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.

Alli Creagh of Alley Fitness

The year was 2010, and I decided to quit my first job out of college. The decision to leave what I thought was my dream career path as an event planner, to pursue a career in fitness, ultimately led me to discover my true calling and build a business that aligned with my values and interests. I had grown up in the fitness world with my father’s business and participated in many sports. With the passion already ignited, I started my journey as a personal trainer in 2010. I was told by my father to find a niche and make that a focal point of my training. The stars aligned, and I was introduced to a Pilates studio almost simultaneously. I fell in love with the practice and thought that with the knowledge of Pilates and personal training, it would be a force to be reckoned with. Read more>>

Jenn Wint of WINT Communications

I’ve been a solopreneur for over 10 years. My career in PR began on the corproate side in real estate, development and architecture before it evolved to contracting and supporting small and medium sized businesses across a variety of industries including women’s health, beauty and cultural events. My main roles are as a Public Relations Specialist and a writer. I’m equally passionate about both sides of my business which I’m very grateful for. In the PR side of my business I work with small brands and businesses to create a strategy for their earned media and then coaching them in bringing it to life. Many small businesses and solopreneurs don’t have the budget for full PR services so working with them to teach them how to DIY their media outreach allows them to tell their story and connect with audiences they might not otherwise have access to. Read more>>

Calvin Wright

Greetings, my name is Calvin Wright, but I prefer to be called by C.J. It’s a privilege to have this opportunity with you guys thank you. I just wanted to take some time and tell you guys about how I have gotten to where I am today. I can honestly always say that even as a young kid I knew I wanted to work for myself or at least make sure I was living a life centered around doing the things that fulfilled me or made me happy. Playing basketball was actually one of the things that helped me realize that. When I was 16 years old I was awarded a scholarship to play at a prep school all the way in Mississippi where we played a national schedule. The next year I would go on to play at another high school in New Jersey where I would graduate from. I then would go on to play ball in college. While having the opportunity to play for all these different places that took me everywhere and gave me exposure, it showed me something. Read more>>

Jessica Cole of WorthMinded

My financial journey started at the end of my college years. College left me saddled with $55,000 in student loans that I had no hope of paying back. I didn’t want to stay hopeless, so I decided to do something about it. My first job after graduation paid me a $35,000 salary, but I knew I was worth more. One day, I decided it was time to receive it. It seemed like a crazy ask – a $20,000 bump in pay. I wasn’t a typical college undergrad, though. I had some full-time work experience before I received my degree, so I leaned into that. The $20,000 I was asking for was in line with my years of expertise, even if I had been out of the market a couple of years to finish school. Read more>>

Youlmae Kim

From a younger age, I started training specifically in Korean Traditional Dance, Ballet and Modern/Contemporary Dance in South Korea. In my early 20s, I was interested in Musical Theater so I wanted to experience Theater Dance in New York City. Since my move to NYC in 2014, alongside my training in Theater Dance, I fell in love with various street dance styles. At the moment, it’s hard to define exactly what kind of dance genre that I’m doing because through my eclectic dance training, I’ve blended different movements into one style. Read more>>

Brandon Surtain

Much of where I am today is attributable to Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. In 2005 my family evacuated New Orleans on the day before the storm made landfall, many of them haven’t moved back since. I was 11 years old at the time and didn’t quite understand the magnitude of what was happening. About a month after the hurricane, school-aged children started to get enrolled into schools in Baton Rouge, where we’d evacuated to. In the following months, I would visit the city and see the damage done by the flooding. At the time, I wasn’t aware of the dynamic nature of the built environment. It hadn’t occurred to me that we may not be moving back into our home. It hadn’t occurred to me that I’d never see most of my childhood friends and neighbors again. The loss of community wasn’t a concept that I’d been confronted with. I had my observations of my neighborhood, post-Katrina, but wasn’t able to fully grasp the erasure of place and Home. Read more>>

Grace Redman of Dare To Achieve

I am Grace Redman am a first generation Palestinian American. I have lived the majority of my life in San Mateo, California a beautiful city in between San Francisco and San Jose in the Bay Area. As the oldest of five I took on a lot of responsibility at a young age. When you are 10 the you dread the responsibility; however, as an adult looking back I am so grateful for the role that I held in the family. It taught me how to be independent, gritty, resilient, and self sufficient. It was grooming me to become a leader. I am so grateful that my grandparents and parents immigrated to the united states. Their intention was to give us a better life and they worked very hard to do just that. The majority of my family are entrepreneurs. My great grandfather immigrated to NYC in 1901. He worked his way from NYC to San Francisco selling textiles. I am so grateful for the rode that he and the others in my family paved for me. A strong work ethic, being of service, and cultivating connected sincere relationships was something that was instilled in us from a very young age. Read more>>

Pj Braley

I have always loved to read. I think it was the main reason I liked school: there were so many books to read and experience. One day, probably in middle school, I checked out a novel called “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” I found the story compelling, but it was only when I realized that the main character, Francie Nolan, grew up to be an actual author that writing suddenly became very real to me. I thought that if a little girl in Brooklyn could become an author, then perhaps another little girl so far away in Florida could become a writer, too. Read more>>

