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.
Brittany Chin 
My journey to starting Hoboken Speech Stars really grew out of my love for both speech-language pathology and the Hoboken community. I have lived in Hoboken for more than 14 years now, and this city has become such an important part of my life. It is where I built my career, made lifelong friendships, and, most importantly, where I am raising my two sons. Read more>>
Gustav0 Duarte 
I was originally attending college as an english major with a minor in film. Through a friend, I was introduced to the tattoo industry and started an apprenticeship at Industrial Art in Harrison, NJ. I spent 10 years there, learning the craft and growing as an artist. I then worked at Tattoo Garage in Bloomfield, NJ. Read more>>
Manny Jimenez 
Some key highlights of Manny Jimenez Sensei’s background include¹ ² ³:– *Martial Arts Background*: Trained in martial arts since 1973– *Rank and Titles*: 6th dan, Jun Dairi Kyoju Read more>>
Keren Dillard-Taylor 
I am a designer and writer working in the southern New York and northern New Jersey metropolitan areas. I have been working in design journalism for 7 years, beginning as a freelance writer and later becoming a regular contributor to publications such as The Architects Newspaper, Azure, Dwell, and Dezeen. Read more>>
Teresa Tobey, Meghan Newman N/A 
Teresa and Meghan first met in 2022 as workout partners at the gym. We quickly became friends, and one of our favorite routines was working out together and grabbing coffee afterward. Since we both loved coffee, the idea of starting a mobile coffee business eventually came up. Read more>>
Salubrious Surrey 
My journey began with Spellbinding Sisters, which I co-founded with Solitaire Bon Lavi. What started locally eventually grew into serving clients worldwide through spiritual work and our practice of Haitian Vodou. Since my last interview, I’ve continued to deepen my connection with Spirit while expanding into my own offshoot, Love Salubrious. Read more>>
Magda Jozwiak 
Bayshore Beauty started three years ago built on 15 years of passion for the beauty industry, a genuine love for people, a whole lot of faith, and just one single client coming in for an eyebrow wax. Today, we’ve grown to over 300 happy clients. My journey really began when I moved to the US years ago. Read more>>
Lindsay Lawlor 
The Developedia really grew out of the intersection of our two experiences (Lindsay Lawlor and Ali Groden). Lindsay has spent almost 20 years working in autism and developmental disabilities as a psychologist, BCBA, school psychologist, and director of an ABA company. Throughout her career, she repeatedly saw how difficult it was for families to find and coordinate the right support for their children. Read more>>
Lori Powell 
Name of Business: Snoopy’s Safe and Sound Been in business: 20 yrs I started as an elementary school teacher and later became a licensed home childcare provider. During the summer, I had a passion for animals, so I decided to try pet sitting and dog walking during the summer and on weekends for some extra income. Read more>>
Adrienne Agresti 
My Story: I’m not really sure where to begin, so I guess I’ll start at the beginning—when I acquired my business in 1997. I had just gotten married and was working as a veterinary assistant at Holmdel Veterinary Clinic. One day, a call came through from someone looking to sell a property in the area. It was a boarding kennel. Read more>>
Debra Jameson-Calin 
After working my way from a Fabric Assistant to the Fabric Buyer/ Research Director handling $10m budget for several large clothing corporations , I found myself at a crossroad. It was 2004 and many companies were phasing out my position. Read more>>
Brianna & Michael Sheak & Mellor 
Sunshine Sips started at family parties, not with a business plan. Bri had been bartending for years, and at every holiday get-together she ended up behind the counter anyway, mixing cocktails for the people who drink and fresh mocktails for the people who don’t. The drink that changed everything was for Michael’s mom. Read more>>
Sharon Dawkins 
I didn’t set out to become a website designer. I’ve always loved art, and back in 1997, my dream was to attend the Art Institute of Philadelphia and become an animator. I couldn’t afford to go, though, so for a few years I wasn’t sure how I would turn something I loved into a career. Read more>>
Dr Chisako Sugiyama-Murray 
Built Strong Pelvic Health & Physical Therapy was born from a combination of my professional experience, my passion for movement, and my own personal journey into motherhood. I have been involved in physical therapy, sports medicine, and movement for more than 20 years. Read more>>
CaraMia Cipriani 
My Story & How Carazy Paint Began I worked as an Oral Surgical Assistant for many years. After suffering a late-term pregnancy loss, I had a very difficult time coping. I began painting simply because I needed somewhere to put my emotions. I wasn’t very good at it, but I loved it, and it helped me through one of the hardest times of my life. Read more>>
Malcolm Boatwright 
Everything started from the womb. I’ve been dancing since the womb. I continue to grow my skill set, just being inspired by watching my peers, my idols and just practicing every single day to get to where I am today. From dance groups, to talent shows ,musicals, to attending art school. The Love of dance has helped me become the man I am today. Read more>>
Sarah Pezak 
Started out as a girl who loved dogs and didn’t do well in the college environment. So I went to trade school and became a dog trainer, with a focus on behavior, and then a dog groomer. After working in corporate, and then privately owned businesses, I decided I wanted to create a place where I’d want to take my dog. Read more>>
Orocia Morales 
The opportunity came from an unexpected but very special place. A close family friend gave us the chance to take over Acapulco. It was a small restaurant that had previously been a pizza shop. We saw an opportunity to turn four walls into a little piece of Mexico. Read more>>
