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.

Elena Aleksandraviciute of Ellenfinds Creative Media Inc.

My name is Elena Aleksandraviciute, and I’m a Lithuanian IT graduate, photographer, happy traveler, and now a business owner living in Vancouver, Canada. Nine years ago, I moved to Canada with a dream of building something creative, and I’m proud to say I’ve made that dream come true. My business, Ellenfinds Creative Media Inc., has just celebrated four years of bringing unique visions to life. We specialize in high-end photography, content creation, and social media consulting and strategy, but what truly sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity and creativity. When I first moved to Canada, I worked various jobs, but in the meantime, I started slowly building my Instagram account. I’ve always loved creating images that evoke a cozy, nostalgic feel—something you’d want to save in a journal, like a Polaroid of a happy memory. When I created my Ellenfinds account on Instagram, I focused on taking professional photos of products but presented them in a personal, relatable way, similar to what a blogger might share. I posted my genuine thoughts about products I loved, the restaurants I tried, and the places I explored. Read more>>

Bridget O’flaherty

The textile world has been a mainstay in my life since I was 20 years old. I began quilting with my mother, she was teaching out of her home and I did a sampler quilt all by hand. I wasn’t excited about handwork and didn’t think I would quilt again, but I enjoyed the process and was thrilled to complete my handmade quilt 2 years later. It wasn’t until she opened a shop, let me work there and exposed me to the amazing world of art quilts that I found my path. After taking some classes with contemporary quilters, I dove into geometrics and linear pieces but was keenly interested in landscapes. I travelled west in the mid-90s and took a week-long class with Joen Wolfrom that changed my trajectory. I learned so much in that one week, I saw nature differently after that, I started to introduce embroidery details for shading and highlights, and this new avenue became the staple of my medium as I developed my work over the following 30 years. I love to create intricate and subtle details with a palette of thread and to share my love of nature in my work. Read more>>

Tyson Green’s Story

I’m Tyson Green, a creative soul who thrives on crafting from the ground up. My love for writing began with penning rhyming poetry during my school days, eventually evolving into a passion for spoken word and lyricism as a teenager. This love for words and storytelling paved a unique path for me. In 2004, I traded my school life for military service, where I stayed until 2017. After hanging up my stripes, I took a daring leap into the fashion world, despite having no prior experience. This unexpected venture led to amazing opportunities. My brand, GSBS, even made its way into movie scenes, gracing both cinemas and Netflix screens, which established valuable connections within the film industry. Being on film sets gave me a backstage pass to the intricacies of filmmaking, sparking my interest in screenplay writing. I took my first steps into this world through a free online BBC course and penned my first TV show pilot in 2019. However, it was in 2021, inspired by my personal experiences with mental health, that I took a deep dive into writing the film ‘Trigger-ed.’ Read more>>

Annie Johnson of Take Care, South Bend

Take Care, South Bend opened in February 2020. My goal was to provide quality gift baskets and care packages with products sourced from local shops and makers. I started out of my home, built a website, and now I still sell online with a brick and mortar presence at The Portage Collective. Read more>>

Candice Davies of Your Social Funnel

I’m what I would call a serial entrepreneur: my brain is constantly thinking of “great ideas” and ways to help people. In my “past life” I was a clinical therapist, and I had my own private therapy practice for over a decade. I’ve always been interested in understanding people: why they do the things they do, feel what they feel, and how their thoughts and unique way of putting the world together, influences the decisions they make in their life. This has helped me immensely in the work I do now with online business owners, because at the end of the day, if we can’t speak to people in a way that moves them emotionally, or in a way that helps them reframe how they thinking about things, we’re going to struggle to sell our offers. Read more>>

