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.

Anne Mok’s Story

Imagine waking up every day in a world that looks increasingly unfamiliar. Street signs blur, faces become indistinct, and the vibrant colors of life slowly fade into shadows. This was my reality growing up—a reality I couldn’t quite put into words but felt deeply with every step I took. Growing up, I always struggled with my vision and had a sense that something wasn’t quite right. School was a challenge, sports were a disaster, and my shyness kept me from speaking out. It wasn’t just that I was clumsy or introverted – I simply couldn’t see the world as others did. As a child, I wore thick glasses and struggled with tasks like reading a clock or learning long division because I couldn’t see the board or projector clearly. Read more>>

Juliette Cochet

I guess it is fair to say that my story started when I was young and I decided that I will become an actress. I thought it was a dream at first – for years, that was what I would call it – but now I am certain that it is and will become my reality. My name is Juliette Cochet and I was born and raised in France before coming to New York 2 years ago to study acting. Since that, I have worked on more than 50 short and student films, I have act in multiple plays as well as helped putting on student made plays (entirely original stories), I am the Vice President of the Theatre Club of my school and have now received the price of “Best Actress” at the “Multi Dimension Independent Film Festival”, and much more… Read more>>

Karen Marshall

I was born and raised in the inner city of Kansas City, Mo. My parents were hard working and moved to the city from the south. My mother was a paraprofessional for one of the best kinder teachers in the city until she went back to school to get her masters plus in teaching. I was 16, she retired after 30 years. My dad worked on the line at General Motors for over 40 years. He ended his career as a foreman. Education was very important to both of my parents. I was bused to magnet schools. I am always secretly hoping someone will write at a paper on how the magnet schools were helping inner city kids to be exposed to more, and it was working, that is why they really shut them down. I was able to take Jazz, tap and ballet after school for free. I also had music classes where I learned the violin and started my love for the clarinet. And, the best part of all was SCIENCE LAB! It was the best part of my week. Starting at 3rd grade we spent over an hour every week going deep into science ideas with the coolest teacher in the school. He was like our very own Bill Nye. During this time, my parents always told me that color didn’t matter and that if I worked hard enough, I could do anything… I learned fast, this was not the entire truth, even though they meant well. Read more>>

Melissa Galbraith

Melissa Galbraith is the fiber artist behind MCreativeJ. She was born and raised in the desert of Washington state where her mother instilled a love of making things by hand at an early age. Melissa shares her love of nature through whimsical and modern hand embroidery kits, patterns, workshops, and her book, How to Embroider Texture and Pattern and DIY Embroidered Shoes. Melissa was reintroduced to hand embroidery after finding her desk job monotonous and needing a creative outlet. She loves that embroidery is like coloring with a needle and thread. Melissa found that many craft enthusiasts also wanted to learn how to embroider but were daunted by where to start. Thanks to this and a love of teaching, Melissa began to share her hand embroidery knowledge. Read more>>

Tanika Thomas of Vybrant Jewels LLC

My journey started back in 2014 when I stepped into the role of caregiver. What initially seemed like a natural extension of love and responsibility quickly became a transformative experience, marked by personal sacrifices, intense emotions, and an unwavering commitment to support a loved one battling Alzheimer’s. Over time, this role deepened my empathy and my understanding of what caregivers endure daily, from physical exhaustion to emotional strain, all while trying to maintain a semblance of personal identity. Losing my grandmother to Alzheimer’s became a profound turning point. In the midst of grief, I felt an undeniable pull toward rediscovery and healing. This journey led me to embrace activities that promoted my well-being and allowed me to reconnect with myself. I found solace in journaling, raising plants, and crafting, each activity helping me work through my experiences and rediscover my own passions. Read more>>

Jenn Bethune

I’ve always had this knowing that my life was meant for more. I just wasn’t sure of how much more until I embarked on an incredible journey living aboard a vintage bus and traveling the US. The moment in my life that broke my heart and changed my soul was when we were struck by an oncoming vehicle, killing our almost 7 year old son 15 minutes after we began his birthday trip to Walt Disney World. Losing our son was absolutely soul shattering and forever life altering. In that, I discovered what true and unconditional love felt like. The saying “you can’t know great love without great loss” became a reality for me. I truly didn’t know what I had, until it was gone. With learning that, I developed an immense amount of gratitude for the ones around me I love. I have this deep sense of appreciation for life, knowing that it could be gone in a split second.  Read more>>

Tiffany Foronda of Tiffany Kay Events by Design

My career in events started when I was working on the venue side almost 2 decades ago, working in sales, catering & event planning in hotels. After years of being on the hotel side, I decided to transition into more of a third-party planner role and worked in that capacity for about a year. Having smaller children at the time, I made a decision to look for an opportunity that would provide me with a steadier schedule so I could spend more time with my family, in which I landed a job in marketing.  After only 9 months, I was laid off from my corporate marketing position, I then decided to take the leap and start my own business as a Wedding Planner. I launched my business in 2018 and obtained another job in promotional marketing as I was building my business. In 2022, I was able to finally go full time as a Wedding Planner and am now going on 7 years as a business owner this coming March. Read more>>

Christine Polite

My journey has been anything but linear—and I love that about it. I’ve always seen myself as a misfit, navigating life with curiosity, courage, and a deep belief in making a difference. At 20, I was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes (T1D) while studying abroad in Italy. That experience was transformative: I had to learn how to advocate for myself, even when my symptoms were dismissed by doctors. It was a turning point that sparked my passion for self-advocacy and resilience. Professionally, I’ve spent over 15 years at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and impact, with roles in non-profits, agencies, and even as the owner of a custom cake shop. That detour into entrepreneurship taught me about risk-taking, problem-solving, and the value of creativity in everything I do. Read more>>

Bethany Shields of Be Better with Bethany

My journey to entrepreneurship has been anything but conventional—it’s a blend of passions, struggles, and personal transformation that have all led me to where I am today. I loved music as a child and began private lessons in piano and voice, performing in musical theatre and anytime I got the opportunity. I continued my career in classical music as an opera singer with advanced degrees in music history and musicology, publishing and presenting internationally. I also ran a private music studio, teaching voice and piano, and spent many years as a classroom educator. Music was my world, and helping people express themselves creatively and find their own voice was at the heart of what I did. Read more>>

Kathleen Supové’s Story

I’m a pianist/composer who performs, records, curates and teaches music of our time, including my own. My story started when I began noodling around on the family piano. My Dad, a hardened old-schooler, always wanted a daughter who played the piano. He couldn’t have imagined what he got himself into! I started normal classical piano training kind of late, almost aged nine, but grew bored with the pieces I was playing. My dad astutely saw this and sent me to Elesa Scott Keeney, who would light the fire that allowed me to continue and thrive into the teenage years. She also gave me a passion for light classics and American rhythms. Eventually, this led to my interest in and affinity for contemporary music. I continued a classical music education (B.A. in music from Pomona College, M.M. in Piano from The Juilliard School), but pursued this interest in newly made music and the people who created it. Advanced study in Boston with pianist Russell Sherman taught me most of what I can do well, and I admired that he had made a name for himself with some groundbreaking new music recordings. Read more>>

