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.

Janie Metts

One of the biggest challenges—and greatest rewards—of running Flutter Kicks is meeting the unique needs of every child and parent. Every swimmer learns differently, and every family has their own approach, so we work hard to tailor lessons to fit both. My goal is to give our coaches a job they love and want to return to each summer, while giving parents the confidence that their child is cared for, encouraged, and progressing toward their goals. Most importantly, I want kids to leave our lessons excited, confident, and with a lifelong love of the water. Read more>>

Summer Lester

Over the past 6 months I have been progressing in the music scene by being an African American female DJ who plays electronic dance music in Nashville, Tennessee. I specialize in playing techno music at night clubs and events and I am most proud of the consistent growth I’ve had throughout the year. I started by DJing in my bedroom on a small DJ controller, to opening for big named artists on tour. Read more>>

Monique L.

Yes and no. I think it depends on how you determine “success”. I choose to pick up a camera because it makes me happy. Do I struggle with bouts of feeling inadequate in my skillset, absolutely, do I push through because every time I review pictures it makes me smile, yes! The struggle to appreciate that photography is an art, it’s a creative space, and not to compare yourself to others is constant but I think there’s something to learn when you’re open and willing to be taught. I also refuse to focus on one niche, ha! I love taking pictures of everything! Read more>>

Tyler Price

Nothing about success is smooth—not in fitness, not in life. It’s constant adjustments, pivots, and figuring out what works for the people you serve. I wouldn’t trade my journey, because the only way to grow is to step out on faith, make mistakes, and learn. Smooth is for the cautious. Progress is for those who take risks and bet on themselves. Read more>>

Amanda Merryman

Motherhood has taught me many things, but above all, it has instilled in me the importance of making healthy, thoughtful choices for the well-being of my family. This commitment to health became even more personal when my own mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It was a life-altering moment that made us reevaluate everything, from the food we ate to the products we used in our homes. Read more>>

Justyn Melendez

I also carried a personal motivation with me. I watched my grandmother work 32 years for a company, doing everything the “right” way — contributing to her pension and 401(k). Even with a pension, a 401(k), and Social Security, she still lived paycheck to paycheck during what should have been her golden years. Sadly, she passed away at 72, never truly getting to enjoy the life she worked so hard to build. That experience left me asking the question: Why does it make sense to work 60-plus years and lock your money into a 401(k) or IRA until age 59½, only to struggle later in life? Read more>>

Don Wall

Hi, Don Wall here. Kimberly and I moved to Nashville from Dallas, TX in May 2022. We just got married in Steamboat Springs on August 4, 2025, honeymooned in Santa Fe and New Orleans. We are loving Nashville as a place to live. We recently moved into our own condo in Bellevue, our tree house in the woods. The Nashville songwriting community is amazing and supportive. My story began in Worcester, Massachusetts, where I was born on April 2, 1953. Mom and Dad were both musical. Mom played piano and Dad sang. We used to sing in the car all the time, songs like “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain,” “Oh! Susanna,” “Down in the Valley,” “Red River Valley,” “Home on the Range,” plus all the Christmas songs. Read more>>

Amanda McCoy

As a guitarist, I spent my early years diving deep into rock and roll. I was completely obsessed! I couldn’t wait for the school day to end so I could get back to the garage and play my guitar (with the amp turned up to “11,” of course). After an upperclassman took the only electric guitar slot in our seventh grade jazz band, I took the only option that was left for me — the bass guitar (which I didn’t even own at the time). That twist of fate and decision truly changed my life — the bass guitar found me! Read more>>

Darius Edwards

While I never held any ill-will for people that would ask me those questions frequently, it did feel discouraging at times because I didn’t feel seen or like what I was doing was good enough to be accepted. Being surrounded by music was incredibly important to me because I found acceptance in musical spaces. By the time I felt comfortable coming out as gay to my friends, they had already known, but having the stage set to be my most authentic self meant the world to me. I could freely be myself and still enjoy making music with other people through band classes – what more could a kid want?? As I previously stated, music transforms lives, but it also saves them. Read more>>

