Hidden Gems: Local Businesses & Creatives You Should Know

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.

Judy Salinsky

Art, movement, and innovation have always been in my DNA. I began my creative journey as a dancer, which naturally instilled a deep love for choreography and form, while my professional career took a turn into design when I created the first women’s all-terrain bicycle shorts. However, it was a profound personal loss that truly reshaped my path. Read More>>

Carla Dums

Some of the most meaningful journeys are the ones we never planned. Looking back, I can see how every chapter of my life—from creativity and fashion to wellness and entrepreneurship—helped shape the person I am today and ultimately led to the creation of Aria Spa Therapy. I was born and raised in Brazil, where I earned my degree in Advertising. Read More>>

Kat Mulvaney

As a hairstylist- I’ve built my business through a combination of continued education, personalized service, and a genuine passion for helping people feel confident. Today, I operate my own business within a salon, specializing in custom color and hair transformations. My career has been built on strong client relationships, consistency, and a commitment to always evolving both creatively and professionally. Read More>>

Dr. Chad D. McKinney

I’ve been blessed with amazing parents who have Loved and supported me through everything I’ve done. That said, I feel I’ve often gained the most through the losses. One of the earliest pivotal moments came when I was expelled my senior year of high school. Up until that point, it was the hardest thing I’d been through. Read More>>

Holly Barr

My journey into real estate started somewhat unexpectedly while I was still in college. In 2011, during the height of the foreclosure crisis, I was working through a temporary staffing agency when I was placed at an appraisal management company. Read More>>

BREANNE REID

My passion is that all children have good oral health and have a good experience and relationship with their dentist. I was motivated by my own experience with my pediatric dentist as a child and adolescent to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry. Read More>>

Stanley Lieberman

Spent about 40 years as an aerospace engineer working for the Bendix Corporation. My expertise was in the design of control systems for satellites . During this period, we designed the control systems for Skylab and the Hubble Telescope. I consulted with most of the major aerospace companies including Hughes, Lockeed, Martin Marietta and Boeing. Also had published several papers in aerospace journals. Read More>>

Eva Ber

In 2016, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in London – a city packed with amazing international eats and bustling open-air markets. For a few unforgettable months, I wandered through London and other European cities, eating my way from neighborhood gems to must-try local favorites. Read More>>

Janel Kaden

Growing up in Leucadia, California, alongside my sister with special needs and visual impairment, I learned early on the art of noticing; an experience that shaped my belief that creativity helps us better understand ourselves, each other, and the world around us.  Read More>>

Jennifer Dermer

A good friend from high school, Christian Gomez, opened the original WetStone Wine Bar in Banker’s Hill 18 years ago. I would go with friends and / or family and WetStone became something to look forward to when visiting San Diego. Although I grew up here, I was living in Los Angeles at the time. WetStone Wine Bar also became my mom’s favorite place. Read More>>

Merrily Medina

After earning my elementary teaching credential from San Diego State University, I began my career teaching elementary school in Alpine, where I taught for several years while raising my three daughters. In 2009, I left the classroom and opened an after-school enrichment program. Read More>>

Samantha Hua

Since 1992, I’ve been passionate about fitness and nutrition for myself and started Happy Food in 2009. Over the years, I’ve noticed that weight and poor health is merely a symptom. By helping people break through what is keeping them stuck or self-sabotaging, we get to the root cause and weight loss becomes a bonus side effect. Read More>>

Nicole Crocker

My husband and I purchased a construction company that was failing — started small and grew it into an eight-figure business with multiple divisions: exteriors, kitchen and bath, design-build, custom homes, even our own showroom and supply house. Read More>>

adi KOREN

I started AK Motors because I have always had a strong passion for motorcycles, especially Japanese sport bikes. What started as a small motorcycle business has grown over the years into one of the well-known used motorcycle dealerships in the San Diego area. Read More>>

Natalie Vivaldi

I grew up in Oceanside, California, and was introduced to golf through the North County Junior Golf Association (NCJGA). Like a lot of kids, I started out just having fun, but I quickly fell in love with the game and the opportunities it provided. Read More>>

Kevin Baca

I started getting into photography when I was in high school, around 2011. I remember before I first started getting into it I was insistently searching for a creative outlet. Growing up I had a lot of family members who were creatives and I always admired them. I tried things like drawing, cross-stitching, and making music but nothing truly ever stuck. Read More>>

Laura Bookser Melissa Torres

Laura: Melissa and I have been friends for years, but we started Marine Life Learning because we shared core values on two things: a belief that the passions and interests kids have should be taken seriously and fostered, and a deep concern about the future of our environment. My undergrad degree is in sociology and my master’s degree is in education. Read More>>

Charlotte Marshall

People often assume my career has been about employer branding, but if I look back honestly, it has always been about something deeper: helping people make better decisions by understanding the truth. I originally thought I would become an investigative journalist. I studied journalism because I was fascinated by stories, especially the ones hiding beneath the surface. Read More>>

Caitlin Sullivan

Classical Pilates has been my lifeline twice so far… First after retiring from my professional ballet career with chronic pain and hormonal chaos and second after undergoing chemotherapy treatment for stage IV lymphoma in 2025. For me, Pilates goes far beyond just the physical benefits– the mental clarity and self-confidence are just as important. Read More>>

Dr. Chantal Davis, L. Ac., DACM

I found my way to Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2006 because I had always questioned parts of the conventional medical model. Even as a child, I watched my aging family members be prescribed medication after medication, yet very little attention was given to diet, lifestyle, stress, or the things that influence health every single day. Read More>>

Terha Newby

I’ve been in the floral industry for just over 10 years, and it all started with my sister’s wedding. She needed someone to handle the flowers, so I stepped in to help. What began as a favor quickly turned into a passion. Read More>>

Amy de Huelbes

I’ve been a registered nurse for 16 years and have focused on medical aesthetics for the last 12. Early in my career, I worked in oncology and fertility before transitioning into aesthetics, at a time when very few nurses were building independent practices in the industry, especially in California. Read More>>

Dana Cahill

My husband and I owned a personal gym training from 2002 until 2024 when we sold it. We then moved to Amelia island in Florida and opened a beautiful kids indoor playground . Sadly , my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and we sold the kids can be kids indoor playground and moved back to San Diego . Read More>>

Ryan Horban

My journey into GPS tracking and entrepreneurship started more than 15 years ago. Early on, I became fascinated by how location technology could solve real-world problems, whether that meant helping businesses manage vehicles, recover stolen assets, or simply gain better visibility into their operations. In late 2009, I launched Tracking System Direct. Read more>>

Kayla Terzi

I’m a Certified Reiki Master Teacher, Psychic Medium, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor, and lifelong creative. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to storytelling, expression, and understanding souls on a deeper level. Read more>>