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.

Nia Dinero

Of course, my career began in 2010 at Norfolk State University as one half of the male/female duo “Dreamz2Dinero”. We coined our sound as “Hip-Pop”, a label I still embrace today. Transitioning to a solo career in 2015, I continued to seize every opportunity, build strong relationships, evolve artistically, and carve out my own authentic path. Read more>>

Brody Williams

My journey to become a tattooer took about a decade to materialize. I originally began a traditional apprenticeship back in 2012. That lasted about 1.5 years before the shop I was at closed down and I was left without a place to continue. I pivoted to illustration and design work for companies like Ring of Honor and All Elite Wrestling, doing tshirt designs for their profressional wrestlers. Fast track to 2022 when I linked back up with the artist I had apprenticed under all those years prior. He had opened up his own studio and told me the opportunity was there if I ever wanted to give it another go. I became a Virginia state licensed tattooist in October of 2023 and specialize in black and grey illustrative realism, black-work, American traditional and neo-traditional styles. Right now I’m currently a resident artist at Turtle Style Tattoo Company in Broadway, Virginia alongside veteran tattooers Rob Glazner and Dj “Turtle” Ownby. Read more>>

Nic Luna

I began tattooing in 2014 after managing a world renowned tattoo studio for 3 years prior working alongside some heavy hitters in the upper echelon of the tattoo industry. I saw day in and day out the passion these artists had for their craft and the impact they had on the lives of their clients. I wanted nothing more than to contribute to this culture of tattooing and feel I was a part of something so much larger than myself with so much depth, history and potential. A few years into my career I ventured out onto my own and opened up my studio Sub Rosa Tattoo in Grants Pass, Oregon. The studio and its artists have become a staple in the community over the years and we’re honored to gain the trust and confidence in becoming a part of the rest of our client’s lives through the art of tattooing. Read more>>

Tareek Montague

My name is Tareek Montague also known as “OD Reek” and/or “Coach Reek” to others. I was bought into this world in 1993, the son of Tyrone Montague Jr & Tonya Chapman. Hoboken, NJ is where I was born & raised within the Andrew Jackson Gardens Housing Projects. Majority of my upbringing was heavily revolved around sports as I was a multi sport athlete within the city (baseball, basketball, football) as well as my love and passion for music. I’ve had the opportunity to not only play sports for Hoboken but also coach football in Hoboken to jumpstart my coaching career which I am now 7 years into. Musically, I was heavily influenced by others that came before me and it slowly became my favorite form of expression. I am currently a football coach at ‘Hudson Catholic HS’(first high school coaching opportunity), as well as the youth org ‘NJ Knights Elite’(8U); all while still maintaining my creative side by owning & producing for my clothing brand “4L Brand LLC”. My brand is my prize possession as I plan to be my own boss someday without needing to work for others. Overall, I am a man of many qualities & I plan to continue giving back through leadership/coaching, and my art/fashion to help influence others in a positive manner. Read more>>

Esther Wright of Hilo de Amor

Hilo de Amor: A Thread of Love I’m Esther Wright, and I grew up in the vibrant city of Oaxaca, Mexico. Although I’ve lived in the United States for over 25 years, Oaxaca remains close to my heart. My passion for helping others and sharing my culture led me to leave the corporate world in 2018 to pursue my dreams. During a visit to Oaxaca, I discovered beautiful handcrafted tote bags made by inmates striving to change their lives. Inspired, I decided to bring these totes to Oklahoma. My vision was clear: to connect Oaxaca’s talented artisans with U.S. customers who value authenticity and quality. Read more>>

Robin Spielberg

My childhood was filled with music. As a very young girl, I enjoyed lessons in piano, violin, organ and ballet. My sister and I would take turns accompanying our parents singing in the living room after dinner. I honestly thought all families did this! We listened to LPs in the living room together as a family. My grandfather and great uncle were both musicians who played for The Metropolitan Opera House orchestra, The Cleveland Symphony and for The NBC Symphony Orchestra (under the direction of Toscanini.) While I was proficient at piano, I fell in love with the theater in my teens and went to drama camps. I was president of our high school drama club which had over 100 members. We were a very active club. I went to college at Michigan State, but I felt pulled back east and after my sophomore year I auditioned for NYU’s drama department. I ended up graduating NYU with a BFA in drama. Read more>>

