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.
Amiana Monik
I’m a writer, photographer, entrepreneur, speaker, and founder based in Belleville, Illinois, serving the greater St. Louis and Metro East area. Creativity has always been part of who I am. I’ve been writing since I was young, became a published poet in high school, and over the years that creative foundation expanded into photography, media, wellness events, product development, and community building. Read more>>
Graig Lovings
Based out of St. Louis Missouri, Produced By Zoo LLC basically got started from just a kid having fun making beats with my cousins. I started off playing the drums in band in elementary school. That gave me my rhythm at and early age. I would say I was an intermediate drummer before I graduated middle school . Read more>>
Khandace Young
My story has always been about embracing opportunities, continually learning, and refusing to limit myself to just one path. I was raised in a loving two-parent household where faith, education, integrity, and hard work were foundational values. I began my education in parochial school before transitioning to public school, experiences that helped shape my adaptability and appreciation for people from all walks of life. Read more>>
Luke Kuiper
I finished up high school in St. Louis at Westminster Christian Academy. During my last two years of High school and college I worked for Belmont Party Rentals during the summer breaks/winter breaks/thanksgiving and weekends when I returned to St. Louis. Post graduation I had a career in software sales, account management, operations and a stint of active duty military service. Read more>>
Kimberly Davis
My journey has been one of faith, perseverance, and a passion for helping others. I have always been drawn to natural wellness and healing, which led me to become a certified herbalist and establish Star Child Marron Azul Spices LLC. What began as a dream has grown into a business focused on creating natural wellness products and educating others about holistic health. Read more>>
Lashae Tillis
Hi, I’m Lashae, also known as Yasmine, Born in 2002 and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, I express myself through alternative fashion, creative storytelling, and modeling. As an alternative model and creative, I’m passionate about embracing individuality, dark aesthetics, self-expression, and artistic freedom. Read more>>
Kevin Gruen
My musical journey began during the pandemic of 2020 actually. While taking a semester from college courses, I decided to begin producing my first album of songs I’d written at the time. Soon enough, from May 2020 to February 2021, I went from 1 show per month to 4-6, sometimes even 11 or 12 shows a week. Read more>>
Rahman Ali
I started acting in high school as a sophomore. I really wanted to try something different, so I got involved with the theatre department. So I did theatre for about four years and I kind of wanted to do something different, so I branched off into film and on camera acting. I’ve done student films, short films, commercial ads, and a feature film. Read more>>
Sue Giannotti
The short version is that I was originally trained in Itay and I create contemporary mosaics using the same tools, materials and techniques that have been used in classical mosaics for thousands of years. Many people are unaware that this tradition still exists today and that the roots of this artistic language are being translated into 2026. Read more>>
Chris Gard
I have lived in Wentzville for nearly 25 years. I been fortunate enough to travel coast-to-coast across America in my professional and personal lives. I have 2 great adult kids and have been married to my wife Helene since 1997. Read more>>
Victoria Mack
My journey has always been rooted in creativity, service, and storytelling. As a proud West Side Chicago native, I’ve spent years exploring different creative paths—from working in television and film to entrepreneurship and community outreach. Every experience taught me something valuable about people and the power of sharing their stories. Read more>>
Brianna Mullally
Books have always been my thing. I was the friend who always had a book in hand. One of my best friends still laughs about our childhood slumber parties because she knew I’d be the first one awake the next morning with my nose already back in a book. Earlier this year, I was unexpectedly laid off from my marketing job. Read more>>
Anji Ari
My journey began at the age of 18 when I picked up my very first journal. What started as a place to express my deepest thoughts and emotions quickly became my sanctuary—a safe place where I could pour out my heart to God. Through countless journal entries and prayer books, I found healing, direction, and the strength to navigate life’s greatest challenges. Read more>>
Ivan Wine
I’ve had what you might generously call a non-linear career. I studied computer animation and graphic design, taught science to kids as a Mad Scientist, worked in biotech QA, hosted on Airbnb, and eventually ended up managing a comic shop, learning the hobby industry entirely from the inside. That last part turned out to matter. Read more>>
gonz jove
Artist Biography – Gonz Jove (2026) “Gonz” Jove is an internationally recognized fine artist, sculptor, and muralist whose work can be seen throughout the United States and Bolivia. His murals and sculptures are featured at Better Family Life Cultural Center (St. Louis), Washington University in St. Louis, Hilton Downtown and Hilton Airport (St. Louis), Cherokee Street (St. Read more>>
Ashley Wildeisen