Melissa Ng Goldner

I grew up as an Asian American woman, raised by two immigrant parents with traditional values that emphasized respect for hierarchy and achievement as a measure of worth. Early on, my path was defined by external expectations — high-powered roles in consulting, prestigious titles, and the constant grind. I held leadership roles in transformation and organizational change at places like Prophet, Ogilvy & Mather, and Slalom. From the outside, it looked like I’d “made it,” but on the inside, I was worn down, especially after having two young children and experiencing postpartum depression. I was operating on autopilot, collecting accolades and accomplishments to fit a narrative that wasn’t truly my own. Read more>>

Samantha Vetter

Back before covid became a thing, I had taken my daughters to a festival where there was a person doing fairy hair, naturally they were obsessed, and I couldn’t help but love it too. So being the crafty person I am, I taught myself how to do it, with the cooperation of my kiddos of course, so they could sparkle whenever and that was that. Then 2021 came around and I decided to try the Moxi Skate Daily challenge, where you roller skate everyday for a year. Did I think at day 1 I’d make it to day 365? Not necessarily, but I was confident if I could get to 30 days then it would just be a matter of keeping that momentum going. In that process I found a community of friends, from the roller rink to the skate parks. One in particular after finding out I enjoyed plants and gardening invited me to join her volunteering on the farm she worked at. While pulling weeds one morning, I mentioned that among my list of hobbies I also had taught myself how to do fairy hair for my kids. Well that ended up leading into volunteering at events as a fairy hair person, and I loved it. In fact, I loved it so much I decided to jump feet first into starting my own business for it at the end of last year.  Read more>>

Christa Zuniga’s Story

Thank you for having me again and for giving me the opportunity to share more of my story. I am a writer now, but it wasn’t always that way. My journey began in 2018, when I sought therapy after losing my mother to cancer and realizing I was in an abusive relationship. In therapy, you’re taught to search for answers, to dig deep. One day, while reflecting, I asked myself: What if my life ended tomorrow? You don’t live to die, but if you’re going to die, you want to have truly lived. As I played out my life like a movie in my mind, I could see that I wasn’t living the life I wanted for myself. Despite all my denial, I wasn’t truly happy. Read more>>

Michelle Shaw’s Story

I went from being a staying at home mom who felt a little lost, I found myself again, as I did that I was able to pursue my love and passion and makeup! Read more>>

Carmen Aceves-iniguez

I am a certified Leadership Coach, Consultant, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Interestingly, I didn’t set out to become any of these things. My journey has been a mix of perseverance, serendipitous moments, experimentation, following my intuition, and trusting that the Universe, my ancestors, and spirit guides are guiding me along the way. I graduated from UCLA with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Spanish Literature, though my college path wasn’t straightforward—it took six years and three different schools to get there. Leaving Loyola Marymount University after my freshman year was the first big test of my intuition. I made the decision to leave on the very first day of classes. It was a visceral reaction. As I stepped out of my dorm and surveyed the campus, my stomach sank. I felt the weight of culture shock—coming from a low-income, diverse community of color, this environment was the exact opposite. Read more>>

Gina Gadson of Distinguished Authors Guild

The Distinguished Authors Guild started with three very eager individuals who wanted to do something for authors outside of the ordinary. The questions at hand; How do we support authors? What can we do to put them in front of a larger audience? After further thought and deliberation, the decision was made to host an author’s award show. This show would be dedicated to honor the past and celebrate those before us for their distinctive contributions to American literature. Hence, the Distinguished Authors Guild (aka D.A.G.) was created. Read more>>

Rebecca Otis

Hey there! I’m Becca. I’m an entrepreneur based in Madison, WI, but let’s rewind to see how my company Essence Social Media Management came to be. ​I started managing social media accounts while I was in my first two years of college at UW-Milwaukee. My major was Journalism, but my professors encouraged me and my fellow classmates to explore every kind of media we could. Long story short, I applied to be a Social Media Intern for a start up clothing brand and got it! I learned a ton and had a great experience, but I ultimately had to leave that opportunity because I decided to transfer to UW-Madison.  Read more>>

Kirstan Bilderback

I’ve always had a special place in my heart for art. There was a time when I let it slip away, focusing on typical teenager things and then on to adulthood before I even realized. It wasn’t until 2020 that I allowed myself dive back in; It’s been over four years of painting, trying new things and finding my style, and I’ll never stop being grateful for that little nudge to create. Read more>>

Erica Marie Coston of Dog Herbalist

I’ve always been an animal lover and have volunteered at many different animal nonprofits as well as starting my own, Groom for Love (groomforlove.org). Gardening was also a hobby of mine and I gardened for a herb and vegetable farm CSA while living in Colorado. I’ve felt deeply connected with plants and animals growing up; since I was a young kid I found solace in them. Plants and animals have been my closest allies and most helpful therapists. I’ve felt called to be a steward for animals and plants for a long time. They’re beautiful beings who should be treated as our equals and who don’t have a voice to speak up for themselves, so are oftentimes unfortunately at the receiving end of negative energy and actions from humans. Read more>>

Amanda Marks’s Story

From a young age, I felt a fire within me, a drive that couldn’t be extinguished. In high school, I discovered my passion for business. When I found out that the local two-year business school offered a way to “test out” of most classes, I saw a chance to fast-track my education. However, when the school decided not to honor this option, I didn’t give up. I fought for my right to accelerate my studies and managed to graduate in just 13 months instead of the usual 24. Read more>>

Jessica Mifflin

As a single mother of three—my 21-year-old son serving in the Air Force, my 17-year-old son, and my 8-year-old daughter—I’ve always been driven by one unwavering mission: to provide my children with everything they need and most of what they want. My career in the entertainment industry began unexpectedly when I first started as a personal assistant to an upcoming actor. A pivotal moment came when I facilitated an interview with him and TheBlkScript, which opened doors I never imagined possible. Shortly after, I became a personal assistant to Kevin Marable, the creator and founder of TheBlkScript, quickly evolving into a PR and talent scout. Read more>>

Alicia Mcdonald

I grew up a theatre kid through and through. The focus of my summers was preparing my audition song for the following year’s musical every year without fail since the 4th grade. Throughout high school, I remained focused on theatre, serving as the drama club president during my senior year, and playing leading roles in plays like “And Then There Were None” and musicals like “Little Shop of Horrors” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”. I always knew I wanted to go to college for musical theatre and spent my senior year auditioning at schools throughout New Jersey. When the pandemic hit partway through my sophomore year of college, my classmates and I were sent home and did not attend an in-person acting class until Fall 2021, out of due concern for mitigation of the spread of COVID-19. During that time, like so many others, I was missing performing. Read more>>

Chloe Marie

Of course! Today I am an independent hairstylist, renting a chair at a salon, running my own small business alongside other independent stylists. My journey started back in high school, during the time most people are trying to figure out their future. At first, I had no idea what I wanted to do. Growing up, I never had a consistent hairstylist. When I was younger, my mom would cut my hair in the kitchen, and later, I’d either go to whoever she was seeing at the time or a random salon. Becoming a hairstylist wasn’t even on my radar, especially with the push from school to go to a four-year university. I have always loved art and creativity and knew I would love a career with those aspects but I didn’t think it was realistic. I would do my friends hair and makeup for school dances and people started suggesting that I could be a hairstylist. Read more>>