Samer Ghani’s Story

My name is Samer Ghani, I’m a first generation Palestinian American artist working full-time in art & culture in Milwaukee, WI where I was born and raised. I was raised in a low income single mother household, I went to Milwaukee Public Schools where music and art first impacted me and my journey. When you’re young and poor so much of your driving imagination is the ability to dream…so going though Milwaukee Public schools (which are historically underfunded) my engagement with orchestra, violin, was my first step into realizing that art can not only be a mechanism to dream, but to fulfill a broader life for myself (and my family). As this inhibition and deep interest in art grew, so did my passion for exploring and sharing my unique story as a Palestinian-American. Where I’m from there aren’t a lot of Palestinian working artists, I realized quickly that in my community I’m able to communicate perspectives, methods, and ways of thinking that are unique, valuable and undertold. Read more>>

Gary Randall

I have always been interested in photography it seems. When I was just six years old my mom and dad bought me a Brownie Hawkeye camera. They would buy me a roll or two of 12 exposure black and white film. Black and white film cost less and it was cheaper to develop. That one camera is what sparked my interest in photography. I have always had a camera but, for the most part, would take snapshots of my family and friends and an occasional photo of places that I would visit. When I joined the Navy I bought my first 35mm camera, a Yashica Electro 35 Rangefinder. There was a dark room at the bast where I was stationed and decided to join the photography club and learn how to develop my own photos.  Read more>>

Justine Cleveland of Wholehearted Herd Counseling, LLC

My journey has been very much being led and following my desire to help others. I found myself as a child helping others in 4-H club and church and any little animal I found that needed me. My love for animals, especially horses, started very young as well. There are definitely those little girls who have a connection to horses and never really grow out of the “horsey girl” phase. That was me! In my professional path I started pursuing social work because of wanting to serve those in need. That degree led me eventually to clinical social work and providing therapy. After many years doing intensive in-home therapy for families, I felt the call of the horse again very strongly. I was feeling burnt out and in need of care for myself. It is funny that those who help others often avoid helping themselves. Horses allowed me to care for myself in their presence and I knew this is what my clients needed as well. I started a private practice partnering with horses after much research on a model of therapy that fit well with my values. Horses have a way of supporting and healing that I feel in session as well and I have not looked back on burnout since. I am four and a half years into that practice and love it more everyday! I am honored to help others heal through trauma and find connection with themselves and others that they may have never had. Read more>>

Brandon Bramley of The Salary Negotiator

I would say the most pivotal moment was in one of my negotiation classes in my last semester of college. I just received a job to work at American Airlines in their Procurement department where my core role would be to lead business-to-business negotiations. I wanted to stand out to the hiring team so I decided to attempt to negotiate my job offer as an undergrad and then planned to turn it into my negotiation professor as my final project. The negotiation was very successful and they increased my base, sign-on bonus, and even gave me airline miles (which covered the flights for a 3-week trip to Ecuador before I started). Read more>>

Hobby Bobbins of Hobby Bobbins

Well, where to begin? I was born and raised in Florida and grew up mostly in poverty. I guess you could say that is where my love for the things I do now started to develop! I was the eldest of four and I was always tinkering with something. Whether it was taking apart and fixing something that had broken, learning a new skill, picking up new hobbies, etc. I was fascinated by all things vintage, and unfortunately Florida had little to offer locally. Read more>>

Dijana Szewczyk of Dijana Szewczyk Photography

I was born right before Yugoslav war and in Bosnia, right in the middle of the most intense conflict. I tend to not focus on that part of my life, but it has shaped the way I see myself, others around and also the feeling of not belonging too. We had to escape war zone and we moved to Croatia. Even though cultures are similar, I never really felt like I belong. Growing up I was always a little bit weird and wild, feeling like there is so much to the world than our tiny village in the middle of nowhere, so it wasn’t a surprise to my family that I packed my suitcase, used last of my little savings and flew to America in 2012. I was 24, barely speaking any language and I was determined to live the American dream. Read more>>

Keisha Finnie

Art has always been something I gravitated toward since my first class in kindergarten. Throughout grade school art was always where I excelled and felt most in my element. In 12th grade I had the opportunity to take a college art studio class at our local art school; Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. After graduating I had plans to go to Kutztown University but I was having issues with my financial aid and not really having anyone to turn to I made the decision to come home and get a full time job as a housekeeper at the local hospital. After a year of working and totally forgetting about my art I left the hospital for medical reason and became a part time employee at our local AC Moore Craft Store. Being back in a creative environment sparked my joy for art all over again. Social media start to go on the rise and I began posting my artwork while still working at AC Moore, seeing other artists online living and providing for themselves soley off of their art made me know that it was possible for me. Read more>>

