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.
Jude Kamal of Sansa Interiors Inc.
My name is Jude and I am a curly haired, 5’3”, fun-spirited interior designer from Toronto, ON. Aside from chasing adventure, I run my own interior design practice; Sansa Interiors Inc. Since the Beatles made a song for me, I promised them to always make spaces better. I’ve created a very distinctive interior design approach and process to tackling our projects. I have designed many homes and restaurants, and I love every step of the process. I grew up in Amman, Jordan, where my parents unleashed my wild soul and ignited my creativity at a really young age. My siblings and I would climb trees, play with the neighbours and make art. I also was surrounded by entrepreneurs and creators; from my grandma being a big fashion designer to my own parents each running businesses – I saw it all and thought: one day, I’ll just be running my own race too. I founded Sansa Interiors at the height of the covid pandemic and had to find unconventional ways to build a company during a lockdown. I’ve always loved art and architecture ever since I was a kid and knew that this was my calling so Sansa Interiors is my output for my creative vision. Read more>>
Noemie Jouas
My name is Noemie, I started teaching myself how to sew almost 10 years ago and I am now a full time fashion designer and content creator! Being creative has always been a big part of my life, and sewing was always my favorite way of expressing that creativity. After graduating from university with a degree in Business Management, and having taken classes at a fashion school, I decided to pursue a career in fashion design and grow my brand, Noé Dresses. Most recently, I have been focused on selling my designs online, and also growing an online community. Read more>>
Nick Rucker
After serving in the Army and enduring deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, I returned home carrying the weight of those experiences. The transition back to civilian life was anything but smooth, and I found myself struggling with a severe drinking problem that quickly spiraled out of control. In a moment of desperation, I attempted to take my own life, which led me to the VA hospital. It was there that I was confronted with a life-altering decision: either continue down the destructive path I was on, which would likely lead to my death sooner rather than later, or take a chance on a 28-day rehab program. Choosing rehab was the hardest yet most crucial decision of my life. During those 28 days, I rediscovered a part of myself that I thought I had lost. I channeled my pain, my memories, and my hopes into songwriting, finding solace and expression in music. I wrote an EP, pouring my soul into every lyric, and had the incredible opportunity to record it with Dan Marsala, the lead singer of Story of the Year. This creative journey didn’t stop there. The process of writing and recording inspired me to put my experiences into words, leading me to write my first book, Timecap, a candid reflection on my journey through war, addiction, and recovery. Now, I continue to write and record music, and I am nearing the completion of my second book, The Last Relic. This new work represents not only my growth as a writer but also my ongoing journey of healing and finding purpose beyond the scars of the past. Read more>>
Lauren Perna of Lauren Perna Communications
I was never one of those people who knew exactly what they wanted to do growing up. Having severe childhood anxiety made thinking about the future a real challenge. I enjoyed writing, reading, and communications but also liked science, so I was never quite sure of my direction. One thing I did know was that I would eventually run my own business, having come from a long line of entrepreneurs. I went to college at Fordham University, where I did an interdisciplinary major and took a deep interest in giving back and nonprofit work. I excelled in school and did several internships, but when I graduated, I struggled to find a job I was passionate about. So, I spent the first five years of my career in customer service roles that did not play into my creativity, independence, or desire to “change the world.” That all shifted in 2010 when I landed what became my dream job–a multi-faceted role in a nonprofit for the life sciences industry. I didn’t realize it when I got the job, but it truly allowed me to combine everything I was good at and passionate about. It was mission-driven work where I was talking to people, writing, presenting, planning events, learning about life-saving science, and being able to work autonomously and with a close-knit team. Read more>>
Nathan Guynn Jr
