Progress depends on unreasonable people pushing boundaries, breaking out of boxes, challenging the odds and proving that the impossible is possible. This happens everyday, in big ways and small – from a small town kid ignoring the naysayers and making it in the city of their dreams to the folks with ideas no one will invest in who somehow brought their vision to life. Our community is filled with so many trailblazers, innovators, and rebels and we hope you’ll check out their inspiring stories below.

Sarah Marie Rose Bisarello

It all started about 10 years ago, during a deep meditation, when I received instructions of a spiritual practice that helps unravel emotional load led by acknowledging the true feelings of life experiences and the frequency they hold.

I realized that I was not in front of something ordinary when the instructions included specific details of the scientific findings of Dr Emoto on water molecules and frequency. Thoughts and feelings have frequencies that change the shape of matter. Read more>>

Breanna Stephens

I started B. Stephens HR Consulting four years ago (We turn 5 in 2025!) with a clear purpose in mind: to spend more time with my family while doing work that genuinely helps others. Before launching this business, I worked in Human Resources in manufacturing and higher education industries. These experiences taught me the importance of building strong systems, managing people effectively, and the value of adaptability. Read more>>

Philippa Portnoy

I have been an athlete and sports fan for most of my life. I attended Barnard College and was a member of the Columbia-Barnard tennis team. Attending a women’s college and playing college athletics inspired a passion for mentoring and supporting women, especially women athletes. Read more>>

Jen Cadet

As a comfortable 9-to-5 worker, I consistently dabbled in entrepreneurial ventures outside of my job. There has always been a fire within me to push forward, pursue my passions, help others reach their goals, and find additional ways to create passive income. This is where my nickname came from—people know me as “Jen of All Trades.” Read more>>

Kristen Kellogg

In 2020, I had been an elementary and special education teacher for 6 years and had my first baby. After returning to school post-maternity leave, I quickly realized that I wanted to stay home with my son, so I resigned from my teaching position in June 2021. I also realized I wanted to begin an Etsy shop to have as a piece of “me” while I was staying home with my son and I began Blip Baby Company in April 2021, a few months prior to ending my position. It was something I had always talked about doing, but it never seemed like it was doable while I was working. We began with digital nursery art and simple yarn products, and have grown into mainly hand-sewn felt decor for nurseries, kids room and playrooms, as well as seasonal products and gifts for babies and kids. Read more>>

Devorah Medwin

As a playwright, cancer patient, family caregiver, and educator on life cycle issues, my perspectives vary – above all, I see how much need there is for practice, for rehearsal, for some semblance of sanity once the inevitabilities and the unexpected in life and death, hit the fan. Not just for the practical, but for the surprising “gifts of illness” which can be gleaned. Read more>>

Helenya Apostolou

Art has been a hobby of mine from a very young age, and I would always be preoccupied with some creative project or another.

That didn’t change when I grew up, and I spent a lot of my time practicing drawing throughout my teenage years. Of course, art was my favourite subject at school too, primarily because I felt like the potential was limitless!
Unlike other subjects which had rules, regulations, tick boxes etc. there is no cap on art- you can always change perspective and make something new, or push yourself to practice more, or find a different and exciting approach to making work. Read more>>

Jean & Paula DeSant

Passion and self-worth have been my guiding light throughout my journey. Growing up was filled with challenges, but returning home to the Philippines profoundly reshaped my perspective and aspirations. In 2023, the birth of Prolifik Patternz became a testament to our commitment to choosing ourselves and nurturing this vision into reality. While the path of starting a small business is filled with struggles, it also offers a powerful opportunity to connect with others. As Paula and I navigate our mental health journey together, we strive to raise awareness through our designs, using clothing as a medium to share our story and inspire a community rooted in understanding and support. Read more>>

Keisha Tower

I know I’m not special. I know my story is like so many other’s. I grew up without a parent(s) or maybe the parent was there, but not actually “there”. Because of that, it led to over performing and overachieving to try and gain attention. I wanted to be the best at everything. I wanted to be the first at everything. I wanted them to see that I was worthy and deserving of their love. I spent the large majority of my life trying to make myself small. Don’t make a peep. Don’t allow my emotions to be too big. But also, do very big things to make the people I love see me. Read more>>

Brittany Renee

I grew up wanting to be a professional dancer. That was the dream as a kid and up through high school. Then right before college, I decided I didn’t want to be a dancer anymore and pivoted to acting. I auditioned for a bunch of schools and actually started college at the University of Kentucky as a double major in Theatre and Arts Administration. Somewhere along the way, I boomeranged back to dance, accidentally ended up being a poet, and after many years away from acting, am back to doing theatre again, along with dance and a bunch of other random stuff. All of that is artistic/professional but processing stuff from my childhood, struggling with my mental health, experiencing heartbreak and rejection has all influenced me profoundly as well. Read more>>

