Progress depends on unreasonable people pushing boundaries, breaking out of boxes, challenging the odds and proving that the impossible is possible. This happens everyday, in big ways and small – from a small town kid ignoring the naysayers and making it in the city of their dreams to the folks with ideas no one will invest in who somehow brought their vision to life. Our community is filled with so many trailblazers, innovators, and rebels and we hope you’ll check out their inspiring stories below.

 

Jessica Rae of Rae Studios & Rae Model & Talent Agency

I am the founder and CEO of Rae Model & Talent Agency LLC and Rae Studios, a talent agency and dance studio located in downtown San Francisco, California, established in 2011. My mission was to create jobs that directly support dance professionals in the Bay Area. Both of my businesses work hand in hand, providing talents with the option to work multiple jobs and positions. I currently represents over 50 dance and fitness instructors and over 150 models and dancers for film/print/event jobs, with some talents having dual representation. I am a graduate from San Francisco State University with a BA in Speech and Communications and an emphasis on public speaking, which led me to on-camera work. I have been featured in various print, billboards and commercials, such as Muscle Milk, Fitbit, Acura, Facebook, and 24hr Fitness and have danced along side various celebrity artists. Read more>>

Rosa Enid Cosme – Rodriguez

Hi my name is Rosa Enid Cosme. I am a spiritual woman, a mother of two adult children, and a wife to a wonderful husband. I have been a Podcaster since 2019 a former Latin Urban Music Entertainment promoter back in 2008 to 2011 and Radio Host for a popular at the time, virtual radio show with affiliations with other radio shows. In February 2011, I experienced excruciating pain in the left side of my face, jaw, cheeks, and eye including severe migraines. In August 2013, I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and Occipital Neuralgia., In October of 2015, I was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a brain tumor/brain cancer. Read more>>

Kristina Libby

Creative life is a journey that I’m still navigating. I’ve always been a creative person (writing, acting) but it wasn’t until I suffered a traumatic brain injury that I realized I need to formalize and invest in my creative self. I had been hiding it, pretending it wasn’t important and after the injury, it no longer seemed that I was capable of doing that. Interestingly, now in reflection, I think I hid my creative self because I wanted to assimilate to normalized culture and to be accepted. I was angry at my creative self for rocking the boat and needing me to make things, explore ideas, or do creative acts when I should be doing what everyone else was doing: working and making money. I’m coming to terms now with the idea that my creative self isn’t a burden, that is a means of self-expression and that in fact my creativity even makes me better at making money. It’s holistic; not divergent. Read more>>

Tonya Kappes

Thank you so much for having me! I’m excited to be here and talk to your readers of CANVAS REBEL I’m the most unlikely person to ever become a writer, much less a published author. I grew up in a small rural town in Kentucky and as you can see from one of my report cards that I didn’t even turn in book reports. I joke that if it wasn’t a party invitation- I wasn’t reading it. If it wasn’t a party invitation from me- I wasn’t writing anything. Plus I’m a huge extrovert. Unusual for writers. But I grew up and graduated from the University of Kentucky in education. After that I did what most people my age at that time did and met a man, moved off to his town and got married. We had one son and before long I found myself in a divorce. Read more>>

Stephanie Cedeno’s Story

In 2019, I started ,my business, CedCareCo., by offering hand-poured candles. Over the years, I expanded my offerings to include herbal teas and recently, handmade crochet pieces. I find inspiration for my creations through reflection on my experiences, ranging from childhood to motherhood. Crocheting has been an outlet for my creativity, and I’ve explored it through photoshoots, fashion shows, and workshops. Teaching crochet has become a passion, and I’ve introduced Cacred Circles, a series of workshops where we learn new skills and connect through the shared vulnerability of being a student. It’s a space for exploring creativity and embracing the sacredness of working with our hands. A true reflection of my journey with CedCareCo. Read more>>

Jessie Lipscomb

My name is Jessie & I’ve been a Creative all my life in some aspect. As a kid, I was always drawing & even wanted to go to college for drawing. I shifted to “digital drawing” because I thought there would be more success in Graphic Design than traditional drawing, then I fell in love with digital creation. After getting my degree, I jumped into layout design for magazines & learned that I LOVED organizing & making things “fit”. I continue working random design jobs for are, but nothing really came of them. At least long term. In 2019, I started creating digital portraits of friends & family & that took off to the point where I quit my job at the end of 2019 to pursue my own business which continued to grow with my I Am series & other pieces I started creating. Now in 2024, I feel like I’ve lived so many lives. 2019 me never would have thought I’d be painting canvases, let alone selling them! Read more>>

Abby Mcclure

I am an oil painter from West Chester, PA. After graduating from Quaker boarding school in 1988, I moved to Chadds Ford, PA, the home of the Brandywine tradition of painting. I instantly became immersed in a vibrant, artistic community, which in lieu of college, became a central piece of my greater education. I started out with plein air drawing and watercolor, then began experimenting with oil painting (which would later become my main medium). At age 19, the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford exhibited a series of my pen and ink drawings to an enthusiastic audience, which greatly encouraged my continuation in the art field. Since then, I have painted extensively, hosted and participated in shows, sold over 900 paintings, collaborated with home and business owners on many custom commissions, mentored other artists, and am currently writing a book to help other artists increase sales.  I have built a solid art business through determination, practice, study, and developing relationships. All of the hard work I put in over the years has allowed me to paint and write full-time since age 50 (2020). Read more>>

Ashley Raspen of Buttinhead Farms

I found my passion for teaching Fitness almost 2 decades ago, knowing that was I was meant to do in life. I also was drawn to the farming world. I loved talking and learning about farm life and all the walks in their life as farmers. I talked to strangers at auctions, fairs and Amish friends. I was intrigued by this life. One day I brought home chickens and became obsessed . Then i decided on one goat . Which led to over 50 Goats , Pigs , and a tribe of Donkeys now . I worked in a local gym managing group fitness but barely made ends meet with them paying in peanuts . I put my heart and soul into my job but I always felt like there was more to this journey . Everyone became obsessed with my one goat Niko and an old time member came in with a magazine featuring a model with a goat on her back looking so regal . She said does this Now ! Read more>>

Linda Tang of CONTINGENCI® By Good Human LLC

Linda Tang founded Contingenci®, by Good Human LLC, in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Initially producing sustainable, performance reusable masks, the company has since transitioned to up-cycling these masks into pet beds and developing energy/water-efficient products for the veterinary industry. Contingenci® is now focusing on creating veterinary clinic products that help businesses save water, energy, and labor. Our quick-dry, comfortable & modular offerings include exam table pads, kennel cushions towels and more, designed to enhance efficiency in veterinary practices. Read more>>

