Winning often looks like a long trail of losses that were too weak to keep you down. We are beyond inspired by the stories below. Resilience cannot capture the true nature of what so many of these entrepreneurs, artists and creatives possess and there is so much to learn from the folks highlighted below.

Cindy Scott-fuchs

Over 30 years ago, I embarked on my holistic healing journey, driven by a passion to heal and help others— which began with massage therapy in 1994. My work continues to evolve as my life unfolds. I’m so proud of how my self made career has grown over the years. As a new mom struggling to cope with the challenges of motherhood, I learned firsthand the power of holistic healing, which I just had to share with all moms. I founded Mellow Mommy in 2003—to help moms stay sane and centered. What started as an infant massage class, grew into a full-fledged “pregnancy wellness” program for pregnant couples, The Mellow Mommy Babymoon. Read more>>

Lydia Nightingale

As a kid, I wanted to be a meteorologist- a storm chaser, specifically- but really only because Helen Hunt played one in “Twister”. I eventually took a different cue from Ms. Hunt and became an actor instead. I studied Theatre Arts Performance from 2007 to 2011, double-minoring in History and Creative Writing as “backups”. I had no idea then that I would end up following that minor track all the way to obtaining a Masters in Public History in 2019, or that I would make writing about history my main focus. Read more>>

Louise (lulu) Eschelman

I was very lucky to get hired right out of school by Danish designer Ann Wiberg / Trash Couture in 2001. I trained with Ann and her team in Haute Couture and high end ‘Ready to Wear in Copenhagen, London and Paris. While working with Ann, I attended design school at night and got valuable insight into the being in the real world of fashion, while at the same time getting educated on everything related to fashion design ; designs, drawings, pattern making, fabrics, fit and form, sewing etc. Read more>>

Nafeesa Abdul-akbar of Authentically Her

I am a born entrepreneur, but I didn’t always honor my calling. In the past, I started several businesses, but I didn’t give them my full efforts. Instead, they were an aside to my career. Over the last few years, I have stepped into the role and I am happy to fully embrace what I believe is my calling. Read more>>

Markecha Love of She Chose Her Consulting

I started off as an ambitious29 year old woman, a single mom to two boys, with a head full of dreams of changing the world with the lack of truly loving myself or knowing who I was. I remember being in a daunting season of my life where everything I felt like I had worked so hard to obtain was starting to slip away at my finger tips. I remember being intentional to where I was during that time because I realized I was losing who I had been all these years and I had two boys looking up to me to finish. I decided to first seek therapy, but not only that I started to truly seek God in helping me heal the little girl that was still inside of that single mother of two. The journey was not easy, but it truly was worth it. After discovering who I was healthy and where I wanted to be and do, I also discovered my PURPOSE and what I enjoyed doing. HELPING. As I grew and did the work I soon became the CEO of my own business. She Chose Her, an organization founded and created for women to help consult them through life coaching practices, one on one sessions, and Biblical truth in discovering who they are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I became a wife to my amazing husband Mitchell Love and my old life as I knew it had changed for the better. Now I was finally helping other women and young women do the same for themselves as a healed woman ready to save the world. Read more>>

Elizabeth Sammons of Radiant Self Counseling LLC

My journey up until this point has been quite eclectic. I began my academic journey in 2013, at West Virginia University, and switched majors pretty frequently. I settled upon Psychology with a minor in Child Development. I had hoped to become a therapist for kids who had lost a parent, as this was my experience growing up. I felt unsupported during that time in my life and wanted to be what I didn’t have for someone else. Read more>>

Jenna Gifford

For years, I was completely lost and alone. I was trapped in student loan debt, working in jobs I hated just to pay the bills, and I repeatedly found myself in toxic relationships. I masked my emotions with unhealthy coping mechanisms like drugs, alcohol, and overworking. Ignoring my intuitive hunches led to a string of terrible decisions, trapping me in a relentless cycle of stress. After years (and years!) of discouragement, I finally took charge of my life. I read and practiced as much as I could about self-development, worked with a therapist, and began asking myself introspective questions to discover: Who am I? Read more>>

Saba Farhoudnia

Since I was a child, the best way for me to communicate was by creating images. I started talking a little later than usual, because of that, drawing was a safe zone for me. When I was young, I always wanted a pen to be able to draw until I fell asleep, often finding marks on my pillowcase. At that age, I didn’t know that sort of pareidolia was helping me to be creative, which made me feel compelled to draw what was in my mind. Read more>>

Gary Smith

My name is Gary Smith. I am the author of eight books in the Warren Steelgrave series, a book of short stories, and several magazine articles. I grew up in Hayward. California and spend half the year in Hayward and half the year in my home in a small village in Italy. In high school, I dropped all my college prep classes, deciding to go to work after graduation. The first significant decision of my life and one I have never regretted, I started working as a common laborer a few years later as an apprentice electrician. After nine years, I started a small company that grew into a multimillion-dollar national electrical company. After retirement, I started writing. Read more>>

