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.
Andres Lerma
I’m Andres Lerma, I’m from Los Angeles, California, I’m an animator and Artist. I started my journey as an animator in 2015. I went to animation school in Sherman Oaks, where I learned how to animate, design characters and backgrounds. After graduating in 2021, I was lucky enough to meet Tawd Dorenfeld, my mentor and teacher. He has guided me to make my personal animation projects. In the future, I want to make my own animation company. Read more>>
Angelica Artifex
Angelica Artifex is seamlessly blending her Swedish upbringing with her rich Cuban heritage. Born and raised in Sweden, Angelica was immersed in a multicultural home where the artistry of Cuban musicians and vibrant dance rhythms were a constant presence. Spending countless hours backstage, she watched renowned Cuban artists perform, soaking in the rich musical traditions that would shape her own sound. Read more>>
Hassan Raddi
Hassan’s musical journey began in Rabat, Morocco, where traditional rhythms filled his childhood. However, he defied family expectations to pursue Western rock music and guitar, finding solace in like-minded friends and the local music scene. Music became his escape from humble beginnings. Read more>>
Deserted Films
The Deserted Films story is, in some ways, a story of accepting that we have a problem.
Deserted Films is a nonprofit home movie archive in Palm Springs, California. It was founded by Devin Orgeron and Melissa Dollman who both have long histories in the academic and archival worlds. Read more>>
Lisa Febre
I was born a musician; I know no other way to be. When I was four years old, I begged my parents for piano lessons and thankfully they bought me a piano and found me a teacher. When I was 9, I started to learn to play the flute, and after a few years, my junior high school band director handed me an oboe. By the time I graduated from high school, I had devoted nearly all of my free time as a teenager to learning to play the oboe. I was lucky enough to be accepted into a program for high school students at the Eastman School of Music, and eventually to Ithaca College School of Music where I earned my Bachelors Degree. Read more>>
Mallery Jenna Robinson
Mallery Jenna Robinson is an AfraCarribean Binary Transgender woman as well as a Transgender and HIV healthcare advocate for Los Angeles and the State of California. Her first role into acting began circa 2006 at the age of 16 when she starred in The Crucible as Tituba an African priestess who allegedly worked her black magic to assure young girls would accuse townspeople of witchcraft. She would go on to participate in local community theater productions such as The Scarlett Letter, A Raisin in the Sun between circa 2008 and 2014. She would also pursue in profession in teaching Middle and High School Science and History from 2014-2019 while also co-leading the schools drama club, and creating plays around marginalities such as: “The Fulfilled Purpose” and “Life Happens” where her students went on to reenact the plays in multiple school events due to its popularity. Mallery Jenna Robinson would go on to work as an Associate Producer for the award winning film “Two Eyes” that centered around the various gender identities and its complexities through human emotion. She would then attend Warner Brother Productions Pictionary as a contestant and was a fan favorite so much so her episode was shared on The Jennifer Hudson Show by Pictionary host Jerry O’Connell. Robinson would later make a special appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show and share intimately with Hudson the 6-degrees of separation the two shared with Pictionary and her show. She would also support local work by starring as Ribgirl in The Baywatch Podcast Production of “Ribbs in Love” centering a romance between a couple who come to an impasse when one is obsessed with Ribs. Robinson would go on to star in Tales of the Trancestors by Director Shaan Dasani and a Greenway Theatre Productions starring as Mary Jones one of the first documented black transgender women in History, her production garnered rave reviews in multiple publications. She would then go on to star as Trina in TransLations, a Hollywood Fringe play about the first trans girl/femme group and their dynamics as they approach their first concert by Director Terrell Green which was nominated for an award at the 2024 Hollywood Fringe Awards. Read more>>
Samantha Villalobos
Like many therapists, I got into mental health because of my own struggles. I have what used to be known as “double depression” which is essentially major depression and persistent depressive disorder.
Growing up, I had no access to mental health support and I wanted to become the type of person that I needed when I was in the thick of my depression as a young girl.