Arlys Tineo

Growing up, my favorite subjects were art and history. As college applications were quickly approaching, I couldn’t picture myself in a career of my favorite subjects. However, throughout middle and high school, I was passionate about community service and volunteering my time at different organizations. It was the summer before my senior year that I heard about social work and started my research on the profession. I was in shock and awe that a profession existed around helping others and I knew it was the right career path for me. As I continued navigating the higher educational space, I was constantly affirmed of my decision to become a social worker. I completed my Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) and Master’s in Social Work (MSW) within 4 years and became a Licensed Social Worker (LMSW) shortly after that. As a first-generation Dominican American Social Worker, I’ve had the opportunity to work with multiple populations and communities creating a significant impact. My hope in sharing my story is for other first-generation youth to feel inspired to pursue their passions and encourage youth to find community. Read more>>

Emma-jane Barlow

I’ve always loved words. From the moment I could write and read, I was hooked! I’ve been writing poetry since the age of seven. It has always been how I understand myself and the world around me. I won multiple poetry competitions at school and I would write short stories and songs in notebooks throughout my childhood and teens. Then I studied Creative Writing at university. My love for words has blossomed throughout my life and I am so proud of how far I have come. I’ve published two bestselling poetry books and I am working on a third. I’m also working on a few other projects, including a novel and a non-fiction book. My love of words continues and I know I have many more stories to tell.  Read more>>

John Neral of John Neral Coaching, LLC

My career journey began in education, a path that eventually led me to my current role as an Executive and Career Transition coach. Little did I know that the 25 years I spent in education would be the foundation for my coaching practice, allowing me to leverage a wealth of experiences and insights. My career trajectory started in the classroom as a middle-school mathematics teacher and evolved into a series of administrative and supervisory roles, including being an instructional coach. A pivotal moment came in 2010 when I made a bold decision to leave a district I had been a part of for 14 years. This move led me to a position where I supervised 21 instructional coaches across 14 middle schools for the District of Columbia Public Schools, marking a significant shift in my career. Read more>>

Samantha Mittman Besnoff of Your Financial Maven LLC

September 2024 will be eleven years in business for myself. I have always known I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but it took a windy path to get to where I am today. Since high school, I knew I wanted to be in the accounting field and to have my Certified Public Accountants (CPA) license. When I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, I didn’t have the typical accounting job that most of my friends did. I didn’t get to go into the big six accounting world. I ended up auditing for the Auditor General, for the state of PA, auditing school districts. And I did that for a couple of years and then wanted to get into public accounting. And I did that for a couple of years and into corporate and tax accounting and then into the nonprofit world. And when I was in the nonprofit world, I just started to really want to work for myself and I made the decision after six years of being an executive director at a nonprofit that it was time to move on and do things for myself, and that’s how I went into doing accounting and tax for individuals and small businesses. Read more>>

Amy Vroom’s Story

I grew up in the Midwest and have lived in Minneapolis, Miami and for the past (almost) 20 years — Seattle. After working 15+ years in the advertising industry, I went back to school in order to make a career change to interior design. I wasn’t fulfilled in my job, and I knew there was something else out there for me. After completing my MFA in Interior Architecture & Design, I started The Residency Bureau where I focus primarily on residential interiors. As someone who cut their teeth in advertising, I also know the importance of a good story. I believe listening to my client’s stories provides the best blueprint for successful interior design projects. There is nothing more personal than your home and how it reflects your personality and tells the story of you. Read more>>

Dr. Judith Wright of LiveWright

From a chubby girl growing up in a factory town to becoming a speaker, award-winning bestselling author, pioneer in human development, professor, coach, business owner, and co-founder of a graduate university, who was called “one of the most sought after self-help gurus in the country” by The San Francisco Chronicle and “One of America’s Ultimate Experts” by Woman’s World Magazine and has appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, The Today Show, ABC’s 20/20 and hundreds of other media—has been quite a journey. Read more>>

Jonah Hoy

Well I always wanted to be in the creative world and make it my career any way I could. wether as an artist or just in the business. I started out by going to bands shows and writing articles for them at my college magazine in school. They would let me get in for free as long as I wrote an article and took a few pictures. Then, I stayed in Pittsburgh after I graduated, found some old head music guys that ran the local scene ways back and they got me started in the business so I could pursue a career in music. Read more>>

Matt And K.ay’nea Riley of Heart of Oneness Holistic Expo

Our names are K.Ay’Nea & Matt Riley. We currently reside in Monmouth County, NJ. We met each other in 2003 online, before it was really popular, on Yahoo. There was an instant connection between us that went way beyond just an ordinary meeting. Ten weeks later, we were engaged, and we got married in 2004. We began our business, the Heart of Oneness Holistic Expo, in 2018. We are a holistically-minded community organization located in New Jersey that is committed and dedicated to wellness, self-awareness, mindfulness and inner unification. As an organization, we have the profound gift of coordinating and collaborating with over 250 wellness practitioners, businesses, and progressive thought leaders as a way of educating others on the importance of a healthy mind and healthy body connection. Read more>>

