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.
Tamarra Holt
Wow. I have accomplished so much by the grace of God in my 35 years, and it brings tears to my eyes! I was born in Hampton, VA, and raised in the church as a minister’s daughter. I had a long career at Chipotle, ultimately becoming a Restaurateur and mentoring other General Managers. I married an amazing man, Alex Holt, and we have two handsome sons, Ethan (8), and Caleb (4). I left my 8-year career with Chipotle by faith that I would get my MBA and have my second born, and I did just that. I am now a Business IT Analyst and I love what I do. Read more>>
Ayana Wilder’s Story
LoverByNature started as just a hobby to keep me preoccupied while being a stay-at-home mother during Covid. As time went on, my hobby turned into a passion. I have always enjoyed art and making things with my hands ever since a young age. I turned that passion for making art, over into my business. Originally, I started with just creating statement jewelry pieces. Unique earrings that most people would not think to make. From there, I have now branch off into making custom cups and tumblers, custom shirts, and more. All of the pieces that you will see on my website are handmade by me. I take the time to perfect anything that I make. Some items may take longer to make than others, but I do not mind that at all. Like I said, art has always been a passion of mine. So, although I am “working”, I am doing something that I love, so it does not seem like “work”. Read more>>
Amanda Haas’s Story
I started cosplaying about 10+ years ago. I jumped into the community to compete actually. I was already a professional sewer and worked in a tailoring shop. I’ve always liked competition sportswise but I never really tried it “art-wise”. I loved creating over-the-top and fun costumes so I figured this would be a fun path. Turns out that cosplay competitions opened up so much more for me. I started competing and traveling with my costumes, and because of this, I built a following online and my name was getting out there. Competition wins lead me to get guesting opportunities at conventions and those appearances lead me to write two books about cosplay, “Creative Cosplay” and “Level Up! Creative Cosplay”! It’s been a beautiful journey so far and it’s still going. Read more>>
Peggy Dean
My favorite part about what I do is not simply how I got started, but WHY I did. This may not be expected, but I’m going to get personal right away. Art has a special power to help soothe, embrace, inspire, ignite, and heal, all at once. I’m sure many can relate to this having developed some less than desirable coping mechanisms earlier in life that, although helpful at the time, turn into detrimental habits in adulthood. Mental health has been a persistent theme in my life, often presenting in ways that felt overwhelming and destructive. For years, I hid these struggles behind a facade of positivity, not realizing how much personal growth lay ahead of me. Read more>>
Jannah Wasiyyah of Locs by Jen
In 2020, I started LocsbyJen in Atlanta, GA servicing children, women & men at an average of $70 per retwist & style, plus travel fees. My clientele grew rather quickly with the usage of word-of-mouth & social media promotion. I had been doing hair since a pre-teen, but now I found one area to specialize in. What sparked my consistency was also my own loc journey that I started in 2019. I fell in love with my hair all over again & learned a lot of patience. The demand didn’t allow me to continue to be an “on & off” hairstylist. My clientele wasn’t just limited to ATL which was a blessing. I was able to travel to Houston, Arizona & Philadelphia to service loc clients & that’s when I started branding myself as a Traveling Loctician. I didn’t even realize I was living one of my dreams. When I was 16, I remember saying I wanted to be a celebrity hairstylist who travels. Fast forward to 2024, I am still servicing an average of 15 clients per month in Philadelphia and 6 in Atlanta. I appreciate every client from the consistent ones to the one-timers; their trust in me is something I don’t take for granted. I have a motto “Love What You Do & Do What You Love” that I whole-heartedly stand by. LocsbyJen has allowed me to express my creativity & has boosted my confidence overall so much so that I plan to expand loc services and re-brand this Summer to attract more clients all over & continue developing professionalism. Read more>>
Marissa Pick
I always dreamed of starting my own consulting business. Five years ago, I finally decided to make the leap from full-time work to setting up my LLC. After realizing I was missing precious moments at home with my family and friends, I made the decision to put myself first. Once I refocused and prioritized what mattered to me at that given moment, I felt at ease and knew I’d made the right choice. Life is too short to be unhappy. I believe in planning, working hard, and doing my best. I know building a business doesn’t happen overnight and even five years in I’m still figuring things out. It’s a process filled with both successes and failures, and I’m focused on living in the moment and appreciating each step of the ongoing journey. Read more>>
Brittany Wilson of Mombie Inc
While I was pregnant with my 2nd baby girl in 2023, I came up with Mombie Inc. It stemmed from my very own self love journey & my love for fashion. Read more>>
Sarah Aileen
Art has always been a common thread in my life, starting in childhood. In college, I immersed myself in graphic design. Yet, as graduation approached, the thought of working to execute someone else’s vision didn’t seem like the right fit. I did a 180° into the financial world for nearly two decades and my artistic side took a backseat during that time. I still had a desire to pursue a creative and entrepreneurial path and needed a way forward that was feasible. The rise of social media began to democratize the art world and I saw it as an opportunity to connect with fellow art-lovers and designers. The timing was right, so I made the leap back into the creative world. I find so much satisfaction in pursuing a path that feels authentically me. Read more>>
Abigail Melton of Redemption
I started in the coffee industry over a decade ago, and the freshman girl who showed up to work that day didn’t like coffee, was scared to talk to the customers, and had no idea how her part-time barista job could make any real difference. But when life started falling apart for me in high school, I found something incredible at that coffee shop bar that would be the catalyst for the person I am today: coffee and conversation. Over that bar I learned the power that a well-served cup of coffee and an authentic conversation could have on a person’s life and that lesson redefined my entire journey. It’s why I fell in love with the industry and decided to open up my own coffee shop and roastery. So in the spring of 2021, while in my final semester of college, my capstone project turned into a real life business venture. Looking back, that entire season of life feels like a blur. I had recently moved back to my hometown, was finishing up my degree, working full time, and then trying to figure out how to start a business. Read more>>
