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.
Kelley Suggs
My first job in the health and wellness field was with the Air Force, at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great falls, Montana. I was the Health and Wellness Program manager and we had a great program. After Brayden, or first baby was born, I needed to change from working full time to part time. A position became available in a hospital in my home state of Minnesota, so we moved back for it. It turns out, actual prevention programs in hospitals are not very valuable or well thought of. I struggled to be able to find a place to out my skills to work. After consulting for the USAF Surgeon General, it was a challenge to be so limited. Read more>>
Kristina Harlee
Hi! I’m a creative through and through. A graphic designer, visual storyteller, and hands-on maker who finds purpose in using art to connect with people. My creative journey started young, but it really took shape through programs like Bridges and Art with a Heart in Baltimore, where I realized that creativity wasn’t just a hobby. It could be a career and a calling. Those early experiences planted seeds that are now blossoming into a full creative life. Read more>>
Siz Wang
This is probably the most challenging question ever. I think it is not easy to tell my life story so far in a single clear structure. Though we are (currently) experiencing time in a linear fashion, life, at least for me, has been a non-linear narrative.
If we separate out the progression of my writing career, then perhaps I can start today’s story with how I acquired incentives to write. There were two initial emotional reasons. One positive and the other negative. The positive motivation is that I am awfully addicted to books, especially fantasy and graphic novels since I have memories. Imitation became inevitable and natural. Read more>>
L. Kelly Lyles
I was good at drawing since childhood (my parents were creative and encouraged us), so I wanted to work in art, though initially assumed I’d focus on fashion illustration or advertising. Both jobs seemed VERY glamorous to my younger self. I love clothing, my mother was friends with several designers in Europe (one even made me one-of-kind clothes, I was maybe in the 4th grade? An aside, I’m always surprised by how “boring” most artists dress, their love of colour and pattern seems strictly on canvas). I won several art contests, was an art editor on our high school yearbook committee, and did go to college(s) as an art major(s). Read more>>
Chantal Blake
My story is an unconventional one– my professional career path has included Nursing, Environmental Engineering, and Travel Writing. But since becoming a mother in 2010 to my firstborn daughter, I have felt the fire to help women feel fully well in the birthplace of our future– our wombs. Read more>>
Tim Willis
My name is Tim Willis, and I am a seasoned photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty and emotion of life through my lens.
I first developed my love for photography during my high school years, where I took as many classes as possible and spent countless hours in the dark room. This passion continued to grow through college, where I honed my skills in film development. Read more>>
Raditia Lasry
As I reflect on my forty-five years of life, I realize that my story is not defined by a single moment or situation. Rather, it is a collection of diverse experiences and explorations that have brought me to where I am today. It is only upon looking back that I am able to recognize how each small step I took played a crucial role in shaping my journey and led me to my current position of teaching mindfulness and raising awareness about the incredible impact of human life. Read more>>
Grizel Ubarry
During my early college years and after graduation, I worked in the nonprofit sector. I eventually became the CEO of a community-based service organization in Newark, NJ. From there, I transitioned into government for several years, working both in New York City and New Jersey. I found government a bit constraining. So, I chose to start a consulting practice with a niche in community development. My goal was to continue working in economically depressed communities, facilitating the work of nonprofit organizations in rebuilding neighborhoods using every possible tool for change. Read more>>
Dana Spanierman
My passion for creation began as a child. Designing for women has always been in my family. Growing up on the east coast, my grandmother owned a women’s clothing store, LEEBA, or “loved one.” In 2014, I founded LEEBA to honor my grandmother. LEEBA’s ocean inspired sterling silver jewelry reflects my passion for travel, the ocean, and creative design. I use natural seashells, sliced and polished, in hand-crafted sterling silver settings. The pieces I design are elegant, beautiful, and significant in their meaning and healing powers. Shiva’s Eye shells are known to have the power to protect and watch over those who wear them. Mother of Pearl provides healing and protection and stimulates intuition and imagination. Read more>>
Julie Bendlin
Jimmy and I have always been entrepreneurs, and we have always loved dogs. So, we naturally came up with a way to work full time with dogs. First up was learning a new skill, grooming! Off to classes, expos, and watching all we could on YouTube. All our free time was spent learning the trade. We didn’t turn on Netflix, we turned on grooming how to on YouTube. We quickly made a booming business with our spa dog salon and boarding retreat in NW Iowa. After about a year we knew we could make this business anywhere in the country. Read more>>
Shennae Steele
My name is Shennae and I am the proud owner and creator of Di Vine beauty. I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Jamaica and migrated to Canada.