Eboni Williams’s Story

My story of purpose work started the day I was born. June 17, 1983. Being born differently able and my brothers weren’t. So my purpose started there. To show me as well as my family that limits only exist where we let them. My mom always told me from the time i was old enough to truly understand that every one has some type of different ability mine was just visible. Now even though i never question why I was born with cerebral palsy. Im not going to say my journey to self acceptance of my different ability was easy because it definitely wasn’t there were plenty moments where i didn’t like what I saw and I try to hide certain parts of me. But as I got older and I continue to battle with confidence issues and at the same time I was always willing to try new things. And as I continue to leave this thing called life I would always wonder why I never saw someone like myself doing the things that i wanted to do. And that right there taught me in order to see what I was looking for I had to be that no matter what it would look like for me even if I was doing it afraid. I’m so grateful for my mom because she never told me no I dont think you should do that even if she was scared she still allowed me to live. The disappointment of a teacher telling me that I was a endangerment to children that I want to teach just because I walked with a cane was something that pushed me beyond measure. And at the age of 33 is when i really tapped into what God had place me here to be a voice of encouragement and slowly but surely ebonipministries was born. Read more>>

Sarah Nagy of Seek AI

My name is Sarah Nagy, I’m a former quant and data scientist. I founded an analytics automation startup, Seek AI, in September 2021. Before that, I led the consumer data team at Citadel’s Ashler Capital, and prior to Citadel, led the quant arms at two successfully exited startups and developed algorithmic trading strategies at ITG. I have a Master in Finance degree from Princeton and dual bachelor’s degrees in Astrophysics and Business Economics from UCLA. I started Seek AI because as a data scientist, I was often frustrated with the challenges that my non-technical colleagues faced in accessing and understanding data–which was ultimately at the root of a routine data bottleneck problem impacting my ability to analyze the insights that mattered more. With Seek AI, I set out to make data more accessible to everyone in an organization through a natural language interface for data powered by Generative AI. Read more>>

Tara Nicolas

I’m Tara A. Nicolas, a Washington, D.C. native with Haitian roots, now proudly calling Brooklyn home. My artistic journey began at the age of three in Lomé, Togo, and it’s been full steam ahead ever since. After earning my B.A. from UPenn, I pursued my passion to the bustling streets of New York City. You may recognize me from my work in commercials, leading workouts on Netflix’s Nike Training Club series, or from my roles in episodic television, including the CBS series FBI and Godfather of Harlem on MGM+. As a multi-talented artist, my career in acting, singing, and dancing has led me to collaborate with industry icons such as Beyoncé, Queen Latifah, Forest Whitaker, Giancarlo Esposito, Fatima Robinson, and Megan Thee Stallion, among others. Read more>>

Kimberly Clark of Kimberly Clark Speaks

I grew up in Castor Louisiana, a small town with less tham 1000 people. I had a big and supportive family but I also had many insecurities about myself. The rough part of my journey began in the military, where I faced not only the challenges of service but also the deep scars of trauma, including childhood and military sexual trauma. After my service, I found myself battling addiction and wrestling with the effects of PTSD. For years, I was stuck in a cycle of pain, fear, and insecurity, unsure how to break free. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I realized change had to start with me. I began to rebuild my life one step at a time, starting with confronting my own pain and seeking healing. I dove into personal development, studied emotional intelligence, and leaned into my faith to rediscover who I was meant to be. Along the way, I embraced my vulnerabilities, finding that sharing my story not only healed me but also inspired others. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Unger

Absolutely! My journey into design began during the 2020 pandemic. When I was furloughed from my job, I suddenly had the time and space to try something new, all while having a safety net. I decided to explore freelancing in graphic design—areas where I could channel my creativity and problem-solving skills. What started as an experiment quickly turned into a passion. I realized how much I enjoyed collaborating with small business owners to help them bring their ideas to life. Over time, that passion grew into KTU Designs LLC, where I now focus on creating websites and content that empower business owners to tell their stories, grow their brands, and connect with their ideal clients. This journey has been shaped by my faith and my family, both of which inspire me to approach my business with a spirit of service, creativity, and authenticity. It’s been a fulfilling and transformative experience, and I’m so grateful for how it’s all unfolded! Read more>>

Liz White

I started face painting in April of 2023 after being placed on disability for being legally blind and disabled. Prior to that I spent over a decade trying to make it work with traditional jobs and just feeling like a failure when my health or mental health got in the way of doing the jobs I wanted to do. I felt lost and like I needed a purpose and I started practicing and fell in love with the art form. The fact that painting faces is an up close art that I can see to do was exactly what I needed. From there I have taken many courses, spent hours practicing, and done lots of events to hone my craft. Read more>>

Mandy Hobel

Thank you so much for taking the time to hear about my journey! I come from a very artistic family, our home was always flowing with music and art, my parents always encouraged us to nurture our creative sides. We had a subscription to National Geographic, and it sparked a love of story telling and photography in my heart, I would dream of having a camera in hand and traveling as I captured the photos in those pages. My (5) siblings and I are all artistic in one way or the other, we are all potters, photographers, musicians or painters. Photography has always been a part of my life starting in my teens, and my love for it was also sparked by my two uncles, Ted and Jerry Hunter, who were, and are, both amazing photographers. They gifted me my very first camera, an Aries Viscount. It was a 35mm manual and film, and how to shoot using a handheld light meter. Aside from myself they were my toughest critics, and I am so grateful for that. I would spend all of my babysitting money on film and developing, and my one uncle taught me how to develop film in his home dark room. In honor of them both I named my business, Hunter Photography, from their last name and my maiden name. I still have that camera, and it is also tattooed on my right wrist to remind me to never stop taking photos. Recently I learned that my Grandfather also was a photographer, he traveled to schools in the county to take the class photos. I guess you can say that photography runs in my blood. Read more>>

Sarah Prince

I’m one of those people who has always known what I’ve wanted to do, even from a very young age. I remember being six or seven, curled up in a corner with my journal and my clunky pencil writing stories. Pretty sure my mom still has some of them in a shoebox somewhere. I went to college for economics because that seemed like the grown up thing to do, but I knew I wouldn’t be using my degree. I’ve only ever wanted to write books. Read more>>

Shannon Wilkinson of Reputation Communications

I am the founder and CEO of Reputation Communications. We specialize in providing online reputation management services to high-end business leaders, CEOs and C-Suite executives, high profile and high net worth individuals, fast-track entrepreneurs and other rising stars, and VIPs. We publish extensive free resources at You(Online): The Magazine, to provide the greater public with access to expert and trusted information about all aspects of crisis and online reputation management, personal branding, social media usage, and other topics related to this field. It is utilized by visitors from all over the world. Read more>>

Brittany Selah Lee-bey

When I was in first grade, I remember doing a fair amount of writing. Short stories, journaling, writing sentences, anything that got our little fingers moving and words flowing. I specifically remember writing a sequel to Cinderella for fun, most likely because our teacher encouraged us to be creative. Well, I shared it with her and she loved it! She loved it so much that she “published” it into a little book! It was at that moment I told myself I wanted to be an author. I’ve always loved books and loved to read. That moment in first grade is a core memory and is the foundation of my desire to be an author. I love language, and the ultimate reverence I can show for words is to write about their origins — hence, the birth of “EtymologyRules: Back to Basics.” Read more>>