My story starts in January 2023. The new semester is starting, which means new sports are starting. Basketball was one of these sports. Coincidentally, my little brother played basketball for the local high school. I started becoming interested in shooting some pictures for him after seeing my mom (who shot pictures for me back when I was in high school) pull out her Nikon camera sometime before a game. I immediately asked if I could use her camera the next game. I went to the game, took some pictures (most which were very pre-amateur), and went home. I didn’t know it yet, but that night was the start of something bigger than me. Almost 2 years later, and there is so much change that’s happened with my photography career. I started in small town Iowa, shooting for the locals and the schools in the area (even got my first CanvasRebel Article when I lived in Iowa!). Now I’m in Chicago, capturing shots for even more people in such a big city. I’ve met so much new faces, from Nike staff, to Dawn Staley, all the way down to the common man I may see at work. I’m so blessed to be where I am now. Read more>>
Julian De La Garza of Julian The 2nd Jewelry
I began my journey as a metalsmith during college, where an introductory course sparked a deep passion for the craft. From that moment, I was captivated by the process, immersing myself in class after class until I had absorbed every bit of knowledge available. After graduating, I honed my skills at Tiffany & Co., setting diamonds, and later as a model maker, where I had the opportunity to work on pieces for both Tiffany and David Yurman. These experiences deepened my understanding of the industry and refined my craftsmanship. Today, I run my own online shop and work from my studio in Rhode Island, where I create jewelry inspired by gothic and brutalist architecture. My style leans towards the masculine, a rarity in the jewelry world, but when I first began shaping my brand, I made a conscious decision to create pieces that resonate with my personal taste—jewelry that I would proudly wear myself. Read more>>
Amber Richardson
I had a great upbringing; loving parents, three amazing brothers, and one beautiful sister. I am the youngest of five. My parents worked hard to provide us with the best opportunities on a teacher and in-home daycare salary. I was fortunate to experience a variety of sports. Through athletics I got to see a small portion of the world through my soccer adventures. However, when I went off to college I realized there was so much more to the world that I was not aware of. Admittedly I was ignorant, naive, and sheltered so to speak. I would attribute that to a narrow perspective and lack of diverse experiences. I learned quickly that all around me there were needs in our community that I wasn’t informed or educated about. Some of those social and health deficiencies included food insecurity, homelessness, addiction, and needs within the child welfare system. I spent my senior internship at Youth Emergency Services. They are committed to the rights and holistic needs of youth and young adults who face housing insecurity within our community. During that internship I realized I had a heart for child welfare issues and wanted to get more involved. At that same time, my husband Matt and I had friends who had just taken placement of their first child and it felt right to learn more about foster care and to see if that road was a good fit for us. Shortly after, we became licensed foster parents in 2007. It was during that summer that our foster care journey officially began. It forever changed the trajectory of our lives. Read more>>
Ron Denoo of Ron’s Gear Garage
I started my first guitar-related business quite by accident. I was traveling nearly every month to Japan on business and while there I would spend my downtime in the second-hand shops and flea markets in search of vintage Japanese guitars to bring home. After a year or two of doing this, my wife finally begged me to stop bringing so many guitars home because we were running out of room in our house! I enjoyed the treasure hunting so much that I didn’t want to stop so I agreed to start selling some of my guitars to make room for new ones and quickly realized that there was a great business opportunity in vintage Japanese guitars sourced in Japan. Read more>>
Lara Kamhi
After studying theatre, film, visual communication design and media art, I started my career as a media artist and an experimental film director. With time, I started curating shows concentrating on the field of Expanded Cinema. Writing and giving seminars about film and art followed. My main topic evolves around the subject of history and futures of cinematic technology as well as the erosion of reality through experience and immersive design. Aside from all these practices, I design for stage and shoot music videos for alternative music bands. Read more>>
Laurel Judd’s Story
Laurel Judd: Pure Sweat and Float Studio: (Clarksville + Sango) Laurel Judd has spent much of the last two decades working as a Licensed Clinical Therapist, with the last nine of those years, at Fort Campbell, treating the service members that have given so much in the name of our country. In November 2021, she changed directions and opened Pure Sweat + Float Studio in Sango, a wellness destination with state-of-the-art, full-spectrum infrared saunas, cold plunge + floatation therapy. Her reasons for shifting away from traditional counseling and towards holistic healing, (infrared sauna, cold plunge + floatation therapy), come from both the desire to continue serving the military community and the impact it’s had on her own life. Laurel’s husband is a Green Beret and she grew up in a military family, so her heart will always be with service members and their families. Several years ago, Laurel began having mysterious symptoms that weren’t traceable back to any specific illness. After many visits with doctors, she realized what it was: Breast Implant Illness. She was also diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s, which attacks the thyroid. After two years of unsuccessful doctors’ visits, medications and seven iron infusions, it ultimately was another Special Forces wife that figured out the cause of her mysterious ailments and suggested that she have her implants properly removed. Read more>>
