Over the past few months we’ve reached out to members of the CanvasRebel community to dive deeper into their stories. We wanted to learn how they got to where they are today and we heard stories that will keep our inspiration cup full for a long time. Their stories, lessons and humor have lifted our spirits and we hope you’ll take a minute to check out the stories below.

Melly Starz’s Story

Music in Mellsville was established on August 25, 2010, when Melly Starz started analyzing music. It is now the go-to source for underground hip-hop music in Miami and Chicago, reaching audiences worldwide. Originally from Chicago, Melly Starz has established herself as a powerhouse journalist on the Miami and Chicago hip-hop scenes. The road to this point was full of detours even resulting in taking time away. 2023 everything changed as she began flying into Chicago and working with artists. In 2024, she went full force and made it a permanent move. Now, she has become one of the go-to sources for all things underground, including new music, events, podcasts, media and artist management. Read more>>

Eric Stevenson of Pocket Vinyl

Well, Elizabeth and I met in college, but didn’t become friends until afterwards. I planned a solo piano tour (my first) back in 2010, and we were already dating by then and wanted to hang out more. She had done some live painting on stage before, so we figured she could come, we could hang, and it’d be a fun 6 weeks. It was! We realized we actually made money on that tour, which we didn’t know at the time was unheard of for most band’s first tour. But we auctioned off the paintings after each show and that was a solid 60% or more of our income. We got married in 2011 and decided to go for it. Since then, we’ve played over 1100 shows, played in all 50 states, started an autobiographical comic about our lives (The Touring Test), made a documentary about small touring bands (Drive. Play. Sleep.), and even broke a world record for “Playing a show in every state in the fastest amount of time” which we turned into a graphic novel that came out in Oct. 2023 called “How To Completely Lose Your Mind.” And that’s on top of releasing 11 to 16 albums (depending on how you count them). We’ve stayed busy, and it’s been financially meek much of time, but we’ve always been able to make ends meet, pay off college loans, and live a pretty great, satisfying if stressful career. Read more>>

Prince Frazier

My father loved music and is a musician as well. When my mom was pregnant, he would play his guitar and sing to me in the womb. Telling me how bright my future would be and how I would amount to something greater. He pretty much set me up for success with a name like Prince T’Challa honestly. Once I was older and my parents saw me taking a liking to the piano, they put me into piano lessons immediately. I also went to only performing and visual arts schools from elementary through high school. Where in each one I continued piano and vocal lessons. Eventually, during my time I would start writing songs to deal with my emotions. I was and still am pretty emotional and writing was always my escape to deal with the anxiety. One of the first few songs that I wrote that made all my friends even wonder who wrote it, was my song Red Crayon. Seeing how much they loved it, I continued to write more and more. I started releasing music once I got into college and learning more about mixing, and taking all of those years of work I put out my first album on my 21st birthday in December of 2023. I titled it “Divine Conversations of Growth” and it showed my growth as a person, artist, and writer up to that point. Telling a story that I cannot wait to continue to expand upon.  Read more>>

Dan Blanchard

I’m a high school teacher, and my journey as an author began with a simple, yet powerful moment. One day, a student approached me and said I was the most inspirational teacher she’d ever had. She told me I should write books to share the lessons I give in class with others. While I appreciated her words, I initially dismissed the idea, thinking it was kind but unrealistic. I didn’t believe I could write a book. However, over the next ten years, many students echoed the same sentiment. Year after year, different students encouraged me to write. After a decade of hearing this, I realized they were seeing something in me that I hadn’t recognized in myself. It made me think that maybe I should trust in them the way I ask them to trust in me. So, I decided to write a book—thinking it would never be published, but at least I’d have something to show the students who kept suggesting it. Then I wondered what I’d tell my students if they asked whether I had taken a risk and submitted my manuscript to a publisher. So, despite my doubts, I decided to swing for the fences and sent it off. To my surprise, a publisher accepted it, and that first book was published. Read more>>

