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.

Trystin Kier Francis

My journey into the world of design began in the cozy confines of my mother’s living room during the 1980s. Rather than joining other children outside, I found myself captivated by my Tonka Trucks, envisioning construction sites and rearranging furniture on a whim. My creative inclinations matured during my teenage years when I frequently redesigned our living space, prompting my mother to humorously remind herself to turn on the lights in case I had moved a piece of furniture. My childhood dreams often led me down Fifth Avenue, where I imagined one day shopping in luxury stores or residing in a glamorous high-rise apartment. Read more>>

Francine Gadsden’s Story

My name is FranCine Gadsden, and I am the proud founder of Afro Puff Gurl Prep Academy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Black and Brown girls ages 6-18. My journey began at the early age of 10 when I was introduced to the world of fashion through a sewing class in school. This experience ignited a passion within me for creativity and self-expression. As I grew older, I realized how powerful it was to have a skill and a creative outlet, and I wanted to share that gift with others, especially young girls who look like me.  Read more>>

Andres Domit Del Valle

My story starts with dolls and dollhouses. As a kid, I would love to create little cities with my cousin’s dolls and toys. I clearly remember creating little environments for these toys. I have multiple memories of different ‘miniature cities or houses’ that I loved spending time crafting. This was not very in tune with my assigned gender, but I still did it without judgement until I was a teen. I then stopped ‘playing with dolls’, but continued drawing and imagining myself as an actor. I have always known that creativity runs in my veins. I just have had periods of insecurity because of this. I come from a business oriented family, and I have created barriers in my mind, because I want to fill my family’s expectations. After studying product design, teaching design, art, and film classes; and studying a masters in production design, I feel closer to those goals of creativity in my life. I still struggle sometimes to make myself understood in a career where job security is not a given, and where it seems from the outside that I am not thriving as much as, say, an investment banker would. But little by little I have found my true self as a production designer, actor, and filmmaker. In other words, I make big dollhouses for films, and like to play in them. I will continue to work hard, make sacrifices, and risk it all to find myself in this tough world of creativity and the film industry. Read more>>

Leasa Arsenault of Becoming Soulful

My journey began with my own personal struggle with high-functioning anxiety. As a high-achieving woman, I was constantly pushing myself to exceed every expectation, both professionally and personally. On the surface, everything seemed perfect, but inside, I was battling a relentless storm of people pleasing, perfectionism, and self-doubt. One pivotal day, I realized that this way of living wasn’t sustainable. I was missing out on the joy and authenticity that life had to offer. This epiphany set me on a path of self-discovery and healing. I immersed myself in various healing modalities, seeking to understand and liberate myself from the chains of anxiety that had held me back for so long. My journey led me to explore the profound depths of Akashic record reading, intuitive energy healing, sound healing, transpersonal parts therapy, meditation, Access Bars, emotional freedom technique (EFT), reiki, and even laughter yoga. Each modality opened new doors of understanding, not just about myself, but about the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Read more>>

Alexis Fortier of Alexis Fortier (Fortier Virtual Services)

My whole entrepreneurial journey started with photography. I grew up absolutely in love with landscape photography so I started a photography business. The first start was in 2016 and I tried selling just my landscapes but I started it when trying to plan a wedding and so it kind of just flopped, I tried again mid-way through 2017 but this time I ended up putting a huge focus on brand, product, and real estate photography. That led me to local networking events. At the time photography was a side gig and I had been working 5 years in the real estate industry as an administrative assistant which morphed into an office manager for a real estate team. I was going to all these networking events in the area seeing entrepreneurs struggling with administrative tasks in their business and I remember talking to my husband and making this whole scheme about doing essentially what I was doing for the real estate team, but for anyone out there online. I didn’t think it was a thing and let it fall to the wayside for awhile until I came across the term ‘virtual assistant’ online one day. Game changer! Read more>>

Emily Padan of hinter

I was an elementary school teacher for 7 years and about 6 years in, I met my now husband who then worked in sales for a tech company. we dreamed big together, and he showed me some of his ideas for building a scandinavian style house just north of montreal, and I loved the idea. we both then decided to leave behind our jobs and start something together. not exactly an airbnb, not exactly a hotel. something in the in between, something that connects you to yourself, to nature, to design, to creativity. a place to disconnect. reconnect. a space to create. to let go. to be. Read more>>

Katherin Lowenthal of Alquimia de Venus

It is funny because I started looking for my sacred purpose, when I was going through a crisis which made me think desperately about myself. I moved to Cyprus with a huge dessire to build my self confidence and to know who I really was. While I was taking Greek lessons, the final test was to make a video explaining in Greek a food recipe. I enjoyed it so much; the production, the stage, the script, everything excited me. I finished the video and a week later I opened one Instagram account and my YouTube channel under the name of “Neptune Time”, the first name of my project. This is how I started. The next step was, “-mmm, what I will speak about?-” so I started to be myself there, speaking about personal growth, my path, my maternity jorney, healthy recipes, some astrology which I self taugh and also I was sharing some quotes which make me reflect profundly about life, happiness, trauma, philosophy and others matters in life. Read more>>

Katie Andrews Potter’s Story

As an author, when people ask me how long I have been writing, my answer is usually: since before I can remember! And it’s true! I wrote my first book when I was in Kindergarten, and continued to write and illustrate dozens of stories in spiral-bound notebooks all throughout my childhood and youth. I always wanted “to be an author when I grew up.” When I entered college, I declared History and Writing as my majors, because I wanted to write historical fiction (especially for kids). And yet, I found myself pressured to switch to a more “sensible” career path. I changed my major to Elementary Education, and ended up graduating with that degree. I couldn’t let my writing go, though. All throughout student teaching I was writing my first novel in my “spare time.” That time of my life was incredibly stressful and took its toll on my health, but I think that that story kept me going. I self-published that book in 2012. Over the next few years, I wrote here and there, but often found my creativity blocked. It’s been through a lot of inner work and leaning on my support system that I clawed my way into the creative career I have now. Two years ago I discovered I was autistic and was soon also diagnosed with ADHD. Learning about my neurodivergence has opened so much for me, and allowed me to thrive in ways I never imagined possible. I have independently published several more books in recent years, and have more on the way. And wouldn’t you know it– my books are all historical fiction for young readers! Read more>>

Myranda Cleary of NuLight Consulting LLC

My journey began in healthcare consulting. I wasn’t sure what the right path was, but I knew I wasn’t patient enough to go to school for 12 years to become a doctor and wanted to start earning a living. So, I combined healthcare and business and went into consulting. I found myself constantly wanting to get to the root cause of a problem to understand why things were the way they were. So, to understand healthcare, you have to understand who pays for care. So, I went to work for a large health insurance company. I discovered the ins and outs of how claims processing work, what drove cost, how to manage those costs and how to help people navigate the crazy system. We would spend a lot of time with providers (doctors, nurses, administrators at health systems) and I found myself wanting to know more about how that process worked. So, I moved into an Administrator role to launch a new primary care clinic. I was finally able to tie everything together down to the patient at the end of it, receiving care. My assumptions were confirmed – the system is so broken. This past year I launched my own business: NuLight Consulting LLC. This organization is fully focused on lowering healthcare costs for employers and their employees. If we can start tackling this problem through the existing infrastructure, we have endless possibilities for what we can do in the future. Read more>>

