Winning comes in so many different forms that it’s hard to define, but you know it when you see it. The CanvasRebel community is filled with so many incredible folks who have overcome long odds, challenged the status quo and won. Below, you’ll find stories of these winners along with much of the accumulated wisdom on what it takes to succeed.

Louis B. Middleton’s Story

I started playing piano and singing at a young age. I was surrounded by music and encouraged to follow my dreams. I went from living in a small town in Pennsylvania to studying music at Berklee College of Music. After leaving college to work with artist Zander Bleck as his keyboardist, I was exposed to the music business. I saw what to do and what not to do as a solo artist signed to a major label. I also learned to connect with people and build my network. Fast forward, I toured with bands as a keyboardist, played numerous gigs as a solo pianist/singer, and worked various side jobs to pursue my musical dream. Read more>>

Gene Williams of BloodMoon Hollow

I am an artist, producer, engineer and entrepreneur. As a music artist, I’ve released twelve solo albums, numerous compilation contributions, and I’ve released a number of collaborative singles, EPs and albums with artists like Glenda Benevides, Aztech from Hybrid Thoughts, Cloak X Dagger, Judge the Disciple, Coph Nia, Olik Nesnah, Canibus, Steve Smith of Dirty Vegas, Manolo, Jan Johnston, Pat Hodges and many many more. As a mastering engineer I’ve worked on tracks from artists as divergent as Iron Butterfly to Just Like You Imagined. Read more>>

Holliann Schrantz of Vibe Yoga Lab, LLC

I began my yoga practice nearly 8 years ago in Rochester, NY. At the time, I was looking for a hobby and a way to make new friends, and yoga seemed like the perfect solution. A few years later, I returned to Buffalo with a desire to deepen my practice and expand my knowledge, so I enrolled in a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program. I had always known I wanted to have my own studio after graduating YTT, so right from the start, I began marketing my classes, coordinating fun events to meet new students, and collaborating with as many small businesses in Buffalo as I could. That’s how Vibe Yoga Lab came to life. Read more>>

J.c. Fuller

I’ve always enjoyed writing, starting from my early teen years, and, like several people, I put “Write a Book” on my bucket list of things to accomplish before I kicked said bucket. At forty-six, after much encouragement from family and friends, I had the idea for the first book and thought… I’m not getting any younger. I ended up publishing Black Bear Alibi, never imagining more would come of it, and now, I am working on the fifth installment of the series! It has been an absolute joy to experience this journey. Meeting readers and fellow authors, participating in book clubs and social events, along with attending book fairs and other functions… all a wonderful bonus. Read more>>

Chanel Benjamin of They Love My Splash® LLC

You are very welcome and thanks for having me. My start is very unorthodox as life became the best teacher and my experience in business was literally learning in real-time. I received my first film camera at the age of 6, and I was always on camera. There are archives of my growth in music, newly discovered hobbies, and the journey of me finding what I loved doing is well documented. Anything I had a keen interest in I was fortunate enough to have it supported. As I figured out if it was something I really wanted to pursue long term. It was not any different as I matured if I voiced an idea to that of a coach, advisor, or mentor they put me in the position to make my vision a memorable experience. As the very predicament I shared with them became a sink or swim moment. As I was provided with the necessary tools and advice it was then up to me to produce what I foreseen. It was time to show and prove and I always took the initiative to see through what I felt strongly about pursuing. Read more>>

Cole Withers’s Story

Cole Withers is a singer/songwriter from Idyllwild, CA in the mountains a mile high above Southern California. Born and raised in New York City, Cole migrated to Los Angeles where he worked as a screenwriter for Universal Studios and Warner Brothers among other studios. In 2015, he sang karaoke for the first time in his life and blew the crowd away, which included a producer in the music industry who asked him to come to his studio and sing a few songs. A few weeks later, he did and he was hooked. While the band the producer was assembling fell apart, Cole’s commitment to writing songs was born and he went to work in his kitchen in Los Angeles on the songs that would become his first record “The Last Bookstore.” He moved to Idyllwild to recover from the toxic cloud of Hollywood and started playing gigs throughout Southern California, building his craft. Gradually, he assembled the musicians and recorded “The Last Bookstore.” His debut caught the attention of a label in Europe and the release of his debut record garnered attention worldwide. “Wash Away” “As It Is” and “Rescue Me” all found radio airplay. Read more>>

Amy Meyer

I have been a creative entrepreneur since childhood and throughout my career and motherhood journey, I have always found a way to shift and make things happen. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I knew from an early age that I wasn’t meant to stay in one job forever. I live in a tourist area, so my first jobs were in the tourism industry and I loved meeting people from all over. I was always fascinated as to what they did for a living and why they chose our area to vacation. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts and minor in Hospitality & Tourism Management because I loved it so much. From there, I worked in the tourism industry, entertainment/music industry and a marketing firm with multiple clients in various industries including a textile manufacturing company and engineering firm. After my youngest daughter was born, I struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety and realized I was struggling to juggle my children, marriage, job and life in general. Read more>>

Cally Logan

Since I had the ability to read and write it seemed that my thoughts found their haven nestled between the pages of a diary or journal. At a young age I fell in love with writing, and that has been a love that has grown and matured with time. When I went to college I switched around majors a few times, but one evening while watching a documentary on the Eagles band it was as if the cloudy waters had parted and my next stepping stone was apparent and ahead of me. Don Henley, lead songwriter of the Eagles, had always been an inspiration, and he mentioned how he went for English in college, not music. My dad raised me with a deep, inescapable love and appreciation for classic rock, beautifully painted scenes through lyrics, and story-telling songs and Henley is a master at that. Read more>>