Rachael King of Pod People

My career started in the tech startup world, where I specialized in content marketing and PR, and I’ve always had a deep-seated love for the audio format in my personal life. In 2014 I moved to Los Angeles, where podcasts became my savior from the monotony of traffic, especially “The Read,” “Judge John Hodgman,” and “Death, Sex & Money” As the success of Serial signaled that podcast listening was going mainstream, I realized that most brands would need help navigating this emerging communication channel. Recognizing the potential of podcasts to create a deep, engaging connection with audiences, I shuttered my PR agency and set up shop as the first branded podcast agency in the US. Read more>>

Lana Gruell of The Cashleigh Foundation

My daughter Cashleigh was a bright, vibrant individual whose presence lit up every room. Her kindness, compassion, and strength were inspiring, touching the lives of everyone around her. Tragically, we lost Cashleigh to suicide, a heartbreaking event that underscored the urgent need for accessible mental health resources and support for young people. In the wake of this devastating loss, I was determined to honor Cashleigh’s memory by helping others who might be struggling. This determination led to the creation of The Cashleigh Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to youth suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Our mission is to provide free telehealth talk therapy to youth nationwide, partnering with licensed therapists to offer the crucial support that can save lives. Read more>>

Ladi Keara

Let me take you on a journey, one that began with a shy, quiet girl who found solace in the power of words. That girl was me. Growing up, I often felt like I didn’t fit in. I endured years of bullying and was afraid to stick up for myself. I didn’t have a voice, and I felt invisible. But life has a way of pushing us toward our destiny. As I grew older, I found the courage to break free from my silence. This newfound strength led me to form a non-profit called Bridging Gaps, Inc. Through this organization, we hosted empowerment luncheons called The Then and Now Experience, giving a voice to many women who had sat in silence, afraid to use their voices. Read more>>

Brandy Yeack

Nine years ago, I was working as a nurse’s assistant, surrounded by patients at the end of their lives. While I cherished the opportunity to help and connect with people, the constant goodbyes weighed heavily on me. Desiring a change, I took a leap of faith and sent my resume to every medical office I could find. Valley Eye Care responded, and I was invited for an interview. I was incredibly nervous, as it had been years since my last interview. Despite my initial doubts, I received an offer and accepted the position as a technician, promptly giving notice at my current job. Read more>>

Lj Dong of LJ THE MEDIUM

LJ is a Psychic Medium, certified and tested by Best American Psychics and they awarded her Psychic of the Year for 2022. She’s an approved member of the Certified Psychic Society. She was nominated for Best Medium by OM Times in 2022. LJ has been nominated Best Psychic of Long Island in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. She is listed in The Best Psychic Directory. LJ also hosted her own talk show on national television called “The LJ Show”. LJ is an ordained Interfaith Minister, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified Motivational Speaker, Kidney Donor, Reiki Practitioner and author of ‘The Spirit of Hope’ and her new book ‘Think Like a Medium, Act Like a Warrior’ She is the star of The LJ Documentary – The Story of a Warrior Spirit. Her favorite title is ‘Warrior’. Read more>>

Gina Maier Vincent

Hi, I am thrilled to be here with you as well! Before my husband Mark’s kidney and liver transplant, I thought I was designing an aligned life for myself and our family. I identified the big things that mattered, which were being great parents to our kids, building lifelong memories, and taking great vacations…but I was a bit blurry on the details. Yet all of that changed on the other side of fighting through the experience of Mark switching roles from being a doctor, to becoming a patient. If I wanted to design and live an exquisitely aligned life, I needed to stop thinking in terms of “someday” and start prioritizing “right now” because TIME had become VERY valuable. Time was of the essence, as our family had so painfully learned, life could change in a heartbeat. I started looking more closely at how I was spending (what I now refer to as my “Divine Resources”) my time, money, and energy. I now knew, viscerally, that these resources were not infinite – not for me, not for anyone. Read more>>

Nina Wood

Okay, after earning a BFA degree with a concentration in painting, I moved to a one-bedroom apartment in Queens, New York, and made the living room in my apartment a studio space. While working as a waitress I also pursued various art teaching jobs in Manhattan and continued to paint and look for opportunities to show my work. After two years, which were accompanied by financial uncertainty, I decided to return to school for my Master’s degree in Fine Art – partly for the goal of teaching at the college level, which could help to provide for my art practice and finances. I did that while studying but very soon after I received my MFA, I got married, moved, and went back to school again for a New York State teaching certificate. Ultimately, this opened up many more doors for job opportunities outside the college level. I am still teaching today, but now that my children are adults in their twenties I am primarily focusing again on my creative practice as a priority! Read more>>

Jeannée Sacken

I tell stories. I write them. I photograph them. My own story began with Barbie. When I was five, I made up epic stories that my best friend and I acted out with our dolls. I also created adventure stories for the neighborhood kids to enact in the nearby woods. At about the same time, I received my first camera and composed visual stories. In third grade, the teacher assigned us to write a story about something we knew. I wrote a story about a young shepherd in the desert. Go figure! All the other students handed in a paragraph, but I handed in a stack of ten pages. The next day, the teacher read my story to the class and said: “Boys and girls. You are looking at a future author.” I believed her. For years I wrote stories, publishing them in my schools’ literary journals and I thought of myself as an author. Read more>>

