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.
Chelsi Low
I had purchased the land that the campground is on years ago and used it for recreation. It was a long process to get through all the permitting and approvals, find funding and to ultimately complete the project. It was a great learning experience, and I am excited to do more campground / glamping projects in the future! I’ve discovered that I have a lot of passion for this work, and it brings me joy. Read more>>
Sarah Ronchak
And then it just clicked after asking my oldest daughter what she thought is inspiring about me. She stated “being a strong single mom”. April is Autism Awareness Month and near and dear to my heart. At the beginning of writing this, you found out I am a mother. What you didn’t know is how many children I have. The answer is 3, 1 of them, my son has autism and I have done the majority of rearing each of my children. Read more>>
Camp Nisswa
What started as a simple idea quickly turned into something bigger. Camp Nisswa was created to be a one-stop hub where both locals and visitors could easily find everything happening in the area. From live music and community events to small-town gems and seasonal happenings, we wanted to build a space that reflects the true heartbeat of this place. Read more>>
Angela Richmond
In addition to bridal makeup and hairstyling, I also offer a Japanese head spa experience. This service combines traditional techniques with modern wellness practices, providing clients not only with beautiful hair but also with relaxation and rejuvenation. It’s a unique offering that sets my business apart, as it merges beauty with holistic care. Read more>>
Matthew Castore
The first six months or so was spent figuring out what the business would look like and what it would mean to operate as a collective. In our case it means we are all equal co-owners of the business, we make major decisions on a consensus basis, and we are all expected to learn the various different types of work that go into keeping the business running, such as accounting, equipment maintenance, and acting as the primary contact person for new clients. In January of 2022 we moved into our current space in NE Minneapolis; renovation took a little over a year, and we officially opened our doors in May of 2023. Read more>>
Nate Petterson
His work is a love letter to labor, function, and the objects we form oddly personal relationships with. Perhaps it’s the well-worn wrench hanging on a pegboard like a veteran awaiting its next call to duty, or the forgotten Tupperware container in the fridge that might just hold the key to a past culinary triumph—or disaster. These objects bear silent witness to our habits, our ambitions, and the stories we don’t always think to tell. Read more>>
Greta Kos
That video hit over 1 million views almost instantly and is currently at 2.8 million. It felt surreal! From there it was clear that I could really build on the momentum and continue posting. I have really tried to work on my creativity and editing techniques while keeping her ‘reactions’ as one of the central components of her videos. Just last year we had a series of Meira playing with things like the dancing cactus that have gone and continue to go mega viral. It is so fun to see the joy that simple videos of our dog can bring to strangers across the world! Read more>>
Shawnae Belanger
There have definitely been challenges along the way…especially with shipping costs, which are outrageous. Lately, I’ve had to scale back production because, at times, shipping costs more than the products I’m ordering. Some craft shows haven’t gone the way I hoped, leaving me discouraged…only to have the next one turn out to be a huge success. There are always ups and downs, but I take them in stride and try to stay the course. Read more>>
Kristina Britz
With the rising cost of weddings and events, and the rising amount of obligations we all have taking up our time, I really wanted to create a solution for couples to still have a beautiful tablescape for their guests without sacrificing their budget or their time. Betty’s Love is for the couple with a DIY budget and no DIY time; or the couple that maybe doesn’t have an eye for design and doesn’t know where to start. Every couple deserves to have a wedding just as beautiful as they are, no matter the budget. Read more>>
Ashley Mari
My path has not always been easy but I make sure to elevate myself and keep my head up. From starting a small business in my apartment, to traveling thru some states and ending back in Mpls, I have learned a lot. I recently said that I was “retired” but I realized hair has always been apart of me and I hope to continue this journey. Read more>>
Zachary Kuhl
I’d been laid off, and had more time on my hands than I’d ever had so I joked with my family that it was time to “write my great American novel”. I had a story idea, floated it by my wife, then got started. I drew inspiration from growing up in the Nebraskan sandhills, campfire stories, and dramatically inaccurate tall tales from my youth. Read more>>
