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.
Heber Stanton
I invested in better gear, moved up from that GoPro to real cinema cameras, and even got invested in aerial videography. I had this new perspective on how I viewed locations and people. Fast forward a bit, and my passion led me around the world, telling visual stories of some of the most remote locations and cultures. I’ve heard multiple times that if you choose a career you love, you’ll never work a day in your life, and that’s why I’ve stuck with filmmaking. What started as a GoPro gift has turned into a real occupation—one that lets me portray the world through my eyes. It’s been quite a ride. And hopefully I’m just getting started. Read more>>
Lucy Segura
I distinctly remember at a very young age having an encouraging conversation with my dad. He wisely told me, “you can do anything you set your mind to”. I carry those words with me and it has become my mantra and is a driving force in my life. Starting a business is incredibly intimidating, but I truly believe that I can do anything I set my mind to. Even though Heavenly Bites is still a very young business, I’m excited and eager to see where it takes me and how much I will grow along the way. Read more>>
Caleb Lycan
There were things I couldn’t really say out loud, but I could write them into songs. I dropped tracks like Want You, I love you, Lowlife, and Runaway, and each one told a different part of my story. Now, I’m working on my album ‘You (Volume 2.). It’s personal, raw, and real. Every song has meaning. I also do stuff on the creative side beyond music, being a soccer player, streaming, podcasting, designing content. But more than anything, I’m just a guy trying to stay real, grow, and put something meaningful into the world. Still writing my story In a diary every day. Read more>>
Brytan Manges
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I started Magical Moments Utah as a teenager with very limited resources—both financially and in terms of business experience. On top of that, I was living in a small town of about 1,200 people, so the opportunities felt pretty limited. Fortunately, my mom was incredibly supportive and allowed me full creative freedom to shape the business into what I envisioned. Read more>>
Jennifer Johnson
had been a hair stylist for 15 years but always wanted to on my own business. In January 2012, I was blow drying one of my clients hair and she told me she went to a place in Arizona that all they do is wash and style hair. I turned my blow dryer off and looked at her and said “I’m opening that!” I went to the library and got books on how to start an LLC, business finance, how to be a leader, etc. I have no background in owning a business and was a single mom with no money whatsoever, but I knew this was happening. I found a location in Draper and opened up in November later that year. Now with three locations, over 60 employees and approximately 450 members, I’m proud to say 13 years later that we are still in business and thriving. Read more>>
Chanda McConnell
What started as a personal project turned into a passion for crafting high-quality, non-toxic candles. As the business grew, it became something even more special—it evolved into a mother-daughter venture built on a shared love for clean, sustainable home fragrance. Working together has allowed us to combine our strengths, creativity, and vision to create something truly meaningful. Over the years, we’ve sold at local markets, built an online presence, and connected with a growing community of people who care about non-toxic living. The journey hasn’t always been fast, but with dedication and a commitment to quality, we’ve grown steadily year after year, and we’re excited for what’s ahead! Read more>>
AbbyRae Orchard
I was addicted to Creativity & Entrepreneurship, so much so that when it came to graduation my parents recommended I attend Business School at the University of Utah, I was also lucky enough to receive an academic scholarship – however I will say, I don’t necessarily think I was the best student, I was just really good at finalizing things at the very last minute & somehow getting a good grade on it. I didn’t think that made me smart, I just think it made me resourceful & continued to prove my creativity. Read more>>
David Habben
The road always looks a bit smoother in the rear view mirror and I try to focus on the present, doing the best I can with the challenges in front of me. However, one of the greatest challenges I remember working through was experiencing a job and a move that I thought would open new doors and new opportunities. Unfortunately, it seemed to do the opposite. The job wasn’t what I thought it was. The new town wasn’t either. As rough as that experience was, it taught me to be focused more on what I really wanted in my career, rather that what other people wanted for (or from) me. Read more>>
Gina Gittens
A Little Piece of ZenVen was born out of my own journey to create peace in the chaos of everyday life. As a mom, wife, and businesswoman, I’ve had seasons where life felt overwhelming — like I was pouring into everyone else and forgetting to refill my own cup. What started as small personal rituals to ground myself — lighting a candle with intention, misting my space with calming scents, keeping crystals close — turned into a deeper practice that I felt called to share with others. Read more>>
