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.

Diana Care

Being born and raised in Las Vegas I was always in a swimming pool as a child. I started competitive synchronized swimming at age 11 and the same year got into acting. After I gradusting high school I trained with the Santa Clara Aquamaids for 2 years before attending Ohio State. I did synchronized swimming at Ohio State for 3 years and majored in theater. We won NCAA’s my junior year! After I graduated college I moved to LA and pursued a career in entertainment. I was fortunate to work as a professional synchronized swimmer and actress doing live shows, music videos, commercials and films! In 2017 I wanted to create my own type of style and add my own personal flair to the art of synchronized swimming. This is when I moved back home to Las Vegas and started Wet Swim Show. Read more>>

Lindsay Askins

After working many other jobs in many other industries for most of my 20s, pursuing photography professionally as an entrepreneur was a strong calling. When I dove into owning a small business, I had no idea what I was signing up for, I simply wanted the freedom of time to be creative. So much of what professional creatives and artists do in their business has nothing to do with their craft. Fifteen years later, I am intimately more familiar with website design, SEO, email marketing, bookkeeping, quarterly planning, social media, and overall admin to keep up with all the tasks that go into running a business. Read more>>

Jenna Sanchez of Infinity Rose Events Co

Hello! My name is Jenna Sanchez and I own Infinity Rose Events Co. We are a Wedding and Event Planning company based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma and serve clients worldwide! I started Infinity Rose Events when I was a Sophomore in College with a passion for Wedding and Event Planning, Organization, Details and everything in between. I started out with another local Wedding Planner assisting and learning the ropes of Wedding Coordination. I then began working at a local Wedding Venue that gave me more experience in the Wedding field. After our first year, we completed 23 Weddings, joined Wed Society Oklahoma, and became an LLC. As we wrapped up our 2nd year in business this past February 2024, we have completed over 55 Weddings and the future is looking bright! We have a team of Lead and Assistant Coordinators that want to bring your Wedding and Event dreams to life and we cannot wait to work with you! Read more>>

Carmen Allen

Carmen’s Custom Jars began when I was searching for a positive outlet while dealing with postpartum depression. As a seasoned mom of 3, my third birth threw me for a loop that was hard hitting and unexpected. However, one way I coped was by researching artistic and creative things that made me happy. Eventually, I stumbled upon gold leafing and candle making. I decided to try both and decorated recycled jars with gold leaf and made hand poured candles. The process was very calming and brought me joy. That was 2 years ago now, and I am happy to say I am doing well with therapy and the support of my husband, family and friends. If there is anything that I learned, it’s that we are stronger than we know and beautiful things can come from hard things. Read more>>

Ally Stone of The Inspired Leader

When I was just 22, I became an entrepreneur, almost by chance. My husband and I decided to take a leap and buy into a restaurant franchise in Western Canada—one that, unknown to us, was poised for explosive growth. Over the next 15 years, we grew from that single location to 17 units, while the franchise itself expanded to 98 locations. I didn’t have an MBA, but I got a real-life education in business—an MBA from the school of hard knocks, where every challenge and triumph taught me more than any classroom could have. Read more>>

Sophillia Tagaban of Heart Blaster

I can look back at early influences, experiences, and cathartic moments throughout my life that propelled me in the direction that would eventually lead me to this career which allows me to be authentically who I am. For example, I was inspired by Princess Diana when I was a kid. Her influence on tv taught me about philanthropy. She said, “Everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something back.” I took those words to heart. Read more>>

Erin Hupp

Ceramic artist Erin Hupp (she/her) collaborates with fine dining restaurants to create bespoke hand-thrown tableware pieces which bring the chef’s vision to life. Erin also collaborates with interior designers to create unique, custom objects of art designed intentionally for the home. Her work can currently be experienced at Californios, Nightbird, Sons and Daughters, Pasta Bar, Acquerello, Sorrel, and Stanly Ranch Auberge Resort. Read more>>

