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.
David Anderson
Moved to the Twin Cities for Law School at William Mitchell in St.Paul. Following a stint at the Legal Publishing Monopoly West Publishing while in law school, moved to private practice after graduation and a year-long term as a Judicial Law Clerk, assisting trial judges with trials, legal research and drafting orders and memoranda. That experience was perhaps as valuable as 2 years law school. Read more>>
Chelsey Strand
My name is Chelsey Strand and I live in Fargo, ND. I am married with two kids and work as a mental health therapist. I got my Bachelor’s degree in social work from MSUM in 2013, where I met my husband, Tyler. Tyler and I both went on to pursue our Master’s degree in social work, and we graduted from UND in 2015. Read more>>
Danielle Nicole
I didn’t start out with a perfectly mapped-out plan. Ten years ago when I photographed my very first paid senior session in 2016, it was just me and my passion for capturing the moment. I started with a deep love for people and their stories. Photography slowly became the way I learned how to see. Read more>>
Evan Murray
My mother was a violin player and theater major, inspiring my siblings and I to keep the music going in the family. She enrolled us in music lessons when we were about four years old. Read more>>
Jen Mackori Moore
Baking has always been more than just a hobby for me—it’s a family tradition. From the very first batch of cookies I made alongside my dad, I fell in love with the magic that happens in the kitchen. Read more>>
Clinton Strother
Our family has been in the Twin Ports area of Duluth and Superior since the 1940’s and we are the 2nd oldest African American family in the area. My late uncle started detailing in his single car garage in North Minneapolis more than 35 years ago. Read more>>
Matthew Gasper
I started dancing seriously when I was 13, which in the dance world is late considering my parents where both dancers, I found my love for performing on stage and told my mom I wanted to be a professional ballet dancer when I grow up. So, we met every day after school to do private lessons. Read more>>
Erica Kimsey
I never thought I would be right here… I hit wall after wall in multiple careers, involvement in boards and organizations. Feeling that none of them were the right fit but not understanding why. I had all of the qualifications and more than most, and I just could not get ahead. Could not get to where I thought I needed to be. Read more>>
Maria Bailey
Our journey into short-term rental management began with curiosity and a simple dream: to one day create a peaceful retreat where we could share our love of the Minnesota Northwoods with others. As we explored that idea, Maria came across a short-term rental property manager who helped owners care for and share their spaces as vacation rentals. Read more>>
Molly Miller
I was born and raised in Bemidji, Minnesota, and quite literally grew up in Patterson’s. My parents owned the store, so from a young age it was a second home to me. I started officially working there around age 14 and even helped my dad attend buying markets back when we had a mall location that carried young men’s clothing and juniors apparel. Read more>>
Robert spring
Our story starts in Illinois back in 2012. I myself Rob was assaulted on the job working for another company, which led to severe spinal injury. That put me out of work for a long time. I was told, I wouldn’t work as a mechanic again. I was put on work restrictions, and nobody would hire me. Read more>>
Ryan Rusnak
I started as a DJ in my early teens producing beats and writing rap songs. My dad was a DJ for a radio station in Minneapolis in the 1970s. My dad is sight impaired, completely blind and sound is and always has been important to him which is something I picked up on. Read more>>
Jolene Danca
Scrappin’ on the Ranch is a family-run business. Actually, you could even call it a ‘Mom & Sons run business’. That’s me (Jolene, owner), and my two sons, Riley and Logan. We are the caretakers, cleaners, and the welcoming faces you see when you arrive. We’ve put a lot of time and dedication into our Ranch. Read more>>
Amy and Sara Hamann
We began piano lessons at the Yamaha School of Music when we were four and five years old. Because we were so close in age, our teacher introduced us to duet playing almost immediately. Our very first recital featured a performance of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, an early experience that established collaboration as the foundation of our musical lives. Read more>>
Javier Ordonez
I graduated from Hamline University in 2016 and began my career in accounting in a corporate setting. While in college, I volunteered with Prepare + Prosper in Saint Paul, helping individuals file their tax returns, which sparked my passion for serving people directly. Read more>>
Sarah Lempa
