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.
Greg Garner
StayInBnB originally began as a small property management company, working with homeowners to operate and improve short-term rental properties across Tennessee. In the early days, we managed multiple listings and handled everything from guest communication and maintenance coordination to compliance and operational setup. That experience gave us a deep understanding of what actually drives a great guest experience — and what often gets overlooked. Read more>>
Meredith Kalies
I first came to Nashville in 2016 for my Pre-doctoral Internship at Vanderbilt, and fell in love with the city and community. I started my private practice in 2021 after working at the VA and finding myself wanting to work with my client base in a long term format. Read more>>
Michelle Hollingsworth
I obtained my real estate affiliate broker license in 1995 before I turned 21. I was a young mother and wanted a job that gave me greater flexibility to spend time with my son. In the mid-90s, interest rates were almost 9%. As a young adult, it was difficult to have anyone take you seriously with their largest investment. Read more>>
Kelly McLeskey
I founded my business 19 years ago in Sonoma, California. I earned my degree in Hotel and Resort Management and began my career in the hospitality industry with The Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts. I was part of the opening team for The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Colorado, and later continued my career at The Ritz-Carlton in New York City. Read more>>
Kristin Fleming
In 2008 I began a career in retail banking, during which I had opportunities to do performance coaching with my colleagues. I was regularly complimented on my teaching ability and my patience, and I loved helping people achieve their goals. Also, I had been a real estate investor for most of my adult life. Read more>>
Nadian Zak
My career started in traditional corporate HR, where I spent years inside fast-growing organizations learning the mechanics of people, systems, and scale. I had a front-row seat to what works, and what breaks, when companies grow faster than their culture or infrastructure can support. Over time, I realized that while policies and processes matter, people and leadership are what truly determine whether a business thrives. Read more>>
Barbie Hessel
My path to becoming a therapist was not a straight line—it was shaped by lived experience, curiosity, and a deep respect for the inner lives of people. I’ve always been someone who felt deeply and noticed what others were carrying beneath the surface. Early on, I was drawn to understanding human behavior, relationships, and the ways we adapt to survive. Read more>>
Ginger Wilder
Hi! I’m Ginger Wilder, founder and owner of WILDER. I opened our downtown Franklin location in 2005, right after graduating from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Business. Over the years, the business continued to thrive even as life outside the store grew busier through marriage and raising three kids. Read more>>
Kayla Cole
Hi my name is Kayla Cole, Founder of Winter’s Angels 501c3 and entrepreneur . My journey began from a place of necessity, faith, and a desire to create stability for my family and serve my community. I started by taking small steps, learning as I went, and being willing to do the work others often overlooked. Read more>>
Nina Singto
I’ve started at King Market in Antioch after helping my parents for seven years I’ve decided to go and explore my own journey opening in Nashville. I wanted a more elevated restaurant that serves the same authentic food. After opening up for a year many opportunities started to pop up and here we are ten years later. Read more>>
Letitia Washington
Initially I and my husband were volunteers for Emmaus Ministry, providing showers and clothing for the unhoused community. There was an opening for a Pastor/Director and with much prayer, I submitted my resume. I began with a clear vision which, of course was not the plan that God intended for the ministry’s transformation. What began as a warm Sunday dinner, mastered by Mr. Read more>>
Joseph Barba
I started in basements, chasing songs. Those songs led to stages, stages led to the road, and the road eventually led me into studios. I followed the work from Los Angeles to Nashville, and each step shaped how I listen, create, and collaborate. That path is what brought me here. Read more>>
Josh Floyd
Abbreviated…….I used drugs and alcohol for 17 years. I went to 5 treatment centers, and have started life over from scratch 5 times. I went to a recovery/sober living home in Murfreesboro about 12 years ago, and it was what changed my life. Read more>>
Taylor Stewart
