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.
Keith Trehy
When my wife and I graduated from business school we flipped a coin: one of us would get to start an exciting business and the other would go work in the corporate world. I ‘won’, as it were, and I got to start a franchise of Mad Science. I ran the business under that name for ten years, but the curriculum and scope became restrictive. Read more>>
Jordan Huffman
I’m a 7th generation Tennessean, originally from Greeneville in East Tennessee. I moved to Nashville in January 2012, and over the years this city has truly become home. My story has really been shaped by community, public service, and a desire to help people solve problems. Read more>>
Jay Harper
Jay Harper is a native Texan but grew up in New Orleans where he got the radio itch while in high school. He’s been scratchin’ it now for decades! Jay’s radio and announcer career has taken him to multiple cities and radio formats. He continues to be a part of New Country, Classic Country, Classic Hits, Classic Rock, Adult Contemporary, News/Talk and Sports Radio stations. Read more>>
Ryan Weaver
Ryan Weaver is a high-energy, all-American, rockin’ country music artist who proudly served as an active-duty Black Hawk Aviator, Chief Warrant Officer 3, United States Army. Growing up with a family of eleven in a small town in Floral City, Florida, he joined the Army right after high school. Read more>>
Chace Skelton
I was chosen to sing the National Anthem at my Kindergarten graduation. No one knew I could sing until that day. My mom immediately got me into singing and performing. It planted a seed a young age that I eventually realized was my calling. Years of mistakes, learning, and a rededication of my faith led me to pursuing being a Christian artist. Read more>>
Kelly Garner
My mother started me singing at a young age, in local pageants, being the entertainment for pageants, singing in church at First Baptist Piedmont, AL & all-day-singing events at Mt. Olive Baptist on Sand Mountain in Alabama. I moved to Nashville in 1990 to pursue a Commercial Music (voice) degree at Belmont University after completing a Math Education degree at Auburn University. Read more>>
Joshua Scheller
I’ve spent the last 15 years in hospitality, but my journey started in the kitchen. I cooked professionally for seven years, working my way from the line to sous chef. Along the way, I had the opportunity to stage at one of Nashville’s most respected restaurants. At the end of the stage, I was offered a position, but I turned it down. Read more>>
Jennifer Richardson
Seeing people’s eyes light up when they connect with art is an addictive experience and is at the heart of all I do. Early on, I worked with collectors as a Fine Art Specialist at an auction house but soon moved into art education to focus on students and the community. Read more>>
Jeremy Castle
I took my first guitar lessons during the end of my senior year of high school. I wanted to learn to strum along to some of my favorite Merle Haggard and George Strait songs. During college, I continued to practice and began writing some original songs of my own. Read more>>
Lakisha Jackson Chante Patterson
Lakisha Jackson & Chante Patterson are Founders of Suites by KC. Founded in 2020. This business was designed to create opportunities for upcoming. & inspiring entrepreneurs. Read more>>
Ambi Smith
A minister, author, nonprofit founder, speaker, podcaster, content creator, wife, and mother, Ambi has spent years answering one question: “How can my healing become someone else’s hope?” Her journey didn’t begin with a microphone or a stage. It began in broken places. Read more>>
Charlie Foshee
My photography career started during Covid. I was originally a logistics broker but the company I was working for had a division shut down a few months before Covid. After that I got a job at another logistics company but then Covid happened and most of us lost our jobs again including myself. Read more>>
Rodwell Hardin
I use to dance in my mom front yard when I was a lil kid & I always had a dream being a choreographer & coach I was homeless & started a dance team in a low income homes with lil kids they always use to ask if im influencer so they was like can you help us dance & coach them Read more>>
Richard Harris
My Nashville dance story started when I would visit the old Wildhorse Saloon. I didn’t drink, and I had health issues that made it difficult to hear conversation over the music, so I’d just get out on the dance floor and dance. A lot of the time, I’d be out there line dancing by myself, but I never minded. Read more>>
MARI
My name is MARI. I’m 24 years old, and I’m from Baku, Azerbaijan. I’m a professional musician, composer, pianist, singer, and songwriter. My story began long before I understood what music truly was. My family loves to joke that I started singing before I could even speak. Funny, isn’t it? Read more>>
Staci Barker
How it began…a couple at our church were in premarital counseling and going to elope at the local courthouse. The pastor started asking questions and suggested my name to throw them a wedding. Which I had never done before. In two weeks, we turned their courthouse date into a church wedding! With a dress, guests, food, a cake, a first dance, and a photographer. Read more>>
alexandra kontar-sparks
I started aodkscandles in 2022. my goal and thought process honestly was, i’m a creative. I love cocktails. im a hustler. I wanted to challenge myself and bring things i visioned to life. candles have always been apart of my everyday life, everyday routine. whether it’s for cleaning purposes, spiritual purposes, resetting purposes, candles have always been apart of my life. Read more>>
Traci Baker Jackson
I’ve always considered myself an artist first. I earned my Fine Arts degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, where I developed a strong foundation in design, composition, color theory, and visual storytelling. That artistic background gave me the confidence to teach myself graphic design long before online tutorials and AI tools became mainstream. Read more>>
Mary Kutter
