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.

Laura Walker

I have always been creative. My parents are creative professionals and they encouraged me to become a better artist. After my babies were born, I started teaching children’s and then adult art classes. I did that for several years but realized I wanted more time to make art. Read more>>

Mado-Sue Dembele

My journey with Deusay Beauty began with my love for beauty and the power of feminine energy. I’ve always been the type of woman who felt most confident when my lashes were on point—they’ve always been my finishing touch, the thing that made my makeup looks feel polished and complete. Over the years, I was constantly getting compliments on my lashes, hair, and makeup. It felt natural to turn something I genuinely loved into a business. Read more>>

Michelle Urban

I never had that one dream job growing up. You know how some people always knew they wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer? That wasn’t me. I wanted to do everything.

In my early 20s, I could picture myself in a dozen different careers. Waitress? Loved it. Set designer? I could totally do that. Real estate agent? Sounds fun. Teacher? I like kids. The list went on and on. I had so many interests, but nothing that felt like the thing. Even my degree—Family Studies—felt like just another random career move to add to the list. Read more>>

Pedro Fumero / FUTURA

My story is a story of endless curiosity and discovery. I am coming from this small group of islands in the Atlantic that geographically belongs to Africa, administratively to Europe, and culturally to Hispanoamérica. Born and raised in the South of the island of Tenerife in the small paradise of El Valle de San Lorenzo (Arona). Read more>>

Sarah Fargo O’Brien

Yes, such a big question! Well, as soon as I decided I wanted to be a therapist, I also knew I wanted to own a private practice. In fact, this is what I wrote my college entrance essay on…so you can say I’ve been focused on getting to where I am today from the very beginning. Everything thereafter was a stepping stone. Getting into a good college meant doing well in high school and I was extremely busy as I was focused on being ‘well-rounded’ per recommendation for getting into a good college. Then, of course, that meant I had to do well in college to get into graduate school. Read more>>

Sarah Fargo O’Brien

Yes, such a big question! Well, as soon as I decided I wanted to be a therapist, I also knew I wanted to own a private practice. In fact, this is what I wrote my college entrance essay on…so you can say I’ve been focused on getting to where I am today from the very beginning. Everything thereafter was a stepping stone. Getting into a good college meant doing well in high school and I was extremely busy as I was focused on being ‘well-rounded’ per recommendation for getting into a good college. Then, of course, that meant I had to do well in college to get into graduate school. Do well in graduate school to land a good job (by the way, there is no such thing as a ‘good job’ when it comes to social work, especially when you are first starting out, they’re all pretty terrible). Read more>>

Stephanie Hawkins

My grandmother taught me how to knit when I was a child, starting with simple cotton dishcloths and aluminum knitting needles. I didn’t pick it back up until my 20s, after giving birth to my son. I wanted to knit him a beanie, and wandering through the yarn aisles at my local craft store reignited my passion. Inspired, I began learning new patterns and techniques, knitting something special for each of my family members. I remember making a scarf for my mom—it wasn’t perfect and had plenty of mistakes, but she wore it proudly, telling everyone her daughter had made it. Read more>>

Stephanie Dulin

I have always loved Art and being creative. In college I started painting children’s murals for some extra money and it became a fun side job after I started my career. When I started having children I became a stay-at-home Mom, but continued to paint children’s murals whenever it worked into my schedule. One time I got contracted to do some work at a local Goddard School. While I was painting a little girl stopped to talk to me because she thought it was so cool that I was painting on the walls. She introduced me to her Mom at pick-up time and after striking up a conversation the little girl’s Mom asked if I would be interested in teaching some Art lessons to her daughters at their house. That one conversation changed the course of my life! Read more>>

Marina Massanova

Who am I? A rock star, you might think—doing interviews and rocking out on stage. But let’s take a look from a different perspective, like how my neighbours see me. To them, I’m just a mom living nearby, almost always in an old hoodie. No makeup, with a quiet and friendly demeanour. This is me too: a provocative and totally wild singer on stage, yet a gentle, dreamy, and perfectly ordinary neighbour in the Berlin suburbs. Read more>>

Brigitte Andrade

Brigitte, appreciate you joining us today. can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Brigitte Andrade, and I am a multifaceted artist, writer, and publisher of the The Adventures of Bibi Friends classic comic book series. My experience spans the advertising and fashion industries, which led to roles in branding, marketing, and publicity for various clients. Read more>>

Tucker Eason

I was born and raised in Colorado, and received my BFA from Occidental College while attending classes at The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA.