Benjamin Wilson-scott

I always wanted to write music, at least as far back as I can remember. I have memories of being a small & shy five-year-old hitting the family upright piano and thinking I sounded like the records my Dad would play in the car – Bob Dylan, the Beatles, & Jefferson Starship. When I was ten my oldest brother went to university. Of course, like any younger brother, I helped myself to anything he left behind. There was this beaten-up Stratocaster-style guitar sitting there, along with a few teach-yourself-guitar books, and from that moment I knew what I wanted in my future. The first time I remember deciding to pursue this professionally was in my earlier teens. I was in an Emo/Punk/Alt-Rock band and we played local shows – mostly pubs and function rooms – where no one was there to listen to us. One year we entered a Battle of the Bands and to my surprise, we won. Pictures in the local newspaper on a beachside hotel balcony. I remember being so happy but after a few days I wondered why everything seemed the same, no one cared about our excitement and the music was too Vans Warped Tour for our small town.  Read more>>

Olivia Johnson

For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to have a career in fashion. When I was a little girl, I would sketch clothing all the time and dreamed of being a fashion designer. I spent many years pursing this goal, starting all the way back in high school, where I took a summer course at the Fashion Institute in Boston. The program was design based and I realized I had more of an eye for fashion, so I wanted to learn more about the merchandising and business side of the industry. From there, I went to college for fashion merchandising and business, and when I graduated Covid hit. I knew I wanted to open my own business eventually but Covid ended up accelerating it for me. In one of my college classes, I had to create a business plan for our semester project. I ended up using that exact plan for Liv For Fashion, and then I researched everything else online that I needed to know to operate. I spent a whole year before I opened my store, teaching myself everything by watching youtube videos, researching market trends, looking at other online boutiques and seeing what they were doing well and analyzing the industry relentlessly. Read more>>

Paul Farahvar

Long story, short? I was a successful lawyer for years until I got the comedy bug and quit my career in law to pursue stand up comedy. Now I am a touring comedian, podcasting and comedy writer, based in Chicago. Read more>>

Evan Harris

I always say I believe I was born to be creative and showcase my artistic talent to the world. I believe I was called to be a photographer, capturing scenes and moments that you couldn’t describe in words. I picked up my first camera in 2017, and a few months later, I started my photography business as Navetography, which is currently Planet Nave Photography. In the past seven years, I have made connections with photographers nationwide, was published three times in magazines, and once in an art show, and have made lasting connections with clientele. Read more>>

Robyn Betchner of Grand Venture Advisory

What may sound like contradictions are really part of my lifelong learning journey and desire to always try something new. As a child I excelled in math and science, though I chose to pursue fine arts in college and then business as an adult. I’ve tended to find comfort in highly structured environments, yet a few years ago, I decided to completely change my life. I sold my house and quit my successful corporate career to travel and experience the world for two years. This was the single biggest and scariest decision of my life.  Upon the completion of my grand adventure, I have been an entrepreneur for almost two years. Not every step has been a success, but each step has set me up for success.  Read more>>

Kate Norris

I feel incredibly lucky to live the life I am living. I get to make the jewellery of my dreams! I took quite a while to get here but now I wake up feeling so aligned and so blessed that this is the life I get to live. After failing my A-levels, not bothering to apply for University and a long list of dead end jobs, I started to save every penny and travel the world for as long as possible by volunteering, hitch hiking and couch surfing. I successfully lived this way for years but after a while I realised I wasn’t contributing anything to our beautiful world, I couldn’t live this way forever and if I died tomorrow I wouldn’t have left anything as my legacy other than attending countless parties and travelling to x amount of countries. Not knowing what to do, I turned to one of best friends during this little life crisis and she made me pinky promise to at least ‘try’ to create a better life for myself. This led me to booking a 4 day silversmithing course in London in 2018. Years prior I had attended an afternoon of jewellery making in Northern Thailand and another morning in Bali and these moments of joy were the catalyst for this whole new life.  Read more>>