Ashley Opoku of Akua Ashley LLC Beauty & Cosmetics
My name is Ashley Opoku, CEO and Founder of Akua Ashley, LLC and Beauty & Cosmetics Enterprise. My mission is to empower women with insights on beauty trends, courses, and product recommendations, and to host dropshipping workshops that highlight the wealth of opportunities in the beauty industry. My journey began with a childhood dream of becoming a fashion editor-in-chief, which evolved into a passion for makeup artistry. This passion led me to expand into wholesaling and dropshipping, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit. In 2018, I founded Akua Ashley Beauty in New York, NY. Through my online beauty supply store, Akua Ashley Beauty has become a powerhouse supplier of hair, cosmetics, and spa supplies, offering a diverse range of online products and services. Balancing work and life has been a significant challenge. As a mother, I had to learn how to manage my time effectively. Dropshipping allowed me to establish a stream of passive income, giving me the flexibility to spend quality time with my kids while growing my business. My commitment to continuous learning and innovation, combined with my dedication to empowering others, sets Akua Ashley Beauty apart in the industry. Read more>>
Christine Atrach
It all started at my father’s Couture Fashion House. I was embedded in the fashion scene at a very young age. Being surrounded by beautiful garments and colorful stones and beads, I started designing my own jewelry pieces at the age of 16 and selling them to friends at school. My hobby was put on hold when I moved to Europe to complete my Masters degree and continue teaching at college, far away from the fashion industry. In 2003, I moved to Manhattan to complete my Ph.D but I decided to gain some experience being in NYC. I started working as a Fashion Buyer. Then, 4 years later, with the birth of my first son, I decided to pursue my passion in jewelry again and Avenue Chic saw the light. Avenue Chic is a virtual showroom for many designers from France, England, Brazil, Turkey, Lebanon, Venezuela… and of course the US. Many of our pieces are loved and worn by many celebrities from Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga… to name a few. With Avenue Chic, everyone can accessorise like a celebrity. And my love for jewelry reignited and I created my first line in 2013. In 2020, I co created a Ready-to-Wear line with my father. Read more>>
Tiffany Ackerman
In 2012, I had the opportunity to start teaching art classes at the YMCA Safe Place Shelter for homeless and at-risk youth. Safe Place is a 24 hour emergency shelter in Louisville, Kentucky. Every Tuesday at 6pm, we make or draw or sculpt until we are either bored or out of supplies. The more time we spent around our art table, the more fun we have, and the more relaxed the kids become. The kids in my art room are all in crisis in some form or another. Many of our kids arrived scared, hungry, angry, sad, and empty. The ones who don’t know me walk in to my art class with a visible chip on their shoulder. It’s incredibe to watch these kids relax, decompress, and start laughing as soon as their hands get busy. The goal of my time there is not to create great artists necessarily, the goal is to give each of them a moment of escape and control. They can make whatever they want, throw it away if they want, give it away, or keep it. I just encourage them to get their hands busy, and experiment. Read more>>
Ashley White
My name is Ashley White, owner and designer of Styledentity. Styledentity is a jewelry and accessories brand that I started in 2011 almost by accident. One day I decided to make some earrings for an outfit that I was wearing to a special event and everyone loved them! That same week I thoughtlessly set up an Etsy shop to sell a few pair and the rest is history. 10+ years later I’m slowly and steadily building the brand of accessories that I always wished existed. Read more>>
Sarah Weber
This is always such a tough question for me to answer as my story is all over the place! The funny thing is, often we have this step by step plan envisioned, myself included. The difference I’ve seen is those who stick to that plan with no option of going off track, and those like myself, who go more with the flow and let our hearts guide us. I don’t see anything wrong with either option, it just depends on who we are. I graduated from Penn State University almost a decade ago (I know I know, I’m dating myself) with a degree in broadcast journalism with plans to become a news anchor. While in school, I was simultaneously starting my acting and modeling career. Read more>>
Jessica Winder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching
I’m Jessica D. Winder, a working mama of twin daughters, author, renowned keynote speaker, and career coach. I began my career by pioneering HR initiatives at several companies, enhancing talent acquisition, performance management, and diversity and inclusion. As the founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching, I authored “The Hidden Gem Within” to support career development. Through the Hidden Gem Newsletter, Talent Destination Podcast, and LinkedIn content, I reach a broad audience, advocating for leadership development and positive change. My mission is to empower individuals and organizations to unlock their full potential. Read more>>
Paige Mitchell of Recess OKC
I have worked in childcare since I was 15 years old; I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship, childcare, and teaching. Before I opened Recess, I was babysitting out of my apartment. Parents would drop their kids off to me and then work downstairs at the deli or coffee shop nearby. I knew the service in my little studio apartment could not serve families how we needed it, so I took a leap of faith and made a Facebook post asking my community if they would be interested in a coworking space with on-site childcare. My email list grew to over 1,000 people interested overnight! This moment let me know I was on to a great idea! People began to reach out and ask me what I needed; our first set of desks, chairs, and toys were all donated by my Facebook friends. I believe that when we have faith and step out there, the right people will show up and support us. It has been an honor to turn around and be able to assist others in their childcare business just as I was helped in my start-up process. Read more>>