Karianne Hardmeyer
Like many, my spiritual journey began young but was buried beneath the weight of seeking, chasing external validation, fleeting highs, careers, motherhood, and even self-destruction. It wasn’t until my father’s sudden passing in 2017 that everything cracked open. Grief became the portal to my awakening. It brought me to my knees, stripped me bare, and forced me to face what I had been running from, myself. Read more>>
Johan Podlewski
Our journey began with a shared passion for intentional, modest beverages and the community they can foster. Before Wesley Andrews was even an idea, we spent a lot of time exploring the world of tea at places like Verdant Tea. That sparked our love for crafting drinks that are thoughtful, balanced, and rooted in tradition. From there, coffee naturally became part of the conversation, and we started experimenting—learning about sourcing, roasting, and brewing methods that honor the raw ingredients. Read more>>
Camille Bates
Midwest Animal Rescue & Services (MARS) is a non-profit based in Brooklyn Park, MN. We offer adoption services, as well as a vet clinic open to seeing community pets, obedience training services, and several other community services – such as a lower cost microchipping event coming up in May for Brooklyn Park resident pets to always have a way back home. Read more>>
Aleksandra Generalova
Before I started teaching at the university, I had already been working in education for years—as a schoolteacher, a private tutor, and eventually, a lecturer. Each role taught me something new, but when I stepped into a university classroom as a teacher for the first time, it just clicked. It felt like the job of my life. Read more>>
Nate Clinton
I wanted to make other functional pieces and replace the things around my apartment. I started making these unique functional pieces, like utensil jars, fruit bowls, oil dispensers, spoon rests, large fruit bowls, and my personal favorite lamps. I am focusing on getting more out of the clay that I throw and making everything lighter and taller. I am really just getting started with posting my pieces and recently started a Facebook and Instagram page showcasing my ceramics. I am excited to start doing shows and meeting new people and showing off everything that I have made! Read more>>
Christy Macho
A Bushel & A Peck began 11 years ago as a small, in-home boutique born from a passion for creativity and community. While running a home daycare, I started refinishing furniture on the side, looking for a new creative outlet. What began as a personal project quickly grew when I invited a few talented friends to join me in hosting a once-a-month boutique in my home. Within just five months, our group had expanded to 25 artists and creators, making it clear that we needed a permanent space to continue growing. Read more>>
Alana Edwards
In 2013, when I was 18, my father purchased a men’s salon downtown, which we still own today as MEN’S SPA SALON MINNEAPOLIS. This experience gave me invaluable insight into the ins and outs of starting and running a salon. Fast forward to 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, my father took over a blowout bar next door to MEN’S SPA and transformed it into a full-service salon. Along with myself, Alana Edwards, and Josy Thole—a top stylist from Accolades—my father entrusted us to co-own and operate WOMEN’S SPA, which we continue to grow. Read more>>
Troy Schmidt
I started teaching my friends and family how to flyfish and it became just as much fun to teach as it was to catch the fish myself. I have always been interested in the fishing guide life, but it wasn’t until the last few years that it became a driving factor for my future. Through encouragement from family and my good friend, Nick Retka, I pulled the trigger on my dream boat and decided to dive in. In November of 2023, I started an open tie night with some friends at a major sporting goods store in Rogers, MN. Through my efforts and attendance to other events, I have surrounded myself with the right people, who helped take my dream and turn it into my reality. Read more>>
Erin And Colin Engstrom
Over time, we eventually took over much of Stephanie’s work at the Air Show. Stephanie could then concentrate on running her business: Minnesota Whitewater Rafting. So, naturally, when Stephanie and her husband, Chiris, were looking to sell that business, they thought of us as a great team that also shared a love of the outdoors. In 2023, we spent the summer working for them and learning the job, and then in January of 2024, we began the process of purchasing the business. In the summer of 2024, we took over full-time operation of MWR. We are now preparing for the 2025 rafting season. Over the past year, we have learned that bonds are made and reinforced on the river. Read more>>
Tammy Frericks
