Over the years as we connected with incredible from folks from almost every imaginable industry we realized that every nook and cranny of our economy is full of small business owners, artists and creatives who live and breathe what they do – and their stories are nothing short of heroic. It’s the immigrant parents who overcame the odds and kept their small business alive for decades allowing their next generation to thrive and the artisans who pour their passion into every piece and refuse to let even the most common items remain mundane that make our communities come alive. The stories below will inspire you and we hope you’ll take the time to read and connect with these incredible folks.
Stephanie Jaffe’s Story
I was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised on Long Island. During grade school, I attended The Fiedel School for Creative Arts on Saturdays, a unique program in a historic mansion. Throughout high school, I took lessons in ceramics, sculpture, and life drawing. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia in 1980. Initially majoring in painting, a first view of the hot glass studio inspired me to switch my major to glass and ceramics, fully immersing in the studio glass movement. In my junior year I did a semester abroad in Rome, which marked one of the most influential periods of my life. Read more>>
Adrienne Perkins
I have been working in the industry since 2002. I fell in love with design, working with clients and the business almost immediately. I worked with and learned from two residential designers in San Diego, while attending school at San Diego State University. In 2008 I obtained my degree in design and was ready to dive into business. Over the years, I worked with some amazing clients in San Diego. In 2019 I moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with my husband and our three boys and started a new adventure and business. The town was booming with construction and I opened a studio in 2021. Now, I have a team of great ladies that each provide amazing support for all of our projects. Read more>>
Tamara Edwards of TE&Co.
My story starts in the Chicago Suburbs. Like many young people with big ideas in a small-ish town, my “outside world” only began to align with my hopes and dreams when I earned an internship that would launch my career in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. There, I was able to harness my creative ideas, sharpen my skills, and learn hour to influence real-life outcomes through coalition building, PR and Communications, interpersonal relations, and more. I learned a lot about how the world works, business and bureaucracy, the news cycle, media, people, and how to effectively cut through the noise. Today, as a PR, Communications, and Personal Branding consultant who serves in capacities from advisory roles to fractional CCO roles, it was important to me to orient what we are doing as people, businesses and brands, TOWARDS meaningful outcomes. Read more>>
Dwight Smith-murchison of DSM Entertainment Firm LLC
I got started in the business about four years ago, going to concerts and hanging out with folks behind the scenes. I made friends with these people and learned from them. My first tour experience was on a popular 2000s tour, where I traveled from city to city on my own dime trying to prove myself and building relationships within that tour’s Organization .Now this is not your traditional way of touring. I did what I felt I needed to do to foster a relationship. I have since gone on to outgrow some of those relationships I was chasing .But that’s the blessing with my story. I was always willing to learn and grow. To this day I have not Toured with an Artist in an official capacity. I hope one day to do so. The relationships I was able to foster led me to opportunities in Asia, where I’ve been part of several live events within the continent. My most recent and biggest show in that Market being with Maroon 5 for two sold out shows in Korea . Back home to the USA, I’ve been able to fill my passion and love of Hip Hop & R&B. Read more>>
Aunia Kahn
In 2001, my life took a sharp turn when I moved from Michigan to St. Louis. On my first day at a new job, I witnessed the tragic events of 9/11 in a break room filled with strangers. Overwhelmed, I left and never went back. Around the same time, I was dealing with unexplained health issues. To make ends meet, I freelanced, using my skills in website design and development as well as graphic design, which I’d been honing since ’98. Now, 25 years later, I’m still going strong in this field and have added digital marketing as another skill I offer my clients. I started digital art in 2002 and had my first exhibition by 2005. Allergies to traditional mediums pushed me away from traditional mediums for almost my entire career. In 2021, when I finally got a diagnosis and proper treatment for numerous rare diseases which in part caused the life-threatening reaction to all mediums – I started working slowly in traditional mediums again. Read more>>
Jeff Similien of Lowkey Dispensary
I got started in the cannabis industry in 2016 when a client introduced me to a cannabis attorney who was assisting others in entering the field. Intrigued by the potential, I decided to take the meeting. She guided me through the application process, and from that moment, I was committed to opening a retail shop in my community at Codman Square. With dedication and hard work, I successfully navigated the challenges and established a presence in the industry, contributing to the growth and acceptance of cannabis in my area. Read more>>