Marsha Petnick’s Story

For 42 years I ran my families Furniture store company along with my Brother . When he retired in 2021 we decided to close and I began my new chapter at the age of 61. I decided to pursue my love of Physical fitness and became a trainer teaching group fitness classes as well as 1 on 1 training. I focus mostly on strength because it is so important as we age. In addition I have continued to take on Interior design clients finding them happiness in their surroundings. Interior design continues to be a fabulous creative outlet. Read more>>

Kelsi Sisley

My name is Kelsi Sisley & this is a little bit about myself you might like to learn more about…. I was born & raised in San Diego, California moved to Virginia Beach, Va 12 years ago & studied/ graduated at Rudy & Kelly Academy. Since then I have been extremely passionate about what I love & my interest in makeup artistry / hairstyling & spray tanning. I’ve been working with some fabulous boudoir /wedding/ maternity/special occasion photographers & have created some of my favorite work yet! I am super friendly & outgoing & absolutely love to doll up my clients on there special day/ occasion/ just for fun whatever. Basically you can count on me to make your day shine brighter than ever!!!✨💎 Read more>>

Allison Taylor

My story takes a lot of twists and turns. I’ve worked in a lot of industries and for a lot of bosses over the years. There have been several times that I’ve taken a step back and said “Am I the problem here?” *Cue Taylor Swift* I went to culinary school of all things but in a lot of ways it makes sense. It was a way to be creative in a job. Way before digital marketing was a ‘thing.’  But after working in various restaurant settings, doing catering and everything in between it became very clear to me that working in the food industry was going to be a hard life to life if I wanted to be a wife and mother.  Read more>>

Tanner Schnur of Piney Hollow Wood Craft

In 2018, I established Piney Hollow Wood Craft, initially crafting furniture such as bedroom sets, dining tables, barn doors, and epoxy river tables. That same year, I acquired my first CNC mill and spent two years designing a variety of products, yet without sales. In 2020, I shifted focus to creating European plaques for hunters to showcase their trophies, which began to sell online. For the next three years, I balanced furniture making with CNC operations. By the summer of 2023, I ceased furniture production entirely, opting to specialize in CNC milled products. This transition allowed me to fulfill orders and reach a broader audience than furniture ever did. Since then, I’ve been expanding my product line to include plaques for various game species like Whitetail, Elk, Bear, and Turkey, while also upgrading my machinery to boost production times and streamline plaque manufacturing processes. Read more>>

Shannon Mcginn of UrbanNomadYoga

Over a decade ago, I set off on an adventure that would shape my life forever. Traveling the world with a yoga mat in my backpack, I taught yoga in exchange for food and shelter at hostels in the most unexpected and captivating places. Each new destination added a layer of richness to my practice and perspective. When the time came to settle in New York City, I knew I couldn’t just teach another routine yoga class. I wanted to infuse my teaching with the essence of my global journey. Central Park, with its lush greenery and vibrant energy, became the perfect setting. Here, city dwellers could reconnect with nature, feel the grass beneath their feet, and the sunshine kiss their cheeks. Read more>>

Jill Harris’s Story

In my 20s, I was working at a PR firm during the day, but my true passion was dancing. I spent my evenings taking dance classes, teaching, and performing. Corporate life just wasn’t for me—I was happiest when I was moving. I heard that Pilates could help dancers move better and create leaner bodies, so I took a leap and signed up for teacher training without ever having tried it. Once certified, I continued working full-time while teaching and dancing, but I knew I wanted to make the switch to full-time Pilates, which I did within a year. Read more>>

Beena Patel of The Yoga Movement

I started The Yoga Movement in 2019 based on my experience in both medicine and alternative healing. Having witnessed the gap between two worlds that are much stronger when combined and see people on a deep, holistic level, I knew this was the gateway for more powerful, long-lasting transformation that people are seeking today. The Yoga Movement was birthed to help bridge the gap between these two worlds through the use of ancient wisdom and alternative medicine. Read more>>

Tobe Roberts

I am a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts (TSOA). I obtained my Master of Fine Arts degree in 1996 in film producing and screenwriting. Since then, I have gained experience as a co-producer of a New York-based video production company specializing in Native American programming, worked at Paramount Pictures East Coast Publicity, and been involved in screenwriting/film & TV development at Atchity Productions. Read more>>

Heather Ella Squicciarini

Thank you for allowing me to share my story. It all started when I was searching for a side business. I was working part time as a paraprofessional, and working from home as a small business bookkeeper while I was raising our 4 children. Our family of 6 needed health benefits so I needed to get a full time job. I did land a job but it was an hour commute each way but I was just thankful to provide benefits for my family. It was this job that allowed me to study for all the certifications I was about to embark upon. Even though I had a full time job I had something inside of me telling me there is something more I should be doing. I was brought up in a family business my whole life, I had a degree in Business Administration. Surely there is something more I could be doing that has haunted me constantly. Read more>>

 Keturah Miller of Bloom with Keturah

I have always been a fan of mentoring, and acts of service is one of my love languages. Additionally, as a Big Sister in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America program, I found absolute joy in helping others grow. I was a big sister in the program for ten years. I loved seeing people excel in personal development, so I also decided to become a Personal Development and Self-Love Coach. Read more>>