Candace Fleming’s Story

Hi, My name is Candace and I am the Owner, Creator, and Maker of BUSH Beard located in Montague, ON, otherwise known as what I like to call “The BUSH”. I wanted to create “Free From” products that actually work and have been doing so since 2018. My motivation to create beard care products was my husband, and getting him to use ingredients that wouldn’t affect his hormones. I started with two beard oils and have now expanded to several different items and products all formulated with premium ingredients and small batch made by me. Read more>>

Antoinette Garland’s Story

My name is Antoinette, and I’m an Herbalist from the South Side of Chicago. My journey to herbalism began with my Father, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in October of 2014, and myself, who suffer from an irregular menstrual cycle. This led me to gain a better understanding of how to use herbs, and now have a Master Clinical Herbalist certification and a Herbal Business Cosmic Creole. Read more>>

Daniella Addison of Ofori

Daniella’s academic journey began at York University, where she earned her nursing degree in 2018. This educational foundation gave her a deep understanding of health and wellness, which she has leveraged throughout her career. After graduating, Daniella joined Toronto Public Health as a Public Health Nurse. In this role, she developed her skills in public speaking and community education, focusing on underserved populations. Her work involved COVID-19 and immunizations, which honed her ability to communicate complex health information effectively. Recognizing a significant gap in awareness regarding the harmful effects of certain beauty practices within the black community, Daniella was inspired to make a change. She experienced firsthand the adverse effects of skin bleaching, hair relaxers, and extensive use of hair extensions, which fueled her passion to educate and empower others. This led to the founding of Ofori, a platform dedicated to promoting natural beauty and healthy alternatives. Read more>>

Michelle Hacunda of Michelle Hacunda Consulting

I started my career working in-house in higher education marketing and communications, where I honed my skills in storytelling and content strategy. After several years in that space, I transitioned into life sciences and pharma communications, which allowed me to dive deeper into more specialized and regulated industries. The turning point for me came during graduate school while navigating some personal health issues. At the time, I was also working in corporate, and that experience inspired me to focus on health and wellness brands. I wanted to use my skills to help organizations that make a positive impact on people’s lives, much like those that supported me. Read more>>

Midwestmyles

I’m a Hip Hop producer. I love crafting beats. I got heavy into music around 11 or 12 years old. This was late 90s, early 2000s and I fell in love with the sound of Hip Hop Read more>>

David Darling

I was home from work, six years ago, recovering from shoulder surgery. I have always been an avid reader, and I was going through a book per day. However, I was reading a novel that was horrible, and after fifty pages I gave up. I said, “I can write a better book than that!” I was going to be home for three months, and I had nothing else to do… so I began writing! Six years later, I have eight novels published and several other projects on the back burner, ready to go. My latest novel, The Egyptian Enigma, comes out November 26, 2024! Read more>>

Brianne Helfrich of Helfrich Collective Corporation

Absolutely! In 2020, my mental health struggles started to take a large toll on my life. I suffered from extreme anxiety, was rejected from Medical School and went through a breakup. I needed something positive to put my energy in to, so I created a hoodie highlighting mental health awareness. 3 years later, my brand Helfrich Collective has been featured in large publications, worn by celebrities and continues to advocate and give back to various organizations. Read more>>

Anne M. Smith-nochasak

Reading and storytelling have always been important to me. As a teacher, I enjoyed teaching writing, and creating short plays and stories featuring my students. For a while, I attempted novel writing, and although it was my dream, I let it slide away. About twenty years ago, I started penning the stories of an older woman reflecting on her life and family and trying to make sense of her place in the world. At this time, I began writing with a purpose and intensity that I had lacked before, and out of these ramblings, my first novel began to take shape. When agents cautioned me that I had a good story, but one lacking sales potential, I set the project aside. Read more>>

Laghe Andrews’s Story

Being predominantly an introverted being, it was movies, music, poetry, philosophy, and stories in all forms that captivated my mind and stimulated the beautifully creative side of me. Even though I came from what would be considered a broken home with a mother who sometimes found it hard to maintain emotional balance, I often witnessed the solace my mother received from various form of stimulating arts. Seeing first hand what forms of art can do for the mind, body, and soul is what set my passion for entertainment ablaze and from that point on I have sought out ways to connect the dots between art and entertainment to health and wellness. Read more>>