Fernando Fula
Growing up in a working-class family, I discovered drawing as my creative refuge. With just a pencil, paper, and imagination, I could escape into worlds of my own making. As a child, I often accompanied my parents on their janitorial jobs, quietly sketching in break rooms while enjoying McDonald’s happy meals. I’d search for pens and pencils in empty offices, turning these tools into instruments of artistic expression. The Jehovah Witness faith fueled our household, profoundly shaping my worldview. The WatchTower magazines, with their realistic portrayals of human emotions, became an unexpected source of artistic inspiration. I found myself captivated by these images, recreating them and developing my own style in the process. I organized impromptu art shows at home, selling my drawings for whatever coins my family members could spare. These humble beginnings fueled my passion and determination to pursue art professionally. My journey to becoming a contemporary artist was far from conventional. Facing rejection from prestigious Boston art schools due to my lack of formal credentials, I refused to let these setbacks define me. Instead, I channeled my energy into relentless self-improvement, honing my skills through dedicated practice and perseverance. Read more>>
Yolimar Hernandez of Barrio Braids / Chewy’s Trove
It’s been two years since my little family made the huge move from all we knew back in Jersey, to living in Puerto Rico. I started my own small businesses back in New Jersey, but after moving to Puerto Rico, it has grown into being my purpose. My side hustle back home, has become my sole income now. Taking this leap to move with my husband and kids has put more pressure on making things happen. God has closed many doors I felt I was trying to keep open as a “just in case” or more so like a safety net, but also opened my eyes to more opportunities I was overlooking. My freetime, my self control, my time management, and my self motivation, all seemed to be masked and set aside while working a normal job just to keep that security blanket feeling of residual income. Now, I invest the stress of still having to pay bills into my time managment to prioritize my agenda and planner to book braid clients for Barrio Braids, and create content for digital products and other services to sell on Chewy’s Trove. It’s been a lot of trial and error, and I’m sure there is plenty more that will be put into perspective of what works and what sells, but I’m here for all of it. Read more>>
Suchita Sanjay’s Story
My Journey to start helping people with happy minds and abundant lives started in 2018 when there were some deep soul-calling moments that led me to qualify as a clinical hypnotherapist and ever since I qualified in 2020 have been able to transform more than 350 lives from 8 plus countries on a 1:1 session. If I had ignored this calling I would have felt that I am not leading a meaningful and purposeful life of not impacting anyone. More than anything I would have felt I have not contributed anything meaningful back to the society. Read more>>
Andrea Letard
I went from never stepping foot inside a kitchen until my late 20’s to a couple of years later turning cooking into a business. In 2010, right after getting married, my grandmother gifted me the family heirloom cookbook with recipes from family members dating all the way back to the 1800’s. It took that book with my favorite childhood recipe inside to motivate me to cook my first real meal, and I guess you could say that recipe goes down as the start of my love of cooking and the discovery of a hidden talent I never knew I had. This particular recipe, called Holiday Ravioli, was only ever served at Christmas. When she gave me the cookbook, Christmas was months away, but I insisted I needed to eat that most delicious, special dish right then. Being someone who never cooked, I failed to even look at the directions of the recipe and instead ran out and bought all the ingredients for it. When I got home and actually started cooking it, I decided I had successfully picked the most difficult recipe EVER to cook my first meal – haha! Everything from start to finish was from scratch – including the pasta dough, which needed to be rolled out with a pasta roller or rolling pin. I hardly owned basic cooking utensils much less a rolling pin, so in true fashion, I rolled my first pasta dough out with a wine bottle. The dish turned out perfectly. Then and there, I fell in love with cooking. I became obsessed and so immersed – from reading cookbooks to watching videos on repeat to searching for the answer to every cooking question I had – it’s all I did in my spare time. Years later, homemade pasta is still one of my favorite things to cook! Read more>>
