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.
Venita Bledsoe
For as long as I can remember I’ve been artistic. My first years in school were a little challenging academically as I was dealing with loss but art was always a positive outlet. I loved art class, drawing, painting, whatever you can name. I was always excited about it. Once I started to improve academically, I managed to keep that consistent and by high school I always remained on high honors. I was also fortunate to be introduced to digital art and graphic design, since I went to a trade high school. I went to college to continue with graphic design studies but was forced to leave after my freshman year because of finances. Through trying to look for work and figure out my future, I came up with my brand, Veezy Vibetime Creations. I was starting out with the tools I learned in school and all of the free time I had at 18/19 led me to making a lot of designs, album art, logos, you name it. For about six years in between that and odd jobs that was my life. I was just trying to stay consistent and build my art portfolio. About 7 years into designing, I started to develop an interest in photography. I learned about copyrighting and rights and wanted to start using my own material for some of the work I was creating. I had a Samsung phone at the time and was always taking pictures of nature, flowers, and skyscrapers but wanted to take my hobby further. So I saved up for a camera, started to practice more and the rest is honestly history. Read more>>
Jeremy Hodges
My journey started in college, where I was the go-to person for planning parties and events—think concerts, comedy shows, the works. It got to the point where we were taking over the basketball arena, turning Homecoming Weekend into a full-blown festival with five or six events packed into a few days. I was doing it so big that we caught the attention of a nightclub in Chicago, which opened the door for me to start hosting celebrity-driven events in the city. Then Redbull came calling. They wanted to launch Redbull Sugar-Free in the Chicagoland area, and we came up with this wild idea to transform parking lots into backyards. I mean, we went all out—rolling out grass, bringing in trees, hanging yard lights—turning asphalt into an oasis. The funny part? I didn’t even realize we were doing ‘experiential marketing.’ For me, it was just about creating unique, themed experiences that people would love. It felt natural, and it still does. Those Redbull events were a game-changer, and brands started lining up from there. That’s how I’ve built to where I am today—just doing what I love and bringing others along. Read more>>
Davina Drema
Sure, so after nearly nine years in the auto industry, I realized I wanted more control over my life and career. I decided to step away and pursue my passion for working independently. With the skills I had honed over the years, I ventured into freelancing, taking a personal loan to support myself during the transition and to invest in learning new skills. This allowed me to offer a wider range of services, enabling me to diversify my work and avoid being confined to a single niche. Today, I’m satisfied with the steady work I’ve built and enjoy providing tailored services to clients with diverse needs. Read more>>
Aunia Kahn
In 2001, my life took a dramatic turn when I moved from Michigan to St. Louis. On my first day at a new job, I found myself in a break room, watching the tragic events of 9/11 unfold alongside strangers. It was overwhelming, and I never returned to that job. At the same time, I was grappling with mysterious health issues. To support myself, I began freelancing in website and graphic design, skills I had been developing since 1998. Now, more than 25 years later, I’m still thriving in this field, having added digital marketing to my repertoire. I ventured into digital art in 2002 and had my first exhibition by 2005. Unfortunately, allergies to traditional art materials kept me from working in those mediums for nearly my entire career. In 2021, after finally receiving a diagnosis and proper treatment for several rare diseases, including life-threatening reactions to art materials, I cautiously returned to traditional mediums. This newfound stability allowed me to experiment with gentler materials like watercolor and gouache, opening up new creative possibilities. Now, I’ve become a bit of an art supplies enthusiast—reviewing countless products on YouTube has become a passion of mine. Read more>>
Cassandra Hill of Holistic Living Consulting