Noor Kidwai

My parents owned a small movie theater in a small farming town in Canada called High River. I used to do improv in high school and once I graduated me and my friends saw the opportunity to do shows at the theater. The shows got really popular and we started doing stand up comedy during them. After I tried stand up comedy I became hooked and never looked back. That was over 15 years ago and I have been working now as a professional comedian for almost a decade. Read more>>

Allison Ivy

A few years after graduating from Penn State, I published my debut novel entitled The Dragon and the Double-Edged Sword. It was an epic fantasy about mythical creatures ruling the world when humans become extinct. I’ve learned a lot about self-publishing since then. Now, my second book entitled Inked in Blood and Memory is releasing this December. The years in between releases were extremely influential in that I got to develop my writing even more and expanded my skillset to include editing, grant writing, ghostwriting, cover design, etc. Read more>>

Rebekah Leaman’s Story

I began my career as a hairstylist in 2007. After working for a large corporate salon for a few years, and then an independent day spa for another few years, I was ready for a change. I never considered opening my own business but a friend mentioned that she knew of a property that was looking for a new owner. It was in a great small town, but I was skeptical that it was the right move for me. In spite of my hesitations, I went with my husband to look at the space the week before Thanksgiving in 2013. I was immediately taken with the potential of the property. It was small enough to not feel overwhelming, but big enough to allow room to grow. Read more>>

Reesy Neff

I grew up in Eastern North Carolina. I grew up in a not so perfect scenario. My father was not able to keep a job. My mother worked in a restaurant as a cook. My mother abused alcohol and my father abused prescription drugs. That being said, I did always feel loved. I know that may sound unusual to say the least, however, it was probably the greatest gift my parents gave me. We are not all equipped to handle things that life sometimes hands us. My parents were not well-equipped. Read more>>

Lauren Rayborn of Ase Wellness LLC

As a little girl, I was raised by two very strong women, my mother and my grandmother. They also were business owners and taught me the value in having my own business at about age 5. They always spoke positively over me and encouraged me to try anything I wanted to do. They even took me on modeling and acting jobs from about ages 5 to 7 where I was in a couple Family Dollar ads and in a movie called “A Family Thing” with the late James Earl Jones and Robert Duvall. Read more>>

Caitlin Taylor of Box Tie Studio

Before “50 Shades of Grey” was published in 2011, I discovered BDSM through romance novels, and while I was very curious about it, I never had an opportunity to explore it. My first serious boyfriend and intimate partner was what we call “vanilla” – not interested in BDSM or kink. I was in a vanilla, monogamous relationship with him from the time I turned 18 in 2010 until the first time we broke up in the late summer of 2014. After I’d had a couple of months to heal, I decided that now that I was single, I was finally going to explore kink. I discovered FetLife, which I think of as Facebook for kinky people, went to its “Events” tab, and went to the first event happening in my area, which happened to be a rope skillshare. Read more>>

Brad Belmondo

First of all, thank you again for letting me share my story. Since I can remember, I have always shared a special connection with music, rooting back to the early days in which I would pound incessantly on my Dad’s collection of synthesizers from the 80’s and also where I found myself with music in my head constantly. Whether it be each step I took having its own rhythm and tonality, or singing and dancing all the time, or even playing certain songs exhaustingly on loop, there was always this thing in my head pointing to music. Read more>>

Emily Bartscher

I grew up in Brandon, South Dakota, with my parents and three siblings. We were a typical middle-class American family in the Midwest. At the age of three, I received support from the early childhood special education program to address speech and motor skill delays. When I was attending the program, I met Megan. Megan had multiple disabilities, was non-speaking, and needed assistance with all daily living tasks. I quickly bonded with her and took on a caregiving role from a young age. We went through grade school inseparable, and I loved taking her to school events and helping her participate in activities with our peers. Read more>>

Julie Hu

I am a sound designer and music composer, focusing on projects in film and media. My journey began with classical music, where I studied piano and flute. My desire to compose orchestral pieces led me to explore music production. Over time, I discovered that sound has endless possibilities. It can break traditional boundaries, whether through abstract experimentation or everyday sounds in film, all of which can express deep emotions. I believe that stories are at the heart of conveying messages and have the power to change the world. Read more>>

Nedy Johnson

I like to say that I’ve been a singer since I was in the womb. Even though I grew up poor, I joined choir and talent shows off and on throughout elementary school. In 6th grade, students in the Anchorage School District are basically forced to learn an instrument in either band or orchestra, which was a blessing and a luxury! Through band, I learned how to read sheet music, and gained a very basic understanding of music theory. Read more>>

Priyanka Paranjape’s Story

I started interning during my undergrad years, and it really opened up the world for me. It is one thing to learn theories in a classroom (which I loved) but completely different thing to get a hands-on experience in the real world. I was working at a news channel, and I got to see closely how to package a story in real time. I assisted the journalists with their research and learned the intricacies of reporting a story for television versus writing a news article for online readership. Mind you, this was the time when physical newspapers was a thing, and the online news market was still emerging. So, I got to work on all mediums – print, digital and broadcast. Read more>>

