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.

Exodus Brownlow

My name is Exodus Oktavia Brownlow. I am a writer, sewist and editor native to Blackhawk, Mississippi. It is such a pleasure to take the time today to introduce myself, and to talk with you all again after such a stellar experience with my first Canvas Rebel interview (August, 2024). Since this is our second time around at this, I figured I would approach my interview from the perspective of being a sewist and fashion designer in formation, to hit the bits that don’t get as much attention as my writing does. Read more>>

Scott Bartolomeo of Scott Bartolomeo Photography

I’ve had polaroids and point-and-shoot cameras throughout my life, but I really started to take it seriously at the beginning of Covid 19. I actually began in videography, so I’m not without some of that knowledge, but I gravitated over to photography and started gathering gear. I’ve had a few great mentors guide me and I’m forever grateful for that, as I continue to learn and add to my skillset as a photographer. I’m starting to hone in a bit on discovering what it is that I really enjoying shooting, and with things I’m not as skilled in yet, improve upon. I’m interested in meeting more people, meeting more clients, and overall looking forward to progressing in my journey as a photographer. Read more>>

R033y

Back in the year 2020 was the beginning of “R033y” or “Robby.” It was more of a persona developed during my college years based off a nickname. I didn’t really know who that was yet but I knew that it was special and very personal to me. Moving forward from that came a lot of life-altering experiences that caused for adaptability to fruition. Throughout it all though I was still musically inclined, I used what I was going through as a marker and my beats were the whiteboard. Read more>>

David Rullo’s Story

I knew I wanted to be a writer in high school. It took a long time to become a professional and even longer to learn the trade and become any good at it. I went to Point Park College for journalism, but journalism is a different beast than many other forms of writing. I spent decades writing for arts festivals, newspapers, magazines, etc. before I truly learned how to write. It took even longer to find my voice. Poetry came fast but fiction and non-fiction took more time. I submitted to thousands of literary magazines and journals, was published in many over the years and eventually felt I was competent at what I was doing. I am a senior staff writer at the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle and in my spare time, I’m a published writer who’s working on a new non-fiction book, a novel and a screenplay. Read more>>

Tre King

Growing up I learned how much I loved tapping into my creative side. In college I was involved in so many different clubs where I discovered many passions in different areas. I was always finding myself wanting to explore different orgs to meet people, learn new things, and explore new ideas. I loved being in community with new people and truly make the best of every moment. That led me to film school (Columbia College) where I unlocked a different side of my creativity. But on a deeper level, even in the last year alone I’ve had many opportunities to understand my creative voice better. I’ve learned to accept the beauty in my creative side being a natural part of me. Read more>>

Mari Blake’s Story

I was always a performer at heart, even before I started acting. As an infant, I started child modeling, so I quickly became comfortable with being in front of people and going into new environments. I loved playing dress up at modeling jobs and assuming what I started to think of as “roles” even when no one was expecting that of me. But what really got me into acting was watching classic movie musicals. I would march around my parents house as young as four years old and belt the songs from “Annie”, until they were so sick of it that they contacted a local community theatre about performance opportunities. Read more>>

Tal Good

I started where every young artist/writer/musician starts, with wonder. You see a picture, read a book, or hear a song that truly inspires you. It’s hard to recall the first pieces I connected to, but I’d definitely have to say Edward Gorey had an effect on me. His dark drawings and bizarre ways of telling a story made me want to draw comics. My sister got me into faerie folklore with Brian Froud books when we were young, so I’d say those two combined with my love of anime/manga helped me to create the Land of the Ever Young graphic novels. Read more>>

Islam Gimazov

Hello, Dear Reader of Canvas Rebel, My name is Islam Gimazov, I’m an aspiring indie cinematographer and gaffer. I found my passion at the age of 8, learning how to edit and record, and I’ve carried it through my entire life, learning and studying something new about it every day. Very soon I’m going to finish my BFA program at the New York Film Academy and I can’t wait to enter the industry to work with industry professionals, to learn, and to bring my expertise to both Hollywood-level and indie productions. Read more>>

Perri Neri

While taking a Design I class while working on my associates degree, I was fascinated by color theory and started to paint. I learned about composition by copying the works of art by artists that fascinated me —Georgia O’Keefe, Frida Kahlo, Leonore Fini, Francis Bacon, and Lucien Freud. In 1986, I spent about a year in New York City and enrolled in a beginner figure painting class at Parsons where I learned how to use oils and to paint from the live model. I continued painting classes at the local Arts Center when I returned to St. Petersburg. In 1995 I became a mother. Three years later I was divorced and pursuing my BFA degree. It took a while, but in 2005, I was accepted into the MFA program at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. By 2009, I was legally married to my wife. My daughter started high school in NYC, and I was a working artist and member of Ceres Gallery in Chelsea where I had a few solo exhibitions. Read more>>

Michel Dominguez Beddome

My name is Michel Dominguez Beddome. I am a first generation, Mexican-American female filmmaker. I made my directorial debut with the award-winning horror short film “What’s in the Woods?” (written by Maggie Colligan) in 2020 which went on to win “Best Horror Short” at Venice Short Film Awards, Vancouver Independent Film Festival, Oregon Short Film Festival, and Atlanta After Dark Film Festival. My husband, Michael, and I co-founded M&MDB Films. In the last 5 years we have made 8 short films and a web-series along with our amazing community of filmmaking friends. Many of our short films have gone on to film festivals like the Indie Memphis Film Festival, Coney Island International Film Festival, Queens World Film Festival, Lady Filmmakers, New York Shorts International Film Festival, and many more. Read more>>

