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.
Nolan Brown
I started opening fast casula hibachi restaurants for Terry Ho the Yum Yum sauce guy he is from Albany, GA where I am from. I learned how to cook hibachi and the business at his stores in Pensacola and Mobile. I took a corporate job in Atlanta, met my wife and moved to St. Mary’s where she is from. Read more>>
John Barling
My path to where I am today started long before I entered the painting industry. I joined the United States Marine Corps straight out of high school and served five years, including two tours in Iraq. I completed my service honorably in 2007. The Marine Corps shaped how I think about leadership, accountability, and pressure. Read more>>
Shirley Saulsby
Shirley Saulsby is a proud Jacksonville, Florida native and the founder of Visionary Workforce Staffing. A graduate of William M. Raines High School, Shirley has always been deeply rooted in her community and passionate about creating opportunities for others. Read more>>
Erik Paabo
We’re a husband-and-wife team, and Crooked Tail Family Farm started the way a lot of real things do, with life taking an unexpected turn. In December 2019, Erik suffered a neck injury that eventually cost him his job. Not long after, the pandemic shut the world down and made a lot of us think differently about stability, food, and what “security” really looks like. Read more>>
Asma Aftimous
I graduated from the Syrian Arab Republic with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and began my career as an independent pharmacy owner, serving rural communities for more than five years. During that time, I focused on patient education, medication counseling, and improving access to care for underserved populations. Read more>>
Lakshmi Dove
My relationship with cows began when I was three and a half. In 1980, my family moved to a Hare Krishna farm where my father helped care for the cows. I have fond memories of when he took me to the cow barn to help him care for them. My parents’ spiritual master, A.C. Read more>>
Angel Grissom
My journey started long before I ever launched a company. I lost my mother at six years old and grew up navigating life without the stability many children take for granted. That experience shaped me. It taught me resilience early. I learned that my “right now” was not my forever, and education became my path forward. Read more>>
Erica Rodriguez
In 2019 after running my first 10K, I had this nagging rib pain. The pain worsened progressively & lasted well over a year. After many different doctors, misdiagnoses, failed treatments & false imaging- I felt pretty hopeless that it would ever go away. My Mom kept telling me to go to her Physical Therapist- maybe there was something he could do for me. Read more>>
Calin Lucaciu
My introduction to woodworking began in my teenage years. While attending high school I spent weekends working in a woodshop gaining hands-on experience and learning the fundamentals of materials, tools and construction, those early experiences established an appreciation for precision ,proportion and the discipline required to build well. After high school, I attended college and later entered medical school. Read more>>
Wilfred Torres
Wilfred Torres, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, am the founder of Wegotchu Enterprises NPO, Inc., a community-based organization established in 2016 to provide essential resources to communities who are in need. Read more>>
Gary Garcia
So, I used to manage another shop, that was more geared into performance, which I had done as a hobby since I was young, I mean, I would spend weekends with my buddies helping them install their go fast bits, rebuild their engines, setup their suspension. You know, car guy stuff. Read more>>
Dillon Robles
Pelican Pools was started in 2019. We wanted to have a business that emphasized on doing the right thing for clients and giving the best service possible. We started out small but over time, we grew through referrals by setting realistic expectations and following through. Today, Pelican Pools is a family-run business built on transparency, accountability, and steady growth. Read more>>
Karissa Hagemeister
For several years now I have had an online boutique. For the past three years, I have wanted to open up a space as I have had a dream growing in my heart. This past year I was able to open it up to the public and make into more of a community space for people to come together, hang out and make new friends. Read more>>
Kimberly Shipley
Scott and Kim’s journey into the jewelry industry started with Scott’s lifelong passion for design. Scott has always been a designer of something—whether it was houses, artwork, or creative projects—and that natural gift eventually led him to jewelry. About 15 years ago, he began designing jewelry, which quickly turned into requests for redesign projects, and then into learning the craft of jewelry repair. Read more>>
Janet Sampson
Jeff and I began our farming journey in 1988, when we were married and started our first small herd of cattle in Davie, Florida. Jeff had learned from experienced cattlemen as a teenager, which gave us a strong foundation as we built our operation together. Read more>>