Leslie Cove of Wild Rose House
My career has been a story of following my curiosity and letting things unfold but, it certainly has been an unpredictable journey. The last three positions I’ve held didn’t exist before I was in them, and I’ve had a great time shaping them and strategically planning where they and the team could go. It is only on looking back that you can see these golden threads that link up purpose, policy, advocacy and strategy, through time. I got my PhD in social psychology and emerged from my education with the motivation, enthusiasm and rose-colored glasses of the new graduate. But, I had graduated in a recession, and jobs were few and far between. I got offered a role at the Government of Alberta to work on data and methodology for Child and Family Services. This was a breakthrough role for me in all the ways you don’t expect. What seemed like a boring government job came with huge opportunities to learn and develop as a leader. They had a strong management competency framework, and I was able to dive into as many internally offered courses as I wanted. It was over these first few years I started to observe, and learn, and reflect on the kind of leader I wanted to be. Read more>>
Zak Miskry
I haven’t had the most linear path to becoming an artist, with no formal training, and it’s something that I never really expected to call myself. I always enjoyed art when I was younger, and made my first metal sculpture when I was 15 as part of my GCSE art project. I loved working with scrap metal and electronics, so I continued building sculptures in my spare time, despite pursuing science over art educationally. I studied biomedical sciences at university and worked in finance for the next two years after graduating. All the while creating sculptures in my bedroom with very limited tools. I was able to invest in a Micro Pulse Arc Welding system after I was commissioned by Colt technology services to create a butterfly out of their waste electronics. I shared this process online, and started creating reels about my sculptures. To my surprise, some of these reels started to go viral, and I went from having 2000 followers, to over 200,000 in 2 weeks. I decided to take a leap of faith, and quit my job to pursue art full time. It’s been almost a year and a half now, and I love getting to share my work with an audience of over 800,000 followers across social media platforms. Read more>>
Stuey Bowers of Stueys Drones LLC
I was in Portugal on a yoga retreat when one of the other members pulled out something from his pocket. It was a small drone and he was able to fly it above and ahead of us a few miles to scout out the cliff hike we were doing. After that, I got home and got my own drone. I started filming surfers on Folly Beach, SC and began practicing on my friends. I started getting good enough where I could start charging clients; mostly surfers. The surf community in Charleston really supported me and got me to where I am today. I soon learned about a federal exam I could take to legitimize my droning, called the FAA Part 107 exam. I studied harder then I ever have in my life, since I have not had to take a test in years. I passed and was so excited, since its a difficult exam and requires comprehensive knowledge on not only drone laws and physics, but also airport and military terminology and laws. I eventually got my LLC and am now the proud owner and creator of Stueys Drones LLC. I am forever grateful for the surf community in Folly Beach, Charleston, SC. This is where it all began. I started practicing droning on my friends until I started to get the hang of using the controllers on the drone and tracking surfers. As a surfer myself, I know how much surfers love getting footage of themselves to see what they can do better, or are super excited when i catch an awesome shot of them on a wave. Read more>>
Dina Lu
I’m a multi-passionate content creator, calligrapher, and creative entrepreneur from Vancouver, Canada. Since I was 20, I dreamed of being my own boss, living a creative life, and making money doing something I love. A year into my first 9-5 job, I knew it was time to make a move. I started a side calligraphy business, selling greeting cards and teaching workshops. After a few months, I took the leap and quit my job in 2019. Though I struggled with imposter syndrome, I knew I had to bet on myself. That calligraphy business was just the beginning of building the creative, flexible life I wanted. Since then, I’ve tried multiple things: teaching calligraphy workshops, doing on-site calligraphy, coaching creatives, building a YouTube channel with over 75,000 subscribers, running an Etsy shop, and creating courses. For a long time, I thought I had to stick to one niche, but I’ve embraced being multi-passionate, and now I’m thriving by doing it all. Read more>>
Ira Mallory’s Story