Raheem Nelson’s Story

My name is Raheem Nelson. I’m an illustrator and creative entrepreneur based in West Haven, CT. I got into social media marketing and branding in the middle of the pandemic. What I do for my art business is attend meetings and create live infographics for companies. The skill is called Graphic Recording. It’s fun for me because I get to turn people’s thoughts, feelings and opinions into art. Read more>>

Katera Bridges

It’s honestly so surreal to say that I am a 5-figure online business owner as a stay-at-home mom. I got started with my business in September of 2023, so I just passed my 1st anniversary and I can honestly say that God has been good to me! I started my business because I wanted to be able to help my husband out financially. I had just graduated college the year prior, our son had just turned 1 year old, and I was still scrounging around trying to figure out what to do with my life. I knew I didn’t want to put my son into daycare, and I also knew that a 9-5 has never been in the plans for me, so I knew that it was finally time for me to let go and let God guide me. Read more>>

Basi White

I started writing in 1st grade and never stopped. As I realized the lack of representation in my favorite genres, even failing to write ethnic characters myself, I had a paradigm shift and began to imagine my stories in a very different light. They felt more authentic and relatable to me. Around 2019 I began writing and world-building for my flagship graphic novel, Aaru En Duat, and spend about four years refining it. This brought me to create spin-offs like my 2022 release, Lost With All Hands. I also realized there may be a financial barrier for some, so there are free webtoons and stories available on my website. Like me, there are people of African descent that love comics, manga and animation but don’t have many options for black content in that realm. Sensiil Studios will be bridging that gap. For more information visit my website, sensiilstudios.com or message me on social media, @sensiilstudios. Read more>>

Celina Phoenix

I started my clothing business with a passion for design and a vision to create unique and stylish outfits that would inspire confidence in those who wear them. Through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence, I slowly built a loyal customer base and am currently expanding my brand. Over time, i learned valuable lessons about the fashion world, honed my skills and adapted to the ever- changing trends. I invested in marketing strategies. By staying true to my passion for the fashion world and listening to feedback from customers, i was able to grow my business and establish a strong presence in the fashion world. Today, I am proud to see my love for fashion wore by loyal customers, making a statement and expressing their individuality through my work. I am grateful for the journey that has brought me to where I am today, and I am excited to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas.  Read more>>

Altheda Bastien of Nailah’s Naturals

Nailah’s Naturals started 4 years ago in Spring Valley, NY before relocating to New Haven, Connecticut in August of 2020. Initially I was going to start with hair care, however after careful consideration decided that skincare that was affordable and made with natural ingredients would be a game changer. Currently our products are sold online, at vendor and craft expos, and hopefully one day in a brick and mortar site. Read more>>

Adam Al-sirgany

I never feel particularly coherent sharing my “story.” That ought to be embarrassing to say as someone who helps others shape their own narratives, their “brands” every day. So maybe let me get to this off the bat: I don’t really know how to frame myself with any simplicity. And that’s what I’ve got to offer—as a writer, as an editor, as a friend. There aint an elevator pitch, not really. Probably isn’t for you either. And there’s a virtue to accepting that slow-and-messy. Life isn’t a reasonable endeavor; trying to make it seem like it is turns the best of us into hucksters. The reason for that, I’d suspect, is rooted in the truth that the present is always just where a bundle of our stories get piled together. Read more>>

Destry Carter

My music career starts out with four friends sitting in the park and randomly coming up with an idea to form a music group. Most odd combination of friends you’ll see. LOL. An idea turned into us seeing if we could actually rap, to becoming some hacky ass producers (still don’t know how we were doing that), to making songs, to performing in the neighborhood, to having young kid rap beefs with other kids around the neighborhood that were seemingly doing the same thing. Shit sounds crazy and hilarious now that I think about it. Fast forward to today, a driven solo act that’s going for the whole thing. A lot of hardships got me here. A lot of naivety. But I went through it and now I am who I am. And what I am is on the verge of greatness. Read more>>

