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.
Aaron Taylor
Nothing is ever smooth lol. No, it’s been twists and turns, subplots and drama, suspense, action and long pauses lol. You just have to stay focused and dedicated to what you’re doing and staying goal orientated. Don’t get caught up in each success, but do celebrate each win. Each win should be a step toward a larger goal. Read more>>
Harley Wallen
Not at all, it’s always tough when it comes to show business because you have to remember that it id both. The art has to be “worth it” either financially or how important what you want to say needs to be told. It makes me think about our film that id just wrapping up its film festival run “Finding Nicole” a True Story about surviving, overcoming and thriving was a hard subject to tackle but so important and I can’t wait to share it with the world later this year! Read more>>
Ivan Giron
My parents immigrated to this country in the 1980s, fleeing a civil war that had deeply traumatized them with violence and abuse. This background later caused challenges in our home. I was born in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. From an early age, I faced the pressures of life head-on. I was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder called hemophilia, which limited my ability to engage in everyday activities like playing sports and being active. Despite this, I was determined not to let it hold me back, always believing I was destined for greatness. Read more>>
Ethan Mole
After high school, I attended Columbia College Chicago to study acting for real. While I was there I started a band called Friday Pilots Club with a few good friends of mine and we went on to play many concerts throughout our 4 years at Columbia. After college graduation, the band decided to split a part due to conflicting views on where it was headed, and I moved to Los Angeles to take my dreams to the next level. For the last 6 years in Los Angeles I’ve been acting in commercials, feature films, shorts, you name it. I’ve also been playing drums with multiple bands around the city, and having the time of my life doing it. I can’t wait to see what the next 6 years have in store. Read more>>
Jake Arky
Had I not been part of Tisch, I would have never had a chance to connect with several of my closet collaborators to this day, namely Suhashini Krishnan who is now my partner with Tiny Titan Films, and Justin Hudnall, my co-founder at So Say We All, non-profit literary and performing arts organization whose mission is to help people tell their stories, and tell them better, through creating performance opportunities, educational offerings, and accessible media forums. Read more>>
Samantha Drews
I grew accustomed to this routine, and in those early years began to throw myself into filmmaking and storytelling in every avenue I could find. Which included filming short films, learning editing software, writing in prose, screenwriting, dancing, and acting. I was fifteen when I had my first summer internship, teaching film at a summer camp for children. I did this for the following three summers of high school, becoming a teacher and then eventually a manager. In-between summers, during my semesters at school, I was acting in plays, making music videos with my friends, writing a plethora of unpublished books, and inevitably preparing myself for college. Read more>>
Lawrence Grobel
In Conversation with Lawrence Grobel. I was a Contributing Editor for Playboy, Movieline, World (New Zealand), and Trendy (Poland) and was called “A legend among journalists” by Writer’s Digest, and “The Mozart of Interviewers” by Joyce Carol Oates. I created the M.F.A. in Professional Writing for Antioch University; and have taught in the English and Honors Departments at UCLA. Since 2007, I’ve been invited to serve as a jury member at the annual Camerimage Film Festival in Poland. I’ve also appeared in the documentary Salinger and Al Pacino’s docudrama Wilde Salome. Some of my books have been translated into fourteen languages. Read more>>
Tahmina Q.
