Over the past few months we’ve reached out to members of the CanvasRebel community to dive deeper into their stories. We wanted to learn how they got to where they are today and we heard stories that will keep our inspiration cup full for a long time. Their stories, lessons and humor have lifted our spirits and we hope you’ll take a minute to check out the stories below.

 Love Atiya of Ethereal X

It all started with a sex toy… just kidding it started with my hands. Growing up in a household where conversations about sex weren’t taboo and being homeschooled, truly helped me see from a different lens when it came to pleasure, sex and intimacy. In my home, my mom never made me feel ashamed for asking questions that pertained to pleasure and intimacy, she never made it seem like bodies should be stigmatized and she was always very transparent with me as a child. This helped me develop a healthy relationship with self pleasure specifically and although exploring myself with a partner was definitely a different kind of journey, I didn’t “share my virginity” until I was 24. A year or so after being very vocal online about my sexual experiences, I learned not everyone grew up in a sex positive household like me. Not everyone had the opportunity to have these kinds of conversations with their moms or guardians. I started realizing there was so much misinformation that society had put out there when it came to sex and anatomy. Even I’d fallen victim to it and that’s when I knew in addition to being an animal rights activist, I had to fight for and become an activist for pleasure.  That’s when Ethereal X was born. Read more>>

R.g. Shore’s Story

The spiritual story is not a linear one in my experience. It doesn’t move from point A to point B, but spirals – and often spirals inward. The Universe often works in seasons, bringing events and circumstances in and out of our lives, reminding us of the things we can continue growing in and reflecting on. While I am the Award-winning author of the Spiritual Memoir: The Ocean Inside Me, Winner of the Prestigious Gold Nautilus Award in Memoir and Personal Journey, also a Spiritual Counselor and Meditation Teacher, and founder of Northwest Wisdom, a nonprofit organization for healing and embodied spirituality, I am first and foremost a Person of Color and a formerly incarcerated person. I am also a husband and partner, artist, musician, writer, hiker and outdoor enthusiast. We wear many hats, I suppose. Read more>>

Sasha Vasquez of Mintii.Co

Hi there, I’m Sasha Vasquez the founder of Mintii! I have always been obsessed with fashion and the idea of looking your best with the simplest fabrics. As a child, I loved dancing and tapping into my artistic side with painting and drawing cartoon characters. I had a high focus to develop my corporate success, until I finally found my escape in fashion. I founded Mintii, not just to inspire women to chase success but to prioritize self-care, to dress up elegantly, and to go out in grand style! Read more>>

Aida Toro

My name is Aida M. Toro, and my story began on April 6th, 1990, the day I was born. I always knew that if I could make it in New York, then I could make it anywhere. As cliche as it sounds, here’s my story! I am a Colombian-American born and raised in Hudson County, a territory entailing of municipalities that are a view away from Manhattan. As a kid, I always went to New York City with my parents and older brother, whether for dining, visiting a museum, visiting the library, watching operas, or just strolling around the city’s neighborhoods. Manhattan always stuck like glue to me because it inspired me to create stories in my head or on paper. I’d get lost in the New York Public Library because all I wanted to do was peruse through all the bookshelves and read every book I found interesting through every nook and cranny. With this in mind, my dad was my first-ever teacher, as he taught me how to read at a young age with a program called “Hooked on Phonics.” I was just four years old when I learned how to read, and once I hit Kindergarten, I knew my love for reading and writing was the truest. In addition, fashion was always something I had an affinity for since both my parents and my brother always had a sense of style, not to mention that my mom would subscribe to “Vogue,” “Cosmopolitan,” “Vanidades,” “Interview,” and other magazines that sparked my interest due to the creative and out of this world editorials I’d find between the pages. As a result, I’d write my stories in a marble notebook and draw characters with killer outfits to the best of my ability just so my stories could look like a chic literary fashion magazine. I did this for a few years and immediately knew I wanted to be a Fashion and Lifestyle Journalist. Read more>>

Taryn Lagonigro

I was born and raised in New Jersey and met my husband Raffaele in high school, although we were friends for years and didn’t start dating until after college. We got married in 2009 and welcomed our first daughter, Sofia, in 2011. Two more girls followed in 2013 (Layla) and 2017 (Genevieve) and we thought our family was complete. I became a certified yoga instructor after yoga saved my mental health, and co-founded Iris Yoga in Bloomfield, NJ. In 2019 we learned not only that we would be welcoming one more daughter, but that she was coming with an extra chromosome. We did not know much about Down syndrome so this was a really scary and confusing time in our lives. Rhea was born in March 2020 (yes, THAT, March 2020) and she changed our whole world. After Rhea conquered open heart surgery at just 2 months old, I set out on a new path of advocacy for the disability community. I have since published three books, Ups, Downs and Silver Linings, Dear Mama: Stories of an Extra Lucky Life and the children’s book Strong, Beautiful, Brave & Smart. I co-founded Extra Lucky Moms with Jess Quarello, an organization that elevates voices in the disability community through our podcast, corporate programs and media spotlights. I have created inclusive yoga programs at my studio in efforts to bring yoga to the under-served disability population. The goal of all the work that I do is to make an impact for the disability community while showing all my girls that they can do anything they set their minds to! Read more>>

Erica Thowe of Erica Kay Design

My story starts in a small, humble town just outside of Wichita, Kansas, where I was raised in a family that loved DIY projects. From an early age, I knew I wanted to pursue Interior Design. Looking back, I’m not exactly sure what sparked the idea, but being surrounded by those hands-on projects definitely inspired me. In high school, I excelled in sports and earned a college basketball scholarship, which allowed me to study Interior Design while playing ball. I graduated at the height of the Great Recession, which meant opportunities were limited. My first job out of school was selling Thomasville Furniture—a memorable role but not the career-builder I hoped for. Still, I kept searching for something that aligned with my passion, and that’s when I found myself at Portfolio Kitchen & Home. This is where I truly fell in love with kitchen and bathroom remodeling. It felt like the perfect fit for me—far more exciting than selecting furniture or decorating bookshelves. After gaining some invaluable experience there, I took the leap and started my own business under my name, without any formal business training. My husband, Chris, has been my rock through it all—supporting me even before he started working alongside me full-time in 2023. Read more>>

Shneaqua Purvis

My name is Shneaqua “Coco” Purvis I am from Bedford Stuyvsant, Brooklyn, New York. I lived in Tompkins houses, my grandmother lived in Sumner Houses, and my cousins lived in Marcy houses. Living in this poverty stricken neighborhood I found a way through my jobs to try to help young people get out of the projects and do fun things. I was always concerned about my neighborhood and the people in it. When my sister was killed by a stray bullet, I started diving deep into why there is so much violence in our neighborhoods and not in other places. I got into prevention and worked for two big companies that concentrated on anti gun violence work. Years later I thought it was important to talk to the person who killed my sister and find out from him why and how did this happen. he taught me that perpetrators are victims too and he wanted to be one of those children I took out on trips in our neighborhood we both shared. I thought about taking the children who weren’t considered “bad”. I took the ‘good” kids. After carefully understanding his story, I thought about that and came to the conclusion that if I would have poured the same love in the “bad” kids as I did the “good” kids, would my sister be alive? Today, I mentor him and I work hard to provide resources and pour love into our communities with Both Sides of the Violence Inc. a nonprofit that makes sure no other family goes through what we both endured in our lives. Read more>>

Corey Croft

I began writing because it was cheaper than therapy. I was going through a prolonged stretch of anxiety and depression that was not getting better. I had become used to those feelings coming and going my whole life. Sometimes for a day, sometimes a week. Sometimes longer. This particular episode was very intense, getting worse, and impossible to shrug off. My usual (self-prescribed) medicines and coping mechanisms weren’t helping. I was breaking apart. I tried to get help, but I was paranoid and sceptical of the process. I was also bored. To the point of malaise and frustration. I’d finished grad school and discovered that the time I’d spent on schoolwork and dreaming about what the future might hold had been replaced by ennui and consumption and the realization that I things were not working how I’d envisioned them. Reading, alcohol, anything I could consume to provide me with momentary distractions. Read more>>

