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.
Tory Meeks
I started to gain a substantial social media following, which made me seriously consider making art my career for the first time. I began by selling some stickers and art prints online, and I made the jump to in-person craft fairs in June 2024. The market scene in San Antonio is incredibly welcoming, and I met dozens of other local artists who were willing to help me with my display and show me which shows to apply for. My small business grew very rapidly, and my biggest event so far was Kawacon in January 2025, a massive convention with hundreds of attendees. Read more>>
Gabby Garcia
During my three years at Gray Digital Group, I gained valuable skills in marketing, design, and website building—tools that would eventually help me launch my own art business. In 2023, after having my son, I decided to leave my job to stay home with him. Art was still on the back burner, and my mind was set on other ways I might reenter the workforce one day. Read more>>
Matthew Anthony
Since its humble beginnings, Diazable has grown into something bigger than we ever imagined. Over the years, we’ve put in the work—traveling, creating, and connecting with like-minded people who share our passion. We’ve set up pop-ups or illustration fairs across Texas, Korea, and even Thailand, bringing our designs directly to the people who vibe with them the most. We have been a part of art shows in America. Korea and Thailand. Along the way, we’ve had the incredible opportunity to showcase Diazable at major music festivals like Furnace Fest and Tied Down Fest, where our love for heavy music and DIY culture comes full circle. Read more>>
Oli Pettigrew
Starting fresh after the end of my American show RightThisMinute was no easy task – in the 17 years that I had been working in TV the entire landscape changed. People consume so much content on their phones. One day I just started telling stories as ThatEnglishmanInTexas and fortunately my TV skills translated. Read more>>
Angela Alonzo
I was immediately drawn to crystals and working with their energy. The more I learned and used crystals, the better my life became. At this time, crystals were somewhat hard to find in town and the bigger pieces seemed out of my price range. I did a lot of research and decided that I wanted to be able offer people like myself an opportunity to work with crystals without the heavy price tag. Read more>>
Justo Scott
I’m currently in the military, and have been serving in the Air Force for 29 years. I have always been pretty active between playing sports and working out. I got into bodybuilding when I returned from my deployment from Syria. Fitness for me is not a hobby or fad but a lifestyle. Working out is also therapeutic and instrumental for me mentally especially with managing my PTSD. It is also a time for me to decompress and release any stress. I discovered I truly have a passion and love for fitness and helping others when I started coaching at my friend’s crossfit gym. I want to be and example for my kids, family, friends and others, to inspire and motivate them to achieve their goals. Not just in fitness but in life as well. B.E.A.S.T. mode which means Believe Every Action Successful Transformation. Read more>>
Brittney Morgan
I spent hours crafting each piece, carving and shaping the cake to mimic the Lego blocks, and using vibrant colors to make everything pop. When I finally finished, I was in awe of the result. It looked exactly like a giant Lego creation—but it also tasted like a piece of heaven, with layers of moist chocolate cake and rich buttercream. The cake was the hit of the party and all doubts my friend had were quickly restored. If you’re ever told that something is impossible, remember: sometimes the best things in life are the ones that others say can’t be done. You just have to believe in the stars—and in yourself—enough to make it happen. Read more>>
Kimberley Perkins
It started baking for friends and family and turned into requests coming in for the items I would post. What started as single size cakes turned into two tier cakes! I wanted to start building something my family could be proud of. I am a 37-year-old Mother, Fiance, Full Time employee and cottage bakery owner. Although I have been baking for quite some time, it was only about 2 years ago that I began taking it more seriously. Initially, I only baked for friends and family, but after receiving numerous requests for purchases, I decided to see if this could turn into something more. Two years later, I am now making custom cakes and my most popular item – buttercream sugar cookies! Read more>>
Candace McArthur, LCSW-S
I still can’t believe I started this thing and that it’s actually still going. When I thought about starting a therapy practice, it was never on my radar for it to become a collective. That just wasn’t something I would’ve ever dreamed of. Until year 2ish in the practice… my whole world flipped upside in the wake of my divorce and I felt this stirring to do something more and I knew I wanted to bring others along with me. Thus Sparrows Counseling became The Sparrows Collective- a name change that reflected a new, larger vision for this little therapy practice I started through Legal Zoom and a very very cheap office I was able to lease. Read more>>
South Texas Chili Peppers
Hello, we are the South Texas Chili Peppers (STXCP), and we tribute the funkiest band in the world, the Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP)! The best way to get to know us is at one of our live performances. Our energy is unmatched and these songs we get to play are so groovy! We have several shows booked in the greater San Antonio area throughout 2025. Follow our social media platforms for up to date information. Read more>>