Brittany Washington of My Beautiful Fluff
My journey began with a personal struggle. Growing up plus-size, I often felt inadequate due to societal pressures and a lack of representation in fashion and media. I spent years on endless diets, trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t meant for me. These experiences profoundly impacted my self-esteem and sense of belonging. After becoming disabled and feeling useless because I couldn’t work, my outlook shifted dramatically. The birth of my son was a pivotal moment, reigniting my drive and creativity. While transitioning to natural hair, I searched for empowering apparel that celebrated natural beauty but found none that resonated with me. This gap inspired me to create My Beautiful Fluff, a brand and community dedicated to plus-size individuals and women with natural hair. Read more>>
Tianpei Ma of Soft Strokes Silk
I have loved silk since I was a child. I loved its beauty, its sense of mystery and how it felt like such a “grown-up fabric”. When I created the brand in 2020, we started with just silk face masks, which gained popularity as silk is very friendly to people’s skin. As the pandemic subsided, we expanded into other categories, such as silk beddings, accessories, loungewear and lingerie. Read more>>
Peru 143
My wife always says how lucky I am to have found my purpose early on because a lot of people spend their lives searching for theirs. As always, she’s right :-) But all that luck had to combine with a whole lot of hard work so that when the opportunities arose I was ready to uplift and impress. I knew I was artistic from early on, my older brother played a big role in inspiring me to get into it, and no matter how many things took me off course through the years I always came back to art as a form source of joy and therapy. I grew up in Lima with dreams of becoming a professional soccer player until I turned 16, when a depressed economy and volatile culture led me to move to Ottawa, Canada. Having grown up travelling throughout Peru’s exotic extremes, as my father was a dirt-bike racer, I grew close to nature and it allowed my imagination to run free and develop into more than a hobby. I attempted to “study art” but found it counter-intuitive and ended up learning most of what I know from painting graffiti and skateboarding. Read more>>
Victoria Watkins of Inrichmint
Today, I’m a lawyer, investor, tea curator, and author. I probably only planned to be half of those. I’ve wanted to be a lawyer for almost as long as I can remember–though the type changed here and there. I loved writing, especially poetry in junior high, so I could have figured I might be an author, but investor and tea curator were not on my radar. Thank God for dream jobs you never dreamt! While at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, I studied Consumer Economics & Finance, excitedly awaiting law school. At the time, I wanted to be a transactions lawyer–interesting, because I’m there after an appreciated detour in government. When I got to law school, as many lawyers know, the 1L was tough! I wondered if I’d done the right thing. This was after my Dad tried to convince me to major purely in finance in undergrad. Sigh. Read more>>
Kwadwo Adae
After earning my Masters degree in 2005, I wanted to teach painting on the collegiate level. I sent resumes out and applied for every available teaching position in a 100 mile radius and received exactly zero responses. I sent images and artist statements to galleries in NYC and Philadelphia that had artwork that resonated with me and received absolutely nothing. I had a wife that wanted me to quit painting and become a security guard, a mountain of grad school debt, two babies to feed. and a gift of two months rent on a closet sized studio space in Downtown New Haven to continue my painting practice. I had an epiphany, “Why am I begging these colleges and universities to hire me when I can just open up my own art school and hire myself.” Read more>>
Kayla Raymond of Rosie’s Boutique
My story begins with my dad taking my siblings and I on a one-week mission trip to Haiti. The trip turned my world upside down and led me on a journey to moving there full-time, falling in love with a native and starting a business showcasing artisan goods in an effort to create sustainability for their families. We’ve now been operating this business, Rosie’s Boutique, for ten full years and it’s really wild to look back and reflect on how far we have come, all the lessons learned along the way, and the direction we are moving towards now ten years later. Read more>>
Jude Leighton’s Story
As a troubled teenager, I found comfort in listening to music, in particular, jazz music. I went on to study jazz at university, playing tenor and alto saxophones and continued to play after graduating. However, the financial instability when relying on music as an income led me to classroom music teaching. After moving to Denmark in 2004, it took some time to settle, and I went on to study IT which is the branch I work in today as my 9-5. It may not have been the direction I had intended in going as a child, but the financial stability has given me space to relax into composing, performing, and releasing music again. Read more>>