The story behind Di Vine beauty actually started with my love for track an field that triggered my growth and evolution as a woman.
My talents in track afforded me the opportunity to study abroad at the Iowa Western Community College and Abilene Christian University as a student- athlete in graphic design. I set numerous records some of which have yet to been broken. Read more>>
Jaslyn Tate
My career as a Tattoo Artist began in 2015. After attending the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta, I moved back home to Louisiana. I decided to try my hand at tattooing and have been leaving my mark on live canvases every since. I’ve been creating since I was a kid so art has always been a unique part of who I am. My first experience working in a Tattoo Parlor is one I’ll never forget. It serves as a reminder that I can and will rise above any and every obstacle thrown my way. I went from Bogalusa to New Orleans, and ended up back in Atlanta about 5 years ago where I received so many amazing opportunities. Read more>>
Kayshia Tagumasi
My name is Kayshia and I am the owner of Coastal Beauty Salon located in Sacramento, CA. I started off as a freelance makeup artist, traveling to my clients to provide makeup services to them on their wedding day. I attended beauty school and studied Esthetics in 2015 and started my first, licensed Beauty business providing all things beauty, skincare, lashes, and makeup application. I decided to expand my business by going back to beauty school in 2020 to retain my Cosmetology License so that I can offer more beauty services and have a home base for my business versus traveling all the time. After renting a chair in a salon and single suite for a few years, I finally made the jump to own a small, 4 chair salon – hence, Coastal Beauty Salon. Read more>>
Amanda Arbeter
Art has always been a passion of mine since I was very young. I spent most of my free time perfecting my skills of coloring in coloring books as a child. I always looked forward to art classes in school and after school as a hobby. At the University of Michigan, I majored in Art History but never imagined that I would later be creating my own art to sell. Read more>>
Ashley Monique
Ashley Monique’s life story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of healing. A woman of many talents and passions, she has emerged as a beacon of hope and empowerment for countless individuals through her diverse roles as an author, entrepreneur, mentor, professor, community advocate, and behavioral coach. Read more>>
Jack Hummel
My name is Jack Hummel, and I started Pillo Productions back when I was in highschool. The Pillo we have today wouldn’t be possible without my business partner and co-owner Carlos Avitiuh (Avitiuh on IG), as well as our gaffer and drone operator Colton Smith (coltonnssmith on IG), our photographer and production manager Marah Ranger (marahshootsfilm on IG), and our Graphic Designer AJ owner of Bad Apples Market (apples_market on IG). Together we started from humble beginnings to all now working as a unit to produce the highest quality film projects around! Read more>>
Abby Haliti
From a very young age, I’ve always had a passion for beauty. My long hair often drew attention, and I realized that working with hair could bring joy to people. Coming from a country with limited job opportunities, I understood that having a trade would secure my future. Beauty is universally recognized, making it a smart career choice. I pursued this passion at a young age in Europe and mastered the hair coloring industry both there and in the USA. Read more>>
Rosanne Groover Norris
I wanted to be a writer, all my life. I wrote little plays for my younger siblings. Later, I wrote a few children’s plays that were produced locally. My retirement plan was to write more plays and maybe a novel. However, my focus shifted when in January 2018, my thirty-year-old son, Lee, left this earthly life from an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, which left me with pain so deep, that I was sure I could not survive it. But despite the agony, I knew, in my heart, Lee didn’t simply vanish into nothing. I could feel a tiny pinpoint of hope and chose to focus on it. I started to read books about the afterlife, near-death experiences, and other related topics. Read more>>
Jonathan Monroe aka Jaymoe da rookie
My story starts with me being a class clown in my younger days even in daycare and now as an adult I’ve been doing comedy for 5 years and I’m loving the grind and the results that I’m getting from my hardwork. Read more>>
Cassidy McReynolds
Of course! I fell in love with wedding planning while organizing my own wedding. Throughout the process, I realized just how much I enjoyed bringing a vision to life! As a detail-oriented, Type A personality, I thrive on structure and precision—qualities that make me perfectly suited for this industry. Read more>>
Frederick Durham
I started photography at a very young age with just a small digital camera that my grandfather bought me. At that time i didn’t know I really had an interest for photography it was just something to do to keep me occupied at family events and different outings. Like most people in life I eventually veered off into to other interest in hobbies. Photography didn’t strike my mind again until I was in college looking to change my major that’s when I seen a photography course available and I decided to give the camera thing a chance again. Once I picked the camera back up again and started photographing again that’s when I realized that I had a true hidden talent that I never got the chance to expose to the world. Read more>>
