Over the years as we connected with incredible from folks from almost every imaginable industry we realized that every nook and cranny of our economy is full of small business owners, artists and creatives who live and breathe what they do – and their stories are nothing short of heroic. It’s the immigrant parents who overcame the odds and kept their small business alive for decades allowing their next generation to thrive and the artisans who pour their passion into every piece and refuse to let even the most common items remain mundane that make our communities come alive. The stories below will inspire you and we hope you’ll take the time to read and connect with these incredible folks.

Wenter Shyu of Third Culture Bakery

We started in April of 2017 with just Sam and myself running and doing everything – baking, cleaning, delivering, invoicing, emailing, everything. After working 12+ hour days for 5 months, we hired our first employee and now have a healthy team of 26 folks in California. We knew that we wanted to run a food business differently than many of the way other restaurants that we’ve worked in operated – and flip the script of what a typical ‘food worker’ environment meant. A restaurant owner friend recently saw our operations and our offices and said that we’re “giving blue collar workers a white collar environment” – I’ve never thought about it that way but it totally makes sense and have never felt prouder. Third Culture Bakery is truly the little bakery that could – it’s built and founded on love and it’s magical. Read more>>

Jennifer Tschetter

My journey began unexpectedly when a colleague of a colleague needed support on rolling out a new project–so I serendipitously secured my first contract. I hadn’t planned to run my own business full-time, but that initial contract sparked a passion. I spent my early years honing my skills (additional training, coaching, gaining certifications). About two years in, I decided to elevate my business practices, focusing on what it meant to run a business, not just work for myself. I said, “Yes!” to a lot of different things, which helped me discover what I enjoyed and disliked. I love the flexibility in my work and the ability to try new things. While my niche will likely continue to adapt over time, I know that I love working with managers and teams in mission-driven organizations. You can learn more about my background on my website: tschetterconsulting.com. Read more>>

Sakina Williams’s Story

Working in the publishing industry was mentally, physically and emotionally challenging. Coupled with balancing family life and pursuing my dream to start a wellness business, I looked for activities to help align my mental health. I always seemed to come back to yoga. Living in NY, there was no shortage of yoga studios, but I never really found the right space for me. BK Buddha was born in 2015 as a result. BK Buddha is a traveling wellness hub for all things mind, body and spirit. The vision of BK Buddha is to provide yoga and wellness to marginalized populations and to anyone who does not have access to yoga studios. I have a Master of Science degree in Yoga Therapy and have been teaching and practicing many forms of yoga for 25+ years. For the past 8 years I’ve been an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University teaching a course I designed, Yoga Theory and Application. This course gives undergraduates yoga and as well as real world fundamentals for living on and off the mat. I am also the leading meditation instructor on the Core by Hyperice, an app when paired with a device that tracks the body’s physical response to guided meditations and breath work. I am also certified in Mental Health First Aid, pre and post natal yoga, Reiki II and a Sound Therapist. Mental Health advocacy and injury prevention are the top priorities in my work. I have a good number of athletes as clients and the mental health crisis is rising among this population at a rapid rate. Read more>>

Steve Zwillinger

I am a seasoned advertising Creative Director with extensive experience leading creative teams to produce impactful campaigns for major clients. My expertise spans content marketing, integrated and digital campaign development, and design across various media. I have held senior positions at agencies and in-house teams, consistently delivering high-quality, strategic, creative work. And then came the art. My passion for creating art is deeply personal, rooted in the inspiration I find during my daily morning walks. It was here that I began transforming my photographs into unique pieces for sale online at www.zwillyprints.com. This passion has grown into a dedication to crafting artwork that showcases my diverse skillset, including creative direction, image manipulation, advanced Photoshop techniques, and the strategic use of AI. I believe that every stunning visual deserves a compelling story, and I strive to infuse my art with captivating imagery and thought-provoking, engaging narratives. Read more>>

Charlecia Joy of Stapledon Arts

My name is Charlecia Joy, my loved ones call me Joy! My story begins with my early love for art, encouraged by my mother, who supported my creative pursuits and introduced me to art opportunities in South Florida, where I grew up. Despite our Caribbean heritage’s deep appreciation for art, my mother’s support was particularly unique, especially in pursuing art as a career. I was privileged to attend Performing and Visual Arts schools, which helped refine my skills but struggled with career guidance upon graduating high school (and undergrad for that matter). Initially, I studied architecture because I thought it was creative enough to keep my interest and would rear financial stability. I quickly learned that it was not for me, I did not understand the concepts and struggled in the computer design classes. So I switched to set design, which was more imaginative and fulfilling, but silly me, I could not run away from AutoCAD! The summer before graduation, while completing my internship credits I had the chance to work with children and it made me realize my passion for facilitating art alongside creating it. This led me to become an art educator in many different facets, specifically in communities of color in major cities such as Philadelphia and New York City. While teaching art at a high school in the South Bronx I recognized a gap year after year. My students felt unrepresented in the art materials. This frustration and my desire to improve the art world inspired me to create Stapledon Arts. Read more>>