Robyn Hager

I was born and raised in the suburbs of New Jersey and left as soon as I graduated high school to pursue my passion for writing in New York state. High school was a tumultuous time for me; battling with depression, anxiety and severe self confidence issues I found writing to be an escape from my own internal monologue. When I first picked up a pen and wrote a poem, I never thought these short, choppy lines and line breaks, interspersed with metaphor, rhyme and alliteration would develop into the arsenal of poems I have today. Read more>>

Renata Bueno

When I look back on my past, I see a path shaped by effort, persistence, and reinvention. To many, it may seem like a story of success, but few can grasp the challenges I overcame to get here. My musical journey began like that of many singers: in a Protestant church. It was my way of expressing myself, but my shyness often held me back. As a child, I sang in a musical group, and one pivotal experience ultimately shaped my destiny. During the recording of a children’s album, I was asked to sing a solo. I was only nine years old, had no formal vocal training, and was overwhelmed by anxiety. My voice came out shaky and off-key. Read more>>

Patience Ziramba of Raincemba Publishing

I grew up as an introvert, finding solace and expression through writing. It was my way of processing the world and sharing thoughts I often couldn’t voice aloud. Writing became a companion, a tool for self-expression, and eventually, a foundation for my career. Despite my quiet nature, I often found myself in leadership roles—positions that revealed my ability to inspire and influence others. This duality of introspection and leadership sparked a realization: I could use my voice not only to express myself but also to empower others. Read more>>

Effy Redman’s Story

Growing up with Moebius Syndrome – a rare condition of facial paralysis – I learned from an early age that I could transcend the more painful aspects of my disability through writing and creativity. I began keeping a journal at age six as a way of observing the world around me and understanding my place within it. I studied creative writing intensively in undergraduate and graduate college. Whilst completing my MFA, I worked on a thesis project in memoir, and that was a big part of how my first book developed. This book – a memoir called Saving Face – is my queer coming-of-age disability narrative, and was published by Vine Leaves Press earlier this year. Through writing, I advocate for marginalized people such as myself. For where there is suffering there also exists great beauty. Read more>>

Loretta Oberheim

Creativity has always been a part of my life—my family often jokes that I was never without a pencil or paintbrush as a child. From an early age, art became my way of exploring the world and expressing myself. Although I didn’t initially view it as a viable career path, my passion ultimately led me to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where I earned my BFA in Textile/Surface Design. After graduating, I was fortunate to build a successful career as a carpet designer in New York City, working with a top floorcovering company. My designs were featured in prestigious magazines such as Vogue, Architectural Digest, and Interiors Magazine, which was incredibly rewarding and validating. I spent 18 years doing what I loved in an industry I was proud to be a part of. Read more>>

Paige Polchowski

It all started when my Papa George looked at me and said that I was his Sparkles the moment I was born. He always treated everybody that he met in life with an immeasurable amount of kindness and respect. Seeing him treat everyone that way inspired me to live the same lifestyle. He would always say, ‘It doesn’t cost a nickel to be kind!” Several years ago however my family and I had to say goodbye when he lost his battle to Cancer. I wanted to find a way to give back to people who have been in his shoes, I came up with the ideas of Sparkle Bags in honor of him. Essentially they are small self care bags that I have able to donate to my local American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. With my most recent drop off I have reached 350 bags! This past September I competed as Miss New York in the American United Miss Scholarship Pageant and won their 2024 American United Outstanding Miss title! This was such an incredible honor and now with this title I have started making connections to get Sparkle Bags in different states! Read more>>

Eli Verano of WONDRWORK

For over a decade, I balanced two worlds: working as a lead marketer in the IT industry and pursuing my passion as an independent artist. My corporate career provided stability and funded my creative projects, but music often took a backseat. At one point, I realized I wanted to transform my music from a project requiring constant investment into a fulfilling and financially sustainable career. Since then, I’ve explored many opportunities that brought both joy and income—writing and selling songs, recording and editing vocals for other artists, producing tracks, and more. At the same time, I continued to release and promote my own music. Soon, artists and startups began seeking my advice on release strategies, song promotion, and music marketing. Read more>>

Tabnie Dozier

I’m an Emmy-award winning journalist with a background in Broadcast News Journalism. I worked for 11 years as a TV Anchor, Producer and Reporter in news markets on both sides of the country. My mental health started declining in 2020 and it was compounded by the loss of a dear loved one in 2021. I wouldn’t wish having to grieve as a public figure on anyone, it was unbearable. With no support from the news agency I was working with, I left the business I loved since I was a child and launched Tabnie Dozier Enterprises LLC in 2022. It is the freest and most impactful I’ve felt as a storyteller in quite some time. Read more>>

Patty Ihm’s Story

I guess I should start by saying that I’m not exactly sure where I am today! I didn’t have plans to be a beekeeper or a writer. I did, though, always want to be a mom. Our first sons were born three years apart; there were three of them. Then began the years of fostering and adoption. It was the trials of this type of parenting that led me to write as a form of therapy, really. Working with my bees and growing our family’s apiary has, too, been a creative outlet through the struggles. Read more>>

Hayden Orme of Handled. By Hayden & Co.

