Hidden Gems: Local Businesses & Creatives You Should Know

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.

Cross Beckman

At that point I knew I could take this further. It was never about the money aspect but it was always about being able to do this more without working construction. I quit my construction job, and went full time freelance not knowing at all what this would entail. I took a leap that had extreme lows and ultimately extreme highs. Today I have been in freelance for over 4+ years, Been featured in GQ Magazine, NFL Threads, and have had the opportunity to work with well known celebrities, brands, businesses and much more. Read more>>

Belem Trevino

My career as a makeup artist started almost seven years ago when I just wanted to learn a new hobby, and I fell in love with this profession. Two years ago, I left my full-time job to dedicate myself 100% to my business. It was the best decision I could have made, and all of this is also thanks to my husband, who always supports me. Read more>>

Tangla Hayes

Then I am reminded of Entering into the Unknown. To help those in need by Providing food, shelter, clothing, and resources counseling. As these children have Entered into a World of the Unknown, I am committed to seeing them through by loving and caring for them. I am officially a foster parent And I have had each of these babies since they were born. Sometimes, I laugh and say God has a funny since of humor, he took three and gave me three. My husband Ron must have told God I needed something to keep me busy, keep me going instead of sitting on the couch depressed. I believe I needed these kids just as much as they needed me. My dream is to one day have an ETU -Entering The Unknown Campus to house foster kids in a safe loving environment. Read more>>

Advocating Opportunity

Advocating Opportunity was founded in Ohio in 2015 and in Nashville in 2020, and is only one of a handful of programs in the country providing comprehensive, holistic, trauma-responsive legal and support services to persons who have experienced sex and labor trafficking. We also provide family support to ensure that trafficked and exploited persons have a stable home environment with organic supports. Most legal and social service providers across the U.S. provide limited legal services or work with a limited population, such as working only with minors or adults, only with women, or only with those who have experienced sex trafficking.  Read more>>

José Arredondo

I started out as a musician while growing up in South Texas in 2005 or so when my dad gifted me a handmade classical acoustic guitar from Paracho, Michoacan in México near his hometown of La Piedad, Michoacan. I am originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco in México as well as my mom. I grew up in Guadalajara for most of my childhood along with my grandparents whose heritage is from Spain. Read more>>

Amanda Shaw

I have enjoyed a beautiful career that has spanned over two decades of work. By the time I was 15, I had a record deal with Rounder Records, appeared in Disney films, and was featured in the documentary Hurricane on the Bayou. Since then, I’ve performed on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, the Today Show, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, alongside artists like Cyndi Lauper. I’ve also earned honors like the Big Easy Award for Best Female Entertainer and a place in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. I am so excited for this next chapter of music and to share this fresh take on the music that raised me. Read more>>

Lavonne Redferrin

I hold both Bachelors and Masters degrees in education..,While these have proven advantageous in rescue as rescue requires developing good relationships with people and educating many on animal care, the biggest preparation for my job as executive director of Proverbs has been watching and learning daily. Read more>>

Anna Saterstrom

Recently my work has centered around the forgotten and neglected work of more recent needlewomen. My inspiration is to “Honor the Work of Her Hands” and to see with new eyes the crocheted doilies, the lace placemats, the tatted edges on pillow cases, the delicate smocking on baby gowns. Most women my age have a chest or a drawer or even a closet crammed with needlework that took our ancestors endless hours to produce. I want to remember them and to respect their skills, many of which have been lost to us in recent times. Read more>>

Isaiah Thomas

Balancing/delegating while staying hands-on is tough I have help, but that doesn’t mean I’m entirely hands-off. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be. The business you build can feel like your baby, and learning to trust others—especially those God has gifted—is a challenge. But like Matthew 19:26 says, with God, all things are possible. I’m learning to release some control while still maintaining my vision. Read more>>

Brian Rose

I also was starting a brand new high school 3 months late, not knowing anyone, still recovering from Bells Palsy nerve damage in my face, which from this experience to this day I can pinpoint back to the development of my sense of humor. I did fully recover however and got back to my active life at the end of 9th grade. While I was in 11th grade, I was picked up to play guitar in a blues band when I was noodling around at a music store with a friend in Cleveland, Ohio. I played with them through my high school years, they were all much older than me but playing in a crusty dive bar every week was a blast. Read more>>