Growing up as a Black girl in the South I was taught that education can be a tool for a better way of life. After graduating high school I entered college and was fortunate to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. Immediately after undergraduate studies I entered graduate college and God blessed me to earn a Master’s degree. At this point, I entered corporate America working extremely hard to climb the ladder. The hard work came with favorable and unfavorable consequences. Awards like Woman of the Year and Stanford Who’s Who were bestowed for my exemplary work. It was an honor to be recognized for the work done as a Gerontologist as I genuinely care about older adults’ quality of life. Unfortunately while caring for others I neglected my health and well-being. Exhibiting this self-neglect for many years led to my body shutting down and being diagnosed with systemic lupus. The treatment for systemic lupus included chemo drugs which caused me to walk away from working in corporate America. The side effects of this treatment were difficult causing me to look for different options. Taking courses in alternative medicine and health/wellness provided the knowledge necessary to develop a regimen that has caused me to live in remission for eight years with systemic lupus. Read more>>
Maegan Kabel
Developing the work I love to do happened while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design. It was there I started my journey in learning studio lighting as well as diving head-first into motion media design as a second degree path. I’ve always been a creative, driven individual, but there are several professors in those programs who developed my skills and encouraged me to follow my wild ideas. Tim Keating and John Colette at SCAD both encouraged me to explore, push myself, and create some truly amazing work. That said, the path to get here has been far from linear. I returned to the Kansas City metro in 2017 and spent a lot of time making the work I thought people wanted. Starting Gumball Revue in 2020 pushed me to creating the type of work I want to see more of in the world. This year, I was able to transition away from a structured part-time job, which has opened up so many opportunities for myself, my creativity, and my business. The remainder of 2024 has so much coming and I’m beyond excited for 2025. Read more>>
Tamar Samplonius
Hi! Thank you so much for this opportunity – I’m excited to share my story with you :) I’ll start by telling a bit about what I do today. I’m a fiber artist working from my studio in The Netherlands, where I create large-scale fiber art using techniques like macrame, weaving, and knitting. I’ve been doing this professionally since 2017, but my creative journey started much earlier in my childhood. As a little kid, I was always creating something. It began with arts and crafts projects with my mom, using whatever materials we could get our hands on such as cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls, and paint ;) Over the years, that early creativity evolved, and I developed an interest in making jewelry, dreamcatchers, and even woodworking. I loved woodworking so much that I decided to leave high school to pursue a study in it. During that time, I was given an assignment to experiment with different materials and techniques, which is how I discovered macrame! I shared my first few pieces on Facebook, and to my surprise and delight, people wanted to buy my work. Encouraged by this response, I kept going, eventually creating my own website – and now here we are today! I never imagined this would become my career, but I’m incredibly happy that it is because it allows me to do what I love every day. Read more>>
Elina Zhelyazkova
I’ve always been interested in art, ever since I was little. Back then, I loved drawing Disney princesses and animals. During my teenage years, I stopped drawing as I became distracted by the Internet, new friendships, and all the exciting changes that come with high school. University followed, and shortly after, I entered the corporate world. It was in my last job that I felt unfulfilled and unhappy overall, so I turned back to art. At first, I explored adult coloring books, then acrylics, and brush lettering, until I finally decided to try watercolors. Something clicked immediately—I fell in love with the medium, and I’ve been passionate about it ever since. Read more>>
Kate Smith
Hi, I’m Kate! I started my food journey when I born. My parents are restauranteurs and so naturally I spent most of my days at the restaurant as well. I was the only sibling that loved working in the kitchen and went on to get my Hospitality Management degree at Oklahoma State University in 2017 so that I could take over my parent’s restaurant. During my time at OSU, I was able to complete my internship in China and study abroad in Italy. I instantly fell in love with French Macarons during my studies abroad and when the opportunity to start my own business came up, I knew I wanted to bring high quality macarons to the Kansas City area. I started baking out of my home at first, giving my macarons away for free to clients at my day job. Once my boss found out, she suggested I look into Lenexa’s Farmer’s Market to sell my macarons. The farmer’s market requires you to bake out of a commercial kitchen, so they directed me to the Lenexa Public Market as a possibility to do pop-ups and to bake in their commercial kitchen. After only 3 months of pop ups at the Public Market, we