Mallory is an Emmy Award nominated film director and founder of production company IRA FILMS/ BJYL PRODUCTIONS LLC. Ira’s education in film began in Los Angeles inside Fox Searchlight’s Director’s Labs in association with the American Black Film Festival, receiving instruction from the late John Singleton (Boyz n The Hood, Snowfall) , F Gary Gray (Italian Job, Straight Outta Compton) and Zola Mashariki (BET Networks). Mallory’s film education continued at Indiana University where he studied Communications, Media and Film History. Mallory has directed over a dozen narrative and documentary films,. Mallory’s 2020 documentary release, in Closing chronicled the closing of iconic Broad Ripple High School and is now streaming on HoodoxTV. In 2021 Mallory was awarded a fellowship with the onRamp Artist Cohort sponsored by the Indiana Art Commission. Mallory wrote and directed the award winning film project Hadassah: Queen Esther, which has been showcased at international film festival’s, including the notable Silicon Valley African Film Festival in October 2022. Hadassah: Queen Esther has the distinct honor of being housed and preserved at the Indiana University Black Cinema Archives as of Fall 2023. Read more>>
Cat O’shaughnessy Coffrin of Captivating Consulting, LLC
I’m a strategist and a writer. I help women leaders rediscover and reclaim their identities as they move through their careers so they can feel grounded in who they are and be true to themselves as they move forward. A Seattle native, I grew up professionally in Washington, D.C. I worked my way through undergrad, slinging pizzas and taking on every internship I could find. In my early career I came up in the worlds of global public health and green building, before pivoting into a marketing firm where I had the chance to work with a broad array of clients in healthcare, agriculture, and advocacy. After 15 years rising the ranks, I left my corporate job in 2019. I was no longer fulfilled by climbing someone else’s ladder. I knew I wanted to work for myself, and I felt like I had the tools, disposition, and experience needed to be successful as an independent consultant. But it was humbling to realize that after giving myself over for so long to the companies where I worked, not to mention becoming a wife and a mother, I had lost sight of who I was and what I wanted to stand for on my own. Years of working for other people had left me in a bit of an identity crisis. So, I took the concepts and skillsets I had for developing brand strategies, and turned them on myself. Read more>>
George Shipperley
My interest began at East High School. Aurora. Illinois at the age of sixteen. After moving from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Aurora. Having not done well at two previous years in Sault Ste. Marie and foolishly skipping school numerous times I had no idea what classes I could take to Insure graduating on schedule, My best friend Art Sullens whose family I was living with told me to take ART CLASSES because nobody ever flunks art. That’s how I discovered my talent and ability to draw and paint thanks to my art teachers who recognized my talent as crude as it was. Although having received a small scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago, which was a credited college at the time I never attended. Instead I enlisted in the US ARMY for three years, knowing I’d be drafted if I didn’t, During my enlistment my wife Lois and I happily married and moved to Germany for the remainder of my enlistment. We later had three wonderful Read more>>
Lynn Anderson
They say every journey begins with the first step. My journey had many steps full of disappointments and struggles. Raising two children as a single mother was challenging. But with the help of naturopathy and karma yoga, I could navigate my life’s path with a sense of health in my body, mind, and soul. It takes dedication and continual practice to find balance in a chaotic world. I used my tenacity and dedication to health and fitness to find and maintain that balance. Read more>>
Stanley Bois
My brother, Nelson Damoura, founded Hotinri—it was his passion project. We were incredibly close, and after his passing, I made the decision to leave Florida and return to Rhode Island to continue his legacy. It became my way of keeping his memory alive. Since then, I’ve expanded the company from its photography roots into film production, and we now have several movies, short films, and docu-series under our belt.” Read more>>
Rachael Pixie Clifford
I was always “the girlfriend.” “Make a flyer. Promote the show. Look cute. Get your friends to come. GOD NO You cannot have your own band…. are you insane? Nobody wants to hear girls, anyway. And I hate your notebooks so much.” I had an ex who actually hated them, my lyric and poetry filled books, so much, he not only *allowed me to* tear them to shreds as I cried, but he *wanted me to do it.* I didn’t write for a couple of years. I was afraid to. That’s why I have the (totally out of context and mispaired) tattoo on my arm from Against Me’s “I Still Love You Julie” on my arm — inside the center of a Clandestine Industries Bat. To remind myself to always have both the courage to write — and the courage to be myself, Whatever that means. Read more>>