Logan Brown of Simply Sol LLc

My work with plant medicine began with a herbalism apprenticeship during college, where I found just how deep medicinal plants can reach and how beneficial that relationship can be. Since then, I’ve been almost solely focused on utilizing herbs and plants of power to assist in healing myself and the poeple around me. My husband and business partner, Travis, began his journey in the culinary arts, focusing on the food is medicine aspect of plant medicine. We met while working on farms in the cannabis industry almost 10 years ago and have been focusing on this plant of power ever since. Read more>>

Maria Vashakidze

Hi, my name is Maria Vashakidze, and I’m the owner and formulator of Seagrape Apothecary, a company I founded in 2009 out of a deep love for scent and self-care. I run a community-oriented brick-and-mortar shop in Portland, OR, offering a full line of in-house made bath products, as well as handcrafted ritual and home adornment goods. The inspiration for this venture began during my college years when I was studying painting and working part-time in a feminist adult shop. You might wonder what these experiences have in common, and I’ll tell you: PLEASURE. Read more>>

Stephanie Kriebel of OMG! Pretzels

In thinking about my personal story, I’d have to say I have come full circle. In my career, the 360 is that I started out as a graphic designer and worked on flexible packaging projects. In between there
were stints at random jobs, time as a server and restaurant manager where I learned the power and
importance of customer service and how a good experience in hospitality can drive brand loyalty. Read more>>

Nikisha Grinstead of ShePurposed

My journey is deeply rooted in the vibrant culture of New Orleans, Louisiana, where I was raised. I AM New Orleans; it is a huge part of my story. Growing up in such a rich cultural environment instilled in me a strong sense of identity and purpose. However, I felt a calling to leave the city to seek greater opportunities, broaden my horizons, and eventually give back to the place that shaped me in ways God saw fit. Read more>>

Jeff Robbins of Drinklits

My journey started in the vibrant world of organic gardening, founding Revolution Landscape (www.revolutionlandscape.com) with a vision for sustainable and eco-friendly landscapes. This passion soon blossomed into Instant Plant Food (www.instantplantfood.com), a venture with my partner, offering effective plant care products that also cared for the planet. Read more>>

Renee Back’s Story

I had been a photographer for Olan Mills for 10 years until a year after I was married. I always loved my clients and enjoyed the moments they got so excited when I got the shot. Bonus points if mom cried when she was looking at the photos. After that, I did a few things on the side, even several weddings, but never understood my camera enough to feel comfortable calling myself a professional. I had gone to several workshops in Kentucky where I first heard about mirrorless cameras. I thought that was the solution to all of my problems. Turns out, it was only half of the equation. Read more>>

Ashley Marcial

Yung$aintCustoms started off as an outlet through a very tough time in my life. An old friend of mine encouraged me to start painting on clothing back in my high school years but my passion for painted fashion didn’t start until 2020, a year after I graduated. Y$C began as a hobby, where I designed my own pieces; denim jeans, tote bags, sneakers. I’m not too much of a jeans person so I would only design pairs that I would wear. Painting taught me patience because as easy as it looks, designing customs can take hours, even a full days worth. Working and designing soon became a struggle to keep up with, along with balancing physical & mental health. Gravitating to apparel was a huge risk during a time where there are many apparel brands on Instagram and Tiktok made it difficult to flourish within my brand. Read more>>

Anjali Joshi’s Story

Since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by solving problems creatively. My journey into design was sparked by a deep curiosity about how things work and how design can positively impact people’s lives. As I grew older, I realized that good design isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about understanding users’ needs and crafting effective solutions. Recognizing my interest, my mother reached out to a wide network of contacts, including extended family, mentors, and family friends, to help me explore potential career paths. This support system was invaluable in guiding my early steps. Read more>>

Narges Poursadeqi

I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, and I experienced firsthand the severe restrictions on artistic expression. But instead of stifling my creativity, these challenges fueled my determination to explore the fine arts, particularly as they relate to culture, religion, and women’s rights. This journey has been pivotal to my artistic growth and personal development. My passion for visual storytelling began at the Iranian Youth Cinema Society, where I discovered photography and video production. This early experience laid the foundation for my future artistic endeavors. Later, I pursued fine art at the University of California, Berkeley, refining my skills and broadening my creative horizons. Earning a master’s degree from the California College of the Arts further solidified my commitment to artistic exploration. Read more>>

Joy Edwards’s Story

The decision to start my business resulted from a “bad” day at the beauty shop.