Mary Fisk-taylor

My path to becoming a professional photographer was far from conventional. Growing up, I never saw myself as artistic and certainly didn’t envision running a small business. My childhood was marked by modest means and significant personal losses, including the death of my father when I was just eight years old and the eventual loss of my beloved grandmother, who was one of my biggest supporters. Read more>>

Tammy Barr

As journeys naturally do, mine meandered up, down, and around. As a young adult, I was conflicted about my post-college career options. The one thing I knew deep in my core was that I wanted to explore the world. With some helpful family advice, I decided to utilize my teaching degree abroad. I spent the next seven years teaching English as a Second Language abroad and working on board cruise ships. It was on ships when I discovered Human Resources. A career on land began after I shifted my focus from working with kids to working with adults. After climbing the corporate ladder and partnering with business leaders across varying industries, my husband and I decided to take a sabbatical. Read more>>

Jessica Cording

I was always interested in nutrition and health, as I grew up around sick family members and relatives who had bad relationships with food. However, I adored writing and hated chemistry class, so I followed a communications scholarship and got a BFA in writing and publishing. After I graduated, I worked a few different jobs to pay the bills, including one as an office manager for an acupuncture practice. The experience of being in the healthcare office setting inspired me to go back to school to study nutrition. It was intense diving into science-focused coursework and the clinical internship that prepared me to sit for my licensing exam to become a registered dietitian, but I loved learning so much about the human body and the role of nutrition in optimizing wellbeing. Read more>>

Kelia Stuart

My perception after going through two abusive marriages, losing the father of my son to a senseless crime, and battling depression, anxiety, and PTSD was that “trauma ruined my dreams”. Everything I was faced with communicated that to me: Two failed marriages left me believing I was not worthy of being loved and cared for. The abuse left me always on edge, in fear, and wanting to be isolated from anyone or anything that tried to hurt me. Grief after losing a significant person in my life left me feeling abandoned. As a single mom, I often worried about how I would care for my children. These life events led to a life full of stress, anxiety, depression, and many PTSD episodes. This was not the life I had imagined for myself. I have always dreamed of being an attorney helping families, women, and children. I wanted to be deeply involved in helping my community heal from trauma yet here I was traumatized and unable to help anyone…including myself. I truly felt like my dreams of being who I felt God called me to be were ruined by trauma. Read more>>

Elizabeth Van Horn

Thank you! I’m excited to be here! I never really knew what I wanted to do as a career. I tried so many different things from education to hospitality and often those two at the same time. It was difficult to make a decent living with just one job so I often had numerous jobs to make ends meet and more. But I would get burnt out after 60-70 hour weeks. The hospitality industry was much more fun and monetarily rewarding with sometimes, less hours. I took my bartending/catering/wedding venue experience and started Hausbar, a mobile bartending service that brings the bar and the all the essentials to the client at their private properties, venue or place of work for a corporate event. Today I’m running a successful business that provides ease for my clients/couples to create lasting memories at life’s most spectacular moments. We’ve recently partnered with incredible companies who are run by wonderful people such as LimeHill winery who is allowing us to have our own line of wine and Eight Oaks Farm Distillery who is making quality liquor with their agricultural products. Today I am satisfied with where the business is at! We plan on partnering with more good and local businesses to benefit everyone in our community. Thank you for giving me an excuse to remind me how Hausbar got started to to appreciate where we are now and where we’re going! Read more>>

Cathleen Dower of The Fitzgerald School of Irish Dance

I started out teaching Irish dance at a local dance studio, which I really enjoyed. After four years however the studio owners were retiring and it was at this time that I made the decision to strike out on my own, and find space to rent, as I had built a small following. Within that time, we grew from roughly 15 students to now double our numbers and we continue to grow. However, there were some setbacks including a global pandemic and having to move space a few times. I’m so grateful that I never gave up and the school continues to grow along with myself on this journey as an entrepreneur. Read more>>

Tanja Diamond of Unique Speaking Style

The first time I spoke in front of an audience, something ignited in me. Whether I was on stage, creating plays at home, or diving headfirst into debates at school, I was a natural-born communicator. But as a child, my enthusiasm often got me into trouble. Teachers would sigh, “Be quiet,” as my hand shot up again, desperate to share. Deep down, I had an unshakable desire to connect and inspire. Every new discovery—whether from exploring the Encyclopedia Britannica or observing the world around me—became something I had to share. My voice, once seen as a problem, would eventually become my most powerful tool. Read more>>

Heidi Margocsy’s Story

We began In Her Image Photography in 2009. The recession was in full swing and though it seemed outrageous to begin a portrait business when many businesses in our area were closing, we took a leap of faith. We both grew up with cameras in our hands and we each saw the world a little differently because of that. We share a deep passion for creating. It was when a woman we photographed said to us through happy tears “Thank you for making me feel beautiful” that the In Her Image seed was planted. Our primary focus was creating empowering and authentic portraits for women. That’s what we built our business on. Our clients were our number one marketing team, as they’d share their images with friends, family and co-workers and within a year- the business was self-pollinating. We were told numerous times that our business wouldn’t survive with such a specific niche. No weddings? Read more>>