What started with a western wedding, turned out to be the most exhilarating buisness plan I set out to achieve. For my special day, I hand designed a cowboy hat to wear and everyone took eye. Within 12 hours, I had 8 people contact me to make them a hat. Read more>>
Meaghan Knobbe
When I was pregnant with our first child 9 years ago, my husband, Nick, got me an embroidery machine for Christmas. I didn’t even know how to plug it in, so it sat in the box for a few months. After I finally set it up, I taught myself all I could about embroidery. Read more>>
Jasmyn Scott
I’m Jasmyn Scott, founder of SassCe & JassZe Hair Boutique. After experiencing hair loss in my early twenties, I started making my own wigs to regain my confidence. That experience inspired me to create a luxury hair brand that helps women feel beautiful, confident, and empowered. My mission is simple: Dare to Be Different. Dare to Be YOU. Read more>>
Raven Clark
Hey I’m Raven I started out as a serial entrepreneur with multiple businesses ventures. I started my entrepreneur back in June 2019 as a travel agent for Archer’s Travel. The name for my business was called the Sky is The Limit Travels. I was assisting clients on booking trips, cruises, hotel, and flights. Read more>>
Mason Adams
I originally thought TikTok was just a video editing app back in early 2020. I posted a clip of my cat “talking” without really thinking much of it, and I woke up the next morning to thousands of new followers. That was the moment I realized maybe there was something here, so I just kept creating. What’s funny is this wasn’t completely out of nowhere. Read more>>
Jaiza’nae Lewis
I started sewing in 5th grade. Read more>>
James Meyers
My name is James Edward Patrick O’Leary Meyers II — a mouthful that already hints at the family, history, and tradition that shaped me. I was born in 1982 in Jefferson City, Missouri. My father, James Sr., was then president of the Missouri AFL–CIO and lived in Jefferson City during his tenure. Read more>>
Traydon Inspires
I found poetry in school, and it found me at the right time. I was a kid growing up around poverty and violence, held together by a mother who loved me and did everything she could with what she had. Read more>>
Taylor Misukonis
My path into design wasn’t exactly what I expected. Growing up, I always admired my dad, who was an art and design teacher, and for a long time I thought I’d become an art teacher too. When I started college, that was my plan. But as I took more graphic design courses, I realized the work felt incredibly natural to me. Read more>>
Jared Cattoor
My musical story begins when I was 16 and a half years old. My friend was playing guitar and I asked him to show me one little riff that I thought was humorous. I only wanted to learn this one riff to play as a joke sometimes. My friend tried showing me the riff but it was very hard for me to play. Read more>>
Mindy Miles
When I was in high school I discovered my passion for professional photography, although even as child I was always sneaking my mom’s camera to do little photoshoots with my friends and stuffed animals. Once I graduated high school I went to college and majored in Photography with a minor in business. Read more>>
Andrea Walker
My journey as an entrepreneur began at the end of 2019, rooted in both necessity and passion. Growing up underprivileged, I learned to do my own hair because I didn’t always have access to someone who could do it for me. What started as a survival skill slowly turned into a passion for beauty, self-care, and helping others feel confident in their own skin. Read more>>
Eric Brown
Music chose me at the age of 8 years old when I told my mother I wanted to play the drums and she insisted I played that saxophone. I transitioned from playing the saxophone to the piano by learning the keys and later understanding the scales. Read more>>
Jared Lockhart
Humor to me is natural. I have always been a funny personality. It has helped with through tough situations in my life. I think humor is a natural coping mechanism to the stresses in life. I am here be cause of my wife. She genuinely thinks l am funny. We have been together for 15 years so we are past the giddy stage. Read more>>
Emma White
I’ve always loved doodling since I was in kindergarten, particularly cartoons. In 2021, I saw an ad to draw caricatures at Six Flags for the summer. It seemed like a very intimidating, yet rewarding job. Read more>>
Falyn Marie
My name is Falyn Marie & I started learning how to sew when I was a little girl. My granny taught me most of everything I know. Then I went to a private school where I took a sewing class. I would make stuff occasionally but it would be for me or family & friends. Read more>>
Nalo Sims
I started my nail journey in high school after a 3am Youtube rabbit hole binge! From there it became a hobby of mine to try all the nail designs that the creator cutepolish was putting out, and I absolutely fell in love. Read more>>
Sherrese Hester
Ree Ree’s Rollin Chicken is a proud, family-owned small business that has refined its recipes over more than a decade. We are Minority-, Veteran-, and Woman-Owned. Founder and owner, Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Sherrese Hester, served 23 years in the U.S. Army and retired in 2020. Read more>>
Rocky Maverick
Rocky Maverick is a rap and hip-hop artist from Saint Louis, MO, where he continues to reside and focus on his lyrical genius. Despite his music’s central genres revolving around trap, hip hop, and pop, Rocky has an undeniable appreciation for rock n roll, which definitely comes out in full display in some of his releases. Read more>>
