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.

Nesara Whitman

I grew up in a small town, we didn’t have a lot growing up. My childhood wasn’t always easy, and there were a lot of things I quietly observed growing up that shaped the person I wanted to become. Read more>>

Giselle Ramos

I’m a creative and innovative person at heart, and creating is truly my passion. That passion is what drove me to start my own company,Event by Bergi Create, L.L.C. I’ve spent over ten years building experience in marketing and event planning back in the Dominican Republic, and when I moved here, I decided to turn that experience into my own venture. Read more>>

Corvette Tracey

I’ve always believed that some of our greatest purposes are born from our most difficult seasons. For me, that season came after the birth of my first child when I experienced postpartum depression. During that time, I realized how important genuine connection and community are. Read more>>

David Brown

Redemption Ink, (another of our non profit, 501c3’s that run under the umbrella of our studio, Fallen Heroes Tattoo & Piercing) originally started in 2017 as a free service for people who wanted to leave hate-related or gang tattoos behind. We would either help pay for their removal or cover the tattoos at no charge. Read more>>

Safia Valines

I was born in Albany, Georgia to Teresa Aksouh and Rabah Aksouh. My mother is of celtic ancestry and my father immigrated from Algeria, which makes myself and my younger sister second generation Algerian American. My parents were both great music lovers. It was a great way we would all connect, so it’s probably why it’s always been my number one interest. Read more>>

Danielle Charlton

My small business began back in 2016 with a simple idea and a little creativity. I started by making fun earrings featuring faces, never imagining how much that small idea would grow. What began as a hobby and a handful of unique designs has evolved into a collection of over 100 acrylic products! Read more>>

Abdias Melo

My name is Abdias Melo. I am a Brazilian comedian, journalist, entrepreneur, influencer, and author currently based in Orlando, Florida. Throughout my career, I have worked in communication, journalism, entertainment, comedy, and digital media, reaching millions of people through social media. But over time, I realized that I wanted my voice and my ability to make people smile to serve a purpose greater than entertainment. Read more>>

Bruno Clemente

I began my career in audiovisual production more than 20 years ago in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, starting in technical production and eventually becoming a Camera Operator and Cinematographer. My career led me to major Brazilian broadcasters, including SBT and TV Globo, and to international assignments such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Read more>>

Rose Compere

I started my event planning journey in New York in 2003, at a time when many people didn’t really know what an event coordinator or planner was. It all started when my cousin got engaged. She said, “You always do parties!” and she decided I would be her event coordinator. Read more>>

Luis Rivera

My story really begins in Puerto Rico, where I was born and raised. From an early age, life taught me resilience, determination, and the importance of making the most of every opportunity. Interestingly, the beauty industry was not where I originally thought my career would take me. Read more>>

Gilbert Ramirez Jr

Aisle Marry You really started with a simple belief: weddings are supposed to feel like a celebration. I’ve always loved storytelling, connecting with people, and making people laugh. And when I started thinking about wedding ceremonies, I realized there was an opportunity to bring all of those things together. Read more>>

Fanny Inoa

I’m a cooking lover. I love to prepare both sweet and savory, but my history with cooking began very young, in my beautiful field of Cibao, in the Dominican Republic. I grew up with my paternal grandparents and since I was a child I saw my grandmother and my aunts cooking on a stove. Read more>>

Frankie Messina

I moved to Orlando in 1989, after spending all my life till 29 years old, in the culture of Louisiana, and Mississippi, rich with art, music, and colorful folks loving life in creative ways. I was soon attracted to, and was hired by Church Street Station, and then Disney in 1991. Read more>>

Vanessa Ferguson

Our podcast showcases our love for Disney while featuring amazing vendors, service providers and products that are designed to make our listeners next Disney trips even more magical. From vacation planners to product producers, our guests add Disney magic into people’s lives. Our account launched in May 2018 with our first podcast being produced in October 2018 with new episodes released every 2 weeks. Read more>>

DeadMonBernz !