Hillary Branyik’s Story

Hi, I am Branik and I am an artist of sorts. I like to make many things, but what I like to make most is music. I am a singer and songwriter from a small town in CO. (Very original, I know.) I went to college for songwriting in Boston, MA at Berklee College of Music. (Less original, hopefully very interesting.) I moved around over the years but have spent the last 9 years in Seattle, WA. I released my debut EP here, had my first official solo Branik show here. Got a job at a famous fish market called Pike Place Fish Market….the one where they throw the fish. I met my husband here. I made my debut on the radio broadcast from the killer station KEXP!! Shout out to Rachel Stevens and DJ Kevin Cole. (DRIVE TIME!!) Currently, working on a single, well 3 actually, but one more than the others. Stand by, I promise they will all be a heart puncher. Read more>>

J. Brynn Snyder of Slate Flosser

Slate Dental, Inc. was officially founded in the summer of 2021 but the idea for our Slate Electric Flosser originated in the summer of 2019. My husband Danny is a dentist and has been using a handled flosser for close to 20 years. One evening while flossing his teeth and staring at his electric toothbrush, he began thinking about what an electric flosser might look like. So, Dr. Snyder turned on his Sonicare toothbrush, held it alongside his handled flosser, and started to floss. He immediately noticed that the floss slipped between his tight contacts better with the added vibration. Of course, he thought that he could buy an electric flosser online, but after an extensive Google search, he realized that the product he was looking for didn’t exist yet! That’s when he came to me with the idea that we should develop and market an electric flosser. Read more>>

B. E. Padgett

I think some of the best starts of a passion come from when we are children. This was true for me. I have always been interested in stories—the more fantastical, the better. I was twelve when I realized I enjoyed writing stories. I filled piles of notebooks with poems and stories. It felt freeing to create worlds and solve mysteries with my pencil and paper. As I got older, though, I became practical and decided that I wanted to study English and, in particular, writing. I went to a community college and got an associate degree with a focus on written arts. My plan was to become an editor or literary agent and write my own books on the side. It wasn’t long before I took a class in graphic design and changed focus again to another creative outlet. This creative outlet led me to opportunities at the community college I had attended. Read more>>

Shannon Wilde

When my family and I moved to New Orleans from Canada, we knew that we wanted to start a business here. My husband always had a dream of opening a metaphysical/occult shop and I loved the idea of bringing a new and fresh take on the industry. In New Orleans there are already a number of shops dedicated to the occult, witchcraft, voodoo etc. While they are lovely and I think what they are doing is wonderful, I wanted to bring a new flavor to what the occult could be! This is how our first, of now three shops was created. Sassy Magick was born out of my love for pink, glitter, and safe spaces. Read more>>

Debra Ruh of BIllion Strong

I started my career in banking, where I worked diligently and eventually rose to the position of Vice President. However, my journey took a significant turn when my daughter, Sara Ruh, was born with Down syndrome. Her arrival inspired me to give back to the community and advocate for people with disabilities. Driven by this newfound purpose, I founded TecAccess, a company dedicated to making technology accessible to all. Building on this foundation, I then established Ruh Global IMPACT to further advocate for disability inclusion and accessibility on a global scale. Read more>>

Peter Fenton’s Story

In the heart of Manhattan’s theater district one Saturday night in June, I surveyed a packed house at Theatre Row from the sound booth while wearing my finest navy blazer. Three years of determination had led to this moment. I was serving as both stage manager and producer, but I assumed these roles to achieve my true dream by any means necessary: I am a writer, and this night marked my Off-Broadway debut. Read more>>

Tinia Montford

I write romance to capture the beauty and passion in multicultural experiences. As a teen, I searched for books that reflected me, only to find a limited, stereotypical selection. I wanted stories that empowered me as a Black woman. Now, as a writer, my goal is to create accessible, empowering books for Black readers and beyond. I aim to challenge stereotypes and provide true representation. The romance industry has the power to amplify diverse voices—racial, ethnic, gender, and disability identities. By embracing this inclusion, we can reshape how love is depicted and who is seen as worthy of it. Through love, we expand empathy, challenge prejudice, and inspire change. Read more>>

Nick Eckert of Safety Reloaded Training and Consulting

When I first started my journey, I noticed there was a big piece missing from trainers at that time. The instructors I went to had a 1 size fits all idea about their training, and it wasn’t working for everyone. I found that a lot of students wanted something more meant for them. People who may not know much about personal protection or self-defense. People who may just be starting out. I saw that as an opportunity and wanted to bridge the gap for beginners. I wanted to meet the student where they were on their own journey, as a beginner or someone with more experience. Over nearly 10 years we built our classes and academies around that simple idea, meet the student where they are. Today we have several instructors and reach hundreds of people a year! Read more>>

Kanika Bennett

I’m originally from a small town in Thailand. When I was young my family didn’t have much money. Five of us lived in a tiny room in the basement of my grandparent’s house. My mom and dad worked long hours to support our family. I remember watching other girls around my age playing with these cute dolls, and I asked my mom “One day, if we are rich, can you buy me one of those dolls?” With a tear in her eye my mom looked at me and said “One day my love, I’ll get you that doll.” I looked back up at her and smiled. Read more>>