One day, my friend invited me to go strawberry picking. I wasn’t sure what it entailed but decided to go along. We visited a farm in New Munich to pick fresh strawberries directly from the field and buy them. I thought it was a brilliant concept, teaching people where their food comes from. Having worked in retail for most of my life, starting at my uncle’s meat market where my grandpa raised the cattle we butchered, I understood the importance of seeing the full process from farm to table. Read more>>
Linda Kunkel
I have preserved food for 50 years but stopped canning when our five children grew up and moved on with their lives. What brought me back to the love of canning was when my husband was semi-retired and started doing the garden. We had left over produce at the end of the season and that is when I decided not to let it go to waste. The canning equipment came back out and I started filling jars with relishes. From there it went to anything and everything. I was giving away what we couldn’t use and then our kids encouraged me to sell the “extras”. Read more>>
Kayla Girgen
I’m a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer specializing in weight management. I leverage insightful technology like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to help clients discover how their food choices and lifestyle habits impact their blood sugar, and therefore their appetite, energy, and ultimately their results. For example, when we can “see” how non-food factors—like chronic stress and lack of sleep—influence cravings, we can use visual data from CGM to troubleshoot in real-time, and my clients feel empowered to make informed decisions about their health. CGM is highly motivating, and it’s a fantastic accountability tool. Read more>>
Jayme Johnson
There were financial challenges, moments of doubt, and times I had to do it all on my own. But those struggles taught me resilience, patience, and how to pivot when things didn’t go as planned. Every challenge has shaped the brand into what it is today, and I wouldn’t trade the process for anything. Read more>>
Chris Black
I vented through the roof. I kept working on pizza dough a source recipes until I felt the product was good enough to launch. Then we went mobile. We started as a pop up. I had a pizza oven on top of a ‘bed side’ in the back of my truck and we would go to farmers markets to setup/ vend pizza. I’d pull the pizza oven out of the back and setup the refrigeration around the truck and make pizza. My wife and I later converted our cargo trailer into our first mobile pop up stand and then we built a 100% custom pizza trailer from the ground up. Read more>>
Joseph Davis Jr
I love that I can create memories for people to share with friends , family , one day with the world or their own kids. I’m Known for my sports and brand videos and photos that are made to keep the view engaged with the product or athletes social media post.I love is that I can create something while others are just acting out their movements /emotions of an athlete or team or things written on a shot list for a brand to create attention., which I’m proud of. What sets me apart is that I can work fast and create what I say and think and actually have it come out how I want it to be. Read more>>
John Melbye
From there, I transitioned into Supply Chain. And even that Supply Chain career has multiple facets. I’m very involved in the Twin Cities Chapter of ASCM (The Association for Supply Chain Management), and since 2018, my company (Become Demand Driven) has focused on the Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning methodology. Beginning with Training, we’ve added Consulting, and Software to ensure our customers can choose the level of support they need to make a significant impact. Read more>>
Lori Triden
This journey sparked a profound curiosity and passion for holistic health that would shape the rest of my life. Determined to turn my personal struggles into something empowering, I decided to go back to school to formally study become a Health Coach and Certified Holistic Practitioner. That pivotal decision gave me the tools, knowledge, and confidence to help others the way I had helped myself. Shortly after earning my certification, I started my own wellness coaching business, where I had the privilege of guiding clients to lead healthier, more balanced lives. Read more>>
Joe Ellis
I returned to Minneapolis to care for my mother as her health declined, and to start a family. That return home became the foundation for Joe Ellis Art. I built the business to serve as a bridge—between a fine art world and a radical style of regional painting, between under-recognized artists and collectors who care deeply about meaning and context. I work closely with artists, collectors, and institutions to place artwork thoughtfully, tell the stories behind it, and build long-term value in the process. Read more>>
Anika Fajardo