Back in 2018, I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BSB in Marketing. Three months later, I boarded a one-way flight to Vietnam with nothing but my backpack and laptop – intent on building an online business as a freelance marketer and content creator. Read more>>
Holly Corbid
I spent 15 years in the corporate world prior to getting into the photo business in 2010. Read more>>
Shontel Booker
My journey into yoga didn’t start as a career goal, it started as survival. In 2016, after the loss of my brother to suicide, my life was shaken in ways I couldn’t yet name. Shortly after, I was in a serious car accident that totaled my vehicle and forced my body and my spirit to stop. Read more>>
Janna Aho
In November of 2023 I came across a social media post of someone offering cookies as a cottage baker and was inspired to learn about the training and licensing required for that, thinking that the lack of celiac/gluten free options as well as the lack of whole food, organic and nutrient dense foods had been challenging to source for my own family. Read more>>
Marcus Lind
I started my career in broadcasting in high school, at KNEB radio in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. From there, I studied broadcast production at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and was a student worker for HuskerVision. After college, I moved back to Scottsbluff and obtained a position as News Director for Armada Media. Read more>>
Michelle Doerr
I grew up on a farm, where my relationship with land and animals was practical long before it became professional. As a kid, I watched the movie Born Free and decided I wanted to be a wildlife biologist. I didn’t have the language for it then, but I was drawn to work that honored both animals and the systems they inhabit. Read more>>
Kathryn Harris
I come from a family of readers… literary family. I’ve always loved books and literature. So, back in 1992, when I saw a tiny ad in the business section, for a little used bookstore, for sale in N St Paul… Well, it was just a perfect fit. A place of my own, to be my own boss, raise my family, ,and serve my community. Read more>>
Kaitlynn Sparby
My business owner journey began when I started a press-on nail business when I was 18 years old. I created a website, designed and printed packaging, painted press on nails, and marketing myself on social media. Read more>>
Erika Kensinger
It all began with a big old brick building in the heart of a thriving small city. Having moved to Rosemount just over six years prior, I had always been captivated by the historic 1881 building on the downtown corner. Read more>>
Travis Loeschen
My background is originally in secondary education. I earned a bachelors in Chemistry with a minor in Secondary education from University of Illinois, and worked a couple of years as a middle and high school science teacher at rural districts in Illinois. Read more>>
Britt duMonceaux
Photography started early for me – with high school classes and photography club! I started photographing weddings in college, did my first boudoir session about that same time and then really started to lean into boudoir about 10 years later. Read more>>
Xavier Holland
My interest in structural integration started when I first received a 12 series as it provided me with completely new opportunities for movement. It also reduced bodywide strain, nagging pains during exercise, and induced a better sense of stability in everyday life. A major pattern for me are my laterally shifted knees, varus in latin and bow legs for an easy visual. Read more>>
Andy Fein
I’ve played musical instruments all my life. I started violin and viola while I was in high school. I have a BA in Music from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. I specialized in the study and history of violin family instruments. After college I apprenticed at an apprenticeship school that is now called The Chicago School of Violin Making. Read more>>
Mary Gregory
I always knew I wanted to help people. I love brainstorming, researching and learning as well as people and knew I needed to find a career that allowed me to do this. In high school I took a personality test with our guidance counselor to determine some options and optometry was on that list and caught my “eye”! I was one of the first in my extended family to attend college and graduate level school, so this journey was scary and new. Read more>>
Taylor Conn
Aaron and Taylor come from a background in real estate, owning a local brokerage and investing in properties throughout the state. Purchasing a resort was never part of the plan, but when the opportunity arose, everything fell into place over the following months. The idea of raising their children on a resort quickly became something they were excited about. Read more>>
Chris Perricelli
From age 13, playing guitar was my focus and performing in a band as a teen in local clubs professionally, was my highway ‘on ramp’ so to speak, in an area north of Boston. While attending college in Chicago, I formed a band called Little Man and then after many years I moved to Minnesota in 2002 continuing to write and perform here. Read more>>