Wendy Yereni of Alma Life

I started my adult career in mentorship and marketing in Silicon Valley. My career ranged from non-profit sectors to corporate companies. Then came 2020 and the year the world shut down. My husband and I were newlyweds at the time and were now at home together 100% of the time so, naturally, our household habits came up more. In our bickering and discussions of putting things away and keeping things tidy, I found it harder and harder to explain to my husband our environment matters and impacts our daily lives. A week had gone by and I noticed that my husband had been putting things away. I thanked him and told him I had noticed a change and I asked him what was the final impact, and he said, “I came across an article talking about feng shui and how it can improve your daily life.” I was stunned! THIS I COULD GET BEHIND! Read more>>

Dan Ray Everett

According to my mom I started painting when I was one when I smashed my birthday cake and started drawing with the icing. My mom is an artist, so I assume I started as soon as I could hold a brush or a pencil…most likely a crayon. When I was eight there was controversy over an art contest when a painting I did won first place. The submitted painting was a portrait of my dog Coco, and apparently people thought my mom painted it. So that was my introduction to the “art world”. My mom had art shows all of the time while I was growing up, and she still does to this day, so I felt very familiar with artists, and art shows. My mom would take my sister and me to the Philadelphia Museum of Art at least once a month, sometimes more if there was a great temporary exhibition. During the end of middle school and the beginning of highschool I was very inspired by Surrealism, and I started making paintings inspired by that movement. However, art stopped for a few years when I started living with my dad. Read more>>

Shannon Thompson

My life in the arts began at the age of 4. My parents enrolled me in dancing school from which I graduated at the age of 18 and I began to work as a professional dancer. I have explored every discipline of the arts from singing, to theater, to writing, and now painting. The arts are my life and I am able to be me because they exist. Read more>>

Stacy P Burrell of The Motivational Institute- TMI

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a storm, wondering when it would end? If your answer is yes, you are not alone, even if it feels that way. This year, I lost aspects of my business, finances, health, freedom, and relationships in what seemed to be overnight. Life for me has been brutal to say the least, but my relationship with Christ has grown stronger. Honestly, I thought God had given up on me and that my life was over. The days were lonely, and the nights were dark, but I knew in my spirit that somehow, I’d make it through. Jerimiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. This scripture helped me hold on to God’s plan when I had to surrender my own. Read more>>

Sally Grieshaber

I really got my start with intimate wedding and elopement photography when the pandemic hit in 2020. All of a sudden, the wedding industry came to a screeching halt and couples were still wanting to get married! I had always wanted to get into elopement photography but my schedule was so chaotic between attending undergrad and working alongside. Suddenly, my schedule was severely freed up as well so I decided to pursue photography more seriously. Read more>>

Ana Milena Rojas

I’ve always had a passion for art. From a young age, I was drawn to various forms of artistic expression—dancing, painting, designing. Now, I focus on creating conceptual art pieces that weave stories through digital mediums. This shift in my artistic journey in 2022 was transformative. It not only introduced me to new realms of creativity but also expanded my skills as a designer and challenged my approach to projects. Over the past year and beyond, working on these digital artworks has not only been fulfilling but has also opened doors to collaborate with incredible artists, both within the art community and the design industry. This experience has profoundly shaped my artistic path and broadened my horizons in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Read more>>

Andrea Polnaszek

Over ten years ago I was invited to co-write a screenplay with my sister, Alexandra Boylan. Together we wrote Catching Faith and ended up filming the movie in my town, Chippewa Falls. This was the beginning of my journey into film making and now I have written and produced six movies. I have been blessed to write companion material for all of our films. These books include: The Elijah Project, My Wish for Christmas, The Greatest Inheritance, Lead with Love (series) and Mirror Mirror. Read more>>

Curtis Childs

I started wanting to share a set of practical, rational, spiritual solutions that had worked so well for me with the world. I set out into the world of YouTube and was overwhelmed by the receptivity I found there. And after a few unexpected twists and turns (I would call it divine providence) I ended up getting to do this thing that I so love to do. Read more>>

Gavin Glakas

I got really lucky because when I set out to become a professional artist at 24, after minoring in art in college and then working in an office for two years, I saw a Help Wanted sign in the window of an art gallery. I got a job there and the gallery turned out to be really successful. A year later they started selling my paintings regularly and getting me commissions. At the same time, I found two teachers who were exactly what I needed. They taught me to paint, working at the gallery taught me about business, and I was off and running. Read more>>

Stephenie Magister

I entered the book industry first as an Inventory Manager for Borders Books and Music, then transitioned to Receiving Manager for Barnes and Noble. In both roles, I was responsible for a multi-million-dollar sales volume. Soon after, I entered graduate school for my Master’s in Journalism and Mass Communication, where I also served as the graduate assistant for the university’s first low-residency MFA program for narrative nonfiction and screenwriting. Since graduating in 2013, I have served as a senior editor and copywriter for a diverse list of publishers and independent authors, elevating debut and established writers into award winners and bestsellers. In addition, I donated my services as an editor to Writers for Hope, a charity organization benefiting survivors of sexual violence. Read more>>

