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.
Brenda Zachrison
In 2012, my kids joined 4-H and we discovered the Carver County Llama Project. My kids showed llamas for the county and state fairs. In 2019, we had the opportunity to buy llamas. We started with 2 for my kids to show in 4-H. Read more>>
Laural Roberson
Granny and Grandpa’s Custom Creations began as a dream shared by a husband-and-wife team working from their home. The business was actually named by our grandchildren, making it a true family venture from the very beginning. Read more>>
Susanne Beaudet
Susanne the Clairvoyant: Susanne never set out to become a clairvoyant. As a child, she noticed things others seemed to miss. Feelings hung in the air like invisible weather. Dreams sometimes carried messages. Certain people felt familiar before she ever met them. Yet every time she spoke about these experiences, she learned that not everyone welcomed them. Read more>>
Katrina DeWit
Growing up feeling powerless and voiceless, I found my purpose in helping others find their footing, particularly those who’ve historically had the least access to real estate. That drive is what shaped the business I’ve built today as a Real Estate Advisor. Read more>>
Emma Enstad
My name is Emma Enstad, and I am the owner of Roots Hair Salon in Waite Park, Minnesota. My journey in the beauty industry began four years ago when I decided to pursue a career doing what I love most—helping people feel confident, beautiful, and empowered. From the beginning, I knew hairstyling was about so much more than hair. Read more>>
Elise Foley
For years, I considered myself a healthy person. I lived an active lifestyle, stayed busy, and played volleyball regularly. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, I began experiencing a long list of symptoms including seizures, memory loss, vision changes, slurred speech, kidney failure, fatigue, pain, bruising, and more. My life changed dramatically. Read more>>
Amy Patee
I grew up in Faribault, Minnesota — a typical small-town experience. At 18, I moved to the Twin Cities to attend the University of Minnesota, and pretty quickly realized I had no idea what I was doing there. Read more>>
Tracy and Troy Hansen
I (Tracy) grew up with my dad portraying Santa Claus, I always wanted to walk in his foot steps. In 2020 around November my husband said that he always wanted to portray Santa Claus, me hearing that I immediately went online and found outfits we could wear that year. Read more>>
Kristy Dominiak
I grew up in Midwest suburbia believing happiness was something you earned. If I followed the rules, exceeded expectations, and built the picture‑perfect life – the degree from the University of Notre Dame, the career, the marriage, the family – then fulfillment would follow. But no matter how many boxes I checked, happiness always felt just out of reach. Read more>>
Anna Ledebuhr
Entrepreneurship is not a career path I would have necessarily chosen for myself as a young person. I vividly remember filling out a survey at the beginning of the school year in my 7th grade English class. Next to ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ I confidently and proudly wrote: teacher. Read more>>
Stephanie Henry
I am a composer, pianist, songwriter, and musical theater writer. I began studying piano and composing at a young age and developed a passion for storytelling through music. Over the years, I combined my classical training with influences from pop, rock, R&B, and my multiracial heritage to create works that explore identity, belonging, and social justice. Read more>>
Carlee Quimby
Early 2025 dutton + co officially launched as a small, completely online storefront with graphic tees and sweatshirts, plus a handful of home goods and decor. Each item was designed by me, but was produced and shipped from various facilities across the country. Read more>>
Tracy Pluim
Growing up in a small town in southern Minnesota, our family didn’t have a lot. To fill in any financial gaps, my father did woodworking to create anything our family needed, from tables and chairs to cabinets. Meanwhile, instead of going out to eat, my mom would cook and bake from whatever our garden and berry patches would give us. Read more>>
Kathleen Massmann
My journey into this work began through both professional training and personal experience. I earned my Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and later became a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, but the path that shaped my career most profoundly was the unexpected loss of my son, Jacob, in 2011. Read more>>
Adam Bartling
I was born into a musical family in a tiny village in western Nebraska. My mother plays the piano and sings, while my father plays the guitar and sings. As a young child, I attended various events where they would perform together. They were a great duo, and I loved watching them play together. Read more>>
Tsitsi Hungwe
In 2021, I was at the height of my career as a dental professional, yet I found myself feeling lost and searching for direction, community, and a greater sense of purpose. I knew there was more I was meant to do. Read more>>
Brendan Denne
Brendan-started working at KFC at 16, swore he’d never work with food again after that. Became a line cook during college and loved the fast pace and atmosphere. Went on to move to Minneapolis and become a chef, working his way up through better and better restaurants. Read more>>
Sandeep Methi
At PickleX, our mission is simple: help people live healthier, happier lives through movement, connection, and community. We believe one of the biggest challenges in modern life is staying active consistently. Exercise often feels like a chore, and many people struggle to find activities they genuinely enjoy. When we discovered pickleball, we saw something different. Read more>>
Nate Van Heuveln
I grew up in West Central Minnesota. I had some really good support as a young person, but I also went through some difficult experiences that shaped me from childhood into early adulthood. Along the way, I had the chance to work with social workers, psychologists, and therapists who helped me through some of those challenges. Read more>>