Kate Shantz
My current path and journey started ten years ago when I made the decision to leave a job that I had been in since university. My physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health had deteriorated and my heart was screaming out to me to leave the very corporate environment that I had been in for years. In hindsight, I see that my awakening actually started happening in 2012 after an incredibly challenging and emotionally draining year at work. That was not the world that I wanted to exist in anymore. One that was grey and where I felt like a bird frantically beating her wings against the golden cage that I had put myself in. No paycheque, no promise of a golden retirement, and no guarantee of fitting in with the crowd could keep me caged any longer. From 2015 onward, I began exploring the spiritual side of life. Meditating. Being in Nature. Learning about my natal chart in Astrology. Working with crystals. Calling on oracle and tarot cards for assistance. Writing. In 2018, my writing began to change. I was channeling. From my Guides. From the Cosmos. From Mother Earth. They would wake me up at 3am and I would write it all out in the notebook beside my bed. Half asleep. Read more>>
Wandy Cheng’s Story
I studied Illustration in an art and design University. Through a portfolio development program with an arts organization in my first year of undergrad, I was introduced to the world of murals and public art. Since then, I’ve worked to translate conceptual ideas into vibrant visuals to communicate the client’s and collaborators’ goals through my evolving visual style. Upon finishing my degree in Bachelors of Design, I’ve integrated art-based workshops into my public art practice to bring impactful installations to life with an intergenerational audience. My work can be seen all over Toronto on businesses’ entrances, hidden in laneways, as well as on traffic signal boxes and cycling barriers. Read more>>
Tammy Shaklee of H4M Matchmaking
After my parents divorced when I was young, I found myself enjoying the best of both worlds. I was a city girl with my mom and a farm girl in Oklahoma with my dad during high school. My passion for connecting people began early, evolving from a career in broadcast journalism to roles in politics and philanthropy. After a career break, I discovered my true calling: helping people find love. I now interview some of the most eligible and impressive singles across the US, serving as a matchmaker to help them meet their special someone. Having divorced and with no children, I moved to Austin, Texas to start anew and took on the role of CEO at the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Although I never tried online dating myself, I opted to hire a matchmaker. This time, I hoped to find a compatible partner who could love me in return, and I found that—and more. Read more>>
Keith Illidge
I started Acting professionally since 2010 in the great city of Philadelphia. So many great and beautiful artists reside there. I was so fortunate to work with many of them. Not only have they become mentors for me, but my chosen family. One of them by the name of Lee Colston II encouraged me to go to grad school. I applied to like 8 different schools, callbacks to 4, and got into 2 my first time ever doing it. 9 years later, I’ve been in Chicago furthering my career goals and stacking that resume! :) Read more>>
Livie Olsen of A Thrifty Notion
This shop began on accident. It grew out of my quilt shop, Fenceline Fabrics. I set up a small de-stash corner in the quilt shop hoping to re-home some fabric that had been given to me by some children cleaning out their mother’s sewing room after her death. People loved the idea of a lower priced option and saving things that had been headed to the landfill. Eventually, people started asking if we took donations and well, I was too thrifty minded to refuse. In no time, the donations were taking up half the space in the Fenceline Fabrics building (which was only 600 square ft) and I realized that a secondhand sewing shop wanted to exist. We started up a website for A Thrifty Notion in 2018 and it’s been growing steadily since then. Read more>>
Ife Al-din
I was inspired to begin writing poetry at 7 years young, inspired by my dad. He’s a poet and would often take me and my sister to open mics with him. Poetry was my way of feeling close to him that evolved into my way of expressing the feelings that I was unsure of how to share with the world. At some point, my poetry started exploring the social, political and economic woes that were apparent to me through living and observing. Throughout college and shortly after graduating, circa 2013-2017, I shared poetry at events that centered sociopolitical change. A few were Split This Rock’s Poem Bomb the D.O.J., various events hosted by the Institute for Policy Studies, and several episodes of WPFW’s Voices with Vision. Read more>>
Dr. Chakika Williams, Dnp-l of SkyRose Rejuvenation Clinic & Spa
