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.

Carolyn Jones

The road from where I started to where I am now has been a long, meandering one. Each and every experience has proven to be a significant ingredient to my growth and transformation. I grew up in a very anxious and stressful environment; and, even though my mother bore the brunt of the emotional and psychological impact as long as she could, she eventually passed the baton to me, her only child.. Her unfortunate marriage to my stepfather meant everything to her. Her love for him caused her to make choices that would affect my life forever. Abandoned physically, spiritually and mentally, the door was flung wide open for predators to devour my innocence and leave me drowning in confusion. It wasn’t until years later that I realized that I had absorbed characteristics that would not — could not — serve me if I wanted to live a peace-filled life. Read more>>

Aviva Jaye’s Story

I’ve loved all sorts of things since I was young – reading, learning at school, music, dance…and arts basically took the front row on my interests from an early age. I started piano lessons around age 6, had already taken some dance classes for a couple years and just really enjoyed all of it. I would work on music and sometimes dance in my spare time by making up little songs or harmonies, or trying to plunk out the music to a video game level on my little keyboard, or rewind a scene in an old black and white movie musical to review the tap choreography, or just comment on the underscoring in a film or TV show. I loved academic subjects as well, and by high school I started peeling off extracurricular activities, leaving performing arts as the priority. To this day I can hardly believe I am still doing it and get to make a living connected to the things that lit me up as a child. Read more>>

Becky Shea

I am a first-generation Cuban-American with roots in Spain, where my great-grandparents were born and worked before migrating to Cuba in the early 20th century. My grandfather was imprisoned in Castro’s forced labor camps, prompting him and my parents, then children, to flee to Miami on one of the last “Freedom Flights” in 1973. They started anew with none of their possessions or family heirlooms. My childhood was spent in my grandfather’s woodworking studio, which I believe fostered my love for craftsmanship and design. To help finance my college education, I worked various jobs, eventually moving to NYC in 2010 with just two suitcases. I found Craigslist roommates in a converted studio on Wall Street and began my career as a flagship visual merchandiser for brands like Levi Strauss and Elie Tahari, creating memorable floor displays that enhanced both point of sale and brand value. Afterward, I honed my skills in international business development, product development, and intellectual property at several startups until one shut down its NYC office in late 2014. Read more>>

Eppie Bailey of The Professional Bohemians

I grew up surrounded by creative people. My father and mother, my many (12) siblings… I think we fueled each others imaginations. My brother Adam and I had a band with my cousin Toby and two other friends. I learned to write songs with them. I started a visual art business in early 2000’s with my (then) sister in law, Julie Barrett. We spent almost twenty years doing everything creative, from writing and performing music to designing multiple lines of toys for an online shop. We made Art together for various shows, designed festival merchandise and our work was used in several independent movies. We had good times renting our art for tv shows and being in the background during the filming of an episode of Nashville. We worked for Emmy Lou Harris making custom, handmade pieces to sell to raise funds for puppers in need. Meanwhile I also wrote and performed with different bands, sculpted with my sister Tiffany to make intricate art dolls and went back to school to study psychology. Currently I am working with Bethany (another sister), Tiffany, and Julie to design clothing and other lifestyle products for people yearning to find unique and creative alternatives to box store styles. We truly believe in adventurous designs made in small, ethically produced batches. Read more>>

Cedric Gegel

It all started with playing in the backyard with my siblings. Really, that’s what I do now – use my imagination. So I think it started then, and with all the books I read as a kid. It kind of came naturally, and when I got to college, I decided to keep doing it for fun while studying to be a teacher. When my education professors eventually told me that I was really supposed to be acting, I realized they were right – after all, it was what I’d been doing ever since I was a kid in the backyard, right? So I changed majors to study acting, kept doing theatre, and started acting in as many student films as I could. Eventually, I started dabbling in screenwriting, writing the parts I wanted to play, and then would direct those with some of my friends from the film program on the crew. It all kind of blossomed from there, and before I knew it, I was working on sets throughout the Midwest while still doing theatre in Columbus. I directed my first movie at the ripe old age of twenty-three, combining my friends from college with some legit name actors to make “Cadia: The World Within.” Then I moved to Philadelphia, where I began branching out a bit more for films, and then spent a year in Rhode Island, where I truly began travelling across the United States for projects. I had a brief follow-up stint in Philly and now live in the New York City area, where I’ve been fortunate to make a home base for myself as I continue to travel for films and theatre while being in one of the great artistic cities in the world. Read more>>

Jen Craven

My writing journey began many years ago when I published personal essays. It wasn’t until around 2019 that I wrote my first book, and from there I knew fiction was my jam. My first three novels were self-published, after which I signed with my publisher and am on my second contract extension with them. Read more>>

Honami Ogawa’s Story

I started to learn how to do nails when I was 24 years old in Japan. I’d worked in Japan for 3 years, and I moved to New York because Ive loved America especially New York. I was really happy that I got to experience for nails in the biggest city in the world. Read more>>

Anthony Mcdonald

I’ve been drawing since I was about 5 years old. Back then, my siblings and I used to sit in front of the tv and draw our favorite characters. My school teachers recognized my growing talents and offered classes to help. Later down the line I was blessed to attend schools with strong art reputations. Shoutout to the great people I met in High School of Art & Design, School of Visual Arts, and then, SUNY Purchase. In these schools I studied cartooning, painting, graphic design, arts management, even social justice. Each of these areas helped develop the current art work I produce even today. Post college, I continued to strengthen my skills in traditional and digital art. I got into selling and showcasing my work at many art events in and out the city. Many of these great events can be accredited to the friends and colleagues
I’ve met along the way. Read more>>

Katie Dubow of Garden Media Group

After college. I moved to New York City, my dream. There I was hoping to make it big as a sports broadcaster, my major at Northeastern University. The city’s vibrant energy and endless opportunities for creativity had other ideas for me, however. After working at CBS Television for many years and gaining valuable experience, I realized it was time to come home to roost. I returned to Garden Media Group, a business my mom started in 1988, where I stuffed envelopes as a kid, and grew up watching. I eventually took over the business from my mom in 2020—a moment that felt both momentous and deeply personal. Growing up, I watched my mom lead meetings, captivate audiences with her speaking engagements, and connect with people to share her passion for horticulture. She often was the only woman in the room. After I came back to Garden Media, I started by joining her on stage, learning by example, and soon found myself speaking at events around the world. Today, as the president of Garden Media, I continue to build on the legacy my mom created, leading our company to the forefront of garden and lifestyle PR. Read more>>

Mo Ganji

My job description is Tattoo Artist. I started following this profession in 2014. After an early carrier in the NFL Europe as an equipment manger and almost a decade in the Retail industry I started tattooing at the age of 31. It all started with me dreaming and talking to friends about it. “Of course I can do this, why shouldn’t I?” 10 years later I established a internationally known name that had an impact on the Tattoo industry. Somebody who uses nothing but a thin line to express himself on skin. Read more>>

Dorothea Osborn Osborn

It may sound cliche, though I have always been an artist. To my parents frustration, I painted the walls while in the crib. I also recalling a time when I was three after reading a Mother Goose book, attempting to draw the pumpkins and squirrels from and in the book. ( I still have that book). All throughout school, teachers would comment on my work. A third grade teacher, while having at class in the cafeteria, commented something ( I have forgotten what) on a street scene of my friends in my semi rural neighborhood. IN middle school, the teacher commented on my album cover, and in high schoo, this is where I actually became invested in learning about art and consequently applied to colleges to achieve an art degree with no real goal in mind, other than to be an artist. After hitchhiking around Europe and visiting any and all museums I could, I returned to finish my art degree in Buffalo. After graduating with an undergraduate degree, I taught art to make ends meet and to save for Graduate school.being that finances were tight, I attended SUNY New Paltz part time for my MFA (they agreed to allow this) for a long 8 years. Driving 1.5 each ways arduous, though worth it since i was doing what I loved: creating art! Read more>>

Samantha Lose

SunnyDaze was started in 2019 as a hemp jewelry and macrame business, what started as a small time hobby developed into a huge passion! Keeping my attention to hobbies has proven to be difficult throughout my small business journey, after a few years of creating macrame I started to experiment with other forms of art. I started creating resin pendants, jewelry and artwork, and started creating smaller dreamcatchers and house decorations. Eventually those crafts lost my interest too, so I decided that I wanted to dedicate myself to the art or crocheting. I had been in a knitting club when I was in middle school, but the patience and the tedious work did not keep my 12 year old self engaged. I owned a variety of knit and crocheted garments and felt inspired to try and create my own clothing using crochet methods. In 2021 I started selling my crochet creations on my Etsy and Depop, and the love and admiration I got for my Freeform designs flourished amongst my friends, family, and social media followers! I felt so encouraged and motivated to keep creating crochet clothing and accessories, and the art form took over my life! SunnyDazeeeWithSam has been around for 6 years now, 4 of those years I have dedicated to the art of Freeform crochet, and I’ve never looked back! Crocheting unlocked this amazing world of creative freedom for me, I never knew yarn would hold such a big place of my heart but I really am grateful for the craft and art of crochet. Read more>>

Anastasia Georgouda’s Story

I’m Anastasia Georgouda, and I work in advertising as an Art Director. I’m glad I have the opportunity to talk to and inspire people through my work. The creative process is a powerful way to communicate with people, touch their emotions, and guide them through a story they will always remember. My journey in this field began with a passion for creative tools. I started small as a 3D animator and gradually expanded my expertise to production. Eventually, I mastered the Art Direction program, which allowed me to see the big picture and craft the core idea behind each project. I enjoy guiding my team and overseeing every step until completion. This journey took me from Athens, Greece, to New York, USA. I was exceptionally grateful to begin my creative dream by interning at Ogilvy NY. This opportunity paved the way for my career at Edelman NY, where I had the privilege of creating ads and receiving briefs from amazing and influential brands. One of my most notable achievements was the creation of the “Don’t FM & Drive” campaign, which earned me two international awards. This campaign not only brought me significant publicity but also underscored the impact and reach of a well-executed creative idea. Read more>>

Malu Toro’s Story

I’m Malu Toro, and juggling three jobs might sound crazy, but for me, it’s about pursuing all my passions. I’m a business student, a part-time marketing project manager, and a model a combination that keeps life exciting! Modeling wasn’t always on my radar. To be honest, I never thought I would end up becoming a model. At 14, I was the least girly girl you’d meet. Dressing up was a chore, and being the tallest girl in school didn’t help my confidence. My mom, a former model herself, saw my slumped posture and kept threatening to send me to modeling school to learn how to walk with a little more grace. For me, that sounded like a nightmare, but little did I know, that “threat” would spark a hidden passion. After a few weeks, I went from slouching to being one of the top students. Modeling wasn’t just about how I looked; it was about owning my confidence and expressing myself creatively. Suddenly, I was working twice a week, skipping a few classes at school (oops!), and feeling the thrill of financial independence while doing something I loved. Read more>>

Finleigh Zack of Finleigh Zack Dance Inc.

