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.
Belinda Hill
Movement has carried me through every season of my life—from the discipline of gymnastics, to the freedom of aerial arts, to the strength and groundedness I now teach. It has always been my language. The way I’ve rebuilt, regulated, and reconnected with myself through life’s many transitions. Elements Ojai grew from that lived experience—a space where strength is not about performance, but presence. Read more>>
Debby Nicklas, Krista Elmore, Mariko Kriege, and Jane Pomeroy
Change Collective Central Coast started with four co-founders who all crossed paths at Lumina Alliance, with careers spanning decades in the nonprofit sector between us. But recent political and economic tumult threw the sector into uncertainty, and it hit each of us differently. For example, two of us faced the threat of layoffs. Read more>>
Linda Rose Healer
Why get a massage? I specialize in advanced bodywork rooted in Eastern medicine to address discomfort and pain, promoting your body’s natural abilities and peak performance. Whether you’re struggling with movement, sitting, standing, or bending, my goal is to unwind the core issues affecting you. Read more>>
Arvand Sabetian
I’ve always enjoyed taking on projects that others overlook and finding ways to make them better. I started my first business while I was still in high school, driven by a curiosity for technology and entrepreneurship. That company eventually grew into one of the largest independent web hosting providers before being acquired in 2014. Read more>>
Robert Olsen
Goldenstate Landscapes was founded in 2008 with a simple objective: provide dependable, high-quality landscape services built on strong relationships and exceptional customer service. We began with landscape maintenance and irrigation projects, helping clients improve the health, appearance, and water efficiency of their properties during a challenging economic period. Read more>>
Greg Goodman
As a kid, I always wanted to be a businessman. In my earliest ventures, I hawked origami, comic books, and mixtapes. High school brought internships and business cards, while college netted me a marketing degree. As it turns out, the “real world” wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Read more>>
Heidi Taylor
Dr. Heidi Taylor is a licensed clinical and depth psychologist from Los Angeles. She currently resides in Ventura County. She specializes in various types of trauma and mood disorders. She sees children, adolescents, adults, individuals, couples, and families. Read more>>
Dylan Chi
My name is Dylan, and I’m a competitive ballroom dancer. My dance journey started in a funny and unexpected way. When I was little, I used to dance around my room every day, always shaking my hips and moving to the music. Read more>>
Stacey Ritter
I’ve worked in the sports medicine field for over thirty years, helping all levels and ages of athletes manage their injuries. When California adopted the Youth Sports Concussion Law in 2015, I became the local resource for athletic trainers, coaches, athletes and healthcare clinicians on updates in head injury care. Read more>>
Bruce Suba
What you’ve described is a remarkable cross-section of American studio glass history. You weren’t just watching the movement happen—you were right in the middle of it. A few things stand out: Starting in stained glass in the late 1970s, then moving into recycled stained glass sheet production, puts you right in the era when artists were experimenting with alternatives to expensive factory glass. Read more>>
Lori Fulmer
Like many creative journeys, mine began unexpectedly. My daughters kept asking me what I wanted for Christmas, and honestly, I couldn’t think of anything. I’ve always loved creating with my hands, whether it is knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, or crafting of some sort. Around that time, I had completely fallen in love with The Great British Bake Off. Read more>>
Angelina ‘Angel’ Nguyễn
I learned what it meant to not have enough when I was nine. For many years, myfamily had to constantly move, and money stopped being invisible to me. I never forgot the feeling of being the person in the room who was somehow less than. Read more>>
Nicholas Webb
I grew up in Atascadero – my family moved here when I was two. As a kid I always loved drawing, and my mother worked as a graphic designer so there were always lots of art books and supplies about the house. My parents both encouraged lots of reading. Read more>>
Serena Lee
I like to think that my journey towards becoming a trauma therapist preceded much earlier than I was even consciously aware of. Just like many others, my lived experience brought me into the field of mental health. Read more>>
Rohina Yakubi
Bloom Events by R&S came to life in April 2026 from a shared dream, a lifelong friendship, and a passion for creating unforgettable celebrations. We’re two moms, best friends, and business partners who genuinely love bringing beautiful ideas to life. Designing and executing stunning events isn’t just what we do—it’s what we were made to do. Read more>>
Tom Walsh
I have been involved with commercial coffee roasting since 2007. I was first introduced to coffee roasting during college in Los Gatos CA at the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company. I would spend time during the week at the coffee shop and was impressed with the roaster and process. Read more>>
