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.

Julia Palfi

I lived in New York City for most of my adult life. During the past few years, many more people started to work from home. I found it interesting to observe what New Yorkers actually wanted to wear without as much peer pressure affecting their clothing choices—sweatpants. So, my thought was—what could I do to make sweatpants something women felt comfortable wearing all the time, while still feeling good about how they look. Read More>>

Kelly Dunnigan

Well my journey was pretty winding but I’ve always loved creating. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting in my grandma’s basement making “masterpieces!” As I grew up I was always finding a way to turn every game into an elaborate melodrama. Convincing friends and family to act out elaborately rehearsed comedy shows or a great trek across the Alaskan tundra! This evolved into a love of reading and I would write sequels and prequels and alternative endings to my favorite series. I was lucky to see many of those series come to life in the boom of the YA Book-to-Movie era of the early 2010’s and this opened my mind to so many new possibilities.

Carlos Pineda-Palma

I started my studies in Peru attending a fine arts program that was very dogmatic in its teaching. It had however a fantastic community being built with students who were all being exposed to the outside world thanks to the internet, social media hadn’t taken off the way it had now, but it had started showing us the possibilities in the artworld and made us ask ourselves how come we weren’t being taught and pushed to excel to the same degree in our studies as the artists we were being exposed to. I started taking online classes with artists I respected abroad while in Lima and soon came to realize I had to leave my home to achieve my goals, I couldn’t learn how to paint in this program and so pursued making comics as my only avenue for personal work. Read More>>

Travis Chapman

My story….hmmm. I would say that it is A LOVED ONE! (Hahaha) “How I started and how I got to where I am Today?” I think that I can start at a relevant place, my childhood. Also, to Re-Remind everyone on how I see the “Past”: The “Past” is neither a place of origin nor a place that exists in the Present. The “Past” is a frequency & a Acknowledgment to your Present vibration, and how You currently relate to Yourself Now. Okay, since that is Understood LETS BEGIN! I would say that overall my childhood was an opportunity to STAND AS ALL I AM AND IN MY OWN SKIN. Having the courage to be yourself inherently is a natural instinct, But As Always, Life gives you AMPLE of Opportunities and Experiences to stand in your Presence and to really Appreciate the skin You Own. Read More>>

Jada McGuin

I started my business based on my personal health journey. I went through quite a tough time at a critical period in my life and it was really tough. At a certain point, I took matters into my own hands and really dove into my health and that was really the turning point. That’s when I really started to see a change in myself. It led me to want to help others change. Read More>>

Brandan Robertson

I grew up in a lower-class family in a trailer park in Maryland. I didn’t have a religious upbringing, and the prospects of “becoming” something seemed very much out of sight for me. I experienced a good deal of abuse and trauma as a child, and developed a severe anxiety disorder and depression at an early age. It was when I started attending church with my neighbors that everything changed- I heard a message about a God who had a plan for my life, who could redeem all the broken places in my life, and who loved me unconditionally. On top of that, the church community was among the first places I experienced a warm welcome and could show up as myself. I began diving into church and faith, and discovered I had a sense of calling and gifting towards preaching- sharing the good news of God’s love with others. Read More>>

Taylor LaTouche

Welcome to my culinary world! I’m Chef Taylor LaTouche, and my passion for gastronomy was sparked by the vibrant fusion of U.S. coastal influences and the rich heritage of Creole and American soul cuisine. Growing up in a Navy family, I was exposed to diverse flavors that laid the foundation for my journey in the culinary arts. Read More>>

Tom Schin

I think like most people, my life has been a series of twists and turns. The short version is that I’ve had two major threads to my career – one in educational content, and the other in HR/Recruiting. Throughout those working years, I saw all levels of leadership – the proverbial good, bad and the ugly. I was inspired and motivated to share what I’ve learned, as well as guide others in improving their skills, to get better at leading and engaging people. Along that journey, Build Better Culture was born. In part, the name described what I was trying to help other organizations do – to build BETTER culture – not geared around perfection, but around improvement. Read More>>

