Elvira Carrasco

I am a multidisciplinary artist. Since I was little I have been surrounded by works of art, I studied Art History at university, I went to work in London in an art gallery and it was there where I bought my first camera. In 2015 I returned to Spain and investigated photography, creating “Faces Project”, my most personal project, making self-portraits with my face painted as a canvas. In 2020 I started taking portraits of clients and this year, 2024, I am painting faces of celebrities. I intend to continue with this project throughout my life, creating an evolution of my face and painting. Currently I also do sculpture and painting on rigid supports. I exhibit my work all over the world. Read more>>

Jaime Huestis

I first started my path in Sports Medicine as an undergrad in an internship program at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. I was exposed to the world of action sports during this time, began working as an intern, and then as a part of the medical staff for the ESPN X Games. Through the X Games, I have had many opportunities (international and nationally) and still work events present day . Eventually, I landed at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT where I completed my masters of science degree and stayed in the Bobcat Sport Medicine department for a decade working with division I athletes. I then started a family, put my career on hold, and dedicated my time to my children at home. When both my children were in school, I knew I wanted to return to my love of sports medicine and injury evaluation and treatment, but wasn’t entirely sure who would hire me from 9am-3pm with summers off so I could remain a support to my children how I wanted. I had a friend speak the words “why don’t you just do your own thing?” and that quite literally changed the course of my life. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Tilghman of Tilghman’s Academy of Music

I always loved music. Who doesn’t, right? Music brings people together. When I was in high school I took an internship as an assistant band director for school credit. I learned that my passion for music was only second to inspiring others to find joy. Music has always been a tool for uncovering different aspects of life including creativity, self-awareness, meditation, and building discipline and patience as well. I enjoyed helping others uncover what music could bring to their lives, so I started offering private music lessons and hosting community music classes in the park.  Read more>>

Cordarious And John Dorsey And Medcalf of Hoodshark

Covid had just came around and I(John)was out of money, job, and school was online so I had plenty of time on my hand. So one day me and my homeboys was going to one of his studio sessions and I told them “i’m about to start a clothing line, I already got the swag and i know what people like to wear so why not?”. So I came up with the name Hoodshark from the help of my other homeboy. So I took the idea to Dorsey because we already had a great business relationship and friendship. We took the idea and ran with it and started building with each other. It wasn’t forced at all just because we had so much in common and that is, we both have a drive and hustle in us that nobody will stop us. There were challenges along the way, of course. Doubt whispered in our ear, and setbacks threatened to stop our progress. But with each obstacle, we found a way to push forward, fueled by our vision and the support of those who believed in us. As time went on, our business began to thrive.  Read more>>

Alba Delgado

It’s a very interesting story…I started working as a tour guide by chance. I had studied Political Science at university, and was doing a Master’s degree when I joined this world. I was looking for a part-time job while studying, and saw a job offer about ticket sales, so I applied, did the interview and started working. A few months later, my boss asked me if I wanted to become a guide, because all the visitors were asking her if I could do the tours with them after I spoke to them about the tickets for the monuments; I had no idea about anything related to guiding, but I was encouraged by the tourists and my boss. First step was to completely change my life plan, and focus in tourism and history instead…and after all these years, I am convinced I made the right choice. Read more>>

Brittany Spencer

The idea of The Local Radish started back in 2012. I was pregnant with our second child. I knew I didn’t want to return back to my career of 10 years working as a Pharmacy Technician in the hospital. I had always wanted to open a small business. I’d had dreams about it since I was a little girl. I started off by selling different canned preserves, and body care products I’d make. I later re connected with jewelry making. I hadn’t made jewelry since I was in high school but once I started it was like something clicked and I was unstoppable. I’ve made thousands of pieces of jewelry over the last 12 years. In being autistic, I have always had super power when I learn something I connect with I become very passionate about it. During the years from 2012-2020 I worked likely over 500 different art markets, festivals, shows and was featured in over 12 different small businesses. When Covid-19 hit in March of 2020 it really changed everything. Read more>>