Jeremy Gatto
Jeremy Gatto: Restaurateur and Pizza Aficionado Jeremy Gatto is a native New Yorker whose journey in the culinary world began in the bustling kitchens alongside his father. Growing up, he absorbed the essence of food from a young age, hearing his father’s wise words: “Everyone has to eat.” This phrase ignited Jeremy’s lifelong passion for the culinary arts. Read more>>
Samantha Moore
I’ve been bartending for over 13 years, and from the very beginning, I’ve always loved the connection it creates—bringing people together, sparking conversation, and being a part of meaningful moments. For years, I had the idea to start a mobile bar, but like many people, I doubted myself and stayed within my comfort zone. Read more>>
Dawn Thayer
I started cleaning at 12 years old so I could afford to care for my horse. That early responsibility instilled a strong work ethic and appreciation for consistency and accountability. Over the years, cleaning remained a steady thread alongside roles in university operations, banking, bookkeeping, and business management. Read more>>
Dr. Claire Merriman
I was 2 years out of my doctoral physical therapy program, working in an outpatient orthopedic clinic when I took my first Herman and Wallace pelvic floor course. I immediately fell in love with the subspecialty. It was such an underserved population and one in which physical therapy could support a huge improvement in quality of life. Read more>>
Ashley Skaer-Tilley
I moved to Florida nearly seven years ago from a very small country town in southern Illinois, but my journey into event planning and supporting small businesses started long before that—right in my local church. Our church didn’t believe in taking out loans, so whenever something needed to be repaired or updated, we found ways to fund it ourselves. Read more>>
Amy Beach
Beach Junki started as a nickname someone gave me after noticing how much time I spent at the beach—walking at sunrise and just being there. In 2013, everything changed when I came across a sea turtle in distress and was able to help with its rescue and release. I became involved with the local sea turtle patrol team. Read more>>
Bethany Bryan
I started shooting weddings in 2013 for free because I truly loved it and wanted to learn. I’ve never been someone who does this just for the money, I do it because I genuinely value life and the moments we don’t get back. Read more>>
Patti Brannon
My journey began with a love for timeless style and a profound commitment to community. I founded B Togs & Co as a lifestyle and activewear brand rooted in the belief that what we wear should support how we live — beautifully, actively, generously, and with intention. What makes the brand especially meaningful to me is that it carries the legacy of my mom. Read more>>
Kimberly Pacetti
I’ve been involved in medicine in some form since my college years. I started working in a medical office filing charts and gradually progressed into full patient care as a medical assistant. During that time, I had the opportunity to work with a brilliant, forward-thinking female physician who deeply influenced how I viewed patient care. Read more>>
Nichole Clark
I was a curly-haired hairdresser getting butchered haircuts from my coworkers. I decided to “cheat” on my salon and go get a curly cut from the local curly salon. I ended up going to work at the curly place and have done curly hair ever since. Read more>>
Dr. Chris Owen
Here’s how it started…. Years ago, I was diagnosed with a severe hyperthyroid condition that rapidly pushed my body to its limits. I was eating four full meals a day and still wasting away — eventually dropping to just 98 pounds. I was exhausted, anxious, and barely able to function with two small kids to care for. Read more>>
Allison Moses
I joined Row House about four years ago as a part-time coach while working full-time in healthcare, mostly because I loved fitness and the energy of the community. After COVID, I was laid off from my healthcare role, which turned out to be a pivotal moment for me. Read more>>
Jennifer Jeffers
My journey with The Simple Stencil began in 2003 with a very practical goal: I was a stay-at-home mom trying to fund my daughter’s school trip to France. Having worked in the signage industry, I was comfortable with vinyl, but I had always possessed a personal ‘love affair’ with words and quotes. Read more>>
R Scott Hartsfield
I was last of 6 kids. When we were all young, as a family we would watch the news and TV shows together. My role was to either rub backs, feet, legs or whatever hurt. Unbeknownst to me, this training prepared me to be a Licensed Massage Therapist, now 30+ years. I have done this work 7 days a week for over 20+ years. Read more>>
Gabby Wettstein
I’ve always felt deeply connected to animals, especially dogs and horses. Growing up riding and working in horse barns, I was immersed early on in the rhythms, responsibilities, and quiet communication that come with caring for large, sensitive animals. Between the ages of 19 and 21, I worked full-time at a horse barn where I was first exposed to equine bodywork. Read more>>