Moon Chang

When I was young, I wanted to become a fine artist, especially paintings and sculpting, for a long time. However when I was 7 years old, I started to draw human figures with clothes, dressing up them, writing the years and styles, and also price as well, and I guess that was the moment that I wanted to become a fashion designer. When starting fashion, I just did not want to become an ordinary fashion designer, I wanted to be a “fashion designer who also does fine art”. Fine art and painting is the first and original communication tool that I use to communicate with my family and society, and it progressed to fashion design, something we can wear in reality. However, I do not literally combine painting with fashion, I prefer to give a hint that my aesthetic, conception, and technique is from fine art. I have worked on many different genres of fine art, from hyperrealism to abstract paintings, installations as well as video art, and still exploring them in corporate fashion in different ways. Read more>>

Asif Akbar

I’m Asif Akbar, an accomplished, dependable, and visionary young filmmaker, and I’m proud to say that I continue to make waves in the global film industry with every project I undertake. As a director, I’ve had the privilege of working with legendary Hollywood talent such as Mel Gibson, Mickey Rourke, Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sally Kirkland, Udo Kier, Randy Couture, Frank Grillo, 50 Cent, Michael Jai White, and many others. My career has been marked by a string of diverse and unique independent films, including my upcoming highly anticipated project, “Boneyard,” which is set to be released by Lionsgate in the summer of 2024. “Boneyard” is a thrilling serial killer thriller that promises to captivate audiences with its suspenseful storyline and gripping performances. In this film, I serve as the director, co-writer, and producer, showcasing my multifaceted talent and creative vision. Collaborating with the legendary Academy Award-winning actor, Mel Gibson, has been a significant milestone in my career. Working alongside someone like Mel is undoubtedly a highlight for me, demonstrating my ability to attract and collaborate with top-tier talent. Read more>>

Juliana Stankiewicz

I am a NYC based artist who has been actively practicing fine art for over twenty years. I grew up in Northern NY and studied painting and film at Syracuse University in Florence, Italy and New York. My work is widely centered on identity and varies in materials ranging from painting, photography, and three-dimensional forms.  Read more>>

Falencia Jean-francois

I have been in love with storytelling for as long as I can remember but I started writing in earnest when I was twelve years old. There were always people coming in an out of the tiny apartment I shared with my family, some I knew and others who were complete strangers. While I’m sure they were all harmless, it made it difficult for me to feel safe in my own home. On top of that, my mother was undergoing cancer treatments which added more uncertainty and instability into my already unstable life. I can’t remember what it was, specifically, that caused me to start writing–one of my mother’s friends had gifted me a spiral bound, maroon covered notebook and I immediately took a pen to it and started building my first world, a world where I had power and control and I could overcome any hardship. Over the next twenty or so years, my writing gradually shifted from wish granting to exploring the aspects of human nature that piqued my curiosity. Once I made this mindset shift, I started to think seriously about publishing my work. I self-published my first two novellas, After Hours and Cinderella, in 2022 and my first novel, Devil of the Deep, in August of 2023. While I can now say that I have “accomplished” a goal that I’ve had for a long time, I still very much feel like I am at the beginning of what I hope is a long and fruitful writing career. Read more>>

John Yamrus

I’ve been writing since I was a kid, and I’m 73 now. The son of a coal miner dad and a factory worker mom. I’m married. I love dogs, baseball and enjoying doing pretty much anything other than faking a conversation or doing interviews, which is pretty much the same thing. Read more>>

Roberta Fernandez of Roberta Fernandez, LLC

It was a long journey! Most of my adult career life has been spent as an entrepreneur. I love the flexibility of when and who I work with, the ability to make decisions that are of my own volition, and the satisfaction (or disappointment!) of knowing that I am responsible for the outcome of my endeavors. Over the past 40 years, I have been a Certified Financial Planner, a faux artist, a Montessori School founder/administrator, a corporate consultant and trainer in emotional intelligence and cultural change, an app creator, and a board-certified hypnotist. I have been able to help others change and transform their lives financially, aesthetically, and culturally, and professionally, both externally and internally. Each career has provided skills that have led me to where I am today, integrating my years of experience into personal and professional development consulting. Read more>>

Mel Bean

My career as a photographer was largely on accident. I started as a model- which again, totally on accident. I was bartending at the time and intended on going back to nursing school when a photographer reached out to work with me. More photographers saw me in his portfolio, so it grew from there. Eventually, I got tired of being in front of the lens, and wanted more creative control. So I started shooting, and took to it well. The rest is history. Read more>>

Quentin Garzón of Clarity Enhancement Laboratory, LLC

Thank you so much for inviting me to do another interview! My love for TV and film has always been a huge part of who I am. I can remember back in elementary school when I received the Steven Spielberg Movie LEGO set, and I started making stop-motion films with it. In high school, any chance I got, I turned even the simplest of projects into short films. My parents always encouraged me to carve my own path in the industry, so I developed a business-minded approach to my creativity early on. I was constantly writing short films and features for myself, and filming them to gain more experience. Over time, I realized that if you can write and organize, the sky’s the limit—well, except maybe for budget constraints, haha! Read more>>

Maria Camia

I am a Filipino-American multidisciplinary Visual and Theatre Artist, Fashion Designer, and Introspective Hypnosis Practitioner who creates Spiritual / Sci-Fi Puppetry Theater with the intention to globally inspire liberation through healing and play. I am from Virginia Beach, Virginia and have lived in New York for eleven years now. I was the shy art student with glasses and braces all through public school but learned to express myself in college after doing spoken word with my college roommate, Mary Anne Laguerta. I went to Virginia Commonwealth University for a BFA in Sculpture + Extended Media where my sculptures transformed into puppets, props, and costumes. After graduation I apprenticed with Bread and Puppet Theater for two months to then move to New York and intern with HEREarts, Basil Twist, and Saya Woolfalk. In 2015, I went to Sarah Lawrence College for a MFA in Theatre. Since then, I have been part of the puppetry community in New York and had two full-length puppet shows at Dixon Place, La MaMa, and The Chicago International Puppetry Festival. Read more>>

Audrey Nelson

My partner, Evan, and I started our little farm back in 2020 just months after the pandemic hit and shortly before a nearby fire forced us to evacuate our home. The land has belonged in Evan’s family for decades, but we are the first to farm the land. While we both work full-time, we loved the idea of giving something back to the land and community that we are so lucky to call home (Native Molalla lands). I have always loved sunflowers and pumpkins so the first year that’s all we grew (in addition to our own vegetable gardens)- and we expanded from there. Every year has been a learning experience, adapting as we learn and grow. Read more>>

Hilarie Viener

Well… when I think back, it almost seems like a dream… I began my career at the iconic Wells, Rich, Greene advertising agency in Manhattan (New York) after graduating from American University in Washington, DC. Starting my career at “Wells” literally all happened in one day in late May (about a minute after graduation), after cleverly making my way through the “recruiter” process and scoring an interview (story for another day).  Having no real idea about…well… really anything… at that point in my life – certainly not knowing much about Manhattan – I arrived at the absolutely stunning 9 West 57 building right in the heart of Midtown, situated just south of Central Park off 5th Avenue overlooking Bergdorf Goodman and The Plaza Hotel. The building itself is a New York landmark – a 50-story modern marvel marking the New York skyline – uniquely composed of gray-tinted glass, encased in travertine stone.  Read more>>