Suzanne Ouellette of Collection Cosmos

I’ve had a lifelong interest in fashion and astrology. Also, helping people to look and feel better. During Covid lockdowns, I had a lot of time on my hands to think of how I could merge these interests. When I was able to go back to my day job, (I’m a hairstylist/makeup artist by trade), my clients were slow to come back. I took an additional part time job to supplement my income in the meantime at a high-end department store. I was promised a personal styling position and a certain salary, neither of which I received. That’s corporate culture for you! I figured why not do this myself, on my own terms, with my own website? Read more>>

Trevor Fulmer

In April 2019, I launched Trevor Fulmer Design. I had recently been published in The Boston Globe and client inquiries were rolling in, but in March 2020 life came to a standstill — covid. My client’s and I were all suddenly stuck at home. This meant no client visits, no vendor appointments, no contractor work, nothing. I thought I picked the absolute worst timing to launch my own business, or did I? Shortly after lockdown, the home industry flourished and so did my interior design business. My team and I are still experiencing wonderful growth and I am so proud of what we have accomplished! The sky is the limit. My name is Trevor Fulmer and I am principal of Trevor Fulmer Design. We are a creative-driven full-service interior design studio that approaches each space with a nontraditionalist and livable modern aesthetic. Read more>>

Nick Agrinzone

Ever since I was young, I always knew I’d be a filmmaker. From borrowing my father’s camera to film skits I’d force my cousins to act in to now creating my own projects as a career has truly been a full circle experience. When I was in high school, I took an introductory video production class that shaped the trajectory of my life. My teacher, Mrs. Miele, took the time to recognize my talents and for the first time I felt that this was actually something I could pursue. From there I went on to college for a few years, but ultimately found most of my success networking and connecting with other filmmakers and creatives in the industry around me. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible people on incredible projects telling incredible stories throughout the past 5 years. My career is still building and growing, but each day I get closer and closer to the filmmaker I aspire to be. Read more>>

Sanne Vander

Like many girls my age, when I was younger it was my biggest dream to become a model one day. I remember being around 7 years old, sitting with my mom behind the computer. We tried to apply to a modeling agency, but the online form kept glitching and eventually I just never signed up. As the years went by I kind of gave up on my dream. Education was far more important to me. In The Netherlands there are different levels of high school and I wanted to make sure to do everything in my power to reach the highest level, so I could go to university. It wasn’t easy for me and I sacrificed a lot to be able to get good grades. I ate lunch by myself at the school library so I could study, even during my breaks. As you can imagine, I didn’t have a lot of friends. Read more>>

Christina Swilley

I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia where I was married and had children at the age of 20 (when I should have been in college). My life has been pretty unconventional as I have carved out versions of careers while raising my kids. I have created brands, waited tables, worked for myself as an interior designer, dj’d and even painted houses for a while. Through a series of events I now live in Santa Fe, New Mexico and have been a full-time DeeJay here for the last two years. I have had a ball! I’m also re-opening my shop Collect here in June. Read more>>

Dayna Altman

My name is Dayna Altman and I am an author, speaker and entrepreneur. I started Bake it Till You Make it LLC, a community based organization that uses food and baking to cultivate authentic mental health conversation in the kitchen , around the table and beyond, in 2019 when I published the first of its kind mental health cookbook: “Bake it Till You Make it: Breaking Bread, Building Resilience” . Since then, the organization has grown to become a true community rooted in vulnerable storytelling whether that is through presentations, workshops or through one of the various media projects, Bake it Till You Make it is dedicated to helping all individuals access resources, support and truly know they are not alone. Read more>>

Elisa De La Torre

As a child I used to spend any spare moment I had drawing and painting. I loved the feeling of being able to create my own little world. I lived in the countryside, so everything around me was inspiring and the idea of being able to draw something that resembled real life was exhilarating. It all happened so naturally; suddenly I was older and I went to art school because nothing else felt right. I even got a PhD while exploring and developing my art and got to create a personal media based on fluid mineral crystallized paint and 22k gold. Read more>>

Christian Cashelle

I fell in love with writing the age of 8. I wrote a poem and the teacher’s aid laminated it and put it on the bulletin board. Reading the poem now, I have no clue where the inspiration came from but it sparked my passion. This carried over into high school where I found a popular message board filled with fanfiction (stories where the group B2K was used as main characters and placed in fantasy positions). My writings grew in popularity online, so I decided to print them and grow an audience at my high school. I was surprised at how much my stories grew in popularity. I even had to create a library system where people would come to my locker and check them in and out so it was easier to keep track of them. Kids would get in trouble in class for reading my books instead of doing their work. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I began to take it seriously and think about the possibility of publishing professionally. My longevity is solely due to my passion for the written word and being able to transcend into a different world without leaving my bed. Read more>>

