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.
Abby Smith 
We were in Chicago researching which parts of the country had an abundance of happy and healthy companion animals that were euthanizing due to overpopulation and space issues. We came upon Alabama and decided to build a Rescue Center based on the theory of supply and demand. Since opening here in 2018, we have rescued and relocated over 23,000 cats and dogs. Read more>>
Jontai Reynolds 
My journey really started from a place of survival that eventually evolved into purpose. I’ve always been a storyteller at heart, but my it got deeper during the most challenging season of my life. What started originally as personal journaling eventually grew into TAI Corner Blogs, two podcasts, a Masters Degree, and several published self-care books. Read more>>
Kalil Stroud
My journey as a DJ started well before I even thought about becoming one myself. My older cousin DJ Gorgeous, is a well-established DJ in the industry and i’ve been watching her since I was in middle school. Read more>>
Jared Davis 
Heirs Of Faith, was birthed out of my own testing. When I was a young teen. About thirteen years old. Been through a lot of hidden trials. Which forced me to pray and lean on God. He sustained me. Read more>>
Travis Harvey 
The Village Green records store has been open for nearly 20 years starting back in Indiana after 17 years decided to move the Record Store to Montgomery Alabama. Making the VGR the premier Record Store in the capital of Alabama. Read more>>
Donovan Gates 
I am an Event DJ and vibe curator. I got my start in college at Oakwood University, at our school skating rink in 2011. I moved into doing skating events in the city of Huntsville at our local skating rink during 2014-2019. I also got reps in doing live music shows and started building my name and brand doing corporate events and weddings. Read more>>
Dwain G 
Like most people, after high school, I honestly didn’t know what my purpose was or what I wanted to do with my life. I tried culinary school for like two weeks but I figured out quick that wasn’t what I wanted to do. I had a couple jobs here and there, just taking my time trying to figure what was my purpose. Read more>>
Lush Vibez 
Well I can safely say the dive into my purpose started at about 3 years old. That’s the first time I put pen to paper; drawing something that looked like a focused piece of art rather than scribbles. Around 8 is when I started my singing journey in my churches choir. Read more>>
MISCHA ALEXANDER 
My story as an artist and writer started in the Marcus Garvey projects in Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY and is rooted in survival, transformation, and the need to turn my experiences into something meaningful. I also wanna show others, especially kids, that they’re not alone in their struggles. Read more>>
Elisha Matthews 
My journey in the beauty industry began in 2019 as a lash artist. About a year later, I expanded into brow services after recognizing a growing demand from my clients. That experience really opened my eyes to how much I enjoyed creating and helping people feel confident. When I began my cosmetology journey in 2023, I was honestly scared and nervous. Read more>>
Demi Howell 
I’ve always been someone who knows how to build, adapt, and keep moving. Entrepreneurship has been a major part of my life, but so has being a wife, a mother, a leader, and the person other people often depend on. For a long time, I thought strength meant being able to carry it all well. As I evolved, I started questioning that. Read more>>
LATOYA Clark 
My story is still unfolding, but a big part of it has been learning how to keep dreaming while living with chronic illness and pain. I know what it feels like to have ideas, ambition, and purpose while your body requires you to slow down or change direction. That experience shapes both my work and the way I connect with people. Read more>>
Josh Alex Baker 
Before I am anything, I am worldbuilder, and I believe that every moment of my life has been divinely calculated to bring me to the present where I harness the power of story to transform the lives of the communities I deeply love and am indebted to. Birmingham born and Huntsville raised, I was drawn to the art of oratory at young age. Read more>>
christopher pugh 
I started in 2004 as a young kid just freestyling with no hopes dreams ambitions for dance. I just loved moving around and the feeling it gave me;pure joy. I’ve ended up where I’m at by Gods grace mercy blessings and design. I’ve had so much help in my journey from a lot of people during my journey. They paid it forward for me. Read more>>
Dr. Sha’Rose Erion 
My path to where I am today is rooted in a simple, vital truth: I spent years in spaces that didn’t allow me the fullness of who I am. Read more>>
Derrick Lilly Jr 
I would say there are a multitude of things that have led me to where I am today, but the two main vehicles for that journey have been music and gardening. My first experience with gardening actually happened when I was in school. Read more>>
Kenny James 
I’m Kenny James, a content creator, social media strategist, and founder of Huntsville Content Creators. With a background in multimedia design and a passion for bringing people together, I started Huntsville Content Creators five years ago to create a space where local creatives could connect, collaborate, and grow. Since then, we’ve hosted over 80 events, building a community of creators, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. Read more>>
Austin Day 
I began making beats around 12y/o and it was on the mobile app for GarageBand. They were awful and I didn’t really know what I was doing so I just put loops on top of eachother and hoped for the best. Read more>>
Rave The Gemini 
It honestly started with me in 2020 during Covid times when I was given my first ring light for Christmas and I started doing content on TikTok. At first, it was just something fun to make people laugh and do and then I have such a love for music and culture. Read more>>
April M. Chaney 
Started in Cosmetics retail in late 1900’s lol. Working in High end Retail store cosmetic department. I went to Los Angeles on Vacation in 2003 while there I stayed and moved there and worked in cosmetics for brands Armani Laura mercier and NArs in Beverly Hills. Read more>>
Cedric Matthews 
Matthews Studios started from my passion for photography and wanting to create something of my own. What started as me simply enjoying taking pictures eventually grew into a business where I could help people feel confident, comfortable, and proud of the way they see themselves. Read more>>
Bianca Bartlett 
I’m Bianca Shanise Bartlett, a model and actress from Huntsville, Alabama. I fell in love with modeling and acting around 2011 and never looked back. In 2020, I founded Nu Age TrendSettaz Fashion Magazine, built on the motto ‘No Talent Left Behind,’ to give rising creatives the spotlight they deserve. Read more>>