were offered a blank 100sqft incubator stall to make my own to jump start my business, Kate Smith Soirée. We quickly began to outgrow our space as it felt our popularity grew overnight. Then the pandemic hit out of nowhere. I was terrified because in financial uncertainty, luxury goods tend to be the first thing people forgo. But we were so fortunate to have the community support us regardless through the pandemic and we continued to grow. Then in December 2020, at the peak of the pandemic, I moved into a larger stall in the Lenexa Public Market and opened my restaurant Butterfield’s. Business was really f–king good. We used the new 425sqft space to operate both Kate Smith Soirée and Butterfield’s. It was a tight fit, but we made the space work and we did it very well. Read more>>
Jim Sherwood
I am originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and went to school in Pittsburgh where I was able to play College Basketball for 5 years. I’ve always had a passion for technology and art, but didn’t start creating myself until 7 years ago. I got started with The Canvas Project a little over 8 years ago after I had just moved to Florida. After working for companies like Apple, Aflac & AT&T I decided to start a brand of my own. The goal of the brand was to create unique custom art, while supporting art in education. Since our start, we have evolved into a brand that still does art, runs educational programs for students focusing on Art, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, E-Commerce and we host our own paint events. We focus heavily on being active in our community and finding new, innovative ways to connect with the youth. Starting The Canvas Project has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Read more>>
Torrey Gleason
Art has always intrigued and inspired me, and the process of creating it has been so important in shaping how I view the world. I think in many ways, I’m still exactly where I started. I mean, I still finger paint. I try to be curious about things. I try to find the magic in things. Even the ugly things. I feel lucky to have had supportive parents and encouraging teachers along to way that made it possible for me to do this as a career, but I can’t imagine any world where I would not be making art. Read more>>
Natalie Allgyer
All of this started in 2015, shortly after my daughter was born. I loved photographing her, mostly with my phone at first. A couple of years later, both of my parents got sick and passed away, leaving me with a lot of healing to do from that ordeal. The loss of hope was what I grieved the most. During this time, I picked up a real camera and learned how to use it. This was incredibly healing for me. Taking photos of the world around me forced me to slow down and appreciate the beauty in my surroundings. Then, I began to imagine surrealistic worlds in my mind, beyond what my eyes could see. So, I learned how to wield Photoshop. I was quite successful in creating and selling those images! After COVID, my family and I decided it was time to make some big changes. We packed up and moved to Amsterdam. I knew that moving and getting settled would take all of my energy, and that I wouldn’t have time to be creative in the way I was used to. Plus, my desktop was packed away and shipped off for a few months. At this point in my artistic journey, I was eager to learn digital painting. The ideas in my head had become too far out there for Photoshop to handle effectively, so I enrolled in an online course called Paintable. It took me two years to complete, because, well, life. These days, I spend my time honing this new craft so that I can relaunch my art brand with a fresh perspective. I’ve been practicing drawing every single day for over two and a half years Read more>>
Susanne Lambdin
When I was eight, my older brother handed me a pen and paper and said, “I’m trying to write. Either write something too or go away.” I was reading C.S. Lewis’s Narnia Chronicles, and feeling inspired, I wrote a two-hundred-page fantasy. Since then, I have written a book every year, most collecting dust and some rewritten, that now sit in bookstores and libraries. I knew then that I wanted to be a writer. In high school, I wrote for the school paper. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1984 with a BA in Professional Writing in Journalism (which required writing a novel and a movie script). I also wrote fanfiction before it became popular. I wrote ‘Jaws: The True Story’ (lol) and Star Trek stories in college. When Paramount Pictures announced a new series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, I worked as a bailiff in criminal court. It was not my chosen career path but good for scary stories. I immediately sold my horses, moved to Los Angeles, and had a job at Paramount within six months. I wrote several spec scripts, walked into producer Michael Pillar’s office one day, put a script on his desk, and said, “If you’re looking for a good Wesley Crusher script, this is it,” and walked out. I returned to pitch stories to the writers and producers several times and finally sold a script in 1990, which turned into Season 4, Episode 76 – Family. However, a death in the family required me to leave my blooming career as a screenwriter and return to Kansas, where I worked for twenty years as a paralegal in my family’s law firm. Read more>>