Shaquille Roberts of The PYNC Project
Growing up in Englewood, one of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods, writing became my a safe place for me. It began with short stories in my childhood. Then, in high school, winning a writing contest sponsored by Walgreens introduced me to TrueStar Magazine, a magazine written by teens, for teens. I be gan writing for TrueStar Magazine and TheMash newspaper, a newspaper under the Chicago Tribune for teens. After graduating, I felt a pull toward a different kind of writing inspired by a movie night with my brother and cousins watching “The Dark Knight”. I was very enticed by the film but did not consider filmmaking until I saw a commercial for the film program at the Illinois Institute of Art. There, I delved into every aspect of filmmaking, from pre-production to post. Read more>>
Devina Dhawan of Devi-Labs
My story begins in India – this is where my entire family is from as far back as it goes (I did a 23&Me). My parents both grew up in the ghettos of Delhi, where their entire focus was education and creating something for themselves and their families. I grew up with a dad in the army, who took us on adventures all over India, and then settled us in Delhi where we stayed with my grandparents. In 2000, when I was 8 years old, my parents took me out of school and told me we were going to America. I knew nothing about America except that it was ‘very clean’ and that my parents would find good opportunities there. This is chapter 2 to my story – my parents landing at the foot of a great mountain “The American Dream” The years of us living in America were tumultuous for my parents because they were creating a brand new life out of thin air, all on their own, with 2 little kids. I feel extremely grateful because I remember them struggling, enduring poverty, working extremely hard, getting taken advantage of, and growing up the ranks. This all has continued to inspire me and all the choices I make in my life. Read more>>
Meredith Paci of Fortify Health Coaching
I grew up as a dancer, a passion that extended into my twenties. I was fascinated by the human body—its capabilities and the limits it could push. This interest led me to a career in Dental Hygiene, where I formalized my education on the connections within our internal systems. Initially, my understanding of nutrition was limited to weight loss and the goal of becoming smaller. No one had explained the broader importance of nutrition, including its role in overall health and the negative effects of long-term dieting on hormonal health, brain function, muscle maintenance, and more. I had never been educated about hormonal health or the significance of a regular menstrual cycle, particularly the role of ovulation. Looking back, I used to brag about how I could go 6 to 12 months without a period or only experience it sporadically, viewing it more as an inconvenience. Read more>>
Etta Jomaria
Determination and perseverance are qualities that truly resonate with me, as my story would be incomplete without them. From acting in church dramas to college stage performances, I knew there was something in the acting horizon for me. So even while I was pursuing a degree in communications, it was obvious I would still need to find myself in school to sharpen my craft as an actor, hence the reason why I was so thrilled to be admitted to gain skills as an actor and a producer at the prestigious EbonyLife Creative Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. I have grown to be a fantastic performer, if I do say so myself, a really good producer and one who will be an export talent for Africa’s creative economy in the nearest future. And I am just getting started. Read more>>
Puck Kroonsberg
Into the deep Into the depths of Yourself Breathe I am often amazed with how 1 leap of faith can change your entire life but also how challenges that seem to break you down at first are actually an invitation for growth and expansion if you let it. So where to start? I took a big leap of faith 3 years ago was when I had just quit my job, came out of a burn-out and decided to go for a sabbatical to the Caribbean island Bonaire. These 3 months changed my life completely, the island and it’s people showed me that it is possible what I had been dreaming of: pure freedom, a close connection to nature and the ability to express yourself creatively and to live this way. I grew up in the Netherlands which is a well developed country and I am grateful to have been raised there, however there is a strong focus on certain social norms that always made me feel pressured somehow. Read more>>
Nari Kaur’s Story
I am Nari, an Empowerment, Wellness, and Leadership Coach with an MBA and expertise in Master NLP, Wellness, and Lifestyle Coaching. With two decades of experience in significant roles within the Aerospace, Marine Defence, and Rail Industries, I bring a wealth of knowledge and global cultural insights into human behavior and the nuances of soft skills essential for personal and professional growth. My journey to becoming an Empowerment, Wellness, and Leadership Coach began with my upbringing in a predominantly patriarchal home. Despite receiving abundant love and support, I faced predefined gender roles, which fueled my passion for breaking gender stereotypes. My mother, a nurturing figure, and my father, an ambitious entrepreneur with multiple successful businesses, shaped my strong work ethic. As a fun-loving and confident child, I thrived on pushing boundaries and expanding my comfort zone in sports, arts, and academics. Read more>>
