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.

Dillon Bentlage’s Story

I started writing and producing movies when I was 20 years old. I remember hanging out with my life-long friend, Brian Reilly, and asking him if he would like to write a script together. We are big fans of the Coen Brothers, so we decided to write our script under the pseudonym, The Karen Twins (We could never have guessed how that name would age lol). The name derives from our mothers, who met when they were 11 years old, and were both named Karen. I’ve known Brian longer than my sister; I met him when I was 2 weeks old. Read more>>

Jake Stahl of Jake Stahl Consulting

I began my career as a sales representative, working for four international companies. I achieved top sales rep status at three of the four—though I’d still like another shot at that fourth one! Eventually, my manager asked if I would consider training others, and despite not knowing how to teach what came naturally to me, I seized the opportunity. It felt like a pivotal moment, as if the universe was saying, “This is your calling.” I quickly found my stride and soon became one of the most sought-after trainers and speakers within the company. During that time, I co-authored seven patents and contributed to the development of both a Learning Management System and a Customer Relationship Management system from the ground up. Read more>>

Anastacia Yefimenko of Elcove

Hi! I’m Anastacia Yefimenko, the founder of Elcove, a line of non-toxic and zero-waste home care products. My journey started with a personal struggle – I’ve dealt with allergies and asthma my whole life because of the chemicals in regular cleaning products. When I realized that 2.5 billion plastic cleaning bottles are thrown away every year in the U.S., I knew I had to do something. So, as an 18-year-old first-year at Babson College, I decided to create a better option. That’s how Elcove was born – the name even comes from “Eco Love” because we believe in loving ourselves and the planet. After a lot of research and working with a chemist, we launched our first product, a dish soap, in 2023. Now, we have both dish and hand soaps in various scents, including unscented for people like me with allergies. Our products come in reusable glass bottles and compostable refill pouches – just add water and you’re good to go! Read more>>

Jenna Irene

I started singing in Talent shows when I was in the third grade. I was blown away by Celine Dion’s song “My Heart Will Go On” and her beautiful voice. I wanted to sing that song for my first Talent Show. I remembered my Mom telling me I had to practice if I wanted to do a good job. What she said stuck with me and it’s what I did. My Mom helped me the best she could even with no music background. Even another parent from my Elementary School helped find the instrumental music. It was very sweet and thoughtful because she had kids of her own that were auditioning and she wasn’t obligated to help me but she did. The practice paid off because I got into the Talent Show and sang “My Heart Will Go On”. It was a big night for me. I remembered wearing a big purple poofy dress (purple is my favorite color) and sitting on a stool singing into the microphone. I was so nervous but felt very brave at the same time. Even months after the show I would get classmates coming up to me saying “you did so good!!” and parents would tell my mom I made them cry because they thought I did a beautiful job. Yes, I did make my Mom cry. That performance was very special to me and I felt very happy. This was the performance when I knew I wanted to be a singer songwriter. Read more>>

Rich Gomez of Ryker’s Motley, INC

I got married at 19, already in debt with two credit cards and a car payment. Despite working two jobs, I stayed in poverty but kept buying expensive things on credit. After my divorce, I bought even more things, including a sports car and a Harley, which left me with little money for essentials, often relying on friends to cover costs. When I started dating my current wife, I was still deeply in debt and used her credit for purchases, which strained our relationship. We constantly fought about money, and the stress was overwhelming. Eventually, I decided to educate myself by reading books about money, starting with Rich Dad Poor Dad. Through these books, I learned the principles of managing money and how the wealthy operate, things that schools and my parents never taught me. I realized anyone can become wealthy if they follow the right principles. Read more>>

Justin Finley

I started writing for school contests and making my own comic books made from flashcards when I was really young, like six or seven years old. What really got me into writing was the storytelling behind some of my favorite games like Final Fantasy and Mortal Kombat. During my junior year of military school, I decided to apply to some colleges as my doubt about joining the militry grew and grew. When I got into Columbia College Chicago and saw that there was a Creative Writing program there it was a done deal. Read more>>

Charles Themogul Mabry of Infinite Interior and Distribution LLC

**Early Interest and Education:** I grew up in Houston, Texas, with a strong interest in both sports and business. My passion for football led me to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where I played for the football team and contributed to winning a title, setting a record that I’m proud of. **Transition to Entrepreneurship:** After graduating, I decided to make Jonesboro my home. My initial venture was opening a store, which allowed me to immerse myself in the local community. Seeing the potential for growth, I started rebuilding houses in the area, contributing to the community’s development. **Career Progression:** Building on my success, I opened a hardware store, which provided essential materials for my construction projects and the local community. Recognizing the need for streamlined operations, I expanded my business portfolio by starting a trucking company to handle logistics and a cabinetry company to supply custom furnishings for the homes we built. Read more>>

Isabelle Giandomenico of Sunrise Wellness & Holistic Health

When I get asked about my story, why I pursued a career path in Holistic Medicine, and how I got here today, I think back to when I was young, living in chronic pain, and was dismissed time and time again. “It’s just part of being a woman,” my doctor would tell me. “A lot of women just live this way,” I would hear. “You’re perfectly healthy,” I was told by another doctor. And yet, I could barely make it to school some days because of the pain, I was very limited in what social or physical activities I could do, and I was exhausted all the time. I was dismissed for so many years, unheard by multiple doctors, and by the time I was in my mid-20s, I was diagnosed with three chronic illnesses, as well as several other health conditions. I live with endometriosis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and dysautonomia. My pain and symptoms were not normal and I was not perfectly healthy. Read more>>

Sharon Marie White

Ever since I was a little girl I have always loved music. the expression “feel it in your bones” pretty much describes my affinity for music. By the age of 15, I had learned how to play the guitar and was gigging in a Rock Band most weekends as the lead singer. As the years progressed, I would be involved in other bands as well as getting married and starting a family. By the early 90’s I had switched to Country music and started writing my own songs. This is where I truly felt “at home” . While my music career has had a few pauses, I always kept up my songwriting. At the start of 2019 I began getting more serious about my songwriting and also started releasing my music out to the world. Currently I have released 8 singles and will be back in the studio this fall/winter working on several new tracks. I have started to build a solid fan base from all over the world which has been so rewarding and pushes me to keep on going.  Read more>>