During the pandemic, I began teaching at Augsburg University’s MFA in Creative Writing program and began work on what would become my next middle-grade novel, Meet Me Halfway. In 2020, my debut memoir was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award and in 2022, What If a Fish was awarded the Minnesota Book Award. My second novel was also a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award as well as several others. Now, I still teach graduate students as well as write full time and will release my debut novel for adult readers in September from Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster. Read more>>
Khamilla Vang
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve had times where I doubted myself wondering if I should be further along or comparing my progress to others. However, what I’ve learned is that everyone’s journey is different and everything happens in divine timing. Every struggle I’ve faced has taught me something valuable and made me stronger and more knowledgeable. It’s all part of the process, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Read more>>
Kale Winship
Blending the vibrant energy of 80’s funk with the timeless charm of vintage pop, Matcha Fever crafts melodies that emotionally resonate. Our Nostalgic sounds and heart felt story telling, offers listeners of all ages the chance to relive the past and dream of what’s to come. The quintet comprised of Minneapolis natives Toni Li (Lead Vocals), Kale Winship (Drums), Kyle Rutten (Bass), Jake Schultz (guitar) Jack Long (keys) all met through various music scenes and session work. Read more>>
Regan, Karley, & Kassi
Our original book club was something we started with just the three of us during the pandemic. We needed a pick me up during those times when everything felt so isolated. What started off as us just reading a couple of books and getting together to chat turned into us wanting to share our love for books with everyone else. We decided to start a TikTok and Instagram page about two years ago, and never looked back! We would’ve never expected our little monthly get-togethers to yap about books to have turned into this incredible community. Read more>>
Jacelyn Stewart
Initially, my participation in theatre was always on the stage. I was a devout performer all the way up to when I applied for Graduate School. There was something about being on the stage and expressing a story and message to an audience that truly made me feel complete. That was until I began my undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Indiana. Through my curriculum I was reintroduced to the side of theatre I had taken for granted for many years. I found myself immensely drawn to set design, model building, and prop making. Read more>>
Sean Paul Garrett
Since a very young age I’ve either been in front of or behind a camera, being creative and entertaining people has always been something that brings me great joy. Luckily for me I had a mother that was very supportive of my ambition and fostered an environment where I was able to create and explore to my hearts content. My father Drew Hoag on the other hand was a very “play it safe” and “by the book” kind of person. Working as a professor of accounting and statistics at the University of St.Thomas he pushed me to pursue traditional learning paths just as he had, and was not interested in my creative projects. Read more>>
Anabelle Lefevre
Then the world paused during the pandemic, and with that unexpected downtime, I finally gave myself permission to go deeper. I dove into wellness not just as a lifestyle, but as a calling. I earned my yoga certification twice, and soaked up everything I could about movement, healing, and holistic living. Read more>>
Emi Gibson
I initially joined this anime club when it had a different name during my middle school years. At that time, it was managed by the library, which sought a member to take over the club around 2016 or 2017, or else it would face closure. I volunteered to lead the club, and several members assisted me in organizing it and transitioning it into a peer-led group. I officially began my leadership in October 2017, which we now recognize as our founding date. Since then, the club has evolved in numerous ways and has gained significant recognition within the South Metro cosplay community, establishing affiliations with many cosplay conventions across the state. Read more>>
Hailee Zentella
La Cochinita was formed in 2023 by three owners, Flavio Zentella, Armando Zentella and Hailee Zentella. Originally from Tabasco, Mexico, Flavio and Armando moved to Minnesota. Here they started their careers beginning to work in assisted living homes. Armando went on the be a head chef at a local restaurant, while Flavio completed his culinary degree at MCTC where they later ended up at the same restaurant running two different locations as head chef. Read more>>
Sarah Aylward