Tia Louise
Back in 2020, just like the rest of the world, when everything else was ‘still’, I turned to watching content on various different social media platforms. Finally, I began to see girls making content that looked like me, promoting self-love, body positivity, fun & creativity within your passions. Read more>>
Gavin Colp
Loftys Comet started as a band between best friends who spent an exorbitant amount of time together. We’d rehearse in Chance’s, our guitarist’s, basement and spent a lot of time hanging out, finding out what we wanted the band to be. Read more>>
Latadzja Ferguson
I was about 9 years old… in my childhood I had some friends who stayed on the same street as me who knew how to braid. They name were Ashley and Zondra… They both were pretty girls who were very talented at what they do.. Read more>>
Naomi Ivy
I’m a multidisciplinary creative and first responder from St. Louis, Missouri. I got my start in photography during early childhood and have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember. My journey into DJing began with teaching myself iMovie and experimenting with music edits. Read more>>
Kitryn Marie
My story, or the beginning chapter of this journey, has had so many twists, but it began with art- painting, to be exact- and an exploration of talents that lived deep within a version of me I never knew existed. Read more>>
BIG Charooo
My name is BIG Charooo, an independent hip-hop artist from East Saint Louis, Illinois. I started making music to tell my story and inspire others through real-life experiences. My journey has been filled with challenges, but through it all, God has given me the strength to keep pushing forward. Read more>>
UltraViolet (no last name)
I began my drag career when I was 14. Obviously at that age and living in a small town, I was not performing 24/7, so I introduced my presence on social media. I started attending occasional shows to get my foot in the door. Over the years, I would perform at private events, Pride shows, and truly anyone who would have me! Read more>>
Micah Crée
I’ve been passionate about music since I was 3 years old. From a very young age, I was inspired by artists such as Alicia Keys, Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Selena, Lauryn Hill, Brandy, and Solange. Their artistry, storytelling, and ability to connect with people through music had a huge impact on me growing up. Performing has always been a part of who I am. Read more>>
Aviana And The Pure Root
I always say that my journey with music started as a young child. My mother saw something in me and really pushed me to sing and perform at any opportunity she came across. Read more>>
Detra Norwood
I started Delicious Delights by Uniqly D’zynd LLC in 2020. The business was started by a bet with my husband. I made cookies for him that he absolutely loved and he said I should sell them. I said no one buys cookies lol. He bet me that we could sell them and we got 5 orders off top. We have been going every since. Read more>>
Briana Townsend
The day I embarked on the birth of Braided bybri is when I was working at spectrum. I had been working there for about 7 months in the doj dept assisting techs on their house calls. the job was fairly easy itself but just not enough for me. Read more>>
Chrystal Crawford
My work with children started in Harlem New York City where I taught kindergarten through third grade at Harlem Success Academy. It was at that point that I was making a transition to in my career and didn’t really know it. Read more>>
Cara Patrice
My love for fashion started with my grandmother, whose impeccable style inspired me from a young age. While working in the corporate world, I became the go-to person for styling advice among friends and colleagues. After transitioning from corporate America, I turned my passion into a profession by studying the industry, honing my skills, and launching PhanC Consulting. Read more>>
Song Lyu
My musical journey began in China, where I studied voice at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. Driven by a passion for classical singing, I moved to the United States to continue my study at the University of Kansas, earning a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance. Read more>>
Crystal Austin-Cowans
I’ve been baking since I was 16 but I decided to start my business 6 years ago during Covid. I was the Baker girl in my apartment building and got told I should sell them during the Pandemic, and here we are! Read more>>
Christopher Thomas
I’ve always been a creative person, but for a long time I put most of my energy into helping other people grow. For seven years, I was an art teacher in St. Louis, and honestly, some of my proudest moments came from watching students realize they were capable of more than they thought. During that time, I never stopped making my own art. Read more>>
Michelle Woods
I was born and raised in St. Charles County and am blessed to be able to work and serve here as well. As a social worker, I am drawn to person to person work that makes a difference in people’s lives….as well as my own. I started at Habitat for Humanity of St. Read more>>
Marsha Conley
As my husband and I approached retirement, we knew we needed an additional source of income. I owned a piece of land next to our home, and after being inspired by the HGTV show Treehouse Masters, we envisioned creating a treehouse bed and breakfast. With my husband’s carpentry skills and my background as an artist, we began designing what would become the Enchanted Forest Treehouse. Read more>>
