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.

Paloma Tendero

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the ability to give form and shape to experiences and emotions that are just within oneself. It is the ability to question and answer what otherwise remains unseen or possibly unspoken. By creating art, you can translate something deeply personal into something universal, where others can connect and/or find meaning. There is also a sense of freedom in the creative process, there are always new materials to discover or new ways of making things, and it’s a very cathartic process. Read more>>

Sivakumar Kumaresan

About Me My name is Sivakumar Kumaresan, and I come from a mixed-race family—my mother is Chinese Malaysian, and my father is Sri Lankan Malaysian. I grew up in Sabah, North Borneo, a Malaysian state with a rich indigenous heritage.

Being part of a multicultural family gave me a deep appreciation for human differences, but it also brought moments of frustration and conflict. These experiences sparked my curiosity about how people think and feel, ultimately shaping my journey into the fields of personal and professional development. Read more>>

Jessica Lauren Johnson

Of course! My name is Jessica Lauren, and I’m a dedicated real estate professional passionate about helping people buy, sell, and invest in homes. My journey into real estate wasn’t just about a career change—it was about creating a better life for my child while making a meaningful impact on others. Read more>>

Robert Maleski

I got started making pizza when I was furloughed from my job during the pandemic in 2020. I was sitting around the apartment and thought why not make pizza. So I started posting my creations to social media just for fun. I started to get DM asking if they could get a pizza. So I started making pizzas in my apartment and dropping them off to people front stoop. This led to me working out of a ghost kitchen in the Logan Square neighborhood out of Chicago. We were fortunate enough to receive a couple of write ups and received the pandemic pivot award from the Chicago Tribune that year. Read more>>

Jennifer Pinck

It was 1998. I had taken a sabbatical from my professional career and had started to explore the two-dimensional world of art. I had been living in Europe for two years and with time on my hands I was drawing and sketching. Upon my return to my home in Massachusetts – while I was pondering my next move – I continued making art. With a dear friend, an artist, who was my greatest influence in my journeys as an artist, we decided to have a show at my home to raise money for a local non-profit. I had truly low, low expectations but someone did actually purchase one of pieces – I still have a copy of the check framed in my studio. I tucked away in the back of my mind that this could come to something someday. It was exhilarating. Read more>>

David DeSantos

For years in my 20’s, I would drive around the west coast to audition at the open calls for many of the professional Equity theatres. I would wait outside Screenland Studios with 100’s of the other non equity actors and wait for my chance to offer my 2 monologues for this or that Shakespeare Festival. One time I even flew up to Berkeley for a 10 minute audition at Berkeley Rep. I would stop at nothing to find a life in the theatre. I auditioned for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival 5 times in 8 years, but the single more pivotal moment happened in 1999. I had driven to Berkeley to audition for the California Shakespeare Festival with my 2 monologues in tow and after giving them to the Artistic Director, he asked me to step outside and look at some specific sides (something from King Lear and something from the Tempest). Read more>>

Holly McAlister

One of the best investments I’ve made as a business owner has been participating in styled shoots—not for the reasons people usually think, like building a portfolio, but because of the relationships they helped me cultivate.

When I first started my business, I thought styled shoots were mostly about creating beautiful images for my portfolio. And while that’s certainly part of it, I’ve come to love them for a different reason. Styled shoots give me the creative space to dream without limits—to try new concepts, play with light, explore luxury details, and capture moments with intention and artistry. Read more>>

Alicia Lopez

a great service isn’t about having a luxury spa or a long menu of treatments with fancy names. For me, it’s about creating a comfortable, welcoming space filled with care and intention, and focusing on quality and real results. In the past three years, I started investing in international certifications so I can continue growing in knowledge and bringing more value, passion, and love to my work. My clients often share that what they experience with me is something they haven’t found in big resorts or high-end spas, and that means a lot to me. At the end of the day, the best investment I can make in my business is in myself—learning, gaining experience, and exploring new modalities that allow me to keep offering something meaningful and unique. Read more>>