Jenna Dominello’s Story

Jenna and Amy have been friends for over a decade and found their love for all things reality tv, especially Bravo. After years of text exchanges regarding their beloved tv shows they decided they wanted to start a podcast. The podcast was originally supposed to focus on Restaurant/Hospitality industry based shows such as Vanderpump Rules, Below Deck and Southern Hospitality as they have both lived that life and have SO many thoughts, but they found it nearly impossible to not talk about everything else Bravo-related. They kept up with the pod for eight months before making a conscious decision to invest a bit more into it their brand. They hired a friend to start working on their social media in February 2024 and by May had already received interest from a few media companies. By June they had signed a contract and are currently working on a marketing plan to increase listenership and their following! Read more>>

James Jer-z Mason

My journey began as a young child, often being taken to church. It was there that I discovered my passion for music, particularly the drums. This early love for rhythm and beats led me into the music industry, where I’ve now spent over 20 years. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to travel the world, performing with some of the best-known artists as well as some lesser-known but equally talented musicians. For about a decade, I was a full-time touring musician. When that phase slowed down, I transitioned into the production side of the industry, focusing on stage management and backline teching. Now, at 45, I’m proud to run my own entertainment business, JMEG. Through JMEG, I assist in staffing tours and have a team of employees who represent my company on tours worldwide. Read more>>

Christina Galagarza

I’ve been making art my entire life. After I went to art school, I pursued many other creative pursuits to pay the bills. My artistic journey began anew in January 2020 with a practical focus: flowers for commercial commissions. Working from a spare bedroom/office space in a Philadelphia rental home, I quickly realized that oil painting, my first love, was incompatible with the carpeted space. Driven by necessity, I briefly transitioned to digital art, followed by a year of watercolor and acrylic experimentation inspired by my digital work. In my favorite flow, I am absorbed in distortion, and the nuances of mark-making, and I yearned for the tangible quality of oil paint. Read more>>

Alicia Marie Campbell

San Maris was established in 2016 in my Brooklyn apartment. Initially envisioned as a skincare line, I discovered a passion for aromas and their ability to evoke nostalgic memories through scent. As a musician, this resonated with me in a way similar to writing a song; it came naturally to me. In 2018, I pursued courses in perfumery, marking the beginning of my journey with San Maris. I chose to start with candles because of my love for home fragrances and the atmosphere they create, from the ambient glow to the captivating scents that fill a space. Read more>>

Chris Zydel

I grew up in a family that was loving in many ways but where there was also a deeply seated misogyny and women had very little support to step outside of the marriage and motherhood box. So my journey began when I was 24 years old and I went to my mother and asked her “Is this all there is?” When she said yes, I said “ I want a second opinion.” And left my urban midwestern home and headed out to the wilds of California. I immediately got involved in all kinds of alternative healing methods from Polarity therapy, to Native American healing rituals, to herbalism, Zen Buddhism and therapeutic massage. I was hungry for it ALL and so excited about the possibilities presented by these new ways of being in the world. Read more>>

Bailey B. of Worker Bee Fitness

I’m an actor, athlete, and coach! I felt the magic of acting at a young age. The presence, discipline, and effort that acting demands were too thrilling to ignore. I set my sights on film school early and followed through by graduating from Vancouver Film School. I’ve been fortunate to work with award-winning directors, renowned teachers, and talented peers who keep pushing me to be better. Shortly after film school, some friends convinced me to try a strength training class. I only went to prove that I wouldn’t like it. I didn’t like it- I LOVED it. I couldn’t believe how empowered and supported I felt. I’d never had an experience like that with traditional exercise, in fact it had been the opposite. Read more>>

 Ilir Mani of Cafe Peanut

When I lived in Europe as a young boy, I always dreamed of achieving more, with New York City as my ultimate goal. After moving to NYC—by some miracle—attending university, and working for others, I realized my true desire was to work for myself. That initial yearning for more ignited a journey that taught me the power of ambition and perseverance. It all started with a dream, and through determination and hard work, I transformed that dream into reality, embracing the boundless opportunities that New York had to offer. Read more>>

Kevin Michael Murphy of NYC Vocal Studio

I moved to NYC in 2005 with dreams of making it on Broadway. I was fresh out of college and starting graduate school at NYU to study Musical Theatre and Vocal Pedagogy. I loved performing, but also had a passion for teaching people how to sing. I spent my twenties auditioning, doing improv comedy, writing my own shows, and performing as much as I could. During this time I started to teach singing to some friends and fellow actors out of my living room. In 2011, I founded the NYC Vocal Studio with my dear friend Molly Noerenberg. In the beginning, I thought that performing was my creative outlet and that teaching was a more technical endeavor. All these years later, however, I realized I was wrong. Teaching and learning are art forms in and of themselves. Being a great teacher requires creativity, improvisation, critical thinking skills, and a lot of out of the box thinking. Read more>>

Matthew James Hemmer

I have always been passionate about music. It began as a therapeutic process where I vented my excess emotional energy and stress, and turned into an obsession with the craft. After I started writing and producing songs, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the process. I feel a sense of satisfaction like none other when I get to bring some new creation into the world. Read more>>

Deette Stewart’s Story

My journey started with a dream, but not the kind most would think of. When I was 9, my grandma was in the hospital and came to me in a dream to let me know she was passing. She talked to me about the body and the soul and let me know her body was no longer working and her soul would be going home. She told me not to be afraid and that I would talk with souls when I was older. When I woke, I told my mom that grandma had died; she informed I was wrong, and shortly later, she received the call that she had. Read more>>