My journey into the world of aesthetics began with a passion for helping people feel confident in their own skin. As an African American woman, I saw a lack of representation and inclusivity in the medical aesthetics industry, particularly for Black and Brown individuals. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands and founded SkyRose Rejuvenation Clinic & Spa. At SkyRose, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of services, from weight loss management to Botox, fillers, and IV hydration. But what truly sets us apart is our commitment to understanding the unique needs of diverse skin tones and body types. We believe that everyone deserves personalized care that caters to their individuality, and we’re passionate about delivering just that. Over time, my passion for inclusivity grew beyond the spa and into education. That’s why I started my Medical Aesthetics Academy—to mentor and train other Black and Brown providers who want to break into the aesthetics industry. Our academy’s mission is simple: to give future providers the skills and knowledge they need to thrive, while also creating a more inclusive industry for all. Read more>>
Alison Perry-davies
You know, I think I could go back to a smallish town I grew up in and being a little girl who wrote poems and stories and sang into my hairbrush in the mirror. I loved to create and dream and believed in magic. A favourite past time was playing school with my brothers and being the teacher or hospital and being the nurse or doctor. Doing all of those things was never too much, as a child. We get older and sometimes can fall into a mindset that we need to do one thing, one thing only and we set a course. Today, well, today is my 65th birthday. Happy Birthday to me!! And my life continues to unfold before my very eyes. I continue to explore all that is possible and am reminded of a little redheaded girl who had big dreams. Today I am an author. I have co-authored 3 books and then my own book “The Art Of Healing Trauma; Finding Joy Through Creativity, Spirituality and Forgiveness” and right now my first children’s book is about to be released. It will be the first of a collection of books called the “Don’t Be Scared Be Prepared” collection. In these books children will learn about a quirky little girl named Ginger and how she learns to navigate anxiety and life. She is the girl I needed when I was little. Although I did have Pippi Longstocking, and oh how I loved her. Read more>>
Unyime Etuk’s Story
My journey with art began at a young age. I have always been passionate about art, especially drawing and painting, and I was fascinated by how these artworks were created. Driven by this passion, I decided to learn how to create art myself. I began practicing drawing and painting, with a particular focus on drawing. Through consistent practice, I improved significantly and started taking commissions to support myself. As I promoted my work, I gained recognition and built a fan base. This growing visibility led to international acclaim, culminating in my first solo exhibition abroad. The success of this exhibition has opened many doors for me and deepened my love for being an artist. While I knew how to create art, learning to effectively promote myself was a crucial part of my journey. Read more>>
Kevion Devante’ of Livin’ InnerG
Kevion Devante’s (KEE-Vee-Yin) (De-VON-Tae) journey is a testament to his creativity and perseverance. He began his career in the world of computer information systems into biological sciences and creative arts, driven by a deep passion for self-expression and innovation. Initially, Kevion immerses himself in various artistic projects, exploring different styles and mediums to refine his skills and find his unique voice and vibe. His breakthrough came when he started gaining recognition for his scientific work, leading to collaborations with other creatives and involvement in significant international projects. These opportunities allowed him to showcase his talent on a larger scale and helped him build a solid reputation in industry. Kevion’s work, characterized by its originality and aesthetic appeal, began to attract the attention of a broader audience, further establishing his spiritual presence. Read more>>
Mireya Zellner of Sustainable Swaps
So, you probably already figured this out, but my name is Mireya Zellner. I just recently graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Marketing and Communications, but i’d say my path has changed so many times over the years, that where I started was not where I ended up. This question is quite broad, and I had to think about my answer for quite a while, but I think I need to start with my background. I was born in Westchester County, New York, and moved to Evergreen, Colorado when I was 5. Quite the change moving from suburbia to the middle of the mountains. I grew up a fairly happy kid, surrounded by nature which was incredibly cool (I totally took for granted at the time, but now I realize is not an experience most people don’t get). I did a lot of things in my younger years, tried out tons of different hobbies, soccer, softball, karate, guitar, gymnastics, singing, acting, musical theater and dance. I was quite the versatile kid. I had untreated ADHD too so that made me want to try everything and anything. But anyways, I really got into theater and dance. The forms of expression drew me in and showed me how to feel more comfortable in my skin. I was quite the loud kid, so when I was dancing, acting or singing, it was a great space to shut off my brain and immerse myself in the role/movement. I acted for several years before committing to dance as my main activity. I loved the movement and the ability to get lost in the song. I don’t dance nearly as much anymore and I miss it all the time. Read more>>