Chay Wike

About 17 years ago, after the birth of my second child, I started to develop mysterious symptoms. I suffered from extreme fatigue, depression, sore joints, skin and hair issues, and gut issues. After several unsuccessful and unpleasant doctor visits, I decided to go off the beaten path and search for alternative healthcare providers who were more interested in a root-cause approach to health. I wanted to understand WHY I was sick and learn more about my body. Eventually, I discovered that I had multiple autoimmune diseases and Lyme disease. I learned that many of my struggles could be healed by changing my diet and lifestyle and using natural medicines. Read more>>

Maddy Zanetti of Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Horse Mercantile

I shopped at Impressions of Saratoga as a kid, always being a horse and dog lover, I enjoyed getting Breyer horses and glass animals from the store. I had always wanted a real horse and finally when I turned 14, I got one, Flye. My parents gave him to me as my birthday gift with the caveat that I had to pay his expenses each month, so I needed to get a job other than my dog walking/sitting business. I went into Impressions and the current manager sent me to talk to Marianne, the owner and now my business partner. I started working the next day and have not stopped since. I worked as much as I could and did whatever was needed. Read more>>

Paige Potter

I never imagined that becoming a Scuba Instructor would lead me to owning a photography business specializing in fantasy and horror portraiture, along with a paranormal YouTube channel. My passions have intertwined in unexpected ways, creating a ripple effect that has shaped my journey. I tend to dive deep into what I love—like the ocean—and pursue it with relentless focus, pushing myself to master each new interest before moving to the next. Along the way, I take the skills I’ve gained from previous ventures and channel them into new, creative paths. Each step builds on the last, transforming my passion into something larger than I ever envisioned. Read more>>

Kathomi Maorwe

My name is Kathomi Maorwe, and photography saved my life. I began my journey as a child, bringing a film camera on class trips. I loved capturing moments with my friends, even though I wasn’t very skilled. It became a personal way for me to gift them memories. In college, I studied Arts and Design, where I learned about shadow and light, especially in drawing classes. This experience opened my eyes to new ways of seeing art. Read more>>

Holly Payberg-torroija

Comedians have always been my superheroes. I was that 70’s kid, staying up late, watching SNL and all the Norman Lear shows. And, even though I was only 8 years old at the time, somehow I knew what they were up to. To me, they were alchemists using storytelling to spin our human dramas into gold, and I wanted to be a part of it.  Read more>>

 

 

 

Shane Appell

What’s up my name is Shane Appell. I am 21 years old and I was born and raised in a small town in New York. At the end of highschool, I decided I wanted to take a unique route and not attend college. My dream was to pursue music! I started posting on TikTok in 2020 which has since brought me countless opportunities and introduced me to many individuals that I couldn’t be more thankful for! Read more>>

Brandon Thomson

Growing up, I use to get bully for being biracial, it was that I was too black for the white kids and too white for the black kids. It was hard for me to fit in with kids my own age which caused me to get into fights and trust people less. One day I was watching TV late on the weekend and I was able to catch an anime series called Yu Yu Hakusho. It tells the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who is struck and killed by a car while saving a child’s life. After being revived by ruler son of the underworld, Yusuke is revived and appointed the title of “Underworld Detective”. The one thing that stood out so much when watching it was the main character Yusuke, he had such a bad attitude but with a tender soul that really resonated with me. I felt like I connected with this character that it inspired me to read the manga series and help get through a lot of bullying and overall struggles I was dealing as kid towards my teenage years. Read more>>

Elizabeth Schnura

As I’m sure many other artists might say, I don’t remember a time in life without a connection to art. I have memories of drawing as a young child and art classes from elementary school. I remember my first set of paints and first painting lessons. My parents are certainly to thank for bringing painting into my life—they gifted me that first set of oil painting tools in middle school. Not long after that, I was signed up for oil painting lessons at the local art shop. This was the pivotal point in my journey as a painter, I was hooked. Read more>>

Stacy Ross of Stacy Ross Speaks

Last month I turned 58 years old. As I performed my annual ritual of taking stock of my life, I noted this was the first year I can remember where I feel fulfilled both personally and professionally. For so long I took care of one or the other, but have rarely been able to say both are thriving at the same time. Read more>>

Shockie Grant

I am a Poet and Author. I have always used writing as a means of understanding and organizing experiences around me. I tend to see things through a different lens and poetry is a beautiful way to capture those images and make it relevant and relatable to others. While initially this was and has been a means of catharis for myself, I have learned that others are able to relate and find comfort in my healing journey. This makes me go out into the community to share pieces and have conversations that are often silenced due to stigma.  Read more>>

Ellie Cooke of Divine Tribe

My interests in the human body, various healing modalities, and the spiritual realm have been life-long. Kundalini yoga was love at first try for me! I quickly became hooked after trying it in the spring of 2019 and had already completed teacher training by the end of June 2020. Read more>>

Reinalis Ayala’s Story

As a child I knew I’d grow up loving art when all I wanted to do was play in my best friend’s mom’s makeup. After years of occasionally doing my own, a friend confided in me to glam her on her BIRTHDAY… my FIRST EVER client. This boosted my confidence so much, eventually I created a business page specifically for embracing and enhancing so many other beautiful faces. Read more>>

Judy Goldberg of Wondershift LLC

Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Maryland, I’ve been driven by creativity and a passion for sharing it with others. My career began in teaching, which quickly revealed my love for helping people learn and grow, as well as my comfort in leadership roles. Read more>>