Mindy Dutka
From the get-go, I’ve wanted to be a hero for dogs. Animals have always called to me, and I’ve always gleefully followed along. My first “job’ at the age of 10, was selling candy door-to-door for my local Lost Pet Society. Not to brag, but I was one of the top candy salespeople. All grown up now, that little Lost Pet Society volunteer has: – Worked for two different Fortune 500 companies – Started a new division for the Chase Development Center – a state-of-the-art day conference center in downtown Manhattan. – Founded and successfully ran two companies, S’Mall Happenings Inc. and The Event Company – Worked in Sales & Management for Healthcare Remote Interpreting Services – Founded Dogs I Meet an innovative Dog Photography & visual storytelling business – Raised over $40,000 for homeless animals around the world… … and I’m just getting started. Read more>>
Eileen Ryan
I started doing experiments really young. I’d gather pond scum and put it in circles around ferns with the intention that it would attract little orange and black salamanders. If I found three different types of moss on one rock, that was a fairy door and salamanders were close. I would gather rollie pollies and put them under rocks where no salamanders were in hopes it would attract them because they would want to hang out together. Then I grew up, and the backyard got smaller, but the questions and curiosities I had never stopped. In school I found myself drawn to science, and my favorite classes were the lab portion of the curriculum. I loved growing bacteria, learning about fungi, and seeing how everything connected in the body. The first time I looked through a microscope was like having a spiritual awakening. I became addicted to discovery. Soon I wanted to explore outside the studio microscope and began focusing my energy on proposals so that I may be able to travel and explore the worlds I read about and watched in movies. Read more>>
Akseli Äijälä of Tenester Oy
Certainly! My journey began when I was just a teenager with a passion for creativity and a hunger for success. At the age of 18, I found myself faced with the challenge of carving out my path in the world. I didn’t come from a background of privilege or wealth, so I knew that if I wanted to achieve my dreams, I would have to work harder and smarter than everyone else. I started by immersing myself in books, online resources, and courses about marketing, branding, and entrepreneurship. I absorbed every piece of knowledge I could get my hands on and applied it relentlessly. Armed with determination and a willingness to learn, I launched my own marketing agency from the ground up. The early days were tough. I faced countless rejections, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt. But with each challenge, I refused to give up. I hustled day and night, taking on any project that came my way and pouring my heart and soul into delivering results for my clients. Read more>>
Lyndell “izzy” Campbell
Well, let’s see how I got started is pretty crazy in my opinion because I never really expected to be in the entertainment industry. But I believe it was 2013 or 2014 when I had the opportunity to play Harpo in a theater production or stageplay called The Color Purple in Indianapolis, Which is infamously known or connected to Oprah Winfrey or in our community we are very familiar with the movie adaptation. So to me, it’s been a little crazy because again when you take someone who grew up in the projects also lives on government assistance, and had to teach himself how to speak with “good diction” there are things that are part of your upbringing or beginning that you don’t realize will also serve as an anchor for why you must keep going. Read more>>
Kylie Jenkins’s Story
Hi, I’m Kylie! I’m an artist and tattooer. I went to Columbus College of Art & Design for a BFA in Fine Arts and Illustration. I’ve been interested in body modification since a very young age and decided to use my skills in art and design to pursue a career in tattooing. Now I travel the world making body art for amazing people! At the moment I live in Wellington, New Zealand and I’m looking forward to seeing where else tattooing can take me and what other beautiful opportunities will come my may. Read more>>
Caroline Jurie of Caroline J Global (PVT) LTD
In my teens I imagined becoming an international model. But I had to put that dream aside and start working to support my family financially. So I went abroad at 19. First to Qatar and then from there to Dubai. While working for Virgin MegaStore I kept applying to talent agencies looking for a opening for a modelling assignment. After 5 years of trying I finally got an opportunity for a swimwear modelling assignment. However, by that time my daughter was born and I had stretch marks. So I had to forego the opportunity. So, that door closed on me as soon as it opened. Around the same time I got to know that applications were being called in for the Mrs. Sri Lanka contest. But I was already late. So I decided to apply the following year. Since I had a year I studied about pageants and what it takes to win. Read more>>
