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.

Work with Abigail (abiv) Voightmann

I started my business, ABiV LLC, while attending a local community college in 2019. I spent 3 1/2 years gaining experience and networking with studios, models, videographers and assisting established photographers. It was a really great run and I’m grateful for the people I worked with and learned from. In January 2023 I was given an opportunity to make a career shift and focus on creating in a new way. I took on the role as Executive Assistant to my pastor, James E. Ward Jr., for James Ward Ministries, and Creative Manager at my church, INSIGHT Church. Later in the year I started another role as Director of Communications for TLN Media, a global Christian broadcast and digital communications company. Read more>>

Meet Harman Kaur

Despite existing in the creative space for years and experimenting with various outlets (youtube, content creating, videography, etc), I struggled to find my true artistic calling. One pivotal moment came when a close friend invited me to join them on set for a creative photoshoot. Little did I know that this seemingly ordinary invitation would spark my journey as a creative director. It was a profound moment of alignment between my skills and my true passion. Read more>>

Shannon Dill

Let’s talk about trauma. Trauma is what got me here today. A lot of the time we don’t see how things affects us and others we come across; from not understanding ourselves, as well as others. A lot of it stems from a deeper place of discovery. It built me into the person that I am today, but also knowing that not everyone is me. Trauma doesn’t always make a person strong: traumas can also cause you not to ever fully recover. Not all people are tough and strong; and those that are, can break down too. I started writing books and doing music, because I felt like no one heard me, and the only thing no one could take away from me was my voice. Read more>>

Leah Sonaria of Flow Priestess

In 2019, I went through a dark night of the soul; an unexpected upheaval that changed my life forever. I had an 11 year relationship go down in flames right after we purchased our first home, and the yoga clothing company I poured everything into for 7 years was failing. I was unhealthy, unhappy and overworked, looking for a way to get myself out of a mess of my own making. Just when I was about to throw in the towel with my business, I had a competitor reach out randomly about going in on a materials purchase together and ended up pitching my business to them. To my surprise, they were interested! Within 3 months, the deal was sealed and I was on a flight to Guatemala leaving my old life behind to live in an alternative movement arts community for a couple months (yes, I literally ran away to join the circus). Read more>>

C.f.. Jackson of iDefine TV

In a nutshell, I set my sights on discovering my purpose in 2003. I’d been in the telecom industry for five years at the time. I’ve worked with companies such as BellSouth, AT&T, GTE Wireless, Cypress Communications, and several others for 10-plus years. However, in 2003, I’d awaken from a nap with a title and synopsis. I thought it would be a great film being, a movie buff. I mentioned this to a friend who encouraged me to write a book. After much back and forth, I did just that. Within 4 to 5 months, I’d completed my first novel titled Won’t Be Denied. I enjoyed every minute of it. I had to step outside of my comfort zone. After six months of submitting query letters and synopses to obtain a literary agent, I decided to publish my work. In 2004 I published Won’t Be Denied through the publishing company I started Organized Thoughts Publishing, LLC. It was a process. Publishing on demand wasn’t available back then. Read more>>

Will Jackson

I started out playing in bands, then gravitated to recording and mixing those bands I was in, honing my skills throughout the process. After a little while, and after studying mixing and producing at university, plus other various forms of training, I started to build a business of mixing and producing services. Through building this, I learned a whole host of other skills including video editing and digital marketing. In the past few years I’ve worked hard to create a lead gen machine of sorts to allow me more time to get on with doing the music stuff, the stuff I’m most passionate about and best at! Read more>>

Rachel Joyce’s Story

I began my art journey at the young at of six. My dad signed me up for local art lessons at a small fine art school, Mainstreet Art Center in Lake Zurich. I had always loved drawing and art classes in school, but it was here that my love of drawing slowly turned into a passion for creating. Mainstreet helped me develop a disciplined traditional style of representational painting, and how to turn my photographs into paintings. I continued these art lessons through high school and community college, until I transferred to DePaul University and moved to Chicago. It was at DePaul that I began branching out into abstract and conceptual work. Read more>>

Breezy Thee Official

Music was a tough thing to start in 2021..with one song that certified my stand in the music industry and even though I’m still an upcoming artist,it still put me on the map,made me make connections even outside my country and had me earn respect in the rap game💥🔥so I can say it’s a slow process ,but I’m still getting there Read more>>