Ben Russell-lynch

Currently I am a digital content creator and live streamer! My journey started with a love for performing. I’ve always loved to play pretend so gravitating towards acting was very natural for me. I had no intention of studying musical theatre having solely focused on acting when I was younger, but having experience singing in choirs and a love for dancing (though no training) aided me in receiving a musical theatre scholarship to Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. After graduating with a B.A. in MT from Oakland I moved to NYC. After years of working professionally (and waiting tables) in national tours, regional theaters, a cruise ship, and on camera I came to the decision to get my masters so that I could potentially become a teacher. Well the universe had other plan because my callback for grad school was cancelled due to the global pandemic and my husband and I moved across the country for his job. While trying to figure out a career path for myself and bartending I started making silly TikToks that embraced my silly sassy bald self. I was able to amass over two million followers! But even with a large following that does not a career make. It wasn’t until I started live streaming on TikTok that I was able to become a full time content creator/digital performer. With the gift and streaming tools on TikTok I started the interactive lives/roleplaying lives. My thought process was that if someone sent me a gift and in return I made them laugh or smile by saying something silly/sassy then that gift would have more value. Value not only to the sender but to everyone watching! And then everyone watching and playing along can react to it as well with their own imagination. We can create storylines together and really engage with one another in a fun unique way online. I have inspired a whole movement on TikTok among live streamers! Read more>>

Jfl Productions of JFL Productions

We started as 3 broke college friends (Justin Dickey/ Frederick Russell & Leon Holly) pursuing our dreams & figuring out what we wanted to do outside of college. Justin was the photographer, Frederick was the director & Leon was the videographer. One day playing around we decided to do a photo shoot using all of our skills. This shoot allowed us to land our first big collab with a clothing company called “LuvLost Clothing”. Read more>>

Adrienne Moumin

I started my journey in B&W film photography in my late thirties, after I bought my first 35mm camera, and while working toward my BA at the State University of New York at Empire State College. As a native New Yorker from 1960s Brooklyn, I always knew Manhattan was the place I wanted to be, and I moved here in 1991. In 2001 a series of circumstances brought me to suburban Maryland, where I established my own darkroom. Prior to the move, I stumbled into my main art form, handmade photo collage, when I was about to move and lose access to a rental darkroom. I began making multiple darkroom prints of some negatives, and later created 2-D and 3-D geometric abstracts. What began as something to do “in the meantime” (between darkrooms) has been my main art form for over 20 years. I have exhibited this work nationally, and have won several grants along the way, which has allowed me to create larger, more experimental work and invest in equipment I could not otherwise afford. Read more>>

David Enloe’s Story

I was a high school kid who loved skipping class to go surfing and spent all of my spare time in the darkroom developing photos. But did I follow that passion straight away? Nope! I took the scenic route instead. I dabbled in engineering, had a real close call with medical school, and spent eight years flying airplanes and helicopters. There were even stints as a whitewater guide and an EMT. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. It wasn’t until 2020 that I had my “aha” moment and returned to photography with a vengeance. I founded The Enloe Creative, focused on families in the Bay Area. My mission? To capture honest photographs that are more about the feeling than the moment. And to do this while making the process easy for busy Bay Area parents. I also craft custom picture frames from locally upcycled wood. Yep, I turn fallen Marin and San Francisco trees into art. It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Read more>>

Shaunette Myers of Shaunette’s Virtual Assistance & Consulting

In previous interviews, I’ve often shared the story of how I arrived at where I am today. From a young age, I’ve been ambitious and clear about my goals. While life took some unexpected turns, my drive and determination never wavered. Growing up, my dream was to become a midwife. However, after high school, I wasn’t able to pursue midwifery right away because my Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) results were pending. With no time to waste, I enrolled in a Practical Nursing program as a backup plan. When my CSEC results arrived, I was thrilled to have passed all eight subjects with grades of ones and twos, including distinctions. I completed my Practical Nursing course and began working in the field shortly after. Life, of course, had its ups and downs, but I remained focused and hardworking. While I enjoyed caring for others, I soon realized that the demanding nature of the job was taking a toll on other important aspects of my life. Always business-minded, I explored the idea of starting a nursing home, but during my research, I found myself more interested in the business side of things. To enhance my knowledge, I pursued a certificate in Supervisory Management from the University of the West Indies Open Campus. Read more>>

Michael Simeon

My name is Michael Simeon and I go by BlackGayComicGeek on social media. The way I got started in creating content and becoming “BlackGayComicGeek,” is a friend of mine at the time went to go see “John Wick 2,” that friend also was running his own podcast, and his co-hosts were away on vacation, and after we saw the movie, he said he enjoyed it so much that he wanted to talk about and review it on his podcast and asked if I was interested in coming on as a guest. I had never done anything like that before, but I was interested and so I said “Yes.” The episode aired on Feb. 20, 2017 and that was my first time putting my opinion out to the public or doing anything of that sort. I was going by “Nephilim_Rising010” on Instagram at the time. Back then I was pursuing being an actor. I received my degree in Theatre Performance from Florida A&M University, and that’s what I thought my trajectory was, but the universe had a different plan. After that episode like a month later I was asked to return and be a permanent co-host and I discovered a new love and passion and a different way to entertain people outside of acting and eventually I created the “BlackGayComicGeek” persona and started making my own videos as well, because there were things I was interested in talking about that the showrunner wasn’t, and then eventually due to Covid the podcast kind of dissolved after that, but I kept building and growing, and here I am. Read more>>

Tanya Caines

Well here’s my origin story! I became a speech pathologist in 2006, but the desire was instilled in me back in junior high school when a friend’s sister had a cleft palate and required speech therapy at home to assist with feeding. I was intrigued and as I went to college, I majored in Psychology at CUNY City College and then got my Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from NYU. I have worked for the NYC Department of Education for all of my career. I worked for 10 years with junior high and high school students with intellectual disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down’s syndrome and individuals with autism. For the past 8 years, I have worked in a general education elementary school providing speech services for students in self contained classrooms as well as inclusion and general classroom students. I have also worked in Early Intervention with medically fragile students with a specialty in behavioral feeding and have worked as an adjunct lecturer and speech supervisor within two universities in New York. I also have my classroom educator certificate from Orton Gillingham Academy and am Associate level trained. Read more>>

Kayla Rodriguez

I’ll take you back to my high school days. Little did I know that the experiences I was about to have would ignite a lifelong passion. My journey to becoming a life coach began back in high school, although I had no idea at the time. During those years, I found myself in an abusive relationship, experiencing domestic violence. This difficult season of my life sparked a passion to help and support other woman. A few years after high school, I decided I no longer wanted remain silent. I began sharing my story and hosting domestic violence awareness events, hoping to help others who were going through or had gone through similar experiences. Fast forward to 2018, I hosted my first women’s retreat, which catered to women with curly hair. During these retreats, I conducted mindset sessions, and it was there that the coach in me was truly born. When COVID hit in 2020, I had to pause hosting retreats. While figuring out how to continue my work during the global pandemic, I decided to hire a business coach who helped me pivot to online coaching. In 2022, I pursued certification as a life coach and attended the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). That is the short version of my story and how I became a life coach. Read more>>

Shari Andrews

My story is a journey of passion, resilience, and purpose. Being a first-generation American to a Caribbean family, I was brought up with rich cultural traditions that celebrated community, hard work, and the beauty of individuality. These values became the foundation for everything I pursued in life. I am an Emergency Medicine Physician. As a Doctor, I wanted to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. The fast-paced, high-stakes environment of the ER is where I truly shine. It’s more than just a job; it’s a calling. I find great satisfaction in being able to provide critical care and comfort to those in need during their most vulnerable moments. But even amidst the demands of my medical career, my passion for fashion never waned. During my early years, I was involved in Fashion and Entertainment. I lost my way along the way and later on in life, when I realized that I missed doing things that lit a different fire under me, this led me to create Statement Piece NY. Statement Piece NY is a boutique dedicated to honoring the uniqueness of individuals. My designs and fashions offered are not just pieces of clothing; they are statements of identity and confidence. A major highlight for my business was being part of New York Fashion Week in February 2022, which marked my emergence as a designer and boutique owner who blends creativity with authenticity. Read more>> 

Clara Bauman

I’ve always considered myself an artist and have worked in many different media throughout my life, from pen and ink illustrations to analog photography to letterpress. I started my small business by making wedding invitations for a variety of friends and family members. Being in my early thirties, I was conveniently at the age in life when a lot of people I know were getting married. I taught myself a lot initially, then took courses at the Center for Book Arts in New York City. I sought out and spoke with many letterpress printers and artists across the country. Read more>>