Sam Panitch

In the middle of the pandemic, I co-founded Elevation Nation. Our mission is to help young adults around the world elevate their mindsets and conquer the real world. Through our community, we unite the next generation of students, CEOs, professional athletes, musicians, high-achieving young professionals, and more, all with one shared goal: elevate your mindset and conquer the real world. Read more>>

Jaylene Llewellyn of Wholesome Empire YYC

I started my journey in the permanent makeup industry in 2021, six months after having my first son. My first training was for ombre powder brows & machine strokes. Later on I travelled to the states for additional education in paramedical tattooing for scars, stretch marks and scalp micropigmentation. I truly fell in love with this line of work and ran my business in the evening and weekends while working my regular job in the medical field during the day. I did this until August of 2023, when I gave birth to my second child. It was then that I decided I was going to commit to my business/passion full time so that I could truly give it my all and be present for my children! Read more>>

Maura Marcellino

For as long as I could remember, I wanted to be in the entertainment industry. From wanting to be an actress to a pop rock star to a drummer to a manager to a writer, entertainment has been a dream. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my large family and my friends who have introduced me to such great art! Professionally, I’ve been in the music industry since I was 16 working my way up to the ladder at a concert venue. At 24, I’m a manager of a department. Read more>>

Thomas Halle of Thomas Halle Productions

I’ve always wanted to tell stories for a living. To make movies, books, video games… Anything. The freedom in storytelling… The limitless bounds of imagination… The technique and the craft behind its art. It all inspired me everyday. It all started back in school. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. During lunch, I met this guy who was in a cinema major. We got to know each other and one day out of the blue he asked me for help on his project. And I got hooked to the feeling of it. To the adrenaline of working on something bigger than yourself, to the nerves of a premiere. The rest is history! And it’s still in the making. Read more>>

Kofi Douhadji of Flying Wings

Kofi Douhadji is a distinguished thought leader and U.S. Air Force officer whose transformative journey from Afagnan, Togo, to the heart of American leadership has inspired countless readers. His story is one of resilience, ambition, and transformation. Growing up in Afagnan, Togo, Kofi’s early life was marked by humble beginnings. He always believed in the power of perseverance and optimism, themes he would later explore in his debut memoir, “Unbroken Optimist.” These early experiences shaped his character and set the foundation for his future endeavors. Read more>>

Liv Laughlin

I started really loving writing when I was in third grade. My teacher would pick my writing pieces to share with the class and I remember feeling this humming in my chest, an eagerness to explore this new interest. I started writing poetry when I was in fifth grade and was experiencing bullying. Writing was a powerful outlet for me back then and has continued to be throughout my entire life. I started performing and competing casually in slam poetry competitions throughout undergrad. I began writing a poetry book in 2017. Since then, I have hosted my own poetry and art showcase, have been the feature of multiple open mics and am continuing to work towards publishing my completed poetry book. Read more>>

Francesca Decapita of Francesca DeCapita

I’ve had a “gift” since childhood, though it felt more like a curse than a blessing in the early years of my life. I would feel or see things others could not, leading to struggles in school and various relationships. These experiences often left me feeling isolated and misunderstood. My path toward spirituality began in 2014 when I faced a significant health scare. This wake-up call prompted me to adopt a healthier lifestyle and seek a more profound understanding. I pursued a health coaching certificate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). My education at IIN opened my eyes to new perspectives on living a better life, emphasizing holistic wellness. Read more>>

Liliana Maria of Going Deeper LLC

I have always been called to help people and make a difference in the lives of others. Its a beautiful gift. However, at the onset of my Bold Journey, I was immature. Having this gift was like the gift of a beautiful paint set in the hands of a two-year-old. The only thing that could come out of the valuable gift was a mess. I grew up sheltered and never knew what a precarious place the world could be. In 2009, I set out to build what I thought would be a dynamic project for youth phasing out of Foster Care. I met some unfavorable Characters on Craigslist who promised to fund the whole thing. It seemed like an answered prayer. What it was instead was the beginning of a 15-year nightmare. Read more>>

Heather Carlucci’s Story

I was a chef and restaurateur for three decades. I absolutely loved it. Like an affair. The long hours, the grind, all of it. Then there was a tipping point in my life. Newly a single parent to a very small child and strangely out of love with the food industry for the first time since I was 18 years old.I tried for a long time to get another job going. I couldn’t even get a barista job! The universe was definitely trying to tell me something. There was one thing I could do as well as cook and that was psychic work. I knew I had this capacity since I was 7 years old.  Read more>>

Lisa Porada

I am a lifelong resident of New Jersey, a jersey girl. I graduated from Rutgers University with degrees in Political Science and Spanish and from Drew University with a Master’s Degree in International Affairs. After graduating,I worked on Wall Street for an international financial institution for several years before moving to a financial/pharmaceutical consulting firm in NJ where I continued my career for another 10 years.  I have always been a creative person and used my creativity thoughout my corporate career and personal life in a many ways. Eventually my love of creating sweets, originating from a high school job in a sweet shop, inspired me to leave the corporate world and pursue my dream of becoming a business owner. Read more>>