For years I permed my hair to make styling and maintaining it more manageable. I had been loyal to my stylist for more than two decades, and she became the only person I trusted blindly with the health of my hair.

She was in high demand and always worked on multiple clients simultaneously. Usually, she managed her time pretty well, and even though she always seemed to be running behind, the end result was always worth the cost and eight-hour-long appointments. Read more>>

paul jost

I’m another musician making my way through life. I started on drums at 6 years old and began playing professionally at 12 I, like so many of my brothers and sisters on this journey, have countless stories that continue to define our place in the world. I’ve been blessed with a handful of wonderful teachers, friends and colleagues who’ve been supportive and nurturing. I hesitate to mention names because I’m sure to leave someone out. Seems we often overlook those right in front of us. I know, that though accidental, I’ve been guilty of that. Read more>>

Melanie Stimmell’s Story

My love for art began at a very young age. My parents, seeing that I loved drawing, would buy me amazing marker coloring books and sets, often with animal themes and one I specifically remember being inspired by the Baroque / Marie Antoinette. It had lovely ladies in beautiful dresses and hair!!! I spent countless hours bringing those pages to life with color. These early experiences undoubtedly influence my paintings today. Read more>>

Mayson Honek

Hello! My Name is Mayson Honek, I Am a 3rd year concert and portrait photographer for my business Mayson H Photography that is located in the suburban area of Seattle, Bremerton. In the 3 years of my photography career, I have worked with a variety of artists such as, JVKE, Cuppcake, Last Dinosaurs, Vacations, The Drums, Coldhart, Fishnarc, Mom jeans, Hunny, Summer Salt, Elderbrook and many local bands across the hood canal. With the help of amazing people at the Showbox Market/Sodo, The Charlston and many house venues, they continue to provide an amazing place to bring artists together and build a community. Read more>>

Amanda Miceli

Sharing one’s story is an interesting thing, when you think about it, everyone in life is just walking around and sharing their story in some way or another. Whether it is through conversation, relationships, art, books, etc.

To share a little bit more about my story, it all starts with the creativity and passion that fuels the fire path I blaze forward on. I have always been an artistic individual, painting, dancing, writing, reading, listening to music, really anything you can think of that is creative. Along with being artistic, I have always been someone who likes to walk to the beat of their own drum. My parents raised me to be myself, and be an individual, and that is exactly what I do. Read more>>

Jess Arce

3D Learning Experts was born out of a deep passion to make the journey of Dyslexia easier for families and a desire to create a supportive, effective learning environment for students with learning challenges like Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia. Jess Arce, the founder and America’s Dyslexia Expert, has a personal and professional background that uniquely qualifies her to understand the challenges faced by students with Dyslexia and other learning differences. Read more>>

Marvin Bonheur

I from the hood in the north est suburbs of Paris France. I growed up with differents communauty I had the chance to grow up in diversity with several ethnic groups but the reputation of our neighborhoods is very bad and stigmatized so I started taking photos to give another image of people from the hood Read more>>

Adaeze Anane

Cosplayer Adaeze Cornelia Anane other wise known as Gloomy Moon Child, is a local Seattle Cosplay Celebrity located and living between the greater areas of the cities of Southend Seattle & Renton, Washington state; Pacific Northwest. She has been an active Cosplayer in the Cosplay community for three years to this day. Adaeze Anane is a Cosplayer of Filipina Background mixed while also having an American background. She cosplays a mixture from characters not based off of gender or sexuality or race; she cosplays her favorite fandom each convention, which simply means she loves dressing up in characters of her favorite current tv show, book, or movie. Read more>>