Beth Barcus

When a position opened 15 years ago, I was determined to join the mission in any way I could. I started as office manager and director of operations for a year and a half before stepping into the role of Porter. I’ve had the privilege of sitting with thousands of artists and their partners—spending nearly 20,000 hours in one-on-one sessions, couples work, band meetings, groups, workshops, retreats, and intensives. Read more>>

Elise Drake

As a boutique studio, we are deeply focused on quality over quantity. Every set, sculpture, and installation is handcrafted, and we approach each project from a dream-first perspective… asking what would make this the most wild, unexpected, and unforgettable experience possible. We don’t say yes to everything, and that’s intentional. We choose work that excites us creatively and aligns with our values, because that’s where we do our best work. Read more>>

Sharon Paoletta

In 2022 I started to get the itch again and that’s when my training to become a birth doula started. It was more of a calling as more prenatal clients started coming to my table, then other midwives and doulas. This journey, I feel, has been the most rewarding and eye opening to the birth world. Being an advocate for women and feminine bodies has become a big priority to me. With the current political climate and women’s rights being slowly stripped away post the overturning of Roe v. Wade, I feel the call more than ever to help all women and feminine bodies around me. I feel if we help women to heal, we can start to heal the world. This is my mission. Read more>>

Mackenzie Roberts

I married my husband in 2017 and began collecting heirloom china to use at the wedding. When the wedding was over, I began renting it out of a spare bedroom, because I loved it too much to get rid of. In between renting and washing the china I had collected, I began singing at more events, and pretty parties where I would see people deliver not only china plates, but tables, chairs, tents, stages, and more! “I coud do this”, I thought…And so it began… Mack Hatcher Events! My husband, Chad had no choice but to join me on this adventure, and I’m so glad he did. He fell in love with the logistics side of things, and became the glue that holds us together as a business. We haven’t looked back since and I couldn’t do this without him. Read more>>

Kelley Barnes

Now my children are all grown and I have years of experience in baking custom designed cakes and many other artistic talents that I’ve learned along the way. I truly love to watch the faces of my clients when they receive their custom cake orders. Whether it’s sculpted, airbrushed or simply plain and delectable it’s such a joy to bring excitement and happiness to others. There are many events that need an eye-catching cake, if you can imagine it, I can make it. I love being able to provide the centerpiece that not only looks beautiful but tastes amazing. Read more>>

Kyla Bursey

I went to college wanting to be a nurse practitioner. After my first year, I wanted to pursue professional golf. I found love for the sport and wanted to improve. During my freshman summer, I had a personal trainer and four golf coaches, including my dad. That fall, I dropped my score to an 82 average. This score was the team average during my first year, so I thought I was ready for the starting five. Yet, we’d gotten eleven new first-year students. The team average dropped to the high 70s. I thought I failed. The team atmosphere wasn’t helpful either. I became depressed and ended up taking a mental-health break from the team in the spring. I started therapy to help me navigate the moment. Read more>>

Shawn Huffman

It wasn’t until just before Covid that I decided to manage the properties on my own to interact with guests and have a more hands on, southern hospitality approach. Legacy Hospitality TN is the branding of the hosting side of my vacation rental business. Legacy has allowed me to be both a curator of cozy spaces AND a host to make guests feel at home. I’m so grateful that through Legacy I’ve been able to design, re-design (stay married and under budget!), while leaving a lasting impression on guests who want to come back to visit Music City again. It’s the magic of Southern Hospitality…making people feel good, feels good. Read more>>

Hillary Holmes

The Gilded Spine is a future bookstore and wine bar, set to become your ultimate haven for all things literary and lovely. Imagine a cozy space where the enticing aroma of books blends with the subtle notes of fine wine, and every corner invites you to settle in with a compelling story and the perfect glass. We’re curating a collection that spans the entire fictional world – from heartwarming romance to thrilling sci-fi, captivating dystopian tales to epic fantasy. And to complement your literary journey, we’ll be serving up simply delectable shareable plates and exceptional beverages. Read more>>