Lara Devgan of Dr. Lara Devgan, Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Lara Devgan, is a world-renowned, board-certified plastic surgeon, based in New York City. She is known for her attention to millimeter level details, natural results, and an exacting commitment to patient care and modern technology. She popularized the concepts of “facial optimization,” suture suspension lifting, the modern approach to nonsurgical rhinoplasty, and the use of the zip stitch in beautiful closures for blepharoplasty, facelift, and lip lift surgery. Dr. Devgan attended Yale College, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Columbia/ Cornell- New York Presbyterian Hospital Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Residency & Fellowship, and obtained a coveted National Institutes of Health T32 Predoctoral Clinical Research Fellowship to study surgical outcomes. Her surgical expertise spans cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, focusing on facial aesthetics, advanced body contouring, and complex reconstructive cases. As a respected attending surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital and Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Infirmary, Dr. Devgan not only practices but also contributes to educating the next generation of plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Read more>>

Emily Reed

Emily Reed Jewelry is a testament to the beauty found in everyday essentials, crafted with an eye for both simplicity and elegance. The brand emerged from Emily Reed’s own journey of transformation, sparked by an unexpected layoff from her journalism career during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seizing the opportunity presented by free community college courses, Emily dove into the world of jewelry design. This initial foray quickly turned into a passionate pursuit, leading her to establish her own jewelry line in November 2022. With a foundation rooted in traditional bench jewelry techniques, Emily has developed a distinctive style—characterized by effortless designs and a commitment to sustainability. Her creations are designed to accompany you through all phases of life, offering elevated, everyday basics that blend seamlessly with daily wear. Read more>>

Salina Romo of Flavorgasm

My life restarted 11 years ago. I gave birth during a very dark time in my life and at that time I had to make a choice to either continue on the path that I was on or to choose a new way of life for myself and for my son. This choice did not come easy, only because as a human staying comfortable is always higher priority than getting uncomfortable. The difference now is I have another human needing me to care for him, do you know how hard that is when you don’t even know how to take care of yourself? He was worth it though, he was worth more to me than I ever was, more than gold, more than money, more than anything. He is what made the choice easy. I went through a program called Westcare Nevada and they gave me two different counselors Ms. Mary and Ms. Angel and they helped me learn how to process my feelings and my emotions, they helped me learn how to take care of me, so I can take care of my son, they helped me learn how to love myself again. To this day Ms. Angel will answer my calls and help me process what I can’t on my own. Once I learned real self love and not ego driven love, my whole perspective changed. I learned that I was worth it, that I was worth everything I never gave myself. I learned I wasn’t all those lies I was told and told myself all my life, I don’t have to be someone else, I’m amazing just as Salina. I don’t have to be like you or like her or him, I just have to be me and thats enough! Read more>>

Heidi Bianchi of The Bridge Event Agency

THE IDEA THAT STARTED IT ALL As a seasoned expert in event management, I am passionate about crafting meaningful experiences – and helping foster the creativity and discipline in others that’s required to execute flawlessly. After spending decades in both the event planning and event production spaces, I saw a path forward for myself to start my event planning agency. MY HISTORY As a corporate event planner, I led the planning, management, and execution of corporate and client events, encompassing various locations, scales, and scopes. As Director of Events at Silicon Valley Bank, I executed events for the C-Suite and internal conferences for over 1500 people, all while leading a nationwide team of 13 event managers, in addition to hundreds of administrative partners, in the evolution from live to digital and hybrid events. Read more>>

Samantha Flynn of Junipr Public Relations

I have been working in public relations for 15 years. Right after graduate school, I moved to Chicago and began my career working in a public relations agency with for clients such as The Hershey Company, Redbox, Brunswick and ConAgra. One year into my career, I moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania (which just so happens to be my home!) and facilitated an in house role at Hershey, where I split my responsibilities as an on-site liaison for my Chicago agency and also as the client contact running point for pieces of business that my agency was not involved with.  That was a tough year for me professionally but during that time, I was able to widen my perspective on the role PR in the overall marketing suite. Previously, as part of a PR agency, my scope was limited to the PR discussions. During my time at Hershey, I was able to see the wider marketing practice up close and where PR fits into the larger scale efforts and initiatives.  Read more>>

Amanda Lauer

I started my career as a proofreader, then progressed into journalism. Like almost every journalist, I had a dream to write a book. That dream came true in 2014 with the publication of A World Such as Heaven Intended, a sweet Civil War romance. I thought that book was one and done until readers started asking me when the sequel would be coming out. Here I am, 10 years later, with 10 books published, three more written and in various stages of publishing, and two more on the docket. Read more>>

Georginia Weston of Gee’ology Beauty is my salon , Na’ology Beauty is my Hair Care Brand

I started doing hair when I was just 12 years old, and it’s a bit of a unique story—my first clients were actually prostitutes. What began as a hobby quickly turned into a passion, as I discovered I had a natural talent for it and loved learning the science of hair and scalp care. Through hard work and dedication, I had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the industry’s best professionals around the world. Today, I’m proud to have my own haircare brand, Na’ology Beauty, and an amazing clientele that I am truly grateful for. My journey is a testament to how passion and perseverance can transform a hobby into a successful career. Read more>>

Anita Gail Jones

My journey as a writer began in early childhood, at home with our parents nurturing our creative sides for me and my two sisters. I’ve always enjoyed drawin, painting and writing. At the age of five, I sat in the back of my sister, Betty’s 5th grade classroom with teacher, Mrs. Clark at Hazard Laboratory School in Albany, Georgia. Mrs. Clark was the first person outside our family to encourage the artist in me. Once I was able to string together sentences I became a writer.  Read more>>

Jacinda Soto

Ever since young I knew I had a story to tell & that I wanted to help others. Dance has been the love of my life since I was born. My parents enrolled me in dancing school at a very young age & ever since, I stood with it. Little did I know it was not going to be as easy as I thought. I had arthritis since the age of 5. I was on medication for some time to be able to manage. I do not remember much but what I do remember is being in pain frequently because my knees were inflamed & being late for kindergarten all the time because my mother would run a warm bath for me to exercise my knees before school. Now that I am older I think back to many things & it makes more sense to me. Such as being more severely sick than other kids. Read more>>