Years ago, before I started my business, I was the executive assistant to the highest-paid Chairman and CEO of a Fortune 5 company. As you can imagine, this meant every moment of my life revolved around his schedule and his life. I was always on call, often leaving my commitments for work, leaving dinners, and answering calls in the middle of the night…while I was making a great income and had abundant perks with the prestige of this position, I could never take any time away to enjoy being young or truly be fully present with my friends, family, or myself, let alone unplug and take a vacation. Read more>>

Val King of Impending Doom Relief LLC

I sort of stumbled into the world of self-taught mycology, as many in this field tend to do. Curiosity that began as a simple inquiry expanded and entangled itself in both a career and a community. I actually first became interested in mushrooms and their medicinal uses when I was seeking relief from symptoms of Lyme disease, a chronic condition I contracted as a child. That’s how I learned about the Cordyceps mushroom, one of my favorite fungi and a species that my farm largely focuses on growing. Read more>>

Bret Juliano’s Story

My story begins with a childhood filled with doodles, storytelling, and a fascination for cartoons and animation. Growing up, I dreamed of being an animator, inspired by the charm of Saturday morning cartoons and the creativity of the comics section in the newspaper. I constantly sketched characters in the margins of my notebooks, with piles of sketchbooks and stories scattered around the house. Read more>>

Fernando Zermeno Garavito’s Story

Since I was a child, I found myself looking to people on stage and screen. Looking for company, being an only child, they were my best friends. Robin Williams, Gene Kelly, The Beatles, Mel Brooks, so many showbiz legends that I looked up to. I also had an aunt, she was a painter and poet, and she always pushed me and showed me (with the 100% support and love from my parents) how the arts could help me be myself. Then in college, I pursued acting, doing musical theatre in Queretaro, Mexico with my best friend and director, Paco Davila. He still pushes me to become my own self and my own actor. As the years went by, after a hip replacement in 2020, the culmination of 13 surgeries, I moved to New York City to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating in 2023 and finishing their Company program in 2024. While at school, alongside 8 other actors, our stage manager, Meg Meschino, and our director, Michael Toomey, we devised a play/clown show based on the story of the man who saved the world, Stanislav Petrov, called “MAD MAD MAD.” We produced it afterwards in September of 2024 in Brooklyn’s Target Margin Theatre. Now with The Humanist Project, devising (alongside a great team of clowns) a new clown show for New York’s Fringe Festival. Read more>>

Brooklyn Samm of Blue Water Rafting

I was raised in the small town of Jasonville, Indiana, where my passion for numbers inspired me to pursue a career in accounting. I earned a degree in Accounting with a minor in Forensic Accounting from the Scott College of Business. After graduating, I began a master’s program but chose instead to backpack through New Zealand and Australia, working in both accounting and trade positions. When my visa expired, I returned to the United States and took on an accounting role at a hotel now known as 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I relocated to Maui, where I expanded a bookkeeping business and acquired Blue Water Rafting. Currently, I focus on managing and growing the backend operations of Blue Water Rafting to the fullest extent possible. Read more>>

Thomas Ramey

I am metal artist/designer/fabricator who builds everything from large than life sculpture, to furniture, and high-end architectural projects. I have been working with metals for over 25 years. Starting as an apprentice for an Indy car racing machine shop in high school. I first started building odd sculptures with the leftover pieces of steel around the machine shop. After high school I briefly attended The Herron School of Art in Indianapolis for one year before leaving to dedicate full time to his first passion, music. After walking away from art to become a touring musician for a decade, I began turning the sketches I had been doodling with on the road into reality. In 2001 I opened a sculpture studio in the historic Stutz car factory turned arts and business center, in Indianapolis. Working there, I attracted the attention of local interior designers and architects that wanted me to do large scale projects. I got a few jobs working in the upscale neighborhoods of Indianapolis and Chicago. After working with various metals, from aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, bronze, Corten steel and mild steel, I started to focused my sculpture work to stainless and Corten steel. Working in the corporate and public arts, these two materials are of superior quality not only because of durability and maintenance, but also long term appearance. Read more>>

Leeana Hergenreder

I felt called to Coach others after working through my own wellness journey. Moving my body and diving deeper into my spiritual understanding was a direct result of needing alternatives to medicine with mental health and trauma needs. Exercise and energy work were tools I sought before I offered them! I have natural leadership skills and found it easy to teach group Fitness classes when I first began. While I do enjoy a room full of students to move and work with, I knew that more personalized work was for me. I began teaching yoga and CrossFit as a way to better connect with people and help them find safe, effective form. The balance of group classes and one-on-one work helps me stay connected to individual needs while also prioritizing the benefits of team work. Read more>>

Noah David Roberts

Northern New York is inhospitable, so when I moved out at age 19, I felt like I could do anything. This first part is kind of a mess. I met my first mentor around 2015, a man who came to fall out with the gallery (special mention of Green Kill, an art space in Kingston, NY) at which I was expected to release my first collection of poetry. He tried to assault me; so I stopped working with him. Sometimes I think about him, & looking now I don’t really like any of his poems. That decision was definitely for the best. On the other hand, he did teach me the basic industry standards of graphic design & branding, creating a literary “business,” etc. etc. But there are some things one can’t reconcile, & after hearing other stories like mine I cut him out. Read more>>

Robert Piantanida’s Story

On the Edge of Consciousness and Creation When I think about creating relaxation content, I always come back to the hypnagogic state—that fleeting edge between waking and sleeping. For some, it’s easy to drift into; for others, it’s more like skimming the surface of an ocean without sinking in. Either way, it’s a space where the mind becomes both open and reflective, where creativity and perception blur. Ambient Film, my PBS series releasing on Earth Day 2025, is an intentional exploration of that state—inviting viewers to slow down and engage with the beauty of a rapidly changing world. Read more>>

Collin Quarles

As many young boys are, I absolutely loved to rough-house. I loved to grapple with my dad & little brother, but it went a little further than what might be considered typical for an 8 year old. I have always had some unexplainable obsession with the art of hand to hand combat; my favourite TV shows were Batman & Dragon Ball Z, my idol was Randy Couture, & I was utterly mesmerized by the UFC VHS tapes my dad would bring home from work. Looking back, I don’t even think my parents were aware that my brother & I were watching these events from such a young age; my dad worked third shift, so as soon as he got home he would go to bed, meaning that left us a solid seven or eight hours to binge whatever UFC event my dad had left in his work bag. Read more>>