At this point, I knew there was a need for someone like me in the city, but I hadn’t yet figured out how to package myself to offer a distinctive service menu. During this time, the title of social media manager really took off in the industry, and people began hiring me to manage their social media accounts and create content for their brands. That’s when my agency, The Brand Agents, started to form. I began taking on my own clients and eventually left my day job at the influencer marketing agency once I had enough clients and a full roster of active brands that wanted to work with me. Read more>>
Stacey K. Black
Knowing that I wanted to be the one to tell the stories, I realized I had to become a writer, director, or both. Somehow in my infinite wisdom, I thought telling stories through hair styling was my path. It is not a path that anyone had taken previously, but you can’t keep a dreamer down. So I became a hairstylist and worked on movies and tv shows for about 17 years before I got my first real job directing television on The Closer, thanks to my mentor Michael M. Robin, James Duff, Kyra Sedgwick, Rick Wallace and Greer Shephard watching my two short films, and giving me the chance. Read more>>
Lydia Storie
In 2020, as a new mom navigating a global pandemic, I became acutely aware of care as one of those gaps. With Covid-19 shutdowns and social distancing measures in place, tens of millions of people, including my husband and I, struggled to access child care, aging and disability care. We were trying to balance work and care with no support. When our infant son was diagnosed with developmental delays in March of 2020,the therapy services that could benefit him had been suspended. For me and many others, Covid put into stark relief a lot of dynamics that have existed for a long time, but that can be very easy to overlook until they affect you directly. Read more>>
Jie Deng
The journey has not been easy because I am a very sensitive person. When faced with difficulties, I often feel at a loss and unsure of how to handle the situation. This sensitivity also comes into play when communicating with clients, as I not only have to address project-related issues but also be mindful of their emotional state. At times, this sensitivity puts a lot of pressure on me, as I have to solve practical problems while ensuring smooth communication and avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings or conflicts. Although it can be exhausting, it has also taught me to observe and respond more carefully, continuously improving my communication skills. Read more>>
Ergel Cadilenia
Name is errrge (urge), I’m a hybrid shooter (shoots photo and video) in socal. Started as a club photographer, then learned how to do video recaps. Currently doing weddings, content for djs and other events. Read more>>
Sheryl Matheu
Casa de Matheu is a non profit childcare offering enriching and affordable childcare to the families of Hollywood. I think what sets us apart from the rest is I have had the same workers for 15 years?! We really are one big family. We do a weekly meditation class and the kids get in touch with their own inner super power. And once a month I stay open until 10pm so the parents can go out and have some alone time. Read more>>
Antonio Robinson
How I arrived at this point on my author’s journey is a tale of twists and turns. In life, everything comes down to choices. From the moment we wake up to the time our heads hit the pillow, we are faced with decisions. Thankfully, most of our daily decision making can be incorporated into a routine, simplifying our lives. Long term decision making, on the other hand, can cause us to lose sleep at night. One of the hardest choices to make is deciding on something in the present moment that significantly impacts your future. Read more>>
Nadine Emrich
The road has not been smooth for me. Struggles along the way would be not really having a network coming into this business. I have had to really dedicate and commit my whole life to creating. I wanted to really just be a creative mind. I think not a day of my life has gone by not writing something or memorizing a lines or at least thinking of my next move. I have also had many blocks from not knowing my worth. Or feeling unworthy at times. I also struggle with fibromyalgia. So I fight pain a lot. But it doesn’t win, I win over my pain. One thing I have learned is to have grit. I am definitely a very strong minded person. Read more>>
Chris Nungary
Growing up I had always loved music and sound. My earliest memories are of me laying on the living room floor with my dad listening to records at full volume. Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath. I remember vividly how excited he got when a bass or drum solo would be coming up. He would turn it up louder and have me listen intentionally to a specific instrument. I’ve held onto that and practiced what would now be called “active listening” ever since. This in turn catapulted me into a love affair with the sonic world. I joined the school marching band and eventually discovered my own lane in grunge, alternative and punk rock. Read more>>
Zachary King
I moved to Los Angeles in January 2023 and started taking classes at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theater, where I still study (off and on). That was my first step when I got here, the next step was trying to land jobs. Since we spoke last I have been lucky enough to have gotten work in some really cool projects in both TV and Film. I have grown very found of LA the more I have been out here, and it’s finally starting to feel like I really live here instead of just here on a visit. Read more>>
Leena Tailor
I worked at the magazine for nearly seven years, covering everything from celebrity interviews and red carpet events to news, health, fashion and human interest features, before moving to L.A. in 2010. It was the tail-end of the recession so finding a job was a lot harder than I expected. After a couple of gigs at photo agencies, I started freelancing while job-hunting, but have been doing it since. I primarily began writing for publications back in New Zealand and it helped that at the time I was one of the few Kiwi journalists in L.A. who could cover press junkets for them. As that fizzled out, I started writing for more American and Canadian outlets, by pitching stories and ideas to as many editors as I could – which I continue to do today. Read more>>
O.J. Pipkin
My introduction to the film industry began in 2020. I started working as 1st AC for my cousin (DP) on some short films. In 2022 I worked on my first feature film as 1st AC. I have worked on 8 feature films total. I am also at Part 107 licensed drone operator.