Olga Zhdanova

I have never had a long search for my activity. Photography for me is like breathing. It is a natural process of my life. Most likely, the eternal search always happens inside me. In the visual language, I always have something to say to the world. This path is a resource for me. Read more>>

Chrissy Ly Peedu

I started dancing when I was 2 years old and I have not stopped ever since. Within that time I’ve done pretty much everything, I started off with Show Dance in Siki Tantsustuudio (Siki Dance Studio). Then I became interested in Ice Hockey out of all things and from there my snowball started rolling because I saw figure skaters daily so obviously I told my mom that I want to do Figure Skating, however the words “Figure Skating” and “Rhythmic Gymnastics” are very similar in Estonian, therefore as a kid, I kept mixing them up. Read more>>

Jo Davis

As the daughter of an academic scientist and a librarian, I grew up in a home of intellectuality and order. My mind operates in a more bubbly, floaty sort of way. I thought there was something deeply wrong with my thinking. I did well in school so my differences went under the radar, but I just didn’t grasp certain things that came easily to others. People around me seemed to know better, so I learned to distrust my instincts and listen to others first. I now see how we live in a culture that rewards rationality and linear thinking. Like many artists, it’s counter to how my brain works. Read more>>

Daniel Dino-slofer

I’m Daniel, a Washington State born photographer, artist, and business owner who got their start through active participation and volunteering within my community from a young age well into adulthood. My worldview from my home town to various countries around the world has allowed me to experience wonderful people and its interesting and beautiful locations that I capture through photography and art. These opportunities grew to become the business I founded in 2018: Lucent Designs Media International. Read more>>

Amanda Salazar’s Story

During the covid stay at home order, I started food blogging pictures on Instagram of restaurants I’d try and also short clips as I would cook and my results on Snapchat. People kept asking me for recipes and showing interest in my cooking, then people suggested I start posting cooking videos on TikTok. I tried doing that and sharing videos of my experiences at restaurants and they were received really well which motivated me to keep going and see where it all takes me! My audience has grown to 21k on TikTok and over 5k on Instagram, organically, and has brought me great experiences and opportunities for networking. Read more>>

Taylor Perkins’s Story

I like to think my journey in fashion blogging began as early as 2010. Back then, I was running a YouTube channel and a Blogger page, both dedicated to exploring style and trends. More recently, I’ve moved to Substack, where I continue to share my passion for fashion. Even as a kid, I would always dress up and try to make myself look as chic as possible. It’s something that’s always been part of me. Career-wise, I’m currently in a data analytics and corporate support role within the customer service sector, which I do enjoy. But if I’m being honest, I find myself even more drawn to my fashion hobby. It’s just something I can’t get enough of. These days, I’ve managed to combine my love for data and finance with my passion for fashion, posting about upcoming trends and great deals on platforms like TheRealReal and Grailed. It’s a perfect balance of my two worlds and keeps my eye on the future prize to make fashion a full-time career. Read more>>

Sharon Emmerichs

I’ve always been a writer–literally since before I could write. As a tiny child I would create “books” (scribbles with crayon drawings) and ask my librarian mother to put them in the library. An old family friend recently told me, “You were always writing stories as a child–always” and I have shelves of notebooks full of really awful and derivative stories I wrote when I should have been paying attention in my high school classes. So writing is as much a part of my selfhood as my body, my breath, and my blood. Read more>>

Brendan Mcloughlin

What got me to where I am today you ask? I was so unhappy with my current work situation, going from dead end job to job after college for 6 years, when a friend of mine, Gareth, who had been in the military since he was 18 told me all of the benefits of having a career with the military and the places it will take you. So, I applied online and after going in for interviews and waiting for the background screening, I was sworn in to the Canadian Armed Forces in January 2017. Commencing my basic military training in Quebec a week later. Upon completion of basic training, I was posted to Victoria, British Columbia to start my trade training for Marine technician. Read more>>

Leean Brown

My journey as a Christian began when I was 11 years old where I underwent the rite of confirmation before becoming an altar server in my local Anglican church. I continued serving my church for several years until I migrated from Jamaica to live in the United Kingdom to pursue a career in Teaching. While living in the United Kingdom I had the opportunity to serve in the same capacity and a Sunday School Teacher. Yes, I love the Lord and kingdom service. Faced with a financial deficit my dream of becoming a Primary School Teacher was cut short and I returned to Jamaica but was still desirous to become a teacher. In the attempt to complete my studies, I started working as a Cashier in a financial institution where I met my husband who encouraged me to pursue a career in accounting. Read more>>

Tae Rim Kim

I am from Korea and I am an artist. I am a current MFA candidate at school of visual arts. When I was younger I decided to be an artist since I like to draw and paint. After I graduated college for BFA in Korea, I was thinking of study abroad to broaden my perspective. I had a hard time to prepare for school in America in terms of language and portfolio but I was lucky that I got accepted in art school at New York. I’m happy I have lots of opportunities to learn different cultures, perspectives, and aspects from my classmates and faculties. Read more>>

Aevin Kumar of Coffee Craze Company

Young creative to small business owner onto beginning a career in interior design. Growing up I was always surrounded by creative individuals—from my dad designing our home to my mom enjoying her crafts and interior projects. I had a love for painting and drawing, my parents always encouraged me to take on fun, creative hobbies alongside my academic classes. I’ve always been drawn to creative mediums, and when I started Coffee Craze Company, it was not just about learning the world of business or sharing the fantastic blends I helped create—it was also another way for my creativity to flourish. Read more>>