Greg Freeman

Not at all. One of the biggest ongoing challenges has been financial. I’ve had to build this creative life while working night shifts, living check to check, and trying to stretch every dollar. I don’t come from money, and there’s no fallback plan. Every step forward has required sacrifice, strategy, and a lot of patience. I’ve sold merch to pay rent. I’ve skipped meals to get projects printed. That’s just part of the story. Read more>>

Lucian Linkous

In 2022, guided by faith and a vision for excellence, Lucian and his wife, Nikki, launched Legacy Audio Design — a company dedicated to delivering comprehensive audio services, from professional equipment to custom-built furniture. Legacy Audio Design reflects Lucian’s commitment to quality craftsmanship, outstanding service, and the belief that every detail matters in both sound and design. Read more>>

MacKenzie Lee

I’ve always been persistent and willing to work hard, but the tricky part about pursuing acting is you don’t always know which doors to knock on. So I knocked on all of them—I joined every Facebook group even remotely related to acting, from Nashville theatre circles to PA listings. I auditioned for community theatre, submitted to agencies, and took every opportunity I could find—from music videos to commercials to feature films. Shortly after graduating, I began working with Studio Tenn as their wardrobe lead. It wasn’t acting, but it was steady work in the industry, and that consistency can be the real battle. In acting, when it rains it pours, but sometimes there’s a drought—and you have to trust that the universe is still working for you. Read more>>

Gabriella Bricker

Today, my grip and everyday crew socks are sold in over 50 locations nationwide. I’ve hired two amazing part-time team members to help with social media and production, and I’m booked for pop-up events through October. I’ve also expanded into a full embroidery business—tote bags, napkins, shirts, hats, and more—with multiple embroidery machines to keep up with demand. You can often find me popping up around town with my machine, creating custom pieces on the spot and connecting with customers face-to-face. Read more>>

Jason Schultz

A lot of personal trainers get clients by doing body building shows or becoming internet personalities. I have not done any shows yet and I try to have limited social media time for personal reasons. My name/ company isn’t really out there, and I have to rely on organic growth and word of mouth. Due to that, I still have another job until I can build my client base. Read more>>

Jami Thornsberry

One of the greatest struggles of starting your own business is feeling like you are always trying to outrun failure. You question yourself, your abilities, and every decision you make. It can feel very lonely, so you have to build community. You have to reach beyond your own boundaries to connect. It is in community that you find you are not alone. Read more>>

Tina Davis

A couple of years later, we added beehives for pollination and honey production. To give our bees a sweet treat, we planted a single row of zinnias. That one row changed everything. People began stopping by, leaving kind notes and sharing warm conversations. Soon one row became three, and photographers began asking if they could use our colorful fields for sessions. Read more>>

Justin Martin

We opened our new location, The Harvest Concept, in 2021 and since opening, we’ve grown to offer Jiu Jitsu, traditional Korean archery, HIIT kickboxing, and personal training. I’ve also worked to preserve and promote Han Mu Do on a larger scale, serving as the Business Director for the World Han Mu Do Association and sitting on the board of the U.S. Han Mu Do Association. Our school has produced black belts junior and adult, competed successfully in national events, and created outreach programs for local schools and community centers. Read more>>

Eric Miller

My eldest son called up one day and was disappointed in his work schedule and asked if there was a business we could do together. That very night my wife and I were at a Pelican’s SnoBalls in Lincolnton, NC and there waiting on our order was a “we are franchising” sign. I asked my wife what she thought and after taking a bite of a banana snoball she replied “you know I love it”. Six months later we opened our first store in Gallatin, TN. I learned that my chemistry degree helped me ensure that a bite of snoball would melt in your mouth and my teaching experience would allow me an opportunity to mentor teenagers to become better employees. Read more>>

Jodi Totten

7 years into my career with them, I knew that I could do a little better so I started up my own company (J. Totten Photo) and while I never asked a single client to follow me, they all still did. Starting your own business is a terrifying thing to do – especially being a woman trying to make it in a male dominated industry. I also began this in January of 2020 and we all know what followed. While I expected to struggle as a result of the pandemic, the real estate market was booming. I stayed busy and soon just photos on listings weren’t enough. I learned to shoot and edit my own walkthrough videos and got my FAA Commercial Drone License as well (which women make up only 8% of commercial drone pilots). Read more>>