Maryam Remtulla

My name is Maryam Remtulla. I’m a filmmaker and producer based out of Toronto, Canada and I’ve been working in the film industry for the last seven years. I’ve had a deep love of storytelling for as long as I can remember and this love has been the guiding force throughout my life. Growing up, I was drawn to all forms of art, but performing on stage was where I truly felt most connected as a human and at the same time made me feel like I was a part of something larger than myself. This passion, led me to major in drama at a performing arts secondary school where I also discovered my passion for filmmaking. My friends and I would always beg our teachers if we could turn our assignments into video projects. Read more>>

Dan “spiffy” Neuman

I grew up in a musical family that loved live music, performance, theatre, and church, so I got involved in those things as early as I could. In middle school I joined Arts Are Prevention, a program that taught kids the arts at a professional level and allowed me to start touring and recording at a young age. As a teenager I became part of the Gospel Music Workshop of America that introduced me to the music industry. I spent the second half of my childhood and the first half of my adulthood all over the country, as well as other countries, doing music, the arts, as well as the technical and business side. Post 2020 I am centrally located in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin and still do music, the arts, technical work, and ministry. Read more>>

Raziah Roushan of Raziah Roushan, Inc.

Being a professional visual artist is all about accepting the circuitous path toward goals and achievements. As a creative, it’s never a straight ‘point A to B’. It’s more like a ‘start at E, travel comfortably through F, G, H, then see something shiny and jet off to B again’. My journey started out under entrepreneurs in specialized businesses of engineering, welding, and stenography. My mom taught me the perseverance needed to work for yourself and assigning a reasonable value to one’s work product. By the time I was in high school my drawing skills excelled from fellow classmates so I did like any aspiring teenager would have done – I started monetizing my craft! Micro commissions for $15+ helped pay for my summer adventures from Southern California to Florida. Then, when I decided to drop out of the 4-year path to graduate early, my mom helped me get my business registered, order my first batch of business cards, and continued to take me to museums and art exhibitions to stay inspired. Read more>>

Moataz Zayed of Graphix Assist

I started as a scared high school student, who was afraid for what their future might become if they had stuck with a simple 9-5 or went pro in swimming. I knew a regular life was not destined for me, so I started becoming a freelancer, originally in e-commerce and later on, I took on Marketing. I have been marketing for businesses nearly 7 years. Whether I have been sick, tired, busy or stressed, marketing seemed to have always been my refuge when times got rough either mentally or even financially. I got to where I am today by setting a reason for why I started and never forgot that reason again. Read more>>

Randall Graham

I’ve always had a passion for drawing since I was a young child, constantly sketching characters and cartoons. This natural interest in art led me to explore different mediums, and in high school, I picked up oil paint for the first time. I was instantly drawn to its depth and versatility, but I didn’t yet see a clear path for pursuing it professionally. I studied graphic design, which helped me develop my technical skills and understanding of visual communication. However, my true aspiration was always to be a fine art painter, and that creative itch never left me. I decided to follow my passion more seriously and enrolled in Carlin Academy of Fine Art. There, I honed my skills, deepened my understanding of classical techniques, and developed my own artistic voice. Read more>>

Ella Geida’s Story

Art has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I even had an Alexander Calder style mobile above my crib! My mother was an art professor in Queens, NY and she would often take me to visit the museums in the city. Growing up, I always took art classes throughout my childhood and high school. I eventually went on to attend the Hartford Art School and graduated summa cum laude with honors, with a double major in Illustration/Visual Communication Design and a minor in Art History. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Illustration with a projected graduation date of July 2025. Read more>>

Lexsey Lanzotti

My name is Lexsey Lanzotti, but I’m probably better known by my nickname, Zotti. As a kid I discovered that I mostly think and process information in pictures. Growing up, that realization opened up exciting opportunities for me to develop and refine that into a skill. And now, in my work as a photographer I get to use that skill to celebrate others, and I feel really lucky for it. Read more>>

Sri Nihal Tammana

A few years ago, I noticed that people weren’t recycling their batteries, and many of them ended up in landfills, leaking chemicals that harm the environment. I felt like I needed to do something, so when I was 10 years old, I started Recycle My Battery (RMB), a youth-run nonprofit. Over time, RMB has grown into a team of 850+ kids, and together we’ve recycled over 585,000 batteries and taught more than 38 million people how to recycle batteries safely. Read more>>

Kylan Pimley of Go Gorge Getaways

Kylan is the founder of Go Gorge Getaways. She launched this journey in the short-term rental sector in 2018, leveraging her 20 years of experience in long-term property management and previous experience in athlete hospitality at Nike Headquarters. Gradually, she expanded her real estate portfolio, curating a thriving hosting business. Today, she maintains an unwavering dedication to guest satisfaction, with a keen focus on streamlined processes and effective communication. Kylan’s commitment to excellent guest stays, ensuring the safety of short-term rentals, as well as fostering a sustainable and enjoyable neighborhood experience, is evident in every aspect of her work. Read more>>

Calle Foster of Calle Foster Coaching & Consulting

Like many professionals early in their career, I misunderstood coaching as purely remedial – something you needed when you did something wrong or performance was poor. It wasn’t until my later years working in corporate that I realized how valuable this cheerleader-for-hire was. Knowing what I know now, the unbiased support with a singular goal; helping you achieve your goals, is a remarkable and irreplaceable tool that could’ve made a huge impact on me sooner. Luckily, later I was given several, that had different purposes; an executive coach who helped me develop crucial leadership skills, a peer coach who made me feel capable through thought-provoking questions, and a leader who balanced trust with constructive challenge. Read more>>

John Suzuki of Finding Better, LLC

Some say I am an accomplished dreamer. I believe we all share a common purpose, which is to make the world better than the day we landed on it. After a 40-year career in technology sales and evangelism with companies such as IBM, Sun Microsystems, Vrbo, and Expedia – for which I will always be grateful – I transitioned to my third career of “giving back” in 2022 and am now, to my own personal shock, a best-selling author, speaker, and host of the popular podcast, “Finding Better.” Read more>>