Emily Keiser

Before Pilates, I was an elementary school teacher in New York City and the surrounding suburbs. I taught for several years before I transitioned into instructional coaching for teachers in grades K-12. I found teaching to be extremely rewarding but I always felt that there was something else for me. I knew deep down I’d be a business owner someday, I just didn’t know how that vision would take shape later on. Then, one day at the gym as I waited patiently outside of the group fitness room I noticed a trio of women doing Pilates in the room across from me. I was immediately taken by their grace, strength, and flexibility. The women were working on their Arabesque on the reformer, an exercise I didn’t think I’d be able to do. Read More>>

Chimdi Tuffs

I started my legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia and New York City. I prosecuted sex crimes and domestic violence matters mostly. Serving victims of crime was the most rewarding job I have ever had. It taught me a lot about having compassion for others, especially those going through trauma and grief who sometimes cannot help themselves out of tough situations. Now I am a civil defense litigator and I run the Philadelphia, PA office of my law firm as its managing partner. I cannot stay away from the courtroom. Read More>>

Keena Bonds

Being a single mother of three children, with the added responsibility of caring for my grandson, has always been challenging, especially financially. With one income stretched thin, I often found myself struggling to make ends meet. One day, overwhelmed by the mounting bills and the impossibility of working a second job outside the home, I prayed for guidance on how to bring extra money into the house without leaving it. Little did I know, the solution was already within my grasp—I just hadn’t realized it yet. That’s when I began my journey of starting Spread the Love Body Butters and Scrubs with Essential Oils, LLC, turning my love for creating nourishing products into a thriving business to support my family. Read More>>

Willie Tuggle

The main part of my story has already been featured by Bold Journey/Willie Tuggle July 18, 2023. Since then, ( a few months ago ) I’ve been asked to operate a vessel on Lake Guntersville in North Alabama by which the Tennessee River flows. I accepted the job as full time Captain on which will be one of the largest yachts in the state. The vessel is so large that insurance companies require a Licensed USCG Operator or Master. My certifications supersede what is required. I’m presently waiting for the Buyer and the Seller to complete their contractual agreements before I take full responsibility for the vessel. This is a private owned vessel, not a sightseeing / touring . I am glad the opportunity to operate on a private vessel became available. Read More>>

Arcadio Lombardo

Hi, I’m a guitarist, composer and music producer from Messina, Italy. I’m now 35 and I first started playing guitar when I was 12, ita has been a long journey! Read More>>

Kathryn Coffman

Growing up, I was the bullied kid, the outcast with few friends. School was a struggle for me, so by seventh grade, I decided to homeschool, diving into the world of online education as it was just emerging. My parents gifted me a laptop, and that opened up a whole new world! In 2007, I started exploring social media, from MySpace to blogging to YouTube, and later, Instagram. As I watched the digital space evolve, I realized it was something I had a natural affinity for. Read More>>

Shelli Lipton

On January 16th, 1947, President Truman delivered the first televised State of the Union address, emphasizing cooperation with the newly Republican-dominated Congress for the common good. On this eventful day I was born. Is it possible I heard a happy buzz in the hospital? Do early childhood experiences and DNA set one’s path more strongly than later influences? I’d like to try and prove that out. While it’s not a standalone idea, I believe my childhood formative years profoundly impacted my bold journey. Read More>>

Xena Zhang

I’m an artist and designer who thrives on creating meaningful connections between art, storytelling, and space. Growing up in Beijing, China, in a family of creatives, I was immersed in the power of storytelling from an early age. My grandfather’s writing inspired me to create my own worlds, first through stories and later through cartoons, drawing on the painting and drawing skills I began developing in the 5th grade. This passion for visualizing ideas and crafting narratives naturally led me to pursue interior design for my bachelor’s degree, where I began shaping spaces that invite people into compelling, emotional experiences. Read More>>

Christopher Lockridge

I graduated in 2020 from high school during the covid era. My senior year was pretty much canceled and we didn’t have a graduation or prom or anything. During lockdown I started to look for something new to do. I then discovered True Star through Ms. Marti which is True Star Journalism instructor and then she soon introduced me to Trig who is ahead of the Photgrapher program. I took under Trig wing and he taught me mainly everything I need to know until I met Sylus and Eunice who taught me Editing, production set up and the meaning behind story telling and making a flim. For me I say I got here from being blessed soaking in information from everyone at True Star and learning how to become my own brand. I sacrificed time with friends and family and more to learn new skills and to develop another vision in life besides sports. Read More>>

