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.

Glenn Aure

Yes, of course. Well, I was born and raised in the Bay Area, and always loved and had an appreciation of music. I taught myself how to play the drums at an early age which helped me understand the theory of measures, tempo, and syncopation. This would come in handy later in life when I started learning the different aspects of DJing. I would sneak and play my older siblings’ records whenever they were out of the house (I am the “baby” of six kids). I then began collecting my own vinyl to start building up my collection of music and became inspired by DJ legends on the radio like Cameron Paul, Michael Erickson, Alex Mejia, just to name a few. I just knew I wanted to work on the craft and carving out my own style of DJ’ing. Read more>>

Amberleigh Carter

I started out always being curious about the mind-body connection, and the influence of the mind on the body and how the body affects the mind, particularly when it comes to health and exercise motivation. I graduated from Elon University with a degree in Exercise Science and a double minor in Neuroscience and Psychology, which was very reflective of my interests. Originally, my plan was to attend medical school, but my mind for research brought me into the research realm, serving as the Director of a world-renowned Alzheimer’s and Dementia research unit. Read more>>

Jerry Fieldsted

My creativity arrived at a young age. I was doodling people in the form of numbers when I was 4, evolving into more human-like shapes as I grew older. I developed a knack for writing around 10, and began letting my imagination run wild with various ideas and concepts. I wrote down detailed video game design documents, crafted newsletters, and pushed my art every year. After graduating high school, I decided to explore my creative side in community college, eventually earning two Associate Degrees in English and Drama as well as serving as the editor for the college’s newspaper for a year and a half. I began dabbling with photography in my early 20s, adding that visual medium into my toolkit. Read more>>

Emma Brinkman

Well, to start off, I’ll explain what I do. I am a women’s mentor, focusing on somatics and menstrual cycle awareness, and creator of Ebb & Flow. Through Ebb & Flow, I educate women about the menstrual cycle and the female body and how the constantly changing rhythms of our hormonal cycle affect all areas of our lives as women. I support women in reconnecting with this cyclical nature, in order to heal a diverse range of issues such as irregular or painful cycles, hormonal imbalances, body dysmorphia, low self-worth, exhaustion, stress, burnout, and more. I also include somatic healing, dance therapy, and mindfulness in my work, to create a holistic approach to working with women that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our being. Read more>>

Dakota Meeks

My 20+ year professional career was rooted in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. After two decades in Operations and Human Resources – primarily at an innovative, forward-leaning, local non-profit – I was ready for a change in lifestyle. This longing to pivot in my early 40’s was born out of a deep knowing; an inherent resolve of self-sufficiency mixed with a craving to step into my own purpose. Read more>>

Lorenzo Volpintesta

Working in animation has been an exciting goal of mine for as long as I can remember, but I couldn’t have guessed how I’d get my start in it. When I was six years old, a family friend and hobbyist animator introduced me to stop-motion animation and taught me the basics. Once I understood how it worked, I animated constantly, producing dozens of projects throughout my childhood. After a few years, I began publishing LEGO stop-motion animations on YouTube as a web series titled “Lego SpongeBob.” Read more>>

Colleen R Ott

How I got to where I am today… Persistence never giving up no matter how difficult anything was including subjects in school. I knew I was always a little different than everyone else and that could probably be because I was in special education from second grade to eighth grade until I fought to get out of special education. I with the help of my parents did I get out of the School District of Philadelphia. At eighth grade, they stated that I was on the fifth grade reading level, and I was not, I was reading my siblings vocabulary books, which were way different than what I was learning in school. I continue to do this because I wanted to get into a different school and out of special education. Read more>>

Chris Young-Ginzburg

My path into the healing arts began over two decades ago when I first stepped into the world of clairvoyance and energy healing. In 2003, I trained at the Berkeley Psychic Institute, where I learned to navigate the unseen realms of intuition and spirit. My journey deepened when I attended The World School of Massage in San Francisco from 2006 to 2009, where I studied vibrational healing massage, vocal sound therapy, holistic health and life coaching. Read more>>

Kris. Jiachen Liu

This is Kris Jiachen Liu, a multidisciplinary professional who combines roles as a designer, event producer, branding consultant, and artist. The journey has been shaped by my architectural background and my passion for breaking creative boundaries. My path began with my studies at Pratt Institute and Columbia University, where I developed a unique perspective on design. What sets me apart is my ability to seamlessly blend these diverse disciplines, creating cohesive, immersive experiences that push the boundaries of conventional design. Read more>>