Clarice Burse of Around The World with Charlee
I graduated Pittsburgh Peabody High school with a Health Assistant seal on my diploma. I later then received my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) from West Penn School of Nursing. Son after there that i birth my first so. I had to work to jobs to make ends meet so i worked as a CNA and at a store as a cashier. That wasn’t enough for me i wanted to help people even more. I went back to school, i attended Community College of Allegheny Campus (CCAC MAIN). From there I received my Emergency Medical Tech. I worked as an EMT on trucks and in a few ERs. I then gave birth to my second son. I had to be home more then being EMT would allowed. So i would back to my second love working in retail as a cashier. I then realized that i could help people in other ways and work for myself. So 3 years ago i jumped out on faith and started my own travel business. I book travel and help people learn how to make money while doing what they do anyway. Travel is sexy travel is now. We all love to travel and wish we could do it more. We all want more Financial freedom, time freedom, and personal freedom and I am the person to help with that. Read more>>
Ebony Adell of TSX Design House™/Lleda Artifacts™
I’m Ebony Adell, International Sustainable Luxury Designer, Protest Artist, Author, Mother, Educator and Yogi. I’ve always loved the arts. Theater, music, literature, dance, painting and fashion were a huge part of my lived experience. I can’t think of a time that I wasn’t different. I didn’t look like everybody else, talk like everybody else or dress like everybody else. I never really fit all the way in. Never quite urban or black enough and too black to be Native American; never really fit into anyone’s aesthetic box of whatever there stereotypical expectation was of me as a person of color. Both my parents are artistic. My dad is also an artist, Eccentric to the point he could do everything besides literature and clothes because he didn’t have the patience for the process. He paints, draws, etches glass, carpentry, play instruments, sing and dance. So he loved to do my hair in really intricate hairstyles like an African and Indian princess, he was down when I wanted to have a singing group, hip hop group when I was a rapper so he always told me I could make it. My parents dressed me really pretty and preppy, like Paris chic and I attended Catholic school from kindergarten to eighth grade; St John DeNepomuc and Bruce Guadalupe both in Milwaukee. My mother is a fashionista with a balance of the analytical and creative sides. The final boss, she can out-King a King. The only things she didn’t do was sing and play instruments but that is replaced with logic and analytics. Kept us loved, fresh, well rounded; an interior decorator, artist, painter with financial acumen and fine as wine. She kept me at lavish events, balls, business luncheons, Ebony Fashion Fair and Spiegel. She started taking me to Ebony Fashion Fair Fashion Shows when I was a little girl and we were always close enough to touch those ladies. Close enough to see myself on the runway. I was hooked on the idea of being a part of that way back then. Read more>>
Angela Washington Petta
My beauty journey started at the age of 13. I developed cystic acne on my face, neck, chest and back. My mother had perfect skin, so she took me to the dermatologist. The dermatologist recommended a skincare routine. Next, my mother took me to Merle Norman Cosmetics where I was blessed with my first skincare routine. I was very consistent and used it in the AM/PM along with daily sunscreen. Eventually, my skin started to heal and the acne marks were starting to fade after 10-11 months of consistency. This process started my love affair with makeup and skincare. Fast forward to age 17 and I was employed by the very Merle Norman Cosmetics location that helped me at age 13. I got to help others with the condition of his/her/their skin. I loved seeing the smiles from my clients as they loved their own reflection in the mirror. This is when I knew what my calling was, to be a makeup artist/skincare specialist. I truly enjoy helping others to look and feel their best through makeup, skincare and self care. Read more>>
Jennifer Hartman’s Story
Hello! Yes- My career as a wildlife biologist began as an intern on a Student Conservation Association project (https://thesca.org/). I was part of a research crew with the University of Washington studying endangered Northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). As the project progressed, an idea was formed to utilize Conservation Detection Dogs. Could dogs assist in locating roost sites by detecting owl pellets? That’s when I started my journey towards becoming a bounder, or Detection Dog Handler. It was around this same timr that I met a rescue-dog -turned-working-dog named Max, a blue heeler mix, and from that day forward, my heart was his. Read more>>
Katie M. Berggren
My name is Katie m. Berggren (yep, Katie, not Kim 😊) My favorite to make is… motherhood! I love capturing skin to skin and the way bodies fold together. I love the way hair can flow and dance and interact. I love energy and movement and sparkle and glow. My favorite method to capture motherhood with is by putting acrylic paint on paper or canvas. Using brushes, or my fingers 😊 How I got Started: Most artsy people, it seems, will tell you they’ve been creating for as long as they can remember, in some way shape or form. I’ve been drawing since I was 5 or 6. Through high school and college I dabbled with colored pencils, paint, digital art, pen and ink, alcohol-based markers, and pencil. My first business I started in High School, creating pencil portraits for families. My second business was as a logo and graphic designer, after college. Once I had my first baby I *KNEW* I was meant to capture motherhood – and once I put paint to his wall for a mural I *KNEW* I was meant to use paint on canvas. That’s how it all started ~ about 20 years ago! Read more>>
Lisa Sheets of Artspawn Studios
I started out as a young person being very interested in music and art. Along the way I pursued these topics in school and earned degrees in them. I also studied and sometimes worked in fields incorporating other subjects, including psychology, vintage doll collecting, and American Sign Language. Throughout my life I considered the prospect of being a fine artist to be a very long-term project. I have been open to wearing several hats at once in my life while keeping my focus on pursuing art as a lifetime passion and calling. Read more>>
Janet Taylor of Totally Organized, LLC