John Grenn

My fascination with music began at a young age, grinding vinyl records to dust and playing air band with friends. This graduated on to learning guitar briefly then switching over to bass guitar which I became quite proficient at. Garage bands quickly evolved into a focus on writing original songs and soon recording my first demos. Initially on a 4-track cassette recorder then at my bass teacher’s 16-track studio where I began to grow my audio engineering and music production skills. After high school, I enrolled in Canada’s premier audio recording school OIART graduating at the top of the class. Soon after that, I began working for an audio production / rental company (Palmer Audio) where we built and (I) ran a 24-track plus commercial recording studio. Teaming up with then-client now close friend, Brad Ferringo of Yakoo Boyz we generated a number of commercially successful releases that did well on radio with one track in particular “Pipe Dreamz” becoming a favorite NHL hockey anthem. Read more>>

Darryl Evan Jones’s Story

I was introduced to music when I was 8 years old. I don’t know if my parents ever imagined I would pursue music beyond school or church. Yet, here we are. I received private lessons, played in the school band, and of course, in church. Being an undersized 8-year-old, I was constantly teased. This led to what’s likely been a lifelong confidence problem. As I grew up, I would enjoy playing the flute along with songs on the radio. Playing in public always stirred feelings of unease and uncertainty. Read more>>

Braeden Meyer’s Story

I have always been fascinated by the intersection between arts, culture, and the scientific realm of understanding the world around us. My whole life has been driven by exploring these facets of creative and research-based intrigue. Artwork and photography were some of my hobbies and interests during school growing up but I quickly realized how fascinating science can be for all ages! I decided I would pursue some way to blend these interests moving forward and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Sciences (fisheries & wildlife ecology & Mgmt. concentration) in Spring 2020 from Montana State University – Bozeman. During this degree I worked a multitude of scientific research/conservation seasonal technician positions with federal, state, and private level conservation entities throughout MT and WY. Read more>>

Bill Walton of Bill Walton Sales Training

I always wanted to be a consultant. I spent 15 years at in the consumer products industry as a sales person and as a regional sales leader and as I progressed through these organizations training became a bigger piece of my responsibility. And I fell in love with it. After working for two established training and coaching firms and a stint at a .com incubator, I started to believe I could not only do it, but do it better. But that wasn’t enough. I could always present well and coach salespeople to next levels of performance, I lacked true training skill and instructional design competency to create the learning experiences that could achieve the results my clients demanded. In fact it’s this commitment to creating the right learning for the right audience driven by a strategic business issue that’s been our major differentiator. Read more>>

Adam W. Barney of Adam W. Barney – Energy Coach

I’ve always been drawn to the energy and potential that comes with connecting people, ideas, and opportunities. My story starts with a mix of curiosity and resilience—two traits that have guided me throughout my journey. Early on, I found myself navigating the corporate world, working across startups and established companies, where I discovered my passion for helping teams stay energized, motivated, and aligned toward their goals. But I also experienced burnout firsthand, and it became clear that so many people were struggling with balancing their ambitions with their well-being. Read more>>

Dustin Pagliughi

I started in the Entertainment industry back in 2003 as a production assistant at Entertainment Tonight. Back then, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I was fascinated by the bright lights of Hollywood and the excitement surrounding Los Angeles. As time went on, I realized that everything revolved around content. Once people started posting to YouTube in 2004, it changed the game for me. We were able to watch other people’s content in what seemed like real-time. That was just the beginning. I fell in love with “User-generated content” and found content early on and here I am, 20+ years later and I’m still as enthusiastic about the subject as ever! Read more>>

Zuzanna Kowalczyk

My journey as a graphic designer began with my studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. It was a pivotal time in my life, where I learned not just the technical aspects of design but also how to express myself, accept feedback, and stand up for my creative vision. It gave me the confidence to participate in competitions, exhibitions, and events that broadened my horizons. After graduation, I blended my love for illustration and design into a cohesive style, where the chaos of art meets the precision of design. A year ago, I took a bold step toward artistic growth by moving into an old camper to travel across Europe. This journey has allowed me to draw inspiration from diverse cultures, places, and people, fueling my creativity and giving my work a unique perspective. Read more>>

Jake Price of Agent

My story mostly begins in Champaign, where I studied entrepreneurship & information systems as a student at the University of Illinois. I became fascinated by the possibility of making an imprint on the world. Towards the end of my freshman year, I started a mobile app company that allowed bargoers to pay for a cover charge on their phone, rather than with cash. There was an accompanying app for the bar owners to get data insights about their customers & market to them in real time. I worked and worked and made tweaks where needed, but the app never got anywhere. I came out of this experience having learned a lot, and having a refined existential purpose: to make the world more efficient & more informed. I wanted to give people information that would help them make better, less wasteful decisions.  Read more>>

Paulo Josepetti

From a young age, I’ve been immersed in the world of fashion and art. I started drawing fashion sketches before I was even old enough to attend school, inspired by my grandfather who taught me how to draw. At six, my mother noticed my fascination with design and gifted me a sewing machine, sparking my journey as a creator. Growing up in Brazil, I spent my childhood sewing alongside my mother and eventually pursued formal training at Senai, where I studied industrial sewing and fashion design. After moving to Curitiba at 18, I worked as a salesperson at a luxury department store while saving to enroll in the newly established fashion design program at Senai. Although financial challenges forced me to pause my studies, I later found inspiration to continue pursuing my dream, completing my degree and refining my craft. I gained hands-on experience working for renowned Brazilian brands like Izabel Brides and Farm, and later drove exponential growth at Lafort, expanding its national presence and significantly increasing revenue. Read more>>

Madison Pivonka’s Story

My name is Maddie Pivonka, and I am a professional dancer originally from Arizona but currently based out of New York City. I was lucky enough to travel the world this past year as a dancer with Norwegian Cruise Lines where I got to experience all different cultures and foods. Speaking of food, I am a big foodie, and I have a food page @pivonkasplate on Instagram. My page first started as a guide to eating healthy in college while managing food sensitivities. Follow along to see my adventures in New York City as I balance the hustle of auditioning and enjoying life. Read more>>

Anthony Johnson of Testimony Publishers, LLC.® and Emergence Lgx and Tr, Inc.