Heather Roberts’s Story
I started going to work at 4 years old with my father. Over the years, I had various jobs and enjoyed the more entrepreneurial and creative aspects of running a business. This would come in handy when I was hired to start a small sales team for a burgeoning online company in the year 1999. That company would turn out to be Autotrader.com and as a result, I was able to further my career, eventually owning a Luxury Real Estate Magazine and Public Relations Firm. It was about 12 years into being an independent business person that I became severely ill. So ill that I could not do basic tasks like cooking or laundry. Having 6 children made this situation even more stressful. Not being able to be a caregiver to my children was the main reason I started my latest company, Mom Bomb. I quickly realized that there must be thousands of families like mine – we weren’t affluent enough to hire help when I got sick, but not indigent enough to qualify for state or federal services. Not being able to do simple things like cook for my children or do laundry was so frustrating, that I thought if I could start a company that made enough money to fund a charity that will help other mothers, like me. Read more>>
Rachel Spicer of Scarlet River PR
Music has always been a passion of mine, but I never thought I’d end up with a career in music. What started as ‘helping out a friend’ became something that I thought I could really excel in…. not from an artist perspective (I commend all artists for what you do!), but from the business perspective. I love working with passionate artists to get their music out into the world. In front of the right people, and in front of future audiences! Read more>>
Rachel R Jackson of Project Compassion NFP
Rachel R. Jackson, LPC, founded Project Compassion, NFP (PC-NFP) in 2005 when she was just 25 years old. Her organization has made a significant impact, assisting over 200,000 homeless, disadvantaged, and low-income individuals with essential needs such as food, shelter, hygiene items, and vocational training. Rachel’s dedication and achievements have earned her numerous accolades. She has been recognized locally and nationally, receiving awards such as the BASIC Citizen of Character award, the Barack Obama Silver Presidential Award for Community Service, and the Daily Point of Light Award. In 2014, she was honored as a L’Oreal Paris Woman of Worth and received the Outstanding Alum Award from Lindenwood University. Rachel’s community efforts extend to various honors, including the Top Ladies of Distinction “Extraordinary Women” award, the Delta Economic Development Corp Award “Heroes Among Us,” and the TOCO “Making a Difference” award. Her influence led to the establishment of the Compassionate Resource Center in Belleville, IL in 2011. Furthermore, in 2014, the Mayor of Belleville declared October 29th as “Compassion Day” in recognition of PC-NFP’s contributions. Read more>>
Bernie Van Der Linde
In 2014, I met Petra in Germany at the Hockenheim racetrack, where my eldest son just won the ADAC GT Masters Championship. We quickly realised we share a love for travelling and discovering hidden gems. In 2022, we registered our company Travel Buddies Lifestyle International and published the first article on our travel blog, Travel Buddies Lifestyle. Today, we have a significant following on our social media platforms and loyal subscribers to our newsletter. In addition, our travel blog is growing exponentially and currently receives more than 11 000 unique views monthly. We are also privileged to collaborate with some major brands, tourism boards, and luxury travel magazines worldwide. Read more>>
Kate Shanahan of Sweet Peach Tree
I consider myself a survivor, an advocate, and an aspiring entrepreneur. My journey through the fierce battle of breast cancer, multiple failed IVF attempts, and three miscarriages could have been a story of defeat and instead, it is one of triumph and empowerment. Inspired by the adoption of my daughter in 2019, I found myself frustrated by the overwhelming online process of finding natural, high-quality hair and skin products suitable for her Black heritage. This realization led me to create Sweet Peach Tree, an online marketplace dedicated to providing a joyful, helpful and easy shopping experience for diverse families like my own. This struggle quickly illuminated a broader issue affecting families with children of all ages as the search to find suitable products extends beyond infancy. Recognizing this significant gap in the market for one spot to find natural beauty products that would be effective for my Black daughter and family, I wanted to create more than just a business. Read more>>
Jaida Narkon
Hi, I’m Jaida! I was raised on Cape Cod and now live in the beautiful seaside town of Harwich, MA. After earning an undergraduate degree in Fashion Merchandising and a Master’s degree in Media and Innovation, I returned home in 2018 to start building a brand of my own. Passionate about fashion, colors, and design, I started by sketching on paper, then transitioned to digital illustrations on an iPad Pro. This journey led to the creation of J.Alexis Designs, where I blend design, decor, and art. My digital illustrations are featured on a variety of products, from wall art and home decor to pattern work. Over the past two years, I’ve collaborated with several local businesses, selling my items in retail stores and creating custom designs for clothing and marketing materials. My goal is to continue evolving and exploring new creative ideas! Read more>>