I began my career in life organizing back in 1994, driven by a passion for creating order and improving the lives of others. Initially, I focused on transforming cluttered and dysfunctional spaces into functional, vibrant areas in homes and offices. Over the years, my expertise evolved to encompass not just physical spaces but also time management and lifestyle organization for executives and busy professionals. My dedication to sharing knowledge and empowering others led me to become a speaker and trainer. I’ve had the privilege of presenting at events such as the Philadelphia Home Show and conducting workshops at the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers’ Annual Conference. Additionally, I’ve hosted webinars attended by hundreds, covering crucial topics like life organizing and time management. Read more>>
Sarah Kowalske
I have always wanted to use my creativity to improve the quality of people’s lives. I graduated from UW-Stout with a BFA in Interior Design, and I went on to do things like design senior living environments and plan events with Habitat for Humanity. These days, my heart is in copywriting and content creation. I am especially digging the process of creating digital courses and products! No matter the medium, my hope is to forge meaningful connections in creative ways. Read more>>
Patty Mcfarlane
My art journey started because I wanted to raise money to make comfort packs for kids going through chemotherapy in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where my husband and I were living at the time. I started by making cards with simple line drawings, painting them with watercolors then selling them to tourists in the markets, after about a year I won a scholarship for Tamara Laportes “Lifebook “ which was great for me because I was learning in many different styles from lots of different teachers, I think that is why I still dabble today in many different styles. My husband and I moved back to the USA in 2021 and I have been working hard to improve my skills and get my name out into the world, in 2022 I got involved with several online auctions/markets and still primarily sell online today, I have been the poster artist for Quiltopia Oregon for 2 years in a row now and am teaching at their “quilters in the garden” event for the second year as well. I feel like my art journey is just beginning and has brought me new friendships, new skills and feeds my heart and soul each day Read more>>
Lisa Jacovsky
I started working in daycares from the time I was 19 years old. I moved my way up from part-time to full-time assistant to lead to director of a daycare. There was a time when I thought I would never be able to start my career and leave daycare. Because of this feeling of being stuck, I decided to work on my master’s degree. That is how I found applied behavior analysis. I continued to apply for jobs and used what I learned in my master’s to obtain my first job in the field in 2014. It became easier to go to work. It was not hard to wake up on a Monday and go to work anymore. I thought this was my career for life because of how much I loved it. After a year I realized I was not happy at the company I was working for but I decided to not let this stop me. I found another company but after four years of working as a behaviorist in residential group homes with adults, I became burnt out. I decided to work with kids doing in-home ABA. Working with adults I learned so much about the field, about ABA and mental health. It set the groundwork for where I am now. Read more>>
Rebekah Polley of Perfectly Polley
Pre-kids I was working in accounting departments within different corporations and industries. In 2019 we got pregnant with our 3rd biological child, and were foster parents to some pretty amazing young teens, and something in my schedule needed to give. The companies I had worked for were amazing, and tried to support the needs of my family’s schedule – but with having to juggle court, normal family events, and working, it was hard for me to get my hours in during their work day. So when we got pregnant with our 3rd biological son, we decided something needed to give – mainly my flexibility to be able to work evenings and on weekends and around what my kids’ schedules. So we launched Perfectly Polley July of 2019. It started out as a Virtual Office Management Company. I was willing and able to help my clients with all sorts of administrative needs, but I honestly was getting bored with it. I started to see that my clients needed some help understanding their financials and making decisions based off of that. Read more>>
Elsa Mucyo of French Encore LLC
I started as a babysitter when I was in high school in France. I then earned my Youth Leader Certificate and worked as a Youth Leader during most school breaks in leisure centers. After completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Languages and Master’s in Teaching French as a Foreign or Second Language and Intercultural Education, I taught French to adults in an association, children in schools, and adults and young adults in a training center. Eventually, I moved to the United States and began teaching full-time in immersive and bilingual American and French preschools while tutoring private French students on the side. After three years of managing this intense schedule, I realized it was time to choose between continuing as a full-time preschool teacher or starting my own tutoring business. In June 2020, I launched my tutoring business, French Encore. Read more>>
Myles Powell of Myles Comfort Foods
Walking down the stairs approaching the kitchen, the oven door opens with a creak sending its “food is everything” warm, cozy scent throughout the house. Fast forward fifteen years and I am no longer seven or eight, but twenty-three and I found that living on my own, a frozen meal did not emit the same comfort level vibes I had become accustomed to in my parents home.. I decided to embark on creating a food experience that not only I could feel good about eating, but one that I could share with friends to honor the tradition of a home cooked meal. I saw an opportunity with the Food Network with “America’s Best Cook” in 2013 and the idea blossomed. Propelled forward on a mission to share traditional whole food ingredients in a convenient meal, Myles Comfort Foods was born. It is my hope that you share this with a friend, heat up your favorite Myles meal and are transported to your own community table roots with family and friends. Read more>>
Patty Hillkirk