In college, I focused on semi-realistic graphite portraiture and abstract installation. After graduation, I moved into my mom’s basement and my started to experiment with oil paints. My canvasses shrunk to fit my new garage-studio, but the work exploded in nuance. I was interested primarily in figure work when I connected with artist Dierdre DeFranceaux in the Bay Area. Less than a month later, I packed up my gear and moved to California to work under her as an assistant. Read more>>

Bev Standing

Sixteen years ago, I found myself in a stage of life I wasn’t expecting so soon. In order to keep busy and keep my mind off what was going on, I took a weekend course. The only course I found was a voiceover workshop. So I simply said YUP and signed up. I found it really took my mind off of the sadness I was going through, and while I was behind the mic, I was able to give my heart time to heal. So I continued. Once a week I took Improv at Second City, then some acting classes, and then more voiceover acting classes. Read more>>

Max Weisman

I studied communications (with a history minor) at Temple University, graduating in 2014. Following graduation, I worked in professional politics for several years, then at an advocacy-based PR firm, and am now the Communications Director for Philadelphia City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. I have always found fulfillment in storytelling, organizing, and helping others achieve their visibility and messaging goals. After a decade of refining my skills and building my network, I started my side business: Halom Strategies (shalom being the Hebrew word for “dream). I help leaders and organizations hone their message, brand their mission, prepare for a public appearance, and take themselves to the next level. Read more>>

Dr. Del Aight

My journey in music began in the most grassroots way possible—hanging out with friends, signing up for talent shows at school, and throwing parties at my mom’s house. Back then, I was just a kid with a love for music and a desire to make good times for people . Those house parties quickly turned into opportunities for DJing, more events followed and before I knew it, I whole party scene movement began—from community gatherings to camp festivals, club events, concerts and new music genres, I was there. Read more>>

Jaclyn, Carly Martin, Bitters

KalloMed Aesthetics was born out of a shared dream between myself and my co-founder. We both come from a background in hospital medicine and found that we had a deep passion for procedural skills, anatomy, and regenerative medicine. Our late-night conversations revolved around the idea of creating a practice that combined our medical expertise with a patient-centered approach to aesthetics. We wanted to build a space where people could come to not only enhance their appearance but also feel educated, empowered, and confident in the process. Read more>>

Patrick Scalisi

[Pat]: I’ve always been a writer. Some of my earliest memories are of writing stories at the kitchen table in the home where I grew up using that really cheap, yellow-ish loose leaf paper. I would write stories about my favorite movies or video games, expanding the stories as I wanted outside of their original mediums.

I wrote all through high school, and in college I approached my university paper about doing movie reviews. Seeing my name in print for the first time was one of the most thrilling moments of my life. Read more>>

Harley De Oliveira

My name is Harley De Oliveira. I was born in Brasil in a small town in the state of Goias, it’s mostly a rural area with 3 big cities. If you compare it to the United States my state is considered to be like Texas. Growing up I had two dreams of what I would be when I grew up, which was to be a pilot and also a Fashion Designer, since an early age I would go to the news stand and buy the Japanese fashion magazines that would come with the video cassette tape of all the Japanese fashion shows. I would wait for everyone to sleep so that I could watch the shows as I wasn’t allowed to show that I had interest in fashion while growing up because I lived in a very strict religious family and that wasn’t allowed for a boy. Read more>>

Kiya Kim

Since I was very young, I’ve always loved drawing more than eating. Art, to me, is a deeply instinctual act. Flipping through fashion magazines, mimicking the outfits of models, and absorbing all those visual elements naturally shaped the work I create today. There’s no doubt that the way I dress and the form of my art share an undeniable resemblance. I never had a grand intention to become an artist (not that it works that way). It’s just that this is what I’m best at, and even if I were given other wonderful opportunities, I don’t think I could live a fulfilled life doing anything else. Read more>>

Jess

JESS: In the beginning, we shared a common goal: to move to South Korea and work in the entertainment industry. To achieve this, we needed a platform to showcase our skills, work, and personalities. Social media became our primary outlet, even though the idea was daunting—we’re both introverts who aren’t naturally drawn to being in front of the camera. But looking back, I’ve realized how transformative this journey has been. Taking risks, sharing videos, moving to Seoul, and proving to ourselves that we can achieve what we set out to do has taught us so much. Life has thrown its fair share of curveballs, but learning to navigate them has helped us grow. We’ve become more confident in who we are, more open about sharing what we love without fear of judgment, and more resilient in the face of setbacks. Read more>>

Renee Chase

I was a fashion designer and teacher all of my life. I was born to use my hands and the creative process fed me through the years. I had been the Director of the Fashion Design Program at Drexel for many years and decided to give up my myriad administrative responsibilities and step down so that I could delve deeper into the creative world. I had always wanted to try my hand at clay so I signed up for a class. Read more>>