Whitney Freya

I grew up a TOTAL wanna-be artist. An art teacher had told me and my Mom, at age 9, that “drawing isn’t her thing.” What I head is, “you did not inherit the art gene.” I would hover over the shoulders of anyone who had been deemed “talented” in high school, college, until 3 years out of college, selling books door-to-door, I got inspired! Life is meant to be lived as art. It wasn’t about the product, it was about mindset. So a year+ later, I renovated a run down bungalow on a side street off an “up and coming neighborhood” and opened The Creative Fitness Center. My first painting since that art class when I was 9, was created in a class I was taking at my own art center! Read more>>

Kirsten Vine Gollier

My career path has been anything but linear, but every twist and turn has led me to where I am today—running my own digital marketing agency, Intertwined Digital Marketing. I started strong in my career, quickly becoming a nonprofit digital marketing manager by age 25. However, the demands of the job quickly led to burnout, and I realized I needed to find a niche that was both fulfilling and sustainable. During a career move to Buffalo, NY, I discovered SEO—a field that fascinated me with its ‘behind-the-scenes’ mechanics of how websites rank on Google. I couldn’t stop talking about it. Read more>>

Arlene Margarita Santiago

Sensitive Content Warning: This post touches on difficult subjects such as childhood trauma, sexual abuse, eating disorders, and personal struggles in relationships. Please read with care and take breaks if needed. If you are in need of support, please reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional. Read more>>

Kae Rickett

Kae Ricketts is a Multifaceted mother, strategist, and coach with a passion for helping creative entrepreneurs elevate in their lives and businesses without forcing them into a one-size-fits-all approach. As a career professional and neurodivergent serial entrepreneur, Kae has been able to launch, pivot, and grow her businesses while navigating challenges and adversities. She knows a thing or two about how to maneuver through life’s obstacles while still empowering herself and others to go after what they want. Read more>>

Becky Chappell

I can’t remember when I wasn’t interested in art! As a child I was always drawing and dreamed of being an artist, although I was told it wasn’t possible or practical and believed it. In my 20’s I was hired to learn how to do scrimshaw for a jewelry maker, and that started it all. I did only scrimshaw for about 8 years, working for several jewelry makers. After that I always had other jobs, but I was involved with art in some way most of the time. I taught a little, entered some shows, did some art fairs, had a small business painting murals. There was always this burning flame inside that was my desire to create art. Read more>>

Cathy Brown Rodriguez

I started cooking for my senior dog in 2018. She was experiencing arthritis pain, so I researched food and supplement remedies, and cooked for her often. I started the bakery in September of 2018, and I’ve continued to research nutritional needs and remedies for common issues such as pain or food allergies and sensitivities. I work with clients to determine the best ingredients for their pet’s individual nutritional needs. Clients can see my menu and price list at batonrougedogbakery.com. Read more>>

Catherine Kay

Ever since I was a child, I have loved drawing and creating magical stories. Inspired by my love for anime, manga, gaming, and Disney, I was always drawn to the world of cute yet inspiring storytelling. As I grew older, my love for art and design evolved into a true passion—one that allowed me to craft stories and share emotions, whether they were fun, wholesome, or nostalgic. At the age of 11, I discovered digital art, and from that moment, my passion only grew. Every evening after school, I would rush home, study other artists, follow tutorials, and teach myself Photoshop, graphic design, and digital illustration. Read more>>

Camille Dan

I am, first and foremost, a mother of three sons and a daughter. My eldest son, Aaron, passed away in September of 2019. My next oldest son is the husband and father of my adorable granddaughter. His younger brother is a computer graphics artist and video game designer. My daughter is an author and editor, and the mother of my wonderful grandson. At 66 years old, I’ve seen a lot of life. After the death of my son, I have been on the unwanted journey of grief that led me to sharing my story and honoring the memory of my son in many ways. Read more>>

Catherine Angiel

Since childhood, I’ve always been an artist and musician. I started playing drums at five years old and was naturally drawn to creativity. I also loved playing with my mom’s costume jewelry, constantly redesigning it, so it’s no surprise that jewelry design became my calling later in life. I truly believe we are born with a passion for what we are meant to do. Read more>>

Karla Puno Garcia

I am an Emmy Award winning Choreographer who has created work for Broadway, Film, and Television. I began performing in Broadway shows, Tours, TV/Film. Read more>>

Jennifer Clark

I have always been drawn to creativity and storytelling. As a child, I was constantly drawing or writing my own stories, even selling handmade art prints door to door in my neighborhood. I always imagined pursuing a career in art, but growing up poor, stability felt more important than passion. That mindset led me to study journalism and public relations in college—a path I thought would be more practical, which also still allowed me to utilize my love for writing. Read more>>

Leigh Ann Edmonds

As a creative individual, art has always been in the forefront of my life. Over the years, I have experienced and tried almost all art forms from dance to painting to playing a musical instrument. Photography has been the only medium that I felt genuinely connected to where I could use it as both creatively and professionally. Read more>>