De. Dr. Ariel Orama López
I am a multi-awarded independent filmmaker, producer, composer, actor, and scriptwriter from Puerto Rico that began his career on 2001 (actor and 2010 (director), who is considered and distinguished a Notable Alumnus from New York Film Academy, in Los Angeles. My films are related to climate change, stigma and discrimination, global impact issues (ex: pandemic), and the promotion of a culture of Peace. With a lot of perseverance and passion, I have screened in multiple relevant venues, including Animation in Cannes, The Venice Production Bridge at la Biennale di Venezia, the Academy Screening Room (ASR), and the Grauman’s Theater. It is meaningful to me and to the Puerto Rican’s history of Independent Film in the 21 Century. Read more>>
Catharine Wood
When I arrived in LA in August of 2003, I didn’t have a job and did not know how to make a living in music…yet. In 2004, I discovered the Los Angeles Recording School after working a regular 9-5 job for a year and a half…and saw furthering my education (I already held a BA in Art from Colorado College, with a 5 year career in graphic design already behind me) as my way into the audio industry – and it was. I graduated #1 in my class (and was the only female in my class). I was approached by a Santa Monica studio owner to come work in commercials – at Play Studios – a top, global commercials audio post production mix house. Read more>>
Jenae
As a child, my parents always encouraged me to believe that I could be anything I wanted to be. Every few weeks, my ambitions would shift, and I’d dive headfirst into my latest dream. One week, I transformed my room into a makeshift doctor’s office, complete with a toy stethoscope, embodying the role of a dedicated physician. The next, I’d reinvent my space as a vibrant classroom, complete with a chalkboard, embracing the persona of an enthusiastic teacher. This early exploration of shifting roles and dreams taught me to adapt and reinvent myself with each new aspiration. This childhood curiosity and flexibility have stayed with me, fueling my drive to continually evolve and pursue new goals with the same passion and creativity. Read more>>
Edwin Vasquez
When I moved to California, I asked if it was possible to study art here, and the answer was yes. However, as an immigrant who didn’t speak English and discovered how expensive it was to attend art school, the dream felt unattainable. My priorities shifted to assimilating into my new country and learning English. Once I became fluent, I wrote a quote on a piece of paper that still resonates with me today: “English is like a drug addiction; I struggle with it every day.” Read more>>
Anna Scotti
I’m a mystery writer, specializing in short fiction. A lot of my work appears in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, where I’ve got a series about a librarian on the run in witness protection, as well as occasional stand-alone stories. (A stand-alone is a story not intended to become part of a series.) I also write poetry, although for the past couple of years I’ve concentrated on fiction and creative nonfiction (that’s a genre that’s very much like “memoir” – true stories from life presented with the vivid immediacy of fiction. Read more>>
Meryl Klemow
I’ve always had a knack for reinvention. I cut my teeth in the music industry, which was an incredible experience.In 2016, I pivoted to podcasting. There’s something magical about connecting with listeners through audio storytelling, and I was hooked. From there, it was a natural leap to radio, where I could blend my love for music with my newfound passion for being on-air. Read more>>
Gérard Maurez
My path isn’t the one of a sprint runner, it is the one of the marathon runner! First, it took me quite some time to find my inner voice. The first half of my life was about initiation: I had to learn american-style screenwriting, I had to perfect my written English language, I traveled a lot to find myself…and I struggled trying to find the right people. The other problem is that I never really felt in tune with French Cinema and its too often “small scope”. I always preferred american cinema, and I had to write this way. I found support and understanding abroad first. But now things are slightly changing. Read more>>
Reneta Jenik
My husband thought I was crazy. He gave me that “Did you lose your mind? We are not rich” look when I told him that I wanted to hire a personal chef to cook for us so we could eat healthier together by the dining table and not need to eat out so often during our busy kid-filled weekdays. Read more>>
Papi Flay