Pamela Derose of Midlife Upgrade

I became interested in working with midlife women because of my own journey. I have been studying health, nutrition and fitness for over 25 years and well into my late 40’s I thought I was in the best shape I could be in. Until the age of 50, I felt and looked great; I ate healthfully, exercised regularly, had thick shiny hair and great skin, and was energetic. I was working a full-time job, raising my daughter as a single mother, volunteering for the PTA, and maintaining a robust social life. My periods were regular, other than the usual PMS symptoms like cramps and bloating. I had absolutely no health complaints. Then, I turned 50 and things changed overnight. Literally. Overnight. I started to struggle with brain fog and low energy. I started tossing and turning for hours at night. I would wake in the middle of the night drenched in sweat! After eight or more hours in bed, I didn’t feel like I was getting quality sleep and was exhausted. My moods would swing from outrage that there were no ripe avocados at Whole Foods, to crying over my favorite jeans not fitting. I started to notice wrinkles and dullness in my skin – and along with that – ACNE – are you kidding me? My breasts grew two cup sizes, and I started having autoimmune gut issues. Read more>>

Nicki Bunting

My journey towards self-discovery and empowerment has been deeply shaped by a significant health crisis that tested me both physically and mentally. Through this challenging period, I gained invaluable insights that reshaped my outlook on life. By prioritizing my well-being and letting go of societal expectations and pressures, I embarked on a path of authenticity and self-care. This transformative experience gave birth to my personal brand, “Chronically Authentic,” a concept that reflects my dedication to maintaining physical and mental health while embracing my true self. The term “chronically” symbolizes the chronic nerve pain condition I was diagnosed with after my health crisis, while “authentic” encapsulates my belief in living without fear of judgment or societal norms. Read more>>

Camilla Mikolajewska

I’ve been immersed in the arts community my entire life. As a child, I was a competitive classical pianist and vocalist, and I developed a deep appreciation for visual arts early on. However, I soon realized that I disliked the competitive nature of the classical music world and wasn’t comfortable being the center of attention all the time. I still wanted to create things that others could enjoy, which is how my journey in art and design really began. I spent 10 years working in retail, starting as a sales associate and transitioning into designing storefronts and layouts. That complemented my internships at art galleries, where I was able to further explore my passion. Throughout my journey, I noticed that the art world was dominated by financial barriers and industry connections. With that in mind, I got competitive and seized every opportunity – no task was too small, and every connection mattered. Read more>>

Anthony Murdock Ii of Murdock LLC

i’m a 28 year old Black man from the east side of indianapolis, indiana. grew up in a home from parents who came from poverty and provided financial security to all three of their children. with me being the oldest (i have two younger sisters and my parents did better with every kid), i have always taken pride in being a leader and not a follower. setting a positive example for others who look up to me, depend on me or find inspiration in my story continues to be a priority. in college (i graduated from butler university), i discovered the power in entrepreneurship. i studied political science and religion (double major) with the intentions of pursuing law school post grad. i was a student leader on campus with several leadership positions, multiple jobs and generally respected among my peers. i had a passion for advocacy and was dedicated to creating space and opportunity for Black students to succeed. my junior year–due to a series of life-changing events–i discovered that entrepreneurship was essential to making that happen. so, i started a brand with my best friend (noah warfield) called #PowerMovesOnly. from selling t shirts and wristbands to developing a scholarship program with corporate sponsors and post-graduation employment opportunities, life after college was a whirlwind. Read more>>

Kalpana Kethineedi of Kay’s Curries

Kay’s Curries was founded to solve a personal challenge: cooking healthy Indian meals for a family often takes more than two hours, including prepping, cooking, and cleaning. Alternatives like frozen foods, pre-packaged meals, and take-outs are typically unhealthy and unsustainable. Families with dietary restrictions frequently have to choose between convenience and health. They need a meal solution that is both quick to prepare and meets their dietary needs. We make authentic, nourishing Indian cuisine effortlessly accessible by providing easy plant-based, gluten-free meal kits that unlock treasured family recipes and flavors without tedious ingredient prep or long cook times. Our meal kits offer: Read more>>

Maria Lewis’s Story

My cinematic journey dates back to my early childhood days when my father would bring home VHS movies, and later on, DVDs, whenever he travelled for business. My mother also co-fostered this love of movies, ensuring that my siblings and I were always introduced to new and wonderful films. Movies like Sister Act and The Lion King inspired me, and awakened within me a true love for film. I therefore grew up acting and writing creative stories. This led me to study Film and Drama at the University of Kent (Bachelor’s Degree); then Screenwriting at Royal Holloway, University of London (Master’s Degree). A few years after graduating, I formed The Sizzleisland Company Limited. Over the span of ten years, Sizzleisland has produced numerous interview-style videos, movies, as well as television shows which have been licensed to air on Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT). Today, Sizzleisland continues to create films and television shows/web series programs. We also specialize in Digital Marketing content creation, along with web design and development. Read more>>

James Harris

Ever since I can remember, I loved drawing and art in general. After High School, I enrolled at The New England School of Art & Design on Newbury Street in Boston. After two years, I Transferred to The Museum School of Fine Art on the Fenway. The atmosphere there was really great – the teachers were really inspiring and my fellow students were also really great. I was there for four years and really loved every day I was there. After receiving my Studio Diploma form Museum School, I decided to move to New York City. The year was 1989 and NYC was the center of the art world at that time. I spent most of my free time going to galleries and museums in Manhattan – which was a fantastic education. 2010 was the year I decided to move to Gunma, Japan with my wife. I spent the first two years in Japan just painting. I found most of my inspiration from Japanese architecture, such as temples, shrines and ad hoc structures on rural farms. The nature in Gunma was also a huge influence on me. Read more>>

Freddie Floyd Jr

Regarding my story, I was born in Dawson, Georgia, to Mr. Freddie Floyd Sr. and Mrs. Cathy Floyd. I grew up in a small town called Pineview, Georgia. At Wilcox County High in Rochelle, Ga, I attended high school. In my youth, I was more interested in being a class clown than taking it seriously; it wasn’t until I had my daughter (Rayna Floyd) that I began to take it seriously. The way I once viewed women has changed as a result of her. In my mind, I have always wondered what would happen to my daughter if someone treated her this way. I dedicated my book God’s Gift (Woman) to her and her development into adulthood because she has profoundly impacted my life. She became a number one best-seller. Read more>>