Joanna Adams’s Story

I was born and raised in this amazing state of Montana. I spent my childhood years running around Glacier in beat up tennis shoes, jeans, and definitely no survival gear. After spending time studying broadcasting in college, I knew my passion was telling the stories of others. Every person is unique and incredible and I love to tell the stories within ourselves. Before we even get to the photo making process and dreaming of this adventure together, I want to know about YOU. How did you meet the love of your life? What are your wildest adventure dreams? What made you choose this adventurous elopement over a big wedding? I’ve grown up, purchased some real gear and am much better prepared for whatever comes my way in the mountains. What hasn’t changed is my love for this state and these gorgeous mountains. My home is found at the base of Glacier National Park loving on my husband and four rambunctious kids.  Read more>>

Kara Wilson’s Story

My name is Kara Wilson and I’m a photographer based in Philadelphia, PA. Like many, I began my photography journey as a bored and curious teenager with a camera. I’ve always enjoyed the arts and being creative from a young age, and photography has been my medium of choice for about thirteen years. During my high school years, I enrolled in all of the photography courses they offered, and felt pressure to go to college even though I was only interested in the arts. I studied at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and since graduating have been working in the e-commerce and fashion industry, trying to establish my footing and find my style.  Read more>>

Gabriella Carias of I am Glammed by Gabby & Co.

I started off with nothing but a dream. I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I also knew how much i loved the beauty industry, from fashion, down to hair and makeup!!! I knew I would be apart of this amazing industry and be preferably a hairstylist at the age I was but I didn’t know where to begin besides going to school. You can get all the schooling you need but you do you have the tools it takes to create and run a successful business. Prayers, consistency and dedication is what put me where I am today. What made me want to be in the beauty industry was the love and passion I had for making myself and others feel beautiful. If you look good you feel good. It’s definitely a confidence booster and that inspired me to make other people feel the same confidence I would get when my hair was done. The returning clients and continuous positive feedback keeps me going. Ladies and gentlemen remember self care is important, it is a form of self love. Make the time to take care of yourself and appearance. It makes all the difference. If you look good you feel good. Read more>>

Miriam Airington-fisher of Airington Law

I wanted to be a lawyer from a very young age. I grew up in a close-knit family, and my grandparents lived across the street. On Friday nights I would often sleep at their house, and my grandmother and I would stay up and watch courtroom dramas. That sparked my interest in criminal law, and the first few years of my career I worked primarily in criminal defense. I had always been drawn to immigration law as well, because my paternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors who came to this country as refugees. Over the years, I’ve focused increasingly on immigration law because of the demand in our community and the rewarding nature of working with families who want to build a life here. I started my own firm 8 years ago, when my daughter was born. I was going through a divorce, and a new single mom to an infant. I had been working at an amazing law firm up to that point, but I needed the flexibility of working for myself. I love law and wanted to continue practicing, and I also needed an income, but I had to figure out how to balance that with raising my daughter. I spent years building up a family-friendly but profitable business, and also remarried and gained a bonus son and had my youngest son. So, a lot of changes since I started out! Read more>>

Dr. Gloria Pope

As an entrepreneur from Mount Vernon, NY, I have been focused on embodying every dream I’ve ever had. My journey has been a fusion of passion, education, and a deep commitment to uplifting Black and Brown communities. With a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, I continuously push myself to learn and grow, ensuring that those I impact receive the best version of me. Education is at the core of who I am, and every step in my academic journey has shaped my ability to lead, teach, and inspire others. Through my business and nonprofit endeavors, I strive to create spaces where people can thrive and dream as boldly as I have. In 2020, I founded Black Girl Everything LLC, a platform dedicated to promoting BIWOC-owned businesses. This venture allows me to combine my love for coaching and community engagement through curated events that celebrate and elevate entrepreneurs of color. My work is about building bridges and creating opportunities for others to succeed. By offering mentorship, coaching, and resources, I provide these women with the tools and confidence to scale their businesses and achieve their goals. Read more>>

Olivier Momma

The journey of Ekster began during my first internship while living in Hong Kong. I saw people in the bustling markets paying effortlessly with just a QR code and their smartphones, and I couldn’t help but wonder why people in Europe and the States were still walking around with these fat leather “dad wallets.” That moment sparked the idea that wallets needed a serious upgrade to keep up with the times. Once I returned to Europe, we dug deep into the market and found there were no smart wallets available, and at that time, technologies like Apple Pay and AirTags didn’t even exist. After surveying a lot of people, we discovered their biggest frustration with wallets was losing them. So we took a leap and decided to launch the first-ever trackable wallet, integrating RFID-blocking features, and later solar-powered tracking. Our first Kickstarter campaign exceeded our expectations, validating the idea that people were ready for a smarter, more secure way to carry their essentials. That early momentum allowed us to keep pushing forward. Read more>>

Mona Andrei

I’ve always been a writer. I remember my high school math teacher calling my mother to tell her that I wasn’t applying myself and that there was a good chance I would fail the class. My mother’s response was simple: “Mona is a writer.” It was in that moment I realized that my path had already chosen me. As I grew older, my articles found their way into print magazines—this was before the internet. Eventually, I transitioned into the online world, with my writing appearing in digital magazines. Blogging was the next natural step for me since I’ve been journaling from the time my mother bought me my first diary as a child. Writing has always been my way of understanding the world, and it’s led me to where I am today: an author, blogger, and someone who still feels the joy of putting words together. Read more>>

Kimberly Boulos of Root Performance & Wellness

My business grew when I retired from professional soccer after the birth of my first son, not because of the challenges of childbirth, per se, but because of the lack of understanding and support of female physiology within the sport industry. As I pieced together the seemingly unrelated industries of sports science and women’s health to promote my own healing, I realized that there was an enormous gap between the two industries that needed to be bridged. Read more>>

Martha Williams

Like so many of us, I was feeling there was something really wrong. It was about 2017 and the switch to digital communication and information overload was starting to take a toll. I went through a couple of friend breakups over text, which was unheard of for me, and after the 2016 election I started defriending certain folks on social media. And at the same time, being a filmmaker, I made a 4-episode web series about the toxic landscape of online dating – a world where distraction, lack of presence, lack of listening and a consumerist mindset reigned. I usually made work as an artist (film, writing, dance) in response to personal or cultural dissonance. But this time, I felt like my art just didn’t matter in the context of the crisis we were (or I) was facing in our American world. First, we were drowning in media. Did I really need to contribute to the deluge? And second, we were melting down online, devolving into name-calling, cutting people out and off and as a whole, Americans were more isolated and lonely than ever. We were in a deeply disconnected time. Read more>>