I am a artist and producer. Im known for my style of beats and sampling style. Im also known for my drum patterns. What sets me apart is my individuality. Im not looking to be anybody else but myself. Yes we take inspiration from others but that should merely be a characteristic or a weapon to be used when the time is right. Read more>>
Sharon Cannon
When I graduated high school, I struck out on my own to go to college in South Dakota, Iowa, and eventually finishing in Arizona. While working in Lake Tahoe, I met a guy from Arizona, and he wanted to finish where he had started. We got married and set off for Arizona to go back to college. Toward the end of my time there, I sat for the CPA exam and passed. I could not suffer through the heat and dryness or my marriage. Single again, I decided to move to San Francisco and work in a CPA office to earn my CPA certificate. I had a good ten years there and even became a partner, but ten years was enough. Read more>>
Cindy Nguyen
I really like the diversity in LA. There are so many little cultural ethnoburbs that I get to explore. But with the good comes the bad. I dislike how busy and cutthroat the culture can be sometimes. There is a lot of competition that it sometimes feels hard to breathe. Read more>>
William Luvaas
I was a student activist at UC-Berkeley, then lived for a year in a crude shelter in the Mendocino coast redwoods, near a hippie commune called “The Meadows,” where I met my future wife Lucinda. We drove to Alaska, hoping to homestead, but—perhaps fortunately—they had closed homesteading the week before we arrived. We returned south to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where we made soapstone hash pipes that we sold to head shops in the Bay area and managed to save enough money to live for a year and a half in Europe and Israel. In a white-washed house overlooking the Mediterranean on the Costa Brava in Spain, I began work on my first novel, The Uranian Circus, which was inspired by my time living under the big trees in “The Meadows.” Read more>>
Jiayan He
My name is Jiayan He, most people call me Henry. I was born and raised in Chongqing, China. Around 2011 or 2012 my dad decided to send me to the USA for my academic career. Then I became a little depressed cause I barely had any friends in New Jersey. Somehow I started watching movies day after day just to get rid of boredom. I spent like 6 months like that and I absorbed some positive energy from movies and 5 cats in my host family to end the depression cycle. In the end, I decided to become a filmmaker and now I am one based in LA. Read more>>
AARON MCKENZIE
After graduating college with an English literature degree, I found myself as directionless as ever. So, I did what many rudderless grads did: I headed off to South Korea to teach English. The plan was to do that for a year or two, then come back for grad school, maybe buy a tweed jacket and settle into life as an English professor at some quaint Midwestern college. If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans, right? I ended up living in Seoul for a full decade. It’s not a stretch to say that I grew up there, became an adult there. Read more>>
Jazmyne Phillips
As a Black woman from Compton, I am deeply proud to be an author dedicated to encouraging literacy and empowering young minds. Growing up in Compton, I faced the challenge of illiteracy and didn’t learn to read until the fifth grade. This early struggle with reading and writing planted seeds of doubt about my abilities. However, I overcame these obstacles and have since authored five published books, with three more awaiting their debut. Read more>>
MaKayla Mardan Bigi
From the outside looking in at anyone’s situation, it can seem like a smooth road. I was a part of my high schools broadcast television and film programs. I immediately went to college and got my Bachelors in Digital Film/Media Production. Shortly after I received my Masters in Screenwriting. Following that, I moved to LA and have been working out here for the past two years. Along the way I’ve gotten to work on many projects that I’m proud of, but I would be remiss to say there weren’t struggles. Everyone deals with unspoken things in their lives. Family struggles, deep-rooted personal endeavors, whatever it may be. Life moves swiftly and hits ruthlessly. It only matters how we deal with what comes our way. Read more>>
Hugo Mejia
So after graduating from SDSU, I had this cool internship with the Television Academy where I got hands on experience with the production process as well as scriptwriting which I love doing. Eventually I gained the courage to pursue acting, another passion of mine. So I started doing background acting which led to me doing bigger roles and getting an agent, then a manager, and now I work as an actor for various web series, films, and commercials. Read more>>
Daniel Pico