Birchwood Blaze

There hasn’t been any unique struggle for us that any other artist couldn’t relate to. Just working hard to make good music while managing to maintain ourselves financially. It’s so hard to find time to be a songwriter, recording artist, social media manager and everything else that comes with being an artist while needing another job to support yourself. Especially when artists are naturally bad at being responsible. Read more>>

Regina Gammon

Before starting my own market, I visited the Nashville Farmers Market in hopes to meet some farmers and get an opportunity to gain some knowledge and experience. After talking to many vendors, I finally met someone who gave me a chance! That opportunity opened the door to so many resources and I was eventually able to start a small market in Hendersonville, TN. Over time, I helped establish the Hendersonville Farmers Market and built relationships with mentors, including guidance from The Produce Place in Nashville, just down the street from where I grew up. Read more>>

Nikki Fazioli

I started my career working at a local wax studio. Like many in the beauty industry, I was passionate about the work, but I quickly realized the environment I was in didn’t align with my values or aspirations. I felt limited—not just in my growth, but in the level of care I could provide to my clients. It became clear that if I wanted to truly thrive, I would have to take a leap of faith and create something of my own. Read more>>

Vienna Notarianni

A big stepping stone for my artistic growth and confidence was attending the Berklee College of Music Songwriting summer camp before my senior year of high school. I learned the technicalities of songwriting, the basics of how to co-write, and it opened my mind to the possibility of becoming a songwriter/independent artist full time. Read more>>

Nadia Slominski

Today, we’re bringing back the original spark and sense of excitement that made this facility so special when it first opened three years ago. The journey has been incredible—full of learning, growth, and connection. The best part has probably been building relationships with our amazing members and watching them not only hit their fitness goals but also find the same joy and belonging here that I did when I first walked through the doors. Read more>>

Nanette O’Grady

When we moved to Franklin, Tennessee, I started sharing my cakes online. At first it was just to keep track of what I was making, but then people started asking me to make cakes for them. For a while, I was doing all kinds of custom celebration cakes — birthdays, baby showers, weddings, gender reveals, you name it. Now I’ve scaled that way back so I can focus more on teaching and creating (while raising my family and being present at home), but I still take wedding cake orders and the occasional big party cake for fifty or more. Those are the kinds of cakes where it’s best to leave it to a professional — there’s just too much at stake on a special day to risk a cake crisis. Read more>>

Evan Hedrick

Growing up in small town West Virginia, I always knew I was made for something special. I have been singing from a very young age and to this day it’s a part of my DNA. I moved to Nashville after graduating from college and visiting Belmont’s campus for a conference. I fell in love with this city and 16 years later, I’m still here. Throughout my time here I’ve had some incredible experiences. I’ve been able to put out some music, meet some amazing people, I got my real estate license and continue to serve at my local church, The Belonging Co. Read more>>

Bridget Jarecki

I went to Boston University and earned my degree in magazine journalism. Right after graduation, I moved to New York City to pursue a career in fashion- I genuinely thought I was going to be the next Carrie Bradshaw. My first job was as a receptionist at The Wall Group, a premier agency representing hair, makeup, styling, and fashion talent. Within seven months, I was promoted to assistant to one of the top-performing agents, who taught me the fundamentals of talent representation: thoroughness, attention to detail, thinking three steps ahead, and anticipating questions or issues before they even arise. Read more>>

Eva DeCozio Bush

and we moved to Williamson County, where my plan was to become an independent mobile veterinarian, offering holistic and integrative therapies. This was not an easy feat, as there were still Covid restrictions and nobody knew about me here. I initially worked as a relief vet, then joined a practice in Franklin a few days a week, where I am allowed to offer some of my holistic/alternative therapies. The mobile business grew over the first few years, but I realized that I could not offer everything I’d like to as a mobile vet; my husband converted an area in our horse barn into a clinic space for me, and now I can practice from my barn clinic. My practice is growing, mostly through word of mouth. Read more>>