Brittany Miller of Brittany Miller Biz

My name is Brittany Miller, CEO of Brittany Miller Biz, a Social Media and Marketing Consulting Agency and Educational Platform. I help personal brands and service providers increase their visibility, impact, and profits through social media. My journey to entrepreneurship wasn’t a straight path. It all began in my final year of University when I studied abroad in The Netherlands. Living and travelling for six months fueled my passion for exploring different cultures and sparked a desire for freedom in my work life. After returning to Canada, I promised myself I’d build a business and lifestyle that would allow me to keep traveling. However, I quickly found myself in the 9-to-5 corporate grind, feeling uninspired and stuck. Though I had a great job, I knew I wanted more — more challenges and more fulfillment. In January 2019, at 29, my partner Bryce and I made a bold move: we quit our jobs to travel the world. For six months, we explored over 10 countries (From New Zealand to Japan and so many incredible countries in between). During that time, I started helping friends and small businesses with their social media. I charged $50 a month, partly because I was doing it for fun AND partly because I didn’t know how to price this as a service.  Read more>>

Code Forty’s Story

I started creating clothing around 2 years ago, i’ve always had a passion for cut and sew pieces and hand working different types of garments but 2 years ago was when I had fully launched my own line and brand. I started off just altering pieces I had available to me, hand distressing clothes, cutting up old clothes, up-cycling, etc. Any way I could create new items out of old fabric was my main focus at the time, I later progressed to slowly making professional samples and getting orders mass produced, this in turn led to me building up a customer base and a community that now supports me with any of my ventures. I now am starting to produce in house, vastly making the output for ideas faster, greatly inspired by the efficiency of artists like Virgil and Ye. Read more>>

Kimber Greenwood of Water Bear Photography

I grew up with a passion for the water, but it wasn’t until I was a year into my photography career that I found my true calling as an underwater portrait photographer. It was actually motherhood that brought me to photography. When I was pregnant with my son, I went to a local photographer for some maternity photos. While I still cherish those images, my husband thought it would be more cost effective if I captured them myself, so he bought my first camera for Christmas that year. Before I knew it, I had friends asking for a few family photos, or some snaps at their kid’s birthday party. Suddenly I found myself learning editing programs, buying lights and backdrops, renting a studio space, and upgrading my gear. Underwater photography wasn’t even on my radar until a friend asked if I could take some maternity photos of her at a Spring. She wanted to try and get some partial underwater photos, so I picked up a waterproof point and shoot camera and we went for it. It was such an incredible experience capturing those images; I called my husband on the way home to tell him my camera was going to live in the water from now on. Read more>>

Rawan Abbas’s Story

Thank you for having me again! We went over how I started before, I can summarize it by saying that I turned to working with textiles because they allowed me to be more expressive and playful. Fabric can withstand a lot of manipulation and layering of material, and it has the benefit of being universally familiar. Right now I’m working on two interesting projects. One is for Something Else, an international art event that will take place in Cairo in November, and the other is with The Muse, an integrative regional artistic organization based in Sudan and Egypt. Both projects demand that I broaden my subject matter to incorporate the city, in this context, Cairo, which is exactly what I need at this moment. I’ve been reading and attending workshops about learning the built environment. It’s a natural extension of my interests, only much broader and more complex. Read more>>

Guetty Antiste of Empanada Assassin LLC

My journey as the Empanada Assassin began with a deep love for the 3Ns: Nutrition, Network, and Nostalgia. I’m passionate about feeding people and providing a basic need, bringing people together, and sharing memories during times of joy. Growing up, I was surrounded by the rich flavors of my Haitian and Martinique heritage and the joy of sharing meals with family and friends. My love for pates (what we call empanadas in Haitian culture) came from my uncle, who brought us a box every Sunday. We eagerly looked forward to indulging in the variety pack of flavors. Through this simple gesture, he taught me a valuable lesson: never go to someone’s home empty-handed. Empanadas became my love offering to others, a way to feed their souls. I love watching people enjoy these creations; the joy on their faces brings me joy. Read more>>