Jenni Grover

I’ve always been a creative person… I believe we’re ALL born innately creative, but I was lucky enough to not have that impulse squashed in childhood. As a kid, I lived in my imagination. I grew up with a tumultuous home life, and turned to creative expression to cope. I wrote my first novella around the age of 12, taught myself to embroider (I covered my clothes in cute animals), and excelled in all things crafty at school and in Girl Scouts. In high school, I realized I wanted to use my love of writing to help others, and began studying journalism. I was co-editor of my school paper and frequently got in trouble for writing stories that told the truth about life as a teenager in Houston; I was passionate about helping people share their own stories. I became a journalist, publishing hundreds of articles in numerous outlets. But fibromyalgia showed up when I was 25, severely limiting me physically and kicking off an ongoing experience of self-advocacy. Read more>>

Richard Keen

Like a lot of my generation ( Gen X ), I had a childhood with a lot of freedom and autonomy. Both of my parents, who divorced when I was eight, held full time jobs so I was free to roam around the neighborhood, run in the woods, ride my bike, play loud music – pretty much do whatever I wanted to do so long as I was home in time for supper. My background is solidly blue collar. My mom was a nurse and my dad was a mechanic and salesman, who later helped my stepmom run their own business. We moved from the slate belt of Pennsylvania (where I was born) to Indiana (where I grew up) and although the Midwest was a fairly safe and gentle place to grow up, I never really felt like I fit in – until I found art. Thankfully, the public schools in Elkhart, IN had decent funding for their art programs. By the time I was in high school, we had access to painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and clay – and four art teachers! That was it, I was hooked. Read more>>

Raquel Fornasaro’s Story

Growing up in Brazil, I was surrounded by frenetic urban environments and lush natural landscapes, which sparked my fascination with the relationship between urbanization and nature. This duality became a central theme in my work, as I sought to explore and highlight the imbalance between these worlds. Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a desire to inform, inspire, and empower viewers, particularly concerning our environmental choices and the ecological upheaval they created. Collaborating with scientists has been a crucial aspect of my work, as it allows me to weave scientific insights into my artistic expressions, creating pieces that are both visually engaging and intellectually stimulating. Read more>>

Ellaf Al-tamimi of Bosskey Premium Services

My name is Ellaf Al-Tamimi. My journey began when my family and I fled southern Iraq during the 1991 war between Iraq and Kuwait. We lived in refugee camps in Saudi Arabia for about two years before coming to America. I grew up in Dearborn, Michigan until I was 14 years old. At that age, I was sent to Iraq as a child bride and forced into a marriage with a physically abusive partner. In 2017, I managed to escape that situation by bringing my ex-husband to America on a spousal visa as the conflict with ISIS intensified. He stayed in the U.S. for about six months before returning to Iraq because he refused to live in a country that prohibited domestic abuse. Read more>>

Sabine Kahwaji

I began my journey independently at the age of 19 with no connections and rejection from film school. Despite this setback, I had a lot of ambition and drive. I started cold emailing extensively and doing a lot of free work for years to establish myself. My focus was always focusing on the bigger picture and not limiting myself to the local circle around me. It wasn’t easy, especially as a Lebanese writer and director, where many of my stories were rejected. I learned to take the independent route, and over time, I saw satisfying results. Furthermore, I feel like I’m in the process of opening many doors for other creatives, especially those from underrepresented groups. I used to say that all the time, but over the last year until now, I’ve truly felt that impact. Read more>>

Keelan Mcmorrow’s Story

I’m an artist, and I’ve been painting, drawing, and making stuff since I was first able to pick up a crayon. Professionally, I’ve been at it since my mid-twenties. My primary focus is always my studio work, but I’ll tackle just about any project I’m hired to do that’s relevant to my skillset and aesthetic sensibilities. Lately I’ve been doing more murals, for example, than in the past. Whatever I’m painting, I live for it, and I’m very hard on myself when I’m not happy with what I’m working on, so the work has to correspond with my overall vision. Read more>>