Brittne Martin of Doctoral Mom Incorporated

Growing up on the southside of Chicago, I faced several challenges – a violent neighborhood, food apartheids, lack of resources, and limited access to opportunities. From a young age, education was my golden ticket. I wasn’t just aiming to get by; I was determined to soar. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t just enter higher education—I raced through it, graduating early from high school, college, and later from an MBA program and a Doctorate in Business Administration focusing on Marketing. During my doctorate, life became a juggling act of monumental proportions. I became a mother to boy/girl twins and then welcomed another son into our growing family. The sleepless nights and endless days could have slowed me down, but instead, they fueled my purpose. In 2019, amidst diapers and a dissertation, I founded Doctoral Mom Incorporated. This initiative wasn’t just a business; it was a lifeline I threw into the world, hoping to help other mothers navigate the tumultuous waters of achieving doctoral degrees. Read more>>

Blair Vaughn-gruler

I started out painting and drawing as a young child. It came naturally and I was fortunate to have art supplies and then positive encouragement from teachers and peers. My grade school had art class every day of the week. And my parents were happy to let me take painting classes on Saturday. By age 8 or so I had a studio in the basement. Read more>>

Sharon Goodenough

It all started with a brush, water and a magic painting book! Like most children drawing, painting and creativity touched my daily life and as this continued into my teens I chose to study art and photography. On entering the workplace my first role was a photographer’s assistant, followed by a photographic technician then later a make-up artist. By my early twenties and in order to support myself, I moved into sales in the financial services sector, where I remained for many years. Although unfulfilled, I enjoyed the interaction with clients, I picked up some incredible life skills and built my resilience around knock backs and no’s! Read more>>

Caity Gyorgy’s Story

I started singing when I was a child and was an active member of various choirs throughout high school, but it wasn’t until I got my first paid gig when I was 17 singing at an event hosted by the mayor of my city that I considered pursuing music as a full time career. Around the same time of that gig, I fell in love with vocal jazz and swing music. I went to college in Toronto where I received my Bachelor of Music (Jazz Voice) and went on to study in Montreal for my Masters of Jazz Performance degree. Since graduating in 2022 I have recorded multiple albums, two of which are JUNO Award Winning. I have toured across Japan, Mexico, Canada and the United States, and have worked and recorded with some of the best jazz musicians in the world. Read more>>

Zae Crenshaw

I have been a serial crafter for as long as I can remember, My mom is a Nail Technician and I believe my love for crafts started with her! Trips to craft stores and nail supply stores with endless amounts of paints, stones, etc. Naturally I have a love for all things creative. I decided to tap into my creative side again during Covid and the attention I received online persuaded me to turn my crafting into a business.  Read more>>

Danielle Lawson’s Story

I was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, where my journey as a photographer and designer began to take shape. Attending a performing arts school with a focus on art ignited my passion for creativity, particularly in drawing, whicheventually paved the way for my career in design and photography. Upon graduating from high school, I pursued my Bachelor’s degree in Art & Design at the University of Indianapolis. Here, I immersed myself in graphic design, photography, and illustrations, honing my skills and laying a solid foundation for my future endeavors. Eager to expand my knowledge and expertise, I went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Fine Arts, specializing in media designs, further solidifying my commitment to continuous growth in my craft. Read more>>

Michael .t

Michael .T is a multiple award-winning filmmaker based in Massachusetts. He’s made three short films revolving around coming of age: BOYS WILL BE BOYS, ERIKA, and JUNE 22ND. He’s also assisted with several studio productions with companies like Sony & MGM. Michael hosts movie nights at El Taller Cafe, in Lawrence, MA, monthly, building a network for filmmakers in the New England area. He’s been featured in Moviemaker Magazine, Indie Shorts Mag, and his local newspaper Eagle Tribune. In his previous ventures, he worked as a graphic designer, photographer, deli clerk at Stop & Shop, and musician. Visit him online at www.michaeltfilms.com The best way to keep in touch is by subscribing to the newsletter! For resume requests, small talk, and collaboration, contact me. Read more>>