Natalya Khorover

My artist career started way back in high school when I attended the High School of Art & Design in NYC. I knew I wanted a career in art, just wasn’t sure which way I should go, and that wonderful high school allowed me to see the many possibilities available to me. I went on to major in Fashion Design, with a minor in Painting, at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. What followed was an adventure of discovery! During the time that I worked in the fashion industry, I had the opportunity to learn all about color, collage and of course design. I had the opportunity to travel widely, all over Western Europe for inspirational trips researching what was happening in fashion trends and throughout Asia on trips to various manufacturers. After about a decade of fashion I felt the pull to try my hand at Costume Design in film and television. After a stint designing costumes for the NYU Film final thesis students, I started working on independent films and eventually joined IATSE Wardrobe Supervisors and Costume Designers unions. Working in film and television was an exciting time, I loved bonding with the cast and crew as we created the director’s vision together.  Read more>>

Kristalyn Gill

Telling my story is like taking a sheet of printer paper, closing my eyes, blasting through its sheer expanse with a hole-puncher and black sharpie all before opening my eyes and using thumbtacks to showcase it on a local bulletin board. It’s beautifully chaotic. I identify much of my story in the words of Ocean Vuong when he stated, “And maybe that’s all I wanted – to be asked a question and have it cover me, like a roof the width of myself.” In essence, I have lived through many phases of experimentation, embracing the multi-hyphenate lifestyle of a woman with a buffet of interests. My upbringing was a whirling buffet of after-school activities (soccer, softball, competitive cheerleading, school plays, dance classes, and competing in Miss America Organizational preliminaries). Both my mother and father are curious beings. Their hunger exploring the breadth of life was infectious, and they encouraged me to dip my toes into whatever fascinated me. I chose to study dance and journalism in school because of my fascination for just how much I actually DIDN’T know about these fields. After graduating from East Carolina University with degrees in Dance Performance (BFA) and Interpersonal Communication (BS), I hurled myself into various jobs to see what clicked. I worked as a marketing coordinator for a brewery, a social media assistant, and retail employee. Read more>>

Bree And Michaela Fuller

Bree and Michaela Fuller grew up with a strong emphasis on health and nutrition, thanks to their single mom, who always made home-cooked meals for them, instilling the importance of nutrition from a young age. Both sisters played select soccer, which reinforced their understanding of fueling their bodies properly for performance. Later, they got into bodybuilding, which involved extreme dieting. This experience led them to realize that restrictive eating wasn’t sustainable or healthy, so they earned certifications in sports nutrition to learn a more balanced approach. They began incorporating macro-based nutrition into their lives, embracing flexible eating that focuses on balance rather than deprivation. Understanding that food is fuel, they believe in eating mindfully and for long-term health, not just short-term results. This philosophy led them to start FullerNutriFuel, a business centered around providing delicious, macro-based meals that support a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Their journey has been driven by a desire to help others achieve sustainable nutrition, and through dedication, they’ve built FullerNutriFuel into a successful meal prep company. Read more>>

Veronica Petty of Domingo Comms

I founded Domingo Comms in 2020 while living in Gowanus, where I was deeply inspired by the vibrant art community around me. Since then, Domingo has focused on providing tailored communication strategies for artists, galleries, art fairs, and organizations. My curatorial projects across New York City reflect a commitment to amplifying Latinx and Latin American artists. In addition to leading partnerships for New Visionary Magazine, handling PR for Affordable Art Fair, and managing various marketing campaigns for artists and galleries, I continue to drive Domingo Art Advisory’s mission of expanding artist visibility through exhibitions, planning, and media outreach. Read more>>

Anna Genov of Money Lessons for Teens

I founded my Financial Literacy Non-Profit organization, Money Lessons for Teens help kids achieve a brighter financial future and develop good financial habits. I mentor them the important steps in making financial decisions and understanding the value of money. My goal is to equalize financial opportunity with education.  Read more>>

Saisha Monét’s Story

It all started at the tender age of 2 years old when I took my very first ballet and tap class at Yvonne’s Direction in Dance. That was my very first introduction to the arts and I had no idea that I would fall in love, forever. Years went by and at the age of 17 I took my very first hiphop class and that’s when the light bulb went off. I was given the opportunity to choreograph my very own hiphop solo for my gradutation from YDID and people started to pay attention to my God-given gift. I then began teaching at different studios sharing my passion and eventually I picked up the camera. An old friend told me I had the right personality for Youtube so I went to Best Buy, got a credit card, and purchased my very first camera. Now that’s a funny (not really funny) story. I booked a videographer in 2019 to film a concept dance video and he did not show up. So, I picked up my camera and asked my friend to film me dancing. I edited it and posted it on all of my social media platforms and people paid attention! Before you knew it, I fell in love with editing and production. So that’s how my videography passion was birthed. Then came Youtube and it just all cane together to be the perfect gumbo, really. Read more>>

Anna Clough of Strong and Healthy

I developed a passion for fitness when I got into the gym world as a young soccer player. After I stopped playing, I became really focused on lifting weights and started paying more attention to my diet, which is something many young women begin to explore. Struggling with body image, my relationship with food, and health behavior changes, I became determined to understand what I was doing wrong. Despite my dedication to fitness, it felt like my mental and physical health were deteriorating. This is a common experience for many women starting a health and fitness journey. After immersing myself in education and making significant progress in my own transformation, I realized my passion for helping others. This led me to start my business, Strong and Healthy. To date, we’ve transformed the lives of over 250 women. Our mission is to help women lose body fat, build strength, and address body image and food issues while improving health behaviors in a sustainable and balanced way. We achieve remarkable results for our clients without compromising their long-term physical and mental well-being. Read more>>

Anna Ting Möller

Over a decade ago I started tracing my heritage and personal arc of migration, spending years searching for my birth mother. The Chinese philosopher Laozi said: “All things go back to their origin”… at the time this became a catalyst for my studio practice. During one journey to China an older woman in the countryside with whom I stayed with gave me a Mother Kombucha in a jar, which I eventually smuggled across the US border, tucked into PET bottles. The kombucha is the same one I continue to nurture and manipulate, to this day in my sculptures, performances and installations. My studio practice is self-sustaining and regenerative in its materiality. A way to democratize power and a way of working as a means with which to exercise artistic freedom from capitalistic structures of artistic production; it is also a crucial way of exploring an alternative way of understanding the symbolic function of the mother in creative processes. Read more>>