Ludmila Christeseva

I am an artist with a master’s degree in art and textile design from Belarus (2001). After moving to Sweden, I worked with Lars Wallin, Sweden’s leading haute couture designer, and continued my education at Konstfack. My exhibitions exploring femininity across cultures have been presented in collaboration with Swedish embassies in Eastern Europe. In 2016, I paid tribute to Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich with an exhibition at the Swedish Army Museum. My exhibitions have also been showcased at the Royal Armoury Museum (Livrustkammaren), the Nordic Museum, and the Oslo Freedom Forum, among others. Read more>>

Aaron Miles

I was introduced to the idea of designing my own clothing one day while shopping in an A&P Supermarket with my mother. She was shopping for groceries and then spotted a rack with no name brand sneakers. She grabbed a couple pairs for my brother and I for school. I complained and told her kids would make fun of me if I wore them. She asked what sneakers would I like. I told her the brand that I wanted and her response after asking me did I know the price of what I was asking for was, if I wanted to wear clothing with a brand name on them, make them myself and put my own name on it. That was the beginning. How I got to where I am today is the result of genius level creativity paired with a naive level of trust and novice level business knowledge. Read more>>

Jenni Baldwin

I started my career as a teacher and after a few years of teaching, I was lucky to find myself in two smaller independent school communities after having taught in a very large public school district in Washington in the early part of my career. I saw firsthand how much community shapes, inspires, supports, and challenges an individual through the growth of my students in these smaller settings. From an equity standpoint, I felt a deep sense of conflict that not every student has access to the same opportunities as the kids at these private schools. Read more>>

Indira Ramgarib Katwaroo

Life has a way of pushing us in directions we never expected. I came from very humble beginnings, watching my mom work tirelessly to raise her six children. She was our rock, our guiding light, and the person who showed me what true strength and perseverance looked like. She made endless sacrifices so we could have a chance at a better life, and those lessons of resilience and determination have stayed with me ever since. Read more>>

Adrianne Lovato

First off, thank you all so much for having me back! It’s truly a privilege to be able to share more of my story with you all! In my last article, I had the privilege of discussing who/where I got my resilience from. To recap, my resilience comes from my Dad, his story, and my relationship with God. Today, I get to tell you all more about how I started on this journey and how I got to where I am today, so thank you for this opportunity! Read more>>

Brittany Wisniewski

Thank you for interviewing me today. In the beginning, I started out seeing my parents & relatives run businesses & own properties when I was a child. I was interested in saving money at a young age & began working at 14 years old. This inspired me to always strive to be the best version of myself. I’m constantly learning something new. Everyday I reach for the stars & keep a positive outlook. In addition, having a strong support system has contributed to my growth. Thankfully, my family & friends show love & support. They have always encouraged me & continue to do so. Read more>>

Toi Powell

I have always been an artist, a storyteller, a seeker. Long before I had the words to claim it, creativity was my first language—spoken in the margins of my notebooks, sung in the harmonies of my grandparents’ Pentecostal church in Jamaica, NY, and painted in the strokes that earned my artwork a place in the Hall of Congress. But more than that, I have always been a philosopher at heart, drawn to the deep, unshakable questions of existence. Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose in this vast, ever-expanding universe? Read more>>

Michelle Jing Chan

My parents are both Chinese immigrants and I was born and raised in a small, conservative town in Colorado where we were one of the only Asian families. Culturally and socially, I always felt like an odd duckling who didn’t fit in with my peers at school. Books were my first love, and ever since I could hold a pencil, I was always drawing and writing little stories based on my emotions and experiences and the fantasy worlds and characters I imagined. However, I never considered becoming an artist or author for a living. I actually wanted to be a lawyer for 15 years of my childhood (because I liked to talk and I thought lawyers argued in court all day!). As I got older, I still made art occasionally for fun, but once I got to high school and started to think more seriously about my college plans, my creative hobbies fell by the wayside. Read more>>

Ron Gresko

We are a family owned business located in western Pennsylvania. Our mission has always been to manufacture superior quality insoles with extreme comfort and cushioning at a price customers can afford. For the past 35 years we have delivered on this promise with the popular Ener-Gel Brand of insoles. In doing so, we create American jobs, purchase raw materials, equipment, and packaging from other U.S. companies. We understand that small manufacturing companies are vital to the growth and prosperity of the USA. Our company has proven through hard work and determination that premium quality products can be made right here in the United States for a terrific price that will bring value to our customers. Ener-Gel Insoles are designed to bring comfort and relief to tired, aching feet – “One Step at a Time.” Read more>>