Julie Himel

I hesitate to bring up my early years as a creative kid because I think we all have that start to a degree. What is significant for me in looking at the early phase of my creative practice was that there was a thread in my interest in materiality that I can trace back to childhood. I was placed in a gifted art program in elementary school which exposed me to various materials and perspectives. I was privileged to have parents who brought me to museums and collected original art. I went to an arts high school but was in the regular stream. My teachers singled me out for the program but my parents preferred I focus on academics. That was my first glimpse into that perspective society carries about an art career not being something to pursue as a responsible contributing human. Read more>>

Blair Lawton

I grew up in Northwest Iowa. After graduating from Morningside College in Sioux City, I spent most of the next decade working on campaigns (mix of electoral and issue organizing). I met my wife while in Eastern Iowa working on President Obama’s re-election campaign. Our family moved to Anamosa in 2020. After the 2022 Iowa Caucuses, I looked for career opportunities that would keep me closer to home and allow me more time to spend with family. In July, I started as the Executive Director of the Anamosa Chamber of Commerce. Read more>>

Sara Sniderman

If you told me a few years ago that I would have a photography business, I would not have believed you. I double majored in psychology and economics in college, went on to get my masters in education, and started working as a board certified behavior analyst. When I went back to work after having my second daughter, I decided to leave my job to be home with my kids more. After a few weeks of being home, I started taking online photography classes. I have always loved photographing families and children. Even before having my own, I would photograph family and friend’s children. My husband encouraged me to take the leap and start my own business. I took the leap and never looked back. I feel so lucky that I get to do something that makes me so happy and that I am so passionate about. Read more>>

Giana “regal” Abreu-christopher

My journey began as a designer-seamstress creating couture designs for cultural festivities that has grown into the leading madras fashion brand in the Virgin Islands creating an appreciation for Caribbean culture and identity. What started as a home based small business has expanded to an online brand with services like online shopping, custom order booking, cultural crafting events, fashion shows and most recent, an invitation to speak as a madras cultural representative internationally towards the end of the year. Read more>>

Chessine Nugent

My Travel Business was born amid a global crisis in January 2020, just two months before the world was brought to a standstill by COVID-19. I I believe in making lemonade out of lemons. So, over the next two and half years, I took the time to learn everything about the travel industry, from business development managers and cruise and tour companies to back-office support managers.With all the post-COVID craziness, Presently, in the US, there are higher living costs, labor shortages, higher work-from-home requests, and an increased need for family and wellness time. The YLOO ( You Live Only Once ) movement of 2023 is here to stay. Disney, Hawaii, Alaska, European river and ocean cruises, and Las Vegas getaways will always be popular. Read more>>

Becky Marshall

I’ve always been a maker, a creative sort, growing up and now to where I am today. Whether it was creating whole cities out of paper bags, tape, and markers, mud pancakes on a hot street, to working in theater for two decades then television and film for a few years, making and creating has been who I am at my core. These days my projects are my house, taking it apart and putting it back together, a sort of constant theater project in itself, baking, then writing about both on two blogs, Flipping the Flip and The Bake Dept. I can’t go without making things or creating something, I’m constantly seeking creative outlets, so I created The Antisign Shop, a riff on the “live laugh love” home decor wall signs but with a (dark) humorous Opposite Day bent. Read more>>

Monica Sanchez of The Career Sisterhood

Lima, Peru, wasn’t always the vibrant city it is today. Growing up, the glow of my childhood came not just from my loving family – a former model mom, a supportive dad at El Comercio (South America’s biggest newspaper), and a little sister – but also from the flickering flames of candles. Terrorism cast long shadows in those days, with bomb attacks disrupting the very light that powered our lives. Yet, even by candlelight, I thrived as a student, my thirst for knowledge undimmed. My creative spirit burned bright too. While my father envisioned a future in architecture, I aced the entrance exam for graphic design at the prestigious Toulouse-Lautrec institute. Awards followed, national and international, a testament to the career path I’d chosen against the grain. But life, like design, has unexpected turns. Read more>>