I was inspired to start my journey in entrepreneurship because I wanted to help individuals and families create a lasting legacy. Growing up in East St. Louis, Illinois presented a lot of challenges, but there was a plan and purpose for my life even though I was born to a teenage mom in the 70’s. My faith in God has played a pivotal role in my decision to structure my family and my businesses to grow generational wealth; and wealth just isn’t money. I’m talking about overall wealth, health and prosperity in my faith, family, and finances. I believe we are all called to steward our gifts and talents in ways that honor God and impact others. That’s why my family started Testimony Publishers, LLC.®️ with a vision to empower legacy-builders to turn their stories and expertise into books that inspire, educate, and uplift others. Through my other ventures, a transportation company and a non-profit, I saw opportunities to provide practical solutions that support families and start-ups. Entrepreneurship, for me, is more than “work”—it’s about serving people and building something meaningful for future generations. Read more>>

Simon Kun

I’ve grown up with food all around me, and it was really only a matter of time before I included it in my art. My mother was always baking when I was a kid, and I think that’s what has me so drawn to sweet foods. As I grew up and started college and really going out and seeing the world, I found a deeper love for bakery and cafe foods. I found comfort going to cafe’s and trying all the foods they had, and shorty after I started sketching what I was eating and drinking. I never really had a goal with what I wanted to draw and/or what I wanted to do with my career, but I found a new love for food visually and I wanted to show that same love to others. Read more>>

Bobbi Van Ert

I’m Bobbi Van Ert: mom, wife, creative, and respiratory therapist. If there had to be one word, I’d go with unique. Creativity has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. As a child, I used to build my own doll furniture, and even decorated my dad’s entire pick-up truck in the life cycle of a butterfly drawings. I recall winning a drawing contest a time or two, and enjoying art class the best. My older sister is a ballerina and artist, and she wrote poetry with me and always supported me creatively. As a teen, I had the opportunity to be in art club and a majority of just art classes. I had the best middle school art teacher, too, who really helped keep art interesting. I was involved in art club and had even been art club president. I designed local murals and had pieces in art shows. At home my parents were also creatives, my mother an artist herself, specializing in painting, and my father a real MacGyver in many ways, always making something. Read more>>

Joseph A. Miller

I remember as a child looking at the edge of the page of my copy of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I was mesmerized by how much illusion and meaning was squeezed onto that thin sheet of paper. For me, this was a magic trick that I wanted to learn how to do! I was born in Easton, Pennsylvania in 1968 and I grew up in Mt. Bethel, PA where I lived along the Delaware River. I later went to college at Kutztown University. So, my formative years were spent living inside of what looked like an Andrew Wyeth painting; rural and pastoral scenes occasionally interrupted by reminders of civilization; water and radio towers, distant lights glowing off in the distance, muddy fields and meadows of brambles and wildflowers. My art was influenced by this kind of landscape. Read more>>

Elektra Yao of Yao Law Group

I started my legal career even before I wanted to practice law. I grew up in NYC and was a working actor and filmmaker. I performed at La MaMa E.TC.; Theatre for the New City, TADA Theatre, and more! I starred in commercial for BMW, Nickelodeon, Noggin, MTV, and more. At 17, in college, I decided to pursue filmmaking and became interested in documentaries. After working in film and TV professionally, I decided to pursue law in order to work with creatives and artists. Read more>>

Mollie Fox

I’m not so young, so my story is going to be condensed. This is going to be purposefully vague and specific. I’m the ultimate late bloomer. When I was very young I loved making art so much it terrified me. I really don’t fully understand my fears. Maybe it was the awesome power of creating and world building and the weight of it frightened me. Maybe it was an early discomfort with the upside down world in which a lived and right side up world I had the power to create, but only live in that right side up world in my imagination. I worried also that making art was frivolous and silly and I was expected to do more serious things than make art. I have lived with a learning disability my whole life and pictures books once treasured in kindergarten were mocked by 2nd grade. Read more>>

Dani Mccoy

Like many artists, I have always loved art. As a child, it served as my outlet—a way to process intense emotions and translate my thoughts onto paper. Over time, as my mental health improved, my relationship with art shifted. What began as a refuge for processing pain and darkness evolved into a space of joy, freedom, and creativity. College was a transitional phase. I was still unpacking trauma, but I also started creating work that simply made me happy. After graduation, I felt like I was embarking on a side quest. I dreamed of juggling multiple jobs, building a network, staying up late on creative projects, and hustling my way into a full-time art career. For a while, I gave it my all, but then my health began to decline. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, the financial burden of medical bills and the loss of parental insurance at 26 hit me hard. I remember sobbing to my partner, heartbroken and feeling as though I was abandoning my dream. Read more>>