Alycia Ripley

I was a child who loved and craved stories–films, books, or interviews of a creative person’s real-life narrative arc. This probably began with the film, ‘E.T,’ the perfect story for an only child who believed wholeheartedly that special friends could emerge from anywhere, even outer space. Specific characters from movies and books came into my life when I needed them most, whether that was Elliott and E.T, Dorothy and Ozma from the ‘Oz’ novels, Martin Brody in ‘Jaws,’ or Ellen Ripley in ‘Alien/Aliens.’ Each stage of my life was aided, comforted, and inspired by the narratives I encountered and inspired a need to tell the stories percolating within my head. I began as a writer when I was young, usually essays, stories, and film treatments. I was always writing something that resonated with me and I hoped also with others. I wanted to be an actor, performing my written ideas in front of the camera. I went to Syracuse University for English and Psychology, NYU for Creative Writing and Film Studies, and Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. I didn’t know as a young person that becoming a director was something I could do, but I was inclined to be on both sides of the camera, (the ‘box inside my head,’ I referred to it as). Read more>>

Caitlyn Stephenson of Esthetics By Cati

Hi I am Caitlyn Stephenson the proud owner and lead esthetician at Esthetics By Cati located in Lewiston NY! I specialize in Result Driven Medical Esthetics with a focus on Acne, Age Management, and Pigmentation. My journey began with an internship offer from a well-known streaming network, where I was set to do makeup on film sets. However, I decided to pursue esthetics school, where I discovered a deep passion for skincare. Just one month after graduating, I started taking skincare clients out of the back of a hair salon. Now, almost three years later, I’m on my third location, have built a team, and am currently on the lookout for a larger space to continue growing my business! At just 24 years old I feel like I’ve lived 14 lives, but incredibly grateful for every aspect of my journey! Read more>>

Bébé Adebiyi’s Story

Hi, yes, of course! Also thank you for having me back. I’m blessed and happy to be here, thank you. Starting from childhood, I grew up in the beautiful and rich Island of Haiti. Although growing up in an Orphanage would not have been my first choice, it was there I got to meet the missionary couple who would become my parents. I’m forever grateful to them!
And now fast forwarding to two thousand and ten, when my impossible adoption process was made possible by a devastating earthquake that left the country in ruins. One of the craziest experiences I’ve ever experienced for sure, but nonetheless a huge blessing in disguise. And then it was like boom! Not long after I’m in America. Boom! Im on FAMILY vacations. Boom! I’m in school, speaking terrible English that I just learned as my third language haha. And before you know it, it’s high school graduation and I have it set in my heart that I’m gonna be a Nurse. Obviously that never did happen. Read more>>

Felicia Madison

Taking that first class confirmed it. As an older mother entering the downtown comedy scene, I faced challenges, including the late nights. This challenge inspired me to create Laughercise Lunchtime Comedy Shows, bringing comedy uptown for my friends during school hours. This venture led me to West Side Comedy Club, where I began producing shows and eventually expanded to daytime and nighttime performances. My success in these roles, along with my support for younger comics—who affectionately dubbed me “momager”—led to my role as Director of New Talent and eventually Talent Booker. During the pandemic, I worked tirelessly to keep the club active with Zoom and outdoor shows, and when we reopened, I was given the opportunity to run the entire club. Alongside managing the club, I continued to develop my stand-up and created a one-woman show, The Miserable Mrs. Madison, and produced a one-hour special, Better Than Sex, which garnered almost 200,000 views on YouTube and a viral Instagram post with 3.7 million views. Read more>>

Leigh Aschoff

My story began with imagination and continues to evolve through embodied heart consciousness. This version of my story reflects some of my personal healing journey and my professional growth. Since my conception, change and movement were big themes for me that were lasting through my childhood and much of my adult life. My gifts of creativity, connection and balance are directly related. My childhood was profound in that I was separated from my mother on a regular basis since the tender age of five weeks old, in addition to long term separation from my father since the age of one year. What supported me during this early life separation was imagination and the village of spiritual families I stayed with while my mother raised me as a “single parent” while working a job that had her traveling internationally on a regular basis. Imagination and playing outside were my most steady allies throughout my early years. I had a strong heart connection to nature and the non-physical realm. I continued enjoying this companionship as it offered me so much presence, possibility and joy. Read more>>

Sarah Clark

I’m an esthetician and biodynamic craniosacral therapist. I began this journey shortly after moving to New York City from Northern California in 2007. I’m an internationally accredited and New York State licensed esthetician. While studying this work and beginning my practice I became fascinated by deeper layers and patterns underneath the skin. The chemistry of topical formulations kept my interest and concern, but I was drawn beyond the products. What was the connection to deeper physiology and anatomy? How can I tangibly feel and connect to those layers?  In 2009 I suffered a head injury which lead me to craniosacral therapy, per a client’s suggestion. I was blown away by how responsive my body was, it felt incredibly healing. I continued with my skincare practice, but couldn’t shake the feeling of wanting to learn more. In 2015 I committed to studying craniosacral therapy and received my certification two years later. This work has greatly influenced my skincare practice and expanded my ability to support client’s health even further. Read more>>

Cassidy Sutton’s Story

In the spring of 2016, I decided to drop out of college and pursue writing as a means to make money. I had no idea how to do it, but I knew that if I stayed in school, I’d commit my time to the wrong career instead of pursuing my passions. Making a name for myself took a while. It required discipline and grit, but I’m now an award-winning creative writer in nonfiction and have successfully released my first children’s book. Read more>>

Brittany Webb of Better Minds Counseling & Services

My journey to owning a private mental health group practice has been nothing short of transformative, and it’s a path I would walk over and over again. The idea of starting my practice was planted long before its official creation in June 2022. However, it wasn’t until October of that year that I truly committed myself to building it from the ground up. My previous role to starting my practice was in mental health tech, which was a turning point, one if many. As I reflected on my career, I recognized a recurring theme of dissatisfaction—whether it was the instability of promised hours, unclear directives, or an unsupportive work culture. These experiences left me feeling frustrated and burnt out, both professionally and personally. Despite always having the idea of private practice in the back of my mind since graduate school, fear held me back from taking the leap. Read more>>

Kristine Cabanban

Kristine Cabanban Jewelry was born out of a desire to finally take my hobby and passion to the next level. I always loved making jewelry, even as a kid, and as an adult I started taking classes for jewelry wax carving and metalsmithing. I used to work in audio post production, so I would take jewelry classes on nights and weekends. Eventually, I decided to turn that into my main gig so that I could have the flexibility to travel with my husband who works out of town for a good part of the year. Getting to create and make objects with my hands is such a privilege and I’m grateful to be able to do it! Read more>>

