We’ve highlighted responses from some of the brightest and most talented artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in the community below.

Missy Phipps

Ally’s Wish was created after a wonderful woman named Allyson Hendrickson. I met her early on in her cancer journey. She came to speak about her faith at a Moms of Pre School kids event that I attended and I learned that she had three young boys. The second she was introduced, I knew there was something about her… something very different. Little did I know that at the time, she was in remission for ovarian cancer, but a short time later, her cancer returned and would eventually, after several years of fighting, take her life. The truth is I didn’t really get to know Allyson for several years after that first encounter with her. We attended the same church and I heard that her cancer had returned. Read more>>

Darryl Anunciado

Walt Disney and his story has helped me stay grounded with my business mindset. Walt’s story of greatness coming from small beginnings helps me to stay patient. I loved how Walt Disney took his time to develop his foundations. Coming from a small creation of a mouse to the now undisputed entertainment center for billions of people — that is a testament to his patience in developing the company culture. Walt Disney was a true leader. He taught people to take risks. Walt wanted people to be passionate about their work. He loved watching people grow when they are free to create and find new knowledge. He created teams that made it really natural for people to grow. Read more>>

Carla Bailey

My parents Emmie + Harry are my heroes. As a kid growing up you think of them as mom and dad, but as you enter adulthood you understand more and more the strength, integrity, and fortitude that it took for them to raise a family and be proud African Americans. Being raised in the South, my parents shielded me from the evil racism we faced as kids and unfortunately what I still face now as an African-American daily. My parents taught me not to judge people by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. They taught me a serious work ethic. My mother was a modern-day Bee Smith/Martha Steward and my dad was a World War -2 Veteran, part-time entrepreneur, a retiree of Southern Railroad and Eastern Airlines. Read more>>

Jayme Ditto

I’ve been fortunate to have parents who’ve been always been supportive and encouraging – even when they’re not exactly sure what I do for a living, which is big. My dad is an artist. He has a youthful spirit, he’s a forever student – always educating himself with books and information and research in whatever topic he’s interested in, he’s kind and helpful and an all around great person. I’m lucky to have been raised by him and my mom. But on the topic of my career – they’re it. I wouldn’t be where I am today with out their encouragement, my dad’s weekly critiques of my work, his overall support and his influence. I think back on my memories with my dad and they’re mostly all in his garage. Read more>>

Lindsey Capron

To say that I only have just one hero would be an understatement. I consider myself abundantly blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by a tiny but mighty tribe of history makers, ground breakers, and movers and shakers. If I can’t name one, here are some. My husband Donovan Capron, has been my rock and BIGGEST supporter in both my blog and in our web/branding/media business, Capron Creations Design Studio. He’s tremendously knowledgable in both business and media. He’s taught me so much about making smart business decisions when it comes to designing and creativity, delegating, and finding innovative ways to enhance the client experience while keeping up with a work life balance. His influence has helped me push the borders of creativity in a tactful and elegant way. Read more>>

Alexa Conomos

My grandmother is my forever hero. Penelope Conomos, my Yiayia, was born in the tiny village of Agia Anastasia on the island of Kythera in Greece in 1910. From her infancy, her father left Greece to find work in Australia and send money home to the family – a practice that was somewhat standard for many Greek families in that day. She never met her father and grew up living in a two-room stone structure with her mother, two sisters, and brother. The family slept on the floor in one room and her donkeys and a few other animals slept in the other room. Her family was so poor that she sometimes did not own shoes to carry her on the three mile walk to the village school. Read more>>

Bee Khuu

My dad Choua Dang Vang is my hero. He is the bravest man that I have known. His strength and endurance were honed as a freedom fighter in the “Secret War “in Laos 1961-1975 during the Vietnam War against the oppression of communism. It was called the Secret War among the America CIA Special Activities Center and Hmong veterans. He is a decorated soldier recognized by both his native Laos and America. With my dad’s strength and courage in 1979 he took our family and escaped the communist of Laos. We travel many days and nights through the deep jungles of Laos and crossing the dangerous Mekong River to Thailand. Read more>>

Lance Gergar

Ever since I was a kid I have always taken inspiration from Bruce Lee. When I was younger I was fascinated with martial arts and the more I learned and practiced, the more those lessons taught by the art and by Bruce Lee began to transition into my every day life. There are so many concepts that I could expand on, but I will pick a few that have helped me in my journey as an artist, musician, and business owner. Going back to the beginning, “If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” Although I did do a lot of thinking, no progress was made until I went out and just bought a camera and got started. I saw a local band at a show which I really enjoyed, and afterwards asked them if they needed a Music Video. Read more>>

Chrissy Liu

The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg is someone whom I admire very much. She was married with a young child when she entered Harvard Law School. She was one of nine women among a class of 500 men. It is reported that the Dean of the law school, at a dinner with the women in that class, asked them “Why are you at Harvard Law School, taking the place of a man.” During her time in law school, Justice Ginsberg’s husband was diagnosed with cancer. Given that he was in law school with her, she would attend his classes, her classes, take notes for both of them and tend to her sick husband and daughter. Read more>>

Kinsey Gibson

The benefit of finding your passion at a young age is having experts go before you and show you the way. There are quite a few people I look up to but one sticks out! Ya see I have had multiple side jobs while trying to figure out the whole business thing, one of them being babysitting. I did this to make some extra cash because honestly I was scared to go for my dream of supporting myself through photography. It was not the most fulfilling season of life but if I had not done this I wouldn’t have met Meg Renninger, my hero. Read more>>

Nancy Chartier

Oh I have been fortunate to have had so many heroes! I think heroes are vital to helping us forge our path into becoming the best version of ourselves. I will share a few stories from some of them with you now! Growing up in South Florida, and through most of High School, I was painfully shy. My first ‘hero’, was a neighbor who let me call her Grandma, and made me feel like one of her grandkids. She was warm and welcoming, and I slowly opened up to her, and felt comfortable enough to share my limited yet painful experience of life with her. I was nine years old. Over the years, she listened to me and gave me advice. Read more>>