“Oh, movies when they show in a theater are wider than a TV screen.” she informed me, “And when they put them on a VHS tape they have to squeeze the movie into your TV cutting the sides off.” This answer was unsatisfactory to a four year old, “That’s stupid, we should get a bigger TV.” I proclaimed. My mother rolled her eyes and went about her routine. For the first time I began to understand that somewhere in my brain I was becoming aware of composition for cinema and taking my first steps towards filmmaking, or I would be an internet troll of the early 2000’s complaining about the lack of letterboxed editions on VHS tapes, and writing essays about why DiVX was a superior format to DVD. Read more>>
Zhihao Hu
I think the biggest challenge is always another form of the reward: which is exploring what you truly want to leave the world with. Sometime you design a topic during script-writing, but the core value has been shaped continuously during the making of the film. It can be devastating, it can be empowering, all of the experiences and sensation will be one of the puzzles for the final answer. Read more>>
Jackie Sleight
A few years later I was choreographing for television, stage, and some of music’s biggest recording artists. My career took several paths, one of which was teaching, which became my passion. I taught jazz at the respected Dupree Dance Academy, traveled around the world, and eventually started teaching on a dance convention. Several years later, I established L.A. DanceMagic Dance Convention, which recently celebrated its 25th year. Read more>>
Dan Hertzog
Growing up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in a middle-class family with absolutely no connections to the entertainment industry made gaining knowledge and experience somewhat challenging. Nonetheless, even before I was old enough to work, I found odd jobs to support my addiction to filmmaking, eventually coaxing my parents into making the three-hour drive to New York Camera where I purchased my first Super 8mm movie camera and projector. With the means of creating my own movies now in my possession, I soon came to realize without a worthwhile or engaging story to tell, my early stop-motion film would have been nothing more than an exercise in technique. Read more>>
Corbin Johnson
I’m a Midwest girl, born and raised in the suburban charm of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. I grew up in a loving two-parent household with my mom, Tracii—who always makes sure you spell her name with two i’s!—and my dad, Mark. I’m the second oldest of five siblings, with two sisters, Parey and Harris, and two brothers, Halen and Patterson. We’re known and loved by many as “The Hunters,” and I love my family unconditionally. My family has grown even more special now that I’m married to the most amazing and handsome man in the world, Michael Johnson. Together, we share our home with the feistiest little 7-year-old Pomeranian who keeps us on our toes. Read more>>
Kristin Couture
Naturally, these people inspired me along the way. Eventually, I wanted to try my hand in film but auditions were slow going and I’m not good at sitting around and twiddling my thumbs. I looked at all my talented friends who are writers, directors, cinematographers, etc., and thought, we should just start making stories we love instead of waiting around for people to find us. That’s how I became a producer. That’s how I started Daily Craving Productions in 2019. Read more>>
Robert Dobson
A world pandemic that brought people to their knees and shut down acting studios and sets and stages which meant no work and eventually even no ride-share. Not to mention gas prices went through the roof and by the time I made $50 I had to turn right around and put it back in gas and then if COVID was not enough, the Actors decided to go on a strike and yet my rent not doubled but tripled and I was worse off than when I left DC. After two failed attempts of renting a room with the worst types of people, I decided to move yet again to Las Vegas. I have been in Sin City since 2023 trying to upgrade the shame of hearing my dad tell me I am unsettled and unaccomplished in my head. Read more>>
Francheska Misirlioglu
Something parents could truly trust. It wasn’t always easy, but every step was fueled by love. And today, Earth Angel Apparel stands for exactly what I needed as a new mom: pure, sustainable baby essentials made with intention. Looking back, it’s been such an incredible ride. I’ve had the chance to connect with so many parents who share the same values, and I’m beyond grateful that I get to show up each day as both a mom and a business owner. Knowing that families choose Earth Angel to care for their little ones? It means the world. If this journey has taught me anything, it’s that when you lead with heart and stay true to your purpose, the most amazing things can happen. Read more>>