We took over a Dunn Brothers space in Farmington, MN, back in 2016 and have been going strong ever since. We’re passionate about sharing our love of coffee with the community, and we’re all about bringing a new level of flavor to the table. We’re talkin’ dark roasting, folks! We’re not just about brewing a good cup of joe; we’re about crafting an experience that’ll make you feel like you’re sipping on a little slice of heaven. Read more>>
Bilal Mamdani
I tried a few different desserts, but the Basque-style cheesecake really stood out to me. It’s creamy, caramel-y, and full of contrast—burnt on the outside, silky and custardy on the inside. And as an engineer, I find the layers of texture and flavor in each bite genuinely fascinating. There’s something very satisfying about creating something that’s both simple and complex at the same time. Read more>>
Ashley Steiner
After years of dreaming about it, I finally decided to create a space that focused on what I valued most in theatre: connection, confidence, and creativity. In the summer of 2024, I opened WonderWorks Theatre in River Falls, WI. I wanted to offer a place where kids could explore theatre in a supportive, developmentally appropriate environment—without the pressure of perfection or the need for prior experience. Read more>>
Jennifer Glickstein
Flutterby focuses on creating discreet, weighted clothing designed to help children calm and regulate their bodies. As the company grew, I transitioned to part-time at the clinic, especially after starting my family. With my background in pediatric OT, I found myself constantly creating innovative and engaging activities for my children. I began sharing these moments on social media, and the response from my friends was overwhelmingly positive. Many encouraged me to become an influencer, providing other parents with creative ideas for engaging with their children. Read more>>
Reid Jarvi
My largest project to date was with my fam (crew) mate Ryan Louprasong. We produced a short film for our friend and phenomenal choreographer Andy Mor. The project has since won a number of awards from film festivals both local and national. Scaling small scale community projects to larger production has been something I have strived to achieve since I’ve entered the dance space! Documenting Uprizing (our local krump event) is another high water mark among the branded work with redbull, the vikings, and warehouse district! Read more>>
Angela Albee
I really listen to my clients and what their needs are for every project. It brings me great joy seeing my clients’ visions come to life. One that I am most proud of is that I got to print shirts for Jack Russell’s Great White. Jack was the original lead singer for the band, Great White, and when they disbanded in 2010, there became two versions of the band, Great White and Jack Russell’s Great White. I first met Jack in 2008 as I was the Communications Manager for the Tawn Mastrey Foundation (fights Hep C) and my role was to talk to Tawn’s rockstar friends. Read more>>
Katy Tessman
My story begins with a deep love for music and words. I started in the mid-90s, writing songs, releasing my first album in 2001, and touring the country. I paused my music career to raise my two sons. Then life threw me a major curveball—I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 39. I fought through it while parenting my two young sons, and that experience changed me forever. It gave me a new perspective on what really matters. That experience led me to write “Our Mama is a Beautiful Garden”—a children’s book to help families talk about cancer. Read more>>
Brittany Moore
Chelsea saved my life in so many ways. Finding her opened doors for me that I never knew existed and she helped me navigate some very heavy waters and gain a deeper understanding of my truth and what I was meant to do as a Soul in this life. Her push (which was truthfully just my own soul speaking through her) was just what I needed to become Reiki I and II attuned in October of that year. Soul Powered was birthed into existence in December of that year and has since morphed into something much larger than I ever imagined. I have since gained certifications in Clinical Hypnotherapy, Breathwork, Herbalism, Womb Healing and I dabble heavily in Human Design. My business has since morphed from Soul Powered into EmBodhi Shakti. Read more>>
Gigi Risberg Stafne
Another important part of my path was starting a United Plant Savers (UpS) Partners in Education project, and the first UpS Botanical Sanctuary. I lived and taught on the land that phase in Northern Wisconsin. My farm/sanctuary team and I worked hard on sundry projects there including protecting and reintroducing plants at risk such as North American Ginseng, Goldenseal, Lady Slipper, among others. This resulted in the 2007 North American Plant Conservation Award related to medicinal plant conservation, research, and education. Read more>>
Kayla Wyman