Now, I’m able to use my own personal journey to empathize with and help guide my clients to a place of mental and emotional well-being. Read more>>
Nathan Nourian
For Dr. Nathan Nourian, the journey to becoming an orthodontist began as a teenager when he first experienced the transformation that braces could offer. “Having braces myself directly impacted me wanting to become an orthodontist,” he says. “I love instilling confidence in people, and by improving one’s smile, it also improves one’s confidence.” Read more>>
Kristen Sagona
Three SIsters Coffee and Tea Started when my husband and I had a building located in Burbank and didn’t know what we where going to do with it for the future. We spent some time cleaning the space and really saw a need for a coffee shop in that area and it just grew from there!! Read more>>
Jordan Metzner
Sam Nadler and I have known each other since we were 18, and we’ve spent much of that time building businesses together. We’ve successfully launched over six start-ups and plan to create even more in the future. Read more>>
Traci Asher
Becoming the subject of a photographic series about breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer has been one of the scariest and most meaningful decisions I’ve ever made.
I’m an informed woman with strong opinions who can deal with anything as long as I’m told the unvarnished truth. I strive to be an honest narrator with a dose of Gen X’er quality gallows humor. I’m a wife in love with her wonderfully understanding husband. I could look at my scars and feel flawed, but I don’t. I see a new version of myself that I’m learning to love more each day. They remind me to be calm, to listen, to enjoy, and try to find the positives in the most unfair situations. Read more>>
Davida Rappaport
How did I get started and how did I get to where I am today? Those are good questions. I’ll try to keep it short and sweet — I’ll start with my first paid booking as a Tarot reader when I lived in Chicago. I attended a singles mixer and learned that the organizers were planning a Halloween party the following week. Being a gutsy, twenty-something-year old, I told the organizers I read Tarot cards and asked them to hire me. They did and I made a whopping $20 for 4 hours of my time. I don’t think I really knew what I was doing back then, but apparently what I did made an impression. They subsequently hired me to do Tarot readings at a 30th birthday party the following February because someone’s brother liked what I did. That was my second booking. At some point later that year, someone called me for a private appointment because they had a reading from me at that birthday party and I predicted something that came true, No clue what I told them. Read more>>
Yasir Alani
My journey to acting was not a straight path. It began with a love for storytelling, sparked by watching Hollywood movies as a kid in Syria. Back then, I was fascinated by how stories could transport you to different worlds and offer a sense of hope. Growing up in a place of conflict, I craved that escape and always imagined myself being part of those worlds. Read more>>
Ayva
My Mom and Dad tell me my start in life was very difficult because I was a micro-preemie born at 25 weeks and had a really rough start. They weren’t sure I was going to make it the first night of my life. They always said because I survived, I was meant for something special. Read more>>
Shima Ghaheri
My journey started in the world of creativity and play, where I spent over 12 years designing toys and board games. One of my proudest moments was creating a game system specifically for children in refugee camps, which I later shared on the TEDx stage. It was a project that reminded me how powerful play could be, even in the most challenging circumstances. Read more>>
Michael Cardenas
Hey Everyone! My name is Michael Cardenas, I’m a Filmmaker, Photographer, and Serial Entrepreneur.