Jennifer Zach of Zach Coaching, LLC

My first career was in telecommunications. I enjoyed my work and wasn’t looking for a change, but a magazine article on coaching made me reconsider everything about my job and my professional path. It was 2005, and coaching was beginning to catch on in business and lifestyle circles. The article highlighted the skills required to become a good coach—patience, adaptability, creative thinking, and a passion for helping others. These were skills that came naturally to me and that I’d been using both personally and professionally for as long as I could remember. I felt a strong urge to use these skills to help leaders. I enrolled in CoachU, the world’s first coach training school. Upon graduating in 2009, I started my own coaching practice. Over the years, I have refined my method and now specialize in somatic-led coaching. In 2023, I published a book titled Somatic Awareness: Leading with Body Intelligence to help business professionals deepen their connection with themselves and others, building trust and enhancing performance. Read more>>

Samantha Lande of Samantha Writes LLC

I was always a writer at heart but I didn’t’ get started with making it a career until about a decade ago. I was working in a less than stimulating job and I needed a creative outlet. Eater had just launched in Chicago and I sent in a tip about a restaurant. The editor said thanks and I followed up with “do you need writers?” He did and I eventually became associate editor before launching a full-time freelancing career. Now I contribute to outlets like Food Network, Midwest Living, Real Simple and more. I have also launched a successful newsletter and speak to many public relations firms and other businesses about writing and working with media. Read more>>

Linda Lieffers

I started painting when my real job got to be too much and I wanted to take a breather. I told myself I was going to take a one year sabbatical and try my hand at painting canvases. I converted a small space in my garage to accommodate my easel and away I went. Everyday I would show up and create something…whether good or bad, I kept at it. It was so amazingly exciting getting up every morning, rushing into the garage to paint instead of dragging my feet to a job that I had outgrown years ago. I suddenly felt this new sense of being and knew that I had finally found my passion. Of course that one year ended and I couldn’t find it in me to quit something that brought me so much happiness. I needed to find a way to make this lucrative which meant finding my own authentic style and getting it out to the public. Thanks to social media and my own self discipline I eventually started creating sellable artworks. Read more>>

Sophie Green

I am an artist and a conservationist. I started out working in the film and television industries into my mid-twenties, whilst painting on the side and creating art for fun. After deciding I needed a ‘grown-up’ job, I studied to become a primary school teacher. It didn’t last long! I realised that being creative and making art was an itch that needed to be scratched, so I decided to try and become a full-time artist. I’ve always painted animals or created art that celebrated the natural world in some way. For me, it was a no-brainer to dedicate my life’s work to trying to make a positive difference, so I focused my attention on that and soon became a conservationist too!  Read more>>

Hannah Malone

I’ve been a floral designer for over a decade. It started with a deep love for art in all forms. I loved to draw as a child. Every holiday I requested art supplies, sketch books, pastels, watercolors. Whatever mark making tool I could get my grubby little hands on, fascinated me.  When I was in middle school I took my first class with clay. When I discovered 3-d design I fell in love. Creating sculptures, objects, tangible items that could emmesh with my reality was magic.  I could not make my dream of going to art school, and learning the professional skills I desired, a reality after high school. So I wandered around trying to find my path.  Eventually I wandered into a local flower shop, all but insisting they give me a job. The owner just happened to have been an artist herself, specializing in 3-d design. That was when I knew I was finally in the right place.  Read more>>

Jared Gozinsky

Coming from a musical family, drumming was always at the forefront of my childhood. As I grew older, drumming started to become than just a casual hobby. I was always encouraged to explore music as a profession as I entered high school and later after college, but medicine was always the goal. That is, until Couch came to be and I saw this as a thriving professional opportunity, and I haven’t looked back since. Read more>>

Arti̇st Beddru

I was born and raised in the enchanting landscapes of Sicily in the city of Agrigento, a place imbued with rich cultural heritage (Greek, Roman and Muslim) and vibrant Mediterranean colours that have profoundly influenced my artistic vision from a young age. Growing up, I was always captivated by the interplay of light and colour in my surroundings, reflective of Greek Art and its harmonious physical beauty, and this fascination naturally led me to explore various artistic mediums and techniques but, more importantly, focus on figurative art as a reflection of the importance of “physicality” in anything I create. Read more>>

