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>>
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>>