Tara Angeles of The Fertility Academy, PLLC

Have you ever found yourself on a journey where your destination was completely unexpected, but simultaneously the perfect place for you to end up? This is precisely what happened to me and has shaped my journey leading me to where I am today. During nursing school, I envisioned a career as a certified nurse midwife, eager to support new families as they welcomed their babies into their families. However, after graduating, I found my path leading me in a different direction—into the world of fertility clinics. This unexpected shift turned out to be a pivotal moment in my career. Working in a fertility clinic provided invaluable insights into the conventional approaches to fertility care, and I am profoundly grateful for the experience. It not only marked the beginning of my career in fertility, but also set me on my new path and field that I work in today: Holistic Fertility. Read more>>

Pamela Coleman

Pamela Coleman is a Charlottesville, Virginia native and mental abuse survivor. Once she got the understanding of what it was to be a mental health survivor, she began to research what was mental health was and found out that 63% of African American men don’t seek out mental support. That started her company, The Brother’s Forum, LLC. Coleman has hosted several men’s mental health seminars. Her latest project is a men’s mental health book, Uspoken, “it’s ok not to be ok!” This book feature 26 men from different parts of the states and walks of life whom have come together to share what mental health means to them through the eyes of an African American male. Since the release of this book, several of the men that participated in this book have been featured in magazines, podcast and speaking engagements. Read more>>

Heidi Dellafera Eagleton’s Story

FROM THEN TO TODAY In 2021, I began my career as a writer. My previous careers as a lawyer, as owner and president of my own development, architecture and construction company, Open Design & Development, Inc. (The Odd Group), and as an adjunct professor of architecture at an Historically Black College and University (HBCU), all make up large parts of my “life’s” story and how I got to where I am today. But for this interview, I’m choosing to focus on what I’m doing today, and where I’m going at age seventy-five soon to be seventy-six. What I’ve come to realize looking back to when I started writing in 2021 is that since then I have been on a mission, focusing directly or indirectly on my journey living with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). And writing is and has been my go-to.  Read more>>

Amanda Russell of Chaos Coordination, LLC

From a young age, I was taught that you needed to make money first and find happiness second. While I would have LOVED to be a writer, it didn’t seem like a realistic way to make a living. After graduating college, I needed to find a full-time job – fast. My lease was up for my college apartment, my roommates and I were heading in different directions, and I needed to find a way to pay rent on a one-bedroom apartment on my own. I started working full-time at a law firm as a litigation assistant and attending school at night to get my paralegal certificate. The nights I wasn’t at school, I was behind a bar, trying to make ends meet. I was living on Three Hour Energy shots and quesadillas, but I was making it work. Read more>>

Emily Austin

When I was little my dad took me to my first musical. He tells me that I sat, fixated throughout the show, barely blinking. Afterwards I turned to him and said without hesitation, “I can do that.” Pretty much ever since I’ve been performing. My mom also signed me up for piano lessons. I hated practicing but she held firm that I would appreciate having the skills one day. She was right, of course. I was also an aspiring ballerina, dancing everyday after school, taking rigorous classes and performing in the Nutcracker and many showcases. The winter I was fifteen, during the run of our ballet school’s yearly Nutcracker production, my ankle started to swell. I refused to accept that I was injured and only went to the doctor after the last show was over, where I discovered I had been dancing on a stress fracture for weeks. That was the end of my dance career. I was heartbroken. Read more>>

Kara Brunson of Rihla Wellness

I’ve always been fascinated by the self-made approach. When I was younger, I’d always try to make the things I wanted; I liked that sense of control and accomplishment. So, when it came to my health and self-care, I was always the type of person to explore home remedies in books like Back to Eden and Heal Thyself. But, as instructive as those books were, I did hit a limit as to what I could accomplish on my own. Especially by the time I had my own family and when it came to my children. There came a point where I realized that I needed to deepen my knowledge and understanding. About 15 years ago, I took the leap and pursued a second master’s degree at a school for natural healing in Utah; this institution traces its roots to the eclectics in the Western herbal medicine tradition, like Dr. Shook and Dr. Nowell in Canada. Read more>>

Alexandra Castro

Imagine a high school auditorium, where a shy musician is unexpectedly thrust into a new spotlight – and not behind a musical instrument, but center stage in a play. That was me, plucked from obscurity by my VERY observant speech teacher who saw potential I didn’t know I had. The moment I stepped onto that stage, the world shifted. The music I’d always loved suddenly had a new dimension – theater. But life had another surprise in store. Fresh out of high school, I wandered into a grand hotel across from San Antonio’s Majestic Theatre, simply looking for a restroom after watching a show. Instead, I found my future career pinned to a bulletin board – a job opening for a ‘PBX Operator’. I had no idea what it meant, but I took a chance. Little did I know, I was stepping into another kind of performance – the grand production of hospitality. Read more>>

Laura Donigan of Quantum Healing Hypnosis with Laura

Growing up, I always had the sense that there was more to the world than what I was being told. I was fascinated by things like magic, fairies, and aliens, and I couldn’t understand why everyone insisted they weren’t real. I just knew there were things out there that we couldn’t see or were told didn’t exist. My curiosity grew when my maternal grandmother, who was interested in metaphysics and New Age ideas, introduced me to the works of Dolores Cannon and Edgar Cayce. One important experience happened when she took my mom and me to see a stage hypnotist on the Las Vegas Strip when I was in elementary school. I didn’t know it at the time, but that day would have a big impact on my life. I was invited onstage as a volunteer and performed amazing physical feats while under hypnosis. I can still remember every detail of that day, and it felt like a subtle reminder of the path I was meant to take. Read more>>

Brooke Craig of Holistic Housewife

My name is Brooke Craig, and I am the Holistic Housewife. I am a Mom of 4 crazy kids. I am also a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Life Coach, and Author. I am just all about trying to live life happy and as holistically as I can in this modern day. My struggles with food, body image, fear, self-doubt, depression, negative ,anxiety, panic, identity, balance between work and house, divorce, being a mom, and more have lead me to exactly where I am today; and it has lead you to me. I fully believe that we are designed for awesomeness. We aren’t meant to live life in mediocrity. We are not meant to settle for less. We are meant to shine bright and live the life we deserve. We allow society, judgment, and self limiting beliefs to take over and clutter the path towards your greatness. My goal in everything I do is to help people step fully into the amazing human being that they deserve to be. Read more>>

Brittany Devon

I have always been a creative human. After my father passed when I was 15, I knew I wanted to commit to modeling and acting full time. I was signed in Chicago when I was 16 and have been acting ever since. I started doing stand up comedy in 2016, and moved to Chicago in 2018. I began She Them Productions in 2021, making original content. I have had multiple films in film festivals winning international awards. I currently am an actor, stand up comedian, improv teacher and writer. I am working on new projects with She Them. Read more>>

Julia Deney of Sense-ational You

I founded Sense-ational You shortly after graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Fashion Design in 2020. While at Cornell, I established and ran a volunteer partnership with a local autism preschool and, from this passion, focused my studies on adaptive clothing for autistic children. Parents and educators from the school brought to my attention the struggles their children face with clothing, and I worked closely with them to research and develop solutions. The College of Human Ecology selected me to be the college’s representative and present my business plan before a special committee of Cornell trustees. This was the first time I stepped back from my creative work and saw the impact it could have if I turned it into a company. While developing the product and growing Sense-ational You after graduation, I worked as a special education para in autism classrooms for three years. Read more>>