Latrice Cole of Latrice Monique Image Consulting

Being stylish has always been a part of my life. From my mom dressing me up in cute outfits when I was little to my college days when I really started to hone my personal style, fashion has always been a constant companion. My journey took a professional turn with fashion and beauty internships, and eventually, I started my own fashion blog. But it wasn’t until I began my corporate career in HR that I truly recognized the transformative power of style. I vividly remember when my employer was searching for the perfect candidate to fill a top-tier C-Suite position. This role required not only the right skills but also the ability to command attention and represent the company impeccably. We had an internal candidate who looked great on paper – impressive resume, stellar qualifications. But there was a glaring issue – her image didn’t match the caliber of the position. Despite her credentials, her image lacked polish and sophistication. Whenever she tried to dress the part, her clothes were ill-fitted, lacking the flair and authenticity expected at her level. Additionally, she struggled to communicate with confidence and presence. Read more>>

Scott Arbital’s Story

I began my journey at the age of 17, initially taking a graphic design class for an easy A, but quickly falling in love with the craft. After just one semester, I won an international competition to get my designs on skateboards for underprivileged kids and secured my first client, RSA Technology. This experience not only solidified my future in design but also sparked my entrepreneurial spirit. Recognizing the need for guidance to achieve my ambitious goals, I sought out a mentor. In 2014-2015, I interned at Evil Genius, where I worked with high-profile clients such as Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Hana Nitsche, and The Hilfigers. My passion for design deepened, and I found a mentor in one of the partners, Daries Allani. With his extensive marketing background, he saw potential in me, and together we have continued to work on major accounts. Having a mentor to guide me was instrumental in shaping my early career. Read more>>

Khali Hearon

I first started taking paid photoshoots back in 2009. At the time I was charging $20-30 for a few photos, which I thought was awesome since I was a high schooler and didn’t have any bills to pay yet (haha). As I got older, I started to branch out doing couples sessions, families, brand photos and grad photos. In. 2016 I shot my first wedding in Las Vegas and the rest is history! I fell in love with photographing weddings and decided to make that my specialty. I graduated from Arizona State and accepted a full time job in Tempe, while continuing photography on the side. As my business started to grow, it felt like I was working two full time jobs — but I did not feel comfortable enough to take the leap into self employment. I accepted a promotion in 2019, which brought me to Oregon. I met my husband Ryan a week after moving! Read more>>

Brendon And Brian Fraim

We’ve been drawing for as long as we can remember, and we knew from an early age this is what we wanted to do with the rest of our lives. After attending Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, we started searching for any art gigs we could find, ranging from illustrations for puzzle magazines to role-playing games. We eventually collaborated with some writers and began our careers drawing comic books which we’re still doing today. Read more>>

Bill Thomas

In the mid 1980’s, I found a pair of original WWII khakis at an army surplus store down the road from my college in Ohio. Those khakis were the best I ever found. At the time, the product category was flooded with commodity goods. Even premium brands strived to make khakis for less and therefore there was no brand known to be the “best.” So I decided to build a business by taking a craft approach to a commodity category. That idea turned into Bills Khakis. Like blue jeans, Khakis represent a piece of Americana. This story, and the values within, continue to resonate. It’s never been about tan pants to me, but rather about designing and manufacturing a product you believe in. Read more>>

Aspen Baxter

In September 2021, I was in the hospital after asking for mental health help for the first time in my life. I was being controlled by doctors and nurses who just wanted to medicate me over and over. I was forced a medication that I was allergic to. My body went tingly and I lost complete movement and sensation from the neck down. In November 2021 I somehow ended up really sick with Covid-19 but being sick with this made me unable to keep any of my medications down. After not being able to keep my medications down for a few days, I started to regain sensation and a small amount of movement from my neck to my waist. Read more>>