Amita Bhakta
Traditionally, art is a part of Indian culture and I’m blessed that that tradition runs through my family.<b> </b>Ever since I saw my uncle sketch with a ball point pen on hotel postcard/letterhead, in corner of a magazine, or newspaper; I’ve had my eyes open to art. His father studied at a very prestigious art school in India called Shantiniketan and suprisingly his studies took him all the way to the Philadelphia Art Academy. Despite being amazing artists, neither my uncle nor granduncle were successful in following their passion. It’s a lesson I still think about today. Read more>>
Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra, CPA, CFE, MBA
I started my career as a financial auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where I spent five years honing my skills in financial statement auditing. During that time, I also earned my CPA license and became a Certified Fraud Examiner. But you know, life has a funny way of steering you towards your true passions. As I worked with data day in and day out, I found myself increasingly drawn to the world of business intelligence and technology consulting. This fascination led me to transition into a BI technology consultant role at PwC for two years. It was during this time that I realized I had stumbled upon something I truly loved – using data to tell compelling stories and solve complex business problems. Read more>>
Patrick McNicholas
I have always been a creative person since I was young. I first started with music and performed with a number of bands until eventually playing and performing as a solo act by myself. It was DJ’ing but more live music production with loops and active instruments, including guitars, drum machines, keyboards, etc. Read more>>
Rachel Fawn Alban
I am a photographer, museum educator, and a public artist. I love many art forms, but I have a special passion for public art. One of the most rewarding aspects of my photography practice is documenting public artists, and I have also been a lead artist on mural projects in Newark, NJ and in New York City. Read more>>
Raguel Gabriel
I’ve aways had the deepest connection to music. As a child and even as an adult today-it’s my refuge and the passion inside of me that refuses to die. I grew up in the church in Trinidad where of course you were surrounded by music and I think that’s where the seed was planted. Mum, dad and my sister-we were all musical. I was exposed to every type of genre as I grew up but it was not until I fell into classical music that I think I found my true voice. It was classical that got me through one of the hardest times in my life-the death of my father-and it completely rewired my brain. That’s the only way I can describe it. There is this version of me before I discovered classical, and the version of me after. Read more>>
Christopher Stewart
My story started very early on. I come from a very skilled and leader focused family who also loves food, dining and hospitality. We have had the extreme privilege of being able to enjoy food and dining willingly and freely at a high level and that is due to my late grandfather being an Executive Chef at some very prominent hotels throughout his career. I like to say I was literally born to do what I do. He and my family granted me the space to explore all kinds of cuisines and there was simply never a food that I couldn’t taste. Dining out was just our norm and it really exposed me to different cultures and levels of hospitality. Read more>>
Josh Stein
I was born in New Jersey and lived there until moving to Northern California at 17. I went to school at UC Riverside in Southern California and the University of Liverpool before relocating to Napa. Along the way, I have been a graphic designer and creative artist, musician, writer, professor, and adult beverage maker, among other things. I am currently finishing my MFA at School of Visual Arts in New York City. My artwork has been nationally and internationally published numerous times and exhibited in a wide range of locations around the world, including the Popular and Contemporary Culture Museum in Tallinn, Estonia; the CICA Museum in Seoul, Korea; Adas Israel in Washington DC; Burning Man in Blackrock, Nevada; and Gallery 1064 in Seattle, amongst many others. Read more>>
Mally Becker
I was a practicing attorney ten years ago, balancing work and family like so many of us. Maybe I was a little burned out—also like many of us. If you had told me then I’d become the author of a multi-award-nominated historical mystery series within a decade, I would have known you were nuts. Read more>>
Dastan Bolat
From Presidential Protection to Elite Training: The Story of Dastan Bolat, Security Expert & Martial Arts Coach
In the world of elite security and combat training, few professionals possess the depth of experience that I bring to the field. My journey began in Kazakhstan, where my interest in security, martial arts, and strategic protection led me to one of the most elite security forces in the country—the Presidential Security Service of Kazakhstan. Read more>>
Lisa Angell
Sure! I got my start in real estate back in 1997 when I was 24 years old. I was living in Las Vegas and got an opportunity to work as a licensed assistant for a luxury agent. I was young, ambitious, and interested in building a business of my own—but like a lot of new agents, I didn’t know where to begin. Becoming her assistant made a lot of sense; I could learn the ropes, see how the business really worked, and earn money at the same time. Read more>>
Robert Mahor