Toy-Joan Gilliam

I started out not really knowing exactly what I wanted to do. When I graduated high school I had absolutely no plan. The day after graduation my mother came to my room and said, “I understand that you have no interest in college, but you have to get a job. She commanded me to get on the bus, go to Our local mall and not to come back without a job. Lo and behold I ended up with two jobs that day. One as a sales associate at Express and another at the Greenburgh/White Plains CAP Office. Little did I know that the woman that hired me at the CAP office would be the one that connected me to beginning my journey as a cosmetologist. Read More>>

Zuojie Li

After graduating from university, I entered the advertising industry, but because of my love for Fine Art, I returned to school to obtain a master’s degree in Fine Art. After graduation, I worked hard to become an artist. Read More>>

Charles Guerrero

I am a first-generation Filipino-American, inspired by my parents’ perseverance in bringing our family to the U.S. Their determination continues to drive me toward greatness. Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to fulfill many dreams; including opening and operating businesses, completing marathons, and collaborating with a diverse network of industry leaders. Read More>>

Skylar Hunter

Towards the end of the first half of my junior year of high school, I deleted my instagram account. It was the one and only form of social media I used. At the time, this was my way of avoiding too much of a connection with my fellow classmates through an online presence. After all, during the time, I had recently experienced my first heartbreak as well as a friendship breakup. Consequently, deleting my social media was one of my first steps in healing. As time went on, there were moments when I installed and reinstalled my instagram, wondering if social media was the right journey for me. Read More>>

Kasey Lorah

My story began with what I’m sure a lot of others go through – not really knowing what to do with their lives. I had gone to college and couldn’t ever really seem to find my place in that world. After switching majors a few times and switching schools, I still had no clue where I wanted to be or what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I had wanted to help people, but every major I dabbled in just didn’t feel right. Read More>>

Noeleen Tuala

PELE is a dream come true! A story of faith and perseverance. As a nana to 5 grandchildren I went looking for a quality Pacific inspired blanket and the lack of quality found was the defining moment that I knew, this was my chance to do better. This was my chance to celebrate our Pacific heritage through quality baby products. Read More>>

Hayley Holzhacker

Hello! My name is Hayley Holzhacker. I am an avid equine professional and work in higher education. I founded a nonprofit Impact Horse – Connecting Humans and Horses which focuses on the therapeutic and healing benefits with horses. Impact Horse is a fully philanthropic endeavor. All of the funds we raise from offering our services go directly to our equine-assisted programs and our mini horse mascot. I am currently located in Southern Maine which is a wonderful place to visit. We have delicious lobster, beautiful coastal towns and excellent activities for folks of all ages and interests. I am glad I was able to integrate my passions and aspirations into a fulfilling career supporting graduate students, but I can also share my joy of horses with others on weekends. Read More>>

Freddy Jackson

Born in the small town of Buckingham, Virginia, I began my journey and developed a passion for meeting, interacting, and loving people. I always seem to find a passionate path to follow and a dream to pursue. My parents, Charles and Queen Jackson, did their absolute best for us, me and my only sibling, my Brother, who is nine years older than me. My parents, like all parents (I feel), were and are very influential. Read More>>

Nana Faith Kailiwai

I usually answer these type of questions in regard to my modeling but as I find more pieces of myself & who I ‘am I think it’s important to share how I found Nana Kailiwai, my truest form. In 2019 at the start of a peek in my modeling career I was booked for a shoot and introduced to a woman. She had been the one putting together the shoot, at the time she was working on portfolio packages. Her idea was to help at least four to five models build a portfolio that’s fitting to their style but also for the product to be marketable to bigger brands for further booking. The experience was pleasant and in review I do believe that shoot was the start of me seeing myself as myself and truly leaning into being a muse. Read More>>

Leann Woodley

My name is Leann and I am the writer and designer behind Painting with Words by Leann. I have been writing for as long as I can remember and I have always liked designing. My page and small business, Painting with Words by Leann, encompasses both of those creative aspects. Read More>>