Orionna Coleman 
My love for storytelling really began in college. I always knew I wanted to do something that could impact the world, but I didn’t always know exactly what that would look like. While attending Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, I took a speech class and discovered that I had a gift for communicating. Read more>>
Audrey Goore 
I’ve always had a passion for performing, but growing up I never considered it to be something I could actually pursue. It felt like such a pipe dream because the world I grew up in felt so small. It was a small town with very few opportunities, and the expectation was that everyone in my graduating class would follow a very ‘white fence’ path. Read more>>
Idrissa Snider, PhD 
Writing is often described as cathartic, and I agree. It lets people express their emotions. But writers also play a vital role in documenting and preserving our histories; we represent our communities. When asked about my story and how I became a writer, I start with my purpose: I believe I am called to educate, advocate, and inspire others to achieve excellence. Read more>>
Tim FORTNER 
I played metal for most of my adult life, but whenever I was playing by myself or doing acoustic stuff, I always ended up playing ska, reggae, and punk. I moved to Alabama in 2018 and took a break from music for a while. After a couple years I realized I was pretty unhappy not playing, so I started doing some acoustic gigs again. Read more>>
Shelby Knight 
Originally from Nashville and now proud to call Birmingham home, Shelby has always had a passion for creating memorable experiences and bringing people together. Her career began in the hospitality industry, where she spent more than 10 years working in event planning, coordination, and catering sales management with leading brands like Marriott and Hilton. Read more>>
Hannah Adams 
I live a life dedicated to giving back to others and providing platforms of change. I am a sixteen year childhood cancer survivor of Stage 3 Nephroblastoma. I have chosen to use my story as a profoundly powerful vehicle by which I have made a real impact. My own experience has given me an informed perspective valuable to others facing hardships. Read more>>
Shayla Meadows 
Hello! My name is Shayla Meadows, I’m an actress, artist and creative from Conyers, Georgia! Currently, I’m in my senior year at Alabama State University (Go Hornets!) where I’m studying for my B.A. in Theatre Arts, Performance Concentration and my B.S. in Psychology, and I’ll be graduating next semester in the Spring of 2027! Read more>>
Kimberly West 
My journey has been anything but linear, and I’ve learned to appreciate that aspect. I began my professional career in education after graduating from Alabama A&M University. Working in higher education as a Statewide Coordinator and teaching gave me a strong foundation in communication, relationship-building and understanding how to connect with people. Read more>>
Tangie Collins 
Hello! I am the founder and lead instructor of Boots & Beats Line Dancing LLC, a North Alabama-based entertainment company dedicated to bringing people together through the joy of dance. My love for line dancing began when I was 18 years old. For my birthday, my mom took me line dancing for the very first time. Read more>>
Faith Short 
My journey with food started long before I ever called myself Chef Faith. Cooking has always been one of the ways I show love and take care of people. What started as a passion eventually became something I knew I wanted to take seriously and build a life around. I’ve been cooking professionally for about 17 years. Read more>>
ShaElla Askew 
I’m from Birmingham, Alabama, and funny enough, I have not always been a social butterfly. I was actually really shy growing up. I was the type of person who somehow knew everybody but also felt like I knew nobody at the same time. I was everywhere, paying attention, watching how people connected, how groups formed, and how information moved. Read more>>
Elizabeth Anderson 
I grew up below the poverty line in rural Alabama, which was a very challenging life. I was fortunate to receive a music scholarship which enabled me to become a first-generation college student at the University of Alabama, double majoring in music theory and flute performance. Read more>>
Brandi Perry 
Backroads Travel Co. started in 2018, with two best friends, Brandi Perry and Dori Lowe, who shared a love of traveling, discovering places that were a little off the beaten path, and telling people about the experiences we found along the way. We didn’t start out with a big business plan or the intention of becoming professional travel writers. Read more>>
Adi Kaur
Today I am the owner and founder of Birmingham, Alabama’s first black-owned yoga studio. Today I’ve certified over 50 yoga instructors. Today I’ve attuned several students to the reiki lineage and continue to host attunement workshops. Today I am a sought-after teacher, mentor, and friend.
I would honestly say that this is from living my life to the fullest possibility. I think I got here by taking advantage of any circumstance I was placed in. I arrived today by walking in my lane and doing the impossible.
When it comes to my determination I am one of one. I won’t rest until the job is finished. I truly live and breathe “how you do anything is how you do everything” when it comes to the way that I show up in spaces. Read more>>
Paz Aboujaoude
As long as I can remember, I have always loved creating. I have sketched and doodled ever since I was a child. The older I got, the more I dabbled in different mediums and techniques. When I was 12 years old, I wanted to be a fashion designer. With that being said, I sketched designs and taught myself how to sew. This made me gain confidence in my work. Shortly after, I put my skills to the test and experimented with acrylic canvas paintings. Painting on canvases became an outlet for me. I have gained so much peace and patience because of it. My art is not perfect, but in reality, I do strive for perfection in every single piece of artwork I create. While sketching and creating these canvases, I discovered that I enjoy lettering and perfecting lines. This helped me come to the decision to go into chalkboard art for businesses. Furthermore, I have my marketing degree, so I have an advantage of what the customer would want to see when it comes to advertising. While designing my chalkboards, I use the knowledge and skills I have gained from past projects and my degree. This is a small, but important, part of how I started. There are a lot of other aspects that make me the artist I am today, but this is how I discovered my love for art. I will continue to better myself and my art by learning new techniques and practicing old ones. Read more>>