Lynda Lopez
I founded Lyvan for several reasons. First of all I was no longer satisfied with my job, I wanted to continue using my knowledge in psychology of marketing. But I didn’t want to do it for others anymore, I wanted to invest in myself. Secondly as a response to the fast fashion industry and the growing problem of waste, a topic that I had the opportunity to study during my university studies. I wanted to demonstrate that it was possible to create beautiful and functional accessories without harming the planet, using what we already had. So I started experimenting with upcycled materials, the ones my mother used in her laboratory. We started with scraps of nautical fabrics and then we added deadstock leather from the big fashion industry. Read more>>
Leena Sombath
No, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest hurdles was the extensive product development phase. Perfecting the formulations for our lash products required a significant amount of trial and error. It was crucial to me that we achieved the highest quality, and that meant numerous rounds of testing and adjustments. Beyond that, finding a manufacturer who shared our commitment to quality and was willing to work with us on our specific requirements was another major challenge. It’s often underestimated how much time and effort goes into creating a product that meets exacting standards. Read more>>
Aubree Joy
At Sprinkles of Joy, we strive to create delicious baked goods for others to enjoy for any occasion. We offer yummy treats such as cake pops, chocolate dipped pretzel rods, giant cookies, and so much more! A lot of our goods can be custom colored and decorated for events such as baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties, etc. Our high quality treats not only taste amazing, but are offered at a great price point as well! Read more>>
Nicole Spedale
Hi, I’m Nicole, Founder and Lead Designer here at Homebasin. I’ve always believed that great design starts with creating spaces that feel authentic to you. I grew up in Michigan 
, where my father, a talented kitchen and bathroom designer, instilled in me a deep appreciation for the artistry behind functional, beautiful design. Our family moved from house to house as my parents would remodel, so I’ve always been surrounded by the transformation of spaces—and it sparked a lifelong passion for design. Read more>>
Tyler Gines
The guilt I carried during this time was horrible. It wasn’t until I was in Byron Bay, Australia, on her death anniversary that I found myself processing the grief for the first time. Crying is all great, but if you don’t acknowledge the emotions, you are just crying. As I was walking through the most easterly point of mainland Australia, I asked her for a sign. All of a sudden, she sends me an Australian Water Dragon! The meaning behind that is “bringing peace where there once was war.” Read more>>
Mackenzie Southworth
While learning photography for me was pretty easy all considering I had the support and knowledge of my family to help me, sometimes it could be a struggle to have confidence in myself that I would stand out amongst so many other talented photographers in my area. To overcome this mental block, I reminded myself that every photographer’s style is different, and me and my style being different from other photographers’ doesn’t make me better or worse, but rather just makes me unique. My goal in photography is to capture memories while creating beautiful art, and focusing less on where I rank in terms of my skill set compared to others makes my work more enjoyable and more meaningful. Read more>>
Lighthouse Logic
As time went on, Aubrey transitioned from drummer to lead singer and frontwoman, while I shifted my focus to guitar. We began performing regularly on the Southern Utah music scene, participating in multiple Battle of the Bands competitions, playing at the local farmers market, and joining the “SokHop” concert series for multiple performances. In 2023, we made the move to Salt Lake City to expand our reach and tap into the city’s vibrant music scene. Since the move, we’ve had the chance to perform at venues such as Urban Lounge, The Rise, The Social, and Platinum Memorabilia. We’re also excited to have upcoming shows at Velour and The Boardwalk. Read more>>
Godwill Tandoh
I was born and raised in Ghana in the 1980s, as the third of six siblings, to middle-class parents by Ghanaian standards. Mostly because my dad owned one small automobile and not much else. My parents worked tirelessly to provide all of us with access to quality education. Despite neither of them having college degrees themselves, they made it their life’s mission to sacrifice everything—their time, energy, and savings—to ensure that each of us had the opportunity to pursue a college education. Their dedication to our future shaped the foundation of who I am today, instilling in me a deep commitment to giving others the same opportunity to thrive. Read more>>
Franybek & Francy Rojas
At the beginning, we didn’t have fancy equipment or a big space—just our determination, a home kitchen, and lots of late nights. There were moments of doubt, financial stress, and even days when things didn’t turn out the way we planned. But through every struggle, we held onto our “why”: the promise we made to each other, the love for what we do, and the joy we feel when our customers enjoy our creations. Read more>>
