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.
Elizabeth Kim
My Daily Goal: To love first.’ Elizabeth is a Korean-American and native of Northern Virginia. Her daily goal in life is to love God and to love others. Elizabeth graduated in 2003, with a B.A. in Fashion Merchandising from VCU’s School of Fashion Design & Merchandising in Richmond, VA. Read more>>
Victoria Burgess
I’m originally from Baltimore, Maryland. I moved to Las Vegas in the fall of 2012 for the weather and the energy of Sin City. I built my career in hospitality, working as a server and bartender, which meant I was fully immersed in a culture where drinking isn’t just common, it’s the default. You’re either a normal drinker or you have a problem. Read more>>
David Mziray
My story really started long before the business did, around the kitchen tables and front porches of my parents and grandparents, who taught me that how you treat people is everything. They showed me that respect, hard work, and showing up for family aren’t just nice ideas. They’re the foundation of a life well lived. Read more>>
Whitney Andrews
I started my journey as a singer-songwriter at a young age, but music became deeply personal for me after losing my brother, Cordel, at the age of 10. He was both a rapper and producer, and being around his creativity shaped my early connection to music. After his passing, my other brother Ron introduced me to neo-soul and alternative genres, expanding my musical world. Read more>>
Spencer-Grace Hiday
I’ve always been an artist, but my path into this work didn’t start in a traditional way. I studied art formally and spent several years as an elementary art teacher and later directing an art program, where I learned not only how to create, but how to communicate and connect through art. Read more>>
Robin Matthews
t all started with me doing my own hair. My best friend, Charmaine, asked me to do hers, and that’s when I did my first set of faux locs—it took me almost two days lol. After that, people started asking me to do their hair, and I began taking it more seriously. Once I started doing locs, everything else was history. Read more>>
Hester Kamin
I was born in Pittsburgh just after the steel mills closed, and I spent the first part of my childhood in the neighborhood of East Liberty. Read more>>
Tevin Foster
I’ve always been drawn to the arts, going all the way back to when I was a kid growing up in Jamaica. A big part of that came from my uncle, Chris. To me, he was the true definition of an artist. Read more>>
Clarence Williams
I’ve always been motivated by the idea of taking ownership of my financial future. Early on, I realized that in a traditional job setting, income is largely defined by the employer, but when you develop skills that allow you to create value beyond a single role, you gain more control over your growth and opportunities. Read more>>
John Simmons
I was pursuing my MBA at George Washington University’s School of Business, and my team was consulting for a freelance videographer who wanted to break into federal contracting. He had the talent and the ambition, but he had no roadmap for navigating the public sector. Read more>>
Chris Ferenzi
I started out with a degree in mechanical engineering and spent about ten years in that world, eventually moving into project management. The whole time, though, I was doing photography on the side, slowly building a client base, learning the business, and figuring out what kind of work I actually wanted to do. Read more>>
Z.Z. Ludwick
A Man. A Dream. One Incredible Chicken! Zev Zalman “Z.Z.” Ludwick didn’t just stumble into great barbecue—he built it from a lifetime of passion. From watching cooking shows at age ten to becoming the go-to grill master at every gathering, Z.Z. learned early that great food brings people together.When a severe fish allergy closed the door on culinary school, Z.Z. didn’t quit creating. Read more>>
Tonya Ellis
Edutainment Learning Center was created by my husband and me out of a real need we experienced in our own home. After coming home each day and helping our children with homework, we realized there was little to no time left for actual family time. We knew if we were experiencing that, other families likely were too. Read more>>
Scott McRoy
In the mid‑1980s, I began my professional career as a Medical Technologist at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore, where I supervised the Immunology Laboratory while simultaneously pursuing a PhD in Pathology. Although the work was intellectually rigorous, I realized I was ready for a complete career change—one that would allow me to work more directly with people rather than laboratory research. Read more>>
Kelly Heck
I’ve been drawn to photography for as long as I can remember. I pursued it seriously in high school, went on to study at SCAD, and have now been working professionally for over 15 years. What started as a creative passion evolved into a career centered around helping people and businesses show up with confidence and intention. Read more>>
Anabel Fournier
My path into baking has never been linear, but it has always been constant. I began in the restaurant world in Panama, and over the years, while living across different countries and working in various industries, baking remained the thread that followed me. Rose Vanilla formally took shape in 2016 during my time in East Africa. Read more>>
Julie Brownley