Amber Collins

My journey was ignited by a profound spiritual calling, compelling her to take action for racial healing, peace, and unity in her community, triggered by the tragic death of George Floyd. Her unwavering love for books, combined with the need to diversify the literary landscape, inspired her to create a welcoming space where diverse voices are represented. In 2020, despite the challenges of the pandemic, Soul Book Nook opened its doors, reflecting Amber’s steadfast commitment to fostering an inclusive and educational environment. Taking inspiration from the biblical story of the Widow Woman and Elijah’s question, “What do you have in your hand?” Amber’s work embodies the transformative power of using available resources to effect meaningful change. Her tireless efforts echo the legacy of The Aquarian Bookstore, a historical and enduring institution based in Los Angeles, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration in her mission to cultivate a more inclusive literary landscape.” Read more>>

Andy Gatenby of CGE Southern

I’ve always been driven by the desire to push myself and see how far I can go, both personally and professionally. My journey started in personal development over 10 years ago, I’m constantly seeking ways to grow and improve. I always wanted to have my own business and when CGE southern was created I wanted to make sure that it was a business that not only delivered amazing services but also fostered a supportive and thriving environment for everyone involved. Everyone in CGE has become apart of my extended family and I want the best for all of them. More than just a business, CGE Southern has become a reflection of my personal journey. It’s the perfect vessel for me to continuously push myself, evolve, and bring out the best in the people I work with. Read more>>

Sigourny Love of Hair Love by Sigourny

My hair journey began 15 years ago at M Salon Spa, where I first discovered my passion through amazing mentorship, which shaped my whole career. After a thriving start, motherhood called, and I took a transformative break to welcome my son, Kai. Balancing professional aspirations with motherhood led me to establish a home-based salon, blending my love for hairstyling with family life. From its humble beginnings in my first home, my salon space has now grown into a bustling downtown location, where I lead a talented team dedicated to beauty and customer care. I’m grateful for the support of clients, friends, and family who’ve championed my journey. Each day, I aim to bring joy and confidence to clients while continuing to cherish each moment I can with my son. Read more>>

Shane Balkowitsch of Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio

I saw a wet plate online and I was simply drawn to it. Which is rather odd as a non-photographer. I asked the photographer details about the image and he explained to me it was a wet plate collodion photograph. At that moment I knew that I wanted to try to make one of these historic images. Read more>>

Fran Tapia

I started my journey as an actor during my university years, and it was there that I began to discover my ability to express myself through movement, which was a new and exciting realization. I had never danced much beyond some ballet lessons as a child and I danced socially during my teenage years, especially during summers at a resort where my parents, who were passionate about Salsa, Tango, merengue, and rock and roll, would invite dancers over to our home. I loved dancing with them. Working with talented contemporary dancers who were more experienced than me was a huge learning experience. I admired and respected them, and their influence really accelerated my development. The pressure to deliver was intense as I began performing almost immediately, but it felt right, and I was eager to explore what I was discovering about myself. Read more>>

Andrew Campbell of Andrew Campbell, LMT

I began in the massage therapy industry in 2015. At the time I had been employed as a pharmacy manager for several years, working in a pharmacy that operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The position offered decent pay and benefits, with the potential for growth and long-term sustainability with the company I worked for. While that was enough to make me accept the position, it ultimately would not be enough to make me stay. The demanding position required long hours and provided little work/life balance, which I had managed, but I knew that it was time to make a change. I wanted to transition to another field as soon as possible, but I knew that starting in another field would require education and training to so. Read more>>

Janara Banks

Sili+Bells Bead Bar, known as Sili+Bells, and named after my two daughters- Silina and Isabella was born in 2017. I started making earrings for them when my oldest lost her second pair of Sterling silver earrings. Aggravated at the cost of replacing one lost earring, for now, two children, and the lack of variety of “safe metal” earrings available for little girls, I ventured out to see if I could make some. And. Sili+Bells. Was. Born. I was born in Harlem, NY and raised in Chicago, IL. I’ve attended Howard University and AIU receiving a Bachelor in Visual Communications with a concentration in Graphic Design and an MBA in Marketing. Collectively I spent a decade in Corporate America both as the Director of Corporate Affairs as well as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing for companies in the Insurance industry. I have an extensive knowledge base in Human Resources and Marketing. I started my first company, Jais-lnk, in 2007. Jais-lnk is a small graphic design firm with a niche in corporate branding. Read more>>

