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.
Chelsea Silvas
My journey through foster care and adoption sparked a love for creating meaningful moments. From clothing and birthday celebrations to nursery décor, I enjoy tying themes together and creating beautiful pieces that help families make memories they’ll cherish for years to come. Read more>>
Thomas Hogan
I was born and raised in Mexico City, so from early on I was wired for culture, food, and the idea that a meal or a place can be a whole experience in itself. Read more>>
Dyana Cardenas
My story is one of family, faith, perseverance, and creativity. Before I was a business owner, I was a wife and a mother. Those roles have always been the foundation of who I am. Much of what I do today is rooted in the values I learned through raising a family, serving my community, and creating meaningful connections with others. Read more>>
Chris Carroll
The Sudden Retirement & Return: On Christmas Day 2020, after winning a championship at I-37 Speedway, Carroll impulsively sold all of his racing equipment online to step away from the grueling 30-year grind. However, he woke up in a cold sweat shortly after, realizing he couldn’t stay away from the sport—but knew his return had to mean something more. Read more>>
Emily Estrada
I was born and raised in the Los Angeles area, and later moved to Texas, where I graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in the fall of 2024 with my BFA specializing in New Media, along with minors in Film Studies and Art History. Since I was a little girl, I have always loved art and films. Read more>>
Nikole Jackson
My story started by being a young girl who always had a wish in her heart. Her wish was: travel. I didn’t know how I would do it growing up, but I just knew I would. Before I knew it I was exploring all the locations cinema made popular, to smaller more quaint towns. I love seeing new places and each place’s story. Read more>>
Larami Serrano
It’s the usual story. My parents gave me my first camera one Christmas when I was 9 or 10 years old and as corny as it sounds, I fell in love with photography at that point. I dabbled in film photography in high school and college, but hadn’t really considered doing it professionally. Read more>>
Danica Gaither- Benway
I’m a special education teacher, wife, and mom who has always loved fashion, finding a great deal, and sharing everyday lifestyle inspiration. Outside of teaching, I enjoy traveling with my husband, Bryan, spending time with my family, and exploring local experiences and events around San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. Read more>>
Patsy Torres
From the time I was five years old, I made plans for my future. I declared that I was going to be a physician like my grandfather, Dr. William Torres. I loved him and admired him and wanted to follow in his footsteps as a healer, someone who could make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and living by Christian values. Read more>>
Sherry Stone-Wightman
Bodies By Sher LLC was founded solely by myself in 1988. I had been employed previously by two different large companies. I also attended college and various schools and trainings prior to myself starting my own company. Even though I enjoyed and did very well as an employee, I was seeking something else. I have always been fascinated by people. Read more>>
Arturo Serna
I grew up with strong Texas roots. I earned my Master of Science in Management of Technology from UT San Antonio. That program trained me in technology-enabled operations, scalable systems design, and data-driven leadership. I now leverage those exact skills to expand access to complex pediatric spine care across continents through ethical AI, strategic partnerships with medical device and implant companies, and efficient humanitarian operations. Read more>>
Cross Alfrido
I have always loved washing cars as my parents would tell me as well as other people when I was younger. I would take my hot wheels and models car’s and clean them all the time, but when I got older my toys just got bigger. I started at Audi Dominion working for Mr. Read more>>
Emily Monsen
I started singing when I was super young. I always have loved it and would sing all the time. I would compete in talent shows and competitions, and won KJ97’s Country Kid of the Year award when I was in sixth grade. When I was 13, I started to really want a guitar so I could write songs. Read more>>
Jenny Lawson
Here is my actual bio: Jenny Lawson (aka ‘The Bloggess’) is a #1 NYT bestselling author, mental health activist and award-winning humor writer best known for her inspiring candor in sharing her struggle with depression, anxiety and chronic pain. Read more>>
La Juana (‘LJ’) Chambers
My story begins in Holly Springs, Mississippi, where I was born to a newly married teenage mother and a teenage father who had just turned 18 years old. My father was enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and had been ordered overseas to Japan for training. Read more>>
Darren Garcia
I’ve lived in the San Antonio area my whole life, and after spending some time living in different cities, I realized that San Antonio is exactly where I wanted to be. My fiance and I love to get out and do activities throughout the week to keep us busy. Read more>>
Sabrina Caldwell
The Book Haus was founded in 2018 in New Braunfels, Texas, shortly after I completed my degree in education. During my studies, I chose to minor in reading, which reinforced my belief in the transformative power of literacy and the importance of fostering a strong sense of community through books. Read more>>
Gerard Robledo
I was born the son of a Mexican immigrant father, and a first generation Mexican-American mother. My father died when I was three years old and raised by an alcoholic mother. Though, I was primarily raised by my maternal grandparents. I grew up poor on the south side of San antonio, and statistically not expected to attend or even complete college. Read more>>
Dartanyan Kane
We started New Years Day 2024, playing a show at a regional venue the Arcadia Live. The band has metamorphosed from its original lineup into the group we have now over the years, leading to the guys we have now. Read more>>