Kenya Tumer-griffin

I started my journey with a strong passion for working with youth and the community. I began working for the City of Daytona Beach Parks and Recreation Dept., at 16 years old. I worked with the youth at various recreation centers. I was appointed as Site Supervisor, at 18 years old, coaching cheerleading, t-ball, track and field, and teaching youth theater and dance. I was also allowed to host art and craft workshops for the Volusia County Parks and Recreation Dept. I am still employed with the City of Daytona Beach (31 years of part-time service). I now instruct cardio line dancing and supervise the recreational sites when needed. This was my first job, and it set the foundation for the leadership, organization, customer service, professionalism, and planning skills I have today. Read more>>

Lindsey Dominguez

I decided to write a book after many years of being a case manager. I hit the point of burnout, as many in the field do, and realized that my experiences told a story. Case Managers like me in the field didn’t really have any “unofficial guide” regarding the things they don’t tell you about being in Social Services or about working with lots of people with lots of colorful issues. On a particular day when it was tough, I took my laptop out on my lunch break and started hammering it out. My colleagues also shared quirky and interesting things with me about their time in the field as well and that’s kind of where the idea for my book “Case Closed: A Snarky Guide to surviving Case Management” started. Read more>>

Alex “logikil” Torres

It all started on a back block in Hartford, CT named Grandview Terrace. The whole neighborhood was going crazy over this new artist named DMX. Legend had it that MTV and BET banned his music videos and he was known for battle rapping and dissing other rappers. Needless to say, I was ALL IN! All of us would find ways to print out his lyrics to see who knew his songs the best. My personal favorite to recite was “Stop Being Greedy”, I’ll let you figure out the album name. This spawned a culture of rap in the neighborhood and while I was one of the youngest on the block, I wasn’t scared to try my hand at it. It started off corny, “On the block with a glock going pop…yadda yadda yadda.” But as time passed, I ended up moving off the block, to a town over called West Hartford. Looking back as an adult, it was only 5 minutes away, but as a kid it tore my tiny world apart. As the years passed and tears dried, I remained friends with many of the kids from the neighborhood and they were all taking part in online rap forums. My cousin Kahron then introduced to me to Rap Cityz. Ah, the birth place of LogiKIL. To keep things SUPER short, there were many categories you can use to rap/battle. The main 2 being audio and text. I chose text because my voice was trash being that I was only 13. Occasionally I would write text raps the read link songs, basically longer and more structured poems, but the meat and potatoes were the rap battles. Read more>>

Lynn Power of MASAMI

I spent almost 30 years in the advertising industry. I loved it for a really long time, but as I got more senior as was running ad agencies, my days became consumed with legal, finance meetings and HR issues — not why I got into the business. I decided to get back to doing what I love, building brands. What better way to do that than to start my own brand? I met my co-founder, James in 2018 and we decided to launch MASAMI. We launched at New York Fashion Week in February 2020 and have had our share of challenges — first Covid, then Cancer (I was diagnosed with an aggressive Stage 3 breast cancer in 2021) and now Cash (as in cash flow is always a challenge!). Read more>>

Morgan Specht

I went to college for graphic design and marketing, and when I graduated in 2015 I fully intended on working a corporate job for 20 years or so, then maybe considering freelancing or starting my own business. I did land a pretty killer agency role right out of college, but it took me less than a year to realize it wasn’t a good fit for me and I definitely COULD NOT do this for the rest of my life. Several job applications and lots of late nights of (unpaid) overtime later, I landed a in-house web design role and a tech company which was honestly pretty boring, but it did allow me plenty of free time to start freelancing on the side. After about a year of doing that I realized that I’d made way more money freelancing than I could have ever expected and thought “maybe I can just do this full time”. So I hired a business coach and worked with her for a little over a year while we built my side-hustle into a full fledged design business that replaced my corporate income and allowed me to ditch my cubicle for good. Read more>>

Mercedes Mansilla

Locked inside a one-bedroom apartment in the middle of a global pandemic, I stumbled upon a TikTok video showcasing a woman who claimed she was making over 34K a month with Fiverr Pro as a copywriter. I was jobless, like most people during that time, desperate to make money and eager to finally do what I loved most: WRITING. Ever since I was a tiny 5-year-old, I enjoyed reading, writing stories and letters… I was also very convincing. I’d write letters to my parents to ask them to do things for me, get me presents, and yes – I always got what I wanted. So we could say I had an innate gift: The gift of persuasion, which I then began to study in detail after stumbling upon The Price –one of the greatest works of art in the non-fiction world–. Then I discovered my passion for psychology, marketing and neuroscience with a translator degree under my belt. So, that was it, I HAD TO BECOME A COPYWRITER. And that’s the moment when the light bulb turn on for me: When I knew my passion had a name: Copywriting. Read more>>

Natasha Wells

Well I was born in Houston but raised in Dallas, so I like to say thatI am a city girl but country girl at heart! I am the oldest of three siblings so family is very important to me! My mother was a single parent and raised me to be the best version of myself always instilling in me my core values which is my faith and trust in God! Up until this point in my life that is how I have lived my life with God and my unwavering faith in him! Read more>>

Emmerita Ambata of Billet

I believe the best place to start is my final year of university. I majored in accounting and finance, and while I enjoyed the field, I found myself constantly questioning why I was pursuing it. Was it because my academic path led me here? Was it for the promise of a lucrative future? Or was it simply to please my parents, teachers, and lecturers? Many days, I’d sit in lectures, staring out at the clear blue sky, feeling lost and disconnected. While my peers eagerly charted their uncertain futures, the thought of becoming a chartered accountant—a goal I’d had since day one—felt incredibly daunting. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was experiencing burnout from years of being academically driven, compounded by a quarter-life crisis I didn’t even know existed. After graduating, I decided to take a break. I used this time to slow down, reflect, and think about what I truly wanted. This break became my first awakening, a period where I detached from the daily grind and began seeing life differently. Read more>>