Lita Elliott
I’m juggling homeschooling, a toddler, 2 school aged kids, an apparel company that is bringing awareness to veterans mental health, taking care of the house and responsibilities that come with being a stay at home mom. I struggle with finding the time to be creative and research new happenings, and family friendly businesses in Santa Clarita. Read more>>
Dualidy _0_0
Dualidy otherwise known as D’Angelo Armon Fulton was born raised in the SoCal area to a father, a man of the community, and a hardworking mother who always instilled the idea of choosing his own destiny. In his mind, he contemplated “ Is there something out there that will allow me to include each gift in my arsenal.” Little did he know the answer has always been right in front of his face. That being music and self expression. At this very moment, Dualidy is studying music entrepreneurship at PCC, while simultaneously working on his singles as well as EP “My Tranquil Delusions” coming later this year. Read more>>
Ash Gordon
I cracked the code and turned it into a science. I even created my own band, The Blah Blah Blahs—a modern mod fever dream of hooky guitars, clever chord progressions, and vocal production that hit different. Oh, and because I’m extra, I crafted a drag persona for myself to elevate the whole vibe with pro photos, music videos, and a legit online presence. It looked stunning. It sounded stunning. Brands like Burt’s Bees, Doritos, and Revlon? They noticed. Read more>>
Yaoyang Liu
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but the challenges have shaped me into the composer I am today. One of the biggest struggles has been navigating the competitive nature of the film and media industry. Breaking into the field requires not only talent but also building a network and proving your skills in high-pressure environments. As an international artist, adapting to different cultural perspectives and communication styles has also been a learning curve, especially when collaborating with teams from various backgrounds. Read more>>
Kobe Angeles D’Amelio
My favorite childhood memory was when my grandfather retired and drove me, my 2 sisters and grandmother from Pennsylvania to San Diego for a summer road trip Read more>>
Erika Holzhausen
When I was 15, I saw my first episode of Project Runway, a new competition show at the time, where designers vied for $100,000 to launch their own fashion line. I was instantly hooked and became obsessed with the world of high fashion. I’d always been creative – whether it was customizing my own clothes, making jewelry out of bottle caps, or drawing on every bit of paper I came across – but I’d never thought being creative could be a career. Growing up around farmers and “salt of the earth” people, my creativity and big personality often felt out of place, and I found myself hiding parts of who I was to fit in with small-town values. Read more>>
Autumn Davida
Portrait photography, for me, is about more than just taking pictures of people. It’s about connecting with someone on a deeper level, about seeing them in their most authentic and unique form. Each person tells a story, and through my lens, I aim to capture that essence—the little details, the subtle expressions, the emotions that make them who they are. There’s something incredibly powerful about capturing a moment of vulnerability or joy, and I love the challenge of trying to reveal a person’s true self in a single image. Read more>>
Queen Angel
I’m excited to connect again! For those who may not be familiar with my journey, I’m the founder of Queen Angel Shop, originally launched as a women’s fashion boutique specializing in clothing, shoes, and accessories. Over time, I felt a deeper calling to shift my focus toward hair care, recognizing the need for high-quality, nourishing products that cater to a variety of hair textures and needs. Read more>>
Amanda Scott
In tandem with that query, after taking a good 5 plus years to commit to deep inner healing and spiritual practice, I finally came to a place of feeling complete. Not that I’m done with “inner work” that’s just ridiculous, but I just feel like I don’t need to sit in so many ceremonies or keep searching for deeper meaning. I’m being lead instead to take all the immense work I have done on myself and really let it land in my body on a cellular level. It’s been a few months of training my body to do things it hasn’t done in decades and it has been as rewarding as it is challenging. Besides, I dare you to name a more fun way to embarrass you kids than by saying “look guys, mommy can do the splits on this Lyra!” Read more>>