Angie Maserati

I have reached my current position by following the light that reveals the truth within me. This guiding light directs my path, navigating with the strengths of authenticity and belief. It is energized by the creative forces that exist within myself and within us all—a pure quantum life force from the ever-expanding universe. This energy empowers me, creating a way of being that encourages my personal growth. It flows with truth in an unblocked and unapologetic manner. I aspire to be nothing other than my true self. My inner voice is loving, nurturing, kind, and patient; this is how I perceive and cherish the world around me. Any other perspective would hinder my joy. Joy does not imply constant laughter; rather, it signifies moving through life with genuine understanding and seeking love in every situation. The most challenging moments foster our growth, and I have discovered that growth itself is an expression of love. Read more>>

Nicolette Page

I grew up in the greater Boston area and decided I wanted to apply to NYU Tisch for film school. To my surprise, I got in and then COVID hit. I went through my freshman year in 2020 and gradually got used to living in the city. I met some amazing artists along the way and by the time I graduated earlier this year, I had found a team of people I trusted working with. I feel so grateful for my experience and I am thrilled to be making art as it is a privilege to do so. Read more>>

Sherianna Boyle

I started writing about a year after my third daughter was born. She was a terrific napper and by that time, I was an experienced parent. So rather than do the dishes during nap, or fold laundry instead I opened up my laptop and started to write. I self-published my first book and within a year a publisher approached me about writing a parenting book on childhood anxiety. I accepted the invitation and have been writing since. I am in the process of releasing my eleventh book, Just Ask Spirit: Free Your Emotions to Energize Intuition & Discover Purpose. Read more>>

Evangelia Moultsidou of Herbal Alchemy

Hello, my beautiful kindred spirits! ✨ My name is Evangelia, and I’m grateful to be here, the opportunity connecting with all of you. I’m a Taurus, married to a military husband, blessed with two incredible rainbow boys, while three of my little angels watch over us from heaven. We live on the magical Island of Light—Rhodes, Greece. 🌸🌊 My journey to motherhood wasn’t easy. Through my own struggles, I discovered that modern medicine had its limits, but through the wisdom of Chinese medicine and herbal healing, I was finally able to create my own family. This profound experience ignited a passion within me to help other women on their paths to motherhood. I’ve had the honor of helping many women overcome their own challenges and welcome their beautiful families into the world. Read more>>

Crissy Timpson

I come from a proud military family—my mother served 32 years in the Army and my father for 22. Growing up, my mom always taught me to be independent and to pursue whatever my heart was set on. While I struggled with math in school, I excelled in other areas, like music and writing. At 18, I married my high school sweetheart, moved across the world and just months later, he was deployed. I worked the traditional 9-to-5. and hated the feeling that I was on someone’s time, building someone else’s dream, work never felt fulfilling. I knew I was meant for more and life was meant to enjoy and not just work all the time. Without a college degree, I doubted I’d ever achieve the level of success or income I dreamed of. Read more>>

Lori Ann Wood

Whether it is my personality, my upbringing, or the world we live in, all my life I’ve assigned value to answers. Many times through graduate school, in my career, and while raising my children, I avoided questions—asking them or fielding them. Especially if I didn’t already know the correct response in advance. When I was suddenly diagnosed with end-stage heart failure with no family history and no risk factors, uncertainty permeated my life. I spent two weeks in cardiac ICU after visiting my family doctor with what I thought was the flu. I was eventually released with an armload of medication, an external defibrillator vest, and a hospice binder. The cause of my chronic, progressive disease remains undetermined, and the prognosis is just as foggy. Early on, I spent months researching for answers, when there were really none to be found. And what I discovered, serendipitously, was the value and freedom in questions. Over the last several years, I have written dozens of articles and now a book embracing the pursuit of questions and their value in faith and in life. Read more>>

Danika Cooper

Born from a personal need, Danika Cooper Jewellery has blossomed into a celebration of individuality and Pacific influence. Our story began with a simple desire: jewellery that fit and flattered everyone. When Tumua struggled to find pieces that accommodated his larger size, Danika, with her lifelong love for adornment, decided to take matters into her own hands. Fueled by creativity and a deep respect for Polynesian heritage, Danika Cooper Jewellery was born. We handcraft a diverse range of jewellery, from everyday essentials to luxurious statement pieces, all designed to empower you to express your unique style. Our core values guide every step of the journey: Inclusivity: We believe in jewellery for everyone, regardless of size or budget. Read more>>

Fernanda Ralston

I started my journey 15 years ago with the pursuit of the answer to the question: What is the real luxury of our time? 15 years ago redefining luxury was about letting go of brands and opulence and understanding that true luxury was shifting to a more silent and understated place where timelessness and originality became the center of conversation. That was when I started the post luxury movement in Brazil – certifying products and services that represented a more elegant class of luxury. My background is on set design and fashion and my passion really lies in creating experiences that can elevate one’s life. Read more>>

Ke’sha Dennis

I started my journey as a college graduate working at one of the top hospitals in Oakland, California. While it was a great opportunity, I quickly realized that the job lacked the flexibility and freedom I craved. I wanted more control over my time, especially as I was raising my daughters. That’s when I was offered a chance to invest in myself by joining a tax company. At first, it seemed like a good move, but after just one tax season, I recognized that I wasn’t truly passionate about the work. Instead, I saw an opportunity to take the next step and went into business for myself. That’s when I founded Upscale Tax Professionals. Read more>>

Ladonna Lane

I began making jewelry in May 2012 after unexpectedly losing my job. Rather than sitting at home feeling sorry for myself, I decided to channel my energy into something creative. My sister, who was making jewelry at the time, taught me a few techniques—and look at me now! Jewelry-making quickly became my passion. I love wearing my creations and having people ask where I got them, then proudly telling them, “I made it.” There’s no better feeling than hearing positive feedback from customers. Through Facebook, Instagram, and referrals, I’ve gained customers from around the world, including Germany, France, Spain, and the United States. My ultimate goal is to expand my jewelry line and, one day, open boutiques in multiple states. Every piece I create is wearable art, crafted with care and creativity. Read more>>

Hannah Seiden

I didn’t want to dance. My sister was in a troupe and my mom worked the front desk, so I was always in the dance studio. Everyone always encouraged me to try it, but I was terrified. When I finally got the courage to get on that floor, that was it. I became dance and dance became me. After a few years, we switched to a competitive studio where I grew into different genres of dance. We were the best in the state, and nationally recognized. Once I went to NYU, I explored a different side of dance, and graduated a mutt of different styles and ideas. I freelanced in NYC for 10 years- exciting opportunities including films, traveling to Dubai, China, Israel, working with different companies and showing my own work. Read more>>

Grace Clauch

My business partner Iris, and I (Grace), first met while working remotely for Apple Inc. providing customer service for the Japanese market. Although our team was scattered across the country, we both happened to be based in Las Vegas and shared the same mentor. Little did we know that this small connection would blossom into an amazing friendship between us. As we got to know each other, we discovered we had much in common. We are both mothers, musicians, and even come from the same region of Japan. But what truly bonded us was our shared appreciation for certain aesthetics—a passion not many others shared. We both adore antiques, Victorian-era designs, Gingham Checks, Liberty prints, and French toile. While these styles may sound common, our preferences are quite niche and not often seen in mainstream markets. This unique connection quickly expanded our professional relationship into a close friendship. Read more>>

Christina Diarcangelo of Affinity Bio Partners. Affinity Patient Advocacy, Spectral Analytics Precision Tele-Monitoring, I am Christina DiArcangelo, Sparkles Sisters