Jeannette De Beauvoir’s Story

I came to live in the United States when I was twenty-one. Before that, I assumed I would become a history professor, perhaps with some sort of emphasis on literary or philosophical history. In high school in France students are already specialized, and I was in a section—that I understand oddly no longer exists—that emphasized philosophy, literature, and languages, so I knew where my comfort area was academically. (This was my second career choice. When I was eight years old, I desperately wanted to be an archaeologist, particularly after reading in a UNESCO publication that somebody thought they’d found Atlantis—that caught my eye; I was very romantic. I lost that desire once I realized that most archaeologists spend their time in hot places working in the sun and the dirt, none of which was attractive to me. Still isn’t, but God bless them.) My parents had moved to the States some years before I went to college and, being at sixes and sevens, I came to visit them, always intending to return to France. But… first I’d do another academic degree, then I’d return. Well, okay, one graduate program; then I’d return. Finally, after a couple of graduate degrees and one husband, I realized that if you keep saying you’re going home and you’re not doing it, then where you are is probably where home really is. Read more>>

Jourdan Johnson of The Sports Tunnel

My name is Jourdan Johnson—reformed athlete, author of *The Sports Tunnel: Every Athlete Dies Twice*, and a voice of motivation and empowerment for athletes and individuals striving for more. My journey began with sports; it’s the foundation of who I am and everything I stand for. Basketball didn’t just teach me about life—it prepared me for the path I walk today. It gave me my “toolbox” filled with determination, discipline, grit, resilience, and so much more. These tools shaped me into a performer, but for most of my life, I only knew how to perform with the ball in my hand. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started to envision life without it. Growing up, basketball was my way out. It exposed me to different parts of the world, but in terms of career options, I didn’t see many beyond the game. While I wasn’t surrounded by heavy crime or chaos, those realities felt more relatable to me than corporate America due to my family roots. So for me, basketball wasn’t just a choice—it was the best option out of a limited set of opportunities. Read more>>

Norissa Williams of Empowered Life, Inc.

I’m a psychologist and social worker; specializing in using a psycho-spiritual approach to heal from personal and systemic traumas. The story of how I got here is a relatively long one, but to summarize it, I’d say, I’m a wounded healer. Meaning, I wasn’t born into the most ideal of circumstances. There were many risk factors in my early development. However, there were also some protective factors that helped me along the way. My most fundamental savior though, is the fact that I’ve always been a very sensitive and emotionally attuned child. This lent itself to emotional and social intelligence. I knew how to understand people; lending itself to compassion for the human experience. In addition, because I was attuned to my own emotional state I was able regularly self-assess. From a young age I’ve always asked my, “What do I really want?” I’ve also sought to make connections between my experiences and my emotional/mental and physical health. I assessed how functional my behaviors were and whether they truly served me. Read more>>

Lisa Hendrickson

My love for creating things began at a young age. Born and raised in suburban Chicago, I began painting and drawing in high school, often inspired by old family photos with their sepia shades and vintage costumes. I excelled in art classes and my parents even allowed me to take a live nude drawing class at the Art Institute of Chicago. My dream was to become a fashion designer, which I did, moving to New York City after college. Although it was a creative field filled with textures, patterns, colors, and sketching, my long working hours and small New York apartment did not leave time or space for fine art projects. After a 30 year career in the apparel field as a senior level executive in product development and merchandising, I retired in 2017. Upon retirement, I resumed my fine art journey by setting up a workspace in my home and began to awaken my dormant art skills. As my confidence grew, I began taking in person classes at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, Wayne Art Center, and Fleisher Art Memorial studying painting and mixed media. Then COVID hit and I had all the time in the world but was stuck at home. Luckily the art world quickly pivoted towards online learning and I was able to take live Zoom classes for a year with several terrific instructors continuing to hone my craft. Read more>>

Natália De Matos Oliani’s Story

I grew up on the island of Florianópolis in southern Brazil, surrounded by the artistic influence of my grandmother, Hortência, whose oil paintings filled our home. I was also immersed in the creative energy of my mother and her sisters, who made everything from fabric dolls to candles, as well as local artists like Elias Andrade and Caio Borges. From a young age, I was known as the “artist kid” in school, secretly attending my grandmother’s painting classes and creating my first piece under her guidance. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I focused primarily on drawing. My mother encouraged this passion by providing me with art supplies, and I began designing dolls with large heads and eyes, captivated by the process of creating and styling their outfits. It wasn’t until I spent a year studying in Canada at 17, where I had daily art classes, that painting and exploring other media became integral to my life. There, I expanded into large-scale charcoal drawings, paintings, and collages. When I returned home, I revisited my earlier drawings and realized that the large eyes I used to draw were my way of expressing emotions I couldn’t verbalize. I started developing creatures with big heads and eyes to channel my feelings. Read more>>

Jacqueline Yvonne Tull

I think I’ve identified as an artist for as long as I can remember, which I don’t think is the case for most artists (and certainly isn’t a requirement). I’m lucky that this was reinforced by my family, particularly my mother. Often I would get art supplies as birthday gifts, and my mother would sign me up for little art classes at our local community center. From there, she helped me apply to arts magnet middle and high schools, and then I eventually completed my undergraduate degree at the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, and my master degree at the University of Delaware. However, there are many things outside of my fine art training that have informed my practice and my identity, like the family heirlooms I grew up with that influenced my relationship with objects. Working jobs that physically challenged me and expanded my skill set have changed the work I make in the studio. For example, I honed my woodworking and finishing kills when I restored windows and doors in historic Philadelphia, which gave me a deeper connection to historic craft and architecture. I was a metal fabricator for a furniture and lighting designer, which helped me realize the possibilities of metal beyond traditionally male-dominated industrial applications. Being an instructor helps me articulate my ideas and pushes me to deepen my research. I learn new things from my students every semester. Read more>>

Seby Martinez

I started as a visual storyteller as a child when I would make choose-your-own-adventure action stories with stick figures in Power Point. After getting some practice in high school shooting silly videos with friends, I hit the ground running making music videos right after college, with my first ever video I made being “Space Train” for Adult Swim’s David Liebe Hart. From there I continued to develop my skills over the years, making videos for acts like Ice-T’s band Body Count, r&b singer Dre Scot, metal acts Sanguisugabogg and Escuela Grind, and others. Through all of this my directing, producing, writing, editing, and compositing skills were rapidly developing, and at some point I began creating commercial work as well. Today, my team at Negative Kitty creates video and animation for artists, brands and individuals who need to make a splash with explosive creative that nails their voice and energizes their target audience. Read more>>

Zuleka Kaysan of The Cornerstone Advisory

My story begins with the challenges I faced as a young person entering the world of work. Like many, I didn’t have a clear guide or mentor to navigate my early career path, and I had no idea what my ‘passion’ was. I relied on the mindset that hard work would be enough and that results would speak for themselves. But I soon found that other skills were just as crucial. These experiences became foundational and have shaped my desire to prepare students and graduates for their first roles. My early career in real estate development was driven by a commitment to improving how people live and interact within communities. Throughout this, it became clear just how crucial innovation is within organisations and how many internal teams struggle with it—lacking both the skills and empowerment needed to drive change. I saw this firsthand both when I led a graduate management scheme in the UAE and when I hired recent graduates in KSA; I realised their potential but also saw the skill gaps they face in work environments that don’t have the capacity to support them.  Read more>>

Erin Drago

Farmhouse Glass started with a love for the holidays and a passion for creating things by hand. I began by painting Christmas baubles, a tradition I’ve been doing for years to capture that magical holiday spirit. It was a way for me to combine my creativity with the warmth and joy of the season, and it quickly became something I loved sharing with others. In 2021, I had the opportunity to work with a mentor who introduced me to ceramics. That experience really expanded my artistic perspective and pushed me to explore new forms of creativity. I fell in love with the process of working with clay, from shaping each piece by hand to experimenting with glazes. That’s when Farmhouse Glass evolved from just hand-painted ornaments to also include functional ceramic art. Today, I create a range of handmade pieces—everything from the glass baubles that started it all to hand-built ceramic trays, platters, pots, and so much more. My work is always evolving, and I’m inspired by the world around me, from my garden to the landscapes of the Sacramento foothills. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m excited to keep pushing my creativity in new directions. Read more>>