Avalene R

I first decided to become a Dental Hygienist after finding out that I had unhealthy gums myself. I just had to learn more about gum health myself . After becoming a Dental Hygienist and working for many years, lock down occurred and I started to create fun social media content online. It was at that moment that I realized that many people had questions about their smile. I noticed that people really wanted more information about how to take care of their teeth. This is when I focused my content on dental hygiene. I now create educational and fun videos on Tiktok, youtube, Instagram and Threads helping people smile with confidence. Read more>>

Morgan Lerner of GoNanas

My journey began in college at the University of Michigan where, despite being a pre-med student, I found myself dedicating most of my time to building a food club on campus. This experience really sparked my passion for food, people, creativity, and organizational growth. It was during that time that my business partner Annie and I started GoNanas out of a need for healthy baked goods. We initially launched our business with a ready-to-eat banana bread for foodservice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when everyone was stuck at home and banana bread was really blowing up, we decided to pivot and launch at-home mixes. Our mixes quickly went viral on social media and led us on this wild growth journey. Today, GoNanas is in 4,000 grocery stores, including Whole Foods, Wegmans, and Target and most recently, both Annie and I made the Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2024!  Read more>>

Emily Kelley’s Story

I started Land & She in 2016 while working as a graphic designer full-time for an agency in Philadelphia. I worked everyday in a cubicle, and during my down-time I would doodle in scrap paper and notebooks to relieve some of my stress included with the job. Those doodles turned into block carvings and drawings that were the first pieces I created for my brand. During this time I also religiously read the “Life In Business” column on Design*Sponge and it gave me incredible motivation and hope to hear stories of creative businesses thriving on their own. It was a different time back then, in which it was new to be creatively free with your passions, unlike today where we see it everywhere on social media. These stories gave me hope that one day I would live the creative life I dreamed of, and to leave the dreary-ness of a 90 hour work week in a cubicle – long story short, eventually that dream came true. Read more>>

Chris Dixon

For over a decade, I’ve booked, directed, produced, and starred in the touring, international, one woman show Harriet Tubman Herself. My contract was for only four shows. Recently in Paris, France was my 759th show. I drive around the country by myself, pitching my show to many schools, universities, senior centers, Temples, Churches, galas, African American museums, Maritime Museum in Santa Barbara, Lighthouse Museums, The African Burial Grounds, and National Parks. I performed at Battery Park in New York City. Katherine Hepburn said “if you can show up, show up.” I believe those who show up, go up. I constantly show up for myself, no matter what. On St. Patrick’s Day, back in 2020, I landed in Las Vegas (my first time there) to perform nine shows. When I landed at 3:23 pm, I was informed that Governor Sisolak shutdown the state due to Covid for 4-6 weeks, so they thought. I was told to return to NYC immediately and I told them, “no thank you! I will explore Nevada until it opens. When life gives me lemons, I add Vodka! (I don’t drink) Could you please show me to a really good car rental place?” Read more>>

Nicole Laby

My story begins in my mid-twenties in the bustling city of San Francisco. I had no experience playing an instrument or singing, except for my feeble attempts to play piano by ear as a child. No lessons. No instruction from anyone. But I knew I wanted to be in a band. I was attending undergrad at San Francisco State University, majoring in psychology, and decided to take a singing class. Shortly thereafter, I met 3 other women and formed my first band, See Jane Run. I taught myself to play guitar by ear (no books and I couldn’t afford lessons), and started writing music. Music became a life long vehicle for me to explore and express trauma from my childhood and teen years. It served as a surrogate parent. And it continues to heal me. Read more>>

Ashley Wong of Ashley Wong Sweets

My name is Ashley and I am the owner of Ashley Wong Sweets. I have been in the culinary industry for 20 years now and started when I was 16 years old. My first food service job was at In N Out Burger. While working there, I went to culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco and earned my AOS degree with high honors in culinary. Once I graduated culinary school, I worked at Paula Le Duc Catering for 2 years where we did events for high profile clients and built and broke down kitchens. From weddings, to holiday parties and large plated events, we did them all. Once I left catering I got my first pastry job at The Madera in the Rosewood Sandhill Hotel in Palo Alto. There, I worked under Olympic pastry chef Mellisa Root and learned to make plated desserts in the restaurant. We made intricate desserts using different techniques like gastronomy, and had 12-14 components per dessert. We even made detailed Christmas Gingerbread Houses, Halloween displays, and Easter displays that took 2-3 months to make. Read more>>

