We love grabbing drinks with our entrepreneur friends because they always have the craziest stories. Sometimes it’s a big, unexpected win. Other times it’s a problem that came out of nowhere and couldn’t possibly have been foreseen. There is so much to learn from these stories and so we asked some of the brightest entrepreneurs and creatives in the community to share some of those stories below.
Davina Xavier Allen
‘It’s alright he said”, don’t cry we will find a place I promise, even if we have to drive to Miami my husband Ted kept telling me after each disappointed visit to different salons. We migrated from the island of St Marten 24 years ago to the city of North port with our 3 boys, Davrick 6, Denzel 5 and Devon 2 months old. Read more>>
MANON MARTIN
A few years ago, while shopping for a wedding dress in New York, my friend and I were shocked to learn that we should have started shopping at least 8 months prior to her wedding date due to industry standards. Despite limiting our options and being unable to customize the design, we discovered that wedding dresses are not made-to-measure. Additionally, we found out that 13 million of brides in the US spend an average of $500 to $800 in hidden fees for fittings. Read more>>
Ashley Gissentanna
I am a natural hairstylist and a salon owner. My passion started in college when I wasn’t able to get my hair done at the salon as frequently as I was able to in the past. I previously had a relaxer prior to college but I started growing my hair out of it when I went to college. Read more>>
Rae Peterson
This is an answer less about my personal workspace and more about being inclusive in general public spaces based on the work that I do. As designers, it’s our responsibility to make all spaces feel inclusive. In order to connect a person to a place, you have to start with the basics: Make them feel comfortable. Read more>>
Jessica Broome
In the past, I worked in places where I felt like I had my shoes on the wrong feet every day: nothing egregious, but I had a constant sense that I was just a little out of place. Read more>>
Travis Smith
In the film and TV industry, success can mean different things depending on your specific path, whether it be acting, directing, engineering, or camera operating. To define success, one must consider factors such as money, fame, and working on high-profile shows. As someone who primarily works behind the scenes in production, I will share my perspective from that point of view. Read more>>
Shahrzad Nooravi
I can share my three model approach from my first book, “A Powerful Culture Starts with You.” I can also how companies can create workplaces that make it attractive for women to rise to top roles. Read more>>
Sri Amirah
When I have conversed with minority groups, the most common response as to why they do not practice yoga is because they feel it is not “right” for them or that they do not “belong”. This is a common problem within most yoga spaces as they tend to lack inclusion and diversity. Read more>>
Nastasia Zibrat
When I first started my wedding and elopement photography business, I was struck by the lack of diversity in the wedding and elopement industry here in Denver, and I vowed to do whatever I can to rectify that. I make a conscious, concerted effort to showcase all bodies, all types of love, skin colors, ethnicities and abilities. I am a staunch advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, and make no apologies for that. Read more>>
Christine Yu
According to the Pew Research Center, 83% of journalists covering sports are men. As a woman, that makes me an anomaly in the field. As an Asian-American woman, I’m an even bigger outlier. But I don’t just feel out of place amongst other reporters. I tend to write about endurance sports, adventures sports, and the outdoors—all areas that skew predominantly male and predominantly white. Read more>>
Shelley Limpert
Oh my god. I was just starting Valley of the Beads. I mean like first few weeks and the moms at drop off at my daughter’s school were my first customers and they were so supportive and so excited for me except for this one mom. Let’s call her Lessica. She was supportive at first. Read more>>