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.
Angela Redden
Some of my earliest memories are of hiding in the boxwood shrubs at the edge of our yard, completely lost in a book. My elementary school librarian introduced me to series like Henry Huggins, Romona Quimby, and the Wizard of Oz. I could spend hours completely immersed in those stories while hiding from the rest of the world. Read more>>
MERJ
Rob Foglia (guitar) met Mel Flores (drums) at a jam session a couple of years ago, then crossed paths with him again last summer at the same jam, this time also meeting Eddie Cartagena (bass). Around that period, Rob had connected with Jordan Frederick (tenor sax) at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. When the four of them got in a room together, it clicked immediately. Read more>>
Tucky Krier
Though I may not have realized it at the time, my path to where I am today began in childhood as one of six kids. Growing up in a house full of siblings shaped my love for children early on and gave me a deep appreciation for the rhythms, chaos, and connection of family life. Read more>>
Stefanie Kreidler
I’ve wanted to help people for as long as I can remember. I spent about 15 years as a bedside nurse working in oncology, trauma, and intensive care, and I found that work deeply meaningful. I never imagined I would end up in mental health, but I was always drawn to the places where people needed the most support. Read more>>
Wynn Smith
For the most part,I am a self-taught artist. I nibbled at a Fine Art degree over the years which I am sure expanded my knowledge of color and design. And I also grab up any classes that I can find that can elevate and complete my ideas. I have also worked as a hairstylist and supported myself and my family for eons. Read more>>
Alex Kamenca
Carley and I (Alex) were both in early stages of our entrepreneur aspirations and still in corporate sales jobs when we met. We were both looking to acquire an existing business instead of starting one hoping for more of a fast track to leave our jobs and truly start our entrepreneur journeys. Read more>>
Adrienne Robertson
I began my career in medicine with a deep curiosity about how the body works as an interconnected whole. After completing my medical training, I spent over a decade practicing primary care and caring for patients across a wide range of settings. Over time, I became increasingly aware that many people were doing “everything right” within the traditional healthcare system and still not feeling well. Read more>>
Tricia Cromwell
I got started by STARTING. By simply DOING. I’m impatient and I’d rather learn as I go than wait and research. I’ve always had a natural eye for style, space, and transformation. Long before I ever called myself a closet designer or wardrobe stylist, I was reorganizing rooms, styling outfits, and helping friends and family create spaces that felt better to live in. Read more>>
Keterri Shuford
Nurture House Group was created out of both lived experience and a clear gap I saw in our community. I’ve always had a heart for children and families, especially those navigating instability, academic challenges, or a lack of consistent support. Read more>>
David Michaud
I started out my video production career in Nashville back in 2010 because I was invited by my aunt to stay with her while I looked for jobs. One of the first things I did was look in the Nashville video production directory and called and emailed every single companyand if they had an address I would also visit their location. Read more>>
Bree Cummins
Although I just launched Brisa Coffee a few months ago, I’ve been surrounded by the hospitality industry my entire life and always knew I wanted to create something bigger than myself. I grew up in San Diego, California where my parents were pastors of a small local church. Through them, I learned the power of serving others and building communiy. Read more>>
Chy the Brat
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. Creativity has always been my language, and when I fell in love with technology, it only deepened my relationship with art. I began my journey as a graphic designer in 2013, refining my skills and developing my eye for visual storytelling. Read more>>
Jake Farbman
Thanks to my parents, music has always been in my DNA. I started playing guitar at age 6 and was performing on stage by age 7. Read more>>
Manuel Barajas
I didn’t start my career trying to become a sales and growth consultant. I started by trying to make more money per hour at Blockbuster. When I was 16, my store had a partnership with DirecTV. Every sale paid a $10 commission, which at the time was more than minimum wage. Read more>>
Patricia McGuire
The story of Patricia McGuire Counseling started in the early 2000s when I had my first Psychology class in high school and I was hooked. I was fascinated by personality types, emotional intelligence, theories of behavior change, and the history of psychotherapy. As a “people person” – I loved learning and knowing more about…people. Read more>>
