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.
Alexandra Pallas
I host monthly women’s circles because throughout history, women have always needed sacred spaces to come together, and now is no different. We need a space of our own to sit by the fire. To sing in circle and to weave. To share wisdom. To grieve. To dance. And to celebrate rites of passage. Read More>>
Sarosh Mir
Sarosh’s story begins where few dare to tread — amid the towering peaks of the Himalayas, leading trekking and tour expeditions. He is passionate about saving wildlife and environment and worked on many conservation projects. Sarosh lead global expeditions in some of the most beautiful regions. Sarosh loves photography and enjoys shooting fashion and weddings as they are full of love, emotions and challenges. Read More>>
Sydney Bass
I’ve always been passionate about fashion, creativity, and bringing people together. My journey started with modeling and content creation, where I developed a love for visual storytelling and the confidence that fashion can inspire in people. As I spent more time in creative spaces, I realized I wanted to create opportunities not only for myself but for other talented individuals as well. Read More>>
Ida Cheinman
I’ve always been curious about what’s next and drawn to the opportunities that emerge when technology changes the way we work. My background is in graphic design. I graduated right as computers were transforming the design profession. Read More>>
Amber Morris
I’ve been baking since I was a little girl. My great grandmother and I would spend every weekend making something delicious for family…. Or just because we were craving. When the pandemic hit, it was a great time for me to just get back to what I loved, baking. Read More>>
Erin Scott
B-More Dog was founded after a group of Baltimore-area dog advocates came together in 2007 to oppose a proposed breed-specific law that would have unfairly targeted pit bull-type dogs. While working together to educate lawmakers and the public, we realized there was a larger opportunity to create positive change through community outreach, education, and responsible dog ownership programs. Read More>>
Madison Mone’t J
At the age of 11, I was hospitalized for months, then finally diagnosed with an auto immune disease called Rheumatic fever. When the doctors defined the illness, the bacteria had already eaten at my joints and over 30 % of my heart was gone. Read More>>
Glenn Deeezel
I got my start in music from my church as a child. New Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in West Baltimore at 1907 Poplar Grove St. Im what most people tend to call a PK, preachers kid. Read More>>
Miya Brandon
Treat Your Taste Buds by Miya Snowballs was born during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, my husband, our children, and I were already running several businesses, but we were looking for a way to safely connect with our community while enjoying some fresh air together. Read More>>
Tiffany Barnes
Tiffany Barnes is the founder of Kingdom Konnections, a platform dedicated to connecting visionaries, entrepreneurs, authors, and community leaders through networking, collaboration, and empowerment. Passionate about faith, leadership, and service, Tiffany creates spaces where individuals can build meaningful relationships, share resources, and inspire one another to pursue their purpose. Read More>>
Kiriakos (Rocco) Kastikides
I am 15 years old right now and started my business several years ago when I lived in Texas because I have always been entrepreneurial and I liked baking cookies with my dad. I first started selling them at the community center in my neighborhood. Maryland is home, and I moved back to Maryland in 2024 and had to start over. Read More>>
Sherry Samuels
Thinking about where I started and where I am today is always an interesting walk down Memory Lane. There are so many things that quietly shaped how I moved through the world, and depending on the season of life I am in, some stand out more than others. Read More>>
Brittnie Howard
From the moment I entered this world, I carried a smile that could light up any room. It wasn’t just the smile. it was the energy behind it, the confidence, the joy, and the undeniable desire to connect with people. Even as a child, I was drawn to the spotlight. While some people feared being the center of attention, I felt completely at home there. Read More>>
C.J. ilardo
6 years ago, Nino Germano, Club Founder and owner/chef of La Scala Ristorante recognized that there were many Juventus supporters throughout the Baltimore area, but there wasn’t a central place for them to gather, watch matches, and connect with one another. Read More>>
Iain Forrest
I grew up in Maryland and started playing cello as a kid, eventually studying music while also pursuing science and medicine. What began as a hobby gradually became a second career. While studying biology at University of Maryland, I performed with the University’s Orchestra and took a leap to play music inside hospitals. Read More>>
April Lutter
I am the owner of Floriculture Micro Farm in the beautiful rolling hills of southern Pennsylvania. I have a 25 year career in early childhood education paired with 25 years of horticultural experience, running a small-scale flower farm. I have been providing specialty cut flowers for our local community (Northern Baltimore County) since 2017 at The Hereford Farmer’s Market and as a Bouquet Subscription service. Read More>>
Dj Kyng Ray
Record Producer, DJ, Artist Film Composer and Audio Engineer Raymond Starks a.k.a.”Dj Kyng Ray”, a Baltimore native, is a self-taught musician whose musical roots stem from his days in church but his edgy and forever changing sound has been inspired from growing up listening to multiple genres of music and musicians alike . Read More>>
Sara ElShafie
I got into science communication initially to improve my own skills. Early in my PhD program in Integrative Biology, I realized that I was terrible at explaining my scientific research to my own family. Read More>>
Carrie Kopp Adams
Massage By Carrie started in New York City, while I was actively overcoming an auto-immune disease. I managed to overcome the disorder through a combination of holistic medicine, nutrition and alternative therapies, and built my practice on the premise that everyone can learn to manage their own heath and wellness. Read More>>
Lou Bell
I’ve spent most of my career helping people improve their performance in one way or another. Professionally, I’ve worked in business development and healthcare, while personally I’ve always been drawn to sports, coaching, and education. I played Division I tennis at Hampton University, later became involved in boxing, and eventually earned certifications in strength and conditioning and performance coaching. Read More>>
Jake Rocz
GUT formed in December for 2025, all through chance, or destiny depending on how you look at it. Our Drummer, Matt King, and guitarist , Caleb Taylor, met through mutual friends for a jam session. After one jam together they knew they had some chemistry but needed a bass player and vocalist. Read More>>
Keisha Gant
My journey started when one of my best friends and I were planning our sons’ first birthday parties. What began as a fun hobby and a way to save money quickly turned into something much bigger. We started by creating custom party favors like chips, juices, and snack wrappers, and I discovered a passion for bringing people’s visions to life through personalized designs. Read More>>
Tarika Campbell
My journey as an artist began in the 3rd grade after being inspired by fan art I saw in a magazine. I started drawing constantly, creating my own stories and illustrating the characters and worlds I imagined. I’ve always loved storytelling, and art became my way of bringing ideas and emotions to life. Read More>>
Jamie Imhof
I am dual donor double transplant recipient (liver and kidney). In 2022 I was found to be in multi-organ failure and septic shock. To make a long journey (which I do reflect on with various Podcasts and on Facebook) shared on the shorter side, I required massive medical intervention and an immediate liver transplant. Read More>>
Channel Finney
I started my dessert business from a genuine love for baking and creating experiences that bring people together. As a full-time working mom of three, I’ve always had to balance a lot, but baking became both a creative outlet and something I was truly passionate about. Read more>>
Ryan Norris
My name is Ryan M. Norris. I’m an Event Architect, Artist, DJ, and Education Advocate in the Baltimore-Washington, DC area. My story starts in Durham, North Carolina, at the intersection of a profound love for the arts, education, and music. This current chapter actually began when I was 10 years old in Montgomery, Alabama, authored by Mrs. Read more>>