Felicia Carter

I was born with a rare and chronic medical condition called Marshall Syndrome. It is essentially a deficiency in bone growth and a mutation in the collagen gene which affects every single thing in the body as my collagen is diminishing at a very rapid rate. I have had 18 surgeries (most of them at Vandy) including 3 craniofacial reconstructions, 2 sub-mucus cleft palate reparations, 3 stapendectemies, lens removals in both eyes, etc. I have had 3 emergency surgeries throughout my life, the most recent being one that was a life-or-death surgery in the middle of the night when the ER found an abscess in the airway. in May 2024. I spent 7 days in surgical ICU afterwards. Read more>>

Elizabeth Nord

My first camera, a Christmas gift, was what kicked things off. I started taking photos for $50 a session — $240 for my first wedding. Back then, that felt huge. But as I kept shooting, I started booking more sessions and refining my style. The big turning point came during a wedding at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago. It was one of my highest bookings at the time, and I was working alongside some of the best in the industry. That experience made me realize that I belonged in the luxury market. Read more>>

Ragab Rashwan

I left my family and village before adolescence and went looking for economic opportunity in Cairo. Sure, there was work there. But the real bonus was a thousand friendships, million stories, and countless new ideas swirling around this city, equal parts old and new, Egyptian and cosmopolitan. And all these people rubbed shoulders where? The coffeeshop. My downtown coffeeshop was small and plain on the outside but nicknamed the United Nations because I served everyone from local shopkeepers to backpackers to celebrities and diplomats. Read more>>

Jeff

I started my apprenticeship in 2005 in Southern California, can’t believe it’s been 20 years now. We moved to Tennessee in 2013 and 2 years later we opened Golden Yeti Art Collective in Downtown Franklin. The shop just celebrated our 10 year anniversary and have been so thankful for the community we have. Read more>>

Raven Chain

After a few years I decided to form a band with some high school buddies Jon Warren and Ian Shriver. We weren’t good at all but kept at it and playing whatever shows we could get on. At 16 I bought an old ford econoline van and we started touring out of West Virginia up the east coast to NYC and the surrounding areas. After receiving a good response we decided to get more serious and recorded our first demo. We continued putting on the most outrageous shows that we could think of and gaining a sort of cult following with fans. Read more>>

Derek Shampine

Originally from a small town in Upstate, NY, Owner/Chef Derek moved to Nashville in 2005 to pursue a career in the Music Industry. After a few years working with various artists throughout the Country Music scene as a Tour Manager, Derek decided to come off the road and settle down with his now Wife (a Nashville Native) to start a family and life off the road. With Upstate Pierogi Co. Derek wanted to pay homage to the classic Polish pierogi that he grew up on, while also bringing a new modern twist by creating some other unique and fun flavors. Read more>>

Frank Neely

I’ve loved photography since I was a kid, starting with a simple Kodak 110 film camera and capturing whatever caught my eye—cars, classmates, and everyday moments. Back then, I’d excitedly wait for my film to be developed, not knowing how the pictures would turn out. I never pursued it professionally at first, but years later, I picked up a camera again with a new passion and a more serious approach. Now, I focus on filmmaking, capturing weddings, nature, and real, meaningful moments. It’s what drives me, keeps me creative, and allows me to tell stories that last a lifetime. Read more>>

Brandon Rich

Elopements, Inc. has a diverse history where four people in two companies that worked together for years joined forces under one corporate umbrella. One of those companies was Elopements of Nashville which was a photography company owned by Michael and Michelle Blair which goes back to 2009. The Blairs, based in Nashville, shot traditional weddings personally and with associate photographers in several states. The other company was Rich Events, owned by Rev. Brandon Rich and based in Nashville, which was a company that provided weddings officiants, coordinators and wedding venue management services going back to 2007. Read more>>

Audrey Desselle

I always cooked on Sunday for everyone when I was working pipeline. I would cook on an open fire in cast iron One day my oldest son Hunter said dad you should do videos and share with everyone. He said people would love that. So he downloaded TikTok on my phone did a video and when I woke up the next morning had over 1000 followers. I started doing lives, tutorials and more. Read more>>

Carl Chaney

We specialize in offering a family friendly agritourism destination where all ages come to make memories. We are known for our ice cream which is considered one of the best ice creams in the state of Kentucky. We have been fortunate to have been featured on several television programs and media such as Guy Fieri’s All American Road Trip, Park’d with Abby Hornacek, Justified television show and recently Global Child network. Read more>>