At a very young age, I knew that choreography & entrepreneurship was the career path I wanted to take. I have always been a creative individual and had an interest in creating something that I could call mine. I found myself imagining dances in my head and wanted a platform where I could continue my work. I moved to New York at 17 years old to pursue a degree in Dance at NYU and really dove into my creative practice and honed my craft during my studies. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by influential mentors who helped support my ideas and help them become my reality. At 19 years old, I started the process to form my business, Finleigh Zack Dance Inc., a non profit dance company supporting mental health advocacy in the arts industry.  With my experience in the field and how our emotional health was a taboo subject, I wanted to create a platform where we could flip the narrative that has been present for too long. How can we as artists use our craft to support one another and our support our emotional health? FZD will be turning 4 years this August and is amazes me how much we have grown in our small time as an organization. I have such a huge respect for my growing team and community and look forward for what we have in store.  Read more>>

Phyllis Leibowitz

I started my fashion styling career by first working as a production assistant on tv commercials – the lowest entry level job. I loved film production, and I had always loved fashion. So when I discovered there was a job category where I could do both – it was a no brainer! Then I used my contacts to meet fashion stylists and worked as an assistant stylist to learn the craft and get experience. I also had to build a huge database of resources and develop relationships with designers, vendors, costume houses. Now I can find anything a client asks for! Read more>>

Carolina Munoz Awad

I started as a graduate student in fine arts with a background in architecture. I came to New York to study this program at Parsons, and I had little to no expectations of what my professional future might become—not because I wasn’t excited, but because I had no idea what to expect. Read more>>

Amy Kline

My partner, Stefan Flower, and I founded “The Parking Pad” in 2021. Stefan has a background in engineering and skills as a production manager and I have over 20 years of experience in event ticketing and marketing and we established “The Parking Pad” as a platform for promoting music in Dormont, PA, and beyond. From the beginning, we focused on creating unique and immersive experiences for both artists and audiences. We program a variety of events, from intimate house concerts to larger outdoor festivals, always with the goal of showcasing the talent and diversity of the local music scene. As “The Parking Pad” grew in popularity, we expanded our reach, collaborating with other local businesses and organizations to bring even more attention to the vibrant music community in Dormont. We began to offer artist development services, helping musicians navigate the industry and reach new audiences. Our mission has always been to bring people together to support music, musicians, and community. In 2024, we placed a Free Little Music Library in front of our house. It functions like the other free libraries across the country but accepts primarily vinyl records and CDs. Read more>>

Charissa Lauren

I started working when I was 16 and it was a classic “built my way up” story. At that time, I was working in modeling, pageants, and theater throughout various agencies in the US. I was always told “looks don’t last” so focus on the business aspect of the industry, and that I did. I started working and hustling backstage. I nailed down a few jobs and internships with The Talent Group talent agency, Barbizon Modeling & Acting, Mosser Casting, and eventually started coordinating fashion shows for the Mall at Robinson, Pittsburgh Fashion Week, and New York Fashion Week. For the majority of my late teens and early twenties, I was coordinating red carpet events and fashion shows, meanwhile writing for multiple magazines. My love for journalism and event coordination sparked my direction towards Public Relations, a career where I could combine all of those passions. I started my first agency at 22 with a partner initially. The agency took off within the first year and by year two, I was securing national and international clientele. I have worked within Public Relations and Journalism since then and I can honestly say I love what I do whole-heartedly and there has never been a dull experience.  Read more>>

Tracy Simmons

I knew I wanted to be a journalist at 15, but my focus on religion reporting developed during college where I minored in religious studies while majoring in journalism. This combination led to my first job as a religion writer in South Texas after graduation. My career has taken me across the country, covering religion in New Mexico, Texas, New England, and the Pacific Northwest. Each region offered unique perspectives on faith in America. The 2008 economic crisis proved to be a turning point when the newspaper I worked for cut its religion section. In response, I started my own publication, shifting into entrepreneurship. After selling that venture, I now run FāVS News, a non-profit religion news publication in Washington State. This role combines my journalism background with my interest in religion and my entrepreneurial experience. Read more>>

Sarah Hill of Real Food with Sarah LLC

My passion for food runs deep, and a significant part of my upbringing involved traveling. My dad, who is British and Italian, grew up mainly in England, so we often traveled to visit family and explore England, Italy, France, and other parts of Europe. My Nonna always filled us with her delicious homemade dishes, like her famous Italian pasta sauce, and showered us with love and warmth. I attended UMass Amherst, where I studied Public Health, then went on to earn my Master’s in Public Health and worked as a health inspector. Despite the demanding work, I always made time for cooking and gradually began to adopt a ‘healthy lifestyle.’ I started documenting my workouts and meals on Instagram, and this journey helped me realize that for me, a healthy lifestyle meant finding a balance—especially when it came to food and exercise. I wanted to enjoy everything I loved without guilt, feeling nourished and satisfied instead. This curiosity about how different foods affected my body led me to pursue my first nutritionist certification in 2019, and I haven’t looked back since. Read more>>

Jennifer Hernandez

I grew up in the northwestern part of the Bronx, bordering Yonkers, NY. I was born in North Central Bronx Hospital, but not quite in the hospital itself. My mother said, ‘You came out ready for the world and couldn’t wait, which is why you were born in the ambulance.’ I was born to two immigrant parents who worked hard to support four children. I spent much of my childhood riding my bicycle and reading for fun. I still have the same friends from elementary school, as my community is tight-knit. I attended John F. Kennedy High School, where I dropped out but later completed my GED in Harlem before attending Bronx Community College. I’m currently completing my Doctoral candidacy. Read more>>

Nikolai Given

I started from a broken home, taken by child protective services along with my older siblings when I was three. I was born intersex, none of my family knew other than my biological mother and my maternal aunt. From there I was adopted by maternal aunt. I suffered at the hands of her for the next eight years. During which time she had me on hormone blockers and estrogen. I finally got the chance to escape and haven’t been back since. I had never known what unconditional love was, I had never known what healthy was in terms of familial dynamics. I’ve been in therapy for 8 years now, and I’ve finally found someone who loves me for me. My oldest child is in an open adoption with a lovely gay couple in New York. My youngest is with me and my soon to be husband. We took parenting classes and everything. Breaking generational curses is difficult especially when you’ve never known anything different. We have days where we struggle, but making the conscious choice to be better than you were the day before is keeping us on a steady path for success. Read more>>

Nicolette Leier

The Prep Talk was very much so something that started as a side hustle that we did for fun to stay connected to the pro cheer and dance community. We never expected to grow to where we are at today! The Prep Talk now has had over 109 clients make professional teams. Over 3 years, we have focused on growing lasting relationships with our clients. To us, its not about making money, its about helping others achieve their dreams the same way we did. Read more>>

Vana Chupp

I started my business out of the need to bring creativity into my life. I was a new mom working freelance in architecture. I was looking for something to keep me creatively fulfilled while I worked from home raising our first born. I first started on Etsy – open a stationery shop on March of 2008 called Le Papier Studio (the paper studio in French). I began selling custom silhouette stationery and artwork all created with customers’ photographs of their loved ones. My little shop took off in a six months period. I began receiving a lot of press from mama blogs and other outlets who were interested in the type of products I created as well as my story as a stay at home mom creating a niche for herself. My business grew organically through repeat business and word of month. It wasn’t until 2012 when I decided to start offering ornaments and jewelry as part of my collection. Fast forward to 2021, we rebranded to Vana Chupp Studio to better represent who we were and where we were headed. Currently, the majority of our work is in custom 14K fine jewelry and although custom silhouettes are still a big part of what we do, we’ve added custom handwriting and other personalization to our line of offerings. Our products are sold online through our shop at www.vanachuppstudio.com and in person by appointment in our studio in Richmond, Virginia.  Read more>>

Julia Stevens

I began my journey in 2020, initially participating in various social justice movements. My involvement took a significant turn when I started organizing my community in response to the tragic death of my cousin, Mariah Wilson. Mariah’s passing highlighted critical issues of housing injustice and inequity, prompting me to shift from protesting to a more proactive role in supporting my community. I started working with different community service providers, which deepened my understanding of intersectional struggles and allowed me to develop my skills in communication and advocacy. Read more>>

Dirty 1st Management of Dirty 1st Management

Our journey started by assisting cousin, German, with his media agency Power Of Reggae, and a friend, Steve Austin, with his label House Of Muzik Ent. As we gained experience, we launched Dirty 1st Management and began working with artists across several states, including Florida, New York, California, Virginia, and North Carolina. We also expanded internationally, collaborating with artists in Central America, particularly in Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize. In early 2023, we formed a partnership with Red Coral Universe, a forward-thinking streaming platform that focuses on supporting independent artists in film, television, and music. Today, we represent 17 artists with 72 videos featured on the platform. Recently, two of our artists, Sha The Artist and Ry Beezly, had the chance to open for Bobby Shmurda at a concert series presented by Tim McMurtrie on October 13, 2024, which was filmed for Red Coral Universe Read more>>

Romeo Rios

Of course, It all started about 2 years ago. I felt lost. Not knowing what I was supposed to be doing with my life. Until one day, I was super bored and said to myself, “why don’t I try out this dance class” (it was a pole class) I was so nervous that I didn’t even go to the first two classes I registered for. All my life I allowed my nerves to get the best of me and I skipped out on some amazing memories that could’ve been made. Flash forward to present time and I LOVE dancing.
I can’t go a day without it. I incorporate it to my everyday life and i’m so glad that I conquered my fears and walked into that dance class. Read more>>

Chardae Jones

I got started in community work in college as Carlow University embedded service in everything that we did. They planted seeds that weren’t watered until after graduation where I joined AmeriCorps. I later moved on to eventually join community committees which led to me becoming the youngest mayor in Braddock’s History. I recently quit my corporate job to get into more community work. And now I have several jobs with service embedded in it. How I got started writing is interesting. Growing up the after school program and summer camp was held at the Braddock Carnegie Library so I had a library card before I could even scribble my name. I used to read all the books. My oldest brother used to shoo me away by telling me to “go read a book.” One day I told him that I read them all and he goes, “go write one.” I never knew that was an option but I wrote one. It wasn’t good but I kept writing them and now I’ve published 16 books on behalf of myself and others.  Read more>>

Charlotte Chaze of Break Into Tech

Before I began my career in analytics, I was an academic researcher in a windowless basement lab earning $28k a year. I got fed up with being stressed, overworked and underpaid and decided to learn data analytics online. And it worked! My first Data Analyst job was an Associate Analyst position with a $70k salary, which was already a huge step up from $28k. Less than 4 years after that, I was already making $158k as a Senior Manager in Analytics at AT&T. After that, I created a TikTok account to tell others about opportunities in Data Analytics and was overwhelmed by the response. I could barely keep up with all the questions and comments. That’s when I created our free Data Analytics Course. The success of this course gave me the confidence to keep going. So, I used my vacation days to create the Data Analytics Certificate course and quit my job soon after to focus on Break Into Tech. Together with a team of incredible professionals I now help people from all walks of life to break into tech. Read more>>

Jade Mweemva of Allure Event Management

My journey into the world of event planning began with a passion for bringing people together in unique and memorable ways. Starting with small, intimate gatherings, I quickly discovered my knack for creating experiences that left a lasting impact. With a natural flair for detail and an eye for design, I began taking on larger projects, working with other brands, gradually building a reputation for my creativity and professionalism. Over time, my love for event planning evolved into a vision of something greater. I saw a gap in the market for an event management company that could combine elegance with an edgy, modern style, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in the Pacific Northwest. This vision led to the founding of Allure Event Management, a company dedicated to delivering extraordinary events that captivate and inspire. Read more>>

Kim Duff Selby’s Story

MY MISSION I am here to shout to the world that you are never too old….to pursue a passion, start a new project, learn a new skill. In my 3rd act, I inspire women to Ignite Their Sparks, and realize they have much to offer the world. I started my podcast and signature program to share inspiration and actionable ways for YOU to ignite your spark for a more joyful, fulfilled and purposeful life. The world needs more light, positivity and happy people. I want that for you. During the pandemic of 2020, I started my podcast, and my signature class and became a certified yoga instructor. What are your dreams? I have actionable tips and trick to assist you in igniting your own spark. Read more>>

Donna Mcdine of Energy of Serenity LLC

As long as I can remember I often felt like a square being forced into a circle through academia. I distinctly remember sitting in my sixth grade classroom and my teacher telling the class as we were approaching the end of the school year that we were about to embark on the best six years of our lives, with heading junior high in the fall then to the high school for 9th through 12th grades. Excitement erupted in the classroom and I too joined in the excitement along with my classmates, hoping things would be different within the confines of new classrooms. Maybe my new teachers would actually listen to me when I would share that I don’t understand can you explain this to me differently. Unfortunately, my academic struggles continued through the next six years with most teachers saying you need to try harder and not taking the time out to truly listen and understand. Read more>>