Laurie Buob

Be patient with yourself and the process. Read more>>

Urvi Shah

The best advice I have given is to a client was to focus inward – pour love to yourself. What happens internally is a reflection of the external. As within, so without. This helped her tremendously because it took away pressure but also helped in focusing on what was in control. Suddenly things started to feel easier and more manageable. Read more>>

Mia Tepper

I started recruiting pretty early on as I began my financial consulting business. My goal in building a team is to help others live the life of their dreams on their terms. Our education-first approach allows team members total flexibility both in their schedules and in how far they want to grow in this business. Read more>>

Martin Kamenski

For Revel, we started out as many professional services businesses do: with the owner alone. And then eventually with some part-time contractor support. And then a first full-time employee, and then a few more, and many more… It was natural and organic growth that scaled with the growth of our client work AND with the increasing complexity of internal operations. Read more>>

Keiona Wright

Back in 2018 maybe 2019, I had a client who I was servicing for a few years. We were comfortable with each other in the sense we shared stories about our children etc. etc. This one particular year, I did as I’ve always done collected my clients tax documents and records and proceeded to prepare the client’s tax return as I have always done. I sent the client the details of her tax return and I proceeded to move on to the next client. Once the IRS posted the refund date I sent the client a text message letting her know the good news and again went on about my day. Read more>>

Nichel Anderson

Early in my business, a client sent in hair from her own brand for me to create a wig. Everything was going smoothly until I started bleaching the knots. Within minutes, the closure began shedding in clumps. It just couldn’t withstand the bleaching process because the quality wasn’t the best. I was new, panicking, but I didn’t want her to end up with an unusable wig. So, I ran to the hair store, found a matching closure, replaced it, and finished the unit as planned. She never knew what happened, and it taught me how to problem-solve fast and always prepare for the unexpected. Read more>>

Zach Moskow

One of our customers came to us feeling pretty stressed about planning his engagement party. Our customers turn to us when they wish Resy or Opentable could book events for groups 20+. He really wanted to do something different, not just book the same three spots all his friends had used. Then, a few days in, he decided to also host an engagement dinner the night after. Read more>>

Alex Kirby

One that comes to mind immediately is the client who gave me my start — the first to take a chance on me.

At the time, I was an elementary school teacher itching for something more creative, with room to grow and more freedom. I reached out to a family friend who ran a watersports business after noticing how they were responding to online reviews. With my love for grammar and guest experience, I knew I could help improve the dialogue with their customers and maybe make a little extra cash that summer. Read more>>

Elijah Ostrow

I do! My general Manager Sarah is fantastic and fully able to keep things running smoothly while I’m away. Taking vacations both gives me time to recharge but also forces me to crate high quality systems that still function when I step away. Read more>>

Jordan Slemmer

I do wish I had started Rainy Days Gallery sooner. Like a lot of entrepreneurs, I was waiting for the perfect moment and the right space, the right timing, the right resources. Looking back, I could’ve started smaller: selling at pop-ups, markets, or even curating one-night shows. I was so focused on securing a physical location that I worried artists wouldn’t want to show without it. What I’ve learned is that most artists are thrilled just to be reached out to. They want to connect, collaborate, and get their work seen. Read more>>

Syrai Burch

When I look back at the time I actually took that leap, I was in a place where I knew I had more to give creatively and professionally, but I didn’t yet believe I was ready. I spent a lot of time second guessing myself, waiting for the “perfect” moment, more experience, more confidence, more support. The truth is, that moment never really comes. You just have to start. Read more>>

Hira Khan

When I decided to open my own practice I knew it had to be authentic to me and my experiences in healthcare. I have often seen people not being heard and not given different options with clarity. I wanted my office to be the space where they felt supported and understood which is why I named it Safe Haven. Read more>>

George Gadson

First Dollar Earned as a Creative

At George Gadson Studios our guiding principle is captured in the hashtag: #creatingartwithpurpose. It’s more than a tagline—it’s a truth that has shaped every step of my journey as an artist.