My journey has truly been a lifelong one, shaped by the many personal and professional challenges I’ve faced. Growing up in a blue-collar household with a father who was a steelworker and union leader taught me the value of hard work, advocacy, and standing up for what’s right. But my childhood was also shaped by living in a home deeply affected by mental health challenges. Both my mother and my brother had mental health diagnoses, and growing up in that environment made me aware from a young age of how important it is to advocate for those who can’t always advocate for themselves. It’s something that continues to influence my work today. Read more>>

Linda Akinyemi’s Story

the time, it became a launchpad for my future in project management. Whether working in the financial, media, or engineering industry, I honed skills crucial for any project manager: communication, problem-solving, organization, budget management, and leadership. I embraced every learning opportunity and sought out guidance from those around me. I made a point to align myself with project management tasks, attending meetings and learning about different methodologies on my own time. This proactive approach not only expanded my knowledge but also helped me develop a deep understanding of what it takes to successfully manage projects across various sectors. Read more>>

Myriam Steinberg

When I was 39, I came to the big “oopsy” realizations that I’d been so involved with the festival I was organizing, that I forgot to do what I needed to do to have children – something I knew I really wanted in life. When the relationship I was in at the time didn’t work out because he didn’t want children, I decided to go ahead and try on my own. What I thought would be an easy enough journey, turned out to be anything but. 5 years, 12 attempts (via IUI, IVF, and finally double donor embryo transfers), and 4 pregnancy losses later, I was finally pregnant with my twins. The journey was a hard one, and at the time, resources were few. I realized I had to share my story so that others going through similar experiences wouldn’t feel so alone and at a loss. Read more>>

Amelia Martin of Mud Rat

I usually start my story at highschool. But that’s when I am asked about my business journey or something like that. Maybe it’s the same question now, but I think a lot more before that went into getting me where I am now- on my couch watching a surf film writing this at midnight. I always liked to be outside when I was younger, I liked to build things, I was BIG into art and creating, I loved swimming and the beach and chocolate and my dogs. All of those things are still true. I love people, talking to people, and for as long as I could remember I wanted to be on my own. Independent, motivated, and full of rage. Read more>>

 

Michelle Babb of Eat.Play.Be.

I started my career in marketing and communications and was fortunate enough to work for a unique company called HealthComm that was helping educate healthcare professionals on the benefits of using food as medicine. It was that job, along with my experience at a PR agency where I had food and nutrition clients, that made me decide to go back to school later in life. I earned a master’s in nutrition from Bastyr University and became a registered dietitian. I opened a private practice in 2008, started teaching cooking classes, and wrote a few books on anti-inflammatory eating and mindful eating. Read more>>

Stephanie Castillo of VitaJug Smoothies LLC

I’m a proud first-generation college graduate from Alverno College, and my journey to where I am today has been anything but linear. After graduating, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of what to do with my business degree. For three years, I struggled with feelings of purposelessness and chronic depression, which led to various health issues that left doctors baffled. During this challenging time, I took it upon myself to research and explore how others had overcome similar struggles. It was during this period that I experienced a profound spiritual encounter with God, which truly transformed my life. This experience shifted my desires and motivated me to make healthier lifestyle choices, both physically and spiritually. Read more>>

Sara Welch of Resolve Fitness

Nearly 12 years ago, I made the decision to quit drinking—a single choice that set off a journey of reclaiming my life, bit by bit. What began as an effort to feel present and whole again led me to movement as an outlet, eventually guiding me to endurance sports and adventures I once could only dream of. From triathlons to marathons, each challenge gave me strength and purpose, pushing me to explore my limits. With that same drive, I pursued a career in fitness, and after over three years as a personal trainer, I co-founded Resolve Fitness with my business partner, Kate. Today, my mission is to help others find their strength, build resilience, and discover the athlete within, no matter where they are in life. Read more>>

Katherine Krakowski-macy

I’ve loved taking photos since I was a little girl in Chicago. I would plan and take pictures with my sisters & friends at home, of local bands & local concerts. After moving to California, I then also gained a passion for landscape photography. All these experiences helped me develop my skills and brought me back to photographing people. In 2009, my father’s unexpected departure fueled a deepening passion for capturing the essence of people through photography. This unfortunate experience will forever change the way I document & the significance of photography in my life. In 2023 after having my daughter, I had to make a very hard decision between staying at my full-time job at the hospital that I loved or taking my photography business full-time. After careful consideration, I decided to give it all into my passion for photography & spend these early years with our little girl! We welcomed a second baby girl three weeks ago! Read more>>

Holly Gilmour

I’ve always had passion for art, particularly illustration. As a child, I was drawn to the character designs in my favorite cartoons, toys, and storybooks—these became my earliest sources of inspiration. Thanks to the support of my parents, I always had the art supplies I needed to nurture my creativity. After high school, I was unsure about my next steps, but a teacher introduced me to a college program at an incredible art school. That moment sparked something in me, and I knew I wanted to turn my love for art into a career and pursue that dream wholeheartedly. Read more>>

Irene Weinberg of Grief and Rebirth LLC

“Saul has to go. Many lessons will be learned from his death.” My husband Saul and I were in our house on a lovely fall Sunday afternoon. He was watching football in the den while I washed dishes in the kitchen, some classical music on low in the background. Those words were so clear and so clearly being spoken to me that I actually turned to look behind me to see if someone had come into the room. There was no one else there. I went into the den to bring Saul a glass of water. Standing behind him, I kissed the top of his head and pressed my cheek against his soft, red beard. We watched the game together that way for a few minutes. I took a deep breath to push away those words that had forced themselves into my mind, but it was hard to ignore that somebody somewhere was telling me I might lose the love of my life. Read more>>

Kayla Wooley of StaffOnTap, Swallowing Diagnostics

I grew up immersed in my family business of skilled nursing facilities, where I spent summers on various jobs. After college, I became a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and later the Director of Business Development for 24 facilities. That experience ignited my interest in making a greater impact in senior care. Driven to explore new paths, I pursued an MPH at the Yale School of Public Health. It was there I first considered entrepreneurship, competing in case competitions and discovering a passion for pitching strategic solutions. Wanting to build my own business, I went on to Cornell for an MBA, where I not only gained invaluable mentorship but also launched my first company, StaffOnTap. While simultaneously studying and building my company, I became a Teaching Fellow for two MBA courses and raised $60,000 in non-dilutive funding from pitch competitions. Ten months after launching StaffOnTap, I raised a $250,000 pre-seed round. Today, 2.5 years later, StaffOnTap generates an annual total income of $4 million. Read more>>

Demi Michelle Schwartz’s Story

My love for books started when I was a child. I have vivid memories of my parents reading stories to me before bed, especially fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel. In school, I always looked forward to silent reading time and creative writing activities. I didn’t know back then that I would one day be involved in the publishing industry. I can honestly say my teachers and professors are the ones who set me on the path of being an author. My senior year of high school, my creative writing teacher told me I had potential and asked if I had considered studying English in college. I have to admit, I was surprised. I had only seen myself pursuing music, another passion of mine that led to me becoming an award-winning songwriter and recording artist, but creative writing? Sure, I loved crafting my own stories and reading, but I never thought about making books a bigger part of my life. Read more>>