Christina Maag of Hoopla (Cmaag LLC)
I come from an executive assistant background. Working with C-level executives for over a decade, I developed project management skills and a solutions-partner attitude. I was buying branded merchandise on the fly and had the opportunity to learn about it from the distributor side of things.. I fell in love with becoming a personal shopper for unique branded products. I love the creative process of finding the perfect branded pieces for an event, brand, and budget (that won’t get tossed and give the client an ROI on their merch). Read more>>
Marissa Webb Tonkovic
It all started when I was 13- I got my first camera for Christmas from my parents. It was a Minolta wannabe SLR. I went through a lot of film back in the day. A friend who worked for my dad at a theatre kept saying you should go into photography… so here I am 25 years later with my BFA/MFA in studio art photography. I haven’t looked back. Thanks for the inspiration Josh! Read more>>
Jacqui Thompson
Biker Betty offically started in January 2015, with one basic tee that sold out instantly! A crazy dream started! Over the years there have been many ups and downs. Moving from Illinois to Montana in 2016 and felt like we had to start over. We were invited to be part of Topless Tuesday in Sturgis and that boosted things forward! As we grew and doing amazing through 2020 devastation hit and my partner in crime & husband passed away suddenly. I had no idea how to keep moving forward without him. Made some plans for vending events, then 4 months later ended up with a compound fracture of my arm. So vending stopped. All movement stopped. Still made Sturgis that year but couldn’t do much more, physically. As soon as I could I got back on the horse, and was making new strides forward. Until I was about to head out for the 2022 rally and my Dad passed away. Dealing with his estate and all the traveling made me think if this was the right path or if it was time to get out. Read more>>
Kristy Norbert
In third grade, I watched an after school special on homelessness where a social worker jumped in and connected needs with resources. I was hooked! From then on, I knew that I was meant to be a social worker. It’s the best
of humanity. Fast forward 40 years, and I’m living my dream. It’s a different dream then most, where success is tied to human impact. I went to Northwestern on a field hockey scholarship, being the first generation in my family to attend college. My first job was as a one-on-one social worker on the south side of Chicago making $23,000 a year… and I
LOVED it. After getting letters behind my name and spending 25 years in the social sector, I was exposed to the worst human rights atrocity I’d ever encountered: human trafficking. This awful crime involves compelling or
coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. It’s the darkest of humanity and I knew I wanted to be part of a solution. Enter Empowered Network, which I co-founded with Abby Fabiaschi
in 2017. We’re so proud of the positive disruption we’ve caused since! Empowered Network exists to break cycles of exploitation, by providing pathways for survivors to reach economic freedom. Read more>>
Latasha Peterson
Because of my passion for finding profitable side hustles, My husband and I started the blog, Arts and Budgets, in 2016 to help creatives earn money while pursuing their dreams. Having worked in musical theater, I often needed side gigs to cover expenses, from brand work to focus groups. When I got pregnant with my first child, my husband and I decided I would leave my substitute teaching job to focus on the blog. I began monetizing it in 2017, earned my first paycheck in May, and incorporated it as an LLC by July. Since then, my husband and I have turned the side hustle into a profitable business, earning around $120,000 in 2022. Me and my husband place our Christian faith at the heart of everything we do, including our business. We believe that our success is a blessing from Jesus, and we strive to honor Him in all our work. Our business Arts and Budgets, LLC received over 100,000 monthly pageviews every month in 2023, has 110,000 Instagram followers, and has helped us pay off over $40,000 in debt. Read more>>
Ed Hill
I was born in Taipei, Taiwan, I moved to Vancouver, British Columbia at the age of 10. At the time, I thought I was on vacation. 30 years later. I’m still vacation. In 2021, I became the first comedian of Taiwanese-Canadian descent to release a full one hour comedy special titled “Candy & Smiley” with Comedy Dynamics. The special was named “Top 15 Comedy Specials of 2021” by Paste Magazine and “Best of 2021” by NPR Radio. The special is currently streaming worldwide on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. In 2023, I made my off-off Broadway debut of my critically-acclaimed follow up Show, titled “Stupid Ed”, at the Tank Theater in NYC. My second comedy special under the same title will be released with Comedy Dynamics on Amazon Prime and Apple TV on Oct 15th, 2024. Read more>>
Craig Thorn of High Season Co.
