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.
Jordan Joy
While I was in high school I had the opportunity to take an accounting class as one of my elective classes. I had no idea what accounting was or why I decided to take that class, but it completely changed my life. As I continued my accounting education into college I realized just how important the field is for individuals as well as business owners. Read more>>
Gracie Hurst
I graduated massage therapy school in 2022. When I first started working, the idea of owning my own business seemed so far from reality, so instead I focused on improving my technique and client experience. In December of 2023, the spa I was currently working for was making changes that didn’t suit what I wanted long term. Read more>>
Lya Wodraska
I came to Utah as a sportswriter from Atlanta in 1996 for a job as a sportswriter at The Salt Lake Tribune. Once here, I fell in love with Utah’s wild spaces, its deserts, mountains and landscapes that make it special. Read more>>
Marlow Eyre
My name is Marlow Jeffery Eyre. Our business is called The Mobile Mix. I started a mobile mixing bar with a good friend of mine, my partner Brylie. We can pull up to any event with our horse trailer bar and immediately be the place where everyone wants to hangout. We supply a variety of different packages and services. Read more>>
Kelcie Beck
For as long as I can remember I have always been obsessed horses. I was very much the little kid that would go into any pasture to pet the horses, never knowing if it was safe, only caring to be in their presence, to touch their soft noses, to hug their necks, to just take in their smell, their quiet calming energy. Read more>>
Ahmed Siar Noori
The Story of The Fort In 2001, Wahid Noori arrived in the United States as a refugee with nothing but determination. Instead of relying on outside assistance, he chose to build a future through hard work and resilience. By 2002, he found his first job at Bombay House, then owned by Harpall Paul Singh (now the owner of Mumbai House Indian Cuisine). Read more>>
Cristina Villalobos
Cristina: I was getting close to graduating with my Master’s in opera from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and I was thinking about what comes next after graduation. I was lucky, I had performances and auditions lined up and an extremely encouraging voice teacher- César Ulloa, and my parents supporting me to pursue a career in opera. Read more>>
Alexa Page
In December of 2023, I attended a family Christmas party that my aunt had planned and decorated for. She made a balloon arch as a backdrop for the party, and I loved the way it looked and the magic it added to the space. Read more>>
Amanda Stookey
I spent almost 20 years in the corporate world, and after my second layoff I knew I didn’t want to go back. I’d always thought about working for myself, but being raised by a corporate mom, I was scared of the instability, so I stayed in jobs I didn’t enjoy. When the layoff came, I thought, if not now, when? Read more>>
Stephanie Gardner
For the first 11 years of my career I worked in IT as a project manager and a product manager. Then I decided to go back to school at get my Master’s degree in Social Work and become a Mental Health therapist (which was my dream since I was a kid). Read more>>
Megan Thornton
Growing up I always loved going to wedding receptions, seeing the happy couple, admiring the beautiful venues, florals and decor and of course feasting in the wonderful food and refreshments 
As I planned my wedding I realized how much fun I was having putting all these fun details together! Read more>>
Ceili & Tracy Maccarthy
Ceili has always had horses in her life, as she grew up with them. I would find her as a 4-5 yr old out with the horses standing underneath them rubbing their belly’s. She is a natural horsewoman and has an amazing gift. She can calm the most wild of horses in just moments, it’s truly an amazing gift she has. Read more>>
Ramesus Stewart-Johnson
My name is Ramesus, more affectionately called ‘Papa Stew.’ I grew up sitting at my great-grandfather’s table, eating whatever he fed me. We called him Poppa, and this is where the name ‘Papa’ Stew originated. Whether it was with my mom or my Aunt Thelma (Lasses), I was in the kitchen, wanting to know how something was made. Read more>>
Lacie Baum
I’ve always loved a good party. But I especially love planning them. I love being able to create something beautiful from nothing. From the smallest of details to the eye-catching photo ops, I love to plan and decorate for parties! From weddings, to kid parties, to baby showers, to corporate events, I do it all so let’s create your vibe! Read more>>
James Sellers