Xander Kaz
My Journey into Modeling Just four months ago, I decided to step into the world of modeling, not entirely sure where it would lead me. What started as a simple curiosity has quickly transformed into a burgeoning career. Modeling wasn’t always part of my plan. However, after some encouragement and a desire to explore new opportunities, I decided to give it a shot. I had no idea what to expect, but I was ready to see where it could take me. Almost immediately, things began to fall into place. I was fortunate enough to land a few acting jobs early on, which not only built my confidence but also helped me understand the nuances of the industry. During this time, I also started modeling on a freelance basis, building my portfolio and gaining experience in front of the camera. My freelance work and acting gigs opened up new doors, and before long, I caught the attention of several modeling agencies. Signing with these agencies was a pivotal moment in my journey. It provided me with the professional support and resources I needed to take my career to the next level. Looking back, it’s hard to believe how much has happened in just four months. From tentative first steps to working with reputable agencies, the journey has been both challenging and rewarding. I’m excited about what the future holds and eager to continue growing in this field. Starting a modeling career has been an exhilarating experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that have come my way. As I continue to navigate this exciting industry, I’m looking forward to what’s next and embracing all the new challenges and opportunities that come my way. Read more>>
Taneisha Thorpe of Yoniesencia
“After struggling with personal hygiene issues and finding no lasting solutions through conventional means, I embarked on a journey to discover all-natural remedies. My search led me to the transformative power of natural ingredients and holistic remedies. As I experienced a positive shift in my own life, I felt compelled to share these findings with others. This passion gave birth to Yoniesencia, a platform dedicated to offering natural personal care products and knowledge, empowering others to achieve wellness and freedom from recurring doctor’s visits.” “Today, Yoniesencia proudly extends its positive impact beyond our initial focus on women, now empowering individuals of all genders – men, women, and teens – to take control of their well-being. Our platform addresses a broader range of concerns, including hygiene issues, reproductive health, and skincare, with hair care solutions coming soon. By sharing knowledge, natural products, and support, we strive to create an inclusive community that fosters holistic self-care and wellness for all.” Read more>>
Brett Larson
I got interested in photography about 13 or 14 years ago on my first backpacking trip to Colorado. I grew up in the flat midwest so I was blown away by the mountains. Spending 4 days deep in the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park left me with a sense of awe for the natural and rugged beauty of the mountains. After our trip we came across a local photographer’s gallery and I was amazed by the photos. I had never seen landscape photos like that before and knew right then that was something I wanted to pursue. I’ve always had an interest in creative things (music, drawing, designing, building, etc) so photography was a natural fit. Shortly after that trip my wife and I moved out to Colorado and we spent as much time as we could hiking, skiing, camping, and enjoying the beautiful scenery. I got my first camera shortly after moving (a Canon 20D for you camera enthusiasts). I started learning the basics of landscape photography; composition, camera settings, photo editing, and how to use the natural light. I took a lot of bad photos but had enough that I thought were decent that it kept me going and pursuing things. About 9 years ago we moved to Montana, had our first child and I became a stay at home dad. Photography was still a hobby but I was starting to see it more as a potential career than a hobby. Raising a little one and remodeling a house didn’t leave me with a whole lot of free time but I continued to learn as much as I could about photography. My photos were slowly improving, but landscape photography is a difficult field that takes a lot of practice, patience, and a little bit of luck to be in the right place at the right time. Now that both my kids are in school I’ve been able to pursue photography more seriously and branch into other genres. Landscape photography is still by far my main focus but I’ve added real estate, drone photography, commercial/business work, and the occasional portrait to help supplement income from selling landscape prints. Read more>>