Lynsey Kapera of Lynsey Jordanna Photography

I started this business when I was about 26 or 27. I wasn’t sure what would come of it but knew I loved snapping photos and wanted to try and see where I could go with it. I let the camera take full control. I had not a clue even what I really enjoyed taking photos of more or what my niche would be. I left it up to higher power I guess. I started taking photos of everything – people, places, things. I started posting and chatting about the images in the descriptions. I knew that this hobby made me feel good and wanted to continue doing it so I did. I had a lot of people ask me to take their photos after a while and I would agree and do small jobs here and there . I then figured out goals. A goal to make photography my full time thing. Read more>>

Kathy Imabayashi of Sonhood Coaching

Born into a family of eight, all female except for two, Kathy grew up as a member of the baby boomer generation. She envisioned and created a series of life’s adventures often based on intuition, or more often, on a feeling inspired from a book. Little did she know that reading Shogun by James Clavell would propel her into an international journey and nomad lifestyle that would start in Japan and take her through six very distinct countries and cultures. Kathy had a rich and diverse career in education for more than four decades. Her heart is with the youngest of children and most of her teaching years were within the area of Early Years Education. Kathy also possesses expertise in guiding and nurturing children throughout their elementary years. She taught in both national and international schools, founded her own preschool in Japan and for the last decade of her career worked leading teachers and supporting families in school leadership roles. Whether in the role of teacher, coordinator, vice principal or principal, for every decision ever made, and continues to make, the guiding influence is always, ‘Is this in the best interest of the child?’ Read more>>

Deepali Govind of Dreamz by Dee

I come from a middle-class family in India, where I always dreamed of working in a corporate environment—dressing in fancy suits, delivering presentations, and participating in conferences. This aspiration led me to pursue a career as a Software Engineer, where I spent over nine years in the IT industry, honing my technical skills and contributing to various projects. Life took an interesting turn when I moved to the United States on a dependent visa. During this time, I dedicated myself to raising my children, while also taking the opportunity to learn new skills and earn certifications. I immersed myself in understanding new cultures and enjoyed the richness of family life. Read more>>

Kelly & Michael Sacco

Owning a record store was always our dream escape on bad workdays. We had no experience or qualifications, but that didn’t stop us from imagining it—right down to the name: The Records Department. When we found out that our community’s incubator for new businesses would be housed in The Old Courthouse, we knew it was time to act. So, we took a leap, used our savings, and connected with the Small Business Development Center to turn our dream into reality. As long-time collectors of modern music (and with one of us being female), we noticed a gap in the local record shop scene. Many stores in our area didn’t feel welcoming to younger collectors, women, or people new to vinyl. They often seemed intimidating, with complex audio setups and an atmosphere that felt more like a club for seasoned collectors. Shops were musty, records were old, and everything felt outdated and exclusive. We set out to change that. Read more>>

Mary Lynch

I’m a self-taught artist, residing in central Arkansas. I started painting almost nine years ago, and after experimenting with a variety of subjects, finally found my niche with atmospheric landscapes. I left a full time office job four years ago, and have been working to build my brand by finding gallery homes, consistent marketing, and participating in exhibitions and competitions. I converted a spare bedroom into a home studio, which is where I spend a good part of each day. I’m blessed to have the support of my husband and many friends. Read more>>

Michael Litten

Wahid, http://drsatl.com, and I are super stoked to be celebrating our 6th anniversary of having stimulating conversations on Ride The Vibe. The last 5 years have been focused on promoting musicians and their original music. We have been blessed to have had guests join us from Canada, St. Croix, Ireland, France, UK, Scotland, Turkey, Finland, Japan, South Africa and a myriad of states here in America. We have chatted with and shared the music of over 150 musicians, highlighting close to 1000 of their original songs. A great majority of these introductions have come from the amazing one of a kind Lucy Piller, www.allrightnow.com. Read more>>

