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.
Gabriella Mendoza
My journey into interior design started long before I officially launched Mavis Design in 2020. I grew up around the construction industry through my family’s painting business, spending years on job sites and learning how homes are built from the ground up. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, problem-solving, and the impact a well-designed space can have on everyday life. Read More>>
Dria Gates
I’ve always had my gift, but in 2020 I was in a car accident that left me disabled and forced me to slow my life down in a way I never expected. During my recovery, I turned more deeply toward my intuitive abilities as a way to cope, heal, and reconnect with purpose. Read More>>
Maria Campos
Thirteen years ago, I left Costa Rica and moved to the United States with a journalism degree, a passion for storytelling, and a willingness to reinvent myself. Before moving, I built my career in television, working as a news anchor, video journalist, and producer across lifestyle, technology, and entertainment media. Storytelling was always at the center of what I did. Read More>>
Christina Lee
Before becoming an entrepreneur, I spent ten years as a Project Manager in the tech industry. Like many professionals, I dedicated myself to climbing the corporate ladder, prioritizing financial stability over the dream I had always carried of owning my own business. While my career was successful on paper, I never truly felt fulfilled. Read More>>
Yana Sinkevich
My name is Yana Sinkevich, and I’m the founder of The Hearty Paw [NOTE: PLEASE ADD A HYPERLINK TO OUR WEBSITE: https://www.theheartypaw.com/], a dog wellness platform dedicated to helping our best friends live longer, better lives. But before becoming a founder, I spent nearly a decade working in finance across functions including investment banking, equity research, and investor relations. Read More>>
Ashley Neufeld
I went to college for art education and discovered graphic design along the way. At the time, I didn’t realize how naturally suited my sensibilities were for design. I’ve always had a knack for layouts and visual organization. Read More>>
Long Xiong
My story isn’t really about starting a business. It’s about discovering that I enjoy creating things that bring people together. For most of my life, I’ve worked regular jobs in manufacturing and production. I’ve always been someone who enjoys building, fixing, and figuring out how things work. Outside of work, I’ve had a passion for gaming, anime, collectibles, technology, and creative hobbies. Read More>>
Lydie Lovett
Wilde Catering has evolved for over the past 10 years. Beginning as a food stand in San Diego, Lydie set out to Denver, CO to start her food truck. While initially she had planned on taking her truck to Austin, TX and eventually back to San Diego, she decided build her dream here in Colorado. Read More>>
Peg Luke
My story starts in a small Midwestern steel town as a little girl with big music dreams. I started on the piano at the age of 5, flute at the age of 7 and singing and composing just went right along with it. Read More>>
Nayada Moore
My name is Nayada Moore, and I am the producer of Aurora Fashion Week. I began my journey in 2024 when I produced Colorado Springs Fashion Week. After seeing the impact of bringing fashion, culture, and community together, I expanded that vision into a larger citywide production in Aurora. Read More>>
Joni Franks
In 2017 I published what I thought would be a single book about my Colorado adventures with my Welsh Corgi sidekick, Sagebrush, titled Corky Tails. That book became the first book in a ten-book series. Read More>>
Jack Hamilton
I was born and raised in Carbondale, Colorado, and music has pretty much been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing piano when I was 4, then switched over to jazz trumpet around 12. I played trumpet all through high school until COVID, which kind of changed everything. Read More>>
Kristin Smith
Before this, I had a career that didn’t fit. Baking became my escape and the place where I felt like myself. I grew up in a family that entertained a lot, so food was never just food to me. It was how people showed up for each other. For a few years, I immersed myself in a variety of food-related endeavors. Read More>>
Laura Hancock
I am an attorney and entrepreneur who built and operated a vacation rental management company from the ground up before successfully selling it to Vacasa. Throughout my career, I have combined my legal background with business development, sales, operations and strategic growth. After the acquisition, I held leadership roles supporting enterprise clients and business growth initiatives within the vacation rental industry. Read More>>
Jocelyn Coughlin
I am a proud Worcester native, a product of Worcester Public Schools, and someone whose life has been profoundly shaped by both adversity and self created opportunity. Growing up was not easy. My childhood and adolescence were filled with challenges that forced me to grow up quickly and taught me lessons about resilience, perseverance, and the importance of having caring adults in your corner. Read More>>
Angelica Mackey
Coming from humble beginnings, I was born and raised in Vicksburg, Mississippi. I am a disabled combat veteran who served 13 years in the Army and deployed to Afghanistan. I am the very definition of ‘if you at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again’. I have spent a lot of my life getting knocked down, getting back up, and rebuilding myself. Read more>>
Josephine Tournier Ingram
I was born and raised in Colorado in a French-American family where creativity, hospitality, and entrepreneurship were simply part of everyday life. My father owned French restaurants in Estes Park and Dillon, and my uncle owned Le Central in downtown Denver. Read More>>
HOLLY DEFFERT
I spent 14 years as an ER nurse, and while I loved caring for people, I became increasingly frustrated watching patients cycle through a healthcare system that often focused on managing symptoms rather than helping people truly heal. Day after day, I saw chronic illness, burnout, and suffering, and I knew there had to be another way. Read More>>
Rainbow Boy
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I have lived in Denver for 9 years. I clicked on an apartment online and moved to Denver next door to a brand new club called The Black Box. Not having much of an electronic music scene in my hometown, my ears have never heard sounds like these before. I was hooked. Read More>>
Adalyn Greene
I started photography by taking photos of my high school swim team. After graduating, I didn’t go to college but got a job as a WebGuy photographer for the Association of Graduates. From there I networked my way to becoming an Official Photographer for the U.S. Air Force Academy. Read More>>
Halle Tomlinson
I’m a musician originally from Dallas, Texas, and before music became my primary focus, I grew up as a dancer. Movement was my first language, and it taught me how to express emotion and connect with people before I ever picked up an instrument. Read More>>
Reet Singh
TripOutside grew out of our own frustration. We loved booking outdoor adventures but couldn’t understand why it was so hard. You could rent a car, book a flight, and reserve a hotel all online in a matter of clicks — but try to book a rafting trip or a bike rental and you were on your own. We wanted to change that. Read More>>
Zena Ballas
It started in middle school when my mother gifted me a point and shoot camera. From there, I became obsessed with small details. Macro, abstraction, patterns. The craft revealed a unique perspective within my mind that was hidden beneath the surface. High school changed everything in the best way when I started developing in the dark room. Read More>>
Belle Milton and Josie Davis Electric Mane Salon
Belle opened Electric Mane Salon in early 2024; opening was the first step to the ultimate goal of creating an authentic, energetic, and honest space. Somewhere clients and stylists alike can come as they are and receive and provide highly intentional, educated hair services, without the pressure the luxury beauty industry demands. Read More>>
Katie Granados
My love of music was instilled by my dad from an early age. He was incredibly supportive when I became a band kid playing percussion in elementary school. Later, when he became a mobile DJ, he showed me the ropes starting when I was 20. Read more>>
Kristen Duke
As a graduate from Brigham Young University, my degree is in human development, and I originally had a plan to get my masters degree and be American their family Therapist, but I ended up starting a family and having children, which was always my ultimate dream. Read more>>