James Finnegan’s Story

The best thing I could do was draw. It got me in trouble in grade school, but eventually made it possible to attend school and teach at a large University. My graduate experience established a work discipline that I continue in my studio work today Read more>>

Ricardo Bello

I started my artistic life when I was 16, drawing a drawing of a TV artist who admired his work and I personally took it to him at the theater where he was presenting a show. He liked my work, thanked me, showed it to a waiter in the dressing room and said he would put my drawing in a painting. That moved me a lot and gave me strength to continue the work. From that day on, I began drawing the artists I admired and personally delivering the drawings I made of each of them. This way I achieved the record for the largest number of caricatures of celebrities delivered in person. Record recognized by Rankbrasil, the Brazilian record book. Read more>>

Brooke Warner

I got lucky and landed a publishing job when I was fairly recently out of college. I’ve had some lucky breaks in getting hired, first at North Atlantic Books and later at Seal Press. I got the job at North Atlantic Books by sending out my resume even to publishing houses that weren’t hiring. I would say my trajectory from there to here has been all about taking the next step, though sometimes those steps felt scary. The job at Seal Press was a dream job for many years, until it wasn’t, and when I left, I took a giant leap of faith to start my own company, She Writes Press. Thirteen years later I would say that I’m deeply entrenched in the business of book publishing, whereas my time in traditional publishing was exclusively about working on one side of the business: editorial. That She Writes Press has made a name for itself in the publishing industry as a reputable hybrid press is one of my proudest accomplishments. Read more>>

Ruby Moran

Interestingly enough, it was the pandemic that started it all. I already knew that I liked to read, draw, and write, but since I was in middle school, I didn’t know of anyplace to publish or volunteer in. I learned about the importance of extracurriculars in a meeting describing what to expect from the college process. From there, I sought out to find anyplace where I might be able to start participating in activities I like and will benefit me in the long run. I found Journals of Color, an online youth-led magazine run by students of color from The Bronx, and worked with them as an artist for a few months. After that, I joined The Self Journey, another online youth-led organization but with a focus on adolescent mental health and personal development, as an outreach member and eventually became director of the Mentorship Program. Read more>>

Amanda Whyte

First of all, thank you for having me. Where do I even start? Believe it or not, I got into acting accidentally during my senior year of high school. The year prior, I really just wanted to take a keyboard class or a vocal class as my final “elective” class, but the arts were severely underfunded where I grew up in Canada. All of the classes I wanted to take got cancelled and drama class was one of the only arts electives left so I took it despite not having done any of the prerequisites. Read more>>

Kathleen Isaac of HEAL’D LLC

I was born in Brooklyn, NY to Haitian immigrants. My story starts with the loss of my mother at age 2 to cancer. My father raised me and my 3 siblings as a single parent until he passed away when I was 10, also from cancer. These early losses set me on path to becoming a clinical psychologist who is dedicated to helping others navigate life’s difficulties, including loss, trauma, familial-cultural issues and identity development. From a young age, I was identified as intellectually gifted and talented, which I relied on as my way of coping with my early losses and setting myself up to be independent and take care of myself. Throughout my life, I have used my skills to connect with others, creating family and acquiring mentorship and support to help me achieve all of my goals. Currently, I am working to support future physicians by promoting self and institutional healing. I also help people of color navigate racial identity and racial trauma and work with organizations who are interested in creating equitable cultures for their members. Personally, I am committed to breaking generational cycles of loss and abandonment, encouraging bold, authentic living for myself, and future generations in my family. Read more>>

Jennifer Polites

My journey to becoming the Clinical Director of the Center for Hope and Healing began with a very different dream. In high school, I aspired to be a photojournalist, driven by a passion for traveling and a deep curiosity about other people’s stories. I envisioned a career where I could capture and share the diverse experiences of individuals around the world, using images to convey the richness of human life. However, after speaking with someone already in the field, I realized that the realities of photojournalism—its instability, the challenges of constant travel, and the often detached perspective—were not what I had imagined. Read more>>

 Shila Griffith of SG23 Design

I knew I wanted to be an interior designer since I was 13. I went to Philadelphia University (now Jefferson University) for my bachelor’s degree in interior design. Immediately after I pursued my master’s in sustainable design at the same university. While I was in college, I had internships that spanned corporate design, sustainable design and high-end architecture. After graduate school I was offered a full-time position at the architecture firm. Being that my background was in interiors, I got a clearer insight into their expertise including structure and how it relates to back interior design decisions. Also, since the work was high-end virtually everything was custom, which honed my detailing skills. At the time the architecture firm focused solely on traditional architecture which increased my appreciation for older homes. This heavily contrasted my college experience as the curriculum mostly focused on modern architecture and design. Read more>>

Allison Teicher-fahrbach

When I was in kindergarten, I was blessed with the opportunity to read to my class on a day when my teacher was sick. Sitting in that chair, reading Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss to my entire kindergarten class, I realized the genuine power of education. I discovered the power of being able to read. I discovered the value of empowering individuals to pursue their gifts and talents. It was my first discernable interaction with establishing and continuing to build upon self-determination. When I was in third and fourth grade, I worked with phenomenal teachers who empowered youth through student voice and student choice. We were able to engage in such thrilling research projects, and the authentic, real-world experiences we were a part of helped each of us grow in such a beautiful way. On the verge of my high school experience, I found, what I believed, was one of the most amazing things to achieve in the field of education: earning a PhD. I promised myself that one day I would earn one. Read more>>