Ebony Davis of Butler & Davis Consulting

After working a few years in government contracting and having multiple bad days, I realized that I enjoyed helping people and was at my best when doing so. So, I went back to school to earn my Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration. My focus in school and after has been helping marginalized communities obtain wellness and improve their ability to obtain social, economic and political justice. Read more>>

Theodore Massillon

NOM Media began in 2019 as a vision to create impactful visual stories for businesses. Founded by Theodore Massillon, the company started with a focus on video production, leveraging Theodore’s background in creative storytelling and digital media. In the early days, NOM Media took on various projects, from small business commercials to corporate videos, always emphasizing quality and creativity. As the company’s reputation grew, so did its client base and service offerings. Recognizing the growing demand for comprehensive digital marketing solutions, NOM Media expanded its services to include social media management, content creation, and digital advertising. This holistic approach allowed the company to provide end-to-end solutions for clients looking to enhance their digital presence. Read more>>

Meredith Carty of Jones Street Creative

Like most creatives, my path to career growth isn’t linear. I started as a directionless undergraduate art student with a lot of creativity and little to no talent for fine art. I knew I had a good eye for design and style but was unclear how that would translate into a profession. I felt most at home in my graphic design and printmaking classes and took on a summer job as an intern at a boutique agency designing under the guidance of an amazingly patient mentor. After college graduation, I had no job prospects as a junior designer and wasn’t eager to land a desk job. Instead, I leaned into my other creative passion, hair. I worked as an apprentice and found so much joy in the art of cutting hair. I loved creating something beautiful with my hands and getting to talk to new people all day. I learned so many essential business skills in that job: building rapport, customer retention, customer service and selling my talent. I continued designing logos on the side as additional income. I moved to Philadelphia and talked my way into a stylist position at a high-end Rittenhouse salon where I was mentored by a Vidal Sassoon-trained giant in the hair industry. I was working 7 days a week, some at the salon and nights as a hostess at an upscale Cuban restaurant. I was growing in my craft, but after 7 years as a stylist, my gut told me it was time to make another big move. I wanted to try academics again but this time, I would be intentional and committed. I applied to grad schools in New York and San Francisco as a way to fund a big move and start a new career. Read more>>

Ameily Chang

My journey to where I am today is marked by a continuous pursuit of growth and passion for animation. It all started with a simple frame-by-frame animation I made for my classmates in grade 6. While that experience planted the seed, it wasn’t until my undergrad years at Parsons, majoring in illustration, that an animation elective truly reignited my passion. Despite the challenges, including an unexpected detour back to Taiwan due to the pandemic, I never stopped hustling. In Taiwan, I juggled full-time jobs (first as an artist in XAC Game Studio then as an animator in Dcard), freelance work, and maintaining a social media presence to reach potential clients. My efforts paid off when a viral fan art for Lo-fi Girl led to a contract position with them. With exposure and experience came more and better opportunities. I built a reputation and a network that allowed me to become self-sufficient through freelance and contract work alone. This success was fueled by my dedication to continuously refining my craft and taking on projects that pushed my creative boundaries. Now, as a contract animator/designer for Lo-fi Girl and KURE8 Kombucha, while freelancing for other clients, I continue to push the boundaries of my craft, always eager to take on new challenges and grow as an artist. Looking back, I believe my journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the willingness to seize every opportunity. Read more>>

Erin Hughes

My journey into photography began during my senior year of high school when I took my first photography class. That passion evolved into two college degrees focused on art and photography. Throughout the years, while working a variety of jobs, I always kept photography close, pursuing it on the side. Each job and every person I encountered led to new connections, opening doors to more opportunities. Ultimately, these experiences inspired me to turn my passion into a business, specializing in real estate photography. Read more>>

Shane Boyce

I fell in love with Hip-hop at an early age. In my household, all sorts of music were played, but this is what stuck with me. My mom played Jay-Z, Biggie, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, etc. My dad played Nas, OutKast, Busta Rhymes, and Tupac. My aunt played Cam’Ron, DMX, The Lox, and Eve. As you can see, lots of New York influence mixed in with a few other notable areas. This is where my inspiration came from. Back in 2003-’04, my older cousins started rapping. I, too nervous to say much out loud, wanted to join them but opted not to. Not yet, anyhow. On Valentine’s Day, 2005, my mom bought me The Documentary CD by The Game and let me use her CD player to listen to it. As I sat at the family dinner table, I would pull up a piece of white printer paper and start re-writing what I heard in my own words. In doing this, I started to foster the courage to start rapping with my cousins, only scarcely. I had tucked it away–kept the rhymes to myself, never to be heard, until 2015 when I started journaling as a means to get thoughts out of my head and on paper–I read that was a healthy thing to do. My best friend’s cousin made beats and said that we should rap together. Again, I wasn’t confident enough to share my raps with anyone other than myself because I didn’t feel they were good enough yet. In 2018, I leaned into my fear and found the courage to send a verse over to my best friend’s cousin. He immediately called me over to his studio. We called that The Basement. This is where I got stronger and more confident. My best friend’s cousin, The Artivist, helped to strengthen the MC known to us today as Shane, The Shaman. Read more>>

Sable Snyder

I began my musical journey as a child! I grew up in a very musical household and my mom encouraged me to learn piano and guitar at an early age. I participated in music activities all through my school years and when it came time to go to college I decided that I wanted to pursue music on a professional level. In 2011 I graduated from Georgetown College with a degree in Music Education with a focus on Vocal Studies. I then married my husband, who I had met playing music, and we began a band and started gigging locally. It took me a couple of years, but I eventually found a job in public school music teaching. I worked at a local elementary school in our small town. During this time my husband and I also played gigs and I taught private lessons out of my house on afternoons and evenings. After about 4 years, we got pregnant and I had my first child. This prompted me to really rethink my career. I quit teaching and decided to take a step back and spend some time focusing on being a new mom and reflecting on what I wanted as a career moving forward. I read a lot of books, some on freelancing, and after about a year decided to start my own music business. At first it was small and I only taught a few small private classes. Over the last 7 years that business has grown slowly. In August of 2022, Sable Snyder Music LLC was born. This was an umbrella business that allowed me to both teach music and perform at multiple levels. The mission of this business is to build community around music making at all levels. It is to encourage people to remember that music is their inherent birthright and that we all are musical and deserve to participate in this beautiful artistic form! Read more>>

Sonia Narvaez of Operation QOL Inc

As a first-generation Latina raised in a rural environment, my early aspirations were firmly set on pursuing a medical career. Being the eldest sibling, I was instilled with a sense of responsibility to prioritize others’ needs above my own. The concept of entrepreneurship was unfamiliar to me at that time. Upon entering college, I encountered challenges with the rigorous science curriculum required for medical studies, necessitating a shift in my academic focus. This led me to pursue Public Health, attracted by the prospect of making a broader impact through preventative measures rather than solely treating symptoms. Initially, I was unaware of the diverse operational skills required in many of the positions I subsequently held. Despite working under competent supervisors and alongside dedicated colleagues, I consistently experienced a sense of unfulfillment in my roles. A recurring pattern of dissatisfaction emerged the reasons for which were not immediately apparent to me. Read more>>

Sierra Rose Stone’s Story

My life started with my father & mother being married in Pennsylvania in a small town called New Castle. I was very close with my family & on my father’s side, we had property & did a lot of hunting, fishing, and building outside. We always went to a local Pentecostal christian church every Sunday. On my mothers side, family was also very important & my grandmother was a foster care parent with many adopted children. I grew up very community based & loving nature, & enjoying extended family farms. Because of the way I grew up & my parents later divorce I grew up with the love of the hustle of the city & the love of the country farm land. My grandmother Bertha on my fathers side of the family was a prominent figure in my life & she grew up in Long Island, NY & I still have extended family from that area. Sometimes, I am even told I have an accent & I believe that is from my grandmothers thick New York accent. I have an older sister who is eight years older than me & my only sibling & I became an aunt at an early age to one niece and two nephews. Read more>>

Chen of EchoHer

I started my career right after graduating from Carnegie Mellon in 2012, diving into mobile development at Branding Brand. Later, I joined Vlocity as the Founding Mobile Engineer, where I played a key role in its $1.33 billion acquisition by Salesforce in 2020. Beyond tech, I’ve always been passionate about community-building, growing an online following of 70,000 and collaborating with brands like YSL and Toyota. This all led to founding EchoHer, where I’m focused on empowering women entrepreneurs and building supportive, impactful communities. Read more>>

Jeanne Mae of Mae Bae | Vector Marketing

I started my career as a model 15 years ago. I was signed with IMD out of Medford Oregon and worked a number of different runways, voiceovers, commercials and more. Upon my vast experience in various types of modeling I have developed Mae Bae to assist aspiring models by laying the groundwork for both men and women with one-on-one coaching. I personally Mentor you to achieve your full potential without diminishing your worth or your value. I found a hole in the industry and through Mae bae I have been able to bridge that gap and help many individuals build their self esteem while achieving their modeling goals. I expanded my business to being a business mentor as well. I act as a mentor for beginning entrepreneurs to help cultivate them to implement their ideas in productive manners as well as allowing them a safe space to learn and grow. Read more>>

Tiffany Grimes of Burgeon Design and Editorial

Books have always been a huge part of my life, especially as a child who grew up in foster care. I decided I wanted to be ‘An Author’ in sixth grade and pursued writing through undergrad and grad school, ultimately earning my MFA in creative writing. While editing intrigued me as a career, I hesitated for years, concerned it might distract from my own writing. I worked multiple part-time jobs to focus on my stories until I found myself in a full-time office job, sneaking in writing during lunch breaks. Encouraged by friends, I explored traditional editing roles in publishing but found the pay unsustainable. Instead, I initially pursued editing as a side hustle before committing full-time with no safety net. I juggled weekend nanny jobs and immersed myself in learning how to run a business. Now, five years later, I’ve built a thriving business with a dedicated team that I’m immensely proud of! Read more>>

Jason Soto

In 2018, I embarked on an exciting journey to promote a YouTube vlog by Harlem rapper Unkasa. Tasked with designing all the promotional material, I found myself diving into the vibrant world of Hip-Hop media. To boost Unkasa’s visibility, I contacted numerous Hip-Hop platforms, hoping to secure a feature article highlighting his vlog. Several sites showed interest but requested someone on our end write the article. Seizing the opportunity, I took on the challenge and penned the piece myself. The articles were published, and to my surprise, a few sites invited me back to write for their platforms. Covering a mix of mainstream and independent artists, I found the underground scene more stimulating. I was captivated by the raw talent and unique stories the artists often shared. After two years of writing for various platforms, I wanted to focus exclusively on the Indie Hip-Hop market. I created Rap Olympus Media at the end of 2020, and it became a platform dedicated to showcasing the talented rappers and producers often overlooked by mainstream outlets. Read more>>

Amanda Tracy of Dr. Amanda Tracy, ND

I have been enthusiastically helping women navigate hormone changes and improve their health and wellbeing since becoming a licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) in 2005. To begin my career, I spent 16 years as part of an award-winning women’s wellness center in Massachusetts. In 2021, coinciding with a move from Massachusetts to Northern California wine country, I decided to take my expertise online and transitioned my practice to focus specifically on supporting women through perimenopause and menopause using telemedicine and group programs. I now work with women virtually, guiding them through the often-chaotic effects of hormone fluctuations associated with perimenopause and menopause. Drawing on my clinical expertise and personal experience, my tailored programs and compassionate one-on-one sessions empower women over 40 to address frustrating symptoms like hot flashes, sleepless nights, anxiety, digestive issues and stress. Read more>>