Heidi Bannon

I have been dabbling in photography since I was very young. My parents gave me a Kodak Instamatic camera at about age 8 . I’m pretty sure she got sick of paying for pictures of blurry feet and trees, but every once in a while, I got lucky with a good shot. I took a Journalism class in High School (Go Panthers) and learned that a picture really can help tell a story through composition, color, lighting, and mood. I was also a Photojournalist in the Air Force, and had some amazing adventures that took me to some very interesting places. I stowed the camera for several years after leaving the Air Force, and really only got serious about getting back into the art world right before the Pandemic. Read more>>

Megan Oliver

I grew up in the Midwest and went to school for apparel design there before moving to NYC, where I interned for Cynthia Rowley and was soon hired as a design assistant. Over the next 15 years, I gained extensive experience in womenswear design, working on everything from ready-to-wear collections to activewear and licensed products like bandaids and accessories. While I had a wealth of design knowledge, I didn’t have much background in childrenswear—except for one baby licensing project early in my career that convinced me I’d never work in kids’ fashion. Funny enough, that changed when I became a mom! Read more>>

Mara Mcewin

I grew up in the Southwest corner of Wyoming, surrounded by the desert rocks, wildlife, and the howling winds. I had always been drawn to the performing arts, and knew from an early age that I wanted to be an actor, writer or director. Following college, and a year as the Assistant to the Artistic Director at a children’s theater in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1996 I moved to New York City. In 1997 both myself and Emily Bunning, my childhood best friend, co-founded Treehouse Shakers, a non-profit dance and theater company in New York City. Originally, we began the company because at the time it was difficult to be hired for directing/playwriting/choreography jobs that weren’t held by men. We had a strong vision of creating work differently, with a style of theater and modern dance that was completely blended together. At the time, I had been playwriting a great deal, and we decided to produce my first full-length play, Dance of My Daughter. Read more>>

Sandra Kluge’s Story

I am a tap percussionist and composer based in Brooklyn, NY. My work centers around creating frameworks for tap to function as a full music instrument embedded in the rhythm section. This includes composing, recording, and performing projects, both in solo and collaborative contexts. Born in Bremen (Germany), I grew up in a family of musicians: Both my parents and three of my grandparents are and were professional musicians, in both classical and jazz realms. I started learning how to play the clarinet with my Dad when I was 9. At age 10, I learned my first tap steps from my Mom, who, at that point, had been tap dancing for about 30 years. The area we lived in didn’t really have tap classes so me and my Mom started attending as many workshops as possible whenever teachers were around. This allowed me to study with international master tap dancers, build a network, and be exposed to a wide variety of styles and approaches. In between workshops, I would practice, improvise, and create by myself which had me form my very own relationship and approach to this art form from a very early age. Read more>>

Anna Vojtas

While obtaining certification for addiction counseling, I worked in an addictions treatment facility as a group facilitator. I began seeing patterns of disconnection, individuals lacking secure attachments, and an absence of creative self expression. This motivated me to obtain my degree in psychology. I then went on to a Master’s program, when something shifted. I realized that although traditional psychotherapy can be beneficial and life saving, it still had many limiting elements to the type of healing work that I knew would profoundly and sustainably change people’s lives. I knew there had to be a way for people (especially from disadvantaged groups), to heal themselves. I also knew that the ethical integrity of alternative modalities would be questionable, as I was stepping into an unregulated field. This became my first priority – to apply not only my training in ethics, but also evidenced based practices to blend science with the intuitive arts. Read more>>

Olivia Preya

I’ve built my career as a freelance writer and romance author, after spending years in telecommunications marketing, communications, and the not-for-profit sector. I always dreamed of the day when I wouldn’t be tied to a single employer—or even one city. I wanted to work for myself, travel, and fill my life with things that inspire me. But honestly, I had no idea how to make that happen. Interestingly, many of the people I worked closely with would often ask me, “What are you doing in a 9-to-5?” They saw me as more of a free spirit, and it made me question whether the office life was really for me. Taking that leap from a corporate job to something more flexible in the not-for-profit world was scary. But making the jump from that to freelance? That was even scarier. What started as a two-month trip to Portugal has now turned into a four-month journey—two months in Portugal and two months in Argentina. And next up? Five months in Central America! Read more>>

Ann Coen’s Story

After I graduated Rutgers College with a degree in Economics, I realized the rigidity of my major might not be my path so I booked a trip around the South Pacific with a friend. I bought a camera when we hit Australia and just started shooting everything. Once I was back home in NJ I continued to shoot but didn’t really think I could make a career with photography. At the time I was also competing in Wakeboard competitions and at one of them I met my ex husband who was a writer. After that, I basically just started photographing everything he was wiring about and the local newspaper offered me a full time job. The money wasn’t great but it was a foot in the door and a way to learn and meet people. I was basically self taught just by being put in so many crazy situations that happen when you work for a newspaper. I photographed everything and anything until I saw a path that might make me a living. The rest is history, history and hard work! Read more>>

Elena Ruocco Bachrach of Writing Art

For over twenty years, I have served in a variety of executive and senior level roles in the arts, arts administration, and higher education spaces. In 2022 I founded Writing Art offering writing and editing services (among others) for individual artists and arts and culture organizations. Several years ago, to develop an admissions viewbook, my team and I told the stories of individual students thriving at a very special liberal arts college. Many among these students dreamed of becoming successful artists, and we counted on the prospective students seeing themselves in their stories. Stories. Stories have become integral to our contemporary lexicon. Read more>>

Amanda Martin of Studyville

My journey in creating Studyville began with my own experiences as a mom. I found myself increasingly frustrated with the lack of effective and engaging academic support available for my children. Balancing work and family life, I saw firsthand the challenges that students face in keeping up with their studies and the need for a supportive, enriching environment where they could thrive academically. This personal frustration fueled my passion to create a place that not only provided top-notch tutoring services but also fostered a love for learning. Studyville was born out of this vision, aiming to bridge the gap between students’ needs and the resources available to them. Our mission is to offer a comprehensive and personalized approach to education, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Read more>>

Sue Weldon

If someone would have told me 20 years ago, that I, a mother of 3, wife, gymnastics coach and sales associate, would be leading a national non-profit, I would not have seen that coming, but it did, all through a very difficult time in my life. A time I was down on my knees, wondering,” how did I get here”, and “you definitely have the wrong girl, check it again… please.” My own personal battle with breast cancer, at the age of 39 was a turning point in my life. It was then that my life took a turn, and actually became, years later, the most valued teaching moments of my life. I will never say it was a gift, that hurts too much, but cancer was a teacher for me and one that continues to “ teach and school” me to this day, giving my life a great sense of purpose. Read more>>