Heather Heckel

I have always loved art, and have been drawing regularly since I was 2 years old. I studied Illustration in college, at the Ringling College of Art and Design, and then worked as a production artist for a screen printing company. I also taught at a summer camp for the arts, and decided I wanted to go into teaching. I moved to New York City and earned my Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education at the School of Visual Arts. I began teaching public school Art, and am now in my twelfth year of teaching. During my time as a teacher I earned my Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and my Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership through the University of the Cumberlands. My research focused on the relationship between leadership and teaching creativity. I have also been awarded 22 artist residencies through the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. I am lucky to have a dual career as an artist and art educator. Read more>>

Pepper Auerbach

Being raised in Brooklyn, NY, inspired me on my creative journey and helped me love all kinds of art; I have been continuously drawing and writing since I was little, and the first career I wanted in elementary school was actually to be a writer/director for horror films. Later, I realized that the storyboards I created from my imagination could instead be comics of their own. Since then I have never stopped creating comics and illustrations for my stories. I sometimes would lose motivation or lose track of what I want, but art has been consistently there as what I desire to get better and better at. I graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2023 with a BFA in Illustration, and now am an Ambassador for NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness). I am working on my own book, an autobiography about my struggles with schizoaffective disorder, titled “My Brain Itches!”  Read more>>

Lauren Farrell’s Story

In college, I took my first shot of Fireball and it instantly reminded me of Big Red gum. Growing up, my grandfather had a candy drawer that always had Big Red and Juicy Fruit gum. So jokingly after taking the shot and saying it tasted like Big Red, I said, “they need the opposite of Fireball, they need JOOICY Tits”. The people around me thought the name was great. I took pen to paper in the coming days and realized how I could spell it and the proceeded to market test the name for eight years. People’s faces would light up and ask if it was real. They wanted shirts, bottles, cases, to work for me etc. so I finally said, the feedback is too positive not to figure out how to do this. So I did a lot of research and spoke to the right people and in July 2022 JOOICY Tits Vodka was born. We produced and initially launched in Florida as the license process is easier there as opposed to our home state of New Jersey in which the license took almost two years to obtain. Through our distributor in Florida we can ship direct to consumer in 47 states and we have a physical presence in bars and liquor stores in New Jersey and Florida. A portion of our profits supports various breast cancer charities doing incredible things so we like to say we “party for a purpose”. Our vodka is incredibly smooth, gluten-free and can be sipped straight or enjoyed with your favorite mixers! Read more>>

Leah Tash

I have always had a deep love of music, ever since I was a little kid and would sneak a walkman under my bed at slumber parties so I could be alone with my favorite songs once everyone else went to sleep. I never thought it was something I could do on my own…Until I was inspired by videos I saw of other young women I saw playing guitar and singing when I was about 14 years old. I picked up an old guitar at my house back then, and once I started playing my passion just kept growing. Read more>>

Keira Barr of Center for Mind Skin Medicine

I didn’t realize at first why dermatology called to me after med school. But looking back, I see it was all about healing my own wounds. Growing up, I had two birthmarks on my face that made me feel exposed and deeply vulnerable. I was bullied for them and I felt immense shame. I wanted to hide away, which is impossible when your ‘flaw’ is right there for the world to see. As a dermatologist, I spent years treating skin conditions with what I now see were just band-aid solutions and quick fixes that would never lead to long-term resolution. And then I went through my own battle with skin cancer. That was when it really hit me—skin isn’t just this thing that covers us; it’s a storyteller. It is directly tied to our nervous system and reflects what’s going on inside, physically, emotionally, mentally. Every skin condition—acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, alopecia, rashes, and more—they all get worse with stress, trauma, and emotional upheaval. We know this. The medical establishment acknowledges this. So, why aren’t we talking about it more? Why aren’t we focusing on real, tangible solutions that address this connection? Read more>>

Hung-ju Kan

Hung-Ju Kan was born in Taiwan and graduated from the Department of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy at the National Taiwan University of Arts in 2015. In 2020, Kan obtained his MEA in Painting from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He is currently based in New York. Trained in two different systems, he began exploring the relationship between time and emotion, drawing inspiration from the daily objects and life. Through the technique of transfer printing, his works are repeatedly layered and intertwined. Read more>>

Roberta Perry

My ScrubzBody story started in 2006, but it began before. I was a working mom with 3 kids, a hubby, 2 cats, and a dog, with time for everyone else but myself. My skin was dry and flaky. I finally had enough when I scratched my elbow and it started to bleed. I needed to do something. I discovered exfoliating products that were better than moisturizers alone, but none were completely satisfying. I took the best aspects of each and combined them into one. I made myself one giant jar of scrub. When my late sister, Michelle, saw the jar and tried some, she wanted to take some home. Later that night, she called me and suggested we sell it. I was game, bought a few empty jars, and signed up for the first craft fair we found locally. She helped me jar up a dozen or so and we sold almost all of the jars. Michelle thought of the name Scrubz and I used my background in design to create a label and a rudimentary website. I started collecting email addresses wherever I went. Email has to this day been the best way to reach my customers. Read more>>

Bass of Boise River Outdoor Opportunities, LLC

It is a pleasure to coordinate with Canvas Rebel since it gives time to sit down and collect some overarching thoughts as the Designated Agent of Boise River Outdoor Opportunities (BROO). Thank you for the opportunity! Professional Outfitting has been the reason why my story has been of interest to Canvas Rebel so I will attempt to stay in that lane. The start was after receiving a degree in Civil Engineering from Boise State University with a focus on the discipline of Transportation Engineering. In my free time I kayaked whitewater in many places but primarily on the Payette River system. With engineering, there was diligent studying of how to coordinate the many disciplines it takes to design and construct highway infrastructure projects. It is important to take note of the massive undertaking the construction and maintenance of the nations infrastructure is. There are numerous tasks and personnel to undertake it and the COVID pandemic has had similar staffing issues like your local restaurant. Understanding the best way to expedite these projects while including the incorporation of design criteria and stakeholder input is really an artform of patience and due diligence. I commend the peers that I have worked with while performing Professional Engineering duties alongside them.  Read more>>

Rita Tojal’s Story

When I was 15 years old, already 31 years ago, I knew I wanted to be a psychologist. Although I wasn’t entirely sure what the profession entailed, my fascination with the human condition fueled my reading on the subject, and took me to start my Psychology degree when I was 17 years old. There were moments when I felt frustrated with what I was learning, times when I felt overwhelmed and not understanding what was going on, and there have been times of feeling very frustrated with what I was then calling Psychology. It took many years for me to grow as a person, and as a psychotherapist, and it took a lot of work to understand exactly what area of psychology I wanted to work with, and how I wanted to do it. Those were not easy times, there was a lot of trial and error, and there were many leaps of faith as I jumped into what I really believed in. Fast forward to 2024, I have fully established my own practice, providing my unique online psychotherapy sessions. My approach transcends traditional boundaries, delving into the deeper aspects of the unconscious and fostering a connection with nature and the whole of Life. Through this holistic perspective, I help clients expand their concept of Self, deepen their understanding of themselves, and live more meaningful lives. Read more>>

Andrew Guasch

Starting out in my 20s, I owned a couple of liquor stores. It was cool and all, but I quickly saw that making money wasn’t everything. What really mattered was the impact I could have on folks—my customers and their futures. Liquor just didn’t cut it for me. I wanted to do something that really made a difference. So, I took a big leap and started Authentic Dynamics LLC. (www.authenticdynamics.com) One thing I knew for sure? If you want to make it anywhere, you gotta put yourself out there. I hit the streets, knocking on doors, shaking hands, and showing my face. Letting people know who I am and what I’m about was crucial. You can’t expect someone to invest in you if you aren’t willing to meet them face-to-face. But here’s the kicker—this space is crowded. Everyone’s trying to sell you something, and convincing folks that they should pay for our services was tough. That’s when I kicked off Authentic Impact. We decided to offer our services at a massive discount to local small businesses. Why? Because small businesses are the backbone of this country, and they deserve a fair shot at competing with the big dogs. Read more>>