For sure. I’ll keep it brief as there are three main areas of my life that define where I’m at professionally – music, Social Media and craft beer. I got into rap music at around 11 years old in the early ’90s, started writing my own stuff at around 16 years old, and finally began recording in 2001. I’ve always been in groups, it just felt like the best way to roll. Music was always a collaborative thing for me. I was in groups all through the ’00s, until I moved to Canada in 2010 and finally went solo. We were grinding hard around Ontario and Quebec for most of the ’10s, until we realized that touring and doing shows were pointless and just focused on making great music and videos. Right now, I’m about to come back off a music sabbatical. I really needed a break; there’s way too many people doing music now compared to when I started, so the market is flooded and incredibly noisy. I needed to recentre myself to see whether I still had something unique to offer, and I finally decided that I do. Read more>>
Hannah Bonham Blackwell
Like many people, the story of where I am today is more like a winding road than a straight line. Growing up in rural Kansas, I never thought I’d be running a large organization in Chicago’s inner-city but at the same time, it doesn’t surprise me either. At age 15 I came to the south side with my church youth group led by my dad, the youth pastor. We were only a few miles away from where I live today, and the experience shook my world. I met teens my own age living through unimaginable circumstances. Most youth were living in the Robert Taylor homes at that time, infamous project housing known for gangs and drugs. The worst one of all – nicknamed “The Hole” – would be torn down not long after but at that time was still standing. Years later I made my way back to Chicago, finding myself eventually moving into the inner-city after feeling convicted by my faith in Christ to spend my life relieving the suffering of others. Read more>>
Karolina Bakalarczyk
In January 2021 I came to Mexico on a one way ticket. I decided to stay and make Tulum my home base. That’s when I started my photography business as a full time job. Over the months I upgraded my gear and expanded my niche to destination weddings and elopements. I still do a little bit of everthing, from family, maternity to branding sessions. I love to experiment and grow in all these areas and work with different types of clients. Read more>>
Leeatt Rothschild of Packed with Purpose
I like to say my journey has always been a dance between social impact and business. It started when I served as a Rotary Youth Ambassador in Mexico and continued as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay. While there, I launched an income-generating fertilizer business with local farmers, witnessing the profound way economic development impacted the local community. I returned home eager to do good in the world, and committed to doing so at scale. After earning an MBA I dove into the world of marketing. My “aha!” moment happened while serving as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) consultant, advising Fortune 500 Chief Sustainability Officers and executives on maximizing the impact and financial returns of their CSR efforts. Read more>>
Tamika Hill’s Story
My journey to becoming Coach T has been a path full of ups and downs. It began with my work in corporate and the medical industry, followed by opening my own private mental health practice. Eventually, I left my job to focus on my practice full-time, which has now grown into a group practice with two locations called Step by Step – The Spa for Your Mind P.C. However, I noticed that many clients in education, law enforcement, healthcare, and corporate sectors were struggling without finding resolution. In 2020, this realization prompted me to start Thill Consultant LLC, where Coach T was born and mental wellness became a lifestyle. At Thill Consultant LLC, we provide professional development with a focus on mental wellness for corporations, schools, and executives. Our training programs, covering topics from strategic communication and skill-building to leadership and DEIB, are all infused with a focus on mental wellness in the workplace. Read more>>
Nikki Savella
Aloha, my name is Nikki. Born and raised Hilo girl, native Hawaiian māmā of 3, and visionary creator of Cupcakes, BOOM! A tale of sweet success rooted in the heart of our community. Nestled in the quaint corners of Hilo, Hawaii, Cupcakes, BOOM! stands as a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and a sprinkle of island magic. For Nikki, the journey began not with grand aspirations but with a simple desire to serve her beloved hometown. As a small-town local girl, Nikki’s dreams took shape within the walls of a tiny two-bedroom house back in 2013. It was here that she began to craft her confectionery delights, one cupcake at a time. Little did she know, those humble beginnings would soon erupt into something spectacular, igniting a sweet revolution that would captivate the hearts and taste buds of her community. Read more>>
Stephanie Weeks