David Franklin

For me, my musical journey started when I was 8 years old. I first had my introduction to music growing up hearing praise and worship (church) music being played in my household, which was great. Even though some of it was more upbeat and enticing to me than others, it wasn’t until I heard Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 that I really got interested in music, and specifically singing for myself. As time went on, having heard other forms of mainstream music and hearing how creative and expressive different styles of production and vocal delivery were, it ultimately expanded me, and helped me find other sounds that better encapsulated all that my musical gift had to offer. Read more>>

Brittany Pent Rohm

I’ve loved dance from a very young age. My mom sent me to dance class at the age of three. Without a doubt it was what i was meant to do. The studio i began my training in was very recreational so my mom had me move studios at the age of 8. I moved to a much more competitive dance studio and I was ready for intense training with a busy dance schedule. Many probably know of this studio today due to it’s recognition on a well known television show called Dance Moms. Dance consumed my life. I was at the studio Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays right after school until 10pm every night. Read more>>

Tom Tracy

I am a proud Gen-Xer who was born and raised in Southern New Jersey. Growing up in rural America, I have a strong sense of community – our family, neighbors, farmers, local businesses, and organizations stand side-by-side, supporting one another, creating a beautiful community tapestry. To this day, I prefer opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with fellow locals versus getting lost in the anonymity of a bustling city. Read more>>

Tiffany Mercer-Robbins

My journey started at 15 when I landed a job at an architecture firm—not the typical first job for a teenager. I grew up in a single-parent household and saw my mother work incredibly hard to provide. When the firm’s owner gave me an opportunity, I took it. But my story truly began even earlier. At 12, I was accepted into the Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence’s College for Teens Program, a summer residency, where I lived on a college campus and received a career education. That experience gave me a head start in professionalism and shaped my drive. While many of my peers were picking up fast-food or retail jobs, I was already exploring career paths beyond the norm. Read more>>

Annie Loomis

Thanks for giving me the chance to share my story! Like a lot of artists, I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. Growing up with ADHD, art became a way of communicating and connecting with others. It gave me a sense of identity and helped me build friendships. That love for art eventually turned into one of my first jobs as a publicity intern for my community college. In that role, I designed materials for events, managed social media, and worked on projects that brought students together. It was where I first got involved in community engagement and advocacy, sparking a passion for using art to make a positive impact. Read more>>

Pliny Soocoormanee

I came to the UK in 2008 to pursue a Master’s in International Business at the University of Wolverhampton. It was during this time, with the incredible support of staff and students and my then-partner, Mike, that I found the courage to come out. The first year after I came out was challenging with my family, but we worked through it without burning bridges. Fast forward ten years, and I’m deeply moved by the journey we have taken as a family—my father attended a Lesbian and Gay film festival – the Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival, and my mother proudly joined me at Pride. When I came out, I could never have dreamed of such acceptance. Read more>>

Robin Walker

Wow. I feel like I knew this day would come, when I would share a huge piece of my story but yikes. As I stated in my last interview with BoldJourney- I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa. Several months prior to me turning 20-years-old, I was in college; changing my major every semester since freshman year. At the time I didn’t want to be in school. My dad passed away the previous year, in 2014. The only reason I was taking classes is because my mom told me I had to after I graduated. I had no idea, what I wanted to do in life; which is normal 98% of individual’s under the age of 25-years-old. So I decided, in Spring semester of 2015- that I needed a break. I was just on autopilot for the previous two years. Read more>>

Josette Gastonguay

Thank you for asking, I think like many women of my generation, my early career began in administration. I was 16yrs old when I took my first “office job” at a local, outdoor travel agency. I remember it like it was yesterday, racing behind the Office Manager pen and notebook in hand, writing down everything she said as if it was pure gold in word form. She was a formidable woman, appearing small in physical stature but invincible in spirit. People noticed when she walked into the room. She was a fascinating Irish woman with red hair and a natural gate that was twice as fast as I could ever walk, often leaving me doing short jogging sessions to keep up; and it seemed her every stride was a stride of purpose. That was the beginning I suppose. It’s funny the things we remember. Read more>>

Marissa Hitt

I began painting as soon as I could pick up a paintbrush.

When I wasn’t creating, you could find me outside, looking at illustrated children’s books, or cuddling with the family dogs.

Fast forward a few years later, I started showing my work in art galleries at the age of 5.