Naude Heunis

### Naudé’s Biography Born in the heart of South Africa, my childhood was a tapestry woven with the vibrant colors of nature and the rhythmic dance of the ocean. My father and uncle, seasoned divers, imparted the skills of diving and foraging for lobster to my brother and me. Initially, the prospect of sacrificing my Saturdays didn’t thrill me, but today, I cherish those lessons. Their wisdom has become a cornerstone of my life, enriching my experiences both in and out of the water. After high school, I found myself at a crossroads, uncertain of my career path. Seeking clarity, I took a gap year to explore my beloved South Africa, moving from one backpacker lodge to another, doing odd jobs for board and lodging. It was during these travels that a chance encounter with two German filmmakers altered my life’s trajectory. Their dedication to capturing the perfect sunrise and sunset shots fascinated me, and I soon found myself assisting them, captivated by the art of filmmaking. This was the moment I realized my true calling. Read more>>

Lorraine Kingcannon of Hip Hop Glamm Nonprofit

Trauma and triumph are integral to my story, and they illustrate how challenges and victories shape personal growth. The trauma I’ve experienced represents the hurdles that tested my resilience and highlighted the need to confront and overcome generational issues. Each obstacle served as a crucible, strengthening my character and fortifying my resolve. The triumphs, on the other hand, are the victories that emerged from these struggles, marking significant milestones in my journey. This interplay of overcoming adversity and achieving success is not just a personal narrative but a foundation for understanding and assisting others. My experiences have equipped me to empathize deeply and offer meaningful support to those navigating their own challenges. By sharing these insights, I aim to inspire and guide others in transforming their struggles into stepping stones toward their own triumphs. Read more>>

Andre Walker’s Story

I started listening to LoFI Beats in 2016 and fell so in love with the genre that I had to contribute to it in 2020 with my beats. When I first started I was so eager and excited to make music, but I didn’t know how to mix and master, so I paid another producer to mix and master my beats. At first, I was satisfied because I didn’t know what I wanted my sound to sound like, but as I developed more of my sound I learned that I would have to learn how to mix and master at some point. I picked up every book I could read and watched every YouTube video I could find on how to make, mix, and master music and now I’ve discovered more of my sound. Read more>>

Alonda Brooks

My journey as an author began quite early. I wrote and published my first book in the first grade. It all started when my first-grade teacher, concerned that I might be held back and referred me to reading intervention. Little did she know, she had sparked a fire within me. I began to excel in language arts. Once she realized that I wasn’t struggling with reading but was simply bored, she introduced me to writing. Our elementary school had a book bindery, and that’s when I wrote my first book, titled Momma Ella Come Down from the Star Gaze. This book was my way of making sense of my grandmother’s death. Through star gazing, I found a connection to her, a way to talk to her and understand Heaven. It was a deeply personal journey, and I had no idea at the time that this simple act of writing would spark my passion for storytelling and ultimately lead to the creation of my publishing company, I Am Becoming Publishing. Read more>>

Grace Pitts

I got into the business at 3 years old, starting with print ads and commercials. Around the same time, I began dancing and dedicated myself to it for 15 years. This early passion for dance sparked my love for the stage, leading me to participate in numerous shows and world premieres. Some of my favorite theatre credits include playing Little Red in Into the Woods and Bebe in A Chorus Line. I also cherished my time in The America Project, which was performed at the Sheen Center in NYC. On the film side, I have had the pleasure of being part of True Detective Season 3, AR PBS TV Series, Mystery League, and several Lifetime movies. Most recently I was cast in “Good Time Charley,” a SAG-AFTRA Feature film, where I was also the Production Manager. I got a taste for the other side of the camera, and I loved it! Read more>>

Tara Tarrant

I learned how to engrave from a friends mom when I was eighteen years old. Years later I acquired my own sandblast cabinet and started making engravings for my friends and family. Many years later the demand grew and I decided to turn my hobby into a business. Over the years the demand grew so I decided I needed to figure out how to take my business mobile so I acquired the on site equipment and opened up to many more job opportunities. I’ve been in business for over twenty years now. Read more>>

Paxson Woelber

I was hooked on Nordic skating from the moment I tried it. Even after growing up in Alaska, I had no idea that ice skates could be so warm, comfortable, fast, and fun! Nordic skating, which is oriented around skating outdoors on natural “wild” ice, completely changed my perspective on winter recreation. Alaska’s frozen waterways (lakes, sloughs, glacial lagoons, etc.) become a surreal playground when they freeze. There’s nothing like skiing up into the mountains with your friends and skating A-grade ice under a rippling green aurora. Of course, because they’re so comfy, Nordic skates are the perfect tool for doing lazy laps around the local pond, too. They’re very versatile. Read more>>