At 43 years young, I heard the words no one wants to hear, “Cancer”. I was diagnosed with Aggressive, Invasive, Rare, Triple Negative, Stage 3, breast cancer with lymph involvement. How could this be? I ate well, took care of myself, exercised, and practiced self care. I loved learning about health, nutrition, biology, read books, articles, and more. Yet, there I was. I write this now as I surpassed 3 Years No evidence of Disease! I am proud of myself, how far I have come, and how much I have learned which is now how much I can share to make a difference in the journeys of other survivors. I truly felt in my heart and soul that there was a reason I was walking this path. I was determined to learn the lessons I was to learn, to heal, to grow as a person, and make a difference in the lives of other survivors. Read more>>
Rebecca Worsley of Rainy City Agency
I met my fiancé Pete 10 years ago, I was 21 and had just come out of University – I graduated with a first class honours in International Fashion Marketing and dreamt of becoming a fashion buyer, I started my career working at a wholesalers supplying cotton and jersey products to major high street brands, my fiancé was just starting out in the dropshipping boom. On the side of working full time, I was trying my hardest to make more money, my first graduate job paid me a grand salary of £15k a year and I needed more! So I started launching mini businesses – first I learnt how to build an Amazon brand. This wasn’t successful but it gave me a taste of what it was like to be an entrepreneur. Then I started importing boho jewellery from China via AliExpress and selling at the Makers Markets every weekend around Manchester. I stood out in all weathers but had such a great time and was earning more money each weekend. I always knew I couldn’t be an employee, I needed to see scope and growth and if that wasn’t there I lost interest. Read more>>
Ashley Payne
Dance has always been a part of my life! My journey started when I was three and my mom signed me up for dance classes, because she was not allowed to. It turned into a passion that led me through college, a career in New York and now my own studio. Read more>>
Boki Dee of Divine Remedy Healing
My journey into energy healing took a significant turn when a steel shelf fell on my head while I was working in the corporate world. This injury was more than just a physical blow; it was a wake-up call that led me to reassess my life and career. The long road to recovery was both challenging and enlightening, and it was during this period that I realized my corporate life had come to an end. As I navigated through the healing process, I became deeply aware of how much we all struggle with hidden battles. This realization shaped my approach to holistic wellness and became the foundation of my business, Divine Remedy Healing. I understood that the world doesn’t need more “experts” or “opinions”; what we need is more compassion, love, and understanding. We need people who ask, “How are you?” without judgment, offering genuine support and kindness. Read more>>
Cynthia Prieto of The Branding Room Floor
My career in marketing began over 15 years ago. I always knew I wanted to go into something creative. Marketing was a natural fit for that. I studied marketing in college and began working in the industry very soon after graduating. I started in a corporate setting, working and moving my way up in the marketing departments for companies in the financial industry, pharmaceuticals, and then manufacturing. In 2020, the whole world flipped upside down with the pandemic. It was a time in my life where a lot was changing. My husband and I started our family a couple years earlier, so I had two small children at home. My role was changing at home and at work. I needed to make a decision about the future and what I wanted out of my career. Ultimately, I wanted control of my schedule, and I wanted to feel good about the work I was doing. Those were two things my corporate job wasn’t offering me. Read more>>
Maggie Gerth of Props Luggage, LLC
My story is a bit unusual. I embarked on my journey of entrepreneurship at the age of 55. Not the usual time to begin development of a brand new product idea but that is exactly what I did. After years of thinking about it, and the encouragement of my four daughters and my husband, I made the decision to begin a process I knew nothing about. But I knew it was an amazing idea and would regret it if I didn’t try. I believe if I had known how long this journey would be I may not have moved forward. But here I am years later and have launched Props Luggage. The carry-on case with its own built in luggage rack or a workspace at the airport to set up your laptop or eat your meal at the gate. It has been called “genius”, a “gamechanger” and the best idea since the addition of wheels to a suitcase. My goal is for travelers to not remember a time when every case did not have its own leg system built in. Read more>>
Ross Dixon of Dixon Agency LLC
I started my professional career in a corporate environment, working my way up through various roles and gaining a wealth of experience in business management and entrepreneurship. However, I always had a passion for pushing boundaries and exploring new opportunities, which led me to write my book, *Grind to Greatness*. This book is a culmination of my experiences and lessons learned, aimed at inspiring others to pursue their dreams and achieve greatness through hard work and perseverance. A few years ago, my family and I decided to take a bold step and move to Mexico. This decision was driven by a desire to explore new horizons and pursue entrepreneurial ventures in a different environment. Mexico has a vibrant culture and a growing economy, which presented a perfect backdrop for our next chapter. Read more>>