Bhavik Shah of Bhavik R. Shah LLC

I began my career in financial services, working in investment banking and management consulting. During that time, I found my true passion in mentoring and creating opportunities for marginalized voices. Initially, it started with small actions—helping junior team members navigate complex workplace dynamics. However, this passion evolved into a new career path, where I focus on amplifying workplace mental health through company-wide awareness initiatives and holding leaders accountable for fostering cultures that prioritize mental well-being. Read more>>

Rocco Bova

Born in Italy 53 years ago but meant to travel the world. I am a passionate hotelier, worked in 11 countries and developed a true passion for the hospitality industry. I got my first job at the age of 13 and was fired after two day. But this was the springboard to learn more, be better and become who I am today. I have worked for some of the best hotel companies in the world including Aman Resorts, Hilton, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Intercontinental Hotel Group, and other independent luxury properties, always aiming to be the best. Read more>>

August Broos

I’ve always been an artist. I remember as kid I was always playing in the woods and using my imagination to create worlds I could act in. I always performed for my stuffed animals and of course my family. When I startet theater, I exactly knew that this is my passion. I had to learn to trust my gut instinct and go with what feels good, in terms of what I wanted to do. Read more>>

Abhash Singh

As a kid born in a middle class household in a Tier 2 town in India, arts as a field was never an option. So much so, that our High School did not even have an Arts section, only Science and Commerce. Hence, the thought never even crossed my mind that I could even try to be a film-maker. So, the first dream was to do writing as a side-hustle. But then, eventually; watching two movies- namely Inception by Christopher Nolan and Rockstar by Imtiaz Ali changed my life forever. They made me feel like this is what I wanted to do- this is what’s the only thing that I CAN do. Henceforth, I landed up studying filmmaking in college and eventually becoming a part of the Indian film Industry. Read more>>

Ashley Chang of Sundays

I’m the founder and CEO of Sundays, an executive assistant service for working parents. We’re focused on giving parents more focused time at work and quality time with their families. Ultimately, we aim to help more women reach leadership positions, so they can reshape how we think about the balance of work and family. Read more>>

Caren Cooper

I’m from the you go to college and get a job era. And that is what I did. I worked in the advertising industry and we worked hard and played hard and it was great and I loved it. That is until I got pregnant with my first child. Suddenly my priorities changed. 23 years ago, there was no flexibility in the workforce and the expectations to perform were high. I felt a constant push and pull even before she was born. Read more>>

Brian Shoop

As a boy, like any child, playing “make-believe” was a daily routine. A cowboy, an explorer, a detective, a deep sea diver, a spaceman – typical day in my life. Whether I was alone or with friends, I was living an adventure somewhere. Puberty, the great creativity vandal, crept in and made me worry about whether or not I was cool. What will everyone think of me? Layer by layer, clothing, hairstyle, skin care, knowing which cars, musical groups, or movie stars were cool became the impenetrible mask behind which I hid that love of creating those fabulous adventures. I wondered about being in the school plays, but… what would my football buddies think? It wasn’t until I was married with children and living in another state that I dared to participate in a church play. And the fire burst into life again. I was cast in a play at the local community theater. I enrolled ina class, was noticed by an agent, booked my first commercial audition, my first movie audition, and I was beyond recovery. That was 35 years ago, and today, I’m a professional actor with 50 movies and television shows under my best. Read more>>

Dan Gober

Growing up I always had a very creative imagination. Over the course of my career I’ve learned to explore the images and sounds in my mind and use that to write songs. My songwriting journey continues to be about experimenting. With any art it takes time to hone your skills, find your voice, and your style. There are no short cuts; every artist must pass through this. When I was starting out I wrote tons of songs that I’m not thrilled about, but it helped me grow as an artist. Music is a unique sort of art, and it affects you to your core. We all relate to a song in different ways, but it’s pretty incredible the emotions that it can bring up. There’s magic in those soundwaves that make you tap your foot, give you goosebumps, cheer on with your mates or maybe bring you to tears. As a songwriter it’s my job to chase that light and put it to sound. Read more>>

Danilo Villanueva

My entire career had been dedicated to the advertising industry building campaigns for major international brands for many years. I enjoyed it and learned a lot from it. However, I wanted more. I wanted to build my own thing. And it had to be a watch brand because it is something I obsess about. In 2016, I took a sabbatical and gave myself a year to bring Makina Watches to life – from coming up with the name, coming up with designs concepts, hiring engineers, finding the right supply chains, building prototypes to finishing mass production. At the same time, I was also trying to figure out how to launch a new brand into a market that is already very saturated and about to be disrupted by the smart watch industry. There was some anxiety of course but I just simply kept going and kept in mind that what will make our brand special to some is that it is a family-run company with a passion project mindset, designing products for a niche audience and never driven by trends nor mass consumerism. Read more>>

Yollanda Zhang of Business Doula

I came to Canada when I was 10 with my mom to be reunited with my dad. It was a difficult transition because I left my grandparents, aunt, and uncles behind to live in a country where I didn’t speak the language and everything seemed unfriendly. My early childhood experiences had many moves including this one. They really informed my future decisions and influenced many areas of my life. Read more>>

