Under the Radar

With the launch of his Right Hand Foundation, Atlanta native Courtney Stewart returns to his roots.

Over 25 years ago, Jonathan Vendrick entered the hospitality industry, and, just like that, everything

More than 30 years ago, Good Mews Animal Foundation became the first virtually cage-free, no-kill cat shelter in the metro Atlanta area.

Co-founder of Decatur children’s bookstore Little Shop of Stories, Dave Shallenberger has lived in the Atlanta area for over 25 years. Shallenberger and business partner Diane Capriola long dreamed of opening a shop to serve as a community gathering place.

Tammy Hurt, an Atlanta native, has made a name for herself by serving on the board of Georgia Music Partners, recently being elected to the national position of vice chair for the Recording Academy and for being a musician herself (she plays the drums).

With delicious restaurants opening up left and right in Atlanta, it can be hard to stand out. For Ponce de Leon hot spot 8ARM, that’s never been a problem. Executive Chef Maricela Vega has received critical acclaim for her innovative menu, featuring items like peaches and sunflower creme, preserved oyster mushrooms and tagliatelle.

For 45 years, the natural foods market Sevananda has provided quality whole foods to shoppers and members in Atlanta and surrounding cities.

While Vietnamese-Cajun Bon Ton might be known for its sense of humor, bar manager Tyler Reddick’s cocktails are no joke. The popular cocktail menus are as well-thought-out and technical as they are adventurous.

Pastry Chef Anna Gatti was originally on board with husband Chris’ idea of a doughnut shop, as long as she wasn’t running it.

Janet Raftis is no stranger to healing – both for herself and for others. After struggling with PTSD, anxiety and depression, Janet turned to energy healing, which led her to a transformed life and the creation of an Atlanta-based business.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival co-founder Elizabeth Feichter knew from early on she wanted to escape to a big city. When the North Carolina native landed a role at the Atlanta Botanical Garden after college, she was ready to make the leap.

Catrina Maxwell always knew she loved being behind the camera. After all, at the age of 7 she was setting up her Barbies and Cabbage Patch Dolls for photo shoots. But it wasn’t until after a decade-long accounting career that the Atlanta native took a leap of faith and began CatMax Photography.

There’s buzz around town about Atlanta’s newest coffee shop, Dairies Coffeehouse and Cold Brew Bar at Atlanta Dairies.

Crysta Luke, who was raised in Stone Mountain, has loved drawing and painting throughout her life. When she was younger, she made her way into Atlanta every chance she could to be around the people and things that aligned with her ideas and aesthetics. Luke found inspiration in the nature and people that the city had to offer.

Growing up in Macon in a beautifully designed home with a mother who enjoyed entertaining and working with a professional decorator, Katie Miner has long understood the power of interior design.

If you’ve been to Ponce City Market, you’ve likely stopped in Modern Mystic. The new-age shop, founded by Kelley Knight, was designed to make mystic mainstream and help people connect with their own intuition through the products and services offered.

Amy Hutsell, program director for Georgia’s CJCC Sexual Assault, Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Unit, is one of many often-unrecognized professionals serving the city’s public safety interest.

Jeff Corey, founder of local creative agency Visual Soldiers, is a rarity in this ever-changing city, an Atlanta native.

Haydn Hilton has always had a big heart for animals, especially cats, and grew up assisting her mom with wildlife rehabilitation. She was writing a paper for a film class when she first came across the concept of a cat café. This discovery derailed her original plans and she quickly began the process of creating Atlanta’s first cat café, Java Cats.

After playing in and managing bands, Britain-born Iain Bluett foresaw a potential downfall of the ticket industry for consumers and companies alike – costly service fees.

Hodgepodge Coffeehouse, a coffee shop and local art gallery, has been a staple since opening in East Atlanta in 2012.

VESTA Movement, a high-energy kickboxing workout studio with two intown locations (PCM and the Westside), is one of Atlanta’s top-rated gyms.