Kema Maxwell

Karen E. Maxwell A. (KEMA) I was born in Panama, Rep. of Panama, and was surrounded by the rich tradition of sewing, thanks to a family of seamstresses and tailors. At the age of 9, I moved to the U.S. and settled in Brooklyn, NY—shout out to Franklin Ave! I attended Isaac Bildersee Junior High School in Canarsie, where one of my home economics classes was sewing, taught by my favorite teacher, Ms. Cook. Despite having sewing in my DNA, it was Ms. Cook who helped me realize my talent and the pure joy I found in the craft. I went on to attend Fashion Industries High School, graduating with a diploma in Fashion Design and Merchandising. However, life, with its fastballs, curveballs, marriage, and kids, caused me to lose touch with my love for sewing. It wasn’t until the birth of my first child that I rediscovered my passion for sewing and cooking/baking. As my body changed, I returned to sewing, making and altering my own clothing, which soon extended to helping others. Read more>>

Janae Young

I am a multiracial girl from Indiana who never fully fit in with any one group of people, and yet have been able to simultaneously blend with all groups of people. I did the college thing, hated waking up at 6am for classes I wasn’t interested in, started getting into some trouble, dropped out, moved to New York. New York got claustrophobic. I was walking through Columbus Circle having an anxiety attack on the phone with my mom when a lady approached me with life changing advice about meditation. That was when I realized that being an artist was the only the outlet that would make me truly happy. I moved to Miami and studied art independently. I eventually moved to LA to begin participating in art shows and thats more or less where this chapter began. Read more>>

Kat Romett of Peace Roots Reflexology + Peace Roots Apothecary

For me, I really started this journey as I was caring for my oldest, who is currently nonverbal and special needs. Through a really dark time of handling extreme stress, I lost feeling in the whole left side of my body. The more I talked with health professionals in all types of fields, many of them came back with the same concern for me, which was that I was managing extreme chronic stress. As I was coming to the realization that stress can affect our bodies in physical ways, I than wanted to help other women and caregivers who have gone through stress and trauma. I than went to school for reflexology and later down the road also started a magnesium herbal stress care company. These two outlets are very meaningful to me, as I’m able to not let my hardships be wasted, but in turn use those experiences to help others who have gone through similar journeys. My heart is to bring healing and peace in how I work on clients through reflexology, and through the products I make to support weary bodies and frazzled nerves. Read more>>

Michelle Awad

Long story short, I’ve been writing poetry since I was around 15 years old, so for about 17 years now. I wish I had some inspiring anecdote about the circumstances that drew me to poetry, but the truth is: I always wanted to be a writer, but I was decidedly bad at prose. In my adolescence, poetry gave me an outlet that prose didn’t—a way to write about myself and aspects of my life and experiences with as much or as little detail as I wanted. It gave me a sense of control over my own narrative, and it didn’t require the same patience or planning as prose. It also seemed to be judged more subjectively in general, which eased my adolescent anxiety around, “Is this any good?” 

 From a formal education perspective, in 2014 I earned a degree in English with a concentration in Writing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Read more>>

Kristina Fitzpatrick of Paper&Flowers

Certainly! My journey with Paper&Flowers began with a simple passion for crafting and a love for the art of paper. What started as a hobby of creating intricate paper flowers for friends and family quickly turned into something more significant. I noticed a demand for unique, handcrafted floral designs that offered an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fresh flowers, which often have a limited lifespan. In the early days, I experimented with different types of paper and techniques, always aiming to blend creativity with durability. Positive feedback from my friends and first clients encouraged me to take the leap and officially launch Paper&Flowers. As we grew, we expanded our offerings to include an online supplies store, making it easier for fellow crafters to access high-quality, sustainable materials. We now operate offices in New York, Miami, and Houston, which has allowed us to better serve our clients across the country. Our commitment to eco-friendly practices has resonated with many, leading us to collaborate with top global brands who share our values. We continue to innovate and explore new techniques, always striving to make the decoration world more environmentally conscious while delivering beautifully crafted, long-lasting designs. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to see where it takes us next. Read more>>

Sonya Savage

I opened my practice in 2018. I started out in a little studio that was located in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. I was doing lash extensions, simple facials, chemical peels and eyebrow services. I quickly built my client base through marketing, word of mouth and social media. Three years later I moved into a beautiful office building in Rittenhouse Square, with three treatment rooms. I added lasers, Microneedling and more advanced skincare treatments and had curated an elite clientele including celebrities. Read more>>

Evelyn Kessler

My journey to launching International Child Advancement, Inc. began with a deep-rooted connection to my family’s home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A country that has faced decades of instability, including two Congo Wars, known as the “African World War.” These wars have devastated children’s lives in eastern Congo, exposing them to extreme violence, displacement, loss of family, forced conscription as child soldiers, and severe disruptions to their education and healthcare. Although my immediate family was fortunate to escape the turmoil, many Congolese were not as fortunate, including millions of children orphaned because of the war. Recognizing and appreciating how blessed I was to get out of the DRC before the violence escalated, I sensed a strong calling to support children who weren’t as fortunate.  Read more>>

Catrina Higgs

We moved to 18 different Kentucky places by the time I was 18, I don’t think it was always a different town but I know they were never homes. My mom didn’t have any support, my dad didn’t know I existed- still doesn’t by choice..My grandparents weren’t any help- living on the poverty line from birth. I moved every year of my life, multiple states- I don’t know why really, I’ll ask my mom today when I see her. If I had to answer, she was chasing something better or running from something bad. All the places I can remember that I’ve lived- In Kentucky: Leitchfield X6, Clarkson, Muldraugh ×2, Falls of Rough ×2, Caneyville×3, Radcliff, Vine Grove, somewhere in Pennsylvania, Fort Knox, Read more>>

Aubrey Fornwalt of Full Circle Bioconversion LLC

As I moved towards high school graduation, I wanted a creative profession and thought that graphic design would be the right fit for me. I received a BFA in communication design from Kutztown University in 2008 and had a job at a free daily start-up tabloid in Baltimore in the height of the recession. I felt lucky to just have a job, let alone a job in the newspaper industry. Newspapers were dealing with constricting staff, role reassignment, shrinking subscribers and competition from internet content. I worked with people with the job title “user generated content wrangler” while I was a “page architect.” These creative titles were put in place so that our little paper staff didn’t fall under any conflicting job titles that the Baltimore Sun’s union staff already held. It was a mildly contentious atmosphere. When I was really beginning to feel unhappy, a newspaper on Long Island, Newsday, reached out with a job offer. I packed it all up and moved to the center of the island where I was 20 minutes from either the north or south shore beaches. (I miss that part a lot.) But while I lived there, I experienced hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy. Walking through a grocery store with little food stocked on shelves and waiting your day to get gas and not knowing when your electricity would come back on were eye-opening experiences. Living on an island felt less wise. I was also dropped into a more corporate atmosphere which I was beginning to learn that I didn’t quite fit. I already didn’t feel I quite belonged on Long Island. Read more>>