Sean “shiz” R

I started my career in the arts as an Emcee in the middle-late 90’s, and was a member of a trio group called Masta-Piece. I always was into hip-hop and music and art, and would buy black and white composition books to write in from the papi store up the street from my house, when we lived on Erie Avenue in North Philly, and things to sketch or tag on. Although, I was from West Philly, living up North Philly gave me alot of outlook on the streets, and becoming aware of what was going on. In High School, was where my creativity and who I am really caught attention. From designing clothes, to standing out in the crowd being an Emcee and Artist, i became known for reciting my lyrics in the lunchroom and hallways, and known for being “unique and out of ordinary guy. I became popular because, I was more than what they thought I was, Today, looking back at those times, I am stronger in my approach to show my talent and what I am. Still loving and writing music today, its not about just rapping to a crowd, or walking down a hallway to show-off a outfit, its a way of life, and speaks now to my career as a professional artist, With my craft, there’s no gimmicks, or me trying things out, all the world sees me do, from music to design and all in the arts, is who I really am. Read more>>

Sandrine Valentine

I’ve been on an incredible journey since 1996, when I first moved from France to the United States. Art has always been close to my heart, but it wasn’t until 2008, at a jewelry show in Arizona, that I found my true calling—jewelry making. Something just clicked that day. By 2012, I was ready to launch Sandrine B. Jewelry, and I’ve never looked back. I’ve always had this love for collecting discarded treasures, little pieces of nature or forgotten objects, and turning them into something beautiful. I love the idea of creating jewelry that’s not only wearable but tells a story, capturing memories and moments. My pieces are crafted right here in New York City, working closely with talented artisans who share my vision for transparency, responsible sourcing, and traceability. For me, it’s more than just designing jewelry—it’s about honoring the earth and the beauty that surrounds us. Everything I create carries that ethos, and I’m so grateful to have built something that resonates with people who appreciate that same sense of connection and meaning. Read more>>

Brook Allen

My interest in writing began in junior high. However, college forced me to buck-up and focus on a career, which I’ve pursued, and with which I’ve provided a living for thirty-four years. About seven years ago, I got serious about trying to publish a manuscript I’d worked on for almost fifteen years. I attended my first writer’s conference and there, I met the woman who would wind up being my editor. She and I have a marvelous creative union and I discovered how vital it is to have an excellent working relationship with an editor, as well as fellow authors. In 2019, I published the first book in my Antonius Trilogy–Antonius: Son of Rome. The other two books in the line-up followed; one later in 2019 and the other in 2020, during COVID-19. At that point, I had to sit back and ask myself: “What next?” I couldn’t travel or even enter most libraries. Any research would have to be done online and from an armchair. Read more>>

Brooke Hutchens of Redbud Pigment Co.

I started Redbud Pigment Co. in 2021 as a way to bring non-toxic art supplies into my creative studio. Being an Artist for over 20 years I realized a lot of the products that I was using in my daily art practice were full of toxins. After doing research and a lot of trial and error I started making my own oil paints and watercolors from earth pigments and natural binders. Hand-mulling my own colors using natural pigments quickly became an obsession. This happened to be how Redbud Pigment Co. was born. What started as a way for me to watch what I brought into my studio turned into a super love for the process of hand-mulling and opened my eyes to the infinite colors the earth provides. I wanted to share the love of handmade paint with other artist’s and raise awareness that using non-toxic materials in your studio is important and eco-friendly.  Redbud Pigment Co. is now 3 years old, and creatives all over the world use our watercolors. It’s amazing to see what others create using our art supplies, and being a part of their creative practices! Read more>>

John Wells’s Story

I was always a very awkward and introverted kid. Quiet, and never comfortable around people or even in my own skin. I took sanctuary in fiction, movies, books, play, and art. The more fantastical the better, castles, kingdoms, magic, and spaceships to carry me away to other worlds and other lives. So really, I’ve always had a love affair with escapism. With that, I don’t think of acting as something I pursued or found, rather a part of me that evolved and grew into what it is now. Acting is, after all, the ultimate exercise in escapism. My immersion into film acting began almost two decades ago when I fell in with some local independent film producers who sort of adopted me into their circle. They introduced me to a new world of networking and opportunity. Growing up in Kentucky, the idea of working on movies seemed like a far fetched dream until then. I fell in love, of course, and dove in head first. It consumed my life in the best way. Now, I get to wake up and wear a myriad of new lives and live new adventures for a living. That childhood escapism evolved into a skill that became a profession.  Read more>>

Quinnell Williams of Politically Urban

I started Politically Urban as part of a senior project during my last year of college. We were tasked with creating a brand, and since I was always either drawing or interested in clothing, I decided to combine the two and launch my own apparel line. From the start, I knew I wanted to create a brand that featured Black illustrations with a message. I didn’t see much representation of Black imagery in clothing that was separate from pop culture or hip-hop, and I wanted to fill that gap. I was inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s song “Mortal Man” from To Pimp a Butterfly, which led me to design a logo shaped like butterfly wings to symbolize progress and evolution. After college, I started diving deeper into the fashion industry. I learned about different types of cotton and realized that quality matters, so I made it a point to source the best materials, even if it cost more. I also became aware of how wasteful the fashion industry can be, which pushed me to focus on creating eco-friendly products. For my designs, which are often colorful, I found that direct-to-garment printing was the best option, and I’ve recently started using direct-to-film transfers for samples, which has helped reduce costs. Read more>>

Lavanyaa Surendar

I am an artist by profession and by passion. I grew up in South India and was blessed to have an artistic childhood with my family and artist fraternity. My mom, grandmother, aunt and uncle were all full time art practitioners and it would not be an exagerration to say that most of my childhood was spent in greenrooms and production rehearsals. I naturally learnt the South Indian dance form Bharathanatyam more by observation and participation in all the sessions condcted by my family and their artist friends. I saw that arts give you the power to connect with the community. As a child I enjoyed connecting arts, science and community and never thought that I could continue the same as a full time profession. I have the same fascination and excitement in connecting Arts, Science and the Community even now just as much as I did when I was a small girl. Growing up in a small town with no internet taught me how to explore arts, culture, language, people , history, travel and embrace inclusivity. I came to the United States to pursue my Masters in Biological Sciences (Neuroscience) and made a conscius decision to become a full time artist. I did my second Masters in Arts,Culture and Nonprofit management to understand the Arts world here. Currently I am the Artistic director of AUM LLC where I instruct 100+ students every year and Founder/ President of Ziksa INC ( www.ziksa.net), a platform to connect diverse artists and promote community engagement through Arts. I also work for First Stage Theater Company, Milwaukee in their Education department advocating STEM to STEAM . My mission is “Developing a Happy Community through Arts” Read more>>

Vonetta Grant

My story is still be written and being lived in, and sometimes I don’t even know where to start when explaining how I got to where I’m at currently in life. A lot of pain had to be transmuted into creativity and power to be at the mental levels I’m on. I’m born and raised here in this city of Las Vegas. Fresh out of high school I always knew I wanted to be a model. When I was a kid I loved loved loved having my photos taken & I didn’t know now it would be written in the stars for me. I was such a bright kid, always having fun & having spontaneous dance battles for fun with other kids. I was always creative as a child, from painting , poetry, wanting to be a fashion designer, & singing which always plays a part now in my career because I’ll still do those things but I have to always feel inspired or be back led to these hidden talents because of the world trying to dim my light. I’ve always shined in everything I do and now a days I’m no longer hiding it. I have not worked a 9to 5 in two years, the job I was working at was giving me targeted harassment and one day I just woke up and quit. Read more>>

Candace Oglesby-adepoju

My journey into the field of psychotherapy and mental health advocacy began in high school when I felt a deep calling to support communities that were representative of myself. This early passion led me to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Gender and Diversity Studies at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. During my college years, a pivotal experience came through my participation in the inside-out prison exchange program, which allowed me to attend classes at a local correctional facility. This exposure deeply influenced my decision to focus on the forensic population, particularly in providing mental health services to incarcerated individuals. Read more>>

Pake Mcnally

I fell in love with working with metal when I started building found object sculptures and art out of old scrap iron. From there I took an interest in traditional blacksmithing and found a mentor who had been doing the job since 1940. Blacksmith Tom showed me how to move hot iron with the hammer and anvil and to “play in the fire.” I have also always had an interest and a need to stay physically fit. Some of my jobs through the years have put me in very dangerous situations and the only thing that saved me was my physical fitness. So I designed and built a custom workout mace to help improve shoulder mobility and core strength. Read more>>

Eric Vincent of Black Ink Creative Partners LLC

My entrepreneurial journey started inauspiciously. A high school dropout at 16, I was the quintessential Gen X rebel. My first venture, sign painting, was a baptism by fire. I quickly learned there’s more to it than meets the eye. Sign painting is an artform all its own, and being a naive self employed teenager, getting paid had its challenges. That was in ‘89, I had no software to design with, there wasn’t an Amazon to buy supplies and certainly no social media to reach a national audience. For over a decade, I stumbled through a series of failures and successes, fueled by equal parts ambition and naiveté. Marriage, parenthood, and financial pressures compounded the challenges. I was married with a kid by 23 and had to have a sustainable income. That was a challenge since I couldn’t keep my mouth shut long enough, at that age, to not piss off the boss. I still worked at building my entrepreneurial empire though, learning and growing as a professional. Read more>>

Ashon Ruffins

My story of becoming an author is a bit harrowing. I never thought I would become one. However, there were life hardships that completely tore me down and the road to building myself back up was through journaling. There was a period of time when a series of unfortunate events happened to me and others around me. The events were not connected but it was a period when it seem a lot of friends, acquaintances, and myself were having issues. It opened my eyes to a lot of suffering and hardships that seemed to be dismissed by the world. I’m referring to mental health issues. It has always seemed to be a taboo subject and no one wanted to talk about it. I used journaling to help myself. That writing somehow lit a fire in me when it came to telling stories. I always loved reading and movies, specifically horror. I think it was those influences that pushed me to develop a story. I wanted to write one story about one man who refused to seek help for his mental illness and the consequences for those actions, or lack there of. I knew I wanted it to be a horror story. From that point, what I wanted to do became clear to me. I wanted to be a writer. Read more>>

David J Wallace, Ed.d of Dream House Lounge

My journey began on July 7, 2021, when I had a dream of creating a wellness space that would provide a sanctuary for healing and connection. From that moment, I was driven by the vision of bringing this space to life, but the road wasn’t easy. I faced several challenges securing the right location—there were moments of frustration and uncertainty as I searched for a space that felt right and aligned with the vision. After a long search and overcoming many hurdles, I finally found 401 Baronne Street, a place that resonated with the energy I wanted to cultivate. It was the perfect home for Dream House Lounge, and with hard work, dedication, and the support of the community, we officially opened our doors. Dream House Lounge is now a space where people can experience wellness in various forms—whether it’s through our plant-based offerings, healing classes, or other wellness services. Read more>>

Juan Ramirez, Jr. of Juan Man Show LLC

I’m Juan Ramirez, Jr., a Nuyorican-Chapín born-and-raised in The Boogie Down Bronx award-winning and internationally produced playwright and screenwriter, monologist, director, actor, solo performer, filmmaker, producer, poet, rapper, virtual marathoner, and I can make a delicious coquito and steak. All of those artistic titles above did not happen overnight, and most not was even in the plans I had for myself, and yet, when you ask about me, it’s the only way I’m described – multi-talented. As I said, I did not set out to build a skillset of many artistic trades but as these things happen, it came out of necessity. In fact, I hear this happens often with most artists. I graduated right into the 2008 recession, where soon after I had a moment in my life where I held six or seven jobs. I’d joke and tell people I had a full-time, part-time, quarter-time, on-call and gigs. It was the truth. I remembered being judged for working this way and being thought to be lost because I wasn’t following one set path. Today, especially if you live in a major city, having more than one job or skillset is something everyone is doing to survive. In my journey, I found opportunities at every corner because I was able to show up in many ways. The key to having more of these opportunities in your life at a constant, is to take the genuine time to master every skillset. Read more>>