Chase Kauhane
I’m originally from a small town on the Big Island of Hawai’i called Waimea. I’ve been writing and playing music since my early teens. Although I’ve always written songs for my family and friends, I was introduced to the professional side of songwriting from the Hawai’i Songwriters Festival in 2013. Read more>>
Raul Toledo
My Name is Raul Toledo I’m from Mexico, I like the topics about computers and new technologies. I’m IT Tech and Computer teacher in Mexico. Read more>>
Michael Reed
We are a very close family that has been incredibly blessed. Our story really began in 2008 when dear friends and angel investors loaned me the money to buy my first television station, a business I’d been in for 25 years working for others. The money was loaned with a mission, to ‘pay it forward’. That mission changed everything for us. Read more>>
Kara Sircy
This allow me to venture out of my office and have the face-to-face interaction that I’ve always loved. After a handful of events (and a lot of time spent setting up , breaking down & hauling everything in my car) I invested in a mobile boutique trailer! I’m pretty sure I cried on the way home from picking it up! I had zero idea how this would transform my business, but I was so excited! I rebranded to Designs & Apparel by Kara which opened doors for me to add more to my inventory other than T-shirts. Read more>>
Joanna Marino
EBTC formally came together mid-2023, but the groundwork had been laid in our years of experience working on teams together in different treatment settings. We all shared one goal – providing science-backed, research driven, high quality care to individuals and their families. Read more>>
Brian Crick
My wife and I were both born and raised in Arizona and spent many years working in healthcare. In 2014, we decided to move to Washington State for a change of scenery—and that’s really where our story begins. While working for a large healthcare organization there, I quickly noticed something new: drive-thru coffee shops were everywhere. Read more>>
Lane Rockensock
I began working in the industry while attending Mt. Juliet High School, helping my friend’s dad rehab houses in the Lebanon area. After graduating, I furthered my education by attending college at East Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky. While in school, I kept honing my craft by staying involved with residential and commercial construction. Read more>>
Keribeth Searcy
Tennessee Premier Health began with a growing ache I couldn’t ignore. Over the years, I worked extensively in telemedicine through large corporate healthcare systems. While those models were efficient and fast, they often left little room for compassion, connection, or truly listening to patients. Read more>>
Niki Cardwell
My story is really about following curiosity and saying yes to opportunities before I knew exactly how they would unfold. I think I’ve always been wired for entrepreneurship as I like building things, solving problems, making decisions quickly, and shaping the experience from concept to execution. Read more>>
Abbey Cartwright
My journey to where I am today has been guided by service, faith, and willingness to step into new seasons. I moved from Illinois to Tennessee in 2015 after spending 15 years working in the emergency room as a medic. I was blessed to be able to be a stay-at-home mom with my girls for 3 years after moving. Read more>>
Peyton Soelberg
I grew up in a small suburbia town in southern Arizona. After high school, I remember feeling pretty anxious to get out into the world. The sky never felt like my limit, but without financial assistance or scholarships, I knew it was always going to be up to me. I started small; but my dreams were always big. Read more>>
Sara Hardenbergh
I’m from a small town just outside of Birmingham, Alabama, called Clanton. Growing up, my family and I would regularly drive an hour just to get Cookie Fix because we truly believed they were the best cookies in the world. That love for the brand stuck with me. Read more>>
Jessica Candage
I’m one of the lucky people who always knew exactly what I wanted to do for work, and no matter what it took, I was going to be a makeup artist. I come from humble beginnings, born to two drug addicted parents, at 14 years old, left with one parent I lost my dad to an overdose on Christmas of 1999. Read more>>
Remington Vandergriff
My path to this work began years ago, so I’ll keep the early part brief. I first learned about Army Social Work in 2004 while in Japan for ROTC Cadet Troop Leadership Training. From that moment, I knew it was what I wanted to do. That opportunity didn’t present itself until 2009 and ultimately came to fruition in 2011. Read more>>
Holley Moreau