I was born and raised in the backwoods of Kentucky. As a kid, if the church doors were open, my folks had my booty there, and the rest of my time was filled with 4-H and marching band. (you’re looking at the Washington County 4-H President and a 2x WCHS Marching Band State Champ’s Field Commander). Read more>>
Camden West
I grew up in a family that loved music. My parents exposed me to all sorts of music, especially classic rock. When I saw the Rolling Stones for the first time, that’s when I knew that this is what I wanted to do. Read more>>
cam shelton
I started playing drums when I was three and shortly after started learning piano. I would sit by my dad on Sunday at church and play notes as he played hymns for the congregation. I started playing guitar around age 8 and did my first opening show at 9 years old for a group called ‘The Remedy’. Read more>>
Blake Parks
It was my privilege to be asked to serve as the Executive Director of Gallatin CARES in 2017. The task was to reestablish the lay ministry work that CARES was chartered to perform back in the 1980s. The community wasn’t being served in a manner that was expected. We launched with a completely new strategic plan, including financial boundaries. Read more>>
Leslie Whalen
I’ve felt a connection to the natural world since I was a little girl. I spent many hours with the dandelions and pine trees, and was fortunate to have a childhood filled with time outdoors. I also grew up hearing stories of my great grandmother harvesting sassafras roots, foraging for wild foods, and relying on home remedies. Read more>>
Jon Brennan
Wow…well I could / should write a book…. My parents are from Kentucky…so I also feel like I am. But my father was an FBI agent for 28 years so we transferred alot. I was born in Wisconsin and moved to Phoenix when I was 2 where I lived my years up to the 4th grade. Read more>>
Cicely Wilson
My story began with a genuine love for children and a desire to support families in practical, meaningful ways. I have spent over 20 years working with children and families in different settings, including childcare, youth services, birth work, postpartum support, and community-based programs. I started SOCIALsitters 615 after noticing a real gap in event childcare. Read more>>
Michael Vance
I grew up in Lebanon and Watertown, Tennessee, and music has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. Like a lot of musicians, I started out simply because I loved playing guitar, but over time that passion became a career. Since 2009, I’ve made my living as a full-time musician. Read more>>
RUXIN LIANG
I’ve always been the person who builds worlds in their head – characters, places, little stories that feel like they could keep going after you look away. 3D became the way I finally got to walk around inside those worlds – and, increasingly, to make them interactive, so other people could step into them too. Read more>>
Olivia Carroll
I have been to drawn to photography since I was a child. I remember taking photos of everything from landscapes, my family, to wildlife and architecture while on family vacations as early as 8 years old. I love the way a photo can capture the emotion behind someone’s story. It seems like magic, but that’s the art of a good photo. Read more>>
Brittany Allison
My journey into entrepreneurship has been anything but traditional. I spent eight years in corporate marketing working for a multi-million-dollar company, where I gained invaluable experience in branding, strategy, and storytelling. While I loved marketing, I felt God continually nudging me toward building something of my own. In 2020, I was gifted my first professional camera. Read more>>
Jessica Wynn
People often think my story is about changing careers, but to me, it’s always been about helping people come home to themselves. I’ve spent nearly two decades as a hairstylist, and what many people don’t realize is that behind the chair, you’re rarely just doing hair. You’re listening to stories, celebrating milestones, sitting with people through heartbreak, loss, illness, and new beginnings. Read more>>
Will and Reid Nichols
Born in a family kitchen in Portland, Maine, 12/OC began as a shared dream between brothers Will and Reid, just 14 and 11 years old, cutting their teeth at jam sessions and open mic nights. What started locally didn’t stay that way for long. Their sound quickly resonated beyond Maine, capturing the attention of country music fans near and far. Read more>>
Sofia Hauser
My story begins long before moving to Nashville, but at the same time I had a new beginning after coming to Tennessee. I dreamt of singing Country music since I was eight years old, but it became deeper than a dream when I moved here. Read more>>
Ayanna Jahneé
I got my start in the church. Watching my mother sing in the choir inspired me to join and my mother’s best friend who I affectionately call Aunt Connie gave me my first solo. Read more>>
Libby Rafada-Switzer Garrett
From a young age, I’ve been surrounded by music and art. Growing up in a half-Filipino half- American household had me singing my heart out before speaking full sentences. My love of singing quickly grew into writing songs and trying to play them with my high school garage band at 16 years old. Read more>>
Cary Street
Born in Southern Kentucky, my family moved to Nashville in 1972; my father was hired to work at Opryland. Both my parents were professional musicians, so I grew up in the business. I attended King College (University) in Bristol, TN and Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY, and continued dancing during that time. Read more>>
Justin Hammond
Since the age of 12, I have enjoyed working with seniors and have been involved one way or another with this population. I pursued my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work, both with a Certificate in Gerontology. My career path has led me through many roles with in-home care and now move management, all with a common thread of service to people. Read More>>
Montana and Alyssa Stith and Mortimer
I guess we started out like any other small business – with no money and an idea. We have had the idea of starting a mobile dirty soda cart business for a few years now. As sister-in-laws, we felt like our friendship and complementary strengths would help us take a step into the business world. Read More>>