Ainka Joy Fulani of BreakThrough Coaching

When I first started my coaching practice in 2008, there was outside insistence that I could not work with people, mind and body, I was often told that I needed to choose one focus area. However, I knew from my own experience and what I had observed in others that there is an undeniable interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being. I worked hard to study and learn as much as possible about offering an integrated approach, despite industry norms at the time. Interestingly enough the wellness and coaching industries began to embrace this holistic perspective, as evidenced by organizations like NASM incorporating wellness and mindset coaching into their offerings. My commitment to supporting clients with an integrated approach eventually aligned with industry trends, illustrating the value of staying true to one’s convictions and the potential to influence industry standards. Read more>>

Ryla Louise

Art has been my lifelong passion, a journey that began with childhood creations and evolved into a deep-seated love for painting. However, it was during the pandemic, amidst uncertain times, that my artistic path took a transformative turn. I was thoughtfully gifted an art kit for Christmas 2019. This gesture sparked a rekindling of my creative spirit in a different form, as I had moved to NYC for acting, providing the tools and inspiration to delve deeper into my craft. Painting became not just a pastime but a lifeline, offering solace and expression during challenging moments during the locked down and jobless months of 2020. Since then, I have poured my heart into my artwork, continually honing my skills and finding joy in the process of creation. Read more>>

Cesar Kastro

Born in Bogota, I spent my childhood learning in the Andean meadows 2,625 meters closer to the stars. Surrounded by an extensive community and with a close relation to nature. In the mid 90’s I moved to the Miami to endure the strong humidity and merciless sun of a neighbor to the Caribbean. I diligently learned to adapt to a new group of people and was quickly exposed to its culture. I straddled between these two worlds for more than two decades. Eventually I settled in NYC, where I embarked on a journey to pursue higher education in the social sciences. I eventually labored in the creative field traveling with a dance company as a scenic supervisor, and as a fabricator in an artist studio. I was able to travel and work with extremely talented creatives from around the world and to collaborate with them in their own territory. I found myself submerged in the vast creative world of NYC, hence Nadia Tahoun and I decided to start a collective.  Read more>> 

Jennifer Blaine

I always knew I wanted to be a one-woman show. When I saw Lily Tomlin perform “The Signs of Intelligent Life in The Universe,” I heard a voice deep down inside me say, “you do that too.” I attended Wesleyan University, and I loved doing theater there. When it came time to graduate and others had secured jobs I realized I needed to figure something out to support my habit as a performance artist. I became a hands-on healer and kept acting going as much as I could, attending studio classes at HB Studio, Walt Whitcover, and Michael Howard Studios. I developed and performed my solo work at P.S. 122, The Field, The Duplex. Then in 1995 I rented out a theater on Theatre Row called The Samuel Beckett Theatre and performed my first complete solo show, “Take Another Little Piece of My Heart,” about growing up in my neighborhood, Flatbush, which is considered the “heart” of Brooklyn. From there I have continued to develop and perform solo work. Read more>>

Diego Garcia

I’ve been into the visual arts for as long as I can remember. Natural calling to it reinforced by graffiti and skateboarding culture in my teen years yakno. Fast forward I’ve been selling paintings and exhibiting my work for a little over a decade now. DIY and professional experience all taught lessons on the way and I’m eternally thankful for all the support thus far. These days I’m coming around to really understanding the spirit in my work and where it comes from. I’m currently working on new collections of paintings that I will put out online and through public events throughout the year. Read more>>

Salimah Scott

I started making candles from home in 2019 after my divorce. I was desperately looking for ways to decompress and relax after long days of work and caring for my two children. I initially experimented with making candles to satisfy my own newfound addiction to lighting candles nightly. But after giving my family and friends samples of my creations and receiving such good feedback, I decided to create 3 solid fragrances and form my LLC in November 2019. Eventually, I launched Urban GLŌ® online in April 2020 – selling homemade candles and other home decor & self care items. In November 2023, I opened my storefront location in Union, NJ. Urban GLŌ shop has an inviting atmosphere that showcases all of our handmade candles. Plus, our candle making events give people from all walks of life a change to connect and create their own custom candle. This journey with starting my business from a place of hurt, confusion, and being uncertain of my future has transformed into something of my wildest dreams! Read more>>

Alice Wilson

I’ve been a creative kid since I could hold a crayon. I suppose it started as a youngster, memorizing songs, poems, & parts in plays for church. By middle school I was participating in community theatre helping with props & eventually as extra parts on stage. I earned my undergrad in theatre performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2004. I acted in a lot of small theatres in Milwaukee through 2018. I’ve worked as a figure model for artists & art classes since 2004 so that’s where the skill of being able to hold still for a long time came into play (pun intended). In the mid 2000’s I got to know a lot of people in a circus & sideshow troupe back home called Dead Man’s Carnival & began appearing in their shows off & on doing skits, comedic burlesque, etc. I had my own sketch comedy troupe from 2009-2014 called The Marvelous Unspeaking Troupe of Entertaining Scoundrels (The M.U.T.E.S.). In 2015 I did my first still character, a living painting of the Mona Lisa. After that I just kept thinking of additional ideas & creating more characters regularly. Since 2015 I’ve done about 31 or 32 characters. Read more>>

Eliana West

My writing career emerged from a period of crisis. I had been running a small boutique since 2007, but just six months after opening, the financial crisis hit. For the next four and a half years, I struggled to keep the business afloat. One day, while alone in the store packing up its remaining contents and listening to the radio, I heard a story about NaNoWriMo. It struck me as a perfect new challenge—something to divert my mind from my troubles. I penned my first 50,000 words in a spiral notebook, rediscovering the love for writing I had in high school. I transitioned from handwritten drafts to typing on an iPad, eventually investing in a proper laptop. Joining a local romance writers’ group, I found a new passion for advocating diversity within the romance community. Since that first NaNoWriMo in 2011, I’ve published a dozen books and stories, won the Nancy Pearl Award, and become a DEI expert for writers. It’s been quite a journey! Read more>>

 Avalon Gomez of Avalle Brand Management Co Ltd

My journey started in corporate finance and customer relations , where I developed a solid foundation in customer service and business development. However, I’ve always had a deep passion for marketing. Conceptualization have always excited me. I found that I could hear a name and instantly envision an entire concept to execute , the look , the feel everything. I could listen to a song or idea and come up with the entire campaign promotion or video concept. This natural drive for creating led me to step into the world of creative entrepreneurship, first as a female promoter and then eight years ago, I founded my Brand Agency. The idea behind my business came from recognizing a gap in the market—there was a real need for better brand amplification and project support that truly resonated with audiences. I wanted to help brands build something not only successful but also meaningful, help them build community and create authority in their space. Read more>>

Karen Brace

People always ask me, “Have you always loved opossums?” The short answer: No. I mean, I never hated them, I just never had much of an opinion of them one way or the other. They were just scavengers that came out at night and scared the crap out of you when they hissed and showed their teeth. That was the extent of my opossum knowledge. I started as a wildlife rehabilitator in 2012 and worked with baby squirrels, bunnies and groundhogs. In 2017, someone brought me a box of eleven 2-month old baby opossums. That was pretty much all it took. With their huge ears, little black beady eyes and gaping little mouths full of super sharp teeth, they were the cutest things I’d ever seen. I was hooked. I was sunk. Little did I know how much that box would change my entire life. In the course of learning about those little joeys, I found out just how many myths and misconceptions there are about opossums. People think they’re vicious, aggressive, rabies-carrying monsters who can steal your soul with just a glance in your direction. I, on the other hand, was learning the truth: They are really docile animals who have an exceptional defense strategy and who are a vital part of the ecosystem. I vowed that if I ever had an opossum who couldn’t go back to the wild, I was going to start doing education programs with it, to teach the public about the value of these strange little animals. Read more>>

Bryce North of Don’t Be A Little Pitch

My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t exactly traditional. I started by experimenting with different ventures, learning as I went. But one thing that stood out from the start was how well I could leverage the media to build my brands. I got really good at getting featured in key outlets—so much so that I grew my companies using media coverage as the core of my marketing strategy. One of my biggest milestones was being featured on Canada’s Dragons’ Den, which gave me a massive credibility boost and opened doors to countless opportunities. From there, I started doing speaking gigs around the world, talking about how to build and scale businesses through PR. I didn’t stop with just my own ventures—I stepped into Venture and Angel Capital, helping other brands raise money and scale. But through this process, I noticed something: a lot of people, especially startups, struggled with gaining visibility. It wasn’t just about having a great product or service; they needed an online presence and to get featured in the media. Read more>>

Meg Schmitz of Take The Leap Franchising

In business today, I am inspired by entrepreneurial thinking and action. With intention, I surround myself with free thinkers who have a vision for their future and their business. The funny thing is that I was raised to be very conservative financially, to play it safe and save for the future. I had no idea about investing in myself, using my savings to create greater income opportunities. My parents were a Registered Nurse and a surgeon, which are pretty structured and rigid careers with a very clear trajectory (at least back then… they are 86 and 92 years old now). Fear dominated my money decisions. Don’t spend unless absolutely necessary. Keep that Rainy Day Fund plentiful, because surely there would come the day that disaster would strike. Fear of failure drove a lot of conversations around the dinner table. Go to college, get a degree with a real major, land a great job, and plan to stay there for a very long time. Read more>>

Al Huggins’s Story

My entrepreneurial journey began after I graduated from high school, during a time when I was uncertain about my future path. The military rejected my application, and my academic performance did not qualify me for college. Recognizing the need to support myself, I tapped into my creativity to devise a means of livelihood. However, the outcome has diverged significantly from my initial plans. I never anticipated relocating to Florida, and I have learned that one should be cautious about declaring what they will not do in life, as circumstances can unfold in unexpected and significant ways. Opportunities for my company’s development often arise unexpectedly, necessitating swift decision-making on my part. I have come to appreciate the importance of networking, a skill I did not acquire early in my career. Engaging with others felt akin to a politician forging connections, as I strategically positioned myself to meet influential individuals. I approached the growth of my brand with earnestness, striving to present it to a wide audience. This journey has been a blend of exhilarating and daunting experiences, creating lasting memories and, hopefully, fostering positive changes in the lives of others. Ones the company (Art N Soul) was established I diversified the company which took the company and me in a new direction working and meeting so many new people. What great growth and expansion, this provided a large platform with more responsibilities. Read more>>

 Serron Green’s Story

I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey at the height of the Black Power Movement. As graffiti became the newest form of self expression during the eighties, I realized early on that the intersection of these two ideals would be the inspiration for my work. I am a self-taught artist who began experimenting with graffiti during the eighties and nineties. As time went on, I started to incorporate different mediums such as markers, watercolor and even house paint—with spray paint always remaining a constant.  Since that time, I’ve broadened the scope of my work to include other materials such as reclaimed wood, rich textiles and many often unconventional items.  2009 was a pivotal year for me. At the urging of friends, fellow artists and collectors, I began creating artwork for formal exhibitions. I sold pieces in the years prior by word-of-mouth through a broadening circle of collectors who had an increasingly steady demand. Currently, I live and work in Newark which is a limitless source of inspiration. My travels across Europe, North & South America and the Caribbean have greatly impacted the way I see the world around me. My belief that art truly has the power to invoke change in the world is strengthened by each discovery of a new locale, its traditions and culture. Read more>>

Michelle Onaka

I used to work as an academic counselor at a local university, helping first-generation college students and students from families with little access to financial resources through college (shout out to TRIO SSS!). One of my roles in that position was to provide financial literacy, which I did in one on one settings, workshops, emails, and through a college course that I created. That led me to create my financial education business, Intentional Money Life. And that business eventually put me in touch with a local financial planner. When my university boss said I had to either leave the position or come back to work full-time, I left. And I connected with the financial planner, who offered me a job. Then I got licensed to give investing advice, and now I work as an associate advisor for that local financial planning firm (Clarity Wealth Development), as a founder and financial educator in my business (Intentional Money Life), and as a financial planner through Nectarine Financial as an independent contractor (earning income that I run through my business).  Read more>>