Phyllis Bradley

I am a mother of 3 and a grandmother of 6. I had a wonderful 30 year career in education. I retired in 2016 and stay active in Rotary, the GFWC Dickson Woman’s Club, and my parish church. During my years in education, I taught English and after I had my children I began a career in teaching G.E.D. to adults. This was a very rewarding career and one that brought me more satisfaction than anything I had ever done. Read more>>

Tony And Emily Garmon

My husband is a country music singer songwriter. We moved to Nashville almost 4 years ago. We both became a dynamic duo in Nashville as Tony played venues people started to get to know us together. I would be front row every time Tony played filming him and being his number one fan. The relationships we built have been inspiring. We absolutely love the songwriting community and we wanted to give back. Read more>>

Matt Koziol

I grew up in New Jersey. Was always a lover of music. It was the thing I couldn’t let got of. As I got older I took singing pretty seriously, and joined bands as kid. I played school dances, and birthday parties, battle of the bands, high school choir, theatre groups – you name it, I did it. I followed my love of music to different places like LA, and Nashville when I was in my early 20’s. I was touring, and getting into writing sessions. I took my first trip to Nashville on a tour when I was probably 22. I made some incredible friends, and felt at home. Read more>>

Lacey Wootten

With that in mind, I dove headfirst into cosmetology. I attended Paul Mitchell the School Nashville, where I became the first student to achieve the Dean’s List honor — a rigorous program that went beyond the regular curriculum. I was incredibly fortunate to find a mentor there, Susan Waggoner, who helped me stay grounded and push through when things got tough. With her encouragement, I secured my first job as an assistant at Studio Gaven before I even graduated. Read more>>

Dr. Rochelle Stevens

Dr. Rochelle Stevens, a 2x Olympic Gold & Silver Medalist started running track at the age of 12 years old to earn a scholarship to attend college and help improve her family circumstances. She earned 20 scholarship in Track and Field and later represented Team USA for 12 years competing in 50 countries winning Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals around the world including two Olympic Games. Read more>>

Mary Caroline Russell

After going to local shows in motel ballrooms and skating rinks with a disposable camera, I discovered music photography—a world where all of my great loves met. I loved the community around music & the ability to capture how a room felt. After high school I felt like I needed to stay in my hometown, which a the time felt awful. However, that decision is what created a chain reaction of meeting different people and eventually landing in Atlanta with photo passes to almost every show I could have ever wanted to shoot. I would borrow a camera from school, shoot the show, and then stay up all night editing to get the photos out as fast as I could. One thing lead to another and before I knew it I was getting paid to shoot. Read more>>

Matt Gomez

I worked as a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy for 19 years. My family and I moved from California 3 years ago to Gallatin, Tennessee looking for a better area and opportunity to raise our five kids. We have long time friends who have multiple publications in Chicago, Illinois. When they heard that I was looking for a career change, they talked to me about the success they had as publishers. Although being a publisher does not provide the same excitement as law enforcement, it definitely does give more flexibility and income opportunities that I never would have had prior. Read more>>

Dane Howard

I’m now more diverse and interesting. My background as a husband, father, designer, executive advisor, and leader has shaped my perspective. I found myself returning to pursue my art and studio with more vigor and focus. I’m not (yet) ready to leave a corporate life as a product design executive, but I enjoy the balance I find between tech and art. I like the tension and the variance of both mediums and the speed by which they evolve. I live and work in my modern farmhouse in Tennessee. It is my creative haven and workspace, where I bring ideas to life. Some of those ideas find their way here. Read more>>

Ashley Elizabeth

Sometimes I can’t believe I’ve gotten to this point. I can’t put a number to how many times I was told I would never get published or that no one would ever enjoy my story. But my love for the story kept me motivated to continue. The story itself is based in a high school setting. The main antagonist is a boy who is psychotically obsessed with a fellow student, and the story follows the journey of him going to greater and greater lengths to gain her love, farther than anyone would imagine. Read more>>

Lakelyn Tayler Pounders

Turns out, she was actually going to reach out to me soon regarding a potential role on her team at Big Loud. So, we schedule another coffee date and she offers me a role as her Assistant! I was thrilled. I started on October 30th and worked alongside Amy on various Artist projects. She taught me so much and I was honored that she also allowed me the freedom and trusted me enough to take on Artist projects by myself as well. Amy has since left Big Loud, so now I am the sole in-house Wardrobe Stylist for the label. My days are extremely busy, full of prep, travel, shopping and project after project, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Read more>>