Ruth Anna Evans’s Story

I’ve written my whole life in one capacity. I remember my first story in first grade about a little girl who rescued a baby bird that had fallen out of his nest. But as an adult, I struggled to generate fiction. When the pandemic hit, I was so stressed and bored I needed a positive outlet, and I wrote my first book. It felt so good. And in discovering horror as a writer, I discovered a well of ideas that will never run dry. There is so much horror in our world. So many varieties of horror. My writing is about personal horrors, traumas, sorrows. Writing them is an outlet that helps me cope. As for art, it’s a passion. I’ve always wanted to be an artist, but didn’t have any skill or talent at drawing or painting or whatnot. But I was driven to create book covers for the books that I was writing. I realized how much fun it was, and then started making covers and posting them. I was overjoyed when people started buying them, and I haven’t looked back. Now I have a side business making book covers, and I am so happy about that. How many people get to say their passion and their art help sustain their family? I am so lucky. Read more>>

Sylvia Tirakian

I do not remember a time that I was jealous of someone nor do I remember a time that I was not inspired by someone. I think early on, I was aware that I can dare to dream and choose who to be. Much of my early teenage years to later, I loved reading biography books. This was pre internet where we actually borrowed books from library and the joy of taking the books home to read and become a “friend” with the author. It was in these books that I realized my world was bigger than what was offered to me in a patriarchal home and immigrant journey, two things that have made me stronger. “Work is love made visible.” Read more>>

Lillie Gennings

It all started with a love of animals and nature and the gift of a camera. My parents gave me my first camera when I was a kid—a little digital camera that fit in my pocket. I took thousands of pictures of birds from our living room window. In the winter they would flock to the feeders we set out and I would just sit and watch with my camera for hours. I remember being so excited when I caught my first bird in flight shot. Eventually I moved on to photograph my horse, the cows, flowers, and anything else that caught my eye. Over the years my photography skills improved slightly, but it wasn’t until I graduated high school that I bought my first real “professional” camera. It was a basic Canon, but it had rechargeable batteries and changeable lenses. I knew nothing about operating it. After some trial and error and experimentation I was able to take decent photos that were actually in focus! I ended up taking a basic photography course in college to learn all the technical terms for the parts of my camera (I never did read the handbook that came with the camera) and how they operated. This new knowledge helped immensely, unlike the beginner lessons in Photoshop that I remember nothing about!  Read more>>

Joanna Gonzalez

My journey in visual communication began long before I realized it was my calling. As a child, I always saw the world through a unique lens, interpreting and expressing ideas visually. This innate ability naturally led me to graphic design, a field I’ve now been passionate about for over seven years. I started my career eager to translate complex ideas into visually compelling stories. As I honed my skills, I found myself collaborating with an incredibly diverse range of teams and clients, each project teaching me about the power of visual storytelling and collaboration to create immersive, emotionally resonant experiences. Today, I find myself exactly where I’m meant to be – at the intersection of creativity and impact. Read more>>

Chloe Duckworth of Valence AI

My journey with Valence Vibrations started from a fascination with the power of technology to enhance human connection. It all began while I was studying computational neuroscience; I dove into ways we could use tech to bridge the gap in understanding people’s emotions. My co-founder and I first developed an app that used haptic feedback to help people interpret emotional tones—an idea sparked at a hackathon. That project made me realize how much potential there is in bringing emotion AI into our everyday interactions. Today, as CEO of Valence AI, I’m focused on advancing this technology to help companies in customer support, sales, and team collaboration better understand the emotions in their interactions. This isn’t just about implementing a new tool; it’s about creating a bridge for empathy, a way for people to feel genuinely seen and understood, regardless of their background or communication style. Read more>>

Jennifer Hines

I’m currently a freelance illustrator and lettering artist specializing in food subject matter. But I definitely didn’t start out with that idea and have gone on a circuitous route to get here. I studied fine art and creative writing in university and wanted to be a poet or a painter, in that order. A few mediocre teachers made me realize my talents lay in longer narrative stories and more drawing-based mediums. Over the years, I created artwork through printmaking, sculpture, and drawing and showed work in gallery shows, supporting myself with some graphic design jobs in the meantime. I meant for the design work to just be day jobs, but I started getting more interested in graphic design and less in fine art (which was also costly), and so I ended up working in publishing and book design. Publishing was great because I got to design how text was presented so it combined words with visuals, fitting with my background in school. But as time went on, I started yearning for something off the computer, so began drawing again in my spare time. Read more>>

Belle Alatorre’s Story

Hello, I started my sound design and audio engineer journey in high school. Originally I wanted to be an actor but over time I realized that I disliked being onstage but loved being in the room working with all my friends creating art. Shortly after I switched over to doing stage management. Since my school was very small, I became the point person navigating stage management, sound design, and lighting design in my senior year. With this responsibility, I grew a love of sound design and began my journey. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it were not for working with people who continued to push me along my journey. People like Noel Nichols recommending me to apply for a couple of fellowships that improved my career, Glenn Schuster constantly setting me up with work, and Palmer Hefferan continuing to inspire me, work with me, and introduce me to new people. Read more>>

Anne Friedman

Steve Jobs, at my commencement address from Stanford, said that you can only “connect the dots backward.” At the time, it didn’t sound particularly profound but looking back I realize how right he was. In college, I thought I’d become a lawyer, probably for environmental or human rights. But then I got a debilitating case of Lyme’s Disease in my senior year, was bedridden for months after graduation, and lost my ability to read/think/carry on a conversation. In that time I spent sick, I had to ask myself a lot of deep questions about my life and priorities. If I only had 4 hours of consciousness a day, how did I want to spend them? If I couldn’t be out in the world, carry on a full-time job with all the demands of that, what did I want to do? How could I make my time worthwhile? And that’s how I ultimately came to writing. I could do it from bed, at any hour, whenever I felt up to it. I didn’t need to ask permission or wait for an assignment, I could just open my computer and go to work. Read more>>

Emma Mulvany of Empowerment by Emma (previously EM Holistic Wellness)

I began my career as a certified holistic nutritionist, helping women disentangle from diet culture and return to honoring their bodies. Then, as I think many women in personal growth spaces like this, it was a personal moment of cracking open that lead me to helping women overcome self-doubt and limiting beliefs. It was early 2021 and I was reading Glennon Doyle’s Untamed during my kids’ naptime. At this time, I was craving something, I just didn’t know what it was yet. I had everything I ever wanted – a healthy and thriving family, an aligned business, a beautiful marriage and home – and yet I felt there was something missing. There was a dissatisfaction that I felt both guilty about experiencing yet couldn’t deny.  Read more>>

Taraleigh Weathers

I’ve been dancing my whole life—movement has always been my thing. Growing up with hyper-mobility worked great for my dance career. I could move in ways that looked effortless on stage. But as I’ve entered middle age, it’s taken a bit of a toll on my body. I realized if I didn’t start taking care of myself in a new way, I’d end up as a pile of glitter and bones (at least a sparkly pile, right?). So, I developed a workout routine that helps me stay strong and flexible, and now I teach it to others, showing people how to move in ways that support their bodies, no matter what stage of life they’re in. Read more>>

Amanda Howell of Amanda Howell Agency

This is truly a GOD Story! I started this company in February this year after getting released from a posiiton that no longer suited me or the company. I had always wanted to do something on my own and was told many times over the years that I need to start my own company. I am excellent at connecting others, building relationships, speaking publicly, community involvement and more. I made a joke about 7 years ago stating if I could work for myself, network, give back to the community, help others grow their businesses, and make a living doing it, I would. Well, here I am. I am living it and loving it. I leaned on my community, my relationships that I have built here over the past 3 years, my personality and my faith to build something incredible and unique. Read more>>

