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.

Ne’Shia Holden

To begin with, I’m very happy being a creative ! It’s very fulfilling to me on the daily basis . The struggles or growing pains that come with being an artist definitely can overwhelm you with doubt. Read More>>

Lori Markman

I am very happy as an artist. When I go into my studio to work on a project, I become completely engrossed in the process. I feel relaxed, contented, and in the flow of the creative process. Even if I do not get a lot done, the very act of doing is satisfying and it makes me feel good for the rest of the day. Read More>>

Ming Quinn Miller

As a business owner, the best investment I’ve ever made wasn’t financial—it was how I chose to spend my time. Photography started as a hobby. I never imagined it could turn into a real career, and honestly, I used to look up how much photographers charged and think, there’s no way I could ever do that. Everything changed during my senior year of high school. Read More>>

Minely Carmona

The best investment for my business has been building client relationships and practicing emotional intelligence. There is intention and magic behind everything I offer for my customers. This allows me to provide genuine content and services that my clients and customers will find useful. When doing readings, I make sure the questions we ask are intentional and the knowledge they gain is always beneficial. Read More>>

Veronica Nater

One of the best pieces of advice I ever gave a client had very little to do with workouts or calories—and everything to do with boundaries. She was doing great physically—training consistently, eating better, feeling stronger—but as holiday family gatherings approached, she came to me stressed. She said, “Every time I’m around my family, they question my choices—especially when I don’t want to drink. Read More>>

Carrie Sporer

Two weeks before SWAIR’s planned launch, we got the call no founder wants: 5,000 of the 6,000 bottles from our first production run had contamination and needed to be destroyed. It felt like the floor dropped out from under me. We had poured so much capital into that production run, and more money on a PR team to secure launch-day press. Read More>>

Joel Dabis

The craziest positive thing that happened to me so far in my journey chasing down a dream in stand – up comedy happened on May 5, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Read More>>

Rochelle Farag

I loved making jewelry and cards as gifts for my friends. It was always a therapeutic outlet for me. My friends would mention that people would ask them where they bought their jewelry from and they would mention that their friend Rochelle made it for them. Read More>>

Kitty Bird

I spend more of my energy on growing revenue, but I stay mindful about cutting costs when it comes to time. I focus on using what I already have, whether that’s leaning into my network for new opportunities or shifting my workflow to save a few hours here and there. Read More>>

Cassy Velazquez

When I was pregnant over 6 years ago, I struggled to find bioavailable prenatals that would help women with MTHFR genes like me. This genetic mutation makes it so that we can’t process folate into a form our bodies can use. 40-50% of people have this gene, yet the available vitamins and minerals were using cheap forms that just simply don’t work. Read More>>

Kristi Godwin

In graduate school we were asked what was the one therapeutic issue, the one situation, that we could imagine presenting in the therapy room, that we would not be able to empathize with or understand. The one thing we felt we could not be therapeutic with. Right after we made that choice, my issue, my ‘other,’ presented itself in my therapy room. Read More>>

Paris Monet

One of the most important lessons I learned in school is that education is protection. While college isn’t the only path to success, I’ve learned firsthand that being educated, formally and intentionally, can set you apart in powerful ways. I learned this lesson during my time in school studying business management, while simultaneously building my career in the beauty industry. Read More>>

Jamaal Jackson

I have lots of stories from when I served as a student manager, player, and assistant coach, but most need to stay in the family. Read More>>

Trixi Menhardt

I actually never had a bad boss and now as a coach helping professionals with their career, I realize how unusual that is. My most relevant experience was in my late 20s, I had moved from Austria to Canada and was super driven in my work. Read More>>

Gretchen Zimmermann

Early in my career, I stepped into my first director role at my current company. I was responsible for building and leading a clinical department of registered dietitians from the ground up, many of whom had more clinical experience and credentials than I did. Read More>>

Hiba Shaikh

As a first-generation student and now entrepreneur, I’ve witnessed the sacrifices my parents made so that I could have opportunities they never had. When I first picked up a camera, it was simply a hobby, but over time I discovered how powerful it could be-not just for capturing moments, but for honoring people’s stories. Read More>>

Megan Burton

At Brainfood, our mission is to make brain and mental wellness a daily habit — backed by science, free from stigma, and full of joy. The story behind that mission is personal. I started my career as a scientist-turned-corporate consultant, while my co-founder trained as a physician. We were both ambitious and driven, but that drive eventually pushed us into burnout. Read More>>

SHOURYEN SINGH

I believe success is not achieved in one giant leap, but through a series of small, determined steps. My journey in the creative industry has taught me that every milestone, no matter how small, matters on the path to your dream. I come from a working-class family. My grandfather and father both held government jobs, and my sister now works at a Big Four firm. Read More>>