Gilde Flores of Paint the Noise LLC

When I first embarked on this journey, I was just a passionate creator with a dream, but little did I know that my path would lead me to where I am today. The road hasn’t always been a paved one, but that’s what makes the ride all the more exciting. In the pursuit of my passion, I decided to take a leap of faith and founded not one, but three companies. My main focus, however, has been Paint the Noise, a production company that specializes in music for various media projects. What started as a humble venture has transformed into a movement that empowers creatives from all corners of the globe. Over time, I’ve had the privilege of assembling a team of extraordinary professionals for Paint the Noise. These individuals come from diverse backgrounds, with some hailing from prestigious institutions like Berklee and Full Sail. Together, we’ve worked on some incredible projects, including our recent collaboration with the Budapest Orchestra for Universal. Read more>>

Desiree Tay

Desiree’s musical journey kicked off 17 years ago in 2007 when she couldn’t resist the call to join her school band’s percussion section. Little did she know, that was just the beginning! Over the next nine years, she became a fixture in the band, soaking up every bit of experience and knowledge like a sponge. With countless performances under her belt, she’s now a powerhouse on stage, exuding confidence, enthusiasm, and a never-ending passion for music. Her quest to master her craft has been anything but ordinary. She’s had the incredible privilege of learning from industry legends like Marcelo Woloski (Percussion, Snarky Puppy), Erik Hargrove (Drums, James Brown), and Eguie Castrillo (Percussion, Jennifer Lopez). With mentors like that, it’s no wonder her skills have skyrocketed! When she’s not geeking out over her unhealthy obsession with the Red Hot Chili Peppers or juggling her studies at Berklee College of Music, Desiree is busy forging a path through the music industry. She’s dabbled in everything from drum tech and live sound to instrument repair, backline work, and even session recording. Talk about versatile! Read more>>

Kelsey Banfield of Kelsey Banfield Coaching

I’m currently a coach and the owner of Kelsey Banfield Coaching. I specialize in helping people shape the life they envision. It sounds broad but that’s because it’s so bespoke. Most clients who come to me are looking for a change, either large or small, and are dreaming a little bigger for themselves. We take into account where they want to go and where they are now, then we take pragmatic steps to get there while still leaving some room for the magic. I help give my clients articulate what they are feeling and looking for and give them a structure to make the changes they want. Since most of them already have very busy lives it’s very special to have time with them each week to focus exclusively on them. As a coach I’m an impartial observer of their lives, I’m not a relative or friend from home, so I really cheer for them and root for them as they move toward what they seek. Read more>>

Jasleni Brito

I’ve been a creative soul for as long as I can remember. My mom loves to share stories of how, even as a baby, I was scribbling and drawing before I could write, always passionate about bringing my artistic visions to life. As an adult, that passion evolved into my own art and design business, which I’ve been running for over a decade. This journey has allowed me to collaborate on incredible branding and website projects with over 200 clients. While I continue to enjoy my work in branding and design, I’m particularly excited about channeling my creative energy into my latest project, La Caribeña Oracle deck, which has been a deeply fulfilling endeavor. Read more>>

Fernando Wicker of Wick Clothing

My journey began with a desire to create something uniquely my own. Growing up, I was always drawn to fashion, but I often found that the designer brands I admired were far too expensive and out of reach. This sparked the idea of starting my own clothing brand that would not only reflect my personal style but also be accessible to others who shared my taste. In the beginning, I faced many challenges—learning the ins and outs of the fashion industry, sourcing quality materials, and understanding the nuances of running a business. But I was driven by a vision to create something meaningful, and that kept me going. I founded Wick Clothing with the goal of offering high-quality, stylish apparel at a price point that wouldn’t break the bank. Read more>>