Kelsey Martin
I got started as a creative when I was in high school. I love black culture, music, and contemporary art. Diving into design first, I went to college and got my bachelors in communication arts and graphic design. Three years into my education, I fell in love with photography. We learned how to develop in the darkroom, shoot with film, learn DSLR, and shoot studio. Even though I still graduated with my design degree, photography became my passion. I’ve been shooting since 2015, and started building clientele in 2018. Things have been great ever since. Read more>>
Dr Emily Loveland
Dr Emily Loveland, Chiropractic Physician began her collegiate career at Grand Valley State University, Allendale MI, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 2000. While at GVSU, she completed the athletic training program which led to a short career as head high school athletic trainer. More interested in touch therapies than sports medicine, she completed massage school in 2002. Dr Emily then pursued a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree & Acupuncture certificate from the National University of Health Sciences in 2006. She prides herself on providing her patients with compassionate, individualized hands on care that focuses on wellness of the body, not just treatment of the symptoms. Since 2015, Dr Emily has shared her love of learning as adjunct professor at Elgin Community College, teaching Anatomy & Physiology in the massage therapy program. In 2020, Dr Emily opened Sage Healing Collective in Saint Charles, Illinois. Sage is a local get-a-away for Fox Valley residents and a hometown destination for visiting guests, with 12 private treatment rooms, natural nail care studio, spacious couples massage suite, yoga & sound studio, HaloIR Sauna, and a head-to-toe Apothecary & retail boutique. Sage practitioner’s specialize in holistic, hands-on medicine, mostly organic & results driven skincare, wild-crafted nail care, traditional & cosmetic acupuncture, relaxation or therapeutic bodywork, yoga & stretch therapies, aerial yoga, and a variety of unique healing therapies. Read more>>
Hominiform Studio
Hominiform Studio was born in February 2024, founded by Daniel, a visionary 3D artist from Germany, and Cyril, a creative force from France. Our journey started long before, driven by a shared passion for animation and the limitless possibilities that 3D technology offers. In just a few months, we’ve already made our mark. A key milestone is having worked with ImagineLabs from Beirut, which has led us to the exciting decision to partner up and expand our studio into the Middle East. Along the way, we’ve connected with remarkable people and teams who share our vision, paving the way for beautiful collaborations ahead. Read more>>
Enobong Tommelleo of Pounded Yam Productions
My name is Enobong Tommelleo and I’m a first-generation Brit born to Nigerian parents. I fell in love with an American and now I currently live with my husband and two children in Chicago, IL. I’ve always been very artistic since childhood and found my artistic voice in the performing arts for many years. I trained as a dancer and have performed in the West End production of Wicked and the German production of Disney’s The Lion King. But I have also always had an affinity for the visual arts and literature. Growing up, it always felt like the work by artists from Africa and the African diaspora was seen as an afterthought. Teachers showcased the works and talents of white artists from all over Europe and America, and then would remember I was in the room and find one example (often the same example) of a black artist in that space. The black artist was nearly always American. My breakthrough moment happened while working in the cast of the Lion King in Germany. About 90% of the cast were black, from South Africa, Nigeria, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, all over the diaspora. My time in that cast taught me so much of the diverse artistry black people all over the world and how much of this artistry has roots in Africa. This made me seek out works by artists from Africa, both old and new, in the performing, visual, and literary arts, and sharing my discoveries with others has become a passion of mine. It has also been the source of inspiration for the work I create today. Read more>>
Zazu Noir
Well…I started my journey as a poet. I was just in love with words and the ways they could be manipulated to express whatever you needed them to in ways that also played on the sense of sound. It was so fascinating to me, like coming up with your own equation, with nobody able to tell you you got the wrong answer, or used the wrong method. I slowly starting writing and recording full songs throughout high school-starting to fully present and push my craft seriously about 2 years before the pandemic hit. Ironically, I began to hit the stage on a smaller scale during the pandemic, and fell in love with performing. I had a pretty crazy life growing up and wanted to use the skills I had to make a real change in the community to connect, ignite hope, and attempt to prevent many who grew up in similar conditions from missing out on information, resources, and relationships I wish I was able to make while I was coming up. I really love everything about the art, the culture. It definitely molded me into the person I am today. Read more>>
