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.

Khatira Safari

My educational journey has been both diverse and deeply enriching. I began in a traditional pre-med track during my undergraduate studies and even completed the MCATs in preparation for medical school. Read More>>

Steven Taylor

From the very beginning, Sip Kentucky Bourbon Tours has been about much more than just transportation or traditional touring — we’re in the business of curating, facilitating, and executing unforgettable Kentucky experiences. While bourbon and thoroughbred racing are at the heart of what we do, our mission extends well beyond distilleries and racetracks. Read More>>

Stefanie Lew

In the beginning, it was just me—with my husband helping out when he could outside of his 9-to-5 job. We were advised early on to hire a business development manager, which we did, but if I could go back in time, I’d start with an operations manager instead. Read More>>

Amity Worrel

I have been working with a creative and inspiring couple for many years now. We renovated their 1920’s bungalow over ten years ago to great success. We kept in touch over the ensuing years and then they reached out with a problem that they needed help with. Read More>>

MzB Worldwide

I’m a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, and my time there truly shaped the woman I’ve become. I was involved in several organizations that taught me lessons I still carry today. Read More>>

Natalia Mendez Cortes

My career hasn’t followed a straight line; it’s been a series of U-turns that have led me to reinvent myself several times. One of the biggest was moving from the world of innovation consulting to the tech industry, a shift that also meant changing countries, languages, and perspectives. Read More>>

Valerie Carmel Dorsainvil

Early in my career as a therapist and wellness strategist, I subscribed to what many of us were taught to believe—that success required sacrifice. I was conditioned, both culturally and professionally, to equate worth with output. Long hours, constant accessibility, and emotional exhaustion were seen as indicators of dedication. The unspoken message was that burnout was just part of the cost of impact. Read More>>

Cierra Listermann

During my graduate training in my doctoral program, I had the opportunity to complete an internship within the correctional system. I expected it to be challenging, but what I didn’t anticipate was how deeply it would shape my path as a psychologist. Read More>>

Violet Grae

When I first stepped into real estate, I already had years of experience running my own business in the music and entertainment world. Read More>>

Kuntal Warwick

I started KSW Consulting in 2009, which is quite a long time ago now. The decision to do this really coincided with my own personal needs and professional desires. I was motivated by wanting to combine parts of my work experience into a unique combination that I did not see in the market. Read More>>

Alex Doonanco

Medicare agencies operate in a broken economic model. Acquisition costs are high, regulations are complex, and retention is abysmal. The rational response has been to optimize for transaction volume: get the sale, move to the next lead. Post-enrollment support becomes a luxury only large operations can afford. Read More>>

Lindsey Wander

Early in my career as an educator, I realized that the majority of student struggles resulted from a lack of soft skills, not a lack of ability. This is a fault of the education system, not the students. Read More>>

Sklaerenn Lorand

It is difficult for me to choose just one person, as several have had a profound impact on my journey. To begin with, I think it is essential to mention the artist I admired most, both for his talent and for his humanity and determination: Grégory Lemarchal. Read More>>