Willie C. Mewborn Iii

I started cooking in 2014 at a wing restaurant in New Haven, CT. I started as a delivery driver then moved up to a cook. I excelled on the line as a cook and then became even more interested in learning more in the industry. After a year or so I left the wing restaurant to become a cook at Quinnipiac University for two years. I took advantage of this opportunity to expand my knowledge of food and different recipes. In 2017 I took a huge step and moved from my hometown New Haven, CT to Atlanta, GA. From there I continued to expand my knowledge by working at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. Through all of the trials and errors, I learned that my passion is food and creating amazing dishes for people to enjoy. From there I started my own business in January 2020. From there through social media, word of mouth, connecting with other chefs and networking with other entrepreneurs I continued to develop into the chef I am today. Not only a chef but I learned how to become a businessman. As I continued to network, I created relationships with people who can bring value to the brand such as accountants, mentors, marketers and etc. Without good character and work ethic I wouldn’t be In this position. Read more>>

Synclaire Butler of Pleasure Hauz

My name is Synclaire Butler, I was born, raised, and since we last spoke, still currently residing on Dena’Ina land, otherwise known as Anchorage, Alaska! I am an artist, entrepreneur, and the creator of Pleasure Hauz, and now a new mom to my baby girl, Beatrice! Last time we caught up I was able to talk about how I got started and what led me to where I was then, but so much life has happened since then, including more pivoting with a surprise pregnancy! Since our last conversation, Pleasure Hauz has experienced significant growth and transformation. The mission to center Black joy, life, and pleasure remains steadfast, but I’ve expanded our reach and impact in exciting ways. In fact, I would say because of the many shifts I have had to make, has led us to an even richer and more expansive brand getting ready to do a long promised release this Fall. Read more>>

Teri Heidemeyer

I’ve’ always been a creative type, always drawing and making things. I took the usual path or art school after being the weirdo in high school. Graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute and did various creative work but life happens and I got a “normal job”. Did that for years with art as more of a hobby but with the birth of my youngest kiddo ( who is 12 now) I started putting more time into my art and started getting a following online. I’m blessed to have a supportive husband who encourages me and friends who have been my cheerleaders as well. Once Covid hit and I was home more I decided to work on my art full time.. I remember telling my mentor, calligrapher Michael Sullivan, I was quitting my job to do art full time and he replied, “Good. You should have been doing that the whole time”. From being known as an illustrator I was asked by the Casper Children’s Theatre to paint sets for a production my son was in. Now not only do I paint sets for them and other local theatre productions, but I also make props and even full scale puppets for their shows. I have also taught puppetry workshops in the Summer. Read more>>

Jada June Totten

When I was 10 years old, I started horseback riding in California with the help of my nanny who taught me how to tie goats, run barrels, and pole bend. I got into Junior High School Rodeo in sixth grade and absolutely loved it. Rodeo wasn’t the only sport I enjoyed though. I also played basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and swam. During my sixth grade year, my hometown was hit by the Valley Fire, which destroyed my home. Thankfully, my horses and dogs were safe. After the fire, my family and I moved to Eagle, Idaho. It was a big change, but it turned out to be great for my rodeo career with more opportunities to compete. I also joined the Idaho High School Rodeo for six years and even served as their State Secretary for one year and State President for two years. After high school, I went to Tarleton State University where I currently rodeoing for their college team. Read more>>

Lynn Christine Kelly

I had a life before art. At least, I started my adulthood without art. I worked in the construction industry as an estimator, a contracts manager, and ultimately as a Chief Estimator running that department. It’s long hours and very stressful, and while I enjoyed the variety of projects, from residential towers to bridges and tunnels, I ultimately decided it was time to return to a childhood love and to pursue my art. I went to the Ontario College of Art and Design and got my BFA with Distinction. Then I went to the Chelsea College of Art and Design in London, the UK, and got my Masters. A year spent in London, immersing myself in their vibrant and dynamic art world, really affected how I view the world and how I approach my art. Fantastic experience that’s for sure. Read more>>