I started working in Entertainment back in 2009, My career started in Music, Audio Engineering, and Tour Managing. I later transitioned to Filming Tours and Music Videos. I fully transitioned to working professionally in Film in 2013. Read more>>
Dj Keelez
My journey started with a deep love for music and the joy of bringing people together through it. I’ve always been passionate about how music can elevate any moment, especially at events that mark important milestones in people’s lives. I initially began DJing at small gatherings and clubs, where I honed my ability to read a room and keep the energy alive. Read more>>
Waves
I grew up around music–playing guitar and piano, and started collecting vinyl in high school. One day while at my local record shop, the clerk who always helped me suggested I try my hand at DJing since I knew such a wide variety of genres. He ended up being my mentor and taught me how to DJ with vinyl. I got very lucky and landed a DJ residency at a Live Nation concert venue early on, and I’ve grown with them over 10 years. I DJ many types of gigs; bars, weddings, retail activations, but live music after-parties are my favourite since they were my first love. Read more>>
David Larosa
My journey into this creative space wasn’t conventional. Although I initially pursued economics in college, my natural creativity surfaced. My educational evolution through anthropology, human behavior, and film ultimately led me to design and media arts. This diverse background allows me to approach design with a blend of business acumen, storytelling and craftsmanship. I find immense joy in making things, and my studio is where I invest the majority of my time. Whether working on a guitar sound for a music bed or a logo animation, the interplay between work and play influences and enhances my creative process. Read more>>
Tim|ur| Vagapov
Basketball took me from Saint Petersburg, Russia, to Liberal, Kansas, and eventually to New York. Along the way, social media and modeling played a key role in pushing me to make the move. My passion for acting later brought me to Los Angeles.
This journey began in 2019, and I transitioned from being a professional athlete to pursuing my creative side as an artist. I’m still in the process of figuring out what I want to say with my art, and sometimes I need to remind myself that it takes time. But I’m confident about one thing—I know who I am and where I’m heading, which is towards a career in acting and filmmaking. Read more>>
Tommy Martin
I started as a multi-sport athlete, competing in baseball, basketball, football, and swimming. It provided me motivation, structure, and an understanding of the importance of teamwork. I really got into playing music, primarily as a drummer, around 4th grade. I learned to play Wipeout (The Surfaris), at my Grandpa Tryon’s request, and kept going; learning to play a lot by ear before I learned to read music. I loved performing music, and I always loved watching SNL, so I jumped at the chance to take the stage in my high school’s production of The Sound of Music. I continued performing in various bands and ensembles, studying music through college, earning my BS of Music Business with a percussion principle. After college, I got an internship at Victory Records in Chicago to finish my degree. I started taking improv and comedy writing classes at Second City, and later got a job as concert security at The Metro, thanks to the late Rick Linus. For a long time, I was bouncing around between temping, promos, and sketch shows at storefront theatres, booking indie films and web series along the way. Read more>>
Carolyn Schneider
I founded Corner Booth, a creative hospitality agency that builds and evolves hotel brands. I have over 15 years of experience in hospitality and work to transform spaces into magic experiences that guests can’t wait to return to. I partner across architecture, interior design, visual identity, operations and programming with an approach where guest experience is essential, ease of operations is always minded and every detail is thoughtfully considered. Read more>>
Rona Johnson
I began to pursue my career in entertainment at the end of 2018 when I moved to Tokyo with a single suitcase and all of my savings from working jobs since middle school. I always knew I wanted to become a model since I was about five years old and I felt waiting for that opportunity would only cost me so making the move was an easy decision. After several months of development, I debuted as a professional model in 2019 right when the first wave of Covid-19 hit. I was unable to book many jobs that first year due to productions turning to animations instead of hiring real people for their talent and I had to work as a freelancer and pick up odd jobs when I could. Read more>>
Kaylie Flowers