Amber Champagne of Champagne Apothecary and ETHYST® Skincare

Amber Champagne is the owner and founder of Champagne Apothecary, ETHYST® skincare, and The Esthetician’s Guide to Business. Amber is a Licensed Esthetician, Best Selling Author, and former Senior National Educator for Benefit Cosmetics! During her career with Benefit, she trained thousands of other estheticians all over the country and helped write groundbreaking educational and strategic business content Benefit used globally contributing to the company’s overall corporate growth towards becoming a $2 billion company! Prior to starting her own business, Amber had an accomplished career in multi-level retail & corporate management for almost 20 years. She’s been a Licensed Esthetician and Clinical Herbalist for almost a decade and struggled with adult acne and hormonal skin issues herself.  Read more>>

Kelly Hobson

As a young woman growing up in the dance world, I struggled with severe & debilitating anxiety, disordered eating & depression but I struggled through with dedication clinging to an identity I thought was my own. The problem was I had a voice inside me that I can remember from a young age that said ‘You are here to help people.’ Following that voice meant facing my own traumas so every time I heard that voice I pushed it way down deep in attempt to keep it at bay. I danced professionally, was an artist in residence at Dance Victoria creating and working with incredible artists & taught dance for 23 years, eventually owning a studio. The dream right? Read more>>

Bekah Wriedt

Many of my childhood memories center around making movies and doing photoshoots with my friends. I always loved being the director and operating the camera! When I was 15, I saved all my money for a year, and finally bought my first canon, the rebel t3i. Then, with my camera in hand, all my friends became my models as I practiced everything I was learning through the countless photography books, and YouTube videos I watched. I began assisting wedding photographers and learning more about the industry. Read more>>

Rachel Decavage

I ‘grew up’ in my dad’s commercial printshop. He started his company in 1984, the year I was born, and the family was all in. I learned to screen print when I was 10 and continued honing my craft through high school and college. I have always felt a strong connection to small business and I love the hustle. Since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur & that I would have a storefront. After college, and managing the family business for a few years, I was ready to start my own thing. I launched cinder + salt, an eco-friendly graphic tee line, to marry my love of style/fashion and my screen printing practice.  At cinder + salt we’re very focused on sustainability and what that means for the company holistically. It’s not just about using organic cotton fabrics or reclaim inks, it’s also thinking about efficiency, longevity and timelessness of our products.  Read more>>

Mike Durkee

I’ve made art my entire life. Studied it and traveled a bunch. I did freelance design work and continued to pursue creative endeavors while keeping a 9-5 job for nine years after traveling. Eventually, I got my first gig painting murals and that led to more. I eventually started doing email and dm outreach and quit the corporate gig to support my family with my art full time, Read more>>

Takisha Carter of Native Nubian Wellness

My journey in entrepreneurship is a continuous one. I’ve always had the desire to be free to do what I deemed as my purpose while on this planet. I have discovered that my purpose is a creative one, utilizing innate gifts and talents alongside skills that I’ve acquired through education and practice. It took years of determination, persistence, consistency during trials, pivots to overcoming challenges, and working past fear or self doubt to reach where I am presently. Where I am today is, still growing, evolving, and aligning with my desired vision. My objective is to continue being compensated to be me, in the fullest expression of myself. Read more>>

Michelle Bylow

I’ve been deeply involved in the arts since childhood. My journey began as a competitive pairs figure skater, where I was able to combine my physical activity with a passion for music and artistic expression. This experience sparked my love for creation and the arts. After my figure skating career, I attended the University of Toronto to study Philosophy. This period was transformative, as I delved into complex ideas and expanded my intellectual horizons. During this time, I also explored electronic music composition and production, graphic design, and video production, discovering new ways to express myself. Performing at local shows and touring Japan further enriched my artistic journey, where I was profoundly influenced by Japanese fashion and costume design. Read more>>

Ruth Hillman

It all started when I wanted to find strange and unique earrings. I could only find them for ridiculous prices, from brands that don’t pay their workers a living wage, or both. I decided that if I could not find them, I would make them. I bought my first pack of polymer clay as well as some metal findings and started creating. My first designs consisted of eggs, bacon, and French fries. One of my colleagues loved the egg earrings and just had to have a pair. They recommended that I start selling them, and now, here I am. Read more>>