Janet Bothne

I’ve been drawing and painting since childhood and attended a good public school in Massachusetts at a time when art classes were still well-funded. I was encouraged by my teachers, friends and family to pursue art. It seemed like that was the path that the “universe” meant for me as I continued to win awards and get recognition for my work through high school. Going off to college as an art major was the next logical step. But I quickly found myself disillusioned by what the art curriculum offered at that time. The message seemed to be “anything and everything was art” —which struck me as a good reason to stop paying for expensive tuition and drop out after three semesters. I could do it on my own (…or so my 19 year-old -self thought.) At least I learned how to drive a bus while at college. I headed back from western Massachusetts to my hometown near Boston and got a job restoring antiques. I was in charge of repainting the fine details on all sorts of precious (and sometimes hideous) items after they were repaired and air-brushed. But the owner of the business was praising me one minute and screaming at me the next; the stress became unbearable. I needed to find my next gig… I needed a sign. Read more>>

Alexis Amato’s Story

When I was in my late 20s, I started working for hotels in the sales and marketing departments. When I eventually got onto the executive team I actually did a lot of traveling for my job as a sales manager and I got to visit a lot of beautiful hotel properties and eat at really nice restaurants that our properties owned or that I got to take clients. I decided when Instagram started becoming really popular that I wanted to become a food blogger. I always took pictures of my food anyways and so to me this was just another way to have a creative outlet and do something that I really loved. I did this for about five years until the pandemic happened. Of course, it was no secret that the travel industry took a huge hit during the pandemic and unfortunately, after going to part time for half of a year, I eventually was furloughed. At this time, there became a demand for a lot of restaurants and brands in the area to create awareness for their brands and so I used my social media skills to start my company that I have now, Sips Productions, LLC. I started with managing one to three accounts and now I have a team of two people that assist me not including our contractors, and we are 10 accounts and counting. Read more>>

Alyssa Ebba

My name is Alyssa and I am the owner and founder of Ebbalasting Photography as well as Ebbalasting Creations. I started with Ebbalasting Photography in 2018 (formerly known as aGasparPhotos) after getting out of the military. I have always had a passion for photography growing up and with all the time I now had I thought it was the perfect timing. Ebbalasting Creations in my new baby. Started in 2024, after the purchase of my Cricut machine. I started by making things to give as gifts and then slowly progressed into Etsy, vendor fairs and hopefully, I can open my online store soon. I recently moved to Texas, so I am a bit backed up on production so Stay Tuned guys! Read more>>

Kristianna Mrjenovich

In 2020 after a decade of domestic abuse, I broke free and started my life completely over with my two young boys. I knew that I did not want them to be raised with abuse as their example of love and I needed to break that cycle. I got an income controlled apartment for myself and my kids, furnished the apartment, and started over. I was only making $285 a week at the time but I knew it needed to happen and I’d do whatever I needed to in order to make a better life for my kids.  Over the next 4 years, I got married to a healthy and loving man, I moved up and became President and co-owner of the company I worked for, gave birth to a baby girl, built a new house, started a new business with my husband, and became a pageant queen. I am currently International Mrs Gulf Coast 2024 and will have a new title with International Ms for 2025. My platform is all about second chances. Read more>>

Jason Steiner

I exited my military service in April of 2000. I focused on building my tile business after my service time was up. In 2019 I got asked to be a founding member of a local nonprofit for veterans. I fell in love with helping our heroes and poured a ton of time into that organization. 2022 came around and realized we needed a night for our group to just hangout. I was going to organize a night for us to hangout with a band and just be veterans. My neighbor who is also a Marine came down one evening and we were talking about this idea. He had contacts to multiple bands. We ended up contacting and setting up the event with both singers. After the event we had so many people reach out to us and asking for us to do it again we decided we had something special. March of 2023 we filed paperwork for a nonprofit. By May it was accepted and we became a full fledged 501c3 nonprofit. With a great board we have grown very quickly and have been invited to 31 states to hold this event. Read more>>

Gurasis Singh

My journey began six years ago when I moved from India to Canada as an international student, seeking new opportunities and experiences. The transition was both exciting and challenging. On my first day in class, I introduced myself and was met with silence and confusion from my classmates, who found my accent unfamiliar. This experience made me acutely aware of the barriers immigrants face, not just in language but also in acceptance and understanding. Despite the initial struggles, I was determined to embrace my accent and identity. I began to see my thick accent as a unique part of who I am, rather than a hindrance. This realization was the catalyst for creating “My Thick Accent,” a podcast dedicated to celebrating the diverse journeys of immigrants. I wanted to provide a platform where immigrants could share their stories of resilience, triumph, and the process of finding a home away from home. Read more>>

Teresa Foster’s Story

I was born and raised in Mexico City. While there, I fell in love with a 4th generation Californian, who was born in Berkeley. Our paths were meant to cross and be together! Later on, I came to the Napa Valley and soon after, became an immigration consultant, where there was such a need for those who didn’t understand the system. As an immigrant myself, I could identify with my clients, of which 80% were Latinos. I always understood their needs, their culture, and their language. This was my passion for three decades. When you are a mixed couple, it is hard to compromise on what to do about culture, traditions, and even food. But fortunately, we agreed to give our children a bicultural upbringing, which enriched them in many ways. So, being with abuelitos and family in Mexico City, it was easy for them to understand the language, and enjoy the food and traditions.  Read more>>

Georgie Moon

At the age of 28 I reached a turning point in my life. I went through a devastating experience, and it took a very long time for me to find all the pieces of myself again. I began walking a long, bumpy and not well illuminated path back to myself. I became a seeker – both wanting to heal myself and find a spiritual path that deeply resonated to my core. I attended counselling, retreats, workshops, studied, learnt and practiced different spiritual traditions and read copious books allowing what felt like truth to land, while letting what did not go. I went through a process of examining all my beliefs and working out where they came from and whether they were still true for me. If not, I contemplated how I wanted to show up in my life and worked towards that. I became frustrated that all the different avenues I was exploring did not bring relief. At times they were brilliant – explaining the effects of trauma, helping me to develop my emotional and spiritual intelligence, the gathering of knowledge but at no point did I experience relief. This was difficult to accept, and it spurred me to keep searching for the illusive magic wand that would make everything better. Read more>>

Amelia Mirabello

My love for art began early in my childhood. My grandmother, a fine artist and hairstylist, played a significant role in nurturing my creativity. She gave me many art lessons, sparking a lifelong passion for artistic expression and creativity. Her dual talents in both fine art and hairstyling provided a unique blend of influences that shaped my artistic journey. Growing up, I spent countless hours with her, learning the techniques of painting and drawing. These early experiences fostered a deep appreciation for all forms of beauty and artistry. Although she didn’t teach me hairstyling, my exposure to the beauty industry through her work piqued my interest and curiosity. This foundation in art and my early exposure to the beauty industry naturally led me to explore makeup, where I found a perfect outlet for my creative expression. The skills and values my grandmother taught me have been invaluable as I transitioned from art lessons to professional makeup artistry. My grandmother’s influence is a cornerstone of my career, inspiring me to approach each client with the same creativity, care, and attention to detail that she taught me.  Read more>>