Shenell Ward’s Story

Many don’t know but the business came out with the use of my first and middle name. Shenell Renee means “Indescribable Beauty Reborn”. I was born in the Bronx and raised in Jamaica, Queens. I have my Bachelors in Psychology from St. John’s University and my Masters in Image Consulting from F.I.T. I started this brand in 2017 and haven’t looked back. I’m certified in styling, closet organization, and doing color analysis. I have styled fashion shows, video shoots, photo shoots and commercials. I also have a podcast “More Than Shenell” presently on I-Tunes and Spotify. In June 2020, I decided that it would make sense for me to start my own online boutique that my customers can shop to have a unique couture experience. Read more>>

Elaine Lin Hering

I was born in Taipei and immigrated to the United States when I was 10 months old. I always thought I’d be a lawyer, and after a life that reads much like the model minority myth brought to life, I found myself at Harvard Law School. Instead of practicing as a lawyer, I ended up facilitating leadership development experiences helping people build skills in negotiation, communication, and conflict management. That led me to being the first non-White partner at a global leadership development firm and the first Asian American senior faculty member in the negotiation program at Harvard Law School. Read more>>

Ian Cahill

Ian Cahill (Comfort WithIn Noise) started in a bedroom with a broken three string guitar, a Mac G4, GarageBand, and a love of the relationship between film and music. Since 2003 I have made it the top priority to understand this relationship. As I grew stronger with my craft as a composer, music producer, sound designer. I began to develop my knowledge of the business of music licensing in the film industry starting in 2020. I’m currently working with independent filmmakers, independent recording artists, licensing agencies and music libraries as well as music supervisors. Read more>>

Rae Lashea’s Story

I’m a Brooklyn- born and raised eighties baby of Trinidadian, Native American and African American descent. I have always loved learning and took my education very seriously, crediting my love for reading and writing to my elementary school teachers. I actually aspired to become a teacher and did so through the NYC teaching fellows after graduating from Alfred University with a BA in sociology/anthropology and a minor in pre med. Fast forward ten years of teaching students with special needs in both New York and Los Angeles, including one year as the vice principal of an all girls’ high school, I decided to leave the classroom and travel the world, visiting places like Belize, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Italy, France, England, Egypt and Dubai- to name a few. I learned so much about the different cultures and customs around the world that I had a burning desire to tell the stories that linked the commonalities of people in different regions. So I began writing novels and then screenplays and became a published author and now film producer. Read more>>

Justen Arnold of Flexx Mobility & Performance

I started my journey in the health and wellness industry over 20 years ago, driven by a passion for helping others achieve their fullest potential. Initially, I originally pursued a major in percussion, but I soon discovered my true calling lay in health and wellness. This led me to founding Flexx Mobility & Performance LLC, where I have been able to combine my expertise in fitness, nutrition, and holistic health to create personalized programs that address the unique needs of each client. Throughout my career, I have held various roles, from a weather anchor and reporter to an assistant general manager in the restaurant industry. Each of these experiences has honed my skills in leadership, communication, and management. My time at the Rochester YMCA as a lead personal trainer and small group trainer allowed me to develop and implement impactful wellness programs, contributing to the community’s health and well-being. Read more>>

Mahsa Afsharpour

My name is Mahsa Afsharpour, and I’m the founder of Saga Interiors. My journey began in Tehran – and later in Sweden – where my love for design first took root. Growing up, I was always surrounded by beauty and given carte blanche to express my creativity, and it wasn’t long before I knew that design was my true calling. As a child, I yearned for a home that encapsulated all our hopes and dreams as we embarked on our new life in a new country. That longing became the seed from which Saga Interiors grew. On the day my family transformed our new living space into a place of beauty and comfort, the mission of Saga Interiors was born: to replicate the genuine happiness and sheer delight I felt through that transformation years ago! Read more>>

Sharmilla Fassbender

Before having children of my own, I used to work in the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) field with kids on the autism spectrum. The focus of this therapy was to help children with skills, emotions and behaviour necessary for their development. However, when I become a mother, I wanted to be home with my children during their formative years. As the years went by, I found myself missing some of the aspects of the line of work I was in. This is when I decided I wanted to write children’s stories. It gave me the opportunity to flex those muscles! Books for Growing Minds is a collaborative effort between my sister Sharminey, and myself. Read more>>