Chelan Harkin

At age 21, in a time of acute crisis, I had what I would call a profound and transformational spiritual intervention. I was at a time in my life when I was desperate for authentic connection with myself and equally desperate for a way to express that authenticity to the world. I was on a pilgrimage that I hoped would foster some kind of spiritual opening. I visited the prison cell of a long-dead spiritual teacher and inspirational figure who had significantly influenced my life and perspective. While alone in the cell, I was overcome with a message that filled my being. It was as though I became an amplifier, each cell reverberating with the message, “Let Us Dance.” In true poetic form, this concise message communicated to me profound meaning. Read more>>

Anindita Anaam

Certainly! Here’s the enhanced response: I started my journey as an artist when I was just 4 years old. My initial foray into the world of dance was through Bharatnatyam, but I eventually switched to Kathak due to the lack of good Bharatnatyam teachers in my hometown of Ghaziabad. While I was academically bright, my passion for art always shone through everything I did. Dance and music are deeply rooted in my family’s rich musical background, and I was fortunate to be born into an environment where artistic expression was highly valued and encouraged. Read more>>

Devyn Giovengo

I started working within business when I was just in middle school, I would buy and resell sneakers, and I started customizing and repairing sneakers as well. I would buy sneakers from thrift stores, Facebook, marketplace, sneaker, conventions, and more. From there, at the end of middle school, I started working on my first clothing, line project, “Zeal”. I had a few different designs and offered my designs and services by personalizing products for my consumers. Putting their names on my designs and more. Read more>>

Kristian Zenz

I am a writer, an author, and a student of life. The latter sounds strange, but it is only true. I was 15 when this website was born; now 20. I am an English and philosophy double major, and the author of three books. In my experience, it is unusual for someone so young to have written a full length book. The statement is quite impressive, and the task to other people of the same age seems daunting. But, beyond the precipice of the matter, the simplicity of how my love of writing came to be may tell the true normality that this feat has been. Read more>>

Genelle Sedon

All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don’t discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.–Danny Thomas. This quote by Danny Thomas absolutely encompasses me. I feel I change the world just by being myself. As an advocate for diversity, I am very involved in my family, career, community, and faith. As a first generation college graduate who was raised by a single mother in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, I earned my master’s degree by the age of 25. Read more>>

Joseph Lopez’s Story

The idea for The Crawl Drinks sparked from things opening up after the pandemic and to support local breweries, pubs, and bars. I got my good friend Paul to join me in the journey for a bit, but schedule got busy, so I started to go solo. I started to dive into the beer community, learning more about beer, and really enjoying what I was doing with my videos. Read more>>

Ryan Smith of Level Up Mobile Entertainment

I’ve been involved in multimedia production from a young age. In my adult years I’ve provided music and hosting at events around Washington state. After DJing a friends wedding, I fell in love with it and decided to open my own company providing DJ services to the public. Ever since I started, it’s been an amazing experience with trials and tribulations that I grow from. Nothing has been more rewarding than seeing what I’ve built and watching it grow. Knowing that I’ve done it all by myself and gotten to where I am now it a surreal experience! Read more>>

Riviera Lambert

My journey into the mental health industry stemmed from a deeply rooted desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Witnessing individuals’ mental well-being struggles ignited my passion to offer support, guidance, and healing. I embarked on this path with a singular mission: to alleviate suffering and reduce the staggering suicide rates prevalent in our society. I remember as an adult; I wanted someone to help me with my healing journey so I could break this generational trauma that I witnessed and experienced as a child and in my old relationships. Read more>>

Tyriee Kasper of Beyond The Stars Marketing

I founded Extraterrestrial Music Group October 9th 2020. As of recently I have started Beyond The Stars Marketing with Javon Shaw from Nashville Tennessee. I initially started my marketing career around the same time I got into music, I started studying and learning marketing/promotion. Everyone I was around in Pittsburgh at that time, businesses, artist and brands all had the same complaint, Marketing. I initially started offering free services, building up to $30 a week or $100 a month in which I would blast a specific content for them across social media with the goal of getting that individual or entity the most exposure possible. Read more>>

Kara Kyle

As an undergrad, I meandered through a series of majors before softly falling into art. With the encouragement of my mother, some natural ability, and a little luck, I found myself juried into the BFA ceramics program at Penn State and immersed in a world of creativity I never knew existed. For the first time in my life, I felt the earth beneath my feet and the alchemy of an energy that had always worked against me, started to work for me. Read more>>

Nate Nunemaker of Farmer Nate’s Sauce Co.

