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.
Greta Ramirez Garcia 
The Rose Wall San Diego has a story that goes beyond flower walls and beautiful events. It’s a family business with roots in Guadalajara, Mexico, and today, it’s become one of the ways I’m building a future for myself as an immigrant, entrepreneur, and independent artist. The business originally started with my cousin Alexa Nuño in Guadalajara, Mexico. Read more>>
Juliette Jorgenson 
My name is Juliette – I am a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, a Mat Pilates Instructor, and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). My passions intersect in whole person-centered care, nutrition science, holistic wellness, faith, and movement. I love helping individuals to feel strong and confident in their bodies, while empowering them by simplifying the complex biochemistry of nutritional science. Read more>>
Ikaro Silva 
I started making music in 8th grade, i’m 22 now. I started taking it more serious around 2020 and ever since then i’ve been working on music under the name BouttaBagKaro. more recently i’ve been pushing my music out way more with including some brazilian culture elements into some of my new music. Read more>>
Erin O’bryan 
I’m a health coach, and honestly, my whole ranch adventure started almost by accident. Years ago, my family bought a ranch as our vacation spot. Then life took a turn. I went through a divorce, and I really wanted to hold onto that land, which meant it had to start paying for itself. Read more>>
Bethany and Mackenzie Mugg 
We’re two sisters born and raised here on the central coast, who share a passion for wedding and couple photography. From a very young age, Bethany was intrigued by cameras and started by simply taking photos of her dog at just eleven years old. Her passion for animals and photography came together perfectly. Read more>>
Linda Mutti 
I’ve always loved to draw, Some of my earliest memories are of drawing horses. I went to UCSB as an art major but at that time, representational art was looked down on. So I thought, I’m not an artist and I changed majors and schools, I didn’t paint for 30 years. When I was showing horses, I did a portrait of a friend’s horse. Read more>>
Kate Carter 
Imagine being a parent of young children and being told you don’t have much time left. You can prepare financially. You can make arrangements. But how do you leave… your presence? Your voice, your laughter, your love. THAT’S WHAT WE PRESERVE. For 28 years, we’ve sat quietly with seniors, seriously ill individuals and their families. Read more>>
Hylary Locsin 
Our business started on accident. My husband and I had already completed grad school and were deep into our careers, when my sister and her wife asked if we could help them create the florals for their Yosemite wedding in 2011. Read more>>
Nikki Sorensen 
My journey into interior design began shortly after college when I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, for an internship with Frank Lloyd Wright’s great-granddaughter. Although I had hoped the internship would lead to a permanent position, life had other plans! While attending an interior design networking event, I mentioned my passion for both interior design and professional organizing. Read more>>
Claudine Langlois 
I started my career as an occupational therapist (I have a master’s in OT), helping people rebuild their lives after injury and trauma. I loved the work, but I kept seeing the same thing: people healed faster when they felt safe in their body and part of a community that believed in them. That idea stuck with me. I had zero business training. Read more>>
Cora Poropat 
For the last 10 years I’ve been on an important journey of discovering myself open to trying anything from crystals to Jesus. I’m so strong, so powerful but SOMETHING was stuck preventing me from being able to move forward despite my willingness. I found myself invited to a breathe work and ice immersion workshop- despite all odds I made it. Read more>>
Leslie Kim & Andrew Stringfellow 
We met twenty-two years ago in a martial arts instructor’s garage. We’d each spent years practicing other martial arts and, independently, had started looking for a more comprehensive system—something that could connect what we’d learned and fill in the gaps. That search brought us to the same garage, where we found a depth of training that has kept us learning ever since. Read more>>
Natalie Ruiz 
My story is a little unconventional. I joined AnywhereWorks, the parent company of AnswerConnect and other great brands, in 2006 for what I thought would be a temporary sales and call center role. I was coming off a period of burnout and wasn’t necessarily looking for a lifelong career. Read more>>
Sophia Foley 
According to my mom, I began singing as soon as I began talking, and I haven’t stopped since. I performed as a kid and always dreamed of being a star. When I was 18, I began writing and recording original music. I have continued to create original music for the last decade. Read more>>
Michele Murphy 
My name is Michele Murphy, I own Mountain Music Productions, a Santa Cruz based music production company I am the Vice President of new business acquisition and an Energy Efficiency Consultant at American Energy Partners I am a singer/ songwriter, wife, daughter, fur mama, and friend. Read more>>
Grijda Spiri 
My journey is one that crosses borders and musical traditions. I was born in Gjirokastër, Albania, and later moved to Ioannina, Greece. My formal musical foundation truly took shape during my undergraduate years in Corfu, Greece, where I earned a double major in violin and piano, as well as a diploma in Byzantine music. Read more>>
Marina Joseph 
Unheard Cries is committed to loving our brothers and sisters in Africa and the Middle East (AME) in Christ by providing humanitarian aid and tools for empowerment. 8 countries served. 4478 people served. 68 projects finished. It all started with a small club in Fresno and through God’s grace we’re here now. Read more>>