Laury Verdoux of Moonlight PR
I always knew I wanted to work in the music industry since I was a teenager, I just wasn’t sure what job I wanted to do. I absolutely loved going to concerts, so I thought it would be nice to be involved in that field. I went to university to study Cultural Management with an emphasis on Music and Events. So after my studies, I started working in music booking, which even led me to work for Elton John’s French tour back in 2019. Fast forward to now and after working abroad for a couple of years, I founded Moonlight PR – a PR agency helping artists of all genres get their music heard. Now I thrive by helping artists with their promotion, with a small focus on being a bridge between Asia and the Western world. Having worked in South Korea, it was only natural for me to turn towards helping Korean artists with their promotion outside of Korea. This applies to Europe, the USA, and Latin America, and encompasses both music releases and tours. I was the first foreigner to be hired directly by Korean labels to work on their PR outside of Korea, specifically focusing on PR and not on marketing or the business side of things. This is a proud achievement for me, especially as someone who had no prior contacts in the music industry and came from the French countryside. Read more>>
Aparna Halpe
I am originally from a hill town called Kandy, in Sri Lanka. I was born in the 70s, at a time of tremendous political upheaval with war and genocide going on for most of my life there. Surviving through tough times was a life lesson that I learned very early, as well as the sense that we are all connected, and we must always move forward in the world in a way that puts kindness ahead of any other value. I was incredibly lucky to be born into an artistic family where my father was a scholar, poet, and theatre director; my mother was a pianist and choral director. I have music and poetry in my blood, and I grew up around fiery poets and activists who were not afraid to call out repressive regimes, often at the cost of being jailed, tortured, and sometimes even killed. Being an artist meant that you inherited the responsibility to speak the truth, and that is something that I strive to practice in my music. I started learning the violin at the age of three. My mother, Bridget Halpe, was my first teacher (even though she was a pianist.) She would go to my older siblings’ lessons, watch, and come back and teach me. She was incredibly tough, and she taught me that being a musician is about discipline first and foremost. Her perfectionism was hard to live up to, but it gave me a strict inner compass and respect for my craft. My early success at my instrument led me to become a professional violinist at age 17, when I joined the Lanka Philharmonic as assistant concertmaster. The orchestra was the first professional orchestra in South Asia, and I learned many valuable lessons about professionalism from my time there. Read more>>
Anne Plaisance
I grew up in Paris, where pursuing art seemed like an impossible dream, especially in the aftermath of the 1970s economic crisis. After earning degrees in international trade and working in the communication field in Poland, my journey toward becoming an artist began as a way to reclaim something for myself. Following the closure of my advertising agency due to the 2008 financial crisis, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of the next step. It was then that I turned to art, initially through travel journaling and finally enrolling in the Fine Arts Academy in Warsaw. Art became a form of liberation for me. My experiences—both personal and professional—shaped the themes I explore in my work. Over time, I realized that the societal issues I faced personally, such as gender inequality and domestic violence, needed to be addressed through my art. My projects like “Wonder Women Now,” inspired by my time working with survivors of domestic violence, and “Please Tell Her That I Love Her,” born from my daughter’s battle with depression, reflect my desire to make the invisible visible. Read more>>
Diana Stelin