Mac Pirkle

The Laurel Theatre, as if became known, was home to the Play Group as well as a popular venue for folk and bluegrass music and is still active today as a performance space. The Play Group became part of a network of alternative/experimental theatres across the country. During that time we collaborated with songwriter and activist Si Kahn, John O’neal, founder of the Free Southern Theatre in New Orleans, toured the country for the bicentennial and performed at the Kennedy Center for Jimmy Carter’s Inauguration, at the Knoxville World’s Fair, and at the opening of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Read more>>

Joshua Poling

But every fall was the highlight. It was hog killing time. Relatives would gather on my Grandfather’s farm in Moatsville and using a makeshift slaughterhouse on his land they would prepare themselves for winter just as every generation before them had prepared. They cut chops, they canned, they cold packs, mixed breakfast sausage, and of course, they would hang hams. Read more>>

Ciprian Boitor

I remember doing wedding photography and not really connecting with the medium. The fast-pace and working with large groups did not connect with my style. Of course there are memorable moments. I will never forget being at a wedding, taking pictures when suddenly one of the guests tripped and did a belly flop onto the ground, narrowly missing falling directly onto a small child! I discovered that I enjoyed the slower, reflective pace of individual photography. I am a deeply reflective person, an introvert who loves to read and loves a good story. Read more>>

Dana McCollum

Raising four children while serving churches nationwide sharpened my organizational and community-building skills, getting so good at packing that I once joked about starting a moving company. After our ministry season ended, I joined a local wedding venue as an event team member, discovering my passion for weddings. The key is not to give up or lose hope, even when life takes an unexpected turn. My faith and perseverance through these changes have built a strength and contentment that I bring to every event, creating meaningful experiences for my clients. Read more>>

Kelly Stickelmaier

Word of mouth became everything. When people not only love their photos but also how they felt during the session, they naturally want to tell their friends. And that has been my biggest driver of growth, staying true to my art, showing up authentically, and creating a client experience that’s personal and memorable. Read more>>

Anneli Virkhaus

Just before the height of COVID, I completed my yoga teacher training while also managing a garden. Like many people, I felt deeply ungrounded in 2020 — unsure of what was next. Around that time, we heard that a new building in Monteagle was being renovated, and the owners were hoping it would become a yoga or fitness studio. That planted the seed. Read more>>

Lori Garner

During my tenure in South Florida, I served as Staff Photographer for Spotlight Families Magazine, overseeing creative design, magazine covers, and layout management for several publications. My photography has been showcased in various esteemed publications, including Billboard, Opulence, Vent, American City & County, Redbook, The Bridge, and Our USA. Read more>>

Brendon Kontur

My story began in Toledo, OH. with difficult circumstances, that I didn’t fully comprehend until later in life. It took a lot of reconciling, and a willingness to venture outside of what I had known, to turn the page, and see a brighter future. Music always guided me through those difficulties. Some of my first concert experiences include The Nutcracker Ballet, a Salsa Music Dance Group, and Jazz Music at Murphy’s Jazz Club (now closed in Toledo,OH.) I didn’t develop a disciplined level of dedication to studying, and learning to play music, until the age of 19. Which began with studying Classical Music, on Piano. I now write music for guitar, piano, vocals, and bass. Read more>>

Tristan Lanz

My name is Tristan Lanz, I own and operate Tennessee’s Choice Plumbing in Dresden, TN. We service all of northwest Tennessee. I started my plumbing career in 2017 at 18 years old in central Illinois. In 2020, I relocated to northwest Tennessee to be closer to my family and found a local job. After about a year and a half I needed to make a change for my mental health and wellbeing. My options were to drive almost an hour to work for another company, or start my own company. I started my company in 2021 and have gown it to four trucks on the road daily. From new builds, to repairing toilets, we do it all. I’m thankful for my friends and family for my support, as well as a lot of my plumbing colleagues who have given me a lot of advice as I’ve grown. Read more>>

Rebekah Walker

I picked up my first camera when I was sixteen years old. I am mostly self taught, and photography quickly grew to be a big passion of mine. Once I got to college, I was shooting more professionally, and starting to get more experience in wedding and event photography in Birmingham. Now I live in Nashville where I have been growing my business and focusing on telling stories through organic, classy, and creative photography. Read more>>

Regina Blatt

Her passing was a shock to all of us and not something that we ever expected, as no one ever does. But with her passing, she started to visit me in my dream. Dreams that were so vivid that I knew they had to be real. I could feel her hugs, smell her hair and hear her voice. It was comforting to me, and I was happy for the interaction with her. Then, 3 years later, I lost my father to lung cancer, and he started to visit me in my dreams as well. I knew then that there was more to this life than our physical bodies and I set out on a journey to find answers. Read more>>