Nancy Karas of Habitat For HR – Transition.Coach

I have always marched to my own drum. Always took the road less traveled. My high school had a year-end ritual of creating senior superlatives. All graduating seniors voted to determine who was the prettiest, most popular, smartest, funniest, and most athletic of our classmates. I was one of three students, nominated that year, for class individual. I was horrified! It was a total insult at seventeen! It meant that I was a freak, that I didn’t fit in! I felt so embarrassed. Many moons later, I learned that what I had thought was an insult, was really my guiding star. How amazing, that even in high school, I had forged my own path and maintained my own individuality. Trusting my intuition, I have relied on faith and followed my own heart. I have always strived to move forward with kindness and respect and vowed to focus on work that I love. Read more>>

Dorothy Chou

Introducing Doty Chou Objects, a brand born from the passion of Dorothy Chou. With a background in interior architecture and a love for jewelry and objects making, Dorothy launched her brand in September 2022. Drawing connections between interior design and everyday objects, she crafts exquisite handmade concrete jewelry. Embracing beauty and functionality, Doty Chou Objects aims to adorn lives with unique and captivating creations. Discover the artistry behind each piece and elevate your style with our carefully crafted jewelry. Welcome to a world where beauty meets functionality, where design and craftsmanship intertwine. Read more>>

Amy Denio

Music has been my guide since the get-go; my mother serenaded me with her upright bass before I was born; after that my childhood home literally pulsed with music. Piano lessons and playing in the advanced Orff ensemble in elementary school helped hone my voice, but improvising and composing made me the happiest. At age twelve I quit piano lessons and taught myself guitar; music was already my favorite language. I worked out my favorite songs on the radio by ear, and started coming up with my own songs, gravitating towards unusual chords and odd time signatures. Read more>>

Molly Silverman

I was into the beauty industry long before I considered it as a possible career option. It all started with a box of grocery store hair dye. I made my best friend a platinum blonde, we were 14 years old. After college I tried to fit in to the corporate world, but after a few years of fantasizing about going to beauty school I decided to take the leap of faith, leave my cushy desk job and enroll full time at the Jean Madeline Aveda Institute. I still have so much I want to accomplish within this industry, but I would say the most valuable thing I did that got me where I am today is assisting. I assisted in multiple salons for close to five years, and I was so excited to be surrounded by talented stylists that I aspired to be like, and I just tried to soak up all their knowledge like a sponge. Read more>>

Jenny Day

I went to school for Environmental Studies at UC Santa Cruz, lived in Maine, worked on farms and apprenticed with various craft artists, received my BFA at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and dabbled in multiple mediums before I settled in painting. I earned an MFA in painting at the University of Arizona and then began the daunting task of finding my voice outside of education. After graduate school, I moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. With the change in location, the light and space, my artistic practice expanded. My work shifted into immersive installation that includes painting and ceramic mixed media sculpture. I am a runner, a gym rat, and have two dogs, a whippet and a greyhound staghound mix. Read more>>

Sophie Auger

I started making art when I was 17. In Quebec, we have a different school system, with high school ending in 11th Grade; then we go to CEGEP, a sort of specialized Associate’s degree, after which some people go to University. After high school, I applied to a graphic design program in CEGEP. I didn’t get in, so I turned to studio art, which wasn’t as hard to get in. I am so glad I didn’t get in the graphic design program! Read more>>

Lindsey Guile

Unlike many young adults going to college, I didn’t have any art background – originally I was planning to be a history and/or political science major when I got put into an Art Appreciation class to fulfill a general ed requirement at the community college I attended. This would change everything for me and after two years there, and a scholarship to take summer classes in Florence, Italy, I landed at SUNY Oswego where I could complete my BFA and MA degrees. I was a painting and drawing major with a deep interest in the figure. Coming from a rural farming community in northern New York this was definitely a different path for me to take. After completing my MA I was fortunate that I was able to adjunct for six years at SUNY Oswego where I taught Drawing, Figure Drawing, and 2D Design. During that time I also taught at Cayuga Community College. in 2012 I attended SUNY New Paltz for my MFA in painting and drawing and that is where my current work had its origins. Although it was a different series, I learned that working collaboratively with the models I draw, hearing their stories, and giving them a space to just be – without judgement or fear – was very empowering for both of us. Its been the last five years that the current iteration of large-scale drawings that explore body liberation have been my main artistic practice. Read more>>

Kimberly Fisher

I am a online entrepreneur, luxury travel writer and trip curator. I specialize in lifestyle and luxury travel, including art, beauty, culture, destinations, fashion, food, fitness/wellness, events, hotels, wine & spirits. I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and have traveled to 67 different countries and every US state except for The Dakotas. Some of my favorite assignments so far have been sailing in the Nevis Regatta, staying the night at an ice hotel in Canada, bird watching on Anacapa Island, sailing the French Riviera, dog sledding in Charlevoix, and relaxing in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Read more>>

