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.
Michael Taylor
Before starting M Taylor Inc, I worked in construction as a land surveyor. When the construction industry slowed down while I was living in Georgia, work dried up quickly. At the same time, my wife and I had just purchased a home and welcomed our son. I needed to pivot fast, and truck driving was one of the few consistent opportunities available. Read more>>
Ariel Price
My path here wasn’t linear, and it definitely wasn’t quiet. I grew up in the South (Louisiana and North Carolina) and spent much of my childhood balancing two very different worlds. On one hand, I was deeply involved in boxing and kickboxing, sports that taught me discipline, resilience, and how to keep showing up even when things hurt. Read more>>
Steve Scott
Hello there. I’m Steve Scott and I have over 25 years of hands-on SEO, Web Design, and Digital Marketing experience. After working with hundreds of businesses both large and small from all over the world, I’ve learned a thing or two about getting clients of my SEO agency ranked at the top of Google! Read more>>
Liva Rivera
Hi there – not sure which part of my story you were leaning towards having me share about. I am a mom and three amazing kiddos. Two daughters, Alexa and Willow (both 25 and no, they aren’t twins) and a son Michael (18) who just started college at Florida State University. Read more>>
Vipul Gargya
My journey into plastic surgery was driven by equal parts discipline, curiosity, and an obsession with excellence. I trained in the United States through an intensive eight-year surgical residency, where I was exposed to the full spectrum of reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Read more>>
Nelson Sanabria
I didn’t start out with a big operation or a perfect plan. I started by learning the industry from the ground up, understanding how freight actually moves, where things break down, and what customers really care about: reliability, communication, and follow-through. Read more>>
Brittany Lindsey
A little over a year ago, my husband and I were heartbroken over a move that we were trying to force. We were trying everything in our power to “make it work”. 3 backed out contracts, constant delays, and a home that was built wrong- we knew our plans were not what God had in mind so we got to listening. Read more>>
Diane Kosek
It all started when I was a little girl. My dad and I would sit a go through the D encyclopedia and look at all the different dogs. As the years passed by I grown to love all animals. I’ve had dogs, hamsters, rabbits, to even a goat named Suzie. Read more>>
Danielle and Ron Clark
Can you briefly walk us through your story, how you started and how you got to where you are today? You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like. Read more>>
Angela Ziegler
Our journey started dealing with severe PTSD. My husband, Jesse, was looking for an outlet and came across this. At the time we started planning you were only able to find 4 on the internet. We opened in January of 2019 and have been going strong! We added Splatter Painting so children could throw something too. Read more>>
Taylor and Laura Ferranti
Since 2011, The Vocal Ring Studio has offered personalized voice lessons in Naples, FL, with a focus on healthy technique and practical performance skills. Taylor and Laura Ferranti are the dynamic husband-and-wife team who power this home-based voice studio. As seasoned expert teachers, we guide singers of all levels with transformative lessons available both in-person and online. Read more>>
Larry Montesano
The Carrollwood Florist opened its doors in 1989 as a local community florist. It was established by Larry and Sheryl Montesano who moved to Tampa from New Jersey where they learned the floral industry as a family trade. Their vision was to create a Christian, family owned and operated business. Read more>>
Trudy Tomlinson
I started my journey with a vision and a lot of faith. What began as a desire to create stability and purpose for my family grew into a passion for helping others through both healthcare and mindset work. Along the way, I faced setbacks, learned the business from the ground up, and stayed committed even when the path wasn’t clear. Read more>>
Rachelle Selser
I’m a 2nd generation native Floridian raising a 3rd generation native Floridian in Central Florida. My family has been involved with environmental conservation in one way or another for as long as I can remember. I earned my Bachelors in Environmental Resource Management and Conservation Planning from the University of West Florida, and my Masters in Public Administration from Troy. Read more>>
Mike Nix
My wife Donna and I own and operate Key Life Charters providing fun day outings on the beautiful waters around Sarasota Florida. Everything we do is centered around providing a safe, fun and relaxing time on the water. We started the business in June 2016 after lifelong careers in financial services and real estate in Georgia. Read more>>
Anabel Aguilar
We, my sister and I, decided to start a cleaning business in April of 2024. I have always had a passion for clean organized spaces, and once I got into a “cleaning” state of mind, I felt like for me it was therapeutic. I found it brought me joy not just to see the end result but also during the process. Read more>>
Sandy Donovan
I founded Globetrotter Travel LLC out of a deep passion for travel and a desire to help others explore the world in meaningful, stress-free ways. Read more>>
Mitchell Soffer
46 years now in the Wine Business. Started in a wine shop in New Jersey right out of high school for about 7-8 years then moved on into the wine wholesale business for 20 years. Decided to move to Florida in 2005 and opened up my own wine business since 2006. We now have a wine shop (thewinetobuy.com) and a speakeasy called (sopranos social club). Read more>>
MARLA SCAGLIONE
Everything in my life—every joy, detour, and hardship—has quietly prepared me for the work I now consider one of the greatest gifts of my life. One of my favorite quotes by Helen Keller says it best: “I am thankful for my handicaps, for through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.” That truth has unfolded again and again throughout my journey. Read more>>
Christine Abrahams
I started as a teacher in NYC and saw all the issues my kids had to deal with. I was unequipped to help them emotionally. I left teaching and went into the private sector where the adults were struggling with similar issues except on a bigger scale. All I could do was listen when they dropped into my office. Read more>>
Jennifer Feeney
Jennifer’s personal journey is complemented by extensive professional training. She is a Certified Travel Associate (CTA), a Certified Autistic Travel Professional (CATP), and a Certified Accessible Travel Associate, along with holding numerous destination and cruise line certifications. After stepping away from the industry to focus on raising her son, Jennifer found her way back during a Sandals training course, where she discovered the CATP program. That moment solidified her path forward. “I realized I could combine my passion for travel with my lived experience,” she says. “I’ve run with it ever since.” Read more>>