I remember walking up to a particular art piece that was rather dark. It didn’t offer the kind of joy I was so used to experiencing. Read more>>

Sophia Lebano

My journey began with a personal challenge—being diagnosed with progressive hearing loss at the age of 8. Navigating the world with this disability shaped my resilience and determination, and it sparked a deep sense of advocacy in my family, who always supported me through every test, surgery, and adjustment. This foundation of persistence carried me through many transitions: from high school changes to cochlear implant surgeries in 2016 and 2018, to transferring schools and eventually pursuing my MBA. Read more>>

Ashley Korff

I became a sugar addict at 5 years old after my grandpa was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. From there, it was nearly 8 years of struggling with my health & fitness. I was gaining 20+ pounds per year, had a sweating disorder, was sick for 3-5 weeks at a time with basic things, & my feet became so swollen from my dietary habits that I had to wear men’s wide tennis shoes by age 11-12. Read more>>

Laura Imhoff

I run a small boutique canning business, Roots & Spoon, where all my produce is sourced from local farms. I have recently transitioned the business to online, so that I can begin to focus more in supporting the local farm-to-table community, including providing small farms and food businesses with marketing and other business support. Read more>>

Christina Truscello

My personal background comes from self made business. After high school I knew I really wanted to go into cosmetology, but my father strongly encouraged me to go to college. I put myself through college and got a degree criminal justice and psychology. During college and through graduating I was working as a paralegal for a Boston firm. Halfway through my first semester I realize this was no my passion nor was it what I wanted to do with my life. I wasn’t finding the fulfillment that I hoped for in helping people and got very discouraged with the legal field. I knew I had to make a change and follow my heart into the beauty industry. Read more>>

Rosa Ruiz Kennedy

l am an immigrant originally from Venezuela residing in Nebraska tor the past 24 years. Single mom of two amazing kids, 17-year-old son, an 11-year-old daughter, and 3 furry girls 12, 7 & 5. Read more>>

Traci Luthy

Growing up, my parents brought me to New York frequently to visit family, and we would usually see a Broadway show. I remember seeing Cats and Phantom in the same day and then going home and singing Mr Mistoffelees and Music of the Night into my hair brush. I knew pretty early on that I wasn’t a performer, but I also knew I was meant for this industry. So I applied for numerous entertainment jobs in New Orleans and ended up at a talent agency. I fell in love, and eventually moved to New York to work at a larger talent agency. Read more>>

Lucia Shapiro

Taylor (co-founder of Covvier) and I, and other set costumers & wardrobe departments, struggled every time we had to work on intimacy and s*x scenes. There were no standard garments for actors to use. “Modesty garments” existed, but mostly just for a nude shot, not in the capacity we needed them for with simulated s*x scenes with lots of movement and physicality. We were often making garments on the fly, stuffing them with random pieces of foam, shoe inserts, iron pads, etc. to create some sort of barrier between actors. Read more>>

Will Viharo

I was born a writer, but it took me about 16 years to realize it. A voracious reader from a young age — the first novel I ever read was Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” at age 6 — I loved both fiction and comic books and initially wanted to be an artist. However, even as a kid I didn’t feel my illustrations were good enough to pursue commercially, and I enjoyed writing much more anyway. I had a traumatic childhood and I found writing to be very therapeutic. My mother was a New York actress and Texas beauty queen whose life and career were abruptly and permanently destroyed by the onset of schizophrenia while I was in her womb. Though she was in no position to care for me and I didn’t spend much time with her as an adult, her haunting presence infused much of my work. She sadly passed away in a Florida state ward in 2016. Read more>>

David Dick II

Like most people who attend college I also was not 100% sure what direction my life would take. I understood Finance & Investments pretty well at a young age because of my family’s history in the industry. I graduated with a Finance Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, but before Graduation I interviews different finance firms trying to understand the Finance industry without my families influence. I found out fairly quick what I liked and did not like from internships and interviews. From my own personal experience, I decided to follow my mother and Aunts direction of becoming an Independent Financia Advisor. But I did so on my own 3 hours away from where their office is located. Read more>>

Ken Miller

My name is Ken Miller and in 2007 I was released from prison for the third time after 3 years of incarceration. I left prison with no marketable skills but with a hunger to succeed (legally! lol) and a willingness to return to being a productive member of society I am a very sucessful business owner and community leader. My company Denali FSP Grant Consultants has since 2014 worked with over 130 nonprofit and tribal entities in the area of fundraising and grants. Read more>>

Karin Rošker

My creative journey began in childhood, a time when play and creativity were everywhere. Over the years, this creative spirit has evolved and changed, and in high school, I joined the photo club Fotokrožek Gimnazije Ravne na Koroškem, where I began developing my photography skills. Later, I pursued a BA in Graphic and Interactive Communication at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, followed by a MA in Visual Communication Design at the University of Ljubljana, Academy of Fine Arts and Design. One of the best decisions I made was participating in the Erasmus+ program. I studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, Poland, where I gained invaluable inspiration and skills. The experience was really fulfilling. It also involved traveling, which broadens my horizons and fuels my creativity. Read more>>