I immigrated from Moldova to the United States at 13. Art became my refuge during a time of severe bullying, offering a much-needed solace. Over the years, I’ve delved into the effects of art on the human psyche, which has led me to write a novel on the topic and present a TEDx talk titled “Creativity as an Antidote to Burnout.” Art has been a transformative force in my life, and I’ve channeled this passion into facilitating hundreds of award-winning workshops for both kids and adults, spanning from individual sessions to programs within corporations and schools. Recently, I launched a gallery and teaching space that has quickly become a vibrant community hub—a unique blend of creativity and connection. In 2020, I also started a sustainable fashion brand, with garments produced in my home country of Moldova. This venture has caught the attention of publications like Elle, MSN, Goji Magazine, and Style Weekly, further expanding my mission to make art and creativity accessible to all. Read more>>
Mark Ainley’s Story
In the natural world and in interesting stories, things almost never follow a straight trajectory, and that’s most certainly the case in my life. Not only has my life path been unpredictable, but the fact that I would be where I am – and that this is where I would WANT to get to – has most definitely been unexpected. I could never have anticipated that I would work as a Feng Shui consultant: those foreign words and the modality itself were nowhere near my awareness when I was in school and entering the workforce back before the internet existed. It was only after I lived in Japan – another unexpected development – that I would come across this ancient practice. I moved to Japan right out of university in the Autumn of 1992 because I had no real interest of finding a 9-to-5 job after graduating and I had no idea what kind of work would satisfy me. My sister had moved there a couple of years before and said it was relatively easy to make a good living as an English teacher, so why not give it a shot – so I did. Although she had long had a fascination with Japan, I hadn’t; however, I soon grew enamoured of the country and living in Tokyo, despite the initial stresses of moving away from home and living in a culture so different from mine – and not speaking the language (which I eventually did pick up). Read more>>
Nkoya Kidd
My story began when I was pregnant, afraid, and feeling powerless. I was constantly anxious and worried about my well-being as a Black woman who was about to give birth to a Black child. I had heard all the horror stories about labor and delivery, and mentally, I was not prepared to bring a human into this world. When the time came to give birth, I allowed discomfort and pain to take over my mind throughout the entire labor. After returning home with my daughter, I suffered from postpartum depression. Motherhood felt very lonely to me. Yet, there was one thing that brought me true joy during that time—watching my daughter master her milestones. She was fearless, courageous, powerful, and determined—everything that I felt I wasn’t during my postpartum stage. I wanted to be just like her, so I set out to do just that. One way I achieved this was by shifting my mindset and saying daily affirmations. This inspired me to write a book series for children that focuses on affirmations. I concluded that we are born fearless and powerful, but along the way, life happens, and we begin to disconnect from our identity. I knew Warrior Nori Books would help children stay connected to their identity. The goal is to lessen the number of children who will grow into adults and have to reconnect with their identity. Read more>>
Elrico Tunstall of From The Mind Of Elrico Tunstall Studios
As a two-time war veteran who has served in the United States Army, my journey has to begin with that. I am a highly decorated veteran who has overcome battles on and off the battlefield. After my medical retirement, I have continued to serve but in a different way, and it begins by being a devoted husband to my Loving wife Eugena Tunstall and my children and, secondly, being a productive member of my community of Pensacola and the entire Gulf Coast. I have produced two full-length feature films; a third one is coming. From The Mind Of Elrico Tunstall Studios has Films streaming globally on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Tubi. Sacred and What the Heart Wants are the names of the two films. I could only get to this point in my career by overcoming significant obstacles and using those obstacles as fuel to push me forward. I have always believed that pursuing success should make you uncomfortable. I take nothing or no one for granted, and I am sincerely humbled by the support and respect I receive from my supporters. Read more>>
Kimberly Shores
I embarked on my journey in home design six years ago. During this time, I supported my husband, Michael, who is a real estate broker, in our real estate business. As my involvement in the real estate sector deepened, I developed a profound appreciation for the art of home design. This passion led us to start flipping homes together, a venture we have pursued with unwavering dedication. For the past six years, transforming houses into homes has been my guiding principle, and I am committed to this passion for the foreseeable future. Read more>>
Dr. Marisa Tellez