Loretta Rogers

After I retired from teaching, I needed something to keep me busy. Because writing was part of the required curriculum, I thought I’d practice what I taught my students and write a novel. I soon learned that writing a book was vastly different than teaching sixth grade essay writing. After reading about a writers’ group in my local paper, I attended a meeting, then later joined the group. Over the years I have attended a variety of writing conferences to further hone my craft. Read more>>

Leah Love

Ever since I can remember. I have always had a love for writing. I never thought I would become an author to be honest, but I’ve always been so drawn by words and how they can be put together to create a story and ultimately a truth. With that being said, my journey to becoming an author was unplanned and yet it was something that would become one of the most empowering experiences of my life. It was a time where I met myself again. I rediscovered myself in a time in my life where I was trying to reconnect with myself on a very deep level. That experience changed my life forever. Read more>>

Lena Teva

I started my journey in promotional modeling over eight years ago, working at trade shows in Las Vegas. Breaking into the industry wasn’t easy—Las Vegas is a hub for high-profile events, and standing out required more than just showing up. I quickly learned that success came from engaging with attendees, building genuine connections, and proving to brands that I was someone worth rebooking. Read more>>

Ashlyn Conway

About a year and a half into my job working as a Property Manager, I was introduced to short-term rentals through Airbnb and was fascinated by the idea of getting to design an apartment or house from start to finish then being able to share this with others from around the world. Fast forward 4 years into my career to me now being the sole Designer and Host of multiple properties within Pennsylvania with plenty oppertunity to grow! I take pride in creating a space that someone can come into and exceed their overall expectations. Read more>>

Belinda Davis

From the wide-open spaces of Australia to the bustling streets of Thailand and finally to the United States, my journey has been shaped by a deep love for animals and a commitment to their welfare. Growing up in Australia, with a three-year stint in Malaysia during my childhood due to my father’s Air Force service, I developed an early appreciation for diverse cultures and environments. Read more>>

Ruth Anne Kramer

My story began when I took the first step in leaving my hometown in Upstate New York to join the U.S. Army after graduating from college in 2004. My first duty station was Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, where I served as a Signal Corps Officer. Although I was selected to work in the communications branch of the Army, with my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I didn’t love the technical aspect of my career. However, I immensely enjoyed working with and taking care of Soldiers. Read more>>

Laura Cepeda

When I was a kid, I loved telling stories. I wanted to keep them in my physical reality, but I didn’t know how to write yet. So I started drawing my stories, and it has been like that for as long as I can remember. Read more>>

Laurel Booth

I am a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist and nurse practitioner with over 15 years of experience providing healthcare to individuals of all ages and health. In 2019, I furthered my education by obtaining a doctorate in nursing focusing on burnout within the advanced practice nursing community. During my research, I recognized that I was burnt out as well and needed to make change. Read more>>

Laura Brown

After earning a degree in history, I was a bit lost as to what to do with my life. I spent some time traveling and along the way realized I was being called to nursing, so when I returned from my travels I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and began a job at a local hospital, while also working on prerequisite classes for a rigorous RN/NP 3 year program. Initially I thought I might want to specialize in pediatrics, but through my rotation on a labor and delivery unit fell in love with women’s health. After completing the program, I struggled for a bit to find a job, finally landing in internal medicine. Read more>>

Lexi S

My name is Lexi. I’m an AKC Certified professional +Positive Reinforcement+ dog trainer based in SE Portland!
I started out by training Arabian horses in high school. I was a ranch hand in New Mexico, and from there, I went on to become a professional sled dog handler/musher, training a large sled dog team for the Iditarod and other qualifying races. Then, I went on to become one of Portland’s first ever district dog trainers for a major pet supply chain!
Now I’ve started my own business!  Read more>>

Liliana Riva Palacio

I was born in a mexican rich family, but my parents weren’t very present so I had suffered 2 severe accidents that almost left me without walking and I had lived sexual assault by family members. Since I was a little girl I had strong connection through magic, nature and bonding to people. These skills made me overcome the difficult obstacles that I had lived as a young child, instead of breaking or falling apart.. There was an inner strength that guided me through this tough times. I had been a very successful professional helping others to connect to their dreams and developed social projects that had benefit more than 1 million people in Mexico. Read more>>

Leena Kazak

I’ve always loved writing—stories, poetry, school newspaper articles, you name it. As a teenager, I cycled through a ton of blogs, but none of them really stuck. Then, about nine years ago, after a spectacularly botched dating experience, I had an idea for a story. I channeled my emotions into writing the first three chapters of The Moon’s Daughter… and then, well, life happened. I met my now-husband and we started our lives together. Read more>>

Kateryna Sazonova

I am a Ukrainian filmmaker and environmentalist based in the US, currently residing in Chicago. I started out as a photographer and videographer back in Ukraine in 2013, making my way into film production. In 2017-2018 I got to work on a project at the biggest Eastern European studio FILM.UA in Kyiv. It was an amazing series Spadok about cultural legacy of different regions of Ukraine and I’m very grateful that I got to work on that one! Read more>>