Farmer Nate’s Sauce started back in 2020 during the pandemic when everything was shut down. Work was slow, and I had always dreamt of growing my own food, so I began growing corn, cucumbers, and peppers. Little did I know, peppers grew in such abundance that I was left with boxes full of them. I made hot sauce as a way to preserve the peppers and gave it to friends and family. They really enjoyed it, and I was having a blast, so I saw an opportunity. It took nine months to get my FDA and other licensing, create a brand, and establish an LLC, and I officially launched in November 2021. Read more>>

Kir Tuben

I was always super enamored with the arts. In 2007 I was lucky enough to attend Duke University and majored in documentary studies. During my time there I created documentaries, worked at art museums, taught photography abroad, and had plenty of time in the dark room. After gaining my art degree, I worked in New York City at Vh1 photo and then on a movie set and decided it wasn’t the environment I wanted to create in. In 2015 I started photographing friends engagements and weddings and the rest is more or less history. Read more>>

Ahyoka Yeshua El of #BOSSMOM University

Hi! I’m Ahyoka. I’m a wife, #BOSSMOM of 3, International Best Selling Author, Speaker, CEO of Streamline Success Int’l, Creator of I Am Ahyoka and Founder of #BOSSMOM University where “We Grind Differently.” It was 4 am and exhaustion gnawed at me. I was hunched over my laptop, fueled by ambition and a desperate desire to succeed in my business. Then, my little one’s cries shattered the silence. As I held her closely to my chest, a wave of emotions crashed over me. The guilt, the frustration, the feeling of being a complete failure – both as a mom and an entrepreneur – became overwhelming. In that raw moment, with tears flowing down my face, I faced a stark choice: surrender to despair or fight for something better. Read more>>

Torre Willadsen

The idea came to me when I was deployed as a civilian contractor working with military dogs in 2012. With the 7th Marines, I developed close bonds with both dogs and dog handlers. When one of my handlers (Chris Van Etten) was wounded, I worked hard to help keep Chris and his dog, Harley, together during his recovery. I saw firsthand the profound effect an emotional support dog could have on a wounded man’s frame of mind during a difficult time. I knew I wanted to bring that kind of unconditional support to those back home struggling with their mental health. Read more>>

Kev Von Holt’s Story

It started out by me Finding paint in the trash on the streets of Philadelphia and hauling it back to my apartment where I began to experiment. At the time, I was also working in various hair salons trying to find my footing as a hairstylist. I was working at a salon called vertigo on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia and I had a good friend Charles, who saw my art that I was in the apartment and he quickly started persuading me to hang up a couple of pieces in the salon . The first paintings that I made were with that found paint and I would use old cassette tape cases and break them and use the broken pieces as pallet knives for some of the first creations. That close down, I found a job and another salon across the city called Ground Zero salons. Read more>>

Christopher Haley

Honestly, I really didn’t take modeling serious until I saw someone from the area that had a particular Fashion brand deal in 2020 and I looked at the quality of his pictures and thought to myself “I know I can do a lot better than him if anything I can get one of these brands“, so literally a few days later, I reached out to a local photographer that I had have been admiring his work and we posted the shoot and then a lot of people had really gravitated towards it shockingly because I look back at it now and it was just a horrid photo shoot all in all lol Read more>>

Ricquélle Badger

My story doesn’t differ from many people. There are unique details however, one can find similarities in their own personal story. I grew up in a household of music. You could hear everything from Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston to Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, and Earth Wind and Fire. We most certainly can’t forget about the gospel legends like The Clark Sisters, The Winans, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caesar, and Yolanda Adams just to name a few. I was raised in the church so Gospel and Christian music was a heavy influence on me. I started singing in the Children’s Choir at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. When my father, William T Badger Jr. became pastor of New Beginnings Alliance Church, I became one of the church pianists where my younger brother was one of the percussionists and my mother was one of the praise team leaders. Read more>>

Wil Otero

My journey began in March 2020, when I was furloughed from my job as a casino table games dealer and supervisor due to the pandemic. The previous year, I had purchased a $160 Behringer podcast studio from Amazon with a friend, as we had always wanted to start a podcast. However, life got in the way, and we never launched it. Suddenly finding myself at home with a honey-do list from my wife and a lot of free time, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to finally dive into podcasting. That’s when “Stuck In My Mind Podcast” was born. Initially, it was a way to keep myself busy and mentally engaged during the uncertain times of the pandemic. But as I began recording episodes, it quickly transformed into something much more meaningful. I started sharing my own experiences and struggles and interviewing people from various walks of life who had overcome their own challenges. The podcast became a platform for resilience and hope, offering inspiration to listeners who might be going through tough times. Read more>>