My story is one of resiliency and hope. I grew up in a large family, and at the same time felt alone and isolated due to the early trauma and bullying I experienced as a child. I spent a lot of time climbing trees and watching the world from afar in a place where I felt some control. I longed for safety and security. I found my safe circle when I found the Pennsylvania Gestalt Center, and while attending the three-year training, was able to work deeply on these issues. This led me to the dream of creating a therapeutic community for children impacted by HIV/AIDS and our Circle of Love has provided free trauma-informed therapeutic programs to over 6,200 youth over the past 28 years. Read more>>
Jayla Eckford
My mother was a caterer growing up. My job was always desserts. She’d have me running chocolate fountains, setting up dessert displays, and creating fruit platters at 12! I turned my childhood job into a small business in 2015, called Diva Desserts where I’d offer confections, fruit platters, and colored chocolate fountains. In 2020, I decided to take it to the next level, move to Atlanta and attend the Art Institute of Atlanta for Baking and Pastry Arts, where I graduated in 2022. After graduation, I worked for the Americano in Buckhead, Atlanta, I traveled on a 5 city tour with a celebrity cake artist, and worked on the water for American Cruise Lines. I elevated my business from just confections, to full decadent pastries, creative cakes, and sweet treats and even began marketing myself with business,hence the name “Baker Bae Sweets”, and even offer cool events such as kids cake classes, and cake and sips. Read more>>
Debra Mosley
God is the primary source of strength in my life. There’s no way that I would’ve made it this far without him. I had a very rough childhood. However, I’m grateful that the pain from that experience assisted with developing the artist & nurse that I am today. Read more>>
Kelly Mutsch of Eco Evie Apparel
Our clothing brand, Eco Evie Apparel, started with my daughter Evie, who was 9 at the time we launched our business. Evie has autism, and is a walking encyclopedia of animal facts! Evie became very aware of animal’s conservation statuses while visiting our local zoo, and was constantly pointing out how endangered certain species were. She came to me one day and said “Mom, we need to start a business to help them. They have no voice, they cannot speak for themselves. We need to be their voice”. Pretty profound for a kid who didn’t talk until she was 4 years old! Read more>>
Kayla Brock’s Story
I started working in social media during the pandemic but I was always working in magazine publications and broadcast as a journalist specifically focused on travel. Through university, where I took a couple photography classes, I gained a love for taking photos. I also just really enjoyed capturing the moment. I started a photography business in 2019 where I provided portraits and event photography. It all just felt like a natural progression. I was enjoying what I was doing and I loved that I could be creative and meet new people. Read more>>
Kristen Kidd
In my life I have had two over arching career paths. One as a social worker and one as a photographer. They both began in the tiny rooms of a senior living long term care facility in southern, central, rural Virginia, where my mother was a geriatric nurse. There, my earliest memories were of myself going from room to room visiting the tenants that lived there. They lived two to a room, in a space no larger than a typical dormitory. I was fascinated to see what made the cut of the museum of their lives; keep sakes on shelves and heirlooms passed down. Yet, most often it was a simple collage of photos. Their entire lives on a poster board nearly as big as myself. Weddings, kids, grandkids, beloved pets, trips taken, hobbies and achievements all on humble display and visually abridged. In this space began my love of the human experience and how we carry and honor that experience. Here began my journey as a care giver and photographer, before I truly understood what either was. Read more>>
Angela Steele
When our youngest son was born in 2009 with an extra 21st chromosome (Down Syndrome), our lives shifted. He has changed our lives dramatically for the better! Our older boys have grown into amazing people, and as a family, we have changed our perspectives and learned to truly live for what matters. When Jake was a baby, he developed eczema all over his body. We visited the pediatrician and dermatologist, and over the next couple of years, we tried every prescription and cream they could throw at him and NOTHING worked! One day, my sister told me a friend used Goat Milk Soap on her son, which helped. I immediately went on Amazon and purchased a bar. Jake’s skin looked so much better for the first time in years. The rest is history! Read more>>
Amanda Virga
I am originally from New Jersey but I am currently residing in the South of France. I embarked on my career in the wedding industry back in 2010, when I began interning for a planner in Staten Island during college. From there, my career took me through a series of twists and turns working for several companies and venues as a contracted planner before deciding to branch out on my own in 2018. I decided to resign from my position as the time, travel the world for a year, and launched my own company in the meantime! I spent the year immersing myself into the wedding markets of each of my destinations around the globe from South America to Asia and everywhere in between! I documented my experiences on my blog, and gained invaluable insight to the global market of weddings and how trends, traditions, and industries vary drastically from country to country. Since then my business has flourished and I continue to produce events around the world while now being based permanently in the South of France after being nomadic from 2018-2023. Read more>>
Caitlin Sloan of The Brainy Ballerina
Hi there! I’m Caitlin, a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI. I founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. I have worked with dancers all over the U.S. to give them the skills and confidence they need to pursue professional dance careers successfully. I started dancing when I was ten and spent my formative years training at Rochester School of Dance in Michigan. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri. I danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). I have taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. I am currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet. Read more>>
Tessa Riley of Lovingston Winery
Forever a dreamer, Tessa could not imagine a world where the fairytale did not come to life. That foundational mindset drove her competitive side as a collegiate track athlete at Virginia Tech, inspired her to chase her dream of wrangling horses under the shadows of the Teton Mountain Range in Wyoming after college, and ultimately guided her back to Virginia, teaming up with her husband, mother, and father as entrepreneurs in the wine and wedding industry in 2021 – an industry she had no training or background in. Her story reminds all of us that anything is possible when passion and creativity collide. Read more>>