I didn’t take a traditional path into medicine. I took a messy, nonlinear one that, for a long time, didn’t look like it was going anywhere. I struggled early on. School didn’t fit, structure didn’t fit, and I spent a lot of time feeling like I was either too much or not enough, depending on the room I was in. Read more>>
Cassandra Straughter
Cassie Moments Catering was born from a passion for bringing people together through food and creating unforgettable experiences around the table. What started as cooking for family, friends, and small gatherings quickly grew into something more, as people were drawn not only to the flavor, but to the care, creativity, and intention behind every dish. Read more>>
Ken Baden
I got in this industry in 08, selling windows for Power, and I learned a ton about the sales process from them. My father had a small GC ‘company’ with he and a military friend of his when I was too young to remember, and he insisted I learn construction labor, and hard work, so I knew what it felt like. Read more>>
Erinn Dumas
e.Laniese is a contemporary women’s fashion brand that was founded in 2017 by self-taught fashion designer, Erinn Dumas. The company is currently headquartered in Washington, D.C. e.Laniese offers whimsical, unique, small batch clothing for women that defy fashion’s standards. Each design is offered in sizes S – 3XL and a 34” inseam. Read more>>
Shavonne Holman
I’m from Brooklyn. That’s the first thing you need to know about me. Brooklyn didn’t raise me soft. It threw me in headfirst and said figure it out, baby. So I did. I learned how to walk into rooms where nobody looks like you, nobody expected you, and nobody was moving over and still command the space. Read more>>
Shontae Smith
In 2019, I wrote a book titled This Little Black Girl: I Am Enough. It was inspired by my personal journey of struggling with low self-esteem and self-worth, which led to challenges such as not understanding my purpose and dealing with undiagnosed self-induced vomiting. Through that process, I began to heal, overcome those struggles, and step into my purpose. Read more>>
MV Fitness
My story starts with my parents, who immigrated from Barbados in search of a better life. I was born and raised in West Baltimore, and this city has shaped who I am. Early on, I was told that if you choose a career you love, you’ll never truly work a day in your life. For me, that passion was fitness. Read more>>
Jon’ll Boyd
Jon’ll began her career in corporate sales, marketing, and event strategy before launching The Eventful Life Enterprises, a lifestyle and consulting company focused on empowering founders particularly women to build purpose-driven, sustainable businesses. Her work blends brand strategy, experiential marketing, and leadership development, helping organizations connect authentically with their audiences while driving measurable growth. Read more>>
Jan Jefferson
I started my journey with a strong interest in understanding people—what drives behavior, decision-making, and ultimately change. I attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which helped shape both my academic and personal foundation, but my real growth came from working directly in the field. Read more>>
Logan Taylor
My story started in the sixth grade with a big dream and a lot of curiosity. I always knew I wanted to have a business of my own, and one day while I was doing research, I came across lip gloss and instantly fell in love with it. What started as a simple idea quickly became something I felt genuinely passionate about. Read more>>
Samuel Adeigbe
My journey into the event industry started with my now wife. At the time, she was a friend who encouraged me to invest in a rental business as a partner to her décor company. She connected with one of her vendors in China, and together we purchased our first inventory—chairs, cocktail tables, and even a photo booth. Read more>>
Julia Witchard
I am a third culture kid, born in England and raised across Africa, Asia, and Europe. For a long time, I thought I was supposed to follow a path similar to my parents, so I studied Political Science in undergrad and International Affairs in grad school. On paper, that path meant US Diplomat, international travel, and guaranteed job security. Read more>>
Aziel Johnson
HeRise didn’t start with a perfect plan—it started with seeing the same pattern over and over again: young adults with real potential getting stuck, not because they didn’t care, but because they didn’t have the structure, guidance, or systems to move forward. That realization turned into action. Read more>>
India Ivery
Lin’s Kids Childcare & Prekindergarten Program began as an in-home childcare service in the Belair-Frankford/Gardenville area in 2006 (4013 Chesmont Ave, Baltimore, MD 21206), founded and operated by Chanta Brown Ivery. In 2015, Chanta took a leap of faith and transitioned the program into a center-based model at 2107 Mura Street, Baltimore, MD 21213. Read more>>
Andrew Brogden
BWN Inc. started from a personal place. I entered treatment for alcohol use in October 2023 and have been sober since. That experience gave me a clear view of both the impact of good care—and the gaps that still exist. Read more>>
Allenda Fordw
I’ve had a deep love for fashion since I was a young girl. Right out of high school, I knew I wanted to become a fashion designer and be part of the fashion industry in some way. But somewhere along the line, I convinced myself it wasn’t a “real” career. Because I didn’t believe I could draw, I slowly talked myself into pursuing other paths. Read more>>