Eric Standley

Cruelty always surprised me when I was a kid, especially when I was accused of it. There seemed to be an assumption that I intentionally disrupted things when really I was just manic and unaware. I loved organizing games in the neighborhood or getting everyone to draw, but it was in the moments of solitude that I developed a conceptual curiosity that informed my artistic career. There were miracles happening everywhere without notice, like how tadpoles could live in the rainwater that filled the bottom of a wheel barrel, or how a tree grew around an abandoned section of a chain-link fence. Read more>>

Hannah Barnthouse’s Story

I started my jewelry brand during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 as a way to escape the unknown and channel my emotions and efforts creatively. I was working for a non-profit, the Down Syndrome Association, which i often referred to as my dream job! My work was shut down for a couple of months due to the lockdown and my passions felt void! I missed having community, people and human interaction, so i decided to create my own version of community online! I made my first ever “drop” of jewelry; hair clips that I named “Hair Candy” and earrings in the shape of rainbows that I called “rainbows.” IT WAS A HIT and sold out within minutes. Read more>>

halleh amiralai

In 2006, I found myself at a crossroads in life. I had been working in the fashion industry, in the wholesale, ready-to-wear business at Chanel. With a dream of becoming a yoga instructor, I briefly left New York City for India.

While there, I visited The Gem Palace – one of the most respected jewelry houses in Jaipur – and immediately knew that I wanted to enter the world of jewelry. Read more>>

Marion Maenner’s Story

It must be my creative nature and the urge to explore and experience new aspects of life, leading me on a journey from being born in Germany to living in the San Francisco Bay Area today. I have walked in many different shoes from fashion design to traveling to becoming a certified naturopath to creating my art, to becoming a mother. Life is my inspiration and my teacher. The urge to understand its lessons has led me to explore different philosophies and the teachings of our ancestors. Read more>>

Chuck Akin of Vū Studios

Chuck Akin Executive Producer – oogoog
General Manager – Vū Studios

Chuck has been telling engaging visual stories for more than 25+ years. He writes, produces and directs story-driven content across multiple platforms. Chuck has produced award-winning feature films and feature docs as well. He also produces many regional commercials, high-visibility music videos, as well as a handful of the acclaimed Masterclass series. Read more>>

Selena Francois

Post-it Note flip-book animation; that’s where I started. My mom drew an animated eye opening and closing on a yellow stack of post-its and I was hooked ever since! As I got older I realized I shared the same wonder with Henry Selick’s Nightmare Before Christmas.

I’ve had to pivot careers for a stable work-life balance and pay for necessities at times which I once thought would supplement my growth as an artist, but I was often too tired after work…it’s incredibly draining not working in your purpose. Read more>>

Joshua Gordon of Sports Conflict Institute

My journey began as a student-athlete, running competitively in college. The rigors of competitive sports opened tremendous doors for me both academically and professionally. Being part of a team not only sharpened my discipline and perseverance but also provided a foundation for success in my studies. Unfortunately, things took a challenging turn when my coach passed away, and a new coach came in who drastically shifted the environment, derailing both my athletic and academic experience. It was a difficult moment in my life, but it taught me resilience. Read more>>

Nikki Branch of Women for the Culture

I began my journey into entrepreneurship during the Myspace era (Am I telling my age, lol?). It all started with my fascination with designing websites. I enjoyed the process of starting with a blank page and creating something unique. I thought that graphic designing was my passion, but life had other plans. In my early twenties, I spent a few years as a party promoter in NYC. During this time, I realized my love for marketing events and creating a buzz around them. After about two years, I had my first child and knew it was time for a change. About six months after becoming a mother, I stumbled into the urban modeling industry. Some of my friends had experienced uncomfortable situations, prompting me to get into model management to help them. Read more>>

Taylor Winstead

I started in 2018 after realizing I was not happy with my online boutique. It took me a long time to figure out the best way to combine my 2 passions, being creative and Supporting Veterans & First Responders. Read more>>