Rebecca Rodela
My name is Rebecca Rodela and I am a Chicana tattoo artist based out of Portland, OR. My journey as an artist truly began when I was very young. I had an innate passion for the arts and spent a good majority of my youth drawing and doing my best to submerge myself in the (art) culture. Since accessibility to art wasn’t readily available, specifically as a Brown girl in the PNW, I had to seek out representation and ways to supplement any foundational exposure I had via my parents as a child. Visiting museums, galleries, observing elder artist friends work, and reading more about artists/ art history further deepened my interest in expanding my knowledge for this field. So much so, that at 6, I announced to my parents that I wanted to pursue and become a tattoo artist when I grew up. So, my lifelong determination of becoming what my childhood self wanted to be began. Read more>>
Trish A Gianakis
My art reflects how I navigate the realms of contemporary art through a profound exploration of self-discovery and the collective consciousness of humanity. In my art I merge traditional painting and sculpting techniques with advanced technology, creating immersive experiences that further tell the story of the artworks meaning. Being an artist has always been part of my life, especially being raised by my mother, a gallery director and artist/oil painter. With the raku firing process, I paint with fire, I find that the smoke’s blackened surface on the exposed ceramic material emphasizes the power and drama of the emotion. The glazes produce a broad spectrum of color, while the high heat and reduction process creates metallic or white crackle effects that are captivating. The digital aspect of my art is seamlessly integrated with the physical art with digital elements, using augmented reality to further tell my story with other 3d objects or animation to create an immersive experience for people to relate to. Read more>>
Kendall Lawson’s Story
I was an entrepreneurship major at High Point University. During my senior year we had to create our own business and present it for our final grade. That’s when Three Scooops Fashion House was born. We originally were called Three Scooops Clothing but have recently pivoted to a more fitting name for all that we do. We have three brands that we aspired from the start; Ralph Lauren for the quality and timelessness, Billionaire Boys Club for the color palette, and Johnny Cupcakes for the branding aesthetic. These brands all played a huge role in our teenage years during the 2004-2009 and really shaped the direction of our brand. In terms of other influence; Young Dro, Kanye, Pharrell, and Tupac each have played a huge role in our childhood and we take aspects from each of them to implement into our brand. Read more>>
Katie Wade
I moved to Philadelphia from the Pocono Mountains after highschool in 2010. I always assumed I would work with animals or the environment in one capacity or the other. During college I worked three jobs to support myself and ended up being a nanny for about six and a half years! During this time I became motivated and determined to create a occupation for myself that would set me up for the life I’ve always wanted to live. I went on to create BarkPark Philly LLC, where we offer urban dogs a true canine experience through dog daycare, boarding, training, and grooming. Just two years ago I became certified in Dog Training and have since expanded my knowledge of dogs! We are now working on a physical expansion, hoping to offer a gym like space for our members to bring their dogs that is shielded by bad weather and irresponsible dog owners. I am quite excited! Read more>>
Jai Surles
I started acting in high school not taking it serious and focusing on sports. I was in a dark place towards senior year not knowing what I wanted to pursue in my life and my acting teacher Miss Andrea K inspired me to pursue acting and from then on I have never looked back and I have been professionally acting for about 8 years still pursuing it as my career choice and waiting for the right agent to really have my career take off Read more>>
Chelsea Brown
Chyleeeeee. Where I started? I woke up one morning in Vegas in 2017 and told my family I was thinking about real estate. I came back home to Richmond a couple of days later and had my license by May of 17’. How did I get here today? God. Cause looking back over my life , I know it’s dramatic to say I could have been dead or in jail, but both are true. Not that I was living my life wrong, but the environment and circumstances I was raised in, is something off “punkd” with Ashton. Read more>>
Mandy Corcoran
Certainly! My journey has been anything but linear, but every step has contributed to where I am today. I began my career deeply immersed in the tech world. With a strong background in computer science, I was fluent in five programming languages and started off as a computer repair technician and networking engineer. I found joy in solving complex puzzles and working hands-on with technology. This passion led me to become a high school teacher, where I launched one of the first High School Cisco Networking Academies on the East Coast. I taught computer repair, web design, and networking, sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm for technology with students. Read more>>
Jasmine Highsmith’s Story
Writing and media has always been my passion. My journey began in 5th Grade, unfortunately I can’t remember my teacher or the school, but I do remember being pushed to my fullest capabilities as a very young writer. My first book was entitled “A Journey to the Past.” I was always into history and Sci-Fi as a child, so it was befitting for me to create a story about a kid who somehow takes a journey to the past to talk to prominent civil rights leaders like Rosa Parks and Dr. Luther King Jr. I even created illustrations along with the story. That story won me honorable mention within the school district for young authors that year. From that moment on I have been in love with media and journalism and with every venture I somehow try to incorporate both. Read more>>
Michelle Vande Hey of Light of Love Coaching
I’ve been Entrepreneurial most of my life and even graduated with an Entrepreneurship and Business Management Degree in May 2007. Something I always found helpful in being Entrepreneurial was personal growth and development. Those were always my favorite books, articles, and speakers to learn from. Throughout my time as an owner of an online supplement store, I would have many people tell me I should be a life coach because of what I would talk about on social media. I mostly always laughed it off. Read more>>