Grant Bias

The show was a great springboard and I capitalized on the exposure as much as possible to book shows, write songs with people, etc. I moved to Nashville and now I’m chasing this journey full time as an independent artist. I’ve been writing songs at Sony for people I would have never imagined, I’ve been releasing my own original music, and touring the country. Sure we as people could always want and desire more but if I was dissatisfied with where I am now, then I would be greedy. I get to make a living doing what I love, so if you ask me? My dreams are coming true one song at a time. Read more>>

Holly Brown

I grew up in a rural area where there is very little arts funding or opportunities for children and the community to participate in arts programming. I decided to found The Arts Alliance as a solution to the problem and give the community and surrounding areas of Pleasant View a place to create and be creative. The Arts Alliance was established in 2018 and we are preparing to conclude our seventh season with a musical production of The Little Mermaid. Read more>>

Rudrani Devi

But my path hasn’t always been light-filled. In 2008, during a meditation retreat in Mumbai, I survived the devastating terror attacks known as the 2008 Mumbai Massacre. I was shot at point-blank range, surrounded by unimaginable horror. My femur was shattered, and for a time, I didn’t know if I would ever walk again. But I chose to heal — not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally. That healing journey eventually led me to run the Boston Marathon, with Adidas sponsorship and unwavering support from my trainer. It also deepened my commitment to bring love, light, and consciousness into places of darkness. Read more>>

Peter Wile

My family moved to Carroll County Maryland and I took my guitar and harmonica to Baltimore. Through playing barrooms and various stages, I formed the alt-country band The Herd of Main Street. We released 5 albums and made a significant impact on the local music scene with strong support from local FM radio. When that group went on hiatus, I wound up near York, PA and helped to form the blues/rock band Copper Bets. We released one album and went on to win a Central Pennsylvania Music Award in 2022 which was incredibly special since our plans and recordings were drastically changed during the chaotic confusion of the 2020 pandemic restrictions. Read more>>

Amy Gray

As the work expanded and my vision evolved, I launched The Haus of Gray —a more aspirational and holistic chapter in my professional life. It’s a full-service luxury concierge firm that combines real estate, move management, interior design, and lifestyle transition services. It was born from a deeper calling: to offer a cohesive and elevated moving experience unlike anything in the Nashville market but also to facilitate how people move through life—physically, emotionally, and energetically. Read more>>

Zachary Titzer

A pivotal moment came in March 2023 with the release of the Pretty Girls hoodie, which resonated deeply with customers and significantly boosted the brand’s visibility. The success of this launch showcased 812 THRIFT’s ability to blend style, culture, and authenticity, capturing a broader audience’s attention. Since then, the brand has continued to evolve, pushing boundaries and expanding its reach while maintaining its core values. Zachary envisions 812 THRIFT as a platform to connect with people, inspire creativity, and build a community that values individuality and sustainability. Read more>>

Emily Manning

In 2019, my husband and I moved to Nashville, and I continued working in Urology at a practice in Franklin. Again, I saw firsthand how impactful good home care could be for a patient’s recovery and overall well-being. Most recently, I had the opportunity to work with two breast surgeons, helping care for patients battling breast cancer. Walking alongside those incredible women through their treatment and recovery was an experience that really deepened my commitment to patient advocacy and excellent care. Read more>>

Marc Vera

We carry many lines that are not represented anywhere in central Tennessee. We also take great pride in being able to tell the backstory behind almost every single product in our store. Many of our lines give back to non-profits and many are small mom + pop companies with only 1 or 2 employees. nook also supports the Mt. Juliet community in multiple ways. We put on craft:Ed twice a year, a handmade goods market that benefits the band programs of Mt. Juliet. To date, craft:Ed has helped raise over $30,000 for the bands. We also put on art exhibits from not only local, and national artists, but the students of Wilson County schools. Read more>>

Justin Renfroe

from there he introduced me to his trainer who hired me then he introduced me to other trainers and athletes and from there I was able to build my brand, shoot new content and learn more about the photography business. from there I just kept grinding and shooting and since then ive been able to work with clients such as the ufc, starbucks, popeyes and have been to shoot several ufc events, nashville soccer games, cma fest, bonnaroo and have been featured in rolling stone magazine, new york post, new york times and several other publications. Read more>>