Tara Miller

Brief introduction? I am long-winded, so let me do my best to summarize. Growing up, I started as the most confident little girl. I loved being the center of attention and was a natural-born leader. Then I met him. It was love at first sight (yeah, I was ten years old, but who cares? lol). From the first day I spotted his little freckled nose and crooked smile, he was everything. Why is he essential to my story? Well, what would come to be is an on-and-off childhood of girlfriend and boyfriend, sneaking and kissing behind trailers in the local playground, talking on the phone for hours, breaking up, getting back together, then not seeing one another for two years. Suddenly, during freshman year, he came back into my life. He is no longer this little boy with freckles across his nose but a six-foot young man with the same crooked smile I loved when we were ten years old. We fell in love… HARD!! He was my first and only love until the day he wasn’t any longer. I gave all of myself, including that confident and outspoken girl. I was codependent to the core.  Read more>>

Kelly Bartnik

I am a NY-based choreographer, director, performer, teacher and producer. My background started in movement and choreography, which is primarily why I moved to NY in the first place. I spent 10 years performing and showing my work and then in 2009 I got cast in the first iteration of Sleep No More through the American Repertory Theater at Harvard. The show went on to be a huge success and moved to off-broadway in NY where it became the first large-scale Immersive Theater show in the country and has been running for almost 12 years. Being part of that show expanded my career to include directing, creating, writing, and choreographing Immersive Theater shows and events on every scale, in both theatrical and commercial realms. This expansion brought acting into my life in a massive way and I started performing in plays, choreographing for staged theatrical works and teaching movement for actors. In addition to this creative journey, I spent 18 years doing property management and real estate sales / rentals in NY, so I have a comprehensive background in navigating all of the financial, architectural and functional aspects of working in large-scale spaces which has been very beneficial to my work. At this stage, I travel all over the world working on various projects that include everything from directing music videos, choreographing staged works, large-scale installations, crafting immersive theater experiences and performing in both others’ and my own works. Read more>>

Jamar Jones of Foureva Media

Jamar Jones, the visionary force behind Foureva Media, transforms businesses through the influential power of personal branding. Has worked with esteemed clients like Marcus Lemonis, VaynerX, Red Bull and many others. He has secured over $200K+ in sponsorships through his podcast and events. Jamar, a seasoned entrepreneur, Podcast Host and national keynote speaker, shares profound insights from is book “Change your Circle; Change your Life.” His impactful and motivational talks, delivered to large audiences in an arena, festival grounds and renowned companies such as BMW and Summerfest Tech, focus on personal branding, podcasting, and marketing strategies. Jamar’s community impact includes hosting the historic Lead the Movement Business Conference at Fiserv Forum and the 2nd annual edition at Henry Maier Festival Park on Summerfest grounds. Recognized nationally with features on “Office Hours” by David Meltzer and a billboard in NY Times Square, Jamar is a proud member of ForbesBLK and, championing excellence with opportunity for entrepreneurs, marketers, leaders, and creators globally. Read more>>

Chloe Cubbage of Liberty Meadows Farm Sanctuary

Hi! I’m Chloe Cubbage, I run a farm animal sanctuary nonprofit, an interior design firm, I am a proud sourdough mom and an aspiring flower farmer. I got a significant medical diagnosis at 24 that potentially could shorten my expected lifespan dramatically and ever since then I feel like I’m approaching life and experiences with my arms wide open. Now, 7 years later, I’m doing my best to streamline my life and businesses to align with my mantra ” do sh”t that sets your soul on fire” (are we allowed to swear?) and I truly love what I’m doing almost every second of every day. Read more>>

Liza Head

I have always been a creative person, and my parents really encouraged me to pursue art when I was growing up. I ended up getting a fine art degree but couldn’t find a way to really use it to make a living. Enter photography. My now husband introduced me to a DSLR 18 years ago, and I quickly dove head first into photographing…everything. My memory isn’t as good as I’d like it to be, and I used photography as a sort of visual journal, documenting the important moments in my life. Fast forward 4 years and our friends were getting married and hadn’t planned to hire a wedding photographer. I offered to do it for fun (and for free) and I was hooked. I loved the intersection of meaningful moments and beautiful details that weddings offered – not to mention the challenge of thinking on the fly and the adrenaline of the fast-pace of a wedding day. Photographing weddings became my primary passion and income for the next 7 years. At that point, I realized something was missing. My goal during weddings is to be as invisible as possible so I can authentically capture someone else’s important moments. I still believe in and love that practice, but it leaves little space to play with creating moments myself. Read more>>

Matthew Stanners’s Story

I started painting while an undergraduate studying finance and entrepreneurship at University of Pennsylvania. I was motivated to take a few art history courses during my sophomore year after encountering Mark Rothko’s Seagram Murals for the first time in the basement of Tate Modern. I think that I felt the emotional poignancy of fine art for the first time and was curious to learn about the history and interpretation of visual art. I came to admire many late modern and mid-century painters like Clyfford Still, Helen Frankenthaler, Cy Twombly, and Jasper Johns. I felt that their work was a call to action for those compelled to create something spectacular. It was an opportunity for discovery to someone who needed to communicate with themselves in a new way. After graduating with a business degree and a real estate development job, I had about a year and a half to teach myself how to paint before leaping into faith, quitting my job and trying to live everyday like an artist searching for the light and wonder in my environment. Read more>>

Jean Rim

Thank you so much for inviting me here to share my story. I am a Korean-American artist based in NYC and Seoul, my journey with art began when I immigrated here as a child and language was difficult but I could always draw and with that skill I connected with people. My work is deeply inspired by the traditional Korean craft of najeonchilgi, where artisans inlay mother-of-pearl into lacquerware. I’ve taken this rich heritage and transformed it into a contemporary art form by carving paint, creating intricate, layered pieces that reflect my cultural roots and personal experiences. As I carve out my niche in the art world, I am also working to build a brand and business around my unique style, striving to maintain my artistic integrity while navigating the challenges of the commercial art world. Read more>>

Cleo Davis-urman of barrière

Fashion has been my first love and my profession for my entire life, starting with internships at Vogue, Rachel Zoe, and Diane von Furstenberg while attending highschool and college. I spent the first decade of my professional career working in the luxury retail space with positions at Moda Operandi and Saks. Two years into my role as Fashion Director of Saks Fifth Avenue, the real world intersected with the runway, and I realized that fashion and retail had the power to stand for something bigger, create awareness, and effect change. Dior, who for the first time was headed by a female designer, sent t-shirts down the runway that read “We Should All Be Feminists” in response to the Me Too movement and the 2016 election. I knew that this t-shirt could enable my organization to use our platform and stores to amplify the stories of women all over the country. Read more>>

Nathan Tan of New Skool

Hi my name is Nathan Tan and I am the owner of New Skool apparel and accessories. I am a local artist and designer that grew up here in the Bay Area. As a teenager I was lucky to be a part of the first wave of graffiti artists here in the Bay Area. This is the mid 1980’s when Hip Hop was in it’s golden era. My graffiti work transformed into graphic design work after college and that morphed into my own line New Skool. Today I wholesale New Skool and my artwork to boutiques in the Bay Area and online. Running New Skool for 20 years has really taught me a lot about business and I enjoy mentoring young artists and business owners in their journey. Read more>>