Nathan Gross

I wanted to pursue music professionally when I heard symphonic and progressive metal bands in high school like Nightwish, Epica, Kamelot, and Dream Theater. I then went to Western University to study classical music, composition, piano performance, and orchestration to further my knowledge. I also learned DIY production and mixing along the way, and further studied it at Fanshawe College while also taking online courses such as URM academy. I am in the bands Age of Athena, Blood of Indigo, and Haven Dream. Each one of them has their own style within the realm of symphonic metal. Age of Athena is modern metal focused with european influences, Blood of Indigo is dark fantasy storytelling, and Haven Dream is epic dream metal.  I also have my own business Studio Grandiose, which aims to help artists in finding their sound and bringing their visions to life. It is also where I currently write some more unconventional pieces, such as dark ambient music.  Read more>>

Angela Taylor

I started writing in grade school. Little episodes of favorite TV shows that I’d make my brother act out with me. When one of the shows I loved was cancelled mid-season, I’d write a finale for it. Hey, if they weren’t going to give me an ending, I had no choice but to do it myself, right? In junior high, I wrote a book with my best friend… well, part of one. We never did finish it. I think we got about a hundred pages in before my family moved out of state. It’s around here in a box somewhere. I’ll have to dig it out sometime when I want a good laugh because I’m sure it’s scary. I majored in theater in college and did a lot of community theater after graduating. I even started an entertainment company with a friend. We had a contract to provide all of the entertainment for a local train line. We did everything from penning murder mysteries, to children’s shows, to wild west shoot-out scripts, and more. It was a ton of fun, but a lot of work. There wasn’t really time for any other type of writing. Read more>>

Jamie Tobin

My origin story isn’t your classic, “I found my mom’s old dusty camera one day and never looked back.” It’s more like, “I fell in love with love and that led me to photography and THEN I never looked back.” But let me rewind real quick. Like every little girl ever, I was asked to be the flower girl at a family member’s wedding. I distinctly remember hating the way the scratchy fabric felt on my skin and wondering why the heck I had to wear it anyway. I couldn’t wait for the wedding to be over and change back into something comfy (and yes, this is still my line of thinking). But the moment I walked down the aisle and began tossing petals left and right, I was hooked. The teary eyes. The oohs and aahs. The love you could feel in the air! It was like a real-life rom-com only better. After that, I completely forgot about the dress and focused fully on getting down on the dance floor until my parents drug me out of the reception.  Read more>>

Erica Scott

Born and raised in Chicago’s south side neighborhoods, I owe my interests and exposure to the arts to my parents. My dad was a Columbia graduate, who worked with many Chicago play writers and stage actors. He operated the stage lights. I would come with him sometimes to plays and hang out with him in the light operating room. My mom passed on her deep love of fantasy and magic storytelling to me. She would take me and my brother to bookstores all the time and gift us with books in exchange for good report cards. High school exposed me to darkroom. I thought I loved photography and pursued it until I was exposed to the Gallery 37 program. It was a high school program geared towards the arts. I took graphic design and sculpture. It wasn’t until college that I was serious about drawing and painting. I’d taken maybe a couple of classes before college and knew I wanted to draw and paint. I would consider these to be my main pursuits now. Read more>>