Nalin Kamat of Little EGG Gallery

Art has always been a part of my life. I started drawing when I was only 2 years old. My Grandfather was a professional artist and his first gift to me was a box of crayons. Since I can remember I always enjoyed sketching and drawing. As I gradually increased my skill, I became more serious about becoming a professional artist. And by the time I was 12 years old, I started looking for opportunities to display and sell my work. But I hit an unexpected roadblock. I discovered most shows and art fairs had age restrictions. Many art galleries had legal restrictions that were barriers for young artists. An artist was expected to turn 18, finish high school, go to art school, and then start exhibiting their work. Under 18 artists very often struggle to find spaces where they can showcase their work, connect with mentors, and receive recognition. The art world can be daunting, and opportunities for emerging talent are frequently limited. As a result, many young creatives lack visibility and support, which hinders their growth and development in the art world. Read more>>

Dr. A.louise Bonaparte of Jabez Global Enterprise

My journey in the healthcare field began as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), where I developed a foundational understanding of patient care. Driven by a passion for more comprehensive medical knowledge and responsibility, I advanced to become a Registered Nurse (RN). This role deepened my clinical skills and patient interaction, inspiring me to further my education and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP). The pursuit of excellence led me to medical school, where I specialized in surgical oncology. Today, as a Medical Doctor and surgical oncologist, I have the privilege of combining my extensive clinical experience with advanced surgical techniques to impact patients’ lives profoundly. Read more>>

Ilayda Atlas’s Story

Over time, I pushed myself to expand beyond these initial boundaries. I delved deeper into the philosophies that fascinated me, blending the concept of Wabi-Sabi—finding beauty in imperfection—into my evolving artistic vision. This wasn’t just a shift in technique; it was a transformation of my worldview. Each tattoo became a reflection of the transient and imperfect nature of life, carrying stories, emotions, and connections. My fascination with Asian culture—fostered by years of study and time spent in the region—drew me further into the intricate world of Asian ornamentation and symbolism. I was both inspired and intimidated by the depth and reverence of these traditions. As a Westerner, I worried about whether my work would be seen as respectful or intrusive. Yet, I reminded myself of the essence of Wabi-Sabi: nothing needs to be perfect. Embracing this philosophy, I returned to Asia, immersing myself once again in its art, culture, and wisdom. This period became a transformative chapter, allowing me to integrate what I had learned into my tattoo practice with greater authenticity and respect. Read more>>

I. C. Robledo of I. C. Robledo’s Thoughts

My journey has been a fascinating winding road, full of unexpected twists and turns and exciting challenges. In college I wanted to be a clinical psychologist, but I ended up pivoting and getting my Master’s in industrial-organizational psychology. After finishing my degree, I changed things up once again and decided that I wanted to live life on my own terms – not necessarily going for a normal 9 to 5. This was an exciting time, though if I’m honest, it certainly had an element of terror to it. I put a lot of pressure on myself… it was ‘Do or die.’ Read more>>

Kenia Baptista’s Story

I was born in Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela, but it wasn’t until 2017, in Mérida, that I began my journey in the world of makeup. Beauty has always been my passion, but it was there where I took my first steps as a professional makeup artist. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with incredible brands such as Aprés Beauty, Jess Beauty, and Thayers, among others. My journey has been a path full of learning and growth, starting as a content creator on social media to share my passion. This allowed me to connect with people and brands that share my love for beauty. Today, I specialize in creative and natural makeup, blending my personal style with the latest trends. The support of my family and community keeps me motivated. My goal is to continue inspiring others to follow their dreams and embrace their unique beauty. Read more>>

Zoelle Nagib’s Story

I was born for this! Although growing up, it felt like I would never be able to fill the shoes of my amazing parents so I had a somewhat circuitous route into my current role. My parents are neon fabricators, and quite well known in their field. As any rebellious teen and young adult might do, I pushed away getting into the same field until I was approaching 40, and felt more comfortable to blaze my own trail in the craft. Read more>>

Matthew Dominguez’s Story

It all began when I was born in New York City. Then a couple years later my mother joined the Navy, and that’s when my journey of traveling to different states started. Eventually, she met my sister’s dad, and we moved to Miami. It was there, during middle school, that I started hanging out with the skater crowd. One day, I picked up a camera, and from that moment on, I’ve never wanted to put it down. Photography became my passion. Now, I aim to create art through my lens—capturing vivid images that tell a story and evoke emotions, allowing others to feel what I see. Read more>>

Duane L Herrmann’s Story

When I was a very little boy, not yet two (because my siblings were not yet born), my mother would send me away from her so she could read the newspaper. I knew that printed words were “stories,” so I concluded that the stories were more important to her than I was. And, if I wrote stories too, I would then be important to her too. This goal became complicated because I could not learn to read. No one then knew about dyslexia or ADHD. I didn’t know until my son was diagnosed. But I did get special tutoring after second grade, where I learned phonics, and I learned to read. I had to walk a mile down an empty gravel country road to and from the retired teacher’s home for these lessons. Read more>>

Melyana Sie

It started with me longing to have my own business, but I didn’t know what business was best for me. I prayed to the Lord Jesus asking me to have my own business that only involved Jesus and me. 2 weeks later I got an email about a cake making and decorating class, and I decided to take the class. I felt a heart full of joy in making cakes. I started making cakes at home with high-quality ingredients, without using preservatives. The result I had I shared cakes with friends and family. They said the cakes I made were very delicious, soft and moist. They said they had never tasted a cake like the one I made. From there I got cake orders from several friends and family. And I decided to pursue this cake business along with the guidance that the Lord Jesus gave, over time, this cake business grew rapidly. Read more>>

Nidhi Arya

My love for music all started when I was younger. I’ve always been musically and artistically inclined and took part in concert and jazz band in my younger adolescent years but like many kids do, I took my talents for granted. Being South Asian, culturally there is a great deal of pressure to focus on academia so despite my awareness of having a ‘quiet dream” of being a professional musician, I pushed it away and divorced myself from music. To be honest.. I could have fought more for it and I think that having a degree of imposter syndrome was enough for me to sabotage those pursuits, especially with the rhetoric that always circulated around me: that a career in music is not obtainable as it’s extremely competitive and unrealistic. Read more>>