Ciara Lewis of KLConsulting LLC

I started my business back in 2019. The reason I started KLConsulting LLc, was due to seeing a huge need to educated Providers on proper billing and Credentialing. To allow them to see and understand everyday mistakes that are being made in billing and Credentialing and costing providers lots of money and causing them to shut down their practices. Read more>>

Christina Shifflett

I’ve been a registered nurse for 11 years, gaining experience in a variety of settings. My passion for education naturally led me to explore cannabis science when I discovered universities were teaching it. In my area of Oklahoma, cannabis is sold as medicine, but there’s a lack of standardized education in dispensaries and doctors’ offices, which can pose safety risks for patients. To address this gap, I founded The Green Nurse Educator LLC, with the goal of providing cannabis education through my blog and an upcoming booklet, Medical Cannabis: Preparing for Oklahoma’s Dispensaries, set for release in September. My journey as a cannabis nurse is still evolving as I seek the most effective ways to educate others. Recently, the American Nurses Association recognized Cannabis Nursing as a specialty, which is a significant step toward legitimizing this field for myself and other nurses. Read more>>

Carol Jameson

As a child I always loved to read and, perhaps, secretly harbored a wish to be a writer. However, I didn’t pursue this seriously until I was in my mid 20s when I took an Adult Ed creative writing class in Santa Cruz. It was here that the instructor, Toby Kaplan, inspired me to write fast fiction. These short vignettes were based on of my everyday experiences of swimming at the local pool, Harvey West Park, and scooping ice cream at Polar Bear Ice Cream. Read more>>

Deborah Goldstein of Enlightened Philanthropy

My career journey has been a circuitous one and yet it brought me to where I am today. As a young teenager, I thought I was going to be a marine biologist. I remained focused on this career, but as I got to college and understood what it entailed, I decided it wasn’t for me. I still studied biology, concentrating on marine biology. By graduate school, where I studied marine policy, I thought I would be an environmental consultant. I wasn’t really sure what that meant though. However, when I discovered that the university offered a Certificate in Museum Studies, a long-hidden desire to work at an aquarium came back to life. Read more>>

Daivd Perlman of David Perlman Photography

I was a theater kid growing up, and I was also always the guy taking photos at the cast parties, taking photos backstage, trying to get photos of the show. I absolutely loved doing theater, and I wanted to capture all the wonderful moments and people that made it so special. Even just in my group of friends and at summer camp, I was always the person making sure to get photos of everything. Read more>>

Emily Tuckman’s Story

I studied comparative literature and theatre in college, and planned on moving to New York to pursue the dream. I booked my first show in Boston before I graduated, so I moved there and would drive into nyc with my handy backstage newspaper in hand, circling open calls and crashing with friends. When I got into the Bacchae, I moved into my friend’s closet which held one full mattress, and nothing else. I began to pursue my passion. When I was 24, my beloved grandpa passed away, and his dying wish was that I go into teaching. I got into NYU’s education program to teach theater, and stayed an extra 6 months to get my English certification as well. I thought I’d get a year long gig to fund my acting classes and rent. I ended up landing a coveted position teaching English at the prestigious Brooklyn Tech, and I stayed 10 years, starting a booming theatre program and directing teenagers and watching them excel. While working on Hamlet’s soliloquy with one of my students, he turned to me and said, “it’s your turn to follow YOUR passion. You have given so much to us all. Give back to yourself.” So I did. I went back to acting full time, and academic tutoring to pay the bills. I have been acting and producing theater and film ever since! Read more>>

Fatou Sow of Simply Fa Beauty

When i was in school my dream was to become a pediatrician, then i went to college and reality hit me that that might not work out. But behind the scenes I always wanted to go to school for business. I could sell anything i used to be on my block after school trying to sell candy bars , school fundraisers , anything ! After i noticed science wasn’t really my thing i switched my major to business and it was the best decision for me. School now became interesting , i really enjoyed going and i enjoyed being there! Before i graduated i went to tax school in that school i learned taxes of course which was kind of towards my major and helped me Read more>>

Joseph Scrocca

In December 2023 I decided that I was dating women that were too crazy. I wanted to pursue something fun to distract me from not dating. I decided (with no prior training or experience) to try stand up comedy. My first open mic was on 12/14/2023 at a Pub in Toms River NJ which turned out to be a biker bar. A notorious NJ motorcycle club attended my first open mic. Since then I have done over 50 shows including opening for Steve Trevion in PA to an audience of almost 900 at the Kirby Theater in Wilkes Barre PA. I opened for Tony Woods at Dream Big Venues in Delmar, DE and I have performed at such famous venues as Rodneys in New York City and was awarded 3 shows at the 2024 Meadowlands Comedy Festival in NJ. I am about to do my first show in the state of Virginia at a winery in Leesburg VA. This will make my sixth state that I have performed in. I have performed in NJ, NY, PA, DE and FL to date. I love doing stand up and by the laughs I get at my shows the audiences are enjoying my humor. Read more>>

Jo-anne Suriel

I’ve been obsessed with wellness and spirituality since I was a teen—I started practicing yoga in high school and was eating organic way before it was “normal.” I also danced and played sports so I was a pretty healthy kid. But then, in adulthood, I experienced unexplained miscarriages, joint pain, and also very intense anxiety. This led me to start exploring emotional and spiritual wellness and the impact of energy and the unseen. Read more>>