Rachel Taggart

I’m a self-taught artist. I have Degrees in Biology and Education. I was initially intending a career in Health Sciences, and then became a public school teacher for a brief period. My shift to art and subsequent art career happened quite serendipitously. I began painting just as a hobby and then had an opportunity to display my work in my sister’s contemporary furniture store in Toronto, Pavilion Modern. My first piece sold immediately and customers started asking for more. In brief, I began to create commissioned paintings for interior designers, branched out to other art shows and galleries and eventually painting became my full-time career. Over the past 23 years I have had the opportunity to create and sell work to collectors world-wide, display my work in shows and galleries throughout Canada and the US., create notable pieces to be displayed in hospitals, corporate and interior design settings. I’ve also been commissioned by the United Nations for a special award ceremony project.Most importantly I just love to create. Creative exploration is a part of me, and satisfying that is the most important part of my journey. Read more>>

Jordan Taylor’s Story

I started singing and performing at a pretty young age, I was in small shows and choirs starting in kindergarten with my first solo being in 1st grade! I was Mother Goose for a musical about nursery rhymes. I think from there one thing really just followed after the other. I continued with choir then into orchestra playing the violin when I was in 6th grade and when I moved to El Paso I got into theatre and into a local youth rock band/orchestra, and that was where I got my first chance to experience what it was like to perform music differently in that aspect. What’s more is even though I was in theatre I wasn’t much of an extrovert at this time so performing as a vocalist was this brand new territory that honestly terrified me. In theatre, you play a character but when I was performing music, it was completely me and I wasn’t able to hide behind a violin nor amongst an orchestra or choir every time. Over the years it’s definitely gotten easier but I know there’s always room to grow.  Read more>>

Nubian Traxx

My Journey started eleven years ago, as I gradually began sharing my gifts unapologetically. Growing up – my religious and circumstantial suppression created a unique space for me to discover myself as an individual, and to grow as an artist in entirety. Read more>>

Aaron Schmit

I started this journey in a place where everything seemed broken—inside and out. Painting found me when I needed it most, in June of 2020, when I was clawing my way out of a darkness that nearly consumed me. For years, I was lost in the bottle, spiraling down, thinking there was no way up. But something in me refused to stay down. Maybe it was resilience, maybe it was desperation, but I picked up a brush and began to paint. It wasn’t pretty at first, just raw emotion splattered on a canvas, but it was real, and it was mine. Read more>>

David Borzo

I grew up in a home immersed with art and was always happiest when drawing. My mother introduced me to many great artists and historical periods. I went to Drake University and earned BA in Studio Art with an emphasis in drawing and painting. My work was very personal and anchored in that art history, as well as being influenced by the art of my grandfather and great-grandfather, who were both painters. For years I worked in art “on my own time” as my wife and I settled down in to a world of work and raising our two wonderful children. I still worked at my art, entering art competitions every year, happy to have some critical success. I also had work published in local, state and national publications.  Then in my 40’s, with some substantial life changes, I returned to Drake and earned a Masters Degree in Education in order to teach art to elementary aged children. For the last 14 years I have been living the dream, sharing my love of art with children, both at school and with students in private lessons. I still participate in several art competitions a year, and have had several one-man shows. My work continues to be very personal in nature.  Read more>>

Lyndsay Mcniff

My path to photography was a winding one. I didn’t intend to become a professional photographer and actually went to school for both Public Relations and then Hospitality Management and Marketing. After college, I began my career working in hotels and luxury event spaces in the sales sector. My story as a photographer started later, in 2015, after the birth of my first son. After he was born, I had every intention of returning to my career with sales management. He ended up being a more challenging baby than I could’ve ever anticipated. As my maternity leave came to an end, I still felt barely able to function…never mind commute to an office and successfully work a 40 hour workweek. I left the workplace to become a stay at home mom, still without a single thought towards professional photography. Read more>>

Frekld Cloud

Music. It’s something everyone loves. They’re probably lying when someone says that they don’t like it. It’s for everyone and anyone, from all walks of life. That’s where I come in. Hi, my name’s Io Dobbins, otherwise known as frekld cloud. I’m a 19-year-old independent artist from the Des Moines, Iowa area. I’m a multi-genre, transgender, black artist, and mental health advocate. It’s an honor to be able to share my story with you today, as an artist and as a person. Read more>>