Shelby Barron
I began my journey in the world of western modeling, which was an exciting yet challenging experience. Over time, I realized the environment was becoming increasingly toxic and unfulfilling, so I decided to make a change. I shifted my focus toward technology, where I could channel my creativity in a more balanced and independent way. Read more>>
Sandra Roel
I’m a Realtor by profession, so building relationships and helping people find a place to call home has always been at the heart of what I do. Over the years, I realized I wanted to create a place where those same relationships could continue long after the closing table – a place where neighbors, friends, and families could gather, celebrate, and make memories. Read more>>
Ashleigh Thompson
Crazy Plant Lovee started from a simple love of plants and creating things with my hands. What began as propagating and selling plants as a small side business gradually evolved into something much bigger. I discovered that I loved helping people connect with plants in ways that felt approachable, fun, and creative. Read more>>
Kainoa Kamaka
I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, where I learned the values of family, community, hard work, and aloha. Growing up in Kalapana, we lived a simple lifestyle that taught me to appreciate people more than possessions. Music became a way for me to connect with others and share the culture I love. Read more>>
Alejandra Bocardo
I’ve always been drawn to natural materials, symbolism, and the idea that objects can carry energy and meaning. Growing up in Arizona surrounded by Native American jewelry sparked an early appreciation for turquoise and pieces that feel both beautiful and intentional. That curiosity naturally expanded into crystals and energy work, which I’ve been fascinated by for as long as I can remember. Read more>>
Victoria Fuse
My journey has been anything but traditional. I’m a wife, mother of four, Army veteran, entrepreneur, and now a published children’s author. Throughout my life, I’ve worn many hats, but one thing has always remained constant: my passion for helping others feel seen, valued, and confident in who they are. Read more>>
Archana Varma
My name is Archana Varma, and Shashi Inspirations is a creative venture founded in memory of my mother, Shashi. I came to the United States as a scientist, joining the National Institutes of Health after completing my PhD in Microbiology in India. A decade later, I followed a new calling, transitioning into medicine and returning to medical school in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Read more>>
Jenn Riesman
My career started in the most traditional way possible—by falling in love with baking at a young age and realizing that creating desserts brought me a sense of joy and purpose that nothing else did. What began as curiosity in the kitchen quickly turned into a passion, and I knew early on that I wanted to pursue pastry professionally. Read more>>
Lyn-Z Andrews
I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and my journey has been shaped by resilience, hard work, and a passion for helping others. I started in entertainment more than 26 years ago as a drag performer and comedian, eventually creating my own company, Lyn-Z Andrews Entertainment. Over time, I became involved in advocacy and public service. Read more>>
Angie White
My husband Kyle and I met in high school and in college Kyle fell in love with pottery so we decided we would try and make it work selling our pieces. We got married in 2008 and moved to Texas from Kansas. Read more>>
Eustolia Denise Morales
I got started back in 2020 during the pandemic. I started doing pom-pom earrings and then started selling at markets. I loved doing pom-poms and seeing them on other people and seeing how my creativity made others happy. I stopped vending and my small business for two years to give myself a break because life was getting a little difficult. Read more>>
They Call This Tragedy Akira, Mat, Dax, Diego, Sabastian
As a band We started out as Me ( Akira bassist ) And our guitarist Diego. We had gone a few weeks looking for members we found one vocalist but she had plans for other music, then We found Our current vocalist Mat. We then had gotten our Guitarist Dax who is an exceptionally talented guitarist for his age as he the youngest. Read more>>
Christine Adams
I’ve always been a fan of fantasy, myth, and urban legends. After college, I got involved in Live Action Roleplay and started creating characters and costumes for the games. During the Pandemic when I was trapped at my house with no LARPs to attend, I started to see that mermaid costuming was becoming more accessible to the public. Read more>>
Shelby Criswell
I’m one of those people who picked up a crayon as a toddler and never let it go. When I was a kid, I was determined to either become a professional skateboarder or an artist. Ultimately, I decided to let my Tony Hawk dreams go in favor of keeping my wrists intact for drawing. Read more>>
Frida Cowlo
Mootual Aid is a community built organization across the neighborhoods of San Antonio. We started through collaborating with other organizations during their street outreach, such as Bexar Area Harm Reduction Coalition and San Antonio Care Collective, and continue to shift our focus as the needs of our communities change and our member’s interests develop, such as cyber security and immigration support. Read more>>
Sabrina Camacho
My journey began in 2019 when I founded Unforgettable Beginnings by Sabrina. I’ve always believed that every couple has a unique story worth telling, and I wanted to help couples celebrate one of the most important moments of their lives in a way that feels personal and authentic. Read more>>
Barbara Felix
am a visual artist, independent curator, and co-owner of The Beacon at Midtown Gallery & Studios. I hold a BFA in Graphic Communication from Texas State University and a Certificate in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking from the Southwest School of Art. For 20 years, I worked as an in-house graphic designer for Citibank before retiring in 2022 to pursue art full-time. Read more>>