Ana Morales

I’ve wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember. I started taking art classes in elementary school and continued all through high school and college, earning a masters degree in fine art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2016. My first big job was at my local art museum and now I’m an art director at a local publishing company. I got my K-12 art education license when I was an undergrad at James Madison University and taught third through fifth grade after school art for a number of years as well as classes for all ages at the museum when I worked there. Working in creative fields has been very fulfilling for me, and I feel fortunate that I’ve been able to explore art education, graphic design, and art direction in addition to my first love of fine art. Read more>>

Riley Smith of MakeGood Creative Network

I’ve always been a writer. As far back as I remember, I was performing and reading and, as soon as I could figure out how to hold a pencil, writing. I fed that passion exhaustively in college, but after I graduated, I felt dissatisfied. Like a lot of people, my day job was leaving me too tired to do the things I loved. In my case, that was comedy and writing. I was pushing myself to do some projects, but mostly, I felt too depressed to get anywhere near my goals. Long story short, I shifted my life to make room for creativity. And as I talked more with my friends, I realized most of the people I knew had the same kind of problem: after college, making time for creative pursuits feels nearly impossible. It’s like after you pass 22, we expect people to take out their art and put it on a little shelf for the rest of their lives, and maybe you can do something in retirement if you’re lucky!  Read more>>

Michelle Stanek of Savage Pole and Wellness

I have been dancing my whole life. My mom put me into tap, jazz, and ballet class at age 4. Now, 41 years later I am still at it. I earned my BA and MA in Art History and taught Renaissance to Rococo as a college professor at Pratt Institute in NYC. I still work many arts-centered jobs I absolutely love, like producing art fairs at the Park Avenue Armory. But it wasn’t until I found pole dancing that I finally became a professional dancer – my actual lifelong DREAM. In 2006, I took my first pole class at Crunch Gym on 14th Street on a whim and a prayer. Little did I know it would affect the course of my life in magical ways. Today, I am a pole dance instructor, wellness coach, and entrepreneur as I am working on resources to help others elevate their pole careers. Read more>>

Jenn Trepeck of Salad with a Side of Fries

Salad with a Side of Fries was born from my own weight struggle. Growing up a dancer then gaining weight between high school and college, I was the poster-child for the diet industry’s consumer. Trying everything out there, over and over, living on the yo-yo rollercoaster. That is, until I found the curriculum I based my practice on. It is the ONLY thing that’s allowed me to say I’ve kicked my food issues. I felt like it was the nutrition education we’re all supposed to know but no one ever taught us. I believed everyone deserved this information so I set out on a mission to pay it forward and help people help themselves. I started health coaching as a side hustle in late 2007. Fast forward to July 2019 I left my full time job (in hedge funds) and decided to give my all to my own business. In August of 2019 I launched my podcast, Salad with a Side of Fries to reach a larger audience and support the health and wellbeing of even more people around the world. Read more>>

Harsh Gupta

I started off as a computer engineer in New Delhi with aspirations to be an actor, filmmaker & entrepreneur. Funnily I look back 6 years and what looked like a mountain has now been accomplished and I have made new targets for myself. I was 21 years old and had some experience in theatre. I began training under various mentors and learnt the craft of acting. I learnt filmmaking by making mistakes and making a few bad films, but I learnt. Over the years I got good at filmmaking and mastered the craft of acting. As an entrepreneur, I got my opportunity to start a business right after the pandemic and I grabbed it with both arms. I created a themed dining experience with PPE suits and covid precautions. The restaurant picked up and I returned back to acting in the USA post pandemic. The restaurant now has 3 units in Delhi NCR and heavily acclaimed for its good food and service. Read more>>

Timothy Neary

I think we started exploring as teenagers may be a bit younger and all of this slowly grew to where we are today. Now a days we travel all over the world to explore places we find interesting. Now I think it’s just about pushing the limits and going further and seeing what you can come up with and finding answers that maybe you didn’t know you could find within yourself. I think right now that’s where I’m at and continue to grow and surround myself with my friends as we go into the unknown. Read more>>

Ali Rose Dachis of MayimArts

My mom and my grandmother took me to the theater at a very young age (2 years old), we went to art museums, and watched movie musicals, and did art projects nearly everyday. I was surrounded by art. My grandmother was an artist, crafter, and ran her own design and gift shop, my grandfather was an architect, and my mother is an incredible visual artist, who studied graphic design, interior design, and fine art. My brother is a writer and illustrator, composes music, and designs video and board games. I was raised amongst the artistically curious, and my world was lit up by it. My dad is a huge supporter of the arts, and showed me the importance of art beyond just the making of it, but what it means to enjoy it. Read more>>