Shawana Davenport-chapple’s Story

My story started with service. My profession at the time allowed me the opportunity to take care of some amazing people in their final days. I love helping/inspiring others through the tools or lessons that I have learned. Today, I am an international award-winning author of a children’s book “The Good Fortune”. Through literacy, I was able to create a family bonding experience for families. Read more>>

Dr. Tonicia Freeman-foster of LEIDOSWEL

One of many experiences that will stay with me for life was when I served as an HIV Case Manager. I followed up with a client before the office closed to inform her that I had not forgotten about her and would follow up with her the following day regarding her request. She cried, thanked me, and said most people would not have called her back. The magnitude of this woman feeling seen and valued because I kept my promise and called her back shifted my world. So many thoughts came to me. First, I was upset that I was an anomaly and that she had not had this experience with her providers and care team in the past. She deserved this, at minimum. Second, I was humbled and amazed that something that seemed so minor could have such a huge impact. Third, I was excited because I knew these actions were replicable and could make positive differences in the lives of many clients and their families. Read more>>

Bryan Hein

My life’s purpose came to me when I was 27. I was getting divorced, going through foreclosure and would soon be homeless. This was a result of poor choices on my part in trusting my soon to be ex with the money I earned. She didn’t pay our bills as she claimed. This led to an amazing epiphany for me. I suddenly wanted to help as many people as I could. I wanted to build homes and grow food for and with those in need. As a result, I created the non profit Eden Plan. I’ve walked halfway across the US to raise money for it. Labored for years as a handyman, contractor and house flipper until I raised enough money to start my dream. Eden now owns 38 acres on the Island of Hawaii with 6 tiny homes, a community kitchen, 2 commercial greenhouses, 4 dogs, 4 cats, 20 chickens and 11 horses. Read more>>

Anabel Tonkovic of Nuna Therapy

Early in my career, I jumped on the corporate bandwagon. Like many, my goal after college was to find a job in my field of study—communications. In my 20s, I focused on the outcome: a salary, upward progression, and balancing my personal life. This seemed normal and by my parents’ measure of success, I was doing great. As my personal life developed with marriage, buying a house, and having kids, my main concern became financial security. However, during this decade, I felt something was missing. Initially, it was a vague sense of dissatisfaction at work, which I attributed to spending nearly 10 years at the same company. A move to a new company temporarily alleviated this feeling, but after three years and a global pandemic, the dissatisfaction intensified. Despite the need for security, I focused on getting through the pandemic. But post-COVID, after two kids, postpartum depression, and relationship challenges, I knew something had to change. At my lowest point, I asked the universe for guidance and received the response, “The only person you can control is yourself.” This insight prompted me to stop blaming others and focus on changing myself, leading to a serious path of self-discovery. Read more>>

Yikai Qiao

I am currently an architectural designer in Connecticut. As a thriving young designer, I aim to share my creativity with others and gradually establish my own practice and brand. My upbringing was a journey of exploration. I was born in Northern China, where the vast plains, railroads, and old factories shaped my childhood memories. Later, I moved to Suzhou, a city renowned for its beautiful architectural heritage. It was there that I grew up and pursued my studies in architecture. After college, I attended Yale for my master’s degree. At Yale, I had the opportunity to delve into architecture, city design, and digital arts through studios, workshops, and travels. After graduation, I decided to embark on my career as a designer in the US. Read more>>

Cheyenne Chaca Hammer Jacobsen

My story began even before I existed as a seed within my mother’s womb. Choosing to descend through the portal of my mother who granted me this precious life, was a true blessing. I embarked on a journey of deep-rooted remembrance, a journey that continues to unfold to this day. Being human is a magical experience, filled with vast diversity and profound moments. As I write my story, I feel proud of the path I’ve walked, proud of being a courageous and unique soul—a seeker of truth, a child of God. The universe teaches us through divinely orchestrated events, guiding us to deepen our connection with ourselves, God, and the totality of existence. It reveals the loving oneness in all facets of life, a beautiful diamond called life. Read more>>

Rafi Gola of Expoze Official

My filmmaking journey started back in high school when I started filming basketball games at William Howard Taft High School and launched an Instagram page called “Taft Mixtapes.” It quickly caught on, and I realized I could actually turn this passion into something bigger. To expand beyond just my high school, I created a new Instagram page called “Expoze Official” to cover more basketball content. Since then, I’ve had some amazing opportunities, working with athletes like Jamal Crawford, Allen Iverson, and DeMar DeRozan. But why stop there? I ventured into the music scene and had the chance to cover tours for artists like Drake, Travis Scott, and Lil Durk. One of the most significant was doing a recap video on Chief Keef return to Chicagoland for 2024 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash. These experiences are what keep me motivated for the next. Read more>>

Jeanette Dela Cruz

My journey here was accidental, as most journeys tend to be. I’ve always been interested in astrology and tarot, and dabbled by going to get readings done for myself. In 2020, I had my first daughter. Of course, 2020 was not the ideal time to have a baby, and I ended up with postpartum depression and psychosis. I was in a career that drained me at the time, and the pressure of motherhood, combined with the my career and the general state of the world completely knocked me off my feet. I started going to see tarot readers and astrologers on a weekly basis, as I needed assurance that this too would pass. Eventually, a tarot reader told me to leave my career and start a new one, and that was the motivation I needed to do the dang thing. I left my teaching career and started a new path. Because I had more time and energy, I also was able to have time for hobbies! This led me to taking tarot classes to read for myself, and I fell in love. Read more>>

Mikayla Elias

As a child, I enjoyed writing. I made up fantasy worlds and would spend time working on those stories instead of doing schoolwork. I was later active on Tumblr and became a fanfiction writer, naturally. Writing was something fun for me, but I never really considered it as a career. So writing inevitably fell off for me when I went to get my undergraduate degree. It wasn’t until years later that I would return to reading for fun. That unlocked the old storyteller in me, and I got back into journaling. Eventually, those journals became poems, and they got me to where I am today. Read more>>

Matt Stagliano

When someone asks me about “my story,” I never quite know where to start. After 50 years, there’s been a lot of life—successes, failures, a few career changes, and a whole lot of learning. But, like any good story, there’s a beginning. I grew up in the 70s and 80s, a classic GenX-er. Back then, you didn’t talk about what was going on inside. You learned to keep your head down, blend in, and do what was expected, no matter how much you were struggling. I won’t dive into every detail, but let’s just say I’ve wrestled with perfectionism, isolation and loneliness, guilt, shame, body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety, and being neurodivergent for most of my life. But like anyone who’s been through the wringer, over the years I figured out how to cope. More than that, I turned those struggles into a strength—a way to connect with others on a deeper, more empathetic level. Read more>>

