in U. S. Air Force. During those years of service, I served all levels of commanders from a 3-star general to wing, base, and squadron commanders. Read more>>

Mikey Lujan

After growing up watching Disney Channel and dancing as a kid, I decided I wanted to do something that combined my two interests and auditioned to be a performer at Walt Disney World. After starting off doing the Disney College Program in parking in 2021, in 2022 I recieved my big break and began dancing for the company in their parades and shows. Read more>>

Maria DeVivo

I’ve always been a writer. Ever since I could pick up a crayon and scribble, I would always tell stories any way I could. Read more>>

chase cannady

our story begins in 2017 when our kids were in elementary school, They would always have a cold or runny nose and all the neighborhood kids they played with always seemed sick. so my wife and i went to the local health food store and talked to the lady there about boosting our kids immune system and she recommended elderberry syrup. Read more>>

JOSE OTERO

My story doesn’t really begin with me. It begins with my parents, a family of Spanish immigrants who, after the hardships of the Spanish Civil War and the difficult European landscape that followed World War II, found in Venezuela a place where they could begin a new life. Read more>>

Annette Cosme

am a mother, wife, and entrepreneur. I have known I wanted to be a cosmetologist since I was a child. I loved everything beauty—nails, hair, and makeup—but hair was always the most enjoyable for me. I am originally from New York and moved to Florida for college, where I paid for my dorm by providing hair services on the side. Read more>>https://orlandovoyager.com/interview/inspiring-conversations-with-annette-cosme-of-rose-beauty-collective

Pluto Pazzo

Music for me has always played a prevalent role in my life. As far back as I can remember it’s been the one constant that I’ve gravitated towards. Read more>>

Gabe Treiyer

I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and picked up the guitar at 11 years old—spending hours staring at the posters on my wall and dreaming of playing with those same legends one day. After years of grinding in the local band scene, my big break came in 2010 touring South America with Gene Loves Jezebel. Read more>>

Luis Daza

I have always been creating art in my own way. I grew up in New York, where art is everywhere. You’re essentially raised in the mecca of culture and creativity, whether it’s music, fashion, architecture, photography, or street art. I think being surrounded by that from such a young age really shaped the way I see and approach art today. Read more>>

Danielle Hanusek

Growing up on a farm in Maryland, I was always drawn to nature and dreaming of adventures. I was hit by the travel bug at a young age and knew I’d explore the world whenever possible. In college, I pursued Graphics and Visual Communications with a minor in Photography, which paved the way for my photography career. Read more>>

Mary Ellen and Selena Collier and Ruiz

Our business started with two best friends who met while working together in a completely different field: veterinary medicine. Although our love for helping animals still burns strong, we discovered a completely different passion: crafting and curating drinks into an experience that brings people joy and adds something special to their celebrations. Read more>>

Jenny Rozalsky

Looking back, my path to becoming a mural artist seems surprisingly natural, even though it didn’t feel that way at the time. Ten years ago, I couldn’t have imagined becoming a full-time artist. Back then, I was already a successful landscape designer in Moscow, but I was craving adventure and felt that something bigger was waiting for me. Read more>>

Crystal Connors

When I started The Clean Team Enterprises, LLC, I was actually participating in a Housing for Homeless program. I wasn’t starting a business from a place of financial security, and I certainly didn’t have investors, startup capital or a perfect business plan. I was a single mother trying to build stability for my family and create a better future for my children. Read more>>

Eduardo Baldaci de Lima

I dreamed of becoming a professional astronomer and working at NASA, until God called me to the Baptist pastoral ministry. However, I never lost the link between science and faith, becoming one of the few Brazilian pastors to advocate for Biblical Creationism. I started writing about astronomy during my teenage years and, over time, developed my work in Scientific Journalism. Read more>>

Rafael Pessina

We are Pessina and Talira, a Brazilian couple who have spent most of our lives working in media and storytelling. Rafael Pessina has been working in communication for more than 25 years, building a career as a radio host, reporter, TV presenter, and interviewer. Read more>>

Jimmy Blanco

I’m originally from Brooklyn,NY a former NYFA dropout who got my start in Music Videos and did that for about 10 years before I made the transition to films. In 2019 I decided to make the move to South Florida to be there for the birth of my daughter and rebuild my career in Florida. Read more>>

Bryan Boyd

Before I became who I am today,I was really pushed into the entertainment world. I was in my first commercial at age 11,and that really gave me Bug for being an actor. As I got older I signed to a talent agency that eventually had me modeling across the U.S. Read more>>

Ivan Riascos

I want to start by saying I’m first and foremost an artist. Ever since attending an elementary school in Central Florida, I’ve always gravitated towards the arts. My father was a custodian at the local high school, and I would sometimes walk over after school and hang out in the art department as he worked.  Read more>>

Vikram Mehta

Mpire Events is India’s leading luxury event planning company, celebrated for its meticulous execution, strategic planning, and global expertise. Headquartered in Mumbai, India Mpire has orchestrated exceptional experiences across numerous cities in India while also establishing an elite international footprint spanning Hawaii, Florida, Italy, Greece, France, England, Portugal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Bahrain, UAE, Turkey, Qatar, Muscat and Sri Lanka. Read more>>