Hannah Dellenbach
College was a game-changer, offering endless opportunities to get creative and connect with people from all walks of life. It became my side hustle, and then my main hustle. It wasn’t just about snapping pictures; it was about telling stories, building relationships, and sharing in the joy of someone’s big day. Today, I’m grateful that my camera not only lets me unleash my creativity but also allows me to meet amazing people and be a part of the most memorable moments in their lives. Read more>>
Cade Klawiter
In 2020, I threw my first festival—Carterfest—with 350 attendees and a lineup of renowned artists. That same year, I became involved with The Block SLC, an underground music venue where I honed my lighting skills and bought my first lasers. From there, I started bringing lasers to local shows like SLC Live and V2 events, which eventually led to my first tour gig: Anuel AA. That tour took me across the country, ending at Madison Square Garden. Read more>>
Mersadies Reber
Working in a male dominated industry, Mersadies had to pave her own way. At the beginning barber shops weren’t interested in hiring women, so she decided to start The Fellas. Growth also has many struggles, building a team with the same values and vision has been instrumental to our success, but did not happen easily. Through lots of trial and error we have built a dream team of individuals ready to grow together! We started our “expansion” from one shop to four during Covid-19, it was a scary time, but ended up being great for us. Most barber shops closed down, because of our location is South Utah County we were able to stay open, and serve so many clients that weren’t able to see their usual barbers! Read more>>
Rotsy Casas
And of course, there were technical challenges, like figuring out how to juggle creating content while managing my digital products, mentorship, and everything else that comes with running a business. Balancing work with my personal life, especially after moving to a new country and being away from family, was tough at times, but it also pushed me to become more organized and resilient. Read more>>
Mattie Merrill
My journey has also included coaching in studio settings and teaching academic dance in public schools, where I have the opportunity to inspire and guide the next generation of dancers. As the Artistic Director of a Dance Company and Pre-Company program, I blend my love for dance as both an expressive art form and a technical discipline. Whether I’m in the classroom, on stage, or developing new projects, I’m passionate about creating space for dancers to grow, connect, and thrive. Read more>>
Roni DaRonche-Nielsen
I come from a huge Italian family, with deep roots both here and in Italy. My childhood was filled with love, laughter, lots of cousins, and amazing friends—I truly couldn’t have asked for a better upbringing. As an Italian American who grew up here in the beautiful state of Utah, I’ve always cherished my rich cultural heritage and the vibrant traditions that come with it. As a wife, a mom, and the host of Keep Stirring the Sauce Podcast, I’ve made it my mission to share the stories, cuisine, and traditions that make Italian American culture so special. I thought, “What better way to explore, celebrate, and share this heritage than through a platform where people can truly experience it?” And that’s how the podcast came to life. Read more>>
Tanisha Hansen
I’ve always been obsessed with the human body and learning human technology, but my parents didn’t want me to go into Massage therapy so after high school I was somewhat lost gotten into substances and traveled quite a bit. I wasn’t utilizing my gift until 2013 with my religious parents surrendered to my calling and my grandpa asked me what I wanted to do and I said I wanted to Massage and do yoga since then I have traveled the world learning different healing modalities including Kundalini Tantra Yoga in India, Structural Integration at Soma Institute, Thai Massage in Thailand, Lomi Lomi in Hawaii, Manuel Lymphatic Drainage, Ashiatsu, Ayurveda in India, NASM Personal Training. Read more>>
Jenna Tea
I’ve always felt like a girl but never had the capability to see it for myself until I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I came out to the world on social media in January of 2024 and the response was nothing short of amazing. I used to do very minimal makeup while in drag trying to look the most like a “natural woman” but now living as a trans woman, I get to look like that every day so my drag naturally became bigger and better, giving me room to evolve into the kind of art I showcase today. Now there is a clear divide and separation between Jenna Tea and Oakland (my name out of drag) and that has made it become so easy and makes me feel so valid in my art and in my identity. Read more>>
Satu Kujanpää
As we grew, obstacles became more frequent, as I’d never run a company before. Hiring people, writing manuals, growing to new markets, these have all been challenges to overcome. But each challenge is just an opportunity to learn. I make mistakes, we all do. But you just have to keep going. Read more>>