Michael Chan’s Story

I may be an actor now, but once upon a time, I wanted to be a doctor. I don’t remember ever wanting to become anything else as a kid. Medicine was my purpose and I spent my childhood and early adulthood working my way towards that. However, everything changed in my second year at the University of Toronto. By that point, things were going exactly as I wanted. I was in the university I wanted to be in studying Human Biology and had a good GPA. I was part of the Pre-Med Society. My extra curriculars were on point. One of my hobbies, though, caught the attention of some friends of mine who were studying game development. See, I enjoyed imitating the voices of characters I loved in various Anime series and recording them on my computer. In fact, I wrote little skits and jokes about those series, recorded myself voicing all the characters, and posted my work online on message boards. I had shown some of my clips to my game development friends and one day, they asked me if I was willing to do some of my ‘stupid voices’ for their projects. I agreed. Read more>>

Jessica Rosario of Sound Body Initiative

I’ve had a passion for music my whole life. From very early on I knew I wanted to build a life for myself around it. As I got older, I developed many skill sets in the industry while becoming more and more passionate about playing music to heal the world. This all led me on a deeper path of spiritual awareness and experiencing firsthand how music could transform the mind, body, and spirit, thus I began integrating my understanding of sound with my passion for helping others. In 2021 I launched Sound Body Initiative, and over the past several years have developed a unique approach to mindfulness that integrates music and dance with scientific wellness practices that anyone can access to improve upon their own well-being. Read more>>

Amy Shearer of The Recreated

In 2018, I experienced a profound awakening. While celebrating Christmas on the serene, tropical island of Kauai, I was gently awakened by the sound of soft rain. The house we rented was tranquil, yet I felt an overwhelming sense of dread. I had just reached a significant milestone in my 15-year fashion retail career, becoming the VP of Retail for a prominent French brand. Despite my success and financial stability, I couldn’t understand why I felt so empty. I was well-respected in the industry, earning a substantial income. Throughout my life, I did what I believed was best for everyone around me. I was always praised as the “good girl.” “Oh, Amy, you are such a good girl!” Those words echoed within me, providing temporary solace.  Yet, despite being so good and pleasing for over 40 years, I found myself sitting on the edge of my luxurious bed next to a handsome, loving man, feeling profoundly unhappy. Chronic stress had worn me down, manifesting in physical symptoms like digestive issues and endometriosis, with a potential hysterectomy looming over me. Read more>>

Javon Canty

Since the age of nine years old Mr. Stinky has performed in front of crowds appeared on cable TV even once played a role in the movie trick dribble with Martin Luther King‘s daughter and Yanceyville, California. It has always been his dream to be a star from talent shows to tours recording songs making his way by all means necessary has been his mission from the young boy Javon Canty to the well-known Rap/Reggae artist Mr. Stinky and now he has one of the fastest growing Rolling Papers product in the world Read more>>

Tjasa Owen

I have painted seascapes and pastoral landscapes for my whole life but professionally in galleries for the last 25 years. I graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Art History and then continued studying art at the Academy of Art in New York and the Academy of Art in San Francisco….I always loved painting but thought I would end up working in a gallery or museum for fear of not being able to make a living as an artist….Before going back to school, I worked leading bike trips abroad for three years for a company called Backroads and then worked for a photographer in New York City thinking I was going to go into that field. I interned at various art galleries and interior design studios as well to see what those professions felt like …. I went back to school for interior architecture thinking I would work with my parents who were in the field, but every completed assignment was turning into a painting project! One day during a final critique of a project, a fellow student gently said that it was very clear that painting was my passion over architecture. He was ever so right. The Academy of Art here in San Francisco offered me an exhibit in one of the school galleries which was such a coup, …not only did the exhibit sell out but the wonderful Gallery across the street asked if they could represent my work. Once I started working with them, other galleries started asking to represent my work and here I am now…25 years later showing with a wonderful and select group of galleries and work directly with clients out of my Studios both in San Francisco and Cape Cod. Read more>>

Eva Volf

Imagine a little blond girl with big green eyes growing up feeling lost in a big stuffy city. I always felt like I didn’t belong, like the only time and place where I could really breathe and be truly alive was by the sea where every summer my parents brought me for a month. I was a stranded mermaid with a dream to live on the coast forever. While this dream was taking some time to materialize I was drawing and painting ocean waves, sea views and beaches in my free time. Art has become my daily meditation to help me relieve stress and exhaustion after long days at school and later from my teaching career. At 30 I decided to quit my stressful teaching job and become a full time artist. The best decision I have ever made. Fast forward 12 years of thousands studio hours, extensive travels, painting on locations at the most beautiful beaches of the world, teaching workshops, participating in exhibitions, receiving awards, being featured in major art magazines and selling, packing and shipping thousands of paintings all over the world to hundreds of homes, offices, corporate collections, hotels and offices – and now I’m one of the best selling oil painters in the U.S. Read more>>

Garin Michelson of Get Social With Garin

I used to be a teacher. I taught high school history in New York City. I loved it and imagined myself being a teacher for life. But then I had my first child in 2016 and decided to stay home with him. When my second child was born in 2018, I envisioned myself going back to work when she got a little older. But as time went on, I no longer felt compelled to go back into the classroom. I wanted to find some way to use my skills and knowledge with a more flexible schedule. I always tell people that my goal was to be there when my kids got off the bus. And they get off the bus at 2:20, so that is no easy feat! Yet somehow, I have managed to be there almost every single day. In early 2022, through scrolling on Instagram, I came across an account that preaches ways to work from home. The woman who runs the account speaks to moms who need to earn an income, but also want to be home with their children. I felt that she was speaking directly to me (which, in hindsight, is truly brilliant marketing). So I invested in her course and learned all about the world of online service providers. Read more>>

Abrahim Berete of Dripset studios

Spring of 2016 j was sitting in my room and there was a box full of hats my mom had in the house I one day randomly decided that I wanted to customize each one. After customizing the hats I then post them on Instagram just for fun to see how people would feel. After 1hr of having the post up everyone was reaching out for me to customize there’s & also sell the hats I had posted on instagram. In 2018 when I graduated high school I then decided to start my own brand which is Dripset Studios, my first piece that I had showcased was my fashionable bulletproof vest that till this day is one of the pieces everyone has known the brand for. You could see it on rappers like pop smoke & others. This brand has gotten me in rooms I never would’ve thought i would ever be in but when I started this brand I had a plan of how things would go and that’s exactly what happened Read more>>

Eric Lee

I am a writer and illustrator of my own web comics series: The Breakup Artist- a tale about a woman who other women hire to breakup with their boyfriends. When I was young, I had a deep affinity for American comics and art. As a child, I always carried a clipboard of paper to draw. This later grew into filling notebooks and notebooks with my drawings. But it wasn’t until I became a young adult that I dabbled in writing as well. It turns out that I have been bitten by the writing bug too. I have since then moved onto collaborating with fellow writers to help them get their own comic series of the ground. The partnership creative process is also highly rewarding, since it allows me to bounce ideas back and forth with another person. Comics are my favorite medium of storytelling bar none. They are a fantastic way to synthesize art and writing into one package. I enjoy crafting characters, making stories, and putting so much of my personal self into my comics. It can also be a highly collaborative process too- which makes it less lonely than if you were writing your own novel. I love writing and drawing, but most of all- I love comics! Read more>>

Charlette Lopez of Jikonikwenu LLC

Starting Jikonikwenu is an opportunity for me to earn a living in a way that involves something I love and have passion for, which is food. Working in the food industry, I get to be immersed in food creativity and I get to continually produce things that represent my Kenyan and Mexican heritage. Read more>>

Mikayla Major

Of coarse! Thank you so much for having me. My name is Mikayla Major. I am a new country worship artist located here in Clovis, California. I am simply just a country hearted girl who truly loves Jesus. My passion for music started out as a little girl. My mom would always tell me stories of how I would hum random melodies while getting dressed for school, playing with baby dolls, and etc. Got my first solo singing “This Little Light of Mine” in a Pentecostal church children’s choir at like the age of 8. That very moment spark the dream in me. I gained the love for worship and how it impacted God’s people. Later on in life I begun just leading worship in church, doing covers, singing back up for other artist, and being mentored to write music not just for me but others. Through that, God has been so amazing to me with my growth and spiritual relationship. I was able to release my first single called California Girl. My step out in faith journey allowed me the opportunity of being signed as an independent artist at OceanFive Christian Label. I got the privilege of releasing my newest hit single called God, Love, and Country through them. Ever since then I have been taking off, learning, and working towards being a light to many. Read more>>

Roger Lee

I am proud that I have been working as a professional artist (choreographer, dancer, and painter) for the last 23 years. I started my professional dance career at the age of 12. That is when I booked my first paid gig as a professional dancer for a local television station’s morning news show. Since then, I have danced professionally for local and national television specials, a five-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist, a United States Vice President, and my own dance company (I am also the company’s Founder, Artistic Director, and Choreographer). My Roger Lee Dance Company is now celebrating its 12th anniversary season and upcoming 20th concert series. I started my professional art career 12 years ago. I started painting human and pet portraits for clients that commissioned me. In 2021, I started painting the things that inspired me. I started exhibiting my own painting series in 2022. I am now celebrating my upcoming 5th solo painting exhibition. Read more>>

Ashley-lauren Elrod

I want to emphasize that this journey has been far from easy. I’ve always strived to be a visionary in my own right, which is why I named my production company Visionary Woman Productions. My journey started when I was around seven years old. I felt very early on what my life purpose was going to be, even though I didn’t fully understand how dynamic and versatile it would be. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of it all. I’ve always been creating, whether it was writing intricate stories, producing full plays in my basement, sewing costumes and puppets, leading group creative projects at school, or mentoring peers. Looking back, I can see that I was born to be a producer, director, performer, and social impact leader – all roles that I fulfill today. While many parts of my life were supported and nourished, there were also many parts that were not. This led to confusing and frustrating years, especially from adolescence to adulthood. I am a survivor of multiple abuses and suicide attempts, and I was forced to grow up quickly as a kid. This has led to an ongoing healing and deconstruction journey in my life. Sharing parts of my story has been crucial to inspiring, educating, and helping others who can relate to my journey. Read more>>

Claire Berger’s Story

I moved around a lot as a child, sometimes transferring to a new school in the middle of the school year. So I learned how to hit the ground running by making friends through humor. I was crushed at Middle school graduation to be named Most Likely To Succeed. I campaigned hard for Class Clown. As a theater major in college, I realized that a sense of humor would be great self marketing. Once I graduated I started writing my own act and booking myself in Chicago comedy clubs, I caught the eye of one of the producers at The Second City and joined them in the eighties, while simultaneously developing my career as a stand-up. For over four decades, I earned a living as a comedian, improv actor and writer. I earned acclaim as a warm-up comedian on over 65 of your favorite sitcoms, including Seinfeld, Murphy Brown and Mad About You. in front of the camera, I was the first comedian HGTV hired to host a series (Fantasy Open House). Read more>>

Luke Donald

I started playing guitar when I was around ten or so, but before that I would go see my dad sing in his band. Both my mom and dad loved music and because my dad sang and played some guitar, I had interest early on. From there, I continued to chase that passion of guitar and music and taught myself to play guitar and sing with some help from my dad and tried to start my own band. I encouraged my friends in school to play an instrument and start a band. We formed our first band and played some talent shows and battle of the bands and that was the start of it. We kept playing together all through school and recorded our first album in high school as Iron Lung Remedy and disbanded a couple of years after High School. From there, I played in a few projects and eventually joined Daycare Swindlers and made Reradiate with them. Around that time, I was also writing for another project that would eventually become Cursor. Transitioning from the sitcom soundstages to the corporate boardrooms, I helped businesses have fun while getting the job done with memorable, bespoke events and my book “Funny Works: 52 Ways To Have More Fun at Work, 52 Ways To Have More Fun In Life.” Read more>>

