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.

Amy Baldis

My name is Amy Cathryn Baldis, and I’m a psychic medium, Reiki Master, Astrologer, Shaman, and Fine Artist. I initially went to school for a BFA in fine art with a concentration in Graphic Design, but eventually, through a series of dead ends, realized that wasn’t something I was passionate about. It was then that I realized my true calling was being a psychic. Read more>>

Zach Schumaker

My name is Zach Schumaker, but most people know me as SchuZ. I was born and raised in Arizona, and it’s been quite a journey to get to where I am today.

One thing I know for certain: God’s hand has been on my life. I wouldn’t be where I am—or more importantly, who I am—without Him. Read more>>

Miranda Calatrello

I’m Miranda Calatrello, owner of Maven Marketing & Co, a boutique social media marketing agency based in Louisville, Kentucky. What started as a side hobby creating content for local businesses has grown into a full-scale marketing agency serving 30+ clients across the hospitality, lifestyle, real estate, and wellness industries. Read more>>

Author Robert L Jamison, PhD, CCM, WCC, BH-C

Dr. Jamison earned countless continuing education credits (CEUs) and subquencely obtained a PhD degree, where his academic research focused on biopsychosocial models of care, chronic disease management, and preventive health systems Read more>>

Audrey Buah

The best investment I’ve made is buying a laptop for myself and learning how to edit photos and videos. I was doing the editing on my phone but they were slowing down my phone so i had to really lock in and save up to move to a laptop for a smoother process and i have not regretted since. Read more>>

MNG and Masta Shen Lo

We would have to say that the best investment we have made would be the 3-5 hours we plan to meet for every week and consistently puting out that content within the following week. (Usually, if everything goes right) When we first started we had different work schedules and such then we do now, but even then we knew the importance of consistency. Read more>>

Shannon Rochon

As the founder of BlackCount, one of the most transformative partnerships we secured, and one that reshaped the trajectory of our civic engagement work, was with the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater in Detroit. That relationship did not happen by accident. It grew from paying attention to where our people gather, where culture moves, and where community energy is at its highest. Read more>>

Cary Dyer II

The first manufacture I worked with for my brand I found directly through Instagram. Starting out there are a lot of manufacturers you will find through social media. Those manufacturers have low MOQ ( minimum order quantity ) and it’s perfect for someone just starting out & making it affordable. Now with manufacturers I work with now I found them through connections that I have. Read more>>

Clinton Bosler

Like many posts on various subreddits, I have to say this was not technically my first dollar I ever made, but it was the first time I made ‘real artist’ money in a ‘real artist’ way. Read more>>

Marcela Saavedra

A few years ago, during a full moon, a time when the veil feels thinner and intuition becomes louder I lived a moment that forever shaped my path as a healer. I had just woken up from a nap and noticed several missed calls from one of my clients. Read more>>

Kali Brooks

Oaks Restorative Ranch is a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization that pairs horse rescue, rehabilitation, and care, with mental health services for children, youth, and adults. Since becoming a nonprofit in 2022 there have been countless heartwarming stories! One thing that comes to mind is about one of our volunteers, an 11-year-old named Jubilee. Read more>>

Kanika Bradshaw

The School of Life has been my greatest teacher. Along the way, I’ve collected some priceless lessons that continue to guide me: Integrity is everything. Who you are when everyone’s watching matters — but who you are when no one is looking matters even more. True character is revealed in silence. Faith starts within. Read more>>

Michele Badie

The U-Turn: Mental Health and Power Skills Became the New Standard for Cross-Functional Leadership Not long ago, mental health was considered a private concern, and soft skills were the polite afterthought of professional development. The focus stayed on technical expertise, tight timelines, and flawless execution. Many believed that if project managers could check the boxes and control the chaos, that was enough. Read more>>

Laurel Aylesworth

I have a wonderful agent, Essie White, of Storm Literary Agency. She’s been instrumental in securing three book deals, guiding me through the details of contracts, and being a sounding board for advice on the industry and on any book dummies I’m creating. I’d been working for years to get signed with an agent. Read more>>

Liz Murtagh

Success in e-commerce required a rapid learning curve, as its metrics differ significantly from traditional retail. While a single store can generate a solid income, significant wealth is typically only achievable through scaling a portfolio of stores, which demands exceptional management. For me, LMB Boutique is a creative outlet that synergizes perfectly with my other business ventures and personal life. Read more>>