Kisha Washington
I got started in an unconventional space. I started my personal chef business while I was working at a doctors office and became a full-time entrepreneur in 2019. I have a personal chef business called TheKeyIngredient LLC, providing upscale private dining. I also run a nonprofit organization called Cookzcreed Foundation, helping chefs and hospitality individuals get scholarships, mental health and substance abuse resources, and mentorship. The organization was started after a tragic loss of my significant partner at the time who suffered from mental health issues. As of today, I have had my personal chef business for 10 years and my nonprofit for 4 years. We are also publishing a book in the next month or so. Read more>>
Chiara Candia
I have a degree in fine arts. I attended the Academy in Florence. My intention was to enter the teaching career. In the end, I did not succeed. During this trying I met Crosslances, which introduced me to the world of 3D printing. He helped me to start my own company and he revealed the platforms where I could share my projects. Read more>>
Naomi Benson
My journey into the world of art began at an early age. My mother, an art student at the Art Institute of Seattle, immersed me in the world of creativity before I could even talk. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by art, and I knew early on that I wanted to be an artist. I would often pretend to study while secretly writing or drawing in my notebooks. This behavior earned me the label of “space cadet” from my 3rd and 4th grade teacher, which initially made me feel bad and made me want to hide that side of me. However, over time, I learned to embrace my artistic inclinations. Read more>>
Sarah Gibson of Renewal Beauty
I initially got into the beauty industry to be a makeup artist for theatre and film, but part way through esthetics school, I found I LOVED doing facials and shaping brows. After working at a local shop for a few years, I decided to go out on my own and open my own business. I just celebrated 10 years! Read more>>
Kathy Chlan of Unfiltered Kathy
As a little girl, I always dreamed about being a TV reporter. I attended Rutgers University with a major in Journalism. Graduated and then life happened. I got married and had 2 boys – the oldest being developmentally disabled and a lot of medical problems. The TV career had to be put on hold, but I still held it close to my heart. So, at the age of 40, I pivoted and decided to do something for myself. I took acting, Improv & hosting classes in NYC. I took the leap and every time I got on stage or in front of a camera, I felt at home. I always felt that I was right where I should be. I have been pounding the pavement, so to speak, and never giving up. I am now a lifestyle expert doing TV segments and I love helping women over 40 live their best life and find humor in what life throws at you. Read more>>
Julie Kusma
I began my journey as an author after completing my Bachelor’s degree in Health and Wellness. My studies included alternative medicine and meditative practices, which played into my love of metaphysics and cosmology. I continued my studies, completing a Master of Science in Health Education and a Master of Arts in English, Creative Writing, Fiction. At this point, I melded my learning into one singular point of focus— how we as humans develop defense mechanisms and cognitive distortions that alter our perceptions of ourselves and those around us. My solo work touches on the Jungian shadow, our perspectives, and with the goal of empowerment. I do this through speculative fiction genres, in particular, supernatural and paranormal, and the use of irony to deliver the meaning in each story. Read more>>
Rebecca Schultz
My art practice began when I had the motor skills to hang onto a crayon; these drawings evolved from scribbles to horses, to 80s album art, to fashion designs, to moody teenage self portraits. I was fortunate to have an incredible high school art teacher, as well as access to classes at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where I grew up. I majored in painting at Rhode Island School of Design, where my growing interest in feminist theory led to explorations in mixed media works, installation, and performance. After graduation, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where I lived for 20 years. I got involved in the video and performance art community there, and became passionate about the power of the arts to address social issues and tell the stories of people who often felt invisible. I got a degree in Education at San Francisco State University and started working as a teaching artist in schools all over the region, as well as facilitating community-based theater projects. Read more>>
Hannah Ricke
I had just earned my master’s in clinical social work when I quit the job I had and undertook to solo backpack all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. (I ended up completing 1800 miles in 5 months). And the entire time I backpacked, I wondered, “What would it look like if I really tried to be an artist?” So I never have used my masters! I really tried to be an artist, and have been a full time paper collage artist for three years. Now I’m wondering, “What would it look like if I really tried to be an artist-writer-backpacker?” Because the solitude, the endurance, the thrill, the independence of backpacking is something I want to share with others. I keep journals as I backpack, and have turned those writings into solo storytelling shows that I’ve produced in the US and internationally. I simply read my journals to my audience, accompanied with my own photography. It’s a simple format, but I’ve heard from people that it’s powerful. Through writing, I’ve learned that I can make backpacking and all its challenges and rewards accessible and beautiful to people. Read more>>
Rosemary Brensen of Department of Community
When I was 21 I became a partner at Portland Garment Factory (PGF). At the time a tiny sewing studio manufacturing clothing for other brands. After graduating from design school in San Francisco and working for a designer there I was well versed in local manufacturing. Our trajectory at PGF was one of a rocket ship- 23xing the business in just 7 years. After 7 years we had 15 employees, 5000 sq ft factory and were making things for amazing indie designers all the way up to Michael Jordan himself. It was the dream. Until my dreams changed. I wanted to become a mom and realized that my dream life no longer involved long work days, travel, 5 am emails and the emotional rollercoaster of being in a business partnership. I wanted autonomy, ease and freedom in my motherhood. I pictured myself barefoot nursing in the grass in the middle of a Tuesday. And I was not going to get that life at PGF.Read more>>