Alyssa Walden

My journey to becoming the Deputy State 4-H Leader for Virginia has been a lifelong adventure, deeply rooted in my early experiences with 4-H. It all started in 4th grade when I joined an in-school 4-H club and served as the secretary. That role sparked something in me—a sense of responsibility and belonging. I participated in public speaking, where I gained confidence, and then discovered 4-H camp. That’s when my life truly changed. Read more>>

Chastity

I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t singing. Singing was my first memory. That and then trying to stick something into a light socket as a baby and getting in trouble for it lol. My parents noticed early on that I loved to sing and also that I loved to dance. Music was always around me. Wherever and whenever there was a place for me to sing my dad made sure I was there performing. I was insanely shy so getting used to performing for crowds at an early was challenging. Lots of family parties, contests, and swap meets LOL. Read more>>

Yasmeen Martinez

I’ve always been creative and loved diy-ing anything. I have always had a passion to create something unique or custom to a person. Since I was a little girl, my Nina always went above and beyond to make my sister and I special. Though she lived miles and miles away, she never forgot a birthday or a holiday to express her love for us. I like to think I learned this from her. I admired that we’re all different and all love different things. Gift giving quickly became my love language. As some time went on, I began to learn and see how the same went for planning weddings. Each one being unique, yet so fitting for the couple. I’ve learned from so many role models that it is quiet better to give than to receive. Read more>>

Samantha Simmons of S&S Services

I was fortunate to embark on a journey of entrepreneurship out of necessity when my husband became chronically ill. This unexpected turn of events pushed me out of my comfort zone. After spending years as a stay-at-home mom, dedicated to nurturing my family, I suddenly found myself working 60 hours a week in a job that offered little opportunity for growth or personal fulfillment. It was a difficult time, as my small children and husband needed me more than ever, both emotionally and physically, and I struggled to balance my responsibilities at home with the demands of an unfulfilling job. Read more>>

David Schilling

I think it’s very important in most parts of life to take risks. Big or small. Without taking risks we can’t move forward in life. I’ve found most times I’m faced with a decision to play it safe vs taking the risk and saying yes to something I’m unsure of, the outcome has been more positive than not. Even when it comes to asking someone for a favor, or a job, or whatever, when I ask I feel better regardless of whether I get the answer I wanted or not. I took the chance to move forward. A wise man once told me the answer is always “no” unless you ask. Read more>>

Maurisha Allen of Live in Color Studio

I started nails over 5 years ago as a hobby and it turned into a career. I worked for a few locations before becoming an independent contractor and then taking what I learned to open my business. Read more>>

Sadia of Sadia Said So

For years, I’ve built my career in Human Resources, culminating in my Senior Executive Human Resources Business Partner role. While this position allowed me to optimize processes and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, a pivotal moment came after October 7, when I realized the company I worked for wasn’t willing to take a stand for Palestine. That experience pushed me to reflect on what’s next and what truly aligns with my values. Read more>>

Blair Williamson

Many people ask me how I got to where I am today, how I became a writer, and how I decided to pick up the pen and write. I battled with doubt for many years, pushing aside a drive to write, to create, and to share who I am with such vulnerability and passion. But once I decided to jump in, there really hasn’t been any turning back. My journey as a writer has been filled with ups and downs, requiring incredible determination, persistence, and really thick skin. Publishing is not for the faint of heart—be prepared for long waits, constant rejection, and never-ending revisions. Read more>>

Billy Zerillo

My story in financial planning is not a traditional one. I believe this is a strength because I understand the perspective of someone who isn’t familiar with the industry. I got into financial planning by chance. I’ve always wanted to make a positive impact on others’ lives, but I wasn’t sure how. Like many 18-year-olds in the early 2000s, I went to college without a clear plan, following the advice to get a degree. Read more>>

Ali Arakawa of Fare Well Trading

Most of my career has been as a freelancer in NYC. I freelanced for retail brands doing creative direction, interior decorating, event production, store display, and experiential pop ups. I’ve also done set design and propping for plays, movies and commercials. The freedom and flexibility of freelancing allowed me to have a side project, a small vintage re-sale business called Fare Well Trading. I already had a background in sourcing and propping vintage items, so doing that for my own business was something that came naturally to me. I slowly found myself shifting more and more of my time into selling vintage, until one day I realized that it had become a fully realized profitable business. It was no longer just a side project. Fare Well Trading has become something that I now do full time. I retired from my freelancing career in October 2021 after my mom, Felice, passed away. At first I planned to take a hiatus to process the grief, and it just hasn’t felt right to return to it yet, and I don’t know if it ever will. Read more>>

Linda Solana of CannaVibes LLC

In 2014 I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer and used cannabis to heal. I have always used cannabis for anxiety, but the real medical value came when I was diagnosed. I became very passionate about the plant and when I heard that I may be able to help others by opening a cannabis dispensary, there was no holding me back. I immediately started the process of getting licensed, which I thought would be the hard part. I was very wrong. I couldn’t find a location that was zoned in my area. Read more>>