Joyce Bacon

Well, my journey has been a full circle one, but indeed blessed. It is one of resilience and perseverance that speaks to women of all cultures and backgrounds. I was a young mother with four children, and knew I needed to do something more to take care of my family. The first part of that involved my own healing from the inside out. You know we all have a purpose but understanding it and tapping into it, is what most people struggle with. I had an inkling that there was a call to something greater. As a young mother worked many jobs providing for my children and overcame many obstacles. However here I am. Many of us have stories of resilience. My story isn’t the only one, but many people are waiting for permission to inhale, exhale and embrace that they have survived, are resilient human beings, the way God designed intended us to be. Read more>>

Daniel Vasquez

Embarking on my journey as a self-taught photographer followed my graduation from college, where I initially worked part-time at Sony’s Playstation retail store. The employee discounts at Sony enabled me to acquire my first camera, the Sony A55. Beginning with capturing the essence of my daily life in New York City, I ventured to diverse locations like 5Pointz in Long Island City. My lens documented not only friends, family, and college basketball games but also the myriad moments that unfolded in this dynamic city. Read more>>

Kim Peirano of Courage to Transform

From an early age, my fascination with the depths of the psyche, a curiosity about who I am and why I am here, and the nature of reality and the universe has shaped my personal growth journey. Growing up I always felt some sort of separateness or otherness, like I didn’t belong and no one could fully understand or truly see me for who I really was. It led me down a path of unconsciously created problems that would eventually teach me who I was and how to hold that truth no matter what kind of situation I was in. It took a lot of work, struggle, pain, trauma and commitment to eventually find a place where I have been able to stand in my truth, regardless of how terrifying it still is sometimes. Read more>>

Jaya Mallik of Jaya Mallik Coaching & Consulting

I started my journey into diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership in an unlikely way! My career began as a middle and high school Social Studies teacher, working in Southern Maryland and Washington, DC, where I had the privilege of teaching brilliant students in Title I schools. For those unfamiliar with Title I schools, they are schools where a high percentage of students live in low-income households and may experience challenges meeting state academic standards due to generational poverty, homelessness, or lack of access to adequate resources and funding. I loved my time as a teacher, but eventually, working in an environment with a chronic lack of support and resources led to my burnout. Read more>>

Kwame Sarfo of Obrempong Home

Hey there! My journey started over 10 years ago in sales, and I’ve spent the past 5 years in tech sales. Around the same time, I got into modeling and have been enjoying that for over 9 years now. I’ve always had a passion for community work, and I’ve been lucky enough to get featured on TV for some of the projects I’ve been involved in. Read more>>

Kristin Bernard of Côtes de Femme Wines

Many people want to know how I got in the wine industry. My actual wine journey began many years ago. My husband, Andy, and I have been married 27 years and dating for 28. When Andy and I were a young married couple with young children, we didn’t have the means to have many date nights or travel. When we would go on dates, I would order a glass of wine and Andy would order a soft drink. Andy will tell you he wanted to be a better date, so he bought a book to learn more about wine. This became our weekly date night. We would research a new wine and a food pairing. We would put the kids to bed early, create a meal, and enjoy a new bottle of wine from a different part of the world. We began to learn and “travel the world” through wine. When I created Côtes de Femme, I wanted to create a wine brand that is more than a beverage… It is an experience. Life should be celebrated, or as we say, “Live Extra”! Read more>>

Manuel Zopiyaxtle

I have always been an introvert. I know people don´t like to classify others in those terms anymore but that is how I define myself. My best work and my biggest energy comes when I am alone. I value my loneliness so much. I have my family, and friends on my side but when I feel the most inspiration coming to me is when I am alone. Read more>>

Mary Moretti

Everything started because I needed un outlet where I could be fearless. I experienced Bullying since early age but somehow I knew I was good at dancing and when I was up there performing no one could tell me anything. At the beginning I could not understand why people felt the need to be mean with me. I was only 6 years old when it started, what could possibly have done to those people. But then I used it as my motivation to keep going. I had to prove them wrong and I did. Most importantly I had to prove myself they were wrong and I did. So after many years of fighting the monsters in my head a little girl from south Italy moved all the way to New York. Despite everyone predictions which of course was me failing in 9 year here I teach, I work freelance as Choreographer for emerging Artist, dancer and I started a new carrier in Modeling. And this Is just the beginning. Read more>>

Micah Bravery

After enduring a grueling 15-year battle with cancer, compounded by a lifetime of unaddressed trauma, I found myself at the lowest point in my life. The weight of my past abuse, mostly sexual, which lasted for almost 11 years and was perpetrated by sadists who relished in inflicting pain, combined with the life-threatening illness, became unbearable. I knew that if I remained in my current state of mind and location, death was imminent. I was drowning in despair and needed to take drastic action to reclaim my life. Read more>>

