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.

David DeVaul

My family was in music and my mom was a singer in the Smith Family Singers southern gospel group so I grew up around music at every family gathering. My uncles would jump on the piano and they would all sing gospel classics. Read More>>

Katie Hensarling

When we purchased Eagle Bluff Resort, we weren’t just buying a business — we were taking on a challenge. The resort had a reputation as one of the least desirable destinations in the area. Years of deferred maintenance had taken their toll, the grounds were neglected, and online reviews told a consistent story: guests were disappointed and frustrated with their experiences. Read More>>

Jordan Calvi

In my experience, I’ve often found myself in the position of needing a reliable digital music distributor. I started distributing my artists’ music digitally back in 2016, using a platform called Zimbalam (which was later acquired by TuneCore). Read More>>

Allison Goldsmith

Every single day is heartwarming. It is a privilege to help all different populations of people learn to exercise safely to improve their quality of life. Read More>>

EMMYROSE NOWINSKI

I am defined and guided by the words of my firstborn, Dustin Alexander Nowinski. Before his death at 15, of bone cancer, he turned to me one night and said: ‘God wants you to teach to the soul. Many people have unevolved souls. You are to evolve them.’ A couple of days later, he passed into the arms of angels. Read More>>

Morgan Prejean

I’m originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Back in 2018, while I was in PA school, my health started to unravel. It started with some one-off symptoms that eventually progressed into neurological symptoms. For the first time, I felt genuinely scared in my own body. Read More>>

Temicka Chef Tweet” Moore”

As a child I always knew I wanted more and I always knew I would be great at whatever I put my mind to becuase I was a dreamer and a doer. If I wanted something, no matter how small it was, I always found a way to obtain it. That spirit of grit and hustle prepared me to become the successful business woman I am today and allowed me to get thru the hoops, hurdles, obstacles, and road blocks along the way. Read More>>

Charity Smart

I first started off operating as a “private” or “personal” baker. I was basically baking for friends and family to start. The guest from these events or celebrations would inquire about “who did the cake or who did the cookies!?” The clients quickly went from just friends and family to general public. However, covid did happen, and you could quickly see the impact it made on small businesses. Read More>>

Diego Mariscal

Our corporate partnerships have been incredibly impactful for us, as they help to power 2GI’s programming for entrepreneurs with disabilities, enhancing our reach and the resources we’re able to provide. We’re fortunate to have corporate partners that include Comcast, JPMorganChase, as well as BuildWithin, with whom we’ve partnered to start the first ever Registered Apprenticeship Program for aspiring start-up executives and founders with disabilities. Read More>>

Michael & Antoine Harris

Moody Mike’s started off as just a dream in 2018. While going to other places to eat we would always comment about ‘how awesome it would be to have our own place. In the summer of 2020 we were lucky enough to buy our own food truck. Read More>>

Leeyah Azhané

The most important lesson I’ve learned in my career from a past job is to never allow anyone or any environment to make you question your worth. In the beauty industry, I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for workplaces to prioritize profit over people. That experience taught me that true leadership is rooted in integrity, not control. Read More>>

Jessica Streetman

I feel like this is a loaded question….my previous job is my blueprint on how not to run my business. One of the biggest lessons I have taken away from that job that has helped me as a business owner, enrolled agent and an accountant is to put money back into your business. Read More>>

Cyndi Hopkins

Yes, absolutely. One of the ways I’ve chosen to do things differently is by blending creativity with the structure of project management. Before launching Cyndi Hopkins Design, I spent 15 years in corporate leadership and earned my Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification through the Project Management Institute. That background shapes everything about how I run my business today. Read More>>

Daniel Jenkins

The most unexpected problem I faced in my creative journey was also my biggest motivation for change. Around 2017 I had a brain tumor which was growing and putting pressure on my optic nerves and causing me to go blind. Read More>>