Morgan Baker

Hi When I graduated from college. almost 45 years ago. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I knew I was sad school was over and I couldn’t take any more classes. After a couple of years working at an ad agency, and taking writing classes around Boston I realized I wanted to be a feature writer so I could continue to learn about different people, jobs, issues. I went to graduate school in Boston to figure this out. There,I had the opportunity to teach which I never thought I’d like. I was too shy and never spoke in class as a student, but I surprised myself and fell in love with teaching. Read more>>

Caitlin Lang of Liquid Form Design

My path as an entrepreneur has been far from linear. After quitting a hectic graphic design job in my 20s, I unintentionally started a business with a few branding jobs that fell in my lap. In the beginning, I wasted a lot of time letting my business happen to me, instead of making intentional choices that propelled it forward. It wasn’t until about ten years in that I took the first steps to formalize my business, getting a business license and setting up a dedicated bank account. It was interesting to see how these small changes boosted my confidence, which helped me attract more clients. Read more>>

Mattie Jo Cowsert

Okay, a little background that might seem like egregious detail but is actually important, I promise. I grew up the youngest of four kids in rural Missouri. My father was a Baptist pastor to small churches, not mega churches, and my mother a kindergarten teacher. We weren’t exactly “rollin in it.” In my community, as soon as you could work legally, you had a part time job, no exceptions. Things like a car or clothes or weekend trips to Chilli’s with your friends were not a given. In my family at least, you had to make money to do those extra things. There was no such thing as “allowance” or even money gifted if you made good grades. Good grades were the expectation, not something to be rewarded. Therefore, by age 16, I paid for my own car insurance, gas, and social outings. I was a four sport athlete, in drama club, president of Student Council, graduated valedictorian and always had a part time job (candy store, Pizza Hut, Macaroni Grill, just to name a few…). This is not me bragging (okay maybe I’m bragging a little. I was an impressive teenager!) This is just me saying, I had to learn how to manage time, money, and priorities very early on! Read more>>

Yeshe Jackson

The first time I painted was in my junior year of high school, and I absolutely fell in love with it. Right around that time I found an old box of acrylic paints in the back of my garage and bought a handful of cheap little canvases at the art store. I started painting little pictures, mostly of wildlife, and giving them to my friends and family when they were done. Read more>>

 

 

Viena Fromm of Belú Travel

My Life Journey: A Road from Burnout to Finding Purpose Adventure has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents were explorers at heart, and as a family, we would journey to natural reserves, beaches, coffee plantations, and waterfalls on weekends and holidays. Almost every weekend was a new chapter, filled with road trips and magical discoveries across Central America. Sometimes, we would even drive to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, just for lunch—it’s only a few hours away from my hometown, San Pedro Sula, Honduras. These experiences planted the seeds of my deep love for travel, nature, and the joy of immersing myself in different cultures and learning about the diverse native and ethnic groups of Mesoamerica. Read more>>

Sierra Melcher of Red Thread Publishing

Following the thread that life offered me from Pasadena to Shanghai and then the mountains of Medellín, Colombia, unconventional choices have defined my life. In retrospect, each turn feels fated and obvious, but it is a winding road. For now, this is the only place where I belong. Life weaves fascinating patterns we can only see at a distance. Up close, all we can see is the step before us. Read more>>

Jerone Darden

I’ve always had a deep love for the arts, and my journey started at a young age. My first real role was playing Simba in a version of *The Lion King* back in elementary school, which sparked my passion for performing. Inspired by icons like Michael Jackson and guided by mentors along the way, I took every opportunity to grow—whether it was singing in school choirs, diving into theater, or exploring behind-the-scenes work. Read more>>

Lakisha Austin of Resiliency and Optimism Changes Lives (R.O.C.) Therapeutic Coaching Services LLC

During the pandemic, my life underwent a profound transformation. My name is Lakisha R. Austin, LICSW, MBA, MSW, and I proudly call Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood my home. As a phenomenal Black woman and the proud single mother of a 19-year-old son, I bring a unique perspective shaped by my journey from recovering people pleaser to licensed independent clinical worker and life coach, alongside holding a master’s in business administration. Read more>>

 

Clementina Jose

My journey to where I am today has truly been shaped by faith, grace, and the incredible support of my parents. From a young age, they always believed in me and encouraged me to dream big. Their unwavering support gave me the foundation I needed to excel academically and professionally. One of the pivotal moments in my early life was when my parents helped me enroll in an early college high school. That experience was transformative—it opened my eyes to the possibilities that education could offer and showed me just how much I could achieve. It was there that I first began to understand the power of hard work, dedication, and the doors that could open when you have a clear vision for your future. Read more>>

Leah Spencer’s Story

I actually went to college for something entirely different. At the time I didn’t know I had an untouched hidden love for jewelry. Throughout Jr high and high school, and even college, I took many art classes. But had never considered jewelry-making to be one of my greatest passions. Throughout college I attended many music festivals and art festivals, and I met creative people out in Los Angeles during my last semester in college. Someone put wire in my hands and it took off from there. I started small just trying to wrap my head around how to showcase stones, while experimenting and just having fun! Now I continue to create from my heart, and have pushed myself further into my craft. I will always continue learning and growing. Read more>>

Hannah Smith

Growing up, I was always drawn to the world of hair and beauty. However, being sandwiched between two brothers who excelled academically—one now a lawyer, the other a doctor—I felt pressure to pursue a “respectable” career. My path initially led me to junior college in Hutchinson, KS where I worked after classes at an after-school program, considering a career in teaching. I loved working with the kids, but the challenges of dealing with parents made me realize that teaching wasn’t my true calling. Read more>>