Emily Rouse of House of Rouse and Edgington Studio

The first time I ever used a sewing machine was on a Girl Scout field trip as a middle schooler growing up in Wheeling, WV. I was gifted a sewing machine that year for Christmas and the rest is history. That field trip was influential in sparking my passion for sewing and fashion because without it, I never would have known it was a skill I would enjoy and could turn into a career. I was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia. I graduated from The Linsly School in 2012 and went on to obtain my BFA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management from Virginia Commonwealth University. While studying and living in the historic city of Richmond, Virginia, I sewed my craft on both screen and stage in the costume departments of PBS’s MERCY STREET and Firehouse Theatre. Right before moving to New York City, I began my role as Wardrobe Supervisor for the new show LIGHTS, CAMERA, LOCATION!, enjoying the opportunities to film across the country and throughout Europe. Once in NYC, I broadened my horizons and immersed myself in every aspect of the fashion industry, gaining experience in wholesale, retail, design, distribution, manufacturing, and contracting and created my womenswear brand, House of Rouse, LLC. I am now excited to bring my experiences back home to Wheeling to build this industry locally and create opportunities for future professionals in fashion and manufacturing through my second business, Edgington Studio. Read more>>

Wilma Davidson

Nerd. Studious. Respectful of parents and teachers and those in authority. Enjoyed helping others. Became a high school teacher, earned graduate degrees, taught teachers how to teach better, Traded my school classrooms for corporate classrooms and taught executives how to communicate better–in writing and in person. Wrote articles and books about communication. Did so for almost 40 years! And then, I ventured into writing a new genre: a children’s book–and it was published! What fun, so I wrote another–and it is in the process of being published. Love all my careers–teaching and helping others feel good about themselves. Read more>>

Project Pinball Charity Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Bonita Springs, FL, Project Pinball Charity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that places pinball machines in Children’s Hospitals and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHCs) to introduce and provide therapeutic benefits to kids of all ages, as well as to their families and the medical staff that care for them. Project Pinball Charity began with the discovery of a broken pinball machine at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, FL. The machine, located in The Chrissy Brown Hematology and Oncology Unit, no longer functioned. This Spider-man pinball machine by Stern Pinball was a memorial gift donated to the hospital in the memory of Jimmy Schneeberger (02/17/1989 – 04/13/2000). After seeing this gift in disrepair, an immediate decision was made to restore the machine to perfect, playable condition. Read more>>

Ana Fallon’s Story

I would be happy to. My initial introduction to photography was as a college elective. It was a black and white photography class where we learned how to develop our own film and prints in the darkroom. While I was in college my aunt encouraged me to try modeling. I was fortunate enough to do so for about 10 years and traveled and worked in Japan, Germany, Los Angeles and Austria. During my time as a model I was able to ask the photographers many questions and learned quite a bit from them. I practiced snapping portraits of fellow models, family members, pets and shot lots of landscapes. Eventually I quit modeling and with my husband’s encouragement, I started my photography business. Read more>>

Carlaura Flie-jordan

Making the decision to become an entrepreneur was definitely a scary decision, but also what I like to call a faith move. I had no idea of what I was walking into, however, I knew that I had two little boys who would be watching my every move and I needed to make them proud. Dream Big Inspire Big is a business birthed because of my two boys, I never want them to limit themselves to just what they see around them. I want them to go after every dream they have, no matter how big or impossible it may seem. Read more>>

Robin Rutledge – Taylor of Alpha To Omega Wholistic Services, LLC

I have been an active fitness enthusiast since childhood. I was a cheerleader and gymnast and enjoyed swimming, along with other outdoor sports. I’ve been a wellness professional since 1989. I have educational and professional experience in social services, mental health, domestic violence counseling, addictions treatment, fitness training, naturopathy, outdoor adventures leadership, wilderness medicine, mental health first aid and Pilates. In 2002, I created Alpha To Omega Wholistic Therapeutic Services, LLC. A wellness lifestyle brand with a mission to Educate on natural care of mind, body, and soul; Encourage mindful movement; Empower you to be well. Services include mindful movement, self-care, and wellness education. Read more>>

Dayna Altman’s Story

My name is Dayna Altman and I am a mental health author, entrepreneur, and speaker. I am the founder of Bake it Till You Make it LLC, a community based organization that uses food and baking to cultivate authentic mental health conversation in the kitchen, around the table and beyond. I began Bake it Till You Make it during a really dark time. I have struggled with depression, OCD and been in life long eating disorder recovery for most of life and in 2017 I felt I was at a new low. I felt isolated in my depression and had a hard time engaging with other people in a way that was honest. Read more>>

Abby Lott

Hello! I’m Abby (Stabby Cat Tattoos), a 25 year old tattoo artist based in Tennessee. I co-own a tattoo shop in Lawrenceburg, TN called Stray Cats Studio. I started tattooing in 2020, I was apart of the batch of “Covid baby” tattooers lol I initially started off in a shop that was essentially just an apprentice farm – there were more than 4 apprentices at all times and it was truly the blind leading the blind as he really didn’t spend any time teaching and we were expected to help each other or watch YouTube videos – but was there to get his cut of your cash at the end of the night of course. The next spot I worked at I learned how to use coils and I saw an almost instant improvement in my work, that truly set me up for success and I’m grateful for it for sure. Both environments were not good for me and my mental and physically health took a big dive those couple of years. I did walk away with good life experience but I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been difficult. Read more>>

Tina Kadish

I was laid off from my corporate career as a training and development professional and found myself with uncertainty, fear and unsure of my direction. Through my research I learned that over 85% of women are unhappy, unfulfilled and stuck in their corporate careers and have no clarity, focus or direction. I resonated with this and wanted to help other women so I became certified as a Passion Test facilitator and through my launch of my business, I quickly discovered that the majority of women wanted to start their own businesses so I became a business coach and today I empower new or aspiring women entrepreneurs to start their own businesses that will bring them joy, freedom and prosperity. Read more>>