Jharvis James of Gourmé Global Enterprises

I am a Miami-born and raised, now Indianapolis based Private Chef & Chef Coach. My journey starts as early as a 6-year-old kid in my grandfather’s kitchen who cooked for us all the time. One of the best chefs I’ve ever had the pleasure to eat and learn from. My grandfather had a rule – “No one eats for free”. And by that he meant, we had to work for our food. We either earned our plate by cleaning up or helping him cook. I, like many 6-year-olds, had a serious allergy to cleaning so I chose cooking. But jokes on me because I soon realized that apart of cooking IS cleaning – so I essentially chose a double portion of work, even though I didn’t get double portion of food. That’s where my culinary journey began. As my grandfather’’s “Stool sidekick”. My grandfather always cooked sitting on his famous stool no one was allowed to touch or sit in. And he would give commands while sitting on his stool at the stove to bring him ingredients. I didn’t know it then, but this was not only my introduction to the kitchen life, but training to learn the fundamentals of delegation, call and response, focus, diligence, and trial and error – the foundation of any successfully ran kitchen. Read more>>

Inga Avedyan of TEMPÊTE

Inga Avedyan is an energetic, optimistic, and passionate entrepreneur with a diverse professional background. After graduating from a finance university program, Inga worked in a major bank before transitioning to marketing and later attending film school. Her multifaceted career journey includes launching and growing her career while managing motherhood with two kids. Inga took time to reflect and recharge, leading to the opening of her first venture: a Mediterranean-style photo studio. This studio quickly became one of Vancouver’s most sought-after art spaces, attracting clients such as Lululemon, Understance, Vrai, Monos, and many more. Driven by a desire for a greater challenge, Inga then launched TEMPÊTE, the first re-wearable bridal brand focused on creating a bridal capsule wardrobe for brides. Inga’s entrepreneurial spirit and ability to adapt and thrive in various industries highlight her as a dynamic and innovative leader. Read more>>

Samaira Sood

The Read and Give Project began as a small idea fueled by my passion for literacy and a desire to make a difference in underserved communities. I noticed that many children lacked access to books and educational resources, and I wanted to create a space where they could explore the world of reading. Starting out, I collaborated with a few friends and local organizations to collect and distribute books to children in need. Over time, our efforts expanded, and we began organizing literacy workshops, reading programs, and even setting up mini-libraries in under-resourced areas.  Today, Read and Give has grown into a youth-led nonprofit that not only promotes literacy but also creates a supportive platform for young artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs to express themselves. Through various initiatives, we’ve been able to reach more communities and make an impact, while continuously encouraging the power of reading and creativity.  Our journey so far has been both challenging and rewarding, but seeing the joy and curiosity sparked in young readers keeps us motivated to continue growing and expanding our efforts. Read more>>

Anna Grydasova

My journey in the wedding industry began in 2007 when we opened our first bridal store in Kyiv, Ukraine. Initially, we focused on importing well-known international bridal brands, gaining valuable insight into the market and understanding what brides were looking for. This experience sparked a desire to create something unique for the Ukrainian bridal market, and in 2015, we launched our own production and established Ariamo Fashion Group. We started small—just four people, including myself, a sales manager, and two tailors—but we had big ambitions. Our goal was to offer bridal dresses that were elegant, modern, and catered to a variety of tastes. Over the years, we expanded into four distinct brands, each with its own philosophy and style, ranging from minimalist designs to bohemian-inspired collections and luxury couture. Read more>>

Stephanie Ngo’s Story

From being powerless to successful beyond my wildest dreams. I am a Vietnamese-American born and raised in California in the 90s. I have always loved being Vietnamese. I relished in learning about my Vietnamese heritage, culture, and language. Despite growing up in a Vietnamese-heavy area of the United States, we did not have the same equity in this country as other Americans. I didn’t see anyone who looked like me in American media or in positions of leadership. And being southeast Asian as opposed to the more marketable east Asian, my culture was ignored and marginalized. Moreover, those who are half Asian like myself were very few and marginalized further. Life was difficult for me as a half Vietnamese growing up in the 90s; I had no place I belonged, I did not feel accepted, and Vietnamese people were not well represented on the world stage. Read more>>