Robin Lerios
In 1981 I was given a camera by my new husband. I quickly learned that I had a natural gift. I began entering my photos in the county fair. To enter a photo it had to be mounted onto a 16 x 20 matboard. I went into the then York Gallery to choose the color that most heightened each photo. Read more>>
Andy Sims
Suddenly my life made sense’, is something you hear all the time from adults with a late ADHD diagnosis, and it was true for me as well. It was around sixth grade that things just started to get harder for me. Read more>>
Ranelle Baldwin
As the needs of the seniors and families I serve have evolved, so has my journey. For more than two decades, I have dedicated my life to caring for seniors throughout California’s Central Coast. Every experience has shaped who I am—not only as a healthcare professional, but as a compassionate advocate for those who deserve to age with dignity, respect, and hope. Read more>>
Chandy Vang
After moving to California, I found myself in a season of starting over and figuring out what I wanted the next chapter of my life to look like. I had spent more than 12 years working in mental health, addiction recovery, behavioral health, and community services. Read more>>
Rob Peterson
Early Years and Family: Having grown up in a low/middle-class family, my parents instilled in me to work hard, always pay it forward and give back to the community. They were involved with Scouts, Kiwanis, and The Grange. They served the community for decades earning coveted community awards. My parents were educated and valued education, with expectations of my siblings and I attending college. Read more>>
Julie Dunn
Park Street Gallery, located in downtown Paso Robles, is the third Fine Art & Fine Craft gallery that I’ve owned and operated. In 1998, L’Artiste Gallery was opened in the old Creamery building of downtown San Luis Obispo by three painters. My medium is known as Tempera Batik painting on paper, and my partners were watercolor painter, Rosanne Seitz, and silk painter, Jackie Bradley. Read more>>
Frost Leandra
My journey began with a clear focus on the professional hair care industry, specifically mastering advanced techniques in loc styling, twisting, building business infrastructures and Hair care education. Recognizing a gap in the market for reliability and premium execution, I established Extentions by Lee LLC. Read more>>
Jahara Sara Seitz
I had been teaching movement arts for over a decade when I started my career as an occupational therapist (OT). As a highly sensitive person, working with the body-mind felt innate, so becoming an OT was an easy choice for me. I knew early on that when I finished my degree I would start a private practice. Read more>>
Erica Krueger
I found my love for people and customer service early on in life when I began helping at my grandparents’ hometown bakery in Los Osos. Working alongside my mother and grandparents, I recognized that remarkable products paired with sincere service create customer demand and loyalty. From there, my passion for hospitality excellence only grew. Read more>>
Tracy Anders Young
Central Coast Refillery is a local, woman-owned small business founded by me, Tracy Anders Young. What began just two years ago as a simple curiosity — How can we do better? — evolved into a fully realized refill shop that proudly opened its doors on August 15th. Today, I’m grateful to serve our community six days a week, making sustainable living accessible and convenient. Read more>>
Christiana Magneson
As a Central Coast native, I’ve always had a passion for movement, learning, and spending time outdoors in nature. Growing up surrounded by the ocean, mountains, and open spaces fostered a deep appreciation for both the natural world and an active lifestyle. Read more>>
Danny Diaz
My journey to Lompoc began when I took a job in Buellton as a housekeeping manager and needed a place to live; Lompoc was the spot I chose. When I eventually left that job, I realized I had completely fallen in love with Old Town and its raw, untapped potential. Deciding to plant deep roots here, I opened my business, The Silly Bee LLC. Read more>>
Mahlah Reyes
My interior design story began as a child in Maryland designing my hand-made Barbie doll house and helping my mom with home projects. We would do everything from wallpapering rooms to laying tile. I grew up being very creative; always drawing, coloring, and making things. We decorated, gardened, baked, canned food, and sewed. I was destined to go into a creative line of work. Read more>>
Sarah Orre
I always painted as a hobby but after I had my kids I struggled with postpartum and used painting as a coping mechanism for anxiety. During covid I painted regularly and discovered pastels. As covid lifted a position opened up teaching painting classes. I began teaching Oil & Acrylic Painting and pastel painting. Read more>>
Alexis Biddle
My name is Alexis, but feel free to call me Lexi! I am 22 years old, born and raised in Southern California. I began my journey in photography back in 2016, when I took a little photography course in school. It pretty much ended there until 2021, when I picked up a camera again, and it changed my life. Read more>>
