We asked some very thoughtful members of our community to reflect on what they’ve learned from their heroes.

Cassie LeFevre

Heroes come in many different forms and shapes for everyone. For me, that form and shape drastically evolved over time. When I was quite young, I imagine I idolized the color blue. A little older: Winnie the Pooh. Elementary school: Scooby-Doo. Then, of course, Steve Nash—because apparently in middle school I completely lost my sense for natural, satisfying, lyrical rhymes. Read more>>

Alicia Lansford

One of my biggest hero’s is without a doubt, my dad. He has been such a great example in my life and is someone I look up to everyday. When it comes to building a business and creating a specific work ethic, he is the one that has helped me create that for myself. I can see my entrepreneurial spirit through him and I always go to him for advice on being a business owner and I am truly thankful to have that kind of example in my life. Read more>>

Kawana Jefferson

My mom is my number one hero. My mother has instilled all of the qualities within me that lend itself to being a successful entrepreneur. My mother was a single mother of three children. She received her masters in social work, while working full-time and raising me and my siblings alone. She instilled in me the understanding of hard work, she demonstrated discipline and many core values that continue to impact me in business. Read more>>

Shawn Eubank

Farming is hard work. Our heroes are the winegrowers we have the pleasure to represent, to tell their stories, and share in their victories and hardships. Mostly spread across Spain, France, and Italy, these farmers each have a unique story typically tied to a small parcel of land where they invest long, backbreaking days in hopes of producing a grape crop that can somehow, almost magically, capture these special places into a single bottle wine. Read more>>

Sydney Rutherford

That’s a loaded question, but I’ll do my best to answer. My hero in this life would undoubtedly be my Mother. Mom taught me how to be a woman, how to accept who I am and she gave me the courage to believe in myself.
Her outlook on life growing up was always positive and full of wit. She was truly one of a kind. The purest soul with such compassion for people and animals. Read more>>

Brittney Walker

My parents are my hero’s. More specifically my father. Martin Walker Sr., who recently passed Feb. 8, 2023. He never gave up, always worked hard to provide for his family and others. He just never quit & that was instilled in me. Read more>>

Staci Moore

Everyone has a hero they look up to, someone they admire and aspire to be like. But for me, my hero is not some famous celebrity, historical icon, or even a well-known athlete. No, my hero is none other than my former self – yes, you read that right – I am my own hero! Read more>>

Jhaneth Palafox

My heroes are my family, starting with my grandparents who were incredibly hardworking individuals. My grandfather was a milkman who sold anything dairy to his home town, while my paternal grandparents started their own bakery business in our small town of Tingüindin, Michoacán. Hearing their stories and how they raised a family and were balancing being entrepreneurs taught me the importance of hard work and determination. Read more>>

Brandon Boli

My hero is my father, Art Bolic. He taught me to never give up. Dad had many setbacks in life. A car accident in the 1970s shattered his knee and the restaurant he owned fell into financial ruin while he spent months recovering from his injuries. The IRS closed his restaurant and liquidated all assets. He always presses onwards no mater ho bad things look. Dad ran a few other restaurants before starting a catering company with my Mom. The company was almost an instant success. You may be down, but you are never out until you give up. Read more>>

Lilly Davey

This may sound cheesy, but my mom is my hero, truly. My mom is the most inspirational, supportive person in my life. She hasn’t had an easy life, was a single-mother, and is a cancer survivor. My mom is the bravest, strongest, most amazing person I have ever interracted with. Read more>>