Kaylie Flowers is a Chinese-Hawiian Actor and Creative from Orange County California. Kaylie attended Academy of Performing Arts at Huntington Beach High School. Finding her love for acting and play writing there, Kaylie was able to win Best Playwright at APA and Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at National Youth Arts Association. She has also furthered her education at South Coast Reparatory and University of Irvine’s New Swan Apprenticeship. After High School, Kaylie pursued a Bachelors of Arts at San Diego State University majoring in Theatre Perfromance and Screenwriting. There she was influenced by amazing professors like, Jesca Prudencio, Adrian Alita and Stewart Voytilla. From there, Kaylie was fortunate enough to study at University of Kent, England in the school of Drama, where she was able to write, direct and perform in two projects as her thesis. After graduating early and traveling Europe solo in 2022, Kaylie moved to LA to follow her craft full time. Working with NYFA and SDSU students, Kaylie has flourished in student films. She has studied at the Howard Fine Acting Studio, Killian’s Workshop, Groundlings, UCB, East West Players and LA Acting Studios to hone her craft. Recently she performed at the San Diego’s the Old Globe Soltice Soiree directed and choreographed by Jesca Prudencio. Read more>>
Sani Baladi
I’m a film composer, songwriter, and singer working in both, the film and the music industry. My musical journey began in Hamburg, Germany, where as a child, I discovered my passion for music. What started with singing in a choir and learning a few instruments, soon evolved into a solo career, where I began writing my own pop songs. With a background in classical music, I always remained connected to my origins, blending these influences as I grew older. This fusion of classical and pop eventually led me into the world of film scoring, a path that would bring me across the globe to Los Angeles. Read more>>
Allison Norlian
If you had asked me a decade ago where I’d be in ten years, I would have never dreamed I would be where I am right now. A decade ago, I was a journalist, working in local television news as a reporter with the goal of moving up the ranks and one day becoming a reporter/anchor in Philadelphia or New York City. Filmmaking and screenwriting were not even in my subconscious. Read more>>
Jake Jeong
I started messing around with music in high school and really became serious with it during my time at Berklee College of Music. From there, I dove straight into the freelance world, working with indie artists, sound design remakes, mixing, and teaching music production. Read more>>
Katherine Garratt
After receiving my BFA in Visual Art at York University in Toronto, Canada, I had my first solo exhibition “Out Of The Cradle Endlessly Rocking,” at Founders Gallery in Toronto. I had developed my own style of painting with acrylics on canvas and my show was well received. Read more>>
Helena Yingna Wu
I was born in a small town in southeast China. It’s not very well-known, and not very developed, but with 2000 years of history. Going to college is not an opportunity that many children can have. It’s a dream, and you have to fight for it.
I went to college at 15 in a bustling coastal city in the south. My dad thought it’s a very nice place to settle down after graduation. He wanted me to have a stable life and get married before 25. Read more>>
Ben Bradbury
I’ve always had a love for reading… but in June 2023 I wasn’t reading enough. Too much socializing. I chatted about it to my roommate Tom, and decided to throw an event that scratched our own itch.The format had both introspective time to read, and social time to connect with other readers. The first “reading party” was 10 friends on our rooftop in Brooklyn. Read more>>
M Ahmed Mostafa
I have to thank my wife, whom i could not have done this without. She helped me through the years and endured a great deal of stresses, struggles.
A decade ago, I was a fragrance enthusiast with no formal training in perfumery, but an undeniable passion for scents. I would lose myself in the delicate interplay of notes from my favorite perfumes, trying to deconstruct them in my mind. Perfume wasn’t just something I wore—it was a gateway to memory, emotion, and culture. So, I set out to teach myself the art of perfumery, starting with nothing more than a curious mind and a growing collection of oils and fragrances. Read more>>
Traci Keen
My career path has been anything but conventional. It all started at Simmons College, where I immersed myself in graphic design and fine arts. Little did I know that this creative foundation would shape my approach to business challenges in ways I couldn’t have imagined throughout my career. Read more>>
Taylor Engle
I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. My first “book” was written when I was 8 years old—Casey and the Fish—inspired by my pet cat and fish. Since then, writing has always been a part of my life. I wrote for my middle school library newspaper, my high school and college newspapers, and eventually for local papers in my city. Read more>>
Amaris Davidson