Erin Chase’s Story

My story is that I grew up in a small town in Montana – Arlee – listening to my dad play bluegrass music with his buddies in their group called The Mountain Poodle Band. I loved watching them perform and listening to them jam out at get togethers. So when I was just a kiddo I asked my dad if I could learn to play the fiddle. Of course my parents said yes but then immediately signed me up for classical violin lessons. Which honestly was a wonderful experience thanks to the way my teacher, a Missoula Symphony Orchestra violinist by the name of Suzanne Hartzell, incorporated fiddle tunes and folk music into my classical education. 18 years later during my college years at the University of Montana in Missoula I was splitting time between the University Symphony Orchestra and playing in my own indie alt-folk band Baba Ganoush. That led me to a love of songwriting and performance, which then took me to Berklee College of Music in Boston. That’s where I really honed my creativity and passion for music. I could write. I could play. I could collaborate. And now I spend my time living that big city life and teaching the next generation of songwriters while performing and writing my own material. Read more>>

Oguvre Solomon Ogheneothuke’s Story

I would say my journey as an artist started in a most unintentional way! As a kid i always admired artwork and this curiosity of mine made me explore fine art by scribbling down the pictures of famous cartoon characters. Read more>>

Arielle Rebekah’s Story

When I was in high school, my therapist outed me to my family as trans and convinced them I was doing it for attention. This led to years of invalidation and rejection of my identity by those closest to me. After graduating, I wanted to help build a world where no young person would ever have to know the pain and isolation that I did. While my family eventually came to support me, many young folks do not share this experience. In college, I began applying for internships in LGBTQ+ advocacy, and landed one at a national org doing communications and rapid response work. I spent the next few years building my skillset and learning everything I could about communications work. While doing so, I began building Trans & Caffeinated – first as a blog, next as a podcast, and finally as a communications and project management consulting business.  Read more>>

Scott Charles’s Story

I found a love for music at a very young age. My dad was a radio DJ and took me to my first metal concert, And pretty much from that point forward, music was the only goal that I wanted to accomplish, rock and metal specifically. I listened to any record I could get my hands on through my dad mostly, he would burn me CDs or get them for me as gifts. Then I bought my own once I was old enough to work. I also would occasionally get to listen to stuff that bands and labels submitted to my father to play, this was the beginning of me finding new bands. Then during the rise of YouTube, They gave me access to unlimited sounds from all over the world. and then the roles kind of reversed where I was starting to show my dad music. And that’s still something we do to this day, we are always showing eachother new bands. Read more>>

Leah Tyler-szucki

Putting yourself out there is probably one of the hardest and humbling experiences you can do. Being publically vulnerable and accepting that when you first start (especially with photography or other artistic talents) you won’t be amazing. But you have to put it out there if you want to get better. I remember the first session I did for my bestfriend and her kids, I thought to myself “I just can’t wait to not be new, I want to be known for my photography skills” but that dreams seemed impossible. But now, 5 years later, I can’t go to the grocery store without seeing a clinic or having someone stop me and said “oh my god you’re the photographer”. It is a wonderful thing to be recognized for something you have poured your heart into but it doesn’t come without disappointments and failures. Read more>>

Genevieve Wilhelm of Interiors by Genevieve

I would definitely say that I had an unorthodox childhood. My family moved from Florida to the Pine Ridge Reservation, the poorest county in the United States, to be missionaries when I was five. We grew up being the minority, being the only Caucasian kids in the entire school. I think that most people are unaware that this level of poverty is even possible today in a country like ours- but it does. I do believe that being exposed to all of this really shaped my desire to want to create a sense of beauty in the world. There seems to be so much negativity today, and if I design a beautiful place or home that a family enjoys and creates memories in then I feel like I’ve done a small part to combat that. My husband and I moved to Tennessee a little over six years ago and I absolutely love what I do as a small business owner and the people I get to work with in the Chattanooga area. It’s a great honor to be invited into their lives to help them create a home that is representative of them. Read more>>

Iciar Vega De Seoane

I grew up in an artistic environment, I always liked photography and art but it wasn’t until I was 24 when my boyfriend gave me my first reflex camera, that I started to take pictures more seriously. Later he encouraged me to study photography, I studied one year in a private school and then I had an empty year until I could get into a public art school in my city (I failed the first entrance exam because I was trembling in the drawing exam and it went very badly). In that ‘blank’ year in between, I set out to learn photography by doing and developed the skill of self-portraiture with a tripod. Using my body because I had no other model if I wanted to take pictures every day or almost every day to practice and develop as a photographer. I mean, working hard to find my artistic identity, which I think I started to get there from taking pictures almost every day for about two years. Read more>>

Elisabeth Barton of Echo Adventure Cooperative

When I was just a toddler—no, I’m totally kidding. Now that I’m nearing 45, I feel like I’ve lived five different lives, and I have no idea where to start when someone asks me this question. So, maybe I’ll start with the things that have been constant through all those incarnations of myself: I’ve always been loud, super talkative, opinionated, adventurous, and a little righteous (but I’m working on that last one). I’ve always had a strong ethical center and a lot of determination and grit—both under my fingernails and in my spirit. These traits left me feeling pretty isolated in most work settings, where I never seemed to succeed the way I thought I should. There was always an alienated boss or a dejected coworker giving me grief about how I could and should be different. I spent a lot of time fretting over how “obnoxious” I was. It wasn’t until I started Echo Adventures and Aspen Outdoor Management Services that I finally found my stride and felt sufficiently challenged and fulfilled every day. Read more>>

Katie Gazzo

My name is Katie Gazzo and I’m an artist! I struggled to call myself an artist for a long time, but I realize now, I am an artist, I always have been, and always will be. A little about my background. I was raised by a talented creative mother, who struggled with mental health. She was talented, but sick. She was passionate, but depressed. This lead to me becoming an artist like her, but also meant being removed from my her custody due to her pain making it hard to be a proper parent. I was placed into various temporary settings, including in and out of youth shelters and foster care, so you could imagine life was difficult but one thing stayed the same, my passion for creating. We didn’t have much in these temporary homes, but we always had a pencil or pen. I drew my dream homes. My dream families. Read more>>