Brigette Brantley of DA PEOPLES ASSEMBLY OF NY INC

I began my journey with humble beginnings, starting as a lunch aide and gradually working my way up to becoming a high school educator. Throughout this time, I gained invaluable insights into the challenges faced by at-risk youth. My passion for social justice and education, deeply influenced by my grandparents who were social justice activists, especially during the crack epidemic, led me to pursue further education and training in these fields. Read more>>

Anthony Holmes of BRILLIANT BSTRDS LLC

I am an artist and designer born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. From a young age, I found solace in drawing and painting, losing myself in the endless possibilities that art presented. My childhood consisted of countless hours exploring different mediums, experimenting with colors, and expressing my emotions through my work. I studied Graphic Design at The Wood Tobe-Coburn School in Manhattan where i honed my skills in Logo Design, Branding, Advertising, Illustration, etc.; whilst still boasting my natural talent in painting + illustration. I graduated with my A.O.S. (Associate of Occupational Studies) in 2013. Read more>>

Madison Greco

A member of my marathon training group showed up one Sunday and announced she was going to culinary school. My most immediate thought was……..why haven’t I thought of this? Enrolled a month later. My dad was always into food. Cooked for a while to make ends meet and at some point got himself a great paying job (not in food of course!) Our visits together always included dining at Chicago’s most exclusive/new restaurants. I attribute this to developing my interest in food, and palate at a young age. Read more>>

Jeana Kinne of JDEducational. Sammy the Golden Dog

My passion, from an early age, has been working with young children, specifically those between birth through five year olds. I worked as a camp counselor and child care program director every summer during my high school years. After working in my college preschool program, I decided to continue with my education, receiving my Masters Degree in Education: Curriculum, Teaching and Learning. For the past 20 years, I have been working in Early Childhood with neurotypical children and children with special needs. While working with preschool teachers and parents, they alway reported that their number one concern was children’s tantrums and behaviors. Read more>>

Brihem Johnson of Vi3ions

I am originally from Philadelphia, I have had a multifaceted journey between entrepreneurship, education, and community impact. Raised in a dynamic environment, my upbringing instilled a strong sense of community and ambition. With a father who’s an entrepreneur, i absorbed valuable insights into business from an early age. Fueled by a passion for digital marketing, I chose a path to establish Vi3ions, driven by the vision to deliver high-quality content and maximize exposure. As a digital marketing professional, I leverage expertise to create impactful digital strategies that resonate with audiences, aiming to capture moments authentically and elevate brand experiences. Read more>>

Jade Patton

Hey there! My name is Jade, I’m from Alabama, being freakishly tall and awkward amongst my peers. I knew I was meant for something much more, just couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Suddenly one day when I was fifteen years old, my mom made a comment regarding how I should try out for a local modeling class taught by a girl that did pageants, etc. She had a foundation of contacts, and a knowledgebase that not only was priceless if I had not attended, I would not be where I am today. Local department store fashion shows, all throughout that I was still also attending high school at the time, focusing on my education. Modeling was always just a very fun, creative hobby for me. Also cathartic in a way because I don’t think I’ve ever had body dysmorphia, but either way modeling can make you very critical of your overall appearance. Now the way things are, compared to even just 15 years ago. We still have a long way to go, but I remember when my mother approached me with the idea at fifteen years old, I sought that as an opportunity to change the way that models are viewed or dismantling the ‘unattainable’ beauty standard. Read more>>

Camile Sardina

After I graduated college in 2013, I moved to New York City with one suitcase and a one-way ticket. There, I accepted a public relations job that had one extremely unique perk at the time: 100% remote work. Back then, the “digital nomad” life was not nearly as big of a conversation as it is today. Now, and especially after Covid, it’s strongly desired by many. And I don’t blame them…I wouldn’t change it for the world…because with it, I see more of the wold. After working with the public relations company for 5 years, I slowly started to build my own small PR firm, Evolist Media. By 2020, it became a self-sufficient company, and it continues to grow to this day. From then to today, I also maintained a writing side hustle, combining freelance article projects and my co-created book, Change Makers.  Read more>>

Sandra Lucia Diaz

Lucia Diaz is a first-generation Colombian-American and the Founder of LUCIA DIAZ, a Latina-owned business that empowers and honors Latinas through high-quality illustrations. Lucia’s artworks are created with the goal of providing cultural representation and pride so that mujeres poderosas can see themselves represented in the world. She is the published illustrator of “VIVA Latina,” written by her Target Accelerator’s mentor Sandra Velasquez available for preorder on Target.com. As Founder, Lucia has collaborated with brands such as DIOR, Tiffany & Co., Korbel, Diane von Furstenberg, CHANEL, Carolina Herrera, Marciano, Guess, Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Handmade, and Estée Lauder, among others. Her work has been featured by American Express, Essence, Visa, Brit + Co, Fierce by Mitu, Bold Latina, and We All Grow Latina. Read more>>