Zenda Walker of Know Your Hairitage

I’ve always been a writer, but the dream of becoming a published author often felt out of reach. The challenges of 2020 – the uncertainty, isolation, and civil unrest – drove me back to my safe space: writing. During our hair wash days, Zara and I had engaging conversations about our hair. These rituals, common in Black households, were more than just hair care; they were opportunities for bonding and self-discovery. Zara, at a young age, expressed insecurities about her hair. To address this, I incorporated history lessons into our wash day routines. I explained how our hair, whether curly, coily, or Afro-coily, reflected the rich history of our ancestors. This approach fostered Zara’s confidence, improved her conflict resolution skills, and positively impacted her academics. Inspired by her transformation, I decided to share our experiences with other families through “Zara’s Wash Day.” After self-publishing and receiving a positive response, I secured a two-book deal with Running Press Kids. “Zara’s Wash Day” was republished on June 4, 2024, and its sequel, “Zion’s Crown,” launched on September 10, 2024. Read more>>

Latanya Foreman of RL Coaching & Consulting

My journey has been filled with laughter, tears, hardships, and transformative lessons. I am truly thankful to be here today. There were numerous moments that could have marked the end of my existence; whether physically or through the exhaustion of hope for the vibrant life I now embrace. Losing my father at 19 invaded every aspect of my being with grief. When his casket was lowered into the earth, I felt as though a piece of me was buried alongside him. In an attempt to numb the pain, I turned to various behaviors. By the age of 20, I found myself as a single mother. Life continued to throw challenges my way, and I realized I was merely surviving rather than truly thriving. The healing I experienced was shallow, intertwined with my affection for reckless relationships, indulgent food, and material possessions. Ultimately, this only resulted in heartache, struggles with my weight, and financial difficulties. The journey towards emotional healing remains a daily endeavor. It has only been achievable through rekindling my relationship with God and the man He brought into my life. Today, I am happily married to my “purpose mate,” and the essence of my joy is rooted in my spiritual journey. Read more>>

Lena Grundhoefer of ZEITGEIST Labs

I originally began my career pursuing luxury fashion. From a young age, I was captivated by the magazines, the runways, the editorials and the possibility of creating trends that mirrored into the every day garments. All the while, I lived in the city of Chicago and I knew that I yearned for more after I graduated. After attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and participating in 7 different internships, I realized from an early age that it just wasn’t for me. Ambitious and creative dreamers were often overworked, underpaid, didn’t really leave positions and the industry often times pushed people who didn’t necessarily have a means or disposable income to keep spending in a rat race of consumption and repeating over and over again. After college, I pivoted into tech and was granted the opportunity to work at Facebook (now Meta). I traveled around The United States, primarily the East Coast, and started my marketing consultancy (at the time, Lena Grundhoefer Consulting) on the side. I co-founded a sock company and produced and shot a variety of photoshoots around the country while on the road. It wasn’t until this point in my career that I realized understanding the fast-paced nature of fashion trends translated to other parts of honestly, every industry I applied it to.  Read more>>

Lawrence King’s Story

My journey towards creating Trilla G ENT began when I was 16 at Davidson College. I was selected to join the July Experience, a 3-week summer program at Davidson that brought high school students from all over the world to experience college life. I had no expectations for the program, I‘d never heard of Davidson College, and I went to please my mother and college advisor. Little did I know, this would be one of the most important moments of my life! You have to understand that I was a completely different person before this camp. I was timid, indecisive, and lost. But as soon as I came to Davidson, I came out of my shell and changed with each passing day. There was something about being around the beautiful nature of Davidson, the kindness of the locals, and the unique energy of the other students that affected me. I felt understood, I felt seen, and I felt so happy and blessed to be there. This was only the beginning. The moment that changed my life forever was the “JE Talent Show.” Read more>>

Tony Ortiz

I fell in love with cooking and storytelling while I was living at my grandparents ranch in Northern California. I had grew up visiting it on the weekends but it wasn’t until I was working in kitchens that I learned to really appreciate what that experience did for me. It helped me understand that food was a powerful source of memory and story. Learning to cook at my grandparents helped me understand my identity and familial history better. From there I worked in kitchens in Northern California and then went to a cooking school in New York City. Right after school I went to a fine dining space where I got more formal training. I went freelance and started cooking at events and for private clients. I also started working within food media spaces such as food styling which helped me understand how to tell story visually. Right now I am producing events in which I utilize food and visuals to tell story, I also work within various sectors of the food media world such as recipe testing and assisting food stylists and video producers. Read more>>

Jessica Ramirez’s Story

My name is Logan Bowden and I’m a singer-songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist from Huntsville Alabama. I attended Middle Tennessee State University near Nashville for my masters degree in Recording Arts and Technology and I’m a full time DIY recording artist and producer. My projects “The National Forest”, “Logan Bowden” and “Logan and Isabel” were all created DIY from start to finish. I handled every aspect of the production from the writing, the vocals, the production, mixing and mastering with the occasional guest vocalist. I started this journey of going all DIY mainly because I grew up in a town that didn’t really listen to the type of folk music that I wanted to make. Also, there were not that many musicians or producers from my small town that I could learn from and I was essentially forced to teach myself everything in production. My main project “The National Forest” I started around this time last year (2023) as a way to be less hard on myself and to free my inner critic.. The project originally started out as a “song a day” where I would write, record and release a song a day for as long as I could. My first two records on that project “King of the Enchantments” and “Into the Lupine” were created in this way and eventually I decided to start giving the songs more time to rest for potential remixes and so on. Read more>>

Sidney-max Etienne

My journey starts with a deep-rooted love for Haiti and a connection to its land. A land that has always felt like an extension of my soul. Growing up, I was immersed in my homeland’s rich cultural tapestry and the strength of its communities, but I also saw the harsh realities: widespread deforestation, environmental degradation, and a lack of resources. These early experiences shaped my resolve to contribute to something bigger than myself, to work toward a future where our land and people could thrive together. Grown in Haiti began as a vision, a simple yet powerful realization that change must come from within. I wanted to create a space where traditional knowledge could be combined with innovative regenerative practices to heal our land and empower our communities. In 2014, with little more than a dream and a commitment to the land, I founded Grown in Haiti. We focused on regenerative agriculture and community-driven sustainability from the very start, distributing seeds and saplings and collaborating directly with local farmers. We then started training workshops, and since then, we have been a stable resource for our community. Read more>>

Amara Nogee

I have always loved to draw. It has been a steady source of passion and peace at all ages. From a childhood hobby, to a college major in Fine Arts and ultimately a career in Graphic Design, my story has been centered around art. I began to lose sight of the joy in it as work became consuming so I started a doodle blog back in 2013 as a way to navigate thoughts. There is joy in doodling, a mindless calm as your pencil flows. My silly blog became a passion project as I transformed it into the doodle shoppe in 2021. The doodle shoppe is a space to pause from life’s to-dos and embrace the art of the doodle! The shoppe includes a collection of original graphics on a variety of products through redbubble.com. I hope to grow the shoppe as I continue my story. Read more>>

Sam Rothermel

The most memorable moments of my childhood involved telling stories to anyone who’d listen: I put on concerts using the den table as my stage, singing Brittney Spears and hoping to be a pop star; I choreographed dances for the talent show; I taught myself to play piano, and then, guitar. As I got older and more outspoken, as being “different” became a form of othering, I realized that the most peaceful I ever felt was in a state of creative flow––and I wanted to do that for a living. I hate to report that I did *not* become a pop-star, but I did receive dual degrees in Acting and Writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts––so, kind of the same thing. I learned that you could make some incredible, life-altering friendships and wild art with other misfits. In community, there was space to rage, and grieve, and figure myself out, alongside people who wouldn’t judge my works-in-progress, but instead, actively chose to celebrate them. It took me a few years, and a handful of fuck-ups, to turn that kindness onto myself and start authentically claiming my identity. But eventually, we got there.
In my late 20s, I came out to my friends, family, and a few of my colleagues as Queer and polyamorous, and I went full-tilt on embracing the multi-hyphenate nature of my artistry. I started In-Motion Photo, where I curate branding content for other artists and small businesses. I wrote a feature, Night Witches, that follows the first all-female air force unit to see combat in WWII––which, truly, is as gay as it sounds. And I’ve portrayed imperfect survivors with enormous heart, on screen and on stage. I embraced that my path would be non-linear, and sometimes, atypical. But what is an atypical life, if not a fearless one? Read more>>