Sara Alepin of District Bliss

I began my career as a passionate photography teacher, igniting creativity in countless students. My “summer job” as a photographer was a labor of love. However, a shocking attack by a student abruptly ended my teaching career. Faced with uncertainty, I decided to pivot to full-time photography. But my injury limited my capacity, and I couldn’t turn away potential clients without having another photographer to send them to. I yearned for a supportive network of photographers who could collaborate and uplift each other. As I ventured into the world of networking, I encountered a disheartening reality: a scarcity mindset that stifled connection and growth. Undeterred, I took matters into my own hands and hosted my own networking event, inviting like-minded entrepreneurs who shared my aversion to traditional networking and desire for meaningful connections. Read more>>

Angie Vogel of The Jiu Jitsu Company

I started out professionally as a pastry chef, working in fine dining. I was able to get a lot of experience at the best places in Philadelphia, like Le Bec Fin and the Four Seasons Hotel, and I learned so much about hospitality. You wouldn’t think hospitality has much to do with the martial arts business, but there is so much transfer. Making people feel comfortable and welcome is the first goal we have when new potential members come in to try out our academy. Read more>>

Susan Popovich of Southern Treats

I started Southern Treats the summer of 2019. I had previously worked in the medical field for twenty years prior to opening my small business. I knew it was time for a change. I felt like I was always working and never got to spend time with my family. My son was young at that time and my husband worked on the road a lot. My father was also needing more assistance. I’m not sure people really believed I was going to start a kettle corn company and not go back to working in the medical field. People thought that was the safe choice. I had very little to no money and no real experience with owning my own business. I had talked about opening this business for about ten years Read more>>

Leann Herron of Finding Resilience with Leann

I’m a 53-year-old married, mother of two adult children and one amazing grandson. My background includes 20 years in accounting and 13 years in the legal field. At 49, I left my legal career to reinvent myself during the pandemic. I returned to school, earned a Life and Health Coach certification, and became an entrepreneur. My reinvention and return to school in my 50s were necessitated after experiencing PTSD symptoms, which I labeled “Trauma Soup,” from an incident over 20 years prior, which was reactivated during my professional role in the legal field fueled by overwhelm and burnout. challenges, compelling me to embark on a courageous path of self-exploration and profound personal development. I uncovered the transformative power of mindfulness and meditation, mindset shifts, self-care practices, and intentional living, greatly enhancing my overall well-being. This healing journey opened the door to an opportunity to consider my next phase of life. I had been working jobs that provided means and experiences to provide for my family, and now I could evaluate my options, values, and passion for helping others in a completely different way. In 2022, after completing my certification, I opened my coaching practice Finding Resilience with Leann. As a certified life and health coach, I guide women and female entrepreneurs through life’s toughest transitions, turning burnout, stress, and uncertainty into lasting success, balance, and vitality.  Read more>>

Jacquelyn Mansfield’s Story

Proxima Design started at the beginning of the pandemic. Masks were almost impossible to find and I work in a grocery store full time, so I felt very vulnerable and unprotected. Many of my friends and family were also working in jobs that didn’t have the work from home option, so I brought the old Singer sewing machine a friend had given me down from the spare room, and really figured out how to use it. The masks I made were so comfortable and durable that I quickly started a business as their popularity spread amongst my friends and family’s network. Along with the masks I started trying my hand at making some cat toys and other accessories just to break up the monotony of mask after mask after mask. The cat toys were also a hit! After a couple years the mask orders dried up and I decided to pivot the business exclusively to cat toys. Read more>>

Megan Nufer

Hi, I’m Megan Nufer, and my story is a bit of a whirlwind. I took a big risk by starting a business while working full-time in financial services, never knowing if it would lead anywhere. But something inside me kept pushing forward, even when doubt crept in. It wasn’t easy, especially during the pandemic, but my incredible network of friends and cheerleaders kept me going. It all started during a time when the world felt chaotic—COVID, social unrest, personal struggles—it seemed like everything was falling apart. I’d hit a glass ceiling in my career, and like many, I felt stuck. But instead of letting that frustration consume me, I decided to invest in myself and channel that energy into something meaningful. Read more>>

Valeria Maldonado

My name is Valeria Maldonado, and I’m a Peruvian textile artist and architect based in New York City. My journey with art began at a very young age, when I would sculpt with Play-Doh and paint the walls in preschool, exploring my creativity instead of joining recess. When I turned 18, I wanted to pursue a career in fine art, but my father suggested architecture as a more stable choice. I followed that path and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, which I was proud to achieve, but my passion for fine art never left me. In my twenties, everything changed when a friend introduced me to embroidery. That moment ignited my love for textiles, sparking a deep obsession that led me to pursue an MFA in Textiles at Parsons School of Design. During my time there, I discovered my unique artistic voice and developed a practice where I could fully express my identity through textile sculptures. Read more>>

Nicole Juntura of Plot Twist Pretzels

My story probably starts somewhere during my final semester of college where I am sitting in the computer lab wondering what the hell I am going to do with my career as an English major with a) zero money b) zero guidance c) zero understanding of the working world. My reasoning for getting a degree in English was play to my strengths and I wasn’t exactly great at math and always wanted to write creatively. My college advisors were no help and I had to rely on my friend’s guidance just to graduate on time since I was a transfer student and had stayed at home for two years working 30 hours a week at a local cafe/bakery while also going to school full time. I knew I wanted to do something “professional” (a.k.a. computer-based, non-sweaty jobs) so I decided to continue my stint from the previous summer as a local bank teller (since I had no idea how to get a job and remember this was an honestly terrible time to be job searching) which then led to a coordinator job in the healthcare field, which then opened the door to the largest healthcare organization in our state, which found me getting poached by a different department leader looking for an admin. Read more>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Elias Huffman of Pittsburgh International Classic Theatre

I began my work in theatre at the age of 6 when I played the narrator Hans Christian Anderson in a school play telling the story of the Ugly Duckling. I wanted to play the beautiful swan but fate (and a prescient teacher) cast me as the storyteller and I have been doing that ever since. Telling stories. Acting, dancing, singing, directing, designing, or producing them. Throughout junior and senior high school, several years of college while working in a steel mill to pay for it, I studied my craft. I moved to the Big Apple at twenty years old to attend an acting school in New York, taking dance classes, and took a job in Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a showgirl for a year dancing and riding elephants, which got me my Actors Equity union card, not to mention a wealth of funny circus stories. I danced in a ballet company in Florida for a few years after that, then moved back to New York to pursue acting. Finally, being lucky enough to attend a course at BADA in Balliol College, Oxford, all of these years of training set the stage for my career in theatre. Read more>>

 

 

Dana Seibel

I am a child of God, a wife, mother and Kingdom leader. Like anything, everything begins with a thought but my story of entrepreneurship began with a voice. In college, upon completion of my Masters Degree, I heard the Spirit of God tell me that I would become a business owner and a legacy builder. At that time, I laughed and thought about the girl who’s self worth is wrapped up in people pleasing and self-doubt only to be reminded by the Holy Spirit of the story of Abraham and Sara. Read more>>