Karlie Cupani 
Growing up, I always pictured myself on the West Coast. Somewhere sunny and in the heart of the music scene, which I knew meant Southern California or Nashville, given the immense songwriter and live music scene there. Read more>>
Emily L’Heureux 
My journey to where I am today has been anything but a straight line, but I wouldn’t change a thing! My professional background was built entirely in sales, across various industries and roles. Over time, I was fortunate to work my way into executive-level management, where I discovered my passion for building strong teams and helping organizations grow. Read more>>
Louise Smith 
As a teenager, I was challenged by my mother to make a fancy dessert-cheesecake-for a dinner party. That’s where my love of creating beautiful and flavorful food began. I expanded from there and kept working with local, seasonal foods, hosting dinner parties with friends for them to sample and critique. Read more>>
Marita Taylor- Holton 
Marita Taylor Russian Born artist, former architect started her artistic journey in 2015. At first exhibited at Laguna Beach Sawdust Art Festival CA consecutively for 6 years with her unique handcrafted headpieces. Since 2015 Aristokrown also participated at many Art Shows as Balboa Island Art Walk, Palm Springs, Little Italy San Diego, Dana Point, Renaissance Fair, etc. Read more>>
Genoa Alma Belen 
Greetings, My Name is Genoa Alma Belen. I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. I am a professional musician and music teacher and I truly can’t imagine a time when music wasn’t a daily practice in my life. I was blessed to have grown up in a very musical home. Read more>>
Kathy O’Meara 
The story of The Klubhouse begins on a baseball field. In 2021, Covid restrictions were just starting to lift and former Oakland A’s pitcher, Tim Kubisnki had recently started giving lessons to a few local baseball players in San Luis Obispo. Read more>>
Mary Montgomery 
My name is Mary Shaomi Montgomery everything started at Montbello High School. I graduated in 2006 with the goal of being a broadcaster. I finished broadcasting in 2007. Now I Host/Produce the Game Show Battle Rooms in Denver Colorado. Read more>>
Celso Alberti 
I was born in Curitiba, Brazil, where rhythm is an integral part of the musical culture. I was drawn to the drums at an early age, and by the time I was 17, I was already performing professionally. Those early experiences helped me grow as a musician and opened my eyes to the many directions a life in music could take me. Read more>>
Yukari Odachi 
My journey to becoming the owner of Poke Chef was anything but planned! I was born and raised in Japan, but at 17, I came to the United States as an exchange student. Growing up, I often felt pressured to meet other people’s expectations, and I longed for the freedom to make my own choices. To me, America represented that freedom. Read more>>
Stacey Sarenity 
I grew up in a family of ‘collectors’ on both sides and my parents kept the love of the hunt alive taking us to The Red Barn flea market, Moss Landing antique fair and every vintage store we passed on roadtrips across the country. Read more>>
Randy Ogden 
My story starts with a dog named Blueseph. I was fresh out of the military, at the height of my amateur boxing career, and wondering, “Where is my life taking me?” She was my first dog. I was 23, had finally gotten back on my feet after leaving the military, and was living with a friend who had recently bought Blueseph’s sister. Read more>>
Denise Besson 
From Farmer’s Daughter to Professor to Winery Owner: Denise Besson’s Journey Back to Her Roots Rooted in five generations of family, shaped by resilience, and fueled by a passion for bringing people together, Denise Besson’s journey has come full circle. Read more>>
Divighn 
The Last Button on Jacob’s Coat Born De’Vaughn Roseman to Deborah and Lorenz Roseman Sr., I grew up hearing my father call me “the last button on Jacob’s coat”—the youngest, the final piece, and, in many ways, a symbol of the family’s story continuing forward. Some of my earliest memories are rooted in music. Read more>>
Sariel Elkaim 
Growing up in Los Angeles has given me the opportunity to connect with really cool people. It all started pretty organically when I met an artist who mentioned he needed new press photos. I offered to shoot them, and that one opportunity eventually led to meeting and photographing other artists. Read more>>
Laurel Enright 
I am currently a licensed esthetician and beauty blogger. I auditioned to attend Orange County High School of the Arts when I was 14. I went there for 3 years and met some amazing friends that I still have 23 years later. I became an esthetician in 2019 and worked at Ulta for almost a year before opening up my own business. Read more>>
BRICC BABY 
BRICC BABY FLAKZ is an emerging hip‑hop artist from Panorama City, Los Angeles, active in the West Coast underground scene and increasingly visible through streaming releases, collaborations, and YouTube music videos. The search results show a clear picture of his identity, catalog, and style. Read more>>
Carley Hauck
My interest in health and human potential began when I was 19, when I started a meditation practice that continues to be an important part of my life today. I became fascinated by the relationship between the mind, body, heart, and spirit—and by the question of what allows people not simply to function, but to truly thrive. Read more>>
Natalia Rumiantseva 
I grew up in Russia and was always surrounded by art in many different forms. I sang in a touring choir, loved to draw, and was always creatively inclined, but I was told that a creative career would never pay the bills and that art was something I should keep as a hobby. So, for a while, I listened. Read more>>