Yiran Wang

Hello, my name is Yiran Marcel Wang, originally from Chongqing, China. Currently, I am a technical artist at The Mill, a dynamic Advertising and Brand Experience company specializing in VFX and Creative Technology. Our passionate team is dedicated to bringing virtual characters to life using real-time technology, previsualization, and offline workflows. This innovative approach allows us to craft memorable, interactive experiences featuring both new and familiar faces. As a technical artist, I primarily utilize game engines and CG tools to bring my creative visions to fruition. Read more>>

Jennifer Mcclain

Often when I talk with friends and professional colleagues about how I got started in my field, I begin with one of my first post-college jobs, at what was then a well-known social services agency in Chicago (Abraham Lincoln Centre, now no longer in existence). But as I reflected on this question more, I realized that my career and my “story” is really rooted in my high school experience, which is perhaps a bit different than most people’s. I had the honor of attending Piney Woods School, a historically black boarding school in rural Mississippi with a 100-plus year history of preparing students for leadership through high-quality academics and experiential learning. (I highly encourage readers to check out Sacred Soil, a new Hulu documentary on PWS’ extraordinary history, legacy, and continued impact on its students.) In addition to planting the early seeds of my passion for leadership and service, the challenge and the experience of living away from home as a teenager while at PWS pushed me out of my comfort zone and sparked in me a lifelong desire to continually seek similar new experiences. Read more>>

Vandor Hill

I became a small business owner and started Whack Donuts! as a means of turning adversity into something positive. Following the consecutive losses of my grandmother, mother, aunt, and mentor, I sought comfort in my love for donuts and baking. Recognizing the potential in my product, I made the decision to transform my passion into a business. Whack Donuts! not only allows me to pay tribute to their memory but also enables me to create delectable, cruelty-free treats that cater to the growing demand for plant-based options. Through this venture, I have found a way to channel my grief into a meaningful endeavor and contribute to the dessert market. My personal experiences have profoundly influenced my journey as a small business owner, serving as the driving force behind the creation of Whack Donuts! and inspiring me to provide delicious vegan donuts to individuals seeking guilt-free indulgence. Additionally, my identity as a breakdancer has also played a pivotal role in shaping the development of my business. Whacko is the moniker I gained in my youth from dance competitions that led to me developing the name “Whack Donuts. In the world of hip-hop, something labeled wack is horrible, however, just like my dance, the donuts are not wack. Read more>>

Chrystina Casado

For the last 5 years, Brunch At Zion’s has transformed the way New York eats brunch. While the brand has revolutionized the corporate and events catering industry in the city. In 2019, Chrystina Casado became one of the only black owned caterers to focus on fresh farm to table ingredients. Crafting a menu of artisanal caribbean & mediterranean fare offering sustainable catering on demand. Inspired by her son Zion and her love of art. Chrystina has instilled her passion about food into beloved signature favorites and exciting new seasonal dishes. Read more>>

Barbara Rachko’s Story

When I was 25 I earned my private pilot’s license and spent the next two years amassing other licenses and ratings, culminating in a Boeing-727 flight engineer’s certificate. Two years later I joined the Navy. As an accomplished civilian pilot with thousands of flight hours, I expected to fly jets. However, there were few women Navy pilots at the time and they were restricted to training male pilots. There were no women pilots on aircraft carriers and there were no female Blue Angels So in the mid-1980s I was in my early 30s, a lieutenant on active duty in the Navy, working a soul-crushing job as a computer analyst on the midnight shift in a Pentagon basement. It was literally and figuratively the lowest point of my life. Remembering the joyful Saturdays of my youth when I had taken art classes with a local New Jersey painter, I enrolled in a drawing class at the Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia. Initially I wasn’t very good, but it was wonderful to be around other women and a world away from the “warrior mentality” of the Pentagon. And, I was having fun! Soon I enrolled in more classes and became a very motivated full-time art student who worked nights at the Pentagon. As I studied and improved my skills, I discovered my preferred medium – soft pastel on sandpaper.  Read more>>

Rany Burstein of Diggz

I’ll try to be brief. I was born and raised in Israel, part of 3 brothers, and amazing parents. In high school, I built my first website for Israel’s biggest soccer club, Maccabi Tel Aviv. I created the content, design, graphics, video editing, the works. It was in the early days of the internet, but it was still impressive. I sold it to the team during my military service and made my first, modest, exit. This experience sparked my interest in creating digital solutions to real-world problems. I then pursued higher education in the United States and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in business. After I graduated, I moved to New York and spent over a decade working in finance for a global bank. Read more>>