Let’s talk about feelings…close your eyes, slack your jaw, release your shoulders, inhale……exhale….aaaahhhhhh. What feelings are bubbling up to front-of-mind? Where is it coming from, what is the source? What the heck are you supposed to do next??? Okay, back to the now, let’s talk about the nouveau spiritual space making waves across the mainstream health and healing community. What space is this, you ask? Read more>>
Tamra Baca
I hold an undergraduate degree in music from Utah State University and a graduate degree from the University of Utah. Performing in a string quartet has always been my true passion, which led me to found the Black & White String Quartet approximately five years ago. This ensemble primarily performs at weddings and special events, and I have cherished every moment of this journey. Read more>>
Heather Seay and Brighton Roper N/A
With over 16 years of clinical experience each, we’ve spent our careers supporting women through fertility challenges, hormonal imbalances, loss, and the emotional weight of trying to conceive. Now, we’re bringing that same depth of knowledge, care, and clinical insight into a 6-week class—so you can feel fully supported, deeply informed, and no longer left to figure it out on your own. Read more>>
Micah Foster
I’m (Micah) originally from Utah, but since graduating with my degree in hospitality I moved to California then Colorado then back to Utah working at and then consulting some of the best resorts in the world. In 2017 I tried to rent a camping trailer and found every site or rental agency to be antiquated or overly complicated. Read more>>
Micah Foster
While working in operations at multiple ski resorts and attending college full time I received my bachelor’s degree in hospitality management in 2010 and promptly moved to California to work for Mammoth Resorts to help optimize the revenue management of the entire portfolio. Read more>>
Barbara Wolf
I started Utah Sparklers in 2017 after a few friends came to me looking to buy sparklers for their wedding. They knew my husband, Jay, and I owned a seasonal retail fireworks business. We looked around in stores and quickly realized sparklers are a seasonal item and not available consistently throughout the year. Read more>>
Waleska Iglesias
Guests always ask: Are you Italian? I tell them no, I’m Puerto Rican. Then they’ll ask, so why an Italian restaurant? Growing up, Puerto Rican food was everything in my house — it’s my roots, my comfort, the food I love. But I’ve always had the same love for Italian food. Now, If we were in Florida or New York, Puerto Rican food would thrive. Read more>>
Jared Hatch
I’ve always been a builder—of ideas, of teams, of possibility. I’m a manifestor and always have been. I was the kid with a lawn-mowing biz at 12 and bucking hay bales, then later organizing the snowboard park crew in California and filming snowboarding. Read more>>
James Musser
I began my plumbing career at 18 years old, starting out on residential jobs where I learned the fundamentals of the trade and built a strong foundation of hands-on experience. Over the years, I expanded into commercial and industrial projects, steadily advancing my skills and leadership abilities. My journey took me from small-scale home plumbing to managing large crews and complex systems on high-profile sites. Read more>>
Dr. Rick Mayer
I own a few different businesses and will begin with my main one. I founded ConcreteJacking.com in 2002. We Raise Sunken Concrete (RaiseConcrete.com) It was a struggle at first as being a pioneer in this industry in Utah, folks weren’t ready to accept the concept. Read more>>
Savanna Finley
I am originally from a small town in northern Nevada. I had taken the drama class at the local high school and quickly loved theatre. I did start out acting, but soon I felt like I wasn’t meant to be ON stage, but rather near it. I started exploring different backstage roles like stage managing. Read more>>
Anthony Pagano
I grew up in Pennsylvania and started wrestling at a young age and continued through high school. I started training Jiu Jitsu in 2007 with Eddie Edmund’s in Salt Lake City and after a short stint in Seattle I moved back to park city and began training Jiu Jitsu under Mike Diaz in 2011 and received my black belt from him in 2019. Read more>>
Shelly Seamons
I loved baking as a young girl. I baked with my mother and my grandmother, and after I was married, I continued to bake. I baked for all of our work functions church activities, and anything else I found myself involved in. When they decided to open a Cupcake Shoppe. I took a class at WeberState University and went for it. Read more>>
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>>