Natalie Rosin
Founded in Rochester, Minnesota, MagiKids was created from a group of charitable people who all loved to play the card game, Magic: the Gathering at lunch time. They had a strong belief in youth and education and realized there was an area of opportunity to intertwine these passions together. Read more>>
Olivia Quintanilla
Like most musicians, I started my musical journey when I was a little girl, beginning violin in second grade. I immediately was drawn to music and did group lessons plus a string orchestra for elementary students. This led me down a path of art schools, lesson scholarships, joining Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, where I had my first teaching experience when I was 16. Read more>>
Sandra Aris
Sandra Aris, mom and entrepreneur, creates protective clothing for children six months to three years old to help encourage confidence and resilience while developing crucial skills such as walking and running. Read more>>
Tania Blake, Director of Operations Access Veterinary Care
Access Veterinary Care is a small, privately-owned clinic located in Crystal, MN. We opened in 2018 as a fully walk-in urgent care veterinary clinic with the mission of increasing access to care. We intended to fill the gap between primary and emergency services while creating a space that welcomed everyone, regardless of their orientation, religion, race, economic status, or knowledge of pet care. Read more>>
Mary Gullickson
Started in the parking lot of a local grocery store in New Prague. Sold annuals and perennials out of one greenhouse for three months in the summer. Did this 2012-2014. In 2015, we opened our current location with a new building and one greenhouse. Every year, we add a greenhouse to the current three growing houses. Read more>>
Robin Gudal
My husband and I have been with Youth For Christ since 1988. He is the Executive Director of South Central MN Youth For Christ and I have been an employee for 30+ years also. We acquired the Rice Lake United Methodist Church (originated in 1861) back in 2006 and it became Wilderness Prayer Center. Read more>>
Brit Erickson-Parran
My connection to Sophie’s Squad started a few years ago through my husband. He participated in Sophie’s Squad’s annual 30 in 30 Hockey Tournament, where players take part in 30 games in 30 days, with all proceeds supporting the organization’s mission. Read more>>
Darryl Michaelson
36 years ago I was looking to buy a piece of cat furniture for two kittens I had just adopted. I realized the cat furniture market has many problems. They are too small where cats would lay. They were too steep in the design for the cat to properly manuever. Many taller pieces were top heavy before a cat was even on it. Read more>>
Britni Kelley
My undergrad is in Youth and Family Studies – I had intended to go into youth work through the church. I quickly realized I wanted to know people on a deeper, more one on one level and help promote healing. This led my to follow the footsteps of one of my beloved professors, Professor Talley from UNW-St Paul. Read more>>
Melissa McCabe
My dance journey began when I was just 4 years old at the Dance Shoppe, and it truly has been a lifelong passion ever since. Read more>>
Michaela Schell
Nearly 20 years ago, I met a boy. He invited me over for what I assumed was a pool party at his apartment because he told me to bring a swimsuit. But when he opened the door, I didn’t see a pool. Instead, I was greeted with a burst of dry hot air. Our date was in a sauna! Read more>>
Shanna Cone
Ashley and I first met nearly 10 years ago while working independently alongside one another at a North Shore resort spa. It was there that we discovered not only a shared passion for our work, but also how well we complemented each other professionally. When that chapter unexpectedly came to an end, we each found ourselves navigating a period of uncertainty. Read more>>
Sophia Gold
I was a really sensitive child, and would see spirits and have intense dreams, ‘know’ things – but I didn’t understand it. I didn’t have much guidance in this realm. I was raised in an evangelical church, which allowed for a certain amount of spiritual connection, but there still were not answers for me there. I ran from my gifts for many years. Read more>>
Richard Huth
After working many years in carpentry I found that I liked doing Finishing work the best, because it requires high attention to detail. Unfortunately due to injury I was no longer able to perform my normal duties. After several neck and back surgeries I was left unable to work in the carpentry field and I was placed on SSDI. Read more>>
Laurie Wondra
The Journey of Laurie Wondra and walking between worlds Some lives unfold in a straight line. Mine never did. Long before I understood words like intuition, mediumship, energy healing, or consciousness, I knew there was something different about the way I experienced the world. As a young child growing up in Minnesota, I often felt connected to something beyond what others could see. Read more>>
Marcie Rendon
I grew up reading anything and everything i could find. Started writing early (grade school) but no one told me i could grow up and be a writer. Starting writing full time to make a living in 1991. Everything from journalism, poetry, plays to now the crime novels. I got here by having good mentors and a dynamite writing group that meets monthly. Read more>>
Kyle Kettering
We started Copperwing Distillery between a doctor, lawyer and engineer, with aspirations of making whiskey. None of us had ever made distilled spirits before, however, I had about 4 years of homebrewing experience. The engineering background made it simpler to tackle the hard problems as we got started in the industry. Read more>>
Philip Hoks
In the summer of 1951, a group of bold New York City actors packed their bags and headed far north to Bemidji, Minnesota. They weren’t looking for a traditional stage; they were looking for a ‘working vacation’ at Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge. Their first production was J.B. Priestley’s gripping thriller, An Inspector Calls. It was supposed to be a temporary, one-year experiment. Read more>>