Tiny Patch Paint Co was the natural result of me regularly wanting “tiny patches” at our other business; my salon, Remedy Lash Co. We realized that I am probably not the only small business or home owner who needs their paint to look fresh at all times, but doesn’t have the time, money, and/or space for an annual repaint. Read more>>
Angelo Centeno
Well, I’m a Venezuelan immigrant. I lived in New York for three years and then came to Nashville six years ago because of friends. I started like every immigrant, with nothing, from scratch, working several jobs at the same time, sleeping only three or four hours to achieve my goals. In this business, I started driving for Uber and Lyft five years ago. Read more>>
Anthony Iweorah
I was originally working for the Nashville, TN Greenlight Hub (Uber Office) in Germantown neighborhood. I was there for about a couple of years before I came across a gentleman, Deon, who was an Uber Black driver. Read more>>
Sherie Stynchula
I have Bibles and Blessing bags in my car daily, I do Ministry work out of my car feeding the homeless in between doing Rideshare around Nashville if anyone has questions about the Gospel, as many homeless know me and my car they stop me daily asking for Blessing Bags and water telling me how thankful they are, as I do pass out out woman hygienes, and emergency sleeping bags, and hand warmers as needed Read more>>
Giovanni Jones
My journey began at a young age in the public eye. I started in pageants as a child, which gave me early exposure to performance, confidence, and discipline, and later led to opportunities in television, including work with Nickelodeon. Those experiences taught me how to navigate high-pressure environments, present myself professionally, and understand the media landscape from the inside out. Read more>>
Savannah Taylor
Jack and Troy started T Villager in 2013 with a passion for flower-forward design. They have lovingly built T Villager for over an decade and have been investing in me as a designer over the past 4 years. Following Jack and Troy’s retirement, I have taken the reigns as owner and am embarking on an exciting journey as a young florist and entrepreneur! Read more>>
Zahair Murphy
After a long period of instability, including military service in Japan, divorce and subsequent homelessness, I found my way to Nashville in 2019. Read more>>
Tammie Ross
My path has never been linear, but it has always been intentional. I began my career in corporate leadership, working across complex, highly regulated environments where strategy, trust, and execution mattered every day. Over time, I earned the opportunity to lead high-visibility initiatives, manage significant portfolios, and partner across industries—experiences that sharpened my ability to navigate pressure, make disciplined decisions, and lead with credibility. Read more>>
McKenna Zubke
I’ve always been the person who was documenting everything. I started using my mom’s camera when I was around ten, and from there it just became part of how I moved through life. I wasn’t thinking in terms of careers or long-term plans, I just liked noticing things and holding onto moments. Photography felt intuitive long before it felt professional. Read more>>
Rick Struble
In 2011 I started ER Computer Services in my home in Arizona. We were the only computer repair shop in Santa Cruz county. We managed most of the produce warehouses’ IT equipment for about a year. Unfortunately there were a few bad seasons due to drought and storms in Mexico and the produce companies wound up making cuts due to budget constraints. Read more>>
Nazia Rahman
The Story of Lumina: From Viral Success to Intentional Light The Spark My journey began in 2022 with a single post in a local Facebook group. I shared a photo of my signature cupcake flowers, and the response was immediate and overwhelming. It went viral overnight. Read more>>
Katya Mannarino
I’m originally from Ukraine, and I moved to Nashville in 2017. Back home, nails are a big part of the culture, so when I arrived here, I struggled to find someone who could do my nails the way I was used to. I started doing my own nails, then my neighbors’, then friends of friends. Read more>>
Paula Raymond
From Nothing to Something: The Story of Paula Raymond, Founder of Paula’s Hair Salon & Spa” My name is Paula Raymond. My father is from Zengaring, Burum, Finschhafen, and my mother is from Peira, Garaina, both in Morobe Province. I was born at Angau Hospital, Lae City, in 1967, the fourth of six children — two girls and four boys. Read more>>
Richard Casper
Creativets was founded in 2013 by Marine Corps veteran Richard Casper, who discovered that art and songwriting helped him cope with his own post-war trauma. Experiencing the impact of creativity on healing, he set out to create a space where other veterans could experience the same transformation. Read more>>