Phil C. Alexander’s Story

My name is Phillip C. Alexander, I’m a multifaceted visionary and artist that writes and performs poetry. Everything began for me in my hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut in a small studio on 955 Connecticut Ave. I recall telling my cousin I didn’t know any other poets in the area and next thing I know, four young black, driven individuals and myself were able to conceptualize a spoken word platform. My first show was hosted on February 27, 2021 and we went from 25 people in attendance to a sold out crowd of 200+ people at our Anniversary show featured at the Bijou theater in downtown Bridgeport. Our spoken word platform birthed a poetry collective entitled “The Trifecta” which consists of Darius Martin (Oso), Julian Mein (Brother Bear) and myself. We’ve had the opportunity to host workshops and perform at Universities and venues across the tristate such as Yale University (CT) Post University (CT) Dewey’s Lounge (MA) and Nuyorican Poets Cafe (NY). I currently hold the titles of The First Annual W. E. B. Du Bois Slam Champion at Umass Amherst, The North Beast Poetry Slam Team Champion (MA), The V3 League Champion (NY) and was blessed with the opportunity to represent Connecticut as part of the Verbal Slap Team that competed in the Southern Fried Poetry Slam finishing top 15 in the nation. Read more>>

Ashley Maven of AshleyMaven.com

I have a pretty wild story! I was raised by a mother with borderline personality disorder and a father with narcissistic personality disorder. I was definitely the scape goat and the brunt of a lot of psychological and emotional abuse. By a young age I had so many psychiatric diagnosis such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Depression, PTSD, ADD, Learning Disabilities, and so much more. I was even suicidal. I was in severe mental / emotional torment and very traumatized. I was in traditional psychology and even psychoanalysis starting at 5 years old! And psychiatric medications were introduced as a pre-teen. By my young adulthood, I was on 11 psychoactive medications if you can believe it. Here’s the thing… even with all this mental health intervention, I was getting worse every year. By a young adult I decided either I was going to figure this out and get free or else I would die. I could not live like this the rest of my life. It seemed like a prison sentence with no end. I was a pro-horseback rider and trainer at the time, and I was confident in my abilities to rehab a horse and help them over issues they had. Surely, I could figure out how to train my own brain! Read more>>

Arden Joy’s Story

Growing up, my family didn’t have a lot of money. But my mother instilled a love of travel in me from an early age so when I was old enough, I was determined to explore the world beyond my doorstep. I had to figure a lot of things out on my own, but finally, I took the plunge and embarked on a journey that would change my life forever. What I thought would be a fun adventure through Europe turned out to be a transformative experience that showed me so much about myself and the world around me. I learned how strong, resilient, creative, and adventurous I was. And I discovered that world is so much bigger – and at the same time – smaller than I ever knew. It was a game changer for me and when I came home, I wanted two things: one, to do it again, and two, to connect with other women who had had the same experience. What I came to learn, though, was that I wasn’t the only one who had barriers to travel. Financial constraints were just the beginning; things like safety concerns, discrimination, and access limitations prevented many from taking the leap. Read more>>

Hannie Churchwell

Finding my passion in women’s health all started back in 2022 when I started to hear more talk about the negative side effects of hormonal birth control (HBC.) At the time, I had been on the pill for over 5 years and started to question why I was even on it. I was learning so many new things like how you could track your fertility and naturally prevent pregnancy and I was shocked. I asked myself, “Why weren’t we taught these things?” I started doing research for myself, decided to go the natural route and since then have been successfully preventing pregnancy without any medication. In doing my research, I was having so many similar conversations with women who were in the same boat. “I had no idea that I could track my cycles…I had no idea that this is what is happening to my body with age…I had no idea if I just did XYZ, I could support my hormones and feel better…” Read more>>

Ceren Türkmenoğlu’s Story

I am a multi-instrumentalist and composer. I started taking music lessons around the age of 6, but it was my aunt who truly influenced me to become a musician. She was a violinist, and as a child, I was mesmerized whenever I saw her playing the violin. Upon my insistence, she brought me a little violin one day and gave me my first violin lessons. Since then, my path has been intertwined with the violin. At 10, I was admitted to the conservatory in Ankara, where I began my formal music education. This 10-year journey spanned middle school, high school, and college. However, my true musical exploration started after I completed the structured conservatory program, as I ventured beyond classical music and the violin. Upon graduation, I worked with the Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra, and later, the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra. In 2017, I moved to Boston, MA, to pursue a master’s degree and immerse myself in a completely different musical environment. Read more>>

Gabriela Lages Veloso

My name is Gabriela Lages Veloso. I’m a Brazilian writer, poet, literary critic and Master of Letras from the Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA). Currently i’m a columnist for Imirante.com and Feminário Conexões. I’m Collaborates with collections and magazines in Brazil and abroad. I’am the author of the books “Através dos Espelhos de Guimarães Rosa e Jostein Gaarder: reflexos e figurações” (Editora Diálogos, 2021) and “O Mar de Vidro” (Caravana, 2023). I’m also the organizer of the anthology “Poéticas Contemporâneas: uma cartografia da escrita de mulheres” (Brecci Books, 2023) and the collection of short stories, chronicles and poems “As Sombras da Cidade” (Brecci Books, 2024). My book of poetry “O Mar de Vidro” (2023) is already part of the collection of several libraries around the world, including in the United States of America. Read more>>

Nikki La Croce of Full Spectrum Friends

I’ve always had a strong desire to connect with people. Growing up, while I always had friends and could pretty easily bounce between social groups, I never fully felt a sense of belonging and for a long time, I internalized that feeling with the belief that something must be ‘wrong’ with me. Recently, my closest friend from childhood came to visit and as we were reminiscing about growing up together, she made a comment that fundamentally shifted how I saw myself back then. She shared how when we were younger, she noticed I was a lot more emotionally aware and introspective than most of the people around us. Because of that, I would often pursue deep connections with people, who in many cases, didn’t have the desire or possibly even ability to build a more meaningful friendship or relationship with me. It wasn’t until I left an abusive relationship that I realized my low self-worth was at the root of this pattern and I finally decided to prioritize my emotional well-being. Read more>>

Joline Seavey

I was blessed to grow up in an environment that taught me about and supported my spiritual growth and learning. My mom was always reading Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra and sharing her knowledge with me. So I feel that I have always been destined work support others on their journey. I started off on the traditional path of going to college after high school and earned a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services with a minor in psychology. I worked for 18 years as a Licensed Social Worker in various aspects of human services ranging from pregnant and parenting teens, to geriatrics and then to adult mental health. After that I studied Life Coaching and went on to earn a certificate as a Health Coach and worked in corporate America, mostly as a program manager and relationships manager. I very much enjoyed this work, but knew my heart was calling me to something bigger and better. Three years ago I decided to leave corporate life and began working for myself as a Spiritual Empowerment Coach and I love every minute of it! Read more>>

Andrew Nunn’s Story

When I was growing up in Anderson, Indiana, I was the youngest of two sons and considered myself to be naturally introverted. My mother and grandparents have always been a big part of my life, they’ve always supported and encouraged my older brother and me to be disciplined leaders, scholars, free thinkers, innovative creatives, and entrepreneurially motivated. I was inspired by watching and helping my grandparent’s business for rental home renovations thrive in our city. They inspired all of their grandchildren including myself to find our unique talents, then start our own business ventures by utilizing them. Their passion further inspired me to start my own graphic design business once I got to college. I definitely felt lucky growing up with an older brother. He was my first friend, mentor, and bodyguard when I needed one. We shared a lot of the same things such as hobbies, friends, & teachers in school. I looked up to my older brother as a role model and always wanted to try doing whatever he was doing at the moment. I viewed my brother’s path as the best choice for me to follow since he could warn me to not make his same mistakes. He was a leader, athletically talented in basketball, and had an easy charming personality that made him likable & respected by everyone in high school. Read more>>