Naquan White AKA RUC MRQB 
1. Origins & Early Years in Queensbridge: Street Roots: Raised in the iconic Queensbridge Houses, navigating early adversity, young arrests, and street hustling before channeling those experiences into rap. Killa Kidz Era: Joined the influential QB group Killa Kidz, securing a major record deal at a young age. 2. Read more>>
Jennifer Salerno 
My career has taken a few unexpected turns, but looking back, storytelling has always been at the center of everything I’ve done. I started my professional career in broadcasting, spending six years working in television news. It was an incredible foundation that taught me how to communicate, connect with people, think quickly and, most importantly, recognize what makes a story worth telling. Read more>>
Gionna Forte 
My father, Jerry and his family, came to America from Italy when he was only 10 years old to seek a better life. Though he wanted to pursue carpentry, he ended up in the food buisness and opened The Godfather in 1975 on the corner of Ronald Drive and Ridgedale Ave. in East Hanover, NJ. Read more>>
Melissa Amorelli 
My journey as a photographer started back in high school! I loved taking photos of everything. A popular platform at that time was Tumblr, where I posted photos and got such great feedback! I decided to go to college for photography, and when I graduated I started my own photography business. Read more>>
Sydney Kessler 
My journey to EMS Revolution actually started long before I ever thought about owning a business. I went to school for Exercise Science, but for a long time I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to take my career in the exercise and fitness direction or pursue the medical side. Read more>>
Marcus Marquez 
North Jersey Firearms Training was established to provide Spanish-speaking individuals the opportunity to obtain their concealed carry permits through comprehensive, language-specific instruction on New Jersey firearm laws and state-mandated training requirements. Since our inception, we have expanded our curriculum significantly and now host classes every weekend, currently supported by over 300 five-star reviews. Read more>>
Izzy Reka 
‘I came to this country from Albania, and since 2009, restaurants have been my entire life. I started from the bottom in kitchens and dining rooms across Philadelphia and New York, learning everything I could. For me, hospitality isn’t just a job—I am a true lover of good food and someone who genuinely believes in taking care of people. Read more>>
Sarah Gutierrez 
I’ve always believed that movement can be so much more than just working out. Fitness has been a huge part of my own life, not only physically, but as an outlet, a form of discipline, self-care, and a way to reconnect with myself. Read more>>
Rosemary Cenatiempo 
For me, the love of art began long before I ever considered myself an artist. I was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. I spent much of my childhood with a sketchbook in my hand, drawing whenever I could. Read more>>
Angel Fant 
My creativity and talent for creating were first recognized when I was a little girl. I was always drawing, designing, and making things with my hands. I made doll clothing by hand, and in the second grade, I created my first adult-sized velvet gown—completely by hand, without a sewing machine. I even built my own dollhouse. Read more>>
YU-CHEN CHIU 
I’m a photographer and lens-based artist, born and raised in Taiwan and now based in the Jersey City. I moved to New York as an adult, and photography became a way for me to connect with people and navigate living between cultures. I began in documentary photography, drawn to intimate stories and the small, everyday moments that reveal something about who we are. Read more>>
George Stills 
How I started? I started delivering papers at 12 years old. Yeah, when people still got their news delivered to their doorsteps. Music is my passion which eventually brought me to New York City. Prior to that I spent a tour in the U.S. Army and now a U.S Army Veteran. Read more>>
Lashana Standard 
My journey began during the pandemic, when I decided to turn my creativity into something meaningful and wrote my first children’s book, Alphabet Space. What started as an idea during a challenging time grew into a passion for creating my book that children can enjoy and learn from. Since then, I’ve published three more books. Read more>>
Jamirah Porter 
My journey into the beauty industry wasn’t a straight path. I earned my degree in Psychology and began working in healthcare, but hair and beauty were always something I genuinely loved. Over time, I realized I wanted to take that passion more seriously and build something of my own. What started with doing hair and building a clientele eventually became 287 Studios. Read more>>
Matthew Rosenzweig 
I actually came to baking from a completely different creative career. Before I ever worked in a bakery, I spent years producing photo shoots for magazines. I loved the creative side of that work, but after a while I found myself longing for a change and wanting to do something more hands-on and personal. Read more>>
Shauntice Harris 
I’ve always liked doing hair and anything beauty related but I never considered it for a career. I saw an ad for a cosmetology school and then it all clicked for me. I worked at a few salons where I learned so much. Read more>>
Laura Donatelli
When I was young I always had a passion for movement. My sister and I would ride our bikes back and forth to Peacock’s general store almost weekly which was a good 13 mile ride. I rode horses at a local barn and took classes in Tae KwonDo and a bit of Ju Jitsu. Read more>>
Matt Ryan
My story as a small business owner began over 18 years ago in March of 2008 when I opened HomeFront Studios. I was presented an opportunity to take over a recording and rehearsal studio which was a dream of mine. In April 2008, the U.S. housing market crash occurred and the great recession began. Read more>>