C.a. Shofed

I feel like by now so many people know my story. My journey to becoming a fulltime working artist started the minute I moved to Trenton, New Jersey. The art scene at the time of my arrival was raw, vibrant and easy to access. Unlike the small town I grew up in. Trenton’s art scene is mature and welcoming and many of the local artists were being discovered by the world outside the borders of Trenton. Artists like Tamara Torres, Leon Rainbow and Kasso were leading that charge. In the neighborhood I moved to alone there were artists who had made a name for themselves and chose Trenton as their home. Art and friend, Jon Naar (an important mentor for me in my early days as an artist). Jon had one of own pieces of work owned and displayed by the MoMA. There were other creatives, a documentary filmmaker, a cinematographer, actors and several musicians. Read more>>

Kerima Richardson’s Story

It all began when my daughter ran for Miss NJ Teen USA. Seeing her determination and courage inspired me to believe that I too could achieve anything I put my mind to. Motivated by this, I decided to explore various avenues such as acting, music, and community events. I embraced acting as a way to express my creativity and bring stories to life. It allowed me to step into different characters and connect with audiences on a deeper level. Additionally, I delved into music and found joy in it and sharing my content with others. Furthermore, I became actively involved in community events. Volunteering and participating in local initiatives gave me a sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Read more>>

Tanira Smalls

I started Tagére Cosmetics in 2019 on a mission to create a handmade line of skin care that provided organic ingredients harmoniously blended together to promote healthy skin and enhance beauty. In that search I learned about (and even fell in love with) creating vegan and cruelty free lipglosses ranging in many flavors, colors and collections. Shortly thereafter it became my “staple” product. This started the birth of a lipgloss dynasty! Read more>>

Dominique Etienne of Teas and Steams

Based in New Jersey, my sister and I value total wellness and emphasize self-care deeply rooted in our heritage and professional backgrounds. As certified healthcare professionals—a Physician Assistant, a Registered Nurse, and a Public Health Educator—we witnessed firsthand the shortcomings of the healthcare system. We saw patients stuck in a revolving door of illness, with treatments often focusing on symptoms rather than addressing the root causes. This laid the groundwork of our frustration. Read more>>

Audra George of Pretty Neat: An Organizational Solution

Hello, I am Audra, professional organizer and owner of Pretty Nea: An Organizational Solution in Oklahoma City, Ok. My background is medical, where I saw patients in their home environements for about 13 years and I realized a need. Many homes had clutter and disorganization that was really impacting the lives of the people that lived there. I saw clutter and chaos contribute to anxiety, depression, overwhlem, and even difficulty getting around their home. I knew I could help. In 2018, Pretty Neat was born. Between year 1 and year 2, our business grew 800%. I knew I could not handle the growth and meet the needs of every client on my own so I started to grow a team to help me. Each and every year since, we have grown with how many clients we get to help. Our business has been blessed and we hope to continue helping others get organized for many more years to come. Read more>>

Joseph Deal

Founded and created by Joseph deal (est. 2016). Hustle by nature = Our Hustle United By Nature HBN, is a movement that capitalizes on working towards a certain goal no matter what the goal is to you. “Reach the world but touch the hood first” in other words, we want to touch all the urban communities first and eventually, reach the entire world through wearing our clothes and expressing ourselves through fashion. Our quality in terms of clothing is the best, Our goal is to continue to provide the best quality when it comes to fabrics and garments I’m a hustler. but not the sly, fast-talking, shady caricature that the term might imply. Rather, I embody the textbook definition of the word: an aggressively enterprising person. Read more>>

Swetha Shenoy

My professional journey began in a completely different field from what I’m doing now — I earned a Master’s degree in Computer Science and worked in the tech industry for several years. Overwhelmed by burnout from the corporate world, I took a career break to explore personal interests, which included everything from swimming to dance, and even starting a food and travel blog. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for hand lettering, which started as a mere hobby. Read more>>

Dedra Moon, Felicia James, Katrina Peele, Yvonne Clay, Jamina Nailor, Gloria Woods of The Moon Group Tax & Accounting Services