“If a woman loves a crocodile, she takes on its character.” Independence, strength, and intelligence may be some of the characteristics that this ancient Egyptian proverb is referring to, and qualities that have shaped my character since I was a young girl. At an age when most girls were playing with dolls, I was developing my knowledge of the world’s top predators. Not a day went by that I wasn’t imaging my future career as one of the leading apex predator scientists in the world, broadening the world’s knowledge and respect for these magnificent creatures. After years of self-education on the world’s predators, I developed a great passion for one of the oldest lineages of predators on our planet- the crocodile. I came to realize that scientific research and teaching were paramount in furthering the field of crocodilian biology, as well as providing the knowledge needed to aid in the conservation of these archaic reptiles. Read more>>
Juan Giraldo of Waku
My journey started in Quito, Ecuador, where I was born and raised. I’ve always been passionate about entrepreneurship and making a positive impact. In 2016, I moved to the U.S. to pursue my MBA at Babson College. Before moving to the US I was working in a Ecuadorian company, where I reconnected with my childhood friend Nico. We both shared a deep interest in business and social impact, especially in supporting indigenous farmers in Ecuador. While at Babson, Nico and I began discussing how we could combine our passions to create a meaningful venture. We were both keenly aware of the challenges faced by indigenous farmers in Ecuador, many of whom live below the poverty line. We wanted to find a way to support these communities while also bringing something unique to the market. We decided to focus on the beverage industry because Ecuador is renowned for its high-quality, natural ingredients. After extensive research and development, we created Waku—a line of delicious, teas with prebiotic fiber to support digestive health. Read more>>
Ellana Stinson
Starting my brand wasn’t just a business decision—it was personal. After battling thyroid cancer and reproductive health issues, I found myself on a frustrating search for hair care products that actually worked for me. There was nothing out there that catered to the unique needs my health challenges created. And I thought, “If I’m struggling to find something, how many others are facing the same issue?” That’s when it hit me: *why not create the solution myself?* I dove headfirst into building a brand that was more than just hair care. I wanted to blend the power of science with the wisdom passed down from my Southern family traditions. I wasn’t just looking to make products—I was on a mission to guide people back to their roots, helping them nourish their scalp and grow stronger, healthier hair with ingredients they could trust. Now, as a physician, switching gears from medicine to entrepreneurship? That was a *wild* ride. Imagine going from diagnosing patients to navigating logistics, marketing strategies, supply chains—you name it. It was like entering a whole new world, with learning curves at every turn. But I love a challenge, and with each hurdle, I learned something new. I quickly realized that building a business is like solving a puzzle, and every piece—from understanding revenue streams to mastering financial forecasting—was a step closer to bringing my vision to life. Read more>>
Dj Mixx
I am a deejay/event producer representing ReggaeBoyz Sound, trained and sharpened by King Waggy Tee. I am an entertainment attorney with much of my practice focused on music and a spiritualist specializing in divination within the Ifa Orisa tradition. I grew up in North Miami Beach, left to NYC to further education and continue my musical journey, and later returned home to add a law degree to the equation. On any given day, I could be deejaying a concert with Jesse Royal, Yohan Marley and Yung Wylin (Livity Haven), playing music with Hymn Marley at Soho Beach House, negotiating contracts for reggae veteran, Everton Blender, or in New Orleans with my brother, Sen Elias, at Crescent City Conjure giving spiritual readings to seekers. I have built my brand on a diverse background and skillsets which coalesce around creativity, social activism and personal integrity. Read more>>
Andrea Salazar of Kagomes Krystals
Kagome’s Krystals began as a small side business in 2019 when I was just 23 years old. I had always wanted something I could call my own, so I decided to start this adventure with very little money and even less knowledge. I dove in headfirst with nothing but faith and the desire to succeed. I began by selling homemade jewelry, keychains, and small stones. Now, at 28, it’s been five years since I launched my business. Throughout this time, I’ve learned and grown tremendously, running it full-time for the past four years. What started with a few beaded bracelets has expanded to hundreds of bracelets a month, along with a wide range of small and large stones and various types of jewelry. I’ve even traveled all over the USA to source amazing gems, which has been an incredible experience. Read more>>