My name is DeadMonBernz (DMB!) I am graphic artist and designer I started my design journey around 2015 I am completely self taught from that year up to 2020 I worked with the likes of YesJulz , Asap Mob, French montana, Drake and now I am currently creating and starting my own clothing brand called “Design Firm” plus I am the head of graphics for Wearhaus Orlando Read more>>

Rob Kirkland

I was 13 years old when my cousins offered me a summer job at the family furniture store, Whitmire’s Furniture. I loved it and continue to work part time with them until graduating from college with my B.A. After graduation I transitioned to being there full time. That was over 24 years ago. Read more>>

Jenna Colombo

I’m just another privileged white girl from the Midwest. There’s nothing extraordinary about me except that, maybe, you could say I’ve got a little of that Kobe Bryant “Mamba Mentality,” without the basketball. I wrote and published more than 200 articles for the local newspaper before high school graduation. Read more>>

Bruna Sotte de Carvalho

My journey began long before I knew exactly what I wanted to become. As a child, I loved watching commercials on television and looking at billboards on the streets. I found it fascinating that someone could create an idea and turn it into something that captured the attention of so many people. Read more>>

Annie Wilson

I’ve been a content creator in Orlando for about 10 years. I started out on Instagram by posting about new merchandise and snacks in the theme parks. Many of my photos and videos went viral and were shared across larger channels like People, E! News, and TMZ. Eventually, I started to branch out beyond the theme parks. Read more>>

Starr Villanueva

Starr’s Twisted Treatz began in September 2024 during a time when I was having a hard time finding employment after finishing school. I could have let that discourage me, but instead my family encouraged me to take a chance on myself and create something of my own. I started with a simple idea—making homemade soft pretzels—but it quickly became so much more. Read more>>

Cesar Guzman

Monchis really started at a turning point in my life. I’m a civil engineer by profession, and I had been working a regular engineering job when I unexpectedly lost it. The easy and logical thing would have been to find another job. Read more>>

Enrique Puentes

Sweatbox which started back in November 2024, started inadvertently when I personally was wanting to move past the point of being a bedroom DJ to performing publically. I was having a conversation with a friend who told me he used to throw house parties where he’d have various DJs in different wings of the house to create a varying but intimate experience. Read more>>

Amye Francis

My journey in creating this company began in 2018 when I learned to swing dance at the University of Florida through their student swing dance club. I fell in love with the dance and soon took on leadership roles in the club, first as head of events and then as treasurer. Read more>>

Ty Henson

I started DJing in New York City! In 2020, After moving to Florida, Bows & Ty’s was born. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of DJing over 60 weddings and celebrate special events all over Florida. It is truly been a blast! Now I’ve grown to offer an open air, professional quality DSLR Photo Booth! Read more>>

Janie-Alice Seecharan

My journey to Ignite Your Flow started in a very different place. I spent seven years in Corporate Finance building a successful career while experiencing burnout, anxiety, and high levels of stress. I had become accustomed to constantly doing, achieving, and pushing through, even when my body and mind were telling me to slow down. Read more>>

Athrina Juman

My journey in the beauty industry began over 15 years ago, when I started my career at 23. I had the incredible opportunity to spend nine years working with MAC, where I developed my artistry, learned the importance of working with every skin tone and complexion, and truly fell in love with helping women feel confident and beautiful. Read more>>

Deanna Giron

Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, but I did not always know how many different places it would take me. I began as a very musical kid who loved music, and that love of music led me to earn a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in musical arts. Read more>>

Dalton Smith

I started out as a kid who loved action sports, cameras, and making videos with my friends. Surfing and skateboarding were a huge part of my life, and picking up a camera was really just another way to be involved in that world. Read more>>

Anna Calluori Holcombe

BIOGRAPHY Anna Calluori Holcombe spent her career studying and teaching. She graduated cum laude with a BA in art education from Montclair State University in 1974. She received her MFA in ceramics from Louisiana State University in 1977. Teaching in higher education since 1978, her first position was at Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, then at State University of New York at Brockport. Read more>>

Marshaun Hymon

I have a habit that started long before I had a brand. Somewhere between arriving at the restaurant and ordering, I would start googling anything on the menu I didn’t recognize. Where the dish came from, what the ingredient actually is, and why the restaurant is named what it is. By the time dessert came, I usually knew the owners’ story too. Read more>>

Shannea Akins

My story really begins with family, food, and Nikki’s Place. I grew up around the restaurant business and Southern cooking, so food has always been a part of my life. My parents built Nikki’s Place on a foundation that was already rich in history and tradition, through grandmother Rose and her legacy. Read more>>

Belinda Sims

Well in 2015 I graduated as a surgical tech and in 2017 I started traveling doing the job. By 2022 I was coming back thru NY headed home to NC where I’m from when I stopped in the Bronx for a visit and never left. While there I decided that living one dream wasn’t enough. I wanted to live EVERY DREAM I HAD!! Read more>>