Hi! I got started acting, dancing, modeling, singing and writing songs in high school. I was always drawn to creativity. I went on to get a theater scholarship in college, and was able to put those skills to use while learning in a safe space. I transferred colleges and found myself in Houston, Texas with a newfound interest in modeling and dancing professionally. I began a modeling career with Page Parkes modeling & Talent Agency almost as soon as I arrived. I also started mentoring model camps and went on the become a photo posing and runway instructor at the agency’s school while pursuing my own career. I danced for the WNBA & NBA, Houston Comets and Houston Rockets as well, and it was there that I really developed my love for teaching a coaching creatives. One of the ways I would know that I had fully learned all of the choreography and spacing was to show up early and stay late going over the materials with my teammates. During the time I was modeling and dancing, I teamed up with two fellow Houston Rockets Power Dancers to form the professional recording group Lady Lux signed to and managed by Beyonce’s former manager and father, Mathew Knowles, from 2005 to 2010. The ladies and I would record songs for iTunes & Spotify, become the voice for Wal-Mart’s VTech toys, Baby Jamz, and perform at the prestigious Spotlight Live in New York City. We also performed at The Tom Joiner Family Reunion in Palm Springs, Florida. When the group was met with an insurmountable number of roadblocks, we decided to pursue our passions individually. I moved to Los Angeles to continue pursuing a career in television and film. That was my first big lesson in pivoting. It took courage to begin again in something that I was essentially an intermediate in. However, it was lessons like this that developed an unyielding desire for growth. I happened to be in the process of getting my masters in Leadership when I moved. I inhaled knowledge from every direction: which acting classes worked best for me and why, which photographers worked best for me and why, which daily practices worked best for me and why. I attribute that to already being in an accelerated learning mindset. This dynamic offered great balance while I was in pursuit of a largely “no” centered business. I learned to documented everything. When I came across other creatives I began to share my learnings, insights, etc. Activated by Amaris was birthed from the overwhelming desire to help others but being subject to limited time. Coaching creatives is as big a passion of mine as storytelling. Helping others find their way, or simply get “unstuck”, feels like I am contributing to an even bigger unleashing of creativity. Currently, I diversify my creative efforts these days through auditioning, writing, coaching and working live events. The journey continues! Read more>>
Ryan Anderson
I have always had a passion for creativity, which led me to transition from the structured world of finance and risk management into the dynamic realms of film and music. My journey began in the finance sector, where I honed my analytical skills and developed a keen understanding of risk assessment. This foundation served me well as I ventured into the movie industry, where I brokered deals that brought captivating stories to life on screen. Eventually, I found my true calling in music, collaborating with talented artists and helping to shape their sound and vision. Born and raised in Los Angeles, the heart of entertainment, I embraced the vibrant culture around me. Teaming up with my business partner, Fanny Axen, we have built a thriving music enterprise that fosters artistic talent and innovation, solidifying our presence in the industry. Together, we strive to make a lasting impact, blending our expertise to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of music. Read more>>
Erin Gavin
This year, I’ve poured my heart and energy into my career. Life always throws challenges our way, but it’s through facing and unraveling those challenges that we grow stronger. In this process, I’ve learned so much about my strengths and weaknesses—and the importance of growth. Read more>>
Matt Sofo
I’m a Producer and Composer originally from Melbourne, Australia. I’ve spent the last 13 years working in music in all areas from Dance Music to Composing for Television.
After finishing high school, I didn’t undertake any musical studies but continue to perform in bands, orchestras and in a DJ capacity.
After successfully releasing a string of music and having success in the Aria club charts, my music was synched for ad’s with brands such as adidas, Google, Foxtel & licensed for TV shows on HBO & Stan.
Whilst working in this area of music, I always dreamt of becoming a screen composer and in 2021 began that journey.
Since then I’ve Composed for a bunch of shows and project including, 3 Documentaries for Channel 10, Cookings shows, A Docu/Drama for SBS and even the Titles for Paramount Plus Comedy show “Inspired Unemployed – Impractical Jokers”.. and more! Read more>>
Chelsea Horton
In 2017, I graduated with my Master’s Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling. I followed the traditional route of working at a behavioral health center for 2 years after graduation. I loved the work I got to do with people – helping them heal by connecting them with their bodies in the most profound ways. But the system I worked in was quickly leading me to burnout, compassion fatigue, and overwhelm. I knew I couldn’t stay in the system any longer. I was afraid to leave the traditional path of “success.” Get the degree, get a job in my field, and do that forever. Read more>>