Liam Mysterious Woodard

I started juggling when I was a kid, after seeing a local juggling club in the atrium of the children’s science museum, begging my mom for an instructional book the moment I saw one in our local bookstore. I didn’t really think much about it other than as a party trick until after graduating college. I was regularly singing and playing guitar at open mic nights, when a friend introduced me to an amazing woman (who they would go on to marry) who asked us if we wanted to learn how to eat fire. It may have been late on a work night by the time the question was floated, but who turns down that opportunity? Not me, that’s for sure. She’s a very accomplished performance artist, and introduced me to many fantastic skills. I quickly became hooked, but it was definitely still a hobby for me. Read more>>

Louis Southard’s Story

I must be honest in saying that that’s a bit of a loaded question *haha*. If we’re talking life, the origin point traces back to the sunny vista of where I was born: New Jersey. I grew up there the son of an elderly junkman and a Colombian immigrant housewife, where we lived in the shadow of a scrapyard. We spent our weekends living on a farm in the Pennsylvania country where I, as a child, cut the heads off of chickens and skinned deer with my Uncle Paul. I even gutted a great, big, black bear once when I was only twelve using a blunt, rusty axe. However, my early life was not just centered around garbage and meat. There was so much more. Read more>>

Feixue Mei

Growing up in China, I was surrounded by a rich tapestry of cultural traditions and visual storytelling, which sparked my fascination with art and narrative from an early age. When I moved to the United States, the experience of navigating two distinct cultural worlds deeply shaped my perspective and inspired my creative practice. My work investigates cultural production as a way to challenge and reimagine social norms. Over time, I’ve developed a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating writing, print and digital publications, videos, and interactive platforms. I’ve always been intrigued by the role of social media and online spaces in shaping individual and collective identities. These tools not only transform how we express ourselves but also create opportunities to amplify marginalized voices and foster community. Read more>>

Noelle Tavares

I started out as a cut and sew designer back in the early 2000s. I got tired of going out and having to go to the same little fast fashion shops to get clothing to go out in or just to look good in general. I always like clothing that were vintage, retro or just “out of the box” per say. Did a crash course on how to sew with my aunt plus classes at a local community college. Got my first sewing machine off a loan and started my first company. Did tons of unpaid shows and such throughout California, was housed in a couple of local boutiques (before there was any real boutiques and stores around). Took a break and rebranded myself into the company I have today which is now more of clothing, accessories, wearable art, art shows, showcases, store placement and classes. Read more>>

Autumn Kidd

I would say my journey really fully started in 2019. I had gone on a trip to Europe and spent two months hopping around, doing workaways, and staying with friends of friends. During this time the only accessible form of creating I had was taking pictures, this led me to taking my film camera everywhere I went. Fast forward to June 2019, my best friend, Kaden Dawson, invited me to collaborate on a photoshoot with him. This photoshoot took place at the sand dunes near Yuma, Arizona. The excitement of planning a concept with looks, location, makeup, etc, had me hooked! I felt like I was exploring different parts of myself through photography. For years taking photos was all I wanted to do, but lately I have been exploring so many different ways of seeing the world. Read more>>

Rev. Joslyn Farray Pierre

I have many interesting and amazing stories, but this is my most recent one I call it: “Embracing Change: Adapting to New Opportunities Through the Power of Intentions on the Path to Abundance’ In one year’s, time, I experienced a transformative journey that I could never have imagined since returning from Trinidad after over a decade away. I returned home with just one suitcase and a ticket graciously provided for me, to visit my family, take care of some paperwork, and to explore the possibility of staying longer.’ What I lacked in finances, I made up for in determination and resilience. I focused on leveraging my skills in business and my NGO experience to create opportunities for growth. Despite starting with very little, I embraced every chance that came my way, and the blessings began to unfold in remarkable ways. From the moment I landed, I was invited to participate in an exclusive educational honey-tasting experience that opened doors to rekindled friendships and formed new connections. Read more>>

Christin Baumgarten

If you had told me 10 years ago that I’d be working remotely from Bali as the Operations Manager at one of the world’s leading email management tools, I wouldn’t have believed it. My career journey has been anything but conventional, but every twist and turn has played a role in shaping who I am today. My background is in marketing. Early in my career, I worked as a Promotions Manager, overseeing various offline marketing campaigns. At one point, I wanted to expand my skill set at an advertising agency in New York. But it wasn’t meant to be: my plans fell apart when my visa application was denied. Read more>>

Patty Saggio of Count on Patty

While I was a Sophomore in high school I took an elective called bookkeeping. It was during that class that I decided to pursue a degree in Accounting. I went to Pace University and graduated with a degree in Accounting. Once I started working the jobs were very specific areas of accounting but eventually I landed in general accounting. It took me about 8 different jobs to get to this as I learned what I needed to at that employer and then moved on to another. After working in corporate for 12 years I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and boy did that mess with my long term plans. I was out on disability for a year and realized that if I went back to the corporate world it would have an adverse impact on my health but wasn’t sure what I would do. Once I was clear healthwise I started working for others who had bookkeeping businesses and worked with their clients. Read more>>

Rohan Zhou-lee

Wow, I love this question because it’s just so multi-faceted. I think college would be a good starting point. I discovered my love for dancing then, as well as activism. I marched in the Asian Pride rally, built by the Asian Northwestern University Project, where we marched up and down campus and I danced outside of the engineering school. Afterwards, I became more involved in Chicago activism around 2013, 2014, when the movement for Black lives surged with the founding of BLM by Alicia Garza, Ayọ Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors. I joined up with other queer Filipinx Americans, and from them I learned so much about what it means to show up and show out for other people. Filipinx organizing has been core in teaching me about solidarity work. Read more>>