Anna Lonnstrom Carrysdotter of Conscious Career Creators

Well, I did a 180 about four years ago. It was back in 2020 when I found Human Design that so much shifted for me. I was on maternity leave, going through grief after the unexpected loss of my father, and it was the pandemic. Life was very much all over the place and I was on a deep personal journey of self discovery. Human Design helped me understand who I was on the deepest level, my gifts and talents became crystal clear, my past (and my future) started to make sense. From then and on, I knew it was time to make that change I had been craving for so many years. I have a long and successful background in media, entertainment, fashion, and beauty, but I always knew I wanted to guide others in some capacity. I had always been interested in casting, HR, and recruitment but never worked in those industries, but it was a big clue.  Read more>>

Mar R. of TEAM Hair and Makeup Inc,

Mar Romero is the visionary founder and creative director of TEAM Hair and Makeup Inc., a leading name in the bridal beauty industry. With over two decades of experience, Mar has built a reputation for delivering exceptional hair and makeup services that combine elegance, sophistication, and creativity. Her work is renowned for its timeless yet contemporary aesthetic, making her a sought-after artist for brides, celebrities, and high-profile clients alike. Mar’s journey began with a passion for beauty and a dedication to perfecting her craft. She founded TEAM Hair and Makeup Inc. with the vision of assembling a group of talented artists who share her commitment to excellence and artistry. Under her leadership, TEAM Hair and Makeup Inc. has become synonymous with high-end, personalized beauty services, known for exceeding client expectations and creating unforgettable looks. Throughout her illustrious career, Mar has had the honor of collaborating with prestigious brands such as the Rosewood Group and Anne Barge, contributing to their editorial shoots and campaigns. These collaborations have allowed her to explore new creative horizons, refine her skills, and stay at the forefront of industry trends. Her ability to translate brand visions into stunning hair and makeup artistry has made her a favorite among industry insiders. Read more>>

Kianu Reed

My name is Kianu Reed but to most I am known as Kxezy (Keezy) born and raised in Sacramento, Ca. Here is the backstory about me it all started at the age of 8 years old with my infatuation of music. The first person that set me on my creative path was the world famous artist Michael Jackson. Now, most people don’t know is that I was a dancer before I became an artist of music. Furthermore, my parents not so known for creativity but still gave me the ideal musical inspiration from their taste of sound in the genres of Oldies, R&B, Soul, Neo-Soul, Hip-Hop & Jazz/Blues music from my grandfather. At the tender age of 9 that’s when I fell in love with Hip-Hop and being intrigued with rapping from being around my older cousin including his friends in their freestyle cyphers. However, the inception for my love for Hip-Hop was from a 90s classic “Hip-Hop Hooray” by Naughty by Nature after that the spark was lit for the desire to rap. Fast forward to age 12 performing in the school talent show with one of my close childhood friends in a room shaking performance we exited the stage with many enthusiastic fans. Read more>>

Raynelle Walker

In 2018, my brother Greg Walker was tragically murdered in his home while his two children were present. Devastated by this loss, I started an organization in 2020 with the support of family and friends called the Beat The Streetz Foundation. Beat The Streetz is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between youth, young adults, and the issue of gun violence. We work hard to spread awareness about gun violence within our community and strive to keep our youth safe. Read more>>

Ash D. Collins

Maybe I was born with a natural resiliency. Maybe it was developed out of necessity. Whichever is the case, I have been served well by it. My father was abusive. He went to prison when I was twelve. His choices had a ripple effect on my life. By the time I was 20, I had a drug addiction. By the time I was 29, I had a Department of Corrections inmate number. At 40, I sustained a serious hand injury that could have been career-ending. None of these are what make my story unique. What does is that I choose not to make these what defines me. What defines me is my creativity and my honesty, the friendships that I hold, the faith that I keep, and that I never quit. Not anymore. I can turn challenges into opportunities so that’s what I do. It is what I have always done. Read more>>

Suzy Carbrey of Suzy Carbrey LLC

My journey to becoming an Executive Function and ADHD Coach is deeply rooted in personal experiences and professional evolution. Professionally, I began as a speech-language pathologist specializing in cognitive-communication therapy within an adult medical rehabilitation setting. This role provided me with an in-depth understanding of how cognitive and executive functioning impacts daily life and rehabilitation. I discovered a passion for helping individuals improve their attention, memory, organization, time management, and follow-through skills. In 2019, driven by my entrepreneurial spirit and the desire for a better work/life balance, I decided to open my private practice. Initially focused on speech therapy, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a significant shift. I began receiving calls from adults with ADHD struggling to manage remote work, which quickly ignited my passion for executive function and ADHD coaching. Read more>>

Anita Chen Fu

I am an artist, designer, illustrator, musician, and teacher. My artistic journey began with music, thanks to my mother, who is also a musician and educator. From a young age, I took piano, violin, and music theory lessons, dedicating significant time and focus to honing my performance skills. However, my passion for visual arts has always been a part of me, from the moment I was born. By the age of two, I was already asking my mother for paper and pencils to draw, sometimes even attempting to “steal” my brother’s kindergarten art assignments. Recognizing my love for drawing and creating, my mother enrolled me in art classes. Throughout my childhood, I was fortunate to learn from many art instructors who taught me the basics. When it came time to choose a college path, I applied to the only design school in the Dominican Republic, Chavón, the School of Design. There, I studied Illustration, further bettering my drawing and painting skills while learning the importance of storytelling in art. After two years at Chavón, I graduated and moved to New York to complete my BFA in Illustration at Parsons School of Design. In New York, I encountered many talented artists from around the world, which inspired me to explore my identity more deeply and reflect on who I truly am. This introspection led to my undergraduate thesis project, titled “Intersections of Identity,” a work that challenges conventional notions of identity and explores the meaning of belonging. Read more>>

Nadia Valavanis

Creativity and design have always been at the core of who I am. From a young age, I was captivated by the power of storytelling through artistic expression, which naturally led me down a path where design became more than just a passion—it became my purpose. Born and raised in Greece until the age of 21, I studied fashion design there, which laid the foundation for my passion for creating and storytelling through art. I used to make clothes, a craft I plan to tap back into soon. This early exposure to fashion and design shaped my journey and set the stage for my future endeavors. In 2018, I officially launched BSVII ( BS-SEVEN ) , a brand born out of my deep love for crafting bespoke headwear. BSVII is more than just a collection of hats; it’s a reflection of my journey, with each piece telling a story as unique as the person wearing it. Most of my work with BSVII is custom, and I find immense joy in connecting with people’s personal stories and bringing them to life through my designs. Calling Australia home is a strong part of my inspiration, where I recharge from nature and draw creative energy from the beauty around me. BSVII represents a significant part of my life’s work, where I channel my creativity into something tangible and deeply meaningful. Read more>>

