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.
Carlos Cortez
I started my career in the floral industry at age 13, working a wholesale nursery in Connecticut. After working 25 years in education as a professor and college president, I moved to Tampa to care for my ailing parents. I decided to follow my childhood dream and open a flower shop. Read more>>
Raychelle Wallace
For most of my life, I thought being responsible was one of my greatest strengths. I was the person who noticed what needed to be done before anyone asked. I anticipated problems, stepped in quickly, and often took ownership of things simply because I knew I could handle them. It wasn’t something I questioned — it was who I was. Read more>>
Dr. Katie Larson
I am a ‘Quester’ of Growth… and have been my whole life. I feel lucky to have a ‘storybook’ life in many ways– complete with epic adventures, exciting highs, but also tear-filled lows. My quests brought me to all continents (except Antarctica!) as I worked as a teacher, scientist, chef, consultant, and my latest favorite: hypnotherapist and Somatic coach. Read more>>
Cameron Baisden
I moved to Tampa about two years ago, honestly kind of on a whim. I had been living in Atlanta for a little bit, and while I loved parts of that season, something kept pulling me back to Florida. I didn’t know exactly what that meant yet, but I knew I was craving a life that felt more aligned, more exciting, and more like me! Read more>>
Tiffany Sommers
LeT’s Organize opened in 2016, and it is hard to believe we are now celebrating nearly 10 years in business. The company began with me organizing for family and friends on the side. At the time, I was also working as a nanny and helping families of students I knew. Read more>>
Victoria Ames
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Victoria Ames began her career in property management, where she regularly encountered pest issues across the properties she managed. What started as a routine part of the job quickly became a genuine interest. She found herself drawn to understanding pest behavior and, more importantly, finding long term solutions that protected both people and property. Read more>>
Molly & Madeline Cutcliff
We’re sisters, best friends, and yoga teachers who have always felt most like ourselves when we’re together. That bond has shaped who we are and ultimately became the foundation for Soul Ties. We’ve always loved trying new things together, whether that was a yoga class, a local event, or exploring somewhere we’d never been before. Read more>>
Bruce Melendez
I was just a teenage kid from Phiilly when I moved to Florida in 2000. Then is when I learned the appreciation for having a good barber and I started trying to groom myself in between my search for a good one. Over the years i discovered more passion for the craft as I grew my knowledge and skill for hair cutting. Read more>>
Brandon Isennock
I graduated from the Florida College of Natural Health in Sarasota, Florida, in 2003 with an Associate of Science degree in Paramedical Skincare and became a licensed Medical Aesthetician. My passion for skincare began years earlier through my chosen godmother, who owned one of the first day spas in Towson, Maryland, where I spent my childhood. Read more>>
Nitza Lozano
I was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up speaking both Spanish and English fluently. From an early age, I was fascinated by different cultures, travel, and storytelling, which ultimately shaped the path I’m on today. My journey into content creation wasn’t something I initially planned as a career. Read more>>
Yisel Acosta
I immigrated to the United States from Cuba with my parents in 1997 when I was eight years old. Growing up, I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and creating opportunities. After studying business, my husband and I built our own air conditioning company, which we’ve successfully operated for the past six years. Read more>>
Roberta Accioly
I’m Rob3rta, a DJ, music producer, and vocalist based in St. Petersburg. I was born in Brazil, raised in New York, and eventually found my home in Tampa Bay. Music has always been part of my life, but becoming a DJ happened later than most people would expect. Read more>>
Karen Aucoin
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life rarely unfolds the way you expect it to. Looking back, I can see how every chapter, even the painful ones, was preparing me for the next. Losing my mom changed me forever. There are still moments when I wish I could pick up the phone and tell her about everything that’s happened. Read more>>
Christin Alynn
My path has never been linear, but looking back, every season has shaped the work I do today. I started as a singer-songwriter with a deep love for music, storytelling, and live performance, but for a long time I was also balancing family, education, business, and the practical realities of life. Read more>>
Christina Strong
I started taking photos in 7th grade when I was given a digital camera. I started taking tons of photos of people, animals, and landscapes. By 18 I bought a 35mm film camera and continued to take tons of photos. Read more>>
Nina Williams
Music has always been apart of my life. From singing in my grandfather’s church at 5 yrs old.To performing in school talent shows and events. I’ve been following this destiny since I was a child. I still remember being twelve years old, singing for Broadway star Ben Vereen in front of the Sarasota news, a moment that solidified my love for the spotlight. Read more>>
Kamryn Russell
Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a therapist for children. My parents got divorced when I was four, and I recall going to a therapist who did not help me in the way I anticipated. I promised myself that I would listen to, advocate for, and support my clients if my dream came true. Read more>>
Mohammed Rahman
I was born in Bangladesh and moved to the United States with my family when I was six years old. Watching my parents work tirelessly to build a better life instilled in me a strong work ethic, resilience, and an appreciation for every opportunity. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering before completing my MBA. Read more>>
Julie Hatton
I began my real estate career in 2019 with a passion for helping people find not just a house, but a place to call home. In 2020, my family and I made a life-changing decision and moved to Pine Island, where we purchased our dream home and embraced the island lifestyle we had always hoped for. Then, in 2022, Hurricane Ian changed everything. Read more>>
Iylin Flock
I grew up in the Philippines in a close-knit family with limited resources. Watching my mother work hard and make sacrifices for our family taught me the values of resilience, responsibility, and perseverance from a young age. As the oldest sibling, I often helped care for my younger brothers and sisters while my parents worked. Read more>>
Grace Keenan
After decades as an Internal Medicine physician, I never expected my second career would be in hospitality. Yet the same principles that guided me in medicine—service, responsiveness, and attention to detail—ultimately became the foundation of Nova Vacation Rentals. Read more>>
Alicia Wooldridge
Dr. Alicia Wooldridge is an accomplished, professional, and personable physician providing Direct Primary Care services in Lakeland, Florida. With a heart for service and a lifelong calling to care for others, she has built her practice around the belief that healthcare should be personal, accessible, and deeply rooted in relationships. Through world travels and life experience, Dr. Read more>>
Shanty Kinney
I’m originally from Brazil, and my story has always been connected to two things I love deeply: music and photography. I started singing when I was very young, mostly in church, and when I was 10 years old I got my first guitar. Read more>>
Wes Hinds
Born and raised in Memphis TN raised by divorced parents, Mom a Artist and Dad a Musician and my dads parents. Read more>>
Darineise Thompson
My Name is Darineise Thompson I am a content creator, who goes to local businesses big or small and shoot content and let people know that this business is here in your city. I’ve been doing content creation for a little over 3 years and I enjoy it. Read more>>
Alex DiBrizzi
After being featured by Voyage Tampa in 2022, I made it a priority to immerse myself in the local art community by participating in as many art markets and networking opportunities as possible. Read more>>
Isabella Dias
I started at JETSET as a client during a time in my life where I was really searching for something that could ground me again. I didn’t fully realize it at the time, but I needed a space where I could slow down, reconnect with myself, and just feel steady again. From my very first class, something clicked. Read more>>
Carolina Lombardi
I’m originally from Argentina, where I studied English-Spanish Translation. After meeting my husband in Colorado, we moved to Florida in 2015 and began building our life and careers together. In 2016, we entered the real estate industry as agents. Read more>>