Anna J Stewart’s Story

I started writing on a whim in high school. A group of friends and I wrote what would now be considered fan fiction featuring ourselves and our favorite rock stars (it was the 80’s–I’ll let you all guess who might have taken a starring role, LOL). Around that same time I read my first romance novel: Partners, by Nora Roberts. It was a Silhouette romance (Silhouette would eventually come under the umbrella of the Harlequin brand). All my friends outgrew and moved beyond the stories but I didn’t. I knew from then on that this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to write happily ever afters. Took me a while to get there professionally… six changes in my major in college, flitting around for a good number of years, playing at writing rather than taking it seriously. But at one point I was asked to imagine myself in five years and I still wasn’t published. How would I feel? What would I think? It felt crushing and it felt as if I needed to make some serious changes and shift my priorities. That was in 2011. I got to work on a new project, something completely different and FINISHED it. When I entered it into some contests, it finaled and… by late 2013/early 2014 I landed contracts with both Berkley and Harlequin within months of each other. It wasn’t writing what that contest winning story was, though. I needed to make a shift into contemporary romance, but that was the best shift I ever made. The goal was to get published and I got there. I’m still there. Since 2014, I’ve published upwards of sixty romances, more than half of them for Harlequin and I’ve got plans to keep going….and to make more shifts to make my career flourish. Read more>>

Rebecca Carlyle Allen

As a full-time artist, I’ve known since I first was able to hold a crayon in my hand that I always wanted to be creating. And that feeling has never left, so I suppose that’s where my journey started. Because of that, when the time came to pick a career the only thing that mattered to me was finding a job where I could put my creative mind to work. I considered many creative careers in my youth but ultimately my decision to pursue Graphic Design in college has opened up many skills and experiences for me to have allowed me to build the creative career of my childhood dreams. My Grandpa Ray was an entrepreneur as well and that also inspired me. I always liked the idea of running my own creative business and seeing successful examples of it in my life encouraged me. I’ve always felt very lucky that I had such a clear dream early on in my life. It’s certainly intimidating and risky to pursue a career in the creative arts industry but the truth is I just never saw myself doing anything else. Read more>>

Hilary Hays Greenhalgh

I started out interning for a local designer who specializes in construction design. At the time, I thought I wanted to be more in the space of soft furnishings. I liked the work I did for her, but I don’t think I fully understood it at the time. I enrolled in a Master of Interior Design and Architecture program shortly after. I started Little Green House Interiors as a way to dip my toes into small projects while I was in school because I wasn’t qualified enough to get a full-time job. I started on thumbtack with little odds and end jobs. Soon, Little Green House Interiors became an obsession. I was really falling in love with what I was doing and I wanted to get more work. I started calling builders in the area and setting up meetings and making connections in the hopes of landing more work. That is when I started a relationship with my first builder and started doing construction design myself. The more I got into it, the more I realized that my passion is with construction design.  Read more>>

Yalonda And Clarence Lewis

We met in college in ’92, ironically in a sociology class called Marriage and the Family. Four years later, we went to the courthouse with Yalonda’s little sister and best friend to get hitched. Twenty-five years later we’d gone to graduate school together, spent time living abroad, had 2 kids, were hosting a weekly Sunday-night livestream around music and relationships, and were writing a book about what we’d learned in those 25 years. The book is called Rhythm of Love: 25 Things that 25 Years of Marriage Taught Us. We now have a podcast of the same name. (Shameless plug: Rhythm of Love the book and the podcast can be found most anywhere you get your books and podcasts.) Read more>>

Ainsley L. Guzman Jason

I always loved to draw and make things as a kid. When I was 12 years old, I became obsessed with sketching portraits. The most easily available reference photos of faces that I had at the time were the models from my mom’s hairstyle magazine collection. I loved their attitudes and dramatic glamorous looks. So I would lock myself in my room, put on my favorite Green Day CD’s, and practice sketching these hair models. Fast forward to 2017 when I graduated from University with a degree in Fine Arts. I had ambition to become a professional artist but I had no idea how to make that dream a reality, despite having years of education. For the years after graduation, I was fixated on one specific goal: making money from my art so that I could eventually have a stable career. Gradually, I was able to take on commissions from friends, and then from my own Instagram following, and I made a small business selling custom wearable art such as hand-painted sneakers and jackets. When the pandemic hit, I was fortunate enough to stay home and create my commissions full time. Read more>>

Ivymay’s Story

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember—starting with bopping my head to disco as a toddler. I spent 10 years classically trained in piano, and although I appreciated that experience, my true passion has always been dance music. After a decade-long career in social media and content management for major corporations, I felt creatively unfulfilled. So in 2020, I launched my own brand, IvyMay & Co., which led me on a deep dive into spirituality and energy. This reflection helped me realize that I could finally pursue what I’d always wanted: a career as an artist. I’ve been DJing for two years now, am learning music production, and am excited to combine my business expertise with my creative passion. Read more>>

Aris Federman of Blue Oak Productions

That’s a difficult question to narrow down. If you want to get really granual with it, I guess I could say that evidence of storytelling & filmmaking could be found as far back as my Kindergarten days. I would frequently coax my parents into holding a camcorder while I made my ‘Star Wars’ action figures fight one another. Some people call those home movies, I call them early explorations in storytelling. Yes- there was no budget, no shot lists or storyboards, no lights or crew, nor any sort of script to speak of. But it was still a fearless toe dipped into the pool of communicating through story. Things got bigger since Kindergarten, and I suspect they’ll continue to get bigger a decade from now. The core of it is still the same, though, and that’s been the tether I’ve clung to on this journey. Now I am a filmmaker and a Co-Founder/CEO of Blue Oak Productions- a full service production company specializing in both narrative entertainment and commercial/brand storytelling. It’s been the greatest adventure of my life to this point. Read more>>

Y.y. Chan

I started my self publishing journey in 2020 after I made New Year’s Resolution to write and publish a book. Before that, I was an English teacher at a primary school in Hong Kong. I had always been interested in writing my own stories and sometimes wrote stories for students in worksheets and assessments. I had dreamt of becoming an author for a while, but hadn’t seriously considered the possibility until I took a break from full-time teaching. I didn’t realize that self-publishing was a possibility before. I had been doing private tutoring for about a year after I quit full-time teaching, and during that time, COVID had made it difficult to continue face-to-face lessons. Many students switched to online lessons while others decided to stop altogether until social distancing regulations eased up. I started to have a lot of free time on my hands so I decided to seriously pursue writing and look into how to get published. I came across an online program called Self-Publishing School and was connected with a coach who worked closely with me. We had regular coaching calls to help me through every step of the process. I was able to complete my first draft within a few weeks, get the story edited and hire an illustrator very quickly within three months. After successfully launching my first picture book in May 2020, I went on to launch my first chapter book in the following month. I enjoyed the process so much, I decided to try publishing a reading journal as well by combining a wide range of reading activities I had gathered and designed while I was teacher. I have so many ideas from my experience as a teacher and I realized that so many of them could be turned into books – fiction or nonfiction. Read more>>

Jamie Fontana’s Story

Growing up I had always been interested in the materials surrounding me. I remember art class, in elementary school, and how I was drawn to new smells and textures like dried paint, used wet clay cups, construction paper, and so much more. I was constantly surprised by how much materials can come to life, and I also felt daunted knowing that each material had its own set of restrictions as well. To sculpt a smooth animal out of paper seemed impossible. To create dimensional illustrations on clay seemed immensely challenging. I never felt like it was impossible and at every corner I thought “maybe it is impossible” there was some artist or some reasoning showing me completely otherwise. I still feel that way to this day and I cherish that. Knowing the plethora of approaches to art, knowing how much raw curiosity art naturally embodies, knowing how many materials there are to still explore and expand upon, ensures that any artistic doubts or uncertainties never overpower my passion and potential to create. Read more>>

Chiara Gorodesky

After moving to New York City 12 years ago from London and having two beautiful children, I realized that what I had been doing all along for many, many years would in fact have to become my main professional task in life. Although I am a litigation attorney qualified in England and have joyfully practized law for many years before moving away from the UK, I was always very actively involved in the wonderful world of ballet and the performing arts, mainly with The Ballet Association supporting The Royal Ballet and The Birmingham Royal Ballet companies. To add to this, there is not a time that I can remember since early childhood (supported and encouraged by my parents) that I have not been involved in charitable work and also with helping care for animals, mainly tortoises. In short, what took me almost 40 years and two children later to realize was that I needed to work with ballet dancers and tortoises. And to try and make a difference on our planet. Read more>>

Lauren La Bella of The Pearl

I have been tattooing professionally since 2017. In that time I have founded, owned and operated two studios; the most recent being The Pearl: Tattoo & Fine Art Gallery in Oyster Bay, New York where I am currently working by appointment. My goal for the business has been to bridge the tattoo community with the fine art community, both of which have been a equally tremendous parts of my life and my career. I have hosted many exhibitions which included fine artists, and fine artists who also tattoo. I’ve also had the opportunity to be a part of many exhibitions outside of my own space, as a participating artist, at times a juror, and as a curator. Tattooing has allowed me to travel both within the US and internationally, which has allowed me to connect with artists from all over the world from a vast array of artistic backgrounds. Read more>>

Diane Gilman

I was absolutely fascinated with fashion from about the age of 3 years old. My parents, however, did not want me to have any career interests at all. I came from the traditional background that women were meant to get married and have children. So the battle started early and eventually I was forced to choose between family and fashion. I chose to pursue my passion. I left home at 19 never to return. I had no money, no emotional support, no industry contacts, and those obstacles reverberated my entire life. But what I did have was a deep love be of my craft and a belief in my talent. Well into my career, which was boosted by introducing washable silk to America, I lost the use of my name on a label due to a contract with investors. It was that ‘blockage’ that opened the door to tele-retail on QVC and the Home Shopping Network. In 1994, I made my first tele-retail debut on QVC, and 30 years later I had held the #1 fashion personality spot! Not only did I bring washable silk to the TV customer, I also invented the ‘middle-age jean with my brand, DG2 by Diane Gilman. Today the brand has sold over 25 million jeans and it keeps going strong even as I stepped down and moved on to my latest goal of being a silver-haired influencer. And I’m loving it! Read more>>

Great Bastard

My HS English teacher Ms Dupas saw a light in me and asked if I would come to one of the poetry club meetings at the school. She heard me share a poem in class and was really impressed by it. Until that point I had kept all my words and creativity to myself but once I went to our first meeting I was hooked. Hearing other people finding themselves through their writing gave me the courage to keep getting familiar with my voice. Music came a few years later but I credit poetry as the foundation that my creative expression is built upon. Read more>>

Darrin Wilson

Pibborafi started with one plushie designed after our very own dog, a Boston Terrier named Angus. As people saw his plushie on social media we began to receive inquiries about how to order one. At that time we hadn’t used any kind of eCommerce platform so we thought we’d give it a shot and see what happened. As sales came in we placed an order for about 300 Angus plushies and decided to donate them to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. That was the beginning in 2011. From there people approached us to do their dogs as plushies. We incorporated as Pibborafi in 2016 and launched the International Pibborafi Rescue Hero Contest where people could vote for which dog would become the next, newly dubbed, Pibborafi Rescue Heroes. We’ve been making plushies ever since and donating to local rescues with a portion of proceeds. Read more>>

Jamila Brown of 5 Minute Career Hack

My career journey began in 2000 when I stepped into the retail world as a manager. Over the next two decades, I had the privilege of working with some of the largest and most influential retailers in the world, including Champs Sports, Walmart, Ross Dress for Less, and Dollar General. During this time, I had the incredible opportunity to manage and lead thousands of talented individuals. I found myself taking on fascinating and challenging assignments that pushed me to grow, both professionally and personally. At one point, I was responsible for managing over a billion dollars in revenue—a milestone that I never imagined reaching in my late 20s and early 30s. However, despite these achievements, I started feeling a sense of burnout. At the time, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but in hindsight, I realized that the relentless pace and constant demands had taken a toll on me. This realization led me to embark on a quest to understand what I could have done differently and how I could have maintained a healthier balance. Read more>>