Lauren Elizabeth Harris’s Story

I grew up in the Philadelphia area and fell in love with acting at a young age- 5 to be exact. I had a really wonderful drama teacher when I was in high school who pushed me and believed in me, Terry Guerin. This gave me the initiative to pursue acting professionally. I studied acting at USC, and began doing it professionally after graduating. While acting in LA, I decided I wanted to have more control over my career, and wanted to start my own production company. This led me to Columbia University to pursue my MFA in Creative Producing. I then started my company, Pathway Pictures, and we now have five feature films and two series in development. I love that I get to pursue my lifelong passion while having a hand in seeing these projects come to life. Read more>>

Mary Kathryn Medlock

I am a former retail professional, now full time visual artist. My very first foray into producing Art full time, was executing a series of fine art screen prints featuring photos of me with a “love yourself” graffiti type logo. It’s like this idea just popped into my head from my soul right around the same time I was struggling with my career and seeking some enlightenment and a better more fulfilling path for myself. I started screen printing those posters with the intention that they would be used for actual graffiti to display around New York City, and later the world, and I just kept going from there. I now have a little brand, LOVEMKM by Mary Kathryn Medlock, and I utilize my website to showcase and sell my Art and other creations. Read more>>

Nancy Good

Born in Texas in 1961, I have lived and worked as an artist in Las Vegas since 2011. My creative pursuits over the past three decades have been heavily influenced by: travels to Australia, Africa, Vietnam; childhood residency in Japan; adult life as an artist, photographer, musician, fly-fishing guide, backpacker, writer, and teacher in Montana, Nevada, California, Tennessee and Illinois, along with eclectic DNA revealing connections with cultures the world over. A common thread through my work is the employment of materials and tools of modern times while playfully utilizing aesthetics of ancient ancestries, including symbols and primitive mark-making. Read more>>

Olusegun Daramola

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. My journey began in the culturally rich and spiritually profound Yorúbàland, Nigeria. Growing up, I was deeply immersed in the traditions and teachings of Ifá and Òrìsà spirituality. This early exposure laid the foundation for my lifelong dedication to understanding and practicing these ancient spiritual systems. Read more>>

Dedra Weiss

I literally started from a pile of loose beads, a spool of thread, and a vision. As a teenager, I made seed beaded bracelets, belts, and hair accessories on a loom. My mother gave me a sack of seed beads she’d saved from a worn vintage purse. I used those beads to recreate a purse, building upon the bead weaving techniques I’d been using. The purse was simple, but sweet; I gave it to my mother. She still has it hanging, framed, in her house decades later. Read more>>

Ipek Williamson

My journey began with over two decades of experience as an Executive Assistant in the corporate world. During this time, I honed my skills in organization, leadership, and support, gaining a deep understanding of the intricacies of corporate dynamics. However, I always felt a calling towards something more personal and transformative. Read more>>

Chitra Divakaruni

I never thought I’d become a writer; immigration made me into one! It was a combination of being away from everything that was familiar to me in India and being thrown headfirst into the adventure of America that made me start writing down my experiences–first as poems, then short stories, then novels. When my first collection of stories, Arranged Marriage, (about the changes women faced when they found themselves in a country where all the rules were different) won an American Book Award and became a bestseller, it was a big surprise to me. That was what started me off on a lifelong journey to imagine and reimagine the inner life of women–current day women (as in Before We Visit the Goddess), historical women (as in The Last Queen) and women out of Indian mythology (as in Palace of Illusions). Read more>>

Rashida Nelson

I was born into a Jamaican Christian household. Eventually, my parents started a ministry, and I was raised as a pastor’s kid. Despite what I observed from them, I had to start my own journey and find Christ for myself. I began by writing a list of what I believed because of my experiences and personal encounters versus what I believed because of what I was taught. Over time, God allowed me to meet different people who shifted me from mindlessly practising religion to having a relationship with Him, revealing who He truly is. Read more>>

Sandra Rocha

My name is Sandra Rocha Colin. I was born and raised in beautiful Mexico City in a loving family. I’m a queer mexican woman who does art for a living. Sometimes it’s hard to point out where I started and how I got here, because I expirience life as a constant cycle of beginnings and endings; I find myself constantly at the “start line” of my life because I’m always growing therefore always changing my approach to the things that I want; I look to allow myself to change my mind, to change my goals, to change my interests. Thankfully I am surrounded by people who allow me this space, most specially my parents, they really are the BEST IN THE WORLD. A lot of my life’s journey has been about exploring all the ways that exist of being a woman; of exploring femininity in my own terms; of embracing my masculinity; and inhabiting my softness in a world that can be really rough and limiting. My reality is expansive; never static; full of possibilities; grounded in love and respect for myself and others. Art has been my way of understanding the world through a softer gaze. Read more>>

Kahshanna Evans

I’d say my story is one of polarity. Growing up in Southern California, It was clear early on that my normal wasn’t everyone else’s. As the daughter of an assault survivor I’d developed a sense of empathy—and fury—beyond my years. Read more>>

Karina Rodriguez of The Confident You

I started this journey to bettering myself back in 2019. I was struggling with depression, anxiety, and low self esteem. I was on a mission to becoming the best version of myself, have a good mental strength, and strive for confidence that was unbreakable. It took me about 2 years to finally feel free from the darkness and into my most abundant self. Today I am here as an entrepreneur growing my business from the ground up and empowering women to develop their self confidence so strong that nothing can destroy it. Read more>>