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.
Carter & Cooper Meyer
Cooper has always loved cars in fact he is a self proclaimed motor head. In the summer of 2020, at the age of 12, he approached our parents about getting into car detailing. He watched video after video trying to learn the craft and at Christmas he was gifted some start up products and then began practicing on our own vehicles for awhile. Read more>>
Kelli von Heydekampf
Because I consider myself a really good wife, I immediately signed my husband up for a self-hypnosis workshop when he was having trouble sleeping. I figured that if he came home within the first 30 minutes, he’d decide it was a bunch of nonsense. Read more>>
Ashley Parrott
It all started with a family of 5 wanting to spend more time together, realizing that kids grow up quickly and our oldest was already 13 years old. The property for the store was purchased in October of 2019 as raw land. Read more>>
Greg Rhodea
My earliest memory is from the age of two when I was napping on my dad’s lap as the train we rode went through a tunnel. That must have been Kentucky. I was an only child, born in Indiana, but we moved around a fair bit when I was young: Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, and ten years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Read more>>
Nicole Chimko Fahey
I started in January of 2014. We had 3 young kids at the time and I decided to start a refinishing business from home so I could be home with the kids and be there for my family. I created a shop in our garage and started Fahey Fine Furniture. Read more>>
Karim Habib
My path into food is a little unusual. I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and went straight into the tech world. But by 2019, I had this strong desire to create something of my own. Read more>>
Brittney Reichert
I started dancing at the age of 3 in Brainerd, MN. Ever since I was little I’ve loved everything about dance. I started helping assist in classes as early as middle school and by the time I was in high school I was teaching my own classes. That continued through college and I also danced in college at the University of St. Read more>>
Brenda Pearson
As a bed & breakfast owner for nearly 11 years in Wabasha, Minnesota, I needed a break from a busy post Covid season in 2022. While making breakfast one morning, I opened an email from Viking River Cruises. I knew nothing about who Viking was, but it intrigued me. That was in August of 2022 for a cruise in March of 2023. Read more>>
Abigail Mercer
When attending University I struggled in choosing what I wanted to pursue as my career. I had two strong passions: law and art. Choosing one over the other never felt quite right. Somehow, I stumbled onto User Experience Design. Finally, a career path that worked both my right and left brain equally. Read more>>
Morgan Miller
We started our business when my kids were 7 months and 20 months because there was no baby/kid stores in the area and I had such a passion for all things kid. We quickly grew out of our 700 sq ft space into the space we have been in for the last 12 years. Read more>>
Katherine Jones
I am both a naturopathic doctor (ND) and licensed professional counselor (LPC), and my path to becoming a naturopathic doctor began during my undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, where I was a pre-med biology major preparing for conventional medical school. Read more>>
Jake Dixon
I started out playing drums and being in bands growing up. A cousin showed me what graphic design was at a young age and designed the first logo for the first band I was in. Seeing that process sparked something for me, and I quickly became interested in learning how to do it myself. Read more>>
Laura Tays
I opened this interior design business on my own 10 years ago and over time it has bloomed into more than I ever imagined. I now have an amazing team and we are lucky enough to work on projects locally as well as nation wide! Read more>>
Nicole Keppers
I am a licensed cosmetologist who got my start in a Aveda Salon as an employee performing cuts, colors, waxing, and bridal hair and makeup. I knew long before I became a stylist, that my passion would be hair and makeup artistry. After 6 years at the salon my boss told us she was retiring and selling the salon. Read more>>
Mark Marxen
I originally began my career as a bathroom installer, specializing in high-end, custom projects with a particular focus on tile work and shower systems. In 2022, I took the leap and started my own business, initially operating under the name Timberline Tiling. For the first few years, I focused heavily on bathroom renovations throughout the Northland, building a reputation for detailed craftsmanship and quality work. Read more>>
Liesl Dols
This small town farm girl grew up doing all things hair, makeup, and nails. I was the friend where if you were coming over for a sleep over, you were also going to get a make over. Glitter to the eyebrows and all! Beauty and self care will always hold a dear place in my heart as my first passion. Read more>>
Jordan Stenzel, DC, CVSMT
I’m Dr. Jordan Stenzel and I grew up in a small town of about 200 people, Easton, in southern Minnesota, As a kid, I lived for sports—football, basketball, and track and field. Those early years weren’t just about competition; they were my first lessons in how the body moves, adapts, and recovers. Read more>>
Jeff Boike
Not sure if you are looking for a story about our landscaping bussiness or our fondation that suports the local cumminty after our son was killed in auto accident. Our web site on charlie is skatefreecharlie.org. Our local St. Cloud Business is a rewholes and garden Center. that was start in 1999. we sell nursery stock and supplies to the community for the landscaping industy. Read more>>
Nick Margot
Hi, my name is Nick, and I grew up in North St. Paul, Minnesota. My story really begins as a kid who struggled in school, especially in math. I was a Title I student who needed extra support in elementary and middle school, and I spent a lot of time feeling behind and unsure of myself academically. Read more>>
Janet Whetston
I started my career like many stylists do -with a passion for hair and a strong work ethic, but very little guidance on how to build a long-term, sustainable career. Early on, I watched talented people leave the industry not because they lacked skill, but because they lacked structure, training, and direction. When I opened my salon, I made a decision to do things differently. I focused on developing young talent and supporting stylists who came from other salons feeling stuck or undertrained. I built systems and standards that support both creativity and business growth, believing that when people are properly trained and supported, they can truly thrive. Read more>>
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>>