Chelsea Rowen of YouFromMe
Embarking on a greener, acne-free path, I scrutinized my daily practices and considered areas where I was squandering money on unnecessary items – and that led me straight to my beauty regime! It’s astounding to think about the amount I shelled out over time, in an attempt to heal my impaired skin, oblivious to the fact that it was these very products causing harm in the first place. It spawned the idea of establishing a marketplace where people can resell, contribute or correctly dispose of items they don’t need or that didn’t meet their needs. In addition, it offers average buyers like me the chance to acquire products they adore without financially overstretching. Read more>>
Rosie Kosinski of Hidden Warrior
A global upbringing – England and Israel with Irish and Polish parents – fostered my love for exploration. At Davidson College, I embraced creativity with a Fine Art and Languages degree. There, I met my husband, Grant, an artist with a surprising background in Chemistry. Grant’s journey took an inspiring turn. After overcoming health challenges, he discovered a passion for helping others heal. This led him to become a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer and create Hidden Warrior (www.hidden-warrior.com), a practice designed to empower people on their wellness journeys. My skills complemented his perfectly. Through my branding agency, Shattered Pencil Studios (www.shatteredpencil.com), I helped build Hidden Warrior’s brand identity and online presence. Together, we’ve developed impactful online courses and customizable programs, reaching a wider audience seeking a path to wellness. Seeing Hidden Warrior empower people to unlock their inner strength and find healing is incredibly rewarding. Read more>>
Elizabeth Mcdonald of Lizzie’s Lops
Throughout my entire life I have had bunnies, in 2019 I got my first 2 holland lops. Honey and Storm started it all. From them I grew my business to where it is today with 8 adult bunnies. I also began boarding bunnies after one of Honey and Storm’s babies needed a “bunny sitter” while the family went on vacation. Through kind people and amazing pets I have been able to nurture and grow this business. Today I have bunnies in homes across the country, bunnies living with ex-NFL players, and bunnies living very lavish lives! I could not be more blessed to have this business built up behind me. Read more>>
Ayiana Viviana
Being a visual artist was never really something I saw myself doing or pursuing. However, in September of 2022, I was experiencing internal challenges that my normal means of purging and expression did not alleviate. I remember there being a voice in my mind telling me that I was the problem and if I eliminated myself, there would be no problem. However, there was a second voice telling me to pick up a paintbrush and canvas. The proverbial angel and devil on each shoulder, so to speak. Thankfully, I listened to the voice that encouraged a new means of expression and from that, the life I am currently living was born. Read more>>
Sarah Hurt of Seattle Art Source
I started Seattle Art Source in 2016 after a professional transition but spent about a year and a half before officially launching doing some discerning and planning. My previous job ended and I wanted to take the opportunity to really reflect on what I wanted to do next instead of reacting to a need by just taking the first thing I could find. I needed to discover what really motivated me, what skills I wanted to capitalize on and then create a plan around those values. I worked with a coach actually, which I found immensely helpful. She was able to help me see how all the diverse work experience I had was going to be an asset to me even though on paper I felt like I looked like a mess. My coach changed my perspective and I really solidified my desire to run my own operation, connect people with beauty and be an advocate, all of which I do at Seattle Art Source. So that was 8 years ago which is shocking and wonderful. Read more>>
Amy Bruce
I’m originally from Upstate NY and got my BFA with teacher certification from the New York State School Of Ceramics at Alfred University. I taught part time at a middle school for a year but that job went to a tenured teacher for the following year so my job search started. I had the chance to move down to Virginia w my college boyfriend to seek possible grad school options and after several years of teaching in private schools (and moving on from said boyfriend!) I got a full time job teaching Art with the largest school district in the state. Read more>>
Krystle Robinson-hershey
I started Sage& Elm Apothecary from a place of therapeutic healing. While in the thicket of watching my brother battle addiction, I began making products to cope. While coping I was sharing products with friends and family. As products sold people seemed to enjoy them. I continued to just dabble and create. I shortly lost my little brothers to addiction and decided go take action. My desires were to connect people on their mental health journey to balance and well being while using plants to nourish individuals from the inside out. Once I began to create from plants, the products that others connected with allowed Sage & Elm Apothecary to grow into a brand and lifestyle. Read more>>
Nicole Lee of Heart and Honey Counseling LLC
When I was a teenager in high school I was the person people went to for help. Due to this I witnessed a lot of people struggling and decided I wanted to help more and touch a few more people. At 15 years old I started a non-profit Suicide and Depression Prevention/Awareness organization named You Are Loved and worked with this to touch as many lives as I could. As I grew I worked to expand my knowledge. I obtained a bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Bloomsburg University, a Master’s in Psych Services from Kean University, a Professional Diploma in Marriage and Family Therapy from Kean University, a certification in Sex Therapy from Evergreen Certifications, and I am actively pursuing a PhD in Couples Therapy from National University. Through my studies, I found a passion for working with couples and worked to specialize in this area while also working with individuals on their mental health involving my systemic lens. In 2021 I became licensed in Marriage and Family therapy as well as obtained a license in Professional Counseling. In 2022 I decided it was time to grow again and invested in myself to start my private practice. Since opening, I have had one name change to represent myself and my brand more authentically. I am now the proud owner and therapist of Heart and Honey Counseling. Read more>>