During my first interview with CanvasRebel, I shared a bit of my life threatening and life changing illness that left me hospitalized for 7 months and currently using a wheelchair due to my inability to walk unassisted. During the height of my illness, my fate and the fate of the company was uncertain. Through the help of my health care team, family, friends, supporters and strangers, I’ve weathered a very challenging experience and have fought to rise from the ashes like the mythical Phoenix. You can find our logo proudly displayed on our company shirts because the Phoenix embodies the power of resilience and that encapsulates not only our story but our company culture. Read more>>

Brian Schwartz

I was laid off four years ago from the digital advertising space in New York City during the height of the pandemic in 2020. Those were incredibly stressful times, going from earning six figures and being the household breadwinner to collecting unemployment and entering a nine-month mortgage forbearance. During this period, my wife was eight months pregnant, and my father was battling a terminal illness (he passed away in January 2021). To keep my mind, body, and soul stimulated, I offered to help my elderly neighbors with socially distant, free landscaping. Initially, I didn’t think much of it, as neighbors often help each other. However, news coverage and other volunteers began to offer their assistance, and soon homeowners in need from across the USA were reaching out. This led to the creation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, I Want to Mow Your Lawn Inc., aimed at creating a greater impact, reaching more people, and inspiring hope and action. It’s a timeless story to share, demonstrating that job loss, while stressful, can lead to new opportunities and a renewed sense of purpose. Read more>>

Piper Bridwell

Painting started, for me, in a completely different avenue. I began this journey by painting vintage furniture. Remember the shabby chic days? Thats where all of this began. I had a furniture painting business for 8 years that eventually begame a full time commision only business. In the early days, I would find mid century tables and paint them bight funky colors, or add patterns. I loved it! But over time, it became commissions and many were too afraid to make their grandmas side table funky, so they wanted painted black, or gray, or white…boring!!! People would bring in their dressers, headboards, dining chairs, or what ever they needed updating, and I would do whatever they wanted. It felt like I was losing out on being creative and I began to dread every call for a new commission. Read more>>

Reynna Romo of Desert Rey’s Apothecary

Desert Rey’s Apothecary started with an impulsive candle making project. My first batch was shared online for fun and a demand was born which hasn’t lost its momentum. I have been an herbalist for several years and always had an affinity for using home made products free of toxins. My love for plants and having home remedies from my Native American lineages create the herbal products I use at home and extend to everyone. I got to where I am now with my small business by putting myself out there with vending opportunities and talking with people about what I do. Now I find myself being sought out for events and personal care advice. Ongoing support from my community and loved ones guide me. Desert Rey’s is constantly evolving and hardly feels like my idea. Read more>>

Sparkle Hill

Honestly, I was a Tom Boy as a younger child who didn’t want to wear dresses lol! Eventually, I grew out of that but I do remember watching my Grandmother do her makeup before leaving the house. I started modeling during my teenage years and became a makeup artist by age 22. I offered classic makeup services for local weddings, magazines and celebrities for all occasions! I think Covid pushed me to start FLY Brushes because I was unable to offer any service during that time so I began offering online tutorials as a way to continue generating an income. Read more>>

Treslynnn Aíko

Shedding from your Old self into Your Newer Self can be a beautiful thing! Although it can be very mentally challenging. My spiritual animal was a green caterpillar, it took me a while to understand what it meant in my life at the time until all of a sudden it clicked! I didn’t understand that I was grooming from a male to a Trans-women. I didn’t fight the fact , I knew if I did it could cause more problems I’d say so I decided to except the journey and the caterpillar was the first sign that I was getting ready for my transition. Before a caterpillar grooms into a beautiful butterfly, it has to go thru it’s “cocoon” phase. Read more>>

Benjamin Long

I’m a visual artist and have been making, exhibiting, and selling my work for a long time now. Studied art at Moravian University (formerly College) in Bethlehem, PA. Since 1991 I’ve been based in Philadelphia. Read more>>

 

 

Zekeriya Polat

My journey began with an International Business degree from the University of Wollongong and an MBA from Cambridge. Equipped with this strong academic foundation, I started in the professional world but soon realized my true passion was in creating something new and innovative. Leaving my corporate job was a bold move, but it allowed me to found Vision IT. At Vision IT, we revolutionize rail vehicle maintenance with cutting-edge technology like Train Tracker and Digital Twin, improving passenger safety and reducing operational costs. Read more>>