Emmanuel Opoku

At the age of 14, I found a passion for wood carving and joined a group to hone my skills and make some extra money during middle school. As a high school student, I took on large-scale portrait commissions to develop my artistic abilities. My father later encouraged me to prioritize my education by not bringing the commissions home. Driven by my passion, I completed my BFA in painting at KNUST and later pursued my MFA in sculpture at the University of Florida. Pursuing art in the US, I took the opportunity to reflect on my experiences in Ghana, examining the intersection of art practice and cultural dynamics from both perspectives. This exploration led me to focus my artistic research on the idealistic experience of the diaspora. Read more>>

Leanne Schultz

Growing up in Northern BC, I spent much of my time exploring the forests and mountains, always feeling more at home among the trees than in the bustle of a city. This deep connection to nature naturally draws me to paint its many forms. Though I initially pursued a conventional creative career by earning a degree in Interior Design, where I gained valuable insights into composition and color, I found myself constrained by budgets and client expectations. This led me to seek a more personal and unrestricted creative path. Painting offers me endless opportunities to explore nature’s nuances. I strive to capture the essence of light, the atmosphere of a place, and the resonance of a memory, layering these elements through variations in light and shadow and a spectrum of warm and cool colors. Read more>>

Anna Titkova of Pratia Ukraine

From my childhood I had a big dream to become a doctor that soon became an exact goal. Following this calling I entered Kharkiv National Medical University, then received master’s degree in medicine, PhD in internal diseases and a scientific title of Associate Professor in the Kharkiv National Medical University where I have started my medical journey as a first-year student so far away. From 2014 I was engaged in clinical trials performance in the multidisciplinary research site and in 2019 I started the cooperation with international site management organization Pratia with opening their branch on the territory of Ukraine. In 2020 I opened Pratia Ukraine as an international division of international site network and Pratia Clinic Ukraine – the first pure independent clinical research site in the country. During the next 2 years I managed to create the Ukrainian sites network within 4 regions, to be the TOP world recruiter in COVID clinical trial and to start first projects in own clinic. Read more>>

Haley Murphy of OATS

I started my career in the beauty industry with a passion for empowering women and helping them feel confident in their own skin. Early on, I realized the immense potential in spray tanning, both as a beauty service and a business opportunity. Seeing the growing demand for natural-looking tans, I decided to specialize in this area. Spray tanning doesn’t require a license so anyone can offer this service. It can allow women to be their own boss, choose your own hours and give women confidence! I launched my own spray tanning business, combining my expertise in beauty with a keen business acumen. Through dedication, 10 years of continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence, I built a thriving business. My approach focused on delivering high-quality results and exceptional customer service, which quickly earned me a loyal client base. Read more>>

Empress Arce

How I got started?… Well it’s not that simple, it all begins with an idea or a perception of your purpose. It all began with my love for literature that started it all. It opened up the possibility that there was more than what I saw around me. My imagination bred through plot and punctuation creating new beginnings in every moment. Once I began to write poetry and draw, a newfound ability of expression was discovered without saying a word. Around the age of 19, I started my business officially selling all natural, vegan wellness products. Over time I continue to recognize my talents by offering my service through artistry. Even though I am still very young in the flesh, I have many aspirations that’ll be heard and felt by many.  Read more>>

Kalyn Bell of The Only Agency

I started my marketing agency at the end of 2021! I was scrolling through social media and came across a creator who was posting lifestyle/business content on her page. I decided to message her to see how she got from point A to where she is today. Since she was getting an influx of similar questions, she decided to hold a masterclass. This taught us everything we needed to know about how to jumpstart our business plans. Once I finished the class, I decided to start building my brand awareness/community on social media. This helped me grow my company to where it is today. Read more>>

Avgoustina Papadopoulou

Honestly, it all started with watching the movie “Troy.” It was my first ever movie, and I was so so young. I remember how much I got obsessed with everything – the emotions, the characters, the music. It made me feel like I was there, living and feeling what they were experiencing in the movie. I will never forget that feeling. I got addicted. From that moment on, I knew that whatever I did in life, it had to be connected to the world of storytelling and filmmaking. Over the years, I’ve tried my hand at various jobs in marketing and acting. While these experiences were valuable and taught me a lot, I always found myself coming back to my true passion: writing and directing. I started writing as much as I could, pouring my heart into every story. I faced a lot of rejections and failures, but each setback only fueled my determination to keep going. Read more>>

John Cady

I am an individual whose goal in life was to have a loving wife, amazing children, and a job I love going to every day. Each and every one of these goals was met, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m a blessed man. On top of these life goals, I have also had a dream 25 years in the making to be a published author. This dream has finally been realized. I could talk until I’m blue in the face in regards to how wonderful my wife and kids are. They’re the reason I wake up smiling and go to sleep smiling. One of the reasons I smile in between those hours is thanks to the work I get to do day in and day out. I’m a teacher who gets to watch incarcerated students rise above and well beyond what they thought their potential was and what society sometimes thinks their potential is. When you see them walk across a stage and accept their diploma, you tend to tear up like it’s your own child being handed a diploma. As if this experience hasn’t been rewarding enough, they were also the inspiration for my breakthrough novel, Angela of Death. Read more>>

Lynellyn Long

I primarily work on refugee and migrant issues. I have worked in border and migrant camps, processing centres, and war zones; and on migration and refugee research and policy, including counter-trafficking, women’s entrepreneurship (to prevent dangerous migration), and reproductive health. In the late 60s and the early 70s, I became involved in the Vietnam antiwar protests. When the Vietnam War ended, there was a mass migration of “Boat People”. I volunteered at International Rescue Committee in Boston, where I taught English to Vietnamese refugees at night. During the day, I ran the Jamaica Plain Adult Learning Program, a community program, that also supported refugees and migrants. Those experiences led to my joining the UN Volunteers (UNVs) in the Philippines Refugee Processing Centre in Bataan, where the UNVs helped Southeast Asian refugees adapt to their lives ahead in the US and Western Europe. From the Processing Centre, I went on to work in the Thai-Lao and Thai-Cambodian border camps. In the late 1980s, I decided to investigated the impact of long term refugee camp life on economic, social, and kinship structures for my doctoral research. For that study, I lived and worked for a year in Ban Vinai, a Hmong-Lao refugee camp in Northeast Thailand.  Read more>>