I’m Robert Mahor, and I was born and raised in the Philippines. Now, I happily call Austin, Texas, my home. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had a passion for events. I loved decorating our house for every occasion and getting involved in all the planning. Those early experiences ignited a spark in me, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in this field. Thankfully, I’m living that dream! Read more>>
Jessica Youngson
I started my love for taking pictures when I was in elementary school. I use to steal my grandmother’s flip phone and take pictures at different angles with it. Once I got into high school, I started taking a photography class and fell even more involve with the art. My grandfather bought me my first DSLR camera with a kit lens (18-55mm) my sophomore year of high school. After that, it became clear to me that I would do photography as a career path. Ever since I graduated high school I have been working on my photography. In 2021, I became an official photography business when we moved to Alabama. Read more>>
Lynette Pettinicchi
As a teenager, I always had dreams of owning something though at the time I wasn’t sure what that would be. One of my favorite subjects in school was science so I attended SUNY Plattsburgh in upstate NY expecting to be a high school biology teacher. Unfortunately, test-taking continued to be a challenge for me, and I ended up changing my major four times (biology education –> nutrition –> music –> PR/advertising). Read more>>
Kwame Sarfo
My journey has been a mix of resilience, entrepreneurship, and a passion for impact. In 2021, I survived a hit-and-run accident and was saved by RWJ Hospital—a pivotal moment that reshaped my outlook on life. That experience fueled my drive to make meaningful contributions wherever I go. Read more>>
Dr. Allison Teicher-Fahrbach
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved reading and writing. It all started when my mother began reading to me at an incredibly young age. I was mesmerized by the way she would tell me different stories and read to me each night. She continuously encourages me to pursue education and writing, and I am eternally grateful that my mother inspired me to become the woman I am today. For anyone reading this, read to your children. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have money for countless fancy books; head to your local library and take out a few different things to read. Your children will thank you for reading to them, even if you read the same five books to them over and over again. Read more>>
Hope Smashey
As far back as I can remember, I have always loved stories: reading books, watching movies, and listening to music. Stories can be shared through such diverse mediums. The power of storytelling has mesmerized me because stories can encourage us during difficult times, make us laugh when we need it most, and even bring tears to our eyes at a shared emotion. Stories can transport us somewhere else when we need to get away from our own world, but the beauty of a great story is while we are “visiting” that fictional world, we can gain insight into our own lives. Yet, the real-world question for all storytellers is: how do I make my dream and passion a reality? Read more>>
Paige McKinney
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I’ve always been passionate about psychology and advocacy, which initially led me to pursue a degree in psychology. However, as I approached graduation, I realized that while I loved the subject, the career path didn’t align with the lifestyle and freedom I envisioned for myself. Read more>>
Joe Aboud
I started interning at a record label in high school, and that experience made me sure that I was on the right path. I decided to go to NYU so that I could intern in New York City during the school year and get as many opportunities under my belt as possible before graduating. I’m so grateful for all of those experiences, especially because one of those internships turned into a full-time job. Read more>>
Libby Supan
Growing up, I struggled in school and internalized the belief that my only path to success was through my appearance and popularity. I felt that my worth was tied solely to my appearance, and I channeled all my energy into that. Read more>>
Jay Waters
Hi, I’m Jalen Waters, a 26-year-old photographer originally from Denver, Colorado. Growing up, I was always fascinated by the world around me. From the mountains that framed my city to the small, everyday moments in my life, I found beauty everywhere—but I never realized I could capture it until later on. Read more>>
Kelly Mateo
When my twins graduated high school & left the house I experienced “empty nesting” really bad. I felt like I had no purpose and didn’t know what to do with myself. I went into a dark place and had no motivation to do anything. My significant other suggested finding a hobby or something to I really like to do. I had to really think about that. I had spent so much of my life taking care of my little people that I had lost my identity in the process. So, I started making candles, then I started doing a little research into diy projects and holistic remedies. Read more>>
Jiani Zhou
My artistic journey started at a young age, where I found myself drawn to music and creativity. In primary school, I was organizing performances and designing projects for my class, which helped me develop leadership skills and a sense of teamwork. A key moment in my musical path came in 2008 when I was 8-year-old and first heard Leehom Wang’s album, which has mixed music elements from both Western R&B and Chinese traditional music. It inspired me to explore music more deeply, and by age 12, I began learning guitar. Read more>>