Reina Lomenick

My story began with a deep love for storytelling. In the early days of my career, this love was depicted through photography and design. This laid the foundation for my journey into the creative industry; where I spent time working in the fields of marketing, entertainment, and social media management. As I gained experience and honed my skills, I realized I wanted to take an entrepreneurial approach to the creative space. This realization led me to start Headlands Creative Co., where my goal is to harness the energy of storytelling by creating impactful ways to create awareness and relevancy for brands, creators, and celebrities. The heart of my business is rooted in the joy of storytelling and our mission is to assist our clients in using that joy to make a profound impact on their audience. Read more>>

Laura Marotta’s Story

Creative expression has always been an essential part of my journey. I believe creativity helps us thrive in difficult times, and allows us to understand ourselves deeply as human beings, as individuals and as a collective. Read more>>

Yanran Bi

The idea of creating a sound and light instrument began to take shape when I first encountered Thomas Wilfred’s “Lumia Art,” an art form using light in a way he described as “as if one were witnessing a kind of sidereal choreography—a dance of comets and galaxies with the boreal aurora as back-drop and, beyond that, the velvet blackness of infinite, universal space.” I fell in love right away with the mysterious and magical visuals of light itself (in contrast with light bulbs). Three years later, I began creating “YB51724,” a sound and light instrument that projects endless light patterns onto the ground based on how and where I perform with the strings, as my MFA thesis at Rhode Island School of Design about psychogeography–the effect of a geographical location on the emotions and behavior of individuals. Guy Debord’s sees two different factors of “ambiance” in the urban landscape: the soft ambientce — light, sound, time, the association of ideas — in contrast with the hard, the actual physical constructions. Featuring a self-designed and fabricated string instrument and a reactive light performance, “YB51724” is an extraction of the soft ambiance and an exploration of my imaginary landscape. Read more>>

Raj Patel

I embarked on my fashion journey over 13 years ago, driven by a deep passion for design and a desire to express creativity through clothing. Fashion has always been more than just a career; it’s a calling that energizes me and brings immense joy. Early Beginnings: I began my career in the vibrant city of Surat, India, where I gained valuable experience as a Textile Designer at Digi Expo. This role allowed me to hone my skills in textile embellishments and design concepts while managing yarn and textile production processes. My time there was instrumental in shaping my understanding of the intricacies involved in fabric design and production. Read more>>

Shawn Dinneen of HeartStrings Journals

My story is more of a chapter book. In my 33 years of life, I have had to change directions, navigate new situations, overcome obstacles, and endure difficult periods of growth many times. I started new chapters when I transferred colleges, after leaving an abusive relationship, when I met the love of my life and we started our life together, when it all came crashing down after he passed away, and the chapter I am currently living where I rebuild. Read more>>

Angie Perez of Under This Moon

I would tell you that the story of where I am now started five years ago during one of the most transformational years of my life, but in actuality it began long before that. I began writing in school as most do, in Language Arts or English class, with classroom assignments and homework. Most of the time I was instructed to write short stories, poems of varying subject matters and structures, always wondering if I was doing it right. The next time I was introduced to writing was on a more personal level. In my early teens, shortly after my parents divorced, I was seeing a therapist (and by seeing I mean forced by my mother) and she suggested I start writing my feelings through journaling. Her instruction to start journaling was genesis to what is now one of the most cherished relationships I have in my life— the one I have with myself in-between those pages. There I never felt judged, there I found my own voice and there I never wondered if I was doing it right. I was just me and to find a space to be that was absolutely freeing.  Read more>>

Michelle Power

My journey to founding Pawsitively 4 Pink is deeply rooted in my challenging upbringing. Growing up in a low-income household marked by trauma and instability, I developed an acute sensitivity to people’s behaviors and emotions. My childhood was far from easy, but it also shaped me into the empathetic and resilient person I am today. Sports played a crucial role in my early life, teaching me invaluable lessons about discipline, teamwork, and selflessness. Through sports, I learned to trust others, work towards a common goal, and realize that not everything revolves around me. These lessons were pivotal in helping me navigate the complexities of my childhood. Another source of comfort and stability was my dog. Dogs are magical creatures; they teach us loyalty, patience, compassion, and unconditional love. No matter what obstacles I faced, my dog was always there, providing a sense of calm and understanding. This bond with my dog helped me through tough times and inspired a lifelong love for animals. Read more>>

Paola García

I was born in Mexico City but I lived almost all of my childhood and adolescence in the State of Mexico, which is about two hours on average from the capital. I decided to study arts thanks to the support of a teacher in high school. I had a difficult childhood and adolescence which I have tried to portray in some of my artistic projects that talk about grief, gender violence, sexual diversity and respect for identity. Nowadays my work It’s around the same themes and the media I use are painting, photography, stencils, interventions in specific sites and video. In my work I always try to be an intermediary on the cases I handle to be able to help through art in social protest, give workshops on both art and gender and help as much as I can to the families or people with whom I collaborated. Read more>>

Constance Nicole Frierson

To escape the scourge of the Jim Crow South, some of my blood relatives migrated from Mississippi in the 1940s. They were full of hope to start a new life in what was called the promised land. It was up North, in a city called Chicago. Years later when I was born, there were few tangible resources, especially for Black women. Healthcare was sub-standard and many were forced to live in what became tenement slums due to “white flight.” The neighborhood had once been diverse with populations of immigrants but when they moved, city services declined and the neighborhood became overrun by organized crime. My caregivers were not equipped to love and nurture me, especially since I was the result of an unwanted pregnancy. Babies are solely dependent on the nurturing of their mothers. However, in my case, I was conceived and brought forth into an environment of rejection and disdain. Perhaps my hypervigilant nature manifested while still in my mother’s womb. As we are of an animal species, the fight/flight response is already genetically coded. These developing senses would have only been heightened by my mother’s emotional responses to the abuse she was suffering. Read more>>

Sarah Lamagna

I’m a full-time freelance writer and have had a non-traditional journey into the writing world. I spent over a decade working for various non-profits and government agencies as an ecologist until it no longer suited my interests. I used my environmental background to break into the writing industry with a niche that gave me a unique voice when creating stories in the outdoor space. Since switching careers, my bylines include Matador Network, 5280 magazine, The Denver Post, and even appeared as an expert on NPR’s The Takeaway for my work on wildfires in Colorado. I now focus and specialize in eco-tourism, slow/sustainable travel, and parenting outdoors. Read more>>