Allison Anna of Business 1: Awakened Marketing, Business 2. Awake with Allison Anna

My story starts out in a family with a long history of mental illness, unresolved anger, co-dependence, alcoholism, and addiction. We had a lot of love and fun in our family as well. I don’t want to discount the fact that I had loving parents who cared for me deeply and did the best they could with the tools they had at their disposal. They taught me a lot of valuable lessons in life, they loved me unconditionally, and they still support me and cheer me on in life to this day. Later in life, I figured out that I was a highly sensitive person and an empath so my childhood affected me more. Being a highly sensitive person means I feel deeply about things, even the small or mundane things in life. Being an empath means I can feel other peoples emotions when I am around them and especially if I have a deep connection with them. So, I felt the big things in life 100x more than a normal person. I always felt different than the rest of my family and so I became the scapegoat and developed many people-pleasing behaviors. (which I later learned is a signature trait of a scapegoat). It was the only way I knew to survive without absorbing everyone else’s pain around me. Read more>>

Ronnie Robson of Amplitude Films and Music

I am a professional studio musician who has recorded with many great artists over the years. My instrument of choice has been the bass guitar but also known for drums and keys as well. It all started when I was very young, perhaps six years old – taking piano lessons through the Royal Conservatory of Music in Dunsford, Ontario. Then around twelve years of age, I branched out into learning six string guitar, which brought me to the bass. For the past thirty-eight years I have also been a mixing, mastering engineer – for music artists, and post audio for various film productions. Music and film are my happy places, Read more>>

Bianca Russo of Bianca Russo Fitness

I got started working for myself as a personal trainer because I had lousy credit and couldn’t get hired as a result — make that make sense. But it was a blessing in disguise because I have now been self employed since 2017, and am loving life in my 7th year of business working all online. Ive had my ups and downs and now I feel stable and confident with my expertise and process. The key to success is just never giving up; being productively stubborn aka resilient and steadfast with your goals. In my work a personal trainer I invest around 12-20 hours a week to working, with more of a focus on life balance during my personal time. Because I devote more time to my wellness, that means I deliver higher quality, consistent service to my customers. Don’t scale up at the expense of yourself girls!!! Read more>>

Eva Melchiorre of The Line Method

The Line Method originated from my own personal struggles with pain and movement from a young age. As a dancer, I was always active, but by the age of 17, I inexplicably began experiencing sciatica and debilitating pain. By the time I was 20, I had to leave the dance world because I could barely function or even walk without pain. Following advice from health professionals to “work out and get stronger,” I immersed herself in the fitness world. I obtained my Personal Training certification from the National Council of Personal Trainers and found great mentors in diverse programs, from yoga to weightlifting. Despite gaining strength and anatomical knowledge, the persistent pain continued throughout my college years. In 2017, I returned to my hometown of DC, and worked on continuing to expand my movement repertoire despite ongoing physical challenges. I explored Pilates and the Washington fitness scene before deciding to open my own studio in 2019. Frustrated by the prevalent “no-pain-no-gain” mentality, I began laying the groundwork for what would ultimately become The Line Method. Read more>>

Ann Huston’s Story

A fun and challenging interview. Thankyou Bold Journey for asking about my story. I write this as a non-writer but as a visual artist by nature, since childhood. Here is a small reflection of part of my journey. I call Northern New Mexico my home and have shown my paintings in the New Mexico galleries starting in the mid-eighties. For many years as well, I also worked as a weaver and dyer, a textile artist as well. My weaving experience brought me to New Mexico to study and work at a young age. My paintings are in response to the high desert light and landscape steeped in history and mystery among the adobes and churches. Beauty, intrigue and inspiration are just out the door. I have witnessed a lot of shifts and changes being of the 50’s generation. At warp speed, it feels like we had just started out with black and white TV, on to computers, cell phones, social media and AI. My generation has learned the skill of adapting and processing quickly! All are good attributes for being an artist in these current times, building resilience and perseverance. Read more>>

Aracelys Roman of Emerge & Bloom™

I’m Aracelys Roman, founder of Emerge & Bloom™. My journey has been filled with challenges, transformations, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth and helping others. From a young age, I was drawn to the cycles of nature, spending countless hours in my grandmother’s garden. This connection to nature inspired the name and philosophy behind Emerge & Bloom™, where I support heart-centered women in transitions. My professional path began in the financial industry, where I worked for thirteen years. Despite achieving success, I felt a deep calling to make a more meaningful impact. I took a leap of faith, left the corporate world, and pursued certifications in coaching, resilience skills, and psychology. This shift was driven by my own experiences of overcoming adversity and loss. Read more>>

James Carter

My journey into the world of art began in Brisbane, Australia, where I had an amazing childhood. My education was unique—I was homeschooled by my incredibly supportive parents. Homeschooling gave me the freedom to explore my passions, particularly art, from a young age. From an early age, I was drawn to the arts like a moth to a very colorful flame. My parents noticed my growing interest in art and provided me with drawing books and supplies to help me develop my skills. By the time I was around 7 or 9, I was determined to have a career as an artist. However, a comment from my grandad that “artists don’t make any money until they’re dead” put me off pursuing art for a while. I now understand he meant that famous artists’ works often gain significant value posthumously, but at the time, it was a discouraging blow. Read more>>

Katie Dooley

I’m very grateful that I figured out what I love to do at an early age. In school, I loved projects like book reports and science fairs because I got to make the information look pretty and interesting. When I entered high school I learned that graphic design was a career I could pursue. My school offered a program called Communication Technology which explored photography, videography and graphic design. I was hooked! I knew then that I was going to be a graphic designer and I went on to do my post-secondary diploma in Graphic Design. After graduating, I realized how competitive the market for young designers is. I kept thinking, “If only someone would give me a chance!”. That was when I decided I needed to create my own opportunity, and I branched out on my own as a freelance designer. What started as Katie Dooley Designs has since transformed into Paper Lime Creative, a boutique agency in Edmonton, Canada. Read more>>