I have been a nurse since 2010, and caring for others has always been a true passion of mine. My husband and I relocated to this area in 2021 from Texas, where we had lived our entire lives prior to the move. Last year, I felt unfulfilled in my role and was inspired to return to direct patient care in a more meaningful way. Read more>>
Donna Woodley
My exposure to art stems from a few influences. My Mother is an all-around creative. She turns any space into a beautiful palace, decorating our homes with art on the walls. She is also an amazing singer who is fashion-forward, and she exposed my sister and me to music when we were babies. Read more>>
Brycen Hopkins
Founded by two former NFL players, this father-son business is dedicated to optimizing luxury transportation while giving back to the Nashville community. As a father and son team we developed the Limo Concierge model and launched LuxNashRide.com in July of 2025. , We are both Nashville natives and have decided to focus on entrepreneurial ventures that help service the needs of the city we love. Read more>>
Evan Richardson
I started a class in video production in my sophomore year of high school. As I became more invested, I gradually became more involved in the sports field. By the end of my senior year, I had completed fallen in love with using a camera and decided to expand into photography and continue working after high school. Read more>>
William Herrin
A Journey from Lick Log Hollow to Cottontown Roots and Early Life My mother was a farm girl from Lick Log Hollow, nestled on the border between West Virginia and Kentucky. My father, too, grew up on a farm in Fields, Louisiana, before serving in World War II. For much of my childhood, our family experienced financial hardship. Read more>>
Danette Mahabeer-Turner
My story began in a place of survival, long before it ever reached a stage or a spotlight. There was a time when I was simply trying to hold myself together — navigating life after trauma, learning how to rebuild my confidence, and rediscovering who I was outside of what I had endured. For a long while, my focus wasn’t success — it was healing. Read more>>
Jooci
I got started with music as a kid, vocals/rapping since i was 16. my first rap song was with a group called Thot Police, unfortunately you cant find that anywhere anymore. i began producing at 17 and havent stopped since. now i do just about everything i can and try to add more to my abilities all the time. Read more>>
Rick Caudle
I started boxing when I was seven years old. I wrestled in high school, and started training in the martial arts in 1973. Later in the 1970’s, I met a man named James DeMile, who had trained with Bruce Lee from 1959 to 1964. This lead me in a new direction. Read more>>
Bailey Barclay
During the pandemic I started refinishing furniture to make some money and keep busy. I started an instagram account called Rankin Design, where I documented the furniture flips. In the back of my mind, I was exploring the idea of a full career shift. I had always been intrigued by interior design and with perfect timing, a friend wanted their home refreshed. Read more>>
Stella Prince
I was four years old when I knew for certain that this was exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I remember going up to my parents and telling them I wanted a manager, and an agent, and wanted to start auditioning and performing right away. Read more>>
Judah Wardrope
I’m Canadian and was born in British Columbia but grew up in the prairies in Carlyle Saskatchewan most of my life. I started singing and playing guitar when I was 12, but started going after music as a career when I was 22. I started playing open mics, and worked my way up to being able to get paid gigs. Read more>>
Utah Burgess
The early days of Shady Lady Productions was a lot of work. I dove into the major Pittsburgh area trying to do some events and ended up getting my teeth kicked in. I decided around 2012 that instead of being a small fish in a big pond, I’d just stay concentrated on the rural local areas outside of Pittsburgh and be the big fish in a small pond. That really helped turn the corner, both financially and also just in standing out as a brand. Read more>>
Darby Pincock & Logan Dodd-Frigo
Co-owners, Darby and Logan, connected through massage therapy school. We have since embraced a holistic lifestyle, continuing to explore ways to support both ourselves and our clients. Through shared experiences, including yoga training in Bali and further education, we continue to evolve as therapists. We are advocates for body awareness and self-exploration and created Hamsa House as an extension of those values. Read more>>
Sara A. Freites
I’ve been writing short stories and poems for as long as I can remember, but my first book ‘Rise of Midnight’ is my first published work. I wrote this book when I was 17, and worked off and on on it, sometimes setting it aside for long periods of time, for many years before I really got serious about doing something with it. Read more>>