Najee Rayne

I have always been an artist. I’ve always been creative along the way I have changed my route. I began as a student trying to balance her art and work after college. I decided to take time off to study for my lsat but when Covid hit, I decided to go full fledge into my dreams. That hasn’t changed, but the route in which I’ve decided to do it has I never wanted to be signed so I’ve been working as an independent artist and with that being said my resources have run out since they come from me. My 20s have taught me that if you need anything, you must have courage and a plan. I have both now so I wake up every single day and I work hard to connect with my audience – The one I built the past 13 years on social media. Read more>>

Valerie Chiang

I have struggled for most of my life when it came to finding my deepest sense of purpose and fulfillment. I started with a nursing program at the University of Pennsylvania, but my path took a turn towards linguistics, leading me to explore various career industries in the last decade—from cryptocurrency to cannabis and more. The monotony of a 9-5 job and a toxic work environment at my last corporate job pushed me to try to make money on my own, leading me to even more new and exciting industries such as graphic design, astrology, energy healing, and divination. Read more>>

Yuwei Li

My career started when I graduated from college and since that time I have been sticking to my painting. But sticking to something is not easy, but the love for painting can give me more motivation. Then gradually people started to recognize and like my works, which I think is a great support and encouragement for me, and it makes me more motivated. Collectors from different countries also let me meet friends from different cultural backgrounds, and I am grateful for my career! Read more>>

Arnold Ludd

He started by recognizing a major flaw in traditional youth programs—young people were often included but not truly given control. Determined to change this, he became an advocate for authentic youth leadership, where young individuals are empowered to make decisions and lead initiatives themselves. Read more>>

Jessica Landaker

Cheyenne’s Photo Booth, LLC started as a dream rooted in my love for capturing memories. I’ve always been passionate about photography and creating experiences that bring people together. When I discovered the magic of interactive photo booths—especially the elegance of the Mirror 2 booth—I saw an opportunity to combine my creative eye with a business that enhances special moments. Read more>>

Brittney Ashley

I like to joke that I’m a hippie always trying to fit “in”—but as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that sometimes I just don’t. And that’s okay. Being neurodivergent with ADHD and dyslexia, learning things never came easily to me. It took time, trial, and plenty of creative problem-solving to figure out what truly works. Read more>>

Greta Bajrami

I started Golden Group Roofing because I saw a serious problem in the roofing industry—one that frustrated homeowners and made an already stressful process even worse. Roofing companies had a reputation for being unreliable, using outdated practices, and providing poor customer service. I knew there had to be a better way. Read more>>

Dakota Jackson

In September 2022, we dove into the world of entrepreneurship by launching our company, District Heroines. It all started when I tore my quads playing recreational alumni softball on the National Mall. Stuck at home and bored out of my mind with my sister, I jokingly suggested to Haley that we create DC-themed candles. Her response? “But we know nothing about candles…” And honestly, we didn’t. We were never big candle people, which makes it even funnier. Despite our inexperience, we saw an opportunity for humorous representation of DC, and somehow, that led us to candles. Read more>>

Ishitha Arekapudi

The idea of becoming an astronaut didn’t come from a rocket launch or meeting an astronaut, but from a middle school talk I attended unintentionally. Born and raised in Ireland until I was 12 years old, I had never heard of ongoing space exploration. As soon as I moved to Seattle, everything seemed connected to aerospace. I became deeply invested in this knowledge I had never known before and set out to explore the field. Read more>>

Lia Cohen

I am a Guatemalan designer and entrepreneur who has been designing and creating ready-to-wear collections in her atelier for more than 9 years. I developed her expertise at Istituto Marangoni in Italy and further refined her skills through experience in the fashion industry across cities such as New York, Milan, and Paris. Read more>>

Dom Gervasi

My biggest challenge was the deceptively simple matter of choosing. My career in the data communications and network security fields had ended with the implosion of my last employer. Deeply depressed and dissatisfied, I wondered if I would find more meaning in my life if I went in a different direction. Where was I going? What will I do? The answer at first was let’s see. So, I went on a spirit quest first to Crete, then Sicily. These islands of myth stimulated my imagination. The traditional makers of ceramics, knives, leather and sea salt I discovered there inspired me. And when I returned I sought out the makers right here on my own island. In the process, I came to appreciate Brooklyn as if I only just arrived. My quest concluded with my decision to create nothing less than a new way of life for myself. Read more>>

Atticus Adams

Well, actually, I tried not to be an artist. I majored in the health sciences in college so that I would be able to support myself with a stable job when I graduated. I hated the work – but it allowed me the funds to travel and explore creative life options. I checked out architecture and graphic design because they seemed to have creative jobs that would pay the bills. But, I kept having this nagging compulsion to make art and I finally realized that to be my true self I had to create these things, these objects that possibly had no value to anyone but me. At first I still did my day job and worked on my art in the evenings and week ends. Read more>>