Raphaël Larocque

I grew up in the province of Québec as a kid. When I was 20 years old, I moved for university. A year later, I went to the big city of Toronto to pursue my acting career at Toronto Film School. Since then, I live in Toronto in an apartment and I work in the airline industry as a flight attendant. Read more>>

Hadassah Treu’s Story

I grew up in Bulgaria, which was a communist country at that time. Religion was forbidden, and people were going secretly to church. This was a subject that was not discussed openly. My parents were nonbelievers. I had a tough childhood because my father had problems with alcohol and violence. I didn’t feel safe and loved except with my grandparents. The parents of my mum lived in a village nearby and there, when I was in their care, I truly blossomed. My other grandma, however, was a secret believer. She had a New Testament at her home and I loved reading it, especially the last chapters of the last book (the Revelation). I didn’t understand what I was reading, but I felt a powerful longing in my heart that moved me to tears. Read more>>

Keezy Keese’s Story

I started making music when I was in 3rd grade, rapping on the bus with my friends. I was influenced by Eazy-E, Lil Wayne, Nappy Roots, Nelly, and Bow Wow. When I got to High School I met a friend who introduced me to Mixed Craft a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to record and produce music. Everyday when I came home from either school or work I would make a song and constantly listen to Lil Wayne and try to make songs like him. My favorite songs are P***y Money Weed, and Sky Is the Limit. When I graduated from Ben Davis High School I decided that I needed to have income to support my dreams. So I decided to pursue an Engineering degree. After 6 long years in college I finally graduated with a Purdue University Computer Engineer degree. Read more>>

Patricia C. Rogers of Body Smarts

Picture this: I’m 28 years old, standing at the intersection of desperation and determination; my pockets empty and my silver Dodge Neon refusing to go in reverse. Life had dealt me a wild hand, but I was all in. Starting my business? It was like trying to build a skyscraper with a paperclip. I used my apartment rent to snag my professional license – a gamble that felt like a wink to the cosmos. And my car? It was my trusty sidekick, refusing to back down (literally). But let’s rewind. My past was a patchwork quilt of trauma, stitched together with resilience. Complex PTSD? Check. Stress-related illnesses? Double check. Mental health? A rollercoaster of nightmares. And relationships? Well, they were like leaky buckets, draining me drop by drop. Read more>>

Telesa Wright of Bespoke Realty

I never imagined I would become a Real Estate Broker. My journey began as an unpaid assistant to my husband, who was a full-time Realtor. One day, he asked me to accompany him on house showings to observe and identify where he was going wrong with a couple he was working with. He often thought he had found the perfect home for them, only to find out later that they had changed their minds. I quickly saw the issue. He was selling the house to the wrong person. While the husband was technically the client, the real decision-maker was the stay-at-home wife and mother who trailed behind them during the showings. Once my husband began focusing on the actual client, he successfully made the sale. After that, he frequently asked me to join him. His Broker noticed and insisted I get my license, believing I would make a great agent—and she was right. Many years later, I am now the co-owner of Bespoke Realty alongside my husband. Read more>>

Aimee Omohundro

During the COVID lockdown, we were all feeling stir crazy! I was bored, scared of my family being affected by COVID, and feeling depressed and lonely for my friends. I had always been interested in resin art, so I bought a little kit from Amazon , watched some YouTube videos, and got started making little keychains. Read more>>

Lisa Jacovsky

I am an award-winning children’s book author of almost ten books. I love to write and my favorite thing to do is write about things that I know from my life or my career. It is really amazing to be able to combine my two passions which are writing with psychology. It allows me to bring my experience in my career to a medium that interests people and can really help them understand something such as autism or special needs cats better. Its really special to help a family understand their child better. Also, so many people have come up to me and said they did not know that cats could be special needs. Writing allows me to help bring awareness to something that is not typically shown or talked about in special needs cats.  Read more>>

Mary Dimouro of On the Road Again

Growing up, I have fond memories of my mom always sewing. She was a true mompreneur long before the term even existed, running her studio right from our home. We lived on a busy street, which turned out to be perfect for promoting her business. As a result, she became the go-to seamstress in town. My sisters and I would often help her out, using her fabric scraps to create our own projects. At the time, I didn’t envision a future in sewing, but now, being part of the maker’s movement feels like a dream come true. The resurgence of locally handmade goods is like a full-circle moment for me, and I know my mom would have been thrilled to see me sewing again. She’s my greatest inspiration. Read more>>

Clara Guedelhoff

I discovered my love for all things beach and ocean when I moved to Australia shortly after graduating high school. Living by the beach has been my goal ever since. When I moved to Puerto Escondido, Mexico with my partner in 2018 I founded Gitans de la Mer Photography as a surf photography endeavour but quickly branched out into lifestyle portraits and brand work. My photography mostly focuses on the things I love: the beach, ocean, surfing, diving and the lifestyle around it. In 2021 we moved to El Salvador, land of the rights where I do most of my photography these days. When I’m not behind the camera you can find me gardening, reading and playing with our cats and dogs. Read more>>

Emerson Cole

I have a unique upbringing in which I was an army brat and lived in many states over my years throughout highschool. I believe because of my upbringing, I chose to continue my life of being a nomad. I don’t think instability is particularly a bad thing, I thrive in a constant changing landscape. It allows me to continue moving forward no matter what outcome comes to me. I was taught that I needed to tell stories to survive. I needed to fit in, I needed a way to connect to those who experienced similar or dissimilar lives. I think I have gotten to where I am today because I was adaptable and willing to learn. Read more>>

