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.
Stephanie Wolfley
I’ve loved all things beauty and design for as long as I can remember, so I earned my cosmetology license at 17, right out of high school and started working in salons doing hair and makeup. Read more>>
Loren Rothman
I like to say that Stargazer Social Club was born from my lust for adventure, love of cocktails, and a desire to bring people together in unforgettable ways. My wife, Toni, has been a wedding florist for nearly a decade, and I always loved being around the joyous, festive atmosphere when I would help her with her work. Read more>>
Breeanna Smith
Hi, I’m Breeanna (she/her), living in Salt Lake City, Utah as a queer, cis, neurodivergent woman with my beloved partner and our two angel baby dogs. As a word alchemist and leadership coach, I help people speak what’s true, feel what’s real, and lead from the inside out. Read more>>
Margarita Martinez
Growing up with Chicano parents here in Salt Lake my little world often felt a little different than my peers. My dad was a car painter and both of my parents were very much brought up during the Chicano scenes in the 70s/80s so our home was always filled with music, art and cars. Read more>>
Heather Callister
I used to do sales/recruiting and human resources with large healthcare companies. I noticed a lot of employees would experience burnout or feel stuck in their careers. They didn’t know where to go next. I was also feeling the same way. I know I enjoyed helping others but I wasn’t sure what direction to go career wise. I wanted to a get a master’s degree. Read more>>
Janelle Wiser
I was born and raised in Utah! My very first job was a bridal consultant for a different shop and that’s where the dream started. I knew I wanted to open a bridal shop one day so that I could help brides feel beautiful and special without the pressure that is often associated with other shops. Read more>>
Painted Temple
Painted Temple Tattoo was founded in 2005 by Oak and Bleu Adams in Provo, Utah. From the beginning, their vision was clear: to elevate tattooing as a legitimate art form by focusing on large-scale, custom work and to help destigmatize the craft by bringing a high level of professionalism and artistry to the industry. Read more>>
Michaela Dettore
After helping my former partner get their business, David’s Tree Care, up and running, I decided to utilize my newfound entrepreneurial skills towards an endeavor of my own and thus began Silly Goose Studio. I had been sewing for years as a hobby. It’s a family skill. Read more>>
Emily Fox King
I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a child. My mom is a painter, and she always let me use her supplies and studio space, which made art feel like a natural part of my life. Growing up in a big family of seven kids, everyone was creative and talented, so I had to figure out how to stand out. Read more>>
Jackie Garrido
I was born and raised in Brazil, but nearly 30 years ago I followed a deep desire for education and a fresh start that led me to Utah. Over time, this beautiful state has truly become my home. Like most journeys, mine hasn’t been without challenges—but those challenges became the spark that ignited a 15-year pursuit of health, wellness, and personal growth. Read more>>
Brittani Frade, CMHC
I started on a farm surrounded by alfalfa fields and my one golden Palomino horse, so it makes sense that the winding trails of my life eventually led me back to one. Horses were my first teachers, showing me how healing happens through connection, presence, and being deeply seen. Horses speak, and I learned to listen. Read more>>
Keara Blair
I think I have always been a bit of an eccentric little creative. Playing with clothes, photos, painting and customizing anything I could get my hands on. Only in the last few years have I really accepted the title as an artist. Read more>>
Bryanna Hazelwood
I’d say my ‘story’ began in Southern California, being raised Latter-Day Saint on my families Indian Reservation and having no idea about the great big world. At 14 years old, I witnessed the birth of my youngest brother in the hospital and decided then that I wanted to be an OBGYN. Read more>>
Brandy Boyett
I never planned to build a design studio. I stumbled into it by following curiosity and scrambling through. My career began in print and communications, where I designed magazines and publications. I then transitioned into art direction for women in business, working on websites and publications. Over time, I developed a more personal, handcrafted style. Read more>>
Malorie Leavitt
I grew up competing in gymnastics and later began coaching, working with athletes ranging from preschoolers to Junior Olympic team members. My love and passion for the sport have been at the core of everything I do. When my family and I moved to a small town, I quickly realized there were very few opportunities for kids in the community to take classes. Read more>>
Sue Murie
I started baking sourdough bread while working from home during the Covid shutdown and really enjoyed the learning process. Not much later I found out I was pre-diabetic and I started learning about the health benefits of sourdough bread. It’s the only bread that doesn’t drastically spike my blood glucose level so I fell even more in love with it. Read more>>
Dallin Groneman
I practice estate planning exclusively, meaning I do not take any other types of cases. I grew up in Layton, Utah, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Weber State University before attending Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska, where I earned a degree of Juris Doctor. Read more>>
Bradley Morris
I was born on the island of Okinawa, Japan in an army hospital as my father was serving in the army there at the time. We moved to the Salt Lake valley after that where my parent’s families were from, and where I grew up. I eventually married and my wife and I raised five wonderful daughters. Read more>>
Tooele City Arts Council
The Tooele City Arts Council has been in Tooele for many years with a mission to “promote, advance, and preserve the arts in Tooele.” Meanwhile, the Ritz Theater has been on Main Street and had operated as a family-owned movie theater since 1937. The Ritz had to close its doors not long after the pandemic due to struggling business. Read more>>
Kristy Hawkes
I have always loved animals, especially dogs have had a few dogs throughout my life, but had them throughout their entire lives had one of my chocolate labs from eight weeks old till just passed 17 then got a brother Sister pair and at about seven years old my female got diagnosed with diabetes. Read more>>
Zachariah Peterson
Hi my name is Zach Peterson, I’m the owner and HVAC contractor here at Peterson Heating & Cooling. I started in this industry 15 years ago. My father was a HVAC contractor for 40+ years so I’ve been around it since childhood. I’ve always loved to work with my hands and figure things out, so I decided to go to school for HVAC. Read more>>
Fawn Rueckert
We began the Utah Cut Flower Farm Asociation in May of 2019 with a handful of members and now we have around a 170 members across the state. We hold educational opportunities such as farm tours, an annual Cut flower conference every winter, zoom meetings, and the Utah Flower Day. This year the Utah Flower Day will be celebrated on August 16th with events all over Utah. Read more>>
Jacynthe Kies
I looked and this program and thought “This would be good when my kids are older.” But I kept going back to that program overview and told myself if I was awarded Pell Grant I would do it. By my surprise I qualified and the entire program was paid for. It was literally 3 weeks into the program that I realized Graphic Design was what I wanted to do – my dream job. I’ve done things in the past that were graphic design oriented and didn’t know it. I graduated from Ogden Weber Technical College Spring 2025 and have since then started freelancing my graphic design services. Read more>>