Me’lo The Generation Hero

My name is Me’Lo The Generation Hero. Me’Lo is an acronym for (Manifesting. Elevation. Loving. Optimistically.) My Dad taught me how to rhyme at the age of 4. I was heavily influenced by down south, Midwest, and east coast MC’s and I’ve been in love with the art form ever since. I released my first project called Elevation The ep in 2019 (which will be rereleased May 31st). I am currently Read more>>

Genesis Valenzuela

I’m not really sure where to start. I’m one of six children, born to Immigrant parents that came to the Dominican Republic in search of a better life. Out of all my siblings, I was the only one born in the United States and you could say that because of that aspect, I have always been the black sheep in my family. I was always creative and artistic from a young age and although my family members were in awe of my interests and talents, they saw life most of the time from a scarcity mindset. Scarcity mindsets are often a result of generational trauma, and being that my family was looking for a better life (away from their native land) you can say that they had a very fixed view about money, survival, and secure careers. I’ve always gone against the grain when it came to my family and their ideas of success, survival and abundance. I am the sum of everything that I have learned up until now. Read more>>

Yao Xiao’s Story

From childhood, I was fascinated by stories, especially picture books. I devoured illustrated books, and the beautiful drawings from a cartoon series by Toei Studio captured my attention with its elegant details and dramatic colors. I read a lot of manga growing up, especially series by the all-women group CLAMP. When I came to America from China, my friends introduced me to independent comics — works by Art Spiegelman, Marjane Satrapi, Matt Madden, and Gene Luen Yang. These contemporary independent artists shown me a way of combining my passion for drawing and self-expression. I wanted to create illustrations and comics that convey strong emotions and communicate deeply with an audience. Following many successful graphic artists’ footsteps, I came to New York City with the dream of building my own career. I graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a degree in illustration, and I started receiving client commissions from publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, and Entertainment Weekly. I started exploring stories I wanted to tell through comics, and I published my first book. Now, I am a freelance illustrator and comic artist, and I am teaching illustration and comics at the Fashion Institute of Technology while working on my memoir. I have always wanted to take different paths and challenge myself, and I am glad that I did. Read more>>

Stefani Cohen

I grew up in Connecticut surrounded by lots of animals – guinea pigs, cats, dogs and I was fortunate to have my own horse. My family life was turbulent with my parents divorcing when I was eight, and my mother remarrying a surgeon, who was also an alcoholic. My father also remarried. She was a widow who had three children of her own and both my sister and I felt like we had been replaced even though we did see him frequently. My father got stomach cancer, possibly from being in Japan right after WWII and he succumbed to the disease while I was a freshman in college. He was in an elite Army intelligence unit that learned to speak Japanese and he was charged with talking Japanese soldiers out of caves. He most likely was exposed to radiation after the bomb was dropped. I am incredibly proud of his service and bravery. Read more>>

Danika Stone

I always knew I wanted to be an author. Long before I knew how to write actual words, I remember tracing a series of letters and asking my father to read it back to me. At four years old, imagine my disappointment that it was only a series of sounds I’d created, not the vast story that I’d imagined in my head. As an adult, this dream persisted, and eventually I accumulated enough experience with writing, that I had a manuscript I felt could sell. I wish I could say it did… but that wouldn’t be the truth. But the next one sold. And so did the next, and the next, and the next and… Read more>>

Tiffany Reyes

We are a Latin pop singer/songwriter duet called “IndiviDúo” – based out of San Jose, California. I’m originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and my partner, Maqui, is from Bogotá, Colombia. We were both living in Buenos Aires, Argentina and working on solo albums, when we met at a musical gathering in the city… that was 2010 and we’ve been performing, writing and traveling together ever since. Read more>>

Secoyah Browne of Whisk & Whiskey

I am the owner and executive chef of Whisk & Whiskey, a unique bar and bakery in Park Slope, Brooklyn, celebrating Trinidadian and Cambodian heritage. I am also the author of “Cookies by Chef Coy”. Born and raised in Brooklyn, I aim to inspire young girls who look like me to thrive, not only in our industry but in fields where representation is scarce. Read more>>

Kely Pinheiro

I began to study music when I was about 5 years old in Niteroi, a small town in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The first instrument I learned to play was the recorder — all of them (Sopranino, Soprano, Contralto, Tenor, and Bass). This was possible because of a wonderful non-profit organization called Orquestra de Cordas da Grota. They bring music to financially challenged neighborhoods throughout the state, offering incredible opportunities for young musicians. Thanks to Orquestra de Cordas da Grota, I took my first steps in music, and doors opened fairly quickly. I joined orchestras and pursued formal education in music at conservatories and music schools. The support and opportunities provided by community-based musical groups like Orquestra de Cordas da Grota were instrumental in my early development and growth as a musician. Their impact on my life has been profound, and I am deeply grateful for the foundation they provided. Read more>>