Kylee Winningham

Business was always something I was interested in. My father taught me the difference between gross and net profit at 6 years old! He showed me how his businesses worked and brought me along with him to every endeavor he could. Thanks to him, I was able to learn the ins and outs of owning successful businesses before I even began middle school. Read More>>

Austin Bell

From a young age, I found joy in accompanying my mom to the hair salon. I was captivated by the intoxicating blend of scents, the lively chatter, and especially the array of mannequin heads that offered endless possibilities for hairstyling. At home, my enthusiasm extended to my sister’s Barbie dolls, where I learned the hard way that blow dryers and Barbie hair were a disastrous mix. My persistence led me to experiment on my sister, often with foam rollers, and while the results were far from perfect, they laid the groundwork for my growing passion. Read More>>

Melissa Nordhoff

After graduating from William & Mary, I lived on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and joined the world of advertising, working for newspapers and magazines in Maryland and Delaware. I even had the privilege of working for Walter Cronkite on the Annapolitan magazine in Annapolis. Though I loved that field, it was fast-paced and required a lot of travelling. When my daughter was born, my husband and I decided to move to back to my hometown where I became the manager of my mother’s small retail business. Read More>>

Juniel Maldonado

I started my path as an artist as early as 6, I naturally gravitated towards weaving stories together. I would write poetry, songs, and other forms of narratives. A few years later around the age of 8, I got my first opportunity to do both on camera work as well as voice over as a part of the children’s entertainment group “Atención Atención”. This was around the age when everything felt like a game but even then I knew that I loved performing and entertaining. I moved from Puerto Rico to Texas during my teen years and after graduating high school, I was able to work with a very talented group of dancers. We performed in multiple shows in San Marcos. The theatre group was called Queer Theatre Texas at the time, though I believe they rebranded. Read More>>

Pooja Hathiramani

The mission and purpose behind my brand all stems from determination. For many years, I was determined to learn how to crochet. Once covid hit in March of 2020, I had the time to actually sit down and learn. I self taught myself how to crochet through youtube videos and online tutorials. In just a matter of 2 years I was recognized by Newsday, for not only my self taught crochet talent but for something that connected so deep within my culture. I had created a crochet Ganesh as a keepsake and good luck item which was featured on the FRONT PAGE of the ExploreLl section of the Newsday newspaper! This was not only exciting for me and my small growing business, but it was an eye opener as well! I was astonished to see how many people, even those who were not South Asian start requesting and putting in orders for my Ganesh. Read More>>

Tiffany Castagno

My journey to HR and Culture + DEIB was a winding one, starting when I began my HR Journey 16.5 years ago. It was a difficult time to try to secure an HR role with starting in 2008 which was a hard time for many economically. I also faced the challenge of not yet having experience, but no one taking a chance on me to give me the experience I needed so it was hard on my Self-Confidence. Read More>>

Tiffany Connolly

The idea for my business was born out of necessity. I was a full-time teacher and suddenly found myself a single mom, and unfortunately teaching would not cover my rent and childcare for my 8-month-old daughter. A colleague of mine had a side hustle as a freelance writer, so I started there. Eventually, I started getting more clients and decided to turn “freelance writing” into a full-blown business. So I quit teaching, but the first two years were rough. I had to supplement my income with bartending in the evenings. Five years later, business was booming and I hired my first employees. I soon learned, however, that managing people was not my jam. So I let them, and some clients that didn’t align with my values, go. Read More>>

Tracy Shearer

My story begins after being sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was a corporate executive with a heavy load, long hours struggling with work-life balance, exhausted, stressed out, poor food choices, sickly, low energy levels. I needed to take back my health. I knew I could not continue to sustain this way of living. I decided to make a concentrated effort to make a change. Advocating for my own health led to a series of changes that completely transformed my life and understanding of wellness. I began to thrive and to flourish, overcoming my “health drainers”. I achieved this through holistic health & nutrition education studies, practicing yoga, mindfulness, incorporating a plant-based consumption and increased physical activity. It felt incredible and amazing. Read More>>