Yitao Yuan

My journey as a practicing artist began at the prestigious Beijing Film Academy, where I immersed myself in the world of Digital Media Technology. The academy’s state-of-the-art facilities and demanding curriculum pushed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of digital media, mastering skills in 3D modeling, animation rendering, interactive design, and computer graphics principles. Surrounded by equally passionate classmates and inspired by the creative energy of the film school, I discovered my inner desire to express and create. A medium may be any means, mode, or material of making, or transporting. I ventured beyond traditional film creation, collaborating with new media artists and teams. I decided to embark on my journey as an independent new media artist. Read more>>

Diane Covington Carter’s Story

I am an award-winning writer but if you had told me that I would become that early in life, I would have said, “no way!” I had a bad experience as a freshman at UCLA where a teaching assistant wrote all over my papers in red ink, I felt humiliated and ashamed and at 17, decided I would stay as far away from writing as possible. Read more>>

Gina R. Briggs

It all started when I saw those two little lines on the pregnancy test… when Poppy first made herself known and I became a mother. My story just doesn’t make sense without discussing my first daughter, Poppy, who we lost to miscarriage in 2021. In the wake of Poppy’s passing, I sought creative escape in the form of fiction-writing. Because it felt too raw to process the loss of my girl, I wrote a story about another time in my life—when my high school best friend died. This happened over ten years ago, but in a roundabout way, writing a story based on a different kind of loss enabled me to heal, process, and carry the grief for my baby. This book, my debut novel, is titled The Isa Project. It’s a New Adult Paranormal Mystery about a college-aged artist uncovering the truth behind her best friend’s death. From there, my indie author journey had begun, Read more>>

Catameron Bobino

From a young age, growing up in Oakland, CA, I was immersed in a culture of resilience and pride, nurtured by parents who were originally from the South. They instilled in me the importance of embracing my identity and the strength to persevere in the face of challenges. I carried these values with me to my studies at Stillman College, an HBCU, where I experienced a reaffirmation of my passion for science and technology. There, I saw firsthand how powerful it was to be surrounded by people who looked like me, sharing my drive and curiosity for learning. Read more>>

Brandi Bee Love Parker

I’ve always been someone who colors outside the lines, deeply connected to the wild, sacred and creative forces that shape our lives. My journey as an artist began as a quiet whisper, an urge to express myself authentically, even when I didn’t yet have the words or tools to do so. Over the years, I’ve embraced every part of who I am—artist, coach, healer, chef, and seeker—and woven them into a life that reflects both my inner world and the outer landscape. Each chapter has brought its own lessons, but at the core, I’ve always been guided by the belief that we are meant to live boldly and fully, honoring the sacredness in ourselves and the world around us. Read more>>

Eva Staronova

I have always walked a path uncharted, guided less by certainty and more by the currents of opportunity, by the quiet whispers of chance. Life, to me, is an intricate dance of possibility, where each step unfolds in perfect harmony if only we listen closely to the rhythm of its offering. I can’t say “no” easily, because I see how threads weave together, how moments and people are bound to cross, creating something greater than any singular part. My story is not a line but rather a web—eclectic, dynamic, and filled with the grace of what might be. Read more>>

Lydia Kim

Looking back, I have to thank all the librarians of my youth who saw and nurtured my love of stories, put aside books for me, and made it a special endeavor to read. I believe that all those stories showed me the options of who I might be, what the possibilities were, since the options seemed otherwise limited when I was growing up. I majored in English, became an English lit teacher, taught so many students who are great writers. When I pivoted into creative strategy, storytelling remained the core of my abilities and interests. Honestly, if you can tell a good story, you can do just about anything. If you can do so verbally and in writing, even better. Now I am working towards becoming a paid writer and that is more difficult because it is closer to my personal creative hopes. It’s no longer about hitting a metric or persuading someone else but having my own creative work evaluated and that is a whole other ball of wax. Read more>>

Chris Baggett of Fully Alive Personal Training and Health Studios

My journey in the fitness world started in high school when I was selected as a senior staff assistant—kind of like an intern gym coach—helping out in the weight room. Initially, my plan after high school was to join the military and pursue psychology, but life took a turn when we found out we were having a child. At 17, my high school sweetheart (now my wife) and I had our daughter, Kailea. To support my family, I went to work at my stepfather’s convenience store so my wife could go to college and get her education. Read more>>

Sondra Ganz

I grew up on the Jersey Shore, where most of my childhood was spent exploring the seaside and letting my imagination run wild. My parents, an engineer and photography teacher, instilled in me a love for both creativity and science. After earning my BFA from Parsons School of Design in New York City, I honed my skills working alongside top industrial and interior designers. A chance encounter during the recession led me into the world of Hospitality Design, where I continued on to lead landmark projects around the world at award-wining architecture firms. In 2019 I created a studio where I can focus on my true love; designing boutique experiences that exceed expectations. Read more>>

Suzanne Farance

When my nearly 17 year career in financial advertising came to a close at the end of 2017, I had such mixed emotions. It was a very high-powered, stressful career, so a break sounded pretty darn nice. However, given my personality, it didn’t take long before I was getting bored and feeling unproductive. Read more>>