Aprajita Lal

From a young age, I was captivated by the world around me. Born and raised in India, my journey into the art world began early, marked by winning the “All India Camel Color Contest” in third grade. This recognition fueled my passion for art, and I continued painting throughout my school and college years, participating in various art competitions and showcasing my work in a couple of shows in India. Despite never attending formal art classes, I nurtured my talent through self-exploration, constantly experimenting with different genres and techniques. After completing my education, I embarked on a 17-year career in the corporate world. However, my love for art never waned, and I continued to create art in my spare time, staying connected to the art community. In 2020, during a planned sabbatical from my corporate career, I fully embraced my identity as a professional artist, founding Aprajita.Art. This transition marked a new chapter in my life, filled with both challenges and rewards. Read more>>

Rose Alaimo

I’ve always loved music and recall writing little songs on an old piano that we used to have in the house when I was 4 years old. We moved out of state not long after and the piano was given away which was really hard for me (the loss of the piano that is, not necessarily the move LOL). Then the 90s came and I dove into grunge and progressive metal and started picking up instruments to learn. First it was the bass at 13, then I started learning to sing by singing along to my favorite bands while playing bass. I taught myself how to read guitar tab and play guitar chords at 16 by learning songs from Soundgarden and Dream Theater songbooks and at some point was also heavy into playing drums. The little Muse in my head that picked up songs from some unknown frequency never stopped working away, even after the piano left my life, and I was motivated to learn each of these instruments so I could get the songs out of myself. I took all my savings at the age of 20 and bought a computer with my first DAW and started recording my songs and basically haven’t stopped since. :) Read more>>

Malachi Gregory

My story began at the age of eight, when I first started viola lessons. My choice of such an underrepresented instrument had no grand influence outside of my younger sister beginning violin lessons. I wanted to learn a string instrument as well, but chose, “the bigger one,” to avoid copying her directly. The more I practiced, I truly began to fall in love with my instrument. My parents were encouraging, enrolling me in extracurricular orchestral programs and summer camps before joining school ensembles. I developed an immense appreciation for classical and orchestral music through my participation, often memorizing my parts and adding my own alterations as I would see fit – sometimes to the dismay of my conductor. In eighth grade, my teacher gave us a project to either learn another orchestral instrument or write something of our own in Garageband. I asked if it were possible to compose a score, and she showed me the software MuseScore. Brimming with excitement, I crafted my first ever piece for string orchestra, based off the ideas I would noodle on my instrument in class. I was hooked after placing my last note. I quickly wrote another string piece within the next 3 days, and the ball kept rolling from there. Composition became an avenue to express what excited me about music, and share my love with others. In high school I explored electronic production and ways I could mix it into my more traditional-styled writing. Read more>>

Sabrina Souilah’s Story

In 2006 while establishing myself amongst my peers in the highly competitive New York City dance scene, I suffered a complete tear of my right Achilles tendon during an audition – for the fun fact I did get the job; after this devastating injury diagnosis I also received a very pessimistic recovery prognosis, I will quote from one of New York most renowned orthopedic surgeons: “It will take you a minimum of a year to be able to walk properly, you should reconsider your career”. Going home to Switzerland to consult with my brother’s orthopedic team (he used to play soccer at a high level) was a much better alternative; on a side note I want to thank Ms Pamela at the Swiss Consulate of New York who facilitated finding a direct flight – with special accommodations – to Geneva within a day; the clock was ticking for me since I only had a week or so to have surgery from the date of the injury before experiencing tissue degeneration which would make the tendon completely lose its elasticity and it would not be possible to be reattached, it had already been 5 days. Read more>>

Kelly Partridge

My entrepreneurial journey started in 2019 after leaving an abusive relationship. I had reached a point in my life where I am at rock bottom, and just wanted to start over in every aspect. I only wanted to do things that lit me up and made me happy. In contemplating on that, I thought back to my healing journey, which started by simply getting up in the morning and getting dressed. Anyone who has dealt with depression know how hard this simple task can be. So, I made a promise to myself that I would get up, do my hair, do my makeup, and get dressed everyday as a starting point to self care. Obviously there is a lot more to healing, but doing this really helped me build back my confidence. Which then led me to launch my online boutique, the GRATI shop (originally Contribution Clothing), with a focus on doing good and giving back to the community. This business grew really quickly, bringing in six figures within it’s first year leading to other entrepreneurs asking me “How did you do it”. From there, I started mentoring business owners who were looking to get started and found that truly lit me up. Eventually leading to the launch of GRATI Consulting, which focuses on marketing strategy, social media management, and website design for mission driven businesses and nonprofits.  GRATI, being start for gratitude, being a play on the gratitude I felt for my personal experiences and where they led me. It was my way of finding a silver lining.  Read more>>

Amanda Krische’s Story

My earliest memory, second only to my sun-up-to-sun-down effort to learn how to tie my mother’s sneaker at the age of three, is of dancing in my living room to the sonic whirlwind that is Heart’s “Crazy on You”. I remember rewinding the CD player over and over to listen to the chorus, building a sequence of thrashing movements with each successive listen. I haven’t stopped dancing since, though my definition of dancing has expanded, folded in on itself, and become frequently new. I think these two early memories set a clear thesis statement for my narrative arc: obsessive, disciplined, ear-wormesque repetitions that create a set of circumstances for movement to erupt from the body, or for an internal conversation to be put outside of the body and laid upon other objects, relationships, areas of research, characters.

Arianna Jones

I grew up in a small town in Virginia. Growing up in an area where there was never much to do, I was always forced to be creative and use my imagination. I always loved art, in all forms. I loved to dance, write, draw; I loved all art and I still do. I first discovered my passion for acting in middle school and it grew stronger once I transitioned to high school. By age 16 I knew that it was what I wanted to do forever. When you have a true passion for something, your work never feels like work. That is how I feel every time I act- at peace and fulfilled. After leaving high school, I graduated from NYU and started working on a lot of films in New York City and nationwide. Read more>>

Cesar Figueroa of VivanTee Golf

I started my career in software sales, but always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I picked up golfing years later and fell in love, when I noticed a gap in the golf glove space for something a bit more fashion forward, rather than the same plain white golf glove, I decided to take my step forward. It took me about a year from idea, to forming my LLC, to finding the initial designs, then the right supplier, and setting up my website. It has been quite a journey, but one I am very happy I went on. Read more>>

Sydney Chaney-thomas of Ocean SF

I started sailing in 2015, and San Francisco Bay can be very cool even in summer, so when I would get wet while sailing, I would be terribly cold. I did some research and could only find polyester sailing apparel. I wanted wool to keep me warm even if I got wet. When I couldn’t find a product that suited my needs, I decided to make my own and hired a pattern maker, and bought a sample of wool from Global Merino. The only color I could buy was orange! Since orange is the official safety color of the US Navy, I chose it. The sample was a deep, beautiful orange, more like the color Hermes uses in their packaging. It also pairs well with navy blue. My pattern maker had formerly been at Gucci and was working freelance in L.A. She did a beautiful job, and everyone wanted one as soon as I wore it. That was the beginning. From there, I milled my own fabric, which is tightly woven on the outside and soft with loft for warmth on the inside. The wool is from New Zealand, and its very long fibers make it very luxurious, like cashmere. Global Merino makes the most beautiful fabrics, and this one washes incredibly well.  Read more>>

 

Subin Kara Ahn’s Story

I started out taking a private voice lesson in 5th grade. One day I found comfort in one of the most hated musicals, Cats (lol) and that very night I decided to change my life 180 and go to New York or London to study musical theatre. My interest in musical theatre naturally led me to being interested in straight theatre and acting, and I ended up concentrating on directing in Marymount Manhattan College while still taking acting classes. In 2019, going back to my root in music, I started writing my own music more intensively and performing live and started publishing them as well! Oh, and I started playing bass professionally recently. Read more>>