Frances Young

In my own words, this is a snapshot of my story and official biography to date: All I wanted, was to be a ballerina.  I’ve been a dancer since the age of seven, I went to The Quinte Ballet School of Canada, followed by The School of Contemporary Dancers to pursue the love of moving my body as an expression of art. All I wanted was to be paid to dance! But, as time passed, my soul longed for more. It wasn’t just about doing what I loved, it became about wanting to help people. It wasn’t until 2011 at 19, I learned the fundamentals of Crossfit, that the idea of fitness as a living occurred to me. A few years later, I started working as a personal trainer with people from all backgrounds, body types, and personalities. I loved it. I was living a healthy, proactive and productive life, however something was missing. A nagging feeling of un-fulfillment followed me as I worked to burnt-out and tried everything to find an answer as to ‘why’.  Read more>>

Charles Schelinski

We started by using a free airfare search service that sent us deals. We were sent a great deal, booked it, and had the best time walking around Europe and taking the train between cities and countries. We enjoyed it so much we decided to adjust our lives to traveling more. I am the type of person who cannot sit on a beach for hours on end. I will get up and have a look around, go for a walk, explore. So I started journaling our trips and writing my thoughts down. From there we made a website, did the social media thing, and started buying cameras and other paraphernalia to augment our adventures. Everything kind of snowballed from there. Read more>>

Gabriela Encina of Gabriela Encina Expat Counseling & Mentoring

**Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?** Absolutely! It wasn’t always like this for me. My journey to becoming the confident expat I am today was filled with challenges and personal growth. I come from my beloved Chile, a place where climbing the professional ladder isn’t easy. I was the first in my family to graduate from college and work in my field of study. I landed a prestigious position in the HR department of a company with over five thousand employees. Life was good—I had success, confidence, meaningful relationships, money, travel, and academic recognition. Then, out of the blue, an Austrian guy appeared and turned my world upside down. I wanted to live abroad and be with him. How difficult could it be to move 14,000 km from my family, learn a new language, adjust to the weather, and make new friends, right? Read more>>

Madhurima Sappatti of Madhurima Sappatti

Absolutely! The year was 2020, and I was fresh out of 2 jobs in 6 months, one that I had quit because of the toxic work culture that had led me to a major burnout, and the other that I had to quit because of the pandemic. As a super ambitious kid, that was like moving backward instead of forwards. So along with major health anxiety that was constantly triggered by, well the pandemic, I stepped into a mid-life crisis in my early 20s about my purpose, mission, and what I wanted to achieve and do for the world. Something that really helped me ground myself was spirituality and the intention to focus on the present and constantly work towards building a story that would be worth sharing with the universe! Around this time a lot of my inner circle members were getting into the world of coaching, which caught my intrigue and fascinated me, and everything started to come together. Read more>>

Megha Parhar

My journey into art emerged from various pathways throughout my life that subtly guided me here. As a kid, I would always scribble or sketch out comics about cows for some reason and draw mimicries of my favorite cartoons. After a grade 5 art class I became obsessed with sketching and doing mini watercolours of Picasso’s Maya with Doll. I’d make up Bollywood dance routines in my head listening to songs, write short form novels about mystery and crime in middle school, painstakingly put together curated playlists of songs I downloaded using Napster then Kazaam then Limewire lol. All of these are creative endeavours that honed my skills in curation, pattern recognition and visual communication. In University, I left with a degree in Psychology with Economics, and while studying abroad I learned that fashion (beyond retail) was a legitimate career path. This realization led me to study Fashion Marketing and Merchandising abroad, intern at a NYC fashion house, ultimately ending in managing a few European brands for the Hudson Bay Company. I then went back to school to study Industrial Design and Techniques to learn how to actually create and make the garments and that’s where I put together my first design portfolio including collage. Read more>>

Mica Winegarden of MSW Ventures, Inc

I’m sitting on a plane, finally flying home after a series of canceled flights. I’m exhausted. I haven’t slept in weeks. My whole body hurts and I just want everything to stop. I close my eyes and silently pray for the plane to fall out of the sky. I didn’t want to live anymore. Being the descendant of war refugees, I learned the importance of hard work that comes from the need to assimilate to a foreign culture. Nothing worthwhile came without suffering. Everything I had in life I had to be grateful for, even if it brought with it a lot of pain. Through my parents I learned that love came through achievement. As a young girl, I had to get perfect grades, have perfect attendance, and be successful at everything that I did. I had to receive constant accolades and awards. But what I really wanted to be was one of those mystical creatures that I read about in the many fantasy books I would lose myself in. Sometimes I even imagined being one with the wind as I raced around my backyard. Read more>>

Mary Treen of treenlight healing

My journey from where I started to how I got to where I am today spans over a decade. Ignited when I realized I was desperately trying to fit into a life and career that didn’t align with my inner calling. As a child, I had a profound sensitivity to people, animals, and the natural. Yet, I neglected and buried my intuitive gifts, stumbling through a life of trial and error. I found success in the corporate world, but it came at a steep cost. It took a heart-wrenching divorce and a seemingly never-ending dark night of the soul to make me realize I couldn’t find the light alone. So, I reached out for healing support. Through my journey, I began to accept my whole self, rediscovering the guiding light I had been seeking. It was waiting patiently within me the whole time.  Read more>>

Tanya Sciarra of Dolce Shortbread

Back in 1993, I had the pleasure of baking shortbread with semisweet chocolate for a family that absolutely loved them! From that point, the original recipe and baking time has been tweaked and perfected to bring you the Dolce Shortbread recipe that you can enjoy today. The sweet smells of baked goods and meals made from scratch constantly filled my childhood home as well as that of my maternal grandparents who lived a block away. This built a strong foundation in respect to using premium ingredients that go into creating the many flavours we offer. In 2018, the business was registered and an Instagram page was created. The support of my family and friends in addition to the Instagram community has been instrumental in growing Dolce Shortbread and getting in front of so many individuals who just love what we do! Building relationships is paramount to growing the business and supersedes the financial aspect of it. Our cookies have been enjoyed across Canada, the US and many other countries! Read more>>