In my early days, I participated in several art fairs in Tampa. I’ll never forget selling a small painting there—it was the first time I ever earned a dollar through my art. That moment was meaningful, but what happened next truly opened my eyes to the impact art could have. Read more>>

Jasmine Harrison

The first time I ever sold a piece was, in my mind, the true beginning of my career as an artist. It happened right after an unsuccessful art exhibition. I, and my team had spent months preparing for this exhibition, and we had two sessions. It was school ran, so the first session was during school hours, and the second, after. I remember my disappointment when no one showed up to the second session. I’ve never felt so defeated in my life. Me and my peers had spent so long on these prices and their meanings, just for no one to truely see their worth. Read more>>

China Jones

At this point in my business, I’m more focused on growing revenue. The reason for this is because I feel it’s more productive and profitable than focusing on cutting costs. As a business grows there naturally will be more costs, but the increase in profit offsets the cost. For example, in my industry I have costs related to attending art fairs, if I was too concerned with cutting costs than I would not enter into Art Fairs and I would not make any profit. I think there is a fine balance though and it’s important to budget and not get carried away, otherwise you may not end up with any profit. Read more>>

Sophia Fuentes

One of the most impactful moments for me was visiting Monarch Coopers Corner to spend time with their memory care residents. I had brought over 50 handmade cards, each with bright colors and personalized messages. As I handed them out, I watched faces light up, some residents tracing the letters with their fingers, others smiling as if they were holding a piece of home. That day reminded all of us at NeuroFirst why our mission matters: fostering moments of joy, connection, and dignity for individuals whose memories may fade, but whose capacity to feel seen and valued never does. Read more>>

Salina Rubio

Heartwarming Moments from My Healing Practice Over the years, I’ve witnessed countless moments that remind me why I do this work. Here are a few that stay close to my heart:

1. From Overwhelmed to Empowered During a Big Life Transition

Michael came to me during a particularly stressful season of life — he was preparing for a major move and feeling completely overwhelmed with anxiety and depression. As a deaf client, we couldn’t speak by phone, so I did his session remotely using The Emotion Code — one of my favorite ways to work, especially when in-person or verbal sessions aren’t accessible. Read more>>

Da’Nall Wilmer

Honestly, there are a lot of historical figures I look up to, but one who really inspires me is Kamala Harris. I love how she made history as the first woman and person of color to hold the position of Vice President. To me, she represents resilience and the idea that you can create space even when people say there isn’t any. Even during her 107-day presidential run, she showed so much courage. That campaign may not have gone all the way, but it was still history in the making and showed what it means to lead and break barriers, even when the odds are tough. Read more>>

Anthony Conti

If I were starting AConti Media over today, I’d go all-in on social media from day one. Back when I started, it wasn’t nearly as big of a deal, so I leaned more on word of mouth and networking. That worked, but I see now how much faster I could’ve grown if I’d built an online presence early—sharing my work, my personality, and my story. Social media is where people connect with you before they even meet you, and if I could do it again, I’d use that to grow my brand and voice right out of the gate. Read more>>

Heer Mandalia

When I came to Pratt Institute in 2019 to pursue my MFA in Communication Design, I already had an undergraduate degree in graphic design. Up until that point, my education had been very focused on craft and problem-solving, but Pratt was the first time I truly discovered the storytelling side of design. Read more>>

Vilma Lopez

When I came to the United States, I was forced to leave behind a career and a life I had built with dedication in my home country. Political and social unrest pushed me to start over from zero—a reality many immigrants understand all too well. That transition was not just a move across borders; it was a profound turning point that reshaped my perspective on resilience, purpose, and opportunity. Read more>>

Jenny Maenpa

One of the most striking U-Turns we’ve experienced in the mental health field has been the shift from viewing in-person therapy as the unquestioned “gold standard” to embracing virtual therapy as a powerful, and often preferred, option.