J. Michael Hayes

There’s a line in my recent short film, “Transition leaves nothing behind.” I didn’t think about it this way when I wrote it, but it is very much true of my creative journey. I’ve loved storytelling as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are of movies that I watched with my father, or songs that he would play when he was around the house, which wasn’t that often but the memories stand out. When I was in elementary school my room was practically wallpapered with newspaper and magazine clippings about upcoming movies like ‘Batman’ or ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’, alongside posters of musicians I loved like Prince and Jimi Hendrix.  Read more>>

Latika Ann’s Story

Well my name is Latika Ann, I’ve been in the art world for as long as I can remember. Drawing has always been a real love and passion of mine since I could first pick up a pencil. Over the years my love for art started to develop beyond using just a pencil. As I got older I started to try every form of art. From learning how to use colored pencils, to using calligraphy pens, to branching off into trying paint brushes, while diving into the fashion world full force, to then going into spray paint and etc. I’d say the last 25 years of my life have been solely dedicated to perfecting my craft as a mixed media artist. I am now really focusing on doing more murals and getting my clothing brand where I need and would love for it to be. I would say for me being able to stay active with the youth is what really gives me the drive and energy to really keep this art and fashion alive. I wouldn’t be as far as I am and as confident as I am if I didn’t have them. Read more>>

Gazbe Debonair

It all started born and raised in Brooklyn with my music, rapping back in 2007 recording in 2008 started with poetry and love letters back in elementary school (sandbox days) 1999. 2006 back then songwriting poetry then rapping and took to acting, designing, filming, creating my own clothing line and company Nemic Brand with money from my music and royalties. To performing for Wu Tang Clan Legend and Goat and Selling my clothing in the city store in Soho same night performing for SHYHEIM of Wu Tang Clan. Now debuting a Fashion Show of my clothing line and company. Sponsored by a company(s) that sees the greatness in me this summer 2024 and being beloved and adored all over and all around wherever I seem to go. Genuine love and support gravitates to me now in the process of getting my own fruit juice line kicked off and weed strand soon oil colognes and more I got much more to create and fulfill I’m taking over and touching all fields music, media and fashion and more god bless. I’m first generation of my family to go for generational wealth and change my family’s path for better. Haitian first generation born here to make that exact change for my family. As well as for myself of course too. Going in all my passions, goals, blueprints, and talents to do so. Read more>>

Sunny Moza

My journey started years ago when I was exploring various avenues of self-improvement, from physical fitness to mental well-being and communication skills. Along the way, I realized the profound impact these areas had on each other and how they intertwined to create a holistic sense of wellness. Driven by this realization, I immersed myself in studying and mastering these domains. I obtained certifications in fitness training, counseling, therapy, and public speaking, honing my skills through practical experience and continuous learning. Read more>>

Jermel Wilson

Jermel Wilson was born in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, Jermel was fascinated by art and performing arts. He started out his acting career in high school in his senior year. Jermel has appeared in such films as A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints (2006), Fighting (2009), MTV’s Yo Momma Season 2 promo. Jermel was a cast member of the Emmy nominated Bronx SIU. Jermel appears in Season 1 and season 2 as Jerome/Manuel Gonzalez an Undercover detective. Also a cast member of the comedy short Five Stars as Marvin. Five Stars was nominated for 8 awards in multiple film festivals and won 6 and was selected for the Cannes Film Festival.Performed stand up Caroline’s comedy club twice. Jermel also has trained for stunts for the last 2 years on and off. Read more>>

Marya Wright of Wright Community Services LLC

Sure! My story is a journey of growth, challenges, and discovery. Like many people, I’ve faced ups and downs, but each experience has shaped who I am today. From navigating career transitions to overcoming personal obstacles, I’ve learned valuable lessons along the way. I grew up with big dreams and a determination to make a difference in the world. Throughout my life, I’ve pursued my passions with gusto, whether it’s through my work, education, or personal endeavors. Along the way, I’ve encountered setbacks and obstacles, but I’ve always approached them as opportunities for growth and learning. One of the defining moments in my story was when I decided to pursue further education in my field. It wasn’t an easy decision, and there were many challenges along the way, but I knew it was the right path for me. Through hard work and perseverance, I earned my [degree/certification], which opened up new opportunities and allowed me to make an even greater impact in my community. Read more>>