My journey with my business started with a passion for creativity and solving problems. For years, I have loved art, design, and solving challenges. Over time, I developed this passion into wanting to help others make a strong impression – whether through visuals or behind-the-scenes support. While balancing my full-time job, college classes for my AAS degree in Business Management, and raising two toddler boys, I launched Mosaic Solutions LLC to offer creative design and business support services to individuals and small businesses. What began as a side project quickly became a meaningful way to use my skills to help others. Today, I am focused on growing my brand while continuing to learn and evolve as a creative business professional, and I hope to be able to focus on my small business full-time eventually. Read more>>
Lindsey Soderberg
But I also can’t help but wonder… If circumstances had been different, could I have done more? Seen more success? For many, dance is a short career: more of a childhood passion or pass time than a lifelong activity. As they age, they may coach or teach to stay involved, but how many dancers waste their few short years as a dancer insecure in their dance ability or burnt out by a bad team environment? Read more>>
Audrey Carver
It has definitely not been a smooth road! I knew nothing about running a business before I decided to give it a shot, and have made a lot of mistakes in the past year and a half. Its hard to know what you don’t know until something goes wrong. However, there is a really supportive arts community here that was very generous with knowledge sharing, and a lot of resources that made it possible (a big shoutout to Springboard for the Arts!!). I had to learn everything from contracts to pricing to marketing to taxes, and am still figuring a lot of it out. Read more>>
Emily Siegel
The beginning was tough. We had to wear many hats, balancing everything from client care to marketing and management with a small team. But the demand for laser services grew quickly, and within three years, our little team expanded from two to five people. As business boomed, we quickly outgrew our initial location. The space that had once seemed like plenty became cramped, and we had to find a new, larger location to continue serving our growing clientele. Read more>>
Sheryl Bond
My expertise with Hilton further developed into a role as a Hilton Grand Vacations Explorer in 2023, allowing me to document experiences at HGV Max properties and the strategic use of Hilton Honors points. Even after my explorer term, I was honored to cover the 2025 HGV Tournament of Champions. Wherever my travels take me, I make it a point to shop local. Through LSKTravelz, I now offer specialized travel boot camps, including Travel Basics 101, The Platinum American Express, and The Dirty “T” Word-Timeshare, aiming to demystify travel for others. Read more>>
Jayne Poli
I have always been captivated by art, finding joy in creating pieces that bring to life the visions in my mind, whether on paper or canvas. To me, the world is a place of awe and beauty, and I strive to capture that essence in my work. My goal is to reflect the magnificence of God’s creation and bring a sense of peace to those who experience my art. I believe that through art, we can worship God and celebrate the world He has made. Read more>>
Olivia
That passion led me to create SAYURI Perfumes, a brand that blends traditional perfume making artistry with natural, high-quality organic ingredients. Each fragrance in our Journey to Japan collection is inspired by a different city, capturing its essence and character by using scents and ingredients found in those regions. My goal is to create scents that transport people; whether it’s to a serene Japanese tea garden in Fukuoka, a lively festival in Sendai, the hot springs of Kusatsu Onsen, or experiencing the cherry blossoms season in Kyoto. I want to share the beauty of these places through fragrance. Read more>>
Josh Hetterick
I got into the sport of Handball back in 2008 during the Bejing Summer Olympics. I saw Handball on TV during the Olympics and I knew I had to start playing. Shortly after, myself and a bunch of people from a Burnsville Rec Center called “The Garage” reached out to the USA Handball Federation (USA Team Handball) to see how to get started. They connected us with athletes from around Minnesota who either played back in their home country or have played for USATH national affiliated teams. From there, we started Minnesota Team Handball Club and since then we’ve been growing and promoting thew great sport of Handball! Read more>>
Naomi Rae Hommerding
This prompted me to deep-dive into herbal medicine, studying in-depth how different cultures have used plants for thousands of years. That research, along with my knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biochemical pathways, I created herbal formulations to help target hormone balance from teens to menopause, stress & libido support, men’s hormone balancing, cycle symptom support, and so much more. Read more>>
