We asked some very thoughtful members of our community to reflect on what they’ve learned from their heroes.

Abby Judd

Nicole Hill. She is a fashion photographer that started from nothing and built her business from the ground up. She gets flown around the world to shoot for magazines and companies we see every day. She now teaches students how to take your photography from the very beginning to be able to become a full time photographer. She is my hero because no matter what life throws at her she is so extremely positive. She is one of those people that when you see her smile, you get happy! She just radiates positive energy everywhere she goes. If I can get to about 50% of that level of joy she radiates to the people around her, I’d be happy! She has shown me no matter how saturated the photography industry is, that each person matters and their photography is special. A lot of photographers I have been around haven’t been the nicest, and she made me realize there is so many amazing and kind photographers all around the world and that not everyone is rude. Because I took her photography course, I have new photographer besties all over the states. Even some in places like Canada and France! Read more>>

Carley Fant

The Oxford Dictionary defines a hero as “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” However, this interpretation fails to differentiate a genuinely heroic figure from one who’s authored their success story. What distinguishes a hero is not their triumph over adversity but the profound impact they have on the minds and hearts of others. Exemplifying these qualities, my hero, and guardian angel, is named Mom. Read more>>

Michael Espinosa

My hero is Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. He introduced the concept of the shadow in his psychological framework, and this idea has had a profound impact on my life. Let me explain… Read more>>

 

Matthew Hillman

My dad has had an immense impact on my life, both as a parent and as a small business owner. He runs a company that specializes in screen printing, signage, graphic design, and various artistic projects. While he is undoubtedly artistic and creative, his role as a small business owner, and problem solver has had the greatest influence on me. Growing up, my father instilled in me the value of self-reliance and independence. He emphasized the concept of “making your own luck” and taught me that success comes from taking ownership of my actions and decisions. He demonstrated the importance of hard work and the idea that one’s efforts directly contribute to their outcomes. Despite his busy schedule, he always made time to support my interests and fostered my creativity through art classes and involving me in his projects. Read more>>

Amanda Woods

One of my biggest heroes is Ms. Maureen O’Hara. I grew up idolizing her, the beauty, the strength, the talent, and of course the red hair. When the opportunity arose for me to actually work with her, I was completely star struck. Through many conversations with her I learned a great deal of how to navigate a career and be successful and one of the things that really stood out to me was when we were talking about her time on sets. She would say that it was very hard and she always did the work, even long after others had left. She earned every step and stood toe to toe with them all, meeting them eye to eye and how she always made sure she looked elegant while doing it. This resonated with me and has been something always in the back of my mind when I approach any situation. Read more>>

Jasmine Roberts

After grieving from losing my daughter I found myself back in hair school again. I needed a new focus and direction away from the nursing field. My hero is my instructor from hair school Crystal Tyler Thomas. She was my instructor and we became so close. She was like family to my friend. Crystal was a recent graduate from the program and newly instructor to the hair school. Her personality was one of a kind. Her voice was so beautiful, she should have been in someone’s studio also. I love to hear her sing. She was like my personal radio. I miss her voice. I lost my father in law during school. He was like a second dad. She called me everyday to check on me while I was away from hair school. I remember refusing clients because I was nervous. I never did the styles so I declined and she said no you didn’t. You got this I’m coming to show you. Crystal had me slaying hair clients who were rebooking me. She believed in me and pushed me to be a better stylist. While living working 2 other jobs outside of the hair school to pursue her dreams. A mother, a bomb hairstylist instructor, a hard working dedicated loving woman. I learned so much during my journey in hair school. During COVID 19 hair school shutdown completely. Crystal still texted me and checked on me. We spoke a few days 5 days prior for her birthday. I was home making wigs. I texted her and she always texted me but she never responded. Crystal died six days later after her birthday. I found out she died on social media. She inspired me to be the woman I am today. I wouldn’t be the stylist I am had we not ever crossed paths. In her memory I’m going to continue on our journey in this industry and make you proud I won’t let you down. Weeks before graduation from hair school I found out I was pregnant with my son. I’m so excited about what’s next for me on this journey. Read more>>

Stacia Greene

My all-time hero, would have to be my Grandmother Alice “Hot Sauce” Powell! She was given the name hot sauce, due to her memorable feisty personality, it was truly one that you would never forget. My Grandmother was the pilar of my family and a jack of all trades. She could literally do anything, cook, sew, dance, sing, you name it she could do it! From young, one of the many lessons my grandmother installed in me was to always have a voice, the essence of money management, always staying true to myself, and to always put my best foot forward at anything that I did. I watched as my grandmother worked as a director for the Department of Human Resources for years while also being what we now know as a socialite managing a variety of bars and social clubs on the weekends. Read more>>

William Stilwell

My hero was my Father. When I first became interested in starting my business he was nothing less than supportive. He allowed me a small portion of our family home to operate out of and always pushed my artistry. He inspired me to continue chasing my dreams and helped me find my passion. Plus, he showed me exactly what it meant to be hardworking, even with the odds stacked against you. My Dad was diagnosed with acute kidney failure while I was still in high school. The day I graduated he was admitted to a local hospital and unable to attend. His life changed, he had new dietary requirements and health regimens, but, he still got up each and every day to help provide for me so I could do what I loved. Read more>>

Aurora Martinez

My hero is not defined as a specific person but everyone who has once educated me and shown me something I did not know before. Hero is defined as someone who saves your life, but instead for me is someone that has saved your life by teaching you the most valuable skills and morals to be who you are today. I could name countless hero’s in my life, having God at the top of my pyramid, as he is the center and the author of my life. My parents are my day-to-day heroes, my dad is more than a hero, he is my mentor, the one who leads me when my head is in spirals. Nonetheless, my mom saves my life every day, in the most unique ways. From keeping me out of hunger to protecting my innocence and character. My dad has influenced me in my success and my dreams. Read more>>

David Hitchings

My father is one of my heros in my lifetime. Many people ask me how I got started with my side business building high end cutting boards and meat carvers. I explain that when I was young my dad had a great interest in carpentry. Many times when I was a kid around the age of 10 he would ask me to come out to the garage to help him with tasks that he might not be able to handle by himself. Many times it was an inconvenience to my desire to play outside with my friends. What I did not realize a that young age is I was subconsciously taking in valuable information regarding using the tools he was using and the methods in how he was building things. I have always had a desire to build things using carpentry. As I got older and moved out on my own, I started to purchase tools for myself, including a table saw and other odds and ends. I used those tools to build my own living room coffee table and end tables. I have also used those tools to earn money trimming out commercial retail spaces as well as to renovate my own homes. These experiences I learned from him throughout the years regarding wood work have allowed me to build a business, provide additional income for my family as well as allowed me to escape the day to day and do something that he loved and I loved as well. It brings up memories of spending time with him, learning a trade that we both came to enjoy.Read more>>

Patricia Regina

My hero is, and always will be my mother. I did not come from a wealthy family by any means, and I came from a single parent household. My mother worked three low-paying jobs to support her family, which included me my brother and my sister. She really truly sacrificed anything she ever wanted to focus on our needs looking back now. I would see that she would eat after rest because we never had enough to eat yet. We never felt it or want it for anything.. sadly we lost her to breast cancer years ago and she really never got to enjoy her life as she sacrificed everything for the needs of her children. Her selfless dedication is what motivates me on a daily basis, as I strive to make her proud from up above. Read more>>