James Aikman of Aikman Wildlife Adventure

On October 22, 2013, I had a dream of wife, Kelsey, and I owning and operating a wildlife park. I told her about it, and she said our son would be born in 2 weeks, and we had plenty on their plate. I agreed, but the next night I had the same dream. I told her I didn’t know why but felt like this was something God wanted us to do. She said that if it were really from God, He would find a way to make it happen. From that point on, thoughts, ideas, plans, layouts, and numbers flooded my mind—so much so that some nights I could hardly sleep—I just felt I had to get everything out of my head and onto the computer. I began talking with other drive-thru parks and zoos for budgets and costs and visiting with veterinarians, carpenters, and other suppliers to get accurate quotes. I also started looking at the possible annual attendance and income numbers. From there, God began opening door after door, and more opportunities and business sponsorships began forming. Our family purchased the former Rockome Gardens on September 1, 2015, and have been working non-stop. That is the story of how Aikman Wildlife Adventure began, and we look forward to what the future will bring! Read more>>

Qianying Niu

Absolutely! My journey as a packaging designer started quite early, driven by a love for both art and functionality. I was always fascinated by how everyday objects were packaged, from cereal boxes to luxury perfume bottles. This curiosity led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design in China, where I delved into various aspects of design, including product design, graphic design, and, of course, packaging design. During my undergraduate years, I actively participated in design competitions and internships. One of the pivotal moments was an internship at a local packaging company, where I learned the intricacies of material selection, sustainability, and consumer psychology. This experience solidified my interest in packaging design as a career. Read more>>

Vanesa Nicolosi of Vanesa Nicolosi Personal Trainer

I was born and raised in a small town of Argentina. I have been a fan of movement ever since I can remember! My mum always says I couldn’t stay put as a baby and was always looking to do all sorts of things.  I owe it to my mum that, unknowingly, introduced me to the world of exercise and sports. I bet she took me to a class because she saw I had tons of energy to use and she wanted me to sleep at some point!  I started my journey into sports when I was 8 years old. I joined a class of aerobics for kids at a local studio in my home town. Soon, we formed a team and we were training 3 or 4 times a week for performances and competitions. I was so much into it that I did it until I was 17 years old. I only stopped because I had to choose between competition training and going to college. Read more>>

Tanya Spencer of FitFabFresh40plus

It’s 2007 and I’m newly certified both as a life coach and business coach at 39 years old. At the time, I told myself that coaching was just a good addition to my toolbox. During that period, my intense consultant/ facilitator schedule was global — I traveled 3 to 9 months a year. It was normal for me to spend a week in, say, Kenya, fly back to Denmark for the weekend, but by Sunday, I was heading to another far-flung destination like Afghanistan, Yemen, or Sudan.  Being in global security and crisis management meant the demands were high. Once, I remember leading a multi-agency crisis management workshop for NGO leaders in Sri Lanka when full war erupted. Suddenly, it wasn’t just a drill – real life-or-death decisions had to be made REAL FAST!  Read more>>

Sílvia Pinho

I like to say everything in my story happened by a happy accident. From the day I started freelancing after searching on Google for how to make money online, to having figured out through trial and error that social media marketing is what I really am passionate about – it all fell in at the right place right time and I’m super thankful for that. If I had to change anything it would be to tell my younger self that she could charge more because I came from a scarcity point of view –but even then that’s part of my journey and all being said I don’t know if I would change it because it led me to where I am today. Read more>>

Tanesha Watkins

I started my business on July 14, 2014; this past July I celebrated 10 years! Wow … The seed for my business was planted at my nephew’s first birthday when I made cupcakes for his party. Basic cupcakes. Maybe some sprinkles. I can’t even remember if they were home-made. But it became my thing. Each year for his birthday I would make his cupcakes or cake. As he got older his requests became bigger and more elaborate. Custom, if you will. I loved it. I loved the response that I got from the party guests – and him! I vividly remember once he and a group of his friends came to the table for seconds of the cake and I heard him say “My Tee Tee makes the BEST cakes.” I think my heart literally melted. Here I am today, an accidental entrepreneur who has managed to get 10 years under her belt. In 2013, while I was laid off, I decided to give it a shot. I’d been taking some cake decorating classes at Micheal’s just for fun and decided to finally go to school when I learned about a program that would cover the costs in full! It felt like it was meant to be. While I was nearing the end of my Baking & Pastry Certification in 2014, I started my business as Tee Tee’s Sweets & Treats. Read more>>

Alexandra Novik-khamis

I am an artist and art mentor. I am originally from Russia but have lived in Bahrain for almost 15 years.  From early childhood, I showed a great interest in painting and drawing, which my parents noticed and encouraged, helping to develop my art skills. At the age of 10, I started attending Smolensk Arts School, and by 16, I entered the Department of Fine Arts and Graphics at Smolensk State University. Five years of university studies and self-development perfected my skills, provided me with profound knowledge of various art styles and techniques, and helped me develop my artistic style and vision of “life in the art.” I also took several masterclasses from famous Russian artists and delved deeper into realism, my favorite artistic style. During my 15 years in Bahrain, I opened an art studio, organized several exhibitions, and was recognized as one of the most successful businesswomen in the Gulf. I created an educational art material book and painted more than 500 artworks. Read more>>

Dawn Aurora Hunt of Cucina Aurora Kitchen Witchery

Growing up in a traditional Italian family, food was everywhere. Dinners were served for weddings or funerals, sandwich platters spanning six feet were the back drop of parties and gatherings, and the rituals of how and why we were cooking or eating certain foods. So it’s no wonder that food, and the magic surrounding it, has always been important to me. As an adult I had been weaving more ritual mindfulness around cooking and the preparation of food. This was not just for special occasions but for everyday purposes. Things like eating seasonally to stay connected to Mother Earth, or creating gratitude practices around food became very important to my life. Read more>>

Ezekiel Shrader

My older brother bought his first video camera when he was 17 years old, which would make me 7 at the time. With this camera he created a short film of one of our all time favorite video games, and I was his star. He later went on to college for Visual Communications. And in this class he had to make quite a few different films. I was his lead actor in every one of them. This was when I started acting and I haven’t stopped since. Years later at age 22, I was being silly with a friend by performing voices. He was so awestruck that he urged me to pursue voice acting. I had never thought of myself as a voice artist, but it was something I had always loved to do. Thus began my journey toward voice acting.  Read more>>