Rebecca Steele
Starting out, it was hard running a garden business, my own herbal business and figuring out how to build a non-profit. They are all three different structures of business! But doing those things was the best education possible for me. Navigating the different requirements, a few rejections, a board in its infancy, financials, inconsistent classes and attendance are challenging. Ultimately the hard work pays off and I had good support from my husband, the owners, board members and the growing number of volunteers and community members. Read more>>
Rebecca Helterbrand
Like many journeys in life, the path is not always easy. Respite Care struggled through the pandemic years and focused on rebuilding. Today, our operating budget has grown 50% in just three years, and we have expanded programs and services dramatically. We now offer our day/night/weekend out program Monday through Sunday, including Friday nights. This program is available across three locations for families to mix and match offerings to meet their unique needs. Meanwhile, we added two classrooms to our early childhood education center, which operates in Monte Vista, inside of Christ Episcopal Church’s family ministry building. Read more>>
Janet McCoy
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Balancing family life with the demands of weddings and events can be challenging — especially during peak seasons when the schedule gets hectic. But finding that balance has taught me how to stay organized and be present, both with my family and my clients. It’s a constant learning process, but the joy of creating beautiful moments makes it all worthwhile. Read more>>
Presente Podcast
Vanessa Seca and I (Tracy Talavera) exchanged messages on Instagram earlier this year that led us on a journey to create Presente Podcast. We reside in San Antonio but were born and raised on the border of Texas and Mexico in Laredo. We are using our cultural influence to continue to grow and positively impact as many people as we can. Read more>>
Cachis Villegas
Hi! I’m Cachis! I was born and raised in San Antonio and never really thought of my city being that interesting. That was until I started looking to buy a home and I knew there was a possibility San Antonio would no longer be home. So I decided to explore my city as if I were a tourist. I discovered many unique local businesses that add to the many cultures which are located in San Antonio! My mission since then was to not only support local businesses but to share them with others who may not have explored their city that they were born and raised in like me and to help make it easy for people who are visiting or moving to San Antonio to find all the cool hidden gems it has to offer! Read more>>
Bee Gonzales
Naturally, I loved hosting parties and decorating for each occasions/holidays. I let the fear of the paperwork side of the business, the legality and the amount of money it would take keep me from pursing this. But what is that saying? “if you build it, they will come” with that and finding out about positive debt, I felt this was it and this was the time. So I am taking a leap of faith and I created my business. I named it after myself Bee and I want everyone to know they are beautiful and together we can create beautiful moments. So I named my business Bee-autiful Photobooth Moments. I’d say it’s cleaver 😉 Read more>>
Rashmi Bhat
I grew up all over the world—born in India, then moving to France at six years old. That’s where I first fell in love with the hospitality world. The food culture in France is incredible, and as a kid, I was fascinated by the way food could bring people together. A few years later, we moved to Malaysia, and that’s where my love for hotels really began. The level of hospitality in Malaysia is unmatched—it’s warm, thoughtful, and deeply human. That spirit stuck with me. Read more>>
Tina Beecham
I wear a lot of hats, but at the core, I’m a community leader, cycling advocate, and educator. I lead the Black Girls Do Bike: San Antonio chapter, where I create space specifically for Black women, women of color, & all women to ride, build confidence, and feel seen in a cycling culture that has historically left us out. I’m also the founder of Pedal SATX, a nonprofit focused on bike advocacy, education, and safety—especially for youth and underserved communities. Read more>>
Katelyn Ege
I launched my photography career focused on portraits and weddings, but when my husband asked if I could photograph some mobile homes he was renovating, I jumped at the opportunity for a new challenge. With seven years of photography experience under my belt, I was confident I could handle it. However, I quickly realized I was nowhere near ready. Those images of my first home were terrible and are now hidden away never to see the light of day. I lacked the right lens, lighting, knowledge, and techniques. Read more>>
Amber Blade
At first we started with lots of different things in the booth and 1 flavor of jam. Market after market we slowly added more jam and less of the other stuff. Until in 2017 we made the switch to all jams/jellies and became We Be JAM’N. We started off slowly and have grown this into what it is over the last 8 years. We try to offer the most unique jams and jellies and have added peanut butter, salsa and pie fillings over the years. We set up every Saturday at the New Braunfels Farmers Market from 9-1. We have 2 other once a month markets which are: 1st Saturday of every month is Gruene Heritage Market 9-6 and the 3rd weekend of every month is Gruene Market Days 9-5. Read more>>