Before 2020, telehealth was typically considered a secondary tool—something to lean on when a client couldn’t make it into the office. The pandemic flipped that consensus overnight. What was once seen as a stopgap quickly revealed itself to be a deeply effective, flexible, and sustainable model of care. Read more>>

Cooper Anderson

I had 2 internships. They were both very memorable and meaningful to my career, and I keep in touch with both of the main people I apprenticed with. The first internship was at a post house in NYC that recorded audio for Nickelodeon by day and hip hop for the likes of Kanye West by night. Working here taught me to navigate different personalities in the business and learn to serve at the highest level. The second internship got me a lot of credentials and I ended up working there for 12 years. I was able to build my business from the “leftover” clients at this studio, and my credits are still valuable today. Read more>>

Jason Chen

My full-time job is in Corporate Finance, with a focus on investment accounting, data analysis, and continuous process improvement.

Two years ago, a friend introduced me to a group of people involved in cat TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return), cat rescue, and feeding stray cats in Flushing, Queens. The group is primarily made up of retired Chinese women who love cats deeply. Every day, they feed the cats fresh dry food, canned food, and provide clean water. Read more>>

Joscelin Mackey

When I was first starting out, did I join a firm or start my own? After earning my bachelor’s degree in interior design, I began my career by joining a few well-respected architecture firms—specifically in their interior design departments. At that stage, starting my own firm wasn’t even on my radar. I wanted to build a solid foundation of technical knowledge and gain real-world experience before considering anything entrepreneurial. Working in those firm environments was essential for sharpening my skills in interior architecture, construction documentation, code compliance, and the overall design process from concept through construction. Read more>>

Jennifer Agard

I think we take for granted how incredibly meaningful, and increasingly rare, family businesses are. My journey began in a small garage, and was made possible by a seemingly endless supply of love and support from my Grandmother. There is something special about working beside the people who love you, something you cannot get anywhere else. When people get together to do hard things for no other reason than they believe in what they’re doing, it becomes palpable. You can feel it in the air. The hours of early mornings and the late nights were not recorded anywhere, we just kept going until the work was done and we did it grateful for the person standing beside us. Read more>>

Naomi Frank Chusid

As a mom, former teacher, lifelong learner, and someone who has worked in education in the private sector I approach this question from many perspectives—and they all lead me to the same vision: an education system where students gain knowledge, build skills, and discover who they are through authentic, purposeful, and relevant learning experiences. Read more>>

Kim Bailey

We’re already redefining what education can be—opening doors for people to pursue their passions and turn them into careers faster than they ever thought possible. It’s not so much about what I would change in the education system—it’s about what we are changing right now. For decades, the message has been that a traditional four-year degree is the only “right” path to a successful career. But that simply isn’t true. There’s an entire world of fulfilling, lucrative careers that start with skills-based, hands-on training—and that’s exactly the gap HSID Dallas was created to fill. Read more>>

Abby Ghantous

Our product is community. We are not interested in people being able to stand on their heads or twist into pretzels if the outcome of that is not regulation + connection. Because of this, we don’t sell class packs, quick fixes, or offer sales.

Our pricing model is different from any other studio I’ve ever seen. We offer a drop in price and a membership. No class packs where you buy #x and save $x. We aren’t interested in taking people’s money if they don’t get the value of regulation + connection. And we believe the only way to truly get the value is by showing up consistently, in person, to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Read more>>

Ariel Villapiano

There’s a misconception in business that in order to have success, you have to work non-stop and hustle yourself into the ground. I believe that real success comes from protecting your peace, healing your nervous system, and being diligent without burning yourself out. In almost every industry, there’s a glorified “hustle culture” mentality that praises overworking, sleepless nights, and constant grind, but I’ve lived firsthand how destructive that is. When you’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode, your body fights back with inflammation, burnout, and long-term damage to both your mental and physical health. Read more>>