Dre Steinberg of Designed To Conquer, LLC

I’m Dre’, Adobe Certified Visual Artist, and Founder of Design To Conquer, LLC. I started this business during COVID, after I losing my job and being isolated from family and friends I really struggled to find my purpose. One of the affirmations that I used during this time was, I am Designed To Conquer. This ultimately helped me regain my confidence and purpose. Fast forward – I am now working along side amazing entrepreneurs helping to conquer their industry. As a visual storyteller, I collaborate with founders to define and master their own compelling brand stories. I have spent over a decade honing my skills across multiple industries from finance to fashion. My philosophy is simple: every brand has a unique and individual story – I am here to elevate it. Read more>>

Jesenia M

I’m a late realized autist, and when someone explained to me that networking was just relationship building it made everything click for me. As many autist will tell you, we feel like we are living in a world with hidden rules and meanings that aren’t explained to us, so navigating relationship building becomes difficult when the dominate culture doesn’t value direct communication. I often tell people I’ve lived many lives; Artist, Biochemist, Data Analyst, Cultural Producer, and Disability Justice Activist to name a few; but my journey was influenced by community. When I heard Kristianna Smith say “relationship is the most abundant resource” it opened up a world of possibility and imagination that has guided my desire to re-build communities and help others learn how to be in community and work in collaborations together. As a first-generation to this country and a re-connective native of South America, I have always been looking for my community, and I see the growing loneliness epidemic as a result of the colonial destruction of communities in the name of profit. Today my mission is to help people re-connect to communities and learn to work in collaboration in a de-colonial, abolitionist, anti-capitalist mindset. We need artists of all kinds to help us imagine the future we want to build and I hope to create the spaces and places that allows for this collective dreaming to happen in an accessible and inclusive way.  Read more>>

Laura Cerri of Shop Journal Vintage

I’m an independent, sustainable designer and founder/sole employee of my micro small business, Shop Journal. I grew up in a creative, hippy household with 4 sisters and my single mom. We always thrifted growing up and learned to make the most with what we had- lots of hand me downs! Most of my closet has always been thrifted. I loved fashion and style at an early age and would sketch full looks as a kid. As an adult, I worked for a well-known fast fashion retailer for nearly 15 years in merchandising and trend. When they restructured, starting an online vintage shop seemed like the only thing I wanted to do. It was also during that time, in 2017, where simply doing it all on Instagram kind of worked as a small business model. I sold vintage online with my best friend back in 2010 in San Francisco and had wanted to get into it again for a while. My heart has always been in vintage and thrifting, and I felt a little disillusioned working with fast fashion, although the brand isn’t fully recognized as fast fashion because of the price points and cool factor. I also didn’t want to work for someone else again. So it just seemed like the right thing to do, even though it was scary and risky. Read more>>

Kat Tischler

I started The Simplified Life in 2007 as a home-organizing company. After an event in 2022 made me simplify and reimagine my own life completely, I decided a core tenant of The Simplified Life was “play”. My soul craved it, and I decided to dust off my turntables and DJ controller. After 10 years away from DJing publicly, I launched Startdust Ranch Retreats and my Twitch channel in January of this year. Who knew I’d be having the time of my life and connecting with so many amazing people around the world and locally? Bringing them good music to simplify too and retreats to heal through. We now focus on “simplify, heal, play” as our ethos. Read more>>

Andrew Yuen

I was born and grew up in the Bay Area California, and it was there that I first grew my love for filmmaking by making small silly home videos with my brother. In high school, that turned into becoming a videographer for my school, which eventually sparked into the decision to apply for film school. Now, I’m currently a Junior studying Undergraduate Film and Television at NYU Tisch, where I’m hoping to start a career in writing and directing. Just recently, I released a sci-fi film publicly on Youtube called “The Forevermore”, about a dying scientist who takes a final journey into a supermassive black hole, traveling to the universe’s grand finale as he confronts his own past. Right now, I am working on my newest film, “Pianissimo” about a hard-of-hearing Chinese-American adolescent who is forced to learn piano by his mother. So my styles are kinda all over the place at the moment hahaha… I guess I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do. Read more>>

Sarah Ausby of Sarah Ausby Ventures and Boss Business Queen LLC

In 2013, my life took an unexpected turn when I lost my job in Tucson, AZ. Within a short span, I lost not only my job but also my vehicle, two storage units, and ultimately, my home. At 44 years old, I found myself homeless, grappling with the overwhelming reality of my situation. Having been widowed at 33, it felt like my world was spiraling out of control. Despite the challenges, it was my faith that anchored me. I leaned on it heavily as I navigated the path ahead, using every resource available to re-establish myself in Syracuse, NY. I secured an apartment, but with no income, I had to find a way to survive. I started selling dinners from that apartment, and what began as a necessity soon blossomed into a thriving food business I could have never imagined. As I expanded my business, a divine connection was made. I met a woman online who was searching for women called by God to share their personal stories in an anthology. I knew instantly this was my opportunity. I took the leap, and that anthology not only allowed me to tell my story but also led me to become an international bestselling author.  Read more>>

Jill Sitnick of Journey Sage

I bring my unique perspective as a patient who healed childhood trauma-induced PTSD with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to demystify MDMA therapy. With a career that has spanned teaching high school students through working at Microsoft and Amazon, I have always been known as someone who can take complicated topics and make them accessible. By sharing the details of my treatment in my memoir Rescuing Jill: How MDMA with a Dash of Mushrooms Healed My Childhood Trauma-Induced PTSD, I provide readers with a raw and personal look into the transformative potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy. My companion workbook, Rescuing Jill Companion Workbook: Intention Setting Prompts for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, further equips those wanting to prepare for their own psychedelic healing. Additionally, I educate audiences with my YouTube channel, The Journey Sage, by providing practical wisdom on intention setting, integration practices, and working with journey guides to demystify the use of psychedelics to treat PTSD. As a patient voice, my story and educational content provide clarity to a confusing process for people new to psychedelics for healing. Read more>>

Toya Poplar

I grew up in a small town where my love for the outdoors was nurtured early on. As a kid, my dad who was an artist, photographer, social worker, and local pastor, kept us hiking in the woods. Nature was our thing. It was how we connected with the beauty that surrounded us. It’s funny how the things we see as slightly boring as a kid, become the things that bring us balance as an adult. When I was seven, my world changed. My dad passed away, and with him went those cherished hikes. Losing him at such a young age was a blow that took away not just a parent, but also the sense of adventure and peace I found in nature. Poetry became my passion and basketball became my next love, a sport that brought me joy and a sense of belonging. I wasn’t the best player, but I tried my best. It was something that I was able to quickly recognize that you get back what you put into it. But apparently life had other plans. I dislocated my knee, and the game I loved was taken from me too. It was another loss, another dream that felt out of reach. Read more>>

Liz Russell of On The Eastside

Pre-business, it all started with my own need to meet new friends in a whole new area, co-leading a Facebook group that grew to over 4,000 members and leading several events and meetups for myself and others. I learned the importance of self-care and perseverance by quitting my previous role to lead a more valuable life without the restrictions of working under someone else. I have experienced many lows and highs through the duration of my small business career but wouldn’t have it any other way. My success was also built upon the connections I’ve formed within the community. As a business owner, it’s so very important to have partnerships and the support of your community learn from one another and grow. Combining the skills or value that each business brings to the table can be magic. With my several years of experience in event planning, building personal and professional connections and a social media platform, my business is well equipped to provide opportunities for friend-making, community building, and networking among female identifying business owners. Read more>>

Joseph Barra

What a great and intricate question. My story involves a lot of faith, perseverance, and truly believing in yourself. I was born and raised in NY and always had this feeling I was destined for more, destined for something bigger than myself. I decided to pursue film and acting after highschool, and that lead me to my first leap of faith, moving to Los Angeles. I was living in LA for 8 years. A lot happened in those 8 years. I gained amazing experience in the film industry, doing short films to VO work, to even staring in a feature film. But that time also brought with it its heartaches. I went through my first breakup, which would be the catalyst that lead me on my path of faith that made me the man I am today. Now I’ve been back in NY for a year now and I’m living in a season of beauty for ashes Read more>>

Felton Sparks

I started my journey at summer camp, discovering theater for the first time. I was in the camp’s production of Oliver the Musical playing an orphan at 9 years old and instantly knew that I was in love. I was a shy kid so it seemed like a strange thing for me to enjoy but I think what I loved was that I could interact with people and know exactly what to say because it was scripted. There were no surprises. From there, I started taking acting and dance classes both in and out of school. I never learned how to drive because all of my free time was taken up by shows and training, which made getting around LA near-impossible without help from my mom and friends. My family was very supportive, though everybody had a different idea of which direction I should go in according to what they enjoyed the most. I took piano lessons at first to appease my mom, an absolute lover of music, but then it lead me to writing my own songs. Being a creative person was my way of connecting with people before I figured out how to do that genuinely and in my own way. I practiced conversation through characters I played and practiced vulnerability through music. Now in 2024, I have written and released seven singles, acted in many regional productions, and even wrote, shot, and edited my own variety show at one point. And yet sometimes I still get nervous at parties. Read more>>

Ale Rubiera

I began my journey when I was a little child with the help and support of an architect father and a creative mother with a great taste in interior and costume design. I grew up seeing my father’s architectural designs and my mother’s interior design, and that is how I started to get fascinated by lighting, shadows, and all the patterns it creates. This is one of the reasons I wanted to pursue a career in cinematography, to be able to express myself, work with light, and collaborate with other artists to tell stories that are meaningful to humanity. I got into the film industry, starting my career path after I earned my Communication bachelor’s degree, when I started working as a freelancer with several production companies in Mexico City. I have been a freelance still photographer for NBC Universal since 2015 for the Telemundo International produced shows. I learned what a cinematographer did while working nearby for Telemundo, and I knew I had to try it out myself. After three years of working as a still photographer, videographer, and assistant camera, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to be a cinematographer. I also knew that I needed to keep preparing if I wanted to succeed in the film industry, which is why I moved to New York City and later to Los Angeles to pursue my MFA in Cinematography at the New York Film Academy. Read more>>

Mia Balingit’s Story

Mia Balingit (they/she) is a 2nd-generation Queer Filipino-American artist, writer, community builder, journal enthusiast, and nonviolence educator. Mia’s entrepreneurial journey began when they created an Etsy sticker shop, StiickWithMi, in 2019. Shortly after, they pivoted their business into Perfectly Pinay in 2021 to focus on creating Filipino-centered apparel and stationery. In 2024, Perfectly Pinay rebranded into Kapwa Kreations with the focus on community building, empowerment tools, and original art centered around the Filipino-American experience. Read more>>

Nadia Delane

As a creative lover of storytelling, I’d say that I got started by reading. Reading opened my mind to so many possibilities. I was the young girl who would take novels to parties and read in the corner. Books were my best friends growing up and I was able to sort through the events of my childhood by immersing myself in stories. Some of my favorite books were mysteries. I’d go for walks imagining the characters and visualizing the book settings in my mind. I grew into someone who wanted to give the gift of imagination and inspiration. I also wanted to create with my favorite authors. Some of my first paintings were inspired by book chapters. So, I’d say that reading, writing, and art making go hand in hand for me. There would be no me without books. The critical and creative thinking that comes out of narrative curiosity is unmatched. Read more>>

Cynthia Shaw of Authentically Living Psychological Services

I knew I wanted to be a therapist before I even had the language for it. I was rather reserved as a child, and I think that really allowed me to take in my environment – I was keen, perceptive, and observant. I was often called an “old soul” by my nursery school teachers, and I grew up being a listening ear and confidant for others. Connecting with people came very naturally to me, and I think having struggled with some of my own losses, life questions, and chronic illnesses I had an innate desire to make space for others. When I entered High school, I took my first psychology course and I was hooked; I found the material so engaging and fascinating. When it came time to select a major to study in college, it was easy; I knew I was going to study psychology. It was really during my college courses that I connected with professors who introduced me to phenomenology, existentialism, and hermeneutics, and the importance of these philosophies in understanding and supporting people and the human condition. Read more>>