Nena Hayes

There has always been an inclination towards art that nested inside of me. Even from a young age, this creativity has bursted at my seams. I was interested in writing, singing, storytelling, dance, acting, videography, photography, painting, drawing, and basically anything else you can imagine. As I shaped into the person I am today, I realize this element of storytelling through different mediums has not left me. Inside of my songs, poems, films, photographs, spontaneous watercolor paintings, or whatever I create, there is always a story being told. Read more>>

Bobbi Jo Domitrovich

I started out working as a back-up receptionist for a small computer consulting company. How I got the job you ask? Well, it was back in the day where you sent resumes out in the mail. I created my resume, printed off 50 copies, got in my car and drove to every business and building in a very busy industrial park. Building 2 of Park Manor had 4 floors. My first stop was the management office and then up the elevator to the 2nd floor where I proceeded through a side door into the consulting company. I literally walked around as if I was an employee to get a feel for what it was like working for a corporation. Coming from a small town and being only 19, everything felt big and exciting. Read more>>

Ebony Little’s Story

The story begins with me as a child, I always was drawn to art. During elementary and high school, art was my favorite subject and I remember being excited about any new art assignment/project given, then acing the project and sometimes even seeing my work in school art shows. During my younger years I also spent most of my weekends with my God Mother Leketha, who was a hair stylist and makeup artist. She would be asked by my mother to babysit me, she would say yes however she’d always have to work and due to that my mother would drop me off at her job (Dynastie’s Hair Salon) and I’d just wait in the salon lobby for her to finish her shift; little did I know sitting in a salon for hours as a kid watching her work, I was unintentionally soaking up the techniques of how to transform a client with cosmetics. Read more>>

Jessica Sandhu’s Story

I guess it depends on which part of the story we’re speaking about!! If we go from the VERY beginning, my mother likes to remind me that I left the hospital with no clothes (she was becoming a single mother having me with no money or a home at the time of my birth) and that I’ve come a long way to where I am now. She’s loud and proud of where I’ve landed because she knows how little I came into the world with. But the story of how I make a living and create in the world is another (and a small part of the overall story). I won’t lie, it was a struggle to get “here” – if we can seriously say that one has arrived at “here”. I feel as though I’m continually arriving at a point when another point appears ahead. And after going through that cycle often, you have to be ok with a high level of striving and then also find ways to be content and grounded in yourself during it.  Knowing deep down that it’s an illusion to need to arrive anywhere because you are always where you are. BUT if I play the game of hustling in this capitalistic society, it’s about finding a balance in this system… Read more>>

Devan Head’s Story

I love to document and record moments, and pictures act as my voice to tell those stories. That’s really all this is about to me. However, let’s start at the beginning. I grew up in a small town in Northern British Columbia, Canada. We had infinite freedom to explore and enjoy our surroundings. It was the “come home when the streetlights turn on” type of childhood, and I could not be more grateful for the love of the outdoors, adventure and community that instilled in me. Thanks to my late father and late grandfather, I was extremely fortunate to grow up learning about our Métis-Cree culture, its teachings, and falling in love with all of it along the way. Read more>>

Ariel Lee – Rn, Bsn, Msn, Aprn, Fnp-bc of Optimize Health LLC

My reason is my compassion, as a young girl I discovered my love for healthcare by caring for my grandmother who suffered from hypertension and diabetes that led to repeated hospital and doctor visits. With each visit came an even greater financial burden, stemming from extensive medical bills for treatment and care. Through this challenge, God’s strength empowered me to assist my dear grandmother with organizing her medications, preparing healthy meals, and accompanying her to doctor’s visits. This later on led to my decision to select Nursing as a profession while, hence, developing my compassion and heart for healthcare of individuals. Read more>>

Vega Monntanez

I was born in New York, NY but raised in the beautiful city of Providence, RI. I’m a very proud creative from the creative capital and have found much success in both music and more recently film. After making the transition from Music to Film, I’ve fallen in love with the craft and have worked on 9 feature films since. My passion for writing has also been the driving force behind me writing over 2 dozen scripts in the past year and a half. My first film, “The Hurt We Share” was purchased by Dame Dash Studios and is currently streaming on Tubi. Within the next 6-9 months I’ll have 3 more films available to watch including the highly anticipated “Nico” and the festival sweeping action film “The Burden of Nine Lives”. Read more>>