Krista Kelly of The Treasure Trove

I’ve been an artist since I can remember being able to hold a pencil. I’ve been an illustrator, graphic designer, photographer, painter, sculptor, animator, videographer, leatherworker, metalworker, woodworker, resin crafter, jeweler, and many other things over my decades of artistic experimentation but master of none. My mastery comes in the form of learning new mediums, techniques, and processes. Since I was a child I’ve enjoyed learning new art materials and how best to use them. I’ve been pursuing this passion throughout my artistic career and as such my art has taken on many forms over the years. I’ve held many different jobs in a wide variety of artistic fields ranging from large scale traditional darkroom photography to hand made chemically etched circuit boards to traditional graphic design and freelance illustration to programming a CNC (computer numerical control) and machining prototype parts. Read more>>

Savannah Mincey of The Tailgate Boutique

My story begins as a girl who felt 1/2 loved by the world and fully loved by her Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ. If you’re lucky enough to not relate to my story, I simply ask that you love others as they come and not as our world perceives they should be. Growing up, the isles packed with cute bright colors and fun patterns didn’t include girls a little chunkier like me. Instead, we were banished to a small section in the back corner lit dimly as to show we should be ashamed to be shopping in this secluded corner. When we did find something that fit us correctly, it was the most out-of-style, basic piece and left us feeling all the more different than everyone else. So that’s how The Tailgate was born. I wanted a place for women to shop that loved them back. A place that didn’t shame them for looking different than the cover of the hottest magazine. A place that loved them as Jesus does. Read more>>

Rachel Wahba-dunkley of Rachel Ann Coaching

As a Black & Indigenous woman, and child of immigrants, my dreams and aspirations have never been well received for straying too far from acceptable paths. It’s made me feel alone, misunderstood, and frustrated with myself and others. While navigating cultural and familial expectations, I’ve also had to grapple with issues of identity, wellness, and faith. With my clients, I specifically work on things like: addressing generational messages/trauma/wealth, navigating family dynamics, cultural identity and belonging, self-awareness, self-compassion, spirituality and faith, communication skills and advocacy, boundaries, navigating friendship and dating relationships, processing and healing the past, and planning for the future. I wanted to be able to offer to other women what I wanted so badly—a safe space and support from someone like me. So I got my degree in Human Development from Binghamton University, then a Master of Education and Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University. After several years working with students at NYU and local community colleges, I began developing holistic mindset and wellness programs built specifically for women of color, supported by my certification in Spiritual Life Coaching from Transformation Academy. I provide one-on-one coaching support, group coaching membership support, and digital resources to support women in showing up authentically without fear in any  space they’re in. Read more>> 

Brianna Carney of CrewBloom and Betii.ai

We started CrewBloom in 2017 to disrupt the call center industry. We saw room for a remote, human-centric player to take some market share… we’ve been connecting the top 2% of global talent with growing companies ever since. Today we are building Betii, an AI company that support Shopify store owners with a predictive language model to navigate inbound tickets, inquiries, and escalations. When I’m not working I’m usually traveling, running, playing with my dog Lucy, enjoying all the cultural riches of NYC or hanging out with my friends/family (who are the absolute best). I also volunteer with Special Olympics running the figure skating program and mentor with WE NYC, an organization working to narrow the gender gap of capital investment in early stage companies. We need more women-owned companies to secure funding and succeed in tech… it’s absolutely critical for the future of technology. Read more>>

Rachel Clinesmith of Phoenix Rising Cosmetics Brands

As an autistic teenager who was trying to learn to mask and failing, I found a way to belong with other kids who were like me by expressing myself creatively instead of trying to fit in. Makeup was a huge part of this and I loved how makeup made me feel. It quickly became my favorite artistic outlet. Makeup became a hyperfixation for me and as I learned more about the history, ingredients and chemical processes that went into making cosmetics, I realized that I didn’t like how the industry was focusing on one, not only pushing a standard of beauty, but two, often doing so dishonestly and three, using ingredients that weren’t always the safes or most effective.  I decided I wanted to start my own cosmetics company and do those things differently and I got my first chance when I was pregnant with my first child in 2011. It was a hand pressed color cosmetics and it grew slowly due to a lack of resources for the first 6 years and then grew way too fast in 2017 and 2018.My friend who I started the business with and I parted ways and we ended up closing the doors in early 2019. I had the idea for Vampyre Cosmetics before I closed Belladonna. I always loved the history & lore behind Vampires and I wanted to create cool gothic makeup because that was the scene I was in while living in Los Angeles. Read more>>

Kristin Marquet of Marquet Media, LLC

I’ve always had a passion for entrepreneurship and public relations. After earning my master’s in marketing and public relations from New York University, I dove into the corporate world, working with various agencies and gaining experience in branding, PR, and digital marketing. But I always knew I wanted to create something to make a real impact. In 2009, I founded Marquet Media, a PR and branding firm that allowed me to combine my skills and passion for helping businesses grow. We quickly gained recognition for our innovative approach, especially in working with startups and female entrepreneurs. But I wanted to do more, particularly for women in business. That’s when I launched FemFounder in 2017. What started as a blog to provide resources and inspiration to female entrepreneurs quickly evolved into a full-scale media company. Through FemFounder, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and working with countless women, helping them build strong brands and successful businesses. Read more>>

Paige Anderson

I need to make art like I need to breathe. When I was a kid, it was always textiles and drawing in the margins of my notebooks. I learned to sew at an early age, at the knee of my grandmother, while she quilted every evening and weekend, or, when we went to the river or playground, she carried hand embroidery with her. I carried this well into my adult life, becoming more avid about embroidery and quilting as life became more stressful with college, and then, parenting. For a few years I designed quilt patterns for magazines and self-publication, worked with fabric companies to create kits for those patterns, taught quilting and embroidery classes, had work in galleries, curated needlework supplies, curated embroidery quilts, launched collab products, and vended at markets almost every single weekend. Read more>>

Sarah Tapia

At 16 years old, I became a mom, and though it was challenging, I was fortunate to always have a good job and enjoyed growing up alongside my daughter. When she turned 16, she began learning how to do acrylic nails, and by 18—during COVID—she had started her own business, quickly becoming financially independent. When I was 30, I met my amazing husband who changed my mind about never getting married. He has been incredibly supportive and loving through every single detail. Read more>>