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. 

Sheila Burns

One story that I have seen play out over the years is represented by a woman I’ll call “Ella.” When Ella first came into counseling, she was emotionally exhausted, anxious, and carrying years of unresolved trauma and shame. She struggled deeply with feeling “not enough” and had spent most of her life taking care of everyone else while completely neglecting herself. Read More>>

Katurah Johnson-Breedlove

One of the most impactful lessons I learned in school actually comes from the motto of one of my undergraduate university’s motto – ‘I’ll Find a Way or Make One’. It highlights the characteristics of hard work, creative problem-solving, and adaptability that have lead to me not only starting a business but being able to pivot when necessary to grow my business. Read More>>

Pamela Sabrina Gallardo

For years, I observed how the tourism industry continuously evolved in terms of technology, efficiency, and customer experience. However, there was one reality that continued to remain outside many of these conversations: not everyone experiences travel in the same way. Although accessibility began gaining greater visibility within tourism, much of the focus remained centered primarily on physical barriers. Meanwhile, millions of neurodivergent travelers and their families continued facing invisible challenges that were rarely considered within the traditional design of travel experiences. Read More>>

Shadi Ireifej

One of the beauties about the Internet, and the widespread accessibility to the Internet, is the ability to share information. With that, we have become a very data-driven/publication-based society — meaning that we now ask for published literature to support claims being made. Such examples include pharmaceutical claims, policies, statistical analyses, and so forth. Read More>>

Janyce Kirkland

When I was in college I interned for a small business owner; she was a wedding planner. I just remember being in awe at how easily she curated these amazing weddings. The way she turned a boring event venue into a fairytale wedding was inspiring. She knew what her clients needed before they knew. Read More>>

Laura Lerman

The first few years felt a little like the wild wild west. When I got my license i did not know what i did not know. I did not even know how to join a team. Read More>>

Mohamed Hauter

When I was first starting out, I made a very deliberate decision not to immediately build my own company—even though I knew that ultimately, I would. At that stage, I wasn’t thinking about business first. I was thinking about understanding a field that I believed would fundamentally reshape how humanity interacts with energy. Read More>>

Idris Ajayi

Yes, I’m currently signed with The Option Agency and also with Brand Model and Talent Agency. I signed with Option Agency in March, and since then I’ve been getting a lot more auditions. We connected after they reviewed my résumé and saw my track record of booking work. Read More>>

David Schaefer

Over the last 20 years in entertainment, working as an international model, actor, singer, and more, I’ve had many top modeling, acting, and music agents and managers representing me both nationally and internationally. I’m grateful for their support and recognize the important role they’ve played in shaping my 20-year journey in the industry. Read More>>

Jessica Abbey

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me was believing in me when almost no one else did. Several years ago, I had a dream of building my own business, but like many entrepreneurs starting out, I didn’t have the financial resources to get it off the ground. Read More>>

Devon Arnold

From since I can remember, I have been performing. The escape of acting, laughter, and the universal language that is music, have always had a chokehold on me. The way the audience roars, laughs, or maybe even just nods in agreeance is the confirmation of the service I provide as an entertainer. I am mostly proud of the tiny spec of emotion I can bring with the art I share Read more>>

Liz Merriam

Flourish is the word I claimed for my future after many years of heavy loss and trauma, started my business, Flourish Botanicals, in 2019, and hoped for a new future for me and my daughters. As a single mother and a teacher, I find myself in a season where each moment of my life is full of responsibility, and I’m learning how to practice the art of true spiritual and physical self-care. In my journey of healing from trauma and years of severe dissociation, it was through my self-care routine that I learned how to cultivate my wholeness and stay present in the moment. Read more>>