Dusti Jones
Growing up surrounded by contractors and construction projects, I’ve been dreaming up creative show-stopping designs for as long as I can remember. But it’s actually my background as a professional counselor that shapes my approach. I don’t just focus on finishes and furnishings—I focus on my clients, taking the time to understand their needs, the rhythms of their life, and the vision for the future. Read more>>
Vanessa Sosa
My path to the salon chair was anything but a straight line. After beauty school, a lack of confidence kept me away from the industry for four years. Ready for a comeback, I took an advanced masterclass in Californiato sharpemm my skills. From there, I put in the work, assisting clinbing into salon management and eventually becoming a cosmetology instructor at an Aveda Institute. Read more>>
Eddie Martinez
I became a drug addict just after graduating from college. I had a promising trajectory going for myself, and, in a way, I felt invincible. But Life would humble me, and I would lose the life I built, and friends I loved dearly, in my state of addiction. Read more>>
Amalia Fernandez
My entrepreneurial journey began as a senior in high school when I launched my first small business, Kounna Cosmetics. I hand crafted my own line of lip glosses, lip scrubs, and skincare products, and spent my weekends at pop-up markets across San Antonio. Read more>>
Tina Crossley
I’m originally from Los Angeles California. When I arrived in San Antonio, I knew very little about the music business except from what I learned from my mother and father. But when I got here, I was able to get hands-on experience through singing with a live band. Read more>>
Claudia Martinez
I went to cosmetology in 2016, joined a salon in 2017, did my first updo for prom with little training (took me 2 hours from start to finish). I realized that I had potential. Read more>>
Erica Duarte
There’s a quiet kind of courage in starting over—especially when you have to walk away from everything familiar to do it. When I made the decision to leave my salon, it wasn’t met with support. Relationships shifted almost immediately. People I had worked closely with didn’t understand my direction, and at times it felt like my ambition was taken personally. Read more>>
Samantha Pettit
My name is Samantha , although I preferably go by Sammi ; im a Gemini of June and just turned 22. I was born and raised in San Antonio – and growing up was tough because of uncertain circumstances, I was mostly on my own from a young age . Read more>>
Gimena Gómez
I started in the entertainment industry in Mexico when I was a child. I have a BFA in acting. I have two decades of presence in the hispanic market in the USA, Mexico and in other Latin American countries, as well. Read more>>
Ahteara Winn
I started making music in 2019 while living in Florida, beginning with freestyle and quickly realizing this was something I wanted to fully commit to. My name is Ahteara Winn, and my artist name is Aht3ara. I was born in Virginia, but I’ve really been everywhere — the world is basically my home, not just one specific place. Read more>>
Deja Taylor
My journey started with a passion for food, but not the confidence to pursue it professionally. I spent several years working in hospitality before realizing it was time to stop building someone else’s dream and start building my own. I took a chance by hosting my first pop-up, delivering 10 free salmon burgers across Philadelphia just to see how people would respond. Read more>>
Megan Legacy
I was raised by a single mother in a small rural town where teachers, counselors, and community members played a significant role in shaping my future. Their encouragement helped me earn scholarships to attend Colorado State University, where I studied political science. Read more>>
Monique Alonzo
I’ve been creating art since I could pick up a crayon. Obsessed with stories and building my own, I grew up playing pretend in the woods everyday. Being an only child, you make due with what you have. I have often found comfort in stories of grand adventures filled with epic battles, seriously crazy plot twists, and overcoming hardships with friends and found family. Read more>>
Carol Hernandez
SlowBurn Creations began with handmade artwork and graphic T-shirts. As my business grew, I introduced glass skull car diffusers and handcrafted gothic pillar candles. The response to my fragrances was overwhelmingly positive, and my friend Krystal encouraged me to expand them into body sprays and perfume oil rollers. Read more>>
Lindsay Mashak
I began my journey with San Antonio Visiting Angels when the agency first opened in 2015, joining the team as the Office Manager. I quickly discovered that caring for seniors wasn’t just a job—it was something I was truly passionate about. Over the years, I learned every aspect of the business while building relationships with our care recipients, their families, and our Angels. Read more>>
Seyde Garcia
I’m Seyde, Arts advocate and writer. I’m a Border Native from Los Dos Laredos Area. My life has unfolded between two countries, but also between two worlds: the manufacturing industry, where I’ve built a career as an HR professional, and the arts. I started as a storyteller, promoting literature and that evolved into acting as part of a theater company. Read more>>
Amanda Butts
I started this business in the pandemic when my job closed. We went through some hardship, but in that time came the self reflection and the desire to do something I want for a change. No one in my area did the type of work I was looking for so I decided to start my own business. Read more>>
Roger Macias
I didn’t start out wanting to build an agency. I started by trying to understand why things worked when they worked, and why they broke when they didn’t. My background spans creative work, technical systems, and business strategy, and over time I noticed a recurring pattern: most companies don’t fail because they lack effort or talent. They fail because their underlying systems are misaligned. Read more>>