Tesla Chapman
I started my musical career around the age of 16, where i first started putting loops together on a program called Mixcraft. Throughout the years, I studied my craft and learned more techniques to add to my production repertoire. I found out about FL Studio when I was around 19 and when I went to trade school, I properly learned how to use it and have been in love with it since. Since then, I have created multiple albums and landed various placements throughout my career. Read more>>
Raven Majazz of Made Aesthetics
My journey began in the fall of 2014, to be exact. That’s when I first realized that it was an actual career to make people look better without plastic surgery. Growing up, I remember being fascinated with the idea of people changing their bodies through plastic surgery. I constantly watched shows and followed celebrities to point out the latest differences and sometimes horrific results. At one point, I even had a goal to pursue nursing school to become a nurse anesthetist. From there, the plan was always to work in a plastic surgeon’s office, lol! I indeed pursued nursing, and I also moved out of my hometown of Wilmington, DE, to NYC for school. I wanted to go to the best, and in the Northeast for aesthetics, it was Atelier Esthetique in Manhattan. Along the way, my personal hobbies and goals slowly started to manifest. Read more>>
Joshua Stewart
Hi, I’m Joshua Stewart and I am motivated to do the things that are unordinary and unheard of. My life was shifted drastically when I decided to take a leap of faith and show my original music to the world and those around me. My journey started at the age of six when I started singing publicly at my home church in Nassau, Bahamas. From there, I grew to love music more than anything else in the world. Seeing artists like Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore, BrvndonP, Transformation Worship showed me that I have the same gift within me. I simply needed to put the work in and develop it. Consequently, I began my quest to create my own original music. As time went on, I was not able to stop as much as I tried. I continued to release more projects and more videos. My music then received attention on national television and national radio. Later, I was noticed by well-known artists in The Bahamas and I was able to sign with their label, Remnant Management Group Music (RMG) and I released my debut single with them as a signed artist. Months later, I received two Bahamas Gospel Music Award Nominations for that project “Grateful.” I began to see how God was working in my life and I realized even more that this was God’s calling for me. Read more>>
Okoye of Beauty Splendour
I grew up in a small town in West Africa in a humble family. When I was just 11, my dad passed away, and not long after, my mum was diagnosed with cancer. Life became really hard, both emotionally and financially, but I was determined not to let my struggles hold me back. I worked hard and managed to earn a university degree in Biochemistry, but my heart kept pulling me towards the beauty and hair industry. In 2013, I moved to the UK and saw an opportunity in Scotland’s hair braiding industry. It felt like the perfect fit for me because I’ve always been passionate about helping women feel beautiful and confident. Starting my hair braiding business wasn’t easy, though. As more people in Scotland wanted braided hairstyles, there weren’t enough skilled braiders around. I had to hire people who didn’t have experience with Afro braiding, and that meant risking the quality of my work. It was a tough problem, but I knew I had to find a solution. Read more>>
Char Mcallister
Indigenous to the exotic island of Jamaica WI and migrated to America when I was 10 years old. While living in my homeland I have fond memories with the man I knew to be my father and my great grandmother. They nurtured significant parts of me that carries me through difficult times. Though they were not in my life very long they left a lasting impact. Music & Arts has always been my passion since a child as early as 5 years old when I sang my 1st solo in church. Teachers saw my abilities and encouraged me in the areas of singing, writing, dancing and acting. Coming to America did not interrupt my desire to pursue the arts as a career. Because I lived in an environment which stifled my creativity and voice when I went to school everyday I felt like I had to start all over again to believe in myself. There were numerous teachers who saw my abilities and would not allow me to withdraw from my greatness. They pulled and pushed me forward. Read more>>