Lindsey Kinsella

Writing was something I took in interest in from childhood; it was often highlighted at school how it was something I had a talent for. Yet, it was always on the backburner; something I considered from time to time but was always to busy to commit to. Then came 2020 and the COVID lockdown. A terrible time for many, for sure, but one which came with the benefit of suddenly having time. So I took the plunge and soon learned to love the craft. Read more>>

Ash Holland of The Lucky Fox Bookshop

The inspiration for The Lucky Fox Bookshop was borne out of a discussion with my wife and sister. After expressing my deep dissatisfaction with my previous job, my sister simply said, “why don’t you just start a bookshop?” It was something I had dreamed about for forever, but having it spoken aloud by someone I love made it a real possibility. From there, I hit the ground running: Got the paperwork all set up, created a website, and booked my first pop-up at my favorite local coffee shop. Read more>>

Jahvae York

Growing up, my grandfather had an old film camera in the house. Picture one of the ones that you’d have to crank to operate and that was my very first one. Shortly after, my love for photography and the arts skyrocketed, I was always drawing or had a camera in hand. In middle school, I had an art teacher who stressed the importance of art being “perfect” and if it didn’t fit those standards she would tear up said work. That experience changed my perspective on art in general and what I wanted to do with it and have my message be. Throughout my life my family always supported me, whether it was buying me cameras or talking through concepts with me. Read more>>

Cyndi Maurer

I’ve always felt deeply connected to the energetic world. As a child, I experienced things that others didn’t—whether it was knowing something before it happened or feeling energy in a way I couldn’t yet explain. For most of my childhood, it made me feel like I was weird and that my interest in people’s behavior was more of a disorder. As I got older, I reframed this to see these moments as curiosities, which became the foundation for my interest in energy and human behavior. Read more>>

 

 

 

 

 

Ariel Doan

I have spent most of my life in the kitchen either baking or cooking. I love how creative you can be in the kitchen taking basic recipes and creating something completely unique. I have always had a dream of owning my own bakery but I never expected to be 30 years old and purchasing the bakery I had been working at for 8 years. It has been an amazing journey taking this bakery and making it my own over the past 2 years. Read more>>

Kricia Storms

Although my background is in sales and marketing, I’ve always had a deep-seated passion for creative pursuits. In 2022, after enduring the pandemic and two years of remote work, I found myself in a bit of a rut. While I appreciated my marketing career, I was craving something fresh and inspiring. During a long weekend trip to Austin, TX, I wandered into a custom hat shop—and that unexpected encounter changed the course of my life. Read more>>

Louise Butera of Join The Tryb LLC

From a young age, I was drawn to the world of art. Whether doodling, painting, or shaping ceramics at age 10, creativity was always my outlet. In high school, while others opted for minimal classes, I packed my schedule with art electives, eventually pursuing Advertising Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). Read more>>

Natasha L. Mason’s Story

I’ve sold my delicious looking candles to consumers and other candlemakers throughout the US and internationally for over 7 years. Before you panic and call the Food and Drug Administration, allow me to elaborate. I make scented soy candles that look and smell like food. Looks good enough to eat, smells sweet, but don’t bite it, you’re meant to light it. Hope you can handle, it’s a candle. Let me tell you how God lit my path to get there. (Pun intended.) Read more>>

Ivan Cloyd of Quadrant

I started my journey as a businessperson at a very young age. From the beginning, I always knew I wanted to be involved in business, but I wasn’t sure what kind of business it would be. Growing up in the streets of Washington, D.C., my life took a different path, and I found myself engaged in various criminal activities, simply trying to make it. Read more>>

Samuel Maugans of FourHorse Digital LLC

My journey started way back in 2013. I just had my first born son (he has had 2 siblings since then) and I was just hired at a Digital Agency. I did not have any experience in Digital Marketing at this time but I knew it was a growing industry and something I wanted to be a part of and excel in. So, I started my marketing career journey as an entry level SEO specialist and I learned SEO for an entire year. After a year under the SEO department I was feeling discouraged and unsatisfied with the work I was doing. I know in the long run SEO is very important and can be an amazing driver of organic leads and growth, but for me the results came in too slow. I hated to see all this effort get put in and then have to wait 3 to 6 months to see the returns, so when a slot opened up on the PPC side I immediately requested a transfer to PPC. Read more>>

Ebonie Baker of Bakersfield Commercial Mortgage Broker L L.C.

Hello everyone Thank you for taking the time out to read a story about me and my Entrepreneur journey. I’ve been a single mother for 27 years working 9-5. I got into horticulture in 2008 started out as a grower and sales. Then pursued my work history into customer service, sales. I enjoy working with people and I enjoy making people happy. I thrive in customer service because it is my due diligence to put a smile on another person’s face and makeup difference in their day. While getting the experience in working in sales it woke up my eyes to commission Read more>>

Kat Leroy

My artistic journey started at the tender age of 9 when I created my first poem. At 13 or so, I joined a school theatre troupe to overcome my shyness and fear of public speaking. Fast-forward a few years, and I got my first TV role. From there on, it’s been a rollercoaster of new experiences, meeting fascinating people, and never knowing what to expect next. Read more>>

Marlene Hoffmann

I’m a working actress, originally from Germany, now based in New York City. I’ve wanted to become an actress since I could talk – and I did, a LOT! I spent all of my time in the ‘costume corner’ as a kindergardener and then continued by attending acting school at the age of 18. After working for 10 years in the German theater scene I took a leap of faith and relocated to New York City – initially to take a break from theater, but that turns out to be quite a challenge in this city…! Read more>>